Rest of Your Life

Day Retreating

2011-03-23T14:11:00.004Z

“MINDFUL IN MAY”
Retreat Day on Saturday 14th May 2011
At Herons Brook, Chelwood Gate, RH177LS

Welcome at 9.30 am for 10am - 4pm
Special price £60 which includes refreshments and light lunch!

Carole Thornton, Aromatherapist, invites you to join her in her beautiful Sussex home and grounds. Spend quality time Carole and Dorothy Larios, Retreat Coach with a group of like-minded friends.

• Guided Walking – Metaphors in Nature
• Journal your thoughts
• Re-connect with your purpose
• Enjoy Head, Neck and Shoulder Massage
• Supported Mindfulness Activities

Let’s take this retreat time to reconnect with ourselves. Through being close to nature this is a wonderful opportunity to slow down our whole being and still the busy brain to allow our inner voice to be heard. After the long winter months where we often mirror nature by slowing into a state of hibernation, spring arrives.With all that has been buried under the soil, suddenly a new energy is found creating all the conditions for growth. The bare trees slowly give forth to the swell of buds and fresh new leaves. The rain awakens and stimulates, the sun warms and fires the process and soon we are surrounded by everything that winter held at bay.

What are you nurturing and wanting to let flourish?

To book please call 01293 550 835
e-mail info@restofyourlifeuk.com www.restofyourlifeuk.com

2011-02-21T18:10:00.004Z

I wonder if you have every considered how you might find the answers to all those dilemmas, challenges or how you actually make a decision?
Where is the road to clarity when your heart, brain and soul are so in conflict that there seems to be no easy answer?
How do we make a decision that is going to affect so many other people where we might be held responsible for the consequences?
In a leadership workshop you may be given models to contemplate.
In a planning meeting you will be given the data or in an exam you are left to use your memory.
By coming on retreat you can clear your mind, stop thinking and stop panic from rising. Just by being present to what Mother Nature has supplied you with, you will trust that answers will come.

The moment of life.

2011-01-23T22:01:00.004Z

Some people look back from where they came and feel overwhelmed by their past experiences.They sense guilt when they recognise the pain that they may have caused,anger at the injustices of life or regret over their errors. To what purpose---?

Oppositely, we suffer anxiety about the unknown; what the future may bring, live with busy brains and incessant worry. We create dis -ease from keeping the past alive and
uneasiness from fearing what might come.
Step into the moment that you are in now. Here there is not past nor a future there is only your breath that keeps you alive. Be grateful for each moment and be mindful of your life force.

Sadness at Christmas

2010-12-21T15:04:00.007Z

December is perhaps the most“ambivalent” month of the year for people. You may sense ambivalence in that we look forward to the winter celebrations but dread the cost, the mayhem and hustle and bustle that goes along with it. The religious context of Christmas elates you as it has done in the past but the glitter and senseless commercialism makes your soul ache.
These are pretty obvious emotional dilemmas but more of us may admit to not really wanting to be part of the festive season. Life may be great otherwise; we manage and even enjoy the changing season but Christmas can often mean that we go through the motions hiding the deep sense of sadness.
So using every memory of joy at Christmas will help to sustain us but often the memories of happy children and the noise of new toys can be overtaken by the memory of loved ones who have suffered and died. Loss can be with us everyday of the year but it seems to be magnified under the Christmas tree lights and glittering tinsel.

None of us really wants to play “humbug” and certainly we don’t really want to be alone. We may enjoy the peace and quiet if we do spend Christmas Day in the warmth of our own home but human contact is so essential to warm the heart and soothe the soul.There are so many disappointed people this year who have been devastated by cancelled flights, trains and are unable to be with friends and family.
What can we offer to those who hold a deep pool of tears?
Count your blessings? Support those around us and extend your Christmas to someone who is not going to be home for the festivities. Give hope and inspiration through looking outward to those who are turning inwards. The human spirit shines in times of adversity.
So keep in mind that you do have the people that love and care about you around you and that there are people out there that don’t even have that or their loved ones are in another country and can’t get home. Some of us are blessed more than others, look at the positive and throw away the negative. Negative feelings and thoughts are a downward spiral like a black hole it sucks you in and then won’t let you go. Go help out at some where or just help your neighbour with something, but don’t let this time of year get you down. It’s only a day that comes and goes just like the rest and you are not abnormal if you don’t feel the same way that other people around you feel this time of year. I do wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

When Life Get's Too Much!

