Another beautiful experience at Bhaktivedanta Manor.  Starting with a Yoga and meditation session  given by Ananga Mohini devi dasi and followed by an inspiring talk presented by Kripamoya das (who I could listen to all day). He gave us his top ten life lessons with some interesting examples and tales of successes and was extremely engaging. His words certainly resonated with me and as always I took pages of notes.

We were served lunch in George Harrison’s Garden and the weather was kind perfect Autumn day. We met with some very interesting people and exchanged frank views on life, I even managed a word with the speaker who for all his wisdom is very open, amusing and so approachable.  Before dashing to another event we managed to buy the recommended books – which I will read and review soon.

Aside of the amazing venue and grounds my visits so far have been met with such friendly and spiritual hospitality. Sincere thanks to the ‘Family of monks’  at the manor who do all they can to make your visit peaceful and enjoyable. (To call them staff seems so wrong and too unfriendly) 

I would recommend anybody wanting to really treat them self and escape from the rat race to visit their website and book on a retreat event you will not be disappointed.

For a certain special family member who may be reading this today…I forgive you for snoring during the  meditation session and interrupting me whilst I was enjoying my wonderful visual visitations.

The great thing about talented people is how so often they choose to use their gifts to help others. Soulfish & 2Tone are performing together on Friday 6th of November at Harpenden Public Halls to raise funds for the local Mencap charity.

Harpenden Mencap support local people with learning difficulties and I know a few families that have benefited from their activities.

Tickets are £20 and enquiries should be made for your last minute tickets to soulfish4harpendenmencap@gmail.com

As with any charity awareness and fundraising go hand in hand and your support is appreciated.

Too often I believe the importance and etiquette of kissing gets forgotten. Where has the romance gone to?

A squeeze, hug and a kiss are v.i.p. to making a dreary day move into a special one. People under-estimate the value of kissing and being kissed. Whether it be a tender exchange between a Mother and child or a passionate toe curler delivered by a new lover.

Earlier this year I researched and a wrote my thoughts on this subject ‘A little book of kisses’  which I am hoping will be available by next Valentine’s day…meanwhile get kissing!

Professor Green’s programme last night ‘Suicide and me’ was brilliant. I am certain the honesty that he portrayed of his own journey and experience of his Father’s suicide will help others coming to terms with their loss.

Whilst the programme was very personal to him he also included valuable statistics which I have no doubt will have come as a great shock to many;  Suicide is indeed the biggest killer to men under 45, and with over 6,000  suicides in the UK and 80% being male.

He revealed circumstances within his own Father’s life prior to his death; including the suicide of a sibling and further bereavement could have quite likely been a large contributing factor to his vulnerability which is so often the case. Whilst on the surface suicides appear to be coping, they are often suppressing their emotions and not discussing their feelings a trait not uncommon in men.

He also touched on how suicide is still viewed as a taboo subject making it even harder for those left behind. Anything that any of us can do to re-adjust the balance is a positive move.

All credit to Professor Green for the publicity and awareness that he has created in producing his story.

I promised the Cats Protection League I would support today. For some strange reason black cats are often left at re-homing centres and I have no idea why??? Is it misplaced superstition or that some people think tabbies are nicer cats perhaps? However, it’s no joking matter beautiful black cats are in need of a loving home at a centre near you.

We homed a beautiful part siamese black cat that had been found abandoned and taken to our local vets I believe by the CPL or RSPCA. Maisy is a real sweetie and we have had her for some five years now and she grows more affectionate and chattier every year.

So if you are off to adopt a cat from one of the above charities or The Blue Cross, please don’t walk past a black cat, make friends and give her or him a chance of a good home…it may be the best decision you make today.

Ok fellow bloggers and followers. Have just submitted my assignment on de-cluttering. Now this week less talk (writing) and more action.

For those of you that know about ‘the screen’ in my house I am venturing behind to tackle the mountain of files, books and anything else lurking there. It’s a dirty job and somebody has to do it….me it seems! Now where did I put the bin bags?????

Thanks to those friends that have told me last week’s blog inspired them to de-clutter…somebody is reading, listening and joining in!

Have a great week starting with a productive Monday.

I am often reminding female friends about the great expectations we women place on relationships with our men only to be disappointed.

Just started reading ‘Committed a love story’ the sequel to ‘Eat Love Pray’ It has some very interesting observations on marriage and relationships and how women from different countries have far less expectations than the western female. Are they happier with their lot then? It seems they are or maybe they are just more accepting of their spouse and their shortcomings.

Men often wonder why woman have such trust issues maybe they should look at the man in the mirror and maybe find the answer staring them in the face.

Best not to take them too serious in my experience and keep smiling bloggers it keeps the world wondering I say.

Wise words from my beautiful mentor and Mother were never in short supply. One message  I recall is ‘the time to be good to be people is when they are here’.  So true, it’s too late after they are no longer here to love or give a helping hand to.

In life we meet people along the way and try to believe the best of them and they will quite likely disappoint at some stage. The ace card has got to be forgive and try to support them. Of course some are a lost cause and to sever ties is the best option. Whereas, others we can give as much time as they need willingly because we care about them and love them.

Things happen in life to remind us what is important – people are and not our belongings. So look after your treasured possession which may in fact be your child. Remember to tell them you love them as much as you can even when they have made you angry and possibly disappointed you. They are still learning to be the best they can be and as parents we just do the best we can in order to support them in their development and we too are learning along the way.

When things go pear shaped apportioning blame helps nobody but looking for solutions to help improve our situation not only gives us focus but enables us to move forward. Seeking professional help when necessary is the best advice and even counsellors need, and, are supposed to have counselling…and they are trained and have all the answers!

Love and forgiveness are the order of the day and of course listening.

Hello to all those conker lovers out there. I have just come across one of my collectors books, undated probably 1950’s or 60’s ‘Things to make and do the whole year through’. Some truly crazy suggestions in this book albeit echoing back to a more romantic time of being a child.

Out of curiosity I thought I would look at this month, and for this week it is chestnut week with some amazing suggestions what to do with your conkers!! Seriously, make conker men using matchsticks for arms and legs!! It reminded me of watching my brothers playing conkers prior to the fun police and health and safety gone mad..I believe this is banned now in schools?

I am tempted to abandon the NLP course and take a year out and work my way through this book!

Just kidding! Next week its how to make a wool ball…a pompom I believe it was called in my day. Where’s my bag of wool?!!!

Lordy, lordy I have got to the part in my NLP course which deals with de-cluttering. Those that know me recognise I do like to collect books, photographs and stuff!! Mixed  comments of ‘shall I get you a skip and help you sort it’ to ‘I love your house it’s so homely’ are frequently expressed by friends and family visitors.

However, in my own defence it is organised chaos and of course the fact we have outgrown our wee house adds to my own home’s fullness.  I love it, confess to ignoring some of the files due to expanding working space which should maybe be moved out of the lounge. Dare I really put anything else in that loft?

I think somebody is trying to send me a message…the plumber arrived to sort out my rads. I had to take all the books off a book case so he could get to a rad (not in use). I am surrounded by piles of books as I write my blog today..and yes… guess what? Just found a book on feng shui for the home.

Do you know that dust has its own chi energy which is why cleaning regularly is essential to our spiritual self and it not only burns a few calories it revitalizes the chi energy.

So I am going to make my research/homework an assignment for me to have a surge.  Off to dust the hoover and have a dance around…don’t forget those corners Ms m!!