We're going to London and I'm asking my daughter what we should do while the others are hanging around in the viewing gallery at the top of the The Shard. "We can go to Borough Market and buy chocolate brownies," she says. "For ninety minutes?" I ask. She shrugs. "We could go to the Tate … [Read more...] about How To Know When To Stop Talking
Gratitude
How To Get Somebody Wrong
Walking to work down Union Street a man strides out from the hairdresser and, as he passes the hi-fi store, immediately turns and looks at his own reflection. Apparently dissatisfied, he rounds the corner and crosses the road where he can try another window, the one in the cafe behind which two … [Read more...] about How To Get Somebody Wrong
How To Do Recovery
I’m driving to Battle with my friend Martin. He’s a recovering alcoholic and we’re laughing about how, at the height of his drinking, he could steam up the windows of cars because his sweat glands were working so hard to try and break down the alcohol. He noticed obsessive tendencies early. The … [Read more...] about How To Do Recovery
How To Value What You Have
Recording a festive episode of our new podcast this week, Martin is telling me that he finds it hard to give gifts without worrying he will disappoint the recipient. I tell him it's a reflection of his doubt about himself and that sometimes, being aware of a vulnerability, helps us to cope … [Read more...] about How To Value What You Have
How To Get Rid Of Ghosts
I’d begun to wonder whether there would be any chance of cutting the grass again before Spring, so relentless has the rainy weather been this week. Then it stopped and the wind came blowing through to dry the ground briefly, just long enough that I could tidy the garden and harvest the three … [Read more...] about How To Get Rid Of Ghosts