The Encouragement Diaries

You'd never believe how a hobby can improve your wellbeing and grow friendships - such was the adventure with sourdough.

Three #tags appeared in my emails from a survey - couldn't believe what they were and how joyful it made my day

Looking at the gazillions being stored up by the wealth hunters really inspired me to action - so I'm giving all my courses away for free. I can't take 'stuff' with me and who wants it all anyway, and, think of how the planet could change overnight if we all lived a more generous and simple life

Despite technical glitches - Lucinda gets 'frozen' out

Have you let things take root that have become mighty trees blocking your way forward. Then this is for you

Dan Forest, describes his journey from cello to DJ to.......well you'll have to listen to this podcast to hear how passion and perseverance can lead to the most rewarding outcomes - and be a catapult to keep moving forward.

Health problems? The surprisingly immediate effects laughter can bring - well that's what Lucinda Sieger and Jill Bryson (Strawberry Switchblade) discovered when they got together

Time this year to look at being more like Ecc 4:12 - better to listen to the podcast to really enjoy this:-)

Boxing Day joy and laughter with Lucinda Sieger and her `little` scene stealing props

Something to encourage you in seeing something that sends impossible become possible:-)

We've all experienced starting to say something and someone cutting across, and we've been guilty of that too! Here's a helpful thought with involvement from Yorkshire and the Seven dwarves:-)

There are all sorts of memorable days in the calender: St Andrews, Burns, amongst many others. Have you ever had a 'you' day to celebrate......yes, you! What a great day for planning food, fun, time with friends but most especially enjoying you/

If you found yourself with the opportunity of a lifetime would you avoid doing what this plonker did?

We often find ourselves having a response to our self worth in relationships that's Innerleithen and, sometimes, unhealthy. Nikki Begg is an experienced counsellor who shares encouraging tips on how to move forward. Nikki can be contacted through www.counselling-directory.org.uk

What 3 Words is great for geolocation, but how interesting would it be to have What 3 Words to describe you - the person. a great way of centering yourself and never feeling lost.

Viv Ella worked as a missionary before settling in Scotland. She talks about seeing miracles and God being very practical close up. Such an interesting and helpful podcast.

A little extract from a wonderful homily on getting a different perspective on why death doesn't need to impact you r 'life'

Are you drowning under views, opinions and soundbites, especially in the run up to the election, the football and the social media circus? You might enjoy this poem then

A cat, a tree and two gardens - two sets of people praying but who's prayers were answered?

Growing up in a family of artists, writers and musicianship - granddaughter of Robert Graves - Natalia Farran has lived across three cultures (Spanish, English and Catalan) and travelled widely. From singing with the Spanish National Jazz Orchestra, -and also lead and backing vocals across a wide genre of music, -translating songs for Celine Dion, Bjorn, the Foo Fighters, Jennifer Lopez, to name but a few, doing voiceovers for Disney, 20th Century Fox and more, this wonderful story goes on. Now, this is Natalia's time for her own wonderful songs to star in her glorious album About Time. Crowdfunding is needed to catapult this stunning album into being. So to find out more about the when and how, and to see and hear more of this gracious and talented artist go to www.nataliafarran.com

Mary Smith, armed with a pea shooter and peas, was the last knocker upper - popping peas at windows to waken workers so they wouldn't be late for their shift. Job titles can shut minds or open engagement opportunities and there are some glorious titles going around today

Have you got something in your bucket list but it keeps ending down your priority list? You need a Natalie

Need a little peace before the Bank Holiday business - here's a sea soundscape to get you ready

Two true stories of encounters that missed the real opportunity for something even more special - Bono, Bruce Springsteen, the late Queen and a bodyguard

A gentle journey into the whys, how's, and who's of connecting to others - often in the simplest and most spontaneous of circumstances

Have you ever found that love for someone really motivated you to go the extra mile?

The multi-talented Tony Currie has had a global career in TV, radio and music, yet it was working through grief that created the catalyst for profound - and wonderful - change. And you can listen to his orchestral masterpiece after the podcast

David Sinclair has been a successful Times music correspondent and professional musician with his band, DS4 releasing their latest album Apropos Blues. His perspective on what gives him joy, and the gift of being conscientious, are very inspiring. Check out his beautiful music at https://www.davidsinclairfour.com/

Curiosity is a hallmark of who Robin is. Having travelled widely, written many best selling books, and spoken to audiences all over the world, Robin spent a six year period reflecting on the value of knowing our inner self - and how the wisdom we gain from that, impacts on our ability to love others and live a contented life. You'll be very blessed

Internationally successful singer songwriter Captain of the Lost Waves Shaun Hunter has an incredible story. His lyrics are poetry in song but it was a multiple car crash that revealed new depths, and an unseen presence, in everything around him. You'll find Captain of the Lost Waves at www.captainofthelostwaves.com and YouTube as well as other platforms

We get dressed every day and in a letter to friends, the writer shared the glorious thought of putting on love as an all-purpose base layer

Stuck in a traffic jam - that tailed back 17 miles -can be frustrating but there are ways of staying positive

Changing our 'position' can totally change outcomes, especially if we have a bit of a stinky stonky attitude or view of things. A plant helped me discover this principle.

The joys of growing into folk singing - you need to find a group if you haven't already.

There's nothing like a good run of Shakespeare's historical plays to get a modern day perspective on his to build healthy relationships!

Louise Samuel wasn't always a baker but when she found the destressing results of baking, she never looked back. And, what gloriously tasty creations have come out of this

Seven camels @ 100 litres of water each - would you have offered to get them water from the well?

At 16, after his mother became an acid attack victim, Tumushabe started Render Outreaches to repay kindness into Ugandan communities. His story is a wonderful encouragement for anyone needing inspiration.

This is a tale of how two 'interruptible' rescuers saved a Rudy nudy's bacon from social media embarrassment. You too could be an interruptible rescuer

Do we really need to know the answers to all of life's questions - we can really live with better when we embrace the 'interruptibles'

What a position of influence you could be in for 2024. Most work and attention goes to EQ, IQ, and PQ....but what about the fourth 'Q' - SQ? A Chief Spiritual Officer has a place in every business....and home

Does the Christmas story seem very familiar? Imaginative contemplation is a wonderful way of enabling parables and stories to come alive - and bring us into deeper relationship with God.

Wallace created a stir when he was the innkeeper in this nativity play - and what an impact he had

One tree brought life, the other.......listen and find out in the sequel story to Xmas

In this season of waiting, we create the space and mindset to be aware of encountering angels, and the opportunity to be an angel through acts of kindness to others. That beats the corporate camel race hands down

Have you ever considered yourself to be a prophet of a future not your own? We can, however, only achieve this by being a worker rather than a master builder. Very counter culture

Fizzled is the new word in dating sites so here's how to transition through the frazzling and avoid the fizzling

Cluttered with stuff, too busy to enjoy life - then this is an encouraging podcast to encourage you to change perspective

A wine label of 77x7 has a life-changing story behind it.

Do you really realise just how significant you are? Think this will be a great encouragement for some of you in particular

Chaim Bentorah breaks words into their component parts and what a revelation