{"id":1316,"date":"2017-05-20T10:15:41","date_gmt":"2017-05-20T10:15:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/talkingtolampposts.wordpress.com\/?page_id=1316"},"modified":"2022-04-07T12:43:20","modified_gmt":"2022-04-07T12:43:20","slug":"blog","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vanessapotter.com\/blog\/","title":{"rendered":"Blog"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” min_height=”65%” height=”65%” max_height=”65%” custom_margin=”|auto|50px|auto||” custom_padding=”3px||5px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_slider show_arrows=”off” show_pagination=”off” use_text_overlay=”on” text_overlay_color_tablet=”” text_overlay_color_phone=”rgba(238,236,232,0.91)” text_overlay_color_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.15.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” min_height=”645px” min_height_tablet=”645px” min_height_phone=”50%” min_height_last_edited=”on|phone” height=”65%” max_height=”65%” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” custom_padding=”||79px|||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” auto=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_slide use_text_overlay=”off” button_text_tablet=”About Me” button_text_phone=”” button_text_last_edited=”on|phone” text_overlay_color_tablet=”rgba(255,255,255,0.85)” text_overlay_color_phone=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” text_overlay_color_last_edited=”on|phone” content_tablet=”<\/p>\n

I’m a best-selling author and TEDx speaker on a mission to share the many ways in which we can help ourselves live happier and more resilient lives<\/p>\n

” content_phone=”” content_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.15.1″ _module_preset=”default” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#494040″ body_font_size=”21px” body_line_height=”38px” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/vanessapotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/r7a2056-copy1.jpg” background_enable_image=”on” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#E02B20″ button_border_color=”#E02B20″ button_alignment=”center” button_custom_margin=”-20px|||-270px|false|false” width=”31%” width_tablet=”31%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”69%” max_width_tablet=”69%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|||0px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ body_font_size_tablet=”21px” body_font_size_phone=”12px” body_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” body_letter_spacing_tablet=”” body_letter_spacing_phone=”1px” body_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|phone” body_line_height_tablet=”38px” body_line_height_phone=”21px” body_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” button_text_size_tablet=”” button_text_size_phone=”17px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|phone” button_alignment_tablet=”center” button_alignment_phone=”right” button_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_container=”top:100px!important;|| right:35%;” button_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_slide_container_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_slide_container_phone=”top:100px!important;||left:15px;” custom_css_slide_container_tablet=”top:100px!important;|| right:35%;” sticky_transition=”on” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f5f5f5″ custom_padding=”25px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Comfortaa||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”36px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Vanessa’s Blog<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Blog” _builder_version=”4.15″ background_color=”#f5f5f5″ custom_padding=”19px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”Blog” _builder_version=”4.15″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.15″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blog fullwidth=”off” posts_number=”5″ include_categories=”66,72″ excerpt_length=”500″ show_more=”on” show_categories=”off” _builder_version=”4.15″ header_font=”Lato|700|||||||” header_font_size=”20px” body_font=”Lato||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.8em” pagination_font=”Lato|700|||||||” pagination_text_color=”#ffb356″ pagination_font_size=”18px” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blog][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.15″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_signup mailchimp_list=”patienth69@livecom|51a4971593″ first_name_field=”off” last_name_field=”off” title=”Subscribe” _builder_version=”4.15″ header_font=”Comfortaa|700|||||||” header_font_size=”26px” header_letter_spacing=”1px” header_line_height=”1.5em” body_font=”Lato||||||||” body_font_size=”18px” form_field_font=”Lato||||||||” background_color=”#eae7e0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#E02B20″ button_border_width=”12px” button_border_color=”#E02B20″ button_border_radius=”50px” button_letter_spacing=”1px” button_font=”Lato|700||on|||||” button_icon=”$||divi||400″ text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”light” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_direction=”top” border_radii=”off|5px|5px||” border_radii_fields=”on|100px|100px|100px|100px” button_letter_spacing_hover=”1px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” 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follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]twitter[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/vanessapotterwrites\/” _builder_version=”4.14.9″ background_color=”rgba(130,130,130,0.18)” background_enable_color=”on” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”6px|6px|6px|6px|true|true” border_radii=”on|100px|100px|100px|100px” global_colors_info=”{}” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[\/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][\/et_pb_social_media_follow][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/vanessapotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/9781789562286-scaled1.jpg” title_text=”9781789562286-scaled%911%93″ _builder_version=”4.15.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ global_colors_info=”{}” disabled_on=”on|off|off” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Finding-Right-Mind-Experiment-Meditation\/dp\/1789562163″ button_text=”Buy Book” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.14.9″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#e02b20″ button_border_width=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ prev_background_color=”#f5f5f5″ next_background_color=”#f5f5f5″ _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(224,220,213,0.54)” top_divider_style=”wave2″ bottom_divider_style=”waves2″ bottom_divider_height=”52px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”75px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image 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A road map to meditation<\/h1>\n

