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
