EARTH - MOTHER GODDESS, OUR HAVEN.

‘We can do better’

I once heard someone say in a podcast that humans were like mould on a sandwich, spoiling the Earth without concern for the consequences. Another metaphor I read in an article compared human beings to a virus infecting the planet. Someone suggested to me that humanity is so damaging to itself and the planet, that we need to press the reset button. Let’s just say he wasn’t an optimist! This outlook on humanity lacks faith in our ability to change and get better. It’s quite concerning to think that so many people have either lost faith or just accepted how it is. They won’t change or act to heal our planet.

Earth is our only home in the universe. The only planet in our solar system with the unique conditions that allow life to thrive. Yet too many souls are comfortable with the idea that the health of their planet doesn’t concern them. “Who cares about saving the planet” was a scary statement I heard from a young guy wearing his trousers low, like he’d wet his nappy. Perhaps he believed there’s another planet we can move to once we have effed this one up? ‘Sure, maybe we can move to Venus…’

“The universe is about 14 billion years old, Earth is about 4.5 billion years old, and humans about 200,000 years old. We’ve been here such a small amount of time, and yet we’ve wrecked a good chunk of what nature has created. Are we such barbarians? Or, baboons in suits with smart phones? Having said that - there is hope!”

‘Our solar system and a little further’

The other planets in our solar system are hazardous to humans. There is no backup planet. Let’s take a look at them to be sure. First up we have Mercury, 427°c during the daytime, and -180°c at night. The atmosphere is so thin that without a space suit you won’t survive for two minutes! Then we have Venus, named after the goddess of love, but she won’t be loving you my friend, at 462°c, she’s hot enough to melt lead. Made mainly from carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid, with acid rain, it’s so hot the rain evaporates before hitting the ground! Sounds like Lucifer’s tavern - you will die instantly!

Now Mars, its gravity is so weak it can’t hold on to oxygen, it’s mostly carbon dioxide. It has an average temperature of -81°c. Matt Damon may have survived by growing potatoes with his poo but that was Hollywood make-believe! How about Jupiter? The Big Mama of our solar system. A gas giant with no firm surface to touch down on and a persistent high-pressure region producing an anticyclonic storm. If you enjoy feeling the ground beneath your feet and the wind out of your hair, you won’t vibe with Jupiter.

Next Saturn! A sphere made almost entirely from hydrogen & helium. Saturn doesn’t want you there. It’s so inhospitable, the gas surrounding it is poisonous to humans. It’s also -178°c, a little nippy, don’t you think? Here’s cheeky Uranus, the oddball of ice and gas which rotates on its side. It hasn’t got a surface. If you tried to land on Uranus you would just sink through the upper atmosphere of hydrogen and helium, and then into the liquid icy centre. And finally, we have Neptune with an atmosphere of hydrogen, helium, and methane. It also has storm systems that circulate around the planet with wind speeds of 1000 km/h and clouds of frozen methane. Sounds like Elsa’s old home before moving to Earth. Please no one piss her off again!

The nearest planet which may have earth-like potential is just 12 light years away. Astronomers have discovered a rocky planet in the habitable zone of Proxima Centauri. The only problem is it would take 137,000 years to get there. I’m sure Virgin Galactic will run out of peanuts and loo rolls within the first few days!

‘We are the problem 

but also the solution’

We live in a world where money is almost everyone’s primary ambition. As without it life can be difficult, and limited. But, at what cost do we indulge the mentality of ‘profit first’? The costs have become blindingly obvious for people who can think for themselves. It’s unacceptable to poison and destroy our planet and damage people’s health in the process. We must do our utmost, with intelligence and compassion, to live in a way that’s friendly to the environment. It’s not too late, change has already begun, and we must persist and educate those who are oblivious. Yes, millions still throw their rubbish, cigarette ends, and chewing gum on the ground, in parks, forests, and oceans. We still kill animals for sport, overconsume meat and overfish our oceans. Dangerous substances are still added to our food and drinks despite the demand for healthier alternatives at a fair price. We are over farming resulting in land degradation. Deforestation has brought the loss of habitat for millions of species. Human slavery is still practiced to satisfy the demand of consumerism. And, city air pollution is on the rise worldwide.

‘Change can only come from us’

The way we treat our planet is the way we treat ourselves. Humans are famous for their self-destructive behaviour. Just take a look around hospital exits, you’ll see people fresh from surgery puffing away on a cigarette. Look at our diets, most of us know what junk food and excessive eating does to our bodies, yet we still indulge. We understand the damage that alcohol does to us, yet we still drink too much, just like an addict seeking their next fix. Our wellbeing is secondary. Enjoyment and escapism come first. We snub self-education and self-discipline because we don’t have the time or we don’t want to. Maybe out of laziness or impoverishment. Who knows! Our planet is a reflection of who we are and the consequences of our thoughts and actions.

