the middle of nowhere

We are Moving!!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:08:00 +0000

It has been really lovely here on Blogger, but I need to have my very own blog, so I've set up a WordPress one here. Hope you can come and join me, we would love to have you.
Love & best wishes
Heather x
A Little Bit of Me Time Site
Follow Me on Twitter
Treat Yourself to Just Ten Minutes

Happy Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:01:00 +0000

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter
Love & best wishes
Heather x

A Little Bit of Me Time
Twitter
Just Ten Minutes

Stress tip of the week - Be Kind

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:33:00 +0000

Imagine one day every year when everyone is friendly, generous and considerate

Imagine not just doing kind things for others, but receiving them in kindness too

Imagine what is the kindest thing you could do for yourself, someone else, the planet, for animals, for your colleagues, your families

Find out all about Be Kind Day here

Hope you have a wonderful week
Love & best wishes
Heather x
A Little Bit of Me Time
Twitter Heather
Stress Free in Just Ten Minutes

Stress Tip of the Week - Get rid of the Little Voice

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:57:00 +0000

We all have one - that little voice inside your head that says... "you can't do that", "who do you think you are" or "what are you doing that for - it'll never work?"

That little voice is even louder in these times of uncertainty, and those of us who will succeed and grow, will first have to master our little voice.

I'm very aware of my own little voice and those of my clients and am always on the look out for new and creative ways to deal with it.

So I was very excited to discover the launch of Blair Singer's new book on exactly this issue. Find out about Blair's own journey Here

Hope you have a great week
Love & best wishes
Heather x
A Little Bit of Me Time
Twitter Heather
Stress Free in Just Ten Minutes

Stress Tip of the Week - spend time with the people you love

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:33:00 +0000

It's our 14th wedding anniversary today and so we have scheduled some 'us time'. We are going to spend the day enjoying each other's company and remembering why we love each other so much. It's nice to take time out to remind those you love that you are there for them and that they mean so much. Often we expect people to just 'know'. It's a wonderful affirmation to hear the words that come straight from our hearts.
Hope you are having a great week
my love & best wishes to you and yours
Heather x
A Little Bit of Me Time
Twitter Heather
Stress Free in Just Ten Minutes

Stress Tip of the Week - Enjoy Pure Silence

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:35:00 +0000

"When we experience pure silence in the mind, the body becomes silent also. And in that field of silence, healing is much more efficient". Deepak Chopra

A few months back I was washing dishes when Peter came into the kitchen from his workshop and put down the ear defenders he had been using. For fun, I put them on and an amazing thing happened.

All at once I felt totally calm as though a wave of relaxation had washed over me. I could hear nothing and very quickly even the chattering thoughts in my head subsided and everything was very still and quiet.

It was such a peaceful experience that I kept the ear defenders on for quite some time just to enjoy and stretch out the moment. I often give myself a moment of pure silence when I think of nothing, speak of nothing and listen to nothing. How often does that occur in our busy lives?

It always gives me a feeling of peace and it feels comfortable and nurturing.
I urge you to experience it for yourself, you may be very pleasently surprised.

Have a great week
Love & best wishes
Heather x
A Little Bit of Me Time
Twitter Heather
Stress Free in Just Ten Minutes

Stress Tip of the Week - Be Nice To Others

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:40:00 +0000

Do you find yourself in the company of those who like to gossip? Have you niticed how you feel when people say negative things? Do you join in or do you feel uncomfortable?

I have often wondered why we 'enjoy' putting other people down. Then I came across the following comment on one of my favourite blogs:

"People get a hit of energy when they are negative about something."

While I was visiting Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project" I read how she thinks she can counteract this instinct.

Here are six of her suggestions for being more positive and less critical:

1. Give Positive Reviews

2. Leave things Unsaid

3. No Gossip

4. Cut People Slack

5. Be Easy to Please

6. Have a Heart to be Contented

She goes on to explain ... "the more negative we are toward others, the more negative they are toward us. Have you noticed that people who are very gossipy and critical are often quite paranoid? There's a reason for that."

My mission for this week is to notice when I am negative and to be more positive and to support others in this task.

Would you like to join me?

Have a great week
Love & Best Wishes
Heather x
A Little Bit of Me Time
Twitter Heather
Stress Free in Just Ten Minutes

Stress Tip of the Week - Give Yourself a Treat

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:44:00 +0000

Did you know that in times of recession, sales of lipstick and chocolate always go up.

Why?

