Finding meaning in modern life.
Nature, mindfulness, happiness.
Join me in my weekly newsletter as I explore the natural world, describe the fascinating things I discover, and chat about finding happiness and meaning.
-
Of skylarks and cottongrass
Topic:
The weather has broken, but that’s okay. Sometimes the island is at its most beautiful when the churning, brooding clouds sweep in across the sea like Nature’s cloak. Today, the land is cast in a muted, diffuse light. No need for sunglasses. I can see the colours of the landscape as they truly are.
-
Stop and smell the roses (and the wildflowers too!)
This picture was taken the other day as I was on a quick stroll. Oxeye Daisies never fail to uplift. A couple of years ago I might have appreciated wildflowers with only my eyes. These days, I also take a moment to appreciate their scent…
-
Climbing a hill to find a big sky…
Topic:
The sun shines, I have a spare hour, and I feel drawn to climb a hill. I don’t feel like driving so I head out the door and just start walking. The nearest hill borders the town on one side, and the sea on the other. Today I’ll be walking along its landside. I have a hankering for birdsong.
-
When you feel on the right path
I take the footbridge over a forded river and pause halfway to listen to the water. A small salmon swims stationary in the currents, under a shaft of sunlight, waiting to snare an unsuspecting midge.
-
Casting shade…
The more you judge, the worse you feel. Research shows that developing a non-judgemental attitude significantly improves our happiness and general well-being.
-
A miniature jungle
Topic:
This is another shot from my allotment. I know, I know. Weeds – the gardener’s nightmare. But I love it. If you get your head down low and take a few moments just to observe, you begin to see so much.
-
Red Campion at my allotment
Topic:
I returned to my allotment for the first time in a little while. Things have been busy, and so, it would seem, have the wildflowers.
-
Country lane daydreaming
Topic:
It’s the middle of May and I’m walking along a beautiful country lane. I’ve got a quick half an hour to stretch my legs before getting home to work. The air is warm. The breeze, floral and sweet.
-
How I boosted my immune system and reduced morning anxiety
Topic:
Okay, I didn’t think in a million years I’d be recommending this tip, and yet here I am. But I can tell you now, this one habit has made a huge difference to my daily life—in a variety of crucial areas.
-
Paddling on a hot afternoon
Topic:
It’s amazing how much colder the water is if you stand in the fast moving flows compared with the wider, slower sections. Needless to say, we splash over toward burbling cascades by the rocks.
-
Walking thoughts: Of scent and sap.
Topic:
I came upon this little patch of wilderness on my travels yesterday and was transfixed by the complexity of every level of life. In the distance, the fields and scrubland teemed with insects, wildflowers and birdsong. The air shimmered with the mid-afternoon heat.
-
How perceived time pressure affects our lives
If you feel pressed for time on a daily basis, then you’re probably experiencing time poverty, and it’s a huge problem in society.
Let me whisk you away to somewhere calm…
Unwind and catch your breath as I take you with me on my walks and adventures into nature.
I also chat about mindfulness, well-being and finding meaning in modern life, if you’re looking for a quiet place to escape your day, then this is the place for you.
Categories
This blog has been broken down into the following broad categories:
Free Newsletter
Get each article sent directly to your inbox with the free WithMeaning Newsletter.
About me
Hi! I’m James. I love taking walks in nature, and thinking about life’s big questions. I started this blog so I could share my adventures, and connect with like-minded people.
I’ve spent much of my life contemplating—about the universe, philosophy, spirituality and the meaning of life. It gives me great pleasure to put these thoughts into words, in the form of articles and essays; and it’s my hope that you too will gain some pleasure from reading them.
Tags
Click on a tag to bring up a list of all posts related to that keyword:
anxiety Confidence Countryside Daily Chores Emotional Intelligence Emotional Triggers Emotions Flowers Guided Meditation Happiness Inner Peace Journal Lifestyle Habits Meaning Meaningful Life Meditation Mental health Mindfulness Mindfulness exercise Modern Life Nature Nature Writing newsletter Online Course Personal growth Philosophy Photography Planning Relaxation Techniques Science Self-Help Self-Improvement Self Help Spirituality Spring Stress Stressful Stress Management Stress Relief Trees Unhappiness Walking Wildflowers Wildlife Your Ideal Day
What I’m reading
Here are a few of the books I’ve have been reading recently that I’d recommend:
- Life 3.0
- Max Tegmark
- A mind-opening book about the various philosophical possibilities that the advent of AI presents to our world in the coming years, including an investigation into what constitutes a mind.
- The Book of Minds
- By Philip Ball
- A fascinating scientific and philosophical investigation into what it means to have a mind, and just how different that experience can be – whether it is the mind of an insect, a human or some alien or artificial intelligence.
- The Old Ways
- By Robert Macfarlane
- A beautifully written account of what it’s like to follow the
ancient walking paths and routes across the British countryside and coast.
- The Hidden Life of Trees
- By Peter Wohlleben
- A beautifully insightful exploration into the complex and mysterious nature of trees. What they feel, how they communicate, and how they contribute to a forest’s Wood-Wide Web.
- The Bells of Old Tokyo
- By Anna Sherman
- A travel book that describes Anna’s quest to understand Tokyo’s complex cultural tapestry by visiting the ancient ceremonial bells that lie hidden throughout he city.
- The Book of Chuang Tzu
- Translated by Martin Palmer and Elizabeth Breuilly
- A book that gathers together the stories, tales and teachings of one of the great founders of Taoism, Chaung Tzu – one of the most fascinating of the Chinese philosophers.
For an exhaustive list of books relating to the topics covered here (including several free-to-download books), please visit the Member’s Library…
Want to chat about the ideas covered here?
Get in touch! I’d love to hear your thoughts.
You must be logged in to post a comment.