Grab each moment and enjoy it to the full.

Last year I dedicated my Breakthrough Breast Cancer Walk to many women but two were singled out, one was Roo whose wedding I attended in France a couple of weeks ago and the other was Bev.

Sadly, very suddenly and unexpectedly Bev died last night and I have just found out.

Everyone deals with cancer differently and for a long time, although I was in regular contact with her, I did not see Bev - it was what she wanted. However, her battle did not always run smoothly and when she had to have more treatment she invited me to visit. Her shoulder length auburn hair had fallen out and was now wispy, short and grey but she still looked the 'beautiful Bev' I had always named her. She told me that getting back to everything being perfect again might take longer than she hoped so she had decided to stop punishing herself and see people. We spent a wonderful 3-4 hours together laughing, reminiscing, eating pastries and enjoying each other company.

I did not see her again but I am so glad I had that time with her. Bev would be the first to say, enjoy each moment so for my dear friend, please do.

The journey continues.

What is happening? I am even calmer and more laid back than my daughter and three times in the space of a couple of hours, my husband commented on my calm state. I love it.

Alan arrived back from 5 days in Dubai so we took the opportunity to go out for lunch as tonight he will be exhausted. We should do it more often or perhaps it is because we don't do it too often that we appreciate it. It was a lovely way to spend some of Friday though and with a long walk tomorrow and a chilled out Sunday, it is a weekend I am very much looking forward to.

It all keeps the balance in mind too. How are you getting on?

The balance journey.

I have been investigating the balance issue and looking to learn from the recent past as to what has brought about this relaxation and calm. For me, I feel that will be key in helping me retain it and I hope it will also be of help to you in terms of your creating your own calm and balance.

When I sat down at my computer this morning, the first thing I saw was my 'balance' card and it really is a great reminder. Just before starting to blog , I found myself thinking about how I felt and whether I was retaining balance.

I must add though that balance is always in flux and it is important that you know this. It is not static, well not over a long period of time anyway as things in our lives are not constant. The challenge is to make sure that overall we have the balance we want in our lives and need.

There will always be times when life is hectic, fraught with tasks and things to do and at times like this balance is hard. If this is for a short period of time, we can cope and we can catch up later but if it goes on too long that is when the problems start.

So what do you think? How are you on all of this? Do you need to make changes? Do you even know what balance means to you? If not, spend some time over the next week or so just noting when you feel good and what causes that. What is happening when things flow and you feel in control and able to get things done? Then what happens when the reverse is true?

In the photo above I can recall very easily how I was - relaxed; calm; grounded; at 'one' with the world; in control; doing what I wanted; in the company of lovely people; had just achieved a great goal; had been able to have a shower etc.

It's interesting that when I first went to find a photo of me relaxed, I went to look at beach photos and although I am relaxed lying in the sun, this one fits so much better. I use my walking to relax me and to ensure that I get balance in my life. In fact over the last 2 years walking has revolutionised my life.

Well back to where I started and the factors that have brought about my calm and relaxed state of mind and therefore enabled me to work more easily on my balance. In Peru where I chilled out I was :- getting a good nights sleep; in the fresh air most of the day and all of it when I was on the actual trek; exercising regularly and eating healthily. In France, I was :- getting lots of sleep, relaxing and doing what I choose to do - even though the dishes, shopping and gardening still needed doing; in the fresh air as much as I could; exercising through gardening and some walking and eating well and healthily.

In France the healthy eating did tail off a little towards the end of the week due to wedding preparations and the day itself and the sleep was well eaten in too but both those things I have been careful to deal with since I came home. I could have let it go but I know how feeling this way benefits not only me so I have worked at it and catching the demise early is always easier.

I hope there are insights for you. Let me know.

Where has the last month gone?

Well of course I know, but I cannot believe that so much time has elapsed since I last wrote. It seems no time at all that I was in Peru and I have been in France since then too.

First and foremost, yes, I did it, I walked the Inca Trail and so did the whole of the wonderful group I was with. It was a great experience and I have to keep looking at my photos as already the reality of it is fading as life just moves on.

Here is a photo of our group on the morning that we started the trek. We were on our way by coach to Km 82 and we got out to take photos at this wonderful spot.




