Noise is everywhere. Noise wakes us from our rest. Noise accompanies us on our journeys to and from work. Noise bombards us on social media. It is everywhere. We take in the opinions of others constantly. There are those close to us who have ideas about what we “should” do. Then there are those further…

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”  So said Albert Einstein, one of history’s most creative thinkers who also seemed to really enjoy his explorations and discoveries.  But sometimes when I’m trying to figure out a problem or staring at an empty page wondering what to write I don’t feel like it is a lot of fun.…

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela I grew up surrounded by books. I was reading by the age of three and devoured whatever I could manage. I was not well as a child but as a reader I could go anywhere, do anything, be anyone.…

As a way to commemorate World Poetry Day I have been trying to think of a list of my favourite poems but I’m struggling. It may be tiredness, I’ve been narrating a really long book this week. It may be indecision, I am often to be found staring at shop shelves unable to pick what…

Book Review: Making Happy Work by Mick Timpson Have you become overwhelmed with all the things you feel you have to do?  Do you feel as if you are forcing yourself through each day, waiting until all the tasks are done before you can feel any joy?  Have you lost faith in yourself to grow…

Ten Steps to Using Positive Emotion to Keep the Light of Joy Burning in Your Life All emotion is positive emotion. When we are feeling something it is because we are alive. To be alive is a gift. This chance we have to be here now is one that is unique to each of us,…

January and February can be difficult months to navigate.  The twinkly sparkling lights of Christmas have gone along with the midwinter celebrations and we are thrown into two months of darkness thanks to shorter days; often with illness and exhaustion to contend with as well as the lack of light.  It can feel like forever…

“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;” John Keats I love this time of year, the bright fire of nature burning on every tree and bush, the leaves rustling underfoot and the crunch of seed shells cracking on the forest floor.  My children love it too, jumping in piles of…

I wrote this novel after having my two children, Phoebe and Dominic.  Before I had phoebe I was a career woman in the City and had a strong sense of purpose.  I enjoyed my job and the status it gave me.  After I had my daughter, while on maternity leave, I was left alone for…

Eight years ago today I left my permanent job in the City to go on maternity leave for the second time.  I had a vague notion that I would spend some time while I was on leave to explore a different way of life.  I had dreamed of being a professional actor and a published…

Last week while recording in a studio in London I saw a picture of the Dalai Lama.  As well as being a great spiritual leader he is also one of the most joyful people I think I’ve ever seen.  And it’s not because he has had a charmed life, far from it, he has faced…

I completed a Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher Training course at the weekend and am the proud owner of a new certificate from Awareness is Freedom.  To celebrate this and to start sharing the benefits of this wonderful practice with you I have decided to put together a Meditation Month.  During this month I will be…