Life and Living

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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

Soul Centred Consciousness: Liberation from Within

by Jeremy Turner-Welch

The way in which we locate solutions to our inner problems can drastically affect our daily lives.

The more these solutions are located outside yourself, the more your sense of self-worth and confidence becomes linked to external factors and the approval of others. For then you may believe: “if they praise me, I am likeable”, “if I get this job, I am talented”, or “if I avoid relationships, I won’t be hurt again.” This can cause you to employ apologetic, avoidant, defensive or domineering behaviours to control the outside world simply to maintain a positive self-image and belief that you are ‘good enough’. Sadly, this often leads to feeling anxious, fearful, frustrated or overwhelmed. read more

By Jeremy Turner-Welch, ago

Send love to someone you cannot meet

I am learning from giving virtual reiki sessions over WhatsApp in lockdown London, that distance is absolutely no problem for energy. My friends and customers are amazed that it feels the same as when I am in the same room as them.

Love is intelligent energy and has no bounds.

So with this post of the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park, London I am sending my love to my friend Hitomi in Tokyo. Normally she visits us every other year but she has not been able to come due to the virus. Hitomi, we are missing you and hope we can meet again sometime soon. read more

By Alison Wem, ago