Costa Women Blogs

31 years ago, I was on holiday with my boyfriend when we saw it on the news!  It was shocking, unbelievable and extremely upsetting!  Why was this allowed to happen? Today, 3rd June 2020 is World Bicycle Day – just the day before that terrible incident in Tiananmen Square all those years ago!  Coincidence? I read a very thought provoking book about the massacre called Beijing Coma, By Ma Jian This is a must read.  It is the definitive Tiananmen Square novel.  The author not only delivers a dramatic, blow-by-blow account of the student protest movement in Beijing and its suppression, but he exposes the still-raw wounds from Mao’s Cultural Revolution that lay behind that 1989 revolt.  The Chinese Government has since banned the book, but thankfully it is available in other countries. According to Wikipedia, In April 2018, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 3 as World Bicycle Day.The resolution for World Bicycle Day recognises “the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the Bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that it is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport.” As per the World Health Organization (WHO), safe infrastructure for walking and cycling is also a step towards achieving greater health equity. Apart from the umpteen health and environmental benefits of cycling, it must also be noted that a cycle is also the most affordable form of transport. World Bicycle Day is therefore associated with creating a healthier lifestyle!  I never knew this – my first thought was of those cyclists in Tiananmen Square!  Cycling has become a much more integral part of people´s lives recently.  During phase 1 of lockdown, when we were allowed to exercise at allocated times, many more people than every took up walking, running and cycling. As more and more lockdown restrictions are lifted, many of us are turning to bicycles in an effort to avoid public transport during the state of alarm.   Do you think this will continue?  Just before lockdown, I bought a bicycle.  I guess I am one of the few that actually hasn´t used it yet.   I will get round to it! Governments around the world are taking the initiative to promote this way of life once we all move towards the “new normal”.  The French government, for instance, is providing €50 for people to fix their bikes in an effort to promote cycling over public transportation.   The demand for second hand bikes and those with bikes to be repaired has soured.  Sales of new bikes have increased also.  Paris is increasing the number of bike lanes in the city. People seem to have more of a desire to be in open spaces after being in lockdown for so long! What are other Governments doing? London is actively promoting cycling as part of post-lockdown transport plan Shops in London have seen the same increase in sales and repairs.  Some are now taking pre-orders, which was virtually unheard of before outside of the festive season.  London is also adding more cycling lanes. There is a visible difference on roads in Brussels with more cyclists- In Scotland, the coronavirus lockdown has prompted a big increase in cycling across the country.  In some places the number of cyclists more than doubled. Cycling Scotland chief executive Keith Irving said: “Many people are rediscovering cycling during lockdown, for exercise or essential journeys. “I hope people continue to cycle when we emerge from this crisis and carry on benefiting from the massive positive impact cycling has on our physical and mental health.” Public transport has fallen in many areas in the same period during the lock down. That seems to be the same story in many countries. Here in Marbella (as in   parts of Spain), we are firstly blessed with the climate, but we also have many cycle routes off and on road.  We also have dedicated cycle lanes along the Paseo.  Is there a requirement to extend this further to include cycle lanes on our main roads as they have in other countries? Will cycling be the big winner after lockdown is lifted? Will you take up cycling after lock down?  I would be interested in your thoughts on both subjects covered in this blog. Enjoy the health and practical reasons about this special day! World Bicycle Day 3rd June 2020.

