A blog about building a stronger moral compass to help navigate life’s challenges from a father, husband, writer and pilot…
The Simplest, Most Effective Way To Overcome Writer’s Block
Are you struggling for words? Stuck in a loop? Don’t know how to proceed? Do you feel like everything you’re writing is a pile of s***? That you’re making everything ten times worse than what you’d originally put down on paper? Well fear not my friends, for I have the answer and boy oh boy … Read more The Simplest, Most Effective Way To Overcome Writer’s Block
Advice On Dealing With Anxiety And Overcoming PTSD – Plus A Story About My Most Traumatic Experience As A Pilot
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to land a commercial jet? As you’ve travelled somewhere excitedly looking out of the passenger window and thought what the view is like from the front as you come into land? Well I can tell you, on a good day, it’s truly exhilarating. To safely bring one of … Read more Advice On Dealing With Anxiety And Overcoming PTSD – Plus A Story About My Most Traumatic Experience As A Pilot
NOTES FROM MY JOURNAL – JUNE 2020 – On The Value Of Honesty, How To Move Like A Winner, The Ultimate Form Of Taking Responsibility and More…
Hello lovely readers and welcome to my monthly newsletter! Included is a round up of what I’ve been writing and reading, plus a collection of thoughts from my journal. I hope you enjoy! WHAT I’VE BEEN WRITING: A Story For My Children About The Value Of Honesty, Love And Forgiveness A letter I wrote to my … Read more NOTES FROM MY JOURNAL – JUNE 2020 – On The Value Of Honesty, How To Move Like A Winner, The Ultimate Form Of Taking Responsibility and More…
The Rebellion Is On You
What happens when you beat a child with a stick? You harden their heart. You close their mind. You fix the very beliefs you wish so strongly to change. Is this not obvious? Is the need to be right all the matters? Is it really necessary to hit a child when they’re already on the … Read more The Rebellion Is On You
Happy F***ing Mondays – 29/06/20
Hello fine readers and welcome to my Happy F***ing Mondays Post – a weekly newsletter that attempts to rewrite the narrative Mondays are the shittiest day of the week. (Or at least start it off in a slightly less shit fashion.) This week it contains 4 thoughts from me, 4 quotes from others and 3 … Read more Happy F***ing Mondays – 29/06/20
Happy F***ing Mondays – 22/06/20
Hello fine readers and welcome to my Happy F***ing Mondays Post – a weekly newsletter that attempts to rewrite the narrative Mondays are the shittiest day of the week. (Or at least start it off in a slightly less shit fashion.) This week it contains 3 thoughts from me, 4 quotes from others and 3 … Read more Happy F***ing Mondays – 22/06/20
A Story For My Children About The Value Of Honesty, Love And Forgiveness
The following is a letter I wrote to my son two years ago, shortly before he was born. I thought I’d share the story this Father’s Day in the hope others might also gain something from what was one of the hardest lessons I’ve ever had to learn. For a number a reasons I also … Read more A Story For My Children About The Value Of Honesty, Love And Forgiveness
Happy F***ing Mondays – 15/06/20
Hello fine readers and welcome to my Happy Fucking Mondays Post – a weekly newsletter that attempts to rewrite the narrative Mondays are the shittiest day of the week. (Or at least start it off in a slightly less shit fashion.) First up I want to wish my beautiful mother and number one fan since … Read more Happy F***ing Mondays – 15/06/20
What Does It Take To Find Inner Peace?
“You must be the change you want to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi What does it take to get everybody to realise that true peace and happiness comes from within? That the change the world needs from you is for you to change. Not for you to change the world. Do we need … Read more What Does It Take To Find Inner Peace?
