Two days after my birthday on June 8 I travelled to visit my family in Southern Spain and to stay with them for a few days. It always takes me a little while to let go of the rush of life that I am used to in London – then it is easy to enjoy the good weather, lying around and sharing time with my family and my friends. I even got to meet a cute 2-month-old puppy called Gala with an incredible zest for life!

Feeling much more energetic and at the same time relaxed than when I arrived, I will be going back to London very soon… what a beautiful break for the beginning of the summer!

What a beautiful initiative: a 3-mile-long "human chain handshake" for peace took place in London on May 22 to achieve peaceful dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama. More than 2000 people shook hands with each other in a chain leading up to the Chinese embassy in London, as a gesture for peace.

Read the complete news and check the pictures and the video at avaaz.org.

Everything and everybody tells us what to think, who to vote, what to wear, how to be and what opinions to have most of our time. From TV series to commercials to newspapers and gossip magazines, to acquaintances, co-workers and even our families and friends, we are bombarded with messages telling us what sort of people we have to be from morning to night. On top, the media create in us feelings of inadequacy as we do not look like "the beautiful people" or do not have all that they tell us we need just to be fine.

For instance, what do you think of concepts like marriage or fidelity? Politics? Religion? If you look closely, you will realize that your ideas about these and many more concepts are not really yours – they are what society, your family, your school, your church and your friends have been telling you since you arrived to this world. Most likely you have not even questioned them, but you accepted all those beliefs as the norm or the truth. You are not to blame – this is the reality for most of us.

My message to you today is: reclaim your own power. Your intuition, combined with your experience of life, your logical thinking and the ideas of who you want to be or the life that you want to have all speak to you.

When posed with an idea or a belief about anything, do not just accept it. See it for yourself. Think for yourself. Choose for yourself. Question what is given to you and then, only after you reach your own conclusion, take it or leave it or modify it as needed. Don't even take what I write here as "the thing" – have your own opinion. The world is richer when you can bring to it what you really believe and who you really are – that is your mission, my friend, of forming yourself according to yourself. You need no guru to tell you how to be. You know how to be.

Reclaim your own power. It comes down to YOU.

A short while ago I came across this little and easy-to-read ebook called "Zen Habits Handbook For Life", by Leo Babauta. It seemed quite interesting (check its table of contents) and it was really affordable (a mere $6.95), so I decided to give it a go.

It is actually full of practical advice from page 1 to declutter our lives and live a much simpler and happier life. In a world where we are told that we need more and more to be happy, Leo Babauta brings with this book an oasis of common sense: we do not need more, in fact more means a burden most of the time. What I liked the most from this ebook is that its advice can be put into practice straight away, in a number of areas of life.

Follow the link for a review of "Zen Habits Handbook For Life" – a little friend that can help you live a freer life.

I believe that being grateful for something is one of the most powerful tools to feel better immediately. Here are the two thanking bits of the month:

Thankful for... the few good friends. There are few but really good; I am talking about those friends who are always there for you, for the easy and the tough times; those with whom you connect fully even if a few years have passed by. These are the people who make us bring up the best in ourselves.

Thankful for... the sun. England's weather is mostly cloudy and rainy, with only a few days of full shining sun. During this short holiday break in Spain I have had the pleasure of enjoying a very hot sun on my skin, the light that it brings to us every day, and its beneficial effects when taken in moderation. No wonder so many wise cultures adored the sun...

What are you thankful for? Send me an email trough the Contact Me form and let me know!

Care to send me your thoughts about this issue's topics? Email me and let me know!

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Stay well,

Cristina