Category: writers’ health

In the arms of the angels: How To Be An Artist and On Connection

Sep 1, 2023

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Pen

in imagination, leadership, Living creatively, value of the arts, Winston Churchill, writers’ health

Courage and the imagination ‘Every good work of art has courage in it somewhere,’ writes Jerry Saltz in his How To Be An Artist (Hachette, 2022). He also claims that ‘Courage is a desperate gamble that will place you in the arms of the angels.’ (p. 81) Is the concept of courage relevant when we’re…
Greed, vanity and a cautionary tale about multi-tasking

Jul 17, 2023

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Pen

in Cook books, Mindfulness, multi-tasking, Near Death Experience, writers’ health

Braidwood radio and four other artistic pursuits I’ve been filling in for someone on Braidwood Radio https://braidwoodradio.com.au on Tuesday afternoons (Rod and Penny on ‘Bunkum Faves and Raves’, 3.00 to 4.30 on current affairs, ancient history and the arts – an eclectic but entertaining mix). What with researching for that and continuing with the Argentine…
‘You are the author of your own life’ – creative writing workshops to write a bright new chapter

Feb 28, 2023

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Pen

in Living creatively, Penny Hanley’s Creative Writing course, Perseverance in writing, Short stories, Tim Ferriss, value of the arts, writers’ health, Writing – tools of the trade

Risk We tap into our creativity through play. The technique I use in my Kick-Start workshops is a key that smoothly unlocks a door to the side of your brain that’s much less used in our linear, left-brain-dominant society. Under the Neo-Liberal economic dogma dominating every aspect of society no matter which major party is…
Lost Focus – Johann Hari’s feasible solutions to our burning problems

Apr 13, 2022

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Pen

in capitalism, Democracy, depression, digital technology, dreams, Leisure, Living creatively, media negativity, mental illness, stress management, writers’ health

Tsunamis of information are drowning us We’ve lost our ability to focus. Tsunamis of information are coming at us, drenching us every minute of every waking hour. We can’t keep up with it, mentally or emotionally. What we sacrifice when we try is depth. Not to mention sanity, peace of mind and our democracy. In…
Gently altering the world – the arts

Mar 30, 2020

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Pen

in art, arts and health, Common Good, creativity, humour, humour as medicine, rural Ireland, Stand-up comedy – Australian, stress management, value of the arts, writers’ health

Returning from a writing residency in Cill Rialaig, in Ireland’s County Kerry – https://cillrialaigartscentre.com/residencies/ – it was weird to be back yet not be able to hop on my bike and see friends, go to tango lessons, films, cafés and libraries or walk around the lake. I watched that ingenious ABC program You Can’t Ask…
Reinventing our lives: surviving with the help of literature

Dec 28, 2019

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Pen

in Andrea Goldsmith, Australia behind, Bookshops, capitalism, Charlotte Wood, creativity, depression, Inequality – Australia, mental illness, optimism, value of the arts, writers’ health

When I was in Dublin in September I bought some wonderful books. A favourite is the intriguing, personal and beautifully written Hidden City: Adventures and explorations in Dublin by Karl Whitney (Penguin, 2014). (I’ve lent it and others to friends and can’t take a photo of its cover or some other favourites at the moment!)…
Jules Clancy’s new e-book, Love Your Waistline and Your Food

Oct 19, 2019

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Pen

in Cook books, health, nutrition, recipes, writers’ health

Jules Clancy (pictured) was living in Cooma when I first discovered her blog, https://thestonesoup.com and I was working at the National Rural Health Alliance. Jules was a good example of an enterprising rural woman and I shared much of her nutritional and culinary advice as well as her blogs and books with my readers. She…
Swimming, dancing, writing – or What I Did on My Summer Holiday

Mar 27, 2018

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Pen

in Argentine tango, arts and health, creativity, social capital, writers’ health

Swimming Swimming every morning in the clear turquoise water, surrounded by trees – oaks, chestnuts, London planes and gums, with swallows and parrots flying about and ten ducklings following their parents across the grass – plus coffee on the deck afterwards with a group of convivial co-swimmers: is it any wonder it’s been a long…
When the Couch-Potato Pill is invented will you take it?

Jan 9, 2018

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Pen

in Andrea Goldsmith, Cook books, depression, health, swimming, writers’ health

‘That’s the first time I’ve ever seen anyone do that,’ said my friend Sharon, standing above me on the turquoise-tiled rim of Dickson swimming pool. ‘Do what?’ I asked, as I completed my length and stood up in the shallow-end water. ‘Yawning while swimming,’ she said.
Cycling and writing

Apr 12, 2017

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by

Pen

in Cycling – health benefits, cycling – mental benefits, depression, Living creatively, writers’ health

A people-centred society Riding a bicycle regularly has measurable benefits for your body and immeasurable ones for your brain and creativity. In my last blog I hinted at these benefits and in this one I have the space to expand on some of the glorious results of swapping four wheels for two, and I don’t…