Tuesday, November 30, 2010

365 Days, Day 176



Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow (Jeff Valdez)

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather (John Ruskin)

When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels (Author unknown)

It snowed overnight: we woke up to a wonderful white world outside. Ariél and I took Lily for her first ever walk in the snow. She didn’t quite know what to make of it first. She thought we had given her something white and crunchy to eat, so she was frantically trying to eat as much snow as she could. But soon gave up when she realised that she could not eat her way through a whole field of white cold, crunchy stuff. Her tongue probably got a bit cold too.

It was exhilarating walking in the snow, our walk was over an hour long and Lily just did not get tired. She was shivering a bit by the time we got home. After warming up a bit, we drove into town to the library and to the bank. In Queen’s Square there were some 6th formers ‘protesting’… we did not think much of their protest, as it was nothing like we are used in South Africa. There was a rabble of noise and some singing of lewd songs and sheering, but no toy-toying or rampaging or looting...It was a bit feeble! (hehe)

It was cold out, but rather fun to walk in the falling snow. We tried to catch some snowflakes on our tongues, but did not really manage to catch anything, other than funny looks from passersby.

I baked mince pies today! Mom sent me some of her home-made fruit mincemeat (with Ariél - she had it in her suitcase, desperately hoping it would not explode all over her clothing!) and I made pastry myself. They have come out rather nice, BUT not as nice as mom’s! I think the pastry was not rolled out thin enough. I will have to make my own mincemeat now and practice a few more times.

Ariél made the comment that it seems more Christmas-y here with the cold and snow. She is right; it does seem to be like the Christmases we grew up with in storybooks and on films…

Monday, November 29, 2010

365 Days, Day 175


For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

(Words by Audrey Hepburn written when asked to share her 'beauty tips.' It was read at her funeral years later)

Five tips for a woman....

1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.

2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.

3. It is important to find a man you can count on! And doesn't lie to you.

4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.

5. It is important that these four men don't know each other. (haha)

Today’s entry is meant to be light-hearted. I will add some of my own “tips” to Audrey Hepburn (with apologies).

For attractive lips – wear bright red lippie!

For lovely eyes, add a few strokes of “Prowl” – some gorgeous sparkly mascara we found. And smile from your heart, as if you mean it and your eyes will reflect this.

For a slim figure, do the housework yourself and take Lily for walkies twice a day. Have chocolate now and then, but not too much…

For beautiful hair – add a dash of colour! (what else could I say)

For poise, pull your navel back to your spine, lift your head high and smile from your heart and strut. Don’t let anyone guess how nervous or anxious you may feel, just Strutt!

People… I agree with A.H. here. Everyone needs a boost sometime, and a smile costs you nothing, so let your heart speak.

Hands are for touching, feeling, loving, washing, scrubbing, drawing, sewing, making, playing, healing, massaging. I love hands and their power.

The tips about a man: I have 1 – 4 all in one man, Tom! Lucky me!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

365 Days, Day 174

There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle (Deepak Chopra)

So now it is time to disassemble the parts of the jigsaw puzzle or to piece another one together, for I find that, having come to the end of my story, my life is just beginning (Conrad Veidt)

Our lives are like complicated jigsaw puzzles. Sometimes all the pieces are in the right place and slot together perfectly. Other times, the pieces seem to be missing (oh no! Lily must have run off with them and chewed them!). The thing to do then is to walk away. Take a step backwards. Don’t even think about the Puzzle for a while. Just be. Breathe. Focus on other things than the puzzle of Life.

One of my favourite TV series is Black Books. In the first episode Manny accidentally swallows The Little Book of Calm and he has a halo of calmness from within. Very funny. You have to watch it to appreciate what I am talking about here.

When you have had time-out, return to your Puzzle and approach your Puzzle with a halo of calmness. The pieces will start appearing and fitting together effortlessly.

If I knew years ago, what I know now my life would have been quite different. I would have approached things in a calmer, more spiritual way. But I guess the pieces of the Puzzle only appear when they are ready to be slotted into our Lives.