Scared of leaving your day job because you’re scared of the unknown.   Here’s HOW you can CREATE YOUR FUTURE. ENJOY https://youtu.be/rL8sVnk39zY\u2728   Watch it on YouTube to find the resources and type your thoughts. Love to see your thoughts

And yes, I am including our current pandemic of Covid 19 in that question. While we still learning daily about Covid 19, one of the most interesting things is that some people are completely asymptomatic, while others display grave symptoms very quickly. And there is much investigation to identify who is at risk and how to better protect them. Age seems to be a factor, as do co-morbidities (previous health conditions) such as heart disease or diabetes. But what about your gut health? Can that predict the severity of your reaction? These two studies suggest that it might. The Gut Lung Axis There has been some interesting research suggesting that an unhealthy gut microbiome can increase the risk and severity of lung disease With Covid 19’s impact on the respiratory system this previous research is worth reviewing. Huge amounts of our body’s immune system is around the gut and intestines. Masses of your lymphatic system focuses on it. The health of your gut has a HUGE impact on the health of your immune system and how well your body responds to disease. Cytokine Storm “good” gut microbes help to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Not having enough of these could be a factor in inducing cytokine storms – where an excessive amount of inflammation triggering proteins called cytokines are released resulting in hyperinflammation. In effect your immune system is working too hard and gets out of control, killing too many cells to try and prevent the spread of the problem. This can happen in a number of illnesses, not just Covid 19 but also flu and some autoimmune conditions. What is the gut microbiome? The ‘gut microbiome’ is the scientific name for the 1.5kg (2-3 lb) of microbes that live in our intestines. This is a mix of good and less good bacteria that helps us digest our food and regulate our immune system and our response to pathogens. There has been a lot of research recently into the gut microbiome, most of it very early, but all of it hinting at a very powerful resource with an impact on huge amounts of our general health. One thing that we do seem fairly sure of is that a health microbiome should be diverse, with lots of different types of bacteria. But strangely, our modern diet seems to limit the variety of gut bacteria rather than encourage it. Perhaps our diets aren’t as varied as we think? Anti-biotics also seem to limit and negatively affect the microbiome. Although the use of probiotics before and after taking them does seem to make a difference. Side note – the little yogurt drinks in the supermarket aren’t strong enough to make any difference, even though they taste delicious! Lancet Study Healthy Biome – less reaction? A recent study (currently unpublished so be wary!) of Covid 19 patients seems to suggest that those with a healthier, more diverse microbiome had a less severe response, while those with a more limited gut microbiome had worse symptoms. So, as we are spending more time out and about in greater contact with others, perhaps a greater focus on your gut health might help to keep you and your immune system in better shape. So here are Lisa’s top tips for improving your gut microbiome: Eat real fats – olive oil, salmon and other oily fish, avocado, nuts and seeds. Plenty of protein – that oily fish again as well as other seafood, chicken, beans, eggs, tofu, pulses and nuts. Reduce processed meats – ham, sausages, bacon and salami – high levels of salt and nitrates don’t help gut bacteria Lots of dark green and coloured vegetables – these are high in fibre which your gut bacteria loves. Try and eat a wide variety over the course of a week – your guts will love it Swap pasta and rice for wholegrains such as quinoa, buckwheat and pulses which are rich in fibre. Take a leaf out of our Scandinavian friends book and try some rye bread. And go fully Spanish with some lentils and chickpeas! If you’re new to beans and pulses try soaking these overnight to help remove anti-nutrients such as lectins and phytates making them easier to cook but more importantly much easier to digest (less gas too!).  Cut back on sugary snacks – and that includes fruit! Try and stick to mealtimes and have fruit after your meal so help with the blood sugar spikes. Focus on all the berries as these are lower in fructose (fruit sugar). Or add a few nuts to help balance blood sugar. Try more herbal teas! In fact try any kind of tea – it’s a great way to hydrate! But just check the caffeine – some tea can have almost as much as coffee Less alcohol – sadly gut bacteria would prefer you stick to the odd glass of wine with a meal instead. Beer I’m afraid to say, is the devils brew when it comes to gut health. Who can say they don’t feel bloated after beer?? Want to see how healthy your digestion is? Try this fun quiz! 

