Transforming 2017 ...Tom Cronin's Mindfulness and Mindvalley

I attended a Mindvalley Master-class webinar yesterday. Mindvalley was founded by  Vishen Lakhiani. It is a company that promotes personal growth and I have discovered some amazing people through attending webinars put on by them. If you would like to find out more about this remarkable company I have added a link:

http://www.mindvalley.com/about.html

The master-class I attended was lead by Tom Cronin. I was drawn to it because I had heard that Tom Cronin teaches meditation and mindfulness which are areas that fascinate me.
It was called "Accessing The Stillness Within."
The title alone had me hooked!
We have such busy lives. All too often my head is filled with circular thoughts and general chatter. At times, when I have been able to clear my mind for a few moments, I have experienced clarity and calmness. This I love. Naturally, with such a peaceful title, I assumed that Tom would be touching on this very area and I was right.
Tom has a website where you can find out more about his work, if you are interested....here's the link:
https://www.tomcronin.com/

Anyway, I learnt that Tom used to work in Finance for 26 years before the imbalance of his life meant that he suffered from anxiety, depression and insomnia. Following a 'wave of panic' he decided to explore ways to feel better and then he discovered meditation.
He explained that meditation forms vary. Some meditation focuses on concentration and some on contemplation. He talked about chanting, affirmations and mantras. His main area of expertise appears to be Transcending Meditation.

My mother took me to a Transcendental meditation class when I was about 10. I had almost completely forgotten about this. Now I remember that I had to give the teacher a weeks pocket money and a bunch of tulips as a donation before I had my session!
 I don't remember much more about the experience but hearing Tom speak did bring back those memories...
Mindfulness is similar to meditation but focuses on being aware of the thoughts that enter your head. Meditation aims to still the mind.
I like doing both as they each have benefits.
These processes help us to realise that we are something more than our thoughts.
Tom guided us through his Golden Heart Meditation which focused on visualising the light of love. It was wonderful.
He also mentioned FEAR- ( Future Events Appearing Real!) This was a great reminder that most of our fears centre around things that we think may happen but possibly never will. The more time we spent in the present, the less anxious we feel.
I thought the master-class was fascinating and uplifting. I will definitely be building more time for meditation into my daily life.
I will let you know of any key insights or discoveries I make through this blog. I would be very interested to hear about your meditation experiences too. feel free to comment in the comments section below.

Transforming 2017

I have been looking back over the different blogs I have created over the years and I thought it would be fun to write some more posts for this blog, 'The Next Chapter...'
Over the next few weeks I will be reviewing some of the incredible Personal Development books that I have been reading. I will blog about the ones that have made such an incredible difference to my life. They have done this by helping me realise that all the ingredients I need for a happy life are tucked away inside me waiting to be released. This is the same for every one of you.
When we come together to share our ideas and insights we have an incredible capacity to change things for the better. We can help others to be happy too.
The theme for this series of blogs is Transformation.
Together we can transform our thoughts, feelings and surroundings, one small step at a time so that we can live our lives to the full.
What do you enjoy doing? What truly makes you happy?
When you have worked this out  spend as much time as possible doing these things and find ways to spread happiness to the people around you.
I am in the process of writing a novel which is centred around a young girl who decides to do what she can do to transform Earth into a happy and peaceful place.
It can be upsetting to learn about unpleasant things that are happening all around us but if you look carefully, I believe you see far more examples of people working to make life better for others.

I am going to miss The Apprentice

I thoroughly enjoyed The Apprentice this year. I found all the candidates pouting and their niggling at one another  hilarious. I really couldn't decide who Lord Sugar would or should choose out of the finalists, it really could have gone either way.
There were moments that completely cracked me up including when poor Solomon got kicked out of an interview and couldn't find the exit.
That is the kind of thing that happens to me.
If I go into an unfamiliar pub, for example, the time will come when I need to visit The Ladies and this is a moment I dread as I am not good at following directions. In the unlikely event I find The Ladies the first time I am told the chances of returning to my seat afterwards without getting horribly lost is very slim.
I have been known to come out of The Ladies and try and enter cupboards or sometimes I follow a corridor convinced I recognise it only to find I emerge in a completely different bar.
I do feel a tinge of regret that the series has ended as I only watch a few TV programmes and the ones I choose entertain me greatly but once they are over I struggle to find a new programme to entertain me as much.
Apparently The Voice is back in January. I do enjoy watching that so I guess I will cope!

