And Then What?

And Then What?

It's a strange question to ask yourself. And then what? There is something a little all over the place about it. The thing is when you reach a goal  that is when you ask the question 'and then what?' This came to me while paddle-boarding the other morning. I woke at 5.30 in the morning and the conditions were perfect. I clambered out of my bed and pumped up the paddleboard and set myself a-float (on the sea) by six. I know... It might be considered a little strange to be out on the water with no one around at that time. Yet strangely I have the most insights and writing inspirations at that time. That morning I did not have a goal, although for a while I had been wanting to achieve the Boscombe Pier to Bournemouth Pier before work. The thought entered my mind but I did not think too much about it. Instead I went into a beautiful paddling rhythm with turquoise waves lifting me on my journey.

I used to dislike waves when I first started paddling because the sneakers usually threw me into freezing cold water. After a few splash downs I got back up and learned to relax into the waves and relax into allowing my body to balance using my hips. This was a huge lesson because I learned that the more I tried to control, and the more rigid I became, then the more likely I would end up submerged. The other side of the paddleboard lesson was learning to relax and go with it. The more relaxed I was then the more effortless the journey was. I simply seemed to glide towards my goal with almost no effort at all. At times I would find myself in a meditative space as the rhythm of the paddle took over. A short while later I would find myself thinking and when I started thinking too much my balance would go. I realised that over-thinking actually affected my balance. I have found that in yoga too. The days where I have been ridiculously busy are the days I can hardly balance on one leg without toppling into my yoga colleagues. Of course I find it hilarious, I don't think the others are quite so amused.

So back to the paddling, the mesmerisation by the pattern on the water and a state of absolute peace and then suddenly I reached my goal. It snuck up on me. All I had to do was enjoy my paddling journey and I would arrive at the destination with a sense of relaxed joy. I wondered what would happen if I applied this attitude to life. If I simply found an enjoyment in all that I did, if I simply pointed myself towards the goal and then immersed myself in each moment of the journey. I found that thought quite profound.

Anyway I turned my board around and found that I started to rush back. I wondered why I was rushing, I could simply relax into the journey and enjoy my return. It was then that it occurred to me how we so often rush. It is such a waste of time rushing because rushing gets something done without any experience of the moment. Where is the enjoyment in that? As I paddled in my serene state I decided to go slower, as slow as I could. It was then I felt completely present. Everything around me was perfect - the sea, the sun, the birds and the empty space. There is a sense of zen that comes from paddling and it revealed itself in that moment. I was back at where I started, I had completely enjoyed two hours of paddling and thought I achieved a goal effortlessly... It was lovely. I then thought well what is next... And then what?

I paddled in and a random chap came running down the beach. He said that paddleboarding looked lovely and he had always wanted to try. He asked me whether it was easy. I replied 'it depends how relaxed you are.' He studied me curiously. I asked him what the time was and I had fifteen minutes so I handed my board and paddle to him and gestured for him to enter the water. He was wearing his jogging wear and was definitely going to get wet. I showed him how to stand up and how to balance. He did as I said and splat. Then splat again and then double splat. I said that he needed to relax and not control the board. He managed to last about a minute before another big splash. He then paddled in. He loved it. He grinned from ear to ear and in that moment he decided he was going to get his own board. We then went our separate ways but before that he asked me out for a coffee to repay my kindness. It was then that I realised the 'And then what...' Once you reach your goal, why not inspire others to reach theirs through 'random acts of kindness?'

Enjoy my books at the following link:

http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_hp_tseft?advsearchKeywords=Ruby+allure&filterby=field-keywords&x=0&y=0

NEW RELEASE: TINGLE DINGLE AND THE LITTLE MISCHIEFS

 https://www.amazon.com/Tingle-Dingle-Little-Mischiefs-Allure-ebook/dp/B01G9C0XC2?ie=UTF8&keywords=Ruby%20Allure&qid=1465049617&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

NEW RELEASE: THE HAIRY-LEGGED MYSTERY

https://www.amazon.com/Hairy-Legged-Mystery-Ruby-Allure-ebook/dp/B01G2C0Y9Q?ie=UTF8&qid=1465049724&ref_=sr_1_2&s=digital-text&sr=1-2

The Joy of De-cluttering

The Joy of Decluttering!

For some the thought of throwing things away sends torment through the essence of their being. For me it is an absolute joy. It might seem weird that I love the feeling I get from throwing things away or giving them to charity. It just gives me  a sense of satisfaction and the feeling that I am ready for new.

I don't know about you but over time my cupboards mysteriously fill up with 'stuff'. That stuff I am convinced I am going to need at some point, not that I have actually remember owning it until I do the de-clutter. That is the point everything seems filled, over filled and not necessary. It just sits there in 'stuffness' being all stuffy.

So today is a de-clutter day. For those that follow me, I am in a phase of completion, in that I have completed 9 books in paperback, kindle and 7 are on audible. I am waiting for the 8th to be released on audible and then all that remains is just one children's book, who I have yet to find the right voice. I know they will turn up at some point, so that is nothing to even consider. So with all that in mind, there are a few things I like to do when I finish things. The first is buy my self a present and my gift for my hard work is a spa day. In addition to that, it is time to clear out to make way for the new. There is something so therapeutic about playing an audio book while you rummage and clear around a cupboard. I know... It is weird. We all have things we like doing and clearing out is one of those for me. The more space then the more potential.

