West Cork open water swimmers came out in force this week to support 81-year-old Donegal man Paddy Conaghan who is ‘ducking and driving’ around Ireland, swimming at every Irish beach and pier he passes along on the way, to raise awareness for mental health. With over €60,000 raised, and that […]
Mental Health & Mindfulness
“Gratitude is like breathing in – letting ourselves be touched by the goodness in others and in our world. Generosity is like breathing out – sensing our mutual belonging and offering our care” says author and meditation practitioner, Tara Brach, who offers many valuable talks and teachings on how we […]
I remember a regular column in a local paper called the ‘Seen and Heard’. I think it was about happenings in the Skibbereen area. Reflecting lately with some of my groups on what gives our lives meaning, I was reminded of these words but in another context, how it feels to […]
Are you selfish? No I’m not! The question I ask you is ‘why not?’ Selfish is a word that can conjure up memories of others taking, controlling, being self-centred and not caring about your needs or the feelings of others. It can give you a repulsive feeling and be the […]
Almost nine years ago the first ‘wellness bus’ rolled through the towns and villages of West Cork, as part of an initiative to help people recover outside of the traditional mental health services. The bus promoted social inclusion and gave advice on services, available across the community, that promote physical, […]
‘To live in this world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go.’ From ‘In Blackwater Woods’ by Mary […]