I’m on a mission, a mission to restore confidence in those who need it. Part of my work is with young people, and it’s a privilege and a joy. But I find myself deeply troubled by the lack of confidence and self esteem in so many of them.

Once in a while, you find a book filled with love, that makes your heart sing!  A few years ago, I saw the Dalia Lama give a talk and it was a very special moment for me. The author Douglas Abrams describes His Holiness and Archbishop Desmond Desmond Tutu as “ moral leaders”.

So much of what we dream about doing, never happens because we think we will fail. The person we are up until this very moment, is down to our experiences.

There is an incredible world out there, but for some, the thought of adventure or even just leaving our creature comforts can be terrifying. If you suffer from separation anxiety, fear of letting go in some way, it can be debilitating. Grounding yourself can help you to take baby steps in the right direction. 

When I teach meditation, I’m often discussing with my class how to stop the brain chatter, the thoughts that seem to pop up. Not being able to concentrate or to clear the mind, is often the reason most people feel they can’t meditate.

Today are two “official” days. It’s Blue Monday today and it’s Hugging Day. It’s seems to me that one should cancel out the other actually. Blue Monday was recognised back in 2015 by a travel show. It’s is meant to be the bluest day of the year, in the depths of January and Winter. 

The moment I met Samantha Renke, I found her energy utterly infectious. She has her own wonderful and unique sense of style, wearing a brown trilby hat and some very cool lace-up boots. Our mutual friend, the brilliant actress Michelle Collins, had introduced us at a women in media group that Samantha has been part of for quite some time, and I was lucky enough to sit near Sam so I could get to know her better.

So many women either buy, or are advised to buy by a shop assistant, the wrong colour foundations for their skin. Obviously our skin changes colour throughout the year, especially in the summer, when we’re all catching the sun and have a bit of a tan.

How to rock the latest eye-shadow colour trend, without looking like you may have done it (I did) in the 70s!  I love a little touch of colour sometimes and with this amazing weather it feels totally appropriate!

On Sunday we drove out of London for the day and headed to Aylesford in Kent for a pub lunch and a paddle in the stream next to the pub. On the way we were delighted by the sight of a sea of purple and a smell so distinctive that it had to be lavender; we could’ve been in Provence, especially as it was the most glorious day. 

Writer Raffaella Barker feels that reading - and indeed writing - novels is an art we should all develop more. “Reading and creative writing is the best way to learn to empathise with people” she explains “and it’s the best way to learn about people’s characters and motivation”.

Success Coach and author Sharron Lowe believes she’s ‘blessed’, and her purpose in life is to help others to change theirs. Through sheer determination and grit Sharron has worked her way up to the top of her game and now gives motivational speeches to companies and global audiences. Four years ago, due to her popular demand, she decided to write a book to accompany her lectures, entitled The Mind Makeover –The Answers to Becoming The Best You Yet.