On Valentine’s Day we are encouraged to think of those we love. It has become very commercialised but still offers a symbolic opportunity to think especially of people we care about. In my teens I remember the thrill of receiving an anonymous card, and wondering who had sent it. I also sent cards and wondered […]
This has been a really nice exercise. Today I’ve visited a dear friend who is a ‘voluntary solitary’, spent time at a local hospital, and visited a number of shops and so there have been lots of opportunities to carry out this action. I enjoy smiling at folk and almost always a smile comes in […]
Yesterday I was in a local pub enjoying live music with some friends. I was focusing on the performance when I noticed two friends who were in the midst of a conversation turn to someone sitting alone. They had been facing each other but then opened up to include this third person. I do not […]
It’s now 19.00 and so time to reflect on how well, or otherwise, I managed with this action. On a positive note this is the first time I’ve opened up my laptop, something I would often have done intermittently during the day. Something that has made it easier is that I have had a busy […]
The person I have chosen is Saira (not her real name). I love her as a daughter and as a dear dear friend. She is an extraordinary woman who has gone through many trials, tribulations, and tragedies, as well as joys, in a number of countries through which she has passed and in which she […]
Today I have only been to one shop and no cafés but have visited our health centre and also had a dental appointment. I was also part of a discussion at our Quaker Meeting House. Do these count, and what do we mean by ‘saying friendly things’?
Being pragmatic I interpreted this task as being everything […]
This has to be one of the most enjoyable tasks of Friendly February. One thing I love to do is to notice and appreciate someone’s qualities. I also enjoy passing this on to the person concerned (if they want to hear it), and to tell others if this is appropriate. In my work I helped […]
This was a lovely action, although I initially found it difficult to decide who to thank. In the end this was what happened:
‘I want to thank you for coming into my life, giving me unconditional love and letting me love you. You have brought happiness and joy and fun into my life. Because of you […]
I am by nature curious, and fascinated by people. This might explain my career choices as a psychologist and in the early days, as a social worker. It has always felt a privilege to spend time with others, especially if I can support them in any way. In my personal life I value family and […]
This challenge is a bit of a … challenge as I no longer have ‘colleagues’ as such. I wondered what I might do today that might brighten someone’s day. And so I:
• Wished someone well before he went for his hospital appointment
• Looked after a baby so his mother could go to the gym
• Visited […]