My Daily Thoughts

September 19th 2023

Loneliness can have significant impacts on both our mental and physical well-being. Some of the effects of loneliness include:

1. Mental Health: Loneliness is often associated with an increased risk of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. It can also contribute to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and social isolation.

2. Physical Health: Studies have shown that loneliness can have negative effects on physical health. It is linked to increased stress levels, weakened immune system, higher blood pressure, and an increased risk of developing conditions like cardiovascular disease.

3. Cognitive Decline: Prolonged loneliness has been associated with cognitive decline and an increased risk of developing conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. 4. Social Skills and Relationships: Loneliness can perpetuate a cycle of isolation, making it harder for individuals to form and maintain meaningful relationships. It can also lead to difficulties in social interactions and a decreased ability to empathize with others.

5. Sleep Problems: Loneliness can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restful sleep. Sleep deprivation can further exacerbate feelings of loneliness and negatively impact overall well-being.

It’s important to note that the impacts of loneliness can vary from person to person and depend on various factors such as the duration and intensity of loneliness, social support networks, and individual resilience. If you or someone you know is experiencing loneliness, seeking support from friends, family, or mental health professionals can be beneficial.

August 20th 2023

Who are you created to be ?

What is it with all the labels. 
Do you label me to contain me or define me 
Why define me with labels that keep me imprisoned. 
Should I be defined by the label imposed on me.  
Curtain my not I object 
I am not defined by my past or my absolutes. 
I am defined by who I am created to be and

I am created to be

The future.


August 15th 2023

Beauty

Am I beautiful ?

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

If the beholder is the observer,

Should I trust the words of the beholder

I guess the question is, 

Who is the beholder

I like to think I get the choice to decide for myself who beholds my beauty 

But above all things if I can’t see the beauty in myself how can I expect another to see it. 

So yes I will boldly declare I am beautifully and wonderfully made  


August 11th 2023

How can I remove fear from my mind 

Fear an emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain or harm.

Danger the risk that a person or thing that may cause pain.

Am I in pain? 

Pain a highly unpleasant physical sensation caused by illness or injury.

Am I injured or ill? 

Harm is physical injury

Am I harmed ? 

So what am I afraid of ? 

If it hasn’t happened I tell my self it’s not real 

if it’s not real what am I afraid of? 

Its a constant repeat 

So how do I combat this dissolution ? 

Courage 

Courage is the quality I have that enables me to face my fears. 

 I am realising I don’t remove fear by running away from it. 

I combat  fear by moving towards it  and realising it was just a bad dream.


9th August 2023

When Jealousy Creeps in

Why me !

Is it fair that I’m here. 

I try to remember the positives but all I recall is disappointment. 

Do I have to pretend to be happy for them. The promotion, the family, the life. It’s all a bit too much. 

How do I change my thoughts.

Grab a mirror I hear, stare;  stare harder eyes wide open and smile. 

There’s a thousand thoughts in a smile.

I feel a sudden release of gratitude. 

As I smile I realise how blessed I am,

As my smile turns into I laugh I am transformed from anger into contentment.

Then I know I am moving in a positive direction and ready to continue my day. 


August 8th 2023

The Disruptive Consequences of Greed

Am I greedy or do I just want more 

The dictionary defines greed as the intense and selfish desire for something. 
Is it wrong to go after after something with a passion?

Am I greedy because I struggle to involve others in achieving my goals.

When I say I’m contempt am I being lazy or have I simply given up. 

Is there any validation in having too much of a thing if I have the  capacity to carry it ?
Is there a point when drive turns into greed. 

I hear the words slow down, take a deep breath, evaluate and then continue. These four steps keep me in check, they help me to slow down the intensity of my desires so I can reflect, check my motive, enjoy what I already have because if  desire becomes greed, it’s only a matter of time before it all comes crashing down 


August 7th 2023

Letting go of control

Control can be disguised as many things. Is the desire to be in control just as bad as being controlled. Are both a form of prison. One of self the other of others.
I am in deep thought over this question. As I reflect on the emotions I get when I feel controlled versus when I feel the need to be in control.  Can I honestly distinguish between the two. 
Am I trapped in a false sense of security.  Is it merely a power struggle. Are there winers or losers in this game ? Am I weak if I loose control or am I strong if I resist it. 
As I ponder this thought I feel the freedom that comes with letting go, the understanding that whenever I seek to control I loose, and whenever I decide to let go, I gain.  


Getting to know you better Game

How to create the Game 

Create 10 or more open questions you would like answered. An open question is one that does not provide a yes or no answer this will enable the person responding to the question to elaborate in their own words. When choosing questions also consider that you may be the one answering the question so make them gender neutral and only ask what you are also prepared to answer.

Write each question down on the sticky side of a post -it note and fold it in half by connecting the sticky sections to each other. This will seal the questions and make for easy opening when ready to read them.

You can use different coloured sticky notes to add more flavour to the game.

Include at least 4 wild cards in the game. Simply write the word Wild Card on the relevant sticky note. A wild card when chosen allows for any question to be asked.

Optional – include reverse cards –  Simply Write the word Reverse on the relevant sticky note. A Reverse Card allows for Direction of the game to be changed 

Here are some example questions to ask

  • Tell me about a happy moment in your Childhood
  • What is your love Language and Why 
  • Tell me your top three pet hates 
  • Who is your biggest inspiration
  • If you could like anywhere in the world where would it be and why
  • How important is God in your life 
  • What / who inspires you to keep going?
  • How important is Marriage to you and Why 
  • If you were stranded on an island and could only have two things with you from your present life what would that be 
  • What do you look for in a partner 

How to play the game 

Once you have all your questions you are ready to play the game.

start  by shuffling the notes. You can decide who will draw the card first.

The person that shuffles the card presents to the other party to pick the question to be answered. 

The picker reads and the shuffler answers the question. 

Each card that has been answered is placed in a separate pile and therefore not reshuffled with the remaining cards 

Continue to play until all questions have been answered or you decide to stop playing.  

Note The more intentional your questions the more you will get to know about the other person and the more they will learn about you.  This game can be played over a coffee or can be adapted for a virtual meet up.