Inspire Magazine Issue 2

InspireMarch 2021 Believe you can and you are halfway there! Issue 2 Helping you to live intentionally Could we Never New Year, New give ourselves underestimate Me.....NOPE!! your mindset the gift of love Create your own future vision Read about two incredible British B&B’s that you should visit the moment we are able Stay Strong! things will get better. Social - Emotional - Physical - lnspirational - Spiritual - Environmental

Inspiremagazine The following people have shared their experiences and we are truly grateful. Auriol Burgess Pam Clarke Margaret Emily Papirnik Kim Marshall Dowdeswell Lisa McMurtry Lisa Merone Graham Nicholls Barbara Northall Gemma Orrell Jo Cantle Anji Shipp Alison Smith Sam Stewart Sylvia Brown Alain Cook Debbie & Ian Dunning Julie & Mark Everett If you love our magazine, have it delivered to your door! You can have it delivered direct to your letterbox. for just £20. Just fill in the form on our website and we will do the rest. www.thebridge4you.co.uk/inspiremagazine ollow Inspire magazine Published by: The Bridge4 You Contact us at www.thebridge4you.co.uk/contact-us Alternatively, join our facebook community and private message us. facebook.com/TheBridge4You www.thebridge4you.co.uk

Welcome to Inspire Letter from the Editor In this issue. . . It’s All InYour Head, Sam, I often hear this, and it’s mostly said by my (he would have you believe, long 4 - New Year, New Me....Nope! suffering) husband and normally he is talking to me about 5 - The Health Power of touch my health. I admit it, I am an over enthusiastic 6 - Never underestimate mindset hyperchondriac, which I have since decided to call my superpower, 7 - Day one of Nursery Closures in that..it makes me feel better to think I am sympathetic to those around 8 - Could we gift ourselves love? me in pain and therefore take the burden of their ailments and feel it for 9 - Take a breath them. 10 - What would you do? 11 - Foster a positive mindset However, this statement can be used for all areas of your life..the level of 12 - Part II - Drew’s Story success you’re able to achieve, the amount of joy you experience, the ease 13 - Sneaky Stressers or difficulty with which you overcome obstacles and challenges, the sense of purpose and fulfillment you enjoy in things that you do. I can therefore conclude that these things are most definitely entirely in 14-15 Woodlands 159 your head! 16-17 The Purple Tree Guest House Did you know that your mindset dictates the quality of thoughts and in turn 18 - Make a vision board the reality you live. 19 - The garden YOU decide how you’re going to show up in the world.You decide how 20-21 Sitting in Circle you respond to the events that happen.You decide how big your dreams 22 - Ce Sera Sera will be – and the actions you need to take to achieve them. 23 - Month of the Military Child The most important thing for you to remember is that you hold all of the 24 - Because joy is your nature power and never are you ever powerless. 25 - Mad World All you have to do is cultivate a positive mindset, resilience, and 26 - Who holds the reins unwavering commitment to make it happen. To this end, this edition of 27 - More than a fitness class Inspire is full of powerful ways to help you manifest that mindset and 28 - Coping with Ovarian Cancer success that you are looking for. Get in touch with these people to make it 29 - Ovarian Cancer, signs/symptoms happen if you are struggling to do it on your own. 30 - How thoughts affect health Always remember! 31 - Love Bridget! “It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how 32 - Emotional Freedom your life’s story will develop.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf 33 - Subscribe Samantha Dowdeswell email: [email protected] 34 - Directory of help 35 - Directory of help Founder and Editor 20 36 - No Smoking Day - 14th March 37 - National Bed Month - March 6 38 - Easy Crafting 39 - Timely tips as the years roll on 37 8 36

Is it good to read a magazine? According to Psychologist Magazine, in their relaunch publication of “The Psychologist” in January 2017. The question was posed.. Is it good to read magazines? The answer was; Magazines are more than information Because they prioritise visual aesthetics throughout their pages, not just on the covers, magazines create a highly sensory reading experience, which improves memory. New Year, New Me...NOPE! New Year, same me but I am going to Love myself more and Love myself better!! So,Christmas is done,NewYear’s Eve is done,and it is back to the routine of work and school runs,or it would be if the world weren’t dealing with a virus!! December is usually a hectic time of year especially if you are running a home, running a business, and managing two teenage children single handed like I am..... Here we are in 2021, longing for the get caught up in our negative emotions. If you need to process something regular routine and being able to go At this point I ask myself “if one of my that is upsetting you, just sit with it where I want and see who I want, and girlfriends came to me with these and feel it all the way, wrap it in a wishing the same for my children.This negative thoughts and emotions, what bubble and send it off with love. last year has been very tough for many, would I say to her?” not only on routine but on financial Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and security, personal and mental health. I would want her to breathe,I would let start again...WHY? As a single parent, juggling all these her know that I Love her,and she is factors has added extra pressure, trying worthy,I would let her know that she is Because you are Beautiful, you are to keep sane and happy being all locked doing the best that she can with what Loved, and you are Worthy!!! in together and the constant disruption she has. to routine life has taken its toll. Written by Alison Smith Why is it that we would not let As a mother I feel not only all my another woman speak or feel low about Alison Smith emotions but my children’s too, I herself, but we can easily put ourselves can’t give them the answers they down and believe that we deserve it? Holistic Doula seek and I can’t change anything Well, I say NO MORE, I must believe that going on out there, so we are it is OK for me to have down time, it is www.facebook.com/ learning to just BE with it. OK for me to receive nice things and Alison-Smith-Holistic-Doula have things done for me. It is OK for me Some days are good and go quite to set boundaries and limits. I cannot run [email protected] smoothly and some are duvet days on empty; I need to fill up my cup. It has where I just do not want to get up, it is taken me a long time to realise that 07870 994393 only the fact that I have work to do that nobody is going to do it for me, and I am keeps me motivated.... the captain of the ship, if I go down then it all falls with me. The days where I do not have a schedule can be the hardest it gives me time to Find a positive thought when those think which in turn gives me time to feel. negative ones try to find their way in. This is not always a good thing, being alone with my thoughts can send me into 4 a downward spiral....BUT If I have learnt anything these past months it is to catch myself, stop myself before this happens! We can quite easily

The healing power of touch... As someone attuned in Reiki and trained in Indian Head Massage you will see that I have an interest in the healing power of touch. I love the wonderful resource being touched in various places or to enhance that wonderful calm feeling we have at our fingertips indeed just above the body, which allows of peace and relaxation. (literally) to bless ourselves and the gentle natural healing to take place. others. Healing via the natural art of touch is I know its more difficult in our current documented in the Bible with the laying world of lockdown three, but where you We only have to see the powerful affect on of hands and in some churches this can with those you can be with in your touch can have by seeing a mother still happens today. It is a wonderful household give that reassuring shoulder comfort her child with a hug and a kiss spiritual yet so simple way of natural rub or pat on the back. when they are in distress. It is blessing for us for our good. instinctive, built in us from an early age However touch can take place Give hugs where they will be and something that as humans we all informally every day. Self care can be us appreciated. Play with your need. giving ourselves a head massage or a childrens feet, or your partners. hand massage. I regularly give myself a Massage their heads, stroke their In the current climate we are living in mini hand reflexology massage whilst legs whilst huddled up on the with Covid restrictions one of the watching tv or sitting talking to others. settee watching tv. It will do hardest things for a lot of people along If you live on your own it is important to wonders for you both. with the isolation, and not socialising is still receive touch and gently massaging the simple thing of not receiving a hug, our hands or our heads will release I work on a casual basis in a Complex or a pat on the back or shoulders. The those happy hormones and have a Needs school and many of the young gentle act of receiving a touch affects our beneficial effect. people have sensory issues and crave brains activities. Endorphins are released Our ten year old enjoys having a hand touch, be it via weighted blankets or to give a wonderful sense of relaxation placed on his head or his feet touched vests or touch therapy. We look for and peace to the whole body. Skin to too. It helps with anxiety and stress too, creative ways to use this such as Story skin contact is so important. We have massage or Tac Pac (a very unusual but millions of receptors on our skin which 5 highly effective way to work with those just happens to be the largest organ in with sensory issues). our human body. These receptors send messages to the brain when we are So as you can see I totally believe in and touched.We feel soothed, calm, happy, promote the healing benefits of touch. aroused, and a lovely sense of wellbeing, However please be mindful of others and that all is well with the world and with what is acceptable for them, especially us!! Ahhhhh wonderful!! where children are involved. We don’t have to be formal about this Be respectful too and be blessed with touch thing either, but I know there are the natural way to express love and many healing avenues that people do blessing to others. explore,Reiki being one of them. Reiki Practitioner; Indian Head Massage Reiki means universal energy and it Practitioner; Relief Teaching Assistant in a basically promotes our bodies natural Complex Needs Schoo;Volunteer for Home Start ability to heal itself. Reiki is a non befriending young families invasive healing practise with the body Written by Sylvia Brown

Never Underestimate what mindset can do!�♥ This photo was taken over 9 years ago now, but it actually feels like a full lifetime has past! I could find to get up each day and would get myself into crazy out of control emotional states. I struggled to make friends and create any meaningful connections, I had so much love to give and just couldn’t find a place I was comfortable to give it. When I look at this photo I remember how lonely I felt and fearful of the future. But it also reminds me of how far along my journey I have come. There are a good mix of things that have allowed me to get to the happy, content, self loving version of me today. I was ‘hiding’ at a truly I talked, I shared, I meditated, I forgave, amazing Baby Home in I learnt, I loved, I took time to heal, I Tanzania at the time. started to put myself as a priority and work on what the voice inside was This was always my go to response when telling me. things were too much. I would book a flight or find a temporary job I came to the resounding conclusion that somewhere and just disappear for a few nothing would ever change unless I took months (or in some instances a few the steps to actually make changes - years) I once took off and went camping I tackled my biggest demon...my ALONE across Uganda, no plan, no care, MINDSET! just me and a tent!! (What I must have put my poor mother through ) I made it my number one non negotiable to believe in myself and realise I could do I had just met my husband a few weeks ANYTHING that I wanted to do. before this photo but I legged it anyway - I don’t share this to invoke sympathy or luckily he was still there when I returned praise, I share because I know that when a couple of months later! It may look you are feeling shitty it can be incredibly like an ordinary photo to most people hard to see how anything can ever get but I can see right through it better and how easy it is to stop yourself doing the things you dream of because of I was so unhappy, so anxious fear! and plagued with zero self worth and a HUGE dislike But things can and do get for myself. better, I promise it 100% and you CAN absolutely I was very underweight and my bones do anything you set your ached constantly because of it. mind on - but you have to Drinking a lot of alcohol and not caring want it and believe it first for myself in the slightest. Number One action to My hair was falling out due to the stress move forward...check on my body and my skin felt constantly your mindset and go from awful there! It would take every single bit of strength Written by Gemma Orrell 6

