Freedom can be scary

Freedom can be scary

After years of institutionalised education and employment, it is easy to feel lost without some externally imposed routine. Freedom can be scary and fear of it is a huge barrier to change.   “What else would I do?”  Recently, I’ve been nudging an old friend who has no...
The struggle to change

The struggle to change

Personal change necessarily involves a struggle within. A struggle between the part of you that wants to change and the part of you that doesn’t. And, in order to tip the balance, you must first understand the nature of the struggle to change.  The struggle to change...
The secret of happiness

The secret of happiness

When Socrates was put on trial for corrupting Athen’s youth, he was adamant that he wouldn’t change his ways. Socrates felt compelled to “fulfil the philosopher’s mission of searching into myself and other men”. He explained that “examining myself and...
Materialism is not the problem

Materialism is not the problem

Many have the idea that ‘materialism’ — giving high importance to material possessions — is modernity’s big problem. But, materialism is not the problem really, for a true materialist would have a love for beauty, aesthetics and quality. And there is nothing mundane...
On lasting motivation and procrastination

On lasting motivation and procrastination

I often hear from people who find themselves launching initiatives with great enthusiasm, only to lose steam very quickly. They are puzzled by their own behaviour only because they are yet to realise that there is a missing ingredient. That it isn’t enough simply to...
Making implicit priorities explicit

Making implicit priorities explicit

Everything in life boils down to priorities. Many options, many possibilities, and we must choose. Yet, how clear are you about your choices? How clear are you about why you have chosen a certain path? There is a great benefit to making explicit in your mind, what you...