Another fascinating lecture at the Mind, Body, Soul weekend was given by Frances Harris, an ex marketer of 25 years standing who had, like Beverly Drumm, completely changed her life - is there a theme here I wonder?

The talk was centred on colour, but not in the way I am qualified to deliver, but in way that related to what the colour meant for you, now, at this moment.

Frances has a pole on which were tied the nine colours representing the chakra system. We had to pick the one that jumped out as us - your hello colour- and then the one you least favoured - your goodbye. She then went around the room telling us what our choices represented for us. I was pretty astounded as mine was so spot on, even my friends gasped at the accuracy.

Want to learn more, go to http://www.soothingminds.co.uk/articles.aspx?artid=213 and take the test for yourself.

Frances is also a colour healer and, as you know from my previous blogs, I have been increasingly attracted to orange, a colour I don’t like and it doesn’t like me either. I have also had trouble with my lower intestine. You guessed it. Orange is the colour of healing for that part of the body!  Intuition is a powerful thing.

I mentioned in a previous blog that I had been away on a mind, body, soul weekend.  Much as I love yoga, even I would find 8 hours a day a bit much so I decided to tap into a couple of workshops instead.

The first was Love Your Body Love Your Life, the presenter Beverley Drumm (pictured), an ex Management Consultant who completely changed her life and now runs inspirational classes in Nia Technique and Kundalini Yoga, both slow to catch on in the UK but making their presence felt.

Beverley began the presentation by asking how many of us in the room (about 35 I guess) loved their body and their life. I wasn’t surprised to see only 2 hands rise.  In fact, I was surprised that any were raised at all. Isn’t that so sad?

What is it about society today that says we all have to be so perfect and that we need to have it all? I think, as women, we are always looking for something else in our lives - and I’m no different here - but perhaps we should sometimes just stop and smell the coffee, by giving thanks for what we have in the here and now. The future doesn’t exist, only the present is real.

Come on ladies, celebrate who you are, embrace your unique gifts and talents and live a joyful life.  It’s the only one you have. Don’t like the way you look? Then see an image professional who can help you discover who you are and dress authentically. That’s what we’re here for.

http://www.nianectar.co.uk/

for more information about Beverley and her inspirational, holistic workshops.

Hot and bothered? Don’t know who to ask or what to do for the best?

There’s no need if you know where to go and who to ask.

The Menopause Exchange exists just for that reason.

Its aim is to provide reliable, unbiased and easily understood information to women and healthcare professionals so they can make well informed decisions about the choices they take.  Much of its work is done via a quarterly newsletter, which contains stacks of easy to assimilate information written by professionals.

If you want to take control and not feel that you are going through this alone, go to www.menopause-exchange.co.uk

We 50 somethings have now become officially part of a new collective according to Celia Walden, Feature writer for the Telegraph - Quintastic.

There are, of course, categories because we obviously can’t all be the same.

The Inverted Adolescent - eg Sharon Stone & Madonna

The Professional eg Julianne Moore

The Enigma eg Kristin Scott Thomas

The Action Woman eg Sigourney Weaver

The Humorist eg Jennifer Saunders

Want to find out which one you are? Here’s the link to the article

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/7084717/Quintastic-50-is-the-new-30.html

I’m being interviewed tomorrow morning by Karen Knott, the Mid Life expert and coach - can’t wait. She’s really warm and lovely and looks pretty good too (sorry Karen, you look more than just good).  If you have a dilemma and don’t know which way to turn, she’s your woman. www.midlifematters.co.uk for more details. You’ll also be able to get details of how to access our interview so you can partake of my pearls of wisdom too.

Fancy some really inspirational reading while you’re holed up in the snow? Then take a look at The Leap Year, the launch collection from The Contemporary Women Writers’ Club, which is full of inspirational short stories about life-changing moments.

“Blood and lust in Argentina; secrets and grief in Montreal; passionate reunions in New York; a dance with fear in Barcelona. The Leap Year shows how unexpected moments change 12 women’s lives: from a car-jacking in South Africa, to a ghostly visitation in London; from a honeymoon accident in Kenya, to a divine encounter in Hong Kong…
Leaps of faith, leaps from despair, leaps into love…”

A MUST read.

www.queenbee.co.uk £6.99

If you want some harmony in your life, a sleeker body and a calmer mind but have no money or time to go to the gym, you might want to check out Body In Balance. This is a brilliant channel on Sky ( channel 275) with some great teachers, such as the Kundalini Yoga guru Maya Fiennes pictured, Shiva Rea, Katy Appleton and Caroline Sandry to name but a few. The practices are varied and interesting and cover all levels of ability. I’ve become a huge fan and I’m sure you will too if you enjoy yoga, pilates, tai chi or aerobic workouts. Not a Sky viewer? Then check out their website www.bodyinbalance.tv. As it starts at 6am every day, you have NO excuse!

I’m reading a really inspirational book which concentrates on celebrating the most ordinary things in our lives that we often take for granted - one of my New Year Resolutions. The book takes the reader through a journey month by month so I’m really looking forward to using it on a daily basis to help me appreciate my life and notice what I have to be grateful for.

Earlier today I came across a great quote attributed to the fashion editor, Diana Vreeland  ’A little bit of bad taste is like a nice splash of paprika’. How true. Sometimes it can be so boring to be ‘perfect’ and ‘tasteful’ in our clothing. I’m all for some funkiness and, as we get older, I believe it’s even more important to show up as an authentic individual. It’s not having bad taste that’s the problem, it’s having NO taste that’s the sin.

The book I’m enjoying so much is by the wonderfully astute and observant writer Sarah Ban Breathnach.  She has written many absorbing and thought provoking reads but this one is just suiting my needs right now. Entitled Romancing The Ordinary, you can buy at any decent bookstore or from the even more reliable Amazon.   I guarantee you’ll become a huge fan.

Yes, that’s the motto of the scouting movement and it’s something we should probably consider, especially when we’re going into a holiday season when shops will be closed.

Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of the year. The long build up to what should be the ‘perfect’ day, the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, preparing dinner for all your guests and the pressure of meeting everyone’s expectations is typically a woman’s role at this time of year.

During times of challenge, the nervous system needs extra doses of  C and B complex vitamins.  If you don’t replace them, you will never feel as great and as ‘on top of things’ as you should.

Being a Type A personality, this type of scenario is not rare. As a result I have looked into solutions that are as natural as possible. I’ve found Nutri Calm works wonders when I’m under stress. The nutrients and chamomile it contains helps soothe me and restore my sanity at times when I think I’m going mad.

When we’re menopausal, our adrenaline levels can also be affected. If you remember your biology lessons, you’ll know that adrenal is the ‘flight or fight’ hormone which comes into play when we’re stressed. Originally there to save us from the sabre tooth tiger or some other equally life threatening danger, adrenaline levels can soar with everyday occurrences - a large bill coming through the letterbox, a drunken relative, a fight over the TV remote. The body doesn’t realise the difference or the degree of stress, only that it’s there.

Nutri Calm is something I keep in the cupboard for occasions just like these, because it’s natural and it works.

If you’re interested go to

http://www.naturessunshine.eu/uk/lovinlivin/atoz.asp?letter=N