Take Ten - Self-Compassion

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Take Ten - Self-Compassion

How well we know and treat ourselves is central to our well-being. Author, Brene Brown says, “Loving ourselves through the process of owning our own story is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.”

TABLEtalk - Creating your own Coat of Arms

A slightly belated post entry about our TABLEtalk evening last week.  In recognition of St George's Day we talked about heraldry and some of the significance and meaning behind symbols used on shields and coats of arms. As part of our evening together we created our own coat of arms. Once again some deep thought and wonderful creativity from our students and helpers ...

Pauline's shield featured elements of faith, family and the dog is representative of loyalty and faithfulness (as someone who has known Pauline for over 30 years I can testify to her loyalty as a friend).

Ugochi's shield contained the image of a shield and an arrow, denoting a desire for excellence and perfection; along with an eagle signifying perseverance and a rising above challenges. The cross and her motto translates as 'In God I Trust' shows the importance of her faith.

Nefeli's shield was simple and uncluttered but, as always, profound. The two hearts forming a kind of infiniti symbol reveal sympathy and a desire to connect deeply with people. The light bulb above the box depicts creativity and a willingness to approach issues in unique ways. The happy mask shows a desire to laugh and enjoy life.

The five images on Dominika's shield speak of (from top left) kindness, family, knowledge, nature and mindfulness; along with the lovely motto 'Be happy in the moment'.

Joy's three symbols depict (1) a bird denoting freedom, (2) a rabbit meaning boundless energy and (3) a ship showing strength to plough through difficult seas.

Kirsten's shield is made up of an anchor, candle, fish and heart, all indicative of her Christian faith and trust in God. The mountain is symbolic of her Welsh roots and denote dependability. The bee shows hard-work and diligence. Then finally the forget-me-not flowers stand for faithfulness in relationships. (Thanks Kirsten for your faithfulness as a friend).

Aiste and Basel have done this exercise before, but this is the first time since their marriage, so it was lovely to see a newly created coat of arms 💖 The olives represent Basel's homeland of Jordan and the oak branch Aiste's home, Lithuania. The hands holding the world are about travel. The Arabic writing says alhamdulillah - Praise God or Thank God.

Thought for the week ...

Take Ten - Creativity & Innovation

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Take Ten - Creativity & Innovation

Today we blend two strands: (1) April is Stress Awareness Month and (2) April 21st is the UN World Day of Creativity & Innovation. I wonder what you think it means to be creative? I wonder if the words, "I'm really not creative" have ever escaped your lips?

Thought for the week ...

Take Ten - Five Ways to Well-Being

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Take Ten - Five Ways to Well-Being

In recognition of April as Stress Awareness Month I want to talk about the Five Ways to Well-Being, which were originally researched and developed by the New Economics Foundation in 2008, but have since been adopted by numerous mental health charities and foundations around the globe.

The Five Ways to Well-Being are:

Connect, Keep Learning, Be Active,

Give and Take Notice

Thought for the week ...

Take Ten - A Positive Wilderness

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Take Ten - A Positive Wilderness

For many of us the word 'wilderness' brings with it a sense of the negative. This year you may have felt like you've been in the wilderness; maybe you've felt a sense of lostness. Despite its negative connotations, however, the wilderness can be a place of growth and refinement.

Thought for the week ...

Happy Easter

Easter is an important time of celebration for Christians. We give chocolate eggs as presents and send Easter cards to family and friends.  It is the oldest and most important Christian festival.  Christmas is about Jesus the baby. Easter is about Jesus the man, his death on a cross and his triumph over death by coming back to life again.

Palm Sunday (one week before Easter Sunday) is the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem and the people spread palm leaves in his path to welcome him (Matthew 21:1-11).  In some Churches everyone is given a little cross made from palm leaves.

Maundy Thursday is the day when we remember the last meal Jesus ate with His disciples before his death. He commanded them to regularly break bread together in the future to remind them of His body broken in death and to drink wine together to remember his blood shed for them. Jesus also washed the feet of His disciples to show them how they must have an attitude of service to one another and he told them to love each other as he loved them. (John 13 verses 1-17).

Until 1689, it was custom in England for the king or queen to wash the feet of poor people in Westminster Abbey on Maundy Thursday and then to give them food and clothes. Today hte Quwwn still goes to Westminster Abbey but now she gives out specially made Maundy money. She gives a few people a bag of coins - one coin for every year of her life.

Good Friday signifies the day when Jesus was killed on a cross. The name may once have been “God’s Friday”. Although it is sad for Christians to remember the death of Jesus, it is also a good day because Jesus’ death was a sacrifice for people’s sins and symbolic of good over evil.  (Matthew 26 and 27, Mark 15, Luke 23 , John 19)

Easter Sunday is the day when Christians all over the world celebrate Jesus rising from the dead. Special services are held in all the churches and some Christians hold services to watch the sun rise.

Easter Monday – well, simply an extra day’s holiday!