I read this one dreary morning when it was a little difficult to be positive. Ahhh, we all make an impact on the world around us so make it a kind one.

Ever wondered why it is so hard to break an addiction? Having just recently attended a fascinating training event on Sex Addiction run by Paula Hall, I was very impressed with her explanation of how our brains work aka the neuroscience of addiction. February may be the time people think of romance but I thought I'd share her mind map for sex and porn addiction particularly now opportunity can be regarded as a key factor in addiction. I also think the road to Brighton metaphor works well for other addictions too.

This January has been a terrible month for losing some well known people. The death of David Bowie certainly rocked my world having been a fan since childhood. His death had a greater impact on me than I would have ever had imagined. Lemmy too, a great character. Alan Rickman whose voice I loved and was so memorable as Severous Snape - who else could play that character so well? Now, Terry Wogan. Another personality I grew up with from Radio 2, to Blankity Blank and Children in Need. So, this poem from Gwen Flowers which is so beautiful and sums up how grief is for her and, I believe, many of us. We endure it and it is a new way of seeing. We are different. XX

Watch this beautiful scene from Luc Besson's Angel-A. How does it make you feel? What do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you concentrate on your faults or the kindness in your eyes? What would your Angel say to you? Pull your shoulders back, raise your chin and smile. Is that different to how you normally stand? Be proud. You've made it this far.

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.

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?

A fabulous GIF for you, created by BreatheAware and featured on the wonderful Blurt Foundation's website. I find these really help to steady breathing when feeling anxious. It gives us something positive to focus on too when our thoughts are hurting us.

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.

Author Brene Brown says you can create a revolution in your life. First, however, you need to come to terms with the false, dangerous stories you tell yourself.

Pretty good list about how to respect someone's space!