Believing in either synchronicity or coincidence: Are the two approaches really so different?
When something in our daily lives catches our attention and it seems eerily related to something we are going through in our own lives, for some it may be synchronicity, a kind of sign; for others mere coincidence. Can we go beyond being one or the other? Should the two approaches be opposed to each other? We talk to four different experts with four different backgrounds on the meaning of synchronicity in our lives.
Early bird: Time to rethink our meaning of early rising? Camilla Kring of the B-Society tells all
If we want to have a successful day, we have to get up early, right? After all, the early bird catches the worm. But one initiative in Denmark shows us a different perspective. One that can be good for our productivity, health, businesses and schools. We talked to Camilla Kring: This is the story of the B-Society.
Are horses just for riding? Sharing our point of view with our animals.
There are ‘horse owners’ who take their horse for a walk instead of riding it. They say it’s a great thing to do for both horse and rider. That it helps them see the world from their horse’s perspective and creates a stronger bond between them. All by changing their perspective a little. So: are horses just for riding?
A dog is our best friend. But are we theirs? A professional perspective by Judith Versluis
In the West we all care for our domestic dogs in much the same way. We put our dog in a crate when we go to work, and we have to do things to remind him who’s boss. But just because we all do these things, does that make it okay? According to welfare professional Judith Versluis, there is room for improvement. This way we can also become our dog’s best friend. This is her story.
The magical world of Glimmers: An interview with Deb Dana (AUDIO)
As we walk through life, we can focus on all the things that could go wrong in our busy day ahead. Or, we can spot Glimmers. Here, Deb Dana, a trauma specialist who coined the term, tells us how subtle, tiny magical moments of goodness are all around us. How they can help us see the world in a different light and how our specially-equipped nervous systems, minds, bodies and souls will all thank us for it. We may even feel better connected to others.
Before air conditioning (BAC): How did we ever keep our homes cool in the sweltering heat?
Once upon a time – let’s call it before air conditioning (BAC) – we kept our homes cool in the summer without electricity. Even in the desert. Nowadays we can’t imagine life without air conditioning. Despite the electricity bills and links to poor health and, ironically, to global warming itself. From Indian skywells to Middle Eastern windcatchers: Can we learn from age-old passive cooling methods?
Is a natural apple healthier than a ‘conventional’ one? Marco van Es about the bigger picture
Is a naturally-grown apple really that much healthier than a conventional one? We talk to Marco van Es of Bac2nature. His research foundation links crop soil, the microbiome, the quality of our immune system, and our health. Turns out, for more and more experts like van Es: It really is about the bigger picture.
The Light Orbs phenomenon: A spiritual perspective on the invisible life around us by Daniëlle Langendijk (VIDEO)
When we enjoy a walk in the woods, we can see trees, shrubs, a bird, and perhaps a butterfly. But there might be more, we just cannot see it. In our video, Daniëlle Langendijk gives Perspective Living a spiritual perspective on the occurrence of light orbs. Says Daniëlle, they are all around us. Our tip for watching this video: Don’t expect anything. Prepare to be amazed!
The virtuousness of willpower and self control. Are things really that simple?
If only we had more willpower and self control to see things through. We would eat the right foods, exercise regularly, say no to alcohol, smoking and – god forbid – to drugs. Procrastination would never happen, and we would save money rather than spending it. We would be achieving all sorts of virtuous goals in life. We would be admirable. Right? Time to review an old perspective?
Dr. Niloo Dardashti on the power of understanding our ‘family dynamics’ at work
Most of us know a thing or two about what psychologists might call family dynamics. Why we clash with one person over and over again for no reason. Or how our reaction relates to our past. But do we also have this insight at work? If we did that, says psychologist Dr. Niloo Dardashti, it would improve everything at work: From colleague relations to our work performance.
The new magical world of vegetable cuisine: An interview with Vegetable Chef Frank Fol
Not so long ago, we might have thought that a plant-based meal was missing something. Or that it was unhealthy. Can we change our views about food? Globally-renowned vegetable chef Frank Fol says we can and we are. Here he tells us about a whole new cuisine of taste, colour and magic: in our best restaurants and in our kitchens at home. A new world, he says, that is here to stay.
Help, I am over 50! Could we age better if we expect better?
When we reach middle age, we not only fear decline in our minds and bodies, we count on it. We expect our knees to hurt, our memory to deteriorate, and it to become increasingly difficult or even impossible to apply for a new job, let alone learn a new language. While some of it may be true, could some of these expectations about ageing itself play a role in how we age and vice versa? Can we age better if we expect better?
The world of work through the eyes of a highly sensitive person: Dr. Candan Aydemir-Tam tells all
They say our fast-paced world needs highly sensitive people, or HSPs as they are often called. What about the workplace? Can people with this complex and empathetic mind add value here too? Or are they just too sensitive. Dr. Candan Aydemir-Tam, healthcare psychologist, tells us everything.
Something is growing: Dr. Toh Wong and Dr. Naveed Akhtar on how conventional and alternative healthcare are merging
Should healthcare be either conventional or alternative? According Dr. Toh Wong and Dr. Naveed Akhtar, more and more health practices are combining the best of two worlds. It may still be an usual way of thinking in our time, but here, the two British doctors and integrative pioneers tell us all about the changing health landscape: In both the UK as well as further afield, things are merging.
Being in a relationship is good, being single is bad: A very persistent story!
Being in a relationship equals growing up. Being single means loneliness and less satisfaction in life. Such beliefs are reflected in the movies we watch, the music we hear, and the conversations we have. Has the time come for another story besides this age-old perspective?
Life from the perspective of a sensitive Rainforest Mind (RFM)
If humans are like ecosystems, some are like the rainforest, says psychotherapist and author Paula Prober. People with a Rainforest Mind (RFM) are highly complex, sensitive, and intuitive. They may be effervescent, intense, colourful, and they may be the most misunderstood. Here, Paula Prober paints us a picture: the world according to a rainforest mind.
It’s official: Walking funny (Ministry-of-Silly-Walks-style), is healthy exercise
Walking in a way that is not only funny but also completely inefficient can be a healthy form of exercise. It is the conclusion of a group of scientists who have investigated what happens when we walk like this. Like John Cleese in Monty Python’s Ministry of Silly Walks, to be precise. It turns out that while we don’t have to throw our legs in exactly the same way as John Cleese could, walking in such an enthusiastic way can be a good thing.
There’s space for everything: The meaning of happiness in Japan
Different religious perspectives, life, death, and the afterlife: There’s room for everything in the Japanese perspective on happiness. Above all, says Japan expert Carmen Rucci from Italy, there is room for joy. And so, this is Carmen’s story.
I just love to smile! Life perspective of a little grass blade
Have you ever wondered what the perspective on life would be of a tiny, vulnerable grass blade? Pretty great as it happens. Turns out: A grass blade is busy smiling!
British Sign Language (BSL) includes climate change so more people can contribute to this timely topic
Does anyone from the UK deaf or hard of hearing community have sufficient language signs to contribute to a discussion on issues related to climate change? Thanks to an expansion in British Sign Language (BSL), this is now the case. So now more people can give their perspective on this hot topic, whether during a social chat or a scientific debate.
Min Min lights in outback Australia: Could they be something supernatural?
They say that in the Australian outback, if you are lucky, you might see the mysterious Min Min lights far in the evening sky. This phenomenon, described by (Aboriginal) locals and news reports as erratically dancing orbs, has long baffled tourists, scientists and mystery believers alike. Can we explain them rationally, or is it something supernatural? And… does it matter?
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