CONNECTION + COMMUNICATION Page 6 of 27

Remembering the Tsunami and rebuilding Thailand

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This is a guest post from Claire Le Hur who is cycling to China with her fiancé Stuart Block. The couple started their journey in East Africa and followed new ‘silk roads’ charting the journey of key natural resources as part of an exciting new education project. Claire is riding a bamboo bike, built by an African social enterprise and Stuart is riding a tandem, keeping the back seat free for those they meet en route. They will also be raising money and awareness for two great educational charities. Find out more about Claire’s big adventure here.

Claire Le Hur

Kind Buddhist monks, stunning temples, beautiful art, nice drivers (except in Bangkok), picture-perfect beaches, rice, dogs, cock fighting, funerals, inspiring stories and finally, some cycle tourists. Our month in Thailand was eventful, colourful and bursting with creativity manifesting in different ways.

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Knee deep in books and ideas…

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I hope this finds you basking in the same kind of glorious sunshine we are enjoying here in the south of England. I am just back from a few days at the Hay Festival (of books), and How The Light Gets In, a festival of ideas and philosophy, both held in the sweet Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye.

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My mind was left buzzing so much from the events that I have hardly slept since I got back. Today I’m going to share a few pictures and thoughts from Hay, and next week I’ll share some insight into the fascinating ideas festival.

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The Hay Festival is one of the most famous literary festivals in the UK. It pulls in big name authors and crowds of 1000+ people to hear them talk, but it also has smaller intimate events where you can ask your favourite authors anything you like. I went to a wide range of events, from a Q&A with Sarah Bakewell, author of ‘At The Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being and Apricot Cocktails‘, to a session with Anthony Lester QC, author of ‘Five ideas to fight for: How our freedom is under threat and why it matters’ and the barrister at the heart of the thirty year campaign that resulted in the Human Rights Act.

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As you can see there is a bit of a theme going on here… no surprise that I was interested in talks on the theme of freedom with my own book deadline just around the corner, and freedom on my mind…

All the talks were interesting but the one which really blew me away was Ruby Wax on mindfulness. She was hilarious, powerful, knowledgeable, down-to-earth and very real. If I can ever hold a room the way she did, I’ll be proud! I’m looking forward to reading her book, ‘Frazzled‘.

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The main thing I learnt was that it takes all sorts to be an author. The most important thing is to write a really good book, but after that it helps if you can talk about it in a compelling way, with a touch of humour and a bucketload of humanity.

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Depending on your view of books, spending several days at a literary festival may seem like a luxury or a trial, but to me it was a fantastic opportunity to think deeply about certain ideas, to interact with authors and have a lot of fun people watching! It was refreshment for the brain.

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This week I challenge you to take yourself to some kind of event which takes you out of your comfort zone and pushes you to think differently about something you are interested in.

Have a good one!

Beth

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PS: We have another ‘Mastermind Week’ coming up next week in ‘Reach. Teach. Profit. The E-Course Creation Masterclass’ so if you want the opportunity to pick my brain about anything e-course related, make sure you are signed up to class by Monday June 13! You can register here.

Do What You Love interview – Dr. Christiane Northrup

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Throughout May the Do What You Love team has enjoyed listening to the most fascinating talks by leading experts in health, wellness, spirituality, and relationships at The Hay House World Summit 2016. 

Given that our theme this month is ‘Never too old to do what you love’ we were especially interested to hear what visionary pioneer and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Christiane Northrup had to say in her talk: Changing the Conversation: Get Out of the Cage of Age. Packed with insights and advice on how to change the way we think about growing older, and tips for getting acquainted with our ageless selves, Dr. Northrup’s lesson was so inspiring that we just had to interview her to find out more. Enjoy! ~ Rachel

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1. How did your upbringing spark your passion for women’s health and wellness?

