Back at school one of my daughter’s friends arrives with a striking new appearance. Teacher- ”Liv your hair is silver!” Liv - ”I know, I dyed it myself." The nonchalance made me laugh out loud. Pulled up for a flagrant flouting of the school rules, in that momentary exchange between pupil and … [Read more...] about How To Control Your Life
Recovery
Why You Have To Stop Making Excuses
Leaving Provence I am staring through the window of the train as we speed past a procession of faded patchwork fields. A stone farmhouse, weary cows spread thinly on gently sloping banks, and a patch of sunflowers dry, faded and with their heads bowed in submission. It is as if the weeks of … [Read more...] about Why You Have To Stop Making Excuses
Why Self Help Doesn’t Work
Martin is round for dinner when his phone rings. It’s a friend back in rehab for maybe the 25th time, calling to say hello. He should be at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting but he slid out and he’s in the pub. It’s hard to hear what he’s saying because it’s noisy and, anyway, his speech is beginning to … [Read more...] about Why Self Help Doesn’t Work
Why You Matter.
Walking through the woods the dogs are running in the undergrowth looking for the unripe apple falls and chasing squirrels. While we wait for them to emerge my eye is drawn to a broken tree stump and a small grey stone which somebody has placed on top with the words “You Matter” and a pink heart … [Read more...] about Why You Matter.
Why Endings Can Be Followed By Emptiness
Riding on the euphoria of a suddenly revitalised England football team the nation is gripped in a sun-drenched period of celebratory fervour. It doesn’t matter that nothing has been won, because something has changed. In some ways, it is the very fact that we have not reached the end of the journey, … [Read more...] about Why Endings Can Be Followed By Emptiness