People As Mirrors
“Your perception of me, is a reflection of you. My reaction to you is an awareness of me.” – Unknown. What do you do when you look at yourself in the mirror? Maybe you comb your hair or have a shave. Maybe you brush and floss your teeth. Maybe you correct your posture. Maybe you … Read more People As Mirrors
An Apology To My Heart
I’m sorry I’ve been fighting you for so long. I’m sorry I repressed you. I was taught stupid things. Stupid ways. I could hear you screaming and yet I pretended not to. I’m so sorry. I hope you can forgive me. I love you. I’m here for you now. Let me feel what you have … Read more An Apology To My Heart
Move Like A Turtle, Move Like A Winner
My message today is simple: Try to be a little better. I feel our generation has been raised in absolutes. Everything is either black or white. You are either right or wrong. The truth is never that simple. There is no black or white, only different shades of grey. No one is right – people … Read more Move Like A Turtle, Move Like A Winner
Happy F***ing Mondays – 08/06/20
Hello fine readers and welcome to my Happy Fucking Mondays Post – a weekly newsletter that attempts to rewrite the narrative Mondays are the shittiest day of the week. (Or at least start it off in a slightly less shit fashion.) To my regular readers who almost certainly don’t care that I missed last week … Read more Happy F***ing Mondays – 08/06/20
The Ultimate Form Of Taking Responsibility
I read a quote the other day that said, “Enthusiasm is worth 25 IQ points.” It got me thinking about my attitude towards work in the past. It’s easy to see how limiting the story in my head has been when I’ve shown up to work and told myself things like, I’m not going to … Read more The Ultimate Form Of Taking Responsibility
NOTES FROM MY JOURNAL – MAY 2020 – On Dealing With Depression, A Tribute To A Boy I Never Knew, How To Cultivate A Growth Mindset and More…
Hello fine readers and welcome to my monthly newsletter! Included is a round up of what I’ve been writing and reading, plus a collection of thoughts from yours truly. I hope you enjoy! WHAT I’VE BEEN WRITING: How A Fixed Mindset Led To Years Of Depression And How A Growth Mindset Set Me Free. A personal … Read more NOTES FROM MY JOURNAL – MAY 2020 – On Dealing With Depression, A Tribute To A Boy I Never Knew, How To Cultivate A Growth Mindset and More…
Why A Basic Understanding Of The Mind Helps To Let Go
A basic understanding of the mind helps. To understand our mind is a tool we can use – it isn’t who we are – we are not our thoughts. The mind is simply a vessel that continuously delivers thoughts based on everything that it’s been fed. That doesn’t mean your thoughts are accurate – it … Read more Why A Basic Understanding Of The Mind Helps To Let Go
Happy Silly Mondays – 25/05/20
Hello fine readers and welcome to my Happy Silly Mondays Post – a weekly newsletter that attempts to rewrite the narrative Mondays are the most depressing day of the week. Following the rule of 3, it contains 3 thoughts from me, 3 quotes from others and 3 things I’ve been reading, watching and/or listening to … Read more Happy Silly Mondays – 25/05/20
9 Golden Rules For Cultivating A Growth Mindset.
“There is no such thing as a natural-born pilot. Whatever my aptitude of talents, becoming a proficient pilot was hard work, really a lifetimes learning experience… The best pilots fly more than others; that’s why they’re the best.” – CHUCK YEAGER Following on from a previous post: How A Fixed Mindset Led To Years Of … Read more 9 Golden Rules For Cultivating A Growth Mindset.
Happy Silly Mondays – 18/05/20
Hello fine readers and welcome to my Happy Silly Mondays Post – a weekly newsletter that attempts to rewrite the narrative Mondays are the most depressing day of the week. Following the rule of 3, it contains 3 thoughts from me, 3 quotes from others and 3 things I’ve been reading, watching and/or listening to … Read more Happy Silly Mondays – 18/05/20
In Honour Of A Boy I Never Knew
I found out today what you did. I never knew you yet you lived so close. Just four floors above and yet you might as well have been on the other side of the world. We must have passed many times – side by side in the elevator – and yet I never noticed. Did … Read more In Honour Of A Boy I Never Knew
How A Fixed Mindset Led To Years Of Depression And How A Growth Mindset Set Me Free.
“A few modern philosophers assert that individual intelligence is a fixed quantity, a quantity which cannot be increased. We must protect & react against this brutal pessimism… With practice, training, and above all, method, we manage to increase our attention, our memory, our judgement and literally to become more intelligent than we were before.” – … Read more How A Fixed Mindset Led To Years Of Depression And How A Growth Mindset Set Me Free.
Happy Silly Mondays – 11/05/20
Hello Fine Readers and welcome to my Happy Silly Mondays Newsletter! In an attempt to rewrite the narrative that Mondays are the most depressing day, I’ve decided to compile a weekly newsletter for a happier, sillier start to the week! Following the rule of 3, it contains 3 thoughts from me, 3 positive quotes from … Read more Happy Silly Mondays – 11/05/20
The Nature of my Child
“Every child has a god in him. Our attempts to mould the child will turn the god into a devil“ – A. S. Neill I’ve been thinking today about the nature of my child. What I see is a boundless love and tenderness. Such a pure gentleness. This is his nature. I mean to imprint … Read more The Nature of my Child
Now is the time – What will you do with yours?
Now is the time. Now is the time to pause and slow down. To revaluate your priorities. To consider what is working and what hasn’t been. Now is time to practise gratitude for everything you have, such a roof over your head, access to food and clean running water, for living in a remarkable age … Read more Now is the time – What will you do with yours?
Am I Doing This Because Of Fear Or Love? – A Question For Motivation And Guidance
It was late the other night, before my wife and I went to bed, as we were sharing our thoughts and feelings about the day to one another, that she began by telling me about her sometimes feeling overwhelmed by the amount of things she sets herself to do – of always feeling pushed to … Read more Am I Doing This Because Of Fear Or Love? – A Question For Motivation And Guidance
How To Gain Enlightenment While Taking A Dump & What Makes A Good Toilet Book?
Hello and welcome to the first in a series of blog posts surrounding the topic of my favourite toilet books for moments of profound pooing. OR. How to gain enlightenment while taking a dump. #toiletbooks #profoundpooing (I’m hoping to start a trend). I’ll get to the first book I recommend shortly and what it is, … Read more How To Gain Enlightenment While Taking A Dump & What Makes A Good Toilet Book?
