This week, I want to talk to you about why it's so important to deal with what happens in life, because sometimes things just happen and you cannot do anything about them, so you just have to deal with them as best as you can.

In life, we so often face unpredictable events. Accepting, though, that some situations are beyond our control actually helps us grow and build resilience. Acknowledging that we cannot control everything also encourages acceptance and reduces unnecessary stress.

By embracing challenges, we equip ourselves with an increased capacity to adapt and thrive, despite any setbacks. Confronting problems that we face head-on usually also strengthens our problem-solving skills and emotional maturity and we can then turn obstacles into opportunities.

Facing challenges head-on and not running away also fosters strength in facing adversity. However, it's essential to focus on what we can change and let go of the rest. Unfortunately, we so often try to change things we cannot change or do anything about, but end up thinking we can.

Here are some examples:

- Sometimes our plans to do something at a certain time are delayed. But instead of becoming frustrated, we should allow it to help us develop our patience and flexibility and to appreciate life as it unfolds. - Sometimes, more serious, unexpected things happen —like job losses or relationship breakdowns —that force us to cultivate our adaptability and either discover new paths or learn valuable lessons that help us grow personally. - Also, health issues we face, either directly or indirectly, from time to time, remind us to appreciate life and prioritise our self-care and cherish every moment we have.

However, some people argue that constantly dealing with uncontrollable events can actually be quite overwhelming and lead to feelings of helplessness and frustration, which can erode someone's mental health and motivation over time.

So, this week, remember that while you cannot control everything and sometimes things just happen, you can control your response to challenges and other adversities you face. Try to embrace resilience, adapt to changes and remember that it’s important to deal with things that you cannot change!

This week, I want to talk to you about how important it is for you to ask for what you want and, if you don't ask, you don't get and then simply miss out on opportunities that are otherwise available to you, just because you don't voice your desires or needs.

We often find that expressing wants, desires, or needs can sometimes open doors we never imagined. Whether it's us simply asking for somebody else's help or for something else, always speaking up is so crucial.

It’s really quite amazing how receptive you find people are when you just articulate your wants. Even though you might think that some people may not welcome your request, you may be very surprised at the responses you sometimes receive, as the people you thought would be most reluctant to help you will be more than willing, whereas those who promised to always assist you if you ever needed anything, suddenly make excuses or don't appear when you need them, or reach out to them. Things are not always what they seem, I’m afraid.

I understand that it might feel a bit intimidating to ask for something sometimes, but remember that the worst outcome is usually just a ‘no’. You will never know the possibilities or what the response might be unless you take that first step to make your desires known.

Here are some examples:

- Simply asking for a discount when you buy something can often result in unexpected savings for you. - Sometimes, just expressing interest in something may lead to opportunities you never thought possible before. - Sometimes, just requesting feedback or even honest criticism from someone, whether personally or professionally, can lead to your constructive growth personally in some way.

However, some people argue that asking for something can make people seem pushy or demanding. Therefore, it’s important to always balance any perceived assertiveness, with respect, to ensure that any requests you make are appropriate to the context you are in.

So, this week, please remember to always be prepared to voice your needs, wants and desires confidently and to be prepared to explore the possibilities that may arise from doing so. Remember, if you don't ask, you don’t get!

This week, I want to talk about how you just cannot consume everything. I'm afraid that too many people think they have an endless supply of energy and time, which allows them to do this. But this is not the reality we live in nowadays, so you must be realistic.

There’s so much information available these days, isn't there? It’s so tempting, isn't it, to try to absorb it all? Yet, trying to consume everything, leaves us feeling overwhelmed or distracted, which then hinders any clarity that we may have had from the information anyway. It’s counter-productive!

You therefore have to always prioritise and try to focus on what truly matters. Instead of drowning in endless content, curate everything you read, see and hear very wisely. Choose quality over quantity and engage with material that truly enriches your life and helps you, rather than hinders you.

This approach also fosters deeper understanding and meaningful knowledge within you, rather than you just being superficially aware of something. Always practice mindful consumption wherever you can. In this way, you will always cultivate a more thoughtful and intentional relationship with the world around you.

