FRIENDSHIPS

What is a friendship? What does the word say to you? We all have friends of course but at different levels of course.

Let’s look at the definition first of all (Oxford English Dictionary):

Friendship: (noun)

The emotions or conduct of friends, the state of being friends

Old ties of love and friendship

An ideal group for finding support and friendship

A relationship between friends

A state of mutual trust and support

In all of the explanations above, the one that resonates with me the most is the: state of mutual trust and support.

Because isn’t that what friends are for?

Personally, I have a huge group of people that I am in contact with: family, neighbors, friends, colleagues, casual acquaintances and so the list goes on.

Recently I got in touch with a group of people who I was at primary school with. Now this is seriously going back a long way. Quite by chance the boy I sat next to at primary school just happened to see some of my work on internet. He sent a message and within several days, we had almost found the whole class again. We have a chat group in Google Hangouts and it’s busy! It was such a lot of fun to make contact with these people again because they were your school friends during a very formative part of your life.  The funny thing he said to me early on in the conversation was the thing he remembered about me most was ‘story time’ which we had every day at school just before the lunch break.

That was the moment just before we went off to eat, school lunches in those days, when someone would tell a story and he said: ‘it was always you!’

Yes, he is right, I always had something to say and still do all these years later.

When the whole group is complete with the exception of one person, the chat went totally berserk because everyone had something to say then! It was ‘catch up time’ telling everyone what you had done in your life since the age of 11. And boy, that is a lot.

I cherish this group of people a lot, why? Because they are part of my life and part of my growing up into adulthood.

Unfortunately, we moved to a new house at the end of my time at primary school and I went off to another area and a completely different Grammar School than all of my friends. And lost contact.

But we are back together on social media, which is fun.

During my life there have always been friends who come and go. I think I should really use the word ‘acquaintances’ because in actual fact my true friends are those, I think I could count on my fingers.  They are the ones who stick with you and give you mutual trust and support. Always have and always will.

During the course of my life and yours’s too, ‘friends’ come and go for sure. Moving means that you go into another surrounding, you lose contact with neighbors. People you chatted to or waved to a lot when you lived there then become a distant memory. Some people may never even get to know all their neighbors, but I would describe myself as a sociable person who can talk a lot. Those of you who know me personally will be laughing and nodding your heads at this !!

When your children go to school you suddenly have a new circle of people who are involved in your life for several years from Monday to Friday. But would you describe them all as friends? True friends?

And then sometimes things occur with friends that you did not see coming at all. You actually thought they were friends but when ‘push comes to shove’ and you need their mutual trust and support, they are not there for you at all. You don’t know why because in your mind nothing has changed in the friendship. Maybe they have changed, got other interests, don’t feel connected with you anymore or even worse they just ignore you. So, what do you do?

Hold your head up high and think, well were they true friends in the first place?  Or spend a long time wondering what went wrong? You may never know the answer, apart from one thing. A true friend would not treat you this way. Yes, we all have our off days, but all the same there comes a certain moment when you realize you have not been in touch. There may be a good reason, or not, you may never know.

That is why I said at the beginning of this blog, you can really count true friends on your fingers. In this day of social media, we all think that we have all sorts of new friends but in fact they are just like us, on the circuit to comment. Often people are judged by the number of friends on Facebook, or the numbers of views or comments on their Instagram. But what is it all worth? Simple answer: nothing at all! But we all attach huge importance to this, and I have no idea why.

Just this morning I noticed someone has left a comment on one of my blog ‘shout out’s’ saying: Hi, pretty lady and a load of romantic emoji’s. Another friend of mine who has a huge number of followers on Instagram say they are sick to death of all the comments. And never reply to any! Very sensible as the golden rule I think is: if you don’t know them personally don’t react. And of course: reaction means action.

But back to friends: have you been thinking about your friends reading this blog and wondering the same questions as I do? Who are your real friends?

It’s food for thought isn’t it and maybe something you don’t ask yourself that much until the moment when a friend does something you did not expect or even worse breaks the friendship for no reason at all.

This happened to me last year. Someone I have been ‘friends’ with for more than 25 years, suddenly disappeared out of my life. She was at the time in the middle of a divorce and had shared so many secrets and confidences with me over the years, but then she got involved with totally the wrong man and was so influenced by him, she dropped everyone including her own family.

It hurt for sure, but in the end, I could see, she was the loser not me.

I have no hard feelings anymore and to be honest I have stopped caring now. I realized that she was in fact not a true friend at all.  And I don’t miss her anymore. 

Also ‘friends’ change. They suddenly become distant because they live in circles which they think are higher and more important. Their ego comes into the equation. I think actually the words I am looking for here are:  status and snobbery. They suddenly feel that they are better than you. There may be a huge number of years and memories shared but it happens so fast, you actually do not know what has hit you. The big question is why have they changed? Is it their own lack of self-worth? Do they feel that they have to prove themselves? I really don’t know. But one thing is for sure, they were not true friends really.

Several of what I would call as my true friends are people I have known for a long time. The ones who call you up and you pick up the conversation as if you had spoken yesterday. They are the ones you can call on in a case of emergency because you know they will be there for you. They are the ones you can really be yourself with, laugh and cry with them. There will never ever be any judgement, comment (apart from useful loving ones) or moments when you feel that they don’t care. To my mind these friends are what I would describe as soul friends. They are with you through thick and thin. Always!

I hope you like me have a number of true friends in your life. They are important and you should cherish them each and every day.

Writing this made me think that when the blog is published, I will pick up and phone and ring my oldest (read: longest) friend and ask how she is doing.

Why don’t you do that today?

Images and quotes: Google

WHOOSH INTO FEBRUARY ALREADY?

Do you like me, feel you are wondering where January has nearly gone? Doesn’t it seem only five minutes ago we were all eagerly awaiting the move into a new decade and a new year 2020. Is time flying? It sure is!

I have no idea where the month has gone to be honest. The only thing I noticed personally was around the last few days of December 2019 something changed. It was as if I had moved into the fast lane. Having had, as you all know a tough year, it was time to get going again and at speed. I remember at the time remarking to my friends that this had happened and that they would all have to keep up with me! Some of them laughed at me, thinking, yes, sure….

But it has actually happened of that I am convinced. Because after literally months, well more than a year actually of intense physiotherapy every week, suddenly something shifted, and I was able to do things again which were so incredibly painful. My knee suddenly straightened meaning I could walk with more ease.

