In print in a ‘proper book’!

Guess I have been swept away with the excitement of life lately and have neglected my duties as a blogger! Shame on me, but please give me a chance to redeem myself. Yesterday was a very exciting day from the moment the postman delivered a parcel note alerting me to an Amazon parcel now hiding in my garage!

With eager anticipation I tip toed outside and reefed up the heavy metal door revealing a package nestled in the cold concrete floor. Ahhhh, like a woman possessed I ripped open the tape the gumed edges which marvels superglue. You need a degree in engineering to get into the post these days!! Inside were three copies of DR David Hamilton’s latest book ‘How your mind and heal your body’.

Let me digress slightly, a year ago Mum and I travel to London with mouting excitement to the Mind Body Festival at Olympia, after jostling with the chattering crowds we managed to grap hold of a program and and were drawn to David Hamiltons talk all about mind over matter type stuff right up our alley! We sat for a captivated hour thrilled with his scientific research and anecdotal evidence of how the mind can heal the body and create the life we desire.  So impressed were we that we signed up for his newsletter and 6mths later he was asking per personal stories to put in his book.

For those of you that don’t know two years ago my mum was diagnosed with colon cancer. Three blood fusions and an operation later we sat nervously in the specialists consulting room to hear the grim news about cheom therapy. It is enough to make anyone one wince and run for the door. I guess that’s why there is always a nurse in the room to rugby tackle you in your bid for freedom. Well after some scary statistics and the bare truth we opted for a more natural solution.

Because of our belief in the power of visualisation this was the first thing to put on the list, next was researching food, ones that heal and ones that harm. Its amazing how many dodgy chemicals are out there. Cancer also tends to grow more in acid body so we had to make her body more alkaline. We found some great products from out hearbalist which we know reduced her time off sick and boosted her healing.

I will go more into it in future blogs but to cut to the chase and get to the meaty bits. Mum wrote to David who we met again in London some months later where he asked if he could use her story!!!!! And now finally in my hot little hand is her story on p 134! Way to go MUM!!!!!!

Till next time

x

My Strictly Darren Bennet Experience!

Well where to begin! Up close with Darren Bennet from Strictly Ballroom. The new series by the way is starting Septemeber 13th!!!! You may not know this about me apart from my love of presenting and dancing but I also have a secret wish list which is now not so secret. On that list are all the things I want to

experience in a year, so for this year top was swiming with dolphins which I was so thrilled to do with my Dad and daughter on our trip home of Oz this year. The next one down was a lesson with a top professional dancer.

So after numerous emails (thanks Christine) and frenzied phone calls we managed to book a lesson with Darren who dances with and is married to Lilia!!!! We were his last students on his last day of teaching before the Strictly series and tour. Wow we did it! The trip there was filled with giggles and anticipation of dancing with the tops and here were two gals from sunny Margate. But it just shows that anything is possible if you want it enough. It takes a dream, dedication and determination and you can have it!

Now being the first day of the August bankholiday I was hoping for a clear run, on the other side of the road we passed a crash and huge hold ups and my heart began to race. We didn’t have a great deal of time to allow for delays, but someone was definately looking after us. We made it in plenty of time and found the perfect car park 2mins walk away.

At 3 o’clock he come to greet us and the lesson began. My fingers were fumbled as I fastened my dancing shoes, and the reality hit home we were having a private lesson with Darren. He was great, a fabulous guy with a great sense of humour. So what you see is what you get. A very talented, lively and warm guy who can certainly dance!!!

We decided to work on Rumba. Anyone can do the steps but it takes dedication and practise to feel them and this is what I gained from my time with Darren. We worked on the connection with the movement and the flow through the rest of he body. The whole body needs to dance and the arms are just as much a part of the movement as the feet. It was taking the movements unpicking them and putting them back together. It was thrilling and I am so glad we did it.

He also said he started dancing at the age of 6yrs and it has taken a lot of work. ‘Some dances are naturals but I had to work at it’, he said. So with hard work anything is possible.

So get out there start your wish list and make it happen.

Till next time

Best wishes

Tanya x

The Youth of Today!

I often hear in the media frightening statistics about young people, antisocial behaviour, drugs, alcohol, all the things that make you cringe as a parent. It paints a dark and disturbing picture, is this the truth or merely a ploy by the media to sell papers? Either way it creates a fear based culture.

I have had the pleasure recently of working with groups of young people and not only have I helped improve their skills and knowledge to get them a job but I have also gained a great deal.