Day One of Nursery Closure A day in the life of a professional woman coping at home with the kids, and not trained for the job. Art time... Erin manages to draw a worryingly accurate picture of me that really captures all my inner demons and self-image issues perfectly but it keeps her entertained for seven whole minutes so it’s a win. I try to explain to a four year old that I need to work for a couple of hours so I can make some pennies ....Erin responds with two hours of bouncing up and down in front of me declaring utter boredom and asking if she can go to someone else’s house instead School calls to say I need to find (she doesn’t state who’s house so Do you have a lockdown a ‘slip’ of paper I was given obviously anywhere would be better at home schooling story or during the 1st lockdown with this point ) any interesting story you login details in order to access want to share about the the online learning...... Ellis comes home Yay a play mate!!! last twelve months. Let ....oh wait no they hate each other!! ...they evidently haven’t seen the state WWF wrestling in the living room us know at of my house if they think this is begins. possible to find! [email protected] PE time....I make an ‘adventure Live class will be on Thursday....Erin and we could highlight it has asked me approximately 8000 course’ in the living room, they both in the May edition of the times already if it’s Thursday yet!! do it once then steal my purse and proceed to throw 5p’s at each other Magazine. with incredible force. You can join Gemma and Thoughts for the day... her business partner Niki at the - I am not as entertaining as I think I online facebook community am in my head - I’m trying to remember the Sheawakens reasoning behind why I do not drink?? We’ve got this mamas and papas! Science time... we make fake Written by Gemma Orrell snow....it was shit, Erin walked off. 7

Could we gift ourselves love? March is upon us folks, and the bobbing white flowers of Snowdrops in my garden offer little bursts of hope as spring nudges ever closer. meals - by balancing out the protein, fats, JAMMY RASPBERRY & healthy fats and veggies the snacks take ALMOND BUTTER care of themselves. Energy and mood CHIA PUDDING improves, sleep issues resolve, trips to the loo are a breeze and mid morning snack-runs become a thing of the past. In these most challenging of Why? Well, there's a bunch of Gather together: times; how can we \"be-more- reasons but one of the main 300ml coconut/ almond milk snowdrop\" and bring some light ones is that they have stepped 3 tbsp almond butter and joy into our lives? off that blood sugar roller ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional) coaster; find themselves 60g chia seeds Well, as last month was the month of feeling full and satisfied and 120g raspberries (fresh or frozen) lurve I thought we might like to focus on clear of head. supping from that cup o'love ourselves 1. Blend together the coconut or first? With so many of us juggling so So here's the deal - my snack fix is almond milk, 1 tbsp of almond butter much we will be all the more prepared actually to sort out your main meals - and the ground cinnamon until to serve others, think more clearly and let's start with your brekkers. How combined. Add in the chia seeds and compassionately and be our best selves about delish yoghurt, handful of mixed mix well ensuring they are if we care for wonderful selves first. berries and sprinkle of ground flaxseed? incorporated fully into the milky Egg-based options are great too; quick mixture. Divide the mixture between Here are some quick top tips to get you scrambled egg and handful of salad? two glasses/ jars. Refrigerate for at started. A yummy protein and veg rich smoothie least twenty mins (or preferably is a great option too; we are rocking the overnight) to thicken. 1. Hydrate well frozen courgette vibe in our house just now (obvs there are other things in 2. In a small bowl, mash the Although the word - routine - brings me there!?). If you're feeling like mixing it up raspberries until they resemble jam. out in a bit of a rash I do start each - give this recipe a try. morning in the same way.A cooled hot 3. When the chia pudding has firmed water and splash of Apple Cider Vinegar up, top with a layer of raspberry ‘jam’ or lemon.Why? It's a wonderful way to and finish with 1 tbsp of almond hydrate, gently support the liver as well butter and a couple of whole as the digestive work of the gut by raspberries per jar/glass. balancing our acidity levels.The key is to buy Apple Cider Vinegar \"with Mother\"; 4. This can be made in advance and as then you have the benefit of the refrigerated for up to three days. fermentation process.This is a delish Herefordshire based brand 3. Re-connect with your breath How many of us are hunched over a 2. Bin the snackedy snack laptop, scrolling through the news or snacks worrying about family and friends - it can feel like our own internal Do you find yourself making another computer is open with numerous tabs wee batch of buns, reaching for the open and from a simple anatomy biccies between Zoom calls or snaffling perspective our lungs aren't filling to kettle crisps in front of that box set? capacity. I hear you; you are not alone! Apparently In fact our bodies have their very own Mr Kipling and his exceedingly good internal system to support us in times cakes have made record sales (weep) - of stress; it's almost as if we're built but here's the thing - whilst that is great that way :) for Mr K and his viennese whirlydirrly things - how is that actually serving us? When I'm working with clients one of the first things we'll tackle is our main 8

Our breath. Going that alone can be challenging Nurture Nutrition and overwhelming.As always, I'm Start each day with three gentle continuing the wellness chat in my www.nurturenutrition.org/ calming breaths - literally feet free Facebook group Robust working-with-pam on the floor - breathe in - Healthful Living. breathe out. Tel: 07916 688281 You are so welcome to book in for I've recently been recommended your own 30mins of self-love by www.facebook.com/ to set my alarm on my phone to accessing one of my nurturenutritionuk remember to breathe. I literally down complementary consultations; tools - close my eyes - and for that a chance for a deeper dive into I remain committed to your minute just breathe. you wellness booking here health and well-being, Love and light beautiful people, After that trip to the loo - the door Go gently, is shut - it's just you and Mr W.C - Pam take an extra moment - hand on So, how does belly, hand on heart and just Nutritional Written by Pam Clark, Therapy work in Nurture Nutrition breathe, breathe, breathe. simple terms? We meet (in person or electronically) we talk – we make a plan- we make progress. Initial no-cost consultation (up to 30mins): A chance to meet in person or speak on the phone to discuss your health needs informally. There is a plethora of breath-tools This is a good starting place for on platforms such as CALM, Insight anyone wishing to explore their Timer or why not try some Alternate health. Nostril Breath said to improve concentration, creativity and clarity. Eating well is not just about the Perfect to interject across your day; food we eat, it's also about simple. So, these are just a few of changing behaviours; and that many options available to us. Just like takes time. that snowdrop needed just the right balance of nutrients to burst from the I like to fully assess my clients soil - so do our wonderful, clever needs, truly understand their bodies. focus and customise their program accordingly. If we're running on empty that will It's for this reason I offer twelve soon show up; may be our energies week programs as I've found have dipped, our mood might be a one-off consultations simply do bit wonky-doo or perhaps we're not offer the same long term, noticing our gut health and weight lasting results. is not quite where it needs to be. 9

What would you do? I’m 30 years old and sitting helping my three year old on our home computer when an email pops up addressed to my husband. Then I notice some more. I contact a private counsellor who try to follow my meal plan. These emails are from a woman specializes in eating disorders who tells from his work. She tells him me I’m too ill for her to help me. I’m introduced to EFT (Emotional she loves him. I go confront Freedom Techniques) which I think sounds him. Whilst waiting for an appointment with crazy but I’m willing to give it a go. the Eating Disorders Service, I lose He denies it at first. I ask “did you sleep another two stone and contemplate I’m astounded at how simple yet with her?” He says “well yeh”. It was suicide every day. powerful it is. With help, I finally work like a punch in the stomach and my through my grief about my husband’s world felt like it was turned upside Four days after my appointment, I’m affair. I realise that I am loved and good down. I create the belief that I’m not being admitted into a residential eating enough. I’d been focusing so much on good enough or loveable. He left within disorders centre. I researched private my ex that I hadn’t ‘seen’ all the love 24 hours and I became a single mum. inpatient programs so I know how costly from other people in my life. He didn’t say anything to our two they are and not everyone gets this daughters. I’m determined that this is opportunity. I’m determined to get I was convinced that my body and going to have the least effect on our girls better, for me and my family, and I work my weight would bring me happiness and as possible. I become supermum. I do hard at my recovery. On the day of my make me feel good about myself but this everything to make sure they’re happy. discharge, although I’ve restored weight, wasn’t true at all. I changed my I start a new relationship. I remarry. the voice in my head is still urging me to perceptions, my beliefs, my thoughts and restrict again and go back to old my behaviours. At 35, I’m underweight. I have behaviours. anorexia. I feel like I’m sitting at To let go of this blame and to know that the bottom of the deepest well, I’m still not feeling great about I was in control of my life was so with not even a chink of light myself or my body and desperately empowering. shining in. To me there is no hope of recovery. I was so scared of ‘recovery’ because I thought it would mean Every time I desperately try to eat more, becoming fat so why would I want even the tiniest piece of food, I end up help with that? binging. This is far more terrifying than starving myself so I decide that the safest But now all the fears I had are no longer option is to continue restricting, even if fears for me, because with feeling good I end up dying as a result. I feel like I enough and loved, I feel confident and can’t even make the slightest change to relaxed in myself and about my body. I my food intake and that there is no way don’t need to use food or restriction as out. I’m convinced that I’m a total a way of dealing with my emotions, I now burden on everyone and that people have EFT to help me. (even my girls) would be much better off without me. I used to feel like I needed to save the world in order to feel good enough, but now I know my value and am happy being me, just the way I am. Kiss Goodbye To Ana Be Your Own Kind of 07518 053311 Beautiful 10

I used to think that I’d always have Five ways to foster a to manage the eating disorder, that positive mindset it would always be there. But I don’t believe this now. I’ve come further in my recovery than I ever dreamed possible and I owe this to the inner work I did using EFT. I understand that complete recovery is possible, although it’s not easy, but it is absolutely worth it. My life has completely Positive Self Talk Next time you’re faced with a difficult changed. I used to live situation, check your perspective and in fear, but now I feel Repeating affirmations either out loud consider the other persons too so you excited about my future! or in your head helps to nurture self- can respond in a constructive way. belief - even if you don’t believe it Written by Kim Marshall yourself - your brain will be listening! Be a Lifelong Student Easy Affirmations You can either write down five of your Being open-minded requires a to live by favourite affirmations and repeat them continuous input of knowledge. first thing in the morning or listen to I am in charge of how I feel and today I one of the many inspiring ones on This means being on a constant quest to am choosing happiness. YouTube (Abraham Hicks are my learn so you can adopt new ways of favourite). See a possible list in the box thinking. This could be through listening I will not compare myself to strangers next to this one. Over time these kinds to other people’s opinions, reading on the Internet. of affirmations help you to reinforce a books or seeking information online. positive attitude. I am choosing and not waiting to be Make an effort to learn something new chosen. Decipher Your each day. destiny I am enough. Find your “people” Whatever your desire for your own life, I have the power to create change. having the life you want stems from the Surrounding yourself with people that ability to envision it in your mind. offer love and positivity will help you I let go of all that no longer serves me. adopt a similar mindset. I refuse to give up because I haven’t tried When you want something bad enough, Make a list of those closest to you and all possible ways. you’ll have that lightbulb moment, finding write down something positive that they the inner strength to realise your bring to your relationship. I deserve the best and I accept the best dreams. now. If you are surrounded by people you It’s all perspective don’t want to be like, then you might My presence is my power. need to socialise in different circles. The one thing you can control is the way you respond to events. How you choose to think about things determines how well you weather any storm that comes your way. 11

