life lessons

Menaca Joji: My journey from East to West

Menaca Joji

Guest author Menaca Joji shares her story of how she came to leave her beloved Sri Lanka and family in search of a safe home. This early experience has shaped the person Menaca is today. After successfully practising dentistry for over 20 years and building a practice in London, she now advises dentists on their client skills and how to build a successful business.

Menaca’s story reminds you that it is often through some of your greatest life challenges, you get the opportunity to meet some good and caring people. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Life Lessons: why do you feel you have been somewhere before?

Many scientists believe that Man was much as we are now, in physical and neurological terms, as when we first appeared on Earth some 200,000 years ago. It is not know how we came about, but whatever it was, it brought the abilities of intuition, compassion, empathy, love and self healing.  Since those times humanity has been learning life lessons in order to lead better lives. A life lesson might be learning not to shout when annoyed, or to listen or to love oneself.

One lifetime is not long to learn such fundamental lessons especially if there is more than one. It seems very inefficient to spend a lifetime learning a lesson only for it to be lost when that person dies. In nature plants bloom, die and rise again the following spring. Taking a lead from nature, increasing numbers of people believe that while our bodies die our consciousness or souls survive death and go on to live another life. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

ABC of love: k is for kindness

A little kindness goes a long way

Making your way in the world can be tough. I hear young people concerned about their careers, finding a partner or feeling left behind if their friends have married, bought a house or started a family. Others may have a sick child or a partner or be concerned they may lose their job. Older people can worry about approaching retirement and what it will mean to them.

There are so many worries about just living…..

Worries can lessen and seem more manageable with a little kindness from a loved one, a friend or even a stranger. Just talking about a worry can help. Providing an attentive, listening ear is a kindness. Being kind does not cost anything other than thoughtfulness and time. Words can be very healing. A few kind words of support can make a world of difference to the recipient. A thoughtful action, such as making someone a cup of tea at the end of a working day, can make the person feel loved and cared for. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Divorce: do you live with the fall-out from another person’s failed relationship?

One of the greatest gifts you can give a child is a happy childhood.  Sadly divorce happens.  The impact goes far wider than the couple who have decided to split – their children, parents, aunts, uncles and wider family, friends and new partners.

The true impact of divorce is often not spoken of in a family and can continue for many tens of years after the decree absolute.  Even new partners and their families can be caught up in the web of emotions.  There are those awkward family gatherings when you are not sure who to invite and if everyone will get along alright. read more

By Alison Wem, ago