The Spring equinox - when night and day are in equal balance across the globe - is a defining period for transformation and growth.

As endless dark nights fade to a distant memory, Spring symbolises regeneration and renewal when flowers burst forth with optimism and badgers, bats and hedgehogs emerge from hibernation.

Sharon Cain, Our Time for Life Correspondent, urges our readers to stop their procrastinations and delays - and live for today.

Spread Your Wings

Dance to impress: Red Necked Ostrich performs ‘Sahara Shuffle’

Napoléon Bonaparte famously said, “Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can fly.”

Breaking out of ruts and drawing on our natural abilities, dreams and aspirations can transport us to another world as our Time for Life trio – myself, photographer Steve and our golden retriever, Bracken, have discovered.

Since January 2020, our motorhome explorations across Europe have both challenged and enriched us with eclectic experiences beyond our wildest dreams.

Our most recent, and probably most challenging trip to date, has seen us venture into Africa - no mean feat for two sixty plus travellers and an 11 year old dog.

Our incredible three thousand mile journey from Northumberland to - and across - Morocco immersed us in an eleven week exploration of Islamic culture across mountains, gorges, the desert and cities.

Our many highlights included a rare red necked ostrich performing a jaw-dropping dance for our entertainment during a trip to the M’hamid El Ghazal Nature Reserve - a wildlife conservation in the South East.

We since learnt that male ostriches perform dances, like the sensational strutting and preening we witnessed, to impress - the recipient usually being female ostriches for mating purposes.

If we had not ventured outside of our comfort zones to Africa on an overland trip, we would never have been privy to this dazzling display.

Neither would we have seen astounding sights of goats jumping out of trees, nonchalant camels holding up the traffic – and goats and goatherds heading straight towards us on motorways.

Mind blowing: goats jumping from trees

We will treasure these magical memories forever and hope they inspire you to take the first steps to achieve your life plans and motivate you to grow and flourish.

Get Active

The better and more energised we feel, the more motivated we are to follow our dreams.

As we enjoy longer days and lighter nights, being active is a vital boost for our physical and mental wellbeing.
Informative articles from respected authorities such as the World Health Organisation remind us how activities such as walking, swimming and cycling help to prevent conditions including cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.

With one in four 1 in 4 of us having some kind of mental health problem of some kind each year (according to mental health charity Mind), keeping ‘on the go’ can also reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Staying active rewards us with a feelgood factor as our brain releases mood-lifting chemicals endorphins and serotonin. It also helps to detract our focus from negative feelings and thoughts.

Best Foot Forward

There are varying recommendations on how many steps we should be clocking up daily. The number will understandably differ for people with existing medical conditions.

As a broad guide between 10,000 – 12,000 steps a day are recommended for the under sixty-fives and between 3,000 – 10,000 for those over sixty-five.

To help maintain a level of fitness to pack more into our lives, our Time for Life trio try to set ourselves new challenges.

They have included climbing Ben Nevis and, more recently gorges in Morocco along with the legendary Caminito Del Rey. Known as ‘The King’s Little Path,’ it was named by King Alfonso the X111 in 1921 after he walked it.

Hailed among the most spectacular walking trails globally, the 7.7 kilometre stretch near Malaga spans the Gaitanes Gorge, providing walkers with breathtaking views.

Previously renowned for being dangerous after the trail fell into disrepair, the path was restored over a decade ago and is accessible to all age groups.

The most adrenalin-fuelled section at the end of the trail is crossing a hanging suspension bridge called the Balconcillo de los Gaitanes.

Situated high above the gorge, it has become an iconic symbol of the Caminito Del Rey spanning the gorge. As someone with a fear of heights I found it terrifying and exhilarating and we loved every minute of the adventure which we highly recommend.

Proper walking shoes and hard safety helmets (the latter which are provided) are required and the group tours provide a fascinating insight into the gorge’s history.

Grab Your Vitamin D By The Sea

Being by the sea with endless stretches of coastlines to explore also has many bonuses - boosting our mood and enabling us to sleep better due to the fresher and cleaner air which contains higher levels of oxygen than inland locations.

Studies have indicated that living near the sea reduces mental distress and anxiety. I’ve always felt soothed by the sound of waves - even when they rage and roar incessantly - and I feel more grounded after walking on wet sand.

Cold water swimming, which continues to increase in popularity, is also a well-being winner for boosting our metabolism, immune system and circulation.

Sea water, rich in minerals such as iodine and sulphur, can help skin conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis as well as bringing some relief to those with arthritis and chronic pain conditions.

The Future Starts Today, Not Tomorrow

The inspirational and much loved Pope John Paul 11, who was canonised in 2014 and inspired millions of people worldwide, said: ‘The Future Starts Today, Not Tomorrow’.

Transcending religions and cultures, this ‘call to action’ urges us to stop holding ourselves back by procrastinating and to start living more fulfilled lives.

If today is all we have, what first steps will you take along your unique path for tomorrow?