Drew’s storypart2 Everyone believes their baby is perfect. And they are. They all are. But when you think there might be something … off. Not the same as other babies. But you’ve never had one of your own so how would you even know? if you missed the first part, you can read it in Issue 1 of Inspire (January 2021) www.thebridge4you.co.uk/inspiremagazine/archive So we had had the devastating Again, this continued to be the story How awful for her. but how news about Drew’s need for throughout her surgeries – amazing now! All the anguish surgery to straighten her about how this poor little thing was scoliosis. Inserting two titanium all the staff who looked after her having to endure what most adults rods which would require in recovery thought she was fab – have never endured in their adjusting every six months as and she is! lifetime somewhat diminished her spine grew. when I could see the beautiful, The following years were tough to have pain free young lady emerging. But first, the initial surgery. to put her through the surgery, but it was never as bad as the first one, and The one conversation I remember having The surgery that would mean the first the transformation in her was instant! with her when it all began was that I stay in hospital for Drew, me and her dad know this is a massive part of your life since her birth. She had always been a bit of a whiney now, and by the time it is over it will child, if I dare say that! But now she was have been almost half of your life taken We had to coordinate that she would so chilled., and she actually slept through up with hospital visits and surgery. have one parent with her on the ward the night! and we booked a family accommodation “By the time you are mummy’s age, it will room for the other parent to stay in on I really believe that even though we be a very small part of your whole life site so we could both be there. didn’t get the diagnosis of her scoliosis and you can look back and know it helped to shape the wonderful human There was the added pressure that you are today.” myself and her dad had been separated for just over four years, but this was And here we are - Drew is nearly 16. about Drew, the most precious person in both our lives, so this banded us all She had her last fusion operation in the together. middle of the COVID pandemic in the summer of 2020 and she survived, and is The day of the surgery came. Drew was thriving. so nervous she was sick. She continued this nervous sickness throughout her She has the new hurdle of being in a year operations, and who can blame her! I had eleven class facing no GCSEs but is never been through anything like this and applying to sixth form to take A levels she was so strong and we reinforced that and the future islooking bright. with her, our mantra for everything was... written by Anji Shipp you will be fine, you are so brave, and mummy and daddy will get TO FIND OUT MORE you a Macdonalds as soon as you ABOUT SCOLIOSIS VISIT wake up!!! www.nhs.uk/conditions/scoliosis/ She was away from us for about eight hours, a combination of the preparation until she was about eight, whatever was for theatre, the surgery itself, and happening was happening way before recovery time afterwards. that. Drew’s grandparents travelled up to So then the mum guilt kicks in about Birmingham to try and keep us calm and how you had told them off and sent when we finally got to see her in them to their room, or when we had had recovery, the nurse looking after her a weekend in London six months before beamed and told us how she wished all her diagnosis how I shouted at her for her patients were like Drew, how she moaning about walking around when was a dream to look after, so calm and actually she must have been in agony but polite. had no frame of reference to a time when she wasn’t in pain. 12

Order your copy of 365 days of positivity. A desk top positive reminder with empowering pictures for every day of the year. £15.00 + P&P (email to order - [email protected]) (£1 from each order goes to Papyrus - the young suicide prevention charity) Seven sneaky things that are stressing you out 1. Grabbing a sugary 4. From car to couch in five 6. Ignoring what’s stressing breakfast bar on the way to seconds you out work in the morning Exercise releases endorphins that can It’s easy to be too busy to meditate or If you make time to eat a nutritious energize you and improve your mood be mindful in the moment. However, it breakfast, you’ll avoid the physical and for hours. Evidence shows that exercise is extremely important to make time to mental crash that can come with a can be one of the most effective acknowledge any negative feelings, greasy sandwich or sugary waffle. treatments for anything in taking care of acknowledge and let them go. Choose something high in protein and your health, be it mental or physical, and Meditation for me is a daily must and healthy fats.A smoothie with fruits, most importantly depression! those around me can contest of that veggies and nut butter or an egg too. If you spend a little time on this sandwich with avocado will do the trick. 5. Have a bedtime routine each day, it soon becomes a much Also, make sure to drink plenty of water. needed habit. Your sleep schedule is the most 2. Keeping your diary in important thing related to depleted 7. Forgetting about your your head energy levels and the inability to habits to a healthier you concentrate. Lack of sleep can increase Trying to remember everything you have your production of cortisol, which is When people are feeling better, it’s to do can leave you stressed out, linked to stress.A lot of mental illnesses normally after a period of learning some whether you realize it or not.Writing it can be linked to someone’s inability to really good tricks and then practising all down daily in a notebook helps to create a healthy sleep pattern. When them daily to get better at them so they “download and keep your brain free of we sleep our brain is growing, it is when become habits. A lot of the time, once worry”. your brain makes sense of the someone is feeling better, they just stop information you “downloaded” the those “good”habits, thinking everything 3. Being Sociable 24/7 previous day and how it gets ready to is fixed, but why stop? If it works, keep tackle the next day. It is also the only doing it. Some people get so happy that Social Media feels like you are in the time that the brain gets to “put it’s feet they just forget the little things that just midst of your friends most of the time up and relax”, so it is important to get seem to happen but to their detriment and at the moment, it is a godsend for at least eight hours of quality, realise it’s the little things that kept some, however, why not pick up the uninterrupted sleep. them happy. Don’t get rid of the habit phone or skype instead. Human that helped you. interaction is much more beneficial. 13

Woodlands 159... A delightful B&B in the heart of the market town of Pershore,Worcestershire Woodlands 159 first opened its 2019 was a great year for Woodlands A deep clean was followed by some light doors to B&B guests on 1st 159. We enjoyed 30% repeat business, decorating to keep everywhere looking March 2017. were commended in the Worcestershire Awards for Excellence in the B&B and pristine. Then it was out in the garden, In our first month we only had four Guest House of the Year category, planting every seed we had to keep bookings and it was slow progress achieved a Five Star Certificate of ourselves fed and the garden looking getting the business known. We received Excellence from Trip Advisor for the attractive and welcoming to guests some great reviews so we knew we were second year running and achieved 9.9 in whenever we were able to receive them on the right track. the Booking.com Traveller Review again. Awards. We even dared to book a We kept busy and stayed positive. We loved what we were doing but holiday for January 2020 - the first in needed more people to know about us. four years - believing that the business On 4th July we were finally able to Trip Advisor definitely helped and after was finally established. welcome back guests and we were eighteen months of gradual growth, we busy right through to mid October, decided to join Booking.com in January and February are mainly with repeat guests who September 2018 which immediately gave traditionally quieter months in the have become good friends over us a much bigger audience and the industry, but by February 2020 time and it was so lovely to business began to thrive. Covid-19 was beginning to affect us. breathe life back into the business. We began receiving cancellations on a regular basis – not something that had really happened up until this point. On 23rd March came the news that we had to close our doors indefinitely as the country went into lockdown. Now what? Nobody knew how long this was going to last. We had got so used to welcoming guests to our home, it seemed really empty and quiet. We had to take advantage of the time we had, so it was time to freshen things up – but without spending any money! 14

Unfortunately as we all know this was as the Carnival, Plum Festival, River Tel: 01386 642109 not to last. We locked down again in Festival, Confetti Field Open Days Email: [email protected] November. will all begin again and we will be www.woodlands159.co.uk there to welcome visitors old and We had bookings for Christmas and new to the town. Written by Mark & Julie Everett New Year which understandably were gradually cancelled and now we are all When this is all over, please remember back in lockdown again. that we are here to help. Like everyone else, we do not know how We hope to see you very soon! long we will have to remain closed but we refuse to give in. Mark & Julie We love Woodlands 159, we have made Proprietors: Mark & Julie Everett so many new friends and welcomed so many people to our lovely town of Address:Woodlands, 159 High Street, Pershore. A large proportion of our Pershore,Worcs,WR10 1EQ guests stay with us so that they can visit family and friends in the town and we are all so desperate to be able to be with our loved ones again. We want to help facilitate those reunions. Weddings will happen again. The town’s wonderful events, such Do you have a business you’d like to tell everyone about? Get in touch to tell us your story at [email protected] and you could be in our May edition of the magazine. 15

The Purple Tree Guest House... A home from home in the sunny town of Torquay, Devon sailing regattas. In addition to boats of all shapes and sizes, each event brings with it its own celebrations.That means you’ll find live music, markets, and fireworks ensuring a buzzing atmosphere in the town. The Purple Tree Guest House is The guest house features a Due to Coronavirus some a large,Victorian house situated seasonal heated outdoor attractions/ restaurants may have just minutes’ away from the swimming pool and Jacuzzi which reduced opening times.The English seafront and Torquay town can be used all year round Riviera website has all the latest centre, perfectly located to take set in a private garden with a sun information concerning where is full advantage of Torquay’s terrace to enjoy the lovely Torquay open so please take a look at their attractions, we offer a mix of weather. website to plan your trip ahead of comfortable, modern guest your stay. facilities and traditional values We are fully licensed and have a with an informal atmosphere. venue which can be hired for private www.englishriviera.co.uk/tourist-info- functions and events. and-maps/english-riviera-visitor- A range of elegant en-suite rooms to information-centre/whats-open suit families, couples and singles all Torquay is famous for its mild climate with Smart TV and complimentary and watersports activities.Torre refreshment tray and toiletries. railway station is only 350 yards away The breakfast menu is on a pre-order from the guest house and gives direct basis and served to the table in the access to all the surrounding areas dining room. We have free Wi-Fi, including Torquay Rail Station and the private parking which is on a first Agatha Christie Mile. come first served basis or on-street parking available. The Purple Tree Guest House Children and well-behaved dogs are provides the ideal base from which to welcomed. explore the English Riviera and the Devon countryside with so many attractions and places of interest, you are never short of things to do. We hope you come to see us soon and return as you had such a good time! Torquay is the heart of the English Riviera and plays host to a huge range of festivals for everyone all year round. There are many maritime events to watch, from the thrilling offshore powerboat racing to elegant 16

and the cathedral city of Exeter all The Purple Tree Guest House, 20, accessible within thirty minutes of the Newton Road,Torquay, Devon. guest house. TQ2 5BZ Tel: 01803 201635 We hope to see you soon! Mob: 07713328228 email: [email protected] Ian & Debbie www.thepurpletreegh.com Proprietors: Ian & Debbie Dunning Written by Ian & Debbie Dunning With a host of popular tourist destinations – including Torre Abbey House, Gardens and Park, English Riviera Wheel, Riviera International Centre, Abbey Sands and the Agatha Christie Mile as well as Torquay Harbour with its boat cruises – all virtually on our doorstep, there’s never a shortage of entertainment within walking distance of the guest house. For those willing to venture a little further afield, it’s just a short drive to Berry Head where wild dolphins can be seen, Dartmoor National Park, Babbacombe, Paignton, Kents Cavern, Goodrington Park, Dartmouth Steam Railway or Cockington Country Park and village, with Brixham,Totnes, Sidmouth,Teignmouth,The River Dart Do you have a business you’d like to tell everyone about? Get in touch to tell us your story at [email protected] and you could be in our May edition of the magazine. 17