Meditation is not one-size-fits-all and styles can vary enormously. From mindfulness to hypnosis to psychedelics, my consciousness road trip, covering 12 different mind-training techniques, provides a tried-and-tested roadmap of which practice might be right for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Finding-Right-Mind-Experiment-Meditation\/dp\/1789562163″ button_text=”Buy Book” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.14.9″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#df2b20″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”4px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/vanessapotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/71p7E4zVyML1.jpg” title_text=”71p7E4zVyML%911%93″ _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” width=”96%” max_width=”96%” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”Comfortaa||||||||” header_font_size=”23px” header_line_height=”1.4em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Second Sight<\/h1>\n

Imagine waking up one morning to find yourself blind and paralysed. In 2012 a catastrophic illness wiped out two of my senses. As I recovered I set out on a voyage of discovery to uncover the extraordinary science behind my visual rebirth.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.bloomsbury.com\/uk\/patient-h69-9781472936127\/” button_text=”Buy Book” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.14.9″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#df2b20″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”4px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/vanessapotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/hand1.jpg” title_text=”hand%911%93″ _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”Comfortaa||||||||” header_font_size=”23px” header_line_height=”1.4em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

ParkBathe Project<\/h1>\n

A citizen science green health podcast project with Dr Kirsten McEwan providing FREE 1hr mindful walks for \u2018nature sceptics\u2019 to experience the benefits of urban forest bathing in Crystal Palace Park, London. To book a free walk and find out more click below.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_text=”Find out more” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.14.9″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#df2b20″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”4px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f5f5f5″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#f5f5f5″ background_color_gradient_end=”#f5f9fb” top_divider_style=”asymmetric4″ top_divider_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” bottom_divider_height=”105px” border_color_bottom=”#E02B20″ border_style_bottom=”dashed” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_spread=”-18px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” max_width=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Comfortaa||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”40px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Videos<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][wdc_video_carousel animation_speed=”1200ms” autoplay_speed=”3600ms” _builder_version=”4.15.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” slide_count_last_edited=”on|phone” sticky_enabled=”0″ slide_count_phone=”1″][wdc_video_carousel_child video_title=”Patient H69: Finding Light in NMO – Vanessa Potter” image=”https:\/\/vanessapotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/maxresdefault1.jpg” icon=”4″ video_link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/PmZKEYHMluE” icon_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_size=”53px” icon_opacity=”0.84″ _builder_version=”4.14.9″ _module_preset=”default” title_font_size=”21px” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” border_width_all=”1px” border_style_all=”dashed” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wdc_video_carousel_child][wdc_video_carousel_child video_title=”She Woke Up Seeing and Went to Bed Blind” image=”https:\/\/vanessapotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/maxresdefault1-1.jpg” icon=”4″ video_link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/RbzByqyIx9s” icon_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_size=”54px” icon_opacity=”0.92″ _builder_version=”4.14.9″ _module_preset=”default” title_font_size=”20px” border_radii=”on|3px|3px|3px|3px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#000000″ border_style_all=”dashed” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wdc_video_carousel_child][wdc_video_carousel_child video_title=”The Library Lunch with Vanessa Potter” image=”https:\/\/vanessapotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/maxresdefault1-2.jpg” icon=”4″ video_link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/3dKLw3wF9K0″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_size=”55px” icon_opacity=”0.84″ _builder_version=”4.14.9″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|3px|3px|3px|3px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#000000″ border_style_all=”dashed” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wdc_video_carousel_child][wdc_video_carousel_child video_title=”The Resilient Mind | Talking Brains with Vanessa Potter” image=”https:\/\/vanessapotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/maxresdefault1-3.jpg” icon=”4″ video_link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/z3RBZfiz8GQ” icon_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_size=”55px” icon_opacity=”0.86″ _builder_version=”4.14.9″ _module_preset=”default” title_font_size=”20px” border_radii=”on|3px|3px|3px|3px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#000000″ border_style_all=”dashed” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wdc_video_carousel_child][wdc_video_carousel_child video_title=”Vanessa Potter: The Story of my Second Sight” image=”https:\/\/vanessapotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/maxresdefault1-4.jpg” icon=”4″ video_link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/rsfH1oWJ8rM” icon_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_size=”55px” icon_opacity=”0.86″ _builder_version=”4.14.9″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|3px|3px|3px|3px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#000000″ border_style_all=”dashed” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wdc_video_carousel_child][wdc_video_carousel_child video_title=”TEDx Ghent | The Art of your Mind ” image=”https:\/\/vanessapotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/speaking-main-image.jpg” icon=”4″ video_link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/fSjr9ON2m9M” icon_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_size=”55px” icon_opacity=”0.86″ _builder_version=”4.14.9″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|3px|3px|3px|3px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#000000″ border_style_all=”dashed” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wdc_video_carousel_child][wdc_video_carousel_child video_title=”Train Your Mind: The Neuroscience Behind Meditation” image=”https:\/\/vanessapotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/maxresdefault1-5.jpg” icon=”4″ video_link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/cOhkQpUpDw0″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_size=”55px” icon_opacity=”0.86″ _builder_version=”4.14.9″ _module_preset=”default” title_font_size=”20px” title_line_height=”1.1em” border_radii=”on|3px|3px|3px|3px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#000000″ border_style_all=”dashed” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wdc_video_carousel_child][\/wdc_video_carousel][et_pb_button button_text=”View All” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.14.9″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#E02B20″ button_border_width=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” global_module=”19975″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.15″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.15.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Comfortaa||||||||” header_text_align=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n

