Does magic really exist? According to coaches Kirsty and Morgana at The Manifesting Institute yes it does. I too think that we have more power over our lives than we realise, and we don’t always believe it, or know how to harness it – and sometimes we inadvertently misuse it – we must indeed ‘be careful what we wish for’.

So let’s take a look at Magical Thinking’s five key ways to channel your super powers and transform your life:

1. Conscious rituals can create great unconscious habits

The body holds on to negative experiences and trauma. Affirmations may help, but try something physical, linking to where your want to be in life, like a regular self-care routine.

2. Choose your ‘intentions’ carefully 

Choose intentions about who you want to be not what you want to have. People who feel lucky are luckier.

3. Think and act in 3D

If you dream about a beach house, bring in shells, driftwood etc. Direct love towards your intentions and don’t be passive, interact with these physical objects daily. Think about a person or business you admire. Obtaining something that has a direct connection can have a magical effect.

4. Be intentional 

Be intentional in every area of your life, what you wear, your hairstyle, your jewellery. Disneybounding uses fictional characters. By dressing up (subtly or overtly) as an admired character we can resonate with their best traits.

5. Everything manifests – so remove things you’re not resonating with 

A cluttered room can affect you even if the door is closed. Remove what doesn’t resonate with your imagined best version of you. Physically declutter; delete time-sucking apps and discard clothes which make you feel bad. Ask before you buy something, is this a great collaboration for my best life? Or is it taking time, energy, money?

I like these ideas and will be trying them. To clarify, this doesn’t imply that if bad things happen, it’s your fault. There’s an important difference between being able to positively influence our lives, and taking undeserved blame for bad things that may happen to us.

If you’re interested in making your life the best it can be, check out the courses and ideas on the Magical Thinking website. Why not?

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

This is the personal memoirs of a lady who grew up as an Afrikaaner in apartheid South Africa. It gives an insight into her every day life and her relationship with her father who she portrays as a rather bullying, racist character. She goes on to describe her various relationships, both in South Africa and USA, where she traveled ‘to find love and meaning’. She shares her innermost thoughts with the reader and the book contains much self-examination as the author tries to understand her behaviour and her life.

The author says that she wrote her memoir in a quest to make spiritual sense of the traumatic life events she has experienced.

To be honest, this book wasn’t for me, but it may help others who resonate with her experiences.

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By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

The attitudes of mindfulness are the ways in which we approach mindfulness to embody the essence of the practice. They are very much practices in & of themselves & are interlinked. Often when we start to really embody the essence of non-judgment for example, we’ll find the spirit of acceptance & forgiveness is easier to cultivate.

So let’s investigate these attitudes in a little more detail:

Non-judgment – we are essentially quite a judge-y species. The first step in not judging, as in changing any behaviour, is to become aware of it, the second step is to not judge the judging – simply notice it. Overtime you will become aware of the judgment subsiding. It’s all about not being quite so critical of ourselves or others.

Kindful acceptance, forgiveness & compassion – if we are kinder, more accepting, forgiving & compassionate to ourselves we are generally kinder, more accepting, forgiving & compassionate to others. Acceptance, forgiveness, kindness & compassion are all choices we make. They are not a giving up or giving in energy but simply a conscious choice to let go, surrender & release the stories we are telling ourselves. They are attitudes which help us to cultivate a sense of patience & trust in ourselves, others & in the process itself.

Playful curiosity – this is sometimes a tough one for us adults, we sometimes take ourselves & life a little too seriously. Again this about a choice: choosing joy, fun & happiness & noticing how this really shifts our energy. It is about not criticising our thoughts, feelings or emotions but bringing an essence of playful curiosity to whatever we are experiencing: a sense of oooh that’s interesting or I wonder what that’s all about. Playful curiosity is closely linked to the idea of a beginner’s mind, bringing a sense of childlike wonder, the sense of what was it like the first time we experienced something.

