Wave magazine

Paying attention is actually just a habit we have learned, says author Paul Bailey – and it could be that we are missing out on much of the reality around us

Recent research in quantum physics shows that our mind does much more for us than just give us pictures of the world ‘out there’. We now know that our attention influences the very things we pay attention to. That’s right. The research shows that our universe is awash in what seems to be an intelligent field of energy, and that through this field, in some way, at some level, our mind is connected to everything around us, to all matter, both seen and unseen.

One of the best things our magnificent mind does really well is give us our habits. When most of us think of our habits we think of bad habits, but almost every habit we have is good. In fact, if we didn’t have our habits, our life would be an unlivable mess, and we may not even survive.

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Marking the seasons is a great way to help children through natural transition, says Selina di Girolamo

Seasonal celebrations feature very highly in our family. It seems that as soon as we finish washing green face paint from the children’s Jack in the Green costumes and sweeping away drooping May blossom that our thoughts shift to the summer solstice preparations.

Tali, 11, is making a huge dragon sculpture, representing the vitality of the sun. He is stretching gold fabric over the willow frame and his bedroom is strewn with masking tape. The dragon will be burned in the campfire on midsummer night and in the morning the ashes spread on our vegetable patch.

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Fresh from Morocco, Sarah Whittaker shares her inspiration for dreaming up the ultimate eco bathroom

I’ve just been to Marrakech. (I planted a tree to compensate, honest). It was an interior designer’s heaven – stylish furniture, mirrors, cushions, pouffes – and bathrooms.

I saw a copper bath that I shall dream about until I work out how to ship it back by donkey. What should we consider in a new bathroom project that doesn’t cost the earth or damage it in the process? Copper is a wholly natural material present in and essential to all plants, animals and humans. It doesn’t rust and turn the water orange, and it has a mild disinfecting effect on the water, making it ideal for baths and sinks.

“Buy recycled mosaic tiles, or make your own mosaic from bits found at a salvage yard”

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This month wellbeing coach Viv Craske ponders one of life’s biggest unsolved questions

I was talking to my mum about this column and I asked her, “What makes you, you?”

After a pause, she said, “Well, my thoughts and my spirit”.

“Point to your spirit.”

“Well, I can’t. It’s out there,” she replied, waving beyond the roof of the pizza restaurant we were in.

“The fact that we cannot explain ‘Who am I?’ in words means that we are more magical and precious than we can comprehend. And knowing that, is a greater truth”

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Fitness guru Adam Kann says leading a fun, healthy life is easy when you live beside the seaside

For many people, the gym is a place of mystery, a place to avoid at all costs.

There are many reasons for this but the reasons are not important. For some, this element of fear or mystery can facilitate a negative response to exercise, leading to obesity, disease or just generally poor health. In extreme cases it can even lead to a deep resentment of anything to do with exercise. I happen to know a person just like this. (“You know who you are”!)

“Maybe it is time to take a deep breath, pack a bag and head out into the hills in search of happiness”

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