Freewheeling through the month of May, abundances of long sweeping blooms in many shades of lilac, both trailing and tall, release their sweet delicate perfumes when swaying in the warm spring breeze...
Right on the cusp of summertime, during these longer days, the sunlight becomes more golden, enhancing the vividness of the violet hues in everything from the wisterias and hydrangeas to the sweet peas and nigellas...
Combined with the zesty green bursts of growth, the surrounding environment begins to feel atmospheric, now the emerging foliage reaches towards the heavens, growing in the direction of the brighter daylight it needs...
And as new fresh air smells come about from the release of moisture in plant matter mixing with the warmer temperatures from the stronger sun, the enveloping humidity mists your face during bicycle adventures, like an energy-giving elixir…
On cycling escapades under bright blue skies across our cities, towns and country villages, there’s an uplifting sense of excitement, as the unseen forces can be felt at work bringing the natural world back to life in front of our eyes…
Amongst the density of the new greenery, the multitude of different birds’ sing-songs create high resolution, fifth dimensional harmonies which brings you to a place of complete peace. And something within our innermost sanctum sanctorum somehow feels uplifted as we listen, in ways beyond explanation…
The Month of Mental Health Awareness Week
Also known as the month that marks this important week, May becomes a time when we’re encouraged to check in with ourselves. As the age old saying goes: ‘everything in moderation’. And in this technological era of connectivity, the gravity of those three little words rings in the ears more loud and true now than it ever has...
Using our individual life journeys to find a balance between true individuality and collectivity has probably become the most monumental aspect of our human experience to master in order to reach our full potential, as we each have to find our own unique ways to navigate through our journeys during our time here…
At the spiritual epicentre of the ancient world, the Temple of Apollo in Delphi is famous for the inscription carved upon it: “know thyself”.
Built as a tribute to their sun god, it suggests that even 2500 years ago there was an understanding that in order to illuminate our lives to a greater degree, a higher understanding of everything which surrounds us is essential, and comes from a true understanding of the individual light that’s within us...
Meanwhile, scientific research has now discovered that our cells, the very building blocks of our existence, emit biophotons- also known as particles of light…
And at the same time, more and more of us are feeling an undisputable connection and yearning for nature and a sense of community- both of which seem to lend themselves to the famous saying from the ancient Emerald Tablets: “as above so below, as without so within”…
Research has also recently found that communities in Japan and Italy, where community is regarded as highly important, have a life expectancy that far exceeds anywhere else in the world.
Also placed in the very middle of the religious centre for Catholics, who along with many other religious communities refer to their God as ‘the light of the world’, stands a 5000 year old Egyptian obelisk...
Sculpted to represent a single ray of light, it sits amongst the magnificence of the Vatican’s St Peter’s Square almost unnoticed. Yet the Vatican’s whole architecture was designed around it’s position...
Erected a lot earlier by the Romans, around 2000 years ago after they took it from the ancient Egyptian city of the old sun god Ra, it is one of 13 obelisks they erected across the city of Rome- all of which are still standing to this day.
The term 'enlightenment' is also a key term used amongst Buddhist and Hindu communities to describe a state of awareness which completely appreciates the unification of all things...
Whoever or whatever we each conclude is behind our creation, one thing is for sure: we are incredible. Whether you want to call those biophotons a simple consequence of biology, the energy of the universe, the power of the divine or the light of God, we all have it inside every one of us. And what matters is that we understand it, and understand how to work with it in order to bring about the life results we want on both a collective and personal level...
As the only species with enough consciousness to completely transform our environments, the magnificence of what we’re both made of and capable of is undeniable. And when, as the unique individuals we are, we pull together to achieve something as a group by putting our unique consciousness and gifts to good use, so long as it’s channelled in the right way, so much is possible...
So how do we find a way of understanding our individual light, and find ways of staying in the light, by way of checking in with ourselves? Is it as simple as just working out the very things which, quite literally, make us feel like we ‘light up inside’? I guess if something makes us feel happy on that fundamental level, no matter how simple, then that’s a sign we’re on the right path...