Let's think about it for a moment.

Lipstick is a small treat that is still affordable, it makes an instant difference when applied and creates an immediate lift to the reciever.

The same is true with chocolate!

Although we are surrounded by the stress of the economic downturn, let's cheer ourselves up, not with expensive gifts, but with small affordable treats.
Make a list of all the little things you really love that don't cost the earth and treat yourself to one of them this week.

Make it a little weekly ritual.

Have a great week
Love & best wishes
Heather x
A Little Bit of Me Time
Twitter Heather
Stress Free in Just Ten Minutes

Stress Tip of the Week - Take a Virtual Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:53:00 +0000

When things get too stressful, you can always take a Virtual Holiday.

FACT: The central nervous system does not differentiate between a real event and a vividly imagined event

ACTION: Choose one of the following:

1. Imagine sunbathing on an exotic beach, feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin, feeling the sand beneath your body and hearing the waves lapping on the shore.

2. Imagine sitting on top of a hill on a warm summer's day with a cool breeze blowing through your hair, just gazing out at the miles of countryside around you, listening to the quiet.

3. Imagine sitting in a beautifully tranquil garden, surrounded by exquisite plants and fragrant flowers, wathing the sun dancing on the water of your private pool.

4. Or choose your own favourite place.

Carry out this exercise for 5 minutes whenever you feel the need and when you return you can feel as though you have just been on holiday, and as far as your central nervous system is concerned, you have.

Have a great week
Love & best wishes
Heather x
A Little Bit of Me Time
Twitter Heather
Stress Free in Just Ten Minutes

Who's the most important person to love today?

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 10:18:00 +0000

On Valentine's Day we will be charging around in our millions buying cards and presents and showing how much we care for others, but when do we stop and think about how much we care for ourselves?

Here are my 7 ways to love yourself on Valentine's Day.

1. Say No - It's hard for a lot of us to say no because we don't want to hurt or offend the other person. But by taking on more than we can cope with, we are not respecting our own time and end up adding to our own stress.

2. Nurture Yourself - think back to a time when you felt really indulged and recreate that time. Make youself feel spoilt - go on, you deserve it!

3. Let Go - we can't change things that have happened in the past and carrying around the baggage insn't helping anyone. Make a commitment to letting it go and move on

4. Be Grateful - make it a ritual to find one thing everyday to be grateful for. Gratitude makes us feel more positive.

5. Take a Moment - stop dashing about and give yourself permission to pause and appreciate the view.

6. Smile - the brain chemicals that are released when we smile can make us feel good all day - and it has a contageous effect on those around us.

7. Be Positive - one of the best gifts we can give ourselves is looking forward with good expectations. Assume your life is going to be wonderful and guess what?

Have a great Valentine's weekend
Love & best wishes
Heather x
A Little Bit of Me Time
Twitter Heather
Stress Free in Just Ten Minutes

Emotional Attachment

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:11:00 +0000

Today I am the guest blogger over at The Organizing Moma. My subject is the emotional benefits of decluttering. I've always believed in the therapuetic benefit of getting rid of things that we don't need anymore, things that really don't serve our higher purpose. Things that hold us back.

Getting rid of our clutter can often bring up the most deep rooted emotions. The underlying problem of clutter is not procrastination; it’s that dealing with clutter means dealing with our own, sometimes difficult feelings .....read more

Stress Tip of the Week - Remember you're not alone

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:56:00 +0000

No matter how stressful life seems at present, always be aware that others are experiencing the same.

When we encounter stress we often feel alone with no-one to understand our situation. We may have lost our job or worse, our home. We may be coping on the breadline or struggling to make ends meet and feeling that no one else is suffering.

Well, if this present situation has taught us anything, it's that it can happen to anyone. There is no-one that this recession hasn't touched in some way. So, take comfort in the knowledge that we are all in this together. And together, we can make it through. Things will get better in the long term.

In the short term we will cope. We will pull on our reserves of strength and get through. Sometimes things get worse before they get better - but they always get better. You are not alone!

Shedworking

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:17:00 +0000

Every month I will be offering homeworking tips to, well, homeworkers. The lovely Alex from shedworking has asked me for my contributions. So, get over there are pick up the latest tips.

Do you remember the Potter's Wheel?

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:37:00 +0000

Sometimes, in between programmes on TV there would be an Interlude and we would sit quietly and watch a calm country landscape or a potter at his wheel making something useful. There was always relaxing music playing in the background. It was lovely just chilling out watching this little scene, there's nothing like it now. So that's why I thought you would like this video that Peter made, of our friend Dennis spending Sunday afternoon in his shed.

