GRATITUDE + CONSCIOUS LIVING Page 14 of 17

Temple wandering

Posted on 2012-05-13 at 9:00 am.

Some people who visit Japan complain of being ‘templed out’ – where they get fed up of visiting temple after temple (as there are so many!). But not me.

I could spend days wandering temple grounds, inhaling the scent of cedar, slowing down to listen to the splash of a waterfall onto ancient rocks, sitting in the shadow of a majestic wooden structure, sketching the bamboo in the temple garden and listening for the haunting sound of a bell or gong.

These two temples have a special place in my heart. Honen-in (above) is tucked away down a narrow path just a stone’s throw from the famous Ginkakuji. While its neighbour heaves with tourists and picture-snapping school children, Honen-in always seems empty but inviting. Close to the forest it offers welcome shade in the heat of the day, and a delicious calm away from the crowds.

Anraku-ji (above and below) is where I stumbled across a wonderful lady who taught me ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) and became like a second mother to me when I was a wide-eyed student here more than 15 years ago. But that’s a story for another day…

Wish you were here…

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I’m on a big adventure in Japan right now. If you fancy an adventure of your own why not join me for the Do What You Love e-course? Shake things up, expand your comfort zone, nurture your playful spirit and feed your creative soul. Identify your passion and make it a greater part of your every day life! Find out more and register here.

Gratitude and happiness

Posted on 2012-05-08 at 11:16 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

The outpouring of congratulatory messages in response to our happy news has quite taken my breath away.

Thank you so much – I can’t tell you how much it means.

Still floating on a happy cloud over here…

We’re engaged! I’m going to get MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on 2012-05-07 at 1:50 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

On my 35th birthday, in the quiet of a beautiful Japanese garden he went down on one knee.

He asked me to marry him.

And I said YES!!! (And cried, and danced, and laughed…)

So so so happy. Best birthday present EVER.

I am engaged to the most precious wonderful man and I can’t quite believe it…

Am I really turning 35?

Posted on 2012-05-05 at 9:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

It’s my birthday tomorrow. I’ll be 35. That rounds up to 40! It’s half way to 70! But what does it mean anyway? It’s just a number, right? On my ‘big’ birthdays (the ones ending in ‘0’ or ‘5’) I like to look back over my life so far and think about all the happiest moments of each year. So much has changed since the last time I did this at 30 (when I spent my birthday lying in a hammock next to the sea drinking gin & tonics in a tiny hotel north of Mumbai, India, before going for curry and champagne with friends!)

Since then I have fallen in love, started two businesses, changed industries, moved house four times, and visited countries in every corner of the world. They have been years lived at a fast pace, always on the move, always in search of adventure, knowledge and beauty.

As I sit here in Kyoto, perhaps my favourite city in the world, on the eve of my 35^th birthday, I am trying to decide how I would like the next five years to be. I have no idea what path I will follow, or what will unfold, but I know I want to slow down a little, breathe more deeply, sit up and enjoy the view. I wonder what is in store…

Let’s see, shall we? Cheers!

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Old friends

Posted on 2012-04-24 at 4:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Kyoko and Adachi in the jazz studio in their home – happy times!

When travelling in rural northern Japan we stayed a few days with some very old friends of mine. I still can’t quite believe how I met them. Let me explain…

Some 15 years ago, when I arrived in this remote snowy place, I had temporary accommodation for a couple of weeks but no place to stay after that. I had a job working as an interpreter for the local government, and the colleague who sat next to me turned out to be something of a fascinating enigma. Staid government worker by day, semi-pro jazz drummer by night (and racing driver in his early years!), he had invited me to one of his live gigs after work one day, but I declined, having already made plans to meet the person whose floor I was temporarily sleeping on.

After work I headed to the station to catch my train ‘home’ but missed it by a couple of minutes, and there was not another one for an hour. Hearing smooth jazz wafting over from a nearby café like steam off coffee on a cold day, I wandered over to wait it out in 1920s America. It was the cafe where my colleague was playing.

I was stood at the bar soaking up the atmosphere when the lead singer of the jazz band took a break and came over to get a drink. Her name was Kyoko, and she was a tiny ball of energy, with crazy curly hair like no Japanese woman I had ever seen, with kind eyes and an infectious smile. We got talking and within ten minutes she said “why don’t you come and live with me and my husband (Adachi, the bass player)?” Well, I thought, why not?

And so began an incredible adventure, living rent-free with this wonderful couple, in their house with a jazz studio and cocktail bar where we would host parties for all the foreigners within 50 miles, entertain jamming sessions twice a week and I would wake up on a Sunday to the sound of the grand piano. Some fifteen years later Kyoko and Adachi are still like family to me, they still play jazz, pass beers round and open their sliding doors to new friends with an openness which is quite astounding.

Two of the most generous souls I know. I wish you could meet them.

Heading north

Posted on 2012-04-17 at 9:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

About 400 years ago Matsuo Basho, the father of Japanese haiku, walked the long road north to Yamagata, a beautiful snowy part of rural Japan. When there he wrote this famous poem:

Shizukasa ya · Iwa ni shimiiru · Semi no koe

Silence · Penetrating the rocks · The cry of the cicada

It is a place I spent a happy year a decade ago, skiing, stumbling over the strong dialect, making friends, laughing and presenting my on TV show! We headed back to visit old friends and take in some of the lovely countryside… I will share some snippets over the coming days, before introducing you to our new home of Kyoto. Pop back tomorrow for a glimpse into this little known area of Japan…

Weekend book club: Japanese style

Posted on 2011-12-17 at 8:00 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

As a complete book addict and hoarder, I thought it was about time I shared some of my favourites with you! In each ‘Weekend Book Club’ I post about a set of lovely books, with a different theme each week. This week’s theme is JAPANESE STYLE, in celebration of having just booked my flight to Japan for March next year. Japan offers a whole world of inspiration and I find Japanese people have such an incredible sense of beauty, reflected in the style of their homes, shops and traditional clothing.

