By Stephen Russell-Lacy A woman was walking along a road when she was attacked by a thief. He took her purse, beat her up, and went away, leaving her injured. A few local cars passed but nobody stopped to investigate the body lying on the path. What the woman needed was the spirit of compassion to … Continue reading The spirit of compassion – Is it within me?
By Stephen Russell-Lacy. They say that if you want a favour done, ask a busy person. There are some people who are more willing than others to go out of their way to be helpful even though they have a lot on their plate already. I guess the rest of us are not quite so … Continue reading Self-restraint – Vital for personal growth?
By Stephen Russell-Lacy Superman along with other hero figures such as Spiderman and Batman have grabbed my young grandsons’ attention. They are crime fighting superheroes with a moral compass acting with super-powers for the benefit of humanity. What makes Superman a hero is not that he has power, but that he has the wisdom … Continue reading Hero worship – Good for spiritual health?
By Stephen Russell-Lacy If you are like me you may have a sneaky suspicion that you could be more giving . When you meet with others perhaps you could be a bit more ready to give something of yourself than is strictly necessary or expected. You don’t have to be stingy or mean to lack generosity – just a … Continue reading Giving – 4 tips for improvement
By Stephen Russell-Lacy. Do you sometimes feel indifferent to the problems people experience? A lack of concern for those in financial difficulty or who are ill or infirm? Perhaps you want to become someone with more warm-heartedness. To find more sympathy for the plight of others. Kindness is more than empathy. It is the … Continue reading Kindness – What hinders it?
People often think that human beings are inherently good. And that personal development simply involves getting in touch with one’s true self. In addition, they see this true self as the potential within us all for being truly good. A life, filled with compassion, joy and peace, defines the true design of each individual. However, … Continue reading True self – How to attain it?
I’m afraid I am a bit of a snob. My wife pointed out to me that I put on airs in the way I give my postal address. I live in England on the border of beautiful countryside and industrial conurbation. I snootily choose to use the shire county rather than the metropolitan county as … Continue reading Snob – What’s so bad about being one?
After the terrorist explosion at Maalbeek Metro station in Brussels in March 2016, one person said he was going to stop using the underground railway and walk to work instead. However, others think in terms of fate. ‘What is meant to be, will be’. ‘My time will come when it comes.’ Do you think that things … Continue reading Fate – Can I Escape It?
Most of us will recall where we were on 9/11. I was in my studio when the announcement came and, like so many others, knew the world would never be the same again. That afternoon I collected my six year old granddaughter from her after-school club. As we drove away, slowing down at the T … Continue reading Muslim attitudes and Western fear.
Psychology research is showing that grateful people are more likely to have higher levels of happiness and lower levels of stress and depression. An attitude of gratitude can make the difference between a life of fulfillment, or a life of emptiness. True gratitude is more than merely saying ‘thank you’. It is not just noticing … Continue reading Gratitude – How to feel it?