Who wants to make a vision board? Creating your life the way you want it to be is something most of us aspire to, yet can find difficult, because we are often too busy and distracted to spend time on becoming clear on what we want our life to look like. In this article today I am the life you want and a vision board Let's start now... going to share with you an helps you with this intentional focus. amazing tool that you can A vision board creates a physical How to create a powerful use to help you get started representation of your desires and vision board. on creating a life you love. you can look at the vision board daily to help you to visualise your ideal life To create a powerful vision board To begin to create the life you want, and tap into the feelings you desire to you start by gaining some clarity it is important to start by becoming feel. on how you want your life to be clear on how you want your life to be and also how you want to feel. and also how you want to feel on a Vision boards are an day to day basis. Then every day amazing goal setting Ask yourself – create these feelings within you and tool and give you the take action steps towards those life creativity to let your How do you want to feel each day, what goals you say you want. dreams grow. is your purpose or mission, how do you want to show up in life, what are your Have you heard of the law They help you to get clear on what strongest traits? of attraction? you want and create your ideal life. Having a vision board can accelerate What would like to do with your time - According to the law of attraction, you in achieving your dreams, and can travel, start a business, learn a language, like attracts like and you create in even expand your dreams so they are marriage, kids, play the piano, etc? your life the thoughts which you larger than they were before you focus your attention on. So to create began your vision board adventure. What do you want to have – anything the life you want it is important to from a house on the beach, to free time, focus your thoughts on what you How exciting is this! to a yoga studio, new clothes in a fab want within your life. wardrobe, children, etc? Creating a vision board is about This is where visioning tapping into your subconscious mind, Let yourself dream big! comes in. accessing your true heart desires. From this space, you not only just To help you further, I have created some Visioning helps you to become create a vision board, but rather you questions for you to answer intentional with your thoughts and create a power vision board that will Fast forward one year from now stay focused to help you to create pull you towards your vision. - What would you like to achieve that you would be super proud of? - What would you like to be doing with your days? - Where would you like to travel to? - Where would you like to live? - What would you like to have? - What would you like to experience? - How would you like to feel? - What brings you joy now? - List five positive words that describe you 18

The Garden 7th February 2017 Once you have gone through these Nothing quite compares BANG! questions, you then select images, to the sweet scent of quotes and symbols that have that first cut. Hang on, winter won't give up meaning to you and which bring that easy, all subtlety gone he out feelings of joy, peace, love and It might be equalled by the gentle, subtle reaches to the east there is happiness. smell from a distant bonfire, a mist like some fight left, at least enough haze lingering across the landscape, now to leave his mark on those Images, quotes and symbols that stripped of all the rage from its origins it who dare to bloom to soon. represent your dream life. You can soothes and comforts, dancing to the collect these from magazines and images winds own tune. Daphne, mahonia, sweet box, winter you on the internet. Then you paste these smell lovely, slow down spring, you tease onto a piece of card and here you have a Gentler still, yet sinister, in some ways, me so but I'm not ready yet! I'm not complete and powerful vision board. the threat of a frost (or more) still to ready yet! You see I still have earth to be come. Unlike its wintery brother, who dug, pots to be washed, seeds to be Once you’ve completed your vision seems to give little away these days, bought, a greenhouse needs cleaning. But board, you then look at it regularly to spring fights for more time. I will be seduced, just a little, with that align your brain with the outcomes that first cut today... you most desire to attract into your life Rising temperatures, blossoms, and business and vision what your life snowdrops, daffodils, hellebores, life Written by Alain Cook will look like and most importantly, how reborn once more, spring allows us no you will feel! time to dwell. And if you are a law of attraction fan, from this space of clarity and visioning and with your vision board created, the universe is able to understand exactly what it is you want and can help you in co creating your ideal life desires. Happy vision board creating! Much Love Lisa x 19

Sitting in Circle What it’s all about and how it works. Hi! I'm Barbara, psychic Chakra (cakra in Sanskrit) means medium. I love to teach “wheel” and refers to energy points spiritual development ,as in your body.They are thought to be well as training courses, spinning disks of energy that should I also have a development stay “open” and aligned, as they circle where we all get correspond to bundles of nerves, together and link with major organs, and areas of our energetic body that affect our emotional and physical well-being. spirit. If you start at the base/root chakra Dowser/Pendulum visualise the spinning wheel and the Firstly we open all of our chakras red colour say open and visualise an opening flower then move on to the sacral chakra and visualize the same way. Open, carry on and do this at each With all that said, one of the chakra point.When you get to the best dowsing tools to start off crown (top of head) imagine yourself with is called a \"Pendulum\". inside a beautiful bubble of protection and breathe out and expand the bubble. Now try a meditation or just simply sit in your own energy. Once all our chakras are open we A pendulum can be any small carry on with meditation/sit in our balanced object that can be tied to own power, we then ask each other the end of a string - preferably about 6 inches long (more or less). Holding the end of the string with your fingers, proceed to program in to your body-mind computer...A \"Yes\" spins in a clockwise direction (or moves up and down) A \"No\" a counter-clockwise (or moves side to side). It's that simple. Chakras what we saw/felt in meditation. Pack of Tarot orAngel Card We close our chakras the same way You’ve possibly heard them but opposite so start at crown and Tarot cards were the first tool that I mentioned in yoga class.You’ve say close and carry through to base. had to help with my psychic almost definitely heard the “New development. My mum gave me her Age” character on TV or in a movie Divining rods and energies old pack and I started using them talk about someone’s chakras being when I was 13 or 14 years of age. I blocked.Maybe someone’s even given As with most paranormal tech, later went on to use angel cards you the advice that you should work divining rods, commonly known as which I loved straight away. Cards are on a specific chakra.That doesn’t dowsing rods, have their beginnings great especially if you are a visual mean you know what they are. outside the realm of paranormal person because the subsonscious can investigations. use the imagery to communicate. Rest assured:You are not alone. Don’t sit and learn card meanings 20 from a book, allow the images to speak to you, to tell you a story.Take a note of what jumps out of the picture at you and what it could symbolise.

Messages from heaven 07837 609585 INTERNATIONAL PSYCHIC MEDIUM Barbara Mondays 7.30pm Northall Wilden Village Hall,Wilden Lane Stourport-on-Severn Call Barbara for more info 07837 609585 A journal or notebook Use this to keep a note of your experiences and development.Also record your dreams and the results of any readings you do for others. Review your entries every three months and see how far you’ve come. I think you’ll be surprised. These are a few different ways but there are lots. how many can you think of? In love and light, Blessed Be. Barbara xx Written by Barbara Northall A shoutout to everyone who is trying right now. Trying to do the right thing. Trying to stay open. Trying to keep going. Trying to hold on. Trying to let go. Trying to find their flow. Trying to stay afloat. Trying to meet each new day. Trying to find their balance. Trying to love themselves. Trying new things and new ways. I see you. I’m there too... We’re in this together. S.C.LOURIE 21

Ce Sera Sera... Whatever will be... It was 7am on a Wednesday “That’s just denial of responsibility” was “All the world is a stage and morning and I woke up with one comment I frequently heard or the men and women merely a sense of peace for the first “What do you mean everything is meant to players”. time in years. be and we don’t have to do anything?” So now the article is written. Then my head began to fill up with the That was not what I was saying but try as usual thoughts but this time it was I might I could not get the concept Not as I planned but the pen was in my different,This time the whole world was across in words. It seemed it had to be a hand and the article happened, and once in the middle of a pandemic and the lived experience, almost impossible to you really understand this way of words... translate. That it didn’t mean doing thinking, observing events from this level nothing. It meant surrendering to what of consciousness there is a peace within “Living life without an happened without enforcing our will or the eye of the storm. Whilst the storm agenda” came in to my living under the illusion that anything of coronavirus and world events rages head. was, in fact, controlled by our will. around us some may not find it comforting to know that nothing is in These words had been part of a Today I have peace. In the middle of a our hands. As I have watched the drama conversation I had with a spiritual friend pandemic. I have had very stressful times of my life unfold I have understood on a years before. Suddenly I understood. and still do but today I remembered that deep level that this is the truth. Whether Was it possible? Was it possible to wake conversation. That nothing is in our we laugh, cry or even die, peace lies in up in the morning and trust? Trust that hands. To be the witness of the knowing it was just ‘happening’, all part of everything that day had been divinely ‘happenings’ I got up and sure enough my one consciousness and a much greater orchestrated long before I was born and day did not pan out as I intended it to, divine plan. However we choose to I just had to play my part? but it did pan out. Exactly as it was make sense of it, it will happen and our meant to. I had not planned to write an distress or otherwise really has no Having tried to live my ‘own life’ and take article today or actually I had planned an influence on destiny. back my will after this life changing article but this is the one that came out. conversation, I had seen that life really This is the one being written. So I can All we can do is play our did unravel beyond my control. But only imagine this is the one that will be having spiritually awakened I was more most relevant in these times of no parts and if we truly aware of this than others. I tried to tell control. Just a gentle reminder that we understand what this everyone that we were all just characters are not the ‘doer’. That life happens. We means we will find peace. in a play, speaking our lines but no one may think we are in control but as understood what I was saying. Shakespeare once said Written by Auiol Burgess 22