It is painful to straighten and we (the physiotherapist and I had to agree beforehand) that this was the way forward and when she applies the pressure, I have to grit my teeth, you can literally hear it creaking and cracking.  The new knee joint I mean.

But we have seen and proven, it changed, something happened, and I have made more progress in this month so far that the previous months of last year. As I said, moving into the fast lane and keep up with me everyone.

To me it feels as if I have sort of missed January completely. The weather is not good, misty grey and cold with stormy winds and rain. I would much prefer a sunny frosty month. Snow OK if I don’t have to go out and I won’t be doing that if we have any, but that sharpness of the beginning of the year. It has in fact been so exceptionally mild that people have been suffering with hay fever from the catkins on the trees, spring flowers are appearing much earlier than usual. And we are still not confirming the fact that global warming is actually happening?

But I am deviating as I wanted to talk about whether or not you feel the same too. Do you see yourself still standing there in your mind on NYE celebrating the coming of a new decade and whoosh, you are nearly at the end of the month? A few more days and we are into February with a leap year too, so 29 days instead of 28.

A lot of people have been saying the same and I am not trying to repeat what they say, just add in and say I agree. Huge astrological happenings with major planets conjuncting. Changing from the sign of Capricorn into Aquarius. People have also been talking too about the so called ‘Age of Aquarius’ that is happening now, but to be honest I think and agree with what someone said recently, the Age of Aquarius has been underway for quite some time now. Even going back to the 60’s and 70’s. It has just shifted I think, again moving into the fast lane.

We are all changing lanes for sure, maybe not paths but speeding up. It is almost as if you decided on NYE to get on the most thrilling, longest and fastest rollercoaster ride. You stepped into the car, put down the safety bar and before you felt you could catch your breath, the cars started to move at such speed that you really have not even had a decent view of the surrounding area. It is that fast and sometimes you feel like shouting out aloud: ‘Stop! I want to get off’ But that is not an option, you got in and you are staying on until it stops. But when will that be? Is it a moment when the entire planet, or galaxy undergoes a huge shift in human consciousness?

This shift in human consciousness is something people have been talking about for some time. I don’t mean in the newspapers or on the television news, but from influencers, visionaries, mediums and people who feel connected with this subject at a high level, or in other words a higher State of Being. These people are out there and for sure more and more people are awakening and becoming aware that they have this gift too. We all do, it is just a question of activating and believing and trusting. Trusting that little voice inside you which has your and only your, best interests at heart.

When you just think back to the leaps we have seen in things like technology, the computer, social media, internet speed, data, iCloud and so on and so on … it is mind-blowing. Can you remember the first mobile phones, those famous Nokia phones, we have all had one at some stage, and now look how advanced our mobile phones are? We can literally do virtually everything with them. Agree? I will not go into the safety of this right now, because it is very scary how ‘hackers’ can get into our data and I have spoken before many times about the safety of our data on Facebook and Instagram.

Another thing I noticed myself was that certain friendships came to an end. Long term friendships too. Not that anything particular happened as far as I know, but it was just like a firework that was spent and fizzled out. Do I understand, no, not completely, but maybe that is not necessary, just only the acceptance that it has. Other friendships have been under sudden inexplicable pressure. Not sure about that either. The only thing I can say is that something changed in me. I will be open and honest about that.  And upfront. Is it my fault, no of course not, just in a similar case for you, it is not yours’s either. It is just the energy has completely changed.

Some while ago, I took part in an intuitive painting workshop with Leonie Zilverink. A friendship resulted from this and I translated the words for her Powercards. So, I have chosen three for you too, as we go into the final week of January. It is a random choice done blindly. 

Maybe they will inspire you to look at things differently. The layout of three cards is as follows:

The theme is Direction:

CARD 1       WHAT HAS HAPPENED, WHAT IS COMING IN YOUR DIRECTION?

CARD 2       HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED, HOW DO YOU REACT TO THIS?

CARD 3       WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THIS, WHICH ACTION(s) CAN YOU TAKE?

The purpose of laying out three cards for Direction also relates to Choices (see my blog earlier this week on this subject). Doubt, the feeling that you are stuck or uncertainty.

I hope this helps you, I always find these cards fascinating and looking at the selection I made for me and you all, I would say it is pretty appropriate don’t you agree?

Images: From the Powercards images and words by Leonie Zilverink

Google

CHOICES

The thing is about choices is that they come up all the time and then you are asked to make a decision.

Words like:

Will I?

Should I?

Can I?

Is it right?

Could I?

Come up in your mind over and over again. So maybe it is time to use a very useful little simple technique to make things easier. Why? Well, because any decision has a consequence. And you should make sure this is really what you want want before you actually make a choice.

It is good of course to make a choice and change things, when it is in a positive way. But another interesting thought is that sometimes the way might be something negative and believe me this choice will be something that you look back on and think: ‘and that is when I really made some growth’.

It may sound all topsy-turvy, but it is not really when you think about it a bit more.

Right let’s go: what is this technique:

So simple. Just sit down, close your eyes for a moment and concentrate totally in your breathing. Follow each inhale and each exhale, count 1,2 if this makes it easier. Literally experience where you feel the breath the most. In your chest or abdomen area, in your throat or the actual feel of cool air entering the nostrils and warmer air leaving. Just fix your attention on one place and follow the breath in and out. Even if you are in a busy crowded space, just do it all the same. It is perfectly acceptable these days just to switch off for a little while.

You may be asking yourself; how will this help me to make a decision. Well it will because you will stop what you are doing and relax and focus on something else and maybe if you can, listen to your inner voice or feeling your gut feeling. Sound right? I think so.

An awful lot of choices are made on split moment decisions and how many times have you perhaps thought about it later and wished you had chosen something differently. Yes? Or perhaps even felt pushed into something you really did not want?

We are living in the fast lane in the world today and there is a lot of intolerance about just taking a moment anywhere. Snip, snap decisions are trending. Do it now or else? Else what? Don’t you count anymore if you just take your time? Of course you do, because it is about you!

Just stop right there and take your time. Nothing dramatic is going to happen if you take a moment of reflection. It may sound impossible, but nothing is actually impossible. Everything is possible. It is just about turning or bending the energy around. Making it work with you instead of against you.

