Just be. Just be you. Just be you with your talents, gifts and flaws - like us all.

Got into bad habits? Worrying too much? Drinking too much to block out negative thoughts? Dr Elaine Ryan explains clearly how our brains get used to thinking in a particular way. This, however, does not have to be permanent. We can change it. Mindfulness is a great way of becoming more aware of the present and combined with counselling or psychotherapy is a powerful way of challenging negative thought patterns.

That IS very good! It will pass...

Being brave in a vulnerable world. Take a leaf out of Brene Brown's book - it's good - revel in it instead of hiding, numbing, shaming and the inevitable negative consequences on our mental and physical health.

The wonderful Brene Brown shares her ideas on vulnerability, garnered from her own experience. Showing our vulnerability, our shame, is painful yet enriching. It's being brave.

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...

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?

An absolutely fascinating clip of two monkeys being rewarded with either cucumber or grapes. What happens when cucumber monkey sees s/he is not getting the same as grape monkey? After spending much of my life working with children and hearing the refrain "it's not fair!" this certainly resonates and has got me thinking about how us adults accept inequality...or do we challenge it and how?

Are you feeling brave? Looking at counselling websites could be seen as brave...as a start...for wanting change. That doesn't seem comfortable or easy to me, hence being brave. Dipping your toe into the world of therapy can be life changing - exciting, revealing, sometimes painful, honest. A way forward...

I find this very powerful. Listening to the words as Harry moves. Watching his movements along with his colour choices. Linking words with movement and colour. Shyness can be crippling. Coming out of your shell - when you feel safe to do so - and being you releases the suppressed enery and allows for more authentic living. Bullying can be behind shyness and can leave lasting damage. When we become aware of this then, perhaps, it is easier to begin healing.

Maysoon Zayid saying it as it is. Yes, she is inspirational for many reasons. She is also funny and self deprecating. Struggling with New Year resolutions? Well, if she can then I can can...