Tuesday 31st December 2013
Christmas with family
I’m going to join the many millions of people wondering where 365 days went. It’s been an amazing year and it’s been a pleasure to have shared some of it with you.
Me and Miles
Christmas was perfect. Like many of you I spent it with family. As we come to the end of 2013 I want to wish you all a brilliant and fun-filled 2014.
Leon and Samantha
Me Ash and Miles
I’m looking forward to continuing the journey with you next year. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Friday 27th December 2013
I received this beautiful Christmas message from a dear friend. I enjoyed it so much I thought I’d share it.
Faith makes all things possible, Hope makes all things work, Love makes all things beautiful, May you have all three for this Christmas. May the timeless message of Christmas fill your heart and home with joy now and throughout the coming year.
Arabian Chisel Technicians Poster
The most exciting event of the Christmas celebrations for me so far was watching my son play saxophone with the Arabian Chisel Technicians at the Bull’s Head in Moseley Village last night.
Ash Gabbidon
It was worth the wait till they got on stage at 10.30 p.m. as the head line act. The crowd was with them right from the first note but my personal favourite was their rendition of Papa’s got a brand new pigbag. It began with delicious reggae overtones before the horns filled the room. The whole room moved in unison.
Arabian Chisel technicians at the Bulls Head
Can’t wait for their next gig at the Yardbird on January 10th. Check them out on Facebook. Arabian Chisel Technicians
Friends of Arabian Chisel Technicians
Wednesday 18th December 2013
It’s the time of year when weekly, fortnightly and monthly groups have their last and festive meeting of the year.
End of a miracles week
At our ‘A Course in Miracles’ we met to reflect on a year of miracles, to sip on some rather delicious wine and to munch on some lovely cheeses.
One of the miracles for me is the interest this blog has generated. I appreciate every view, every comment and every helpful suggestion I’ve had.
I didn’t remember to take the pictures till after 3 people had left. Sorry guys… maybe next time. Thanks for the roses Jude.
Sunday 15th December 2013
Yaz Alexander who organised the event
As Nelson Mandela becomes the latest high profile ancestor on which we can call for guidance, as his body is finally reclaimed by the African soil that gave him life and sustained him through his life’s ordeals, as the world reflects on what it means to forgive, the Drum in Birmingham brought together a host of artists to pay respect to the giant of a man that’s left our physical world.
Drummers at the Nelson Mandela Tribute event
It was good to see so many people brave the damp and grey Sunday evening to join their energy to that of our departed brother. Rrefreshing too to see the multicultural nature of the performers and the span of ages.
Dr Joseph Aldred in his tribute beseeched us not to think of Nelson Mandela as the man who taught the world to forgive without thinking of the true nature of forgiveness. Forgiveness is not for the other person, the ones you think have done you wrong. Forgiveness releases you from the self-destructive energy of bitterness, anger and resentment. It releases the negative revenge energy and replaces it with the healing energy of love.
Dancer Sandra Golding
As Joe Aldred said ‘unforgiveness is the equivalent of drinking poison and expecting your enemy to die.’
Sunday 15th December 2013
Barbados Steel Orchestra
This time last week I was at the airport in Barbados awaiting my flight home. I was still full from the superb buffet lunch we had at Southern Palms hotel while listening to the Barbados Steel Orchestra. We even ventured onto the dance floor so I could have one last dance on this beautiful island.
Camella and Kemmerick enjoying each other as much as the food
I was still a little worried about my weight allowance for the flight home as I’d had to pay excess baggage on the way out. One solution was to wear all my jewelry, carry my loose change, purse, camera and phones in my pockets, and wear as much as possible (after all they don’t weigh you)
One way to reduce the baggage overweight problem
In the end I need not have worried as my case was just within the limit and they didn’t even weigh my hand luggage!!! Having insisted on the way out that it could not be more than 5kg.
I wasn’t looking forward to the cold, the grey and the damp of England but I was looking forward to holding the first hard copy of Never on Sunday which I knew was waiting at home for me. I was also looking forward to seeing my children, my family and friends.
The day before at Bathsheba
My head was also full of the publishing possibilities for Love is Not a Reward, and for the parenting course. Alas it was not full of Christmas – and it still isn’t. I’m still waiting for the Christmas excitement to kick in.
Saturday 14th December 2013
Barbados beach
When I left Barbados on Sunday evening the temperature was 28 degrees C. When I landed in Manchester it was 9 degrees.
I’ve been very restless since I came back – and it’s not just the weather. Although I’ve not been to my home in Jamaica for over 15 years I am feeling an almost magnetic pull to it.
I’m wondering if this has something to do with the information I received on the family constellation workshop I attended in June. www.writingcreativelywithspirit.com/2013/07/08/family-constellation/
Maybe it’s time to honour Jamaica, to step into her outstretched and welcoming arms. Or it may also be the howling wind with a wind-chill factor of 2 degrees, or the fact that it was dark at 2.30 on Thursday, or that I’m contemplating passing up on a party to stay home in the warmth.
Fear does not define her limits anymore. It is no longer the place where her journey ends. This is not where her river dries up and the sun never shines.
She is re-defining fear as the edge of the diving board to jump off from, as the starting point to great journeys. Every fear is becoming a calling,. Every contraction is the beginning of a new expansion, a thrill of the unknown.
She has come to sit in a safe space inside herself ~ finally. She’s connecting to her relaxed Shakti that rests in her womb temple. From here she can go anywhere, do anything. Her fear becomes her dare.
The spirit of adventure is awakening in her heart. She’s willing to go to all those places she has only stood on the edge of, till now. All unfinished journeys are on their way to completion. All incomplete songs will…
View original post 130 more words
Sunday 8th December 2013
End of the day on Miami beach
I’m leaving Barbados today. Leaving behind the sand, sea, sun and clear blue skies, but they are the things that everyone who come here leave when they step on the aircraft.
What I’m also leaving behind which not every visitor may have shared is the easy acceptance of almost everyone I met.
The people at Crystal Waters in Christ Church on Sunday afternoons, the music, the happy hour and the two young men who challenge me to a dance off. Sorry guys, you didn’t even come close to winning – but I loved your sense of fun.
Leaving behind too the patrons at Basil’s Bar in St Philip. Such a bohemian crowd, and Harvey I love your painting. I’m looking forward to seeing the completed ‘The Blue’ that will accompany ‘The Green’ at Hoopies.
Leaving behind a fantastic night at Zen restaurant in The Crane Resort, including the fish that welcomed us on the way in and said goodbye as we left.
Leaving behind fantastic friends who made me feel soooooo at home, taught me so much, and gave me soooo much love.
At Zen restaurant
I swear they said ‘goodbye’ as we were leaving
Till next time… stay sweet Barbados
I’m happy to report that I’ve just received a donation of 100 US dollars for the Self Reliance Promotors NGO project that I worked with as a volunteer in Cameroon. The work of the project touched a friend of mine in Barbados who is a teacher and wants to contribute to the completion of the school. And I didn’t even have to show him the pictures. Just the story of what they’re trying to achieve moved him.
I’d be happy to hear from anyone who would like to made a contribution. Please have a look at SEREP’s website of you want to know more.
http://www.selfreliancepromoters.org/
It is a timely donation as I leave this beautiful island in a couple of days time.
Writing Creatively With Spirit 