For months now, I have been doing a 10-minute daily meditation to learn to control the thousands of thoughts that come in in my mind. Your mind too. Not to stop them but more to control them or switch them off even for only 10 minutes a day. This morning, I saw that I have done this for more than 313 days nonstop. Dedication? No just my choice that I wanted to start each and every day with a 10-minute moment for reflection. Instead of jumping out of bed and getting into the fast lane immediately. This is a simple App I downloaded from the App store called CALM It costs less than one euro per week to subscribe to this app and there is so much more than a daily moment. There are stories to help you sleep and also relaxing binaural music to gently rest the brain after a long busy day. So just tell me are you worth it? Do you think you should do this too? My only answer is yes. It does not have to be this particular App there are loads but it is all about making a small ritual into a regular habit. That is all. I mean how simple can that be?

I have found once I really mastered this mindfulness technique that I can take just that slight moment before making any decision just be ‘shutting off’ and focusing on my breathing. My life force, your’s too.!

So, to finish off my blogs this week and nearly the end of January already !!! This is my tip for the day. 

Just try it ! And breathe !

Images: Google. Quote Nelson Mandela

WANT SOME USEFUL INFORMATION? Do you believe in … magic?

How can you literally turn things around when everything seems to be going wrong? Not easy but there are some helpful tips from a lot of influencers and one I really liked this week I would like to share with you:

Making Magic (turning 2020 intentions into reality)

  1. Whisper your intentions into every drink before drinking it
  2. Speak your intention every time you get into your car, or a bus, or a train or a plane
  3. Give yourself 30 days to let your intention simply settle and grow within you and stretch out into the universe

After 30 days after first speaking your intention, notice and follow any signs you have been given.

Then go onto the fourth and final point:

4. Write in your diary or journal or bullet book, about the process and what is coming up for you at least once every three days.

Although this is probably for a bit of fun, and thank you to Numerologist for sharing this week on Instagram, but should we actually take this more seriously?

I think, Yes!

I have done so many workshops and taken part in events where a lot of influencers talk about your intentions, your dreams, your calling, your desires and to be honest it seems to make a lot of sense to actually say this out aloud or write it down. I have talked before about simple affirmations said to yourself in front of a mirror and how effective that can be. So, this is perhaps another way of making magic? And boy … do we all need some of that! In this crazy fast-moving world.

It is a lot to do with mind over matter. But over the past few years I have personally noticed a lot of these signs the universe sends and one I would like to share with you. Even when I recall it and type the words, it gives me goosebumps.

Those of you who know me or follow me regularly will know that besides my writing I do a lot of translation work as well.  I had been asked to work on a book for someone which contained a huge amount of channeled text from their spiritual guide. I was at home working on my laptop as I often do at the kitchen table when I suddenly had to stop to just ask myself this question: ‘Who am I to literally translate the words of someone else’s guide?’

Not an easy one is it?

Well I was just sitting there pondering, when I felt a cool breeze and then just as if someone put their hands on my shoulders. There was a terrific bright light in the room. I was very conscious that someone or something was standing behind me, but it was not scary at all. Just the opposite in fact, it was comforting. As I turned to look over my shoulder, I could clearly see a form of light being, totally different than how we look as humans and he spoke in light language. At the time I did not know I could understand this or even speak it myself. But the gist was that he had come to confirm that he trusted me and to continue on with my work. What an honor actually! I found as I returned later to the text that it flowed amazingly. Even with all my experience and knowledge of words there are always some you need to check. Just to see if you have got the right nuance or synonym in a word as literal translations are impossible. 

I talked to my friend (the author of the book) about this and described what had happened and he confirmed that my description of this light being was exactly as he sees it too.

So, don’t even stop believing in magic, it really happens. 

My conclusion in this story is that it was because I presented myself in a vulnerable and authentic way, simply asking for guidance on this matter. And received it too.

Virtually all of us have grown up with the magic of Walt Disney. When you have a think about all his stories and films over the years, the magic of them has been the principle that good conquers evil and that love is the central theme. I can remember them well as a child, and also when my own children grew up too. And even to this day, the latest Disney films even though he has long passed over, continue in the same way. Believing in Love. Loving one another, loving our fellow man and isn’t this exactly what a lot of spiritual influencers are saying too. From people like Deepak Chopra, Oprah, Glennon Doyle, Brene Brown … and I could now write down a long list of people also saying the same.

It is shame that a lot of us have stopped believing in magic. We all did when we were young, so why do we allow society to put so much pressure on us, that we don’t anymore. I have spoken often about the Law of Attraction and ‘what you sow is what you reap’ so why have we stopped paying attention to this?

How many of us can honestly say that we have never experienced something that happened unexpectedly? You can be sitting there thinking about someone and then suddenly the phone goes, and they are calling you. Or you take a different route to work and find out later that you missed a huge accident. That you sense that someone is communicating with your thoughts. That you experience deja-vu. That you go into a room and instantly feel the prickles of perhaps some negative energy. That your sixth sense suddenly becomes very active. You get goosebumps and don’t know why? That you have vivid dreams about something that then happens? 

The whole point of the above is (and the list could go on and on) that the universe is so complex and so magical, it is often hard as a human to digest everything.  There can be subtle signs or ones that smack you almost in the face, but they are there all the time. So maybe it is time to sit up, pay attention and start believing in magic again? Why not? What have you got to lose?

When is the right moment? Well the only answer to that one is: Now!

Coming back to where I started, why don’t you try the 4 suggestions that Numerologists made? It’s pretty simple and doesn’t take a lot a time.  Just have a go. See how things actually change in a simple 30-day process. A few seconds a day is all you need. But it could involve a life-changing decision you perhaps will make, or even a lifesaving one.

Just think about it.

Enjoy your weekend.

FEELING THE SQUEEZE

A lot is happening astrologically. Today! Slow moving planets Saturn and Pluto go conjunct in Capricorn. So, what does this all mean and what is the effect on us personally?

The planet Saturn is all about structure, rules, responsibility, frameworks and maturity.

Pluto is the transformer. Eliminating toxicities, outdated ideas and institutions which can no longer sustain growth

Capricorn is the sign which represents institutions, politics, how society is actually ‘working’ and role models.

Summarizing, we can honestly say that this conjunction will bring a major restructuring to existing systems. To find better rules, better systems and better governing solutions.

Governing solutions are not just about the literal government, but about YOU. Making big changes in your own beliefs and structures and generally having a damned good clean out of all the things that are no longer relevant to you. It’s not a spring clean, it feels more like a squeeze. As if you are literally being asking to fit your body into tighter clothes. And then getting used to them.