Some of the peaks seen here were with us on the entire walk and that was very comforting. This photo was taken about 7.00a.m and it was still quite cold but as you can see very beautiful.

There is so much to tell you and share with you about the trip and the only way I am going to be able to do it is bit by bit so please bear with me.

Although the clear focus of the actual trip is fading, the one thing that I brough back with me, which I still have, is a great feeling of calm and relaxation. I have now maintained that through a week of working and a sometimes hectic half term week. I plan to keep it as it feels really good and I have not raised my voice once or got angry since. Quite amazing really. I am exploring the whole issue as I want to take the lessons and pass them on to others. I have to say that I feel great.
Just one last thing to share and that is that the word for the week is balance.

What am I talking about? Well, a number of years ago a friend and fellow coach bought me a pack of cards with different words on them. There are many ways to use them but I tend to pick a random card and then work with it in the way that seems relevant and beneficial to me. Today I picked 'balance' which felt a really good way of working on maintaining the balance that I currently have and am enjoying.

It is placed beside my computer and is reminding me of the need to have that balance all through my day. It's made me ensure that I take a lunch break, something I do not always do, and I also made sure I fitted a walk in today even though I could not do my first thing in the morning one.

If your word was also balance, how would it work for you? What could you do to ensure that you had balance in your life? What would balance be like for you? Have a go and see what you achieve.

Back at home again.

The last week has gone very quickly due to us all being out of routine but now we are all back home again now after our adventures. Ellie has been on an outward bound trip with school and Alan and I took advantage to get away ourselves and headed off to do some Pointless Odyssey in the Welsh Border area. - http://www.pointlessodyssey.blogspot.com/ We've all had a great time but more about that when I blog on the Pointless Odyssey site over the weekend.

It's the last weekend before I had off to Peru for my Inca Trail so I have a list of things to do and have just discovered that the bank have not sent me my replacement bank card so I have some issues to sort, namely access to money.

I also have some flights to America to sort out. Watch this space and find out how it all pans out. I am sure everything will be fine.

What progress!

One of the things I wanted from this weekend was productivity and boy have I got it. I am feeling very calm and prepared now as I move into the last week before I go to Peru.

I had the trial run with the kitbag today and got everything in, it was really that easy and that is with my big jacket which I have not decided whether I am taking or not. There is extra room too. I emailed my packing list to the girls, some of whom are feeling rather lost about knowing what to take and Teresa (always on the ball) has added that hers is similar. Smile on face.

Really there are only last minute things to do now and some shopping for suntan cream and wetwipes.

Ellie is all ready and the accommodation is booked for Alan and me. I am really looking forward to having some one to one time with my lovely husband and some exercise is great walking areas. We are going to be on part of Offa's Dyke Path on Wednesday - I can feel the wish to walk it all rising!

I have also found out loads more about what we can do in California and to Ellie's pleasure there are a number of waterparks. Alan will be delighted with that too. I can spend time on the lazy river or go off walking.

Finally sorted through some of my mega paper piles and threw things out - great feeling and everything is so organised for more productivity tomorrow. Another good week coming up.

Lists and more lists

Due to my dedicated list making time on Friday, I started off yesterday with a pretty good idea of what I wanted to achieve.

Ellie is off to Glasbury in Wales tomorrow on her first outward bound trip so it was here that I started. In my subconscious thoughts I clearly was worried about not having the clothes list to handy so when I awoke at 6.00a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep, I started searching.

Searching for something usually has positive side effects and this was no exception. In going through piles of paper I was able to organise the filing, retrieve a few bills that needed paying and find the paper in question. The rest was relatively easy - the only challenge the old trainers which I shall go and have a final look for in a moment or two.

I also managed to research the ferry times for the Isle of Wight and perhaps I can leave Susan to finalise this when I am away. There will no doubt be responses from the rest of the girls today.

OK off on the shoe search......

Random Huggers

Do you want to be one? Do you want to meet one?

Well until today I was no wiser than you, but then again what an assumption to make, you may be one of these generous people. If you are, I salute you and if you aren't read on.....

