More Snow!

As I was getting ready for bed last night, I went to close my curtains and saw that it had begun to snow. In a very short time the world was white and the streetlights took on a beautiful aura. The snow carried on after I had gone to bed, so we woke to a beautiful scene.

It was one of those cold, bright days that make your breath into smoke and your lungs pinch when you breathe in the cold air. The cold has carried on, so the snow is still there, which is quite unusual, as often the temperature goes up pretty quickly and the snow melts. The weather forecast is for more cold and possibly some more snow, so winter is well and truly here.

Since we moved here in 2001, I have never seen a winter start like this one. It will be interesting to see how it unfolds. We sometimes get a big snow dump at the end of October/beginning of November, then there is nothing until Christmas-time or after, but this year we have seen more snow falling.

I lit the fire tonight and we are all feeling very cozy. I am so lucky to be able to enjoy this weather, with a nice warm house, a comfortable bed and a reliable vehicle to get around. I hope that those who are not so fortunate don't suffer too badly.

Cold and Wet

It was really cold and wet today. I had hoped we might get some more snow (the forecast said it was a possibility), but no luck.

Oh well, things can change very rapidly here in the Highlands.....

It has snowed again!

It snowed while I was away in Florida in October, and has snowed twice since I returned. I love it!
I keep wondering what the winter will bring and whether we'll have a white Christmas. That would be so nice.

Breathe!

Today has been a challenging one. Quite a few things have occurred that have contributed to rising stress levels. Almost everyone in the family seems to be grumpy.

I just have to remember to breathe. And then keep on breathing.

This too will pass...........

Better late than never....

I cannot believe how long it is since I wrote on this blog! Well, actually, I can. Even though I love writing, like anything, it is something I need to be disciplined at. Other things seem to be more pressing, so this poor blog seems to get pushed further down the to-do list!

Watch this space! I am committing to write more regularly from now on - at least once a week.

So what have I been up to since my last posting? Quite a lot, as it happens. I took a year out and went back to College in Inverness to do some Scottish Highers (School qualifications) in Biology, Chemistry and Sociology. I worked long and hard and managed to achieve Grade A for both the Biology and Sociology and a hard-won Grade B for the Chemistry. (It was a very tough paper!) I am delighted with my results. I hadn't done any Science since O' levels in 1980, so it is very satisfying to achieve such great results. This is all towards my long-term goal to do a Nutrition degree, which has a Bio-Chemistry base. That can wait for now.

So now I am no longer a College Student, it is back to being a domestic goddess and personal development coach.

If I can help you in either area, get in touch!

Double Your Achievements By Lightening the Load

"The miracle is this - the more we share, the more we have."

Leonard Nimoy, American actor, "Star Trek"

How lucky am I? Over the last couple of weeks, I have been spending time with various groups of people sharing in very positive experiences. This included a attending a conference to celebrate International Women’s Day, presenting a session for a women’s group on Motivation, co-ordinating a very interesting session for our local women’s group on Body Awareness, as well as getting together with some other coaches in Edinburgh to share tips and tools to use with our clients.

What has struck me is the willingness to share that so many of these people and groups have in common. It is like a light shining through the darkness shed by so many negative reports of how so few people consider anyone other than themselves, and how a sense of community is lacking etc. I happen to disagree with most of what I read, as I know from experience that that spirit is not lacking and if we give it a chance by sharing and collaborating, whether professionally or personally, it can bring us so many rewards.

As the song goes, “Who ya gonna call?” Who do you know who could help you? (Ghostbusters!) Or even who do you know who might know someone else who could help you? Just making that one call could make all the difference to your success. Could you make progress yourself by offering your knowledge and experience to someone else? By cooperating and collaborating, not only are the rewards increased, but the load is lightened. You can share almost everything - a smile, some knowledge, a task – and by doing so you will also be opening yourself up to receiving more of the same. Try giving out as many smiles as possible this week and see how good you feel when they are returned!

Have you been putting things off because you need some more information? Or do you need someone else’s input or skills to get things going? Most people would be flattered to be asked to help, so don’t put things off any longer. You may be denying them the pleasure of contributing!

Why not consider joining up with someone else to do something active? You could join a class, go running with a buddy or even sign up with a personal trainer. It will help you to keep your motivation going, and on those days where you don’t feel like it, they can encourage you and you can do the same for them.

So many things are more pleasant when they are shared. If we have committed to do something to someone else, we are more likely to carry it through. Just make sure that what you have said you will do is what you really want to do, as you could let others down, as well as yourself. If you are unsure, you can always ask for help. What new thing can you get involved in today? Who needs your help and contribution? Seek out new opportunities to join forces with others and play a part in the creation of something innovative.

Sharing creativity brings to mind those wonderful people who get together to create something as a group. The women who stitch quilts, the children who decorate their school playgrounds with fabulous murals, a creative writing group and of course any group who creates music together! The possibilities are endless. Of course, there is nothing wrong with expressing your creativity on your own, but together you can produce something with a different dimension.

