Why look after ourselves? Well, if we don't then we may not be there for others. We don't have to devote hours and hours but it's ok to be a little selfish, to take a little time, to allow ourselves a little of what we give to others. To keep mind and body together don't forget the basics - good nutritious food, sleep, exercise be it a short brisk walk or time in the gym, hug with family, friends or furry friend, time out reading or meditation... What would you recommend to a friend? Be a friend to yourself. Thanks to HealthyPlace.com

Ahhhh, the fairy tale suggests we have to kiss a number of frogs to find our prince and for once, I agree. Our mistakes can guide us towards the 'right person' but only if we learn from them, discover our boundaries...and stick to them. As a wise therapist reminded me recently "Whatever you do in the first three months of a relationship, be prepared to do it for the rest of the relationship." What are your boundaries?

This made me smile and was also very humbling. Today it is 'Black Friday' and the news footage is full of people fighting for Christmas 'bargains' in Asda, Tesco and in America. What a contrast. Also reminds me a bit of when I've purchased expensive toys only for the box to be so much more interesting...

Don't do it! Great animated film by the NSPCC drawing attention to the perils of sharing the wrong thing online. From what started out as a bit of fun ends up with terrifying consequences. This is one of the issues I hear about regularly from both parents and youngsters. Once the pic or comment is out there...

How close are we to a change in our lives? We focus so much on the accidents, the illness or people leaving us yet overlook the possibility of good things; the new loves, promotions or invitations. We are all 'beautifully fragile' ...

Still waiting for 'the One' to walk into your life? Has it been a stressy time and you are doubting 'the One' you are with? Do you find yourself being particularly picky? Dan Savage may just offer an alternative view to finding that special person. The Price of Admission or rather, what we can compromise on to share our lives with someone whose qualities support us. And, by the way, it works both ways. Are you perfect?

This takes me back to my very first week of counselling training when one of my peers broke down in tears and many of us rushed to her side offering words of solace, comforting arms and tissues to "dry those tears." Our wise tutor stopped us there and suggested we go back to our seats. What were we doing? Who were we doing it for? She asked us kindly. Why, the tears unsettled us - made us sad, reminded us of our own fragility, trials and tribulations that life throws at us. So, shall we block the tears? Shut them down? Repress or supress the feelings? She went on. Try sitting with the feelings. What happens then? How do you feel when it is okay to cry? As I said, she was a wise woman.

Absolutely! Nobody is broken. We are just different. We are a product of our experiences both good and bad...and nobody is immune from that. We weren't perfect in the first place but all of us are constantly changing with what is going on in our lives. Yes, we sometimes make poor choices and life can throw us a tough time but most of us are doing the best we can. You are not broken. You don't need fixing.

I particularly love number 8 - "In five years, will this even matter?"

People are often surprised that there is laughter in the therapy room. Lets face it, life can be absurd and laughter is a very effective coping strategy and a way of bonding with others. How infectious is a baby's giggle? And yes, it can bring us right into the present.

I love this quote from Maya Angelou. It was hard to choose as she was a wise woman with a gift for words and has left the world so many inspirational quotations. Thank you to Artwell Art Therapy for the image.

Some wise words to put some perspective on the week. This also takes me back to uni days when I, along with so many others, had a copy of this on my wall along with Kipling's 'If'. Ahhhh, what would I say to my younger self if I could?