Life can seem, pretty hard and unrelenting sometimes, particularly for the most disadvantaged, vulnerable and isolated groups in society. It can be made, even more difficult by the language used by our politicians and by headlines, that do not do even reflect, the evidence within the article, they are headlining. It can be hard, especially, when others seem to be coping.
In 2004, I lost my father and started working as a Spiritual and Cultural Care Coordinator in Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. This gave me the opportunity to meet, many people, whose main focus, was well being. That is, how do we support ourselves and others, with the various challenges of life. We are all different and go through different stages in life, but I found the following to be helpful.
In 2008, Foresight, identified that our psychological, social, physical and spirituality played a role in our mental well being. The NEF Centre for Wellbeing identified five ways to mental well being. (Understanding Wellbeing p103). I recall using these, and promoting them, on World Mental Health Day, in Bromley and Bexleyheath town centres.
5 steps to mental well being.
Evidence suggests If you give them a try, you may feel happier, more positive and able to get the most from life.
- Connect — connect with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Spend time developing these relationships. Learn more in Connect for mental wellbeing.
- Be active — you don’t have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life. Learn more in Get active for mental wellbeing.
- Keep learning — learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. So why not sign up for that cooking course, start learning to play a musical instrument, or figure out how to fix your bike? Find out more in Learn for mental wellbeing.
- Give to others — even the smallest act can count, whether it’s a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks. Learn more in Give for mental wellbeing.
- Be mindful — be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges. Learn more in Mindfulness for mental wellbeing.
The 99 Names of God: An illustrated guide for young and old — Book and Contemplation Cards by Daniel Thomas Dyer
I have found, the above book and cards, to be extremely helpful, when starting a conversation or reflecting. The cards bring in, an element of fun and mystery to the conversation. In addition, the cards and book, were developed, for children, so are accessible to all, no matter what your learning style. I recently used them in a group, which included people from different backgrounds, faith, ages and abilities: some with a diagnosed learning difficulty. There was joy, in simply looking at and handling the cards.
I sometimes ask people to pick a card, any card and then, either individually or in a group, we reflect on what comes up. They not only, provide an interesting discussion, on our values and what we would like to focus on but help understanding between our different communities.
The title of the book is 99 Names of God which, sometimes raises eyebrows, but the names in the Muslim traditions are simply attributes of the Divine. We could all do with, for instance, being more forgiving, patient, compassionate, generous and loving, towards ourselves and others. It is also an opportunity to remind our self, of our resilience, strength and courage.
Loving Kindness Meditation
Metta meditation is a practice of cultivating understanding, love, and compassion by looking deeply, first for ourselves and then for others. Once we love and take care of ourselves, we can be much more helpful to others. Metta meditation can be practiced in part or in full. Just saying one line of the metta meditation will already bring more compassion and healing into the world. Sitting comfortably and focusing on your breathing and the words below may help:
May I be well, healthy and strong:
May I be happy.
May I abide in peace
May I feel safe and secure
May I feel loved and cared for.
May we all be well, healthy and strong:
May we all be happy.
May we all abide in peace
May we all feel safe and secure
May we all feel loved and cared for.
Bibliography:
Foresight: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/foresight-projects
The News Economics Foundation: https://neweconomics.org/
Wellbeing, Knight and McNaught (ed), Lantern 2011,
The 99 Names of God: An illustrated guide for young and old — Book and Contemplation Cards by Daniel Thomas Dyer ://chickpeapress.co.uk/99-names/
99 names: https://sufism.org/ninety-nine-names/the-most-beautiful-names-of-allah-2
Loving Kindness: https://tricycle.org/magazine/cultivating-compassion/
Amin Maalouf, Balthasar’s Odyssey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balthasar%27s_Odyssey. An adventure story based on a Names.

