This is my favourite of all my sisters songs - and one of the earliest. She composed it at Christmas, in Bethlehem, in 1967 - where tourists pushed and shoved to get to the 'spot where Jesus was born&' and haggled over souvenirs - while snow fell on freezing streets and soldiers arrested her black African colleague and interrogated him three times that day. It is a powerful and moving meditation on the real meaning of Christmas. For the CD &';All Shall Be Well' original songs of peace, of winter and of Christmas, contact - 'Jill Slee Blackadder' <Jill.blackadder@btinternet.com>,

This is not really part of the Meditation-Blog as that was something quite unique, to share my experiences in New York and my my daily meditation at the beautiful Meditation Garden I loved to visit every morning. But if there are any experiences here - back in England - which relate to issues which I mentioned or explored in that blog, I feel it is useful to share these as part of the 'appendix.' For now I feel inspired to continue to share my life in a small way here. The one about 13 - 15th relates to Remembrance Sunday. With love and thanks for all your encouragement. DMC

The main document comes from a thread on Save RE, responding to a website which calls for the subject Religious Education to be renamed. I disagree and set out my views here. I answer others who comment on this. Alongside this I include some articles. In the first document - three articles from the BBC website. 1) from July 2013 when Mr Gove admitted how his policies harm RE. 2) Ofsteds report, criticising the quality of RE. 3) refers to the current report by the Religious Education Council - on a suggested Curriculum content for RE.

This is a series of 11 slides depicting Jesus as Asian, mostly Chinese or Indian. It is in process as many images are not the right shape for a ppt slide so I will have to adjust them in Adobe. But it does give a great idea of the way that Christians everywhere think of Jesus as their Brother, as their Friend, His divine aspect is beyond the confines of one time or place, one nation or race.

A ppt slide show of 21 images of Jesus from a European perspective. It is in process as many images are not the right shape for a ppt slide so I will have to adjust them in Adobe. But it does give a great idea of the way that Christians everywhere think of Jesus as their Brother, as their Friend, His divine aspect is beyond the confines of one time or place, one nation or race. They can and they do, wherever they live, whatever their race or culture, claim Jesus as their own.

I try to share the things that are interesting, things that make me think about life - not just the outer details of my days. Because I do have an active spiritual life and practise meditation daily, this may bring a slightly different and more interesting perspective to things. But I also share some of my weaknesses and the battles I fight. I have been encouraged to continue my blog by some very kind and sincere teachers. I think we have little that we can offer to the world other than who we are - so this is a bit of me. Happy Christmas to everyone.

Continuation of blog started in September 2011. As a practising theist, who tries to respond to all the ups and downs of life from a spiritual perspective, I feel that my life experiences may be a useful resource. Some have been kind enough to encourage me with this. A few people tell me that they read it regularly, so for them and any other casual readers I continue. The one on 29th and 30th includes 2 photos of the kitties aged 4 weeks best wishes and love to all DMC

send to any who care about RE and to your MP + others mentioned. This is from a thread on the RE forum Share this and related material about the consequences of the Ebacc in Staff Meetings and Assemblies,

articles and info relating to Religious Education and the effects of the Ebacc. Many MP's are on our side.

Valentines Day today, but the first blog is just to catch up a bit. My computer is ill so I could only write on paper for a few days, 13th = background info about me and my hubbie, + when we went to Paris Disney last year to celebrate my mother-in-law's 90th birthday. 15th is mostly about Valentine's day, love and relationships in general - mostly me and my hubbie. I was asked to prepare a Biography for something else - but I thought it might interest my blog-readers. Sorry for blog-gaps. My laptop died and I have little access to a computer.

Creating a Faith-Friendly Learning Environment. Event on 4th February for teachers and TA's in Primary, Secondary and FE - from any curriculum subjects and schools outside the Faith Sector. Developing spaces for prayer and reflection in 'secular schools' - etc

From HOD in Religious Education to giving my own Mindfulness-Meditation and Empowerment Workshops for resilience, improved mental health and happiness, in this little book, I am sharing something of the journey which has taken me from teaching RE in schools to offering an On line Seven Steps to Happiness Programme. My approach to Health and Wellbeing is holistic, with special insight into balancing the mind, body and spirit - which comes from an awareness that we humans are spiritual beings. My workshops are tried and tested - this programme works - and The spiritual side of life has always been important to me and I have been practising meditation for over 40 years. In this account I look back at how circumstances moved me from joyful and devoted Head of Religious Education in a large Secondary School, through a challenging time of unemployment as the Ebacc changed the educational landscape, through depression when during a period of deep questioning I received unexpected answers to my prayers - to becoming a Silk-Paint Artist, Pipe and Tabor Player - sharing the positive energy I receive in meditation, to developing increasing expertise in Health and Wellbeing - especially mental health, Resilience and Empowerment. After retiring from teaching, I have developed a unique and comprehensive program ‘The Seven Steps to Happiness.’ My approach to bringing about transformation, focuses on Raising Consciousness. Low consciousness is when we are feeling f Here I am sharing free the first three chapters of a book I am just releasing. The full book is also available from my shop. Before 2020 my Wellbeing and Empowerment Workshops were all face to face. I was about to expand into offering retreats abroad. Corona-virus has turned that on its head, forcing me to take my signature Program ‘The Seven Steps to Happiness’ on-line. Everyone is suffering from stress - but my particular concern is to support and empower teachers in every way I can, so I dedicate this little book to you. By offering the first three chapters here free you will find some practical strategies and exercises for reducing stress as well as an introduction to my full On-line Seven Steps to Happiness Program - which as an 8-week course. I am sharing the entire book as a paid resource and in it you will find my own philosophy and approach to dealing with stress. I worked on Supply for many years and saw more of the crazy side of classrooms than most, so I had to develop a strategy which worked. Brene Brown taught me a good lesson when she shared her research which showed that the most compassionate people have Boundaries of Steel! Watch her You Tube interview with Russel Brand. That’s where she shares this insight. When do you find the time for yourself that you need? What are your own strategies for reducing stress and increasing happiness? How can I best support you through my resources here? When we all share our experience everyone wins. Love and Peace DurgaMata