Keep Dating!

In the Artist's Way, Julia Cameron  introduces the idea of Artist's Dates.  This is where you nurture your artistic side by taking that part of you on a date.  It might be to a gallery or museum, a place of beauty or somewhere else that sparks your interest.  The idea is that, the part of ourselves that creates, needs new experiences and stimulation to be at its best.

In my life and work, I've noticed the power of the new to help people see things more clearly, become more accepting and generally unstick their lives.  Often we think the first step is to get clear on our priorities, goals and vision, but thinking about them from a 'stuck' place can mean we're faced with resistance and confusion.  Sometimes its better to get out there and start experimenting.  You'll experience things you like and things you don't like, and, taking action (almost any action!), will change the way you feel.  It could be as simple as taking a different route to work or more adventurous travelling across the world.

I listened to a play on the radio recently, 'Tinsel Girl' (www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03bddcw).  It told the story of a disabled woman looking for love and described how the process of joining a dating site and connecting with people improved her self belief and confidence.  Even when the relationships didn't work out, her perception had changed. 


My partner suggested making a short film recently.  Something he'd done before but I hadn't.  Although I was unsure what to expect, I've really enjoyed the process.  Not sure it presents me very professionally, but it certainly shows me having fun and the message is pretty real.   We're hoping it'll be shown as part of coastal currents.... coastalcurrents.org.uk/events_21_sep/rarities-productions-beach-shorts-radio-days 
so do come along on Sunday if you're nearby!

Watch this space for a link to the film after the festival and see what you can do that's new today!

Time Peace in the Car

I recently went on a Speed Awareness course and was pleasantly surprised by the learning and consistency of the message with my own focus on 'time peace'.

I don’t remember if I was in a particular hurry when I was zapped for speeding.  (It was a Sunday morning on the A21 heading to my mother’s and I was doing ‘more than the 70 mph limit’.)  But generally I aim to squeeze the most into every minute and this has includes leaving insufficient time for journeys, treating the speed limit as a guide rather than an absolute and racing the satnav (to see if I can arrive a couple of minutes earlier!)  Whilst this approach can get the adrenaline pumping, it’s not consistent with my mission of experiencing time peace.  It means I’m sometimes late, I keep people waiting, they can’t rely on me and, as I learnt on the course, I’m less aware, less able to react in time if necessary and more of a risk to myself and others.  95% of crashes are due to driver/rider error.

There were a few ideas shared on the course I found particularly helpful….

- staying in 3^rd gear to aid keeping to 30mph

- looking out for signs when going into towns as the speed limit is likely to be reducing

- driving at 56 mph on motorways to be fuel efficient

- pulling over to let tailgaters pass

-identifying dual carriageways with fixed centres as the 70mph limit for cars (non fixed = 60)

-secure heavy objects including dogs and handbags to stop them becoming missiles in a crash

- advanced driving courses aren’t too expensive and give you cheaper insurance

However the main message was that speeding isn’t worth it.  As in life, rushing, stressing and pushing towards your destination, means you’re not conscious of your journey, you miss out on the full sensory experience.  On the road, less consciousness is dangerous.  In life, it can cause problems too- clumsiness, forgetfulness, losing things.  Being less aware of others journeying with you means you might not anticipate their moves on the road or, in life, you might not be so sensitive and read their situation well, you might miss opportunities to really connect.  Whilst being really busy often gets admiration in our society and looks like you’re living life to the full, actually I believe it's in the moments when you’re early with or when you’ve room to explore less efficient routes, that intuition and serendipity can really work their magic and give you the best life has to offer.

Are you Sitting Comfortably?

Are you Sitting Comfortably?  Then we'll begin meditating.

The image that usually comes to mind of someone meditating is of them sitting crossed legged on the floor or on a cushion with their back straight and and eyes closed.  It might not even be a comfortable position but fidgeting around isn't encourgaged.

However, this isn't the only way!

5 Rhythms has been described as a moving meditation.  For me, it is still about being fully present and aware and working with breath, but it involves moving to music that provokes different moods and emotions and therefore has us tapping into different aspects of ourselves.  We dance wild and free shedding our fears and letting our inner world show on the outside.  With sensitive teaching, we relate to eachother and the different parts of ourselves.

Creator of 5 Rhythms, Gabrielle Roth, said...
'The fastest way to still the mind is to move the body'
You can read more about her and the practice at www.5rhythms.com

We're very fortunate to have a local group here in Hastings with a wonderful teacher, Emma Roberts.  Her site, www.shapingtheinvisible.co.uk, has all the details of the Wednesday evening classes.  Hope to see you on the dance floor soon!
   

You Can Improve Your Eyesight

If you've had your eyes tested and told you need glasses, you've probably resigned yourself to steady (or perhaps rapid) sight deterioration as you grow older.  Sight is one of the few areas in medicine where the aim isn't to heal but to compensate for the effects in day to day life.  

But it needn't be that way! www.seeing.org describes the work of Dr Bates who developed the Bates Method to relax the muscles around our eyes, making them flexible and better able to recover after times of stress.  He demonstrated how sight can be fully returned even after severe cases of short or far sightedness.

I became interested in this around 2001 and spent a summer studying with a practitioner in Brighton, doing daily exercises and leaving off my glasses as much as possible.  I improved my sight considerably and the Optician was impressed (if not rather bewildered!).  As like going to the gym, it took quite a bit of time and dedication, I didn't continue with the programme.

Recently I was pleased to come across some pinhole glasses and I chatted to a promoter of this method at the Quest show.  www.trayner.co.uk tells you more.  It's a much easier practice to integrate with your day and myself and my partner have been trying them out.  He has the mild long sightedness associated with close work and midlife and is therefore wearing them for reading, about 20 mins a day.  For my distance improvement, I should be wearing them for watching TV, but I rarely watch TV!  I've found train journeys are good (if a little embarrassing) but I've yet to get into a real rhythm with it.  The key is to find a time when wearing the glasses doesn't cause you stress.

My partner has just lowered his reading glass prescription and has noticed where he'd previously be wearing glasses continually, he's sometimes able to do without.  I've heard other similar stories and many are described on the websites.  It seems scandalous that this work is not widely known and has been effectively blocked by the Optical Industry. 

I hope this has inspired you to spread the word and find out more.  I'd recommend the bite sized book A Guide to the Bates Method, by Jonathan Barns as an introduction.  Do let us know how you get on!