In a time when the pace of life feels like it’s now become faster than the speed of light, pockets of Mother Nature are still all around us. From the open spans of countryside to communal green parklands in city centres and the suburban tree-lined roads we commute along, there’s still plenty of accessible places and ways to stop and have a moment of stillness by appreciating the incredible beauty of the natural world we’re a part of…
The journey this earth has been on to create the spectacular displays of flora and fauna which surround us in these times is also nothing short of incredible. So when checking in with ourselves to seek answers to our bigger questions, there’s a lot to be said for the inspiration we can take from the ways Mother Nature shows her resilience and her receptivity to nurturing ways, which in turn enables the successful development of eco systems between interdependent species- all of which work together to benefit one and other as well as themselves- ultimately creating a resounding balance in everything that's apart of it…
So on that concluding note, here’s…
Four Ways to Use A Cycle Pretty Life to Promote a Balanced Wellbeing During The Month of May...
1. Buy Some Flowers to Fill Your Bicycle Basket
Heading to your local florist shop by bicycle in itself is such a joy, not to mention the experience of taking your time to look at all the beautiful flowers on offer…
As much as having a bouquet to brighten up the house with once you get back home, pedalling along with a basket filled with flowers has to be one of the most simple and satisfying of everyday moments there is…
2. Keep a Picnic Blanket on Standby
Keeping a blanket on standby definitely comes into it’s own with the sense of spontaneity it evokes...
Encouraging you to change the direction of your handlebars at a moment’s notice, you’ll be surprised how quickly you decide to drop into your local park and pass some time away under a tree…
If you don’t own your own bicycle or blanket, we can help you with this through our Basic Velo Adventure Bicycle Hire Package, more information on which can be found here…
3. Have a Good Book at the Ready
If you keep a good book at the ready in your front basket, you’ll be surprised how many little moments you’ll find to pick it up, even if it’s just to read one page at a time.
Giving yourself lots of little opportunities to step back from the world and drift away to another place in this way is definitely food for the soul…
When the weather is good, why not make the most of it and do some page turning ‘alfresco’ style to really take in the surrounding architecture and greenery of the places your adventures take you…
4. Create Some Cycle Pretty Art During Your Adventures
Pack some pastels, paints or pencils and really make the most of your bicycle pit stops to focus on something totally different…
And if you’ve had chance to buy some flowers beforehand, it will give you the perfect subject to draw…
As you watch your pictures come together stroke by stroke, there’s also a real feeling of contentedness that comes from this.
In the Florist Parlour
Celebrating the abundance of blooms May time brings, no two flower stems are the same in any piece from the Lilacs and Long Days Flower Collection...
In the Cycle Pretty Boutique
Cycling in style in helmets you'll want to wear- that's exactly what the Thousand Heritage Helmet range makes possible. Whatever colours your wardrobe is made up of, the warm gold colour of this metallic design will make the perfect accessory as well as the ultimate style statement...
…so be ready for the head turning and compliments as you cycle around, because it will probably happen :-)
With animals and the environment in mind, Thousand have also created their Heritage Helmet range with vegan leather straps. Made from an eco-friendly microfiber material, they also allow you to stay comfortable and sweat-free during these warmer months…
From May's Book Corner Club…
From our bookshelf collection of Canterbury Classics this month, we bring to you a review of The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton...
A story about being torn between true love and the societal constraints of the time, Edith created this world renowned classic in 1920 by drawing on her observations of the lives led by the people around her. Shining a light on the challenges created by society when conforming with the norm clashes with what’s truly felt in the heart...
“Untrained human nature was not frank and innocent, it was full of the twists and turns and defences of an instinctive guile.”
The main character, Newland Archer, who is a gentleman lawyer from one of New York’s most powerful families looks forward to the marriage of his fiancé and highly regarded debutante, May Welland. But then a sudden twist of fate forces him to cross paths with May’s exotic cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska. Stunningly beautiful, she exudes a confidence and defiance that leads to her separating from her husband and quite happily travelling around the world alone.
“The real loneliness is living among all these kind people who only ask one to pretend!”
As Newland gets to know her, his perception of the status quo begins to shift, as he listens more and more to Ellen’s rationale on subjects. He then comes to realise he's fell in love and tells her, from which point a life of heart wrenching, conflicting emotions and loyalties unfolds…
“I can't love you unless I give you up.”
Wishing you all a happy, well balanced May time everyone. Hope you all find it filled with lots of bike rides, greens spaces and lilac coloured blooms swaying in the warm breeze wherever you go.
Until next time... xxx
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