Monday, 30 July 2007

Contemplation

Dear Reader

Whenever life seems to be for or against you, the best form of action I would consider and advise from one human being to another, is to take a little time out alone in a solitary and peaceful space to contemplate the choices that took you to where you are today and whether or not the choices were conscious or unconscious.

Our choices are our responsibility and ultimately are the vehicles which transport you into your current situations. If whatever you do you then say to yourself " and I take full responsibility for that", then you are on the road to recovery and can then make a conscious choice to take you in the direction you wish to take either to continue in the same direction or change your direction completely.

I believe any choice we make is a learning curve and can only help you on your journey of self discovery. I believe that self discovery is the most fascinating and exciting journey we take during our life time and can only be considered the most satisfying. As long as we consider our next choices with a raised awareness then this can only be deemed as positive for all concerned.

Onwards and upwards.

Take care.


Thursday, 31 May 2007

Taking Responsibility For Our Thoughts

Hi

Are you aware of how your thoughts create your world?

What percentage of your daily thoughts are negative?

Did you know we have around 90,000 thoughts a day and that 60,000 of them are repeats !!

How often do you tell yourself negative things about yourself?

How often do you think positively?

Above are some questions we all need to ponder no less, if our thoughts are mostly repeats and they are mostly negative, then we have got some real work to do!

Here are some quotes to help shift your thoughts from a negative position to one of positivity.

Quotes to help inspire us all.....

" The man who does things makes many mistakes, but he never makes the biggest mistake of all - doing nothing" Benjamin Franklin

"Every time we act, even with our fear, we make room for others to do the same. Courage is contagious." Frances Moore Lappe and Jeffrey Perkins

" I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free" Michelangelo

" If you have made a genuine mistake or upset someone without realising, don't feel guilty. You did your best. Now enjoy this life". Art Hister

I hope you enjoyed these quotes. If you have any favourites of your own, please send them to me.

If you feel you would benefit from some positive coaching click on the link below.

Heres wishing you all an abundance of positivity.

BFN x

Saturday, 19 May 2007

Living the high life....is a must do !

I love my home town of Whitstable and I love the fact that it was a conscious choice of mine to move here some 4 years ago now (I moved from the Medway Towns; a place where I was born and bred) . Not only is Whitstable recognised as a great place to live and work by the media such as The Times, but more importantly, it is recognised as a great place to live by its residents, who mostly take great pride in maintaining its charm and peace loving existence: there is no place called Perfection, but we do our best to make it quite ideal!

The shops of Whitstable are mainly independent traders with their own unique styles, the restaurants are also great value, especially in relation to the quality of the menu and service. Another bonus living here is that the air is clean and fresh, thanks of course to the North Sea.

How many of us consciously choose to live in a place that will provide us with the lifestyle and surroundings that suit our own character and physical needs? Once I mastered the art of making conscious decisions, it seems fairly easy now to ensure that I take responsibility for my choices and ensure that I choose according to my values and beliefs...which are fluid, but none the less, are essentially for the greater good.

I hope that you the reader are able to choose your life consciously, because without us realising it, if we don't our unconscious is driving us into the future. 90% of our actions are driven by our unconscious if we do not think before we act. How scary is that! That is just like getting into a car as the driver and arriving at the destination without knowing how !!! This seems a fairly dangerous way of travelling on any journey, and let us not forget that we need to ensure, when travelling, that the safety of ourselves and those around us are always considered as top priority.

I wish you bundles of positivity and fun whilst making your conscious choices and above all, I hope you ensure you know what it is you want out of life and where you want to live it.

If you need some guidance on how to achieve all of the above, click on my website for further details. BFN

Sunday, 13 May 2007

Celebrating Life

How do you celebrate your birthday?

Well, for as many years that I have been responsible, I have ensured that I celebrate my birthday as best I possibly can. Why not? All to often people dread the process of ageing. My reponse to that...'get over yourself'. I can not understand this dread, because to me, a birthday is a celebration about our ongoing life. We are born, we live, we choose how to live the life we have been given and then eventually we 'pop our clogs'. Or for those of us who do not sign up to not discussing the taboos of life, we die....and yes, we die alone! So, with this fact in mind, I make damn sure that I celebrate my life and the successful continuation of my life, surrounded by as many family and friends that can make it.

