How well AM I loving myself this Summer… Part III

Hotel Orange, Noordwijk wan Zee… Barbara Franken Photography

We were back in the country I spent many happy years living in… Holland… a land of friendly, open and ‘to the point’ people. Visiting always brings a smile to my face as IAM grateful for the Dutch people who taught me to be my own person and have the courage to stand up and express Who IAM. 

Holland in my eyes is a leading role model, instilling people to be confident in their expression, to care for self first and to be self-full. Most young adults are encouraged to continue their study until their mid 20’s, remaining in their family home enjoying family life and saving their pennies from working part time work. Voluntary work is encouraged as good work experience. The percentage of teenage pregnancy and drug/drink abuse is small, as society is tolerant and open about the subjects. Wellbeing for the mind, body and spirit is high, as people are conscious of what they eat, how much they exercise, the affect they have on the Environment and last but not at all least, they know and make known how they feel, what they don’t like and won’t put up with. They put themselves first, not in a selfish way, but in a self-full way that allows them to choose to inspire and help others along the way.

We had planned our week catching up with our family and friends, buying supplies to take back, checking out my favourite dutch stores and visiting new trendy restaurants.

Our friends Lynne and Keith came with us to celebrate our wedding anniversary at the TOP of the city, Den Haag… The Penthouse was situatied on the 42nd floor with beautiful panoramic views of the city centre. The food was delicious and company divine as always.

The Penthouse, Den Haag… Barbara Franken Photography

Ellen, Fred, Richard and Paul are our friends in Almere, who we visited for their famous bbq with chicken sate sauce… Paul was going through his John Lennon or is it his Robin Gibbs phase? so I had to have a selfie of us together.

Barbara and Paul… Barbara Franken Photography

The day before we were leaving for England, most of our family came down to have lunch in Noordwijk wan Zee with us. It was nice to catch up with everyone… Weather unfortunately was windy and stormy to say the least… so Tom and I had to buy some new warm clothes… oh deary me.

Family Lunch at The Gallery, Noordwijk aan Zee… Barbara Franken Photography

What a wonderful time we had, so good to be with family and friends again and catch up with how everyone was enjoying their life and getting on making it a happy one. This is what I love about the Dutch, even the foreigners living here, its like their consciousness is contagious and allows everyone to just get on in life, no matter what… as if they all know that they are responsible for their own destiny. How cool is that.

It was time to take our overnight boat to England, arriving just before my little sisters fairytale wedding. Time to help organise last minute things and my sister… after all it was her big day coming up and it was to be enjoyed.

We arrived at Sutton Bonington Hall the evening before for a get together with Angie’s friends and family who were staying either at the Hall or her home at Holden House. The following morning a lovely pre wedding breakfast was served… for the women and then the men before we began getting ready for the big moment. We knew it would go by so quickly so we all made the most of it… Many chuckles, tears and lots of photo shots. Angie was in her element, she looked a million dollars, she had so wished for a real dressed up fairytale affair at this lovely country family home at Bonington Hall with her gorgeous catch… Jon Barkway.

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull, Official Wedding Photography

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull Official Wedding Photography

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull Official Wedding Photograph

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull Official Wedding Photography

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull Official Wedding Photography

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull Official Wedding Photography

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull Official Wedding Photography

http://www.everybodysmile.biz… Humpston & Bull Official Wedding Photography

We all celebrated well into the small hours of the next morning, delicious food, drinks and company. It was a small cosy event, after all it wasn’t the first time for either of them, but certainly with conscious thought… the last.

Congratulations Angie… here’s to you, finding your man to share a good and happy life with.  It was our pleasure to share these happy moments with you.
Love always, Big Sis xxx

Our holiday was nearing its end… it was time to travel back home, via the English and French Channel Tunnel, travelling the coast of western France to northern Spain and down through Madrid to Malaga. We actually managed it in two days, staying one night in Southern France… our daughter Juliette was staying with us for a while and we wanted to get back to see her.

