Lighthouse fascination - another Irish landmark visited

I don't really understand the fascination and lure of lighthouses .... but I know I'm not the only one who is fascinated and drawn to the mystery of a lighthouse. Today I made my first visit to Hook Head Lighthouse in Wexford, Ireland.

I remember fondly my time living and working on Fair Isle and how on the (many) stormy days I wondered how the lighthouse managed to stay standing - but how reassuring it was at night as the light would sweep over my house ... it was a constant and dependable feature of my life at the time.

I wonder if the altruistic purpose and nature is a component of our love for them ... there to keep us (or boats at sea to be more precise) safe ?

As a final reflection - I can't think about lighthouses and not recall that powerful saying which is a timely reminder for everyone;

If you close your eyes no lighthouse can help you

a challenge to us all to be aware, live in the moment and not to ignore or refuse the support and help that is there.

All those familiar names from the sea area forecast ... another constant and dependable in our lives almost like poetry as the radio announcer reads

Howth Head to Hook Head to Mizen Head, Mizen Head to Loop Head to Slyne Head, Bloody Foreland, Erris Head, Valentia

all mysterious and far away places, far removed from my daily life ... but today I got to stand at Hook Head and breathe the sea air, lay a hand on the lighthouse concrete wall and feel connected and secure.

CH Executive Coaching

Comments

The being busy trap

Today’s walk along the road was achieved by careful timing and watching the clouds to avoid the rain. I found myself wondering about a conversation I had last week about the language we use in work situations relating to how busy we all are. I caught myself saying that I had ‘back to back meetings all day’ not sure if I was looking for admiration or pity. The fact that I could feel the uncomfortableness of the fact, combined with an annoyance with myself for getting into this situation collided and I adopted a resigned to accept it outlook. With the time to reflect today – I wonder how often I willingly allow myself to get into the too busy being busy mode. The day goes so quickly – for sure ! Some around may marvel at my revolving office door and the constant foot fall …. When I reflect on what I achieved during my day of meetings it is clear little or any of it could truly be called ‘deep work’ – in contrast to what is described as ‘shallow work’ – those non-productive meetings

Managing Difficult Staff : Tips for Nurse Managers

As a nurse manager, managing challenging staff can be a daunting task. However, it's essential to address the issue promptly to ensure the smooth operation of the healthcare facility. Here are some tips to help you manage difficult staff effectively: Identify the root cause: Understanding the reason behind the challenging behavior is critical. It could be due to personal or work-related issues. Once you identify the root cause, you can work towards finding a solution. Communicate effectively: Communication is key when it comes to managing difficult staff. Have an open and honest conversation with the staff member, listen to their concerns, provide constructive feedback, and work together to find a solution. Set clear expectations: Set clear expectations and boundaries for the staff member's behaviour. Make sure they understand the consequences of not meeting these expectations. Provide support: Offer support and resources to help the staff member improve their behaviour, such a

Take control of your negative self-talk

As a manager, it is important to understand how negative self-talk can impact your work and your team. Negative self-talk can lead to decreased confidence, increased stress, and ultimately, burnout. Here are some tips to help you manage negative self-talk: Recognise negative self-talk: Start by identifying when you're engaging in negative self-talk. Pay attention to your thoughts and notice when you're being overly critical or pessimistic. Here are a few thoughts that may help shift a pessimistic perspective: Remember that everything is temporary. Even if you're going through a tough time now, it won't last forever. Focus on the things you can control. Sometimes it's easy to get bogged down by things that are out of our control, but try to shift your focus to the things you can do something about. Practice gratitude. Even when things aren't going well, there are always things to be grateful for. Take a few minutes to think about what you're thankful for in y

A walk along the road : my reflective blog

Search This Blog