On a Personal Note

If you're new to my humble writings, a very warm welcome! Several people have joined us recently as a result of searching for EFT. I'm so glad you're here. 🙏

I usually write a little bit of a personal update, and then go to the business bit. You're welcome to skip this and go directly to the article or offer of the week. Some of you might skip the business bit and just read the personal updates. Either way, know that I appreciate your presence. 

Overall it's been a cool, rainy UK summer and I'm grateful we didn't have a drought this year. But blegh, we're already into autumn/fall temperatures and getting more rain. These conditions were not great for many of the veg in our garden, especially since there aren't as many pollinators around this year (bees, wasps and other insects have been affected by the wet sprint and summer). 

Thankfully, our runner beans never disappoint. We're still harvesting loads of beautiful beans and I need to make a plan with all the excess. In 2022 I cooked a huge batch of 'Kerrieboontjies' - basically preserved curry (pickled) beans. It's an old traditional Afrikaans recipe, with Malay and Indian influences. Last year I made an enormous batch of bean chutney, using some of the Bramley apples from our tree. We still have some of both in the pantry. Sugar is not good for us, but it sure is a great preservative. (I find it funny how it preserves food but not our health!)

This year I just don't have it in me to do a huge job like that so I've made several delicious runner bean recipes, and currently blanching the extra to freeze them. It's a joy to open the freezer and see lots of our strawberries, beans and even spinach/chard waiting to be eaten over the next year. 

We had loads of extra lettuce too that we couldn't eat fast enough (lettuce loved all the rain!). Who knew what a delicious smoothie lettuce can make with green apple, lemon juice, ginger, a few dates and chia seeds! 

I certainly am learning about how many things impact our food security. Weather impacts insects. No pollinators - no food. I'm grateful for every single bee and wasp, so we plant a lot of flowering plants in other parts of our garden to provide them with food before the long winter. 

Top left: Bean salad with walnuts, crispy quinoa and a Mediterranean bread

Top right: Lettuce smoothies and bran muffins

Middle left: Yummie beans in process...

Bottom left: One of our three gem squashes this year (they do love sun, not enough this year!)

Bottom right: So many scarlet flowers, waiting to turn into beans. 

PS: You might think I'm one of those health nuts or foodies who spend my days in the kitchen. I'm not, and I don't. I'm a normal human just like you. I sometimes eat things that aren't good for me, and I use supermarket ready meals when my time budget needs it. Everything in balance! 

On a Business Note

The Inner Game of Aging

I enjoy finding quotes about the topic I'm writing about. This one really made me laugh! 

But actually today, I want to share my thoughts about this one below -  especially because it's hard for many of us. 

Have you ever been so disappointed that you refuse to feel better?

That happened to me this past week. I felt awfully distressed about something silly that "should not" have upset me that much. I felt unable to calm myself down, even though I knew how (with EFT and various other tools). I was like a pouting child for a few hours. If I was still 8, my Mom (bless her heart) would've told me to "Blaas af jou lip" which means to "Drop your lip". 

On top of that, I felt lonely with the issue because my husband didn't understand why I was so distressed about the situation. 

A bit later that day, I spent some time with a dear HSP friend. Her empathy, understanding and kind words helped so much. It made me realise again how healing it is to not feel alone with our problems. When someone gets us.

This got me thinking about other times I've felt lonely with an issue. 

Aging popped up immediately for me, as I've had interesting conversations with colleagues and friends about this recently. 

I guess most of us have a hard time accepting that our bodies are getting older and more 'hangy' (thanks, gravity!). I read the other day that we undergo particularly big changes in a short time around 40, and then again around 60. 

"Shoulds"

There are so many articles, websites, celebrities, doctors and videos telling us what we should do. Exercise more, eat better, take these (expensive) supplements. Yet we can't always do those things for so many reasons, including a tight budget.  

I find all of the glamorous aging celebrities around me don't necessary contribute to a positive mindset about aging. In fact - it can make me feel worse! 

How about you?

We don't all have the $$£££ to get Botox and all sorts of 'lifts' everywhere - and a big one: it might not fit in with our values. Why should I spend so much money to fit into some fad-y Western cultural norm of 'looking young' at 60 while men get to 'look distinguished' at the same age?

It sure does make it hard to discuss our honest feelings about agin if there are so many 'shoulds' and 'have tos' around us. 

Thoughts circling

Very recently I asked people on Facebook their thoughts about aging gracefully and whether it was even possible. Most of the replies were positive - people had beautiful ideas about it. 

That just didn't seem very real from where I, and some of my friends, are sitting. 

I'm guessing that the well-meaning peeps who wrote those uplifting comments probably had different thoughts and feelings at first, before working on their mindset about it. In fact, one admitted to that. 

I felt almost ashamed for having asked the question when most replies were so positive. (On reflection, I could have phrased my question differently!)

And I suspect this happens for so many people: 

We might experience grief, sadness, resistance, despondency, aggravation, anger, annoyance, bitterness, disappointment, shame, guilt about something... but we're afraid to talk to others about it because we know they're going to try and put a positive spin on it. That invalidation is very hard to swallow. 

It's one of the worst feelings in the world when someone isn't getting us while they're plastering a positive bit of icing all over our feelings inside. It doesn't work, never has, and never will. It makes us feel even more isolated and definitely not in the mood to speak up again. 

Have you noticed any of these around your own aging process? 

• I don't like it and I don't feel good about not liking it! 
• I should be doing this gracefully, but I'm going through it kicking and screaming.
• I don't want to age!
• I'm suddenly obsessed with how I look.
• I don't like the wrinkles and saggy skin; it's ugly, even disgusting.
• I spend far too much time looking in the mirror, doing face yoga and fussing.
• I feel a grief and hopelessness about this process... there's nothing I can do about it.
• It's just downhill from here.
• There are no benefits to aging, and those who say there are, are just sugar-coating it.
• It's a one way street to The.End!
• For you, , it might be different, nothing to do with wrinkles or sags. Where are the aging thoughts for you? 

Workshop: The Inner Game of Aging with Natural Remedies

I'm contemplating a workshop for more peace and inner renewal, with EFT and Tissue Salts (with a dear colleague and friend who is a Master with Tissue Salts). 

Would this be of interest to you? 

We're thinking late September and yes, recordings will be available even if you can't be there live. Fee to be announced when we've decided if and how many sessions. It will be in my usual price range (around £25 per 90 min session). 

If yes, I'd appreciate your vote and your thoughts. Your input can help shape and make it very useful! Big thank you. 

Love hearing from you

And as always - I do love hearing from you, even if you're not interested in this workshop. What else would be helpful to you? What's on your mind?