What an enjoyable time we had though… a happy experience with lots of awareness travelling through different countries and feeling into many unique energies.

I so much enjoy returning to England to visit my family and friends… Mum, Dad, Angie and myself are always there for each other and we continue to inspire each other to be our best selves. The energy of England and her people remain thick with confusion though… as the majority still can’t break free from being stuck in the past, fighting demons and blaming each other for their own lack of courage. Of course my own family and friends carry a sparkle of self-love and joy that penetrates through the dense atmosphere, but I know it is hard. Walking around my original home town Derby… I was quite shocked as I observed people looking lost, afraid and as if they had given up caring for themselves.

I’ve always said you don’t need a lot of money to care for yourself and be conscious of what you eat, what suits your body and how you present yourself in life. But who is reminding these people?

I have one bit of advice… Be curious about yourself and your Environment and allow this to take you on a journey of exploration. IAM quite fortunate that my curious self first appeared as a teenager and took me on an extra-ordinary journey of self discovery and understanding just how life works.  In my book Your Magnificent Self… A Journey to Freedom I share my unique and magical journey. Coming Soon…

So how well AM I loving myself this summer… both the wonderful and sad impressions I have absorbed along my travels have allowed me to open wider and deeper within myself (knowing that IAM the reflection of my Environment) and accept all life’s experiences because I know they have made me who IAM today and the society I share with millions of others… but I also know it is not who IAM now and can choose to release everything that no longer serves me and allow myself to focus on experiencing my heart and soul’s desire… to live freely as my Magnificent Self in a peaceful and harmonious world IAM creating with friends who know of our true potential as DivineHumanBeings.

My new Facebook page… https://www.facebook.com/MeMyMagnificentSelf would love you to like it, if you already haven’t… and keep up to date with the launch of my first book… I’m getting so excited… Thanks so much.

Barbara Franken… Master Creator 
Inspiring New Energy Consciousness.

 

How well AM I loving myself this summer… Part I

The Caro Hotel, Valencia… Barbara Franken Photography

Our summer adventure was upon us, we were off on our first long car journey since the arrival of our new red Range Rover Evoque. We had planned our 3 week driving holiday a year before, booking hotels, boat & tunnel crossings and arranged to meet up with our family and friends in Holland and England. It was going to be some good Tom & Barbara-time enjoying ourselves around Europe… and finding out just how the summer loves me.

The first stage of our journey was through Southern Spain… Malaga to Valencia… we stopped off in Mazarron to see my friend Wendy who had taken over the management of my Rental business as I wanted to make sure everything was ok and in place for the high season. We drove on through the lovely mountainous landscape of south east Valencia, staying overnight in the Caro Hotel, right in the heart of the big city. We arrived early enough to admire this restored 19th century palace with features dating back to ancient times, of which one was an old mosaic that had come to light and afterwards took a walk around the beautiful old city of Valencia which was conveniently around the corner.

The Old City of Valencia… Barbara Franken Photography

The heart of the old city has been wonderfully preserved with old and modern buildings intertwined, lovely chic restaurants and boutique style shops filled with unique creations. The city felt quiet yet alive from both the present day and the past.

We sat down on a square and had a lovely lunch and I allowed myself to sink into the energy of this old enchanting place. I’d never been here before but I felt as if I was being welcomed home and loved by an old friend, a strange feeling, until I remembered my summer challenge I’d given myself… to observe and feel into how well IAM loving myself.

Water Fountain in Valencia Old City… Barbara Franken Photography

I felt honour, nobility and loving hearts of the people who had created and built these magnificent buildings.. so long ago in the Golden Years of Europe… I felt love and joy that is time-less and is a part of me today and can only be thankful that these people reflected their grandness into the environment for others to enjoy for many years to come. I imagined the rich and nobel people enjoying their life here, dressing up and partying, but having no concern for the people who served them… the people who were poor because they were taxed on their work in order to pay for their grand life.

