“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step!”
Dr Martin Luther King Jr (1926-1968)
NON-NEGOTIABLES
Non-negotiables are a pivotal part of The Reach Approach philosophy. It is our belief, based on experience and research, that if we are looking for life-long change then we need to create a set of non-negotiables. These are heart pledges, promises we make to ourselves that we seek not to break. We suggest that these non-negotiables are built around The Story of Health, which is the centrepiece of our model. Here’s a simple example of someone’s promise to honour these four giants which we have seen are the keys to personal transformation.
To find out more about this subject, please take a look at:
Dearest Body,
I promise to provide you with all the daily nutrients you need, enough water to keep you hydrated for health and healing as well as detoxification, to exercise regularly to keep fit and agile and to ensure that I get sufficient sleep for my mental health and well-being.
Dearest Mind,
I promise to slow down through my breathing and meditative practices and work towards building discipline and order into all things through better time planning so that I can forward with calm composure and confidence.
Dearest Spirit,
I promise to live a life of meaning and purpose and make a difference to the lives of people I meet. I also promise to live a life of integrity in which I honour my heart and am true to my values.
Dearest Environment,
I promise to create order in my physical surroundings, maintain good healthy relationships with others and develop peace of mind at all times living with a healthy social and moral conscience.
Anon, UK.
“Healing may not be so much about getting better, as about letting go of everything that isn’t you – all of the expectations, all of the beliefs – and becoming who you are.”
Rachel Naomi Remen (1938 – present)
Personal Prayer
January 2021
Every day, I draw my journey in Life with confidence and passion. My path is bold and I walk along with it freely and fearless. I am independent, creative, and persistent in everything I do. I uplift myself and my fellow travellers by radiating positivity and joy.
I focus on quality and not quantity in every aspect of my life. I take time for myself, for my thoughts. I am patient and I know things come when the time is right. Calm and determination flood my mind. I believe in myself, I look forward to the new adventures coming in the future.
I am safe and at ease, living peacefully in a bright and relaxed sanctuary. Spending time in nature inspires me, I feel invigorated by the environment around me.
I see the world through the lens of tolerance, openness, and passion and those values guide me daily.
I live a happy life inspired and loved by people surrounding me. I share priceless moments with my family and friends and our connections are stronger than ever.
My work environment is honest and respectful. I feel supported and challenged to achieve my greatest intentions with creativity and imagination. I pursue the things I love doing, I believe in my strengths, I am worthy and deserve the very best life has to offer.
I am grateful for the amazing piece of engineering that is my body and I nourish her every day. I am impressed by what she is capable of and I know, by cooperating with her thoroughly, we will reach new heights. I am healthy, toned, and full of energy.
My mind is strong, confident, I have the tools and capacity to maintain serenity. I empower myself through self-nurture and by being attentive to my emotions.
I embrace the positive energy of the bright new day coming, I am reaching up to my potential; I am the best I can be.
Mathilde
“Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit”.
Khalil Gibran (1883 – 1931)
Easton Hamilton and the work of Reach aided me through the most challenging time of my life. It helped me regain my power, my faith in myself and reminded me to be the best I can be. Thank you for being my friend, my guide, my heaven-sent angel, Easton. From the beginning there was something about you that made me trust you completely. I am forever in your debt.
Lucinda Drayton. Bliss. Singer, Song Writer
“Man ultimately becomes what he thinks of himself.”
Dr Martin Luther King Jr (1926-1968)
Personal Prayer
Mother/Father God of this universe and beyond, give me the discipline to recognise my greatness and to learn from my weaknesses. Re-connect me with the ocean and unconditional love, knowledge, wisdom and truth that exist within me. Remind me that difference only exists in the mind and my neighbour is my brother/sister, I will learn to love them as I do myself. I appreciate my life experiences; I am grateful for my teachers who have been forgiving with my failings but equally patient and responsible for my growth. I thank you for helping me on my journey to endeavour to achieve my innermost wish – a desire to become whole.
V. Stanley
Personal Prayer
I am a person at peace with myself, everything I touch turns to gold.
I am cool and calm in all situations. I am the best I can be in all that I do, even in the face of adversity.
My relationships are loving, satisfying and fulfilling. I bring out the best in others and they do in me.
In return the universe brings to me everything I need. Everything I need comes and finds me. It is by being still and trusting in the process of life that I become fulfilled and happy. Having learnt from my mistakes I no longer give my power away.
Jan Lazaridis
I arrived on your doorstep (in 2002) still half frozen from the brain haemorrhage and in a terrible quandary about my life and coping with Jim’s death. I remember that pain felt like the only thing that truly registered. You stepped in to that place with me and held my hand and helped me unravel it all and were able to help me understand and forgive myself. You’ve also helped me to unpick my marriage gently, a gift to us all – especially my boys.
I don’t know what I would have done without you, Easton – or how much I shall miss your warmth and good counsel. Take care sweet man and good luck in all your endeavours. The world needs you.
Carol Hughes
I marvel at how far my journey has taken me since it first began. I have often heard the saying “when a student is ready a teacher will be found”. I found my teacher long before I knew it.
My first contact with Easton from Reach was a strange one. A co-worker and I were having a conversation about how nice it is to find peaceful places but she did not mention a place, instead she mentioned a person. I had to meet him. She gave me his telephone number and my stalking of Easton began! I left at least 3 or 4 messages before he got back to me. He said he had no spaces but when one became available he would call. Being the most impatient person in the world I called him a couple of times to remind him I was still waiting. I guess not wanting to have to change his number because of my obsessive calls, he managed to squeeze me in!!
The moment I met him I thought “Good God, she is right, he is the most peaceful, kind, humble and loving man I have ever met and he had this amazing gift for making you feel comfortable, even special, in his presence.
I guess everyday people discover many treasures and treasured moments; meeting Easton is my treasure and most treasured moment.
I was in a dysfunctional marriage and could not see any way out; eventually when I did get the courage to leave, Easton became my greatest support, helping me to see things with clarity and love. I have managed to survive a hellish divorce. I’m worse off financially but the happiest I have been in years.
My laughter now comes from within my inner being and I enjoy laughing, it is not forced or just on the surface as most of us do when we are hurting. My anger is subsiding, I am finding that I have fewer friends but I care little about that. I am still learning; my greatest triumph will be to become more patient and to be more loving, but I’m truly on my way.
Deniese Wilson