Sunday 29 August 2010

The Power of Touch

Hiya,

I had a 'No Hands' massage yesterday, my first massage for about a year!

I would recommend it to anyone purely and simply as a treat to yourself. I used to go when I had an ache or pain somewhere but really it's such a lovely experience I could go all the time. From time to time me and Em will give each other a massage at home and that's really nice and relaxing, but more often than not the bed gets put away in the garage and it's a pain in the neck to get it out, set it up, put the dogs to bed etc. etc.

The lady I saw is called Jane Craddock - her website is listed at the foot here if you're interested, and we had a really interesting chat before and after the massage. It's unlike any other massage I've experienced and thoroughly relaxing. I took away a leaflet which explained in more detail the therapeutic aspect of massage and touch in general. It hypothesised that since we spent the first 9 months of our life in a constant state of being massaged by our mother's body, we crave touch for the rest of our lives.

It becomes so obvious when it's pointed out doesn't it. The first thing we do when we greet someone we know and love is hug them, especially if you haven't seen them for a while. Children (and parents) are comforted by being cuddled all snug and warm. We love to nestle in our partner's arms on the couch and if you have pet mammals you'll find they also crave touch. Think about when you are having an argument with someone, you might find yourself crossing your arms - effectively saying 'I won't touch you now because I'm upset with you.' We shirk the hug of our partner if we are still angry at them thereby withholding our 'touch'.

Think about this for a while and you recognise a multitude of behaviours that all revolve around giving or withholding touch in some way or another.

My challenge to myself and to anyone else interested is to refrain from withholding touch, hug even when angry, even if your pride is saying 'close up' - instead 'open up'. It will make you feel better - guaranteed!

In the meantime treat yourself to a massage and if you're able, treat someone else to a massage - it could be the most therapeutic thing that's happened to them this year!

Jane's website: www.janecraddock.co.uk

for now

Be Inspired

Stu

If you like this you'll probably like my other blog:
http://thechangeyourlifeblog.wordpress.com

Tony Robbins Breakthrough TV Series

Hiya,

This is great TV, seriously! It's moving, it's compelling but more importantly it's inspirational...



for now

Be Inspired

Stu

If you like this you'll probably like my other blog:
http://thechangeyourlifeblog.wordpress.com

Thursday 26 August 2010

Heard About the Mayonnaise Jar and Coffee?

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar... and the coffee...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a resounding "Yes!"

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the tableand poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling theempty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
"I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things. Your family, your children, your faith, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions. Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter. Your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled.
"I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

I wish I knew who the author was so I could credit them, but I don't! :-/

for now

Be Inspired

Stu

If you like this you'll probably like my other blog:
http://thechangeyourlifeblog.wordpress.com

Wednesday 25 August 2010

Other half's blog


Hiya,

If you're into dogs you might enjoy reading my other half's blog here:

<----- (subject of the blog!!)

http://thelittlebeardogblog.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/breakthrough/#comment-57

If you get time take a look.

for now

Be Inspired

Stu

Monday 23 August 2010

Real Heroes

For those that haven't seen this yet - take 10 minutes to watch this and be inspired beyond belief!



for now

Be Inspired

Stu

If you like this you'll probably like my other blog:
http://thechangeyourlifeblog.wordpress.com

2012 ???

Hiya,

If you've ever wondered about the doom mongers version of what's going to happen in 2012 then watch this short video by Esther Hicks. Makes much more sense!



for now

Be Inspired

Stu

If you like this you'll probably like my other blog:
http://thechangeyourlifeblog.wordpress.com

Sunday 8 August 2010

Human Nature

Hiya,

How often do we hear these days that nobody knows their neighbours? People aren't community spirited like they used to be. Everyone lives behind locked doors yada yada yada.
I suppose it's more to do with the quantity of distractions and the ease with which we can get around compared to say 50 years ago, more than how afraid we are - which is what our media would have us believe. Thugs on every corner, not safe to go out your door, every hoodie has a switchblade blah blah blah!!! Grrr!

50 million TV channels and 4000 new video games available every day, plus a gabillion videos on YouTube. We can hop in our cars and drive to see our friends and families easily (except if you have to use the M25!). All this means we don't 'need' to know who lives next door - right?

Well my faith in human nature is intact.

We rescued a dog, Annie, on thursday evening. Half hour later she slipped her collar and ran like the wind. We are surrounded by fields and farms where we live so the opportunity to hide if you're a terrified canine are boundless. Within half hour of running around the lanes searching we had gathered a small posse of friends and total strangers helping us look. There was nothing in it for any of them besides the bonds of community. They helped us until 1 o'clock in the morning that first night, in total darkness, scrambling through bramble bushes and trudging across horse fields. They continued helping in their own ways the following day and the day after that until eventually we got a lead (excuse the pun) and tracked Annie to a garden that backed on to a farm. All the neighbours of that garden came out to help and eventually she was recued a second time.

This experience, as stressful as it was, has allowed us to reconnect with the people around us. We have made friends with people that we would have walked straight past on the street before hand. And they have friends in us. Never again will I walk past a 'Missing Cat or Dog' poster on a lamp post without reading it and considering what I can do to help. I will endeavour to get more involved in the people around us, in an attempt to add to the glue that binds us all together, whether we are aware of it or not.

Look out of your window, walk down your street, look at the faces of the people in your community. They are more likely to help you in a crisis than they ever are to harm you. Smile at people on the street and say hello, you never know when the opportunity may arise for them to help you or for you to help them.

For now - be safe, be neighbourly and Be Inspired

Stu

If you like this you'll probably like my other blog:
http://thechangeyourlifeblog.wordpress.com

Wednesday 4 August 2010

Inspirational video

Hiya,
Got sent this link to an inspirational video this morning. It's one of those picture movies with a soundtrack and a bunch of quotes to inspire you - you know the ones!
However, this one is exceptional, well worth the 8 minute watch and some of the sculptures featured are pretty incredible too.
Treat yourself and give it a watch...



for now

Be Inspired

Stu

If you like this you'll probably like my other blog:
http://thechangeyourlifeblog.wordpress.com

Tuesday 3 August 2010

Quote for today

Whether you think you can or you can’t, either way you are right.
- Henry Ford

So why not start today 'thinking' that you 'can' - at the very least you'll feel better.

for now

Be Inspired

Stu