April...The Month of the Military Child A time to celebrate the unsung strength and resilience of those children and young people who support military personnel who serve. realise how resilient you truly are? Lisa is a mindset and strategic life coach you can follow more of her adventures in life on instagram @lifere_rooted Written by Lisa Merone There are estimated to be over Military Children by the very Lisa Merone 100 thousand British children nature of their upbringing are growing up with a parent in the found to be super adaptable and Mindset Coaching armed forces today.And as as resilient. someone who was born and www.facebook.com/LifeRerooted bred a British ‘Army Brat’ Like Dandelions you can find them living I know first hand, the sacrifices all over the world. Whilst Dandelions that you have to make as a are renowned for their hardiness and service family. being able to thrive in different climates and environments that many other plants Quite fittingly the official symbol of the would struggle to survive, Military Child is a dandelion. Chosen because it represents the rootless Military children too are capable lifestyle of a military childhood and of thriving in foreign lands. upbringing . Dandelion seeds blown by Always ‘outsiders’; not from the wind will travel for miles and grow around these parts’. and bloom wherever they land. The similarities with the dandelion is Similar to the Dandelion the striking because both bloom and bring military child grows up without difference and brightness wherever they geographical boundaries. reside…. Whether you’ve had a military For military children flying off to new upbringing or not, perhaps today is the places, new adventures, starting again and day to take stock and be proud of all the settling wherever you land is all part of ways in which you and your family have the lifestyle. On average military families grown resilient. move every two to three years, the military child will live in six to nine new 2020- 2021 is a perfect homes and attend many new schools. reminder. I personally attended six different schools throughout my childhood and Its been enough to make anyone have lived in over twenty houses to date. want to give up . But you guess what? You’re still here. Do you 23

Because Joy is Your Nature Awareness is everything. Notice the kind of language you use in your mind. I recently received this little paradigm of your life. Seen in this light, community at gem randomly, by email and felt a belief is an agreement we have each any of our it needed some space here in made with reality. Through conditioning social media the magazine as I found it so we’ve signed a contract between us and platforms below. inspirational. I hope you get ourselves about how we perceive the [pic: Moshe Gersht something from it. If you do... universe. Spiritual Teacher and Author of go and look up the author or It’s All The Same To Me Biography] buy the book and tell them Where did this belief system come from? where you found out about it! Every belief is really just a thought, but After performing for nearly a decade as a one you’ve had so many times that it has popular Los Angeles–based musician, The following is an excerpt from the become your automatic-response Moshe moved to Jerusalem, where he thinking. It happens so fast, you are not has spent the last fifteen years immersed email I received. even always aware that you are living this in the wellsprings of Talmud, Chassidus, way.Thus you take it to be true without Kabbalah, and Spirituality. One practice. Many portals. Influential question, and it remains subconscious. teacher Ajahn Chah would say that “if IIt then becomes very hard to discern if He has devoted his life to seamlessly you let go a little, you will have a little you’re not looking for it. Because of this, bridging the worlds of the Torah peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a it is easier to start by noticing your tradition, mystical wisdom, the true lot of peace. If you let go completely, speech patterns. nature of the human mind, and our you will know complete peace and collective struggles. For years he studied freedom.” But you cannot let go until The tongue is the quill of the under the guidance of several of the you know what you are letting go of. heart, and you can trace what you world’s premier rabbinical figures and has say back to your thoughts. You found a niche for himself sharing his love The only real way to find yourself can become a witness and begin of life, people, and spirit through is to discover what you are not. to notice when you are not speaking, teaching, and writing. When you let go of what you are experiencing Hishtavus**. not, all that’s left will be your true Sensitive and soft-spoken, his care for the self. Catch yourself using the language of the people he guides and teaches is palpable. ego. Remember, beneath the surface, It all begins with awareness. It all begins your soul sees the sameness, the Find Moshe at www.MosheGersht.com with seeing. The seeing is freeing. What I Oneness, and the innate good in all or on his social media platforms: mean is that until you begin to pick up people, places, and things. It is aware of on the subtle and yet deeply entrenched the Divine purpose in all that is and the www.youtube.com/moshegersht belief system you’re living with, it will be Infinite Intelligence guiding and directing very hard to change anything. But this is life. The ego, however, speaks in a www.instagram.com/moshegersht not just about change. It’s more about language that reflects disbelief in this letting go of your mask. The mask is a loving presence. It speaks in a way that www.twitter.com/moshegersht belief you decided to agree with, and it separates, compares, and judges. Let’s has become the lens through which you take a deeper look into some of the www.facebook.com/moshegershtofficial see the world. It shapes the entire ways we can discern between the two voices. **Hishtavus; The art of Hishtavus, or “Equanimity\" allows us to maintain our Make it your practice this week to individuality and composure throughout all just notice the kind of language of life’s situations, while at the same time you use in your mind. remaining open and engaged with other people and with the world. Are you speaking happily or with angst? Equanimity is the inner-sense that life is as it should be, always perfect and whole. Is it with acceptance or resentment? ------------------------ Anything that isn’t part of your Rav Pinson writing in true loving self, when seen in the The Power of Choice light of your consciousness, begins to fade away. See it for what it is. Do you have a book that has Wishing you a blessed week. changed your thinking? Let us know at For more teachings and tools on love, joy, and awakening join our online [email protected] and we could highlight it in the 24 May edition of Inspire magazine

Mad World What a mad world we live in today. In some states in America, you can stand in your garden on your own and smoke cannabis legally but the moment you add a non-“bubbled” family member it suddenly becomes illegal? Such is the state of the world health right now.. We can’t believe the journey we have been on in the last twelve months. It seems in life I’ve never done Somedays on my way to walk the dogs at stop using one use plastics, if we all stop things the conventional way or the local park I would be the only car on buying from companies who use one use the easy way so to continue the the road. We shopped at silly times in plastics, policies will surely soon change. theme, in July 2019 my husband the morning to avoid people, we used When I buy products from supermarkets and I bought The Purple Tree sanitizer, had homemade masks and we which have one use plastic on them, Guest House in Torquay. hid away. While we were all running I leave the plastic in the shopping trolley indoors to hide the NHS & keyworkers for them to get rid of. We have the The guest house had not received any were all running the other way to help power to make the change happen. maintenance for a number of years and it the sick get well and the country to was down on its heels, and needed a lot carry on, it reminded me of 9/11 when At The Purple Tree Guest House, of work, money and commitment watched the fire fighters running into the we will be happy once we can spending on it. Unfortunately, this was world trade centre as another plane hit start welcoming “new friends” mirrored in its customer online reviews the second building and civilians were through our front door. We have and ratings. desperately running out. As such, this is so much more planned for our the commitment of these people and it future here and would love for you So, we put on our big girl/boy pants and is astounding. I don’t think we can ever all to visit us when we are able. set to work. First thing was to clean repay these people for what they have from top to bottom. A big job as the done and are still doing. In Churchills We hope to see Purple Tree has thirteen rooms and it words “Never was so much owed by so you soon! took us two weeks! many to so few” I truly take my hat off to all these people. Debbie & Ian Hobbling our way through summer 2019 and looking forward to the 2020 season, The lockdown helped animals and Written by Debbie & Ian Dunning little did we know what was in store for nature though, as man was not as all of us. visible more animals started to Always end the day with venture into areas they hadn’t From September 2019 to March 2020, been seen for a long time.There a positive we decorated and upcycled as much as were goats on the streets of we could, and with so much that needed Llandudno, wild boar on Spanish thought doing, it took us the whole six months, roads and Orcas in Canada much and we had not had much time to pay further north than usual. and a much attention to what was going on in the news. We were just about ready for I am hoping this new enforced lockdown grateful opening time in Easter 2020 when the helps us realise how lucky we are to just government locked the whole Country wake up every morning to greet a new heart... down in light of what was fast becoming day, to see the birds in the trees and an out-of-control epidemic. flying around, to listen to the birdsong and squawking of squirrels. I hope it Being such a radical attempt to helps us think about the future of this control the number of cases of the planet and our impact on it. We can all virus was frightening,Torbay help in our own ways by recycling and became a ghost town. 25

Who holds the reins My wife owns a horse riding school and this is a question I have often heard her or one of her instructors ask…… “Who holds the reins?”. If we choose to believe that we are not in control of our actions, They are usually asking this of a rider behaviours and emotions then not who says that they cannot control the only are we not holding the reins, horse or pony that they are riding and we are riding into oblivion get them to go where they want them directionless! to. If you are holding the reins and using them correctly the horse should go Personally, I prefer to be holding the where you want it to, although I do reins and in control of my life so that I know horses can be naughty can steer it where to go. For is this not sometimes!! the greatest journey of all, a journey of self discovery and a journey to our life In this case, however, I want to ask on our terms? the question of you dear reader! In this one persons Who holds the reins when it comes to your actions and reactions, your responses.They will tell you that these opinion……. It is! behaviours and your emotions? Is it you, are emotions and we are not in control the hypothetical rider of your life of them, they cannot control when anger Written by Graham Nicholls journey, or do you relinquish those reins flashes over them or they feel and allow your actions, behaviours and completely lazy in that moment. emotions to run free and bolt through the gate? This, surely, is nothing more than a decision to not be responsible for “It is an enlightened human being the actions taken because of a that realises that his actions are feeling or even a thought. his responsibility and nobody else’s\" Are we not, however, responsible Life coaching | NLP | Mindfulness | EFT | Law human beings and is responsibility of Attraction You see, as we travel through this nothing more than the ability to journey called life and we meet various respond? Over 70,000 people trust our courses people along the way, many will tell you that they cannot control their emotional 26

More than a fitness class When you work out with me, it can be so much more than an online fitness class. Hi - my name is Jo. The first step was getting them all “You are not just a teacher, but I am a Mindset and Law into a WhatsApp group, then getting a good friend too. Dancing and of Attraction Coach,a them using Zoom. Bearing in mind seeing everyone… it has Personal Trainer/Group many of these ladies were unfamiliar become very important to me.” Fitness Instructor with new technology, it was a (Janice) challenging first week. However, My mantra is,“I help women discover overcoming the challenges, we got “I am able to walk away from the light that is shining inside of about ten ladies attending online - working at home, sat at a laptop them”. I have been teaching others had simply decided it was not all the time. It gets me up and Zumba®/Zumba® Gold for 10 years; for them, or couldn’t access a moving around and makes me Zumba® is a latin-inspired dance computer. think of other things. I am then fitness class, while Zumba® Gold is more motivated to go back to the lower impact version. Prior to Since then, it’s been a joy. work.” (Michelle) lockdown, I had been teaching my Twice a week, since then – Gold classes twice a week, regularly we’ve chatted, laughed and I think many of us hadn’t really teaching up to 25 ladies with an age danced. We connect via considered how long this period was range of 55 to 75. WhatsApp, where jokes going to continue. However, activities and chat are exchanged like this help in so many more ways I always knew it was a special daily. than just keeping fit.Yes, you can join group of people. the many celebrities offering free There’s a ‘virtual caring hug’ available classes online, but they do not know These classes provide a social outlet during challenging times.We’ve had you like your local instructor does. in addition to a fitness activity, but Christmas Bingo, we’ve enjoyed They do not connect with you on a this became even more apparent coffee & cake chats. Quite simply, it personal level – which is why I’d when lockdown happened. Within has become a very important encourage anyone reading this to 24 hours of teaching my final live connection point for all of us. reach out to a local instructor, to see class in March 2020, we were told we if you can join one of their classes, could no longer use the community What we have all come to realise is join their community, touch base and halls we all relied upon. I had to that as much as the dancing is still an connect. work fast to find a way to keep these important part of staying mentally ladies connected and active because, stimulated, healthy and fit, the The benefits you will receive will be at this more mature age, I knew that emotional connection has become so much greater than just the isolation and inactivity could be far even more valuable. I asked my ladies fitness… and you will be supporting a more devastating. for some feedback, and they said this: small business too. ������ “I know what day it is if I’m Written by Jo Cantle doing Zumba, it really helps keep the spirits up.Who doesn’t www.facebook.com/jocantle love a boogie around their own front room?” (Lynn) You can find exercise classes online at “Maintaining contact with the https://www.activehw.co.uk/a- group and the good friends I z/exercise-class have made in the 6 years I’ve been coming to class has been If you are part of any local exercise crucial. It’s like having like- groups and would like them featured in minded virtual visitors in the the May edition of Inspire magazine,get in house twice a week.” (Hazel) touch at [email protected] 27

