I took an interest in a recent episode of "The Minefield" on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Radio National in which a discussion around political slogans and buzz words caught my attention and had me thinking for quite a few days afterwards. In the after glow of Australia's recent federal election, in which the Labor governmentContinue reading "Look Mummy, The Tower Is Falling Down."
Hide Away – A Thursday Doors Writing Challenge.
I have to confess that, as a writer, I haven't been overly good at writing on the fly. It used to be the way I'd start my stories and writing projects. I was proud of being a perennial "pantster". As I have continued to hone my craft over the years however, I have become moreContinue reading "Hide Away – A Thursday Doors Writing Challenge."
A Q&A With Myself.
I have written about a lovely author friend of mine, Darlene Foster, who I met when I first became published with Central Avenue Publishing. Darlene is an author of a lovely series of books for young adults called "Amanda In..." where her protagonist Amanda travels all over the world and has adventures in many andContinue reading "A Q&A With Myself."
Pilates, Bolognese Sauce & Routine.
I've been thinking about the phrase, "We are all creatures of habit". Routines are fundamental to human experience. They ground us. They give us meaning. They give us freedom. Without routines, we become uncoupled and we drift. We become alienated from the world around us. We lose our sense of meaning and purpose. I noticedContinue reading "Pilates, Bolognese Sauce & Routine."
Turn The Corner.
I like butter and Vegemite on a piece of bread. This thought came to me as I made that very snack after having my lunch this afternoon. My wife buys this amazing sourdough loaf with seeds in it and it is so lovely either toasted or untoasted. With some butter and a healthy spread ofContinue reading "Turn The Corner."
The Seventh Week.
I don't know whether to call this week 7 or week 16. So much time has passed and January 16th - the day I had my first surgery to repair my ruptured Achilles tendon - feels like a lifetime ago. Even March 18th - the day of my second repair, seven weeks ago - feelsContinue reading "The Seventh Week."
My “Pretty Woman” Right Turn.
Occasionally, random memories will return to me without any prompting on my part. It is an involuntary phenomenon – quite outside myself, though I’m sure there’s a trigger I’m not seeing. This morning, for example, I was ferrying a plastic bag of dog poop to the rubbish bin at the side of our house andContinue reading "My “Pretty Woman” Right Turn."
Less.
What would less look like? The Daily Stoic Journal, Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman. Less noise...Less visual stimuli...Less advertising, pressure selling, consumerism...A less frenetic stream of thought...Less news...Less social media...Less arguing, shouting, screaming...A less addictive need to scroll... Calm...Reflection...A conversation...A beer on a balcony overlooking a setting sun... Sleepiness...Mindfulness...Alone with my silence...A cup of coffeeContinue reading "Less."
Testing My Impressions.
Can I step back and test my impressions? What would I find if I did? The Daily Stoic Journal, Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman. I have not always been very good at testing my impressions. I have tended to react to my impressions without thinking. I have gone with my "gut". I have made snapContinue reading "Testing My Impressions."
The Self As A Foreign Country.
What bad assumptions, habits, or advice have I accepted? The Daily Stoic Journal, Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman. I have lived long enough now to know there are too many to count. When I look back over the course of my life so far, I can zoom in on many occasions where I have assumedContinue reading "The Self As A Foreign Country."
Dean Mayes - Australian Author & ICU Nurse 