The heart behind The Four Ways

The Four Ways isn’t just an idea—it’s a way of life.

It started as three simple rules Paul shared with his kids: Have fun, be kind, and do what you’re told… first time, every time! 🤣

At the time, he needed some order in his parenting. And he found Rule No. 1 was a great anchor. 

What’s rule number one again?
Rule No. 1 is Have Fun!

It became a mantra — something the kids would chant with wide smiles, joy in their voices, and a glint in their eyes.

Paul also wanted to give them something practical to carry into the world — a way to navigate life with integrity, warmth, and humour. A way to show up with curiosity and care.

As the kids grew, those three rules grew too. They evolved into The Four Ways, and became a practice. Ways he tries to express in his life — and to share with others.

Paul’s journey has always been shaped by nature. He’s a father of two, a storyteller, and someone who’s spent much of his life outdoors—travelling extensively, then building an off-grid camp on the wild and remote Ningaloo coast in Western Australia. And more lately caring for a beautiful coastal park on the Mornington Peninsula.

At Ningaloo, Paul camped in a national park overlooking a turquoise reef where he shared, adventures, meals and conversations. From corals and the cosmos, to fun in the sun and what lurks in the shadows, those conversations often circled around the same deeper question: what really matters?

Nature has been Paul’s greatest teacher. As Albert Einstein once said,

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

And it’s there, in nature, that the values of The Four Ways were shaped while savouring the simple moments of presence.

Paul now lives by the beach on the Mornington Peninsula. The spirit of those days playing with his kids at Ningaloo lives on—in The Four Ways, and in every prompt, journal note, and moment of reflection this project hopes to inspire.

Please Note: The Four Ways is here to support your journey—not replace professional mental health advice when needed. If you’re struggling, please reach out for expert help. You can find some handy links here.