September:
Something To Try:
1.
Think back to family experiences that make you
happy. Many families visit places or take part in activities regularly that can
be seen as family traditions. Some families celebrate birthdays in a special
way for example. Spend time thinking about family traditions that you have
found enjoyable.
“The language of friendship is not words but
meanings.” Henry David Thoreau
Music:
Lou Reed~ September Song
Such a great song.
Something To Try:
2.
Think of someone you consider to be beautiful.
They may not be considered to be classically beautiful but there is something
about them that makes you consider them to be beautiful. It may be their smile
or the way they treat other people. When we think of beautiful people and
beautiful things we can feel joyful.
“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet
met.” William Butler Yeats
Music:
Television~ Foxhole
Such a great voice.
Something To Try:
3.
This exercise is called ‘What if?’ We can spend
a lot of time worrying about things that may go wrong. We may think ‘what if
this breaks, or I lose that?’ Instead we can choose to think ‘what if things go
right or turn out well?’ You can take time thinking ‘What if?’ in this positive
way, it can be fun!
“Friendship consists in forgetting what one
gives and remembering what one receives.” Alexander Dumas
Music:
Uncertain Smile~ The The
Wonderful.
Something To Try:
4.
Think of three things that make the world a
better place.
“Friendship is the inexpressible comfort of
feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words.”
George Eliot
Music:
Talking Heads~ And She Was
Sweet.
Something To Try:
5.
Think of the last time you felt inspired. Where
were you and what happened? Even thinking of times we felt inspired can lift
our spirits.
“Friendship with oneself is all-important,
because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Music:
Cyndi Lauper~ Time After Time
I love her voice.
Something To Try:
6.
Have you heard of Angel Numbers? When numbers
recur, we tend to notice them. On a digital clock you may notice that the time
is 1:11 or 2:22. Some people believe numbers hold significance. For example,
some people say the number 1 signifies new beginnings. If you see the number
recurring it is suggested that this is more significant. I enjoy looking out
for recurring numbers, they make me smile. Maybe look out for recurring numbers
in your life.
“A friend is one of the nicest things you
can have and one of the best things you can be. “ Winnie The Pooh
Music:
Altered Images~ See Those Eyes
What a sweet voice.
Something To Try:
7.
Think of a time when you put your faith in
someone and this paid off. It can be difficult to trust people and believe that
they will do what they say they will do but when we are able to put our faith
in people our lives can feel more open and freer.
“When we are unable to find tranquillity
within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.” Francois de La
Rochefoucauld
Music:
New Model Army~ Vengeance
What a great band.
Something To Try:
8.
Think of a time when you had faith in yourself
and you were happy with the outcome. Having faith in yourself can be hard but
is very rewarding when you learn how to do this.
“It is in your power to withdraw yourself
whenever you desire. Perfect tranquillity within consists in the good ordering
of the mind, the realm of your own.” Marcus Aurelius
Music:
The Sex Pistols~ Pretty Vacant
You have to include something by them.
Something To Try:
9.
Think of new life. When did you last see
something new-born? Looking at new baby humans and creatures can be very
uplifting.
“Tranquillity is a choice. So is anxiety.
The entire world around us may be in turmoil. But if we want to be peaceful
within. We can.” Anonymous
Music:
The Damned~ Love Song
Exciting stuff!
Something To Try:
10.
What are you enjoying most about today? When we
learn how to tune in to the things we enjoy we find more enjoyable things open
up to us.
“I know exactly what I want. Calm, peace, tranquillity,
freedom, fun, and happiness.” Johnny Depp
Music:
The Ramones~ Baby I Love You
I couldn’t resist!
Something To Try:
11.
What are you looking forward to next week? If
you aren’t looking forward to anything maybe you can build in some time next
week to treat yourself to something you enjoy.
“If you are at peace with your past, you
are at peace with yourself.” Anonymous
Music:
Boomtown Rats~ Banana Republic
Something To Try:
12.