Coping with Ovarian Cancer How do we feel it, see it and more importantly, actually believe it? So for my article I decided that fluid drained from my stomach and a full I’ve had a lot of amazing support from this might be the perfect hysterectomy, the cancer was officially family and friends, but alongside that, platform to raise awareness of confirmed. I set up a charity called “Lighting up an illness affecting so many. Brixham” to help give back to our How aware were you of ovarian wonderful community here in Devon. This is my lovely friend Vix Pritchard- cancer prior to diagnosis? This project helped keep me sane on Davies and she has agreed for me ask Did you have an idea of signs or days when I felt like breaking down. her a few questions to raise some symptoms? I focused my energy on lighting up our awareness of Ovarian Cancer. lovely town for Christmas - fundraising, It might give you an insight in how her I really wasn’t that aware of ovarian approaching local businesses, anything to diagnosis of cancer has turned her life cancer before my diagnosis. I’d heard of help brighten everything up. In the end, upside down and how you can keep it, but not noticed any big campaigns or we raised £15k which enabled us to get yourselves safe. anything. Fellow ovarian cancer patients fabulous lights! And I had a real project had told me about trying to put up to stop my life becoming all about When were you diagnosed, and awareness posters in surgeries etc, but cancer. what led up to that point? sadly hadn’t been able to, which I found both sad and shocking. However, thanks I also helped set up the Brixham Walk of I was diagnosed in August 2018, but it to the work done by Target Ovarian Fame, which raises money for Lighting up was a hard road getting there. I’d noticed Cancer, and Ovacome, I discovered the Brixham by selling a cast iron panel on in April when swimming that my tummy signs and symptoms matched so many of our most iconic walk. was very hard and swollen. I was also my own, and was able to get help and feeling very full after eating - even after support in tackling this illness from them How is your health affecting how having the smallest amount! My stomach too. you feel right now? got bigger as time went on and I was hardly eating at all at this point, yet What kinds of treatment have you At the moment, I feel a strange sort of looked nine months pregnant with twins! had to fight the cancer? calm. I knew the cancer would return. I went to my GP but sadly a lot of I was sat in my garden when I received doctors didn’t listen to me. So despite I’m currently battling my form of cancer - the news, but I was prepared for it. yes, I my gut instinct something was wrong, I a rare fallopian kind that presents and is had a few tears, but then I pulled my felt dismissed, fobbed off or ignored! treated exactly like ovarian - for the positive pants on and just got on with it thankfully, a wonderful nurse practitioner second time. Its actually a recurring type. and onto the next round of chemo. It’s referred me for an ultrasound.The The first time, my treatment involved a taken me a while to accept the situation. sonographer took one look at my tummy full hysterectomy to remove the tumour I tried to get on with life after the first and was horrified I hadn’t been given any then chemotherapy. I wanted to take time. Meditation helped me greatly - I real tests by the GP! They referred me to back control, as the chemo I was on was found lots of apps online that are great a lovely female doctor who fast tracked making my hair fall out, and so I did a for calming me or soothing me when I’m me for blood tests, as she suspected fundraiser. I shaved off my hair totally and sad. And there has been a lot of sadness ovarian cancer.The main test was one raised £1600 for Target! about - not just for myself, but others called CA125, and it looks for specific too. I have lost a lot of friends to this cancer markers. This time, I’ve just completed another six awful disease, including two ladies from So after a lot of scans including a CT, rounds of chemo, and I’m now on a the same surgery diagnosed just after me many gynae appointments, 10 litres of once-a-day tablet which is actually a - both have now sadly passed away but I hormone blocker. try and remain strong, positive, and ready to keep fighting. I rest when I need to All of this, with the love and support of and I’ve had to go to hospital a few times friends and family, plus my love of for stomach issues. But I take each day as crystals and spirituality in general, has it comes, and I continue to fight hard. helped see me through. What advice do you have for This should keep the cancer from women going through this, or growing further, and I have a few more experiencing certain symptoms? chemo options if the tablets don’t work. The side effects are very difficult to My advice is try not to panic - easier said manage, with lots of sickness, but I try than done when our minds are in and battle through and stay positive. overdrive! Ring your GP, make that appointment and explain your symptoms How have you coped with the - don’t be fobbed off! Request a CA125 stress of the diagnosis and test if you have some or all of the treatment? symptoms, and if your GP seems What’s got you through those darker days? 28

fobbed off and ignored for such a long in their lifetime, so its important we are time - finding the right doctor is so aware and vigilant. Ovarian cancer is the important, especially in the early stages. silent killer, as people are often Also, read up on ovarian cancer. diagnosed way too late.We know our I recommend Target or Macmillan. Talk bodies and if something is wrong. Get about your anxieties and fears with the GP to listen, so that you don’t friends and family, and there’s also some become another terrible and sad very supportive groups online for those statistic.This is our life, and its precious - going through similar. we need the best chance to live it. What’s the main thing you would Please have a look at the symptoms want people to take away from related to Ovarian Cancer and if you are reading this interview? in any doubt at all, get it checked out! One in two people get a form of cancer Written by Samantha Stewart ReiCharge The Smile Cafe Friendship Group Samantha Stewart Do you feel Reiki & Holistic Therapist lonely? Isolated? Depressed? Anxious? reichargedevon.com [email protected] Are you looking to make new 07743 520479 friends and socialise? Come and join us for a chat, chill and laugh together! For more information please contact Cee or Margaret 07974 175 174 email: [email protected] Ovarian Cancer Signs and Symptoms These symptoms will be frequent,persistent or new to you. - Persistant bloating - Changes in bowel habits - Feeling full quickly - Extreme fatigue - Loss of appetite - Unexplained weight loss - Pelvic or abdominal pain - Bleeding after menopause - Urinary symptoms - needing to go more - Some women only have one symptom,but if you’re urgently/ more often worried about any of these,please contact your GP immediately. Ovarian Cancer Statistics - 7000 women diagnosed annually - 27% of women are diagnosed through an emergency - 4000 women pass away each year presentation, for example at A & E - 41,000 women are living with ovarian cancer - 9/10 will survive if detected in early stages - Only 20% of women can state persistent bloating as - 45% of women go three months or more from first a symptom seeing their GP to getting a correct diagnosis - 44% of GPs mistakenly believe symptoms only present at the later stages 29

How do thoughts and emotions affect health? From the University of Minnesota website and shared by Gary Craig According to the University of emotions of all kinds are major our telomeres, the “end caps” of our Minnesota website, your contributors, if not THE DNA strands, which causes us to age thoughts and emotions can contributors, to our physical more quickly.) affect your health. Emotions that ailments. are freely experienced and Poorly managed or repressed anger expressed without judgment or It's important to recognize our (hostility) is also related to a slew of attachment tend to flow fluidly thoughts and emotions and be aware health conditions, such as without impacting our health. of the effect they have—not only on hypertension (high blood pressure), each other, but also on our bodies, cardiovascular disease, digestive On the other hand, repressed emotions behaviour, and relationships. disorders, and infection. (especially fearful or negative ones) can zap mental energy, negatively affect the Negative attitudes and feelings of In response to this Gary body, and lead to health problems. helplessness and hopelessness can comments... So is fear, guilt, worry, create chronic stress, which upsets doubt and all other negative In response to this Gary the body's hormone balance, depletes emotions.They all contribute to our comments...In my experience, this the brain chemicals required for chemical imbalances and thus is far more prevalent than happiness, and damages the immune emerge mentioned here. Indeed, negative system. Chronic stress can actually as ailments. decrease our lifespan. (Science has now identified that stress shortens Written by Gary Craig Gary has published a free book that explains all about the Unseen Therapist. It is a preliminary requirement to his online training. In this book, you will find the long awaited answer for unlocking your healing power within.Anyone can learn it and, once mastered, \"Impossible\" Healings emerge. Even beginners can, and do, get impressive results. No drugs, surgeries or other invasive methods involved. Find out more about the unseen therapist and all of the Emotional Freedom Techniques at www.emofree.com/unseen-therapist/ 30