I wonder if there is actually a Little Book of Calm

Saturday, November 27, 2010

365 Days, Day 173

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit (Albert Schweitzer)

Come Fairies, take me out of this dull world, for I would ride with you upon the wind and dance upon the mountains like a flame! (William Butler Yeats)

Tom showed Ariél the magic of burning steel wool. I watched through the window: it was far too cold for me to venture outside.

But it did make me think about putting the magic back into everyday things and seeing with eyes of a child. So I am putting on my Genie’s rose-coloured glasses… and am going to look at and think about things differently, with a brand new flame.

Friday, November 26, 2010

365 Days, Day 172

There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those (Michael Nolan)

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, don't put up with those who are reckless with yours (Mary Schmich)

Have a strong mind and a soft heart (Anthony J. D'Angelo)

I have been giving Ariél Reiki most days. Part of Reiki is the flow of energy to balance the chakras. I know I am losing some of you here (airy-fairy nonsense…) – but give it a try, read on. It will make for interesting coffee-break reading, if nothing else…

HEART CHAKRA - FOURTH CHAKRA

Located near the centre of the breastbone or sternum, this chakra represents higher consciousness and love. The Heart chakra is associated with the heart, thymus gland, lower lung and circulatory system.

The heart chakra acts as the balance point for all the chakras. It governs our relationships and how we interact with other people. A balanced heart chakra is expressed in acceptance of self and others, personal values and ethics, following one's unique direction in life.

A balanced Heart Chakra means expansion, freedom and growth.

Some signs that the Heart Chakra is out of balance are:

* Lack of self discipline

* Difficulty in relationships

* An attempt to live vicariously through another

* Dependence on someone else for your happiness

Chakras have their origin in ancient Indian medicine. They are whorls of energy. We have 7 main chakras.

I send Reiki love to you all, to keep your chakras in balance.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

365 Days, Day 171


Remember, there are no mistakes, only lessons. Love yourself, trust your choices, and everything is possible (Cherie Carter-Scott)

One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes ... and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility (Eleanor Roosevelt)

Choices.

Everyday we have tiny choices and big choices. Our whole day is mapped out in choices. Some choices are minor ones that may not affect anybody other than ourselves. Some are bigger choices, which may have a ripple effect on many lives. Like our choice to come and live in the UK…

Out of our comfort zones - we are forging new lives. Some days are more difficult than others, some days melt into one another. Some days are good and we can acknowledge that ‘this’ is why we made the choice to move here.

Sometimes Lily makes the choice to rub herself in horse or bobbit droppings… and then she has to face the consequences: getting a bath when she gets home!

I am going to make the choice after writing this blog of: going and having a lovely warm bath to warm up my extremities! It is rather chilly here at the moment. I would like to have the choice of eating one of my favourite chocolates (elephant chocs) BUT I do not have any, so that is Hobson's choice!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

365 Days, Day 170



[This nonsense rhyme should be READ ALOUD]

Two old Bachelors were living in one house;

One caught a Muffin, the other caught a Mouse.

Said he who caught the Muffin to him who caught the Mouse,--

'This happens just in time! For we've nothing in the house,

'Save a tiny slice of lemon and a teaspoonful of honey,

'And what to do for dinner -- since we haven't any money?

'And what can we expect if we haven't any dinner,

'But to loose our teeth and eyelashes and keep on growing thinner?'

Said he who caught the Mouse to him who caught the Muffin,--

'We might cook this little Mouse, if we had only some Stuffin'!

'If we had but Sage and Onion we could do extremely well,

'But how to get that Stuffin' it is difficult to tell'--

Those two old Bachelors ran quickly to the town

And asked for Sage and Onions as they wandered up and down;

They borrowed two large Onions, but no Sage was to be found

In the Shops, or in the Market, or in all the Gardens round.