Sip a glass of water slowly, focusing on each
sip. Focusing on activities mindfully can help is feel more joyful. Water is so
important to life. Feel gratitude for the water as you sip it.
“Sit quietly – be. May you find tranquility
in all the little moments of your day.” Anonymous
Music:
White Salt Stag~ Jo Quail
Beautiful
Something To Try:
“When
you’re at peace with your life and in a state of tranquillity, you actually
send out a vibration of energy that impacts all living creatures.” Wayne Dyer
Music:
Automated
Lover~ Snack Family
Great
live!
Something To Try:
14.
Meditate for seven days. This is day 2. Simply
close your eyes, relax on a chair or bed and focus on breathing slowly. If your
thoughts drift, that’s Ok, simply return your focus onto your breath. You could
meditate in silence or with relaxing music in the background. If you hear other
noises or experience other distractions gently return to focusing on your
breath. Try and do this for at least 2 minutes.
“Everything takes time. Bees have to move
very fast to stay still.”
― David Foster Wallace
Music:
Wonk Unit~ Je m’appelle Alex.
I love them!
Something To Try:
15.
Meditate for seven days. This is day 3. Simply
close your eyes, relax on a chair or bed and focus on breathing slowly. If your
thoughts drift, that’s Ok, simply return your focus onto your breath. You could
meditate in silence or with relaxing music in the background. If you hear other
noises or experience other distractions gently return to focusing on your
breath. Try and do this for at least 3 minutes.
“Sometimes you need to sit lonely on the
floor in a quiet room in order to hear your own voice and not let it drown in
the noise of others.”
Charlotte Eriksson
Music:
The Associates~18 Carat Love Affair
Such a beautiful voice.
Something To Try:
16.
Meditate for seven days. This is day 4. Simply
close your eyes, relax on a chair or bed and focus on breathing slowly. If your
thoughts drift, that’s Ok, simply return your focus onto your breath. You could
meditate in silence or with relaxing music in the background. If you hear other
noises or experience other distractions gently return to focusing on your
breath. Try and do this for at least 4 minutes.
“Feel your emotions,
Live true your passions, Keep still your
mind.”
Geoffrey M. Gluckman
Music:
I Feel Love~ Marc Almond and Bronski Beat
So good!
Something To Try:
17.
Meditate for seven days. This is day 5. Simply
close your eyes, relax on a chair or bed and focus on breathing slowly. If your
thoughts drift, that’s Ok, simply return your focus onto your breath. You could
meditate in silence or with relaxing music in the background. If you hear other
noises or experience other distractions gently return to focusing on your
breath. Try to do this for at least 5 minutes.
“Be still. Stillness reveals the secrets of
eternity”
Laotzu
Music:
Bronski Beat~ Smalltown Boy
What an amazing voice.
Something To Try:
18.
Meditate for seven days. This is day 6. Simply
close your eyes, relax on a chair or bed and focus on breathing slowly. If your
thoughts drift, that’s Ok, simply return your focus onto your breath. You could
meditate in silence or with relaxing music in the background. If you hear other
noises or experience other distractions gently return to focusing on your
breath. Try and do this for at least 6 minutes.
“Time passes so fast. Make time to be
still.”
Lailah Gifty Akita
Music:
Don’t Kill My Vibe~ Sigrid
Great lyrics.
Something To Try:
19.
Meditate for seven days. This is day 7. Simply
close your eyes, relax on a chair or bed and focus on breathing slowly. If your
thoughts drift, that’s Ok, simply return your focus onto your breath. You could
meditate in silence or with relaxing music in the background. If you hear other
noises or experience other distractions gently return to focusing on your
breath. Try and do this for at least 7 minutes.
“Life’s most precious moments are not all
loud or uproarious. Silence and stillness has its own virtues.”
Kilroy J. Oldster
Music:
Do It With A Rockstar~ Amanda Palmer
Such a talent.
