Month: May 2026 Page 1 of 2

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead.

Whilst browsing in gift shops on a recent holiday in Majorca, I noticed that lots of products had starfish on them, so I decided to share a story featuring starfish in this week’s blog.

The Starfish Story by Loren Eiseley.

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it back into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?” The boy replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realise there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then smiling at the man, he said… “it made a difference for that one.”

I know that there are some issues in the world that are outside of our sphere of control or influence. We have to accept that we have limited opportunity or chance to change some things. Additionally, some things that are within our control can seem so big and overwhelming that we put off taking action. We can procrastinate, over think things and never make a start or make any progress towards making things better.

However, it’s always worth remembering that when we do take action and make positive contributions to society, it helps to make the world a better place to live in.

The story I’ve shared can act as inspiration to us all to make a start, to take action and make a difference in the world.

We can make the choice to focus on the things we can control to make our own environments as good as they can be. We can all play a part in making the world a better place. Every day we have the power and choice about where we place our focus and energy. It’s within our gift about how and where we make a positive difference in the world.

With this in mind, here are some thoughts about how we can all play a part in making the world a better a place. We can: –

• All take small actions and collectively create a positive ripple to counter the negativity, fear and nastiness that is prevalent in the world sometimes.
• Look at ways we make our environments and part of the world more pleasant. This can be as simple as picking up some litter on our daily walk.
• Carefully consider the impact on others of our actions and decisions before we speak or act.
• Have greater empathy for people suffering challenges and hardship.
• Be present and give people our full attention. As part of this we can decide to listen more than we talk. This will mean the people we interact with will feel heard, valued and important.
• Look for what’s positive about people and situations.
• Be encouraging and supportive of other people’s endeavours and happy for their success and achievements. Give credit to people when it’s due.
• Be nice to people.

 
This week, why not pause for a few moments to reflect and consider what action you can take to help make your part of the world a better place.

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk

“The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.” – Martin Luther King.

I have just returned from a lovely holiday in Majorca. Whilst away and when I was looking at a lovely beach and surrounding scenery one day, the following story came to my mind.

Rocks, Pebbles and Sand

This story is a great metaphor with a powerful message about time management and priorities.

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items in front of him. When class began, he wordlessly picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks about two inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles, poured them into the jar and lightly shook it. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The students laughed. He asked his students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this is your life. The rocks are the important things; your family, your partner, your health, your children, anything that is so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed.

The pebbles are the other things in life that matter, but on a smaller scale. The pebbles represent things like your job, your house, your car.

The sand is everything else, the small stuff.

If you put the sand or the pebbles into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, material things, you will never have room for the things that are truly most important

Pay attention to the things that are critical in your life. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the rubbish.

In your own life, be sure to take care of the rocks first, the things that really matter. Remember, the rest is only pebbles and sand”.

But then, a student took the jar which the other students and the professor agreed was full and proceeded to pour in a glass of wine. Of course, the wine filled the remaining spaces within the jar making the jar truly full.

The alternative moral of this tale is that, no matter how full your life is, there is always room for a nice glass of wine!

This week, why not pause for a few moments to reflect. Consider if there is any action you need to take to make more time for the “rocks” in your life.

Additionally, think about if there are changes you need to make to your daily schedule.

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk

“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realise this and you will find strength.” Marcus Aurelius.

Mental Health Awareness Week this year runs from May 11 to 17 and is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation. The UK charity is focused on preventing poor mental health and building and protecting good mental health.

They believe everyone deserves good mental health and that no-one living in the UK should be deprived of the opportunity for it because of who they are, the community they come from or where they live.

Poor mental health is not inevitable. There are things we can do as individuals, in our communities and across society to help us all to live with good mental health. For one week each May, the charity hosts a campaign around a specific theme for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Since their first campaign in 2001, they’ve raised awareness of topics like body image, stress and relationships.  The campaign reaches millions of people every year.  This year’s theme is action to support good mental health because, while awareness is vital, real change comes when we take action too.

Even small actions can help us feel hopeful and less powerless. And while our individual actions matter, when we come together, we are even more powerful.

These are the Mental Health Foundation’s top ten suggested actions to support good mental health. They may help lift your mood and improve your ability to cope with life.

1. Plan something to look forward to. Making plans for things we enjoy can increase our sense of hope, which is important for our mental health. It could be a plan to sit down with a cup of tea and take a quiet five minutes or a long-term plan for an ambitious trip. Whether it’s a big or small goal, the important thing is to plan it.
2. Eat well. One of the simplest ways to improve mental health is by eating a healthy, balanced diet. Not only can it support your emotional health, but introducing small habits, such as staying hydrated or having fruit snacks, can help make changes stick easier.
3. Get closer to nature. Spending time in nature can boost your mood, lessen stress and help you concentrate.
4. Get good sleep. Good quality sleep helps your brain work better, lifts your mood and is good for overall health.
5. Get creative. Spending time on creative activities is a great way to help ease stress and anxiety. Carve out time to listen to music, paint, sing or do whatever you most enjoy.
6. Move regularly. Being active can boost your mood and raise your self-esteem. It’s also an effective stress management technique. Whether you go for a walk, do some yoga or vigorously clean the kitchen, it all counts.
7. Try mindfulness. Being fully aware in the present moment can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges. Aim to notice the colour of the sky, the sound of the leaves or the feeling of your feet on the ground.
8. Make time for friends. Having good relationships with others can help you feel like you belong, allow you to share experiences and receive emotional support. It’s a great reason to have a catch-up with a friend on the phone.
9. Be kind. Bad days happen to everyone. If you’re having a tough time, remember to treat yourself with kindness and understanding. You’re doing the best you can.
10. Talk things over with someone you trust. It can take a lot of courage to tell someone else how we’re feeling or what we’re finding hard. Just talking things through with a person we trust can feel like a relief and make us feel less alone.

 
This week, why not take a few moments to reflect on the suggested actions above. Is there an action you can take to support good mental health that might lift your mood or improve your ability to cope with life? Consider what your first step will be and if you require any help or support. If you do, who can you reach out to for assistance?

You can get more information on Mental Health Awareness Week and the work of the Mental Health Foundation at www.mentalhealth.org.uk

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk