I published my first book “The Frog Snogger’s Guide” back in the 1990s. My co-author on the project was Susan Lancaster. Susan, business Coach and author, lives on Vancouver Island overlooking the straits of Georgia in Western Canada.

Her new book ‘Stay Young The Golden years Are The Pits’ is a collection of jottings and musings of personal happenings and events funny, amusing and serious.  They include stories about animals, trips to various places, touching on God, family and friend’s activities, memories, in the kitchen and forgetfulness with lack of focus.

The purpose of this book is two-fold. The book echo’s the problems and pitfalls we all meet when growing old. It is definitely an asset if you can keep a positive attitude when dealing with this ageing business and the inherent challenges it brings. You are, after all, as young as your mind.

How many people at the age of 20, 30, 40, 50, are really thinking about their health and wellbeing in the future? At 50 years of age how many people realise that they may yet have another fifty years of life to live? To have a good quality of life it is important to recognise that to achieve this utopia of staying young you must start working on your physical and mental health now to achieve that goal.

There are many books and papers out there on the market peddling the secret of happiness and what it takes to make us happy.  The major components of  achieving this state of mind are good physical wellness, combined with an alert mind, well-oiled cognitive skills, and spiritual awareness. Well, in her new book Susan Lancaster provides a humorous insight into this issue of age and our need to stay young. Susan writes…

  In my book I explain that mentally I am still forty, but physically, I just ain’t there anymore. An example of this would be an individual full of confidence meeting someone for the first time, flashing a brilliant smile and then                          remembering, in the middle of the smile, that they had forgotten to put in their partial plate.  Other embarrassing moments are when it takes one hour to get out of bed and get dressed, or running around the house to find something you have mislaid, only to find that it’s where it should have been in the first place.  Or, the most famous one of all, “oh, I put it somewhere for safety” – need I comment further?”

Going back to the matter of the partial plate. That would not have happened years ago, perhaps when a person is younger for various reasons, but the main one being that all the teeth would have been present and correct – then.   Why did we lose our teeth, probably because we didn’t take care of them? Like other bodily parts and              functions, we just figured they would go on ad infinitum.  We certainly did not sit back and plan for old age, which is what we should have done.  We must have assumed that there was going to be a body shop in the future which would supply anything that wore out or was missing!   In some cases this has actually happened.

Perhaps some of you are snorting “ha – minor details”, but if we want to have quality of life in our Golden Years instead of just ‘old age” with all its creaks and groans and being sick for the last ten years of our lives, then we should be planning our later years to avoid the pitfalls that will surely come.

There are many other elements that make up quality of life as you age and I would be very pleased to hear from you, what you think they may be.

With this in mind, I try to see the humour in all our circumstances and this may help to lift our spirits, deal with the situation and get on with our lives without becoming depressed. The other purpose is to help younger people realise that eventually we do get old, we do have problems and we must recognise this fact and not push it to the back of our minds and wait for the inevitable to happen. We must accept what life may be like as we age and work to prevent these changes,  just by adequately looking after ourselves and our health.

I am writing a follow up book, which includes the views of people like you who are reading this blog, so please jot down your thoughts for me.

Susan Lancaster

P.S. In the book, I did not address sexual health and ageing.  How do you keep the flame burning – please feel free to share your thoughts on this.

Thanks Susan. Your work reflects ours at Live In The Present. Awareness of our health and wellbeing in the present moment is vital for surviving healthily into our golden years. That means realising that change can only happen right now in the present. It is the changes that we do not make that are usually termed regret which, in the main are the seeds of depression. Health and fitness of body, mind and emotions is vital for our wellbeing.

Please share your comments with Susan at info@snosrappublishing.com and please get involved in her work. Susan’s next book will be based on readers views.

You can get Susan’s new book from Amazon  it’s a cracking good read.

Take care, look after yourself and, live in the present

Sean x

If you think about the average wage of many professions many people could be employed for £10 million. As the minimum wage is £6.19 and if the average amount of hours worked are 37 then the weekly wage is £229.03 or £11,909.56 per year, PA. So, for example, for £10,000,000 we could create 833 band 2 posts in the NHS.

For younger people the minimum wage is lower at £4.98. So for the £10 million we could get 1040 18-20 year old off the dole. or provide jobs for 1412 16-17 year olds. Amazingly this could also create over 2000 apprenticeships.

Consider the following, with £10 million we could create…

100 qualified doctors
154 politicians
270 builders
345 trainee doctors
435 teachers
455 social workers
476 nurses

Wherever you look there are a lot of jobs that could be created but there are others things that could be done…around 2000 hip replacements…around 5000 cataract replacements,

Do you get the idea?

The people that spend the public purse do so with impunity and without recourse the the owners of the money, the general public. We have the opportunity once every five years to express our view to those that hold power. Perhaps you might consider this as you decide what you would do with £10,000,000.00.

Take care, be happy

Sean x

“Maggie! Maggie! Maggie! Out! Out! Out!” That chanted demand of the left has been fully and finally met. It’s Monday lunch time and I have just heard the news that Margaret Thatcher has died of a stroke at the age of 87.

I am not a political animal; whether you loved her or hated her you will have an opinion on Margaret Thatcher. I think that most of those that want to be politicians should never be allowed to take office. The egotistical narcissistic disorders of those that seek power should never be underestimated. But in the West we choose to live in a democratic political system and that means that anyone who catches the public attention can achieve power regardless of the morality.

In my clinics throughout the many Thatcher years I dealt with thousands of clients whose lives were damaged and destroyed by her polices. The legacy of that time for me is one of selfishness, self-interest, and gross insensitivity. The Yuppie, I, me, my culture, the death of British manufacturing and the loss of community.

Sad to say those that followed were no better. Tony Blair, was for me, Maggie Thatcher in drag, she once quipped that her greatest legacy was Tony Blair, and her prodigy did not let her down. Our current Prime Minister shows all the insensitivity that creates class divide between the ‘have & have not’ culture that the welfare state sought to eliminate. The current recession that is affecting us all is a result of the capitalist banking sector not the socialist unions.

Above all I believe in democracy and I may not agree with the policies of those that need to be in power, but I will do what I can to defend the system that we have. In the end the real power is with the people if we choose to use it. Those that exercise power only do so because the people allow them to do so. Maggie Thatcher had to face this when the ‘Poll Tax’ had to be withdrawn.

We only stay sane through forgiveness and so I forgive her and all of the other negative power seekers that seek to be leaders past and present.

I choose to remember Maggie as the spitting image mask that makes me smile and where ever she is, I wish her well.

Take care, live in the present

Sean x

Photo credit

I had a strong Christian childhood and the passion of Christ dominated this time of year. The amount of people aligned to the Christian faith is in decline. In the 2001 census 71% of the British population claim to be Christian though as little as 5% attend a Church each week and around 15% attend once a month.

“Almost 80 per cent of children do not know the true meaning of Easter, with a quarter thinking it is to celebrate the Easter bunny’s birthday, a poll has found.”

I even heard of a child who thought Easter was the celebration of the invention of chocolate, and in many ways I guess it is. Children will indulge in an average of more than two-and-a-half kilograms of chocolate over the Easter holiday – taking in nearly 13,000 calories and 650 grams of fat, a survey found and that is a lot of weight on. That is also true for adults as the indulgence begins.

A poll, by mystery shopping company Retail Active, found a typical 200g Easter egg has 990 calories and 50 grams of fat, with youngsters aged 10-14 eating an average of 13, many first thing on Easter Sunday.

So ok, what are we doing here? Where does it all come from?

Before the Christians hijacked the Pagan Anglo Saxon festival of ‘Eostre’ spring time was all about renewal. Some sources suggest Eostre originated in Greece where Eos was a God. In the Germanic cultures the festival at this time of year was known as ‘Ostara’.

The image of the Bunny and the Egg are both representatives of the newness of life and the celebration of spring and the new life to come. The Easter Bunny legend as we know it today, emerged in the 1500s. A legend “about a rabbit laying eggs and hiding them in a garden” was first published in 1680, reports Discovery.

The Christian story of Jesus and his rebirth from the tomb is representative of the same concept, accepting the Christian message of Jesus suggests that he died to save us all, which is also the idea of new life and renewal.

Whoever you are and whatever you believe, be you Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Jaine, Buddhist, Angostic, Atheist, Humanist or none of these, enjoy the spring, look out the window and see the green shoots of spring and the new life to come and, be happy.

Take care and remember to live in the present.

with love

Sean x

photo credit

It seems to me that throughout history men have been happy to go around warring and creating havoc but, it is always the women who come onto the battle field, after it is all over, and sort them out. It is the women in our race, that are the carers. They nurse the men and put them all back together, until next time. I know that there are men that care and nurse. But when a man has the caring gene we say ‘he is in touch with his feminine side’ and he is.

Our kitchen becomes open house on Mother’s Day. Rie and I do the cooking and all the women in the family gather together. I become the honorary male in the proceedings. The other males in the family arrive later fresh from the battlefield of the latest football match. I have taken a break from making bread to write this. The focaccia is done and the parmesan and sun dried tomato bread is on it’s final proving before it goes into the oven.

For me this is a day to say thank you to all the women around us and acknowledge that without them and their caring emotions, we would all be stuffed.

Yours were the first eyes I looked into.Yours were the first arms to hold me tight.
You were the first to show me never-ending love and compassion.
Forever . . . you are my mother
And I am blessed.

E.K Mitchell

I would like to suggest one thing though, perhaps we should expand the concept from motherhood and make it womanhood day. There are many women, who may not be mothers, who are the caring influence in many people’s lives in the community both males and females

So I want to say thank you to you all. It is a joy sharing the planet with you.

Using the comments option below you can share, How you will celebrate motherhood this Sunday?

Be happy and take care

Sean x

We all tend to see St Valentines day as a time for the expression of romantic love, and for many it is. I have a another idea. In a world that is full of consumerism and recession there are many people out there that need to know that someone cares, that would benefit from a little love.

Statistics tell us that over 50% of us are on our own, or living as single parents. Some of us are on our own due to failed relationships and others due to bereavement and loss. And there are those who have lost all that they have and are living alone on the street.

How about we give Valentine a make over and extend our sharing of love to those, either in our own community, or across the world, that are needy of love and care. Who do you know in your community that would benefit from a card, a small gift, a visit, a kind word, or a helping hand?

In a world where we all show love and care for others everyone’s needs are met and community wellbeing rises. That has to be a win win. In the end, as John Lennon put, “love is all there is”.

Have a wonderful Valentines and share the love.

Take care,

Sean x

Enter your details here to access my Free Detox Diet eBook

So what about detox?

The other day someone accused me of being a yo-yo dieter. Well, never having eaten a yo-yo in my life I don’t know what they are talking about. If you have joined me for a detox before you will know just how good it feels. For over thirty years I have done a regular detox every spring and every autumn, and in between as well.

When I first began doing detox I was living in an Ayurvedic community living a life that was vegetarian, organic food, daily yoga and meditation. Working in teams of six we would each take a turn at going into silent retreat and either detoxing of fasting for a week. This meant that every six weeks I flushed my system.

The detox program I now follow lasts for around thirteen to fifteen days depending on when you come into the programme from your current diet. In day one we drop all heavy foods, meat, fatty foods and any thing stodgy. Day two we drop fish, day three dairy produce, day four wheat and cereals. On day five we focus on cooked veg, day six, raw veg, day seven, fruit, and then if you are up for it a day on simply fruit juice, and then if you are really serious a day on just hot water with some honey and lemon. If you have never detoxed before this may be to difficult to follow and therefore ignore these days.

Having flushed the system we now work our way back up, fruit juice, fruit, raw veg, cooked veg and so on until we are back to a normal diet. Of course on the way down we drop tea, coffee, alcohol and, all soft drinks other than fruit juice.

This is an ideal way to begin the New Year especially if you are starting a new weight regime or stopping smoking or drinking etc. weight loss varies, but for me it is around 6lbs.

When you detox it is more than simply your body. During the process your mind and emotions get a good clean as well especially if you do a little meditation.

