A Big Week...

Last week was a blur of work and home life-  a week of beauty, sensitivity, care, and depth.

It was rewarding, but once again- full to the brim. So as I turn even more towards my slowing-down point of the month, I can feel the cost of it.

That the old old cyclical way of things is calling me home-  the wave crashing on the shore and then drawing back, the leaves dropping to fertilise the ground for the seeds of spring.

And so I move from a very slow morning (thank you Ben) into the gentle, creative space of writing this, I can recognise: growth, work, relationships, creativity, showing up to life properly — it all takes something. I’m brought back to the ever-present truth that filling the well is just as much a part of giving as the act of giving itself.

THE EAT-ER HOLIDAYS

We’ve just returned from a visit with family that has been very sweet and nourishing (both literally and metaphorically). The kids had days dotted with the kind of treats they don’t often get.

Food, in our community, is very much home-cooked and organic-  from the garden. It tends to look a bit rustic: potatoes with black spots, carrots ranging from giant twisty things to tiny tendrils. So now the kids find things that come out of packets or shops quite exotic and fancy, and they adore the daily puddings and special sweet treats that only family give them.

So they filled their bellies, ran around giggling in playgrounds, and had lots of lovely, quality time- reading books, playing games, drawing pictures and watching films on Granny’s fancy TV.

In moments like this, it often strikes me that it worked. My kids have been so happy since we made the leap back to England. It really wasn’t a given- they were very settled in Corfu. It’s a huge gift that things have slotted into place here. Their extra smiles feel like a different kind of warmth to the Greek sunshine we left behind.

TIME FOR COMPASSION

In all of this, I’m reminded how lucky I am. Through many threads of my work, I cross paths with people living lives very different to my own, all around the world- some of whom facing challenges that I can barely imagine, who against all the odds find a moment of rest and reflection before heading back into the chaos.

And through these special encounters, I’m reminded of what really matters: kindness, finding space to care for one another, to share our resources and gifts, to be a force for good- no matter how small the impact- to do it anyway. To each day take a step towards peace. Peace inside ourselves, peace with our loved ones, peace with our planet herself and with all the incredible beings who live upon it.

So from this place I wish you many moments of peace and kindness as you navigate your unique life and circumstances... Maybe that means planting a few seeds in your garden, finding more time for rest or meditation, or offering an extra helping of kindness to a loved one or neighbour.~ I wish it for you, and I thank you for making the world a better place in your own unique way.

(...As a side note- Please don't be shy I'd love to hear from you and your (humble or huge) step towards peace and kindness in the past week if you wish to share it :) 

WEEKLY REFLECTIONS 

Invitation: set a timer for a 3 mins (or more) and write or ponder:

1. Where in your life right now are you being called to slow down and refill your well?

2. What small act of kindness could you offer this week-  to yourself or someone else?

3. What brings you a sense of peace, and how can you make a little more space for it?