We asked and you nominated! We decided to launch a new initiative – ‘Costa Woman of the Month’ for June to celebrate and raise awareness of the work, support, encouragement, ideas and/or charitable acts individual Costa Women members have provided during the lockdown.  It’s been a time for reaching out to others in the community when isolation has been a huge concern; many of you have been feeding the homeless, or people in need.      It’s been a very tough decision to choose the overall winner (especially as I know many of you personally) so I brought in two independent judges to decide.   The judges decided that the overall winner should be the woman with the most nominations from the community and also because she had personally been through the trauma of having CovD19 herself, losing both parents during the lockdown, continued to provide support for others in Costa Women and as was said by one of her women who nominated her “her joy for life is inspiring. She is a truly resilient woman”.   Please join me in congratulating Alison Wade for being the overall winner. She had the most nominations, suffered her own traumas and still supported other members during the lockdown.  You can read her story here.   HOWEVER, each of the nominees deserve an award – you are all winners in our eyes with the selfless acts you have performed over the last few months so we are very grateful to you for being YOU!   Here’s a list of the nominees and the different categories.     Helping in the Community Pat Jay  Lorraine Williamson Deborah Frati Inez Robinson Elena Sanchis Sanz   Personal Difficulties Alison Wade   Providing Services Fiona Catchpowle Zoe Parsons   Helping People Stay Positive Dita Grunte Glynis German Gemma Devine Jo Bendle Cathy Dodd Debbie Skyrme Alison Wade Ann Henhoeffer/Jenkins   Many thanks to all of you for being an inspiration to the community!   If you would like to nominate one of our members (or more) for next month’s competition, please email nominations to nominate@costawomen.com with your reasons.     

  IAM honoured to be able to introduce you all to my dear and divine friend… the Magnificent Anna-Marie Blyth. Our friendship began a little after we both moved to the Costa Calida with our husbands in 2007. We met at my home in Mazarron as she had answered one of my adverts to join my weekly meditation circle. For the next 7 years two old souls enjoyed weekly and monthly creative workshops that I held… safe and sacred spaces for local Awakening friends to come together and share our individual Ascension journeys.   It was Anna-Marie who co-created with me our MasterCreator Class back in 2010. Although the class has evolved since then, it was her enthusiasm and resonance with the changing energies that were opening up a whole new playing field, that allowed us to create a new space. A stage or platform in which to creatively and most playfully, commit to and celebrate the Integration and Embodiment of the DivineHuman, the Master and Creator… our Magnificent and All Powerful Selves, and walk beyond everything known into a harmonious world of freedom and unity.   After I left to come down to live on the Costa del Sol in 2014, Anna went on to totally heal her chronic dis-ease, write her Awaken to Enlightenment programme to help other people move forward, and design her own Awaken to Enlightenment guidance cards.   Anna-Marie is a most gentle soul who dedicates herself to her passion and mission in life to share love, light and peace to help raise the vibration of Earth and all Humanity. Like many of us Anna-Marie has had to learn to say NO to others, including our family bloodline/ancestors, an essential step that allows us to clear our own sacred space and be true to self. Allowing our sacred vessel to receive and channel freely our own Divine loving wisdom in all ease and grace.   I know we were destined to meet, to inspire, support and encourage each other as we dared jump into the unknown! AND I also know it’s time to arrange a meet up again… it’s been too long!   Mazarron 2010 in celebration of our commitment to live life as ‘Our Magnificent Selves’…   Anna-Marie shares her Story… Magical New Earth   THE WORLD AWAITS. ARE YOU READY?   The world awaits, awaits for the conscious humanity to awaken to the new ways, to the new cosmos.  The world awaits for the collective awareness to grow and to evolve, awaits the survival of the species to become conscious of the wonderment and amazement that is available for humankind whenever they choose to welcome it forwards.    The world awaits, awaits for the individual to relinquish all control, to cast off all fear, to release the restrictions of greed and the limitations of power that it chains itself to. The world awaits, awaits for society to realise the incredible power it holds within, the power to heal the mental turmoil of repetitive patterns, the power to tend to the emotional wounds that have imprinted on the heart from infinite lifetimes and, ultimately, the power to heal the physical dis-ease and illness that bind it to the past and prevent its journey from moving onwards, onwards to the glory of it’s awesome future.   