A couple of weeks ago I met a loved lady called Margedand she sent an email saying "I did this last year. It is *amazing* and absolutely worth it. Feel free to pass on to anyone you think might like to join in the loveliness." so I had a look at the website and am now so much better informed. Have a look at http://www.randomhuggers.com/

Random Huggers day is Sunday May 6th and you can join in on an organised random hug - sounds a little strange to organise something random but you will understand when you read it, or you can organise your own.

With all the negative things happening in the world, we could all do with a little more affection.

If you do go to the website, click on 'power of a hug' on the bottom left of the home page, it's such a wonderful story.

The Inca Trail is not forgotten, I am still out there walking and working on my lists, today I had a great pedicure in preparation....

The challenge of organising.

Organising anything is never easy and definitely not straight forward and the more people involved the harder it gets. I am sure many of you have experienced this in everything from family get togethers, to meetings, away days and for me walking trips.

The hardest thing, especially where pleasure is concerned is having to disappoint someone at some point as the dates suit everyone else better.

On going for the final confirmation for the Isle of Wight Walk, people's circumstances have changed since last discussed - that's why you go back for final go ahead but once again we are in flux. We'll get there but it would be so lovely to be able to wave that magic wand and take everyone.

Great networking last night at Business Junction's (BJ) Business Directory Launch.

The venue was stunning - Christ Church in Spitalfields which is a Hawksmore Church and is now often used as a venue for an array of different events. It was an evening 'do' which I prefer and it was so nice to meet up with some 'old' faces and then meet some new ones too.

Having experienced both lunchtime and evening networking under the BJ umbrella, I do find the latter much more relaxing and less frenetic. At lunch time more people seem intent on rushing around trying to get round as many people as possible and collect as many cards as they can. In the evening, it's more relaxed. I suppose people are in 'wind down' mode, they enjoy a glass of wine or two and the emphasis seems to be more conducive to building relationships.

I came away from last night with some really good contacts which I feel could lead to some great business and perhaps that is why I have been in such a positive and reved up frame of mind today.

I decided it was time to 'go for it' and see what I could organise so I have been following up business leads, making contact with possible partners and just exploring ideas. It's been great and of course has a motivating effect. If you don't ask, you don't get and the worst that can happen is that people say 'no'. What have you really got to lose?

That little patch of heaven.

There is a little patch of disused land between houses not far from me and I often pass it on my walking routes. Sometimes it looks pretty desolate, sometimes a bit of a dumping ground but in April it is a haven of blue when the bluebells come out.

The scent is very strong and for me evocative taking me back to my childhood where spring and summer were spent in the woods behind our home.

Today I noticed that the land has been cleared to make way for yet more houses. Benefits for some but it just seems as if no plot of land can be free from development now and I for one felt great sadness because this year there will be no bluebells to brighten up my day.

Keep going, it will all pan out in time.

Out walking with one of my clients this a.m. I was asking if she had seen any changes since we had started working together - this was her fourth session. Her response was yes, and then she paused. I must admit that I was wondering what was coming next!!

She added that she was both energised and tired but on further analysis it became clearer. She was mentally energised as a result but physically more tired. Phew, this is something I would expect.

Walking is as important for our mental health as our physical health and mental energy is a great benefit - it's an addition, partly due to clearing the head and also due to the endorphins. As in my clients case, it came fairly quickly, often it is immediate but in the case of our physical health we have got to expend the energy first. We need to use those muscles that perhaps have not been used as much and we also push them at a harder pace.

Initially that is going to tire those muscles, hence the tired feeling. However, keeping at it, the muscles will soon be able to cope and will adjust to this new level. Of course then we'll work them harder still so there will always be short periods of that tired feeling. All perfectly normal though and the result is a situation like training my team for the Breakthrough Walk last year when we started off with one hour walks and graduated to being able to walk for two days covering 22 miles on one and 16 on the second.

What action!!

Further to yesterday's post, I have been singing Sarah's praises. I feel so much lighter and really empowered as a result of our wardrobe session.

I continued sorting through things yesterday evening and discovered a number of pieces of clothing that my new slimline figure could get into - what joy. So now the liberated space in my physical wardrobe has been refilled but that's OK.