See the balloon in the foreground of the photo? That is a Happy Mothers day balloon given to me at Mother's Day by my daughter. It is still going strong!

happy birthday Mum

It would have been my Mum's birthday today. because of this and because it is the Winter Solstice today is always a special day to me.
This morning I got up and walked Ollie in the fields. We bumped into a friend of mine who was walking three dogs, Benji, Blue and Grace. They had a lovely time doing all the despicable things dogs love to do best.
As we walked back through the estate where I live I realised this is probably my last Christmas here.
I like walking Ollie around in the dark looking at all the crazy Christmas lights people have up outside their houses around here at this time of year.
I am definitely ready to move on but I am so glad that I have lived happily here all these years.
I arrived here on  18th December 11 years ago. This is the longest I have lived anywhere.
before moving here I went through a phase of living in private rented accommodation where I had to move almost every year. It has been good to put down roots and stay in one place while my children grew up.
I am excited about the future and am more than ready to move onto the next chapter of my life but that said I find this time of year an excellent opportunity to think about all the great things that have happened in my life so far.

Happy birthday Mum. I know your life had its ups and downs, joys and sorrows but I want  you to know how glad I am that you are my Mum. xxx

a long wait

After work yesterday I did my supermarket shopping, collected Ollie and set off for the caravan. I was nearly there when the traffic ground to a halt. I don't know what they delay was but we stood still for ages. Drivers were getting out of their cars to see what the delay was. We all turned off our engines and waited.
I listened to the radio for some of the time and that helped to pass the time. I love listening to the radio in the car.
Once the traffic slowly started to move I was able to edge slowly to the turn off and arrived at the caravan park a few minutes later.
I was so happy to arrive. Ollie was delighted. He loves being in the car when we are moving but becomes bored and restless when we are parked.
The wait was worth it.
It is so lovely waking up in the caravan. It is so incredibly peaceful there.
I had a lovely time and am eagerly looking forward to going back there again very soon.

never too old to watch the Snowman

Just to prove we are never too old to watch The Snowman I let 4 classes watch the Snowman while working in English today. They were spellbound and some of them were over 16 years old! It was a gamble as they might have thought it 'babyish' but I am happy to say that they didn't they really seemed to enjoy it and many hadn't actually seen it before.
there are certain songs and films that make me feel Christmassy. The Snowman is definitely one of them.
Another film I love is The Greatest Store in the World with Brian Blessed, Dervla Kirwan and Peter Capaldi. I really enjoyed watching that film with my own kids in the 1990's. It is funny and heart warming and reminds me always that 'adventures are best!'

This tree has nothing to do with the post but it is irresistible!

Violence is never the answer.

I have just heard about the children being shot in Pakistan. I feel so sad for the families and for the children themselves.
People have strong views. I believe it is healthy for people to have differing opinions and I value freedom of expression.
Violence is never the answer though.
If someone feels strongly that their view is right they will naturally want other people to agree with them and share their view. This can only be achieved by discussion and an attempt to understand the hopes and fears of others.
Trying to scare people into following you never works and only serves to drive other people away from you.
I really hope that people affected by these recent violent acts are being looked after now.

Dream Chasers

Here's to the dream-chasers of this world, the people who have a dream and never give up until their dream comes true.
The X factor winner and runner up this year had both been trying to make it in the music business for over ten years.
I imagine there were times when they felt like giving up but they kept going and look what they have achieved.
Music doesn't have to be your passion but if you have something you wish to achieve in your life, go for it and don't let anyone put you off or tell you it can't be done!
Some dreams take years to build and achieve but you are on Earth for a certain, unknown number of years, why not spend them aiming for the stars?

The Top Ten Things Dead People Want To Tell You

Mike Dooley has written this book. I have just finished reading it and I have to tell you it is one of the most beautiful and thought provoking books that I have ever read in my life.
Many of the things he wrote about are the very things I have spent years pondering and many of the explanations he gives I feel instinctively to be true.

