Reflections No 1: Ambushed by grief
Reflections No 2: Taking
stock
Taster Circles and the
next Compass Rose programme: 'Weaving Shadow and Light'
Dare to Blossom
Monthly Circles on Zoom - a choice of day and time
Reflections No 1:
Ambushed by grief
I had begun writing
a practical piece about taking stock as we come to the middle of 2022, and
then... this morning grief sprang up and slapped me - anyone who has
ever lost someone (or experienced any other grief, (here are many losses in our
lives), will know this feeling I am sure.
Scrolling through my ‘memories’ on Facebook, as I enjoy doing each morning,
with all the photos of my walks and fun things I have shared on this day over
the years, there it is - a sweet photo of someone who died suddenly. And here
come the tears.
The words above were the ones I chose to share with my community on Facebook,
some of whom know me very well, and others less so. I also wrote: "PS I
chose this painting as I don’t want to share the photo, and the bright sparks of connection are
still there."
The photo that
'ambushed' me was taken in 2015, by the motorcycle dealers where my brother
bought a classic motorbike - I remember being surprised then as my brother
didn't take part in Facebook as far as I know, but presumably he had given them
permission. I had shared their post, and had forgotten - even though I imagine
it would have popped up last year too.
I thought of sharing that photo here, and now I have decided not to do that,
maybe another time, maybe not.
Anyway, somehow, today, it had an impact. Maybe we prepare, whether consciously
or not, for the anniversaries when we expect to be thinking of people no longer
with us - birthday, Christmas, the significant dates around a diagnosis maybe,
and then those connected with a death and a funeral.
Life and death, and
grief, are all part of life. Today I was humbled by the messages of support I
received in reaction to my Facebook post. And - I know that grief is always
with me, for all the losses in my life.
I am currently reading Lamentations of the Sea by Dr BethAnne
Kapansky Wright (2nd Edition 2019, Golden Dragonfly Press), about the author's
grief at losing her brother suddenly, written at the time, so her words are
sometimes raw and very moving. The subtitle is "111 passages on grief,
love, loss, and letting go" - I have been dipping in and reading it slowly
and gradually. Some passages are prose, some poetry, some short, some longer.
Here is a short piece, number 11, on page 19:
The very thing that
ails you
in this darkest of place
is the very thing
that will eventually see
you through to the light
Love is both wound and balm
I am not feeling in
'the darkest of places' now, yet this chimes with my thoughts earlier, that we
only feel grief when we lose someone, or something, we love, or that is
important to us.
In another piece, on page 26 entitled 'Heart', there are these words:
"Your heart is
doing what it is built to do: love, feel, break, heal.",
and "Don't be afraid to let it do what it needs to do to release,
remember, repair, renew."
As I mentioned above
when I shared the piece I wrote on Facebook, there are so many losses in life,
and often we do not take time to grieve, to feel, to allow, and to move on.
Some losses are connected with change, a change that may be positive - changing
jobs or moving house perhaps - and yet there is sadness, and maybe grief, in
saying goodbye. A celebration as well as a letting go.
Reflections No 2:
Taking stock
And so, after that
'ambush', I have decided to leave the piece I had begun on 'Taking stock'
here for you too.
The sixth month of the year is almost here. I am sure you, like me, often
reflect on the strange nature of time. Sometimes proceeding so slowly, at
others flying by. Sometimes feeling, for me at least, as if it loops around
itself, bringing memories of long ago that feel like they were yesterday.
For me this time,
the middle of the year, of this year 2022, is a perfect time to pause, to take
stock. And then - to take action. I have literally have been taking stock, of
books, paintings, and the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards. Those have not
exactly been 'flying off the shelves' in marketing-speak. Quite rightly, people
tend to take their time to consider whether, and when to buy - but even so
packs of the Original cards and the No 2 decks have been steadily wending their
way to people around the world.
For me, it is good to be mindful of how we spend our money - and not
simply for financial reasons. I like to remember the saying people use for
decluttering: "Is this useful? Is this beautiful? Does this bring me
joy?" before I make the decision to buy anything new (or secondhand, in
the case of many of my books).
Here are the cards
from a recent circle - such a wonderful selection of words and colours. Some
from the Original Deck, many from No 2 - I use them mixed together.
For your own
reflections or meditation - today you may like simply to choose one or more of
the words to flow-write with and see where that takes you?
- What is your first response to the word?
- To the colour?
- What else is there?
- And, what else?
- What does a second card add to the first?
Taster
Circles and the next Compass Rose programme: 'Weaving Shadow and Light'
The next Compass
Rose six-week programme begins on 20th June. Midsummer, or midwinter, always
feels the perfect time to follow this theme. I rewrite some of the material
every time, and in any case, if you have been before, you will know how
different and special each particular 'turn around the Compass Rose' is each
time. The people are different, you are different.
I chose this favourite image to illustrate the programme this time. Is the
darkness inside the tree intriguing? Scary? A little of both? What is inside? A
staircase going down? Or up? A fairy grotto? A magical cottage with a warm
fire, a comfy sofa, a kettle already boiling ready to make a pot of tea? (These
could be some more writing or meditation prompts for you.)
There are three taster circles scheduled, at times I hope will suit people in
different parts of the world - the final decision on when we will meet during
the programme will emerge as people experience the process n the tasters. I
will offer two times each week if that is best, although it is always good to
all meet together live on Zoom when we can. Read more here....
Taster Circles:
Thursday 9th June at 2.30 pm or 7.30 pm (UK times)
Thursday 16th June at 2.30 pm - I may add another that day if there are any
requests.
You are welcome to
attend any or all of these, and there is no expectation that you will sign up
for the six weeks, it is always wonderful to have your company. Contact me for the Zoom links,
and find out more by following this link, or by clicking on
the photo above.
Dare
to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom - a choice of day and time
The drop-in circles
are held twice each month The next dates are Saturday 11th June at 11.00 am and
Monday 27th June at 7.30 pm (UK times). You can find the events on Facebook or
LinkedIn, or simply reply to this email and ask me for the Zoom
link. It is a always pleasure to welcome those of you who prefer not to connect
via social media, all you need to join us is the Zoom link that I send to you
in advance of the time.
Payment is by donation, depending on your circumstances. People offer from zero
to £30. I host the circles with no expectation, simply deep gratitude for your
presence.
I send wishes for health and happiness for you and all
you love.
Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions
are always welcome.
Mary