But some one said, -- 'A hill there is, a little to the north,

'And to its purpledicular top a narrow way leads forth;--

'And there among the rugged rocks abides an ancient Sage,--

'An earnest Man, who reads all day a most perplexing page.

'Climb up, and seize him by the toes! -- all studious as he sits,--

'And pull him down, -- and chop him into endless little bits!

'Then mix him with your Onion, (cut up likewise into Scraps,)--

'When your Stuffin' will be ready -- and very good: perhaps.'

Those two old Bachelors without loss of time

The nearly purpledicular crags at once began to climb;

And at the top, among the rocks, all seated in a nook,

They saw that Sage, a reading of a most enormous book.

'You earnest Sage!' aloud they cried, 'your book you've read enough in!--

'We wish to chop you into bits to mix you into Stuffin'!'--

But that old Sage looked calmly up, and with his awful book,

At those two Bachelors' bald heads a certain aim he took;--

and over crag and precipice they rolled promiscuous down,--

At once they rolled, and never stopped in lane or field or town,--

And when they reached their house, they found (besides their want of Stuffin',)

The Mouse had fled; -- and, previously, had eaten up the Muffin.

They left their home in silence by the once convivial door.

And from that hour those Bachelors were never heard of more.

Edward Lear (English landscape Painter and Writer of an original kind of nonsense verse. The populariser of the limerick. 1812-1888)

In my photo I have caught the mouse eating the muffin! However, this little mouse actually made the muffin that she ate. We bought some fresh blueberries, and Ariél made blueberry muffins for us.

We watched part of a documentary about Roald Dahl recently. This rhyme about muffins reminded me of that. I love his use of nonsense words like snozzcumbers, whizzpoppers and frobscottle (from the BFG). I am such a child! A favourite rhyme of mine is I knew an Old Woman. I still know all the words!

Ariél and Tom were trying to determine the difference between muffins and cupcakes. I think they decided that cupcakes had pretty icing and decorations on top, and muffins had interesting things inside… I prefer cupcakes to muffins – I am enticed by the “cover” and presentation.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

365 Days, Day 169

If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden (Claudia Ghandi)

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read and all the friends I want to see (John Burroughs)

May brooks and trees and singing hills

Join in the chorus too,

And every gentle wind that blows

Send happiness to you.

~Irish Blessing

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh!" he whispered. "Yes, Piglet?" "Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you." (A.A. Milne)

Some things in our lives are constants, some are forever changing. Life seems to get in the way of things that we want to do. But I am taking this opportunity to write to you: to say “Thank you” for being You - My friends and family who are my ‘constants’ even when I am not there with you, when I am getting on with Life and am ‘faraway’. Thank you for indulging me the way I am.

I send you happiness and love on every gentle (and not so gentle) breeze that blows. Sometime when you feel a little tickle of a breeze on your cheek: that’s me, taking your hand – saying “Nothing, it’s just me checking in.”

[Off to rehearsal again tonight…]

365 Days, Day 168

Couldn’t get into the blog at all yesterday! Was a busy day: ‘taught’ at Oriel, came home, had some coffee then went to Tescos Off to fetch Tom from work. Came home, had a quick supper, then off to rehearsal.

I'm a Hollywood writer, so I put on my sports jacket and take off my brain (Ben Hech)

This is Lily in her walking jacket. She has not quite got used to it yet: she was off-leash and running on the golf course, she tried to make a turn during her run and somehow ended up with her face doing a circle in the mud while her back legs kept running. Very amusing for us. She got her own back by doing her business, which I had to carry in a bag until I found the next bin!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

365 Days, Day 167


Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared (Buddha - Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)

Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life (Buddha)

You know you're getting old when you get that one candle on the cake. It's like, "See if you can blow this out!” (Jerry Seinfeld)

When we visited Miami, Florida, the first time, I remember being enthralled by the aromas of scented candles. Smell was being toyed with and captured in candles back in 1994. It was absolutely delightful. Today I am still enchanted by fragranced candles. I spend ages picking up each flavour and sniffing. We light our fragranced candles all the time.