I felt a mixture of feelings, a strong feeling of love and joy but also a deep sense of sorrow and injustice… which I know has never really left the Spanish people or their magnificent Environment. Today its only been 35 years since their independence from the Franco dictatorship. A young and blooming country with much potential. I just hoped they could find it.

So how well was I loving myself… if I looked at my reflection in this Environment? Not only today, but I had chosen to live here in Spain where society reflected the conformity passed down the generations. Spain was allowing me the chance to look at how I approved of myself and what I still resisted about myself? Could I love myself more. I would ponder upon this question.

Old Church, Valencia… Barbara Franken Photography

We were both tired this evening so we slept and rose early, setting off for our drive to Millau. I’d seen a documentary about the building of one of the highest bridges in the world, The Millau Viaduct 2460 m long and 343 m high in southern France and how great it was to drive through the sky. So we had booked a night in the Chateau de Creissels, Millau, an old french chateau with wonderful views of the bridge to experience it for ourselves.

Church de Creissels… Barbara Franken Photography

After a lovely day driving through Spain, we arrived in the mountainous town of Millau and found quite easily the grand Chateau de Creissels. 

It was an ancient 12th century medieval chateau beautifully refurbished with some original furnishings and modern decor and appliances. We had booked early and had been given the end corner room with the magnificent view of the bridge. We took a nice walk in the gardens and admired this ancient french chateau with its castle steeple proudly climbing to the sky and the restaurant to one side of the chateau. After drinks in the sitting room we enjoyed the cave restaurant’s delicious french cuisine.

Beautiful Gardens at Chateau de Creissels… Barbara Franken Photography

View from our Window… Barbara Franken Photgraphy

Miller Viaduct… Barbara Franken Photography

Millau Viaduct… Barbara Franken Photography

Nicely rested and refreshed we headed off pretty early after a lovely french breakfast with coffee and baguette/croissants (not normally our breakfast but we couldn’t resist) and drive over the bridge to our next destination. I couldn’t wait for this experience. Tom drove back out of the valley and back onto the A75 which now crossed the Millau valley. I had my camera ready and took a couple of pictures before relaxing to admire the view, the size of the bridge, the blue sky, the valley far below, the tall steel cables diagonally passing me by… what an experience, I really wanted to do it again… but next time.

Miller Viaduct… Barbara Franken Photography

France had a different feel to it than Spain. It somehow felt more relaxed and both the buildings and people working in the fields we passed by, seemed to exude a grandness about them, an air of self-love that seeped into the Environment and made it sing. It wasn’t by any means a selfish or arrogant feeling that most french people have unfortunately been labelled with, but I felt their genuine dedication to enjoying life and being one with life. I couldn’t believe the difference I was feeling. It just goes to show how people perceive life and them self, does reflect back into the Environment.

Sunflower… Silviv Daniel Tataru, Dreamtime Stock Photos

Which brings me to the many fields of sunflowers that we passed, tall bright stems with heads of golden glory reaching for the sky, bowing their heads to the sun as it circled the sky during the day. They are receivers of the light… symbolising happiness… strength…. loyalty and exposing a magnificent display of inner darkness… infinite spirals of seeds growing… turning in the fibonacci sequence to the innate tone of oneness… the golden ratio that all life on Earth share.

IAM sure that the delightful rays of happiness from the sunflower affect the people living around here as much as they do me and maybe like myself, when the french people look into the centre of a sunflower they are reminded of their own origin that inspires them to be their best ever self at home, work and play in a world that loves and supports them well.

We eventually reach our destination, Riems… the champagne area for a 2 day break… but not until Truus, our new navigation system, took it upon herself to take us on a tour around Paris in the late traffic hour.

Until the next stage of our European adventure, here’s to us all being ever thoughtful about how the Environment shows us how well we love ourself.

