My Christmas Carol Experience

As a kid I used to ponder the logistics of Santa's task. One man and over 6 billion people to deliver to all over the planet. How did he manage to get all around the world in one night? During my following years as a nurse I also used to listen to many people review their lives. Watching "A Christmas Carol" brought on a particularly contemplative mood for me this year and I decided to review my past, present and future around London on my own Christmas Carol.

I was always told that Santa was magic and that anything was possible for him. With so many chimneys, mince pies and various drinks to consume it is no wonder that his Body Mass Index is on the high side. He consumes more calories in one night than most people do in a lifetime.

On Christmas Eve I decided to dress up as Santa again and make a few people smile around London. So, I called a couple of like-minded friends, Nicholas and Hitesh, and off we went with a free hugs sign and a few smiles.

Eighteen years ago I left my job in the city – an experience that saw fun and happiness drain from my life. I worked in a monotonous job in the documentary credits department of a Japanese Merchant bank. We decided to walk through the city at the beginning of our walk. This would be our walk into Christmas past. Our Christmas Carol had begun.

As we handed out our first hugs of the day in the city we were approached by a very stern security guard. He informed us that we had no permission to dress up and would have to leave the premises. We did almost manage to make him smile as we offered him a hug, though he did warn us that he may not respond too nicely if we did.

We smiled and walked on through the streets of the city, with most people ignoring us. However, there were several who managed a smile and a group of tourists who did call us across the road to claim some free hugs. For me it was a reminder of how soul-less I felt in my city-job years.

We then ventured towards Bond Street and a livelier atmosphere. Here we were stopped more frequently as people queued for hugs and photos. This represented our walk of Christmas present. It felt good and we had a lot of fun in the process.

During just a few hours we were stopped and hugged by people from all over the world. People from Scotland, Ireland and Wales stopped, as did those from France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Russia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany. Others stopped from China, Taiwan, Thailand, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Israel Japan, Malaysia, Singapore India and Pakistan. Representatives hugged us from Mexico, USA, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, The Soloman Islands, Tonga, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria and Mauritius.

So, I truly experienced the magic of connecting with people all over the world in one night. As we walked through the streets of London we sang songs, hugged people, witnessed more magic as children hugged us and spread the magic of Christmas to us. We were given free chocolate by a homeless guy, free mince pies from a lady in a restaurant, offered a free ride by a chap on a bike-taxi and given a free gift by one lady.

The feeling of connecting with people from all over the world is my walk of Christmas future. Nothing beats the feeling of smiling, feeling good, singing and making people laugh.

I managed to miss the last train home to St Albans. Normally, this would be a semi-traumatic experience, but not as Santa. Tubes were still running on the Northern line, so I went to High Barnet instead.

On the way I was stopped and asked for more photos and I had a sing-a-long with a group of high-spirited friends returning home. As it turned midnight I found a social gathering of friends in Barnet, who I hadn't seen for a while. I spent the next few hours with good friends, feeling great and was given a place to stay for the night.

On Christmas morning I was picked up by my sister and taken off for a great day with my family. I am feeling very grateful for being alive today.

Carlsberg don't do Christmas, but if they did…..!

The Key to Happiness from my 7 year-old Mentor

Occasionally I have one or both of my nephews around to stay with me at the weekend, they are currently aged 5 and 7. This usually gives me the opportunity to regress a bit and have a lot of fun.

I get to play games and eat unhealthily for a day or two whilst they get the freedom to do pretty much what they like. As they are not ready to own the merits of eating healthily I have adopted their mentality whilst they are staying. Meanwhile, I get to pick their brains for the pearls of wisdom that they occasionally present.

I have a habit of asking them questions that I have yet to find an answer to and indeed probably never will. "What is the key to the universe?" and "What is the secret to life?" are things I have pondered for many hours.

Over the years I have asked them such questions and have been given answers that both astound and amuse. "Doing good farts," was an old favourite of them both in response to the above questions, for a good while.

Whilst sitting down for lunch last weekend I asked "What is the secret to everlasting happiness?" My eldest nephew, Connor, looked up and said "Look after yourself."

