Posted in from the viewing room, life, music, personal growth, video on August 26, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Emeli Sandé sang a beautiful version of Read All About It, Part III at the closing of the London Olympics, and the line “we’re all wonderful, wonderful people so when did we all get so fearful?” has been running through my brain ever since.
(I’ve embedded the video link here, but you’ll see the Olympic Committee insist you go watch it on youtube….go on, click the link…it’s worth it!! The lyric in question comes in at the 2 minute mark….)
Posted in from the consulting room, from the viewing room, health, video on May 23, 2012 | 2 Comments »
Sometimes you find a video which is astonishing in its clarity and impact. Here’s what might be THE best health video I’ve seen so far.
I urge you – take 10 minutes and watch this. I really believe it could change your life.
Posted in from the viewing room, video on March 26, 2012 | 1 Comment »
As we walked through the Birks o’Aberfeldy yesterday we came across this amazing performance by a leaf dancing in the wind.
Mesmerising.
Posted in from the consulting room, health, neuroscience, video on November 25, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Nice little article on the School of Life site about the relationship between compassion and circulating levels of oxytocin.
It references Paul Zak’s talk on TED.COM.
It appears that there’s a relationship between our oxytocin levels and how much compassion we experience. Of course, as with so much neuroscience, this can’t be described as simply cause and effect but the correlation is still an interesting one.
I particularly like the concluding recommendation about how to increase your oxytocin levels -
To make a decision to raise the level of oxytocin in our bodies – Zak’s prescription is “eight hugs a day” – and reduce, say, levels of the stress hormone cortisol, seems as conscious a moral choice as giving to charity or embracing a religious creed. And if the outcome is the same, then let’s get hugging now
Never mind your 5 a day veggie and fruit portions – have you had your 8 hugs today yet??
Posted in creativity, from the dark room, from the viewing room, perception, photography, video on November 4, 2011 | 2 Comments »
Probably one of the best ever examples of how its the photographer not the equipment which makes a great photo. Stunning shots in this little video, and a great story too. Watch it and be inspired!
Posted in from the consulting room, from the viewing room, health, video on November 1, 2011 | 1 Comment »
This is one of the most inspiring, funny and moving TED talks I’ve seen so far.
Brene Brown’s qualitative research has led her to conclude that one of the most important issues for human beings is connections – we need to be connected, to belong, to love and be loved. This need for connections is the basis of our feelings of vulnerability, and that vulnerability can be the basis of feelings of shame, of feeling not good enough, not deserving of love or connections.
She found that well, “whole hearted” people, feel just as vulnerable as those who feel anxious or depressed by their vulnerability. The difference is in how they handle it. Many people choose to numb out these painful feelings, but in so doing, they numb out ALL their feelings. The whole hearted recognise vulnerability and painful feelings as part of reality. They acknowledge and accept them, but focus on personal authenticity…..anyway, check out this fabulous talk, enjoy it, and make up your own mind.
Posted in from the consulting room, health, music, video on September 10, 2011 | 1 Comment »
So just what IS the vision of those who deliver our health services these days? Is this the message they’re giving us…….?
Listen carefully…….
Posted in from the consulting room, health, video on September 9, 2011 | 7 Comments »
Take a few moments and watch this short video clip (about 7 minutes).
It’s the last part of Sir Harry Burns, Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer’s excellent address to the NHS Scotland Conference 2011.
In this part of his talk, he eloquently makes a strong case for the central importance of compassion in health care.
You can see his whole talk, and download his powerpoint slides here
Posted in from the viewing room, life, video on August 22, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Posted in creativity, from the viewing room, video, writing on April 4, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Here’s a very entertaining four minutes or so of Kurt Vonnegurt explaining the shapes of stories, using a blackboard……
