Another lovely article. Sorry you so affected by the world situation. Ali, we all are. I see great evidence of the Caillleach at work around me. And there will be little messages left for you from her once you know where to look and take time out of your day. I was overwhelmed too, then we had a massive snowfall and night temperatures of minus 9. Tody the snow melted a bit and guess what? In the north side of my wee garden, I see a pink summer flower, I can't remember the names od them, I just stick them into pots in early summer. There she was, brave as a gladiator, beautiful as the summer, impossibly present, all on her own. Every petal perfect. Fair knocked the wind out of me, and delighted me, all at once. Our garden does that sometimes. So Ali, keep an eye out. You will see something from somewhere else very soon that will lift your great heart like you lift ours. That's a promise. In the meantime thanks for your words and mind yourself, C
Thank you so much for your beautiful words of hope, Catherine! What a wonderful story about your little pink flower emerging from the snow... there is a powerful message in that. I will keep myself open to the little signs and messages, I know they tend to come when you last expect it, as your story shows, and I don't want to miss anything, or walk through this life oblivious. Love and best wishes of the season to you! 💕
Precious Ali, Thank you for putting words to my pain and guilt for what's happening around the world. Last night, as I got into my snug, warm bed with a nice heating pad for my shoulder, and I was expressing thanks for my comfortable life, I couldn't help feeling sad and guilty that I had the luxury of clean sheets, a functional bathroom next to my bedroom, a full pantry, and nobody shooting at me or dropping bombs on my head. I have had to step back from NPR and give myself a break. I had to remind myself of the regular contributions I make to my local causes. I can only do what I do.
I get into an angry litany of how our leaders should grow up and serve the people by stopping all this discord. I love that you have the wonderful suggestion of a walking meditation to calm the mind. Thanks for the description of how to do it.
I agree that the Celts would never commit the crime of cutting down a tree for the holidays, but would, instead, clip branches. I clip and bring in juniper branches, and I find places around the house to place them, then add pretty holiday balls and strings of beads to decorate them. I check throughout the season for mistletoe, clip it, and tie it up with red ribbon. Ah, it's fun to think about that when my house is currently full of boxes, both packed and those waiting to be packed. Next year.
In years past, when not preparing for a move, I have held wreath-making parties at my house. Everyone brings her own frame, handmade or bought, and supplies to share - greenery, ribbons, beads, holiday balls, scissors, etc. I lay out sheets on the floor for us to sit on, which makes clean up easier. I put out a couple of hot glue guns, wire cutters, lots of juniper branches, pine cones, acorns, wires with large baskets and bowls for everyone to dump their collection in and we "go to town." The creativity that shows up always thrills me. Everyone goes home with her own treasure.
Thinking of you and hoping one day to spend Yule in Ireland. And I will be with you Irish ladies in spirit for Nollaig na mBam. Many blessings to you.
Hi Robin, of all the people I know, you should not be feeling guilty, I don't know anyone who does more for other people, and animals, than you. You are an inspiration. I feel very frustrated by world leaders. They serve their big donors, not the people who elect them. They can't be trusted, and are letting us down badly, especially when it comes to climate change.
So when are you moving? Have you sold your house already?
I absolutely love the idea of your wreath parties, they sound so much fun, and so creative! Juniper grows in Ireland, but I've not found any growing round here, which is a shame!
Wonderful how you wove this from despair to a personal resolve of ‘start where you are’, ‘use what you have’
I think we forget that as little as 20 years ago we did not have instant access to world new as it happens, so I think we were more focused on what is around us, what we can sense, what we can touch, and what we can actually do.
Though world events, as reported, are horrific, I believe our attention on scrolling, reading and contemplating them takes us away from where we are, and that constant disconnection can cause us all kinds of problems. We can be anxious and pine for better lives for people 1000s of miles away, while someone in our village is laying helpless having heart attack and nobody notices.
I suppose my personal thoughts, after experiences of being a political candidate, is we can be more effective what is around us because its’s easier to recharge our wholeness with what’s around us and return to being strong again to handle things.
I love your idea, and encouragement, of using the upcoming ‘ladies days’ to bond a focus, a prayer focus, meditation focus, on painful world issues to be part of the umbilical feeding that I feel so drastically needs to be returned and respected.
I think that quote is going to be my new mantra! You are right, endless scrolling and the digital age takes us out of our own lives and disconnects us from our own communities. So even though we are all connected across continents, we are still so isolated.
