You can't start moving until you know where you are going

http://www.ted.com/playlists/225/talks_to_get_you_through_your

Mindfulness - a key to feeling more calm and in control

In some of my courses, I introduce simple forms of meditation such as 'One Moment Meditation' - I play this video to the students in a darkened classroom.

HBR have also published a useful article (here) on this idea, though extending it just a little.

These are really helpful - do try.

How to meet people in your area with the same interests

Hello again,

Many of you will already know about Meet Ups, but for those that have not, see the link below.  The idea of Meet Ups is to let you know about meet-ups occurring in your area or on specific subjects. You can create your own meet-ups to bring people together too. I know that many of you may be a little too shy to try these straight away, but like any new thing, ask yourself, "What is the worst thing that can happen?"  In all probablility, it is nothing terrible, and the upside can be immense: a tool for island building :-)

Meet-ups link - to search in your area

The vision and mission of this blog

In my classes and coaching, one subject remains by far the most popular: happiness!  Students and clients want to be happy.  My researches and life experience have shown that one of the key characteristics of happy people - the most important - is a deep, sometimes large, social network. In my classes I talk about the person without this network: it is like being lost in a rough sea - the sea of life - unhappy and swimming desperately all the time: miserable, wet, and cold. But, with an island, you can feel safe and happy. This island is not made of rocks but of people.  Like a real island made of rocks, not one supports everything, and they do not all give the same type and level of support, but, together, this give you a place of stability, of safety from which you can venture into the rough sea of life, knowing that you have a safe haven to come back to: an island, bunch of caring and trusting people.With a large enough 'island' it is not catastrophic if one or two of the rocks (people) fall away - yes, it can be painful - but there ar plenty of others to support you.

My vision for this blog, and for my coaching, is to give you the passion and tools for building, re-building, extending this island of trusting friends. My mission, here, and in my life and my work, is to ensure that no-one needs feel alone. I have been there, friends, and it is not good. During a couple of those times, I resolved that, if I were ever to survive that time, I would dedicate my life to trying to ensure that no-one feels alone. 

So it begins. Look here for ideas, tools, links, and make your own suggestions and comments. See you soon!