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VE Day: Remembering, Honouring and Building

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"A Picture of a Loving Europe" - Powered by Dall-E 3. Remembering the End, Honouring the Fight, and Building a Brighter Future Today is Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day. It commemorates the formal acceptance by the Allied forces of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender on 8th May 1945. This marked the end of the Second World War in Europe, a conflict that ravaged the continent for nearly six years. VE Day and Liberation Day: Two Sides of the Same Coin While VE Day signifies the official surrender of Nazi Germany, many countries also celebrate Liberation Day – a commemoration of the specific moment their own land was freed from Nazi occupation. Both days are deeply significant, representing the culmination of immense struggle and sacrifice. Why is VE Day Important? VE Day is a significant moment in European history, not just for its historical weight, but also for the lessons it offers us as we navigate our own challenges. Let's explore some key takeaways

Celebrating Summer's Spark: A Look at Beltane

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"Beltane 09 - May Queen" by *Debs* is licensed under CC BY 2.0. The sun warms our skin, the days lengthen, and a vibrant hum fills the air – summer is on the horizon! But before we fully embrace the lazy days and sunshine, many cultures around the world celebrate the transition into this season with fire, festivity, and fertility rituals. Today, we delve into the rich traditions of Beltane, a Celtic May Day festival that marks the beginning of which marks the halfway point between spring equinox and summer solstice. It hasn't escaped me that this article comes immediately after my Earth Day article. It truly is a time to think about this beautiful planet of ours and the joy and gratitude of finally bidding farewell to the cold winter and welcoming the lushness and fertility of summer, and those beautiful long Scottish summer nights. A History Steeped in Fire Beltane (pronounced "bel-tain" or "bol-tin-a") has roots stretching far back in Celtic

Happy Earth Day! Celebrating Our Planet and Taking Action

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"Celebrating Earth Day" powered by Dall-E 3. That's right, today, Monday 22nd April, is Earth Day! But Earth Day isn't just about planting a tree (although that's a great idea too). It's a global day dedicated to raising awareness about our planet's environment and inspiring action to protect it. Why Earth Day Matters It's a day to celebrate the amazing diversity of life on Earth and to focus on the pressing issues we face – climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, to name a few. Earth Day is a vital reminder that we all have a role to play in ensuring a healthy planet for ourselves and future generations. Here's why Earth Day is important: Our planet sustains us: A healthy Earth provides us with clean air, water, food, and resources. By protecting it, we protect ourselves and future generations. It's a global challenge: Environmental issues don't respect borders. Earth Day unites people worldwide to work toget

When Wrong is Right: Learning from Failure through Play

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@intHRface EDIT: 22.04.2024 - Conference Title Updated! This week's article is all about what I perceive to be, without a doubt. the most exciting work-related event in my diary every year and I am so looking forward to it. If you are a trained facilitator of the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method, this is certainly something that may be of interest to you. Event: The 8th International LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Conference Dates: Wednesday 2nd - Thursday 3rd October 2024 Location: Hotel Legoland and Conference, Billund, Denmark This conference takes an unconventional approach, using the concept of "the right kind of wrong" to challenge traditional views on mistakes. Through LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® exercises and inspiration from world-class facilitators, you'll explore how to learn from mistakes, embrace innovation, and avoid becoming boring! Traditional View of Mistakes: Typically, mistakes are seen as something negative, leading to failure and needing to be avo

The Whirling Dervish of Life: When Disparate Worlds Collide

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"The Whirling Dervish of Life" powered by DALL-E 3. I have known for about ten years that two of my seemingly disparate worlds in two very different timelines had become very close. That well-known phenomena of six degrees of separation had become one and this had filled me with a joyful warmth in the knowing of this connection. However I never expected these two worlds to collide, and I certainly didn’t realise the deeply profound effect it would have on me. I needed to know more about this. I needed to make some sense of it and that is the basis of this week’s article. Life unfolds in compartments. We navigate the world of work, the haven of family, the solace of friendships. These spheres often feel distinct, each with its own rhythm and cast of characters. But then, sometimes, the universe throws us a curveball – a moment of intersection. It's like two planets on vastly different orbits suddenly finding themselves drawn together by an unexpected gravitational pull

I am a Mental Health First Aider

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@MHFAEngland Over the last week or so I have been listening to the podcast series “ Exploring Mental Health in Coaching ” by the Association for Coaching. I think in I am right in saying that pretty much every single episode mentioned Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). Mental Health First Aid is essentially first aid for mental health concerns. Just like regular first aid equips you to handle physical emergencies, MHFA teaches you to recognise signs of mental health issues, provide initial support, and guide people towards professional help. In June 2019, before I started my coach training and after I had gained my MSc in Mindfulness , I attended the Adult MHFA Two Day course and became a Mental Health First Aider. This equips me with the skills to provide first aid to people experiencing mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and psychosis. As a Mental Health First Aider, I am able to offer support to those in need. Even though I live in Scotland, the course was delive

The Four Pillars: A Unique Approach to Transformation

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"themes of coaching, lego serious play, mindfulness and shamanism” powered by DALL-E 3. In this exploration, I want to bring together the four pillars that underpin my approach to personal and professional transformation and development: Coaching, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, Mindfulness, and Shamanism. These seemingly disparate elements might surprise you, but together they form a powerful framework for self-discovery, growth, and achieving your goals. Let's delve deeper into each pillar and how they could contribute to your journey: 1. Coaching: Your Trusted Guide Coaching forms the foundation of our work together. As your coach, I'll act as your supportive guide, asking thought-provoking questions that help you gain clarity on your goals and challenges. Through active listening and personalized guidance, I'll empower you to tap into your own strengths and resources to navigate your path forward. 2. LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®: Reimagine Your Possibilities Get ready to u