Earlier today I took Ollie out for a walk across the fields. It was a frosty, crisp morning which always makes Ollie playful and silly. He runs about, chasing his tail. he is a reminder not to take life too seriously!

Now I have my fairy lights up in my room, they are twinkling invitingly and I am all cosy, writing my Christmas cards.
There are  many things about winter that are beautiful.
I have iced my Christmas cake and cooked lunch.
Roast potatoes are just what is needed at this time of year and I have just eaten a plate load.
Yes it suddenly feels that Winter has definitely arrived and we all get to celebrate the good bits!

lovely surprises

I was woken up this morning by my phone. I answered it sleepily and it was my lovely daughter phoning to say she is making me a birthday cake for when I visit her later this month. She told me this just before starting her early nursing shift.
Yesterday I got home from work to find that someone has posted me an amazon gift card. It didn't say who this was from so now I have a lovely mystery on my hands.
Lovely surprises like this make such a difference in life.
It was wonderful enough to wake up in my caravan, knowing Ollie and I have a fun day ahead.
What a great start to the weekend.

mulled wine

Yes, I know it's early but I saw it in Morrisons and it pleaded with me to buy it. I bought it, brought it home then it pleaded with me to have a glass and so I did.
Very nice too.
It's beginning to feel like Christmas.
I have had the work Christmas dinner. I have made my Christmas cake and Christmas pudding. I have eaten sprouts. Tomorrow at work everyone is wearing their Christmas jumpers.
What can I say?

weather bombs and Christmas dinner!

It was very cold when I got up this morning and it took a while to defrost the car before setting off for work. Other than this the weather was unremarkable in this part of the country. In other parts of the country apparently the UK experienced a 'weather bomb.'
I know now that this involves severe storms but the puzzling thing for me is I have never heard this term used to describe weather before.
Have I just not been listening to all the other forecasts warning us of such an event or have the weather people just invented the term?
Another significant occurrence today was the school Christmas dinner which was delicious.
I love roast potatoes, especially when they are cooked by anyone other than me!
I arrived home after work today and took Ollie out for a walk. Many houses on my estate are bedecked with flashing Christmas lights. When I arrived back at my house there was a Christmas float doing the rounds, broadcasting Christmas songs. Santa was waving  and people were rattling charity buckets.
Christmas feels well and truly around the very next corner!

I absolutely love calendars!

I ordered a photo calendar for 2015, it arrived today.
It has some of my favourite photos from the last year or so featured in the 12 months.
I can't wait to put it up along with the Wanderers Haven Animal  Sanctuary calendar Graham has bought me.
I am very good about waiting for the correct month before looking at the photo!
I love the calendars I have been using in 2014. I get excited on the first day of each month to see what the photo is going to be.
I have always been like this. At work a few years ago my friend Debbie and I would walk down to the staffroom together to see which cute baby animal was featured on that particular month.
Over the years people have bought me such wonderful calendars. They are honestly one of my favourite things!

Dashing through December with North Star Callers!

I can honestly remember in the summer thinking how far away Christmas was. It was a lovely, sunny day and I distinctly remember thinking that winter felt a long way off.
It took quite a while to get cold this year so until recently it hadn't really felt like Winter had arrived at all.
Now, all of a sudden we are almost a third of the way through December, and there is talk of snow on the mountains.
The children at the various schools in the land are all getting excited now and on radio one they have the North Star Caller. This is such a sweet feature. Father Christmas phones a young listener and basically talks to them about Christmas and what they would like for Christmas. They have such lovely conversations. it is so cute and also funny. One of the young listeners told Father Christmas he would like a chainsaw for Christmas. I think he was about 4 years old! let's hope he doesn't receive that particular gift!

lovely weekend

I have just had a lovely weekend. I went to my caravan on Friday evening and enjoyed a glass of wine with the twinkling of the fairy lights in the background. On Saturday, Ollie and I went to Graham's and Graham and I made a Christmas cake and pudding each. This inspired Graham to put up his Christmas lights and then we had friends round.
We also had a very enjoyable Indian takeaway.
The weather was beautiful this morning, sunny and relatively warm. The dogs enjoyed a lovely walk in the hills. Us too!
It had become duller and cooler by the time I drove home.
The Dartford Crossing is weird without the toll booths.
I guess we will all adjust to the many changes in life.

