A week of Simply Being in Greece

6thto 13th May 2017

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A week of Mindfulness, Meditation, Kundalini Yoga and more.

Do you wish you had more time to rediscover the real you? Have you forgotten who you are or where you are going?

Stimulate your senses, Raise your energy levels and Remember who you are!

Join us for a week of Simply Being in Lesbos Greece next Spring!

Accomodation for up to 16 guests in the Villa Daphnis and Chloe, in spacious apartments in a traditionally restored building. Set in beautiful grounds. Located in Thermi on the historic East Coast of Lesbos.

For more details and how to book go to http://www.the-seeds-4-change.org.uk/events

 

Pause 4 Thought in Spain

Take time out for yourself and join us for a week of Mindfulness, Meditation and Life Coaching 14th to 21st May 2016 See http://www.the-seeds-4-change.org.uk for details.

 

#Mindful30 Review

As I am coming to the end of my 30 day mindfulness challenge set by Bev James of The Coaching Academy and Do it or Ditch it fame, I have been reflecting on what the practice has done for me.

How am I feeling? The answer to that is calmer and with more control of the day to day! I can honestly say that by adopting mindful practices throughout my day, I have been able to step back and look at what is going on. What is the cause of my heightened feelings or rising stress level? Naturally the answer to that is external forces, pressure of time, relying on other people sometimes which of course is out of our control but can be stressful.

One of the patterns I was able to see is that communication or rather lack of it is a big issue for me. As a born communicator, I find it frustrating when people don’t come back to me or don’t let me know what is happening as agreed. These have been the moments when I have benefited most from taking a break, going for a walk or just undertaking a breathing exercise to help me regain some perspective. I can honestly say that there has only been one day in the month when I wasn’t able to restore my calm although I was able to reflect on what I could perhaps have done differently the next day!

So thank you Bev for inviting me to take part in this challenge. I have enjoyed continuing with some of the practices I already follow such as keeping a daily journal, capturing my Gratitudes, taking mindful walks. I have found new practices to help me focus better very beneficial and most importantly, by setting time aside each day, I find that I am naturally incorporating mindfulness more into my daily routine and not just for my ‘Me time’.

I will definitely be continuing after the #Mindful30 days have come to an end!

Mindful Challenge Week 1

So I am coming to the end of an interesting week of taking the #mindful30 challenge set by Bev James.

I am an advocate of mindfulness but have found the discipline of setting time aside in my diary for specific activities very useful.

I have started each day with a ‘self check’ over my morning coffee. How am I feeling? What am I noticing about myself, my body, my mood etc? And including a breathing exercise to start my day with clarity and in a positive mood. It is surprising how even the more challenging days have seemed more manageable once I have done this. Invaluable.

I also tried some new techniques that perhaps I wouldn’t have done before. Focusing on a specific colour throughout the day was fun and helped ground me each time I noticed the colour. I chose orange as I associate it with Autumn and warmth and it is a ‘happy’ colour for me. I will definitely be doing this exercise again!

Looking forward to week 2!

#mindful30 Mindfulness Challenge

I have been using a variety of mindful exercises for some time and so when Bev James of ‘Do it or Ditch it’ fame, invited me to take part in her 30 day mindful challenge, I jumped at the chance. It will give me the motivation to practice mindfulness on a daily basis and the opportunity to try a variety of yet more techniques.

I already keep a journal daily and capture my Gratitudes on paper regularly. I have also been introduced to the joy of mindful colouring through a wonderful gift from a thoughtful friend. I also enjoy mindful walking and meditation though not often enough! Having to keep a diary of my practice and even more importantly set aside time for mindfulness will give me a renewed focus to be even more mindful and in the present.

I find the following simple but effective

S-Stop …do nothing

T-Take a breath and relax

O-Observe…what am I thinking or feeling? How am I reacting? Is there a pattern here?

P-Proceed…when I am calm and have gathered my thoughts to respond

I am looking forward to the next thirty days. Thank you Bev James

Workshop Spain 2016

Feel the need to unwind, recharge or make some changes in your life? This week long workshop May 14th to 21st 2016, could be the answer. See http://www.the-seeds-4-change.org.uk for more informationm

Week of Yoga, Meditation and Life Coaching

The Seeds 4 Change

Join us for a fabulous week of yoga, meditation and Life Coaching in Andalucia from 3rd to 10th October 2015 see http://www.the-seeds-4-change.org.uk for more details

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New Beginnings

I have now been living in Spain for six months and am starting a new chapter.

The original house I lived in, in the heart of the Barrio, gave me a unique experience and taught me many things. There is life without technology, but I need good Wifi to connect with the outside world for my work.

I have learned the joys of shopping for fresh food daily from a variety of small local shops on my doorstep. This is something I remember frm my childhood in England but long gone sadly where I live in UK.

My Spanish neighbours have welcomed me with open arms, taught me how to keep the house warm in winter and now how to keep it cool. They have helped my Spanish to improve slowly and patiently. They have shown me how to care for all members of the community, young and old, able and less able, sharing what they have gladly and strengthening bonds as they do so.

I have made many connections socially and for my work and seem to do so almost daily.

And now I have moved to a town house in the Pueblo, still among Spanish families but better located for transport and other amenities.

I am excited to see what next!

Week of Yoga, Meditation and Life Coaching

Join us for a fabulous week of yoga, meditation and Life Coaching in Andalucia from 3rd to 10th October 2015 see http://www.the-seeds-4-change.org.uk for more details

Tests

So here I am a month on, enjoying the slower pace of life in Spain. However it comes with its frustrations!

Getting connected to the Internet and phone for work also takes time and feels no nearer to happening than when I arrived. There is no sense of urgency…the call promised to let you know what’s happening comes 4 days later than expected to say no progress has been made. Everyone seems to be waiting for someone else to take charge and sort things out.

However this has changed my own sense of what is truly important and sharpened my problem solving skills! It has helped me to integrate with the locals who are only too keen to share their own experiences and resolutions which is an unexpected bonus.

And most of all these little tests are giving me the opportunity to use and strengthen my patience.

Surely that can only be good!