Dennis is a jewellery maker and a real craftsman. We have often admired and purchased his wares, but never had the opportunity to actually watch the man in action. He invited us round last weekend to watch him at work and he made a beautiful piece for Zoe. She designed the ring and he made it for her. It is so lovely and what a very unique and thoughtful gift. With her permission, Dennis is going to make the 'Zoe' ring available for his other customers.

So sit back and enjoy your very own interlude with relaxing music.

Stress Tip of the Week - Double Check Everything

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:44:00 +0000

I like to think I'm very organised. I never used to be - it's a skill I've had to develop over time. Being organised is one of the tools in my toolbox for helping to keep the stress in my life to a minimum. I always have everything ready the night before, I menu plan a week or two ahead and always have a shopping list. I know where things live in my house so I can find them easily. You get the picture. My friends would describe me as organised and efficient and that is why they were so shocked to hear that I had allowed my passport to lapse.

Now, as part of our whole downshifting experiment, we made the decision that we weren't going to have exotic foreign hols anymore. In fact I haven't been abroard for quite a number of years. So, I didn't bother re-newing my passport last year when it ran out.

Now, some of you will know that the BBC invited us down to London so that Zoe could take part in the Blue Peter Book Awards (more of that in another post), they offered to fly us down and as Zoe had never been on a plane before, we said "yes please!"

Now, some of you will know what's coming next. Since my last flight things have tightened up somewhat security wise and it was rather a stressful time waiting at the airport after a two hour journey to get there, to see if I would be turned away.

Amazingly I got the flight down to London and another one back without once being asked to show photo ID. It was a bit hairy at Terminal 5, Heathrow on the way back when others in front of me in the line were being searched and having their passports scrutinised and then I would be ushered through without a second glance.

I was very lucky, it could have all ended in tears and I will admit it was tense. I just stayed very calm and smiled at everyone. I'm not sure it was good for my blood pressure and I will not be doing it again too soon.

So, I guess my tip for this week is, even if you are the queen of organisation, double check everything. Save any nasty little surprises ruining your day.

Stress Tip of the Week - Take Time Out

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:01:00 +0000

Taking time out is so important for your peace of mind. Even as little as ten minutes everyday can make a massive difference. Take just ten minutes everyday to relax. By relaxing I don't mean sitting in front of the TV. Relaxing is when your whole mind and body can become calm and tranquill. Your whole central nervous system gets to chill.

At first you may need to do this in a quiet, calm environment and then, when you become more accomplished, you will be able to switch off anywhere, anytime.

To help you achieve this we have developed the Just Ten Minutes CD or grab yourself Instant Calmer NOW while it's still free.

Have a wonderful week

Heather x

A Prayer for the Year Ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:59:00 +0000

I found this wonderful quote and wanted to share it with you as we all look forward to the rest of the year unfolding before us. I don't know who wrote it, but I like it a lot......enjoy!

"This year, please give me:

A few friends who understand me and remain my friends;
A work to do which has real value, without which the world would be the poorer;
A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed;
An understanding heart;
A sense of humour;
Time for quiet, silent meditation;
A feeling of the presence of a higher power;
The patience to wait for the coming of these things
with the wisdom to recognize them when they come."

- unknown writer

Moving forward

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:02:00 +0000

I hope you all survived Blue Monday yesterday - I'm sure you did!
It's something built into us to survive even the toughest of times and keep moving forward. And that's what it feels like this week - that we are all looking to the future. A time when things will be so much better. And what better way to celebrate the inauguration of a new president than to see him making a difference in our futures. We wish him well, we wish him lots of luck and we know he is aware of the hopes and dreams he carries in his hands.

Stress Tip of the Week - Be Positive

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:04:00 +0000

Monday 19th January 2009 is designated 'Blue Monday' in the UK (the most depressing day of the entire year) experts tell us that more people are depressed on this day than any other. The cost of Christmas has finally caught up with us as our credit card bills drop through the letterbox. We are still trying to stretch the budget until we get paid next week. The weather is miserable and it's still dark as we drive to work in the morning.

This year The Optimists Society have set us a challenge to cheer us all up. Carry out random acts of kindness today and it will lift the spirit and make us all feel positive. When's the last time you carried out a randowm act of kindness? Let me know what it was and how it made you feel. I'm going to smile at everyone I meet today (in fact, not just today, I will carry on smiling all week).