The equation for capitalism doesn’t include social or environmental ethics. This is what we must make good. You have a heart, listen to it. You have common sense, use it. You have wisdom, share it. We need new ideas to improve the way we live. We need to keep loving life, our own and the life we see around us. We need to love our planet and embrace a new system that gives love value. Take care of our planet. Do it for you. Do it for our children and for future generations. It’s everyone’s right to live and flourish in this beautiful world. Let’s join our efforts and take care of mother nature like she has taken care of us. Her fauna, flora, and her magnificence is everywhere: in the structure of DNA, in our own complex biology, in the sound of people’s laughter, and in the diverse environments covering our planet's surface.

“Life can be tough at times, and the well-being of the planet isn’t on everyone’s priority list, but every day is a chance to do something good which will help us live a more sustainable way of life and restore balance to our planet. Everyone can do something, even if it’s just putting your rubbish in the bin”. (that’s in the bin, not next to it!)

WE MUST TAKE CARE 
OF OUR PLANET! ❤️

READ NEXT: What on earth are we here for?

LA TERRE - DÉESSE MÈRE, NOTRE HAVRE.

‘Nous pouvons faire mieux’

J'ai entendu quelqu'un dire dans un podcast que les êtres humains étaient comme de la moisissure sur un sandwich, gaspillant les ressources de notre Terre sans se soucier des conséquences.

Une autre métaphore que j'ai lue dans un article comparait l'homme à un virus contaminant la planète. Quelqu'un m'a aussi suggéré que l'humanité est tellement nuisible à elle-même et à la planète qu'il faudrait appuyer sur un bouton afin de tout réinitialiser. Disons que ce monsieur n'était pas très optimiste ! Cette vision de l'humanité manque de confiance en notre capacité à changer et à nous améliorer. C’est alarmant de penser que tant de personnes ont perdu la foi, ou ont tout simplement accepté ce qui se passe. Ils n'ont aucun désir de changer et ne feront rien pour préserver notre planète.

La Terre est notre seule maison au sein de l'univers. Elle est la seule planète de notre système solaire présentant des conditions uniques permettant à la vie de prospérer. Toutefois, il est clair que beaucoup de personnes ne se sentent pas concernés par le bien être de leur planète. "Qui se soucie de sauver la planète " voici une déclaration effrayante venant d'un jeune homme vêtu d’un pantalon ‘très’ taille basse, comme s'il avait mouillé sa couche. Peut-être pensait-il qu’il serait possible d’aller sur une autre planète une fois celle-ci détruite ? Euh, Venus, ça vous dit ?

« L’univers a environ 14 milliards d’années, la Terre environ 4 milliards et demi d’années et les humains eux ont environ 200 000 ans. Nous sommes ici depuis si peu de temps et pourtant nous avons déjà détruit une bonne partie de la nature existante. Sommes-nous de tels barbares ? Ou bien des singes en costume avec des smartphones à la main ? Cela dit, il y a de l’espoir ! »

‘Notre système solaire et un peu plus loin’

Les autres planètes de notre système solaire sont dangereuses pour l'homme. Il n'y a pas de planète de secours. Jetons un coup d’œil aux autres planètes pour en être bien sûr.

D’abord Mercure, 427°c le jour et -180°c la nuit. L’atmosphère est tellement fine que sans combinaison spatiale, vous n'y survivriez pas plus de deux minutes ! Ensuite, nous avons Vénus, connue comme la déesse de l’amour, une chose qui est sûre elle ne vous aimera pas si passionnément, avec ses 462°c, sa haute température peut même faire fondre le plomb. Composé principalement de dioxyde de carbone et d’acide sulfurique, on y trouve aussi des pluies acides. Il y fait tellement chaud que la pluie s’évapore avant qu'elle touche le sol ! C’est un peu la taverne de Lucifer, vous y péririez sur le coup !

Maintenant, Mars, sa gravité est si faible qu’elle ne retient pas l’oxygène, de ce fait l’atmosphère est majoritairement composée de dioxyde de carbone. La température moyenne est de - 81°c. Matt Damon a peut-être tenté de survivre sur la planète rouge en faisant pousser des patates avec ses excréments, mais bon, c'était un film...Ah ! la fantaisie hollywoodienne !

Qu’en est-il de Jupiter ? La Big Mama de notre système solaire. Géant gazier sans surface ferme donc où l'on ne pourrait jamais toucher jamais le sol. Elle possède une région sous haute pression persistante produisant un véritable orage anticyclonique. Si vous aimez sentir le sol sous vos pieds et le vent hors de vos cheveux, vous ne serez pas très à l’aise sur Jupiter. Prochain arrêt Saturne ! Une sphère presque entièrement composée d'hydrogène et d'hélium. Saturne ne veut pas de nous. Elle est entièrement inhabitable, le gaz qui l’entoure est super toxique pour l’humain. Il y fait -178°c, un petit peu frisquet, non ?

