Challenges, expected and unexpected

Hi everyone, Got back from Crete late last night and completed 40 days of good decisions!

It's been a fantastic ten days since my last post. I have pushed the body to a new level of endurance and stamina but have also paid a price for my enthusiasm.

I have enjoyed swimming in the warm calm waters of the Med, power walked on beautiful sandy misty beaches, and trekked up and down two extraordinary gorges, one of which was a five hour round trip. Three hours up (and when I say 'up' I mean a 700 meter ascent over 5 kilometers)

followed by a grueling descent back down that really tested the knees and calves.

My legs have transformed and new muscles have appeared in new places. very rewarding and fulfilling.

I have really enjoyed spending such rare quality time with my beloved sister Bhasha and our adventures have brought us even closer than before.

The Cretan food, although a bit limited in variety was fresh and tasty, and I ate much more than usual while away. As I was burning many more calories than usual I have maintained my weight so happy with that.

I have sorely missed however, the chilli spice that forms so much of my diet, as it is non existent in greek cuisine. so this morning I splashed Tabasco all over my toast and have ordered extra spicy chinese to make up for lost heat.

The unexpected challenge that developed over the last few days is a dose of shingles on my face.

It started with a prickly sensation and then, while recuperating from our big gorge walk, I noticed a swelling behind and under my ear. The doc in Greece mis-diagnosed and ear infection and plonked me on antibiotics. The next day blisters began to appear. so went to see my doc on my return to London this morning and she diagnosed shingles which is basically chicken pox re-occuring as a virus that can cause nerve damage. the right side of my face is inflamed and sore and the blisters are becoming more sensitive.

I have another week or two of this to deal with but worse is that I may face months of neuralgic pain once the rash has disappeared.

I am not sure why this has happened now, but apparently it is due to a weakened immune system. So not all plain sailing this period but at least I know what's going on.

Even more reason for me to continue and strengthen my resolve to make better and better decisions over the next 60 days.

I have, all in all had a fantastic break away and am also so happy to be back with all my beloveds and ready to charge on on with my brilliant life.

My next blog is on Sunday week. Lets hope I'm over the worst by then

Peace and lurve.

Another ten days of easy livin' now on the beach!

Hi from the lovely rocky shores of southern crete.
Arrived here yesterday and taking a day to relax and get to know this rugged and beautiful island.

Staying in the lovely Matala. A small resort with a sunset beach and great restaurants and coffee shops, classy but not posh shops and very friendly people. Sat with my sis and watched a perfect sunset last night.

Feeling a bit tired today from the journey and a sleepless night filled yet again with strong dreams. had a chill by the pool and caught some rest.

The food here is amazing and a local custom appears to be FREE DESSERT! Little cakes or cheesy pastry things in honey with ice cream. Not wishing to be impolite I have allowed myself a little leaway and am enjoying.

On Friday we plan to tackle Europes longest and deepest gorge. Samaria.
Starting at 4am with a 3 hour bus journey to the north east.
Apparently it's a 4 kilometer walk down steps just to arrive at the gorge then a 4-5 hour trek to the beach where we can swim and eat. Thena boat trip back to the bus for a 21/2 drive back to Matala.


My body feels ready for it and although a bit tentative, I'm well up for it.

So while away I am gonna enjoy and may even have a bit of wine or beer if the fancy takes me. we'll see.

Will update after my big walk and tell you all how it went.

Time for a tea I think.
Peace out.

This is about more than the body now!

Small shift.. huge impact.

So I have reached day 20, a fifth of the way through my journey.

As far as the body is concerned, things have steadied and settled.

I have lost 2 kilos since day 10. A slowing from the loss of the first ten days but that was expected. Still on track.

My blood pressure is perfect and my energy in the day is now good.

I was for a few days however, sleeping much less at night and found myself awake in the early hours, with what felt like too much excess energy and wakefulness. This is now improving and I am settling more easily.

My dreams have become extraordinarily vivid and linger around me all day. I have experienced this before in times of abstinence and expected it.

I am watching these dreams with great interest. They are a new window to my awakening subconscious mind.

Enjoying strident walks through the Palace and Woods with my beautiful doggie Mojo.

Soon, I plan to start increasing the pace and length of my walks to boost my cardio and fitness levels. I will even start jogging, but not till day 30, as I wish to give my heart and lungs an extended holiday before putting them to work.

Still not craving either the habitual ritual, nor the effects, of space changing or mind altering foods, drinks or drugs. Quite amazing. Will I ever want them again?

Uh, probably!

But other realizations and insights are now surfacing that I had not even considered.

I have attended a few parties and social events like my monthly drum circle and am discovering that not only can I enjoy myself in the natural state, but also that if a party is, let’s say not resonating with me, I am able to just leave and do something else, with no sense of disappointment.

In other words, I feel much more responsible for my space and in control of deciding if I am in a sociable and chatty mood, or just wanting to be quiet and peaceful without judging one above the other.

I have always looked forward to parties and still do. But now, socializing no longer means escaping from my ‘boring‘ life.

In a way, it feels like the parties are never starting and so are actually never ending.

I feared that being at parties without drinking or whatever, I would be bored or worse boring, in company. Turns out, it’s not so.

A whole new way of being around people has arisen. A much less fearful, more open and ‘present’ experience is what I am finding. I’m not sure if others are enjoying my company more or less. That’s for them to decide.

I am also finding that my workspace and desk are much more organized and tidy than ever before. And I am getting so much more stuff done!

I am finding myself able to deal with much more activity and move through tasks with little or no stress.

Another change I have noticed, and this may be coincidence or I may be unwittingly manifesting it, but since beginning this project, I have found my financial and creative situation improving, but not through any direct conscious action.

It feels as though the new space inside is acting like a metaphysical vacuum and drawing in more and more possibilities without any effort.

As the fog clears after so many years, a completely new scene is emerging.

One very different to what I left behind as a younger man.

I could describe it as increased confidence, or inspiration, or a sense of my potential in life becoming a reality. But the closest I can get to the experience is that it is a diminishment of fear.

It’s like suddenly having a skeleton key that can open all the doors of my life.

With one turn, everything is unlocking simultaneously. Work, creativity, meaning, passion, growth, vision, determination health, vitality…all are surfacing and intensifying and it all feels very, very good!

It’s no wonder I have been keeping myself in an emotional, mental and physical prison…Somewhere inside I have always been aware of the power I have, and have not had the courage to release it. The gate has bust open. The beast is free. No going back now!

My next update at day 30 will be from the sun drenched shores of southern Crete, where I will be hiking, swimming and chilling with my wonderful big sister.

Till Then.