Being in the moment

 

My friend Bryan took this photo of me in Burlington, Vermont, whilst we were on tour last year. It makes me happy; the water, the sense of space, the spontaneity of the jump, and the immediacy of the image. Capturing a moment. I know you can't see my face here, but I was grinning, and laughing. It was a beautiful day, breezy but bright, and the sun was reflecting off the water.

I was drawn to this photo today because of that moment, that snapshot. I read something that a good musician friend of mine had posted; it was an excerpt from an article by David Ackert, written for the L.A. Times, and it made sense to me:

"Musicians are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime. Every day, they face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get real jobs, and their own fear that they'll never work again. Every day, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is a pipe dream. With every note, they stretch themselves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgment. With every passing year, many of them watch as the other people their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life - the car, the family, the house, the nest egg. Why? Because musicians are willing to give their entire lives to a moment - to that melody, that lyric, that chord, or that interpretation that will stir the audience's soul. Musicians are beings who have tasted life's nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another's heart. In that instant, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be. And in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes." 

How splendid, that this man has put his finger on one of the things that creative people feel, that you have to be wholly present and 'in the moment' to engage the spirit that drives you. Yes, it adds pressure, but the idea that you can make that moment count and dedicate yourself to it is an astounding thing. It makes it real, as you know that you cannot get that moment back, and in every moment you are the best you can be.

Free your mind

 

Happy weekend, everyone. Is it just me, or are the weeks flying by at the moment?! One minute it was Monday, I had my first yoga class in a LONG time, and then turned around to find it was Saturday. Maybe I'm just getting older!

So, without wishing to risk sounding like I'm jumping on the meditation bandwagon (hmm, those two words don't seem to fit together very well, maybe 'meditation safehaven' would be better...) I chose this week to start my meditation trial. I have always had difficulty relaxing - that is, in the true sense of the word, finding that space outside my racing mind to let my muscles release, breathe a huge sigh of relief, and not focus on either things I can't control or things that haven't happened yet. I am perfectly able to sit down quietly with a cup of tea and watch the world go by, but, like many others, my brain rarely allows me to switch off and just 'be'; I am always being, but with extras.

Hence the desire to include and welcome meditation into my life.

Being a complete novice, I followed the advice of a few friends and downloaded the 'Headspace' app, having also read Andy Puddicombe's refreshing and frank book about his experiences with meditation. I needed a low-pressure, low-expectation approach, and I have to say that I'm starting to like it already. Two days in. Who knows how I will feel after the ten-day challenge is up, but the most important aspect for me is that I've got off the starting block and found that precious ten minutes.

What were those song lyrics again? 'Free your mind, and the rest will follow'? Does that mean if your mind is free the rest of your whole self will follow, or that you can lie down and chill out, take a literal rest?! Maybe it's both..

Do you meditate? I'd love to know.

See you soon x

(Photo from AboutMeditation.com)

Exploring new ways

 

Happy weekend everyone! Today was very enlightening; new knowledge gleaned, new faces to talk to, shared laughter, plenty of tea, and lots of exercise for my writing muscles.

I attended a workshop entitled 'Writing for Magazines', led by a fabulous lady called Fiona Wright, and hosted by the wonderful Deb, at Retreats for You in Devon. Unfortunately I couldn't attend in person, so Fiona, Deb and four other lovely ladies very kindly entertained my cyber-face as I sat in my own kitchen, relying on Skype. It was almost as if I was there, minus Deb's amazing brownies and the Devonshire countryside.

I was pleasantly surprised by what I managed to achieve; I found that I had good ideas, some that I had been contemplating already but others that appeared through discussion with others, and planning; I left my doubts behind, and trusted that I could try to come up with some good stuff. Fiona was encouraging, intuitive and vibrant, with loads of exclusive tips to take away, and I learned about how to pitch, which is highly exciting for me!

