For my first graduate job, a long time ago, I did a lot of programming. My children find this hilarious because they’re constantly showing me how to find things on my phone or how to navigate YouTube or record something on TV. Now, I still do a lot of programming. So do you. Even if you have absolutely no interest in technology or computers.

The computer did exactly what I programmed it to do. When something didn’t result in what I expected, usually one little coding tweak was all it took to get everything back on track and flowing beautifully. And our subconscious mind responds in the same way.

Life, much like programming, is about establishing clear conditions, navigating through loops and patterns, and making decisions based on what outcome you wish to manifest.

A do … while loop is a statement that runs a block of code at least once and then continues running it for as long as a certain condition is true. You can use this to start a habit, something that you can do while something else is happening. For example: Do leg squats while waiting for your kettle to boil.

The for loop on the other hand, runs a certain number of times. Repeating an action a specific number of times helps tackle tasks efficiently. For example, you could set the alarm on your phone for 15 minutes and clear out a messy drawer or empty your handbag and really focus only on that thing until the alarm goes off.

Debugging is the process of identifying and fixing issues in code. In life, we often need to “debug” ourselves—reflecting on our habits, identifying what’s not working and finding solutions. If something isn’t working the way you want it to, identify the “bugs.” Are you trying to do too much? Are distractions getting in the way?

If something doesn’t work out how you want it to, you can spend months on end bashing away and trying to make a square peg fit a round hole, or you can reframe the “bug” as a feature.

I love this way of thinking. It’s really helped me out of many tight spots. And usually, once a bug becomes a feature, it’s not so frightening or irritating. You can look at it dispassionately. It’s no longer an insurmountable problem. It can be a riddle. An intriguing curiosity.

Code often goes through many versions as it evolves and improves. Similarly, we all go through different “versions” as we grow. You’re not the same person now as you were this time last year, for example. All of the experiences you’ve had, the lessons you’ve learned, the decisions you’ve made have led you to be the person you are in this moment.

We’re not expected to get everything right the first time. Life is an iterative process. Past “versions” of you served you in your own way. When we realize this, we can be a lot more compassionate towards ourselves.

There’s no need to berate ourselves for the decisions we’ve taken or the mistakes we’ve made. These are all part of the process that go towards building You 2.0.

Daily debugging means that you’re more likely to find things that are easier to fix, rather than saving everything up and trying to unpick a big tangle of mess later down the line.

So at the end of the day, spend a few minutes reflecting on what didn’t work out how you hoped and plan a small fix for tomorrow. Don’t dwell too much on the negative, but acknowledge it and give thanks for the lesson it’s allowed you to learn. Tiny tweaks all add up.

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Think of a glass that has 50% water, 50% available space in that glass. Would you describe it as half-full or half-empty?

The well-known example defining an optimist and a pessimist states that the former would describe the glass as half-full whereas the latter would say it’s half-empty. There is third perspective—the perspective of the observer.

The observer states the reality of the situation without judgment or bias and declares, “It’s a glass with water in it.” And it’s the perspective of the observer that can often help us when we’re in a tight spot.

When we are immersed in what we think of as a problem, it’s difficult to see the woods for the trees. The energy of a problem is heavy, dense and weighs us down. When we observe a problem, on the other hand, we look at it dispassionately and perhaps make notes. We don’t get caught up and tangled in the emotions or meanings of the thing.

According to www.etymonline.com, the word problem comes from a late 14th century French word for riddle.

Now, when we are presented with a riddle, we are much more open to the possibility of a solution existing. Immediately, the energy is lighter, less dense and heavy, and we can begin to play with the idea of finding a solution. Because there is always a solution to every problem (or riddle).

More often than not, a shift in perspective allows us to find a solution.

The Universal Law of Polarity states that everything has an opposite. If a problem (or riddle) exists, then the solution must also exist, even if it’s not immediately apparent. The problem (riddle!) cannot exist in the first place without the solution also being present.

One of the most famous thinkers of recent times, Albert Einstein, said “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” He was aware of the importance of shifting perspective and seeing things from another point of view.

When we get out of our own way, shift gears, and untangle ourselves from the situation, everything becomes clearer. We are no longer clouding the situation with our own judgement, fears, and worries; we are in observer mode, approaching things with a cooler head and an enthusiasm for solving the riddle.

If we think of the word solve, www.etymonline.com reveals that it comes from the Latin solvere, meaning to loosen or release. When we can free ourselves from the entanglement of the problem, we can allow ourselves to dance with the possibilities that are waiting to be discovered.

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According to www.etymonline.com, the word diary has a Proto-Indo-European root, dyeu—which means “to shine.”

Contrast this with the word calendar which comes from the Latin calare meaning “to announce solemnly or call out,” harking back to the time when Roman priests would call out when they saw the new moon and from this, they would then mark out the rest of the month.

