Literally Driving Down Memory Lane...
My friend Ange sent me a text this morning 'extremes of weather seem to follow you', the snow was coming down outside, looking very pretty as I went downstairs to run indoors again!
I have spent my time here at Buxted Park indoors most of the time, it is a lovely environment to be in, a roaring log fire and big windows looking out over spectacular views.
I have spent my days working with my clients.
Soon I am to leave this way of life behind, for now anyway. I have been working in people's lives most of my life, since I was seventeen years old.
I have always really loved my work, in truth it hasn't ever felt like work... I never actually planned to do it either, it planned me! Or it has seemed that way... So being here in Buxted has seen me conversing with people all day long, I am totally happy in this world.
My decision to take a break from it, a sabbatical, has not been about not loving being with my clients; it has been about a inner voice, quiet but insistant, asking me to take a break; to run to write to allow my website 'Running Conscious' space and energy to grow, for me to have space and energy to grow, for my relationship with Anadi to have space and time and energy to keep deepening and growing...
It has reminded me that the biggest gift I give others is my own healing, that I teach by example, that I walk the talk...
I am always inspired by Ghandi's words 'Be the change you want to see in the world...'
The essence of my work is the help, encourage and inspire others to reconnect with and return to their true self, to heal the wounds from the past and to become whole. To listen to their heart... If I do not do the same thing my work loses its anchor and will not be in authentic!
I was sitting in the bar yesterday with my client Tim, who is my friend too. (I asked him how he would like to be 'titled' and he said either or both)
We were exploring and talking together, looking out over the bright winter morn enjoying coffee and pastries. Well If the truth be told it was Tim who was eating all the pastries!
I glanced to my left and saw a familiar face from many years ago... It was Tom Cunningham and his wife Anne walking into the bar.
'Oh wow, It's Tom'! I said to Tim, 'do you mind if I say hello'? 'No no of course not' Tim said'.
'Julia'! Tom and Anne exclaimed as I walked towards them...
Tom was a huge part of 'launching' me into my work in the City (of London) in the early 90's. He had said to me back then, when he first introduced me to a new client, that he had watched me working with people here in Buxted and had seen the changes in them, and so felt confident to recommend me.
Tom is 'a man of influence' and so it was through him that I met many of my clients who were working within big organisations; people who needed some support and guidance... My life as a coach in the corporate world took off from there.
He was one of the first members of the fitness centre that I set up here with Nigel, (my first husband); it does not exist now, but back then it was lively gym with a core membership of people in the area....
After we had greeted one another and I had introduced him to Tim and we had talked a bit about the 'old days' Tom commented that in his view our gym back then remains the best gym he has ever been too... 'The energy was good and it was professionally run' .. 'Thank you Tom' I said... and it felt for a moment like we were back twenty seven years, standing chatting as we used to,Tom appreciating my skills and what I offered him in the gym, but also taking the position of my mentor and supporter, encouraging me, affirming me... And then he asked 'Are you still running Julia'? 'Yes, still running... fast in my fifties' I laughed....
I am always fascinated and curious about how our life paths cross with one another, how there appear to be cycles we circle around, energetically and actually. I wonder what it was that brought Tom and I together again after over twenty years...?
I drove through the lanes here later on to visit a client; the lanes that I ran many many miles in, and I was reminded of my runs in the past in the winter dark. As long as it wasn't too cloudy, I ran by the light of the moon and the stars. My eyes grew accustomed to my dark runs where I truly ran in each step, the moment became very profound and timeless, I really was just present within my footfall. I ran in the silence of winter nights and became accustomed to the rustles of animals in the hedgerows and fields, occasionally a sudden sound saw me jump and skitter like a wild animal myself!
Summer runs stretched on and on along the leafy lanes, sunny and beautiful whilst the winter ones had a silvery beauty all of their own.
On my way back in the dark, a magnificent stag leapt from the hedge and crossed the road right in front if me, his antlers shining in my headlights...
And then I discovered that I was lost! Lost in the lanes I know like the back of my hand... I arrived back at the hotel eventually, having driven a merry route around and about. Perhaps I just wanted to remember once again these lanes... A drive literally down memory lane!
Later...
Last night Anadi and I drove to Brighton and enjoyed a really lovely evening with our friends Simon and Fiona... Si is editing my book 'A Girlfriend For A Year' and we were originally planning to have a 'book 
meeting' in the daytime.
But my day got full, so the meeting slid down to the evening. This meant that Fiona and Anadi could 'join in' and join us.
I imagine that if looking in from the outside, our book meeting could have been easily mistaken for four friends meeting up for dinner and laughter and delicious food!
One thing I did discover is that not being able to park very near a pub by the seaside, and being a nomad travelling light who does not own a coat is not a combination to be recommended in January in the UK!