The world awaits, awaits for us all to re-discover our true and sensational selves, that authentic self that had somehow become lost in a place of stuck-ness and disparity. The world awaits, awaits for us to step out of a world of separation and duality, into a space without judgement and hatred, to leave behind a world of fear, discrimination and mistrust. The world awaits, awaits for all humans to discover not only their own space of self-acceptance and self-love, but a true acceptance of their fellow kind, whatever their gender or sexuality, whatever their race or creed, whatever their circumstances or financial acumen.   A perfect world awaits, a world where ego becomes unnecessary, a world of a delightful and deep connection to Mother Earth and to the infinite Universe where we can all be bathed in unconditional loving energy whenever we so choose. A world for all to choose, for all to intuitively understand and remember the place of the soul’s birth, a world of oneness and sublime inner peacefulness.   The world awaits, awaits that magnificent global presence where all souls are perceived as equal, no one better or worse, higher or lower, that conscious community where every human being can live with the recognition that all their talents, experiences and gifts are highly valued and appreciated, whether they might be grand or minute.  A collective consciousness of respect, of dignity and of love for all who inhabit the earth, a realisation that the earth’s resources can sustain each and every species, where there is no necessity for a scarcity of anything, a place free of materialistic consumerism.   A magnificent coming together of sharing, whether that be for the nourishment of physical needs, the nurturing of the emotional well-being or the care of the mental health. The world awaits, awaits the recognition within society that this distribution amongst the masses is the only peaceful way to co-exist within that collective.     The worlds awaits, awaits for it’s  earth to be cared for, to be embraced in a space of calmness, balance and harmony as the perceived separation ceases to be and all join together as a collaborative whole to tend to this abundant planet we call home. The world awaits, awaits for humans to forge a connection with its fellow being, a connection so strong that it can never be broken, where we all awaken to a new normality that is never admonished or questioned, simply accepted and sanctioned as a time honoured tradition.   The world awaits still, for the many to rise up to educate the few, so that all may ascend to a world of enlightenment, to the blissful existence within a  society of creative beings, creating their lives, whether grandiose or simplistic, in perfect present moment awareness. The world awaits with bated breath for the time that is drawing ever closer, awaits for each and every being to create, not only their own individual purposeful existence, but for us all to co-join within the most spectacular and grandest presence of ourselves,  to step into our own highest version so that all who we encounter along our paths are encircled within our loving light and all are touched by what our souls emit to the world and beyond.    The world awaits, awaits for our collective light, the overwhelming and glorious light that exudes the most precious element of unconditional love that we can ever hold within. The world awaits that light because that light has the capability of overshadowing even the darkest aspects of our world.    The world awaits us ALL. Are you ready to awaken to embrace an enlightenment? Are YOU ready to heal from the inside out, ready to embrace ALL possibilities, whatever they may be and to open yourself up to ALL opportunities that wait to be presented to you? Are YOU ready to be at one with the collective consciousness and hear the calling of your soul?    THE WORLD AWAITS. ARE YOU WILLING? ARE YOU READY?     When I sat down to set out my vision for the new world, the words you have just read flowed easily. However, sometimes it is easy to become disillusioned with recent events which appear to indicate that the exact opposite is happening on a global scale. An outpouring of protest, uprisings in society and a worldwide pandemic which has brought in waves of fear, immeasurable loss and uncertainty.    This has become a time that has seen so many of us withdrawing into our own BE-ingness, to go within to question and take time to become mindful of exactly what it is we truly desire for ourselves. Only when we identify what this is, can our faith in what we perceive for a new world be strengthened and manifested. The very fact that the new world is indeed an actual possibility can enter into the realms of our own awareness. Only then can the trust in our intuition to become part of the oneness, to merge with the collective, in order to initiate these very necessary changes. Only then will we allow this newness, embedded in global love, light and peace to emerge.    Before any of this can occur, it is essential to develop a knowingness that all human life is an experience.  We must know and understand all aspects of the complete human existence before an honest decision can be attained as to what is truly desired. In order to choose love, light and peaceful contentment it is necessary to firstly experience the total opposite, darkness, fear, disillusionment and discontentment.    