Life Matters – take time out, reflect and enhance your life

In today’s Ireland families are struggling financially with rising inflation, housing and petrol costs. Some are even misplaced due to war. In an ever-changing world, people need support and life skills that will enable them to not only survive but prosper.

This course aims to introduce participants to pragmatic life skills drawing from a variety of sources including philosophy, psychology, business skills, theology and neuroscience. It will invite open discussions and actively listen to the participants opinion in relation to how to thrive in our modern society.

Topics covered include:

1) Developing a Personal Life Strategy 

Considering the pressures on modern life, establishing goals and realistic forward planning is vital. However, modern life pressures can often mean that our goals and aspirations are pushed to one side. This kick off session will give ideas on how our own hopes and aspirations can co-exist with existing responsibilities. Taking into consideration your time, resources and finance, this session will consider:

Overcoming the “Tyranny of the Urgent” and explaining the term.
Stress management and how to adopt a method of proactive as opposed to reactive response.
Recognising the difference between aspirations and goals.
Getting on top of financial, familial and work challenges.

2) 21st Century Parenting 

An outlook on what parenting looks like in contemporary Ireland, including the challenge of changing from a traditional family unit to more diverse family life.

Is it possible to maintain strong family connections, even after hardship and struggles?
How does our childhood/identity affect our parenting?
What are the significant needs of children and how can they be met?

3) How to be Good with Money 

Managing our money involves balancing both our finances and our time. Balancing income and expenditure continue to be a dominant feature for every household. The need to raise and maintain income can have a crushing impact upon other family priorities such as time spent together and periods of rest. The framework introduced in the first session will be expanded to include some practical guidance and methodology that will assist you to:

Face reality and live within the boundaries of income and expenditure.
Address debt management in a proactive way.

4) Overcoming Negativity from our Past 

Negative thoughts can often be more powerful than positive ones. Often our brains work using a filtering system known as cognitive bias, or in other words, negativity bias.

In an uncertain world, where media and “fake news” are ripe, it can be difficult to manage the mind. This is especially true if you hold pain and struggle from your past. This class will show how we can build better thoughts that enable us to perform positively in day to day activities. Focus will be on:

Negativity Bias: What to know about the brain and heart and how to let go of the things which we cannot control.
Culture Diversity: Drawing from other cultures such as the Japanese principle of “Gamman” (enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity).

5) Listening to the Heart 

There is constant communication between the heart and the brain. But is it the brain or the heart that gives direct commands to the body? This session will look at:

The heart as the “seat” of emotions.
Getting to know ourselves better.
The impact of emotional overload and strategies for protection.
Notes: 

1) For some sessions, handouts will be provided as appropriate to the course content.

2) The course is relevant for life in today’s Ireland. Therefore, a current interest in contemporary news issues and online/newspaper reports, will be of value.

Course Genre: On opportunity to learn, debate and challenge real life issues in a friendly environment.

Course Day & Time: Monday evenings 7.30 – 9.30pm

Start Date: 20/02/2023

Cost: €55

Course Format: In class with tutor

Duration: 5 weeks – Maximum of 12 students in class

Enrolment: You can enrol online by clicking on the Easy Payments Plus button. Enrolment will begin on the 01st Dec 2022

Tutors: David and Evelyn Hamilton