Several years ago, I was given a beautiful diary with illustrations on each page and with the full week spread out across two pages, meaning that each day had its own section, a space to fill.

Normally, I would have quite easily filled up each section with the usual never-ending to-dos that I could then tick off and feel a sense of accomplishment each time. But this diary was different. It was too beautiful to fill up with drudgery. It seemed to offer me more.

I decided to use this diary as an opportunity to put into every section on every page something I really loved doing so that whenever I opened this beautiful diary, I would see a week of loveliness stretch out in front of me, rather than a mess of admin, work, and appointments.

Nothing grand or flashy, just something each day that I could ensure I carved out time for to really enjoy.

There would be no cluttering up my little book of loveliness with solemn appointments and nagging reminders—those went on my calendar instead.

To make my week really shine, I would write down at least one shiny thing to enjoy every day:

• Monday: loose leaf tea in a teapot with a cup and saucer
• Tuesday: paint my toenails and put some cream on my feet afterwards
• Wednesday: come home from work the slightly longer way to see the daffodils in the park

That kind of thing. Simple things that didn’t really require much effort on my part and that I was sure to be able to find time for but would really make my day shine.

After a few weeks, I noticed a real difference in all areas of my life. A niggling health issue that had been troubling me resolved itself. My apartment looked different—brighter and fresher. I was eating different foods and really savoring them. That little diary brought the shine back into my life.

I am a stationery superfan and still make the distinction between things to put in my diary—things to make my day shine—and things to put on my calendar—the more solemn and less shiny necessities. I am not convinced that there could be any digital substitute to these, and if there were, I’m not even sure I’d want one.

Every day is a gift, and it’s easy to lose track of this when we fill it with clutter. So make sure you make time for at least one shiny thing to enjoy each day and see what transformations unfold for you.

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This magic word, one we are familiar with from an early age, is very special. According to Wikipedia, it was first mentioned in the second century AD in a prescription used by a physician who prescribed wearing an amulet with this word written in the form of a triangle to treat malaria.

Throughout the ages, the use of the word abracadabra spread and became associated with great creative power.

Words are seeds and seeds, when planted, have roots. Abracadabra is believed to have its roots in the Hebrew phrase “I will create as I speak” or the Aramaic words abraq ad habra meaning “I create like the word.”

Whether we speak out loud or internally, the words we choose have vast creative power. With every word we use, we are planting a little seed. We are the gardeners. We plant words in the garden of our mind as our thoughts take shape.

As with every garden, if you want to attract more butterflies and bees and birds and beauty, you need to plant more flowers. Nourish these flowers and your flowers will bear fruit and flourish.

But if you neglect your garden and allow it to become overgrown and tangled with weeds and filled with rubbish, then it will be much more difficult for other flowers to flourish.

If you want things to flourish and bear fruit, then we need to prepare the ground. One of the first things to do is to plow the ground before you plant the seeds. Things grow best in loose, fertile soil that can absorb and retain nourishment and use this nourishment to transform.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the very word universe contains the word verse. If you think of this word, what do you imagine? Maybe the verse of a song. One song that we are all singing—soul music. Or perhaps a beautiful poem that we writing our part for—soul language.

If you look at the etymology or origin of the word verse, it has its roots in the Proto-Indo-European word wer for “turn or bend.” From one line to the next in a song or a poem, it’s turning or bending, plowing, preparing the soil for the rest of the song or poem to flourish.

As we plow the garden of our mind, or our souls—turning the soil, softening the ground—we are preparing the ground for the seeds we sow. And as we sow, we shall reap.

Words have the power to transform, literally to change the shape of, the world around us.

Think of the vast creative power of the Universe. It all began, we are told, with the Word.

“In the beginning was the Word.” From the word, everything is formed: Intelligence. Our thoughts. Our language. How we communicate with others. How we build things.

In this beautiful, expansive Universe, we all have a voice. We are part of this magnificent orchestra.

Abraq ad habra. I will create as I speak. You are pure magic and the words you choose are your spells. With every utterance, you are casting a net and bringing in your haul. So choose them carefully.

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I have a drawer of treasures in my dressing table. It contains a story written by my daughter when she was three years old, a clay imprint of her hand when she was four, a wooden bracelet my son decorated for me, and two little hand-painted boxes.

These are some of my most treasured possessions. Made with love and given from the heart, the joy I experience every time I look at them or think about the little people who devoted their attention to making these gifts for me grows every time.

The palms of your hands are energy points in the body and are associated with your heart. When you open your hands, you open yourself up to receive. You can direct energy from your heart, through the palms of your hands, and out into the Universe. Your hands are your own magic wands. And at the center of this magic is you and your heart.

