As the founder of Prime Objectives, Christine has extensive experience in working across many cultures. As a skilled facilitator, she is known for resolving conflict based on creating allies not opponents. A highly original thinker, Christine combines her knowledge, wisdom and skills as an author and international speaker.

Bucket List

Faced with a blank sheet of paper after life changing events, I decided to take the advice I offer. First step was to review what dreams I still had to fulfil on my Bucket List. A bucket list is an itemised list of experiences or achievements I want to do before I depart this life, also referred to as “kicking the bucket”. It’s a blunt and casual, almost joking way to say, “to die”.

What is Listed?

Travel

I’ve always had the intense desire to travel, explore new places, and experience different cultures. I have incorporated international travel into my working life and via membership of International Performance Improvement Societies.

Once bitten by the Travel Bug my reaction has always been to scratch the itch!

Return to Northern India

1. When?
November  2 – 17, 2023

2. What?
Although I had attended several performance improvement conferences in New Delhi and experienced various organised trips out and about the vicinity, I felt a deep need to return to explore more of Northern India for personal reasons.

3. Why?
India is the land of my birth and my soul resides there. I spent the first formative 7 years of my life moving across Northern India from Jabalpur, where I was born, to various Army locations before sailing back to England in 1947 with my parents and sister.

Promise: When I was leaving India, I was given a necklace with small red beads and the swastika symbol as a symbol of good fortune in Hinduism and is the symbol of eternal life in Buddhism. I was told to keep it safe as it would protect me and I would return.

I’d shared this dream with my elder sister Rosemary that one day we would go back together. As can happen when you don’t take action to turn your dreams into reality, my regret is that we have left it too late. However, I still wanted to fulfil our wish.

4. How?
“Send out your intention and trust that your dream will become reality!”

It seemed very opportune that a wonderful opportunity arose through my friendship with Helen Tomie, Founder of Sacred Earth Journeys. She has transformed her passion for travel & spirituality into a successful tour business devoted to providing travellers with more meaningful experiences. 

Divine Love: Sacred North India with Andrew Harvey, British author, religious scholar and teacher of mystic traditions. I naturally wanted to be part of this adventure in November 2023 to discover the essence of sacred Northern India. The ambitious itinerary was made possible by detailed planning travelling by plane, train and coach.

City life:  On arrival at New Delhi, I heard the noise of blaring horns and the more polite ‘beep beeps’. I watched in trepidation the navigating skills needed to avoid collisions and survive in what appears to be a chaotic traffic flow. These sounds and sights were a sure indication I had arrived in India!

Memories: I can only mention a few unforgettable experiences otherwise this Blog would become a weighty Tome!

2a River Ganges

2b Garland seller at a temple

2c The Taj Mahal

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2a River Ganges

The River Ganges is important to Hindus because of its cultural, religious and historical significance, and its role as a source of life. It is believed that bathing in the river purifies the soul. I was grateful to have the experience of watching the sun rise whilst in one of the many boats out on the river. However, I forwent immersing myself bathing in the river although the reassurance from some members of our group that it was invigorating. I settled for buying a brass container filled with the sacred water from one of the many traders seeking customers for their wares.

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2b Garland seller at a Temple

Marigolds are sacred flowers in India and are associated with purity, strength and new beginnings.

I watched as visitors to took their garlands from a woman sitting at the bottom basket before climbing up the steep steps to an important sacred temple.  However, the lovely garland seller was ignored. Perhaps the caste system is still a part of life in India? I went over and asked for her help  to put on a garland as I would struggle to get it over my head. Interacting with people is the true essence of visiting new places and making new friends along the way. It’s not ticking boxes on an itinerary!

This encounter is one of my most precious memories.

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2c Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is situated on the right bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. It is considered the most beautiful building ever constructed. This ivory-white marble mausoleum was commissioned in 1631 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan following the death of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Although a familiar sight through media exposure, I was not prepared for the emotional reaction I experienced when walking through the entrance archway and seeing the Taj Mahal in all its splendour. This feeling is hard to capture in words. I just stood in awe watching the moving tapestry of the colours of the clothing as people made their way respectfully towards this iconic masterpiece.

A Question of Perspective: It was strange how some people noted there wasn’t any water in the channel due to cleaning and maintenance. It always saddens me that this nitpicking view of the world around them means the sense of wonder can be lost.

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Airport Farewell

“All good things come to an end.”

The time came to head for the airport and make our departing farewells. There is the additional bonus of making new friends from around the world. The links we forged will remain. Our What’s App Group allows us to keep in touch with each other. I was pleased to welcome a fellow traveller to visit me in Stow on the Wold, and I’m sure such exchanges will continue.

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My Challenge to You
Consider your Bucket List and decide on three priorities for 2025. You can always use my checklist of questions. If you haven’t already completed this then don’t be surprised if your dreams don’t become your reality

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LESSON: Passive or Active Approach to Living Life?

My genuine concern is how easy it has become to accept the passive role of an observer rather than make the effort to be active and taking back your own power to whatever extent you are able.

Special mentions go to Sacred Earth Journeys – Helen Tomie Founder of Sacred Earth Journeys is devoted to providing
travellers with more meaningful experiences.

Divine Love: Sacred North India – Andrew Harvey, British author, religious scholar and teacher of mystic
traditions. Leader of Divine Love: Sacred North India.