His tone was questioning, yet his response struck a chord with me. I knew that looking after myself was a good idea but I do not always do it. I do meditate. exercise and walk a lot "but I could do more," is a well rehearsed line that soon followed.

The tyranny of the word "but" suddenly came into play. In one second I had dismissed all of the good work that I do. But dismisses all of the content that has gone before it. It is dismissive, finite and pointless in a context like this.

I know that as far as health is concerned that I am in the higher reaches of the population in looking after myself. Using the word and, instead of but, is a much more productive linguistic structure after acknowledging something positive.

It is certain that I could do more to be healthier and look after myself better but (and this is a good context to use it) when I compare myself now to where I was last year I walk more, drink more water, eat healthier and exercise more. It is about momentum and mine has been in the right direction.

Most of my changes have been slight and manageable, without causing major or immediate shifts. However (a word that is virtually the same as but!) over time major shifts occur.

So, the lesson from Connor has deeper reaches. Looking after myself is not just about taking action to feel better it's about giving myself proper credit for the changes that I have made.

Part of this process is allowing myself to venture into less healthy practices occasionally, like eating occasional junk foods with my nephews. It is important for me to realize the lessons that I learnt whilst nursing. Namely, that how I speak to myself will have much more impact on my health than what I do to myself.

Only by becoming my own best friend will I ever be a truly healthy individual. The key to happiness is indeed looking after myself, by giving myself more credit for what I have done and being less harsh for what I haven't. It also helps to play a lot, laugh a lot and let loose

A Weekend in The Garden of Eden

Magic is a wonderful thing. For years I have been bamboozled by the mystic genius of the likes of Houdini, David Copperfield, David Blaine, Derren Brown and Tommy Cooper. The escapism to our imagination is a most wonderful thing.

This weekend, through a most serendipitous chain of events, I landed myself in the garden of Darren Eden. The venue may have been a hotel room but all sorts were blossoming within those who attended.

Darren has nurtured a community of magicians, showing them how to tap into their intuition.

The simplicity of his message is the power of it – focus on what you love and take all obvious steps towards it.

When you spend time with magicians, synergistic wonder occurs. When you look for love from external sources you give away your power. When you nurture it from within, by loving yourself, then magical things occur.

Watching magic in action is the best way to develop your own. I learned many things about my life during this weekend.

I learned that football is a wonderful metaphor for my life and there are so many obvious steps towards getting what I love that I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I hadn't seen them.

I have never been the greatest footballer but I have always loved the sport. I have been injured, hospitalised, beaten, kicked, punched and head-butted over the years. I have had more near misses than I can remember and suffered some humiliating moments. However, I have also experienced some incredible highs, raised my game, played some amazing football and inspired team mates to new levels, way beyond what I thought was possible. I have conquered adversity and played in some shocking conditions.

The fact is that I have always entered each new game as a new beginning. Like watching a different movie – I never know what I will be facing and how my character will be tested. I love the excitement, unpredictability and team dynamic that is offered. Most importantly, as I begin each new game I swiftly forget everything that has happened in previous games.

Because I love football, the highs and lows are part of the rich tapestry that is the beauty of sport, life and what I love. Transcribing the same mindset to my business has given me a quantum shift in thought process. Previously I had been letting tough learning curves affect my mindset at the beginning of a new day. From now on each new day is a new game and a new set of goals.

Through focusing on my business, which is something that I love, I'll now be starting each new day as a new game. My goal is a straight forward one – score more than I concede. If I don't – learn, move on and get ready for the next game.

Life is simple – focus on what you love and take the obvious steps towards it. Today's steps involve writing this as a reminder to myself that I will be playing for the rest of my life.

What is Purpose and Why Do We Need It?

  As a nurse I spent many years working with people in the twilight of their lives. Some were not too happy with the cards that life had dealt them. Others were the embodiment of joy, awareness and compassion. What was the difference between them?

  The recurrent thing that was present in those who appeared happier was a greater purpose in life. Some people knew exactly what their gift were - and how to use them. So, what is purpose?

  According to Dictionary.com, purpose is...

pur⋅pose

  [pur-puhs]  Show IPA noun, verb, -posed, -pos⋅ing.

