Roache - Life and Soul (New Edition): Secrets for Living a Long and Happy Life

William Roache OBE is one of Britains most beloved actors, best known for his long-running portrayal of Ken Barlow in the popular British TV serial Coronation Street.

Despite having over 60 years as a TV star under his belt, Bill didnt always want to be an actor. He intended to follow in his fathers footsteps and become a doctor, but was called up for National Service and only turned to acting upon leaving the army. Bill learned the craft of acting during two years in repertory theatre, performing to live audiences. Film and TV roles followed, and he joined the cast of Coronation Street in 1960. Bill appeared in the very first episode of the show and has now appeared consistently ever since.

In 2000 he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Television Soap Awards, and he holds a Guinness World Record as the longest-serving actor in an ongoing drama. Bill gained the highest honour in 2022 when, as part of the Queens New Years Honours, he was awarded an OBE for his services to television drama and work as an actor. He also holds an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the University of Chester, and an Honorary MA from the University of Derby.

Outside of his work as a professional actor, Bill is known for his interest in the meaning of life and seeking the great truths that never change. Family is of the highest importance to him, and he is the proud father of five children. His two sons have also gone on to become actors in their own right.

Bill lives in Wilmslow, Cheshire.This is his third book.

I would like to thank Liz Dean for her inspirational help in writing this book, the Hay House team for all their good work and encouragement, John Hayes and Champions for their help and support, and James Wood and Ann Rogers for their love and advice.

Special thanks to all my family, especially Will and Verity, for their love, and for inspiring me to write this book.

I am very optimistic about the future. On a global level, we are becoming more and more aware of who and what we are, and of our responsibility for others and for the environment. When enough of us find peace in ourselves and the collective consciousness wants peace, there will be world peace. This is a real possibility. Only 4 per cent of the worlds population needs to know that this is so for it to become part of the collective consciousness and manifest. Does that sound impossible? As author and lecturer John Randolph Price said,Nothing is too good to be true.

We are far more powerful than we realize. We are each an individuation of one soul, one life-force, Source, creator, therefore we are all creators. As I explained earlier, we create our own lives by how we see ourselves and what we visualize for ourselves. Everything starts with our thoughts and imagination. Thoughts are energy, and by the Law of Attraction we draw to ourselves what we think about. If we worry about debts and losing our money, that is what we give out to the universe and what we bring about. If we worry, or talk, about bad health, that is what we attract to ourselves. So, to recap, if you are in debt, think about being wealthy. Visualize yourself with abundant money and the life that you wish to have. If you are ill, visualize yourself rejuvenated and in wonderful health. Do it as often as you can. Make it fun! We affirm what we are when we are enjoying ourselves. You have to be practical too, of course. Having visualized what you want, take steps towards achieving it. Check your lifestyle. Are you getting enough sleep, drinking enough fresh water, eating enough fresh vegetables and getting enough exercise? Stay positive and you will find you are helped along the way. The power of positivity is truly amazing, and so enjoyable.

Life is to be enjoyed. Have a good look at your life and change things so that there is less stress in it and more joy. Only do what gives you joy. Only have what gives you joy. As the organizing consultant Marie Kondo says, Only keep in your house what gives you joy.

Start with the so-called small things. Have a cup of tea or a biscuit, listen to music or watch your favourite TV programme.

Monitor your thoughts, too, and only allow in those that give you joy. Think about what makes you laugh. Laughter is the elixir of life.

Personally, I am still enjoying playing golf. I am also very fortunate with my work. If you play a character like James Bond, there is a parameter of years within which you can continue, but as Coronation Street is an organic show about living people, I could achieve my aim of being the first centenarian to be in regular work.

In fact, what I really enjoy is being the caring head of a wonderfully dysfunctional family and trying to keep peace and harmony among them all. Will this continue? What lies ahead for Ken? It may be that he is past the stage of having romantic relationships, but who knows? Lets wait and see. To be the single head of a Mafia-type family brings plenty of stories and is more than good enough for me. But romance is never out of the question.

It is safe to enjoy yourself, to feel happy, to feel healthy and to feel wealthy. Some people think it invites misfortune, but its quite the opposite: celebrating affirms what you are celebrating, so feeling healthy affirms the good health and feeling wealthy affirms the great wealth. It is plus, plus all the way. As inspirational author Esther Hicks says, The better it gets, the better it gets.

It is good to be alive, it is good to have fun, it is good to celebrate. My group of friends and I have frequent celebrations, and the next one is a Roald Dahl day, when we all dress up as a Roald Dahl character. I am going as Willy Wonka. Verity is going as Veruca and has thrown herself wholeheartedly into creating a Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory corner. She is so happy creating lollipops and candies, knowing how much fun they will give the children. She can work for hours and never tire because she is so happy.

Being happy isnt just a good thing, it is an essential part of life. We should be happy most of the time. It is what we are supposed to be.

As we awaken to that and learn to love ourselves, it becomes easy and natural be happy and to manifest love in all that we do. Then peace, in all its aspects, is the natural outcome.

So, as we advance in understanding, we are creating heaven on Earth.

The best way to do this is to live according to your true nature. When you go into your heart, you connect with the energy of which youre made, the pure love of Source. Then you can bring that love out into your daily life in small ways that can make a big difference. Heres a plan to help you.

• Meditate for five minutes, twice a day. Go into your heart and connect with Source and your true self.
• Try to take in as much positive information as you can. Watch TV programmes that are uplifting and make you laugh. Dont engage in negative conversations or adopt negative belief systems. Keep your outlook positive every day.
• Accept compliments with grace, rather than denying them with What? No! or Really? Instead, just say Thank you.
• Be grateful for all the great things you have and enjoy. The important things are often the little ones. Dont take them for granted. Appreciate the small stuff and you open yourself up to greater things later on.
• Be in tune with yourself by being in your heart. This keeps stress at bay and helps you to make good decisions about everything, including eating nourishing food and taking the right exercise.
• If fear and anxiety come in, just stop. Take a breath and go into your heart, into peace and love. Think of somewhere that makes you feel relaxed and peaceful.
• Tackle boring jobs quickly rather than letting them build up, as they just block the flow of life.