Life is rife with frustrations, jealousies and, on occasion, an overwhelming sense of its injustices, but it's a big mistake to let such negative sentiments rule our lives and dictate choices.

There are more than enough people with serious mental issues who really do need professional help without all the other Toms, Dicks and Harriets rushing to the therapist's couch.

It's so much easier to count our disadvantages than tot up the mitigating circumstances that generally outweigh the despair.

Sustaining true friendship is a lot more challenging than we give it credit for.

Having lived a full and stimulating life before I had my kids, I've relished every minute I've had to spend with them and felt a degree of confidence in dealing with their trials and tribulations to date.

When the going gets tough, the prospect of delegating half your responsibilities to a willing volunteer, either to play a supporting role or take over the breadwinning, certainly holds allure.

Reading a book you are not enjoying is a torture not to be undertaken without a reward. I leave plays at the interval, too!