Love Bridget Dear Bridget My life has completely changed over the last 14 months. I lost my job just before lockdown and then went on a spiral of change. Re-training into a different career, because my old career…well, I was just so over it and I didn’t need that constant humiliation and feeling of devastation of having done wrong each time I thought of it – all for one moment, £100 worth of wrong decision that took me down the route which cost me my job. Covid hit and the world as we new it changed too. So here I am, no income, no routine, no getting together with friends for coffee to help ease it all either. I see others diversifying with their businesses to make income whilst their regular jobs await their return probably better than before because now they have a new income stream too. Whilst mine just sits and stagnates – nothing happening. No diversification because nothing was there to diversify. I could go back out into the real world, but I’m so scared, I cry. Each time I think I will apply for this, that or some other, I remember I have to meet people – people who will want to know why I lost my job and it’s all still a bit too raw and I am still so devastated about it all. So, I crawl back into my comfort zone and remember why I wanted to try something new in the first place. I know I can make a go of it once lockdown is over and I can go out and meet people again..well..I hope I can, but am I just wasting my time. Do I just need to get over the past and back into employment? My husband says to relax, we will be fine on just his money until it all comes together and it’s not that I don’t trust him, its just I feel so lost! Anonymous Reply from Intention – Emily Papirnik From this letter what I see is an opportunity. So often it is a push that makes us change direction or pause to reflect and clearly your old career was not something that was fulfilling for you. I wonder if you would have moved without the push. There is never complete stagnation, there is always something changing within you and around you. You are showing vulnerability which is a high vibration energetically, this is a good thing. Look at the broader perspective regarding your old job, what happened has happened, have you learnt anything from it? My guess is definitely yes. Write down what you have learned, what you will now notice in yourself and others, what compassion you will now have for others who have gone through a similar scenario. Feel that compassion now give that to yourself. Think of the qualities you had that enabled the scenario to happen, I am thinking that those qualities are ones that you would want to still have and want to see in others. These times in our lives that devastate us in an instant are the ones that give us skills and understanding that will grow us into the people we were destined to become. Understand the bigger picture, be kind to yourself like you would to your best friend if they told you your story. You have the support of your husband to take the time to find the you that you feel is lost. Sit or walk and notice, listen and start to enjoy what is around you, get out into nature to balance yourself. Focus on the beauty and wonder in nature, take time that you have probably never had, enjoy it. The pressure you feel is from you, so choose not to put that on yourself. Feel Love in your heart and hope in your solar plexus for what is to come. In this strange time we are all living in start to remember who you really are and celebrate you! Problems in your relationship? Worried about money? Kids driving you mad? If you are worried about something and need some help, we have a multitude of professionals on board here at Inspire. Collectively known as ‘Bridget’ and would love to help you! Email in the first instance with your problem. We will respond to you as soon as we can by email. If you are happy to have it published in the next issue we will, otherwise, we will keep it between you and our expert. Remain anonymous if you wish, use a made up name, or your own name, it is completely up to you. Email us now; [email protected] 31

Emotional freedom and ongoing learning... My journey into energy healing Like a lot of people, my life people can’t have what I haven’t got I have been on a real journey of self hasn’t been an easy one, but I right! Yes, things got a little discovery. Understanding what it is feel like I have been blessed uncomfortable, but have never been so I need to do with the rest of my working with these challenges, relaxed which is something I have never life.I have learned new skills to enable me been before. to help others through tough times. They moulded me in to what I am today, strong and independent, but don’t get me I have learned valuable techniques like wrong, I’m not a masterpiece and neither EFT, solution based counselling and Law am I blowing my own trumpet ,there's a of Attraction, as well as Reiki and each of lot of work still to do. these modalities can help anyone deal with most situations, if they really want I thought life had thrown as much to. as it could at me over the years, until I hit a new low at the end of By being mindful about your day and 2019.This is when I lost my job. structured about how you think, you can change your life to be whatever you I had a challenging role, in charge of want it to be like. I can teach you the well..you name it and it was in my job power of appreciation because when description. However, I made such a you have gratitude for the little things foolish mistake, that just before each day is appreciated, you soon realise Christmas I was forced to resign.As you how much you do have, I bet it is more can imagine, my whole life turned upside than you think. down. You can do this! and I will be My husband was my rock, he was fielding with you every step of the way calls from me at his work when I was at if you want me to! home hysterical, not able to cope. My worst point was having to call him If you struggle each day with anything in because I thought I would hurt myself. I particular and aren’t sure of how to didn’t know what I would do or even if I make it better or just move forward, you was capable of doing anything bad to can always work on making it better. myself, but he came straight home, We can work on making it better! keeping me on the phone as he drove. At the beginning of this year, I was Shortly following this a friend of mine receiving a regular newsletter which I loaned me a book she thought would be had subscribed to from Gary Craig, the beneficial to me. founder of the original EFT which It was all about the Law of Attraction Get on your road and as I read it, I put the processes into to success using: action. - Reiki I would meditate daily (which I have - EFT never been able to do before) and then - Solution Based Counselling I would read for as long as I could. Read - Law of Attraction positive things, anything to keep my mind off what a mess I had made of things., Contact Sam at The Bridge 4 You that's when I realised…it was meant to email: [email protected] be. 07809 281478 for more information For years I have been trying to leave that job….I hated it. The pressure was immense. I always felt the “imposter syndrome” most days, but I would never have left! Was it the universe giving me a push? So, here I am not earning anything and guess what….I have learned how it doesn't matter? Not an ounce, because 32

I had learned through The Priority It’s all about perspective Academy. Today was the absolute worst day ever I kept hearing in the newsletter about a And don't try to convince me that new powerful enhancement to EFT, There's something good in every day called Optimal EFT, or the Unseen Therapist, which is a spiritual Because, when you take a closer look, enhancement of the original EFT. I This world is a pretty evil place. pondered on this a number of times and Even if read the free book, it all sounded very interesting and so on the third prompt, I Some goodness does shine through once in a while joined the online group. Satisfaction and happiness don't last. And it's not true that So, I am undertaking another It's all in the mind and heart acsension into my training right Because now and I can’t wait to experience True happiness can be attained the joyful abilities of being able to Only if one's surroundings are good share this with you. It's not true that good exists I'm sure you can agree that I am positive it is going to be an The reality incredible addition to the armoury in the Creates future. When I joined I was so lucky to My attitude have received a one to one session with Gary himself and I was starstruck, even It's all beyond my control though he is the most humble, down to earth, lovely man who quite obviously is And you'll never in a million years hear me say not affected in the least by his status! Today was a very good day Tel: 07809 281478 “Now read it from bottom to top.” Email: [email protected] When you are struggling, sometimes www.thebridge4you.co.uk you just need a different perspective!!” Written by Sam Dowdeswell Subscribe to Inspire Magazine today! A free bi-monthly magazine filled with articles to help you spiritually viisit www.thebridge4you.co.uk/inspiremagazine to subscribe online Issues published Jan | Mar | May | Jul | Sep | Nov Just £20.00 to cover the cost of postage. Please complete the form below, Cut out, put in an envelope and post to: Inspire Magazine c/o 49a Three Springs Road, Pershore WR10 1HR Email us with these details at [email protected] and pay by paypal at paypal.me/thebridge4youUK Call us at 07809 281478 and leave a message, we will then call you back. First Name:.............................................................. Surname:........................................................................... Address: ...................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................ Post code: ................................................. Email: .......................................................................................................................................................................... Telelphone Number: ............................................................................................................................................... Please enclose cheque for twenty pounds, made payable to: The Bridge 4 You 33

Directory of help -When you need to reach out for help,you will find it here Abuse SMART Recovery UK Marijuana Anonymous SMART Recovery UK face-to-face A free self-help group. Its \"12 step\" (child, sexual, domestic violence) and online groups help people decide programme involves stopping using whether they have a problem with marijuana with the help of regular NSPCC alcohol and drugs, build up their face-to-face and online support Children's charity dedicated to ending motivation to change, and offer a set groups. child abuse and child cruelty. of proven tools and techniques to Phone: 0300 124 0373 Phone: 0800 1111 for Childline for support recovery. Callback service children - 24-hour helpline Phone: 0330 053 6022 for general www.marijuana-anonymous.org.uk 0808 800 5000 for adults concerned enquiries about SMART Recovery about a child - 24-hour helpline UK 9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday Narcotics Anonymous www.nspcc.org.uk www.smartrecovery.org.uk A free self-help group. Its \"12 step\" programme involves stopping using Refuge Alzheimer's drugs with the help of regular face-to- Advice on dealing with domestic face and online support groups. violence. Alzheimer's Society Phone: 0300 999 1212 Phone: 0808 2000 247 Provides information on dementia, Daily, 10am to midnight 24-hour helpline including fact sheets and helplines. www.ukna.org www.refuge.org.uk Phone: 0300 222 1122 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and SMART Recovery UK Alcohol misuse 10am to 4pm on weekends SMART Recovery UK face-to-face www.alzheimers.org.uk and online groups help people decide Alcoholics Anonymous whether they have a problem with A free self-help group. Its \"12 step\" Bereavement alcohol and drugs, build up their programme involves getting sober motivation to change, and offer a set with the help of regular face-to-face Cruse Bereavement Care of proven tools and techniques to and online support groups. Phone: 0808 808 1677 support recovery. Phone: 0800 917 7650 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Phone: 0330 053 6022 24-hour helpline www.cruse.org.uk for general enquiries about www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk SMART Recovery UK Crime victims 9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday Al-Anon www.smartrecovery.org.uk Al-Anon is a free self-help “12 step” Rape Crisis group for anyone whose life is or has To find your local services phone: Eating disorders been affected by someone else's 0808 802 9999 drinking Daily: 12pm-2.30pm & 7pm-9.30pm Beat Phone: 0800 0086 811 www.rapecrisis.org.uk Phone: 0808 801 0677 (adults) or Daily, 10am to 10pm 0808 801 0711 (for under-18s) www.al-anonuk.org.uk Victim Support www.b-eat.co.uk Phone: 0808 168 9111 Drinkline 24-hour helpline Gambling A free confidential helpline for people www.victimsupport.org worried about their own or someone Gamblers Anonymous else's drinking. Drug misuse A free self-help group. Its \"12 step\" Phone: 0300 123 1110 programme involves stopping weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends Cocaine Anonymous gambling with the help of regular 11am to 4pm A free self-help group. Its \"12 step\" face-to-face and online support programme involves stopping using groups. National Association for Children cocaine and all other mind-altering Phone: 0330 094 0322 of Alcoholics substances with the help of regular 24-hour National Association for Children of face-to-face and online support www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk Alcoholics offers free confidential groups. advice and information to everyone Phone: 0800 612 0225 Gam-Anon affected by a parent’s drinking Daily, 10am to 10pm A free self-help group. Its \"12 step\" including children, adults and www.cocaineanonymous.org.uk programme is for those affected by professionals. someone else’s gambling with the Phone: 0800 358 3456 FRANK help of regular face-to-face and Friday, Saturday and Monday 12pm Free, confidential information and online support groups. to 7pm and Tuesday, Wednesday and advice about drugs, their effects and Phone: 08700 50 88 80 Thursday 12pm to 9pm the law. FRANK's live chat service www.gamanon.org.uk www.nacoa.org.uk runs daily from 2pm to 6pm. Phone: 0300 1236600 24-hr helpline Text a question to: 82111 www.talktofrank.com 34