During one discussion it was raised that  they often felt that the older generations were judgemental and critical of them. How they would smile and thank bus drivers and often be ignored! It was curious to see things from their point of view and how challenging it is for them. These young people were incredibly sensitive and caring wanting a little understanding and respect. Often our outward appearance is not who we truly are, but people can get stuck with this bit and not see through to the person behind the earrings, jeans, makeup etc.

Throughout the course  their opinions and ideas valuable and inspiring and I felt privileged to spend the time with them.  They were so sharp and observant all the qualities employers would want their employees to have. After ending the training on the second day I would gladly have given anyone of them a job. They were all individual and exceptional and I want to thank them for givng me their time and working with them.

Till next time

Tanya

Can’t stop dancing!!!

I know I should be telling you more about my experiences in Oz and how enriching they have been which they have but at the moment since my brothers health is improving and moving in the right direction all I can think about is dancing!

The is the first time I have actually been out dancing regularly for a very long while and I am realising what has been missing from my life back in England. It is not until you have a holiday or a break from the usual routine that you are given a very special gift, a glimpse into your own life and the path it is taking. Then you can begin to make some shifts.

So this week give yourself a chance to evaluate your life path and notice what is missing.
What things bring you joy?
When was the last time you did something that brought you joy?
What can you do this week to enhance you life?
Take time to think and take action today! Research shows that people that have more enjoyment and pleasure in their lives are moe likely to live longer.

Something else I have discovered apart from learning from some incredible dancers, is how to follow. This is the lesson I will certainly take away from this break. I have been so used to taking the lead and it has been challenging to hand responsibility over to the man, to just sense and trust and follow his lead, its been very liberating!! This first lesson was driven home with an amazing gentleman I have had the honour of learning Tango from. Over the last two weeks I have really realised the importance of the connection between a couple and how he communicates to her what he wants her to do. It is amazing to feel it and with a good strong lead any woman can look a million dollars!!! I know I have felt like it.

So Tango has been brilliant, salsa exciting and swing very lively and great fun. Each style is unique and addictive, once you get a taste for it the fire within burns to learn more. I would like to say thank you to all the wonderful people mum and I have met during our stay and I look forward to keeping in touch with them. This has certainly made my holiday.

Kind regards
Tanya

Dancing Yeah!!!

Since arriving in Tassie one of my goals for the holiday apart from spending much needed time with family members has been to try different dancing styles. (Just to let you know with regard to family my brother is doing really well which is such a relief. Thank you for you support with this, it has been very much appreciated.)

Last weekend I was strutting my stuff doing Argentine Tango minus the stereotypical rose! This time we we doing swing! If you are not familiar with swing it is 1940 style dance, like jive and rock n roll but with distinctive flavour all of its own which is brilliant fun. It is worth checking out youtube for this.

We did pretty well with this one just having to stop ourselves getting into the latin style hold and just groove! The music of Frankie (Sinatra) and Ella Fitzgerald ringing in my head, rippling through my body, it was like being time warped and the music was the vechicle of transportation. Amazing the similarities between the dance styles but also the subtle differences which give a very different feel to the dance and movements.

Tomorrow is Salsa night and I can’t wait! There is such a social scene with dancing and the same faces are up for any dancing challenge so I must say I have loved it all so far. So will let you know how we get on.

Take care and will keep you posted.
Regards
Tanya

What a great day!!!!

Weather has improved and yes got to wear a t-shirt for the first time! Anyway spent today at a magestic spot called Beauty Point taking a walk on the wild side. After a scenic drive meandering along the river we arrived at BP (Beauty Point) at the platypus house with my daughters childish squeels of delight. Inside we watched these fascinating animals glide and dive gracefully. They find their food with their eyes closed, their bill picks up electrical signals from the bugs and fresh water creatures they seek out.

We then wandered into another room where there were three very prickly fellows called echidnas with long snouts and prickly hair style! They wandered in and out of our legs, snuffling and shuffling around us. We got up close and personal with Edna, Eddie and Edwina, stroking their bristles and having a little party with our new friends.

Quick Facts – may come in handy when playing trivial pursuit some time!

Platypus and echidna (looks like our hedgehog but without ears!) are monotremes which are egg layers who later feed their young milk.

We had a personal tour which was brilliant and then just taking time out we stopped and chatted to a couple fishing off the wharf, turns out the gentleman was an artist who has offered to do my daughter a wildlife pic which is what he specialises in. It is amazing what you can miss when you are tied up with life. What have you been missing lately!