2010-11-28T18:30:00.005Z

All of us at some time feel that we are overwhelmed but to reach the stage where you are continuously feeling pressure that is what I am referring to!
When was the last time that you looked at your inbox and thought, please now more!
Have you ever reached the point where you have heard the same comments made a thousand times.
Have you ever reached the point where the sound of the television is taken over by the mental chatter in your own head? Have you ever reached the point in a day where, if you have to deal with one more problem you will either shout or cry?

Here at Rest of Your Life
We understand that reaching that state can be such a strain on you that physically, emotionally and mentally who may "be on the edge."

So many people and at ever younger ages, are being diagnosed with:

1. High Blood Pressure
2. Diabetes
3. Obesity
4. Heart disease
5. Backaches, headaches, stomach distress, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, etc.

Psychologically, people are diagnosed with:

1. Depression
2. Anxiety
3. OCD
4. Worry
5 Sleep disorders

So please be aware of your own self. Being aware of all the signs and symptoms is vital. Don't ignore them as this could turn into "If only I had realised-------"
Make an appointment with your GP, talk to a professional, start listening to your body and know what you are worried about. Come to a place of peace and quiet and allow yourself to retreat with our very experienced Coaches who know how to support you. Offering private coaching retreats for the weary is our business.

Retreating on a Budget

2010-11-04T22:20:00.006Z

Now more than ever before we are in need of rest and reflection. In challenging times whether we are directly or indirectly affected by job loss, lack of funding, debt or stress, we are all inter-conected. What is one person's strife becomes another person's compassionate concern. When the ripple in the pond widens the effect is more pronounced.

How can each person build up that muscle that is called resilience. How can we as coaches offer the support to clients and not become depleted ourselves? How can we as neighbours support our friends and colleagues. How can President Obama stay strong and motivated to ride out the storm?

Where does that "bounce-back -ability" come from? I believe that it is part of our being human. Some more than others have had to develop resilience through challenges in their lives.
Take some time to think about what resilience means to you?

I invite you to create a very special place where you love to go to. In your house, garden or conservatory create a special sanctuary where you can just be. Let this place soothe you and contain everything that a retreat space or spa may hold. Choose music, colours, textiles,scents and books which hold you calm and safe. It is essential to be able to create this place just for you to retreat to on a daily basis. It costs little but offers a great deal.Set some personal ground rules.
1. Spend 30 minutes daily undisturbed.
2. Read something inspirational.
3. Reflect on how you have survived challenges before and write a list of what you did at that time.

Create a space and time for self care. Choose to breathe, relax, meditate and watch your thoughts. Let's see what happens this week with this little daily retreat?

"Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit" by Berne Williams

Autumn Pamper and Rest

2010-10-13T16:06:00.002+01:00

15th – 17th November 2010

Take a positive step, give yourself the permission to get away from it all and come join us for a wonderfully relaxing Midweek Pamper Retreat, held at our stunning 5 star Guest House in Norfolk.

**TWO NIGHTS FULL BOARD WITH THREE COACHING SESSIONS AND A CHOICE FROM A NUMBER OF ACCOMPANIED ACTIVITIES**

Lying near the village of Helhoughton, in Norfolk, about 25 minutes drive east of King’s Lynn. This wonderful retreat venue has been refurbished to offer
the comforts expected by our clients; ensuite facilities, wonderful views over the lake inhabited by wild life, plus freshly prepared home cooked meals especially for our clients.

Sadly, all too often we get tied up with everyday life and sometimes we experience the sense of needing time to ourselves. A Midweek Pamper Retreat is just the thing to restore rest and renewal.

Whilst with us, you will enjoy one-to-one private coaching sessions to help you find clarity of mind, and plan your fresh direction. To compliment this, you will have the opportunity to choose from a number of different relaxation activities like yoga, reiki and meditation, as well as gorgeous & indulgent beauty treatments like Indian Head Massage, Deep Cleansing facials and reflexology….alterntively, if you prefer you can choose to just…be!

Places are filling up fast so please do contact us if you would like to book.

Executive Retreat Coach, Dorothy Larios, Professional Beauty & Holistic Therapist, Janet Ficarra’s and your host, Peter Weston will ensure you a very warm welcome, upon arrival for your Retreat.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Spring Colour!