By the time the workshop ended, we were all happily tired, and I'm so pleased that I signed up to do it. Isn't it true that sometimes all you need is a good nudge in the right direction, a bit of reassurance and some challenging exercises to get you moving along that path again? I think I had stopped to smell the roses and then forgotten the way..

How did you spend your Saturday? I'd love to know.

See you soon x

 

Music is freedom

 

In my life, if I had ever doubted that music is pure magic, I've had one of those days that would crush any such doubt. My heart was full to bursting when I came home from work today, and though I was exhausted, I felt a renewed joy in my passion for music.

I had a rehearsal - the first one - with a group of children, at a great youth centre in a town near where I live. The group was varied, with boys and girls of different ages, and they are all to be respected, applauded and cherished. They have a hard time every day, all with separate stories to tell, and their characters are occasionally difficult to fathom, but they are supportive of each other, fiercely loyal and eager to try new things, with a little bit of encouragement.

Some arrived full of energy, chattering and jumping about; others were quiet, almost hiding away in corners, full of nerves, and one was very angry, frustrated and stubborn. I sipped my tea and prayed that their first choir practise would be a success, and above all that they would get something out of it.

So we started to sing.

Their voices rose in the room; they were smiling, and following the words.

Then they showed what they had been working on, as individual acts for their concert, and there was singing, dancing, rapping and even some baton twirling; each person had something that they wanted to show the world, and gradually each made it onto the makeshift 'stage' to perform, tackling nerves and shyness, and bouncing off the support shown by their peers.

Hearing them singing together, a little merry band, made my heart sing. It seemed that, even momentarily, they could forget everything and just express themselves, and watching them was brilliant.

I sat down this evening feeling so proud, and happy just to be part of the work they're all doing.

Music really is pure magic.

We will remember them

 

We will remember them, and they'll be in our hearts for ever.

On a sunny day this year, whilst on holiday, my husband and I were walking around Wick, in northern Scotland. It's a place we both like very much, and we have visited several times over the years, in all weathers, to look at the harbour, go to our favourite spot for tea and cake, walk the streets and stock up on camping supplies. It is a unique place, with its slightly bleak face, grey buildings and quiet roads, but its story is really rather interesting, and my family have history there.

We had a free day, and were looking for something to do, so I decided to try and go on a family treasure hunt; I wanted to know more about the family members that had lived in that chilly and unforgiving corner of Scotland, and see what I could find to make them real in my mind. So I called my wonderful grandmother in Sussex.

As I walked, she gave my husband and I some vital information to go on - birth dates, marriage locations, names - and led us on a brilliant tour of the town. She is a veritable font of knowledge, and so when we went the lovely archivist at the library, I found - amongst others - my great-great uncle, Magnus Swanson.

Yes, Magnus. Amazing.

Magnus was a soldier with the Black Watch, the Royal Highlanders, and not only was he a soldier but he was also in charge of a platoon during the First World War. At just 27 years old, he took his men over the top at Passchendaele, and was killed in action on October 12th 1917. He was my grandmother's uncle, and until that day in Wick, I didn't know that he even existed.

However, now I do, and we found his name on the War Memorial in Wick, proudly displayed. It was an emotional moment; all those brave men, giving everything to give others a future. He may just be one of many, but he's our one, and I'm so glad that we found him.

God bless them all.

Rolling hills, rolling words

 

Happy Monday! I trust you've all had a super weekend, and that your new week began with a sparkly day today.

I got home less than two hours ago after a brief glimpse of the the bright lights of London, and having spent a most joyous, cosy and unusual few days tucked away in a rather lovely cottage, right in the heart of the Cotswolds. I went with a lovely friend of mine, a fellow writer and all-round super person whom I have known for seventeen years (gulp!) and we were laughing in the car on the way out to the house as it wasn't far at all from where we grew up - a weekend away in a place we actually know very well! I didn't, however, know the village that we were visiting, and it was truly beautiful. We were lucky with the weather on two of the three days, and I took the above photo yesterday morning, looking out from the garden across the rolling Cotswold hills. Stunning.

