Words for thinking about
A gift for words
A wordsmith, by definition, is an expert, or someone who uses language very well or who uses words as a writer.
Writing for pleasure is something that I have done all my life.
What follows are a few other offerings of my thoughts and experiences about life.
I hope you enjoy them
Dandelion Clocks
Words are like dandelion clocks
To me, words are like the seeds of a Dandelion, released from the clock of the seedhead when the time is right.
When the winds of change set them free so that they may land elsewhere and create another version of themselves..
Beyond the Place where Dragons Live
Beyond the Place where Dragons Live
Beyond the Place where Dragons Live Listen here
Many years ago,
In the depths of unwellness, the depths of depression and suicidal thoughts
All I wanted was to be "Normal".
"Define Normal." Was the challenge set by my then GP.
And it has been a challenge.
A challenge which has bothered me, I've mithered, mulled and worried over ever since.
And just as there is a quest for Truth and Justice in my life
So there has been a quest, a search to find or at least be able, to define Normal.
Being able to settle on that, and feel comfortable with, has been sometimes beyond the place where Dragons live.
But I have been to that place to find answers.
Answers,sometimes too painful to acknowledge; bear witness to, experience, be party to or to hear.
But go there, I did.
For beyond the place on a map where Dragon's live is, in fact not a place to be feared.
It is a protected place, for that is what Dragons do. They protect.
But it is not dark and evil.
It is not a place to be feared.
For, unknowingly, I started my quest from that place; a place where Fear ruled.
A place of loneliness and isolation.
And by going to the edge, and then beyond the place where Dragon's live,
I have found the answer.
I can define Normal.
'Normal' is a place where there is Love.
With that love comes a feeling of safety, of security and support.
It's a place of Balance.
It has boundaries.
Things are contained.
Things are limited.
Things get broken.
Things change.
It isn't always smooth.
It isn't always easy.
But Normal is a place where there is Value, Respect and Trust.
It's a place where “Sense” is often present.
It's a place with feeling.
Normal is a place within my body.
My Normal is very different to other peoples.
It makes me who I am now.
My body is the vessel in which my “Spirit” exists for the duration.
And it is a settled spirit which finds happiness.
If I'm not happy in myself
How can others be happy with me?
I have an idea that “Life is made up from bridges and hammocks.”
At one end there is Love and the other Support.
Life does have bridges
But mostly it's made up of hammocks.
And what's in the hammock
Is where "Norma"l lies.
It's a place strong enough to hold but fluid enough to move.
It's a place where the important things are held.
The unimportant let go of; released through the holes.
Hammocks are places where life is held between two or more trees.
They are a place to think, to feel, consider, to contemplate.
They move.
They swing.
They go with the flow.
Normal is life as if lived in a hammock.
Life isn't defined by living in a box with walls so solid that there is no freedom.
Normal is having the courage and bravery to be who you are.
What you are meant to be.
And be free to live the life you want to lead.
Not live the life other people expect you to.
The quest to find Normality is one every Body birthed is set to find.
Some find it sooner than others.
Some may never quite find it but we will all have a variation on the truth for that is; Normal.
Life is for living
And if living in a hammock is where Normality is found.
Then in understanding that, I can define Normal!
Hoorah.
Challenge Complete.
Now need to work on the next one.
I am a work in progress
I'm making my own hammock!
But like the life I want to live.
I cannot make it alone.
I have haven't slain the Dragon though, for that does not feel right, but I have learned about them and how to work with them is such a way that they will always protect that which needs protection. Especially as I, myself, am a Dragon in the Chinese horoscope!
It is a tough place but try and find the hammocks in life.Often I find if I am angry it is because there has been a miscommunication but once I can spot what it is, where the anger was held in the hammock, it passes through the holes and the thing that is left is, hopefully, laughter...xx
Jac 20.5.2017
I am a deep thinker
I love Dragons.
I have always been a Dragon.
In the Chinese Horoscope that is.
And then there is the Welsh part of me. The symbol of Wales, is, a Dragon.
"Always be yourself unless you can be a Dragon, then always be Dragon."
Don't pretend
When you wake up Monday morning and you're with your kids. Don't pretend. Don't pretend like everything is normal because it's not. The emotional roller-coaster of fear, grief, loss, anxiety and helplessness may well, and quickly, hit your socially safe child into one who is scared and confused. As you, yourself, might be.
Trying to use the school timetable to structure their day will quickly go out of the window and there will be much anger.
Do not attack your children when they attack you.
Remember. You're a child yourself in all this, still learning how to be together in this new way of living.
Be kind always.
Stop. Think. Listen. Breathe. Count to ten and then respond to the anger, be it yours or that of your children, thoughtfully.
What you model in terms of crisis management will be what they learn.
Developing healthy coping mechanisms may take time but talking, not shouting, staying grounded and patient and then more patient, and then more patience on top of that is, probably, the way forward..
When you've spent a month counting to ten, deep breathing, and riding this unprecedented challenge, then, possibly, you might be able to ask of your child to do what you ask of them.
Because the lessons you're about to teach are not necessarily academic.
The lessons of how we treat each other have already started.
Be kind. Be patient. Be the role models to your children you'd like them to become so that they, in turn, may do the same.
Defining normal? We have a new set of rules by which we live.
Once the grown ups figure out what to do, they'll let you know.
But until then.
Be kind. Treasure your children. Celebrate the time you have together.
Your children are the most precious gift you can have.
Enjoy this opportunity to it's fullest.
Learn to be together with love. Not anger.
And there, you will find happiness.
Good luck. One day at a time. Xxx
Summit day
The wonderful thing about summits is that
you can see for miles.
From where you’ve come,
to where you are going.
You have an idea how you are going
to get there,
but the rest is in fact
unknown.
Unfurl your flag my friend.
Plant it firmly.
Take some time to enjoy the view.
Breathe in the air.
Be proud of what you have achieved.
XXX
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Way of the Buzzard Retreat
Way of the Buzzard online retreat
Way of the Buzzard online retreat
Way of the Buzzard online retreat
I read some poetry on my weekend retreat... Zoom meeting... It was a fabulous thing to do.. So dressed up for the occasion. What else would you expect me to wear....
Celebrating Beltane
Way of the Buzzard online retreat
Way of the Buzzard online retreat
Beltane is the Celtic Celebration of May day and the coming of Spring, with Maypole dancing.
The Way of the Buzzard, took the whole experience On line.
Ceremonial Robes
Way of the Buzzard online retreat
Ceremonial Robes
Ceremonial robes were worn to celebrate the closing of the retreat.
Everyone is Welcome Here
Reaching out to your heart so that you can connect to mine.
With peaceful blessings.