I also made a list of all the things I had to do regarding my clothes - alterations, big and small. New things to buy etc and sent off a list of 12 to Sarah today. I have now completed 6 and am I pleased with myself? You bet I am.

I think this is my new approach.

Wardrobe makeover

It's been rather an exciting start to the week as this morning I had a wardrobe makeover. This is something I have been interested in doing for a long time and through a contact it all came together.

I wasn't sure what to expect but I wasn't disappointed. Sarah takes a very holistic approach which fits nicely with my take on things and we started by having a long chat so she could get to know me. It all makes sense really as how can you advise if you do not know people's lifestyle, likes and dislikes.

From there it was upstairs to have a good look at my clothes. Many she approved of - always good, others we clearly had joint views of 'well that's OK' and there were a couple of things she just refused to talk about. By this time, I had got a feel for her too, so cast those things aside straight away.

It was all very liberating and as with all decluttering I can feel the mental space that has resulted. There is also physical space in the wardrobe and I have made a decision that something being 'OK' is no longer good enough so I had added considerably to the 'cast out' pile. The charity shop will love me as I pitch up with loads of bags and there are a couple of things that have never been worn at all which hopefully will make someone's day.

The message that came out loud and clear for me was the need to buy some new shoes and boots with killer heels and to invest in a new bag or two - Bicester village is definitely going to get a visit from me. I also need to make a visit to the seemstress near the station to get some skirts and jackets altered and to John Lewis to buy some new buttons and update a couple of jackets.

I'm looking forward to it and would urge some of you out there to have a session too. You can contact Sarah through her website http://www.sarah-jean.com/ where you can see the packages she offers.

Rest and relaxation

What a lovely weekend.

My dear friend Janet was in London for the weekend and what a chilled and relaxed time we had.

On Janet's agenda were some long and leisurely breakfasts. Breakfast just happens to be my favourite meal, especially at weekends so that wasn't hard to provide. In fact I spent a fair amount of Friday making sure that I had all the ingredients for a fairly healthy, yet tasty feast. As we sipped our coffee we planned the day which included walking - surprise, surprise peppered with coffee stops.

As those of you who read my newsletter may know, there are plans to demolish Borough Market, the wonderful food market on the South side of the Thames, so we headed down there and had a great couple of hours sampling cheeses, picking mushrooms, queuing for hot spiced cider and just taking in all the sights, sounds and aromas. Our evening meal consisted of home made carrot and corriander soup, mushroom risotto with a green salad, a trio of amazing cheeses and a desert of slivers of three different tartes all washed down with red wine. Most of the ingredients were care of Borough Market - This place must stay!!

Today after yet another a fantastic, long breakfast we headed off to the Barbican to see 'the Curve' - check it out. Then wandered down to Smithfield for a very late lunch in Smiths and from there we walked to St.Paul's and across the 'wobbly bridge' to the Tate Modern and the slides. Ellie and Alan had been down one a month or so ago and today Ellie had a go on one of the smaller ones. This would be a great place to meet up with some of her friends over Easter. Then I can have a go too.

From there it was back home and an evening of all those things you need to do on a Sunday evening to get ready for the week ahead. It also meant a trip to Stanstead to get Janet on her Glasgow flight. It will be June before we get together again and by that time I shall have walked the Inca Trail and as a family, we will have done some more of Pointless Odyssey. Alan will have been to Dubai and who knows what Janet will have been up to.

There will clearly be the need for another weekend of rest and relaxation and some more catching up.

The evolutionary process

My wonderful VA, Susan, came to see me today. I am still bringing her up to speed on Walkers' Coach and the different areas we want to work in. I had the mindmap out and was aware that even as I talked through the plans and hopes we had, that other areas were raising their heads and even more opportunities were available.

One of the things I love in having Susan on board is her enthusiasm for the initiative too and therefore she is forever making suggestions and bringing me information. Her ideas are inspiring and I know she is going to be a great person to bounce ideas off too.

In our planning today we were looking at the possibility of Walkers' Coach developing its own basic walking standard which can become a national tool. I did talk to some people at the Outdoor Show about the existence of something like this but I am not sure it exists. If anyone reading this knows otherwise, please let me know.

I am also aware that there are other things I need to put in place before this grows much bigger and the need too to start planning for 2008 and get dateson the planner for our PR and Roadshow.

