Affirmations can change your life

A spiritual friend sent me this affirmation to focus on in my quest not to judge people: 'I will no longer judge a single soul or offer advice to someone. If I do I will immediately forgive myself. I will speak only positive words.'

My quest to stop judging people is a lifelong mission. I have been aware of this personality defect for many years and it truly hurts my soul now. If I didn't have the grace of forgiving myself each time I trip up and make a judgment I would sink under the weight of my immense disappointment in myself.

If you relate to the issue of being aware of a personality defect, and would like to start tackling it this year while I am on my own quest, I welcome your company. We can do it, one day at a time...

Happiness is real only when shared

Those words were written by young adventurer Christopher McCandless as he lay dying alone in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan wilderness. It was the poignant realisation of his quest to learn the meaning of life. It is Christopher's legacy to the world.

I had the same insight while snorkelling alone in Rarotonga (my husband was ill). I realised that it seemed pointless without him there to appreciate the beauty with me. I love solitude but it hit home then that I am a social being. We all are. We need each other.