I read this today and it resonated deeply so I thought I’d share ☺️. Let me know your thoughts …., The brain thrives on surprise. Every new experience sends electrical signals that strengthen neural connections. When life becomes predictable, those circuits go quiet, and mental sharpness slowly fades. This slowdown is called neural habituation. It’s the process where your brain stops responding to repeated input. Familiarity may feel safe, but to your neurons, it means less reason to grow. Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself, never disappears. But it needs novelty to stay active. Challenge, curiosity, and learning act as fertilizer for growth. Think of your brain like a city. When traffic only moves down the same few streets, other routes decay. New activities reopen those pathways and restore flexibility. That’s why travel, learning a new skill, or even changing your routine has a mental ripple effect. It forces your brain to adapt instead of coast. In brain scans, novelty lights up dopamine circuits — the same ones tied to motivation and memory. That’s why new experiences don’t just feel rewarding — they actually strengthen recall and attention. When people say “time speeds up as you get older,” it’s because routine compresses memory. The brain doesn’t record repeated experiences in detail. Break the pattern, and time feels full again. Mental aging starts when curiosity stops. The good news is that curiosity can be retrained. You just have to treat exploration like exercise — something you commit to, not wait to feel. Even small changes matter. Taking a new route, reading something unfamiliar, or cooking without a recipe activates brain regions linked to focus, flexibility, and problem-solving. Social connection works the same way. Conversations that challenge your perspective expand cognitive networks, while isolation and echo chambers shrink them. That’s why loneliness accelerates cognitive decline. The brain evolved for interaction. When you stop engaging, neural communication patterns weaken — especially in areas tied to memory and emotional balance.

Today I celebrate 50 revolutions around the sun. I made it ! 😂 A wholesome weekend spent connecting with my favourite humans, my beautiful wife and 3 children, just the way I envisioned it only better. I love you unconditionally now and forever. I’ve recently sat quiet deeply leading into this half century milestone, what it means, symbolises and reflects within me personally. A few things I’d like to share that I’ve learned throughout my 5 decades. Take from it what you will and I trust that something will resonate and align for you. I’ve had a challenging, rewarding, diverse experience in what seems like many lifetimes that I’m eternally grateful for. Here’s some undeniable truths from me to you. Be the master of your breath. Breath is life. Consciously connect to it often and you will develop the skill of finding calm in the chaos. Be the change you wish to see in the World. Life is short, so live and love fully. Expose and explore all parts of yourself. We are here to explore self. The more we uncover, the more masks we remove, the more armour we unfold the deeper we get to know thyself. The snowball effect from that is the more you get to experience you, the more others get to experience the most authentic version of you. Speak your truth, take action, prime discomfort and dive into what makes you feel nervous and uncomfortable. This is where all the gold and growth truly lies. There’s two types of suffering. Suffering and Intentional Suffering. Choose the latter. It’s the only option that comes with rewards. Resilience is a pivotal aspect of one’s character to overcome adversity, learn from the lessons during that time and utilise the skill of adaptation to move forward more intelligently. Only one who has risked the fight with the dragon and is not overcome by it wins the 'treasure hard to attain'" Integrity is the highest of all values. Do as you say. Practice as you preach and lead from the front. The heart holds the power. Open that and share vulnerably with loved ones and you will progressively connect with your soul in the most beautiful way.

Banana Dates Peanut Butter 72% Dark Chocolate Peanuts and Celtic Salt

In 12 days time, 8 brave souls of our community will be heading down South to explore, meet and experience themselves in the most profound way. There is a lot of you in this group that have undertaken the rigours of the 'Warrior' retreat previously. Feel free to send your best wishes to those about to embark on a similar journey. This one will hit a little different 😏 The Warrior archetype represents strength, courage, and the ability to overcome obstacles. However, like all archetypes, it also has its shadow side. A spiritual warrior is like a skilled archer who aims for the target of enlightenment. Instead of arrows, they shoot down their own ego and desires. They battle not with swords, but with inner peace and wisdom. They fight not against others, but against their own ignorance and illusions. The warrior is not merely a soldier of conflict but a guardian of the soul’s integrity and a champion of authentic living. Rooted in courage, discipline, and unwavering commitment, the warrior archetype embodies the energy to confront inner chaos and external challenges with clarity and purpose. This archetype is not defined by brute force but by its ability to discern when to act and when to hold ground, mastering both power and restraint. The warrior defends the boundaries of the self, protecting what is sacred and cutting away what no longer serves. It is the force that stands against fear and complacency, wielding decisiveness like a blade, carving a path to personal growth. Guided by a deep sense of honour, the warrior serves something greater than the ego—whether it be truth, justice, or the fulfilment of one’s potential—infusing life with meaning and vitality. Watch Below ⬇️ https://www.instagram.com/p/C7gw7HdPUue/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==