2010-03-22T16:48:00.005Z

Why do we associate the colour yellow with Spring?
The colour yellow exudes brightness, light, vitality, energy, optimism, willingness to grow and outshine. Sun, stars, sunflowers and daffodils are the objects that mostly are associated with the colour yellow.

Yellow is considered to be a cheerful colour due to its close colour relationship with the sun. Yet, yellow is a colour that has mixed meanings. Despite the perception of yellow as a happy color, it is the least favorite colour chosen by people to wear. On the positive side, it is the yellow flowers that bloom first in the spring: crocus, daffodils and forsythia.Yellow combines well with nearly every other color.Bright yellow is by far the easiest color to see - just like the sunflower fields of Kansas, yellow symbolizes spring and summer, warmth and vitality.
So is it always so wonderful in nature?
On the down side, yellow can also mean sickness, particularly jaundice. It is the color of the flag used to indicate that a ship at sea is in quarantine due to an epidemic of illness. In nature, yellow is a warning, usually of poison.

So whatever it means to you, welcome yellow into your garden and allow it to cheer the recovering dullness of winter.

Rising Anxiety

2010-03-02T20:50:00.006Z

Each day that I work and spend time with my clients, I am witness to more and more anxiety attached to the workplace. Through no direct fault of the employees more and more managers are passing down their anxieties. Those at the top of the pile seem to have lost all compassion for those who work at the coal face. Unprecedented reports of bullying by head teachers, senior leaders, middle management as everyone is swamped by and overwhelming demand for proof of every action.
We have joined the US culture of blame and counterblame of bringing law suits and claiming damages. Health and Safety have taken us into the realms of the ridiculous and staff and managers are forced to live in a culture of fear.
Today as the spring sunshine warmed our spirits slightly, I was blessed with being able to take time for a walk. I pondered how best to face the reality of each client and model some of the self soothing techniques that have worked for me.

Let me take them back to nature. Let them find ways to sooth their worried brains and compromised immune systems.

Where has compassion gone? Where has good old fashioned common sense been hidden? Why are we lacking in courage to stand up to the idiotic leaders that call the shots and earn huge salaries and steal through bonuses.

The little respite that I can offer is come walk with me in nature, rest on a retreat and let me help you see that life has more blessings than bullies. Let us rise above the arrogance,injustices and corruption by finding who we are and how we can be in this world.We need to live by our values and find our own way to be courageous.

Dorothy Larios

Breathe in a gift from the sea

2009-09-07T17:14:00.010+01:00

I have spent many enjoyable hours teaching walking meditation this summer that I am sure many footprints have been left in the sand around the coast of Britain. It sounds rather difficult to meditate and walk but anyone who has followed Thich Nhat Hanh and his teachings will be aware that there is nothing as simple as simply walking and breathing.The purpose is to be in the present moment and be aware of our breathing and our walking. Being aware of the way our feet make contact with the Earth and imagining we are imprinting a message helps us to slow down and stops our busy mind. What would your message be to our planet? Can you hold the image of a flower blooming under each step as you walk on grass or perhaps you press a shell or pebble into the sand to return it to the sea on the next tide.

On 24th October join me on a wonderful Day Retreat in East Sussex where we will focus on the inspiring book by Anne Morrow Lindbergh "A Gift from the Sea." This is a writer's retreat which I will co-host with Gilly Smith, a journalist and well established hostess. Gilly will open her house for us to spend creative time, reflect on this book and perhaps join us in a walking meditation.We will walk along the coastline on the south coast near the Seven Sisters and our day will end with dinner and discussion.You will return home with a deeper sense of connectedness to the seashore and Mother Nature's treasures.Indeed a wonderful gift from the sea!

Life

2009-08-22T16:17:00.017+01:00

A year ago today I was sitting with my father as he slipped from Life into Death and I sent out a blog from an Internet cafe in North Berwick, a Scottish seaside town.
Today my reflections have been gentle as I took my Aspergers, adult son for a drive into the Ashdown Forest,East Suusex. What do you do when in fact there is nothing to do but remember.I would have loved to have walked for miles in the August sunshine or sit in a quiet haven and reflect but my son becomes unsettled and anyway he doesn't do emotions, really.

