‘Adventure Revolution’ by Belinda Kirk – Purchased Book Review

Tags

Adventure, Adventure Revolution, anxiety, Author, Belinds Kirk, book blog, Book Review, Books, Fear, Forest Therapy, Hiking, Inspiration, Mountain, Mountains, Walking

Please see photos for the blurb.

This book needed to be written, and I’m so glad it was. Belinda Kirk writes in such a clear way and presents her findings with such clarity. This is an absorbing read, and I’ve re-read several chapters a number of times to let the wisdom sink in.

The chapters build on each other helping the reader to gain a real grasp of what the author has to say. I especially appreciated how Kirk shows how spending time outside can help us overcome challenges, develop resilience, learn new life skills and strengthen relationships. Moreover, having an adventurous spirit can give us the skills and wisdom to enhance our own daily lives.

As a keen hiker with a fear of heights and poor sense of direction, I know how spending time in the wilderness and up mountains has helped me become more confident and value perseverance. As such, reading this book has aided me in developing more of an understanding of myself, keen to try new experiences.

This book is more than a guide to the awesome power of adventure – it’s a joyous understanding of life!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Walk Write In Where The River Flows

Tags

Adventure, Alone, anxiety, Hiking, hobbies, Life, Mental health, Nature, Rivers

It’s been a good while since I added anything to my blog. 2022 has been an difficult year on a personal front – much has been going on with family and my own health – and I’ve really missed writing here as much as I did before. In fact, I’ve struggled to get much writing done at all in the last few months. Consequently, it’s been a struggle to get back into the habit. Still, I’m reaching old heights slowly, and I’ve enjoyed being back in the writing seat once more.

Hiking has been one hobby that’s kept me going. Walking in nature is the gateway to understanding our own thoughts and feelings. But, at times, I found even the idea of putting my trainers on and heading outdoors for five minutes difficult to comprehend. But, again, I’m slowly getting back into the swing of it.

RIVER THERAPY

I’ve spent plenty of time near the River Thames over the past few months. Staying grounded in the present moment and using my senses to appreciate what nature offers me has been rewarding: whether it’s observing fish flowing underneath the water, hearing the call of birds or smelling the sweet aroma of summer flowers, being by the water’s edge has engulfed me in a sense of calm.

River Adventure

Also, I think the need for walking along the Thames is also born out of a need to remain in the flow of life. When things get too much, we need to find a way to escape and ground ourselves again.

I Need More Moments Like These

NEW COMMITMENTS

So, as life carries on flowing by, I intend to grab more moments of calm. Even amidst the full-on pace of life and what it throws at us, taking even a brief amount of time out is so important.

And I’m looking forward to catching up with you all on WordPress.

Sorry it’s been so long!

Just Be Like The Swan!

Phone Box Reminder: The Importance Of Talking

Tags

Alone, anxiety, blogging, Blogging community, Family, Friends, Happiness, Inspiration, Life, Listening, Loneliness, Mental health, phones

Last weekend I was out on a hike, and I saw this lonely looking phone box in a village. It evoked in me the sense that we have to stay connected. Moreover, how it’s important to make the time to chat with one another.

I’m going through my phone contacts and making a list of people that I haven’t spoken to for a while. It’d be good to catch up.

Sometimes life just takes over and people move on – it’s a natural occurence in life. It’s also natural (and important) that we want to reconnect. Going through the names on my phone filled me with memories of times with specific people, and that filled me with joy.

The pandemic may have robbed us of certain things, but one thing that seeing that red phone box reminded me of is the importance of being there for one another, and to listen.

Reaching out to a family member, friend (old or new) or a stranger really can have a positive impact for everybody involved.

Wherever you are in the world, I hope you have a great weekend with the people you love. (And give an old friend a call too).

😃😃😃

SOS! Why is it so hard to ask for help? (shared from fitambitiousblonde.com)

Tags

anxiety, Loneliness, Mental health, Mind, Motivation

We have all been through a lot this past year and a half. There have been a lot of unknowns. A lot of isolation. A lot of wondering what is going to happen next. I think we have all had new challenges to face and obstacles to overcome and in turn days where we have […]

SOS! Why is it so hard to ask for help?

