Art - Nettle Tea by Lore Pemberton
There is so much sadness, anger and distrust in the news each day at the moment. Horrifying incidents and things happening that there is just no justifiable reason for them to happen.
It can get so easy to become bogged down with the horror, upset and mistrust of it all. But the world can be a good place, indeed it mostly is a good place ... it's just that headlines like that don't seem to attract enough attention so they are drowned out.
It's at times like this that pulling ourselves back to the simple every day things can be just what we need. Take the time to watch yourself doing the simple day to day things. Making a drink and having it in one of your favourite cups, making yourself a sandwich and having it on a 'best' plate. Hanging the washing on the line and taking the time to step back and watch as it begins to move in the breeze.
Take the time to enjoy the small moments, and your brain will thank you for momentarily drowning out the things that you can do nothing about.
Sue xx
What a lovely post today and something I needed to hear this week. We have ad a tragic family bereavement and we are all still reeling. (My daughter’s MIL) Catriona
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear this. I hope you can all pull together and offer each other support. Much love. xx
DeleteWe definitely all need to do this. I'm hopeless at meditation, but I've found the one thing that does work is the suggestion to pause and note what you hear, see and feel. It's amazing how restorative that pause can be. The birds singing, the leaves and flowers rustling and the touch of the breeze on your skin. Nature is where we can find harmony.
ReplyDeleteNature is the balm for our souls isn't it, it's easy to ignore it and let it all go on around you, but taking the time to stop and notice and relax into it works wonders. xx
DeleteI always remember Mr Willett in one of the Miss Read books going out to earth up his celery after a contentious meeting at the Village Hall or something. Getting into the garden and focusing on some small wonder is a great rebalancer
DeleteThank you for this post.
I admit to standing in the garden a couple of times over the last few days and noticing little weeds that I carefully pulled out and dropped into the compost bin, so I approve wholeheartedly of Mr Willett earthing up his celery. Somehow I could never get into the Miss Read books, perhaps I should give them another go.
DeleteThe older I get the more it feels like the simple tasks, rituals and small treats are the best ones
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
After a tough day yesterday I spent twice as much time as usual this morning folding up the dry laundry off the airer and putting it all away. My drawers have never looked so neat, and my heart is happy ... it's the small things isn't it. :-) xx
DeleteLovely post Sue, I couldn't agree more. I've just swept the cellar stairs and rehoused about 25 long legged spiders, they are in the warmth of the garden now. They must think they are in the West Indies.
ReplyDeleteIt's that time of year isn't it, I have my jug and an old mouse mat on hand for relocation purposes. 😀
DeleteThanks Sue.
ReplyDeleteI was musing on the same idea of withdrawing for a while and appreciating the simpler aspects of life.
I then wondered whether that would be selfish of me.
You have confirmed that it is necessary to draw breath and not go down “rabbit holes” worrying about happenings over which we have no control.
Sue L
If we each withdraw slightly to get ourselves into a good headspace, and then let it spread to those around us, then they do the same to those around them, the ripples will spread. Smiles, greetings and good moods can be contagious. 😀❤️
DeleteHere in the US, things are the darkest they've been in my lifetime. I'm constantly trying to find the balance between staying informed of the atrocities and regulating my own nervous system. I have found that the best balm for me is volunteering. Helping someone else keeps my focused on the good in the world instead of the hate. :(
ReplyDeleteI'm the Anonymous post below you. Not sure how not to be anonymous. My name is Kelly. I 100% feel what you are feeling. I explained to my husband this morning - that no, it's not politics. It's something much more than that. I volunteer a lot and it gives me some peace. I have to believe that we will all be already. The alternative is unbearable.
Deleteobscure - volunteering is a wonderful thing to do. You are one of the good people that stand up to be counted and spread good feeling. ❤️
DeleteKelly - It's the good people that will get your country through this, and there lots of them, they are just not highlighted at the moment, but they ARE there. You have to believe. ❤️
DeleteCommenting as Anonymous is fine, if you just add your name at the end of your comments.
Thank you thank you thank you. I was spiraling this morning. I live in Michigan in the US. I've been holding it together barely with all the horrible things happening to people here. It's overwhelming. Then I was diagnosed with cancer and the barely holding it together took a nose dive. I love your blog and it has been bringing me comfort for a long time. Today's message was perfect for me when I have been at my lowest. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found today's post relevant to you. Look after yourself, enjoy the little victories ... and try not absorb too much of the news either on television or online. A positive and calm frame of mind is vital for you. Take care. xx
DeleteKelly, just wanted to reach out to you. I'm in So. Cal. and I was diagnosed with cancer 10 years ago after a routine mammogram. Fortunately, it was detected during the early stages (stage 2) and after surgery, chemo, and radiation, I am still here to tell the tale. I hope that you will receive all the care you need and will be fine. Just know that you are not alone. I wish you healing and may you receive all the care you need at this time. Bless.
Delete(Thank you, Sue, for letting me reach out like this on your blog).
You are very welcome Bless.
DeleteKelly, if you would like to read Bless' blog just click on her name at the top of her comment and it will link you to it.
Sending you hugs from Staffordshire in the UK. Life is certainly not easy now wherever you live, and you have taken yet another blow. Take comfort in the fact that others are thinking of you,
DeleteAngie xx
❤️xx
DeleteSo true. Watering the plants now.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are speaking nicely to them at the same time. 😀🪴🪴
DeleteIn the Telegraph today there was a photograph of a gang of youths in the road at Canterbury.
DeleteOne is tenderly hugging an 11 month baby to his chest. The others are around and on the car, which has crashed and flipped onto its side. They have got the door open and are rescuing the parents.
They say when you look at the horrors going on and accidents happening, always look for the good people that rush to help out. Nine times out of ten they are there, doing whatever they can. xx
DeleteThis is so true thank you for reminding us. Nature and our garden helps me so much, I count my blessings every day that we are lucky to live in a lovely place near the sea and beautiful countryside. I think most people are good at heart it is just that we hear more about the bad things happening. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that bad news headlines, and gratuitous 'click-bait' headlines grab more attention than good ones for a large chunk of the population.
DeleteA lovely post, Sue, and very timely, too. I find myself withdrawing more to myself during this time when everything around me seems to be in turmoil.
ReplyDeleteIt's a safety mechanism that we should all try to employ. We can only be of help to others if we ourselves are in a reasonable place.
DeleteSuch a lovely post and so very true.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thank you Jackie. xx
DeleteSuch an insightful post Sue, thank you so much. During the last two years I have been attending hospital appointments, doctors appointments, CT scans and MRI scans, blood tests, biopsies, and eventually surgery. I have had contact with so many caring, kind and respectful people and it constantly reminds me that what I’m reading and seeing all around the world is so so sad. So I just hold onto hope that good will eventually prevail. June U.K.
ReplyDeleteHaving been there myself I know what you mean. Although our NHS is stretched almost to breaking point, when you are in the system you realise that day to day the good people are there, caring and doing their very best for everyone that they can help. It also really reinforces just how many good, kind people there are out there quietly doing what they do best.
DeleteAnother lovely post, Sue, and very true. It's so easy to get drawn into the bad news around us at a time when many of us are struggling with sickness, lack of money and family worries. Taking time out to enjoy the moment is a necessity. Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteAngie xx
It really is isn't it, and there's so much bad and depressing things going on that we have very little control over. Drawing back and looking after our loved ones and ourselves is so important. ❤️
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