What clutters up the mind, and how do you remove it?
If it was true in the 19th century that “the world is too much with us,” how much more cluttered are our lives now, with the drivel-drizzle of social media, junk mail, endless blogs, etc. How to remove it? Just pull the plug, if you remember where it is.
John Geffroy, Las Vegas, New Mexico, US
• What clutters up the mind is the constant activity of our amazing human brain and the only truly uncluttered mind is a dead one! Learning Mindful meditation can bring some order to the clutter and a calmness that comes with self-acceptance.
Margaret Wilkes, Perth, Western Australia
• Some days it’s just the “stuff” of daily life clutters my mind. My best way to remove it is to walk or jog, on the beach if possible. One foot after another works like a sieve – the dross goes through and only the good stuff remains.
Elaine James, Nairn, Scotland
• Thinking can both clutter and remove clutter from the mind. Just think about that.
Edward P Wolfers, Austinmer, NSW, Australia
• Being self-obsessed; start thinking of others.
Rhys Winterburn, Perth, Western Australia
• Thinking inside the box and escaping in a pine one.
Anthony Walter, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
• After a hard day’s work, the brain becomes a wasteland of used neurotransmitters; a good night’s sleep is the only way to sweep it clean.
Charlie Bamforth, Davis, California, US
• Glorifying the past clogs the mind. Living in the present is the best remedy.
Jenefer Warwick James, Paddington, NSW, Australia
Greenwash? What hogwash
Why is ‘all natural’ not always ‘all natural’?
Although some try and deny it, not all natural disasters are free of human agency. Or because it’s been greenwashed. And some products will have been metabolised, pasteurised or irradiated.
David Tucker, Halle, Germany
• It’s not that “all natural” isn’t “all natural”, but rather that what is natural – and food companies love to brag about this on their labels – is not necessarily good for us. Think hemlock, arsenic, strychnine.
Sarah Klenbort, Bronte, NSW, Australia
• We were born “au naturel” and looked cute, but for heaven’s sake put your clothes on when using public transport.
Marilyn Hamilton, Perth, Western Australia
Blooming glory
Is there a special garden plant or shrub that is extra special for you?
In Vancouver and Seattle at this time of year, the camellias come into bloom. The shrubs flower profusely, in white, pink or red, offset perfectly by their dark green foliage.
On the other hand, the local deer are enamoured by my cherry laurel that they use as a salad bar.
Anthony Walter, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Any Answers?
• Is there a difference between ‘Everything which is not compulsory is forbidden,’ and ‘Everything which is not forbidden is compulsory?
John Pusey, Oxford, UK
• Why does a certain poem come to mind, so easily and so often?
William Emigh, British Columbia, Canada
Send answers to weekly.nandq@theguardian.com
