Archives

The Kindness Method by Shahroo Izadi

May18

Loving Yourself

The Kindness Method by Shahroo Izadi is a self help book designed to change lives by breaking habits and being kind to ourselves. It is “Giving yourself permission to be kind to you.” Often we are our worst critic. We need to “Conquer… the habit of negative self talk.”

This book gives personal testimony as well as suggesting we mind map various topics. As we progress along the way, we will need to review our mind maps to see how far we have come.

We all have negative habits that rule our lives and need breaking. This book sets out exercises designed to help us break the cycle of our bad habits, as well as questions for internal reflection.

Continue reading →

Rosie by Bill Whiting

Mar13

Very Touching

Rosie by Bill Whiting is a most beautiful and touching account of life, loss and love.

Following the death of his wife, Bill Whiting felt lost and alone. Grief “hit me like a bursting dam.” The hole left by his wife consumed. He realised that little irritations over the years and “working for tomorrow’s happiness” meant nothing when your life partner is gone. “All the gold in the world could not buy her back.” Rosie is an account of very raw grief.

However hope reached out beyond the grave in the form of a small Schnauzer puppy called Rosie. “Utter helplessness meeting total hopelessness.” Bill Whiting’s wife knew that he would need a new purpose after she was gone.

Continue reading →

The Tattooist Of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Feb1

May We Never Forget

The Tattooist Of Auschwitz by Heather Morris is a true story. It is a powerful story. It is a harrowing story. And it is a story that needs to be told in memory of the six million innocent men, women and children who perished in the holocaust.

Auschwitz was hell on earth. It was physical torture. It was mental torture. A place of unspeakable horrors. It was a place where people did what they had to in order to survive. “Choosing to live is an act of defiance, a form of heroism.” Every man, woman and child in there was a hero. They must not be forgotten.

There were individual acts of bravery. People who did try to ease suffering. And people who would give their lives for the sake of another. “To save one is to save the world.”

Continue reading →

Uncle John by Julia Wilson

Sep27

A Legacy Of Love

Ninety years ago today my beloved Uncle John was born. He was the firstborn, followed by my Dad three years later. My Dad always talks with pride about his older brother. A bond formed in childhood, strengthened following the death of their father in 1942, leaving a close knit household of three with my Nanny at the head.

Uncle John had a love of learning and studied to become a teacher, and then became a head teacher of Jessons Primary in Dudley. He had a passion for imparting knowledge into children, and when given the choice to retire in the term before or after his 65th birthday, he chose after.

My Uncle John was married to the love of his life, my Auntie Jean. He was devastated when she lost her battle with cancer in 1987.

Continue reading →