Guest article by Judith Brady

I recently received a newsletter from a client and friend called Hazel-Ann Lorkins of LifeSparkle™    which I found really inspiring – a list of suggestions for a happier life. As Hazel-Ann is one of the most energetic, positive and wise women I have met, I knew her ideas would be worth some attention.  Hazel-Ann is in her 60s, has more or less retired from the corporate world but still finds it difficult to fit in all the things she wants to do, she has so many interests and passions.

Make peace with the past so it wont spoil the present

Here are some of her suggestions:
• Take a 10-30 minute walk every day and while you walk, smile
• Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
• Sleep for seven hours
• Live with the three Es:  Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy
• Read more books than you did last year
• Drink plenty of water
• Eat more food that grows on trees and plants and less food that is manufactured in plants
• Smile and laugh a lot
• Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip
• Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6
• Don’t take yourself too seriously:  no-one else does!
• Don’t compare your life with that of others:  you have no idea what their journey is about
• Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present
• The best is yet to come

Spend some time being Silly

I have just one to add – ‘spend some time being silly’.  This was brought home to me after I reluctantly went on an adventure weekend  in Cambridgeshire, organised by my friend and colleague, Suzie Rice. We had just run a ‘Style Heaven’ workshop at Champneys  and  I didn’t really relish the idea of going to stay in dormitories and spending my weekend building rafts, getting cold and wet and playing games.  I am more of a luxury spa break girl with en-suite, gourmet restaurant and massages.  Being a good sport though, I agreed to go along and join in.

What a fantastic time! I had forgotten what a tomboy I am at heart.  Yes, I got completely drenched (I blame the faulty design of our raft!) and cold and dirty and I absolutely loved it! It was so liberating to forget about hair, make-up and clothes for a while and just get stuck in!

We had free reign of the place in the evening and we played lots of very silly games including seeing who could pick up an empty orange juice carton off the floor with their teeth, with only their feet touching the ground. I do lots of yoga and pilates so I was good at this, as was another girl, but I claimed victory as I was the elder by at least 15 years!

Proof that you can still be really supple in your 50s -
I’m just really glad that this photo was taken from the front!

I had always wondered what ‘ball pools’ (don’t know their proper name) are like when I have seen kids screaming with joy playing in them.  I now know what all the fuss is about – it’s a wonderful feeling and really comfortable to lie in (I did consider sleeping here rather than my bunk bed but didn’t think it would go down too well). Go on, have a go – if you can find one where adults are allowed in.

So, whatever your age, take some time to just be silly.  Do silly things, play silly games, laugh and giggle like a kid – it will make you feel years younger!

Judith Brady – Style Coach
Go to: www.judithbrady.co.uk  for details of the ‘Style Heaven’ programme.  Next taster workshop on 14 September 2011.

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