Here are some examples:

- Imagine you set aside just 30 minutes every day to read a book that inspires you, rather than wading through shallow, endless articles online, which probably serves as an echo chamber for your thoughts already anyway, rather than challenge your thinking in some way. - Or imagine yourself engaging in a deep conversation with a friend and focusing entirely on their words, if you can, without any distractions, which will deepen your connection and understanding. - Or imagine that you prioritise your downtime and let your mind rest and process properly, rather than constantly filling it with new information.

However, please remember that we face societal pressure to constantly consume, which is very strong, so it’s very easy to fall into the trap of consuming as much as you can endlessly, which ultimately leads to your burnout and/or confusion.

So, this week, remember you just cannot consume everything. So pause and consider what aligns with your goals and values and whether the information you are consuming is something that will benefit you in life, or just distract you and waste your time needlessly. Choose quality over quantity in life!

This week, I want to talk about why, on some days, you just feel good to be alive, as everything you see or do seems to be more positive than usual. It’s on these kinds of days that you feel so good to be alive and you experience a feeling of gratitude and joy without doing anything different.

There are moments on some days when everything seems to align perfectly for you, doesn’t there? It's days like these that really renew your spirit and remind you of the simple beauties and moments in life. It really feels sometimes like the world is giving you a warm hug!

From waking up with an increased level of enthusiasm or positivity, to the end of the day, where even the smallest things you come across during your day seem to go right for you and bring you a feeling of joy, whether that be something you see or hear, or something that you do.

Whether it's receiving a kind word from a stranger that makes you smile, receiving a message from an old friend you weren’t expecting, or just seeing the beauty of nature around you - everything just seems to add to your happiness.

Here are some examples:

- Having a spontaneous conversation with a stranger, or even an old friend or family member that leaves you smiling; - Hearing one of your favourite songs playing unexpectedly on the radio, which brings back fond moments from your past; - Witnessing a breathtaking sunrise or sunset that fills you with awe for the world.

However, remember that not every day will always feel this way. The daily challenges and stresses of life often overshadow these moments. Be compassionate to yourself and manage your expectations effectively. If not, you’ll be more disappointed than normal. Don’t let yourself feel pressure to feel good all the time.

So, this week, please try to always cherish these kinds of moments that I'm talking about, as they will bring you such joy when they arise and they will also forever remind you of life's beauty. It’s on days like this that you really feel good to be alive!

This week, I want to talk to you about why it's never too late to do something (again). Unfortunately, life is full of moments that we often let pass by us too quickly and later regret, as we either hesitate or become overly cautious, missing opportunities that never come again.

Opportunities are all around us, aren’t they? Whether you're contemplating something you think may be too early to do, or something that you need to do sooner, rather than later, timing should not be a deterrent. There's no perfect time to start something.

Always embrace any challenge and don’t let age or timing dictate your choices. Remember that dreams don't have expiration dates. You must seize the moment and act before it is too late, when you can’t do it anymore. Understand the importance and urgency of taking action before it’s too late.

Although it’s good advice to start early, it’s also never too late to do so. Usually, it’s only when you get older in life that you realise the importance of having started something earlier to benefit from it. Unfortunately, we often face procrastination. Procrastination stems from fear.

Here are some examples:

- You realise that it’s never too late to resume your education and find that you can still achieve something you’ve always wanted, like a degree. - You discover a new passion and skill you did not know you had, such as learning to play a musical instrument, paint, or learn a new language. - You find that, even though you are comparatively old now, you can still participate in big sporting events like marathons, which also promote healthier living.

For some, the idea of something being "too late" may resonate, due to practical constraints. It’s important to have realistic expectations, but remember also the importance of starting early, because there may be something you later find that you could have actually done, if you had started it earlier.

So, this week, please remember that seizing opportunities transcends age and timing. Embrace possibilities, wherever and whenever they arise. Yes, you may feel at first that you should have started something earlier, but always remind yourself that it’s never too late to do or say something!

This week I want to talk to you about why we must always embrace each day that we live, because we never know how long we have in this life. Every moment is truly valuable to us, so we should make the most of our life.

Life is so unpredictable, isn't it? Whenever someone we know passes away suddenly, after the initial shock, we usually take stock and become more grateful to have another opportunity to experience more life ourselves. This even happens if the person who passed away is just an acquaintance or friend.

