“When we feel this sense of completeness in ourselves, we’re not going to be pulled around by the emotional manipulation of carrot (reward) and stick (punishment). Instead of resenting authority figures who are trying to use these patterns to control us, we can see clearly what they playing at and not join in the soap opera of it all. Our precious life energy and well cultivated skills can be dedicated to real life. “ Read more ->

The path of self love looks different for each of us. It wends and winds in its own way. So perhaps we might choose not to judge each other for that fact of difference and focus on forgiving ourselves for being human, for making mistakes and instead be kind to ourselves. That is one gift that can be given freely and its magic is unmistakable.

Sitting in the garden here in Cupar, drinking in this late September warmth, a familiar sound draws my gaze to the flight path above – not of aeroplanes, but wild geese wending their way south for winter. I love their dynamically shifting V-formations, supporting each other in their long journey home. The way they listen to the wind with their wings, following the flow that guides them on their way, makes my heart sing.

It seems to me infinitely more powerful to support and nourish what we want to see in the world rather than giving our precious attention to what we don’t want to see.

So if we think we’re in a hostile situation (i.e., we’re afraid) our whole system goes into protection mode. And if we are focused on what resources and nourishment are available in our current place and time, we can enjoy the benefits of growth and healing.

My work has been appearing in magazines, journals, books and websites since 2002. A lot of it was written trying to be someone — ‘an academic’ or as ‘an activist’ — which seems to take away from the simplicity of what it is my heart loves to share. Still, some people have found it useful.