Gratitude - Life, Love & Mantras

Gratitude - A Background

Where to start. I think during these times and particularly during these times we need to and must be grateful for all we have. I've been practising Gratitude for many years: I didn't realise how powerful it was until I read the incredible book and watched the DVD of 'The Secret' by Rhonda Byrne 10 years ago. It was a life-changer. I still remember the immortal lines 'Pure Gratitude is a State of Giving' 'When you are in a state of heartfelt gratitude you are radiating a powerful electromagnetic field around you...' There is of course a ripple effect and this is passed on from person to person.

Daily Meditation - Mindfulness

I still practise the Daily Teachings every day and meditate each morning from our home in London, UK. My sister is a strong follower and believer of Nicherin Buddism and this is all linked to Gratitude. She told me all about this and chants for one hour a day. The followers here believe that the Buddha is within ourselves and we must look at ourselves for gratitude and the Universe will respond. I really enjoy this and follow the 'Secret/The Magic' every day.

Morning Mantras

Every morning after waking I recite my morning 'Thank you to the Universe, we have to remember we are lucky to wake up in a warm home/bed/next to someone wonderful and to be alive is something to be very thankful for. I then go about my day, even before I check emails I have to meditate for at least 20 minutes with Buddha and a candle. It really helps you set yourself up for the day: no matter what life has in store for me I find I can really cope. I also have to go for a mindful walk at least once a day and often walk in the woods/beautiful open spaces for an hour, on my own with nature surrounding me - with or without music.

From the books I've read and also from my own beliefs I've managed to attract my incredible fiance, jobs, abundance, travel and a beautiful home. I am very grateful and fortunate. However, there are always ups and downs in life and it is how one responds to these instances.

Travel Business

Life has been challenging for us all. My lovely fiance and I have a travel business: a short-lets holiday rentals company. It was doing so well and this year was to be our best one ever. Like everyone out there, we were severely affected as it is so dependant on holiday customers, the majority from the US. Still, I have to remember to be grateful: my partner and I are well (touch everything) and try to stay safe every day. It is a worry and something that I also try not to worry about. All our guests are well, friends are fine: some have had the virus and are recovering.

My Life Inspiration - My Mother

I'm also concerned for my parents who are in the higher risk category. My mother who is my inspiration for Life, follows the Secret and the Magic religiously. We talk regularly and I can talk to her about anything. She also has her challenges but her other saviour is Orlando, her 4-year-old delightful Dachshund who she now could not imagine life without. They live by the Beach and whenever we get a chance to visit, we do. The sea is my other source of Life and energy.

My Darling Fiancé

Now with time on my hands (my other half luckily has another job as a consultant) I have had the opportunity to ponder on life and my experiences. We've had a great life so far. I'm in my forties: met my partner in my late thirties and we had the great fortune to travel all over the world - still plenty more to see and do. The photo above is one from our unforgettable trip to South America just over 2 years ago. We got engaged 3 years ago and still planning the wedding!

Dream Trip to South America

In 2018 on a bit of a whim, C and I decided to plan a trip around South America. We could see the world and fulfil our dream to work from a laptop in a foreign clime. Much of the trip was spontaneous. We booked a Hotel in Lima for a few days and trips around Chile, Argentina and Brazil. On my bucket list was a trip to Machu Picchu which we accomplished ; )

Other highlights included travelling to La Paz Bolivia, the highest city in the world to experiencing the Salt Flats of Uyuni and waterfalls of Iguazu, Brazil. There was one small casualty on this trip – I managed to misplace my engagement ring right at the end of the trip. This was quite heartbreaking however C took it well and in his indomitable way told me ‘it didn’t matter, as long as we come back together in one piece’ I was instantly grateful that we both were safe and sound. We had each other and not much could now be done to turn back the clock.

Starting our own business

This travel had given us an insight into the world and once back we set up our own Short-Lets Business. To be your own boss was rewarding but challenging: it was an experience that I don't think we will see again in a hurry. To be managing mansions across London whilst the owners are away on holiday was quite something to trouble-shooting day-to-day. The issues that arose from houses and flats. However, I was grateful that we had a job and a salary. Now we are in a different situation: I am writing this account in our newly decorated and renovated house and we are very lucky. Looking forward to our business restarting or a new venture next year.

