It is with great pleasure and excitement I welcome you to my 2008 editorial for Touch of Nature! This year my focus will primarily be on producing editorials with a difference, as well completing my activities in my agenda for 2008. There's credit in doing every bit you can and then recouping back what you have expended this time of the year. Contemplation being the key focus, in all areas of life. Be it spiritual, material, adventure and relationship, travel, financial and of course health and well being.

This month of January I would like to recap on what the year since June/July has held true and important. By including a book review on The Artists Way by Julia Cameron. It is a course in discovering and recovering your Creative Self. Many artists, actors and writers call on their creative selves daily and when they experience a blockage of some kind; they run into obstacles that cripple their creative spirit. Over the twelve week course you will engage and surely embody your true creative self. By experimenting with Juli as ideas and exercises it is only a matter of time.You start to believe and experience difference's in your daily life by enduring this 12 weeks of unlocking blocks to unleashing unrecognised creativity.

Julia has extensive credits in film, television and theatre, she is an award winning journalist and has written fiction, non-fiction, plays wright and poetry. Her passion is behind teaching people to letting themselves be creative. An active artist, was what drew me to her book. Sometimes there is no controlling certain teachers, they come to you in funny ways. The ancient Asian proverb being: When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

I am certain this is through a sequence of events via synchronicity, call it coincidence however when you are ready to open up to this possibility of committing to listening and drawing out a teacher with useful insights. The question you'll be asking is Am I ready to learn?

In fact, some five questions could cross your mind before you settle down to the fact that your on the verge of opening up a new year of growth.

• Am I ready to learn? - The Commitment to listening and drawing out your teachers lessons and insights.By recognising their focus is not to prove or be approved, and to focus rather on to how buy into your opportunity to learn.
• Am I ready to communicate and be probed? - Have a clear, specific area of learning in mind which you can draw from for the sake of your growth.
• Am I ready to take action and risks? - Here you find by answering this question are you looking for growth and development? Usually in small steps and on a weekly basis.
• Am I ready to value and express appreciation for teachers service? - Sometimes it is better to find yourself giving, rather than receiving as this is where the learning stems from toward your growth.
• Am I ready to grow to be... - Whatever your project is, are you ready for it to actually grow into your dream?

Health Awareness for January: Cervical Health Awareness Month and National Volunteer Blood Donor Month. January 20-26, 2008 is "Healthy Weight Week" and January 1-19, 2008 is "Second Semester Orientation and Recruiting for Prevention Programming".

If your feeling like a little TLC to get you started to 2008 take advantage of the January Specials for yourself as well as your friends and commit to your health and creativity on a monthly basis.

Many beautiful experience's and plenty of health to you!

All my love,

Blanca Perez.