I took him to visit a friend of mine who lives in a beautiful area in the centre of the area know as the forest.
She is a natural healer living in a wonderful old property with her adult son. They have begun to refurbish an old house and barn into a living and working space. A beautiful English garden, green meadow land and two cats and a horse. How wonderful and so welcoming. On leaving she offered me fresh runner beans and apples from her garden and strong memories came to me of my childhood and how I took for granted the country environment that I was brought up in.
She on the other hand was London born and this is her haven now.

How nostalgic I am for that past life. The summers of strawberries, raspberries, acres of tomatoes flourishing in glasshouses. Private land to walk on feeling safe and secure in the fact it was Dad's land. Carol's parting words to me were " ----it is hard work!"
Yes indeed it was a life's work for my father. Thank you for those memories of the daffodils in spring, leeks in winter, picking peas and eating more than we picked.
For the hard work, the early morning trips to market and for the fact you gave us an ideallic childhood.So perhaps there is a little annual ritual that can develop each year. Being close to nature and man's cultivation of what sustains us. Fond memories!

Holiday Chill Out Techniques

2009-06-03T19:05:00.004+01:00

I remember once hearing that most people need to take a holiday for at least 10 days to really unwind, turn off the busy brain and really enjoy a complete break. Well, this of course depends on many factors. Are you a completely obsessive compulsive e-mail junky? Do you go on holiday to rush around sightseeing. Do you view you holiday as a duty to the family or are you really seeking a space to not think about anything in particular?

As I have spent the last few years taking retreat time for myself as well as organising and running regular retreats. I have found that I now seem to have a more natural capacity to turn off my brain much quicker when on a trip or holiday. Yes I have had more practice than most people and yes I have been using yoga and meditation in my life for many years, which obviously have had some very positive effects. However the capacity to distance yourself from the everyday concerns, is not always so easy to do. So what assists you to control the brain, thinking and worrying and let things go? What helps you to self-sooth? Is it music, a beautifully quiet environment or wonderful scenery? Can you turn the mobile phone off and remain out of touch? Let me know what most counts for you as a way to really chill out on holiday.

Stepping into Summer

2009-05-17T16:27:00.007+01:00

Mandala of Flowers and Vision Boards.

Being away on retreat, women join together to be creative and have fun. In June I am really looking forward to taking another group to our new venue in Sussex to work with summer colours, energy and walking close to nature.

Have you ever worked with chakras, mandalas, healing and reflection using nothing but yourself.
I love to relax with a chakra visulisation based on flowers. I design my mandala in my head, walk through the garden choosing plants and flowers to make a wreath and then I paint the mandala based on the scents, colours and patterns.
Balancing my chakras with the use of crystals and reiki.

Do come and join us if you can. We supply the accommodation, a spectacular English Stately Home and private gardens to walk in. We share healing and wonderful metaphors straight from mother nature.

Mindfulness in May

2009-05-03T14:05:00.013+01:00

I am planning a wonderful Spring retreat here in Sussex, England which is centred on the theme of colours of Spring. ots of lovely time outside in the countryside being mindful of the all the new life blossoming around us.

It reminded me of a workshop that I attended sometime ago which had the participants walking mindfully around a cornfield which was indeed an introduction to walking meditation. It was such a great thing experience to be so close to nature that you can use all your senses, to tell the season, the weather, the time of day.The sounds that Spring holds is very different to those of September or indeed any other time of the year.

Try this exercise. Close your eyes and use all your senses : firstly to listen to the sounds furthest away from you, outside the space you are in. Then listen to the sounds in the space you are in and decide what is it that you hear that makes it definitely Spring. I can hear sparrows chirping outside and someone cutting their lawn. I can smell the Clematis in the garden and scent of bluebells and pinkbells! I can close my eyes and see the colours of Spring. You can just imagine the bluebell woods in Sussex or the pale purple Wisteria draped over houses and fences.

So I am drawn to designing a visualisation around using the colours of all these flowers to match the colours of our chakras. A Spring Flower Chakra Visualisation for all the wise women choosing to take time on Retreat. I knew I would find some inspiration if I started blogging again. It has been a while.

Enjoy your visualisation!

Spring's lessons.