Some of my Reiki sessions with Ariél have lit candles to enhance a relaxed feeling. Though I probably don’t need that extra touch with Ariél, as she falls asleep anyway. Today during the Reiki session Lily was bounding about on the bed, then she leapt off dashed off to Tom and barked and 'spoke' to him for a bit. Tik-tik-tik – she was back on the bed with Ariél attacking a slipper, then suddenly climbed onto Ariél’s legs and fell fast asleep. She probably gets more indirect Reiki than any other dog around!

During the many hours of power cuts that we had in South Africa, we made use of candles. A memorable occasion was when Kyle and Roarke were trying to finish off a Matric art project for the next day and the power went out. Candles were lit and we worked in the dining room, Ariél and I helping to paste in. Kyle was working with sewing patterns as a background on each of his pages. The wispy paper somehow flicked the candle flame. The flame shot across the sheet of pattern paper. I grabbed it and threw it on the tiles and started stamping on it and shouting “oooh oooh oooh!” Panic-mode!

We have it on video! Roarke and Kyle at one of their many Birthdays blowing out their candles. It’s Kyle’s turn to be sung to – he just sits there and smiles happily. Then it’s Roarke’s turn: he sits there, smiles… then realises the power he holds in his hands! The minions are singing to him! He does a flick of the head and becomes this imperious little emperor observing his followers singing to him. He is so cute!

Candles are magic, their light completely changes the mood of a space for me. I am beguiled by romantic candlelight dinners; I am relaxed and calmed in a room of flickering candles; a candlelit bath with rose petals in the water and relaxing music playing softly is a little piece of heaven for me [I miss my blue bath…]

Saturday, November 20, 2010

365 Days, Day 166

I will show you a love potion without drug or herb, or any witch's spell; if you wish to be loved, love (Author unknown)

The magic is within us…

Today we went down to Horsham to visit our storage container. There are two little ‘rooms’ on the third floor, piled with our boxes. We went to find the pasta machine. Instead the giggles and mirth burst forth when we came across Jack’s little brass name tag(!), a partially chewed dog toy (we brought it home to Lily who ripped out all the stuffing within two minutes, now there is a just a sad empty shell of a unicorn), and a decapitated father Christmas!

I was delighted to find my zebra cloak and my overlocker. It was like being a child at Christmas – all these boxes to explore! It was also rather frustrating because the boxes are pile on top of one another and you have no idea what is in the boxes below.

Our fun was brought to an abrupt end, with a friendly reminder that we had only half an hour before they locked up the storage. We came home with our laden with a couple of bits and bobs: black and purple cloak, toy for Lily, Red outfit from an RLT play, Tom’s high pressure washer, my purple fur bed cover and one purple cushion (have no idea where we will find the other one!), a box of random kitchen cutlery, Tom’s hunting jacket and my overlocker. No pasta machine. It remains hidden in a box.

[Was it only me who found this fun? Sometimes I fear that I am the only child-like one around: I am indulged by my family]

Tom managed to damage his finger heavy a heavy steel plate, not much fun especially when your fingers are frozen to start with.

We wandered down the high street of Horsham and bought some fresh pasta for our supper. Dashed back home in time for me to go to rehearsal, where only a sprinkling of the cast arrived to rehearse. Quite worrying…

Ariél is off to work later this evening, so our little family’s paths have merged only briefly (and parted quite a bit) today.

I don’t need potions or herbs or witches’ spells: the child is within and I let it out to play, regularly. I wish to be loved, so I love…

Friday, November 19, 2010

365 Days, Day 165

If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular? (Author unknown)

If God wanted us to be naked, why did he invent sexy lingerie? (Shannen Doherty)

When in doubt, wear red (Bill Blass)

Lingerie, my favourite!