National Gambling Helpline No Panic YoungMinds Phone: 0808 8020 133 Voluntary charity offering support for Information on child and adolescent Daily, 8am to midnight sufferers of panic attacks and mental health. Services for parents www.begambleaware.org obsessive compulsive disorder and professionals. (OCD). Offers a course to help Phone: Parents' helpline National Problem Gambling Clinic overcome your phobia or OCD. 0808 802 5544 A specialist NHS clinic for problem Phone: 0844 967 4848 Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm gamblers aged 13 and over. Daily, 10am to 10pm www.youngminds.org.uk Phone: 020 7381 7722 callback Calls cost 5p per minute plus your www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/mental- phone provider's Access Charge Parenting health-services/addictions-and- www.nopanic.org.uk substance-misuse/national-problem-g Family Lives ambling-clinic OCD Action Advice on all aspects of parenting, Support for people with OCD. including dealing with bullying. Learning disabilities Includes information on treatment Phone: 0808 800 2222 and online resources. Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm and Mencap Phone: 0845 390 6232 Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 3pm Charity working with people with a Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm www.familylives.org.uk learning disability, their families and Calls cost 5p per minute plus your carers. phone provider's Access Charge Relationships Phone: 0808 808 1111 www.ocdaction.org.uk Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Relate www.mencap.org.uk OCD UK The UK's largest provider of A charity run by people with OCD, relationship support. Anxiety UK for people with OCD. Includes facts, www.relate.org.uk Charity providing support if you have news and treatments. been diagnosed with an anxiety Phone: 0333 212 7890 Be strong condition Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Phone: 03444 775 774 www.ocduk.org Be brave Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm www.anxietyuk.org.uk PAPYRUS Be Young suicide prevention society. fearless Bipolar UK Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141 A charity helping people living with 9am to midnight, You are manic depression or bipolar disorder every day of the year never www.bipolaruk.org.uk www.papyrus-uk.org alone ! CALM Rethink Mental Illness CALM is the Campaign Against Support and advice for people living Living Miserably with mental illness. For men aged 15 to 35 Phone: 0300 5000 927 Phone: 0800 58 58 58 Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm Daily, 5pm to midnight www.rethink.org www.thecalmzone.net Samaritans Men's Health Forum Confidential support for people 24/7 stress support for men by text, experiencing feelings of distress or chat and email despair. www.menshealthforum.org.uk Phone: 116 123 free 24-hour helpline Mental Health Foundation www.samaritans.org Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems SANE or learning disabilities. Emotional support, information and www.mentalhealth.org.uk guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and Mind carers. Promotes the views and needs of Textcare: comfort and care via text people with mental health problems message, sent when the person needs Phone: 0300 123 3393 it most: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm www.sane.org.uk/textcare www.mind.org.uk Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum www.sane.org.uk/support 35

No Smoking Day -14th March If you have every tried to give up smoking, then you know how hard it can be. Stopping smoking is one of the best things you'll ever do for your health. When you stop, you give your lungs the chance to repair and you'll be able to breathe easier.There are lots of other benefits too - and they start almost immediately. It's never too late to quit. Let's do this! It isn’t going to be easy, especially if you Exercise away the urge. Read up on stop smoking aids already feel like it isn’t going to be easy. Join the NHS Quit Smoking Nobody can make you do it, you have to Facebook group for support and Stop smoking aids help you manage do it for yourself. So why set yourself up advice. nicotine cravings and other tobacco for failure...before you even try, make withdrawal symptoms. sure things are conducive to you Good luck.Throw away all your succeeding before you start. cigarettes before you start. Remember, NRT can be bought from pharmacies and there is never \"just 1 cigarette\".You can some shops. It's also available on Quitting tips do it! prescription from a doctor or NHS stop smoking service. You have made a great decision to give Many people try to quit smoking with It's available as: up smoking. Here are some tips to help willpower alone, but it’s much easier skin patches you succeed. with the right help. There are lots of chewing gum Once you have picked your quit date, support options available, try a inhalators (which look like plastic remember to add it to your calendar. combination that works for you. cigarettes) tablets, oral strips and lozenges List your reasons to quit. Find your local stop smoking nasal and mouth spray Tell people you're quitting. service Treatment with NRT usually lasts 8-12 If you have tried to quit before, weeks, before you gradually reduce the remember what worked. They give you free expert help and it will dose and eventually stop. Use stop smoking aids. boost your chances of quitting by three Have a plan if you are tempted to times! Get your free personal quit plan smoke. List your smoking triggers and how go to https://www.nhs.uk/better- to avoid them. health/quit-smoking/ - answer three easy Keep cravings at bay by keeping questions to find the combination of busy. support that’s right for you. Want to talk to someone? Call the free National Smokefree Helpline on 0300 123 1044 (England only). Talk to a trained adviser for advice and support. Monday to Friday: 9am to 8pm Saturday and Sunday: 11am to 4pm 36

March is National Bed Month You can’t beat a good night’s sleep! Zzz We are proud to have been a fixture in Evesham High Street for over 34 years and delivered thousands of mattresses We look forward to the day our Bed and Mattress studio is allowed to re-open, once the national restrictions are lifted to continue helping our customers achieve a comfortable good night’s sleep. We look forward to welcoming you back in to store sometime soon. Written by Gary Tyler Achieving a good nights sleep Here are a few things to consider: A chance to WIN leaves you feeling fit, thinking sharply and happy. Age of your mattress - Have you had £50 VOUCHER* - your mattress more than eight years? FLUFFY The foundation of a good night’s sleep Do you wake up with stiffness and/or should start with a comfortable bed and aches and pains? HIPPO & DUCK the right mattress. It can be the main Are you sleeping as well as you did contributor between a restorative sleep during the previous year? Simply send us an email before and poor quality sleep that results in Have you had a better night’s sleep in a fatigue and tiredness. another place/hotel bed other than 28th April 2021 yours? Research by the sleep council Does your mattress show signs of email: shows that sleeping on an noticeable wear and tear (compressions, [email protected] uncomfortable bed could cost you is lumpy etc) of up to an hour’s sleep – yet the There are thousands of beds available Tell us how long you have had deterioration may be so slow and and there’s no such thing as the perfect your current mattress and concealed that the majority of the type of bed for a particular condition or general public fail to identify the situation (e.g. one ideal bed for a back why you need to buy a new one connection between an pain sufferer). and be entered in to a draw. uncomfortable bed and poor sleep. My team and I use our years of * to spend in the Bradfords Evesham You may need a new mattress or a experience to guide our customers store with Gary and his team when re-open complete Bed (Mattress and Base) the through the numerous qualities to base is just as important to how the arm you with lots of information to 01386 293989 mattress performs and they too don’t make the buying process simpler, www.bradfordsevesham.co.uk last forever. Even if your mattress or bed only you can make the final, looks okay, it may not be giving you the important decision, so take your support or comfort you need for a good time to try the options and choose night’s sleep. Several factors such as the wisely. care, quality and amount you use it can affect the mattresses life span. In recent years our famous Silentnight (e.g. watching TV, reading habits and collection now offer a 60 day sleep sleeping each night versus occasional use comfort guarantee - Buy any Silentnight of a spare bed). Changes in individuals Mattress and if after 30 nights you are lifestyle (new home, partners) and in our not totally satisfied with the comfort bodies (ageing, gaining or losing weight levels you are experiencing with your etc) can also necessitate a change of bed. new mattress, you can exchange it for an alternative mattress. 37

Hanging Hearts...crafting made easy You will need: Cut along this line and around the at top of the circle, keeping the card the front and a smaller one at the - Cardboard folded. back to secure. - Fabric Open out to reveal your heart You can make these hearts for a template. variety of occasions. - Wadding/Filling Now select a fabric. The ones I made in the red tartan - Ribbon fabric I have used an old cushion cover but - Buttons you could use any remnant or scraps I gave to my work colleagues as you have around. Christmas tree decorations, but you First of all, you will need to create a could also make floral ones as template. Using the template, fold the fabric for mothers day or Easter gifts. To do this, take a piece of card. a double thickness (for the front and Fold the card in half. back of the heart). Dependant on the size of the heart you would like to create, draw Pin the template to the double around a teacup, glass, or any other thickness fabric and cut out. circular object just on the crease of the fold. Turn the fabric so the right sides are Now take a ruler and draw a line facing inwards. from the far curve of the circle to a point beneath the crease (again, Pin together and sew, but leave about dependant on how big or small you a would like the heart). 2 inch gap so you can stuff the heart. For stuffing, use any wadding you may have. I have a double duvet I use, The possibilities are endless. Catch me again in the May edition for another easy crafting idea Love having cut it open to get at the Anji wadding, but you can use scraps of material or even cotton wool. Written by Anji Shipp Now stuff the heart to you desired size and sew shut. To hang, select some ribbon. Loop it and place at the front V of the heart. Take your needle and sew a couple of stitches from the back to the front and reverse to secure the ribbon in place. Now take two buttons of any size. For mine I have used a large button 38

Timely tips as the years roll on... Although the source is unknown,they contain wisdom we can all employ,no matter what our age I learned that ... Age 46 But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new Age 5 children and grandparents are natural people and doing the very best you can, allies. happiness will find you. our dog does not want to eat my broccoli either. Age 47 Age 65 Age 7 no matter what happens or how bad it whenever I decide something with seems today, life does go on and will be kindness, I usually make the right when I wave to people in the country, better tomorrow decision. they stop what they are doing and wave back. Age 48 Age 66 Age 9 singing \"Amazing Grace\" can lift my everyone can use a prayer. spirits for hours. just when I get my room the way I like it, Age 72 Mum makes me clean it up again. Age 50 even when I have pains, I do not have to Age 12 keeping a vegetable garden is worth a be one. medicine cabinet full of pills. if you want to cheer yourself up, you Age 82 should try cheering someone else up. Age 52 every day you should reach out and Age 14 regardless of your relationship with your touch someone. People love that human parents, you miss them after they pass touch - holding hands, a warm hug or although it is hard to admit it, I am on. just a friendly pat on the back. secretly glad my parents are strict with me. Age 53 Age 90 Age 15 making a living is not the same thing as I still have a lot to learn. making a life. silent company is often more healing Age 92 than words of advice. Age 58 you should pass this on to someone you Age 24 if you want to do something positive for care about. Sometimes they just need a your children, work to improve your little something to make them smile.Oh brushing my child's hair is one of life's marriage. my gosh, some of these ring true, can great pleasures. you relate to any of them? Age 61 Age 26 Source unkown,supplied by life sometimes gives you a second Margaret Dowdeswell wherever I go, the world's worst drivers chance. have followed me there. Age 64 Age 29 if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. If someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe 39 it. Age 30 there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it. Age 42 you can make someone's day by simply sending a little note. Age 44 the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his or her need to cast blame on others.

Please note that all words, photographs and designs contained within this publication are the copyright of Inspire Magazine. No part of the magazine may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher. We make every effort to ensure that the content of this Magazine is accurate at the time of publishing and acknowledgment is made to any content not belonging to us. Readers are reminded that opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the management. Advertisers are reminded they have a duty to provide fair and honest copy. Do you have an interesting story to tell? Are you a budding writer? Do you have an idea for an article that can be published in the Inspire magazine? Please, get in touch, we would love to hear from you. In the first instance, Email: [email protected] or [email protected] and we will get back to you for a very informal chat. www.thebridge4you.co.uk/contact-us