Life and Living

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Black Friday: do you like to receive gifts at no cost?

Black Friday is nearly upon us again. Where has that year gone…

Is your inbox filling up with offers for Black Friday. Mine is without doubt. Have I been so click happy all year that I am now on so many email lists that I lost count?

My inbox is so full that I am finding it difficult to sift out the work and family emails from those that offer me a gift. It is driving me crazy.

When someone comes into your life unexpectedly, look for the gift that person has come to receive from you. To come into someone’s life is a privilege and comes with a purpose. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Brexit: why is there so much anger?

 

On the evening that news was breaking of Mrs May, UK Prime Minister, agreeing to a draft Brexit deal, I was driving to see friends who live a 1.5 hour drive away. I listened to Mrs May’s speech outside Downing street and the immediate reaction on the journey out. On the drive back I listened to a late night chat show with members of the public giving their views.

What I noted was an overwhelming emotion of anger. All were angry – the extreme Remainers, the extreme Brexiteers and everything in between. How could all be angry with the same deal? Mrs May has an unenviable job of trying to draw people together to reach an agreement. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Remembrance Sunday: what is the value of remembering the past?

On Remembrance Sunday 2018 in the Tower of London around 10,000 candles were lit in the dry moat to remember those who fell in World War 1.

The event started with smoke drifting as in the battle fields of France.

A single flame was carried from the Tower. The flame was passed across the field, slowly the candles were lit to represent those who had fallen.

Eventually the whole Tower was circled with light. It was a moving display with the candle lighters creating shadows on the Tower walls like a tableau of soldiers in ‘no-mans land’ and haunting music was playing. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Feeling tired? Take this simple action to balance your energy

Remembrance Sunday for the end of World War I is this weekend. Personally I had not fully appreciated the scale of the losses and the impact on many communities. I was moved by a map of Newcastle which showed a red dot for each person who died. I was amazed at how many there were in each street. Some households must have lost father and sons. I cannot begin to imagine how you cope with such overwhelming losses.

The ‘Shrouds of the Somme’ exhibit by Rob Heard installed at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London conveys the scale of loss at the Battle of the Somme. There is a sea of shrouded dolls with each one representing an individual whose body was not found after the battle. The figures go on and on and is a poignant reminder of the impact of war. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Life is for living and enjoying

Everybody’s life has its ups and downs. Even in the hardest of lives you can take pleasure in small things.

In a the middle of a busy business day I stepped outside for a few minutes to get some fresh air. Unexpectedly I was given an amazing display of a hawk soaring and swooping in the sky.  I could feel the air rushing in his face and the power of his wings guiding the air current to send him soaring above the hills. It was exhilarating and energizing just to watch.

Of course the hawk was hunting totally oblivious to his audience.  He was doing it with such energy and elegance I am sure he was having a wonderful time. I had to smile at his prowess. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Taking the leap: is fear holding you back?

Typically our lives move forwards in fits and starts. When things are on an even keel, it takes courage to make a change to reach our next phase of personal development. A change can come in many forms, or example; committing to a relationship, having another child or a new job.

Fear can freeze us both mentally and physically. It stops the flow of life. But fear is in the mind and is not real.

Analyse with you mind what you think is the best way forward. Then trust your heart to tell you if it feels right. If your heart answers to the negative – do nothing, stop and consider other options. Your heart and your ‘inner you’ will always know what is right for you. This may not be the same thing as what is right for other people such as parents or partners. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

ABC of love: m is for meditation

Meditation is a precise technique for resting the mind and attaining a state of consciousness that is totally different from the normal waking state. It is the means for fathoming all the levels of ourselves and finally experiencing the centre of consciousness within.                    Swami Rama

Typically people either follow a guided meditation which often visualizes a calm and beautiful place in nature or they focus on their breath – ‘in’ to bring in harmony, new vitality and peace, ‘out’ to release anything that is unwanted or unpleasant. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

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