Friday 21 January 2011

Relax Kids

I have just taken part in the two day training with Marneta Viegas, who has designed a fantasic set of resources to help people teach children to relax.

Inspirational, thought-provoking and very exciting!

Thank you, Marneta!

Tuesday 11 January 2011

Gift a stranger

What a great way to pay it forward: http://www.giftastranger.net/

A friend of mine emailed me this link, saying it reminded him of me.  It certainly struck a cord!  I remember sending a book to a friend of mine many years ago.  I didn't see her all that often and promptly forgot all about it.  I few months later she got in touch to say she had had a life changing experience and a random book she had been sent had really touched her life.  I had thought I had put a slip in to say it was from me and obviously I didn't - we had a good laugh about it.

It made me appreciate how special it can feel to be sent something without knowing who or where it has come from.  It helps to restore your faith in humanity and the universe, whether you are the sender or the recipient!  A great way of giving and receiving simultaneously!

There is peace in sharing and appreciating that together we have what we need.

Saturday 8 January 2011

Essence

“And waking towards dawn, meditation was the splendour of light for the otherness was there, in an unfamiliar room. Again it was an imminent and urgent peace, not the peace of politicians or of the priests nor of the contented; it was too vast to be contained in space and time, to be formulated by thought or feeling.

meditation was the very essence of life.”

Wednesday 5 January 2011

Peace in unusual places

Today I discovered peace in a tuba!  A local brass band has set up a session for complete beginners and I would certainly say I am that!  It was fabulous to try out something so different, and to appreciate the importance that breathing consistently plays...

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Peace is...

“Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away."

Robert Fulgham 


I like the idea that is is something you give away - I like the idea of 'paying it forward'.  Thank you, Robert!

Monday 3 January 2011

Freedom to choose

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.         
Viktor E. Frankl (incredible man - Man's Search for Meaning is very inspiring)

I love this quote as it reminds me of my freedom to choose.  I find it challenging, facinating and enlightening to practice finding that space.  It is a wonderous place to learn about ourselves, our assumptions, values and beliefs.  It also gives us the opportunity to rewrite our own story, and genuinely change our behaviour as a result.

There is peace in power and freedom.  Powerful stuff!  Thank you, Viktor!

Sunday 2 January 2011

So what can I actually do?

I love the idea that there are 3 simple things that are always in our power to do, that will help us to start with ourselves:

  1. Breathe deeply
  2. Drink more water
  3. Reach for a slightly better feeling
I have found my breath is a helpful indication of how connected I am feeling with peacefullness.  I have found breathing deeply is so helpful in so many situations, where I would otherwise felt out of control or powerless.

I notice myself that I often have a little nagging feeling that turns out to be thirst, and my lips are a good indicator as to how successful I have been in remembering to drink more water.

I like to try experimenting with all the different ways I can perceive a situation, and look for a way that feels slightly better.  There are some great examples of reframing in NLP (neuro-lingustic programming) which highlight there is no right or wrong - just our perception of a situation.

For example, you see a man pushing an old lady to the floor.  You label him a evil villan.  You then notice he is pushing her out of the way of a falling piano.  You label him a hero for saving her.  Is he either of these?  Or both?  His action has remained the same and how you view that action has changed...

What would you like to try in your own life?

With thanks to Esther Hicks, and her book and CD 'Getting into the Vortex', which suggests beautifully the 3 simple steps outlined above.

Saturday 1 January 2011

Creating True Peace

Thich Nhat Hanh is such an inspiring writer!  I love his book 'Creating True Peace', where he explains the importance of starting with ourselves first, and the influence this can have on our families, communities and the world.  So often we want others to be different in order for us to be able to be, do or say what we want.  And actually we can start our pilgramage back to our true nature now.  Small steps now in the right direction lead to significant inner transformation over time.

The UNESCO Manifesto For a Culture of Peace and Non-violence is in the back and is a great reminder of simple participation that can have enormous influence.

A lovely intention for the start of 2011!