Castagneta Carducci

What is getting away from it all... about? Is it the blue skies? A very welcome sight to us sun starved Scots. It is the glorious sunsets? Living on a west coast gives us some tremendous setting sun scenes. Is it peace and quiet? Or are we looking for a more passionate lifestyle?

I asked myself all of those questions recently when staying in the beautiful hamlet/town of Castagneta Carducci, Tuscany. I love blue skies and particularly love blue-sky thinking. Perhaps however it pays to keep an open mind for the beauty of a grey sky and the promise of rainy days! Yes I can assure you it does refresh the soul as well as the ground. And as for the sunsets! Here on the west, it always feel that the sun is having a party and we are invited guests.

And I choose both the peace and quiet moments of serenity in the countryside far away from the traffic as well as the laughter and passion that abounds with the compulsory Italian gustatory experience. One just can't help enjoying oneself... just like our strap line and heading. Life's a journey - enjoy!

The Road Ahead

Who knows what the road ahead will hold for us? this photo was taken in the sleepy town of Gubbio in Umbria, Italy and just around the corner was what the locals called a cable car and what we called a bird cage! It was such a surprise and a tremendous adventure, all the better for being unexpected. Plans are great, however it is wonderful when life surprises you with something even better than your plans... Remember, life's a journey - so be sure to enjoy it, whatever is round the corner.

Sniffles pet!

How are you today? Are you well or like me sniffling and spluttering with a February cold? Apart from filling myself with vit C, propolis and obviously slugging down my wonderful aloe vera, I am sitting back and noticing that life wants me to slow down. This seems to be at odds with my nature as I want to be up and at'em, as they say. So having read two books in 3 days and having written various offerings in the form of newsletters, poems and have even got on with writing my own book, I am realising the benefits of a cold. Not only is it a cleanser and a reassurance that the body's immune system is working well, it is a marvellous healing hiatus in this busy, frantic world we live in... so the next time someone sneezes... Go ahead and bless 'em and know that they are indeed blessed. Or better still when you come down with the cold symptoms yourself accept the blessing graciously!

Sail Away

So much has happened since I was on this beautiful paradise shore almost 10 yeas ago. It's Fiji folks and I was feeling just as castaway as Tom Hanks as this Castaway island came into view. Whenever I want to de-stress and drift away from what pressures are building up in my very own pressure cooker, I look to pictures of the sea with boats calmly moored and imagine myself in the picture with no worries or cares and glory in the cloudless blue sky and the calm sea. Such a simple tool... I can even remember the day, the warmth of the sun and the laughter of friends and the joy of snorkling for the very first time. Give yourself the gift of escaping for a moment into this paradise and then revisit it whenever you get the chance. I'll be there too...

Buddha and Angels - in good company!

Namaste

It's been a while since I last blogged. Not that there hasn't been stuff happening, but as a priority the blog was put to the bottom of the list of things to do! Now that I am living in Buddha time I am working without the help of a safety net - as in I have moved away from lists!
December was a month of complete rest for me as I succumbed to a similar illness to one I had hosted 22 years ago! Now a lot can happen in 22 years so I not only had a different mind set... as in better, I also had a range of lotions and potions to help me through my health crisis. Not to mention the many angels both heavenly and earthly that helped me recover.
I am taking the enforced leisure... and pain... as a gift. It was an early Christmas present and one that will have long lasting effects.
So this blog is a thank you to all ... to the universe and its multitude of gifts.
Grazie mille tutti! con affetto...

ONENESS

Namaste
So many people discuss yoga in terms of what type do you "do" or what type do you teach. It has become my mission to share the information that yoga and its practice, is who you are not what you do. The ancient sages knew a thing or two and put the essential premise of yoga into a single phrase of "Know thyself!" and the additional sentence of "To thyself be true"... however if you don't know yourself how can you be true to yourself! 'tis a challenge! The magazine "Psychologies" has an article about which type of yoga suits you ... and I can only say that this is typical of the western mind to categorise everything including yoga. This is especially a redundant way of thinking as the meaning of yoga in the original sanskrit language is UNION. So let's unite in the practice of yoga and enjoy Living It Yoga wherever we find ourselves and whoever we find ourselves with...
Why not connect with this skyline and get an understanding of what a sense of oneness can be...
Om Shanti

Sunset at San Vincenzo, Toscano

What a view! What a sunset! The photo doesn't do the sky or the setting justice but just viewing gives a feeling of the end of the day and that feeling for me was one of completion. It was taken from the marina in San Vincenzo, Tuscany where I had not only taken an impromptu Yoga week but also celebrated my 60th birthday. It was a perfect combo and this photo anchors (forgive the pun) all the wonderful adventures, happy experiences, hairy driving moments and sheer pleasure of two weeks well spent in the company of family and friends.