"Let's do it", said Lynda.  "It's what we have always wanted and if we don't do it now, we will always wish we had"

Chris looked across at Lynda and smiled. "I've always wanted to do it but it was you that hesitated - what has changed you mind?"

Lynda wasn't sure what had changed her mind.  Moving to Australia was a massive decision and whilst part of her had always been excited at the prospect of starting a new life in a new world, part of her was very reluctant to leave the comfort of what she knew.

It took 12 months for the move to be completed and after tearful goodbyes, a new life began in a brave new world. 

But Lynda soon became restless.  The brave new world was uncomfortable, unfamiliar and without the reassurance of what she knew about her life.  This was a new life and she wasn't sure where she fitted into her own existence any more.  The kids had settled, Chris has settled, but she had a constant sense of drifting, like the sand moving forever under her feet.

Then one day, Lynda was shopping in a local store when someone tapped on her shoulder.  She turned to see an old man, with crystal blue eyes, staring at her.  Stooped and leaning on his walking stick, he smiled at her.  "Who are you?" he asked gently.

"I'm Lynda" replied Lynda, somewhat startled by the old mans direct approach.

"No" said the old man, "who..are...you?", he said slowly and deliberately.  He cocked his head to one side and looked curiously at Lynda.  "You don't know, do you?" he said warmly. "You really don't know...."

Lynda was puzzled now but less frightened and somehow taken in by the mans piercing blue eyes and gentle manner.  She was keen to understand what he meant.

"I'm Lynda, I live just round the corner and I'm originally from England. Who are you?

The old man laughed and leaned forward on his stick. "Oh I'm everyone and no-one" he said.  "I live here and everywhere but I know you feel lost and I wanted to help".

Lynda's heart skipped a beat.  How could he know that?  How could the old man know that Lynda was feeling lost and didn't really know who she was anymore.  Since she'd left the UK, she'd been most concerned with getting the children settled, making sure that Chris was happy and in work and she hadn't really thought about herself much.  So how did the old man know this?

She went to speak to him but he interrupted her.

"You can't help others until you help yourself.  You need to know who you are, what's your purpose now and what it is that makes you happy.  If you ignore these feelings you simply ignore you and who you are.  You wouldn't ignore those you love so why do you ignore yourself Lynda?"

Lynda was speechless.  She looked down at the floor as she knew the old man was right.  She had to stop thinking about everyone else for a moment and think about her own needs.  She needed to think about why she had moved to start a new life and why she hadn't yet allowed herself to... start.  A rush of emotion swept over her and she suddenly felt energised.  Deep down within her spirit she felt an explosion of clarity and desire.  She would start living now, from this moment.

She looked up to smile at the frail old man.

He was gone.

She scanned the shop and he was nowhere to be seen.  Lynda knew he was too frail to have moved that fast.

Everyone else in the shop continued to go about their business. Lynda moved briskly toward the checkout, her heart beating so fast with excitement and wonder at what has just happened.

And then she saw him...

Far away in the corner of the car park a frail old man stood leaning on his walking stick talking to a young man who looked vary sad.  The man was looking at the floor.

In that moment, Lynda knew who the old man was, why he was special and why he was there.  She wondered how many people he would visit that day who didn't know who they were anymore and needed to love themselves again....

She thanked him silently and left the store to start her new life - the one that had always existed inside her that she was now determined to claim for her own....

The Road Not Taken
By Robert Frost

Are you walking your talk?

Watch this 2 minute video and it's message and then answer the questions....

The next meeting is due to take place on Wednesday 8th September. 

Depending on how many people wish to come along - the meeting may be held in Solihull (at my house) or at a larger venue.

Can you please indicate if you intend to come by emailing me.

The meeting costs just £10 to cover drinks and nibbles and other venue costs and is payable on the night.

The format is open networking/chatting, short discussion as  a group and then further open networking.

The meeting starts at 7.30pm and is usually finished by 10.00pm.

The Kindred Spirit Network was formed in 2009 to offer an alternative to the mainstream business networking groups that are based upon the principle of reciprocity  - expressed often amongst networkers as - "I help you and you help me in return."

The challenge with this approach is that the element of "giving" or helping comes with an expectation that something will be recieved in return.

The principle behind the Kindred Spirit Network is simple and is based around the following question; Is it possible to help someone else with NO expectation that the person you have helped will help you in return. In other words, you give but do not expect to recieve anything in return.

The nature of giving is then more natural and the receiving, much more synchronistic. 

The members of the Kindred Spirit Network also believe that there may be a deeper meaning to life that can be shared and discussed openly in relation to business and how we progress through our lives.

Meetings are held the Birmingham area on a ad hoc basis and in between meetings, the newsletter provides articles and tips that are designed to be thought provoking and supportive.