To feel our best we need high quality rest

4 Breath Mini Adventures

Below you can see some of my mini adventures in nature in 2019. The aim of these mini adventures is to help me get perspective and reset what I value. If you asked me what matters at the end of a busy week, after being caught in traffic and discovering smoke coming from the oven and people just glued to netflix “we wondered what that burning smell was”, then you’d get a different answer to the one I’d give you after a long walk or swim. Even if the mini adventure doesn’t go to plan (many of them dont) I return home with a refreshed outlook on life.

Hold in mind that whatever it is you want to do, just start really small. This recommendation is not my idea, it originates in classic philosophy and stretches all the way to the most recent behavioural science. Our brain is hardwired to find solutions to threats. It has not evolved to just ‘be happy’, it has evolved to get the greatest depth of fulfilment from surviving difficult events and coming through challenging situations. If your aim is to be happy, it’s likely you will be disappointed. If your aim is to go towards things that fill you with a sense of purpose, you will suffer a little (maybe a lot) on the way, but ultimately you will reach a point where you feel a deeper sense of meaning, find it easier to get perspective and feel more grateful. You dont need the whole solution, all you need is a next step. Choose one thing and start really small. What tiny action could you take today to bring you one step closer towards something that fills you with a sense of purpose?

April 2019 - First Mountain in Italy

September 13, 2019

One of my friends lives in Italy and he suggested this mountain (Monte Vettore). Its 1,000 meters higher than Ben Nevis. Although the weather was great we really struggled on the way, first at a rock climbing section and then from altitude sickness (first time I’d experienced this). The meal we had at the end was wonderful, it was like a Richard Curtis film of Italy, the whole family worked in this little restaurant and the food was simple and delicious.

What key people are saying + Gratitude Facts:

"Expressing gratitude is a profound sign of a relationship, and is often far more deeply appreciated than we can ever realise. It’s a positive, even a healing thing. So Gratitude Week is a wonderful opportunity to make it clear that care and service do indeed make important relationships, and that they work both ways, for giver and receiver. "

Dr Rowan Williams, Master Magdalene College Cambridge University

"My gratitude goes to Cambridge in a wide sense, because of the breadth of transition we are experiencing.In particular, I would like to recognise Dr Jane Osbourn, VP for Research & Development at MedImmune for the remarkable role she has played in making our vision for Cambridge a reality.With our talented team and the support of the Cambridge community, I am convinced we will together make a tremendous and real difference to the lives of patients in Cambridge, in the UK and around the world.”

Gratitude Week quote - Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca

"I would like to thank teachers and all those involved in education everywhere for their work in helping children today so that tomorrow can be better. Societies progress by developing the values, skills, knowledge and aspirations of their young people. Schools and colleges are central to this essential task and in bringing the best out of children they enhance the future."

Ed Wiseman, Headmaster, Perse School

"I would like to express my gratitude for the hard work of city council staff whose contributions can often pass by unappreciated. They are all committed to doing their best for the city and our residents and Cambridge is a much better place as a result of their efforts."

Antoinette Jackson, Chief Executive, Cambridge City Council

“In my world of continual performance measures, it is all-too-easy to concentrate on those that require improvement rather than recognise those that continue to excel: So I would like to take this opportunity to offer my personal thanks to our employees for every time that they have “gone the extra mile” and not just delivered satisfaction but delight; thank you.”

Jamie Vindis - Vindis Group