Category: 5 Share Friday

1. Quote I’ve been pondering this week – “When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life. “– John Lennon

2. What I’ve been reading on the internet- I’ve been reading and re reading this article about how who we spend time with can change what we think is impossible to possible. It’s a really good read, helping you think about the people you surround yourself with and the effect they have on you and your view of the world.

3. Best health hack – standing on one leg brushing my teeth. A while back I discovered I’ve got an extra disc at the base of my spine. Apparently we used to have tails and so I’m part of the 10% that has a left over (proof that I’m special!). All this led me to researching spinal health where one of the outcomes was keeping my core in good shape. With so much to do each day I’ve started to merge activities. This is one of them. I use an electric toothbrush with a built in timer and do 60 seconds on each leg, try it, you’ll be amazed at the benefits.

4. I found my picture of the Imagine mosaic this week (I’d lost one since moving companies). I have one at home and one for my desk at the office. Whenever I visit NYC I make sure to sit and watch the world go by at Strawberry fields. Seeing the picture daily reminds me not to give up dreaming.

5. If you’re after a short form podcast you might want to listen to Adam Grants new one Worklife. Episode 1 is about benefiting from criticism, it’s a fascinating listen. Historically it’s been hard for me to accept criticism, it’s really not that easy to hear and then act upon. I still find it hard, though thankfully reading and listening to Tim Ferriss and others has helped me see how it’s actually a gift. If you find criticism hard to take and act upon, listen to this podcast and see if you feel differently.

1. Quote I’ve been pondering this week “The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace” – Mahatma Gandhi

2. I’m in Pune, India this week on a work trip. I’ve been lucky enough to have had a few hours to explore the city. The strange feeling of blended chaos and peace is one I’ve not experienced before, an experience of calm despite the madness. I visited the Gandhi National Memorial, the national monument of India’s freedom movement. There are many people who’ve changed the world for good in some way, none more so than Gandhi (why not watch or rewatch the movie? It’s fantastic!  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083987/) 

3. I watched Hidden Figures recently, a terrifically inspiring movie about the true story of the women who changed Nasa’s place in the space race. It’s had an amazing impact since it’s release last year, inspiring more young women to seek careers in technology and science. There are only a handful of movies recently where art and truth are blended in such a way that lives are changed forever, this is one of them.

4. I’m lucky enough to have a hotel room overlooking the chaotic streets of Pune. With green trees and flowers blooming as well as the 24 hour rush of people jumping on the trains by the station (my ear plugs have definitely come in handy!). Here’s a typical view..

Each morning I’ve opened the curtains to let the sun beam through (it’s 100F or nearly 40C), sitting cross legged in my baggy linen trousers and meditating before I move on to the rest of the day. It may seem cliche given where I am, though the power of mediation brings ease and peace to each day, ridding my body of aches and pains that have built up over the previous 24 hours and helping me focus. I recommend trying Headspace  if you’re interested in meditation and want to try it out.

5. A colleague lent me the book Idiot Brain by Dean Burnett, a neuroscientist and Guardian blogger. Dean is also a stand up comedian, which definitely comes across in his writing style. I’m enjoying it and recommend checking it out. I’m not not finished, yet so far it’s a charming collection of pop neuroscience musings on “how the human brain does its own thing despite everything the modern world can throw at it.” 

Have a great weekend everyone!

1. Quote I’m pondering this week “Life is like a cup of tea…it’s all in how you make it.” 

2. Article I’ve been reading: Turns out the way you hang your toilet paper tells a bigger story than you may think.

My preference is roll over and I’m totally guilty of flipping someone else’s roll under to a roll over. I feel bad after reading this..

3. This week gave us Shrove Tuesday and Valentines day, pancakes and love seem a perfect match!

This year the internet was a buzz with all sorts of valentine stories. The good news is, whether it’s someone in your life you’re already with or someone you want to be with, the internet can tell you if you’re actually in love with them.  It must be true as the internet never lies..

I hope you got to spend time with the one you love this valentines day.

4. I’ve been looking up recipes in Dale Pinnocks Medicinal Chef recipe books. Dale’s recipes have been a staple at home for a few years now, I highly recommend them for their taste and nutrition.

Matcha coconut porridge for breakfast? yes please!

5. This amazing article made it’s way onto Linkedin last week. The author has the same name as me and even looks familiar…It’s worth reading if you’re interested in improving your mind and how it controls you.

1. Quote I’ve been pondering this week“If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there’d be peace.” – John Lennon

2. A colleague at work shared this buzzfeed link. Take a look at the straw holder you never knew existed, along with the correct way to get Tic Tacs out of their box, genius!

3. What I’m reading: Food Rules by Michael Pollen – The New York Times bestseller containing lots of great reminders and principles to follow when it comes to food. Don’t get your fuel from the same place your car does is one of them.

4. It’s nearly Valentines day, that day people send cards anonymously to the one they like. I’m not entirely sure anonymous achieves the desired result? Anyhow, do you know the real history of valentines day? It was pretty wild..in this write up of The Dark Origins Of Valentine’s Day it’s clear we’ve got it easier. So unless you like that sort of thing, thank the card shops and present makers you don’t have to go through what the Romans did.

5. Slippers…No longer the footwear reserved for pensioners or the untrendy. We’ve only got carpets upstairs in Purvis mansions, so it’s essential to have good slippers throughout the winter. Finding Giesswein slippers has been amazing. Now I’ve got a pair I’ll never go back. Forget all those adverts for Mahabis on facebook… Giesswein are the perfect, No.1 slipper out there, they do footwear for both men and women. You’ll thank me once you try them.