Being on holiday has been great. Sometimes we are too wrapped up in every day routines to step out and take things easy. Well we have stopped and savoured every moment over this last week. It is amazing what we can embrace when we give ourselves the time.

 

So make time this week to ’smell the roses’ as they say and see what else you notice around you. Feel free to let me know.

 

Till later

Best wishes

Tanya

 

 

G’day from OZ

G’day!

Yep you guessed it I have made it in one piece to my homeland, the place of endless summers, clear waters and BBQ’s. Here is just a quick update for you and top tips for packing.

Before setting of on our wonderful adventure I had sought the sound advice from my brother as to what would be suitable clothing for the Tasmanian climate this time of year. His  answer was  “everything”!!! Not very helpful I can tell you. So I took it upon myself to be optimistic and fill my case with t-shirts, shirts, and other summer regalia whilst my mum was prepared for sub zero blizzards. As we sat comfortably on our fabulous Qantas flight we decided one of us when we landed would be laughing whilst the other would be in tears.

 For the record that person sobbing into a tissue right now is me.

The learning from this:

1. With age comes experience!!

2. Expert advice is worth listening to.

3. Make the best of every situation rather than moaning about it!!! (Just spent this afternoon buyig dressing gowns and slippers to survive chilly early mornings).

So there you have it two days running of frosts and pouring rain, feels just like home, 15 degrees is not quite the 34 degrees they had last week!!!! No matter what though I am loving every minute.

Take care and will send some pics in my next one

REgards

Tanya

Staying cool when the heat is on!!!

New year, new challenges. Ever walked into a situation expecting one thing only to find to your dismay that things are completely different. Like ordering you favourite meal in a restaurant only to find it is slightly burnt, or going on holiday with brochure in hand only to find your hotel room over looks a construction site whilst everyone else is sipping wine from their balconies opening out onto the pool.

When a situation doesn’t match to picture you have in your head, we are often left feeling disappointed, annoyed, irritated or completely psychotic! That mismatch creates stress and we then have to choose how we are going to manage it. This happened quite recently to me. We working in a different space from the one we were used to, and in my head I had planned the use of the room, layout and props. When we arrived it was lovely but not at all as I had pictured! Eeek!! My first reaction was not quite my best and began madly trying to refit the image in my head with what we had to use.

With a few deep breaths we began to focus on fixing it and together we rearranged, reorganised and shuffled.  I could have used a lot of energy stressing over what we didn’t have, but how would this solve the problem?

When something doesn’t fit your picture -

1. Take a deep breath
2. Look at what you have got and decide whether to take action and change it
3. OR Accept it and enjoy the challenge!

You decide.

Have a brilliant week

Till next time keep smiling and remember to make this year really count!

Tanya

Nearly Christmas… Tips for making Christmas Magic

Only x number of days to go.’ These words can fill you with either excitement and childish glee or dread and ‘bah humbug’! I personally love this time of year and it takes all my self control to wait till 1st of Dec to dust the cobwebs off the tree from the loft and begin merrily hanging the glitz and tinsel around the lounge. It took my daughter and I a day to put it up and unfortunately three days for our 6mth old kitten to dismember and artistically rearrange! How kind of me, when the nights are drawing in and the weather chilling rapidly to bring in a climbing frame with sparkly dangly bits  to play with!new-pics-129.jpg

Children can also find this time challenging, with so much build up, advertising everywhere, multitudes of Santas, compounded with massive shopping exbititions to get Aunty Sue’s red mist remover spray and the pressure to behave, it can be a bit stressful all round. Here are some of my top tips for you and your family not only survive but really enjoy Christmas.

TOP TIPS 

1. Take time before hitting the shops to really think about your buying.  Sometimes we just dive into the shops and hope to find something, however a little careful thought can prevent sweat and tears and making rushed decisions under pressure. If possible go while children are at school to take pressure off you and them to be at their best when there is so much going on around them. Late night shopping can be great. If you are taking your children with you plan your route in advance and don’t try and do all twenty shops in twenty minutes. Trust me it is not worth it!!!!

2. Make your own labels. Its cheap, individual and brilliant fun. Kids love to get creative and messy and best of all your presents will mean that much more because your children have put their mark on them. This is also a great way of using up old Christmas cards. You can buy cheap card from pound shops or specialist craft shops.  Then cut up old cards and stick them on the new card, add a little glitter and a silver or gold gel pen to write inside and there you have it!

