FindmyFlis

  Walking along the country road nearby our place in Northern Italy on a Sunday afternoon, I am aware of the peace that suddenly encompasses me as I leave the hustle and bustle of the centre behind and the hills unfold before me. A sense of freedom and being at one with the environment around me leaves a smile on my face. It was the right choice to get out into nature and leave behind all the pressing things, at least for a few hours. Why does this tranquillity and the right to live seem so luxurious? Why the sudden pangs of guilt for taking time out? Who exactly do we think is running after us? Every day of our lives is a gift, a chance to do something new, to further develop our passions and talents, or to offer something of ourselves that only we can offer. When will we start to realise that our lives have a greater value to them, which we will only truly experience when we give ourselves permission to let go and embrace, love and accept everything that we represent? The carefre...

  We chat to the local owner of the cafe we have visited for at least five years and get the latest news. On our way to work by train we strike up a conversation with someone who we see regularly waiting on the platform and get to know some of their life story. At work we catch up with colleagues about any developments around the coffee machine. Later, we bump into some friends on a street corner and get talking about what they have been doing. But how much do we really know about these people and the lives they lead? Even more so since Covid, the number of those facing real hardship has increased. This does not just include financial poverty, but also emotional fatigue and mental separation. It is uncomfortable to ask the question, but are the people we care about and interact with really OK and, if not, what can we do? How many of us honestly consider reaching out but then pull back as we already have too many responsibilities and pressing things to do? The more you interact with...

  “Resistance is the secret of joy!” Alice Walker As I approach the same hill on a route that I have used regularly in my running routine, I adjust my breathing and my footwork, use more power from my arms, and concentrate on the journey and technique, rather than the destination to power me to the top. When we are facing a challenge, especially if the prospects are not looking good, we need to prepare our strategy without over-analysing the 'what if's' or adding the famous 'but...' whilst we're starting to gather our energy, and use our developed resistance to get to the destination. Rather than just being a question of using all your strength and force until you drop, the key to success is building the foundations of a deep resistance both mentally and physically, that may surprisingly result in a faster and more satisfying overall performance. I have recently started adding some ballet barre exercises into my fitness regimen. This is thanks to a friend whose ...