5 Mindfulness Hacks to Help Bring You Back to the Present Moment.
“Mindfulness isn’t about goals or ticking a box – mindfulness is a way of life – something to cultivate over time.” Below I’ve written out 5 Mindfulness Hacks that I like to use informally throughout the day to help bring me back to and fully engage with the present moment. 1. WHEN YOU NOTICE YOUR … Read more 5 Mindfulness Hacks to Help Bring You Back to the Present Moment.
12 Personal Commandments for a Happier Life
As inspired by Gretchen Rubin’s wonderful Happiness Project, I decided to put together a list of my own 12 commandments for living a happier, healthier and more purposeful life. As Gretchen says, ‘these aren’t meant to be specific resolutions but overarching principles by which to live’. At any rate, it’s a fun and creative way … Read more 12 Personal Commandments for a Happier Life
The Power of Routine in Cementing Habits, Lifting Mood and Increasing Productivity.
“Routine, in an intelligent man, is a sign of ambition.” ― W. H. Auden I’ve worked hard on perfecting my day to day routines over the last half year – in the process cementing a number of positive habits that has had a profound effect on my general mood, motivation and productivity. Not only have I … Read more The Power of Routine in Cementing Habits, Lifting Mood and Increasing Productivity.
Notes from my journal – March 2020
Hello fine readers and welcome to my Monthly review! Every day I ask myself the question – What did I learn? – and write some thoughts in response. The following is a collection of my favourites. I should say most of these thoughts and/or ideas are heavily influenced by what I’ve been reading and the … Read more Notes from my journal – March 2020
A Pilot’s Guide to Self-Managing Back pain – Lifestyle and Sleep
“It’s not the job of sports medicine professionals to look after your tissues and joints, whether you hydrate or whether you actively work toward improving and maintaining healthy positions and range of movement throughout the day. It’s up to you. Spend 10 minutes minimum per day. No days off. No excuses.” – DR. KELLY STARRETT, READY TO … Read more A Pilot’s Guide to Self-Managing Back pain – Lifestyle and Sleep
A Pilot’s Guide to Self-Managing Back Pain – Core Strength & Flexibility
“It’s not the job of sports medicine professionals to look after your tissues and joints, whether you hydrate or whether you actively work toward improving and maintaining healthy positions and range of movement throughout the day. It’s up to you. Spend 10 minutes minimum per day. No days off. No excuses.” – Dr. Kelly Starrett, READY … Read more A Pilot’s Guide to Self-Managing Back Pain – Core Strength & Flexibility
A Pilot’s Guide to Self-Managing Back Pain – Sitting, Standing, Swimming
SWIMMING IS AWESOME Following my recent back injury last month SWIMMING has proved to be an awesome LOW IMPACT WAY TO MODIFY. Not only did it help enormously with my back pain, it meant I could keep exercising to a level I was happy with. It also proved to do wonders for my cardiovascular system. … Read more A Pilot’s Guide to Self-Managing Back Pain – Sitting, Standing, Swimming
Mission ImBACKible – How do you fix chronic back pain and what if you can’t?
My mother has suffered with chronic back pain and sciatica for many years now. Sadly she still does. Her story is very similar to countless others. A story of multiple misdiagnoses and scans which showed little, if nothing, out of the ordinary. Ultimately the frustration over many years led her down the path of … Read more Mission ImBACKible – How do you fix chronic back pain and what if you can’t?
January Review
My monthly review looking at what went well, what didn’t go well, and what I learnt.Read more January Review
My 2020 GOALS & PLEDGES
Following on from my 4 part 2019 review, below are my pledges and goals for the coming year. I intend to do a monthly review of these goals as a way of holding myself on accountable as the year progresses. I hope you enjoy! MY 2020 PLEDGES By the end of 2020 my wife and … Read more My 2020 GOALS & PLEDGES
My 2019 Review – FINANCES, INSURANCE AND CHARITY💰
FINANCES I think there’s a great deal of work left to do in this department. We are in a decent position financially, but I have been less than proactive with that money. Doing the research and making some smart investments will be a priority for 2020. That said I’ve had similar goals in the past … Read more My 2019 Review – FINANCES, INSURANCE AND CHARITY💰
My 2019 Review – FAMILY, HOME and TRAVEL🏡
FAMILY To be brutally honest I think there is plenty of room left for me to grow as both a father and husband. I don’t, by any means, think I’m a bad family man, but I’m acutely aware I have made the latter part of the year very much about me. About becoming better. That … Read more My 2019 Review – FAMILY, HOME and TRAVEL🏡
My 2019 Review – CAREER, WORK and WRITING✍️
Hi there and welcome to part 2 of my 2019 review! Today I’m looking at work, specifically my career in aviation and as a writer. As before two major questions are driving my thoughts. Those are, ‘What went well?’ and What could I do better?’. I hope you enjoy.Read more My 2019 Review – CAREER, WORK and WRITING✍️
My 2019 Review – MENTAL & PHYSICAL HEALTH 💪
The first post will look at my health, both mental and physical. Following that I’ll review my career, writing and other work related projects, then family, home and travel, and finally finances, insurance and charity. A follow up post will outline my goals and pledges for the coming year. I should add that two simple … Read more My 2019 Review – MENTAL & PHYSICAL HEALTH 💪
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