2009-04-07T20:09:00.011+01:00

In the depths of winter it is so difficult to remember what the warmth of the sunshine is like. The minute we change the clocks and spring time arrives we welcome the longer hours of light and our energy levels rise.

Easter always reminds me of the dark overcast days of Holy Week in Greece. The weather was strangely depressing as the week progressed and on "Good Friday" you could feel the depth of mourning, even if you were not particularly religious. The slow church bells ring and as the procession of the coffin is carried through the streets the darkness seems to return.

As the resurrection takes place, Easter begins and the mood swiftly changes to that of joy and celebration. From a place of suffering came release. From a place of despair came hope and the Easter message spreads by the tradition of sharing candle-light and ringing of bells.

Let us remember the simple message. Often we have to visit the scary places before we see the light. If you know of someone who has challenges and a heavy load to carry right now, share a little light this Easter.

Executive Depression

2009-03-29T19:44:00.010+01:00

Executives of all backgrounds are suffering the most awful pressures whether from their workplace or from not being in work. Just look at the number of articles being written everyday on the increase in mental health problems, suicide and depression and anxiety cases.

"Prime minister Gordon Brown may have made a 'slip of the tongue', according to his spokesman, when he recently referred to the recession as a 'depression', but there is no confusion about the association between economic problems and poor mental health.
An increasing number of studies are linking the recession to ill health - particularly anxiety, heart disease and stress. For example, academics at the University of North Texas have found that three to five years after periods of job loss and financial insecurity, there was a marked increase in the number of heart attacks.
Meanwhile, researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine report that surveys following the break-up of the Soviet Union showed that the regions with the highest rate of job loss also had the highest death rates."

Let's get really active in offering our support. As Retreat Coaches we are trained to support and allow for reflection. This is our time as thousands are looking at their "Crisis of Meaning" a theme that we used to associate with the mid life crisis stage. It is hitting hard and our executives are losing face, confidence and jobs. Many of the values that they held so dearly have been wiped out in the business world and people are looking for guidance and support to find new meaning and purpose.

As their lives crumble there is the need to work with resilience, values, positive mental attitude, CBT and almost every tool in the Retreat Coach toolbox.

Look for the sign http://www.nursingtimes.net/depression/1996457.article

and step up to the cause. Be sure that coaching is the correct intervention, that medical assistance has been received and that you have your professional intentions set and contracted for.

Dorothy Larios

Taking Meaning from Kindness.

2009-03-01T14:17:00.010Z

I went walking the other day around my local area to post a letter, pick up a prescription and generally let the sunshine brighten my mood. As I looked at the sudden colours of spring blooming in the gardens and people taking the first steps towards awakening their passion for gardening, I began to see the goodness of our world.

As if through fresh eyes and ears which had borne the winter's economic depression, I saw things afresh. A little girl was sad as she left the doctor's surgery and her Mum bent down to meet her eye to eye to explain that taking medicine wasn't really so bad as it would make her feel better. The headache and sniffles would stop and she would be able to go out to play again!

As I continued along the pavement beside the parked cars, I noticed that someone had designed a really beautiful Birthday Message and lain it over the windscreen of one of the parked cars. " Happy Birthday Steve- Have a good one!"

It lifts your spirits to experience such little tastes of gentle kindness amongst the usual day to day routine of any normal neighbourhood. It brings a spring smile to my face and thoughts of " the majority of people are truly kind." There are so many cynical people telling us what is wrong in the world we forget that there are more goodness and kindness out there that you can ever imagine. Like all good news it is seldom told.

I am reading "All Will be Well" by Michael Meegan and would love you to enjoy it too.

Finding Purpose on Retreat

2009-02-16T21:34:00.005Z

" When I last stepped away from my life I felt so guilty about going way and leaving my husband with the children for three whole days. On the train to my retreat venue, I began to slow down and as I flicked through a glossy magazine my mind reflected on the green countryside whizzing by and how much I had forgotten my rural childhood roots."

" My whole life had become a lovely, homely family whirl of children, schools and husband. The whirl was great at times but somewhere I had forgotten about me. Who was I before I had children? What had I become? Was my life of any real meaning?"

My client wrote this as she set off on her first retreat in her specially chosen retreat journal. Her yearning for a few days peace allowed her the time to think about what was her life all about. Her children were happy and healthy, she had a hard working, high earning husband and a busy contented life but she had a hole somewhere inside that just cried out for something more! There was an emptiness that had been concerning her but she had always avoided thinking too much! She was scared to look too closely for fear of discovering a ghost, a memory or worse, herself.