How do I celebrate my birthday? I have a party...in my opinion partying is the best and only way to celebrate the ageing process. I have people round to my house or a venue depending on the ageing milestone - 40 came and went with the help of another party. I loved my 30th birthday party, which I had in a nightclub, that was fantastic - my head was sore the following day, but what the heck, I was young!

To thank people for their efforts for either travelling far and wide to want to share this special occasion with me, we provide champagne and some really good food. Then follows some music, which, traditionally, I turn up quite loud and end up dancing wherever I can. I absolutely love music and having fun moving to it. I don't care how I look either. There is nothing more grounding than having a boogie in the garden with your children, friends and family. Every year without fail, my friend Maxine and I try and convince the youth of today that the 'Bump' is a new dance that is going around!!! The neighbours do not complain...maybe they hear everyone singing the age old traditional "Happy Birthday" song to me and recognise the glow of candles through the windows, and as I age, the glow gets brighter. Alternatively, they may mark it on the calender and take off for a weekend break somewhere quiet! Smart move :-)

So one and all, I strongly recommend a positive outlook on the ageing process and that a PARTY is a positive outlook (why should kids have all the fun). I would like to inform you all that yesterday (Saturday 12th May) I had a party to celebrate my 42nd birthday, which is on the 15th. Yes, I had a fantastic time, drunk in excess, but not in anyway that would make me ill the following day, I danced most of the night. I was also pulling odd faces and yet having the insight and normality to be able to laugh at myself when being shown the photographic evidence !


I had a wonderful time and today had a telephone call from my daughter and son, who both said how much fun they had too. I make sure that I have a good time, just in case I can't make the next birthday bash the following year! One never knows! So, I pull out all the stops to ensure I do, so here's looking forward to my next years birthday bash. Thanks to my brother Guy for travelling down from Rugby and a big thanks for all my friends and family from Medway. Thanks also, to my friend Jon, who traditionally apologises the following day!! Why apologise Jon, apologies are not necessary, especially when you made us all laugh...his party tricks are harmless to those who do not take life to seriously and above all, he is a real scream and long may he be my party mascot!

Happy Birthday was a song written purely for that reason. To be 'Happy' about your Birthday, so long shall I continue to do just that and continue with my 'party animal' philosophy.

Saturday, 14 April 2007

An Unexpected Call

Hello one and all

This morning I was greeted by an expected telephone call from some dear friends Mark and Emma who live in Grantham...hi guys.

They called to ask if they could visit us on the next bank holiday weekend and spend some time with us here on the beautiful south coast and wonderful town of Whitstable. "Of course", was my response. "How lovely it will be to see you again", and it will be. I love entertaining friends and family and I thoroughly enjoy the company of those I love.

Now, when we consider the things we take for granted, the art of communication is one of the most fundamental gifts we have as humans. An unexpected call from close friends, the ability to hear their voices and the ability to reply to them, telling them that I would love to see them again and enjoy their company, is an uplifting and positive experience to lift you out of your bed on a Saturday morning. I am currently experiencing a mild bout of food poisoning (a dodgy mussel is my prime suspect), it is made all the more unpleasant that it is while my partner Ian is climbing the three peaks with a friend. He successfully scaled the heights of Ben Nevis yesterday, well done that man :-) I am able to remain hopeful during this illness, that it will soon pass and low and behold I receive an unexpected call which lifted my spirits no end.

During this irritating illness, I have had the time, the gift and ability to read some good books and listen to some music, to provide myself some pleasure during the pain of illness! One of the books I am reading is from the top UK Life Coach Fiona Harrold - The 10 Minute Life Coach. She informs her readers of this amazing fact ' If we live to the age of 70 we have 840 months available to us'. At the age of 41 I have taken up 492 of the 840 months, which leaves me 348 months available to me. Now, if we take a third of this time off for sleeping, I have 232 months available to me to actually live my life as I consciously choose - this is of course if I only live to the age of 70. I am planning to live much longer, but this sum was just to put you in the picture.

I have to say, having read this fact from Fiona Harrold, the pleasure I was able to experience far outreached the pain of my temporary illness and I am now feeling on top of the world with absolutely no need or effort involved in climbing any mountains - how marvelous. I am now really looking forward to May bank holiday weekend and spending some of my time left available to me with my dear friends Mark, Emma and their beautiful daughter TJ (who loves my cat Socrates) along with my family who are going to join us in the celebrations of meeting up again.

