Perhaps one of the biggest issues in our lives is trust — both of ourselves and others. If your trust has been betrayed, I think it is possible to learn to trust again — and that this is best done slowly and gradually.

I’m wondering about the idea of making a good impression — whether this is manipulative and so to be avoided, or whether it is wise and kind to be aware of how others may view us. I certainly don’t have an easy answer.

Any personal growth I have achieved is because very talented people were very patient with me.

I’m thinking about what we wish for each other at Christmas — peace and joy — and how rare the opportunity is to offer each other such wishes.

Although I have found goals and planning useful, I have lived on a darting and winding path. I certainly couldn’t have predicted what my path through life would be.

I think our usual ideas of health need to be expanded to include how well we cope with illness. If we can embrace the idea that there are more or less healthy ways of coping with illness, this might help us relate to those who are going through the pain.

There is a difference between our needs and the way we meet our needs. Except sometimes we don’t feel that there is — perhaps because we don’t know of another way for our needs to be met. But if we can learn another way then we can expand our repertoire of behaviour and live more flexible and fulfilled lives.