Are you scared?

The maternity ward where they were keeping my new daughter Mia and my Wife on was particularly dark and stuffy. We decided to give Claire a rest, and I carried Mia across the ward to where the sun was shining through the windows. Mia had a touch of jaundice, and the sunlight would do wonders in taking the slight yellow pallor out of her face. We were enjoying the view of the sunny day from the window, when I was confronted by a nurse.

She was very 'concerned' that I was carrying my baby. Babies weren't to be carried, as it was a health and safety risk. I could possibly fall and injure myself or the baby.

This kind of fear was motivated, not out of any genuine care for the patients, rather that they might be found negligent and liable for compensation.

These fears are counter-productive. They actually end up doing worse. If parents can't practice carrying their babies in a safe environment, they are more likely to drop their babies at home, where care is likely to be delayed. Without advice, they might carry their babies incorrectly and inadvertently hurt them. But no... the hospitals tell you to wheel them everywhere.. and you remain incompetent.

We are a terrified society, full of reactionary overkill that is driving a wedge between us all. Don't rise to it. Whether it is an advert for deodorant ("Worried about body odour???") or a defense minister after a budget increase for his department, there is always money in keeping people scared or worried.

So, what fears are holding you back? Are they rational? What are they preventing you doing? What advantages can you see to resolving this fear?

And be happy.

Rich

What is Tai Chi? Free Video Demonstration

Tai Chi is undoubtedly one of the greatest gifts that Chinese culture can bring to the world. Not only is it an effective self-defense system, but it brings unique levels of fitness, flexibility, strength, posture and relaxation to the practitioner.

Enjoy the video. I'll see you at the class!

Rich

New Arrival

On 3rd April at 10:17pm, my daughter, Mia April Northwood was born. She is beautiful.

To say I am happy is the understatement of the century.

Normal service will be resumed. I am also on twitter, so follow the link below:

http://twitter.com/Taijirich

Be happy,

Rich

Sorry!

Sincere apologies for not adding posts.

Will catch up with you all as soon as the baby is born.

Thanks for being so patient. :-)

What handicap?

This is what happens if you just seize the moment, and accept what is given.....

There are opportunities everywhere. But we rarely accept them. We can get to thinking that we are not worthy and that good things happen to other people.  

Let me tell you.... Contrary to every self-help and marketing guru on the planet.... you have a right to be who you are. You are enough. You can choose to recognise and accept the gifts life presents to you every day.

Happy New Year!!!

Yes, happy Chinese New Year. It's the year of the ox.

What's important

With the news full of the credit crunch, it really goes to show how little our media know about people.  Money, money, money...... hmmmm!

Is that really all we think about? Is that all we ought to be thinking about?

Why is the media is so down? Perhaps because the media is a soulless enterprise, dealing in commercial tittle-tattle and mindless celebrity. The poor fools who buy into the media lifestyle are down because they can no longer take solace in buying crap to fill the void in their lives.

Perhaps this is a time to discover what's important.....

• Plasma screen televisions? 
  
• Four-by-four bling cars?
• Smart phones?
• Must-have houses?
• Granite kitchen work tops?

Or is it something else?

This credit crunch could be the best thing that has ever happened to us - if we let it. We can use this as a reason to stop living like mindless consumers.  We can finally lay the shopping and sh@gging mentality to rest and search for what is truly important.