acceptance Archives - Jo Emerson

Simple spirituality for dogma-shy desperados October 23, 2019 – Posted in: Advice, Personal Development, Spirituality

As someone who has come to understand how important ‘plugging in’ spiritually is to her life, I have developed a rudimentary and ever-changing spiritual practice. But, before you run for the hills in horror at how pious that sounds, please understand that the words ‘rudimentary’ and ‘practice’ are foremost in that sentence. Like a lot of us, I have found traditional religion tricky to stomach and I am tired of other people’s dogma. So, I…

When there is no desire, all things are at peace September 5, 2019 – Posted in: Advice, Personal Development

For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you will no doubt have seen that I spent 10 days catering for our five kids in a tent in Cornwall during one of the most crazy storms the South West has seen in a while. My amazing husband spent two sleepless nights outside pegging and re-pegging the tent while the kids slept soundly through the whole thing! For me, it was like trying to rest…

Letting go of people, places and things July 4, 2019 – Posted in: Advice, Relationships

I have had to let go of many things in my life; old habits that were no longer serving me, old unhelpful thoughts and self-limiting beliefs, old favourite clothes that were worn through, old homes my expanding family had outgrown, old ways of working etc. Always, before letting go, there was a period of trying to cling on (denial) and always, during letting go, there has been some kind of sadness. More often than not,…

Life on Life’s terms… September 21, 2018 – Posted in: Confidence, Personal Development

I first heard the expression ‘Life on Life’s terms’ in my twenties when I was a messed-up, confused, unhappy young woman who couldn’t seem to find any peace or contentment in her life. The wise old bird who suggested I try to accept life on life’s terms had herself been a messed-up, confused, unhappy young woman, who had discovered the power of acceptance to transform her into the serene, wise, contented person she now was. …

Lessons from the road… April 24, 2018 – Posted in: Advice, Confidence

# This is a blog about the “can’t do” lies we tell ourselves… # This is a blog about growing your confidence muscle day by day # This is a blog that proves that you don’t need to be really confident at something in order to be able to do it. # This is a blog about confidence and cycling – not how to be a confident cyclist but how cycling has reinforced everything I…

Have yourself a confident Christmas… November 30, 2017 – Posted in: Advice, Confidence, Personal Development, Relationships

For those of you who regularly read my blog and my advice column you’ll know that I’m all about authenticity and being real. Why? Because perfectionism and mask-wearing are two of the biggest barriers to confidence that I’ve come across in my six years as a coach. I’ve worked with hundreds of people (probably thousands now) and they all tell me that pretending to be someone or something they’re not feeds their insecurities. And dismantles…

Your past is not your destiny October 15, 2017 – Posted in: Advice, Confidence, Personal Development

I was listening to a podcast recently on which an eminent psychotherapist was asked what she would say to those who remain cynical about the effectiveness of talking therapies. Her answer was simple, “Your past is not your destiny,” she replied, before explaining how counsellors, coaches and psychotherapists are all in the business of helping their clients detach from their past in order to create a new future. I think I punched the air. …

The Power of Acceptance October 9, 2017 – Posted in: Advice, Confidence, Personal Development, Relationships

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you just accepted everything as it is without judgement, without trying to change other people, and without complaint? What if life were a river you were simply required to swim in; going with the flow, navigating all the twists and turns, and rocks and rapids, and tranquil spots along the way? How would your life be if you stopped trying to control everything and…

Kindness and Quilting June 19, 2017 – Posted in: Advice, Relationships

My daughters were recently given a beautiful patchwork quilt made by my beloved grandmother. In fact, it was the last thing she made before she died over 20-years ago so they are delighted and deeply touched to have it. They are young, modern kids who love YouTube and gymnastics and shopping sprees. But they also have huge respect for anything authentic and homemade, especially things they can tell have been made with love and kindness.…

Painfully perfect? May 15, 2017 – Posted in: Advice, Confidence, Personal Development

“I can’t possibly be a perfectionist! I never get anything right!” This was the response of my client to my suggestion that she was suffering with perfectionism. After she spoke I remained silent and slowly the realisation of what she’d said hit her… “Oh, wait!” she said, “If I wasn’t a perfectionist I wouldn’t always worry about getting everything right… Right?” BINGO! As a specialist in confidence issues I see perfectionism in my clients on…