We instinctively know this. What’s your first impulse when you bang your elbow? Or knock your arm into something by mistake? You immediately place your hand over the bruised area. Your own hands have the capacity to send healing energy into the afflicted area. And more often than not, you start to feel a little bit better.

When you make something with your hands with the intention of giving it to another person, the energy from your heart radiates through your hands and into the gift. That is why a handmade gift is truly a gift from the heart.

If the act of making something with your hands is an act of love, then every time you prepare food, you are nourishing yourself and those who eat your food with love as well. That’s why homemade food generally tastes better than shop-bought.

If the only thing you get to do for yourself today is to make yourself a sandwich, then let the act of making your sandwich be an act of love. Imagine love flowing freely from the palms of your hands into the food you are preparing, infusing it with loving energy.

Then, take some time to really sit down and absorb all the goodness from this sandwich. Savor each mouthful, chew mindfully, and as you swallow, imagine that goodness nourishing you on every level.

Even better, share your sandwich with another and spread the love.

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The thing about this phrase is that it often leads to feelings of frustration and remorse when, for whatever reason, our resolutions fall by the wayside at the first hurdle. It is no coincidence that gyms are crowded at the start of January but much quieter by February.

You don’t need to create a new you because you are already fabulous and beautiful.

I love the word fabulous. Its roots lie in the Latin word fabula, meaning “story or tale” (according to the Online Etymology Dictionary, etymonline.com). You are a direct result of the stories you have been telling yourself so far. The words you use matter. And the words you tell yourself and allow yourself to absorb are especially important.

For hundreds of thousands of years, ever since humans learned to talk, we have been telling each other, and ourselves, stories. We are hardwired to listen to them, to share them with others, and tell them to ourselves.

Stories can teach us, inspire us, make us laugh, frighten us, give us hope. Think about how a child absorbs a story: their attention is laser-focused and they immerse themselves in it whole-heartedly and willingly.

Adults do this as well. I’m particularly good at it. For a long time I was particularly good at telling myself a parking story every time I drove anywhere:

“I’m no good at parking—it’s always so stressful. Why are there never any parking places right when I need them?”

Guess how enjoyable I found parking?

Things started to shift when I decided to tell myself a new story:

“I always manage to find the right spot at just the right time.”

Rather than winding myself up into a hot mess before I even get out of the car, I now allow myself to believe in a new parking story. It works every single time.

By making that one small change, the rest of my journey is transformed. And not just my journey but those of my passengers as well. And, when you think about it, aren’t we all passengers? Traveling together on this fabulous planet of ours, spinning through the Universe at hundreds of thousands miles per hour, let’s enjoy the ride.

So at this time of year, when people like to focus on detoxing after the festive excesses, think about choosing words that will feed and nourish your soul. Feed these to your subconscious. Focus on the good thoughts and let go of the ones that don’t feel good. Tell yourself a new story before you go to sleep and when you wake up first thing in the morning.

I invite you to focus on this phrase instead: “New Moon, New Beginnings.” Every lunar cycle brings a new opportunity to breathe, reboot, and start again.

May this be the start of a brand-new adventure for you and your fabulous, beautiful soul.

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Every single part of your body plays a crucial part in supporting you, in carrying you through life, in helping you achieve what you set out to do each day. Have you ever really thanked your body for what it does?

The human body is a miraculous device. If you were to write a computer program to do something as simple as draw a star on a piece of paper or raise a cup of tea to your lips and sip without getting tea everywhere and breaking the cup when you put it back on the saucer, it would take a very long time. Yet, you can do all this and more, without even thinking about it.

Your incredible body, and your amazing brain, has more sophisticated wiring and intricacies than all of the world’s supercomputers put together.

Every moment of every day, it is working to calculate the precise amount of blood to pump through your body, the exact balance of hormones to release to enable you to function, the rate at which old cells are discarded and new ones are generated. You are doing all this and more.

I learned something incredible a while ago. From what I remember, it was that every ten years, our cells are completely renewed and replaced, which means that you are literally and figuratively not the same person you were ten years ago. Ten years from now, you will have built yourself a brand-new body. Isn’t that amazing?

It isn’t nice to be taken for granted. I’m sure you’ve experienced that feeling of having done something, having worked really hard for somebody, and then they don’t even acknowledge your work or thank you for it. It’s crushing, isn’t it?

When we appreciate something and express gratitude for it, that gratitude grows and expands and we find more and more to be grateful for and appreciate. When we express gratitude, we are sending out blessings into the Universe. The Universe sends us more blessings in return. Every action has a reaction.

Babies are the wisest of souls. Think of how they play with, and delight in, their feet, their toes, their hands, their bodies.

Give your feet some love this week. Rub them, massage them, apply some lovely cream to them and really focus on the work they have done over all the years you have been on this Earth. Thank you, feet.

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