This blog entry is dedicated to all of my friends and family, and to unexpected calls. It is good to talk so.... Go on, give them a call and tell them something positive.

I consciously choose Positivity.

LOL Joy X

Wednesday, 11 April 2007

The Taming of The Sea


What a wonderful start to the week. I am reading some really powerful life transforming books and walking many miles a week to stay fit and healthy. In the process at 5pm Tuesday April 10th, I am sat on the beach watching the waves of the North Sea gently lap onto the shore - barely a whisper coming from them as they touch on to dry land. I find Water to be very calming. We are 80% water. Our brain is 40% water....our blood resembles the flow of the tide.... This link is fascinating http://www.lessonsfromwater.com/


The sunshine was glistening on the waves of the sea, which resembled the sparkle of diamonds. I am mesmerised as it is not often the North Sea resembles the Mediterranean. I sat on the beach, having had my walk and was just so grateful that I had taken the time out of my busy day, to appreciate the wonderful weather and the beautiful coastline, which is just on my doorstep. I did not have to pay an entrance fee, this experience was completely free of charge.

How marvelous this life can be, if we just take time out of the day to please ourselves. No, this is not selfish, that is a belief that has been handed down generation after generation that which is completely false in its accusation. It is extremely healthy to take care of yourself and to ensure you do to yourself that which you do to others.

We have the ability to influence our own life, we can not change anyone other than ourselves. We have the power to control only our own habits and behaviour. We have the ability to respond to each day in a positive way. Unless you believe in an after life - which in my opinion is a bit of a cop out, an excuse to say that you can have another go if this life sucks!!! There is only this one life.....in my opinion this means it is a life worth living!

With this in mind - I Now Choose Positivity.

I am off to the beach folks with a cracking book....have a great day.

Joy

Monday, 9 April 2007

The Freedom of Choice

Good Morning


I hope that like me, you all had a wonderful easter weekend. We walked for miles and saw some awesome rare birds of prey en route - Marsh Harriers - extremely regal and fantastically graceful in flight.


I am currently reading an exceptional book 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' by Stephen R Covey (I strongly recommend a read folks).

In the first Habit - Be Proactive - Covey describes how Victor Frankl survived the horrors of his life experiences when imprisoned in concentration camps. He describes the fundamental human ability to create a positive world during a time of extreme stress and trauma. However, the most powerful message of all is that we as human beings have the ability to create our own world 'between stimulus and response, man has the freedom to choose'. This Covey writes is our gift as human beings, we can decide how our life is going to affect us.

This message is one of the most powerful messages that can be shared amongst our fellow human beings.....no matter what is happening in your life at this moment in time, you have the freedom to choose how you are going to respond to it. Your response is your response-ability! A very powerful message indeed.

We are aware what Happiness is and how it feels, therefore we choose at times to be Unhappy. We are aware what Positivity is and how it feels, and yet at times we choose to be and feel Negative. We are aware of what Stresslessness is and how it feels, yet at times we choose to be and feel Stressed. For those of you who have visited my website, this encapsulates the existential quote from John Paul Sartre, which ends 'I create myself'.

Humans have many wonderful and exceptional abilities including the ability to share. I do not mean the material objects that seem to be taking over our world; fundamentally the gift of sharing our knowledge is something, I believe, we should optimize.

Choose consciously and wisely.

I choose Positivity.

Joy

Tuesday, 3 April 2007

From Crap to Manure

Hi

Some of our life experiences really challenge our perspectives and thought processes, asking us to find the growth potential in all that we experience. I am currently experiencing such an event, don't worry, I will not bore you with the details.

From each experience, I am left with the reassuring thought that it is not constant, it is a only temporary experience. Eventually, it will cease and a new experience will present itself.

Lemons to Lemonade or Crap to Manure....trust me, if you seek to find the solution to the problem it will present itself to you.

I Choose to be positive. There is no room in my life for negativity.

Keep smiling ;-)

BFN Joy X

Sunday, 1 April 2007

A Ray of Sunshine



A very good morning it is indeed.


The sun is shining, I had kippers for breakfast (omega must haves) and I am about to embark on a day of pleasureable activities. In my opinion, a long walk by the sea is a must do when the sun is shining. I repeat some positive mantras as I walk, which creates a whole new life perspective for me. I have so many beliefs within my subconscious that really need destroying as they are self limiting and have absolutely no use or relevance to my world at all. The repetition of positive mantras is a really powerful way of ridding my self of other peoples negative beliefs that contaminated my subconscious.