The exact moment of this conjunction is today, 12th January 2020 and marks the beginning of a brand-new circle or cycle. We will feel its influence throughout the entire year before Saturn moves again in December 2020 into Aquarius.

Unless you have been asleep or missing world news (and who doesn’t want to miss that?) then there is a huge amount happening on the global stage:

  • Devasting nature problems like the fires in Australia and an earthquake in Puerto Rico
  • The ongoing dramas with Brexit and now Mexit
  • Strikes in Europe (France)
  • Enormous political unrest in the USA (impeachment of Trump)
  • And a very real threat of war 

It actually surprised me last week that we were having almost hourly news bulletins about the unrest in Iran and the USA (the actual threat of a war!) and then the major item to hit the headlines on a worldwide scale was the news about Prince Harry & Meghan Markle. And I can only say, good for them for making a stand and doing things differently. Although I am British by birth, I truly feel that the British royals, despite the huge amount of work they do, have become an outdated institution and it is time for a big shake up.  Here in the Netherlands reigning monarchs tend to retire at a certain age and then hand over to their offspring, which gives the entire monarchy a chance to modernize and get into this century instead of dwelling in outdated customs. Some of which in the UK date back literally centuries. Fans of the Netflix series – The Crown – will undoubtedly agree. It may be a series but my goodness it is so close to the truth, so much so that the Royals themselves have confirmed same.

A lot of my recent blogs have been asking you as the reader to adjust your way of thinking and believe me it is time to do that right now. Because this has gone way beyond the personal stage to the worldwide one and we can expect a lot of changes. And good too.

Major influencers around the world are saying the same, if it is about giving aid to the terrible fires in Australia to the Golden Globe ceremonies recently. Ricky Gervais the British comedian, who was hosting for the fifth and final time said:

“If you win an award tonight, don’t use it as platform to make a political speech. You are in no position to lecture the public.”

We often think of Hollywood stars as our role models, but now you are being asked to choose your role models carefully and why don’t you choose yourself then?

It is absolutely crystal clear on many facets of the world stage that big change is not only happening right now but that each and every one has the right to influence those changes in our own lives and hopefully inspire others too.

There is no time anymore for postponing, for messing around, hesitating to make a choice or decision, you are being asked to clear away old beliefs and old institutions and open your mind, body and soul to new ideas. That my friends in the only way forward.

Recently I was in a chat with a friend of mine who was saying exactly the same and that this celestial connection is one that will change the world forever. You may be saying now: thank goodness, something had to happen, well it’s happening right now.

No more sweeping things under the carpet and ignoring and just hoping that everyone else will sort out the mess. No. This is about making karmic changes. Dealing with things that may have felt uncomfortable in our lIves, and things we tried to avoid thinking about. That is no longer an option.

IT IS TIME TO RETHINK, MAKE NEW CHOICES AND CARRY THEM OUT!

It is a major shift in our evolution, either you get up and start moving yourself, or you remain sitting in the dark and trying to ignore. The problem is you will not be allowed to ignore and if you want to grow (which is what all human souls want) then it is time for change.

RIGHT NOW!

I just wanted to finish with a quote I saw this morning on Instagram which says how simple it is really:

‘Let your light shine so brightly that others can see their way out of the dark’

Now what if we all did that and made a conscious effort? Food for thought isn’t it?

Thanks for friend Joke from Practice Oosjhaa (for the quote) and numerous astrologists around the world for their thoughts too, Kari Samuels, Astro Butterfly. Images from Google

THE BEST OF 10

Recently a friend of mine, asked on social media, for ‘questions and answers’ and the best 10 would be chosen. But how on earth can you choose the best ten? Especially when you have a fan or reader base in the thousands, which ones do you choose? The ones that resonate with your way of thinking? Or the ones you think everyone might like and get you even more likes? Or the ones you truly believe to be important?

So, thanks to J for the inspiration to this blog. Because it made me to think about this too. Not so much about the 10 Q&A’s from my fan/reader base, but the ones I think are important myself. And not so much about a question needing an answer but more about the Best of 10 important things to me personally.

I too am extremely grateful now for my enormous reader/fan base which is now over 300K but at the same time I will say openly in this blog; this is not the reason why I write blogs, or books, or columns or whatever. It is because I am inspired and hope to inspire you too with my words. I don’t ask for recognition, or fame, it is my way of maybe asking you, my readers, out there, just to have a think about of the things I share with you. Nothing more than that.

I can no longer keep up with all the comments I get back on my feed and thank you all for actually taking the time to write them to me. I am grateful for that, definitely. Always and that is why I keep writing on and as often as I can. I say this often on my feed, but want to say it too this time as well.

The 10 things I think are important in life are:

  • Health

It does not matter if you are amongst the poor, or the rich or famous, or just an average person, but health is the one thing money cannot buy. Of course if you have loads you can afford to go to private clinics and jump the queue, but the bottom line is, if your body is dis-eased (and please note I have hyphenated this word for a reason), then you will be affected just like everyone else. Dis-ease means that your body is trying to send you signals and maybe for a long time that there is something you are not doing right until it reaches the stage when you literally become ill. Anyone and I mean everyone, can be affected by health problems. And a lot can be self-inflicted too. Stress is the first one that springs to mind in 2020 because we underestimate the effects of stress totally. We feel pressurized to perform in society no matter what, but at what cost?

Health is the number one my list because of this reason.

  • Love (for all) & Gratitude

This has to be high up on my list because I think this is so important and lacking a lot in our world today. If more people concentrated on love and less on ego, the world would be a much better place.

More love and more tolerance and finally stop worldwide bickering. That people stop trying to blow up one another (stop all this ‘my bomb is bigger than your bomb’) threatening innocent people, boasting about their power on a world scale (and you know exactly who and what I am referring to). And it never seems to stop. 

Paying more attention to one another and thinking loving thoughts as opposed to such negative ones (hatred and such like). 

Self-love has to come into the one too. That is so important, because one of the most famous quotes is: ‘How can you love someone else, if you don’t love yourself?’ Many people have ‘trouble’ with this idea because they immediately think that it means something related to the ego. That is not right. The ego has nothing to do with it. We all have our ego, but self-love begins with ourselves. Then when you have perfected that idea, then you literally radiate out that to others as well. Small ripples become bigger and bigger remember?

And Gratitude for everything. Even the small things in life. Appreciate the things you have as opposed to those you have not. A simple exercise to prove this is for a week, write down every day things you are grateful for. You will be surprised. It can be absolutely anything.

