Niall Breslin’s Post

This unique and exciting opportunity to support 'The Rising' 2024 A Lust For Life is worth a read. On the 8th of Sept, we will embark on Kayaking Ireland's longest river, cycling 160km from Limerick to Carrauntoohill and then climbing Ireland's highest peak, so we can move the dial on youth mental health in this country. Your support is crucial to our cause. We need your help to make a significant impact on youth mental health. Would your business or organisation consider sponsoring the challenge? Please read the PDF here and get involved as we rise up for youth mental health. Please share with anyone you feel may be interested.

New composition - The Novice Soul This is one of my favourite piano pieces. The string section is so beautiful in it. Can’t wait for you all to hear it. Going into @camdenrecordingstudios in sept with @eliotjamesmusic to start work. Looking forward to hitting road after studio. @dunamaise.arts.centre @thelarkdublin @tf_royal_castlebar @thtgalway @theatreroyalwaterford @islandtheatreballinamore @townhallartscentre @solsticearts #piano #pianoplayer #composer #fyp

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4 weeks out. The Shannon won’t f&@king paddle itself, Limerick to Killarney won’t peddle itself and carrauntoohill certainly won’t climb itself. We are putting in the work whatever the weather, because if last year told us anything, ye can’t trust the weather @carlowweather . Very proud of everyone rising up for youth mental health @a_lust_for_life and the effort and sacrifice they are putting in @maserart @deefitz05 @pbmullingar @colinclarkemobile @wolfhound_joe @johnpblake114 @digitalray @custom__built_guitars @skipjak.ie @howardbrunton34 . Huge hustle. Why are we doing it? To rise up for youth mental health. We all have to. Now is the time to do it. Free evidence based mental health programmes in every school in Ireland by 2026. We need your help. Please donate on link in my bio @gofundme or why not start your own fundraiser and walk/hike wherever you are in Ireland on 15th sept. @gympluscoffee @canoeingireland @i_canoe @get_ireland_walking @cycle_ireland #fundraiser #charity #kayak #fitness #outdoors

So, I have only one Dublin live show left for 2024. It will be in this stunning venue, "The Lark Concert Hall" Balbriggan. Tix here https://lnkd.in/eGVB5-GG

Does Anger seem safer than sadness? I had a discussion recently with a friend. He said that most of the angry, vitriolic comments on social media (under news articles, etc...) tended to be mostly men. I hadn't noticed it, so I observed it over the following week. His observations were accurate. I started to look at an array of different types of posts on zeitgeist issues and tended to see a trend in some of the more abusive comments. Some of the abuse was pretty grim and intense. A level of anger I have not quite seen. Some of it was just your typical stuff, and some of it was disturbingly dark and not from anonymous accounts either. It left me reflecting on it for the last number of days. While we cannot condone it, I try to bring a sociological perspective. Richard V. Reeves wrote a fantastic book, "Of Boys and Men," about the problems within masculinity—problems we can't simply wish away or throw into the midst of the culture wars. The evidence is undeniable. My hypothesis is that one reason men seem to be angry is that anger is a safer way to show sadness. Sadness is deeply stigmatised, which in turn has historically induced men to repress and internalise it rather than express and work through it. Anger feels more righteous, however misguided and abusive it can be. Expressing anger feels more socially acceptable and, unfortunately, normalised. And, of course, there are reasons to be angry, given everything we have experienced in recent years. But there is a fundamental difference between misguided and righteous anger. At a more sinister level, particular agendas tap into this anger and use it to advance their agendas, where this is a conflation of free speech and hate speech. On the other hand, social media algorithms' currency is anger and division. It doesn't work without this anger. A question I am more interested in is where this sadness is coming from. Are some men expressing such abuse and anger because they cannot process or express their sadness? These are just thoughts; I always welcome opinions and debate on this conversation. #masculinity #mentalhealth #socialmedia #phd #sociology

I have worked with a number of athletes over the last few years when it comes to mindfulness. The perception that it’s a passive exercise is a myth. With athletes you want to keep them emotionally regulated in performance, but bring them up to that line where they are also almost ready to run through a wall. It is a fine line. Having a background as a retired professional athlete is helpful, but connecting with athlete on their terms is more important. Some individuals respond differently to certain stimulus. Breath, body, visualisation and even music can be used. If performance is important to your job , mindfulness really can be missing link https://lnkd.in/expxdtvE

We need your help. Rise up for youth mental health on 15th sept or donate here A Lust For Life . https://lnkd.in/eV7S9_RV

Failure. I see a lot of dialogue on LinkedIn about failure and how it is an important part of the process of progress. An Almost glorification of the word in some cases, often mixed with a dollop of well intentioned fridge magnet philosophy. Whereas it is certainly true in some cases, I have a different take on it. We have created a modern world and cultural landscape totally addicted to the idea of progress. Words like growth mindset and the LinkedIn language that focuses on resilience and ‘living our best life’. The neoliberal bro mentality where workplace words like optimisation, optimal, and paying dividends start to creep into our every day relationships. That transactional ‘what is in it for me’ style of communication that is paradoxical to the energy of what creates good communities , where corporate language becomes how we speak to each other . I have friends who have used the phrase “that doesn’t fit my brand” regarding personal interactions. Like friendships have turned into a business relationship. This over focus on the word failure I feel comes from the over focus on the idea of progress and productivity. Progress is a positive thing, but at all Costs? What’s left for just being? Sometimes failing for me is the idea that we are not living the life that is in front of us, rather than just constantly chasing a life that is only focused on progress. #mentalhealth #linkedinlearning #failure

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