Alison Wem

Fear is in the air: What hope is there for us?

When fear is all around you as it feels to be at the moment, it is easy to inadvertently absorb it.

What can you do?

You are not defined by others’ actions but rather by how you respond. You may not be able to control your circumstances, but you can control your reaction. I would like to think I chose hope over fear. No matter what is happening, I would always hope;

  • tomorrow will be a better day than today
  • compassion for others will prevail
  • good decisions triumph over bad ones

When I want to remind myself of the power of hope to our individual survival, I reread the book;

Man’s Search for Meaning: the classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust read more

By Alison Wem, ago

ABC of Love: o is for oneness

You are never really alone. Sometimes it is hard to connect with others and you feel separate and lonely.

Even when someone passes, communication is possible. Loving one another and having a desire to connect increases the clarity.

Ask a simple question and wait for the response.

Be alert to receive the message in whatever way it choses to arrive – the words of a song on the radio, a bill board, a knowing, a feeling…..

This post is dedicated to my friend and her family who are remembering we are one. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Rumi’s Reflections: Alison Wem’s Journal – Day 5

Greed makes man blind and foolish,

And makes him an easy prey for death

                                                                                        Jalal al-Din Rumi

There are some among us who choose to worship the great god ‘Money’. I have observed that when they have achieved wealth, far from bringing great joy, it brings more work and worry on how to retain it.

Everyone needs a comfortable and safe home, food and warm clothes for their personal well-being. Anything beyond that is a luxury. The time and energy it takes to achieve this ‘luxury’ can make you poor. Poor in time and energy to focus on your relationships, personal study and just enjoying the gift of life. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Can great rugby and great Italian food be combined?

ENGLAND V SOUTH AFRICA

In the final match of the series, England will play South Africa on 20 November 2021 in what will be the first meeting between the sides since the Rugby World Cup 2019 final. This also sees the Springboks back at Twickenham Stadium for the first time since 2018, England edging that game 12-11.

Great Italian food will be served at the match from a vintage Ape Piaggio food truck by Spaggetti on the Road 

Take a look at their fantastic menu that combines the “street“ gastronomic tradition with the Italian cuisine and always ensuring a high quality standard. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Are friends as important as family?

Family are given to you but friends you get the opportunity to choose.

Family often love you unconditionally and stay with you throughout your life.

Friends often stay for a period in your life and then drift away. However I have noticed really close friends stay for the duration.

Some friendships are as close and as strong as a blood tie. They can be based on a common interest or less obvious things like the same sense of humour, life values or the joy of giving and receiving.

The picture of the three flowers represent me and my two closet friends. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Silence: does it help calm our brains and give well-being?

Many people do not value silence. I have found it to be comforting, nourishing and cosy.

The noisy world is drowning out our creativity and our inner connection. Noise effects our brains causing elevated levels of stress hormones even when we are sleeping. When I was a busy, working Mum most of my day was with other people and their noise. Being on my own in silence was refreshing.

In 2011, the World Health Organisation (WHO) concluded that the 340 million residents of Western Europe (about the population of the United States), were losing a million years of healthy life every year, due to noise. read more

By Alison Wem, ago

Rumi’s Reflections: Alison Wem’s Journal – Day 4

The spirit is so near

that you can’t see it!

But reach for it… don’t be a jar, full of

water, whose rim is always dry. Don’t be the

rider who gallops all night and never sees

the horse that is beneath him.

                                                                     Jalal al-Din Rumi

This is so true. My soul Lucinda is so close yet so far. I have to consciously think about her to be able to feel and hear her. She is wise but I have to remember to ask for her help. read more

By Alison Wem, ago