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Finding Your North Star

Finding Your North Star

Do you have your own definition of good mental health? Have you ever thought about this? What are your guiding principles?

 

 

According to the UK Mental Health Foundation, good mental health is:

  • The ability to learn
  • The ability to cope with AND manage change and uncertainty
  • The ability to form AND maintain good relationships with others
  • The ability to feel, express and manage a range of positive AND negative emotions

In which of these areas do you excel? And which one needs some development? Does this resonate with you?

I’m a big fan of wellbeing personal audits since all of these ‘abilities’ once brought to your conscious awareness, can be trained, and refined. Accountability helps balance the current trend of victimhood.

You probably know how important it is to get clarity about the future you are aiming your brain towards. Aiming your mind and body towards better mental health seems like time well spent, don’t you think?

With that in mind, I’ve adapted the MHF definition into an easy exercise to help you do review your own needs. I suggest you write out your answers as it has a stronger imprint on the sub-conscious mind.

  • Is learning new things important for you? Is it easy? What would make it easier?

 

  • How adaptable are you to change and uncertainty? Where in your life, would you like to grow more flexibility and how would the ‘future you’ benefit from doing this?

 

  • Do you easily form new relationships? And how do you nurture longer term relationships? Where could you better connect with others?

 

  • Are you comfortable with your full range of emotions? With which emotions do you need to get more comfortable? Which ones do you want more of and which ones do you need less of?

 

  • Are you being the best you can be so that any time, any place anywhere you shine? Which aspects of your personal growth do you prioritise?

  • Is your ‘north star’ shining from the constellation called
    thrive?
Growing Up

Growing Up

When I was growing up, I knew, that I was.
Now I’m grown up, I don’t know, if I am.
I grew taller, up.
Now I’m shorter, down.
I chased fame and fortune.
Now, I trace flow, form.
And sound.

When I was growing up, I grew a mask and a suit.
I grew loud expressions.
To catch my reflection.
And fight or flee.
From lonely me.
Now, in naked standing.
I forget who I was, when I was growing up.

When I was growing up, I grew wounds, as I collided.
I prized a head that was ahead.
Ignored my heart that grew apart.
How now, is the dwelling.
Of simple healing pieces, of peace.
Alchemising in delight.
As new melodies ignite.

When I was growing up, I knew everything back then.
Now, I know nothing about everything.
Yet I yearned for something.
Perhaps to achieve?
Little did I know.
I achieved everything I experienced.
And many seeds were sown.

When I do become a grown up, how will I know?
What will I be up to?
To where, will I have grown?
Who will I be?
And what might I chase?
Will my roots be strong and stable?
And my leaves whisper their grace.

Kay Cooke 2020