Voici Uranus, l’incroyable boule de glace et de gaz qui tourne sur le côté. Elle aussi n’a pas de surface. Si vous tentiez d'atterrir sur Uranus, vous vous enfonceriez dans la haute atmosphère d'hydrogène et d'hélium, puis dans son centre glacé liquide. Et enfin, nous avons Neptune avec une atmosphère composé d'hydrogène, d'hélium et de méthane. On y rencontre aussi des tempêtes qui circulent autour de la planète avec des vents de 1000 km/h et des nuages de méthane gelé. On dirait presque l’ancienne planète d’Elsa avant d’arriver sur Terre. Que personne ne l'énerve de nouveau !

La planète la plus proche qui pourrait avoir un potentiel semblable à la Terre se trouve à seulement 12 années-lumière. Les astronomes ont découvert une planète rocheuse dans la zone habitable de Proxima Centauri. Le temps de trajet qu'il faudrait pour y parvenir est de 137 000 ans. Je suis sûr que Virgin Galactic sera à court de cacahuètes et de papier toilettes dès les premiers jours!

‘Nous sommes le problème mais aussi la solution’

Nous vivons dans un monde où l’argent est l'ambition principale de presque tout le monde, tous simplement parce que sans celui-ci, la vie peut être difficile et limitée. Mais à quel prix cédons-nous à la mentalité du « profit d’abord » ? Les coûts des dégâts sur la planète sont pourtant évidents aux yeux des êtres humains qui sont capables de penser par eux-mêmes. Il est inacceptable d’empoisonner et de détruire notre planète, et d’endommager la santé de la population. Nous devons faire tout ce qui est en notre pouvoir, avec intelligence et compassion, pour vivre en harmonie avec l’environnement. Il n’est pas trop tard, le changement a déjà commencé et nous devons persister et éduquer ceux qui sont toujours inconscients. Oui, des millions de personnes jettent encore leurs ordures, mégots de cigarettes et chewing-gums par terre, dans les parcs, les forêts et les océans. Nous continuons à tuer des animaux pour le sport et consommons trop de viande. Des substances dangereuses sont encore ajoutées à nos aliments et à nos boissons, malgré la demande d'alternatives plus saines à des prix équitables. Nous surexploitons la terre et nos océans en y entraînant leur dégradation. Le déboisement a provoqué des pertes d'habitats de millions d'espèces. L'esclavage humain est toujours pratiqué pour satisfaire la demande du consumérisme. Et la pollution de l'air des grandes villes est en augmentation dans le monde entier.

‘Le changement est en nous’

La façon dont nous traitons notre planète est le reflet de la façon dont nous nous traitons nous mêmes. Les humains sont connus pour leur comportement autodestructeur. Jetez un coup d’œil aux hôpitaux, vous y verrez des personnes fumer une cigarette peu de temps après en être sortie. Observez nos régimes alimentaires, la majorité d'entre nous savons parfaitement que la malbouffe, et qu'une alimentation excessive nuisent à notre corps, et pourtant nous y adhérons toujours. Les dégâts causés par l’alcool sont bien connus et malgré cela nous buvons toujours autant. Notre bien-être est secondaire, le plaisir et l'évasion passent avant le reste. Encore beaucoup d’entre nous snob l’idée de s’éduquer et de se discipliner, la raison étant que nous n’avons pas le temps ou l'envie de le faire. Sûrement par paresse, ou bien par manque de moyen. Qui sait ! En attendant, notre planète encaisse les conséquences de notre façon de penser et de nos actions.

L’équation du capitalisme n’inclut pas l’éthique sociale ou environnementale, essayions d’y ajouter le facteur manquant pour un résultat plus équilibré. Vous avez un cœur, écoutez-le. Vous avez du bon sens, utilisez-le. Vous avez de la sagesse, partagez-la. Nous avons besoin de nouvelles idées pour améliorer notre quotidien. Nous devons continuer à aimer notre vie et celle qui nous entoure. Nous devons chérir notre planète et adopter un nouveau système qui valorise l'amour. Faites-le pour vous, pour nos enfants et pour les générations futures. C’est le droit de chacun de vivre et de s’épanouir dans ce monde magnifique. Joignons nos efforts et prenons soin de mère Nature comme elle s’occupe de nous. Sa faune, sa flore et sa richesse sont omniprésentes : dans la structure de l’ADN, dans la composition de notre corps, dans le son de nos éclats de rire et dans les divers environnements recouvrant la surface de notre planète.

« La vie peut parfois être difficile et le bien-être de la planète n’est pas notre numéro un sur la liste de nos priorités, mais chaque jour est une chance de faire quelque chose de bien qui nous aidera à trouver un mode de vie plus stable et à rétablir l'équilibre de notre planète. Tout le monde peut faire quelque chose, même s’il ne s’agit que de jeter ses ordures à la poubelle ».