When I was at Findhorn, and the object of P’s fancy, I think I shocked her by telling her that she had a wonderful cleavage and should invest in a good bra. No more sad, grey knickers and bras: she had to go and buy something pretty and feminine that would make the best of her bosom! She had not really given her body much thought or care in recent months (even years, she said). Hopefully she took my advice and went out and bought some sexy lingerie – just for herself!

Even if no-one else sees your lingerie – just wearing it makes you feel good, which makes you look good! That’s my theory.

Beauty with Cruelty was a theme of my Barbie-binding project. I researched the history of the corset and bras.

The woman of the 1840s in her corset… “the less natural her appearance, the more seductive she became. Her body hidden under a great quantity of fabric trimmed with ribbons and frills. Laced, fastened, and buttoned into the complexities of her dress, she simultaneously offered and withheld herself. And behind the mask of the woman’s parade outfit was her body, as soft and white as could be desired” (Fontanel, B. A history of corsets and bras p58).

Unfortunately for these women beauty came with a price – very often the corsets caused physical damage and deformity: Beauty with Cruelty.

Today’s corsets can be quite uncomfortable if they are well-boned. They give one a fantastic shape though. I can understand why the women (and men) of the past were enticed by the hourglass figure!

I have decided that the Genie in the pantomime will wear red (see quote above). And instead of going the Arabian genie route, this Genie might well wear a corset! Not sure how this will go down with the wardrobe mistress who had ideas of me wearing a bra top and see-through harem trousers (what!!??). This Genie will be drop-dead Red!

Right so now I have to set about making a red pair of trousers? or skirt? Hmmm sewing machine and scissors out – I have work to do!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

365 Days, Day 164

No wonder you're late. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow (C S Lewis. Mad Hatter: Alice in Wonderland)

Curiouser and curiouser! (C S Lewis. Alice: Alice in Wonderland)

Today was time for going to the hairdresser. Ariél and I had colour and cut at a little out-of-the-way salon in Brighton. [The appointment was for yesterday, but I had to go and teach, so appointment had to be postponed].

A very effeminate young man had his long locks cut off while we were there. The poor man was crying because he hadn’t really wanted to cut his hair, but as he was going for an interview (cabin crew) he had to conform. I remember when I cut my beautiful hair short. I was ready to do it – I did not cry. But I mourned the loss of my hair for ages afterwards. When Ariél was about four she insisted that she wanted her long hair cut, much against Tom’s wishes we went and had it cut. Tom nearly had a heart attack when he came home and saw her with short hair. I was in the dog box for a few days! The young man at the salon today did actually look better with short hair.

The wind was howling outside in the street, passersby seemed to be whipped past the window with bags being pulled and riffled about. Those with brollies were hurtled by as their umbrellas took on a life of their own in the buffeting winds.

When we came to pay a few hours later, our stylists and colourist (!) had to confer in lowered voices about our bills. It was curiouser and curiouser!

We joined the wet, windblown pedestrians and made our way to the parking lot.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

365 Days, Day 163

"Will you walk into my parlour?"

Said the spider to a fly:

"Tis the prettiest little parlour

That ever you did spy."

(Mary Howitt)

Everything that deceives may be said to enchant (Plato)

sugar·coat

1. To cause to seem more appealing or pleasant: a sentimental treatment that sugercoats a harsh reality.

Our little strawberry plant was sugar-coated with frost in the early morning. It looked like its little hairs were standing up.

When Ariel was little when she noticed one day that I had goose bumps, she said, “Oh look mommy: your fur is waking up!” So the strawberry plant’s fur was definitely waking up (from the cold). And the deception that was created by the frost was certainly enchanting…

Last year the Winter Wonderland of snow here in the UK was definitely enchanting and deceiving. It looked so beautiful out, covered in pretty white snow. Hmm, the cold was lurking in wait to bite your exposed skin. And the ice was quite treacherous to the unwary. As careful as I was, in a momentary loss of concentration, I slipped and fell with a crash to the ground.

