Qoute Of The Day: For Womben

"Women try to fill [their unmet needs] vicariously by becoming a caregiver especially to men who appear needy, in time there is disrespect. 

The [a| man will disrespect you for feeding his weakness because he already disrespects himself for being needy."

~ Wayne B. Chandler

Lecture: The Spirit of Intimacy

If You Loved Avatar, Read This Book!

Blessings fam!

I took some time out to work on exams, start a few new (scary) projects, reflect and mourn one of my oldest school friend's loss of life in Haiti. I found out that her father died too from a heart attack soon after hearing the news. So sad! She was such a beautiful person and inspired me to follow my dream and holistic health path. Her family were so great too!

It's crazy how a disaster in one part of the world always throws out strong ripples to the rest of the world. And everyone feels it. My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected by this tragic event.

I decided to dial the clock backwards and reflect on things that made and inspired me to be who I am today...

So many forgotten gems came out!
One of them was this book...

Earth: Pleiadian Keys to the Living Library
... A book I got in the 90's that blew my mind....then I left it at the back of the bookshelf at my mother's house. Forgot about it for years, until it came to mind with Avatar. Dug it out, dusted it off and sat my Self down with a a huge mug of cocoa for another re-run of beautiful words. My notes are still there, kinda faded as I wrote many in pencil but it made for a great find!

If you loved the messages in Avatar, you will love this book. It plays with different spiritual paths and takes you on a story where it explains everything on a metaphysical level... including information on our DNA, ancestors, energy, astrology, Goddess energy, Earth sciences, other beings and more. Yeah, some might say its a bit wacky lol, but it (kinda) makes sense to me (sometimes lol)!

Reading it this time around, I found this book did question my own spiritual thoughts (all over again), some things I agree on - others I don't, but the overall information was interesting/inspiring when I relaxed and opened my mind, without judgement.

Travel Inspiration: A Woman's Tale!

I don't mind throwing away old things - but there are some things I will REFUSE to get rid of or re-cycle. My books. My precious books. I still have books on my shelf from my teen days and I still smile when I see the covers on the dusty shelf. My books are precious to me. Mind you, I don't have as many as I thought I did... but each one has a crazy tale or memory attached to it that remains positive to me. So, I keep them and treasure their stories.

One of these books was "The Road Within". I bought this book when I first came to London. I was still pretty much a care-free travel junkie (my travel life has slowed down since but that will soon change lol!). All these years later, I'm enjoying the collection of books from Travelers' Tales . And now I am delighted to see this latest book out from them... "The Best Women's Travel Writing 2009" book, part of a series of books that celebrate women's travel. That will be most definately be on my wishlist of books to buy! Sharing travel through story-teling is so magical to me, it keeps me motivated and reminded that travel will always be a great part of my life - and I need to nurture it!

I feel there is an amazing bond between traveling women. There is a special supprt network that travelling women seem to naturally oversatnd and create between eachother. For this reason, I wanted to share these links that have been so useful to me over the years...

http://www.journeywoman.com

http://www.womentraveltips.com

http://www.solotravel.org

http://travelista.tv

Please do post and share your links and travel nspired resources!

Un-Plug. The Simple Life!

Un-Plug.

How good it feels to simply switch off the world of TV!

It took me back to a time where I made the conscious decision to not have a TV in my living space. And I can honestly say that at that point, I felt at my most creative! No distractions, no longer being fed images/information that I had limited control over or was tempted to keep absorbed in, my imagination and creativity provided a space to work and explore. Maybe this sounds a little extreme, but I do honestly believe that the TV can be our worst enemy when it comes to nurturing creativity.

So here I am all these years later, plugged into the TV and my only existing TV crashed and broke in a comedy-style action I clumsily did a few days ago. And I now remember how it is and feels to have new energy without it. Do I miss it? Yes! But thank goodness for the internet... I feel like what I am watching is MY choice (choosing the re-runs on websites of specific shows I feel connected to), not just a series of adverts/messages that lead me to mindlessly watch on to programmes that serve me no creative purpose. Yes, it could very easily be my own fault too for not just switching the TV off after a specific show, but you know how it is... it's so easy to just flick and catch on to another.

So rambling almost over - I'm just glad I did remember!