(‘Dans’ la poubelle, pas à côté !)

PRENONS SOIN DE NOTRE PLANÈTE. ❤️

A LIRE AUSSI: Les personnes hautement sensible de notre monde.

BALI - the gratitude island.

This was my second time visiting this stunning island. I call it gratitude island, simply because this is where I truly understood the meaning of gratitude. The genuine smiles from the locals will always stay with me, as they are so rich within. They prioritise the human spirit and its needs, rather than simply material or physical things.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”  

- Melody Beattie -

It is so inspiring to watch hotels, shops, restaurants and homes present their offerings to the gods, they start each day with a blessing and with gratitude. This alone showed me that we should follow their example, and understand that we must find balance between the physical and nonphysical. Showing gratitude daily as we press on with our modern lives will help our deep emotional and physical imbalance. Too many people in developed countries have been conditioned to focus on problems rather than solving them; they’re drowning in depression and addiction instead of keeping the faith. They also chase money over wellbeing and a balanced life, and sadly, only believe in what they can see instead of believing, in order to create. Thoughts are the beginning of all things in our world.

Bali has so much to offer starting with the goodness of the locals, then all of its wonders: the secret sanctuaries; the peaceful temples, the hidden magical forests, and so much more. 

"Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit."  - Frank Borman -

My favourite place is the sacred Monkey Forest, what an experience that was! The monkeys are truly at peace. They’ll chase you around if you have bananas, and believe me, they won’t stop until they have them. These monkeys are such great entertainers. They can play for hours, trying to open your bags, bite your water bottles, and occasionally stealing anything you've left unprotected. They will also jump on you when you least expect it! My advice is to enjoy their presence, but don’t provoke them or try to touch them, they are animals with primitive instincts after all. It’s an amazing experience you will never forget!

The temples across Bali are majestic, they’re all as breath taking as each other, but many tourists miss out on the energy of these stunning temples.  For them its more about selfies than being in the moment and soaking up the vibes of thousands of years of history. You will have to wear a sarong to enter most temples as appropriate clothing is a must. Of all the temples that we visited Tanah Lot was my favorite. You can be blessed at the holy spring, emerging with grains of rice stuck to your forehead, which seem to remain stuck for a really long time.  You can also touch the head of a lucky snake in a cave opposite the holy spring, and both are said to bring peace and goodness into your life. The local guides will often recommend you to watch the sunset from Tanah Lot, and I can promise a spectacular view. If you hang around for a few minutes after sunset, you will also see the thousands of bats flying from their cave to hunt for food, but don't worry they won't come near you. Just imagine thousands of bats filling the sky, something you’ll only see once in a lifetime! Dracula would have been proud!

The beautiful waterfalls are not to be missed. Northern Bali has a stunning hidden heaven off the main tourist trail, with several shining waterfalls all in one spot. When the sun hits at a certain angle, it's like a shower of million diamonds falling from the sky and melting into the water. In the pool at the bottom there was a group of young local boys splashing in the water and enjoying their natural playground. If we could replace all the time that humans spent playing video games, watching TV or transfixed on their phone, by enjoying the wonders of Mother Nature, I believe our lives would be much more relaxed and fulfilled. 

“Travel brings power and love back into your life.” 

- Jalaluddin Rumi - 

Bali doesn't disappoint. It will enrich your soul, remind you of what’s important in life, show you the magnificence of mother nature, share its rich traditions, and feed you with its stunning and exotic fruits. It is simply a wonderful destination.

Travel the world, and bring some of their beautiful traditions and culture home! 
We have so much to learn from each other.

READ NEXT: Life is a journey, it's a one-way trip!

‘FAMILY’ - RETHOUGHT

We are all the products of our environment. Our early conditioning at home has a huge impact on who we become, and the people we grow up with will impact our lives in a way that no one else can. We will absorb their way of dealing with stress, their daily routines, their political views, their spiritual belief, and their social behaviours. That said, many choose to recondition their mind at a later stage in life, especially if their upbringing doesn't align with their true-self. They will either rebel, or learn a new way of life, but the old conditioning cannot be completely cut from their mind, it will remain in some way!

“I was angry and frustrated until I started my own family and my first child was born. Until then I didn’t really appreciate life the way I should have, but fortunately I woke up.” 
- Johnny Depp -

EXPECTATIONS:

There are heavy expectations when it comes to family, often movies and commercials portray family as loving and respecting one another, supporting each other’s dreams and ambitions, a picture of perfect harmony despite the differences in personalities and ambitions! 

Happy families do exist, but perfect families are simply a MYTH! Every single family on the planet has problems, ranging from mild disagreements to abusive behaviour, and sadly even barbarity! I believe we need to redefine the word ‘FAMILY’ to improve our lives, and the lives of families that come after ours. 