To provide a little insight into my 'I don't need stuff' attitude: just over ten years ago I lived for months out of a suitcase because I worked on cruise ships. I did not have an actual home; instead I floated around the world seizing every opportunity for adventure. What's more I shared a cabin. There was no space for anything other than a suitcase, uniform and a few clothes. What was quite astounding is that you could sit on a toilet and shower simultaneously. That was how confined the space was. It was wonderful living a life with  so little and feeling so free. Anyway, after close to ten years I came back to land and the first thing that shocked me was how far away my bed was from the ceiling. The ship's bunk was tiny, if I sat up suddenly in the night then I would bruise my forehead. I then came to realise how quickly empty space filled up with 'stuff'. For some reason there is a level of unsettledness if a person has space in their home, so we fill it with furniture, vases or other random objects. Also I notice as soon as people have space in their cupboards they pop out and buy something to fill it.

The thing is all this stuff seems to 'snag' on my mentality. What's more, stuff takes time. Think about it and this freaked me out - my friend had over 100 pairs of knickers. Her reasoning was that she did not have to wash them so often. Yet 100 pairs of knickers takes up space and storage and time. I would rather have ten pairs and wash them regularly. The more stuff you have then the more it is either in the way, needing to be washed, moved or wiped. So I figured that the less stuff I have the more time I will have. To some there is no logic in that. So if I had for sets of cutlery I would wash it more regularly than waiting until I ran out of ten...

Anyway the main reason I de-clutter is that it is symbolic. Also while I do menial tasks I give my unconscious time to assemble the next writing works or project that I am to work on. As much as I like to get on with things, this time of cleaning and clearing is a mental process too. The more I clear the more mental space I have...  The less stuff I have snagging my attention then the more I can focus on creativity. The final reason that I do this is that I realised that I was happiest when I had the least. I also realised the happiest people need nothing. So by clearing out and only having what I need, well that is me being happy.

 Anyway, I thought I would share because I called my brother this evening and it turns out that he was doing the very same thing! Weird or just the time of year?

AUDIBLE LINK FOR A SHORT COURSE IN CREATIVE WRITING: http://amzn.com/B01390THLK

21/08/15

 

"An Unexpected Gem"

***I was provided a copy of this audio book for the purpose of a review ***

With the required disclaimer out of the way, let me be brutally honest, I had not expected this little gem. In fact, I had expected my listening would be a bit rough and was fortified by it being less than 2 hours.

The synopsis says the author wrote the book as a takeaway from her evening classes on creative writing. My mental context was ... Community Ed evening classes ...and expected a well intended but kind of amateur product. However, I am interested in adult education, and batter my own nerd head against a giant personal creativity brick wall.

So you have an idea of my mind set... low expectations along with high interest.

Amateur hour it was NOT.

I don't know where the author teaches her class, but Sign Me Up! And bring the narrator. Wow. Two hours of unadulterated, straight up, right on, good learning material delivered by a close friend just sharing the material. The narrator's voice was warm, sincere without any artifact or pompous patronising, and well modulated throughout. The material was mind opening for me, with the right mix of the mechanics of writing exercises, sufficient context that using prompts now makes sense to me, and a sprinkling of the inner heart work of creativity through written material.

This was just what I didn't dare hope for in a how to creative writing listen.

Truly an unexpected gem and a learning and growing experience for me.

A keeper and one I will return to many times as I deconstruct my own wall, one block at a time.

Thank You, Ruby and Thank You, Erin.

 

TO BUY MONEY FARM ON AMAZON.com http://amzn.com/B010F04W9O

· Frode

06/08/15

5 STAR

"M.O.N.E.Y. is bad? This book is not!"

So Money Farm by Ruby Allure was a surprise! When I REALLY did not read things about this book I review for Audiobook Blast, I sometimes get books I don't know something about. BTW: I read 99% about the books I want to review, but this book I can't remember I did that for. Anyways: This was a nice surprise, and I think it is one of those books that is better the second time you read it. No joke! I listen to this twice before I made this! Money Farm makes you thin, and who does not like to hear a book that makes you think? It is an awesome book, that I will recommend to all that likes audiobooks, and really to people that does not!

Helen Lloyd English accent its the topic like a glow and a hand! Her "lady like" voice is so cold, and clear I feel that the author made this book thinking that Helen Lloyd would read it out loud! That is how I feel those two fits together! The 2 times 14 hrs and 6 mins I spend with her never feels boring or uninteresting! I would love to spend it again, and I will because this book I will hear again, and again, even when it is 14 hrs and 6 mins long! That is saying something!

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com

MONEY FARM

· "Incredibly thought provoking..."

What did you like most about Money Farm?

It was an eye opener.

 

What did you like best about this story?

I like the way it made you think about the way normal everyday life is here and now, and the future...

 

Have you listened to any of Helen Lloyd’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Helen Lloyd narrated this fairly long audiobook brilliantly. Although the story content was very intense and thought provoking, her lovely smooth voice was very easy to listen to and I thought it was just perfect, a fascinating book wonderfully narrated.

 

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes it was, although it is too long to do so.