Home Interior Project - 2020 / Lockdown

Our lovely home needed a little bit of TLC. It is over 100 years old however we are very pleased and grateful as the job is complete. We've had a brand new bathroom and kitchen with exterior patio. The flooring was also completely redone with new laminate and I was very lucky to win a competition for this. Gratitude is an understatement. However we still had to focus on our builder who we paid and were grateful for. I've also found a few new talents - my other is a bit of an artist, she loves to paint anything from scenery to portraits to Orlando her Dachshund. She started painting as a way to cope after our grandfather passed many years ago. It is her solace.

I've also been nurturing my newly discovered talent in painting and one I am very grateful for: the home project encouraged my talent in 'upcycling' I've been buying coffee tables, dining room tables and the like either via ebay or charity shops and repainting them. I thought why spend a fortune particularly during these times when I can repaint and revarnish. The main painting of walls and ceilings I left to the experts!

Another 'lockdown talent' recently discovered and explored is cooking. I've been making some delicious roasts, meats, soups, all from scratch. I've even baked all types of cakes. My mother once again is a gourmet cook and for me as per many things in life: I was a late starter. As they say better late than never.

Previous jobs in life - Looking back with gratitude

I haven't yet mentioned my job background. It is also quite relevant and now looking back I realise how lucky I was and how grateful I am. I've been working for at least 20 years and started my career working for a large TV/Broadcasting company. I was more of an Assistant there and also worked in HR (they called it Personnel then) I met many now-famous faces. I remained here for 6 years before travelling to Australia for a few months.

On my return I needed to make some money again and started to do part-time work for a speed dating company. Speed dating was all the rage then (around 10-15 years ago) - there were also dating events which took place in bars & nightclubs every few weeks with an element of speed dating. The owner of the company asked if I wanted to help him out with a new venture he had a 'lunch and dinner matchmaking company' At the time I thought why not, it could be fun and what a feat to bring couples together. I was grateful for the opportunity. I myself was very single then. It provided a great insight into how people really do meet - I'm not sure these methods of putting people together on paper initially did work, however it made people more confident and 'got them out there'

I became a 'Matchmaking Consultant' working with many clients and basically using my instinct and some skills to try to bring them together. It was a blind date but on paper some of the couples did seem to work. Of course we couldn't please all: the clients with the greatest success were those who had looked at themselves, were happy within and if they didn't meet the One - so be it (many did though) After a few years the business moved to a more online approach and I needed to leave so got made redundant. I had certainly learned a great deal myself. Next role was a bit more travel to Europe followed by a new role as Brand Ambassador for a new Gin brand.

Gin & Plenty of Tonic

This role was advertised as 'The Best Job in the World' and at the time it really was. I was very grateful to have this role. It was for a company who were well known for their gin and were due to launch a 'lighter style' more entry level Gin. In those days Gordons was the main gin of choice: with very few others. I was looking after the introduction of this gin into as many bars, restaurants, nightclubs, even supermarkets for it to grow. I had to walk into bars with my bottles of gin, introduce it to the bartenders who then had to love it and incorporate it into their drinks menus or back bar. I then had no experience myself of bartending or gin. I learned it all myself - not the bartending but immersed myself into the background of gin and how it was distilled, produced, served even what glassware to use. I was grateful for this job every day. I got invited to some incredible drinks launches, got to travel to San Francisco to help launch the brand and travel across the UK.

It did slowly change as jobs do: they needed someone very sales focussed and even though I had introduced the brand into over 100 bars and plush venues across London. I was grateful still and decided to move on.

5* Hotels & A bit of Glamour

My next role was (luckily) and very gratefully in a favourite bar/Hotel of mine close to the River Thames. They were one of my clients and had a role working in the Sales/Marketing department. It was quite a prestigious little role and I really did enjoy it. Again working with some well known faces who would stay in the Hotel, entertaining clients and guests in the restaurants and bars, but naturally challenging work too! I was very grateful for this role and again looking back realise these environments have of course paused for the moment. This role gave me the experience to run our own Airbnb style business - the short lets company so it was all very useful as I didn't have a Hotel background but learned everything on the job. A few years after, I met my lovely fiance, close to the river at a party that I decided to attend very last minute... Super grateful for that.

So many experiences, so many fun times, of course challenging ones but keeping positive and mindful every day. There is so much to be grateful for and we must be happy with everything we have now. A positive and grateful outlook is key.

From the Secret

'The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind'

WILLIAM JAMES (1842-1910)