Why hasn’t “it” been done before? Either the suggestion was not shared or the suggestion was shared and not heard.

On an island I could travel the coast to arrive at the other side or travel as the crow flies, roman roads assisting occasionally. The destination is the same, the route different. I could even fly all over the world and still return to the same destination. It depends if I want to get there fast or one day someday.

Occasionally in life it feels like you need to place one hand on your head, lift one leg and hop backwards humming a tune before the intention becomes an outcome.

Why so complicated?

Imagine what could be done with all the time saved if complex systems were simplified.

Might you become a leader in clarity and simplicity? Might you put a firm “how” in show? Might you be a timesaver by going straight to the answer?

Fortunately we live in an advanced world compared to our ancestors and we have a great deal to thank them for.

What better way to thank our ancestors for the ideas they have shared than to share our ideas for future generations? We create the past which gets invented now.

How can we make life simpler now and for future generations? Consider what they might achieve if we free up time to think for them?

If you witness unnecessary complexity, if you can make a difference share an idea or thought. You could change the world if the ball starts rolling yet only if you roll it.

Here is a question to ponder:

How can I make it easier?

The timeless space is now – always; you can only ever view the blank piece of paper in the present moment. Try if you like yet you won’t be able to view the paper yesterday. You can plan to view it tomorrow, perhaps add it to your diary, yet once again – you can’t view it in the future right now, only when you get there.

This moment is the future of yesterday’s dreams; a point that only once existed as imagination, anticipation, expectation, uncertainty. Dreams escape now – the very reason they aren’t real.

Real is now, this moment – this is; so welcome to now as you read this

The blank piece of paper might be a computer screen or the clear blue sky – the base on top of which life moves. Memory is a static backdrop; yesterday’s wave, recollections of the past, real once and now largely unreal. The future is an imaginary point, a dot far away, somewhere we believe we travel to even if we go nowhere.

If you stay still or in one place today goes and tomorrow comes – you don’t have to journey to it.

If you frame a blank piece of paper, even call it art if you like, it can represent a moment in time; forever now. No need to date it, no need to number it, the blank piece of paper is there now and tomorrow and only ever viewable now.

This is now – what is? This is.

Self-improvement can take courage; the willingness to challenge your own thinking and also question the “known” around you.
My advice from experience – go for it! In whatever field you are in, reach out, experiment and welcome any failures as stepping stones that strengthen you.

Reflecting on past years I may have failed less if I had let go more, although every step got me here, now, enjoying my moments, instead of resisting them.

Give yourself some space and allow yourself room to grow – you deserve to shine, however you choose.

Every day you wake up presents a new opportunity – it is never too late to do what you want to do with your life.

Breaking the momentum calls for alertness; noticing words and thoughts, the effect they have and how they gather and build like snowballs rolling downhill.

Single words can present potential traps. A single word has the potential to become a label; if you fail at something, failing once does not mean you are a failure full stop. Failing is part of learning; or, new word coming up “Failearning”. If you see the word fail, imagine the “L” as a learner’s plate – a reminder that failure isn’t final.

A single word can act as a signpost taking you down a road you may not need to travel.

Once you become aware of the words and thoughts you use it helps you identify potential thinking traps. The word “but” serves as a great example; often when you use the word “but” it practically wipes out all you have said so far! (I learnt this tip from the book “The Impact Code” by Nigel Risner)

“Should” leaves little room where “could” provides options and possibilities and “always” is rarely always.

I have used the phrase “Tools not rules” in the mind map as a reminder that language has limitations.

The potential trap words mind map contains examples; yet the main principle is to question your thinking question the words you use and see where potential traps might emerge.

Invisible beauty has no rules or conditions. No expectation, no need of control, no set of ‘desires’ that must be met. It simply ‘is’. Life and breath.

Invisible beauty is unconditional, an acceptance and welcoming of reality, as it is, not as you expect it to be, because reality cannot always offer you all that you want.

Invisible beauty is simple; unconditional flow, effortless, in harmony with life and the planet in the same way that your heart beats and your body keeps you alive in the moment.

Invisible beauty is like a smile you can sense or feel on the inside; peace beyond explanation. Silence helps you sense this beauty; to see it, touch it, feel it, devoid of conditions, without labels, the nameless, aside from external expectations.

Invisible beauty is like the silence surrounding flowers after the labels of aroma, colour, style, name, patterns, shapes and all outer descriptions. Thoughtless acknowledgment and appreciation, being with and seeing the flowers for what they are – life; as you look and listen without judgment.

You don’t have to do anything to sense the invisible beauty, just ‘feel’. The closest you can come to a technique is to put your total awareness on your breathing, breathe slowly and deeply and simply ‘be’.

That’s the beauty of life beyond labels invisible beauty, the inner smile beyond externals.

Invisible beauty is equality – a unified sensing; a global harmony – the life within that each one of us share. The knowing of life; collective and yet also unique. Several billion heartbeats and several billion single hearts beating. All of us contain the invisible beauty, life being lived. The inner smile, life and breath; invisible beauty.

Existing skyscrapers could be used to convert to multi-storey greenhouses, or create purpose built ones specifically for growing food. The skyscrapers could intermingle with existing buildings or be erected in new designated areas or both. Potentially co² could be sucked in to assist in combating pollution and to aid the growing process.

Multi-layer greenhouses could reduce starvation and even employ those at risk on islands and in cities designed specifically to grow the food. (More on that in Wednesday’s Mind Map) Wind and solar energy could also be incorporated; built-in wind farms could form part of the upper structure of the buildings with solar panels added all round.