Barbara Franken… Master Creator
Inspiring New Energy Consciousness

How well AM I LOVING myself… Summer Challenge

This summer I have challenged myself to observe and feel into how well IAM LOVING myself… Sensing my feelings within, during quiet moments I spend with myself and observing my reflection in the Environment around me. I have asked myself the questions… What AM I sensing within and around me… What AM I reflecting… Does loving myself feel natural… How well and how prioritized AM I LOVING myself.

Tom and I have begun our summer holiday adventure… travelling through Spain, France, Belgium, Holland and England, visiting Murica, Valencia, Millau, Riems, Noordwijk-aan-zee, Derbyshire, London, Calais, Saintes, Madrid and back home to Malaga. We are visiting family and friends and IAM playing a most important role of matron of honour at my sister, Angie’s Wedding. As the first few days have flown by, I realise it is the perfect opportunity to spend some time observing myself through the lens of my camera and take notes of how I reflect LOVE in my Environment and how well I feel loved.

Isn’t this a wonderful opportunity for YOU too, to spend some time this summer, observing how well you are LOVING yourself… maybe this post inspires you to join me in this Summer Challenge and write a blog post about your own observations and feelings of LOVE?

No matter how much our pains and discomforts may disturb us or how much turmoil and difficulties the world is showing us… if we allow ourselves to LOVE ourself well, we connect with the part of us that is responsible for the flow of our joyful and creative juices that keep us indeed, in a peaceful and perfect space on our lives journey.

Let’s keep this summer challenge simple… using a similar title as above and link this post somewhere in your post. Publish your post as you feel inspired with writings, a poem, images, art or video. As you publish your post I will link it to a list i’ll make. Who knows maybe we can create another free E-Book together and share with others just how well we LOVE ourselves.

I wish you all a great summer…  and look forward to hearing from you about this challenge.

Barbara Franken… Master Creator
Inspiring New Energy Consciousness

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Trusting my Knowingness… that all is well…

I’ve brought myself this far by proclaiming my rebel tendency… I’ve never just accepted the majority or the minority rules and regulations when it comes to taking care of ME… I’ve always known that IAM the best judge of how I feel in different circumstances and moments and what I want and need… but society has a way of making you doubt this, because of all the research pointing to… this way is the best… and if we want to fit in and feel a part of society/community we have to do our bit, caring for others even to our own detriment… after all the collective are more important than ME and our leaders are far more wise… ME a mere drop in the ocean…

The doubts and fears about AM I RIGHT or WRONG over the years, have crept into my subconscious and have made me question and judge myself… sometimes to the extreme… you’re a bad girl? you’re not worthy? you’re stupid? you’re dirty? you’re not loveable? you’re so different? you don’t fit in?  what do you know? and it goes on and on until I pay more attention to the part of me that has always whispered… It’s OK… I love you… and feel comforted by this loving & all knowing presence…  as if IAM being reeled in… to my divine human beingness… infinite, free, all loving, unlimited, balanced and abundant… knowing that all is well… remembering IAM more than my human experience…

Loving myself and what stops me…

Loving myself and what stops me…

 My grand daughter and I painted this ‘intuitive painting’ last week… We were both not sure what it was about, we only knew that we were to let others know about ‘loving self’… of how important it is…to be happy for yourself, have joy in your life, know that nothing has to be perfect, trust the voice of your soul, be calm and at peace and care for others who come along on your life’s journey…

For the past 20 years I have guided myself and others in ‘intuitive painting’.  Being a visual person, it is something physical that represents ‘self empowerment’… ‘loving self’… ‘tools of awakening’… as it is a way, completely free of any method or programme made by ‘somebody else’  that allows you to grow, awaken and love yourself… in your way with your own terms and conditions…  ‘Intuitive Painting’ is an expression of your soul and spirit essence, the part of you that is eternal, ever-loving and divine intelligence itself… that occupies your body for a human experience here on Earth…  When you don’t hear the message of your painting, it is wise to pay close attention to what is happening in your life and what you are experiencing…