WEDNESDAY 20th JANUARY 2016 07:01 GMT

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
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1. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
20th January 1265
The First English Parliament
The English baron Simon de Montfort had seized power in England following his victory over Henry III at the Battle of Lewes during the Second Barons' War, but his grip on the country was under threat. He wanted to avoid creating opposition by seizing the crown himself so declared that he and a council would rule in the king's name and on the king's behalf.

In an attempt to gather more support he summoned representatives from not only the barons and the knights of the shires, as had occurred in previous parliaments, but also burgesses from the major towns. The resulting parliament in London discussed radical reforms and temporarily stabilised Montfort's political situation. 

Montfort was killed at the Battle of Evesham later that year, but the idea of inviting both knights and burgesses to parliaments became more popular under the reign of Henry's son Edward I. By the 14th century this had become the norm, with the gathering becoming known as the House of Commons. This parliament is sometimes referred to as the first English parliament and Montfort himself is often termed the founder of the Commons.

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
Shopping
Business promotional work
Meditation
Me Time
Missus Time

Twitter Followers = 2,072 (up 1)
Non-followed eliminated = 1
untraced
Unfollowers eliminated = 1
@kencaillat
New Followers followed back = 3
@AndrewAndPete, @DarrenMarks, @pdxmindful
Spammers not followed back = 0
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3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION

Last night, after a well-behaved day nutritionally, in the evening I got "mugged" by a chocolate craving. Of course it doesn't help that over Christmas everyone sent us a shitload of chocolate. It's also been somewhat of an extended Christmas that merged into Pearl Wedding Anniversary celebrations. 

I don't really have any regrets because it was probably the pinnacle of my life - the loved ones all together, the tormentors all excluded and everyone fit and healthy enough to enjoy it. The choc, now nearly all eaten, won't be replaced. 

I have learned that my vulnerabilities aren't "healed"! I have to DO things, on a daily basis, to compensate for the fact "default mode" is self-destructive. This doesn't distress me particularly, I'm too grateful for the benign circumstances I'm in, full of love and creature comforts, to complain that my bodymind requires continual conscious intervention.

I begin the day particularly aware of the need to be accepting, grounded and focused. I at least begin today in the right place.

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
Is your mind in the right place?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD

Moon:

Weathertrack

Air Pressure: 1019 millibars and rising slightly

6. TODAY'S ONELINER
If money were no object I'd hire two private detectives to follow each other :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!
Amy Schumer on a recent breakup

8. TRIVIA
The entire species of the dwarf chimpanzee is bisexual. Lions have also exhibited homosexual behavior. Homosexual behavior has been observed in 1,500 animal species and is most widespread among animals with a complex herd life.

9. ZEN WISDOM
Everything passes. Both soaring joys and crushing sorrows fade away like a dream. However, the knowledge of having lived one’s life to the fullest never disappears.