I really like the sky in this photograph.

George Ezra,red wine, a New York fairytale, a wing mirror, a house offer and Halfords!

What a roller-coaster of a day!
Right...
I got up early and drove to school but got there late due to traffic jams. (Thanks heavens for the calming voice of George Ezra singing his heart out on Radio One this morning.)
I got to work eventually and things went well.
The plan was I drive home promptly after work as another person was due to view the house. I decided to set off home early as yesterday it took me 2 hours to drive home. ( It usually takes less than an hour.)
Anyway, I realised the bulb had gone on my headlight  so before setting off I phoned my local Halfords and checked when time they shut and that they had a bulb in stock. While doing this
I noticed a missed call. It turns out a gentleman has made an acceptable offer on my house so I have joyfully accepted!
I drove home happy. I spotted another missed call when i arrived home. The viewer had cancelled, which was fine. I walked Ollie then set off for Halfords. It was my priority but someone coming the other way on the narrow road leading out of my estate was determined to drive through first, and fast.
They hit my wing mirror and the glass fell out. I put my hazards on to alert other drivers something was wrong and tried to get out of the car to see if I could recover the mirror.
The other driver did not stop and nor did several drivers. I really thought someone would drive over and smash the mirror.
Luckily for me they didn't.
I recovered the mirror and drove to Halfords. They fit a new bulb and managed to fix the mirror back on which is just as well as apparently a replacement unit would have been costly.
The man who fitted the mirror and bulb was lovely and compensated for the less helpful motorists that I experienced today.
I decided to buy the ingredients for my Christmas cake and pudding on the way home along with a lovely glass of celebratory red wine for tonight.
I heard Fairytale of New York today on the radio~ so yes, it is definitely Christmas,
I love that song,
Cheers everyone.

Such a moving tribute

I listened to the radio today. It reported that Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke broke down in tears when he paid tribute to Phillip Hughes at his funeral.
It was a very moving tribute as he spoke from the heart. 
This started me thinking about all the people who are passionate about what they do and what a difference they make to others.
You don't have to be famous to make a difference. 
For me the key is whatever you do needs to mean something to you. If you do what you are passionate about you make a real difference to the world.

More viewings

Another person came to view my house this evening. Ollie was delighted as he got to see the Estate Agent again. He greeted him like an old friend.
If you think about it the Agent has been let into my house on a regular basis over the past few weeks.
To Ollie that makes him family!
Luckily the Agent took it all in his stride. He has two dogs of his own so it didn't phase him.
I have another potential viewing later this week too so things are back off to a good start.


I love this picture. It has nothing to do with the post but I like to do that sometimes!

Christmas has appeared!

Christmas is popping up everywhere. Radio One 'switched on' Christmas this morning!
On my estate the flashing Christmas lights are appearing.
In my house and caravan a few decorations have popped up and my daughter has put up a lovely display in her house judging by the photos.
I love Christmas. I try not to get too caught up in the commercial aspects. I really enjoy cooking and eating the food and  I try to achieve a lovely balance between being peaceful and reflective and spending time having fun with my loved ones.
I had my first Christmas card from a pupil at school today, I was very touched.
The radio has started playing Christmas songs so there is no going back, Christmas is well and truly on its way!
 Christmas is cool for cats!

interesting day

I have just come back from meeting up with my friend Paul and a group of his friends. It is great meeting positive new people.
I got home and took Ollie on his walkies. It is a mild day which is quite incredible for November.
It was lovely spending time over at my caravan yesterday too. It is just so incredibly peaceful there. I put up some Christmas decorations there and also tidied the house and put up some decorations here too.
Next week I am going buy the ingredients for my Christmas cake and pudding and then I will really feel I have prepared myself for the holiday.
It is December tomorrow. I like December. It is a time for reflection and celebration. I used to dread November. It has been quite a sad month for my family at times. My Granddad on my Mum's side and my Mum both died in the month of November in different years and that may be why I have associated November with feelings of sadness but I don't feel that way any more. I have found this month has had its fair share of happiness and good memories.
What a busy year it has been!

My daughters first Christmas in her first flat a few years ago.