
A Guiding Hand
A Guiding Hand is a collection of cards with words, phrases, and images inspired by the Northern Lights. It emerged from a decade-long Arctic Circle pilgrimage, where the creator observed and photographed the Aurora Borealis. The cards aim to provide insight and guidance for personal and professional challenges in today's world. The accompanying blog further explores the cards' meanings, offering practical advice for positive psychology practitioners. The author draws one card weekly and writes a blog post inspired by it, holding the readers and themselves in mind, with the intent to offer a guiding hand amid modern crises and challenges.
Episodes
34 episodes
We confine what we long to liberate
This podcast encourages reflection on overlooked aspects of life that may be vital to personal fulfilment. Using the metaphor of missing the Northern Lights while being distracted by TV, it prompts readers to question if daily distractions prev...
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6:28

Through falling we discover for what we stand
This podcast explores the value of experiencing failure or "falling" and reflecting on those moments. By considering times when we’ve felt we’ve fallen short, it invites us to understand how those experiences help us rediscover what truly matte...
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5:59

Stillness-How the superficial recall their depth
This article encourages self-reflection and stillness to gain deeper insights into one's inner being. The author describes a moment of witnessing the Aurora's reflection in a Finnish lake, symbolizing how reflection reveals a deeper sense of wh...
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5:47

Longing The glowing embers of an eternal flame
This article invites introspection on the theme of longing, encouraging a deep exploration of personal desires. It draws an analogy between a remarkable evening of Northern Lights and the inner glow of human longing. The card suggests that even...
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4:01

Liberation The freedom of knowing how we imprison
This article reflects on personal power and potential, using the metaphor of the Northern Lights to inspire introspection. It encourages readers to break free from self-imposed limitations, explore their true desires, and believe in their abili...
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10:01

Learning how not to know may be the greatest act of intelligence
The card invites you to explore the value of "not knowing" and how it can expand your perception. The author recounts an unusual sight of the Northern Lights, challenging their previous knowledge and highlighting how certainty can limit underst...
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6:44

Difficulty-The edge that sharpens our learning
This card invites you to reflect on the value of facing difficulties and embracing vulnerability. Life often lacks clarity, yet it is through struggles that we experience deep learning and change. By recognizing and accepting our vulnerabilitie...
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4:35

Courage-Fear unmasked
This article invites you to explore your courage by reflecting on moments of revelation and fear. It compares fear to clouds hiding the beauty of the Aurora Borealis, suggesting that both light and dark are necessary for understanding. Courage ...
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5:50

Choose to be original and or copy
This podcast invites you to explore your originality and reflect on what makes you unique, rather than a "carbon copy" of others. It encourages you to consider how much you conform to what others expect versus your true self. By embracing your ...
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6:57

Anxiety-The extent we have strayed from our essence
This article invites you to explore your anxieties by facing them directly rather than avoiding them. The associated photograph of the Northern Lights highlights a small boat amidst a vast, awe-inspiring display, symbolizing feelings of isolati...
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6:00

In our darkness may we discover a Richer palette of colour
This card explores the metaphor of seeking light, particularly the Aurora Borealis, as a journey through darkness. It suggests embracing the night and the metaphorical darkness in life as a path to revelation and self-awareness. Drawing this ca...
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10:32

Belonging, becoming the person you long to be
This card invites reflection on the concept of belonging, emphasising it’s not just about finding a physical place but discovering inner contentment and authenticity. It suggests belonging is deeply connected to becoming the person one longs to...
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8:34

Must we stray from the path, to recall our way
Embracing the feeling of being lost can transform fear into opportunity. By confronting uncertainty, we open doors to discovery and growth. Like unknown paths, life's challenges offer unforeseen chances when met with courage.
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6:55

Resilience, befriending suffering
Resilience involves facing and accepting suffering rather than avoiding it. Avoiding negative emotions might push them to our unconscious, influencing our behaviour unnoticed. Embracing these emotions, as described in Rumi's poem "The Guest Hou...
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8:48

Do We Feed An Insatiable Appetite Or Soothe The Part That Hungers?
This podcast encourages introspection and exploring the deeper aspects of oneself. It questions the insatiable appetite for constantly seeking more and how outer searches often fail to bring complete satisfaction. Instead, it suggests turning i...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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10:07

Free From Logic, The Impossible Becomes Quite Plausible
The podcast explores the importance of imagination and creativity as a complement to rational thinking in problem-solving. It uses metaphors like the dog chasing its tail and Sisyphus rolling the boulder to emphasize the limitations of overthin...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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13:02

Soul - That Which Longs To Live, Unhindered By Must, Should Or Ought By Andrew Machon
This podcast explores the impact of expectations and the words "must, should, and ought" on our lives. It raises questions about whether meeting expectations limits us and prevents us from fully living. The author shares their personal experien...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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12:03

The Exit We Seek May Be An Entrance By Andrew Machon
The podcast expresses the author's fascination with the symbolism of doorways. As a photographer, he captures different doorways and uses them to create new imaginative openings. When coaching clients, the author explores whether their doorways...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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10:30

Might Darkness Lighten Our Way By Andrew Machon
The author reflects on their experience of finding wonder in the darkness of the night sky and invites readers to consider their own experiences. They explore the idea of embracing difference and moving beyond judgment, and how this can expand ...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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8:55

Trying Less, Discovering More By Andrew Machon
This piece explores the notion of effort and striving, questioning whether having and wanting are essential to betterment. The author suggests that our compulsion to strive and continually seek more may be due to an underlying belief of "not en...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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13:30

Stillness Moves By Andrew Machon
The author questions the idea that being busy is a good measure of growth and success and explores the importance of stillness and reflection in enabling change and growth. Inner spaciousness allows for reflection, pace, and the ability to paus...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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13:11

Knowing What Locks, Frees By Andrew Machon
The author reflects on a photograph of the Northern Lights and wonders about the value of accepting and including obstacles in our daily lives. They suggest that pushing through challenges may not be the answer and encourage the reader to consi...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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12:24

What We Accept In Ourselves, We Accommodate In Others By Andrew Machon
The article explores the concept of personal growth and how it is intimately linked to self-awareness. The author suggests that turning one's attention inward and practicing reflection can lead to a deepening understanding of oneself and ultima...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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15:46

Vulnerability – The Lost Piece That Completes Our Jigsaw By Andrew Machon
A Guiding Hand episode. The author reflects on a photograph of the Northern Lights that appears to take the shape of a jigsaw piece and contemplates how life is like a jigsaw puzzle. They ask readers to consider what their vital pieces a...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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10:50

Perfection – The Only Goal We Complete After Life By Andrew Machon
A guiding Hand episode. The text explores the tendency for people to revert to perfectionism and a partial version of themselves when under pressure, due to a belief that they are 'not good enough'. The author encourages reflection and i...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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13:21
