Like Andrew, you may be sceptical about some of the ideas about mindfulness. You may (rightly in my view) be sceptical about what is being termed ‘McMindfulness’, the global commoditisation of an ancient Buddhist practice that seems to offer an escapist panacea to all pressure. But alongside its widespread commercialisation, many have found the practice of mindfulness helpful. And as we've seen, the practice of mindfulness has been associated with
How do we cope? Some of us will deal with stresses and strains by setting up an organised working environment. For most, the pressures of legal life will be tolerable and for many, enjoyable. But for some the pressures can become impossible. Like Andrew, we may find ourselves drinking more to keep anxiety at bay. Or we may self-medicate with non-prescription pharmaceuticals. We may know some of the signs and
Researchers at the University of Glasgow have identified 421 words relating to ‘snow’ for a new Historical Thesaurus of Scots. They range from ‘snaw’, to ‘spitters’ (small drops of wind driven snow), and ‘flindrinkin’ (a slight snow shower). Scots also have multiple words for ‘rain’ and ‘mist’. Little surprise there. The wide range of terms show how important observation of the weather has been for people in Scotland, a largely
They always say time changes things, but you have to change them for yourself. (Andy Warhol) Stuff happens. Things happen around us and to us. Sometimes we have little or no control over changing circumstances and events. But always there are things that we can do to make things better. Whether you're preparing for a three hour mock exam or a two-day cross-examination, setting up innumerable completions for
So many things happened during the course of the year hard on the heels of each other that Chris really didn't have time to feel that he had dealt with one situation before another presented itself to him. He had experienced a number of losses during the course of the year and had helped to help others to cope with their losses when he heard of his business partner's death.
“How did you go bankrupt?”, Bill asked. “Two ways”, Mike said. “Gradually and then suddenly.” (Ernest Hemingway - The Sun Also Rises) During the course of the year as events unfolded around and entangled him, Chris's sense of organisation and self-control diminished. Thinking of his sailing experience, he said, “It was like being out in a storm with the rudder bust”. It felt like he was at the mercy of
