I am a follower of HMO Landlady's blog since she begun writing it - I love it - Serena's stories about the antics of her tenants, is written with humour and love. She makes me laugh out loud as I read! But what comes across very profoundly is her generous and open heart and the fact that she truly cares about her tenants and their well-being.

This is what Serena says herself of her role as an HMO landlady:

HMO Landlady fell into the world of letting houses out on a room by room basis back in 2007. I've made lots of mistakes, unintentionally fallen foul of the law on the odd occasion, been taken for a complete ride by some tenants and wondered what the hell I was doing most the time! There are 8 houses in the portfolio of which the mortgage company owns a very large proportion: 3 Houses of Multiple Occupancy and 5 houses let to families.
I balance being the main carer of my 3 children with the ongoing needs of 15 tenants across 3 houses. The divide is often blurred, but the skill set remains the same. I began writing it after realising that fellow HMO landlords are either corrupt, criminal or just plain rubbish at their job.

I had interviewed Chris in April when the dream of running across America was just that, a dream inspired a few years previously by reading James E Shapiro's book 'Meditations from the breakdown Lane: Running Across America...

And here he was back to be interviewed again having achieved the dream and the most poignant finale was that James Shapiro was on the beach on Coney Island on November 5th to greet Chris and his friend and running companion Steve Pope.

On November 6th they lined up for the New York Marathon and ran 3.38 having run 42 miles every day since setting off from San Francisco on August 17th.

They had to overcome many hurdles along the way, the challenge of the weather for one and Chris being injured across a whole state!

Chris and Steve are raising money for Help the Heroes.

But this was a dream that had burned in Chris's heart for some years and he lives by the same philosophy as me, that it is important to live a life without regret for the things that you wish you had done.

I first met Helen in Toronto! She was assisting on a Running Crazy trip to run the Niagara Falls half marathon and she looked after us all very well indeed. It was in Calvia Marjorca, in December this year, that I discovered that she had written a book with the title fittingly 'Running Crazy'.

The book features people who have run 100 marathons or more. It is so easy to write that down, but as a marathon runner myself of significantly less marathons under my belt than 100, I know what a huge feat running 26 miles once is, let alone 100 times or more!

In speaking with Helen it is evident that this book is about humanity and the personal quests and journeys of individuals rather than just about running. In speaking with Helen, it seemed to me that she glimpsed the souls of the people she interviewed and saw more about the person than simply about their running, but then running, a simple action, one foot in front of the other, is as complex as each human being taking those steps, and unraveling themselves in the process..

Helen said that all the people she interviewed have their own personal reasons for running so many marathons and all have their own stories to tell. Set out in 26.2 chapters, which was Helen's son Jack's idea, she hopes that the book will appeal not only to marathon runners but to anyone who enjoys heart warming human interest stories that inspire and entertain!

'Running Crazy' is due to be published on March 5th, by John Blake publishing - it is currently available on Amazon for pre-order.

It was a delight to listen to Rob talking about his violin and the discovery that his flow is more powerful and joyous than ever before.

Rob fell in love with the violin when he went to a concert from when he was a small boy, he then started to play because he knew he had found what he had come to do. In his early twenties he lived in Paris and played in Orchestras and as a soloist, living the life he had dreamed of. In his late twenties his life changed direction and he put his violin away.

Now in his early 40s he is playing better than ever before and he spoke to Andy and myself about how Tai Chi and playing the violin reflect and compliment one another.

Rob also works as an acupuncturist and I am privileged to have experienced the benefit of his treatments, which like his Tai Chi and his violin come from a centered and clear place within him.

Barefoot Doctor has recently written a great book called [The Message](http://barefootmessage.com)

The book gives us practical ways to learn how to live with consciousness - I first read his words of wisdom and inspiration in the Sunday Observer magazine - I used to 'save him up to last' such was the profundity and the effect of his words - I looked forward to them each week.

So it has been no surprise and pure delight to read his new book - where he encourages us to do the work that asks us to step up and be the difference we want to see in the world.

He challenges us to recognize that it is in the challenge of facing our own truth and through the discipline of the practice to centre ourselves that all can be achieved. He emphasizes that the liberation lies with ourselves and the power to create a vision for a better world will be through our collective efforts 
It is a book for heroes and warriors - Do read his book - it is life changing.

In his own words:

'THE MESSAGE is crucial reading for you if you're at all concerned about the critical state our world's in and want to do what you can to contribute to creating a new world in which we, our children and our children's children can live together in peace, plenty, joy and harmony - and sustain it.

Enough of us have evolved now to reach critical mass - what we have to do now is evolve together, collectively.

I show you, how by centering yourself, you realise your angelic self and as you do, the ten commandments, which we've been unsuccessfully trying to live by for millennia, suddenly take on a whole new light as perfect precepts for grace, for living together successfully in a new world’

I met with Stephanie for tea at the Grand! We decided that the Grand would be quiet enough to record our podcast and also give us a tea and chat opportunity. Two and a half hours after meeting we turned on the recorder!