Well, it will keep us all out of mischief for a while longer....

The power of clearing out.

In the office this afternoon, I found myself with a little free time on my hands and nothing specific that I needed to do. Joy of joys, it was a bit like being let loose in a sweet shop.

I finally could spend some time going through old computer filesand the delete button was in continuous action. Why oh why had I kept half that stuff? When was I ever going to need it?

In fact much of what I had filed is well out of date due to my career change. It felt great seeing the files shrink and the deleted file expand. As before , not only space in the files but in my head as well and I am feeling so energetic.

That may also be due to the start to the day when I was scraping ice of the car at 7.00a.m. in temperatures of minus one. Energising? Well knowing that I was going walking was, as was the brisk tramp round Clissold Park in the sunshine and an elevated temperature of 1 degree. Oh, I so love my life.

Juggling

I seem to be doing much more of this than usual and I am getting pretty good at it but I would like to ease the burden a little.

It's all the result of a new regieme and my priority has got to be a new time management strategy. Networking has increased as Walkers' Coach is making its presence felt more and that means lots of new contacts to keep in touch with and explore possible partnerships with.

Visiting shows like the Outdoors Show again brings lots of new contacts and more to write about and include and as we are still growing the evolutionary process takes another step forwards.

I am loving the excitement and openings all this provides, in fact I seem to be in permanent buzz phase. It does however bring paralysis sometimes as you try to work out what to do next. I am getting clarity but Susan, my wonderful VA is also visiting on Thursday and she will help knock me into shape no doubt at all. I can sense a blissful Friday.

That six o'clock alarm....

Well it was 6.30 actually but the Monkeys sang about the 6.00 o'clock one and I am at the age to remember that. Confused? Don't worry it's not really that important.

However, I was up at 6.15 a.m. as I was off walking with a client first thing. So easy to get up when you are going to do something you love and I love my walking. All this client walking is great for getting to know other areas of the city too and it's such a energising way to start the day. When I left my second client, her Monday, which had started off badly when she couldn't find the car keys was looking much like a different day and it was only 10.10.

A packed day or two.

The last few days have been so action packed that there has literally been no time for blogging.

On Thursday I felt like a weather lady as I went out and then back to the office for 30 minutes or so, out again and back in etc. etc. Finally I arrived home at 6.45 p.m. in time to grab some food and my daughter and head off to her 'Mother and Daughter Pamper Evening' at school. It was a really good event nice and I had the most wonderful reflexology session. Meanwhile Ellie had reflexology too, her nails done, hair spectacularly designed and then a mini cover girl make over - not bad eh but somehow we got a bit of an uneven deal!!!

Friday saw me off to Birmingham to the 'Outdoors Show' and an airing for our 'Walkers Coach' branded fleeces. It was a great day but wow, so much to see. I was very pleased that I was not into water sports - at least I was able to miss out that entire section. Gary and I both made some good contacts which I shall follow up this week and I managed to get some really great bargins in new gear for Peru and beyond.

Yesterday I was off walking my hills all be it in Buckhurst Hill and not out in the wilds. I was pretty impressed though as I did not find the continuous ups and downs particularly taxing. Yes, I know, they are not what I am going to find in Peru but I am building up to those. I shall head up a bit further in the West Country at Easter and then further afield in the next 6 weeks or so.

Finally today in the UK was Mother's Day and I hope those of you who are mums had a great day and were spoiled. I had my early morning cuppa in bed and then was given some lovely pressies - smellies and a beautiful green glass heart, I have been wearing it all day.

I was also taken out for brunch to a very trendy new restaurant. I have to admit that I thought Alan had lost it as we were in a rather run down area and he had to keep stopping and turning round as the street we were looking for was so small. Finally we found it and as we drove down I could see nothing that resembled a restaurant at all. Standing in the biting wind waiting for Ellie to get out of the car, I found myself wondering just where we wre going to but true to his word we found our destination off a small courtyard, then through a grey door and up some concrete stairs.

I shall be back. It was fabulous - the food, the service and the setting which used to be an old garment factory. Very cool and trendy and so out of the way you gotta know it is there. I think I will only share this with very good friends.