–noun

1.	the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.

2.	an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.

3.	determination; resoluteness.

4.	the subject in hand; the point at issue.

5.	practical result, effect, or advantage: to act to good purpose.

–verb (used with object)

6.	to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself.

7.	to intend; design.

8.	to resolve (to do something): He purposed to change his way of life radically.

–verb (used without object)

9.	to have a purpose.

  If, as suggested, purpose is the reason why something exists then surely it is our duty to know exactly what our purpose is. If we don't know why we exist then things are likely to get confusing, upsetting or even dangerous. If we are not focusing on our purpose and our gifts then we are probably focusing on our irritations and faults.

  It's been an interesting few weeks for me. I have been stretched on many fronts as I piece together the elements of my vision for Walk Innovation with the practicalities of operating in the world of business. 

  The fact is that during my career as a nurse I just hadn't considered entering the business world and what it would entail. Fortunately, I have been focused on my purpose in life and why it is important for me to keep going, regardless of any obstacles.

  I have been asked on numerous occasions "What is Walk Innovation?" I have yet to give a consistent answer as I don't believe that it can be described. Through contemplating this question for many hours I finally feel that I can express Walk Innovation through words alone.

  Walk Innovation is a process where gratitude and positive focus meets action. Our ability to get results in our life is directly proportionate to our belief in our life's purpose. When we have a big enough purpose it is possible to be totally present in the moment much more often. This state of presence is the key to loving life.

  When we strip away all of the filters and negative programming that has gone into our subconsciousness there is only love. Love comes in the shape of all the things that we have to be grateful for. Here is a list of things that I am grateful for right now....

  My family and friends, who have supported me through many testing times and taught me numerous lessons throughout my life. The fun and laughter that I experience regularly. The times that have stretched me to my limit and forced me to find resources from within that I never knew I had. The complete collapse of my business, personal relationship, finances and happiness last year. This brought me the most amazing insights into my own life that have catapulted me on my journey. The resulting awareness and congruence of my purpose have left a trail of positive outcomes and resolutions.

  I am grateful for the traveling that I have done and for the conditions that I live in. Having food, shelter and choice of how to spend my time. The sun is out today and when I focus I can hear the distant singing of birds. My health is good and I'm feeling great at the moment. The beauty of the trees and plants as I look outside is a gift.

  Of course, I could list the things that are not yet right in my life, which I'm sure could make an impressive list. However, this is not where I choose to put my focus in this moment in time. Instead I choose to see the beauty and wonder of life. I choose to set myself a purpose of bringing together a global community of people who will discover how to love their lives through the Walk Innovation process.

  This blog entry represents the start of a journey. I know my purpose and it's about helping myself through helping and connecting others. Walk Innovation works and I am excited to watch it unfold. It will not necessarily be the most easy task but it will unfold somehow. I don't know how but I don't need to because when the why is big enough the how will unfold as action is taken towards it.

  The difference between those who love their life when they get old and those that don't is the ability to live in the moment and accept the potential gifts that every given moment presents us. Whether that be through a compliment or the appreciation of the wonder and beauty surrounding us. 

  Put very simply, gratitude + purpose = Living in the moment + Happiness

Reach for the Sky Walker!

  Isn't it funny how the people that I seem to meet are influenced by the thoughts that I'm having at the time! I spent a lot of yesterday laughing and, sure enough, my e-mail was filled with forwarded jokes and links and the tone of the responses on my various networking sites was very light-hearted.

  Then enter the part that was slightly deeper within the realms of my subconscious - a chat with a lady who I'd met by accident at a recent event that I'd attended. Strangely, I'd been experimenting with a modeling project that I have been on. It had been suggested by a friend, who happened to be organising the event, that for one night during a workshop about financial freedom that I become "Star Barefoot Sky Walker". I took off my shoes and socks and wandered around the event gauging people's responses. They were interesting to say the least!

  The hardest thing for me that evening was stopping myself from laughing out loud as I noted the various reactions that my new identity elicited. Explaining that I was a multi-dimensional being who had no need for shoes or socks was a most interesting experiment (which on another day may well have earned me a visit by the nearest crisis team!) I sat on the front row and it was clear that I had attracted much attention!