For many across our world, the concept of peace within a collective conscious oneness, the ways of change are inconceivable. For we must all tread our own paths, we must all come to the point of realising that another way is even possible in our own earthly timeframe. We must accept all our experiences as being essential as we endeavour to reach that point. We must face up to our truths, forgiving ourselves and others for what we perceive to have been ´mistakes.´   Only then will the way forward be illuminated as we come to recognise that no experience is right or wrong. No action is good or bad, black or white, rather it is all just part of the diverse differences in the complexities of human existence. It is all just aspects of ourselves going through what is required in order for us to reach a stage when we become ready to step into our own truth, to recognise that there is no separation or duality. Only then can the optimum time arrive when we become all as one in readiness to immerse ourselves wholly into present moment awareness.    For me, this is the exact point on my personal journey that I discover myself reaching. I finally accept and know in my heart that I am at one with each and every other being on this planet and beyond. I now understand in my very soul all others are aspects of myself, experiencing exactly what is necessary at that unique moment. All seemingly living our separate lives within the earthly concept of time, yet at the same moment, living as one within the Universal concept of timelessness.  I have come to the point of remembrance that everything is occurring in the exact same perfect moment, all within perfect balance and harmony. It is all an illusion manifested by us as we create our own perfect reality with every deed, every word and every thought.    How many of us truly desire to manifest a brand-new world?  Wouldn’t we all welcome a world full of shared resources, full of loving vibrational energies? A world where our purpose is to instil peace into the heart of every inhabitant? A world where we can all live in peace, in loving harmony and with enough to sustain the entire population? When enough of us reach the point of remembrance and understanding then it is infinitely possible, when we choose to co-create as the collective whole.   Yes, the earthly world is evolving and very slowly inching it’s way towards the perfection we seek, albeit in it’s own timescale. There is no doubt in my mind that eventually, enough of us who subscribe to what we see as the light, will overshadow what we view as the darkness. We will all reach this perfect understanding and have the exact same wish to unite and create a wonderful new world.     There is also no doubt in my mind that the oneness is eternal. Eventually I shall be privileged to witness what will come to be manifested by the collective consciousness and there will be a glorious celebration upon our earth plane. For now, I must accept that the evolution of our human race is in it’s infancy.  Yet the road of awakening to enlightenment is open for us all to follow should we choose to seek it. That blissful existence is available for each and every one of us when we allow ourselves to have faith, believe and trust in the intuition and inner guidance that has been bestowed upon us all. I, for one, have chosen this path because for me, it is the only route available. With love, light and a peaceful existence for our wonderful world and humanity in entirety.   ©Anna-Marie Blyth 2020      Anna-Marie’s Biography…   I am an experienced Spiritual Medium, discovering Spiritualism nearly 20 years ago having moved to a new location where I was made very welcome at my local Spiritual Church. Having moved away from religion a long time beforehand, I enjoyed the sense of freedom I felt as Spiritualism embraced all, there was no judgement no matter what creed, gender, sexuality and all those other factors that religions seem to find so important.   It soon became apparent that the scary shadows and images that I had shied away from in childhood were actually the gift of clairvoyance and I had the ability to give comforting messages to others. I went on to enhance that ability within development circles and meditation groups. My curiosity and enthusiasm further led me to experience many different aspects of the holistic world, and I undertook many workshops and diploma courses on a vast array of topics including working with Angels, crystals and investigating all types of healing.   In 2007 my husband and I left the UK to travel and we eventually settled in Spain where I continued to serve on platforms at Spiritual Centres in the area. I taught development groups and workshops to pass on what I had learnt to enable others to progress in the same way I had been encouraged to do.   I continued to work as a medium at several local centres. Although teaching took up most of my time, I continued to develop my own skills, and joined other groups where we discussed a profound range of topics and, fascinated by what I was learning, I helped my friend Barbara, to put together a Masters course which started me on the road to understanding how emotional and mental illness impacts on physical health.     