It’s not unusual that I’m writing on the go, movement, perhaps, stirs up some sort of creativity in me or maybe it’s my Scottish attitude towards not wasting anything at all, in particular, precious time. Whether time actually exists, mind you, is a whole other story. Whatever, I’m stirred to write this now from the sky…
I talk often about the futility of being stuck in the past regretting, reminiscing…. or longing, wishing for a better future, while life in the meantime passes by unnoticed on its own. Rereading ‘The Power of Now’ (Hodder & Stoughton, 2005) – encouraged to do by son Michael, I’m impressed by Ekhart 
Tolle’s words on this…
“Are your thought processes creating guilt, pride, resentment, anger, regret or self-pity? Then you are not only reinforcing a false sense of self but also helping to accelerate your body’s ageing process by creating an accumulation of past in your psyche… Die to the past in every moment… Feel the power of this moment and the fullness of Being. Feel your
presence.”
Intellectually I absolutely understand this; I know the catabolic state that negative, relentless thinking creates in the body’s biochemistry. Viscerally, I feel it when I choose to do so. I cannot, for sure, say that I attain to a fully present life, many should haves, could haves still raise their ugly heads in my quite unconscious mind but, for sure, it’s getting better all the time.
I am on way now to Muscat, home between 2004 to 2007 and the place 
where a personal trauma set me off on a journey, a psychical journey within. It’s fitting I believe that I am returning now to the place where I first truly encountered my breath. A friend has invited me to more formally share what I have learned about the transformative powers of breathing over these last twelve years or so of exploration.
Going into this new year, really working on being present is a key theme for me in all that I do. And that includes taking proper time out for looking after myself. As much as i dislike it, that has to include taking the time to shop for decent clothes so that I stop getting myself into situations where i don’t have the right clothes to wear. Remarkably, also while living in Oman, I was invited to a colleague’s home for the day. Michael Jackson was going to be there with his kids and secretary. “Why didn’t you come over” Mohammed asked me back in the office next day – I didn’t admit that I wasn’t there as I didn’t know what to wear! An opportunity never ever to be made available again.
Also this year, rightly or wrongly (on son Steve’s encouragement), I have entered the Comrade’s ultra marathon in South Africa. Hopefully I qualify with a sub five-hour marathon in Brighton in April. So my blogs for the coming months will focus on how my training is progressing, and, importantly, all the tools and techniques that I will be employing to ensure, that by the end of the process, I’m in a better shape than I’m starting out. Look forward to sharing.
If you enjoyed reading this article you might also enjoy Incredible India Inside Out on the Camino The West Highland Way The Nomad
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