We must all understand that parents are just people with their own problems. Gratefully, some are more enlightened than others, but they all still have issues and fears. They are not gods, or wizards with magic wands, they don’t have answers to all our problems, especially if they grew up with limitations and fears themselves! They too come from another unit with their unique story! We must accept that sharing DNA with another person does not make us exactly the same or confer ownership of them. The true duties of family members towards each another are love and support, if they can manage it! Many cannot as they have not received it themselves and this is where many problems start. Think about it for a minute, if you’ve never been loved, guided or encouraged, how could you then pass that onto others? You cannot love if you don’t have love for yourself first!

CONSEQUENCES: 
Many people by the age of 40 will give up on their physical, emotional and mental health, barely thinking of their spiritual needs. They’ll fall onto a limited path, following the limitations of their negative mindset and experiences, without ever finding a way out. 

“A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another.”

- Buddha -

BALANCE:

The main reasons why people cannot get better are the absence of self-belief for self-healing, and the lack of enriching experiences for personal growth. The cycle of broken people repeats itself, recycling negative childhoods for the next generation. The statistics show problems with children who have grown up with fear; poor self-esteem; inability to self-heal; poor education; absence of love; and physical or mental abuse. They all sadly struggle to cope with life as they grow older as they have no foundations to fall upon when faced with the harsh moments of life. Strong foundations are vital to become a balanced individual, so we should hope this truth becomes a reality for future generations to come.

TEACHING: 

Love, kindness, compassion and perseverance must be taught from childhood. We’ve all been taught to treat a cut on our finger with antiseptic and a plaster to help it heal. But, the internal scars and bruises as we grow up have never been spoken of, never healed, never dealt with. Once the child becomes an adult, if the healing of these hurts have not been dealt with, he or she becomes a monumental emotional mess, often angry, negative, misunderstood or anti-social, and unable to reach enlightenment which is the ultimate development of one's inner potential as a human being.

“Everyone needs a house to live in, but a supportive family is what builds a home.” 
- Anthony Liccione -

ESCAPISM:

Unfortunately, we live in a society where no one has time to listen, to feel, or to understand. Instead we seek advice from our friends Jack Daniels or Bud Weiser, and they usually sooth us with some temporary escapism. Others prefer to lose themselves to chemical oblivion, but the return to reality is much harsher, and often dangerous or addictive! They are all soothing  temporarily but they don’t really heal anything. They just keep you numb stealing the sensation of being alive! When you wake up, the problem, the pain or whatever you are attempting to escape from is still there. 

WE ALL HAVE FAMILY PROBLEMS: 

Every single one of us has family issues, from the small and insignificant to genuinely painful situations. But now more than ever it is time to heal our bodies, spirits and minds, we all have what it takes to decide that we’re no longer victims of our experiences and to aim for a brighter life.

We must stop making broken people. The next generations must be raised with love, balance, knowledge and education, but also with a deep understanding of themselves through learning about their own emotions. Teaching mindfulness will help the next generation benefit from controlling their thoughts.

Family feuds have damaged minds and broke many hearts! We are all born into families, but before we call it family, we must learn how to respect each others life choices, beliefs and to make allowances for each other’s faults. I’m not saying that will be easy(!), but we must believe it is possible to take the first step! For many there is a reasonable chance to make amends with your family and find love.

However, some families are beyond repair as no love is present. Protecting our happiness from those who haven’t learnt from their life journey is essential as we are all here to experience our own lives in the most blissful way.

“The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” 
- Henry Ward Beecher -

LET’S CREATE FAMILIES WITH BEAUTIFUL VALUES AND LOVE, 
FOR A BETTER FUTURE AND WORLD.

READ NEXT: Parent's blessing, why seek approval?

MOVING ABOARD - LONGING FOR HOME

Since the invention of locomotion in the early 1800s, the dream to explore new horizons was born, people that had never left their villages and communities could finally explore the rest of the world. As the technology evolved, going anywhere in the world was no longer fiction but a reality. Whether travelling by plane, by train, by boat or by car - the adventures began. As the borders opened worldwide, a great number of people decided to travel and discover what other opportunities the rest of the world had to offer - I guess that’s where the saying comes from: “the world is your oyster”. Travelling the world is an opportunity to grab with both hands. You’ll explore new cultures, learn new languages, eat food you’ve never tasted before and converse with strangers from other parts of the world - I believe everyone should experience travelling!

Our birth place is part of us, it is deeply coded into our mind as the root of all beginnings. The people who surrounded us in our early years, friends and family, shaped who we are today. We are all the product of our environment. As we get older we create strong bonds with the people around us, usually made of ‘unconditional love’. We are in our comfort zone; and we are familiar with our surroundings and our own little tribe. We have developed habits and rituals that make up our everyday life.

