burning questions with Patti Digh: poetic choices | White Hot Truth: because self-realization rocks.
‘There’s a wonderful quote from Osho: “When I say be creative, I don’t mean you should all go and become great painters and great poets. I simply mean let your life be a painting, let your life be a poem.”
What makes something poetic is our belief in poetry, of a meaning far beyond the surface of the thing itself, of metaphor, of the dance we dance daily between content and form.’
Our biggest asumption - why we have a fear of being ourselves around others.
From the extraordinary innerpreneur, Tara Joyce
The Guardian's review of 'Smile or Die'
Jenni Murray salutes a long-overdue demolition of the suggestion that positive thinking is the answer to all our problems.
Six Myths About The Brain
I’m increasingly fascinated by neuroscience and how we can use what we know about how our brains work to improve our lives. So here’s some myths, busted!
Why is your son wearing pink?
Gender stereotyping of children - worse now than it was 30 years ago as far as I can tell. This article was drawn to my attention by another article here.
Forty years of women's liberation
An important moment in women’s history
Joanna Young’s 52 Weeks of Wonder - a photojournal accompanied by poetry. Very special. :)
Click through on the images to find the poems.
Green Fingers: A Cherished Garden : The Calm Space - evocative, beautiful, touching
Women's right to choose was not meant to be about Botox | Libby Brooks | The Guardian
I’m proud to say that my dear friend Jenny was a naked performer in ‘Trilogy’. Three cheers for this article.
Smile or Die: How Positive Thinking Fooled America and the World
An Observer review of Barbara Ehrenreich’s latest book.
I am enjoying the book enormously. It articulates uncomfortable feelings I’ve had for years about the ‘positive thinking’ industry (of which I am ostensibly a part).
A challenging read.
Mumsnet takes on the ad men and wins
“While the other slogans in the campaign rely on gentle, cheeky provocation (‘1966 - It won’t happen this year’ and ‘Educashun isn’t working’), the offending slogan voices a sentiment that is the basis of discrimination. It encourages the public to continue a sexist debate that should have been put to rest years ago. And that debate has real life negative consequences for thousands of women.”
Your Breathing Space for January : The Calm Space Amy Palko’s beautiful image and Monica Baldwin’s wise words about the possibilities offered by each new day.
The power of pink | From the Guardian | The Guardian
I missed this last month. Pink has only been ‘for girls’ in the past 60 or so years. Previously it was ‘for boys’, and earlier still colours weren’t gender-specific. Not surprising; validating.
Smile! You've got cancer | Barbara Ehrenreich | Life and style | The Guardian
Incredibly thought-provoking article about the whole “positive-attitude” thang. I’ve ordered Barbara Ehrenreich’s book “Smile or Die: How Positive Thinking Fooled America and the World” and will see what impact its arguments have on this PMA-promoting coach.
At this stage I’d say that having a postive take on life is generally a good thing, but for those struggling with life-threatening diseases having it thrust at you all the time could easily become a condescending pain in the backside.
Food for considerable thought…