  • Belief

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could finally cut out all the crap which surrounds belief or religion? That we could all come to the conclusion that it is all the same and a name is not so important. Irrelevant actually. The majority of problems in the world are linked to religion and the fact that people think they are either better or more important because of this. And even more so that they believe that their religion is the only one and the right one. Why? Zero tolerance of another’s beliefs.

I have no criticism or judgment about religion at all, I think everyone deserves the right to believe what they want, but it would be so much better if we could all get over the idea that one religion is better than another. That would solve a huge amount in world peace in general.

Personally, I believe in the power of the universe in general and harmony for all. Love in my thoughts and for others. Always. The power of the creation itself.

Why don’t we all try that and start all making a difference?

  • Respect

This is so sadly lacking at the moment and it should not be, and it would be so much better for us all, if we not only respected ourselves but others as well. If there was more of this, there would be so many less problems everywhere and in all walks of life.  It is not that difficult to do either.

  • Care and Kindness

Care for ourselves and the care of others. That is important. And kindness equally so, no matter how big or small the deed. 

When we spend time taking care of ourselves, we automatically then send out signals to make others take note of whether or not, they care for themselves too. Care should be a very basic thing in all our lives.

  • Inspiration

There are many people that come to mind when I think of inspiration. Many influencers who inspire. I like to think in my own small way I hopefully do that too. Not for personal gain, but more to help or aid others. And yes, I do speak my own truth a lot, even though some may find this quite challenging. ‘Call a spade a spade’ as we say in English and ‘not beating about the bush’ spouting nonsense. There is no gain in this whatsoever. Be yourself and be inspired and inspire others in all walks of life.

  • True calling

Doing the things, you love to do all the time. Of course, we all have obligations on a day to day basis, this is not what I mean. But daring to actually do what you want to. Living your dream. Don’t waste any more of your time not doing exactly that! You will find that if you live your dream, everything else just slots in place.

  • Authenticity

Being the person, you really are and being authentic and even perhaps making yourself more vulnerable, is the path I want to be walking for sure. I really have no time for people who pose. I think you receive so much more respect when you dare to be the person you really are. Of course, we all have a tremendous fear of rejection, yes, we all do, but respect is positive whereas the fear is negative.

  • Honesty and Truth

Now this is an important thing to mainly because there is so much ‘fake’ stuff about at the moment. Being honest and telling the truth, even it may be hard sometimes are things which I consider great qualities. And in my work, as a fictional writer I know how easy it is to weave a story. But this is different because it is purely for a story and not meant in any way to either influence, affect, hurt or wound others. It is just a story. What I dislike intensely is all the fakeness at the moment. The fact that often our social media is followed by perhaps often people who pose as someone different. 

On the side of truth, it is always best to tell the truth. Always. Otherwise you get completely caught up in a web of rubbish and lies because eventually no matter whether you agree or not, you will get stuck. And then get out of it!

  • Money & Finance

We all need money to survive, or do we? I often wonder when I see people living on the street with virtually nothing and almost having to beg for food every day, are they happier or sadder than those with loads of money. Don’t you think that people who have endless amounts of money eventually become blasé about everything. They can have everything all the time, so where is the fun in wanting something, saving up for it and finally being about to buy it?  I often think that the real rich and famous certainly don’t have a life I would like to have. It is just my thinking on this subject. But another friend of mine, a spiritual visionary, always says that money is only energy. I agree with this. In ancient times people just exchanged things to get the things they wanted or needed.  We don’t say “money is the root of evil’ for nothing. But it is a pillar of our society and we need it.

That was my 10. What is your’s?

Now I would really love it, dear readers if you would write down your list to and send it to me in the comments. I will publish into the feed so that we can share this around with one another.

Sharing this may help others to adjust their ideas. 

Let’s do it!

Images: special thanks to Annick Rauch, Janosh, Brene Brown and Google.

DO YOU DARE TO DREAM BIG?

Every morning when I wake up, no matter what the time is, I start by listening to a short meditation on my Calm App which today just happened to be about: Dreams.

It was actually something I was already thinking about following on my blog yesterday about resolutions or intentions and then of course the next step up is. What is your dream? How big is it? And how far will you go to actually make it become reality?

Yes, big question.

I happened to see this quote today on other social media and it seems such a good one to start the year, I want to share it with you:

New Year Resolution (which of course I would prefer to call Intention)

So, try again …

“New Year Intention is to stop wondering if I am good enough for other people and to start wondering if they’re good enough for me”.

Hmm, that is really something to think about isn’t it?  A lot of people, including me have the thought about cleansing their social media. I have done that too. Not that I intend to actually be rude or hurt someone’s feelings but there are so many hangers-on in my lists and do I know them personally? Yes, some I do, others not. But are they people who are positively contributing to my daily posts?

The thing is, that often our dreams are affected by the things other people literally push onto us, intentionally or otherwise. Then it is all about being tough and separating the ‘chaff from the wheat’. This means it is not a definition on whether you are popular or not by the numbers of your posts, the numbers of people following you or the numbers you are following yourself. It is about connecting with those who send out positive energy. This in contrast to others who are almost like a sponge, literally sucking out the energy from everyone because they are so lacking in balance in their own life.

So, if you have big dreams, then it is time take stock and literally make them come true. It is possible to manifest the things you want in life, if the mind-set is right. Even though there is no limit to how big or little our dreams maybe. it often helps in the beginning to be a little bit realistic, but at the same time, not shortchanging yourself.

Yes, sure dream big and want the best, there is nothing wrong with that, but some dreams can always be ‘pipe dreams’, when they are often too far-fetched or totally not fitting into our lives.

But by now you may be asking yourself what do these two quite different subjects have in common? Well, more than you actually realize.

Often, we base our dreams or the things we want to achieve in our lives on others! For two reasons: that we have to take into account our daily lives and obligations to whoever might fit into this equation for you and secondly because our biggest basic fear in today’s world: is the fear of rejection. Wondering what someone else will say. How we might be judged as being ridiculous for wanting to achieve such a dream. But what is the word ‘ridiculous’ when it comes to dreams.   There is nothing surely as big or daring as our dreams and wanting to make them come true. Nothing. Even though you may think there are a hundred or more reasons why not, the most important thing is that you never stop dreaming or believing that you can achieve it, manifest it and live it. If that is what your true heart desires.

