Black holes ain't as black as they are painted

"...They are not the eternal prisons they were once thought. Things can get out of a black hole, both to the outside, and possibly to another universe. So if you feel you are in a black hole, don't give up. There's a way out." Stephen Hawking, bbc.co.uk/reithlectures

In a week where we lost one of the greatest minds of our times, I would like to reflect on the unswerving hope and optimism that a man battling against extreme physical limits was able to maintain.

Stephen Hawking was undoubtedly viewed by many as one of the most inspiring physicists in our lifetime. And, it wasn’t just his brilliant mind that motivated peers and budding scientists, but also his incredible resilience in the face of adversity that touched everyday folk like you and me.

While I grumble and complain, largely about insignificant things, I am greatly humbled by what one man was able to achieve in spite of his disability and all the while retaining a sense of humour that made him so engaging and stopped him viewing his own life as tragic.

In the same week as the UK is ranked 19th by the 2018 World Happiness Report, it’s clear that a lot of us find it hard to rise above the trials and tribulations of everyday life. This concerns me on a personal level, because I’m aware that my mood can often have a negative impact on those around me too.

During challenging times - at work or personally - it can sometimes also seem challenging to stay positive. But, taking Professor Hawking’s example, it’s the people that do remain positive who are able to uplift the rest of us. Something I have found helpful as a reminder to mindfully choose how I’m going to deal with whatever the day throws at me is the message in the poster below. So, next time you’re feeling irritated or frustrated ask yourself, ‘Am I above or below the line?’