Writing for Wellbeing

I have just spent the morning in a Writing for Wellbeing Zoom session and it feels good to have actually written words on a page in response to a stimulus. My daily writing days seem to be a thing of the past now, as currently, I rarely feel the urge to write regularly.

However, one stimulus in the workshop was the word ‘philocaly’ which means the love of beauty. We were offered the meaning as the love of beauty in small things, which suits me down to the ground. I am forever saying to anyone who will listen, “Look at that little flower there,” or “See that teeny-weeny insect?” or “How cute is that tiny fungus?” whenever we are on a walk or playing in the garden. I’m such a sucker for detail.

And this made me think about how life evolves. For the most part, the broad brush approach is wonderful and works really, really well for the bustle of life en famille alongside sons, their wives and their children as we tumble through the days to try and get to the other side. But I am absolutely enjoying those moments of stillness and calm in which I can watch, or listen to, the world as it drifts past.

I am so enjoying these moments that I am booked onto Jaime’s BodyMindYoga weekend retreat in June and then, in July, braving a silent retreat for a week at Launde Abbey. I’m not sure how I am going to get on with that one but, as I said to the kids, if I don’t like it and can’t keep my trap shut, I can always cut and run, can’t I?

The decision to retreat is in response to the feelings and thoughts of ‘who am I? and ‘what am I here for?’ I know these questions pop up at different times in our lives, and I’m not sure whether I have ever actually found the answer throughout my life – but I know that I am certainly not sure of the answer right now.

So, in the spirit of winkling out what works for me, I have picked up some new activities in the last month.

I am back in the fold at Centre Stage and have been offered a small part in the next production – The 39 Steps – a comedy with lots and lots of characters. That should be fun!

Then, following a ‘eureka’ moment when I was chatting to some French people in London with Ann and Nigel, I have started to go to a French Conversation Group here in the village once a fortnight. I thought my French was lost, never to be found again, but no!! Amazingly, I can still speak and understand French. Whoopee-doop!

And finally, table tennis. Well, that’s fun. Everyone is very elderly, but that doesn’t stop ’em from whipping the ball across the net so I can’t get it back! I think I spend more time grubbing around on the floor trying to retrieve the ball than actually playing! Hehe.

All in all, with the new activities, my other existing ones, and the commitment to child care twice a week, my calendar is quite full. It’s no wonder I need a retreat or two, is it?

Take care everyone. God bless.