Kintsugi Life

This episode is based on an article I wrote to examine why I feel so much guilt as a parent on a near daily basis.

Guilt comes from multiple sources and lots of different places in life and it's really not a helpful feeling. In this episode I've tried to examine where my guilt comes from as a parent, and the things that prompt it in my life as a parent and in life more generally.

You can also read the article at http://bit.ly/2VNIF1J

If you have any comments or feedback on this episode you can reach out by email on [email protected]

This episode is a bit of a break from the norm. I wanted to share an article that I read recently and which I found extremely profound, moving and thought provoking. It's written by a guy called Erik Rittenberry and is called 'The Comfortable Life is Killing You'.

What I particularly enjoyed about it is that it seems to capture perfectly the general ills and malaise that seems to be afflicting so many of us in daily life, but also presents some remediating things we can do to tackle the situation. Not all the changes Erik recommends will be easy to take on, but we need to seriously consider them nonetheless. 

I hope you find the piece as interesting and moving as I did, and if so I hope you'll head over to medium, offer a few claps for the piece and maybe check out some more of Erik's work.

You can also read the article at http://bit.ly/2vnugyB

If you have any comments or feedback on this episode you can reach out by email on [email protected]

In this episode I want to share some of the experiences I've had as a divorced parent in setting up a structure for raising my kids after divorce.

The Critical Success Factor for me and my ex-wife in raising our kids successfully since divorcing 13 years ago has been to strive for equality in our relationship as parents. In this episode I share how this works and why we opted for it.

You can also read an article I wrote on the same subject at http://bit.ly/37kmYbS

If you have any comments or feedback on this episode you can reach out by email on [email protected]

This episode discusses the relative merits of goals, and considers whether everything we do in life should be driven by a goal or undertaken with a goal in mind. 

I discuss how I've experienced a feeling where goals become arduous and sometimes prevent me from experiencing the joy and fulfilment of simply doing things for the joy of doing them. 

You can also read an article I wrote on the same subject at http://bit.ly/2vzmG3u

If you have any comments or feedback on this episode you can reach out by email on [email protected]

This episode touches upon another aspect of Stoic philosophy - the concept of Memento Mori. This centers upon remembering that we will all die sooner or later, and guides that we should live in a way that reflects this.

In the episode I share a few ways in which I try and live, being mindful of the prospect of death but without letting it make me live carelessly or without due care. 

You can also read an article I wrote on the same subject at http://bit.ly/2OzF3Mm

If you have any comments or feedback on this episode you can reach out by email on [email protected]

This episode looks at how Stoic Philosophers and people like Bruce Lee have identified that it's pointless hoping for an easier life - instead we should be trying to prepare ourselves so that we can cope with life and get the best out of it.

It doesn't make life easy, but it helps us to get the best from life by being best-equipped to tackle it head on.

You can also read an article I wrote on the same subject at http://bit.ly/2O4efnt

If you have any comments or feedback on this episode you can reach out by email on [email protected]

We often labour under the misapprehension that the complexities and challenges of an adult's life demands complex and more comprehensive rule. Instead, I believe we'd do well to treat ourselves as kids a bit more frequently to guide ourselves in getting the right things done.

This episode describes how I reached this conclusion and how it can be practiced in life. .

You can also read an article I wrote on the same subject at http://bit.ly/2t3UJQy

If you have any comments or feedback on this episode you can reach out by email on [email protected]

It's hard when you feel as though you're not as good as you'd like to be in any aspect or role of your life. Feelings of inadequacy and of being lost in life can be overcome though

This episode describes how I believe we can make small changes in life to become a little more competent and to overcome feelings of inadequacy, in many roles that we hold in life. 

You can also read an article I wrote on the same subject at http://bit.ly/2t9Ndnq

If you have any comments or feedback on this episode you can reach out by email on [email protected]

I'm certain that many people think that there are gurus or experts who have life all figured out. I suspect most kids secretly believe that this is the case for their parents. I'm more convinced than ever that nobody really has it all figured out though. 

This episode describes how I reached this conclusion following some discussions with my grown-up daughter and how I have tried to convey to her that this is a simple fact of life. There is no secret, nobody has it all figured out.

You can also read an article I wrote on the same subject at http://bit.ly/389xFie

If you have any comments or feedback on this episode you can reach out by email on [email protected]

It's good to be aware of how you like to spend your time, as a means of examining your strengths and weaknesses. I've long been someone who is comfortable alone, but lately I think I've been neglecting the importance of spending time with other people and around others to benefit from feeling part of a collective and community. 

This episode is about me sharing how solitude seems to have turned to loneliness in my life and what I think I need to do about it to address the situation. 

You can also read an article I wrote on the same subject at http://bit.ly/2FR3nEW

If you have any comments or feedback on this episode you can reach out by email on [email protected]