Another lovely article. Sorry you so affected by the world situation. Ali, we all are. I see great evidence of the Caillleach at work around me. And there will be little messages left for you from her once you know where to look and take time out of your day. I was overwhelmed too, then we had a massive snowfall and night temperatures of minus 9. Tody the snow melted a bit and guess what? In the north side of my wee garden, I see a pink summer flower, I can't remember the names od them, I just stick them into pots in early summer. There she was, brave as a gladiator, beautiful as the summer, impossibly present, all on her own. Every petal perfect. Fair knocked the wind out of me, and delighted me, all at once. Our garden does that sometimes. So Ali, keep an eye out. You will see something from somewhere else very soon that will lift your great heart like you lift ours. That's a promise. In the meantime thanks for your words and mind yourself, C
Thank you so much for your beautiful words of hope, Catherine! What a wonderful story about your little pink flower emerging from the snow... there is a powerful message in that. I will keep myself open to the little signs and messages, I know they tend to come when you last expect it, as your story shows, and I don't want to miss anything, or walk through this life oblivious. Love and best wishes of the season to you! 💕
Hi Ali, will send you an email to answer your questions.
Thank you!
You're welcome, Carina... thank you for being here. 💕
Precious Ali, Thank you for putting words to my pain and guilt for what's happening around the world. Last night, as I got into my snug, warm bed with a nice heating pad for my shoulder, and I was expressing thanks for my comfortable life, I couldn't help feeling sad and guilty that I had the luxury of clean sheets, a functional bathroom next to my bedroom, a full pantry, and nobody shooting at me or dropping bombs on my head. I have had to step back from NPR and give myself a break. I had to remind myself of the regular contributions I make to my local causes. I can only do what I do.
I get into an angry litany of how our leaders should grow up and serve the people by stopping all this discord. I love that you have the wonderful suggestion of a walking meditation to calm the mind. Thanks for the description of how to do it.
I agree that the Celts would never commit the crime of cutting down a tree for the holidays, but would, instead, clip branches. I clip and bring in juniper branches, and I find places around the house to place them, then add pretty holiday balls and strings of beads to decorate them. I check throughout the season for mistletoe, clip it, and tie it up with red ribbon. Ah, it's fun to think about that when my house is currently full of boxes, both packed and those waiting to be packed. Next year.
In years past, when not preparing for a move, I have held wreath-making parties at my house. Everyone brings her own frame, handmade or bought, and supplies to share - greenery, ribbons, beads, holiday balls, scissors, etc. I lay out sheets on the floor for us to sit on, which makes clean up easier. I put out a couple of hot glue guns, wire cutters, lots of juniper branches, pine cones, acorns, wires with large baskets and bowls for everyone to dump their collection in and we "go to town." The creativity that shows up always thrills me. Everyone goes home with her own treasure.
Thinking of you and hoping one day to spend Yule in Ireland. And I will be with you Irish ladies in spirit for Nollaig na mBam. Many blessings to you.
Hi Robin, of all the people I know, you should not be feeling guilty, I don't know anyone who does more for other people, and animals, than you. You are an inspiration. I feel very frustrated by world leaders. They serve their big donors, not the people who elect them. They can't be trusted, and are letting us down badly, especially when it comes to climate change.
So when are you moving? Have you sold your house already?
I absolutely love the idea of your wreath parties, they sound so much fun, and so creative! Juniper grows in Ireland, but I've not found any growing round here, which is a shame!
Wonderful how you wove this from despair to a personal resolve of ‘start where you are’, ‘use what you have’
I think we forget that as little as 20 years ago we did not have instant access to world new as it happens, so I think we were more focused on what is around us, what we can sense, what we can touch, and what we can actually do.
Though world events, as reported, are horrific, I believe our attention on scrolling, reading and contemplating them takes us away from where we are, and that constant disconnection can cause us all kinds of problems. We can be anxious and pine for better lives for people 1000s of miles away, while someone in our village is laying helpless having heart attack and nobody notices.
I suppose my personal thoughts, after experiences of being a political candidate, is we can be more effective what is around us because its’s easier to recharge our wholeness with what’s around us and return to being strong again to handle things.
I love your idea, and encouragement, of using the upcoming ‘ladies days’ to bond a focus, a prayer focus, meditation focus, on painful world issues to be part of the umbilical feeding that I feel so drastically needs to be returned and respected.
I think that quote is going to be my new mantra! You are right, endless scrolling and the digital age takes us out of our own lives and disconnects us from our own communities. So even though we are all connected across continents, we are still so isolated.
Well spoken, John, as usual.