Our headline news:
Writing Each Night by Candlelight!
Each evening, I light a small candle
To journal my thoughts in its light
It is free of pressure; a calming endeavour
That cannot be done wrong or right
It is pure expression of my feelings
Whatever the structure or form
Taking time every day for my feelings
Makes me feel quite explicably warm
For my birthday in December, I was given 20-minute candles as a very thoughtful present. I was immediately excited to use them but, as happens all too often, I found myself living with the intention without acting on it for far longer than I realised. This month I have finally begun the practice of lighting one each evening and writing until it runs out. I have been an avid journaller for most of my life but this is the first time I have approached it in such a structured manner. Somehow, I feel that I am writing more freely than ever because of this. I put my phone down and write without thinking, sometimes believing I have nothing to say and always surprising myself with how much I actually do have on my heart that day. It is the very last thing I do each day before I read and go to sleep, and I am sleeping better than ever!
In other news:
A Morning Bask, What a Delightful Task!
A patch of grass, a little sun
The perfect cooling breeze
On any given day of life
That’s really all we need
So say I, and to no surprise
My furry friend agreed!
I was taking an afternoon walk in the sun, between intermittent showers and hailstorms (welcome to spring in the UK!) and chuckled aloud as I passed this cat, rolling over and basking in the rays. It was extremely well-natured and friendly, purring loudly and so very happy to be alive. What a joy! It was the exact reminder I needed at that moment to enjoy the feeling of the sun on my face to the absolute maximum, which I gladly did!
And finally…
Rivers and Plains from the Windows of Trains
Speeding through the countryside
Sun streaming through windows
Everything is picturesque
Pastoral pockets of peace
It’s a happy place of mine
Until now, I didn’t know
Each new train journey, I get
To experience bucolic dreams
I have spent a lot of time on trains travelling through the U.K. this year between my book tour, book events and visiting family. That also means I have spent a lot of time gazing out of windows, seeing parts of the countryside familiar and new. It has come to have such a calming effect on me, something I am so grateful for considering that a lot of these journeys have been towards unfamiliar and exciting places. To be on a journey, looking out onto all kinds of landscapes and weather conditions, makes me feel present and happy. I left London to visit family this week and experienced all these feelings once again!
Going into this week:
I am in that strange state of being where there are many small, manageable things to do but the volume of these things makes it hard to know exactly where to start! Rather than knowing where to start, I must start somewhere and accept that place as the beginning. One foot in front of the other, as ever. We will get there!
Thank you for being here.
Whatever you’re doing this week, I hope you have a wonderful one.
To start somewhere and
'accept that as the beginning.'
Yes. It is accepting that makes the difference. I can become overwhelmed by to many small things, the choosing, the second guessing, the what ifs. Accept and move ahead.
A good reminder, thank you.
What a beautiful man!
I appreciate you 🥹💕