Something To Try:
20.
Think back on your 7 days of meditation. What
did you notice? Did you enjoy the experience? Meditation can be very beneficial
to us if we do it regularly.
“ will forget what you said, people will
forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Music:
Coin Operated Boy~ Dresden Dolls
I love this band.
Something To Try:
21.
Try a grounding exercise. Close your eyes and
relax into a chair. Imagine a large root is growing out of the base of your
body and it is growing into the ground. Imagine this root getting deeper into
the ground, anchoring you and helping you feel secure. Imagine some green light
passing from deep inside the ground, travelling up the root and into your body
helping you to feel calm and relaxed. After a few minutes allow the image to
fade and open your eyes.
“Life is an exciting business, and most
exciting when it is lived for others.” Helen Keller
Music:
The Ruts~ In A Rut
I love this band.
Something To Try:
22.
Close your eyes and imagine a beam of light is pouring
into the top of your head and is filling your body. Your body is filled with
energising light. Enjoy this sensation for a few minutes and when you are ready
allow the image to fade and open your eyes.
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you
never know how soon it will be too late.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Music:
…Haunting
Something To Try:
23.
What have you enjoyed most about this week?
“No matter who we are, no matter how
successful, no matter what our situation, compassion is something we all need
to receive and give. “ Catherine
Pulsifer
Music:
Dave Ball~ Rednecks
So original.
Something To Try:
24.
Think of something pleasurable you would like to
do tomorrow and make sure you do it.
“I feel the capacity to care is the thing
which gives life its deepest significance. “
Pablo Casals
Music:
Mumford And Sons~ I Will Wait
Such good musicians.
Something To Try:
25.
What are three things that you have loved about
this year so far?
“Human kindness has never weakened the
stamina or softened the fibre of a free people. A nation does not have to be
cruel to be tough. “ Franklin D. Roosevelt
Music:
Ella Fitzgerald~ Cry Me A River
Lovely.
Something To Try:
26.
Think of your loved ones and mentally send them
good wishes and love.
“If there is any kindness I can show, or
any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not deter or
neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.” William Penn
Music:
The Killers~ When You Were Young
I like this band.
Something To Try:
27.
Visualising can be very powerful. Close your
eyes and imagine that you are standing barefoot on a warm and sandy beach with
the cool water lapping over your feet. When you are ready, let the image fade
and open your eyes.
“A little attention, a little kindness, a
little thoughtfulness are worth more than all the wealth in the world.”
Avijeet Das
Music:
Iggy Pop~ Lust For Life
Brilliant.
Something To Try:
28.
Close your eyes and imagine that you are
standing by a cool, deep pond. Pick up a stone, throw it into the water and
watch the ripples spreading over the water surface. After you have done this a
couple of times, let the image fade and open your eyes.
“..opt for kindness wherever possible”
Isabella Koldras,
Music:
Klaus Nomi~ Total Eclipse
So unique.
Something To Try:
29.
Close your eyes and imagine it is a warm day and
you are walking through a corn field. You can hear the corn rustling as you
walk through the field. The ground is hard under your feet. The sky is blue
with fluffy white clouds. The sun is shining down and you can feel it warm on
your skin. Once you are ready, allow the image to fade and open your eyes.
“Don't ever forget that a small group of
thoughtful people can change the world, it's the only thing that ever
has.” Aaron Sorkin
Mr Pharmacist~ The Fall
Superb!
Something To Try:
30.
Close your eyes and imagine that you are sitting
on a bench by a blazing bonfire on a cold night. You can feel the heat on your
face and your hands warming up. Look up and see the dark sky with the twinkling
stars. Smell the bonfire smoke and listen to the flames crackling ads the wood
burns. When you have finished, allow the image to fade and open your eyes.
“An eye for an eye only ends up making the
whole world blind…”
Mahatma Gandhi
Music:
Cult Maniax~ Harry
Great stuff!
