July 2021 Summertime Thoughts

Reflections: Summertime Thoughts

July and August openings for 1:1 conversations
Summer Circle "Time for you"
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circle on Zoom: Thursday 1st July and Saturday 10th July
"Be Powerfully Yourself" one to one coaching programme
Summertime Reading recommendation: "The Hut" by Zeeba Ansari
 

Reflections: Summertime Thoughts

Music sparks so many memories - "Summertime, and the livin' is easy" is one of those songs for me. It comes from "Porgy and Bess", and so many singers have made it their own - Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, many more.

(An apology to those of you who are in parts of the world where it is mid winter for you - maybe these reflections will bring some summertime memories back for you?)

I have chosen a version by Billy Holiday to share here as it has the brass instruments that fit with the version I remember.  The quality is not perfect but very evocative. Here is another jazz version by Andrea Motis with The Joan Chamorro Quintet and Scott Hamilton. The music takes me back to one year at the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Show, held near where I live, at the dedicated showground at Wadebridge. On this year I was wandering around enjoying the atmosphere. There was a jazz band playing on an open-topped double-decker bus. As usual, there was a wind blowing, flags and banners were fluttering in the breeze, the weather was a mixture of sunshine and cloud. The tune drifted across the hillside. Entrancing.

This takes me now to all the times I spent at the show every year, in early June. For many years, probably beginning in the late 1970s or early 1980s, I exhibited my copper enamel jewellery and tie-dyed silk scarves in the local craft tent there. I cannot remember now for how many years I did that, but at some stage I decided to stop after finding it simply too exhausting. Even with much-appreciated help from my mother and my husband, it took so much energy. Hot, cold, wet, strong winds, thunder storms - we experienced everything. That last year it was very dry and dusty and on the evening of the last day after the hard work of packing everything away, queuing to get my car into the showground, then queuing some more to get out again and on the road home - after all that I found myself struggling to breathe, almost like an asthma attack, although I have never experienced one before, or since. I decided then and there that would be my last year.

This photo may have been taken at the Royal Cornwall Show. More likely at one of the smaller events held in a marquee each year as the bigger show had canvas sides between each stall, and so the clothes next door wouldn't have been visible. Apologies for the photo quality, a rather fuzzy photo dating back to the 1980s.



So, there was a break for a while, then my husband decided to begin exhibiting his new business, making custom designed bodyboards for serious surfers. For a few years he took a stand in the 'Wadebridge Street' where the stands were open-fronted on each side of the 'street'. This meant there was plenty of air, less dust - and also lots of rain blowing in at times. Later he built his own stand-alone exhibition tent and took a space only, which gave him more room, although even more work assembling and breaking it down each year. Eventually he decided exhibiting was not paying off in sales and publicity. The end of another chapter.

Later still, I attended for a couple of years when I worked for Outset Cornwall, as one of the team providing business start-up training and coaching. That was good fun too, especially as we worked in shifts and had official time off to go round with our leaflets and talk to people.

Lots of memories, beginning with just one event,  leading on to others, conjured up by a piece of music.


Summer Reflections Constantine Bay

For you, for your meditations or journal - to flow-write, doodle, paint, dance, sing - however you wish to express your thoughts and feelings: 

• Is there a particular piece of music that brings memories for you?
• Maybe play that music and simply listen and see what arises - it may not be what you expect.
• Explore in any way you wish, in your journal or sketch book perhaps.

Take good care of yourself while you do this - I know some music can prompt sad memories and tears for me, perhaps for you too? This can be a good way to release whatever that emotion is, and I know for me it can be helpful to set up a place and time that supports me if possible. I also know it is easy to be 'ambushed', perhaps by the car radio suddenly playing something that prompts a response. Often a bittersweet mix of happy and sad memories.

July and August openings for 1:1 conversations

During July and August I have some openings for 1:1 conversations. If you have ever thought you would like to know more about any of my work, and how it might be helpful for you, just book a time through my scheduling link here. Book the 20 minute complimentary consultation, and I will send you a Zoom link so we can chat over a cuppa. No sales talk, simply a time to connect. Years ago, when my coaching was mostly done over the telephone, I remember taking a call one day. The person had been thinking about booking some coaching sessions for some time, she said that as soon as she heard my voice she knew it was right for her to go ahead. That may or may not happen for you, at the very least we will explore a little, I will draw a Dare to Blossom card for you, maybe share the Compass Rose meditation.

If the times offered do not suit you, just contact me as I have more flexibility than the calendar suggests.

Summer Circle "Time for you"

The next six week exploration begins on 26th July, with the theme "Time for You". There are two taster circles the week before, on Monday 19th at 7.30 pm, and Tuesday 20th at 11.00 am (UK times). Contact me to book, or follow the links to go via Facebook. If you prefer not to use Facebook, you can of course still take part.



Full details of the programme and the new pricing structure, with three bands, on a pay what you can basis,  are here.

Dare to Blossom Monthly Circle on Zoom: Thursday 1st July and Saturday 10th July
 
The Thursday slot is becoming a regular event as well as a Saturday once a month. Join us at one or both - for those of you who prefer not to be on Facebook, these are simply stand-alone gatherings on Zoom. Contact me to book, and find the full details here.   (PS I have no idea why this section insists on being in bold....)
 

"Be Powerfully Yourself" one to one coaching programme

There are still places available, click here for details.

Summertime Reading recommendation: "The Hut" by Zeeba Ansari

A book that I have yet to read myself - but I can one I whole-heartedly recommend on the basis of the readings I was honoured to hear at the recent launch with Zeeba. We met when I first joined the Cornwall branch of Lapidus, the 'words for well-being' organisation, a number of years ago now. Listening to Zeeba, and another Lapidus friend reading extracts I was transported immediately into the story, and ordered my copy straight after the gathering as I can't wait to find out more. You can of course buy almost anywhere online, Zeeba published through Troubadour, so you may like to go there. 

Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions are always welcome.

with love,

Mary