BeBetterShaun

The Last of Us Part 2: Why we need this game

I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world. Albert Camus Anyone that knows me, knows I love nothing more than losing myself in a strong, narrative driven video game during my time off. I can’t get enough of playing through the experiences of others, and trying to place myself into their skins. ForContinue reading “The Last of Us Part 2: Why we need this game”

Hard lessons: On making the most of our mistakes

Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labour does the body. Seneca When discussing failure, I often worry that whatever is said will come across as tired, well worn aphorisms. In fact, I imagine you would be hard pushed to find a single individual that doesn’t already agree with the following: That our mistakes are something toContinue reading “Hard lessons: On making the most of our mistakes”

A crisis of control: On coping with Corona

I don’t get it, even what’s happening here. All official proclamations begin with, “No cause for panic, don’t panic”, and then all that they tell you is reasons to panic. Slavoj Zizek At first I really didn’t want to write about this topic. Like, I really didn’t want to. I mean, what more can beContinue reading “A crisis of control: On coping with Corona”

Hypnotherapy: Can it really help me?

“You use hypnosis not as a cure but as a means of establishing a favourable climate in which to learn.” Milton Erickson When I learned that I would be covering hypnotherapy as part of counselling training, one thing went through my mind: “Oh god. Not that shit. Next I’ll be playing around with shiny crystals…”Continue reading “Hypnotherapy: Can it really help me?”

Awaking to engage: Premeditation over mindfulness

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. Marcus Aurelius DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional, and the views expressed are merely my own opinions based upon my own experiences. These should not be taken asContinue reading “Awaking to engage: Premeditation over mindfulness”

Dangerous Polemics: Society and the need for Philosophy

In times such as ours there is a great pressure to come up with concepts that help men understand their dilemma; there is an urge toward vital ideas, toward a simplification of needless intellectual complexity. Sometimes this makes for big lies that resolve tensions and make it easy for action to move forward with justContinue reading “Dangerous Polemics: Society and the need for Philosophy”

Building Gods: On Creating Comfort in Chaos

Love is my religion — I could die for that — I could die for you. My Creed is Love and you are its only tenet. John Keats, Love Letter to Fanny Brawne In an 1819 letter, a young poet John Keats, famously said to the “love of his life” Fanny Brawne that love isContinue reading “Building Gods: On Creating Comfort in Chaos”

Kintsugi: Gabrielle Aplin on the beauty in scars

These perfect fractures, telling of such subtle truths, that we have survived, Kintsugi, by Shaun Beale Since my post on Enter Shikari’s Stop the Clocks and its portrayal of certain issues surrounding mental health, I have been excited to approach numerous other songs. The list of possibilities is pretty much endless, with so many artistsContinue reading “Kintsugi: Gabrielle Aplin on the beauty in scars”

Ten things we can take away from the Stoics!

Concentrate on what you have to do. Fix your eyes on it. Remind yourself that your task is to be a good human being; remind yourself what nature demands of people. Then do it, without hesitation, and speak the truth as you see it. But with kindness. With humility. Without hypocrisy. Marcus Aurelius In ourContinue reading “Ten things we can take away from the Stoics!”

When things fall apart: Finding well-being in the world of Brexit

Society is our extended mind and body. Alan Watts Throughout philosophy, we find an inextricable link between ourselves and the society of which we are a part of. Many thinkers have expounded upon the theory that, society is not merely the room in which we find ourselves – an external force that interacts with usContinue reading “When things fall apart: Finding well-being in the world of Brexit”