The lasting legacy of ludicrous riots:
what will that mean for me?
Not the mobs in their looted trainers,
or the YouTube vigilantes;
not the columns condemning violence
or the angry-eyed document’ries.
Maybe the broom-wielding Wombles
or the Continue reading
I’m in the relaxed, peaceful surroundings of the Norfolk Broads, on a comfortable enough boat, enjoying calming scenery and invigorating fresh air, and taking advantage of precious early nights.
Except something happens to my inner world when all is calm outside: my creative imagination takes over in my dreams – and not just its benign aspects, either. In fact, I’ve noticed that when all my physical, mental and emotional needs are taken care of during the day, and I’ve got nothing to worry about at all, then all my fears creep out while I’m asleep.
The dream I had last night let all my anxieties out of their trap, and Continue reading
It’s funny how, when you set your mind to something, all the right things appear, happen, fall into place, and show that really you’re on the right track.
They say there’s no such thing as coincidence, which is why – when I was thinking of the power of writing in its ability to heal, and how I can work with other people to tap into that power – I get included in an online group called Continue reading
Not writing is like a shadow on my shoulder, always projecting itself in front of or behind me; always making me aware of its dark, pressured presence.
Not writing feels like I’m cheating myself of something.
Not writing and pretending that life is OK without writing is being in denial about my true life force, and what sustains me.
Not writing means missing out on Continue reading
The 'Supermoon' (seen from my garden)
I discovered today that the time of a full moon is a great opportunity to release old behaviours, thought patterns, or clutter. You name it: anything that doesn’t serve you any more, you can release with a full moon.
Which is why it is hugely exciting to know that the round, proud Supermoon in the sky tonight (19 March 2011) is the biggest full moon in 20 years. What am I letting go in honour of this big full moon? Well, I’m not keen on staging a ritual or ceremony, but I’d like to let go of something meaningful and momentous.
So, I’ve decided to release the two things holding me back: Continue reading
The first episode of BBC2 programme The Big Silence really moved me. The documentary takes five people whose lives are consumed by ‘busyness’ and puts them into an eight-day silent retreat – the point being that they will eventually listen to their soul and discover their true selves.
As someone whose entire existence depends on being busy, I recognised the ‘disease’ presented in the programme. Father Christopher, a monk who has set this challenge, said we should all find 20 minutes every day to sit in silence and meditate, otherwise our soul will die.It seems so simple, yet so difficult to find 20 solitary minutes in a diary that has no room for manoeuvre, space or spontaneity.
And the thought of spending days without doing anything, or talking to someone, has me panicking, feeling claustrophobic, and clamouring to be let out and back to busyness. For me, there’s a belonging in being busy; Continue reading
A photographer caught my soul today – even without his camera lens.
Listen with your eyes (istockphoto)
I had arrived at a breakfast meeting this morning feeling out of sorts. Much as I’d like to blame London Transport for not putting on enough Tubes, the source of my unease had been an unwelcome and unwieldy, claustrophobically uncomfortable hatred of other people. Hatred may be a strong word, but it’s certainly in context when it comes to considering the insidious anxiety that fills the commuter-me: the angry individual whose boundaries have been invaded by too little space, too little time, and too little patience
What is it about the London Underground that triggers an uber-survival urge to oust any object that gets in its way (human, animal, vegetable or mineral?) There is something about a closing Tube door that symbolizes rejection, frustration, abandonment: being too late; being too uptight; not being good enough. Continue reading
I’m fascinated by the symbols that appear in my life – when I eventually spot them, and try to figure out what they might mean. A symbol may need to make several appearances before I get the message, however. In journalism, they say that if you hear the same rumour three times then you’re on to something. And so it is with symbols: I believe they bring me a message that my unconscious is ready to hear – and will keep repeating it until I tune in. That may take some time, though.
soul ready to fly? (istockphoto)
I find that I’m especially drawn to the symbolism of birds, perhaps because they have a freedom to fly away that I envy – or, if I interpret that positively, perhaps they represent my desire to spread my wings. They’re also understood to represent the soul (which I’m journeying to embrace).
Here are three examples of birds appearing at significant moments in my life (as three is a significant number): Continue reading
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