What is your love? What were you put on planet earth to do? These are the questions that Ed and Sofie Templeton asked themselves when they decided to change their lives and embark on an around-the-world-on-a-shoestring adventure. They followed their hearts, took a chance and tried something new – and now they’re living their dream…
Ed & Sofie outside their Soul & Surf retreat in India
Go travelling, book an adventure holiday, head away for the weekend, have an impromptu day out, explore the countryside, walk up a mountain, find a hidden beach, gaze at the stars, discover something new… what will this inspire you to do?
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On Saturday Mr K and I decided to go for a hike up at Devil’s Dyke, on the beautiful South Downs. We packed a picnic and headed out, excited to be on a little adventure with our baby girl in her all-terrain pushchair.
We entered the forest and started bumping the pushchair down the path over huge tree roots. I was worried about how Sienna would cope with all the bouncing around and jarring from the uneven path, but then unexpectedly heard a loud giggle. It got louder and louder until it was a full blown laugh. She absolutely loved it. The bumpier and the faster the better, and she didn’t stop laughing the whole way down.
What a little explorer and what a revelation. Something I thought would be daunting for her turned out to be a moment of pure joy, and it was contagious. By the bottom of the forest path we we were all laughing out loud.
A day away from my computer in the fresh country air did me the world of good. Have you taken any time out to explore lately? To drink in the fresh air of your local beauty spot? To run downhill fast and laugh so loud it hurts? Why not try it this week? It’s a whole lot of fun…
I need to take my own advice and make more time for the things I love, like being outdoors with my family. That’s why I am so looking forward to Making Time, our 31-day experiment in slowing down and doing a digital detox.
Making Time starts on September 1 (postponed from August 1, oh the irony), and is completely free. If you want to join us, you’ll get daily emails into your inbox with fun prompts, thought-provoking words and some fab inspiration to help you make more time for the things you love.
Register for Making Time here and join us for this free online experiment in creating space and time for things that make us feel alive.
Have a good week – and try to get away from that computer!
Beth and team
From Sports Editor to healer, writer and actor, Michael Lee travelled the world to find the answers he was looking for. He’s been on an amazing voyage of self-discovery and you can read his inspirational story here…
Born to explore…
Like all children, I was curious and I loved exploring. Whether it was venturing into hidden caves, fishing in rock pools, digging on sandy beaches or collecting things on woodland nature trails, I was always on the look out for interesting things. Everything was an adventure.
The natural explorers of the world never lose this innate sense of curiosity. They continuously choose to journey into the unknown; they aren’t afraid to push themselves mentally, physically and spiritually; and they’ll redefine the limits of human endurance just to see what they’re capable of. Natural explorers never stop challenging themselves and as a result, they never stop growing. (more…)
Recently Brighton has been overrun with graduation ceremonies. The cap and gown has been the most fashionable and revered of all summer accessories. Parents have been flocking into town, bursting with pride as they watch their child relish their moment in the spotlight and receive their certificate.
For anyone who decides that University or College is for them, this is a momentous moment in life. It marks the end of a chapter; your time in education has finished and you now stand at the beginning of a whole new phase. The big wide world is out there waiting for you.
I remember my graduation day well, and although it pains me to say it, pride was not an emotion I felt. I know my parents were there, and I know they were proud enough for the three of us, but deep down I knew that I’d let myself down. I hadn’t applied myself – at least not to my studies.
Yes I graduated with Honours in Civil Engineering with Construction Management but my grading was far below what I had come to expect of myself.
Did my degree certificate reflect me? The hard truth is yes, it reflected me at that point in my life. It reflected a person who was far too busy enjoying himself and making new friends. Study was something I always left for the eleventh hour – and even then there was still time for one last drink.
Am I proud? No.
Did I do myself and the University justice? Far from it.
Did I feel like I was ready for the real world? Not a chance.
Now don’t get me wrong, there is so much about my University days that I treasure. I have some great friends, hopefully that will be friends for life, and I got to live in a new place, which was a great experience. In fact Leeds became the place I called home nearly 16 years. I even went on to establish a fairly good career as a Civil Engineer until I decided my life needed to head in a different direction.
Now to my point… although my graduation wasn’t my proudest moment, it was still an important moment. That day I promised myself I would never feel this way again. In all honesty, I had only myself to blame. I had been given every opportunity to do well, and lots of advice, I just decided ignore it. It was a defining moment in my life but in hindsight I realise I dwelled on it for too long. Yes it was important but it was still only a moment.
I graduated in May 2000 and 14 years later my life now bears no resemblance to what I had envisaged or what I thought was even possible back then. The moment my adult life really started was the day I stopped feeling lost, stopped listening to others and started listening to myself.
Wherever you find yourself today, remember your past is your past and your future is yet to be determined.
Take a deep breath, give yourself a moment to ponder, ask for advice and then make YOUR decision. It is your life. What will you make of it?
Until next time,
Mr K
On my happy list… dreaming in glorious sunshine, cool beaches and ice cream!
Each month we share a free downloadable ‘Happy List’ as a place for you to capture the things – small and big – that have made you smile and feel inspired each day. Get yours here.
We hope August is filled with all your favourite things,
Rachel
