connection


My family has a bit of a competitive edge, particularly in board games, so celebrating when someone else wins doesn’t come naturally. I hear myself saying ‘It’s not the winning that matters, it’s the taking part’ but secretly I want to win. You could say this is harmless fun and […]

#thoughtfulthursday 27: Be happy for people’s happiness




Celebration is such a wonderful part of life. We get to share in other people’s joy as we recognise a person or significant event. We often meet up with loved ones, eat together and share wonderful experiences. But for many, celebrations can bring painful experiences to the surface. They can […]

#thoughtfulthursday 24: Make special occasions special for everyone


I love Hugs! Safe, secure, warm, friendly hugs! When I was a little girl I remember asking my mum for hugs to fill up my ‘love bucket’. Somehow, I felt more confident and at peace with the world when I had a long, warm hug from someone I trusted. Dr […]

#thoughtfulthursday 23: Hug with Heart



While thinking about my blog for this week I asked my three kids for their thoughts on encouragement and found it quite insightful to see that encouragement could take many forms, so this week’s blog is based on the wisdom of a 14, 12 and 9 year old… ‘Encouragement means […]

#thoughtfulthursday 22: Give encouragement


In the UK you often hear the phrase ‘No news is good news!’ In other words, if you’ve heard nothing, things are probably OK. Why is it we are so quick to spread bad news but fail to celebrate good news? One of our lessons in Peaced Together is about […]

#thoughtfulthursday 15: Share good news



It takes courage to speak out, to stand up for what’s right, to shout for those who cannot shout for themselves. You may not be popular, but your words could change someone’s life for the better. Jaime Thurston challenges us to “be strong for those who can’t be and be […]

#thoughtfulthursday 14: Speak Up




Picture it: you’ve had a busy day, you’re tired, you jump on the bus or train and to your relief there is one seat left which you quickly take. But then someone else gets on the bus who you suspect needs the seat more than you… what do you do? […]

#thoughtfulthursday 11: Be a seat vigilante


Do you ever feel like you are always rushing around and people or things that slow you down become an irritation? What if those people or things actually help us to pause, take notice and even enjoy the moment rather than being swallowed up in the ratrace of life? As […]

#thoughtfulthursday 10: Remember where you came from (and where you ...