Just stop and read back again if you have to. No one or nothing should or could stop you from achieving your dreams. Because they are your dreams, your personal goals and no one else’s. You should not have to take into consideration what other people may think. Just let them, true like-minded people and those who are spiritually enlightened, understand completely. The universe understands you completely and wants to not only help you but pave the way forward for you to achieve your biggest desire.

That is why it is important time and time again to remind ourselves of this. Don’t let the saboteurs, or the comments from others, stop you from ever wanting your true desire.

So, dream big irrespective of what others have to say. Dare to be authentic to your true self and stop wasting time. This is a new year, of new choices, new decisions, new moments, new decade, and 363 days in which to achieve it before it’s another turning point into the year 2021. 

Stop postponing, stop allowing distractions. It is perfectly ok to be a bit egoistic when it comes to your dreams. Often self-love is the thing that should come first even though many think this is impossible. It is not. You can do it every single day in a simple sentence affirmation to yourself in the mirror every morning:

I am worth it, I deserve it and I will achieve it.

Mind over matter is so important. The right mind set is so important and your own determination to make it manifest.

So, start right now, when you have read this blog. Stand up and go to a mirror. Look deeply into your own eyes and repeat that simple sentence a couple of times. Take deep breaths before and after. Mindfulness is based on our breathing. It is our life force after all. Just a few seconds each and every day and you will really notice a difference.

Even you sceptics out there. Dare to dream and just try it.

Images: Google

WHAT IS IT? New Year’s RESOLUTION or INTENTION?

So, readers it is the 2nd January, time to clear away all the Christmas decorations, if you already haven’t and now the New Year has begun, I would like to write something about Resolution or Intention? And in particular to the long list of things we write down that we are going to do differently in the New Year.

For many years, a lot of people start the New Year with a clean slate. Good idea for sure, and then make a list of their New Year’s Resolutions. If you like me, find that the list is binned before the end of the month, maybe it is time to turn things around and make intentions.

There is a subtle difference in the word but a huge difference in the energy.

So, let’s start with the proper definition: (Source Oxford English Dictionary).

Resolution 

A firm decision to do or not to do something

A formal expression of opinion or intention

The action of solving a problem or contentious matter

Passing of a discord into a concord

Intention

An aim or plan

The action or fact of intending

A person’s plans

Taking the first definition of both words, can you see the tremendous difference?

The first in Resolution is surrounded by negativity. Why? Well because the word ‘not’ comes into it. Intention on the other hand is positive because it talks about an aim or plan. 

True, the difference it very subtle but the words just give so much more space.

The word ‘aim’ is quite different from ‘a firm decision’ do you get the general idea?

When we turn the energy around in all walks of life to positive as opposed to negative, then there is so much more chance of success. How often have you heard people talking and saying something negative: from something so simple as: ‘I have a party arranged for Saturday, but it is sure to rain!’ Never heard of the Law of Attraction. You have almost ensured that it probably will.

The universe is very subtle in messages. And the fact of what we transmit comes back to us, almost like a boomerang. It is as simple as that. This is nothing new and nothing I have made up myself, many influencers in the spiritual world have been saying this for centuries.

So, what about your intentions for 2020, knowing that this is a new decade and the fact that we all know it’s a new moment. New choices and new chances. That is all possible this year. It’s a leap year too, so we have 366 days to do something different in and with our lives.

And there is no moment like the present: today.

You can really put the past behind you one last time but taking a simple look back on what you have achieved this last decade. What were you doing in 2010 as opposed to 2020? Well a basic simple fact is that you are 10 years’ older. Does it feel that way, or does it feel as if the time has flown by? In my case definitely. I have memories of the Millennium when we moved into a new century and half the world had prophesized ‘doom and gloom’ scenarios about the end of the world and the fact that nothing digital could cope with the new numbers. Such a fuss and in actual fact, the moment came and passed with no consequences at all.

However, one thing to think about is that the past is the past. It has gone now and no matter what happened or what you did, you cannot change it anymore. You are in the present moment of the here and now and basically don’t know what the future will bring.

So how do you make sensible intentions? Well simple. By making, saying or doing something you intend to do and really want to do, is totally different from a list of things you know beforehand you will never keep. 

For instance, to say: I intend to eat more healthy foods this year and drink more water, get more rest, stop pushing myself to my extreme limits, get more exercise and so on and so on, are intentions that you can keep. And more important they are things you can adjust on a daily basis.

To my mind the word: ‘diet’ is just as good as saying ‘food binge’ or ‘cravings’ because you put so much emphasis on the word, saying you cannot have this or that, when there are going to be days when you do. If you say for instance, no more sweets or chocolates and then have some, are you literally going to beat yourself up about it? No of course, not because the next day is a brand-new day and you can re-adjust your intention. 

These are simple examples but of course there are more serious subjects which you can include into the loop as well. Abuse, toxic relationships, bullying, social media overindulgence and many many more.

So, this year I have made some simple intentions for myself and truly believe that this time around, the list (and by the way I have not actually made one) will not land in the bin before January is finished. And intentions can be adjusted all the time. Of course, I want to lose weight, get fitter, drink more water, get a good night’s rest, cut down severely on social media (or as I mentioned in an earlier blog FOMO – fear of missing out). Maybe if we all, me included spent less time sharing our lives on social media but actually sharing it with family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances there would be much less ‘abuse’ on social media in general, fat shaming for example, to name but one.

The number of likes we have on our posts, is it really that important? Does it make you feel better the bigger the numbers? I doubt it very much, unless you are the type of person who just loves to go on a daily ego trip.

So, as I bring this blog to a close, have a serious think about this. Think about what your own intentions are and why? Remember you can always adjust and change or add to them. This is not a list of things you have to do, or else. Remember what I said earlier, new moments, new choices, new ideas …

True you can say you want to stop smoking, or drink less alcohol, but these are addictive habits which you have probably had for a long time. And such habits can take a long time to break. But you can do it if you really intend to. The secret is all in the word: intend or intention.

There is no point whatsoever putting so much negativity into this, as it has the reverse effect. Try and put more positivity into the things you want to do in all walks of life.

There is no moment like the present, you can begin today. Begin small and start taking bigger steps, you don’t have to run the ‘marathon’ tomorrow.

What are your intentions?

Images: Google

POLITENESS (and how the world is changing)

For quite a while I have been thinking about writing a few words in a blog about the word: politeness. It seems to be something which is disappearing from society at an alarming rate. Why? I will try and explain.