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In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki

The ultimate explanation of the essence of Japanese style.

Japan Style by Phaidon Publishing

The definitive guide to Japanese style through the ages covering everything from fashion to furniture.

My Made by Bunka Shuppankyoku Publishing

Gorgeous handcrafted interior decoration.

Japan Design to the new generation

Showcasing the best of moden Japanese design

Japanese Chic

Filled with beautiful images of simple but chic home furnishing and decoration ideas.

Elements of Japanese Design by John Dower

A directory of motifs most frequently used in Japanese design.

Basic Life 2 by Watashi no Heya

Lovely book showcasing cosy furnishings and items for the home from popular store Watashi no Heya (which translates as ‘my room’)

Do you have any recommendations?

Giving thanks

Posted on 2011-11-24 at 7:06 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

I’m not American and I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but I love the idea of a special day where you thank everyone you love for being in your life.

Recently I seem to have been quite hidden away from the world, busy working on some exciting but full-on projects. While this has meant I have got to do some really fulfilling, thought-provoking work, it has also led me to the point where I feel I have no idea what is going on in the life of some of my very good friends. And even blog friends – I haven’t done the rounds for weeks, months even (and more and more people seem to have blogs that are hard to comment on for techie reasons, so I haven’t even left comments on those I have visited).

If you are one of them, you know who you are. Please know that when I’m not sending you emails or letters or gifts in the post, it doesn’t mean I’m not thinking of you. Know that when I don’t come to dinner or make it to your party, it’s not because I don’t want to. It’s because right now there are a few things I need to get done. But through every moment of that, know that I am thankful for you. So very thankful.

Roadtrip #4: A fairytale wedding

Posted on 2011-08-28 at 3:33 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

It was actually a wedding invitation that took us out to the US in the first place.

One of my man’s old school friends fell in love with a lovely girl from Bow, New Hampshire, when she came to England to help develop the game of lacrosse. They decided to get married at the bride’s family home – a beautiful house set in gardens the size of a field, overlooking nothing but mountains in the far distance. The wedding was simply stunning, like something out of a film – and a very happy time was had by all.

Although the wedding was huge, it was really personal and so full of loving touches. The bride’s family even built a bar in their roof garden in the style of an English pub in honour of the groom, and put up framed vintage photos of the groom’s hometown in Manchester to make him feel part of the family.

It was interesting to see the similarities and differences between US and English weddings. One of my favourite parts was travelling from the church to the reception in an old school bus!

And the bit where the wedding party (including best man, bridesmaids etc) made a big entrance doing a funny dance. I cannot imagine that happening at most traditional weddings in England! I also loved the favours – we each found a glass jar waiting at our tables, and could fill it with as many sweets as we wanted from a table overflowing with old fashioned sweets. Perfect for the road trip ahead!

Around 50 people had flown out from England, so it was fun to have a few days enjoying the area with old and new friends. This was our second overseas wedding this year, following a gorgeous one in Greece just a couple of months ago. It is quite odd to have your holiday destination determined for you, but it is a fantastic new way of experience a place – and so much fun to party on such a special occasion in different corners of the world!

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More roadtrip adventures all next week!

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“Life-changing”, “Revolutionary”, “Awe-inspiring”, “Transformative“ – just a few of the ways former participants have described the Do What You Love e-course.

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The Do What You Love e-course is open for registration now. The adventure begins on September 26 but places are limited so book now to secure your place. This is the last time it will run this year.

This is your chance to join a global tribe of like-minded people who will support and encourage you to find your way.

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Morning rituals

Posted on 2011-07-19 at 10:11 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

When I woke up this morning I had this really strong flashback of my time as a student in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan (and my favourite city in the world). I was sat in my homestay family’s kitchen some 15 years ago making cheese on toast in their strange grilling machine, using the delicious squidgy doorstop bread I have only ever found over there. I had this incredible sense of joy in the moment, as I went through my breakfast ritual in this foreign land, before heading off to school past rice fields and bamboo forests, a whole day of adventures stretching ahead of me.

I keep feeling a very strong pull to Kyoto these days. It comes in waves and my mind keeps wandering East. And when I woke up this morning it struck me what an incredible sense of freedom I had at that point. I was virtually alone the other side of the world, with very limited money but a whole year to savour all for myself. I was picking up the new language piece by piece, with mini triumphs every day as I managed to converse with the old man selling sweet potatoes, or read a new roadsign or sing along with a festival chorus. I went to school in the mornings, and spent the afternoons exploring. My time was my own, to spend how I chose.

And then I realised it is not that dissimilar now. I have a business to run and bills to pay, but one of the reasons I made the leap away from the corporate world was to have that freedom to choose how I spend my time. Sometimes you find yourself working so hard that you forget that it is completely up to you whether you start your day on the computer, or in the park, or in the studio… So I’ve started a new routine for my mornings – tea in the garden and half an hour with a book about Japan before the day begins, and a moment of thanks for this freedom.

What about you? What is your morning ritual?