I was brought up in a wellness oriented household. And also on an farm where we raised black angus cattle, chicken, and organic vegetables. We also had a farm pond stocked with trout and bass. My father, a holistic dentist, believed in living foods for healing. My mother made yogurt and my father took it to his patients who were on antibiotics. He also told us not to worry too much about germs. And said, “Let the earth pass through you. Then you will be immune to everything.” His brother and sister were medical doctors. And their lifestyles and philosophies were in sharp contrast to those I grew up with. My father also signed out of the hospital against medical advice when I was interviewing in medical schools. The doctors had mis diagnosed him. He did not have a heart attack. He had pericarditis. He healed at home despite having fluid two thirds of the way up his lung fields. This was a huge lesson for me. Doctors don’t know everything. And nature often heals us. (more…)

Tea with a Lord and other Sunday stories

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It’s not every Sunday afternoon that I take tea with a real life Lord, but that’s what happened yesterday. Oscar-winning film producer Lord David Puttnam was the President of UNICEF UK when I worked there a decade or so ago, and he became a great mentor and a friend. He’s one of those people who makes you think anything is possible, every time you talk to him.

David is an impressive man on so many levels – before his work in education and international development, he spent thirty years as an independent producer of award-winning films including The Mission, The Killing Fields, Chariots of Fire, Bugsy Malone and Memphis Belle. His films have won ten Oscars, 25 Baftas and the Palme D’Or at Cannes. He also has more honorary degrees than I can keep track of.

But the thing that made him such a shining light for me wasn’t actually any of that. It was his deep-rooted commitment to furthering human potential. We worked together on one huge project which brought sporting opportunities to over 12 million children across the world. Together with David Bull, the inspirational Chief Executive of UNICEF UK, we pitched it to the government and a host of sporting bigwigs. We then spent several years building a complex partnership to make it happen, and its legacy lives on. Time and again in the process we came up against brick walls, but instead of banging his head against them, Lord Puttnam always kept the end in mind, and found a way round or over, or reconstructed the wall completely.

What I have learned from him: Keep your eye on the prize. Fight for what you believe in. Don’t let bureaucracy stand in the way of big, brilliant ideas.

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Why getting older means getting better

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Is the best really yet to come? Definitely! We love these articles in The Huffington Post about why life gets better with age…

What a difference eleven days makes

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Before I boarded a plane to Costa Rica 11 days ago I was wired, stressed out and, frankly, knackered. Eleven days later, following some dreamy time alone in paradise, primarily to write but also to slow down, get quiet, unplug, reconnect, soak in some sunshine, do yoga and eat well, I feel like a different person. Of course a tan always helps, but the thing I can’t help noticing is the inch-long ever-present furrow above my brow has completely disappeared. In just 11 days. My skin is clearer, my eyes are brighter, and I have lost at least half a stone in weight. What a difference eleven days makes.

We know it makes a difference when we are good to ourselves. When we make an effort to make time for the things we love, to make space for nothing, or for something. And yet day after day, week after week, we push on, ignoring the impulse to rest and rejuvenate. What is wrong with us?!

This time was a real gift. While I was away it was my 39th birthday, and I cannot think of a better way to begin the last year of my thirties. It was a wrench to be away from family, and I am sure Mr K has changed more than his fair share of nappies this past week or so, but I know I am going home a better version of myself.

It also helped that I was taken care of so very well.

And while here I had one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life. You’ll have to wait until the book comes out to read about that, but I know it was only possible because I was here, ready, open.

It’s not easy to find the time and money to get on a plane and fly to Costa Rica. You have to call in a lot of favours, plan ahead and perhaps even work more before leaving to enable that time away. But it is so worth it!

This week I urge you to gift yourself some time, even just 20 minutes for a walk, or an hour for a yoga class, or perhaps a day to paint or go and explore somewhere.
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And if this has really struck a chord with you, and you need some real time away, in nature, you might want to consider doing something impulsive and booking yourself a plane to Italy next week. My friend Andres Roberts of Way of Nature UK is co-leading a retreat in the Tuscan countryside called ‘Let go and relax’.

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I was supposed to be going myself, but a bereavement has meant I cannot be there at this time. So there is a spare place, and Andres has kindly said someone in the Do What You Love community can have it at 15% off. This amazing retreat includes a 24 hour solo in the forest, which I know will be transformational. If you think this is for you, just drop Andres a line and he’ll make it happen.

Whatever you do with your YOU time this week, soak it up, and then plan some more.

Pura vida,

Beth

PS All this month on the blog we are discovering how it’s never too old to do what you love. If you missed it, here’s an interview with Nick Christian, who wrote his first book aged 70.