As well as asking for help, how about offering it? You will have plenty to contribute if you only just think about it. So many groups are seeking volunteers, so you could make all the difference to them if you are willing to share your knowledge, skills and time. What you have gains so much in value when you are able to share it with others.

Don’t You Owe Yourself The Best Of Health?

"A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools." ~ Spanish Proverb

I am feeling really well and healthy at the moment, full of energy and able to cope with pretty much anything that comes my way. The picture was completely different a year ago. Although I was going to the gym regularly and following healthy eating guidelines, I felt tired and low, with no oomph. I was catching bug after bug and wasn’t able to shake them off. I had various unpleasant physical symptoms which I won’t detail here, which had been going on for years. I was even taking afternoon naps! (I HATE sleeping during the day!) My Doctor did various tests – gluten, coeliac, thyroid, blood sugar, but each time the results came back negative. What to do next?

Last summer, after prompting from a friend who said that I owed it to myself to find out more, I sent off for a food intolerance test from the YorkTest Laboratories. (see YORKTEST) I had heard about them from various sources over the years, and thought they might be able to help me get to the bottom of my malaise. And if not, at least I had tried something! As part of the package you get two consultations with a nutritionist, who will help you make the best of your results. (See my earlier posting)

And, boy, did I need help! It turns out I am intolerant to certain foods, including garlic! However, I also had a suspected leaky gut! This explained the symptoms, the tiredness, the lack of energy and more. Everything I put into my body was being treated as an invader. No wonder I felt lousy. I have now changed my eating and have developed my skill as a mad label reader. Within two weeks of omitting certain foods from my diet I was already feeling much better and now over six months on, I can say having that test was one of the best things I have ever done. (There are other food intolerance tests available. However, I have no experience of them, so you will have to do your own checks.)

I am not saying that you should all rush off and have yourself checked out for food intolerances (although if you are suffering, maybe this is a good place to start). What I am getting at is that you owe it to yourself to become as healthy as you can possibly be, so start listening to your body and start taking action. It is so easy to put your health low down on your list of priorities, if it appears at all. However, consider this, if you become unwell and cannot function, how will you be able to work or look after anyone else? Life is so much sweeter when you feel well. Even if you are only able to do a little bit everyday towards improving your health, do it!

Make your goals this week wellbeing ones. What needs to change first? Think about your body. Where do you feel strong? What gives you cause for concern? Who can you consult to assist you? A doctor, personal trainer, a complementary therapist? Ask for referrals if necessary and make that call. Every day choose to do some new thing that will contribute to a healthier you. It doesn’t have to be something big, or take hours or even cost a great deal, if anything at all. Just learning to breathe properly, deep down into your belly, will contribute to your overall sense of wellbeing.

What’s been niggling you for a while that you keep ignoring? An ache? Some extra weight that you’ve been carrying for too long? The fact that you can’t climb a few stairs without panting? Pay attention and this time don’t ignore it. Do something about it.

There’s a saying ‘diets start tomorrow’. No they don’t. Everything you eat and drink is part of your diet and there is no start or end. Think of food and drink as fuel. Would you put fuel into your car that made it break down – either straight away or somewhere down the line? Of course not. So don’t do that to your body. The information is out there about what you need to do to start looking after yourself. Make it a priority to find out what is best for you.

An active body is a healthy body. If you can’t do the smallest thing without feeling puffed-out, then it is time to take a good look at how you spend your days. Is your job a sedentary one, with many hours sitting? Think about ways that you can add some more movement, even if it is getting up off your seat every so often and having a quick stretch or even a walk over to talk someone. Exhausted after a long day at work? If you make time for even the smallest amount of physical activity, say a five minute walk, you will feel so much better. Slumping in front of the television will only make you feel worse!

Don’t you want to feel good? When you are placing your well being and health at the top of your list then everything else feels better too. You’ll be clearer in your thinking, you’ll be more even-tempered. You will feel the strength of your body when you need to do something physical. If you have family members that you care for you will also be leading by example. By valuing yourself others will be more likely to value you too.

Wellbeing is not just about physical health, but also what goes on in your head. Being able to express yourself in a creative way will add to your mental fitness. Making time to do those things you enjoy helps to reduce feelings of stress and are so beneficial to your overall sense of happiness.

Every day we eat and drink. We get up in the morning and we go through our days. At the end of the day we go to bed, and for most of us, to sleep. During those 24 hours it is up to us how we use every second, every minute. We will not get a bill for that time. However, if you don’t address any health concerns that you have now, you may have to pay the price later on. Picture yourself as someone nearing the end of your life. What are you like? Are you fit and able to function, clear-headed and capable? Or are you surrounded by carers, frail and unable to take care of yourself? Don’t wait. Make some changes NOW. Take care of yourself NOW. Don’t you owe it to yourself?

“Life is not merely being alive, but being well” ~ Marcus Aurelius
(Roman emperor, best known for his Meditations on Stoic philosophy, AD 121-180)

This will have to wait until after the bathrooms get finished....

Priorities have changed. Bathrooms first. Workroom next.

See more progress on: knock a wall down