Gorgeous quotation from the fabulous Nina Simone. Fear prevents so many of us doing what we would like to do or dream about. But what if we were not scared? We would do it or start the journey towards our aspirations! Avoidance reinforces our fears and our negative self belief that we can't, that we will fail, that we may be ridiculed or others will sabotage our efforts. If the fear wasn't there, we would have the freedom to fly...

UP TV set up a social experiment to see if children would rather receive a Christmas gift for themselves - or give one to their families. Their responses left everyone completely shocked. The experiment took place at a Boys and Girls Club in metro Atlanta, where 83% of the children come from low-income families. One by one, they are brought into a room to answer several questions. At first, they are asked what they want for Christmas. The video shows different clips of the children revealing their most desired gift - from a dollhouse, to an Xbox 360. Then, the interviewer asks what their mums (or families) would like for Christmas. Each child names a gift that they know that their family member would love. Here comes the hard part of the scenario. The youngsters are presented with their dream gift and told that it is theirs to keep. Everyone is thrilled...but then they are also given their family's gift as well. They are told that they must pick between the presents. Although it seems as if it would be a tough choice, every single one of the children chooses to act selflessly - and picks the family gift. All of them provide answers for why they made their decision, which are so heartfelt. it might not be a validated scientific experiment but wow, what amazing youngsters!

What a fine example of reframing. Sit with your thoughts and feelings and once aware, gently challenge them. If negative, can you switch them around to a more positive view? This isn't about repressing or denying negative feelings but acknowledging and exploring them.

This school is practicing meditation instead of detention, and the results are already changing students' lives. Robert W. Coleman School in Baltimore sounds like the best school ever. Why? Because there’s no such thing as detention at the Baltimore Elementary. That's right, you heard that correctly. Instead they have a Mindful Moment Room, a brightly coloured “oasis of calm” that looks about as far as you can get from the dull detention rooms, teacher offices or school corridors typically used to manage such consequences. It is part of an after-school programme called Holistic Me, an initiative that teaches children to practice mindful meditation and breathing exercises while encouraging them to talk to behavioural professionals. The programme works in partnership with a local non-profit organisation called the Holistic Life Foundation, and the results so far have been pretty impressive. In fact, since first taking part in the programme two years ago, Robert W. Coleman hasn’t issued a single suspension. Now that's worth thinking about!

There are so many aspirational and inspirational quotes around but this is one of my favourites. I found it on a friend's 'wall' and couldn't resist sharing it here. If someone could let me know who said it, I would be very grateful. For me it is about living true to yourself - authentically, love without necessarily expecting anything in return, being able to listen without taking comments personally and remembering to be kind when speaking. Tough but it is an aspiration...

“An enormous amount of trouble in the world – especially at work and in relationships – is caused by a peculiar phenomenon of our minds: a tendency to be, as we put it, out of touch with our feelings. When we first meet this idea, it sounds strange, and even a bit insulting. How could we not know what we are feeling?...” The School of Life.

I am a great Brene Brown fan and when I spotted this I knew I had to share it. How can we live more authentically? What can help us to feel more joy and fulfillment? She calls it living wholeheartedly and I think she is right...

Acknowledging that you need help is a fantastic first step when you're going through a difficult time, but what do you do then? The Counselling Directory are dedicated to providing people with support wherever they are on their journey - whether they're just looking for information about mental health, or they're ready to make an appointment to see a counsellor. In this video, the Counselling Directory explains how they can offer you support on your path to health and happiness. If you would like to find out more about counselling and mental health, please visit their website or take a further look around mine. http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk

Looks familiar…? Not to worry! Remember, it’s called meditation PRACTICE, not meditation PERFECT. Thankyou to the Chopra Center Meditation.

Are you a shark or an owl? Or maybe a turtle or a fox? Or even a bear? Identifying your conflict style can have a dramatic effect on your relationships. Once we become aware of our behaviour or attitude then we have the option to change. It's a win-win in my book!

From those lovely people at Action for Happiness! Would you talk to a friend the same way you talk to yourself? Be your own best friend. Try a little kindness!

Do you fret about how others behave or how they treat you? You may be giving yourself a lot of worry. What can you control? Your reaction and, indeed, how long you participate in it.