  Stepping out of my comfort zone has been something that has been recurrent since I started modeling other people. This incident was particularly interesting. Knowing that I would be considered as an outsider by most of the individuals in the room was a strange feeling, yet there was one lady in the room who did not judge me on the fact that I was clearly different and claiming some strange talents, to say the least.

  I revealed my real identity to her at the end of the evening and we have stayed in touch since. Yesterday I spoke with her on the phone and it soon came up that I had not been playing at 100% in my life and with my life purpose. "Why haven't you stepped into your power yet?" was one of the questions that I was asked. I had no answer that made any sense.

  I know what I am here to do - spread Walk Innovation to the masses. I know that this will involve me attracting people who share my vision (to create a global community of like-minded individuals determined to achieve wealth, health and happiness through the Walk Innovation process - and have some fun along the way.) I also know that it will involve me stepping up and way outside of my comfort zone (thank you Star Barefoot Sky Walker for helping me do that).

  All of that said - why hadn't I stepped into my power? I had no answer then and all I can offer now is that I hadn't truly considered it. After all, the quality of our lives is directly proportional to the quality of the questions that we ask ourselves. It's time for me to step into my power and make things happen. This blog is a testament of my accountability to make it happen and I will.

  Fortunately, this still allows me to have fun in abundance. I have many more characters to model along the way. On 9th of May I will be donning a new outfit, adopting a new personality and going into London too meet my friends as they do the same. We will finish the evening at a roller-disco (something I've never done before.) One more challenge to keep me on my toes (or skates as will be the case.)

  What would happen if you truly stepped into your power today and believed that you were capable of anything?

It's Not the Destination - It's the Journey That Counts

  What great weather we are getting at the moment. At this time of year it is a pleasure to be out and about. Over the past two days I have walked over 20 miles and witnessed numerous things of beauty.

  

  Not having a car has some distinct advantages when the weather is this good. Today, as I walked to meet a client, I was able to witness the numerous flowers in bloom and the occasional butterfly brightening up the path.

  It is in such moments of gratitude for the things that are sometimes taken for granted that life becomes enriched. I can honestly say that, apart from the obvious physical benefits that go with walking, I'm feeling fantastic at the moment and look forward to utilising any further good weather that I should be gifted with.

  Ultimately, for me, it is the small things in life that make the biggest difference and I am feeling very grateful at the moment.

The Power of Being Someone Else

Reverend Soulseeker and Robin Wood prepare for a day out in London

  Yesterday I organised a day out with my family from Frontier Trainings. We are a group of entrepreneurs who are brought together by Clinton Swaine. He teaches business games and gets his points across with the use of an impressive wardrobe and many different characters - that he calls faculty members.

  During some of his advanced courses a few weeks ago I started adopting a few alter egos of my own and felt how different it felt to wear the clothes of someone else and think differently. During the training I became a Buddhist monk, a hippie, a super hero and a Frenchman. Each character involved me thinking through a different set of values, a different attitude and a different voice. Each new character transformed my presence in the room and on stage.

  Not only did this prove to be interesting, it also proved to be a lot of fun. So much so that other members of the group started to reinvent themselves. It was a great exercise in being who we wanted to be and inventing new faculty members that had the traits that we wanted to develop.

  Yesterday I sent out a message to the attendees of the training and over 20 turned up in London yesterday dressed in an alter-ego. Our mission was to spread love and have fun around London. Never before have so many people wanted to have their photo taken with me in one day. I became Robin Woods, a character intent on justice and freedom. On a day that a bigger march of protest about the G-20 summit happened - we decided to march against the flow of the rest of the marchers and focus on love.

  Singing Monty Python on the tube and seeing the responses of the other commuters was particularly fun and seeing so many people smile back and join in was the recipe for an uplifting day out. Witnessing the transformations in the personalities of the group was incredible - not to mention the creative conversations as people got into character and let their imagination run away.

  I can honestly say that this was one of the best days of my life and I will be having plenty more. For anyone reading this - the next one will be on the 9th May, in London. If you want to create an alter ego, feel positive and have a lot of fun then come along and witness the power of positive energy.