Five years ago, my dear Dad passed, and I descended into a deep and dark place. At the same time, although he would ‘visit’ on a regular basis which was comforting, I found the grief incredibly difficult to deal with. Crying out for help, I began to receive visions and information which I would use, firstly to heal myself from debilitating long term illnesses, and secondly to live a much more elevated and magical way of life now I was no longer restricted by my past.   This opened the doors to a great deal of amazing opportunities. Realising this information had the potential to assist others I went onto create and found Awakening to Enlightenment, a set of 3 programmes to instigate healing from the inside out, embrace wonderful opportunities as the self is rediscovered and to answer the calling of the soul. I now use these programmes on a 1:1 basis to mentor others who are stuck and unable to move forward in life as I had been, using the Universal guidance I have been privileged to receive.   This led on to the development of my biggest passion for spiritual writing, channelling material during meditation or in my sleep state. These writings, including visions and information have all enabled me to fulfil a long-held ambition and become the basis for a set of designs so I could go on to produce the Awakening to Enlightenment Guidance Cards. I use these in conjuncture with Angel Cards and Guru Cards to undertake readings for those seeking personal wisdom and guidance. These cards are also available to order.   Through my work I have now become an advocate of love, light and peace in the world and passionately believe that anything is possible as we create our own reality. It all begins with our thoughts, words and actions and a few years ago with this in mind, I was guided to instigate a human wave of thoughts, words and actions for just a few minutes across our world which had an incredible impact.   Thankyou for your interest in my work. With love, light & peace to all. Anna-Marie\u2764\ufe0f   Anna-Marie’s Creations…   Awaken to Enlightenment Guidance Cards Awaken to Enlightenment Programme If you’re interested in buying her Awaken to Enlightenment Guidance Cards or taking part in her Awaken to Enlightenment Programme you can contact her below.   Connect with Anna-Marie…   Facebook: Anna-Marie Blyth AngelMedium Facebook Groups: Awaken to Sharing Sharing our Love, Light & Peace Instagram: Anna-Marie Blyth YouTube: Anna-Marie Blyth Email: annamarie.awaken@gmail.com   ThankYou Anna-Marie…   Thank you so much Anna-Marie for being YOU, for sharing some of your journey with me and today for sharing more of you, and your story of Magical NewEarth with us all. It is an honour to be your Divine friend and stand with you, walking our talk, inspiring others to be the love and light each truly is within. I look forward to our next meet-up.   I’d love you to share this Guest Author/Blogger Feature…   Let’s support each other by sharing this Guest Author/Blogger Feature on your own website/social media. I don’t have a reblog button, but you can write a short introduction about the Guest blogger and their story Magical NewEarth, inviting your readers to both join in this writing challenge and read the post here too.    Thankyou so much, together we can make sure we continue supporting and inspiring each other AND co-create Magical NewEarth.   Magical NewEarth   Do you want to be part of my Guest Author/Blogger Feature…    Throughout this summer, IAM hosting a Guest Blogger/Author Feature to put YOU and YOUR writing talent in the LIGHT. Not only this, your story Magical NewEarth will be part of a Free E-Book we will be publishing worldwide to inspire mass consciousness who is now Awakening.   I know this is an incredible venture that is deeply impacting the world we live in.   For more information and how to apply, please read my post here.   Barbara Franken… Creative Visionary & MasterCreatorInspiring New Energy Consciousness     A paperback and Digital Book is available from all Major online stores… Amazon and Apple   I share my own magical journey, exploring Who I AM with the help of nine Elemental Beings and expand from a world of fear, struggle and limitation into a New Energy Consciousness of love, grace and freedom. It is in this loving space that I discover my Divine and ALL LOVING self and allow myself to integrate together as one Body Consciousness… a DivineHumanBeing… and Magnificent Master Creator who expresses and creates heart and soul passion on the physical plane and beyond.     Join our MasterCreator Class and emerge yourself in the celebration of life through dance, song, art, relaxed inner journeys and beyond everything known… preparing yourself for your NEW role on New Earth.   There is no time like the present moment to Sign Up and give YOURSELF this magnificent gift… More Info: MasterCreator Class     All the money raised from my books and classes go to my non-profit association The Magnificent Consciousness that holds free local projects in Benalmadena, Spain.

