One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice –
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do –
determined to save
the only life you could save.

~ Mary Oliver ~

The end of my story is this: the people of Aberdare are extraordinary, writes American Jane Powel Thomas.

The beginning lies in the very rich past of Aberdare when one (or possibly more) of my husband’s ancestors was the minister of the Ebenezer Chapel in Aberdare, now located in the Trecynon area. Both of us have a Welsh background, my husband’s family from North Wales and mine from the Brecon area. As a child, my husband was brought to Aberdare to see the church where his great, great grandfather was minister, and he was moved by the fascinating, still-operating chapel that included an interior plaque
commemorating his ancestor, the Rev. Edwards.

He has been trying to find this chapel again ever since!

In several visits to Aberdare, we have not been able to find the actual church, even with the help of the very able and kind library associates as well as the advice of some business people and even the local post office. During our September visit, we were meandering–trying to find anything that my husband might recognize–and saw a building that looked a bit like it might be the one. It wasn’t. However, a young woman who was in her garden at the time told us that she knew of the Ebenezer Chapel because her children had been in concerts there.

Her husband came out of the house to see what was going on. And then this incredibly kind and generous couple got in their car and led us directly to the chapel, tucked up into a little back street that we would never have found on our own!

The chapel itself, of course, is closed, and unfortunately, we were not able to contact the caretaker. However, we now know where it is and plan to contact him when next time we visit. We hope to be able to see the inside someday.

The adventure of searching for this little chapel was almost as much fun as finding it, and we have very warm feelings for Aberdare and its people. The very gracious couple who helped us went off without leaving their names–a true example of the Good Samaritan, helping someone with no expectation of getting something in return. You really don’t see that very often these days.

Aberdare and its people are extraordinary! And so is this very cool website. Thank you for allowing me to write this.

No matter how far we travel, or how many holidays we take…can we ever really escape our problems, stresses or worries?

This year has been a very stressful time. Nothing negative, just trying to get my columns as well as other pieces of writing done, moving home and fitting in my job.

Hard work to say the least. In 2009, I’ve had more holidays, weekends away and days out than I can remember! I noticed this whilst looking through my calendar (trying to find a free weekend to go away) we’ve just moved and it took its toll on me, so a weekend away was just what I need.

Suddenly, I realised this year every time the going got tough, or work got too much, I’d want a holiday or break…so I had one.

During the holiday I’d feel brilliant, more relaxed and happy, yet once it was time to come back and face the music I felt awful, worse than before I had the holiday!

I Realise everyone has stressful times, but don’t run off to the airport or to the car for a break. They face their worries, deal with them, and then after it’s resolved take the holiday. Running away from stresses is just no good! They’re still there when we come back, whether we like it or not!

“Do not try to run away from problems; that will only give them more strength to overcome you.” Matha Devi, an Indian religious leader.

From now on I’ll wait till I’m stress free before hitting the airport!

* * *

Are you looking for a fresh start and new way of thinking ?

Lynsey Richards offers a Life Coaching service to suit your needs… Read More here.

I don’t know about anyone else, but summer ‘09’ has been just as gloomy, as it’s been great for me. I had an on/off bout of the summer time blues. Some days I felt so fed up, I didn’t have a clue what to do with myself, the heat made me sleepy and every time I looked out the window others seemed to be having a wail of a time in the sun.
I’m in the middle of moving home, so that was the biggest weight on my mind; it is surprising how stressful it can be. Plus after all the tidying and boxing up, was it any wonder why I didn’t have any energy?

Looking back, I guess the mixture of dieting, as you do in the summer, ready for hitting the beach, or was that just me this year? The heat, and the stress of planning my holidays and plus knowing I had to get on an aeroplane really didn’t help!

Thankfully I did have brilliant holidays’ this year with my 007 (after I got off the plane) and didn’t look to bad in my bikini either, as I always say, I’m no Kate Moss though!

Next summer I will try my hardest not to let silly things get me down, everyone should enjoy every moment of the summer, especially the weather, as we are all aware, the rain likes to come back and visit us here in South Wales whenever he can! So I’m looking forward to autumn now and hoping it will be a better season for me.

* * *

Are you looking for a fresh start and new way of thinking ?

Lynsey Richards offers a Life Coaching service to suit your needs… Read More here.

Today I stopped to watch, as I was driving down the hill, As workmen chipped and hammered, then removed its pointed sill..

I swear I heard it cry with pain, as it was ripped away, Heard it beg them, to be left alone, to stand another day.

I wondered, did they realise, a 100 years and more, That builders gave their hearts and souls, for us to have somewhere to go?

They sweated blood, and even tears, to make it as we knew.. Spectacular, magnificent.. one of a golden few.

Stars from all around the world, played on that wonderful stage, Packed out to the rafters, on the dancefloor people engaged.

Romances born, and break-ups too, those walls saw many a drama, And even in the miners strike, it became our Panorama.

Lots of things have happend there, too numerous to mention, It helped us when we needed it, some ways, an institution.

It stood so proud and comforting, for many, throughout the years, Someone SHOULD have saved it, along with all our tears.

