It’s sunny outside, and I’m in work, wishing I could go for a long walk and clear my head. Life is just so busy at the moment, and work, home, external forces are making me feel like I’m just a speck of dust in a whirlpool that is beyond my control. This is not a situation I’m particularly used to or fond of. I don’t … Continue reading There are Benefits to a Damn Good Cry.
Charity is the act of extending love and kindness to others unconditionally. It’s a good thing: it makes us altruistic, encourages us to think of others and helps us also to see how lucky we are (to appreciate our privilege). In modern translations of the Bible, St Paul writes in his letter to the Corinthians that And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. … Continue reading Christmas of Hope 2020: The Greatest of These is Charity
We’re half way there, and definitely living on a prayer this year. Today it’s Monday, and in my childhood was traditionally the day we were allowed to start thinking of Christmas because my younger brother had the misfortune to be born in December (My three brothers organised life well: Eldest born in October, Second in November, Youngest in December. It was like a ready made … Continue reading Christmas of Hope 2020: Take a Bon Jovi Moment.
I know if you’re reading this blog that the words ‘selfcare’ will not be a mystery to you. You know that five or ten minutes out of a busy life to appreciate a well made cup of coffee, look at a tree, rub beautifully scented handcream gently into dishwasher hands can add grace and gratitude to a busy life. Today, I’d ask you to think … Continue reading Christmas of Hope 2020: Give the Gift of Self Care to a Friend
Yesterday was 6th December and so, officially, St Nicholas’ Day. However, it was Advent Sunday so I chose to concentrate on that instead. I can’t remember (from my dark past as a Catholic) whether the Advent Sunday takes precedence over the Saint’s Day, or indeed whether St Nicholas still remains as a Saint in the pantheon of the Church. Who cares? St Nicholas still remains … Continue reading Christmas of Hope 2020: Channel the Spirit of St Nicholas
Have you ever had one of those absolute moments of laughter when you lose control of your body? Shoulders shaking, sides aching, head thrown back, tears streaming from your eyes, absolute release of every energy in your body moments of laughter? They happen so rarely in our lives, and are so precious when they do. Laughter acts as a perfect release for so many emotions: … Continue reading Christmas of Hope 2020: Laugh Well
Sleeping well must be one of the most severely undervalued gifts a person can have. It’s not til you spend a few nights tossing and turning unable to sleep, or waking in a sweat with a panicked dream and then lying worrying that you realise how valuable that eight or seven or six hours a night is. And it is scary how often one sleepless … Continue reading Christmas of Hope 2020: Sleep Well
Christmas is synonymous with feasting, eating well, overindulging. The rich food of Christmas accompanied by the alcohol and sweet drinks that sum up Christmas to many add up to a recipe for indigestion and heartburn. In the olden days, of course, this feasting was necessary: a way to make use of the lifestock that needed to be removed to preserve enough winter fodder for the … Continue reading Christmas of Hope 2020: Eat well Over the Holidays
How to Hygge the British Way 