Author: Stephanie Hills

  • Universal attitude

    “The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or a hostile universe.” These words are from Albert Einstein, a man known for rational intelligence and scientific curiosity. Einstein studied the physical universe, which we tend to think of as neutral. We don’t often stop to wonder about its […]

  • School of hard knocks?

    It was Monday morning, and Mum was having a tough time preparing a rebellious son for another week at school. “Nobody likes me,” he groaned. “The teachers don’t like me. The kids don’t like me. I just don’t want to go any more.” “Pull yourself together,” said his mother. “School can be tough, but at […]

  • Trust is earned, not owed

    Banks warn us: don’t share your PINs or passwords. Don’t click on unknown links. Be wary of offers that sound too good to be true. It’s sensible to assume that strangers are not to be trusted until they prove otherwise. Yet when it comes to people close to us, we can be pressured to offer […]

  • Aroha: Māori wisdom for a contented life lived in harmony with our planet

    Aroha: Māori wisdom for a contented life lived in harmony with our planet.                                                                        By Dr Hinemoa Elder Divided into 52 sections, each expanding on a Māori saying, this is a book to be dipped into rather than read from front to back. Some of the proverbs are traditional whakataukī; others are whakatauākī, (which are sayings […]

  • That’s life today…

    At the bank, I told the cashier, “I’d like to open a joint account please.”“OK, with whom?”“Someone with lots of money.” * * * * Last night I got so drunk, I walked across the dance floor to get another drink and won the dance contest. * * * * When I drink alcohol, everyone […]

  • Same behaviour, different meaning

    A client of mine came to realise that in his most difficult moments, he would start mindlessly watching K-pop videos on his phone, unable to concentrate on anything else. Once he was aware of it, the compulsion to watch videos became a clue, alerting him that he was avoiding something. He could then tune in […]

  • Courtesy on our roads

    Shout out to the courteous drivers out there.  We tend to remember the rude ones, but considerate drivers are all around us. Just this week I’ve had vehicles make space for me to pull out of a service station into heavy traffic, and to back out of a space in a crowded parking lot. Without […]

  • Showered with love

    Sam walked into his sister’s kitchen and found his nephew, Mitch, having a snack. “Where’s your mother?” he asked. “She said she was going to have a shower. Just a minute, I’ll see.” Mitch went to the kitchen tap and turned the hot water on full blast. A sharp yell came from above. Mitch calmly […]

  • Love, Loyalty and Ethics

    ‘A true friend will help you hide a body,’ is an oft-repeated sentiment on social media. It’s meant as a joke, but it reinforces a misconception about what friendship and loyalty mean.  What can we do when someone we love – a family member, partner, or a close friend – expects us to back them […]

  • Unbreakable Spirit: 18 Stories of Feminine Resilience, Blessing and Renewal

    Unbreakable Spirit. 18 Stories of Feminine Resilience, Blessings and Renewal Compiled by Laura Joan Cornell, PhD. The inspiring title hints at deeds of extraordinary heroism followed by victorious endings, but these stories are about women we might pass on the street every day. They could be any one of us. Lives of courage, grace and […]