The various fruit trees that we received from my parents are looking amazing, bursting forth with various shades of pink and white blossom that adorn the landscape. With so many flowers there will surely also be much fruit to feast upon in the summer time, so a bountiful summer harvest seems likely. Cherries, peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, figs and apples should all be on the menu, and judging by the blossoms, we will certainly be able to share our spoils around and also preserve for the cooler months. Well that's the plan anyway, but you know what they say about eggs and chickens.
I have begun to hone my daily mindful meditations and visualisation practises and I have been astounded by how much of a really powerful tool it has been. I started with a couple of simple changes about two month ago and found that it was very effective, so now I am going to try and move onto something a little bigger. This new idea will require a more consistent effort I think, at least 10 minutes at each end of the day of really focused visualisation, but I firmly believe in the process so I am going for it.
I started making head way with my positive visualisations back in August this year, and I wrote a pretty long blog about my plans back then. Since then I have really taken control of my thinking and managed to introduce a couple of daily rituals to my health regimen that have made my life a lot nicer. I have also really beaten back my depressive and self destroying thoughts, which were really consuming me earlier in the year and I have a far better growth mindset now.
I guess that I could confidently say that I feel far more empowered now and more willing to take on new opportunities than I was before, which has been the most positive transformation that I could have wished for to be honest. It is so refreshing to be heading into the brighter days of the year with a positive outlook. For the first time in a long while, I don't feel burdened anymore, I feel happy and content, things are really coming together for me.
If you haven't already got on the 'positive visualisation' train yet please do. Without wanting to sound like I am enlisting for a weird cult or have totally lost my mind, all I can do is assure you that you have all that you need to succeed within you right now and you just have to tap into it. Give it a go, you have nothing to lose, you could totally revolutionise your life, and it only takes a few minutes a day.
Release Date: 2008
Rating: M
Running Time: 119 mins
A far cry from their first acting unification on the set of the Titanic, both Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet showcase why they went onto do better things and just how much they have developed as actors in Revolutionary Road. Directed by Sam Mendes, and based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Richard Yates, this 'life under the microscope' view of a 'typical' married couple during the 1950's is a superb piece of cinema and should not be missed.
Frank and April Wheeler met young, married early, started a family and purchased a house; just like all good families were meant to do in the 1950's. But neither of them are really cut out for a simple suburban life, and long for a more interesting and fulfilling lifestyle. However, their plans for change are met with many challenges, which pushes them and their relationship to its limits.
The acting is just faultless in this movie, the characters were so believable and passionate, that I found myself completely engrossed in all of the drama and goings on. All of the supporting cast were also strong and really added more meat to the bones of the story, in particular Kathy Bates and Michael Shannon, who are always reliably great.
This is not a happy movie, it's a sad and stark depiction of an unhappy marriage, but it one of the best depictions of that type, that I have seen to date.
FINAL SAY: It takes backbone to lead the life you want.
4.5 Chilli Peppers