Let’s start with the official definition from the Oxford English Dictionary

POLITENESS:

A noun: behavior that is respect and consideration of other people

Hmm, that is food for thought isn’t it?

Probably a lot of you (or even the majority) who read this blog will be thinking that you are polite. That will be basically correct because we have all, hopefully, been brought up this way. But because society in general places such huge demands on us right now, often simple ‘norms and values’ are pushed to one side. Mainly because of the pace of life. But is it an excuse? No of course not. 

It really does not take much effort to be polite. A simple ‘please and thank you’ or saying ‘good morning, afternoon or evening’ to people. How much effort does that actually take?

One of the worst areas where politeness seems to have flown out of the window big time is in the shops. When was the last time you asked for help in a shop recently to find something? My own experience was in the local DIY Gamma store, a few weeks back, when making an enquiry about wall paint. A young girl, with her phone in hand of course, sitting behind the ‘enquiries desk’, eventually looked up after I had been standing there for a couple of minutes. I asked her if the latest trend color for 2020 was available in smaller cans. I was quite amazed when she eventually replied: why do you want to know? For goodness sake: maybe because I want to buy a can and only need one liter instead of five. Eventually after you have done several rounds of the shop, you find someone who can help.  Problem solved but the frustration of how unhelpful people can be leaves a ‘sting’ in the whole experience.

Another totally irritating thing is when you are perhaps queueing in the local shop to pay and they pick up their phone and start a conversation. You were of the impression they were actually helping you. This happened to me the other day in the bakers. I was about to pay and the girl behind the desk suddenly picked up the phone and took note of an order for another customer. Perhaps it might have been more polite to ask them to wait a moment and finish off the transaction with me first? Is that so much to ask? It seems so!

I noticed to that people rarely add the word ‘please’ when they ask for anything. Or ‘thank you’ when they actually receive what they have asked for. It is a sad reflection on the times that we are all so incredibly busy, usually with our mobile phones, to remember the politeness we have all be taught. 

There is such an incredible difference when you go shopping Stateside. I have been many times to both the USA and Canada and believe me the assistants in shops are so helpful, it is almost mind blowing. Nothing is too much trouble and why? Well, because they all work with a minimum salary and receive commissions on sales. That must be the best incentive ever to be polite and helpful. It is such a refreshing change when going into a store and asking for something that first of all, you get a reply and they are helpful to the moment you leave the store. One of my experiences in New York several years ago was in the Sephora Shop on 5th Avenue. My son was looking for something special by Jean Paul Gaultier. They did not have it in stock, but in the time we were in the store, they had arranged for it to be collected from another store and brought by taxi. I mean, how amazing is that?

Another thing I really like Stateside is the idea of a personal shopper/helper. Not that I am incapable of making up my own mind, but when they wander around with you, they come up with helpful suggestions about maybe trying another product or saying that this product is better than another, or even what is on offer. They carry around your basket to the cash desk and then often give you a goody bag of free samples too. Again, this experience was in the Sephora store and even though it’s is quite some time ago, I remember it well and the impression it made on me.

In general, Stateside and in Canada people are so much more friendly than in Europe. This is just a generalization because of course, there are polite people here too, but the difference is so noticeable.

So, isn’t it about time as we step into a new decade to maybe reflect a little bit on this subject? It is really the minimum we can expect of each other isn’t it? Politeness. One of life’s normal things. It would be so much more pleasurable if you encountered more politeness in so many walks of life.

Try it! Next time you go into the shops, perhaps say ‘Good Morning’ you will probably be shattered by the look on their faces. Let’s stop being on the phone when in shops. You do not need to be having a conversation with anyone whilst you are standing at the cash desk. Phone people back when you are finished. Nothing is that urgent. Not to mention the fact that it is damned irritating when people are carrying on a phone conversation for all to hear. We are not interested are we?

That is one of the biggest issues at the moment, that we are so dependent on the fact that we have to be available for literally everyone 24/7. We don’t. Nothing is that urgent. And no one is indispensable. We all think we are, but we are not. I used to think this about myself too.

My idea was this morning, before I started to write this blog, was to create a clean slate and to step into the New Year with a fresh start. I had already been through my emails and deleted more than 3500, all of which I had read during the year, but just keep on file. Why? I am probably never ever going to read them again. Did the same with all the emails I have written to other people. Cleared the lot and my ‘in and out box’ is now empty! Hoorah.

Cleared my Instagram account too. Archived all the old posts ready to start afresh with new posts in 2020. Changed profile photos too.

Even though this may not be about politeness which was the theme of this blog in the first place, it is about my commitment to do things differently in 2020. I realize that big changes are coming and I want to be ready with that same clean slate, to completely go into the new energy and new times. Release a lot of old baggage I carry around. And a simple ritual like clearing out your email and other social media can be a very refreshing one. No more wading through piles and piles of irrelevant things anymore, and even better no more scrolling down and down to things in the past. As I often say, the past is gone, you cannot change it, you are in the moment of the here and now. Tomorrow is something we know nothing about and what may happen.

So, let’s all be ready for this and reflect on the idea about trying to update our ideas of what politeness means. I am willing to say, that if you do you will be pleasantly surprised how things seem so much better. Slow down, no one ever has told you that you have to race through your life at break-neck speed. What doesn’t get done today, can be completed tomorrow. Remember the word ‘deadline’ is so negative. Think about ‘lifeline’ and the energy turns around completely.

Have a clear out and get ready for 2020. 

Try politeness, see how the energy changes too.

Happy New Year!

Images: Google

CHRISTMAS OVER, FAST FORWARD TO THE NEW YEAR

Goodness me all that thought: food shopping, decorating and preparing and whoosh … Christmas is over. Weeks of Christmas songs on the radio, it feels strange today, Friday 27th December that it’s normal music once more. 

With the winter sun today, all the decorations look out of place, I actually wondered should I clear them away or wait, even though the dark evenings are so much better with a lot of light and candles burning…. So, I will wait until the New Year.

Did you like me, and everyone eat too much, sit around too much and watch too many films? Say yes if you did. It was my granddaughter’s first Christmas which was fun, and she is now 10 months old (where has that time all gone?)

The ‘piece de résistance’ this year was the pudding I made for Christmas Day. From a recipe from the Dutch supermarket chain, Albert Heijn. When the magazine appeared at the beginning of December, I remember thinking at the time … this is it!

A sponge base, filled with loads of mascarpone cream, two meringues and lots of fresh raspberries and toasted pistachio nuts. I did adapt it a little bit and my goodness it was all gone and very delicious indeed! 

