The Apology That Came 40 Years Later
When I was 13, I had my first girlfriend. We held hands behind the teacher’s back and went roller skating on weekends—until she dropped me for my friend. I was heartbroken. Two weeks ago, a message landed in my inbox—from her.
How to Maintain Friendships Across Political Divides
Whatever country you live in, our great challenge these recent years has been how to stay friends with people who think or vote differently to us. Thankfully, such friendship really is possible.
Why Are We So Angry? The Hidden Culprit We May Be Missing
I recently sat in a doctor’s office waiting for a routine check-up. Tired of scrolling my phone, I paid the information screen on the wall more attention than usual. A message soon flashed up that felt out of sorts in this place of care: “Abusive behaviour will not be tolerated. Please treat our staff with
A Hidden Key to Contentment
Contentment is a fascinating human experience because it isn’t the same as happiness or fulfilment. Instead, contentment is a sense of completion. Whether life is easy or hard, the contented person can say, 'I am enough and have enough'.
The Two Basic Human Needs: Bios and Zoë
In his famous Hierarchy of Needs, psychologist Abraham Maslow said we need our basic needs like food and shelter met before we can turn to higher needs like relationships and purpose. He later added that we have spiritual needs too, which takes my mind to two hidden words in the New Testament.
Take it From Margaret: This Simple Act Can Really Make Your Life Count
"As the afternoon tea ended, Margaret hugged Emily tightly. For ten minutes she sobbed, unable to let Emily go, because it had been so long since she’d felt seen and heard."
When Cracks Appear, Check Your Foundations
After wanting to for years, Merryn and I finally did the sums, held our breath, signed the papers, and embarked on a house renovation. It was time. The 150-year-old floor boards of our little terrace home sagged like a tired trampoline, our bathroom leaked and our kitchen walls were crumbling. A third of the house
How Helping Them Could End Up Saving You
I have no idea why, but when anything gets too popular, I lose interest. Hip Hop was cool until it went mainstream. I ignored The Hunger Games, have never watched Eastenders, and haven’t seen Barbie (but I have seen Oppenheimer—I’m not always consistent). And so when I found Anthony Doerr’s globally-popular Pulitzer Prize-winning novel All
“Go at the Speed of Joy,” He Said. But Could I?
Sitting in a hotel room late last year, six words dropped into my mind: Go at the speed of joy. I’ve been trying to put them into practice ever since.
Why You Should Deface Your Books
If you live in the UK and aren't already on it, all the Hermiones, Where’s Wallys and Cats in Hats at the school gate will soon remind you that today is World Book Day. While the UK event focuses on children, the global event (held on April 23) is a day for all to celebrate