Non-striving – this is something else we often struggle with because we have been conditioned to pursue goals, push for achievements & accomplishments. The funny thing with non-striving is actually once we take the pressure off & start to enjoy the process instead of the outcome, we actually start to ‘achieve’ more! Something that is also worth noticing when we start to cultivate an attitude of non-striving: an ability to slow down & actually take some time to reflect upon, acknowledge & appreciate our achievements. Sadly, we are often so programed to achieve & strive that we rarely take time to appreciate what we have actually achieved before we are onto the next thing.

Gratitude – cultivating a sense of appreciation & gratitude for our lives, experiences, thoughts, feelings literally helps to rewire our brains. I have practiced gratitude almost daily for the past 8 years & I credit it, together with a daily meditation & yoga practice, with changing the way I think about & relate to myself & others.

Heartfulness – in Asian cultures the word for heart & mind are often interchangeable so we can think of the essence of mindfulness as heartfulness.

In the end, as we start to embrace one or two of these mindful attitudes, we begin to see how closely related & interlinked they are & it becomes easier to embrace other attitudes. But just like mindfulness, yoga & meditation, these attitudes are all practices, the more we practice, the more they influence our lives for the better.

This week’s meditation is a mindfulness of breath meditation & to obtain your copy, just simply email Alex to the email address below quoting Frost mindfulness attitudes. Next time we will be exploring why & how we can use the breath & the body to anchor ourselves into the present moment & cultivate a more mindful approach to living & being.

Alex is based on the edge of the stunning Cotswolds & has been sharing her love for all things yoga & mindfulness for the last 8 years, not just in the UK but also around the world. Her mission is to help everyone discover a sense of peace & calm within & to encourage them to embrace regular self-care practices.

If you would like more information on how to practice mindfulness, meditation & yoga message her at alex@myananda.co.uk.

For free resources check out her Facebook group: Mindfulness & Yoga for Self-Care, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MindfulnessYoga4Relationships

Alternatively please check out her website: www.myananda.co.uk

After nearly a year of lockdown, perfume has probably slipped down the priority list – I mean, who’s going to notice from 2 metres away?

But now things are changing – the vaccination programme’s steaming ahead and we have a Roadmap back to social contact, and dare I say, hugs. So maybe it’s time to start dusting off those forgotten bottles from the back of the bathroom cabinet?

Or how about treating yourself? Cheer the spirit with a fresh new fragrance. And Mother’s Day is on 14^th March too, so don’t forget Mum.

But what to buy? After a year of smelling of hand sanitiser we may need some help.

I found the Fragrance Wheel and Fragrance Strength Guide on the Perfume Direct Website really useful. The Fragrance Wheel explains all those perfume categories – Floral, Woody, Oriental etc – just choose the scent you like then search Perfume Direct by that category. The Strength Guide tells us how long each perfume will last – from eight hours for an Eau de Parfum to two hours for a lighter Eau Fraiche.

Perfume Direct are a UK company who have built an extensive network of suppliers to source the best price for their customers. They’re real experts and Perfume Direct’s Jonny Webber has shared some useful top tips with Frost Magazine. Did you know that:

Spring and summer scents tend to be fruity, lighter and ‘less volatile’ meaning they last longer and are less overwhelming.

Perfumers use the volatility of the molecules to control the nature and evolution of the scent. Different perfume notes are combined to hit the air at different times, hence the top notes, middle and base notes used in perfume descriptions.

Lighter weight molecules, such as citrus, pepper, herbs and fruity notes come out first, while heavier notes such as amber, woody and musk, linger on skin longer.

In warm weather, perfumes will evaporate quicker. So, citrus, crisp green and floral scents are perfect. White flowers in particular – jasmine, tuberose, frangipani – are known to “bloom” in hot weather.

Perfumes associated with winter tend to be heavier and can be overwhelming if they evaporate quickly in the summer heat.