It's also part of my decision to simplify my life further... less clutter or "stuff", less spending on need-less rubbish that I know I don't need but felt like buying anyway, removing old for new! Mind-fully DE-CLUTTER my space. Speaking of simple living, here is a book I LOVE... it just gets down to the vital points of action!

How to Simplify Your Life: Seven Practical Steps to Letting Go of Your Burdens and Living a Happier Life by Werner Tiki Kustenmacher and Lothar J Seiwert

Some simple living and de-clutter websites to explore:

http://www.simpleliving.net/

http://www.consciouslivingfoundation.org/

http://www.realsimple.com/

http://www.first30days.com/

http://www.thefrugallife.com/

http://www.frugal.org.uk/

The Grump.

"You Brits just love being miserable!"
Oh YES lol!

The first time I heard about this book title (read about it), I rolled over laughing and got it straight away. I'm not British - but I have lived here for 10+ years and even though I can say many positive things about living in the UK, I can also relate to this in everyday life. Classic.

Take the example of the hit show "Grumpy old women" - I don't get it! And the latest is from this survey. Apparently, Londoners are the most grumpiest in the UK - and the most stressed people in all of Europe. Londoners are also the most lonliest in the UK.

From the article: He says that the character traits of Londoners are now
so amplified and different from those of other regions that it has become almost
like "another country". Mr Rentfrow said: "London is becoming psychologically
separate from the rest of the nation.

I felt it was a good time to bring this up as many nappturals around the world have asked me what it is like to live in London. So, here is my take on *my* experiences here...

If I played "The Grump":

Since everyone seems to be going on about London being grumpy and stressful, I'll join in and share the bad things that I hate about this city first, before ending on a positive note lol!

If I had to look at London through a negative point of view, I would definitely say that there is a lack of balance in daily life. As a natural health activist and empath, it does get difficult to make life focus on something other than the wallet. Everything is so expensive and the quality of life does not give you your money's worth either, compared to other parts of Europe that I have lived in. What I would spend on one night out here would be worth maybe 4 nights out doing the exact same thing in Madrid for example. So everything tends to revolve around money, material and "getting ahead" in that front. There is so much to see creativity-wise but you need to have some steady good income to really go out there and explore/pay for it all.

Travel on the tube is by far one of the worst pars of London for me. Now I'm not saying we all need to be jumping with joy and laughing on the tube, but it can be a pretty miserably cramped and stuffy place to get caught up in, especially in rush hour where we are like canned sardines. With our personal space constantly invaded by others, it's no wonder people put up barrier energy. The London free papers serve as a perfect weapon to shield your Self lol! Think I'm joking?!? ... observe it when you have the chance or travel to this side of the pond. People and the energy does feel miserable sometimes. I don't look forward to using it. In general, I feel London is crammed up and with no breathing space, the tube is just an example.

The subtle divides: Unless you were born and raised in London, I do feel that there will always be a divide in the way people feel about this city Vs people who have come to live in London for whatever reason. As a person who moved to London in '98, I have observed that there are many hidden divides in the way people interact on a daily life. "Outsiders" are more likely to connect and group as friends than with those who lived here all their life who form their own groups. And as for multi-cultural-ism, I feel there is a lot that London has to offer on different cultures but they all pretty much remain completely divided from one another. With that said, I still feel I need to point out that there is certainly more tolerance and diversity than other places I have visited in Europe. The class system and North/South UK divide is also a very dominant factor in society.

So whats the good news - if any lol?!?

London still remains to me one of the most vibrant places I've visited in creative freedom. At its best, it can provide a lot of inspiration if you are looking in the right place. There are numerous events and cultural and creative awareness/activist movements to keep you connected to the creative flow. People come here for so many reasons and one of them is to have the complete freedom to re-invent and explore Self - in their jobs, studies, creating a new business etc. There are so many choices so it can be good if you keep super focused on what it is you truly came to London for. I feel this city is where I found my Self and what it is I wanted in life - and to be honest, I don't think any other city would have taught me all the lessons that London has shown me... so I feel grateful for this city's energy.

