David Ogilvy was the advertising genius of the 20th Century. He was also generous in sharing his wisdom on the art of writing.
Recent Posts
The not-so-immaculate conception of Basil Fawlty
BASIL! When was Basil Fawlty created? The first episode of Fawlty Towers was broadcast 47 years ago this week. We can also pinpoint the day on which Basil was conceived, via Michael Palin’s The Python Years: Diaries 1968-1979.
Time to open and change?
If each of us has a limitless capacity to do good, why not use it?
Mental health: Six things I’ve learnt in 2022
If you are experiencing mental health issues, you are not alone. You are never alone. Here are some things I have learnt about mental health issues over the first six months of my ongoing mental health journey.
All these moments
A lifetime is built moment by moment. Like the individual frames that make up a film. When the film that is your life is played back to you, what will you make of the decisions that you made?
All that matters
Every step that you have ever taken has brought you to this exact moment. You cannot change what went before. But you can change what happens next. You can create the future.
Anxiety: Your own worst enemy
A post inspired by some wonderful and insightful words on anxiety from two very different people: TV chef Nadiya Hussain and novelist Robert Harris.
Relax harder
Nothing should be more important to you than your own health and wellbeing. Rest and recuperation should never feel like a guilty indulgence.
No feeling is final
No matter how stuck you might feel, no moment is eternal and no feeling is final. There is always a way through.
Happiness, more or less?
How happy do you feel, in this moment? What brings happiness to your world? What is the secret to happiness for you?
Open
Gentle reader, a simple question: How open and honest are you? With others? With yourself?
At the heart of things
What are you left with when things fall apart? What is at the heart of things for you? What truly guides you?
In our darkest hours
Gentle reader: As we enter the second half of 2022, how are you feeling? Truly and honestly? If you find yourself in dark hours, remember that the brilliant light within yourself can never be dimmed.
Some kind of surrender?
Does the secret to a good life lie in achieving the ideal balance between control and surrender?
Glorify
Could the behaviours, thoughts and values that you glorify be doing you more harm than good? A short and simple post inspired by some wise words from Sahil Bloom.
Make it exemplary
Make it exemplary. Three simple but demanding words. They challenge us to do our best in whatever we do.
Mental health first response
What is your first response when you think of mental health issues? This post is inspired by some beautiful words from Gurprriet Siingh on his mental health journey.
No words?
Words fail me. Some words on nature, depression, music – and things that we really must try to put into words, no matter how hard it might be.
Listen without prejudice
To focus intently on just one sense is often to experience it anew. To listen – truly to listen – to another soul is to listen without prejudice.
Listen to understand
Lex Fridman’s epic podcast with Rick Rubin includes some great words on listening to understand. When another soul speaks to you, listen with compassion and empathy, listen to understand.
Serendipity, music, war and love
Even in the worst of times, moments of delight can be found. Moments that renew your faith in humanity. Moments that help you through. Here is one such moment, courtesy of my friend Rachael Heenan.
An invincible love
Within you there is always something there waiting to help you, something stronger. There is always an invincible love.
Renewal
Feelings of renewal can make all seem right with the world once more. But they can also mislead. Be careful not to mistake renewal for recovery.
Coffee: Roast sip repeat?
Do you love coffee? Have you ever tried roasting your own coffee beans? Here I recount my first ever attempt at home-roasted coffee beans.
Into the infinity of thoughts
In times of heightened stress and anxiety, the mind can become like the turbulent surface of the sea. Anxiety and stress need to be taken seriously, before they become overwhelming.
Stay Clean
To live at all times in accordance with your core values should be as smooth and as natural as a fish swimming through the ocean.
The Palin principle
Michael Palin’s diaries from 50 years ago this month paint an oddly familiar picture of gloomy times with an underlying absurdity and silliness.
Where words are gifted to me
Words – written or spoken, whispered or sung – can take you to some fantastic place. Celebrating the lovely writing of Chris Difford.
Happy again?
There might seem no way out of the grey times when you are in them. But as long as you can draw a breath, the possibility is there that you can be happy again.
Neil Gaiman, Cafe München & the Comedian
Cafe München: long-gone… but perhaps not entirely forgotten? This London bar was home to so many stories, including Forbidden Planet signings by Neil Gaiman, Dave Gibbons, Bill Sienkiewicz, Alexei Sayle and a host of 1980s comics luminaries.
My favourite age
When you look back on this time, will it prove to be your favourite age?
Did you just miss the love of your life?
How much of your life are you devoting to events that never really happened, and never will? Can wasting time be forgiven? A post on why it is never too late, inspired by some wise words from Sir Ian McKellen and Reverend Richard Coles.
Moment of crisis, moment of truth
Moments of crisis show you the world as it is, and offer you the opportunity to change.
Nothing superior, nothing inferior
Does the lens through which you view the world distort what is truly there in front of you?
What if you always did the kindest thing?
What if you were guided always by the decision always to do the kindest thing in any given moment? Imagine how your life would be if every decision you have made and will make were guided only by kindness. What kind of world you have helped to create? Being kind to all, and striving always […]
The beautiful transformation
The seed will not become a flower overnight, no matter how hard you will it do so. The beautiful transformation will only happen with time, with patience.
Listen
Listening can be the most valuable thing you might ever do. Listening can make all the difference.
Baggage
Is your baggage weighing you down? We accumulate so much mental and material baggage as we move through life. How we deal with that baggage can dictate how we approach each moment of our lives.
Spirit in black
Some words in tribute to my dear departed friend Mat Davies, whose spirit brought joy, wisdom and boundless enthusiasm to so many people.
MJCarty 