Globally, vast buildings are erected for vacations and to work in – so why not use the same methods to grow food?

The sky is the limit – grow upwards!

If I had a skyscraper Id build a multi-storey greenhouse – in fact, no, I’d build hundreds of them

Here is a mind map of a wonderful chicken and red lentil curry from a recipe created by my brother. The meal serves two and is perfect indoors or outdoors; ideal for the barbecue. Tip: buy a cheap pan solely for barbecue use. (See also: Barbecue Spicy Chicken Recipe Mind Map)

The mind map includes ingredients, instructions for preparation, marinating and cooking. Please note the additional ingredients added at the cooking stage.

To accompany your curry you can serve another component such as rice, Nan Bread, potatoes, salad or anything else you like.

You can adjust the heat of your curry by adding less chilli for a milder version or more chilli for hotter versions and for extremely hot leave the seeds in! Ideal starting point – try one chilli without seeds if you like medium curry or two chilli’s without seeds if you like hot curry.

Here is the recipe in list format including the additional ingredients added at the cooking stage:

Chicken and Red Lentil Curry – serves two

Preparation One (Bowl One) – Chicken marinate 3 Hours

3 x Breast chicken cubed into 14 pieces
¼ tsp chilli powder
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp dried garlic (or fresh)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ of a lime (juice squeezed)
1 tsp cumin
4 tablespoons milk (or plain yoghurt)

Mix and coat chicken; marinate 3 hours or more

Preparation Two (Bowl Two) – Red Lentils marinate 3 Hours

1 small mug of red lentils (or 3 small handfuls)
1 tsp dried fenugreek leaf
1 tablespoon dried curry leaves
1 handful of fresh coriander
Add water to cover lentils

Soak for at least 3 hours to get flavour out of leaves

Preparation Three – Plate of ingredients to add to Wok or Pan later

4 chopped mushrooms
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp garam masala
1cm chopped fresh ginger
1 clove chopped fresh garlic
1 chilli chopped (medium) or 2 chilli’s chopped (hot)
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
3 cardamoms – seeds only crushed (discard pods)

Preparation Four – Mash for thickening curry

½ mug approx. of mashed potato

Cooking Stage – additional ingredients:

4 tablespoons of vegetable oil
½ small onion chopped
¼ tsp salt
2 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
Water
Mash from Prep 4
3 tsp tomato sauce (move if you like sweeter curry)

Cooking Stage:

Part One – Skewer the chicken from Prep 1 and start cooking on barbecue; turn as required

Part Two – Add Wok or pan to barbecue and add 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil

Part Three – Add to pan

½ small chopped onion (small pieces)
¼ tsp salt
2 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
Fry and cook onions and above until brown and nice aroma

Part Four – Add water and lentils from Prep 2

Boil approx. 6 minutes

Part Five – Add rest of ingredients from plate and more water if required

Cook and stir 15 minutes, check thickness and add water if needed – optionally place foil over pan to assist cooking

Part Six – Add mash (thickens curry) and about 3 tsp of tomato sauce (makes curry sweeter)

Part Seven – Serve with Nan bread

Optional – serve with rice, potatoes, salad etc.

If you recognise that all of your inner hurts are caused by your own wrong actions or your own wrong reactions or your own wrong inaction, then you will stop hurting yourself.

I have simplified the quote into the three key areas, headed up by the AIR acronym for easy recall.

A – Action
I – Inaction
R – Reaction

The three key areas represent thoughts, judgments or decisions.

Whenever life is not going smoothly, try investigating the three key areas; action, inaction and reaction to see why. It helps to keep a solution-focused intention in mind when exploring the AIR acronym.

Explore and uncover whether your thought, judgment or action has come about because of action, inaction or reaction.

This helps you pinpoint the “why” of any situation which can then free you up to discover the “how” of finding a positive solution.

I have found this a wonderful quote and I hope the AIR acronym helps you.

Journey into Healing by Deepak Chopra

Gaps

Compassion

Helps

Wordless

Are you feeling overwhelmed and unable to quiet your mind? Trust me, you’re not alone. We all have those moments when our thoughts are racing and it’s hard to calm down. Here are some tips to help you quiet your mind and find peace:

Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is a great way to focus your mind on the present moment and quiet distracting thoughts. Try meditating, deep breathing, or simply paying attention to your surroundings.

Get moving: Exercise is a great way to quiet your mind and reduce stress. Whether it’s a run, a yoga session, or a quick workout, getting your heart rate up can help calm your mind and improve your overall mood.

Disconnect: Sometimes, it’s helpful to step away from technology and distractions. Take a break from your phone, computer, and other devices, and spend some time in nature or doing an activity you enjoy.

Write it down: Writing down your thoughts can help clear your mind and make them feel less overwhelming. Keep a journal, write down your to-do list, or simply jot down a few notes to help get your thoughts in order.

Get organized: A cluttered environment can contribute to a cluttered mind. Take some time to tidy up your space and get organized. This can help reduce stress and free up mental space.

Connect with others: Spending time with loved ones, or simply talking to someone you trust, can help you feel more grounded and at peace. Talking through your thoughts and feelings can help you process them and quiet your mind.

Find a hobby: Having a creative outlet can be a great way to quiet your mind and focus your thoughts. Whether it’s painting, playing an instrument, or simply working on a puzzle, having a hobby can help you relax and feel more at peace.

Future not here yet

Stay in this moment

Just this one moment

The past has gone

Clock time does not exist

Now.