"Let me know how I can help." That's what people say when you're in a time of crisis but polite conditioning kicks in and secretly you think - I won't ask for help unless I'm desperate. Because they live miles away, or they're broken themselves, or you could conceivably get by without the awkwardness of … Continue reading Helping hangups →

In the hospital waiting room you see the range of relationships.Bear with me now while I introduce them all.There's the frail old couple in the front row. He's sick today, she'll probably be sick tomorrow, but they're taking the 'til death do us part' motto seriously as they patiently wait to be seen. Their grandchild … Continue reading Compassion circle →

It would be great if life evened out all the major life events. But it just doesn't respect spacing. You could spend two uneventful years getting your master's degree and in the week before the final submission life hits you with: The news that your best friend's mum died. Your nephew takes their first steps. … Continue reading Uneven distribution →

Some people's love language is touch, some it's gifts, but for this person it's needing taken care of.They seem to be constantly helpless and require help with everything.

The scene was a double date. Half of the date was a well established couple, the other half was a blind date. Despite the boy of the blind date arriving a little bit late, it appeared that he was a perfect match for the girl. He seemed to check all the boxes the girl told … Continue reading Blind date jitters →

Some are blessed with the compassion gene, some learn it, but some actually get annoyed at the inconvenience.I reckon the majority are in the middle.The first group's childhood probably oozed with TLC and the last cohort probably never saw it.You just hope you don't get lumped with the latter taking care of you.

With some people you could spend a week alone with them easily and with others and hour is exhausting.I reckon the difference is the amount of energy spent 'avoiding'.Either persistently trying to avoid the labels of rude or unlikable, or simply desperately trying to avoid an awkward silence.I think those that are comfortable in their … Continue reading Avoidance Energy →

Waiting rooms must be the sole target audience for some TV shows.It's so vanilla. It's so broad. There's nothing of any depth.It's just on and it's mildly interesting. It's something to distract from the time that is passing while you're stuck in this room.

They had travelled 3,000 miles for the reunion so you could say they made the effort to reconnect. But crucially they weren't ready to open up. They weren't prepared to be vulnerable with anyone present. So the conversation was stilted, superficial, and they probably went home not feeling like they truly reconnected with anyone.

Joni: Your favourite tournament is the 23' World Cup?!? But we lost! Mitchel: There are worse things in life than losing. And both walked away thinking the other was insane.