Featured in<\/h1>\n

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Vanessa’s BlogA road map to meditation Meditation is not one-size-fits-all and styles can vary enormously. From mindfulness to hypnosis to psychedelics, my consciousness road trip, covering 12 different mind-training techniques, provides a tried-and-tested roadmap of which practice might be right for you.Second Sight Imagine waking up one morning to find yourself blind and paralysed. In […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\n

How meditating didn't get me through all of the pandemic.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

There's a bitter irony attached to writing a book about meditation when there's a pandemic sweeping the world. The pressure of hitting a publishing deadline combined with the stress of managing a busy family life (while attempting some kind of vaguely efficient homeschooling) was immense. Like many of my friends and neighbours I rode the 'coping' wave and got through lockdown, grateful we still had an income and that the sun was mostly out. Funnily enough, because my time was no longer my own, my meditation practice was pretty healthy during this time. There were many online meditation classes available and I regularly clumped upstairs to make the daily 6pm mindfulness class offered for free by the London Mindfulness Project.<\/a> These were a combination of mindful breathing exercises with a few forays into compassion. During these times I was reminded of how important it was to keep a practice regular. My son would nudge me when it was nearly six o'clock mainly because he knew he'd get free access to the television, but also because I would inevitably return downstairs feeling renewed, calmer and altogether more level-headed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other irony I find myself sighing loudly over this week is how much time I spent outdoors during lockdown. Rummaging through tins of old seeds (some packets were ten years old) I planted everything I found. Mornings were spent rushing outside to see the latests green shoots appearing in the pots that tripped up the Amazon delivery men as they walked down our driveway. Now, with restrictions reduced, I could spend all day outside in the garden \u2014 and yet I don't. I'm back glued to my desk more so than ever before. The daily walks my daughter and I took around our local park have stopped. She's back at school and I'm here, at my computer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I keep asking myself why have all of my good habits slipped? The worst thing is that I really do know better. Goddammit<\/em>, I've written a book about how important it is to maintain a practice and that meditating (for me at least) is one of the most important tools I have. These days I average a meditation of around twenty minutes every other day. It's not bad, but it's not enough. And yet, the more I allow myself to consider this emerging lethargy, the more I see what is happening. The truth is that meditating does not make me immune to mental health issues. It doesn't provide a stress-bouncing forcefield that keeps worried feelings, anxiety or even fear at bay. Meditating is a useful tool for managing<\/em> these symptoms and has, in the past, drastically lowered my reactivity. However, my practice hasn't stopped the pandemic making me feel uneasy and unsettled. I've had to remind myself that meditating isn't about changing how I feel, but feeling how I feel<\/em> (even if that is awful). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I stand back from myself and observe the onslaught of thoughts arriving every second, I hear that insipid, familiar voice I know so well. \"You should be back to normal now,\" it whispers, \"fighting fit and not moping around feeling down.\" And the worst putdown of all. \"You shouldn't be advocating meditation if it doesn't work!\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's funny how my inner voice never tells me that doctors don't get sick, or that psychologists never get depressed. Then again, it is rarely kind \u2014 or measured. And, of course, there's the nub \u2014 the solution to everything is staring me in the face. Kindness<\/em>. Before I can pick myself back up after this strange period of time \u2014 before I can dust off the fear and worry that clings to me like dust, I must be kind to myself. I must forgive myself for feeling unsettled and accept that worry will be part of things for a while. A meditation practice is not just sitting down<\/em>. It is accepting how I feel and noticing how I am treating myself. I can't help anyone else until I help myself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, I'm going to cut this short and take a leaf out of my own book. I am going to walk around the park and listen to the Science of Happiness' 24 hours of kindness practice featured in this episode<\/a>. I've done many of their practices in the past and they're always insightful and inspiring. So, inner critic, you're quite right, thank you. I do know what to do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Finding My Right Mind: One Woman's Experiment to put Meditation to the Test<\/strong><\/em> <\/a> by Vanessa Potter, publishing Feb 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kindness begins with the knowledge that we all struggle. Charles Glassman<\/p>