TAKING TIME....

Work has reached a peak of craziness again.  Long hours, much longer than they should be, and still no time to do what I need.  Yesterday I even thought of phoning in sick... something I never do unless I am incapable of leaving the house.  I knew my body was telling me to slow down.... to rest.  But my day was scheduled with important meetings and commitments.  I knew I would feel a sense of achievement if only I could get through it.  And somehow I dragged myself through the day.  And I did feel a sense of achievement, and I discovered what helps me when times get difficult.

You see I work with people who struggle to be in touch with their bodies and their needs.  During the day I ran a group about how we look after ourselves (can you see the irony here?!) and it gave me a sense of sadness that some people are unable to take time or to see the things around them.  For even when life is madness, I still manage to be in the moment....
.... to stop on the way to the bus stop to smell the honeysuckle that fell over the fence, spilling its scent onto the pavement.  My companions had walked ahead at a pace and when I asked if they had noticed the scent they looked surprised at the question.  They said they had been preoccupied by thoughts and had not even seen the honeysuckle.
.... or to notice a water spout and plaque as we walked along a road.  I stopped, took out my camera and took a photo.  And again, I had been the only one to see this oddity among the rows of shops.  

1872-1881

This building housed Beckenham’s first volunteer Fire Brigade, using a cart pulled by horses borrowed from nearby residents and traders whenever a fire broke out.  The lions head spout was used to refresh the horses with water piped from the Thames by the then Lambeth Water Company.

This morning I received a message from Jessica Broden.  I have already signed up for her Artist's Way Bookclub, but today's post resonated with me.  I have always wanted to be part of a bookclub, where I can meet other like minded people and share our experience.  I've always wanted to read... really read... the Artists Way.  Crazy working hours and pattern stopped me joining local groups, and not creating time for myself stopped the second. Now I am putting that to rights.
I am feeling tense and frazzled this morning, my body locked in by pressures and time schedules.  Tell tale signs shout slow down... look after yourself... to make time for just BEING.   Another reminder to myself about what is important in life.  So I am sorting out a journal today, picking up what I once started (albiet not daily writing but writing in a journal nonetheless). But more importantly, creating time for ME! .

That moment starts now.  I have booked 2 days off work ... so I am breathing more deeply and slowing down so that my mind and body can reconnect.  Loving the idea of this bookclub...  life sometimes gives you exactly what you need if you take time to see it.

BLOGIVERSARY

20th June


Why is it when you want to find the words they don't come, and when you haven't much to say, they do?  Oh well.... no time for pondering or feeling frustrated, because today is my 2nd blogiversary.  Last year I organised a Blog Hop which was such fun but sadly time means I need to celebrate in a different way this year.  Hopefully I can do a Blog Hop another time.....  


Looking back at my posts this year I realised how many things I had achieved.  Some of these started as a thought, a page torn out of a magazine, or an idea written in a notebook. 


Or, in this case, a post: '5 Things 5 Years from Now'.   And I have a big smile because it could have read '5 Things 1 Year from Now'.  Because all those things have been achieved and other things too:


My first art journalling pages


A trip to Sark (a long time wish)


Collection of our campervan (f-i-n-a-l-l-y!)


Taking part in Pass the Book, as well as sending and receiving good mail.  


And we also spent time in North Wales.  It is our son's favourite place and he had been wanting to share some time with us there ever since he fell in love with the area.  When we went up Mount Snowdon we discovered someone had driven their car near to the summit.  It seems the owner had it on his list of 50 things to do before you die.  I can think of other things I'd put on my list.... and they would be less adventurous as I don't need adrenalin buzzes.  You see, I am happy with the simple things of life, and being  spontaneous or finding ways of managing the mundane keep me satisfied.  If I had a list it would feature travel, family, creativity, and of course photography, so driving a car up a mountain would not be included (although finding a route might be described as creative).  


And on my list of 'things to do today' it would include a Giveaway.  As I like to be spontaneous this has not been planned since I also like giving and receiving surprises!


So, just leave a comment, letting me know which of the above links you liked and why.


I will choose a name from random on Friday 29th June.  


There is a second Giveaway offered to the first person who  can say what my Word for 2012 is.


Thank you to everyone who follows, comments or reads my posts.  I feel part of a wonderful network and never cease to be inspired, amazed, and touched by your own writing and creativity.  And by the way, I'm interested to know what you might put on your list if you had one!




(Just in case you are wondering how they got the car down from the mountain, it was loaded onto the train that carries passengers and materials to the summit ).