So many of us lose touch with what we believe in. We rebel as teenagers against the faith or belief our parents introduced us to. As students or young adults we begin to look further and
often we turn to other spiritual practices to find meaning and purpose. Where are you on this
journey? What do you connect with? What do you turn to in a time of need?

Our spirituality is the the very core of our being.

Easy Retreats for High Flyers

2009-02-13T11:02:00.014Z

In February's issue of easyJet inflight magazine who can read a few favourite facts about me, Dorothy Larios and how I am passionate about my job!

Under "Holistic Retreats" is an interesting piece for high flyers to read whilst enjoying their view of European skies.

Interviews have always intrigued me as how and when they are carried out.I had literally just stepped off an easyJet plane after an unexpected trip to Greece and the phone rang. Gilly Smith introduced herself as a freelancer and off we went into an innocent conversation about who I am, what I offer and what my philosophy on retreating is all about.

At the very end of the conversation was "we have a 4 hour deadline and it is for easyJet!"
Thank you Gilly and thank you Piers for this opportunity to offer an alternative to jet-setting, for a few days of holistic retreating.

Watch this space as more venues are being added!

Dorothy

New Year with New Challenges

2009-02-02T21:51:00.000Z

With January gone I now have time to resume blogging. How amazing life can be with unpredictable challenges arriving without any prior notice. 2009 came quietly for me and although there was predicted doom and gloom surrounding me, I had counted my good fortune and reflected on how I should be careful but be positive and trusting that the universe would supply me with all that I required.

How wonderful to see the first snowdrop in January and then the February snow that lay it's carpet over everything. The season is winter after all and why do we presume that global warming has forbidden nature's gift of a nurturing blanket of snow to arrive.Is there a reason to blame the authorities for being unable to keep the roads and motorways clear. We must accept that there is a much larger force able to send us challenges that are in the scheme of things, minor and slightly troublesome.What a wonderful day for having family fun; children and sleighs, snowballs and snowboarding and the birds attracted to my garden to find food supplied with love.The UK may have been forced to stop for a day but how small an inconvenience.

Winter Solstice

2008-12-20T16:29:00.010Z

The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of Winter, in the northern hemisphere.

Many of the customs associated with the Winter Solstice derive from stories of a mighty battle between the dark and the light, which is won, naturally, by the light.Celebrated in many religions and by many cultures we often forget the real meaning of this winter celebration.

Earlier traditions focused on the battle between the dark and the light, but we know both are valuable. Honor the dark before calling in the light. This is the season when animals hibernate and nature sleeps and we can turn inward too. Perhaps some of the depression people feel during the holidays comes from not providing a space for feeling the sadness associated with this season. Set aside time (hard to do amidst the frenzy of the holidays) for sitting in the dark and quiet. I like to spend a little time of the Winter Solstice in silence and reflection.

It is a time of year when some despair, seem lost, confused, frustrated and money seems to go before we receive it; with all the Christmas shopping. We feel like we have reached the turning point and our strength recedes and/or declines. Such is the cycle of birth and death, elation and melancholy, strength and weakness, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty, the harmony of change.

It is the time of year to have good friends around, and to be a good friend. Celebrate with the light of candles, yule logs on the fire and share your food and warmth. It is the time of year to be hospitable to strangers and travellers. It is the time of year for telling stories around the fire, the time for sipping hot drinks to warm the soul; the time to raise spirits...and a glass or too. A celebration of the promise of the Sun's return in all it's power.

You should enjoy yourself as much as possible on the Winter Solstice because this will bring back light (and lightness) into the world. Different traditions mention feasting, gambling, playing pranks, giving gifts, visiting, drinking, dressing up, putting on plays and staying up all night. During the dark of winter, invoke all the forces of pleasure and love which make life worth living.

This is a natural time for letting go and saying farewell. Release your resentments and regrets into the darkness, knowing they will be transformed. Write about them in your journal or write them on slips of paper which you can burn in your Yule fire.
Celebrate in the warmth and love of your friends and family and lighten the way into 2009.

Greetings from Dorothy

When Something Shifts----- there is no going back.

