So you want to start something, poke the box, step out in faith to do something risky? Great! When are you going to do it? Oh you haven't decided that bit yet, its just an idea you want to get going on sometime soon?

Does this sound like a familiar conversation from your head or with people around you? I suspect that we are all guitly of procrastinating, especially when time is precious and initiatives are risky.

You really need to put some dates in your diary though, for time that you will spend doing these things that you want to start. Stop reading and go fetch it, or your calendar or whatever planning device you use and mark in it the day or hour when you plan to start.

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Right, now that you have done that, here is another new idea for you, with dates already associated with it. When was the last time you stepped aside to consider your spiritual position, to reflect on your higher purpose and to strengthen that aspect of your existence? Maybe you go to prayers regularly or have a planned time of meditation or similar. Many of you probably don't though, but might have considered doing something. But what is 'something'?

I am part of a group who runs wilderness retreats for people just like you, who want to take some time aside and consider life in all its fullness. These wilderness retreats will take you to an island and give you time to reflect but also guide you in some activities that assist you in that process. Generated from a Christian perspective they are designed to be inclusive and give you space for your own expression and thoughts in an inspiring and wild setting.

To know more, read the flyer below and then contact us for any further discussion of how it works.

I spent a cold hour last night standing on my neighbours roof watching for meteors from Gemini and trying not to fall over the edge - its quite hard to stand perfectly still whilst peering upwards!

I probably caught sight of about 20 meteors in the hour I was outside and every single one gave me a little thrill, but I found myself constantly willing another spectacular streak to appear.

It made me think of the discussion we had been engaged in at the xpand Life College during yesterdays seminar in which we agreed that the process of manifestation, willing something into existence, was not something we believed in. Most of the time, if we want something to appear, we have to work hard in some way, to ensure that it does.

Last night though, I was in a situation where I could merely keep my fingers crossed and hope. Okay, its celestial bodies over which I have no control at all, and that was all part of the awesome nature of the spectacle. How often though, do we take that attitude with things that we CAN control in some way? I see it a lot in people who are keen for things to happen but instead of being spurred into action, they sit on the sidelines and wring their hands despairingly because things are not going to plan. It doesn't work.  Francis of Assisi's prayer asked God to grant him the serenity to accept the things he could not change, courage to change the things he could and the wisdom to know the difference - its still important today.

I'm away to be serene outside and stand in awe at the beauty, excitement and unpredictablility of nature because apparently we can see them again tonight. But I think I will make use of the neighbouring dark sky carpark rather than my roof.