For the few that find the courage to leave their comfort zone; they are embarking a great journey! A journey that will change them forever. Many will extend their stay and live in their new country which feels like a daring adventure.  I’d like to compare it to ‘Alice in wonderland’, everything is new and different, the mind is overwhelmed, and the thirst for discoveries and life experiences is finally fulfilled. The first few years are exciting, making new friends, learning a new language, eating and drinking like the locals, working and living abroad is finally happening.

As the years go by, the feeling of missing ‘home’ makes you rethink your commitment. Your childhood friends have moved on; long-distance communication is getting one sided, and the visits are few, and far between. In truth you left their habitat, life kept going back at home but you weren't there. You have missed a lot and sadly some bonds have dissolved. Despite the extra effort to stay in touch, your friends and family don’t think of you as often as you’d like. Yet, they are still a part of your story and you love them dearly. The friends that you have made in your new country understand and love you but it’s different, they know only a small part of your story.

Regardless of the amount of years you’ve lived in your new country, you’ll always be asked the same question - where are you from? Your accent gives you away. The question is a constant reminder that you are not from here, and as the feeling of missing home gets stronger you’ll seek anything that reminds you of home: your favourite food, smells, music or movies - they will all sooth you at times. I drag my partner to every Moroccan, Spanish and French restaurant in town!

The reason behind all of this is the hybrid you’ve become, you are from No-where-land. You are between two cultures (for my part three), and moving back seems crazy too as you no longer have the same life perspective as the people you grow up with. But, you are also very different from the people in your new country. I have struggled the most with British conservative ways and the drinking culture. I love being with people but I personally don’t believe you need to get drunk to socialise, a delicious meal with a handful of good friends is very special to me, even better going for an experience all together is priceless.

Another factor that doesn't help is the constant grey and wet weather, it is so tough when you are from a warm part of the world, and grew up with seasons! I’m someone who’s very warm and tactile, the British like calling me crazy but I’m just naturally high on life and I need the sun!

If you are a mix of cultures and experiences, it will explain the void inside you, no matter where you live. Many people who have decided to experience life away from their birth country often return home eventually. Others fight the fears, the pain and the loss, and they find peace in their mind accepting the sacrifices that moving abroad brings. I have lived this experience too many times, and all of my friends have returned home - I miss them so much!

If you have moved abroad and miss your friends and family, it is absolutely normal. Yes! They could call a little more, write a little more, even visit once in a while, but they must be forgiven as we all too often focus on only what’s just in front of us. It’s the same for your friends and family that stayed back at home, they miss you but they had to fill the hole you left in their lives. Some might have been angry that you left, others didn’t understand your decision, and the rest maybe thought that it’s your loss, not theirs. The truth is, you just tried your luck somewhere else - and why not? We’re not trees after all!

I have worked really hard at staying in touch with my friends and family. I have let some go, and with others, the fruits of my efforts have flourished, and our communication is balanced. The rest -  I’m still working on it! I believe that nowadays we give up on each other too easily. One sided relationships seem to be on the rise, but it is never too late to change, we shouldn’t have to lose all of our relationships to make our dreams come true. Our ways of exchanging information and staying in touch are now better than ever, and meeting up and being in touch with our loved ones, no matter the distance, should be our priority. Change is constant but so is love. 

You must make time, even if you have ‘convinced’ yourself that you never have time. Exchange a few words, ask if people are okay, and send them a little smile once in a while. Many people are worth holding on tightly to, while others are just part of a chapter in our lives, it may hurt to let go but sometimes it hurts more to hang on. 

Visit your home country as often as possible, at least once a year. You’ll miss home less by planning your visits and you’ll look forward to great catch ups with friends and family. You are a citizen of the world and we have no frontiers, but always remember that having loving people in our lives is a solid foundation that helps us thrive. I may go back home one day, or maybe move to another part of the world. Or maybe I’ll visit more often to heal the home sickness. I’m just not sure what the future holds. I’m grateful to my other half for his patience, and support as sometimes I can’t hold back the tears, his love is truly unconditional.

A special thank you to all my friends back home that have remained in contact, and to the ones that I have met on my journey. Despite the many seas that separate us, you are still present and I feel your love. I have left my ‘douce France’ over 10 years ago, lived in different places and different countries, met wonderful souls and experienced so much, no books or films could have given me this experience, so thank you WORLD for allowing me around the globe.

I dedicate this post to you my friends for keeping me in your heart. Love, Always. - Ma douce France, je t’aime, je t'aimais et je t’aimerais. Je vous aimes les copains. -

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HAVE COURAGE & BE KIND

We were born onto this earth, most of us to families; some loving and kind, others broken and unhappy.  We were sent to school to learn to read and count but really they were exam factories, leaving us unprepared for the real difficulties that life has in store for us.  We were taught that we need to work hard for our money and that without it we are nothing, so our existence depends on a man-made tool with immense power to control us. We were given a name, a religion and a nationality that are supposed to define us - an identity that divides us with borders and limitations, we must follow these rules or face the consequences, accept without question the knowledge and wisdom of the past generations.  

