My heart bleeds for all those in South Africa who are suffering, especially my family and friends, trapped in their homes amidst a warzone where their food supplies, fuel, and medication are running low. And a civil war is imminent. In brief, ex-president Jacob Zuma was sentenced to fifteen months in prison for his …
Finally, I was able to leave the UK for an imperative island-hopping adventure, with social distancing as much as possible. Solitude, by a starving solitude seeker, turns into an obligation. Amidst all the seeking, I am still diligently creating my third novel. “CHARLIE ON THE HUNT”. Each chapter is about a unique character. Only at the end …
This evening just before my last stint of writing, ending my day polishing another chapter of Goodbye Danny, getting it ready for publication, I realised I hadn’t listened to the Daily Stoic podcast in many weeks. I grab my iPhone, click on Spotify and search for today’s episode, 4 minutes, titled “Take The Interior Voyage” where …
“You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.” – Anne Lamott Anne Lamott’s quote stopped me in my writing drift… Who said that? Who is Anne Lamott? What else does she have to say for herself? What …
Today in The Times Weekend supplement, following on from Prince Harry’s documentary on mental health, Jean-Claude Chalmet encourages men to “look on therapy as a gym workout for the mind…” In A man’s guide to therapy. Another interesting fact – not just for men, rather for all those who struggle with a dysfunctional relationship …
I cannot recall the last time I read Postsecret. After reading the below secret, I truly felt sad for a lot of women who come to realise, or perhaps not, they are simply fitting into society’s expectations and not understanding what it means to be their authentic selves and live in ways that celebrate what …
I recently celebrated my birthday, as much as one could do while slowly escaping lockdown. Not that I ever found lockdown resembling a prison. It was what it was. Radical Acceptance: it’s become a mantra of mine. Thanks, Jenny! Resistance is futile when entertaining a fleeting digression… Lockdown is now on my mind. Oh, do …
In no rush at all, while extra slowly emerging out of lockdown, and now working with the vulnerable, I am still diligently creating my third novel. “CHARLIE ON THE HUNT”. Each chapter is about a unique character. Only at the end does it all tie in… An extract from PIXIE Pixie felt instant attraction for …
Sit quietly. Take in a deep breath. Pause. Exhale while counting to eight. And meditate on these five words. “Free will is an illusion.” Do you have the power to radically accept that free will is an illusion? The majority of us believe they have free will. I have returned to FREE WILL, Sam Harris’ …
A reader responded to my previous post, “Believe Them the First Time” with the following: Hi Cressida, this post of yours speaks right to me. I’ve been struggling with forgiveness and giving someone another chance. Yet they keep repeating the same abusive behaviour. And the only peace I receive, protecting my well-being, is when I …
I love this quote by Maya Angelou. “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” It deserves a page all on its own, to stand out from the crowd of words… Be observant when it comes to your world and of those that you permit to share it with. It’s so …
I am still relishing lockdown. I managed to get the Pfizer vaccine earlier so that I may work with the vulnerable in a few weeks. While waiting to get stuck in, I’ve been keeping myself busy diligently creating my third novel. “CHARLIE ON THE HUNT.” Each chapter is about a different character and only at …
Once Upon a Time… …There lived a princess. Some called her rotten, spoilt to the core. “A fucking spoilt princess!” The exact words spat; spittle almost landing on her cheek, once or twice. Mostly by those jealous of her and all that they accused her of: “Everything always falls into your lap!” Blah blah and …
“Women, be more selfish!” I read to my partner from The Times Weekend newspaper insert this morning. Referencing “How to make lust last – the new rules for long-term relationships.” “It’s important for women to learn to be more self-centred.” Ping! ‘See!’ I exclaim. ‘I am not selfish enough. I’ve been ordered to…’ He turns …
I feel sad for Mary, a close friend who recently gave birth to a son. Childbirth in the time of COVID, she cries. She wishes for others to be more aware of their choices and all the pros and cons before their lives change forever; change in unimaginable ways. And putting further strain on a …