2008-12-04T21:56:00.007Z

There has been a huge global wake-up call and nowhere more so than for those who thought that they had "made it." Striving through school, college or university, worked hard to hold the ideal job buy the designer house,with wife and children. The bills have always been paid and the holidays regularly, exotic and the children have every electronic gadget that they desired.

Until the world became greedier and seedier as bankers and the fat cats at the top became beyond accountability.The sad fact is that even those of us who have had less affluent lives have still become so complacent that we thought we were safe and secure.
People are losing their jobs and highly paid careers are crumbling along with the economy. Changes and shifts ripple and ripple and continue to leave a wake behind. The ripple effect has never been so dynamic not since we witnessed the visual effects of the tsunami one Boxing Day, not so long ago.
Let's us now work together to raise the awareness of mankind. May this global shift allow us to work together to create the new consciousness so desperately required for humans to become truly self -responsible and to stop blaming each other for the mistakes that we have either allowed to happen or contributed towards.

Let's remember this winter that as the snowflake falls from the icy sky it will never be the same. Nothing remains the same. The snowflake melts and slips away to make icy water which feeds the little bulb of a snowdrop which pushes through the frozen soil to bring life and beauty to the winter world.

Pray that the vast changes that our planet is witnessing will allow a freshness and beauty to evolve in the human race. If everyone chooses to be responsible for re-creating families, relationships and communities based on the very best of human values then 2009 may be a year worthy of celebration.

I offer you my seasonal wishes and ask you to reflect on your own contribution to the new global consciousness.
Dorothy

The Seasons Of Change

2008-11-10T17:04:00.010Z

For many weeks I have had a theme in my head called the Seasons of Change.I have been designing a new retreat concept around using the seasons more in my work to encourage people to get back in touch with nature as a means to being more reflective about their own rhythms and moods.

However there seems to be a much wider change occurring and many are now recognising that the latest economic downturn and the "bubble bursting" is indeed the global shift that so many of us have been hoping for.
Rather than feeling disillusioned and fearful, many of those that I am in touch with are actually feeling hopeful.

Are we being overly optimistic? Will President Obama be the person to take our planet into a new, less corrupt season of change.

The image that I have used in this blog is from a wonderful website that I would like you to visit at http://www.seasonofchange.org

Perhaps this will show you what many of us are sensing in the winds!
I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject.

Dorothy

Retreat Venues - secret discrimination.

2008-10-26T21:28:00.006Z

I have been viewing venues for running our retreats in for over 18 months. It is a very interesting process as so much is available on the internet.There are a vast range of types of buildings advertising as suitable for retreats; cottages, centres, guest houses, country houses.
It is amazingly difficult to find a venue that ticks all the boxes. We are particular in that we do not expect our clients to suffer spartan conditions. Why do so many venues that advertise retreats expect everyone to eat vegetarian. There seems to be discrimination against those who have normal diets, require single room occupancy and prefer yoga during the day and not at sunrise!
Why is there a pre-supposition that those requiring time away from daily life are happy to share a room with a complete stranger? Why are we expected to join in communal activities like cooking food for a group? Is there some unwritten law that requires retreatants to suffer the queue for the loo or shower whilst seeking a little respite?

Step up retreat venues, to the challenge that very often the most stressed out, weary people are those who are used to a standard of comfort. Executives require single ensuite accommodation with comfort and privacy. The image above is what we require for our clients! It is a wonderful space to relax in, make your own drinks and cuddle up to read or write.

2008 Modern Retreat Clients deserve nothing less!

Awesome Autumn

2008-10-17T16:07:00.004+01:00

I so love the quietness of autumn as the leaves fall, the squirrels scurry and each day there are more vibrant colours to view. However there are still all the signs of summer if you really listen. The birds are still singing and flowers blooming and children still play out of doors even as the dusk arrives earlier.
It is that special time of year when we are preparing to slow down, collect our energy and cuddle up in the warmth of our winter homes. Mother Nature always leads the way. Have you noticed how she reflects in our moods?

In my world there must always be that chance to rest, slow down and have time to ponder. I love collecting nuts, acorns, pine cones and other reminders that life exists inside all that seems to be still or dead. The nuts are but little seeds, dying leaves but a source of life and compost in the garden a changing energy pile full of life. Autumn's preparations for resting is so comforting. Does it resonate with you?