One of their perfumes which caught my eye was Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb  EDP Spray – tea, fresh lime, jasmine, rose, freesia and Cattleya orchid on a lingering base of musk and patchouli. Or put another way, it smells just great – think tropical nights, al fresco dining for two, I loved it.

So for Mother’s Day, a personal end of lockdown treat, or the man in your life (they have a great range of After Shaves too) I recommend Perfume Direct.

By Dr K Thompson, award winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Delcario, (their artisan products already tried and tested by some of the Frost Team who are still raving about them) , have created tailored gifts of fine artisan food and wine in gift boxes and hampers – available online for home delivery as the perfect gourmet surprise for mothers to enjoy.

Once a year Mother’s Day is the ideal opportunity to let your mum know she is loved, appreciated and treasured. I say this from the heart, as mother of 4!  Given the stay-at-home Mother’s Day approaching,  it’s surely a great idea to send a gift box or hamper of indulgent artisan treats. Treats created from natural and often organic ingredients by family and small-scale producers across Europe.

Priced at £46, Delicario Mother’s Day Sweet Wishes Gift Box is a sweet sensation of Italian lavender biscuits, Piedmont hazelnuts covered in milk chocolate, a fragrant apricot tart from artisan bakery Olivieri 1882, the zestiest of orange marmalades from southern Italy (glorious, having tested it)  and a beautiful tin of bold English Breakfast tea. Each item is carefully packed in tissue paper, wood wool and presented in an embossed gift box with ribbon.

The Delicario We Love Mum Hamper sells at £53 and is a quality small wicker hamper that brings the much missed travel experience home with an artisan journey through flavours of Sicilian green olive paté, (Sicily -think Salvo Montalbano. I haven’t been, I must)  mature sheep cheese with sprigs of thyme, the world’s best toasted hazelnuts from Piedmont and aromatic prosciutto, accompanied by a crisp white Sauvignon from the Rioja region.

All sounds wonderful. Would it be wrong to send a hamper to myself?

https://www.delicario.com/hampers-gifts/p/delicario-sweet-wishes-gift-box

https://www.delicario.com/hampers-gifts/p/delicario-we-love-mum-hamper

Frost Magazine loves that even in tricky times Delicario stand out for their ability to source authentic flavours from the best artisan producers: Spanish and Italian antipasti of artisan cheese, cured ham, pâté, specialty olives and grilled vegetables preserved in extra virgin olive oil. From porcini mushroom cream to select Wagyu and Chianina beef cuts, authentic artisan pasta, sauces and hand-made chocolate and baked treats, to family vineyard fine wine and champagne, dedicated artisan elaboration is at the heart of every delicacy.

Items are sold individually as well as in artisan meal boxes, gift boxes and hampers and there are vegan and gluten-free options available. (I sent a gluten free hamper to a pal and she was thrilled)

Remember also, that one of the gang at Delicario will always help to personalise the hamper. If you know someone doesn’t like a particular product in a box or hamper – no problems, just tell them and they’ll come up with substitutes.

The presentation of each embossed gift box and wicker hamper is luxurious with artistic labelling and packaging of every item, tissue paper, wood wool, sustainable chill pouches for fresh foods and personalised greetings cards for the perfect finishing touch. Twenty-four-hour delivery is available as well as the opportunity to schedule in advance for occasions such as Mother’s Day.

Founder Marco Rosa remarked, “This year in particular, when families have been kept apart and travel has been restricted, mum will cherish a thoughtful gift of exquisite artisan flavours from across Europe.”

 Delicario is based at Birch Barn in Kent, Delicario (www.delicario.com) was established by co-founders Marco Rosa, Alexander Scasny and Andrew Dack as an innovative online ‘international farmers market’, selling individual items, gifts and hampers of artisanal delicacies sourced from hand-picked regional producers all over Europe. Avoiding mass production, Delicario believes in the unique spirit of natural ingredients, harvested and processed with love by small family businesses, always with sustainability in mind. Each product has been thoughtfully selected to inspire celebration and harmony in flavours around the dining table.