But in all this, no one tells us how to heal our internal wounds, or how to face our fears. They don’t tell us how to stay strong when hard times come, how to accept the cards life dealt us at birth, how to fight negativity and turn our mind into our best ally. Material things can’t heal you, money doesn’t love, and work isn’t family. We are all human and our true identity is LOVE.

To those of you fighting a personal battle of any kind, keep strong and be brave:

To the unwell; your body and mind want to give up, and you are no longer able to take the stress and the torment. You are wrapped in your worst nightmare, but you’re not ready to let go of this precious gift called life. You must fight, you should know that you have what it takes to heal and keep going because your mind is incredibly powerful. Be the hero of your story, mark history with your strength and courage. 

“Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.” 

- Hippocrates -

To the brave fighting depression; know that your mind is telling you lies about your situation. It tells you that you’re not worthy, that you don’t have what it takes, or that it’s too hard, so what’s the point in keeping going? Your passion and your will to live are fading quickly and you want to run away as far as possible hoping it will go away, but deep down you know that isn’t the answer. You’re not sure how long this will last but you’ll find the strength to survive, nothing is forever not even depression. Have faith in yourself, keep your light shining, your life is so worth living, no matter who you are - day by day, step by step, you will get through this.

“Depression is the inability to construct a future.”  - Rollo May -

To all the wonderful women; being a mother, a wife, a friend, a business woman, a sex goddess, a smart cookie and so much more. Trying to keep yourself sane, crying in secret to unload the burden weighing on your heart, doing your best to wear all of your hats at once. Try not to forget yourself, summon your internal warrior goddess, be strong, kind, loving and shine with confidence. Your happiness is important despite the priorities of people depending on you. You can do it all, just one thing at a time. You are built with all the necessary light and love, go deep within and find it!

“A beautiful woman delights the eye; a wise woman, the understanding; a pure one, the soul.” - Minna Antrim -

To all the reborn - starting over; it could be a new career, a new country, a new beginning, or just getting out of your comfort zone. Chasing your dreams can be painful - it’s painful to look around and see the success of others, and it’s painful to keep faith when you don’t seem to be making any progress. You know better than anyone that nothing grows unless you’re uncomfortable, everything will stay the same, and the days will pass by. But, change is a constant, so make the change on your terms, and when life knocks you over - keep hope, keep fighting, for every fall always remember to stand back up.

“There is only one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk.” - Jean-Paul Sartre - 

To the broken hearted; the ache, the hollowness and the realisation that it has actually happened. The pain comes and goes, pinching your heart, but you keep on going. You wake up every day and deal with the inner torment, slowly leaving bits of it behind as you move on. We‘re all responsible for our actions in life no matter if we meant it or not, we have a degree of responsibility, but we must have faith and let time work it’s magic, your heart will heal soon. As one door closes another one always opens.

“Yet it is only love which sets us free.” - Maya Angelou -

To the eccentric or the odd one; you may be different from others, from ‘regular people’ and they may make you feel awkward. You want to be like everyone but your uniqueness is stronger, people you know and even those that you don’t can see you are true to yourself but you still feel like an alien. Extravert or introvert, love yourself, you are born an original why die a copy? It is your right to shine, you are made of stardust after all, and stars shine bright in the heavens for billions of years, so shine bright and teach people how to be true to themselves.

“I gave up my struggle with perfection a long time ago. That is a concept I don't find very interesting anymore. Everyone just wants to look good in the photographs. I think that is where some of the pressure comes from. Be happy. Be yourself, the day is about a lot more.” - Anne Hathaway -

To you super(men); our modern society is harsh and the demands on you are higher, earn money, be a protector, be successful, keep cool, be understanding, and be ready to save the day. The expectations are never ending. How can you be Prince Charming and Superman at the same time. So, take care of yourself, keep your mind sane and do the best you can, you are not perfect despite the weight of expectation from your surroundings. You also have dreams and being tough all the time will come at a price. You don’t have to be a superhero, just a good human being who will help lift our world, be there for yourself, your families but most importantly be a true gentlemen.

My theory is that men are no more liberated than women. 

- Indira Gandhi -

To all of us, the fighters, the strugglers, the champions, the eccentrics, the superheroes - keep on going! It is our purpose, pain is part of life and as much as we all wish we didn’t experience it, we wouldn’t be able to grow without it. I believe to reach enlightenment a great amount of pain and discomfort must be experienced, we must learn from life’s lessons and accept our difficult pasts - everyone has a unique story to tell. We need to master how to rise above negativity and not let pain make us bitter and unkind. It is our purpose to leave something behind worth passing onto the next generation. I don’t believe that pain will ever be easy to endure but we can change how we perceive it and learn how to help one another, we are not our feelings, we just experience them. Choose to rise above the pain and reach a higher frequency of love and happiness.