It was magical listening to Steph describe her writing worlds and her writing process. It filled me with excitement, these worlds she described made anything seem possible. I am always inspired by Einstein who encourages us to use our imagination to create with. If we can create it in our imagination, surely it means it is possible in 'real life'!

However for anyone wishing to open to the creative writing process and discover success in 'becoming a writer', Stephanie has profound yet simple straight forward advice; turn up at the page regularly and do some writing...

[The Angles of Atlantis](http://www.theangelsofatlantis.com)

[The Alchemy of Voice](http://www.thealchemyofvoice.com)

I had a wonderful time in the company of Stewart Pearce who is a master of voice, a sound healer, a seer and an Angel facilitator. Stewart has written a book called 'The Alchemy of Voice', which teaches how we all have a signature note, that is our true note that comes from our soul and that we must speak from our hearts, so that we can connect truthfully with one another.

'If words arise from the heart, they will enter the heart. If words arise from the tongue alone, they will not pass beyond the ears' - AlSuhrawandi.

I had travelled to London to interview Stewart again as his new Book 'The Heart’s Note' is now out. The book shares powerful insights about the knowledge of the heart as the seat of the soul and how a practical daily application of love can create answer to the myriad problems of life.

Stewart was saying that when we first came into the world we felt choices with our heart, but that got lost and instead people think with their head and so often live in fear and anger instead of love and compassion. I always love being with Stewart as he is the embodiment of what he teaches and I come away enriched and expanded.

It was a joy to speak with Sandra. She so clearly 'walks her talk' which I found inspirational to hear. She has turned her own life around and lives with a sense of great ease within and without. Her story in itself would be enough to encourage you to go to see her for guidance and help, but it is her warmth and enthusiasm and the feeling that she really cares that came across to me when we spoke.

Here is some information about her work and her mission:

Are you living your dreams or do you find yourself being pushed and pulled in so many directions, you've lost sight of your own sense of purpose in life? Do you want to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, yet find it difficult to resolve recurring health issues or act on your best intentions?

Innavision provides a powerful system that enables you to simplify your life, allowing you to take back control. Using proven, innovative techniques that empower you to make choices and changes, you can develop a healthy work/life balance that is aligned with both your personal and professional aspirations. This can help you to live a happier, healthier life that is true to your self.

* Gain the personal and professional satisfaction you desire

* Enjoy the good health that is meant for you, and

* Truly live the life you are designed for

Every day, more and more people are transforming their everyday health and lives as well as regaining control over their personal and professional futures with the help of Innavision.

My approach

At Innavision, the focus is on making wellness a priority for you. This means taking into consideration your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Rather than treat effects of issues, I will help you to identify and resolve the causes.

"Innavision's mission is to help you to grow and develop your true potential as well as maintain your health and wellbeing. I seek to understand your individual needs, so that you can find a solution that is right for you." Sandra Crathern, Innavision Founder

Professionally trained as a nurse, I have worked for over 25 years nursing those in need back to health. This has also included running well woman and smoking cessation clinics. Along with my extensive knowledge, experience and qualifications in health and social care, I am accredited by the International Coaching Federation as an NLP Master Practitioner combining training in anger and stress management.

"I firmly believe in walking the talk, and I live a healthy life that is congruent with my own inner vision. Now, I want to help you to live the life of your dreams..."

Innavision's Health and Wellness Coaching programmes provide you with strategic, practical and creative solutions that enable you to:

* Recognise your individual needs and core beliefs

* Establish your goals, and

* Determine how you will achieve them

As a qualified and experienced professional, I will work with you to achieve your health and wellness objectives.

I met Andrew 10 years ago and we found that we had a shared core interest in learning to go with the flow! He has surfed all his life and I have run and both these disciplines have honed in us the knowing that we must relax and get out of the way of ourselves to live live. Andrew has always practiced Tai Chi and is now a teacher and also a Reiki healer. He is therefore familiar with working with energy. Understanding and practicing the principles of Yin and Yang is core to his life and to all he does - being aware of the energy moving when you are still, and being still and present when you are moving.

Andrew Jane and I formed our writing group which we called Gold and Silver (GnS for short) and we used to meet regularly in 'the Long Rooms' in Lewes until it burnt down! I do remember we frequented some other eateries too as the process of our writing unfolded. It was the environment we created together and support of Jane and Andrew that meant I wrote my book. 'Running to learn'.

The Long Rooms, rose like the phoenix from the Ashes to turn into Real Eating Company and the three of us are meeting for a reunion there in the new year.

Andrew talks about how he uses Tai Chi - lives Tai Chi - in all he does, his business life, his writing, his guitar playing and his surfing

It was wonderful talking with Chinwe. I was excited when I read her website and found she was from West Africa the place of my birth. Her Mother was making soap in Nigeria the 60’s when I had just been born, not so far away, also in West Africa in Sierra Leone.

It was evident as we talked that her business chose her, it seems to have come from within her. She creates the products herself and they are natural and organic and come from the women of her birth place, a fair trade practice with the energy of Africa and the women and the Shea but with its profound and energizing qualities that nourish and nurture the skin.

I was certainly won over and I am very much looking forward to my face cream arriving in the post!