The Pulitzer Prize-winning author writes on the turbulent writer’s mind, how coffee somehow helps, and the merit in serving an apprenticeship Annie Dillard first came to my attention several years ago when I came across the perhaps now over-played, yet accurate quote; “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives” […]
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How To Be An Optimist
A psychological model for reducing pessimism, increasing optimism for the future and developing meaning and purpose in one’s life. I have always been interested in having a go, taking a punt on an idea in spite of the potential for failure. It’s both a strength and a weakness of mine. This doesn’t mean that I’m […]
Bertrand Russell on Happiness & Unhappiness
Thoughts on happiness and unhappiness from one of the twentieth century’s most notable philosophers, mathematicians, and activists. I was doing some research about eighteen months ago for a series of articles on the nature of happiness, and material came my way from mathematician and philosopher Bertrand Russell . If you have not heard of him […]
Oíche Shamhna
A little background on the Celtic New Year festival that went global Millions of children and adults around the world celebrate Oiche Shamhna or Halloween every year, but perhaps few are aware of, or indeed care about, its ancient Celtic origins. Here in Ireland when I was a kid, we’d call to the doors of […]
Longtermism: Something You Should Know About
The dangers of a philosophical ideology that threatens the lives of millions and the future health of the planet I’ve written before on the insanity of our species. In fact, you might say that most subjects upon which I write for Sunday Letters lean towards the dysfunctional aspects of human behaviour. It’s hard to ignore […]
How To Turn Off A Humming Fridge
We seldom hear it and hardly know it was there at all until it stops. But sometimes we need help to flip the switch. This time twelve months ago, I decided I’d seek out a therapist. Not because I felt I was in turmoil, that I was anxious or depressed or otherwise at odds with […]