Lukas Bates completed the London Marathon in a very respectable time this week (3hrs, 54m, 21s) and all whilst wearing a fancy dress costume of the London landmark: the Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben.
What hit the news, though, was that his costume was too tall for him to get underneath the frame at the finish line without some help:
This made me smile for several reasons. Continue reading “He took it in his stride – literally!”
Why is it sometimes so hard for us to feel genuinely happy for other people in our lives when they achieve success or something really lovely or lucky happens for them?
Do we smile, but through gritted teeth?
How do we feel when we look at this photo, for example?
Do we smile along with the person in it?
Or think she might be showing off?
Or wonder if she wants to ‘rub it in’ that she can afford the money and the time to be where she is, having fun, and we can’t?
In my experience, envy or jealousy doesn’t happen every time – but sometimes it does…
And what does it say about us if we feel a twinge?
Does that mean that we’re a bad person?
Or does it just mean that we’re human? Continue reading “I’m so happy for you… (or am I?!)”
I’m interested to see in last week’s news that, based upon findings they published last year: “being in a positive mood on the day of your flu jab can increase its protective effect”, Nottingham University are continuing with another piece of research into whether they can harness this to improve the effectiveness of flu vaccinations for older people, who are particularly vulnerable to this virus.
Later this year a group of patients aged 65-85 will have their mood measured, watch 15 minutes of Michael McIntyre (one of my favourite comedians, too BTW) and then have their mood retested. Blood tests will be taken before the jab and four weeks later to see if they have higher antibody responses.
So, could a good laugh help ward off the flu?
Most of us are pretty familiar with the phrase ‘think outside the box’ in terms of taking a more creative approach to something. 
But there’s an article in today’s Metro which I saw being discussed on the Jeremy Vine show on Channel 5 about a company selling boxes to put over your head and help you think inside the box.
The panel on the show had some boxes similar to those being sold and put them over their heads while they discussed it.
The discussion was pretty light-hearted and did make me smile – and I leave you to form your own views as to the usefulness and pricing of the article in question.
Personally, I have a vivid image in my mind, now, of a person in a the middle of an open plan office with a box on their head covered in rude and funny Post Its from their mischievous colleagues…
But, of course, there’s a serious point here, too – about how we can all benefit from taking a break, ‘unplugging’ every now and again. Continue reading “Thinking Inside the Box…?”
This song by 10cc and written by its band members Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman, was played on the radio while I was driving last weekend.
Immediately it reminded me of myself as a teenager – which I was at the time it was released. Music does that, doesn’t it, takes us straight back there.
And I realised, too, that I feel differently, as I listen to it now… Continue reading ““I’m not in love…””
How is 2017 going for you?
I’m writing this on ‘Blue Monday’, the third Monday in January.
According to Caroline Webb’s article in The Telegraph, those of us who are in the UK today are “experiencing the bleakest day of the year … so named for its potent combination of cold nights and post-Christmas melancholy.” Continue reading “Blue Monday … ?”
We’re well into the Christmas and New Year party season now so I’m keeping the mood light this time.
If you’ve come across the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator® (MBTI) before you may already know your best fit type. Perhaps you liked the MBTI take on our favourite holidays I posted back in September.
So now for the ‘Tipple Types Table’ – which matches a favourite drink to each personality type.
See what you think… Continue reading “What’s YOUR Favourite Tipple?”
Synecdochically… what a great sounding word!
You might not know what it means – and before watching lexicographer Erin McKean’s highly entertaining TED talk I’d never even heard of it.
McKean discusses the future of dictionaries in the age of the internet – which might sound dry but her presentation certainly isn’t – it’s full of life and humour and easy to understand. Continue reading “Synecdochically Speaking … and Word of the Year 2016”
Even if you don’t celebrate or mark Christmas I think it’s hard not to be aware of it or affected by it.
Here in the UK I’ve seen Christmas cards in the shops as early as August and, as I write this, it’s early November and momentum is gathering…
The giving and receiving of gifts is a key aspect for many of us and huge amounts of time, money and thought go into them. Continue reading “Christmas Presents an Issue?”
Whole People 