  As Jane Elliott said, “All those who want to be treated like a black person, please stand up.” Nobody did! The blue eyed and brown eyed exercise was amazingly revealing! I so love Jane Elliott’s work!      Well, with everything that is happening in the USA and worldwide, all I can do is let you know a little bit about my life as a black woman. But first, a little history. The UK was reasonably fine with black people. It wasn’t until the USA influenced the UK that things changed. So I will focus on the USA black history. After all, when the USA sneezes, the UK catches a cold! I’m sure I don’t need to remind everyone of white people going to Africa to, raid, rape and pillage the country. Millions of abductions! Even that part I learnt at school. So we will jump ahead. When slavery was outlawed, (13th amendment), those who were previous slaves now needed to pay rent and other costs. If they did not pay, the new laws said that you are “free” unless you are criminalised. This loophole resulted in many going to jail for minor charges eg non payment, wolf whistling a white woman, for, disproportionately to the crime, extensive periods. Then “hired out” to plantations to work. Slavery in any other name and money being made from it. The 13th amendment created more and more single mothers of colour. No father figure to guide them, mothers working as much as possible to survive, so the children were left to their own devices. Economic deprivation and lack of investment has made sure this situation never improves. When the first black bank and town was built, and doing very well, it was burnt to the ground. If any black person fought back, they were arrested, not the white aggressor who burnt it all down, only the black person. Trying to keep the black person as a second class citizen, which is reflected in the laws and attitudes then and now. When the slaves got their “freedom” they were not compensated. However, the slave owners were paid, as they lost their “property”. I believe at least Jamaica was still asking for some form of compensation for taking people against their will. The abductees lost their life, family, friends, country, home, customs and language, and nothing to show for it! READ Robert Smalls’ story here   The media are a curse and a blessing. A curse for false or exaggerated reporting eg 100 whites killed (when in fact it was 2). Narrative for white violent outbreaks as overzealous young people. But for black people it is described as a riot, thugs, animals. Anything that reflects black people in a good light is not reported on. This was the truth then and it is the truth now. A recent blessing, is they can’t get away with false reporting as someone somewhere has it on CCT or on their mobile…although I still think the media are controlled. I do not in any way shape or form condone violence. Nowadays, there are other ways via the internet and reaching masses of people to get the point across. However, look at the USA/UK history. The white people landed in The USA and again raid, raped and pillaged the Indian community who still suffer today. Nothing in history has been achieved by the white person without a degree of violence. This is regarded nowadays as white privilege. My introduction to racism was asking my dad questions, of which one was, “Dad where did you get those scars?” It turned out that my dad, on his days off work, used to practise running from the train station, to the house, put his keys in the door and get in as soon as possible. If not he ended up on the wrong end of a stoning by those waiting for him at the train station to come home. When my parents arrived in the UK, a study was done to find out how many black people signed on to get social security or help. Only a few did!!! But, because it wasn’t in the whites interest to publish this information, everyone said blacks took their jobs etc. We wouldn’t have arrived if we weren’t invited!! Now don’t get me going on Windrush!! Later while walking to school, I had ink poured down the back of my uniformed coat, with some nasty words that I didn’t really understand at the time. I liked that coat.     Then later going for a Saturday job with my white (Polish descent) friend. I asked if the job in the window was still available. No was the answer. My friend said she would try and she was taken on as a trial the following Saturday! I was mouthy even then and I spoke up as I dragged my friend back in the shop and said this is my friend, how come she got the job and I didn’t? The manager babbled something, but I was soooo angry, I can’t remember what they said…other than if we don’t leave they would call the police! It was my friend who dragged me out of the shop, because I would have stayed there until the police arrived! We are still friends now, coming up for 50 years! Bless her! At the end of the 80’s I felt that the UK was draining my happy essence out of me so we decided to move to Spain. I first did a lot of research on the welcoming of blacks in Spain. Southern