When the tides of life make sense: Insights from Surfers in Hong Kong
Posted onLink to SCMP article https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3303116/surfing-psychologists-study-shows-mental-health-benefits-sport-hong-kong-banned
Author: Judy Blaine
IKIGAI
Posted onIkigai 生き甲斐 According to the Japanese culture, one way to a more meaningful and purposeful life is to discover your ikigai. Ikigai is a combination of the Japanese words iki meaning ‘life’ and gai meaning ‘worth or value’. Together this roughly translates as ‘the reason for being’, your purpose in life. Finding purpose in life […]
Oubaitori
Posted onOubaitori (桜梅桃李) I am captivated by ancient wisdoms and this has to be one of my favourites. Although it isn’t spring in the Northern Hemisphere, I think that we can all learn something from the Japanese idiom, Oubaitori, for ourselves and for our children. Oubaitori comes from the kanji for these four trees that bloom […]
Lessons from Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales: Part 13 Pandora’s Box
Posted onIn Greek mythology, Pandora’s box was a gift from the gods to Pandora, the first woman on earth. Before leaving her on earth, Zeus handed Pandora a beautiful box with instructions never to open it. But Pandora’s curiosity got the better of her and she opened the box releasing all the troubles and woes – […]
Shikata ga na
Posted onI recently came across a Japanese phrase, Shikata ga na (仕方が無い) translating as “it cannot be helped” or as we say in English “it is what it is”. After the Covid years and other events in my life, this principle really resonates with me. Rather than being a purely passive process, shikata ga na encourages […]
Lessons from Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales: Part 12 The Emperor’s New Clothes
Posted onI am sure most of you know this classic fairytale where two weavers promise the Emperor a new set of clothes that they maintain are invisible to only those who are incompetent or stupid. In reality they are weaving no clothes at all, making everyone, including the Emperor, believe (or say they believe) the clothes […]
Lessons from Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales: Part 11 Icarus
Posted onLife is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. ~ Helen Keller We have all no doubt heard the maxim: “Don’t fly too close to the sun”. This comes from the Greek myth of Icarus. As the myth goes, Icarus and his father, Daedalus, were trying to escape a violent fate on the island […]
Lessons from Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales: Part 10 Robin Hood
Posted onRobin Hood, the legendary outlaw who rebelled against tyranny, famously stealing from the rich to give to the poor: thief or hero? Like all things in life, it depends on one’s perspective. Whilst I am not advocating stealing from anyone, I think of Robin Hood as a symbol of justice, equality; standing up for what […]
Lessons from Myths, Legends and Fairytales: Part 9 The Lorax
Posted onPublished in 1971, the classic children’s tale, The Lorax, is a call to protect and preserve our natural resources. Spanning more than four decades, this story has never felt more real than it does right now in terms of environmental and climate crises. The Lorax explores the interconnectedness of nature and the very real consequences […]
Lessons from Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales: Part 8 The Princess and the Pea
Posted onThe story of the Princess and the Pea is one that has long since fascinated me. One stormy night, a, mysterious rain-soaked young woman knocks on the castle doors seeking shelter from the rain. Although she claims to be a princess, the queen is not convinced and decides to test her authenticity by placing a […]