It’s easier for me to answer this question now I’ve retired. When I was working, I can tell you I was a workaholic. I had a full-time teaching job, and I built a business working after school on night-times and weekends. How my wife coped, I’ll never know. Although I was successful enough, it wasn’t healthy. Mental health problems have plagued my adult life, and looking back, it’s easy to see why.

The lives most of us lead, are not healthy for us. we work too many hours, do not have a proper breakfast or lunch, rarely sit down with our families in peace and quiet to chat, and we are too glued to our televisions and devices. We need to switch our screens off much more often, talk to each other and learn to enjoy the silence.

Since retiring, I’ve done just that. I prioritise my garden, my flowers, drawing, reading, writing and listening to music. I saw this poem and I thought it was really powerful:

The Way of Zen

Do one thing at a time.

Do things slowly & mindfully.

Connect deeply with people & nature.

Meditate frequently.

Appreciate silence.

Expect nothing.

Be grateful for everything.

Observe without judgment.

Consume less, create more.

Let go of fears and desires.

Listen to understand, not to respond.

Be patient and generous.

Love deeply.

Live simply.