And as I watched, I felt so helpless, there was nothing I could say, To stop those careless workmen, taking Maerdys heart away…

Recently I sat down to watch Black Hawk Down. Not my normal choice of film, it’s about U.S soldiers sent to Somalia, but their mission takes a turn for the worst. It was an amazing film, although very upsetting and violent, but it was just a film. An hour in, I picked up the back of the DVD case to read and realised it is based on actual events that happened in 1993. Being nine at that time, I would never have known about it.

Knowing the film was based on true events, I watched it in a different light. It is amazing what soldiers go through, not just from the U.S, but right here in Britain. It looks like a setting from a Hollywood movie; it is past comprehension what it is actually like in these real, dangerous situations.

Half way through the film I quickly picked up the newspaper only to see the headlines, but noticed more and more British troops are being killed in Afghanistan. Coincidently, pages later there was a short message asking for people to send shoe boxes out to Afghanistan for soldiers. I made up my mind there and then that I was going to try and send some out, they only ask for a few toiletries and biscuits. Considering what they are doing, I think that’s the least they deserve.

So, I urge everyone to realise what these young men and women are really doing for the country, and to join me in sending a shoe box and hopefully, one day soon this terrible war will end.

* * *

Are you looking for a fresh start and new way of thinking ?

Lynsey Richards offers a Life Coaching service to suit your needs… Read More here.

This year it’s seems everyone and their mother is getting married. Sometimes I think I should settle down (properly this time) soon. I really don’t want children, yes, regardless of everyone out there who says I’ll change my mind…it won’t happen! Then there’s the marriage issue. Not all that bothered(anymore), of course one day I would like to do the deed, but when I’m 100% sure and not because EVERYONE else is doing it.

I say that, as for the last few weeks, unfortunately for my 007, I did catch a bad case of wedding fever. Between the dresses, flowers, parties, oh and the heat outside, I caught an addiction. I wanted one and wanted a wedding now! Everyone else was doing it, so I wanted to. Now I see how ridiculously crazy that idea was, but at the time I felt a sense of being left out (not jealously, as my wedding would be the best, wink!)

However, and this is being slightly naughty, an acquaintances of mine very recently got married. We were friendly-ish in school, but we didn’t travel in the same circles. Didn’t bother with either of them after we left school, the odd hello, if that.

Nevertheless, eight plus years pass and I learn they are living together, and then I hear of their wedding. “How can they get married before me?” Nothing against the pair, it was the ‘W’ fever talking. Not long after a ‘so-called’ friend of the groom told me something this instantaneously stopped my wedding fever.

Not long ago Mr. Groom took a holiday (alone). Whilst on this holiday he was badly behaved and had a little fling. Now, if that wasn’t bad enough, it turned out that this little fling was not with some sexy senorita, no, it was with some sexy senor. Ok, now if that’s how you want to live your life, fab! But why marry a woman? Then again, Mr. Groom confessed this little indiscretion to Mrs. Bride and she turned a blind eye and married him regardless.

When it comes to weddings, sometimes it all looks too good to be true, and sometimes it is. We never know what goes on behind closed doors, so never wish for what other have. Whether that’s weddings, children, big houses or an alleged perfect relationship. Be happy with what you have and enjoy it.

* * *

Are you looking for a fresh start and new way of thinking ?

Lynsey Richards offers a Life Coaching service to suit your needs… Read More here.

YouTube Direktvideo link

Lynsey Richards writes about settling down …

As I spoke about last week, me and my 007 have decided to take our relationship to the next level. After much thought and discussion we have decided to buy a house and live together… and maybe more. It wasn’t an easy decision as I have lived with boyfriends before … and look how well that worked out! But how I felt about my exes, is no comparison to how I feel about 007. I know that this time it is right. I’m happy and settled in myself and am ready for all that adulthood entails.

Bond and I get on so well, we are always laughing together, we have a lot in common and the majority of the time we share the same thoughts and opinions. We both want similar things from life and from our relationship. For once, it is nice to be in a relationship where its pretty much smooth sailing, where we can just sit back, relax and enjoy each other. Don’t get me wrong, sparks do fly at times, but they quickly fizzles out and the laughter continues.

As Carrie Bradshaw said “Some people are settling down, some people are settling and some people refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies”.

When I first heard this quote, I instantly related to it. I know a lot of people who have settled down for the ’sake’ of settling down, because they are comfortable and don’t like the thought of change peeking its head around the corner.

Even more people are just settling. They are settling with the first person that comes their way. Not for a minute am I suggesting any person is better than another, but some people are not broadening their horizians and looking for their perfect match (If there is such a thing) … someone who is going to make them truly happy.

Then there’s those of us who will refuse to settle for anything less than something special and unique. If I’m completely honest a few years back I would have been one of the people who was just settling, but now I will only settle for my ‘butterfly’ who I’m hoping will be my 007 for many, many years to come.

* * *

Are you looking for a fresh start and new way of thinking ?

Lynsey Richards offers a Life Coaching service to suit your needs… Read More here.

YouTube Direktvideo link