YOUR LIFE IS SO PRECIOUS, JUST KEEP ON LIVING IT!

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THE MOST WONDERFUL MESSAGE TO HUMANITY: 1940 - Charlie Chaplin - The Great Dictator's Speech

I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be an emperor. That’s not my business. I don’t want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone - if possible - Jew, Gentile - black man - white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness - not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way.

Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical. Our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need humanity. More than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost....

The aeroplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in men - cries out for universal brotherhood - for the unity of us all. Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world - millions of despairing men, women, and little children - victims of a system that makes men torture and imprison innocent people.

To those who can hear me, I say - do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed - the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish. .....

Soldiers! don’t give yourselves to brutes - men who despise you - enslave you - who regiment your lives - tell you what to do - what to think and what to feel! Who drill you - diet you - treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don’t give yourselves to these unnatural men - machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines! You are not cattle! You are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts! You don’t hate! Only the unloved hate - the unloved and the unnatural! Soldiers! Don’t fight for slavery! Fight for liberty!

In the 17th Chapter of St Luke it is written: “the Kingdom of God is within man” - not one man nor a group of men, but in all men! In you! You, the people have the power - the power to create machines. The power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure.

Then - in the name of democracy - let us use that power - let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world - a decent world that will give men a chance to work - that will give youth a future and old age a security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power. But they lie! They do not fulfil that promise. They never will!

Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people! Now let us fight to fulfil that promise! Let us fight to free the world - to do away with national barriers - to do away with greed, with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men’s happiness. Soldiers! in the name of democracy, let us all unite!

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HINDSIGHT TRULY IS A WONDERFUL THING - “GUEST POST by Close By Sky”

"About 3 years ago, I decided to change my life and take a new direction. I needed to find my true purpose, to start living from within rather than simply fitting in. However, I didn’t know where to begin, so I decided to learn meditation - it seemed a good starting point. I needed to listen to my crying soul, as for far too long I’ve ignored the pain inside. Life had blessed me with a Buddhist centre just around the corner from my new home. As I went to the classes, I made a connection with someone who was looking for peace of mind and direction, just like me. That someone is now my friend and we do our best to catch up whenever possible. We talk about the nature of life, humanity and our fears - conversations that we should all have once in a while. She kindly agreed to contribute to my blog by writing about finding her true purpose and her experience with work, something we can all relate to."

Love, Life as we go along.

A year and a half ago, I was in a stressful job that I did not enjoy.  I had felt that way for some time but fear of the unknown prevented me from doing anything about it. Now a year and a half later, I am about to start a new career, having spent a year training and working with a group of wonderful and inspiring people. 

I have learnt a few things along the way, and I’d like to share three of the most important lessons I learnt here: 

Fear is okay - I stayed for too long in a situation that was making me unhappy because I was afraid to step out of it. I was unable to imagine myself in another reality. Eventually, I became so afraid that I would regret not making a change, that I took the leap.

In the intervening months, I have been in myriad uncertain and unfamiliar situations and have survived. I’ve met wonderful people and felt the excitement of learning again.   My fear of the unknown has not gone away, but I have accepted that it never will. Instead, I see now that we all have a tremendous capacity to live with uncertainty and – with time- to thrive with change. We are infinitely more resilient and capable that we think we are.

There is no such thing as a ‘meaningful job’ - I, like most people, spend a lot of time working. My work is a facet of my identity. I spent 7 years working for a private sector consultancy. I used to dream of finding a more ‘meaningful job’, where I could help people and make a difference in their lives. Over the past year and half, having worked in different sectors and organisations, I have realised that no job is more worthy than another. You can find meaning in absolutely any job you do.

Meaning does not come from the job. It comes from you. You can inspire people, do good, and make people’s lives better through the way you think and behave, every moment of each day. 

I have met people working in social sector organisations, who are, frankly, not interested in helping people – inside or outside of work. And I know investment bankers who are changing their world and our world with their compassion, love and energy. It is how we are that matters. 

Spend time with people that share your values - You probably do this anyway, as we tend to gravitate towards people we feel a connection with. However, if you are looking to make a change in your life, achieve a goal, or realise a dream, spend time with other people that share your dream. This is not the same as surrounding yourself with people who agree with everything you say. We always need people in our lives that challenge us to think differently. But inertia can be a powerful thing. 

When you are striving for something that requires tenacity and determination – be around more people who tell you all the reasons why you can do it, rather than all the reasons why you can’t. Push through the fear that you will naturally feel. Positive energy is contagious!

"I hope you’ve enjoyed this and many thanks to the glorious Life as we go along for posting – your energy is truly magnificent!" - Close by sky -

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