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Check out  the 24 latest Exercises here.

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​   Personal Development Programme.

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​Des McCabe

​Day 450 of Des McCabe's Personal Development Exercises.

TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS
 
It’s okay to be religious.
It’s okay not to be religious.
It’s okay to be spiritual, but not religious
 
It’s okay to believe in God.
It’s okay not to believe in God.
It’s okay not to be sure, about God.
 
You see ‘I’m okay, you’re okay’
means that we are all okay.
We can be together, in our own way.

Day 449 of Des McCabe's Personal Development Exercises.

GIVING SOMETHING BACK
 
Some think of giving something
back in life, a bit like leaving a tip.
It’s our way of recognising
what we have received.
 
But this suggests
the end of the meal,
rather than the launchpad
of something special.
 
You see giving back is
our opportunity to build, to go again,
to go different, and to do  more
of what still needs to be done.
 
It’s our opportunity to harvest
what we’ve learned, to re-package
who we are, and to change
right now, all that matters for us.
 
Giving back is the
hidden power of kindness,
ready to explode through us,
in ways we cannot imagine.
 
So, do not wait until the
end of the meal to say 'thank you'.
Go now, go again, go different
and give back  all you can.

​Day 448 of Des McCabe's Personal Development Exercises

THE JOURNEY OF REMINISCING
 
It is only when we look back,
years later, that we really see
where we were at that time.
 
It is only now, in this moment,
that we can understand
what happened back then.
 
And we wonder,
​what if.....?

​Day 447 of Des McCabe's Personal Development Exercises

NEW DAY
 
Every day is different.
Every day is new.
Rediscover the ordinary.
Welcome what we take for granted.
Celebrate with those you meet.
Be open to filling all the spaces
of this day, in a  new way.
For every day is different.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1.   What will you re-discover today?
2. Who will you welcome?
3. What will you celebrate?

​Day 446 of Des McCabe's Personal Development Exercises

 THE GREATEST  PRAYER
 
The greatest prayer
is in our silence
where we have no words
and no thoughts.
Where nothing happens.
 
So, sit and say nothing.
Think of nothing,
as best you can.
And just be there
with the love you are.
 
For prayer
is not about religion,
nor any set of words.
Prayer is the place of love
within each of us.

​Day 445 of Des McCabe's Personal Development Exercises

EQUALITY FOR STRAWBERRIES​
 
It’s time to give equality
back to strawberries.
You see, years ago we could just
buy a punnet of strawberries.
 
Now we have labelled our
favourite summer fruit and
separated former friends and
family, into at least four categories.
 
Those at their peak
come with the highest price.
Those in their later days
get rapidly discounted,
and have a reduced label
plastered across their front.
 
Those with disabilities
are called ‘wonky’, as we highlight
some perceived ‘imperfection’.
And those who have less,
become ‘essentials’ or own brand.
 
I bought these four different
packets of strawberries and
emptied them into a bowl.
They all looked fabulous together
and tasted wonderful!

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1. Find and celebrate what might be seen as different or imperfect in all that you encounter today. Take a photo or write down what you see....​

​BABY LOVE​
 
I marvel at the helplessness
and trust of your little baby girl,
who is totally dependent
on you for everything.
 
This is the same relationship
that we all have with love.
We too, live totally unaware
of all that sustains us.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1.   Who is the one who looks after us? ​

​Day 443 of Des McCabe's Personal Development Exercises

 APPRECIATION   RATE
​
When others show their
appreciation for us,
our energy is boosted and
our relationship is strengthened.
We go forward, together.
 
Being taken for granted,
on the other hand,
takes away our energy,
drains our enthusiasm and
leaves us    disappointed.

We can all share and enjoy
the gift of appreciation,
in every conversation.
Let's ​increase our Appreciation Rate
 and    build a kinder world.

SOFT  THINKING
 
The frame of our thinking
can be made of iron,
holding all fixed and secure,
difficult to move and
keeping all else out.
 
The frame of our thinking
can be made of wool,
holding all gently and
moving with the wind,
to greet all that comes.
 
Sometimes our perceived
strength is a real weakness,
and our real growth may be
in softness, flexibility and
a different type of thinking.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1.   Is  your thinking framed by iron or wool? 
2. In what situations might you begin to think, interpret and respond in different ways?