Conscious Living and Sustainability: The Capacity to Endure

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This is a guest post from Claire Le Hur who is cycling to China with her fiancé Stuart Block. The couple will start their journey in East Africa where they will follow new ‘silk roads’ charting the journey of key natural resources as part of an exciting new education project. Claire will be riding a bamboo bike, built by an African social enterprise and Stuart will ride a tandem, keeping the back seat free for those they meet en route. They will also be raising money and awareness for two great educational charities. Find out more about Claire’s big adventure here.

Claire Le Hur

Our endurance challenge has opened our eyes to the ubiquitous issues of drought and deforestation and the importance of doing our bit to help protect the Earth’s natural ecosystems and contribute to sustainability.

Here are a few of some of the small sustainable enterprises that we have encountered on this trip…

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It’s never too late to do what you love

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This week has been a very sad one for us, as one of Mr K’s oldest friends lost his fight for life after a long illness. He had been waiting for a liver transplant but didn’t get one in time and passed away a few days ago. He was one of life’s really good people – a loyal friend, a ray of sunshine, a great husband and father – and he will be desperately missed.

In the days afterwards I felt like I had to DO something, anything. And so I joined the organ donor register so perhaps I can save someone else’s friends and family similar pain in the future after I am gone. Did you know one person’s donated organs can save the lives of up to EIGHT people? That’s amazing. If you live in a country where organ donation is on an opt-in basis as it is here, I’d really encourage you to consider registering as a donor too. It only takes a minute and it could literally save someone’s life. You can sign up here : UK / USA / Australia / Google for other countries!

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This week has also reminded us that life is short, and precious. And so we have dedicated the coming month of May on the blog we are celebrating the wisdom of age, and the truth that it is never too old to do what you love.

We will be sharing interviews with some really inspiring older people who have made major shifts in their life at a later age, including a 70 year old first-time author! There are lots of obstacles to doing what you love, but age should not be one. We’ll prove that to you over the coming month, so keep an eye out on the blog for more throughout May!

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And lastly this week, I’d like to introduce you to Bailey May, the latest addition to the Do What You Love family… We have dreamt of road trips in our very own VW camper van for many years, and after everything that has happened this week we decided to just go for it. I have a feeling this might be the best investment we have made in a while. I look forward to sharing stories from the open road…

And with that, I’m off to the station to catch a train to begin my 5,400 mile journey to Costa Rica, to work on my book.

This week I challenge you to ignore the clock and follow the sun!

Beth

 

Why it’s worth caring about fragments of handwritten memory

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I have been spending a lot of time up in the attic lately, going through old journals and letters, finding snippets of memories caught in real time, in crinkled pages, on blue airmail paper, via postcards with exotic postmarks.

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A couple of the letters were from an old friend from university, who was editor of the uni newspaper and has gone on to produce ‘Today’, the BBC’s flagship news and current affairs programme. I used my very modern iphone to send him photos of the handwritten letters he sent to me when I was a student in Kyoto, Japan, aged 19, half a lifetime ago. It was a fascinating snapshot of student life – the things we cared about, the things we spent our time on, the people we fancied, the embarrassing and often hilarious capers we got up to. True to the career he would follow, he had sent detailed dispatches from Durham, letting me know the goings on of college life in full colour.

I remember when those student days, when I spent a year abroad in a very foreign land. The anticipation of coming home to my homestay family’s house after school, and looking on the bottom step of their winding wooden staircase to see if there was a letter for me from home. And often there was – I received and sent over 100 letters and postcards that year, in the days before email.

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Mastermind Week is here – your online teaching questions answered!

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All this week I’m answering ANY and ALL questions you might have about building your own e-course and teaching online, in our first ‘Mastermind Week’ within ‘Reach. Teach. Profit. The E-course Creation Masterclass‘.

This opportunity is available exclusively to participants of the course, so if you want to get involved get yourself registered!

Don’t underestimate the value of being able to pick the brains of someone who has produced more than 15 online courses, with students in 100+ countries worldwide and who has probably made every mistake in the book along the way, so you don’t have to… You can join us here!

I look forward to being of service to you as you get your e-course out into the world.
Beth