Have a Happy Blue Monday - and keep smiling.

Love & best wishes
Heather x

Stress Tip of the Week:

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:48:00 +0000

"You are doing the best you can with what you've got - and it's good enough!"

Repeat this mantra at least ten times a day and you will start to notice a difference in no time. You will stop expecting perfection and start accepting 'good enough'.

Best wishes
Heather x

Welcome all new visitors

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:09:00 +0000

Welcome new visitors to my blog.

Let me tell you about Instant Calmer - it's a FREE e-course procuct that can help you calm down quickly when you're faced with a stressful situation like: about to do a presentation, or take an exam, face an interview panel or any other imminent stressful situation. I've put together a video to introduce you to the techniques, an MP3 for you to play everyday if you wish and a PDF transcript of the whole thing so you can read it at your leisure.

Make sure you get yourself a copy of Instant Calmer today because it is only FREE until the end of the month - so hurry! Sign up in the box to the right to claim your gift today.

Stress Tip of the Week:

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:40:00 +0000

"Lack of proper breaks reduces your working efficiency"

Make sure you take time away from your work, even if it's just for ten minutes. When you come back, it will be with fresh eyes and a clearer mind.

Best wishes
Heather

Life Happens!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:25:00 +0000

Y'know, life has a funny way of happening, just when you weren't looking. Take today, for example. I was all excited about sending out my new year newsletter and doing 101 other things that had been ignored over the Christmas holiday and just as I sat down at my computer this morning around 9am - we had a power cut.

The power was restored at 2ish this afternoon and since then I have been playing 'catch up'. Hey ho - that's life just happening. Keeping us on our toes in case we were taking it for granted.

To balance things up a bit, I had the lovely experience, that happens now and then, when a person I don't know and have never met says something really nice about me on the internet. This afternoon we had a google alert that an article mentioning my site had been uploaded onto the internet and immediately someone else twittered that my relaxation cd was 'awesome', this prompted another nice person to visit the site and listen to a clip of said CD. He then twittered that my voice was amazing. Isn't that wonderful - I'm collecting all these great things said and using them as testimonials on my sites. It is another way to celebrate the work I do.

We can all collect nice things that others say about us. Even if they're not written but reside in the deep recesses of our minds ready to be revisited when we need uplifting from a grotty day or a dip in self confidence.

I read somewhere this week that it takes ten compliments to wipe out one critisism. It works in reverse as well - for every ten nice things we hear, just one negative comment will wipe them all out. I'm going to spend the rest of the week listening out for compliments. I'm going to really concentrate on listening for them and when I find one, I'm going to wrap it up in pink tissue paper, tie it with a pretty ribbon and put it away safely in the back of my mind for those rainy afternoons when self pity hits and I need a little treat to pick me up.

Happy 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 11:41:00 +0000

Here we are!
A new clean sheet spreading out ahead of us.
Waiting in anticipation.
I wonder what 2009 has in store for us.
Fasten your seatbelts.
I thinks it's going to be a challenge.
I feels it's going to be character building.
I know it's going to be great.
I wish you and yours a very Happy New Year.
My love and best wishes
Hx

The Sun is Setting on 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Bestel) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:36:00 +0000

As the sun sets on the old year - it's a good time to look back and appreciate all the good things about 2008. All the things we HAVE achieved. Just to have got to the end of it is an achievement for many of us. It's a time to appreciate and be grateful for what we have right now.

One of the things I have found to be mindful of this year is how quickly the time has passed. Of watching our daughter grow and change almost before our very eyes. And this makes me realise that I must enjoy every single moment with her as she will be off and away before we know it. The last eleven years have slipped by in the blink of an eye and I don't want to miss a single second of the next eleven.

I'm also mindful of how important my family is to me. And by family I mean those people that are closest to us. Those people we choose to surround ourselves with and who enrich our lives so much. I have grown even closer to them in 2008 and they have become more precious to me than I ever thought possible.

I have loved my work this year. Sometimes it is very challenging. Sometimes I am very challenging. Pushing my clients to achieve what they didn't think possible. Surprising themselves at how amazing they are. It is worth the pushing and they forgive me for it - I know.

I am grateful to have found many other like minded souls out in 'internetland'. People who have welcomed me and wanted to help me. They have taught me much and encouraged me to develop in ways I would never have considered by myself. I have much to learn and far to go and I am happy to have taken the first steps in 2008.