There was a lot of rain here and so mild for the time of year. A lot of people went out to the local beaches on Boxing Day during a sudden dry spell, which had been my intention too, but never got around to it.

Yes, ‘never got around to it’, seems to have been a sentence cropping up a lot this year. I have been a bit distracted from my writing, not sure why, think just a typical case of writer’s block, as I was shocked to see I have not written a word in my new book since November!  But that is the way it works with inspiration, you either have it or you don’t. Sometimes the words flow with such speed I have problems keeping up with my own typing. Pages and pages get typed when the story line is going well, but other days, and sometimes even weeks, can mean that you don’t even type a single word.

Must get a bit more organized in the New Year. I don’t usually bother with a so-called list of resolutions for the New Year. Of course, I think like everyone, that I must pay more attention to my food habits, but I have such a sweet tooth, a day does not seem the same, without a mid-afternoon cup of tea and a couple of biscuits (preferably chocolate). I just seem to need a sugar shot around this time of day. But I really want to make a more conscious effort this coming year to eat more healthily. A recent stomach bug meant that just before Christmas I could hardly eat anything except mashed bananas and fruit smoothies. I lost some weight for sure, all put on again after over-indulging over Christmas.

It was quite a shock this year that the supermarkets are now open Christmas Day too. Why on earth is that? You can do so much pre-Christmas shopping beforehand only going for fresh last-minute items last minute. Personally, I am a huge fan of online supermarket shopping, you know they deliver it at the door and we also have a new service where I live, where fresh bread can be delivered daily too. If I ever go into a supermarket and I prefer to avoid at all costs, I cannot find a thing, whilst an online list takes me literally minutes.

Even still my fridges are full and cupboards too, despite the fact that we have eaten quite a lot. Why do we always have to overdo the shopping pre-Christmas. Are we actually worried that the shops will not open ever again? They haven’t really shut at all this year.

I think it’s unfair to ask staff to work on Christmas Day, but I would probably be very surprised to see how many people actually were food shopping on that day. Were you?

Now it feels like a sort of ‘time limbo’ fast forward to New Year’s Eve, which just happens to be my most disliked evening of the entire year. It is such a forced moment I always feel. Of course, I know that literally everyone looks back on the year which is just about to pass, and looking forward to the New Year, which is coming, but it is not my evening at all. I enjoy the firework displays, but at the same time think of how many casualties there will be from firework abuse, despite all the warnings. How many people will be totally hung over on the 1st January because of alcohol abuse. As I said, not my evening at all. I never understood all the fuss and I know my dislike goes back to events when I was a child. Not happy memories and they seem to have stuck with me all through my adult life.

But on a more positive note, there has been a lot happening astrologically including a total moon/sun eclipse (26thDecember). Some people in the world should have had an amazing view of a ‘ring of fire’ when the moon covers the sun and still a circle of bright light can be seen. We know that eclipses are always powerful moments, but this one just happened to be on the South Node. I will explain: A solar eclipse can either be a north node eclipse (when the sun and moon are conjunct at the North Node of the moon) or a south node eclipse when the opposite occurs. The North Node symbolizes new beginnings and yes please, we all want that I think. The South Node eclipse, however, is about culminations and endings. Which sounds very appropriate for the end of a decade and the beginning of a new one. Another way to look at a culmination or ending means that something reaches the maximum point of manifestation.

Not as scary as it sounded is it?

To my mind, and I have thought this for a long time, moving in 2020 is quite something and it will be a year of major changes for a lot of people. I have written a blog earlier in more detail which you can scroll back to read if you want, but I personally feel that big changes are already starting. Not with anything in particular, but I am noticing that suddenly I have a different tone of voice. Somethings that I often would have voiced an opinion about, don’t seem to matter anymore. Why? I have no honest answer but maybe you like me, are noticing that things you used to get ‘worked up’ about have sort of faded into the background. It is now becoming more and more apparent that 2020 will be the year when you dare to really show the real you to the world, without any reservation and without any fear of rejection. Either take me as I am or leave me alone. May seem a strange sentence to write, but how often have we all ‘adapted’ ourselves in the year nearly passed. Numerous occasions I dare to suggest. You, me and everyone. 

This continual fear of not wanting to miss anything (FOMO = fear of missing out). Yes, you can agree with this too? I know I have felt that all through 2019 and all of a sudden, it is becoming less. Yes, I have my laptop on, to write this blog and my iPhone beside me but I am really trying to make a conscious effort to put it aside and not to be ‘online’ as much as I have been in 2019. True, my personal situation and the fact that I was at home most of the year, recovering from one operation to the next and my phone was my link to the outside world, but now I am more mobile it seems less important somehow.

I am ready to literally leap into the New Year. 2020! A really lovely number combination (read my previous blog if you want to know more about the significance of numbers) but I am feeling the energy build up already … can’t really explain, a sort of fluttery feeling inside, anticipation, curious, what is going to happen, how will it make me feel, what if I literally turn my entire life upside down and make other choices. 2020 is all about this and we should all be prepared that a lot will be asked of us. The main theme is the realization that when you are really your authentic self and dare to show yourself completely to others, then you become so great and so huge. Doors fly open and things you thought were impossible become possible. You want to grow. We all do. There has been far too much distraction across the globe with this and that (and I am not belittling world events and how dramatic some have been), but at the same time, we are going to be asked to go so much further. Dare to take bigger steps than we have before. Just go the extra mile and do it with enthusiasm. If you can do that then the joy and satisfaction will be something so much greater than we have experienced ever before. Why is 2020 such a big year and why should we expect so much. I am not a visionary, but people who are extra sensitive to energy etc., will agree with me I am sure, it feels like a surge or build up, which is almost indescribable.

So, let’s all get ready. You are either getting on the ride or staying behind. What do you choose? Remember the reason we all chose to be here on this planet now, was to grow as souls. Fear and not wanting to bother is not an option anymore. 

Let’s all get going and growing then, more love and tolerance in the world. Less judgement and opinion. Each and every one of us is a unique divine spark of light and it’s time to get shining.

One quote I really loved this year was:

‘Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save, they just stand there shining’.

So come on, shine your light too. Happy New Year!

And something to reflect on as we go into 2020. 

If you carry one thing with you today, let it be this:

You are brave, you are beautiful, you are strong, you are smart, and you are loved.

Images: Jill Kramer (private collection) and Google.