So lesson no. 5673: Beware of the sugar-coatings in Life!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

365 Days, Day 162


Then take me disappearin' through the smoke rings of my mind

Down the foggy ruins of time, far past the frozen leaves

The haunted, frightened trees, out to the windy beach

Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow

Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free

Silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands

With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves

Let me forget about today until tomorrow.

(Bob Dylan, from Mr Tambourine Man)

I went out early with Lily for her morning ablutions. She was slightly taken aback by the crispy white grass. I had to pick her up and carry her onto it. The frost was delightfully crunchy underfoot and was Lily’s new favourite experience. We discovered that the bird bath water had frozen over. Lily was delighted by this and munched happily on frozen water and leaves.

The leaves trapped in the ice reminded me of the ice bowls (with rose petals inside) I have made in the past for dinner parties. You can serve ice cream or sorbet (champagne sorbet is particularly delicious) from it. You do have to stand it on a plate as the ice melts quite quickly once removed from the deep freeze. It makes rather a striking serving bowl and conversation piece.

Below is a recipe for champagne sorbet – it is not one I have tried before – my recipe books are still in storage!

Champagne Sorbet Recipe

Ingredients

* 1 1/2 cups sparkling wine or champagne

* 1 cup white granulated sugar

* 1 Tbsp honey

* 1 teaspoon of lemon and or grapefruit zest

* 1 1/2 cups fresh grapefruit juice

* 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (Meyer if you have access to them)

Method

1 Put champagne, sugar, corn syrup, and zest into a saucepan. Bring to a vigorous boil so that the sugar completely dissolves, remove from heat.

2 Strain into a stainless steel bowl (will help cool down faster), add the grapefruit juice and lemon juice. Chill completely. To do this, either place bowl in a larger bowl half-filled with ice water, and stir until champagne solution is completely cold, refreshing the ice in the outer bowl if necessary. Or you can cover with plastic wrap and chill in your refrigerator over night.

3 Process the mixture in your ice cream maker according to the ice cream maker directions. Transfer mixture to a storage container and freezer in your freezer until firm, at least 6 hours.

Lily tired of her new icy experience once her feet got too cold. I am wondering if you can get little snow boots for puppies for winter! Speaking of which – she needs to get a jumper or jacket for her Walkies. Yesterday, the golf course and forest were very wet, the water was splashing up to Lily’s under-carriage as she trotted along. She chased after the crows which lead her on a big circular route (unafraid of her it seems) by flying low, not far above her head, until they tired of the little sausage-noir pursuing them, and would fly off into the woods. Her undercarriage, legs and feet were sopping wet by the end of the walk, and little sausage-noir was shivering. So we think we she needs a woolly jumper.

The frozen leaves were released as the sun melted their icy casing; they lay limp, basking in the wan warmth…

Monday, November 15, 2010

365 Days, Day 161

How does one practice mindfulness? Sit in meditation. Be aware of only your breath (The Buddha)

You only lose what you cling to (Buddha - Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment (The Buddha)

The greatest achievement is selflessness.

The greatest worth is self-mastery.

The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.

The greatest precept is continual awareness.

The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.

The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.

The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.

The greatest generosity is non-attachment.

The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.

The greatest patience is humility.

The greatest effort is not concerned with results.

The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.

The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.

(Atisha)

After a thought provoking discussion with Gill today, I am dwelling on thoughts of Buddhism.

We saw part of a programme on Japanese cooking yesterday. Tom commented how the Eastern traditions of doing things slowly and with mindfulness, are rather beguiling to us Westerners where emphasis is placed on getting things done as quickly as possible.

These two trains of thoughts have prompted today’s entry. I am working on doing things more slowly, living in the moment, letting go of thoughts that are not relevant or necessary to my well-being, being more mindful, doing things with love and good intentions.

Dr Mikao Usui who developed the Reiki system set Five Reiki Precepts for his students to follow:

Just for today:

I will not anger

I will not worry

I will have gratitude

I will work with diligence

I will be kind.

I endeavour to follow these concepts each day now; not as easy as it sounds.