So, the weekend was about writing, so write we did; we also managed a decent walk around the village, I did a slightly comical run around the house in my slipper socks (I didn't want to abandon my newly-found exercise regime for too long!), there was a trip to some delightful local places, including the amazing Broadway (two words: film set!) and several bottles of bubbly, as well as a homemade roast dinner, risotto and a blazing open fire. I found that, at the end of Sunday, I had added nearly 5,000 words to my word count, and for me that is real progress! A little space, a little luxury, a great friend and some yummy food can make all the difference. I found a spark, some confidence, some peace; I felt like I was writing with conviction, and got quite emotional several times. Cheesy, you may think, but I revel in that connection with my book; I love to feel like I'm breathing life into my characters, and I got a chance to flesh out some of those sections that I had been looking forward to cracking on with. I can't tell you how proud I felt when I realised I'd got underway with it all again.

I've come home with a renewed motivation, so this week will be spent focusing on continuing with my book. Hurrah! Better catch up on Downton Abbey tonight so that I can knuckle down tomorrow..

What gives you that spark, that fire? I'd love to know.

See you soon! x

Writing, some singing, and more writing..

 

Happy Thursday to you all, and I do hope that your week is progressing swimmingly! For the past couple of days I have been having to enter the Christmas realms, rather earlier than usual (I try to not think about Christmassy stuff until the last week of November as a general rule, but sometimes needs must!) The reasoning behind this break from the norm is a brand new venture - a choir for children at a local youth centre, and their upcoming Christmas performance.

I have been brought in as choir leader and coach, and it's going to be superb fun; the children are always a delight, and they get very involved in their individual pieces for the show. I went through a mountain of Christmas songs to find some suitable backing tracks for the choir to sing together, so my festive mood is well and truly on a roll now! In the end, I have picked 'Merry Christmas Everyone' by Shakin' Stevens (classic) and the legendary song that is 'Merry Xmas Everybody', by Slade. If that doesn't get everyone dancing in the aisles then I don't know what will!

So, the first choir rehearsal is tonight, and then tomorrow I head off to London to meet a wonderful old friend so that we can disappear to a beautiful cottage in the Cotswolds for three days' worth of chatting, walking, but most of all, WRITING. I am chomping at the bit to go! It should be highly productive, as the surroundings will very definitely lend themselves to inspiration, with rolling hills visible from every window and everything we could possibly need inside. I am BEYOND excited! Writers need a little escape now and again to find that spark, gain some fresh perspective and indulge their creative side, and having my friend there will be the icing on the cake. Glasses of wine by the fire, home-cooked food and fresh air. Heaven.

So, have a wonderful weekend. Why not indulge yourself a little, if you can? Spend a few hours doing something you really love to do, and brighten up the November weather with the light within..

What are your passions? I'd love to know.

Before you go, check out this beautiful hideaway in Snowdonia (saving up for this next year!)

How about this fabulous winter coat?

Have an enchanted festive treat at the Somerset House ice rink!

See you soon x

Halloween, fireworks and lots of trees..

I hope those of you who enjoy the quirks of Halloween had a superb time this year. I went out with my parents! We dressed up, and made a very eccentric and scary sight as Ghouldilocks (me), Morticia Addams crossed with Alice Cooper (my lovely stepmum) and what could only be described as a Ringmaster (Dad). It was a delight. We trooped to the village pub, had a few drinks and a dance, and came home to wipe off the makeup!

Saturday was pure joy, with delectable sunshine and a bright blue sky, so we went to Westonbirt Arboretum. The colours were really starting to change, and as there was still greenery to be found, we got a full spectrum of greens, browns, yellows, oranges, reds and pinks. Quite spectacular. Follow that with a bonfire and fireworks on a local playing field, wrapped in a scarf with a glass of mulled wine, and the day was complete.

I had a grand time playing and singing for shoppers at the Burford Garden Company yesterday, with lots of kind people coming up to chat, and got to speak to my husband via Skype after watching Downton Abbey - yes!!

How was your weekend? I'd love to know.