one day to go of 2024 and it proved to be a monumental year in the sense of losing loved ones and walking beside the loss and space they have left .
as the shock waves land it feels destabilising , surreal , strangely empty and deeply sad . Then it happens again and again causing aftershocks which hit hard and leave a trauma difficult to explain. Your head bobbing under the water and the load and energy heavy . I took a break in Scotland for 6 days . Spoke little and healed with the sea and the most gentle rhythms of nature . The Japanese art of shinrin-yoku. Restorative healing peaceful and regenerating .
It’s an odd one . We are bulldozed into Christmas in September . Easter in January ; new school uniform as soon as the poor kids break up for summer . What happened to enjoying each day as it comes rather than wishing them away . Slow down . Enjoy the seasons and live each day for itself . There’s no need to be pressurised by the marketeers . Create your own agenda
walking in the sun is always a treat and the rain can be hard – but fog and mist hold the middle ground ; neither joyous nor sapping . Just so still . It’s quiet along the river today , a few early walkers all delighting in the quiet and solitude . It’s hard to believe the madding crowds usually swarm along the tow path when it’s so calm . Those of us there greeted each other , stopped quietly to wonder at the beauty . Lovely moments .
clear bright days when the sky is cloudless and the autumn colours shimmer in the sun are sent to make us smile . The determined few leaves flitting to and fro on the trees still intent on defying the stormy winds . Underfoot their comrades make for a joyful shuffle, as I, childlike kick and crunch my way along in simple delight . Bright autumn days make me smile
a wonderful friend said to me on returning from a week away from the madness , “hang on to the feeling “ . Close to the trip it was easy , the sights sounds and relaxation still clear and present. But as the days progress so the feelings are harder to hold in mind . So I have had to add to my memory the sounds and smells and photos to strengthen the memories . It’s proven really helpful .
When you have the chance to spend time in a completely different environment ; one that brings all our senses to life , it can be hard to return to your normal . But a friend said ‘now hold onto it ‘ and I’ve been working on how I bring the sense of freedom beauty and expanse back into my life . Great advice and fun to contemplate adding those colours to my every day
Travelling is a joy and a liberation when the purpose is undefined . A singular space swimming amongst people and sounds familiar and unfamiliar . Swirls of emotion as friends reunite or part or simply sit together . A delight to be the observer as the observed
Transitions are such a fluid time . Leaving something wonderful and returning home to everything you care for . The space between the two worth savouring