In 1988, Don’t Worry, Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin’s anthem to happiness - became the first a capella song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100. And while many may remember it as a slightly annoying ditty with a bit of whistling, the fact is that McFerrin’s lyrics are brimming with psychological insight. And it’s worth pointing out that the title was inspired by a quote from Indian … [Read more...] about Don’t Worry, Be Happy – it really works…
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Memories: fact or fiction?
We all have good memories and bad memories. Both can be equally vivid. Both can seem viscerally real when they flash back into your mind. Memories can trigger a whole series of emotional, physiological and behavioural responses over which you seem to have little control. Therefore memories seem to us to be powerful. And they are - if we let them. But the vital thing to bear in mind about … [Read more...] about Memories: fact or fiction?
What’s your manifesto?
It used to be that only governments and political parties issued manifestos. These days it seems anyone can give a manifesto a go. I’ve come across some brilliant ones recently, from the wonderful Holstee manifesto, a sort of Desiderata for the 21st century to the much quirkier Cult of Done manifesto, which features the following: “Pretending you know what you’re doing is almost the same as … [Read more...] about What’s your manifesto?
The power of a coherent heart
Living from the heart is a metaphor that we all seem to instinctively understand. But what does it mean in practice? According to Doc Childre, founder of the Institute of HeartMath (www.heartmath.org), heart-based living refers to all intentions and actions that express qualities of heart in daily life. These qualities can include appreciating or caring for others, expressing kindness to … [Read more...] about The power of a coherent heart
Can one little word change your life?
Can you think of a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2012? It can be anything you want - tangible or intangible, a thought, feeling or object. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. One Little Word is the brainchild of Ali Edwards, a designer, blogger and author who creates scrapbooks from words and pictures (www.aliedwards.com). “A single … [Read more...] about Can one little word change your life?
What we miss while our heads are in the sand
In my other life as a journalist, I spend a lot of time writing about white-sand beaches. And I’ve been lucky enough to walk along such beaches in exotic locations, as well as experience the silky softness of dune sand in the desert. But I’ve rarely stopped to think about individual grains of sand. Thank goodness, then, for Dr Gary Greenberg, who has put them under a microscope and … [Read more...] about What we miss while our heads are in the sand