Hi Everybody, I read this really great post the other day on fitambitiousblonde.com about the importance of reaching out for help when it’s needed – and overcoming stigma when doing so. It’s so important to be there to listen to somebody going through any kind of hardship.

The website is a place of encouragement for anybody wanting to turn their life around. Check it out ☺️

Mountains For The Mind

Tags

Adventure, anxiety, Blogging community, Community, Discover Prompts, Fear, Hiking, Humanity, Inspiration, Life, Mental health, Mind, Motivation, Mountains

As I’m writing this, I’m staring out at a stormy grey sky in August. IN AUGUST! The weather has been like this across South-East England for ten days now, and it’s set to continue for a few more. I, like others, hoped that once we were out of lockdown that the summer of adventure could begin.

But it’s been a slow, stop-start affair.

I’d wanted to put up posts with photos of hikes more frequently, but this is all on hold until the shoddy weather clears. Don’t get me wrong: I’ve hiked in all sorts of conditions, and will enjoy continuing to do so. I guess I’m just frustrated at not being able to enjoy the countryside as much after all the restrictions we’ve faced.

PUTTING IT INTO PERSPECTIVE

I recently came across the Mountains For The Mind Facebook group. This is a campaign set up by Trail Magazine in the UK to encourage people to go out and explore to aid their mental health. Members may have mental health conditions of their own and/or they find the benefits of immersing themselves in nature.

Reading the stories and achievements of others is encouraging in a number of ways. I feel boosted to go out there and explore again, knowing that the outdoors will always nurture me in some way. Also, being part of a community like this reminds me of the strength of humanity, and how important it is to encourage each other.

TAKING HEART

Reading the stories of others has a direct impact on my self-worth. It reminds me that the restorative effects of being in the open brings joy to the heart and soul. Spending time in the countryside can give a person the ability to put things into perspective and makes what life throws at us less intense.

So, I’m going to go outside tomorrow and explore – even if it’s in my local woods for an hour after work. Come rain or shine, my mind is set.

I encourage you to do the same. You deserve it.

Please check out http://www.mountainsforthemind.co.uk for more info.

MINI POST: A VERY SHORT GUIDE TO THE POWER OF POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS

Tags

anxiety, blogging, Blogging community, Coronavirus, Hope, Humanity, Inspiration, positive affirmations, Well-being

INTRODUCTION

Positive affirmations have the ability to help us think more favourably about life. They even have the power to make us think in a more reasoned way about difficult situations we find ourselves in.

There are many videos with positive affirmations on YouTube. The narrator will read a series of life affirming statements which the listener is encouraged to listen to every day. Over time, these are absorbed by the subconscious and can have a beneficial impact on our day-to-day well-being.

BENEFITS OVER TIME

The advantages of sustained practice includes a calmer mind in facing situations, being able to handle past events or concerns about the future better, developing a sense of gratitude and positively impacting on others lives.

Thoughts and emotions are inextricably linked. Being calm and peaceful has an impact on how others are to us in return. What we put out there is what we get back.

Positive affirmations won’t make the issues we face go away; they will, however, give us a toolkit to
cope with life’s challenges better.

MY GO TO YOUTUBE CHANNELS

http://www.youtube.com/user/PowerThoughtsclub
http://www.youtube.com/c/YourUniverseChannel
http://www.youtube.com/c/RisingHigherMeditation

FURTHER ADVICE

If you’re interested in doing positive affirmations, I suggest doing ten minutes a day to begin with.
It takes time for long-term changes to take effect, so sustained practice is needed.

Within a few weeks you’ll be able to quote your own feel good mantras. That’s when you know that the messages have truly sunk in to your subconscious.

I hope you enjoyed this article. It’d be great to hear any comments you have.

Peace and love, Everybody .

Poem: Send A Message To Your Heart

Tags

anxiety, blogging, Blogging community, Hope, Mental health, now, panic, Poem, Poetry

When this world bruises you, leaving you battered and forlorn,

Hold on, hold on – I know you can brace this storm.

Don’t think about the past or be guided by future fears,

Just anchor yourself in the present, let go of those tears.

Stay grounded in this moment – there’s so much joy in the now,

Send a message to your heart, I promise you’ll get through this somehow.