Moving from “I” to “We”
If you read my last blog post you'll know I'm in some turmoil. It's as if the rug has been pulled out from underneath my feet. My belief system around addiction is being challenged. Today I read something settling and reassuring. William L. White* is a leading voice...
Challenging assumptions
Johann Hari's book Chasing the Scream came highly recommended and I'm working my way through, skipping or skimming the overwhelmingly triggering parts (at least, when I can catch them in time). It's an enormously thought provoking read. As someone who's...
The Price of Shame
Moved to tears by Monica Lewinsky's TED talk "The Price of Shame" I offer a link below. What a brave and courageous woman. Several things really stood out for me - she referred to a time before the media furore surrounding her youthful choices, seventeen years ago...
Shame – friend or foe?
Like Dr. Brené Brown, I have a particular interest in shame. Perhaps because I know the terrain both personally and professionally, and perhaps because it's one of those things we're not supposed to talk about. I want to shine a light into any dark place to...
Pavlov and staying sober
Early in my work with recovering people, we spent a lot of time figuring out what 'triggered' them to drink or use other drugs. It was important they know this, both to move towards quitting, and once abstinent, to stay that way. The Matrix Institute on...
Pearl of Wisdom
In a moment of serendipity earlier this week, I reviewed notes taken at an Association for Coaching conference some years ago when I attended a lecture given by Chris Johnstone. Originally trained as a medical doctor, he went on to specialise in well-being, positive...
The Embodiment Journal
I'm proud to have contributed an article to my friend and colleague Francis Briers most recent publication, The Embodiment Journal - Volume 1: Somatics and Embodiment for Health, Leadership and Life. Available on Amazon to download to Kindle for just ninety-nine...
Prioritising
Many will undoubtedly read this interesting article about mother-of-nine Helena Morrisey with an eye to the proportion of women in the boardroom, that ongoing debate about equality and glass ceilings and so on. However, for me, I was struck by something else...
Fake it til you become it
I have an introvert friend, let's call her Ruth, who used to dread social events because she was so bad at small talk. For all her poise and confidence at work, managing a successful team, the thought of a party gave her the heeby-jeebies. Something has changed...
Narcissistic Nastiness
Unfortunately, I have deep familiarity with narcissistic nastiness. With both parents leaning in that direction, one more than the other thank goodness, I know how to listen to them, cater to them, tend to them, navigate around them....you get the picture. I continue...