3. This next tip I would like to thank Sharon for! Why not make advent special and more of a family affair.  Have you noticed how advent calanders now have chocolates in, when I was growing up I was thrilled with the picture version. I used to sneek a look the night before and then we would use then same ones for the next four or five years!! So keep the chocolates if you really must and then add a twist. Sit down as a family and write down on 25 small pieces of paper 25 different activities. It may be things like do a crazy dance after dinner, have a mad hair day or half day, watch a christmas film together, make a decoration for the tree. They can be as big or as small as you like, kids will love them and get you into the spirit too bringing you closer together at this amazing time. 

4. Make a date and go for a walk or a drive as the day draws in. The Christmas lights are just beautiful. Coming from Oz they have only recently begun lighting their homes. People here in UK are pros! So make the most of them and they are free. Nothing like a twinkle and sparkle to bring home the magic. I remember sitting underneath our tree when I was little captivated by the lights!

5. Keep your sense of humour. When you see you cat climbing the Christmas tree for the hundredth time ask yourself ‘is this a crisis or an inconvienience’. This helps with a lot of things, just get it into perspective. Actually the sooner we can laugh at ourselves and life the sooner we can really start living it. Kids are the perfect opportunity to practise this one. When you are having difficulty seeing the funny side, fast forward the event to the end and imagine telling your mates what happened, what ever it is it will make a brilliant story in about half an hour!

Ok, that’s it for now, watch this space over the next few days for more tips and treasure every moment. When the family grow up and move out who is going to remember what you bought them or if the star on the tree was at exactly the right angle or whether the washing up was always done. They will remember you tearing your hair out, laughing at the Christmas films, the family together squeezed around the dinner table and waiting for Santa with heavy eye lids. Which memory do you want them to keep?

 Till next time have a brilliant week and keep smiling

Best wishes

Tanya

Here are a few sites which looked interesting

 http://kidscraftweekly.com/
www.activityvillage.co.uk/advent_paper_chain.htm 

http://kiddley.com/

Living Life not just watching it!

Wow, what an amazing week. Sometimes I find myself just bumping through the week, getting things done and looking forward to the weekend, no real tests, just getting on with it. Then you find someone or a situation pushes you that little bit further, at the time you question whether you can really do it and after you sit back and smile at the enormity of your achievement.

For me my life is about bringing people together and giving them simple tools which empower, bring happiness and create positive life change. Along the way I too share these things. The last few weeks has been amazing, I have done and experienced and pushed myself far beyond what I thought I was capable of.  Four weeks ago I was at Brands Hatch presenting to a total of 300 students, two weeks later I was given a gift of an opportunity to support a fantastic collegue and friend and present a fill in segment to four groups or between 100 and 180 students! Then to top it off Mum and I launched our Ballroom Dancing Friday night.

Before the evening I was getting nervous that we needed more to make the group worth while. I was still missing quite a few men!!! They say that necessity is the mother of invention, so Friday from 11am till 3pm I was pounding the street handing our flyers throughout Garlinge, Ramsgate industrial estates and Margate centre. I spoke to anyone and everyone and instead of being quite nervous I found an amazing new resource which I had forgotten I had. It took me to contact the local radio station, newspaper and complete strangers on the street! It was so liberating and people were just wonderful, kind and helpful.

When 7pm came around At Hartsdown Technical College and we stood there set up and eagerly awaiting the masses I realised how many wonderful people I had met. Had I not been desperate I would have missed out on reaching out to them. I had gained so much and my self belief grew in one day. I would like to say thank you to everyone who gave me the time and support it was greatly recieved. I was not disappointed as people began to arrive, each nervous and excited, wondering what to expect. It felt amazing to dance and to give the gift of dance to so many eager and enthusiatic individuals. Everyone was so warm and friendly and the atmosphere was so uplifting.

Next week we have more filtering in and I am so thankful for this brilliant opportunity to teach something I love so dearly. Live is all about living and steping outside your comfort zone. Otherwise you wake up one day and realise half your life has gone, consumed by routine and safe living, but left with the sense that there may have been more. Why think to youself ‘ I wish I had done that’, instead think ‘I am glad I did!’ Do something this week out of the ordinary and create a memory today.

Thank you all and can’t wait to see you Friday.

Till then

Best wishes

Tanya