It's a Classical Life

  Do you remember the article I wrote earlier this year about cultivating discernment? (you can read it  here  if you're interested). I think that Eric Carle has summed up that idea perfectly in this week's Bitesize Inspiration. As long as our eye sight is good, then we have to look at things each and everyday - that is what our eyes are for. If we are placing disaster, tragedy and trauma in front of ourselves everyday then that is going to have an impact on our brain and consequently our psyche. Not only can Carle's words refer to the beauty of art but also to other content that we choose to give our time and attention to.  Some of my favourite Instagram accounts to follow are museums, in particular Rijks Museum (Amsterdam) and architectural accounts with beautiful designs and interiors. I unfollowed the news accounts that I had been following because I found it too depressing to come onto the Instagram. Now, I only follow things that uplift and inspire me. Beautif...

  If you are anything like me, it is easy to get overtaken by bad news, devastating natural disasters, human crises, stories of abuse and heartache when we read the news, scroll through social media or watch news updates. It can also be overwhelming for our children who may be watching with us, or scrolling on their own devices. An important point to remember though, is that information is not thinking. Just because we are accessing this information, does not mean that we are critically thinking about it, assessing its worth, judging, valuing or comparing it with other, reliable information. Oftentimes, we are simply taking it in and this is where the danger lies. I love this quote by Anne Frank, in her Diary of a Young Girl. A girl in a position to be truly overwhelmed by the bad news around her, choosing instead to focus on the beauty that still remains. We have a lot more choice about our thoughts and what information we choose to invite into our lives than we oft...

  It is no wonder that Audrey Hepburn has been a style icon for generations. Her timeless elegance and commitment to her style, knowing what suited her best and wearing it often, has offered inspiration to many - myself included. However, Hepburn was also a big believer in the depth of a person as a form of beauty. There are many quotes by her that travel along this theme, but this is the one that I chose to share here today. I like this quote in particular because it focuses on two aspects of ourselves that we can actually control - our kindness to others and our passion. When we are living a life that is true to who we really are, our passions become clear. Even if we are passionate about reading, or housework, or gardening - this is our passion and the joy we get from doing these things will make our faces shine. When we are doing the things that we truly love then our beauty becomes clear.  Care and kindness are sorely lacking in the world today. It is a mark of a truly be...