The Reward is the Journey

One could be forgiven for wondering what month we are in. It is still August (just) but the weather has been decidedly unstable of late, and I have had several unplanned swims (whilst on two wheels) this week.  This afternoon provided some welcome respite, although time spent on the tennis court was by no means guaranteed. Better still, I swam outdoors today - it was somewhat bracing, but terrifically exhilarating. Whilst still in a swimming pool, I believe I can identify what it is that open water swimmers get off on. Swimming anywhere you are able to see the sky is a truly magnificent experience. I haven't swum al fresco for a while, and this afternoon was a wonderful reminder of the many happy hours I have spent in swimming pools on holidays in warmer climes. Indoor pools will always occupy a special place in my heart (provided they be a minimum of 25m) but there is nothing quite like the liberation to be felt whilst recreating in a lido. The weather and temperature may s...

I was reminded recently of the importance of ritual and the role that it can play in remembering.  This caused me to think some more about what it is that we do in remembering, and our desire to reminisce and reconnect with earlier experience.  Most of us have performs rituals at different times.  Some of these may be more formal, and conscious than others but, as human beings, I believe we like what rituals offer us. "Ritual is necessary for us to know anything." Ken Kesey A ritual is a set of actions, which are performed mainly for their symbolic value.  A ritual may be performed on specific occasions, or at the discretion of individuals, or communities.  We may come from families that observe occasions or achievements in particular ways.  How are birthdays celebrated, for instance?  We may have observed communities other than our own engage in rituals that are unfamiliar and therefore intriguing to us.  Have you been on holiday and fou...

It was quite a shock: there I was swimming along minding my own business, enjoying the freedom of a lane to myself, making rather satisfying progress without straining myself and, before I knew it, I felt a sudden change - I had arrived later than usual, and had swum into rush hour.  The lane immediately felt crowded.  I was joined by three other swimmers, all of who'd come straight from work.  They got into the pool, and pushed off, bringing with them the stress and strain of their day and their journeys and, what had been a peaceful swim, suddenly felt like an open water challenge.  The splashing was incredible, transforming the environment into something quite unrecognisable.  The first thing to go in such circumstances is my breathing, and I felt myself thrown out of sync, gasping at inopportune moments, and inhaling lungs full of water.  Having been gliding along, inwardly rather pleased with my efficiency, I now felt as though I was swimming thr...

Attending a yoga class described as 'Intermediate/Advanced' was always going to pose a challenge.  I had no idea what this would look like until, 4 rounds of Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutations) into the practice, and I felt as though I'd visited the steam room on the way to the studio.  I was dripping.  My arms were shaking, and my hands were sliding all over the place.  My energy levels were good, and I decided to give the practice my best shot, concentrating on my breath and attempting to regulate it, in spite of the exertions.  The class was pretty full, but bringing the focus onto my mat helped, keeping the focus on myself, and trying not to compare myself.  Yoga is, after all, not a competition, against myself or anyone else.  I did what I could, mindful of aspiring towards progress, rather than perfection, and listening to the wisdom of my body, as I did my best to adapt certain postures, and surrendering when it came to forearm balances and ...

"...When was the last time you laughed out loud?" I have been known to ask this of a new client.  It prompts some funny looks, and it's not uncommon that I'm asked what it is that I mean. Which confirms how important an assessment question this might be.  I see laughter as medicinal.  It's a well known fact that is perhaps too little remembered.  Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.    "Laughter is by definition healthy." Doris Lessing The biophysiology of a good giggle Laughter can trigger healthy physical changes in the body.  The physical convulsions we experience when we laugh move lymph fluid around the body, which strengthens our immune system.  Laughing boosts our energy levels...

Working a 5 day week, Monday to Friday, has its upsides, or so I'm told...  Over time, I've come to realise that I actually prefer spacing my commitments out, which means I quite often work across 6 days of my week.  For me, this is 'smart working', as it provides a rhythm and pace that I am attuned to, and feel most productive within.  What this arrangement doesn't entail is a very clear 'week-end'.  Whereas others maybe finish their working week on a Friday afternoon, mine usually continues until the middle of Saturday afternoon.  It wasn't always thus, but this is how it is right now, and I've made a conscious decision to structure my time in this way. Rhythm is important, it helps us sustain momentum, and I know that I work best when I there is a quality of 'flow'.  In terms of my working week, it is important that I create spaces, in order to sustain myself, and my replenish my energy levels, whilst reviewing my progress and acknow...

Insanity is to be found all over the place, particularly on the streets of London.  Today's primary example:  cyclists who adorn their handlebars rather than their heads with their helmets.  Today's second example:  cyclists who ride at night without any lights, and in the absence of adequate reflectors, or hi vis clothing.  Travelling for even the shortest distance, without a helmet, represents a tragic invitation.  Without a helmet, the skull of an unfortunate rider whom, for whatever reason, comes off his bike, doesn't stand much of a chance against the tarmac, let alone a car windscreen.  Not wearing a helmet makes little sense to me.  The standard response, when I've discussed this with those who prefer to take the risk is, to my mind, rather perverse:  they believe that, by not wearing a helmet (and presumably the same might go for any lights etc.) they cause drivers to be more cautious when driving alongside them. Whilst this not on...