The process of recognising this inspires us to live our lives fully and cherish moments we have with our loved ones more, or pursue dreams without delay. We are often jolted into the realisation that everything we have and know can change in an instant.

We then realise that our time on this earth is precarious. We therefore start to prioritise meaningful experiences over trivial concerns and focus on what truly matters, to ensure we live a life filled with love and purpose, not one that, in the end, we find is filled with regrets.

Here are some examples:

- When you learn of somebody passing away unexpectedly, you make a point of expressing appreciation and gratitude for what you have, at every moment possible. - When a member of your family passes away, you decide to spend more quality time with your family members, creating cherished memories together that you can savour later in life. - When you hear of somebody being taken before their time, you realise you need to pursue your dreams now, rather than waiting for the "right time".

However, remember that planning for the future is equally important, as it enables you to ensure both stability and security. Therefore, you usually need to balance present requirements and obligations with future goals, as this is also key to leading a fulfilling life.

So this week, please remember to always cherish the present and embrace each day by prioritising what truly matters because, ultimately, we never know how long we have!

This week, I want to talk to you about how we should always make the most of life, because we never know how long we have. Life is an exquisite gift. This is why we must always appreciate the small joys around us and seize every opportunity that we can.

Life is so fleeting, isn’t it? Each moment is a precious gem, never to be replicated. We must remember to make the most of every moment. This inherent uncertainty is precisely why we must seize every opportunity. This also means appreciating relationships that hold special significance to us.

We should be acutely aware that our time on earth is not endless, but we rarely acknowledge its brevity. We should cherish all the relationships that are key to us. For example, even having a heartfelt conversation with a loved one whilst doing something ordinary deepens bonds and enriches life.

Also, we should try to find joy in daily routines. Doing things like this can transform monotonous moments into special ones. It’s not just about big adventures; even small things we do can create memories in our lives, or can elevate a mundane routine into a cherished ritual.

Here are some other examples:

- You arrange to call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while and then have a deep and meaningful conversation with them; - You purposely make the time to take a walk in the park during your lunch hour and then really appreciate and enjoy the nature you see around you that you may not have noticed before; - You try a new hobby, such as learning a new language or playing a musical instrument, that has been something you’ve been curious about for a while, but have never found the time to pursue.

But some people can feel a bit overwhelmed by things, so making the most of life like this can seem daunting. Recognise that sometimes just being present and at peace can be enough, because life isn't always meant to be a relentless rush to maximise every second you have.

So, this week, please remember to focus on the things in your life, stay open to new experiences and nurture your relationships wherever you can. Life is so precious, so you should always make the most of life whenever possible!

​This week, I want to talk about why kindness matters and why it’s good to just be nice to others. Being kind costs you nothing, but it can mean everything to someone else. Whether it’s a simple smile or a kind word, you have the power to make somebody's day.

It’s really easy to overlook small gestures that can make a big difference to other people. Whenever you choose kindness, you create a ripple effect that touches lives beyond your own. As they say, when a butterfly flaps its wings on one side of the world, it can cause an earthquake on the other.

By being kind, we acknowledge a shared human experience. Kindness also fosters connection and builds a sense of community. It increases this way; after all, we are all social beings, aren't we? In turn, you can inspire someone to also just be nice to another person.

Kindness reminds us that we’re not alone in the world, even in struggles. Being kind also strengthens our bonds with others. Sometimes, you don’t realise how just being nice to somebody having a bad day can make all the difference to them. They may even become emotional, as a result, which you would not have known otherwise.

Here are some examples:

- The simple act of holding a door open for, or saying something nice and unexpected to a stranger, shows both respect and consideration for them;

- Complimenting a family member, friend, acquaintance, colleague, or even someone you have just met, boosts their morale and encourages a sense of positivity;

- Volunteering your time to support those in need not only spreads goodwill, but may even reflect back on you in a positive way at a later time.

However, some people may argue that we live in a highly competitive world and being overly nice can be perceived as a weakness. That being said, practising kindness to other people does not mean compromising your values or goals. It simply enhances your interactions with others, making them more meaningful.

So, this week, please try to just be nice and spread a bit of kindness in your daily interactions with others. Also, remember that small acts can have a significant impact, create a more compassionate world and show you why kindness matters and so why you should just be nice!