Download the pack and have a look and maybe give it ago… all free of charge

Enter your details here to access my Free Detox Diet eBook

Take care,
Sean x

Now at this time of celebration let the eating and the drinking begin. The time to celebrate and give gifts to those that we care about is upon us, though the way that we celebrate it will vary. For some it will have been the pagan festival of Yule on December 21st, for some Christmas Day on December 25, for others the festival of giving is on January 6th, the twelfth night, when the Wise Men were said to bring their gifts to Jesus.

However you approach this festival at this time of year, it is the symbol of the end of darkness and the beginning of light. It is the end of what was and the beginning of what will be. As the darkness of winter begins to fade we can look forward, once again, to the light of spring and the warmth of summer.

This time of year has been used throughout human history as a symbolic spiritual or psychological moment when we can, if we wish to, choose to let go of what has been and actively engage in what will be. In letting go of the past, we are able to live in the present and then we are able to create the world that we want to be in.

So, before you plunge into the merriment of your festival, stop and consider just what it is that your letting go of, and then consider what it is that you are looking forward to? Just remember that the things that we fail to let go of, we then have to carry like a burden. Often it is the weight of the past that stops us enjoying the moment and creating the future.

Most of all this time is about forgiveness, letting go and, creating what happens next.

Have a wonderful festival and look forward to the light to come

Take care and live in the present

Sean x

Photo credit

I bet you have been making lists of all things that you need to do, get, or get done before the big day, most of us do. What I was wondering is, where are you on your list?

For many people the drive to ensure that the needs of others are taken care of can leave them in a situation where their own needs are never met. This is often more true for women than men. The natural nurturing role of the wife, partner and mother is the glue that helps keep society and families together. Though this is often to the detriment of the woman.

The idea that charity begins at home starts right here. You are as important as everyone else and you, like them, have the right to have your needs met. Whoever you are and whatever you are doing this Christmas take the time to look after yourself.

So, consider the festival and all that you are doing for other people and just check where you fit into this. How will your needs be met? And, if you have not even considered your need perhaps this is the time to change so that it takes you into account.

Be happy, enjoy Christmas and live in the present

Take care

Sean x

Photo credit

Patrick Moore, the epitome of eccentric Britishness, affected my childhood with his ‘The Sky at NIght’ programme. Patrick had the ability to make a subject that could be dry and complex accessible to people like me. The wonder of astrology was opened to my young mind and was in many ways one of the corner stones of my interest in science and then psychology. As I sit and remember Patrick I wonder if the age of the true eccentric is now passed.

Then Kenneth Kendall, another face of Britishness, news reader and presenter, appeared throughout my childhood as the face of the BBC establishment, with that wonderful BBC accent that became the worldwide news standard. I smile as I remember his time on the TV programme ‘Treasure hunt’ with Anneka Rice and cameras chasing her bottom up stairways and onto helicopters.

Yet the most profound loss for me at this time is Ravi Shankar brilliant sitarist, wonderful man and inspirational soul. He is the father of two beautiful daughters who have both gone onto musical fame, Anoushka Shankar and Nora Jones. I studied sitar at Dartington Hall School of Music and Bharata Vidhya Bhavan and Ravi were a constant inspiration to me. Thank you Ravi.

When we consider our attitude to such losses, however close, we have the choice of mourning a death or celebrating a life. Perhaps we need to do both. With celebrities the write ups will be of celebration and we can forget the loss felt by those closest to them.

I have a suggestion for you if you are facing a Christmas without someone. Lay a place for them at the Christmas table, just as if they were there, and before the meal let everyone at the table raise a glass to the empty chair and share a positive memory of gratitude and thanks… ‘Dear…. I want to thank you for…’

Together we maintain the newness of life and experience, just as together we share the loss of endings. In our world death is as natural as birth just as spring will always follow winter. In the rhythm of life all that matters, in the end is the love that we have for each other, for those that have been, those that are and, those that are yet to come.

A Poem dedicated in memory of Eve & Bob Place.

They have gone
You can shed tears that they have gone,
Or you can smile because they lived,
You can close your eyes and pray that they will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that they have left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see them
Or you can be full of the love that you shared,
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember them and only that they have gone
Or you can cherish their memory and let it live on,
You can cry and close your mind be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what they would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on

David Harkins

Whatever you are facing this Christmas, live in the present and be happy

Take care

Sean x