My positive mantra for today = "I am always positive"

I heard that JK Rawling's mantra when she was writing her Harry Potter books was " Instant Fame, Instant Fortune". It certainly worked for her.

Have a fantastic day.

BFN Joy x

Saturday, 31 March 2007

Let There be Love

Hello one and all.
This morning, before I rose from my bed, I wrote in my journal a list of people whom I love, who in turn loves me, and how I felt when I wrote their names down. This powerful morning exercise is from a book - Notes from a Friend by Anthony Robbins.
This exercise created within me, a wonderful sense of warmth, calm and positivity that will remain with me throughout the day and no doubt beyond. For that reason, I shall give a mention to those I Love. If I haven't mentioned your name, it doesn't mean I don't love you...
My Family: Ben and Jodie ( My wonderful son and daughter), My partner Ian, my cat Socrates (he is so cute), Kim and Guy, Andrea, David, Georgina, Lynsey, My Dad, Nan and many other no longer here, but the love lives on.
My Friends: Caroline, Rita, Maxine and Jon, Paul, Susan, Eileen, Denise, Bal, Jane and Yvonne, Bev, Mark and Emma, Kalina and Dave and their children, Gurd and Phil. There is true human connectedness and love coming at ya from all directions you guys.
Do you know the list is seemingly endless. One thing Anthony Robbins asked of me, was to write down a list of those who love me. What can I say....a very powerful exercise indeed.
And for those of you who know me well....of course how could I not mention...
My Delusional Fantasy: Brad Pitt. A whole hunka love going on there folks !!
This Blog spot is dedicated to all of those I love and have loved in the past, and maybe didn't have the courage to speak out as openly, honestly and compassionately then, as I do now.
Have a great day folks. BFN and LOL Joy xxx

Friday, 30 March 2007

Learning Curves

Hi

One of my lessons for today, is to try and function effectively in the wonderful world of Blog. I will without doubt, eventually master this skill and become an integrated member of Blog society - I dare not display any antisocial behaviour - tutt tutt, I will never be taken seriously again (massive assumption that I ever would be)!

I have spent some years now with my head stuck in one study book or another and the wonderful world of IT (whatever floats your boat) has left me far far behind. I think therefore I am!

I think I may have created another blog (positively inspiring), purely in error, trying to locate this one....what can you do? However, I was delighted when I succeeded in finding this, my original blog creation. Sartre wrote that we create ourselves. Does this mean that I am creating a manifestation of my true self in this Blog!! How curious.

I am going to leave this post now and seek a solution in learning how to compose and edit this text...Hi Ho!

My Positive Mantra for today...I can blog, I can blog...

BFN Joy

Quantum Physics

Desire + Emotion = Creation

Have you ever wondered why the brown stuff keeps hitting the fan when your around?

Do you always question 'why does it always happen to me'?

Let this be a helpful warning to those who relate well to these questions. You are creating your own world with the power of your negative thought processes. Those aware of Psychology would know of the Self Fulfilling Prophecy. Be careful what you wish for...

Ok, at this point I may well have have lost a few readers. People are unable to take responsibility for their actions let alone their thoughts! Those bold and curious readers remaining may just be excited at the notion that they are able to change their world with the click of a switch. Yes, a switch! The switch is in your mind. You need to activate the positive switch and disable the negative energy. Very similar to the Bomb Squad actually - which wire do I cut Red or Yellow? Negativity is a time bomb, it is explosive and it affects many people who come into close proximity. Have you ever left someones company and felt completely drained and exhausted.? Yes, you have been covered with the explosive energy of someone elses negative bomb, thus completely contaminated with Negativity. It is Toxic.

We have around 60,000 thoughts a day. Amazingly over and above 75% of the thoughts are negative. Where is all of this energy going?

Currently, England football team do not stand a chance of winning. The fans energy is too negative....it's time to begin switch your thinking fans. We will win if you think we will and each fan sends the positive energy on to the pitch. What an experiment that would be? Is there anyone out there willing to give it a try?

Is it time for you to click that switch?

I choose to be Positive. What about you?

Yours Positively ... Joy Andrews

www.kentcoachingandcounselling.co.uk