This has been one I've been thinking over for a while. The recent 'selfies' for cancer research has prompted much thinking - much of it, here at my little HQ anyway, around prevention. Unless we're off to get full body scans on an annual basis (which isn't without risks itself), many of us could develop all sorts of things we are unaware of. My sister's brother in law discovered he had pancreatic cancer and 19 days later moved on to whatever comes after our time in this body. Or doesn't. But that's not the point here. What I'm trying to say is there's not always time to use these amazing cures that are being developed. And, yes, I do believe, with a friend who is an oncology professor, that some great things are being worked on.

But what if instead we took ourselves to a point where we were unlikely to need them. Where the 'cancer epidemic' that's predicted to explode into our lives just didn't. What if you could discover things to avoid the predicted statistics for yourself or your loved ones?

So I really, really am not saying not to donate. Donate to whatever you want to donate to. Whatever you believe in. I donate around 5 hours a month to actively supporting people going through their cancer journeys at the moment. And probably will donate 10 inches of my hair in the next few months to a charity which provides wigs for children going through chemo.  The system is there, it's doing what it does, but why not look up and outside it too? Research, read, discover, enquire. Because if we keep doing what we always have done, the chances are we'll end up where we always have. And at the moment with our current state of global western health, that's not all that appealing.

I'm not using this as any kind of platform, I don't think I'm above anyone else, not using it as any kind of vehicle for anything. Just a girl sharing some thoughts on some things. That's it.

But if you'd like to look at a different outlook, have a read of The China Study, Forks over Knives, Neal Bernard's work along with The Rainbow Diet, the Gerson's books, look into clearing toxic substances out of your life (I did type love there instead of life which I guess is relevant too). And do it from a place of love. So much of big pharma operates from a place of fear. I'm not saying it's not hard to watch people go through illness but let's shift the focus from fear to love a little. Love ourselves and take care of ourselves because we are made from love. Work with love at whatever we do. Life changes around us when we are able to whole heartedly be present.

And just to finish... from my facebook 'selfie' a few other tips from practitioners were forthcoming:

Homeopath Mary Aspinwall says 'I drink a 1/2 pint plus of organic home made green juice daily ... I go for a daily half hour silent walk meditating as I go. I do www.thework.com worksheets on my stressful thoughts. Over to Sarah Johnston-Knight for her tips'... Homeopath and Bowen practitioner Sarah Johnston-Knight says 'Clean up your body, head and heart...Juices of all colours here; carrot, apple and ginger still being one of my favourite. .... Byron Katie's questions are never far from my mind when I hit a glitch in my thoughts which cause me any distress. EFT to bring me back to ground instantly. A good Homeopath....and regular Bowen.'

Wishing you good health, with love x

I do so love people. All people. My gorgeous friends and family who support me, nourish me and love me. The people who challenge me, help me be better at what I do and point out where I need to work on my hang-ups and insecurities. The people who just are.

Today I had one of those moments with a brilliant friend who's been kind enough to have been a guinea pig the last few months with the mindfulness work I'm currently studying.  She's brilliant, sharp, quick, and prepared to look at the not so fun things that will help her to move through onto the getting more of the fun stuff.  Chatting over my stuff briefly as I left our regular yoga session (I did my first hand stand today - which brings me to another point... in a moment) I discussed an ongoing issue. She immediately reflected back to me that I in my waffle mentioned 'I've dealt with it...but...'. Hmmm it seems not quite totally dealt with and resolved as yet! A little more work to do me thinks. And fortunately I know where to take it.

The focussed mindfulness study I've been doing provides tools to be able to examine stressful thoughts, feelings (physical and emotional) and reactions in ourselves and work through these without judgement or agenda.  Working with a practitioner enables us to let go of the need to be both roles, and just be ourselves, however several of the techniques do also provide tools that one can use at home on your own with painful situations or thoughts.  So I'll have a play at home but I also have a supervision session coming up (which is an integral part of the course and training) where I can take it should I need to.

I would recommend the workshops and courses to people wishing to discover more about dealing with their own painful emotions or physical issues but particularly to practitioners, coaches and those working with people on a day to day basis. More can be discovered about these at Absolute Specialists - until now the workshops and courses have only been available in the North but now they are shortly to be available in London too... Check out the website for more information.

And as to my first handstand - with a little bit (OK my legs were being held up!) of support and belief I found out I can do a new thing today... most proud and looking forward to more! I wonder what tomorrow holds?

With love, peace and gratitude for the opportunity for growth x

New month, new challenge. This one is a 50 stomach crunches, 50 squats a day challenge for me and so far so good!  I do the crunches once up and dressed usually and then race Isla to see whether I can get through 50 squats before she gets dressed... She's beating me at the moment but only just.  I doubt I'll get out of doing the squats for the rest of the month now we're onto this contest.

Which put me in mind of making exercise fun. I ran and walked today with a friend - we covered 3 miles and whilst I might not have gone as fast as by myself (she's just getting started running), it was lovely, sociable and good for my soul.  I cycled 10 miles later, and, this time with my dad, I learned about stopping in time for kerbs, the neurobiology of the baby's brain and how it relates to the onset of labour, and that it was even colder when travelling fast on a bike than walking.

Monday I ran 5 miles with a dog, a camera and a smile. Camera in terms of iphone. At times a much needed beat on the iPod (I don't want to make out I'm any kind of sporting miracle - I needed the music to spur me on). 

I don't think it matters how or what you do - just get out there and start somewhere. Whether it be walking a friend's dog, heading into town on foot instead of the bus, digging out an old bicycle and cycling round the block or whatever does it for you.

Smile, sweat a bit and enjoy!