Spain was reported to be friendlier than northern Spain. Maybe due to the Arabs being here for so long and Spaniards travelling for work. The south had more understanding of economic migration. I was once told by a Spaniard, to go home to Africa. I said, funnily enough, it’s one country I haven’t visited yet, so I may well take his advice and visit there, would he suggest anywhere? All his friends laughed at him. The GC kept pulling me over for my car documents. “How come you drive a car like this?” I respond with “I don’t have to answer that, just check my documents please. However, do you have children? Do you smoke? Do you drink? Well I don’t, so I spend my legally earned money how I want to thank you! ” At one stage, I was stopped at least once a week! Once my husband and I had a word with the Captain of the local GC I was not pulled over anymore. I am constantly asked by the UK people here “where were you born?” “London, says I.” “No really, where do you come from?” So depending on HOW they ask, depends on my answer. Sometimes it’s “ Ohhh, you mean where my PARENTS come from, because I can only be born in one place and that is as I already said, in London!” OR “Us humans come from our mother’s womb. How about you? Where do you come from?” That tends to shut them up and let them know my thinking on the matter in question! If I get a really obnoxious person, I remind them that here in Spain, they are a foreigner too, so do not try to be any superior to me. Here, it is a different game and rules, for me a very even keel, and I love it!! Especially as I’m totally legal and some here are not! A UK person at a bar said to my husband, “Oh there’s the nxxxxr lover” They stepped outside, a fight broke out and a long story short, the male in question was deported back to the UK that afternoon. He was wanted for some other naughty goings on in the UK. The Spanish bar owner asked my husband what happened. As my husband explained, the owner said, you should have said, I would have beaten him too. I love your wife! jajaja!! I volunteered once. A person of age told me they didn’t like me when they saw me. “Why?” I asked. This was their response. “I was walking down the road with my children (when they were 5 and 6 years old-they are in their 50’s now!!) when a group of black boys were walking towards us.” “What happened?” I asked. “Nothing, they just walked past, but I was soooo scared.” After a moment to digest this, I asked “What size shoes were they wearing? Size 6, size 7? Why are you not terrified of boys with size 6 or 7 shoes now?” “Sounds silly now doesn’t it?” says she. However, she still had a reaction years later to my colour?!!! The older generation are set in their ways and lost to think any differently. We should concentrate on the next generation for any hope of change for the future. I used to joke and laugh along to slightly hidden stabs at my colour under the guise of humour, see B below, but as I’m getting older, I am more intolerant of it. Maybe it is due to the fact that I’ve retired and I have no need to endure ignorance and rudeness any longer. Maybe that is why older people have a more don’t-mess-with-me attitude?! jajajjaj!! For the folks already here in Spain, I can only try to change one mind at a time. It is exhausting! Everyone should stand up when they see something wrong happening. No need to get involved, if it appears dangerous, but call the authorities, make sure it is reported. Video/record it. The more that is reported, the higher chance they will do something about the recurring problems as the number increases. It is like breastfeeding in public. The most natural thing, but some people are outraged by it. If I saw something like this, a mother being bullied, I would quietly just go, sit beside the person and talk to them. I would think this would defuse the whole situation….and also video the aggressor! I would never suggest anyone put themselves in harm’s way. But the way forward, in my opinion, is to tell ALL history, good and bad, to educate the next generation. There are a lot of well documented successful black people despite every obstacle being thrown our way!     The difference now, is that more non black people are demonstrating and videoing every injustice. The huge difference is everyone has a mobile and they record some offbeat situations that would normally be missed by the media. Some non black supporters of equality carry weight in various offices of influence. However, those in “power” will not want to lose money, so the journey continues to be a hard one! Do we need an alien invasion for the human race to come together as one? I certainly hope not!! Read and take to heart the motto, and it’s on the Coat of Arms, for Jamaica is, Out of Many, One People! If black people are so terrible, why not give us an even playing field? Then we will see how harmonious the world could be. If you have an hour or so free to be educated, please watch “13” on Netflix which is a documentary. Most enlightening!