London is a very napptural loving city! Over the last few years, I have seen more and more natural hair loving people and businesses popping up. It's great! I hope Adornment comes back soon as this show was one of the best in bringing together all things natural. There are also many hair salons that specialise in natural hair, like Locs 4 Life and Purely Natural. Visit Tyte Curl for UK natural info. There are many other links out there - these are just a few that came to mind now.

So, I guess every city has its good and bad points. As a person who loves to travel, I feel London is a great temporary spot to be in for now- who knows where the next city/town will be!

OM! Books: A Challenge With Moving Toward Balance: 8 Weeks of Yoga - By Rodney Yee

Moving Toward Balance: 8 Weeks of Yoga with Rodney Yee

I love Rodney Yee! His work always offers a very practical, work-able and progressive way to bring fitness into our daily lives. This book is definitely a must for anyone who loves yoga or is starting it, as it gives a packed programme (including detailed pictures of poses) of yoga sequences that can be followed and explored.

This book will bring yoga to your home, help you develop a home routine - and by the end of it, I am certain that you will truly appreciate the many dimnsions of yoga and how the poses work!

Kundalini Uprising!

Kundalini is so powerful in meaning!

(Click on this link if video is not playing here)

I was originally going to write on this topic here, until I found the perfect video to explain it fully! (Above) . This is an exciting time to be alive, the energy of the Earth is changing and exploring it through Kundalini energy is a GREAT tool!

Below are 2 sources of information that I draw inspiration from when I want to learn and re-learn on Kundalini:

Book: Spiritual Nutrition, Six Foundations for Spiritual Life and the Awakening of Kundalini

DVD: Kundalini Yoga to Detox and Destress with Maya Fiennes

Try Kundalini yoga now:

Daily African Wisdom

My first poetry scrap book was part of a photography book on landscapes (which was part of an impulse buy) that moved me. I carried it everywhere! And every time I felt moved to write, I'd scribble down any words that would come to mind, choosing a landscape that I felt suited it. This was when I first moved to London... To this day, I still carry it close, filled with many poems that described how my transition to this city was like for me.

It has been a while since I've meditated on art work or photography that moves me... Today I decided it was time to break from this... I found this wonderful gem!

African Wisdom: 365 Days
By Danielle Follmi and Olivier Follmi

I would recommend this book to anyone!

Daily affirmations and wisdom with moving images.

Perfect!

Yoga In Africa - Retreats Info & Videos

"The word Yoga means union and discipline. It is not a religion, it’s exploring your own spirituality by learning how to control your mind through exercising the body, breath and practicing concentration. Yoga is about learning to be present, living in the present moment—creating a union between mind, body and spirit." (a description that I've taken from a few websites)

As well as being a Self union, I love how yoga is a union of like-minded people... Union in being able to connect, explore, learn and grow with people who are dedicated to living life in awareness. An every day tool to positive conscious networking!

This is a wonder-full video about yoga in Africa - Changing lives!

The International Association of Black Yoga Teachers (IABYT): www.blackyogateachers.com

Upcoming African Yoga Retreat!

If you enjoyed the video and wish to experience a yoga in Africa for your Self, here is some information that you don't want to miss!

In 2009, you can be part of the upcoming Afrikan yoga retreat from January 3rd-14th 2009 in Ghana.

This 10 day retreat is a complete holistic package - including yoga sessions, delicious vegie meals, day trips, drumming, dance - and more!

For more details:

UK contact - Pable Imani +44 0 7904769696 www.afrikanyoga.com nubeinghealth@yahoo.co.uk

USA contact - Deirdre Lovell 1.832.465.8966 www.bodynsoultherapies.com deirdre@bodynsoultravel.net

2008 begins for me NOW...

A little late, maybe lol?!?

But seriously, January was a time that was still part of 2007 for many reasons so this month has been a time to re-create the New Year...

This blog has been a long time coming...

After moving forward and backwards through some testing times, I felt it was time to bring together a blog that celebrated much more than a personal journey... I wanted to explore London and fall in love with it all over again. In doing so, I wanted to also allow this space to fuse Black cultural London, creativity and the many holistic journeys that are transforming every day.

London is busy-busy. It's time to get lost in all of it.

Watch out for new interviews ("inner-views" as we like to call it!) and insights from all walks of life (UK & Europe) - plus the occasional insight from my Self.

Keep inspiring!

Bless-up ;o)