Staying Positive Under a Cloud

I have been embracing positive thinking for a while now.  I do find it difficult but I try to look for the positive in every situation.  It is hard.  Some days I find it almost impossible.  The odds seem stacked against me in all that I do.  I know that the weather hasn't helped my mood this year as the grey skies seem unrelenting.  This spring holiday I managed to get into the garden for one day to cut the grass and it has rained ever since.

Yesterday I had a chance meeting with an old friend.  I was so glad to see her.  She is one of those people who make you feel good about yourself.  She is quietly confidant and encouraging and a supporter of chasing dreams.  Our time together was brief but enough to fan the flame of my hopes and ambitions for a while longer..........

In the garden the soil is cold and even the weeds are struggling to thrive.  Looking at the positive - the snakes head fritillaries are doing nicely and have increased in population since last year.

Mood Lifting Colour

Good morning!  The colour of this California Poppy should certainly wake you up and lift your spirits!  It was a lovely surprise to see the seeds germinate and rise up from the soil again this year and they are bigger and bushier than ever before. 

I can almost feel the Californian sunshine emanating from its petals!  I hope this burst of colour will send positive vibes your way and set you off on a great week ahead.

Creating Without Purpose

It is so liberating to create without the end having to justify the means.  For so long I have tried to find ways of raising an income by making things.  I have now decided to put that on the back burner and concentrate on being creative for the sake of it without the pressure of money being the end goal.  I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

Because I don't have a paid job I have felt guilty having so many creative hobbies.  I thought that if I could combine doing what I love with receiving an income then I couldn't be accused of time wasting.  From now on I am going to create for me even though it may be perceived as being selfish.  If I could get any income from doing the things I love it will be the icing on the cake, but I am not going to live a life of regret not doing what makes me happy even if it doesn't bring home a wage.

These last few weeks I have felt lighter and happier (despite being back on the sugar again)!  I play with paint, I stick things down, cut things out, collage and doodle 'til my heart's content.  By concentrating on my own happiness I believe that it is having a positive influence on those closest to me.  I may even get back to baking cakes again.............!!!

Happy Mail

Thanks very much to Julie for sending me a bunch of lovely fabric daffodils that she made to 'cheer me up'!  The fresh bunch I bought last week is wilting so these came just in time and they will be everlasting!  Julie makes these pretty flowers to order as well of lots of other lovely things and has a folksy shop and an etsy shop, details of which can be found on her blog. 

Well, today is another sunny day.  I really do feel as I am entering a positive phase ( I am going to try hard to keep this up!)  My husband is astounded that I read so many books on positive thinking and yet seem unable to put what I have learnt into practise.  The good thing is that he is taking on board positive thinking whereas a few years back I think he would have been viewing changing your thought pattern as a load of mumbo jumbo.

Here's to happy mail and thinking nice thoughts! 

Worry Not

A born worrier or a born warrior?  See, I am changing how I perceive things already.  About 27 years ago I went to see a medical herbalist regarding concerns about my upcoming wedding.  She asked me if I was worried about known or unknown things to which my reply was 'both'.  She went on to ask me if worrying about things would change anything and if not, then why worry?  True, but easier said than done. The types of things I have worried about have been;

• impending doom
• fear of vomiting
• being out of control
• public speaking
• panic attacks
• illness
• public humiliation
• inability to control my tears
• rejection

I could go on and on but you get the idea.   Anyway, this is a good news story!  For a few months now I have been gradually changing the way I handle my thoughts and situations.  I am learning to 'under react' to things rather than escalate them out of proportion.  I have been helped by the book pictured above.  Although a lot of what is written is common sense, it has been good to have a reminder and a reference point for when my emotions get out of hand.  Now I have put the worrying to one side, I need to find time to get on with creative pursuits and no book on time management has been able to help so far!  I guess I just need to get on and DO IT!!!

January Blues

I am feeling a little blue today.  Gizmo is not feeling too happy today either as I keep putting him outside in the garden.  The reason for this is if he stays indoors for most of the day then come 7.30-8.30pm he starts playing up and wanting to go outside then!

After the weather people threatening snow for the last few days, we finally had a sprinkling.  Not white, fluffy snow but sleety snow that dissolved on reaching the ground.  It is bitterly cold though.

Sometimes the January blues can come on with no real reason but my reasons are as follows:

• Trying to get washing dry in a cold, damp and literally rotting conservatory.
• Having to dry clothes over radiators or the clothes horse next to the radiators.
• My son poorly with a chest infection.
• A continual feeling as though I am about to 'come down' with something.
• The main phone line down since Friday (I don't own a mobile phone).
• Condensation running down all the windows in the house (except in the dining room shown above).
• and the worst thing of all,  the smell of a dead rat in the downstairs toilet!  I know it is the smell of a dead animal because we had baits set many years ago in a house we lived in and it is the exact smell of the corpses.  

Now to look at the bright side!

• There is talk of us maybe buying a tumble dryer (time to move into the 21st Century!)
• My son is feeling a bit better.
• A phone Engineer has arrived to sort out the phone problem.
• Once the temperature warms up I am going to give the house a clean and spruce up.
• The smell of the dead animal should have subsided by Spring!!!

I hope that the January blues are not affecting you all too much.  When it is bleak outside and cold inside it is hard not to be down in the dumps.  I am going to try to keep myself as occupied as possible and look ahead to the sunny days to come.

November Moon

The moon looked so huge in the misty, murky darkness tonight.  Tomorrow it will reach its fullness and then start to wane again. 

On my 'slow walk' to Christmas, I cleared out a cupboard today to make room for stocking up on Christmas snacks and treats.  It feels good to tick a job off my imaginary 'to do' list.

At the moment I feel as though I am in limbo.  I want to take things slowly but I want November to hurry up and be over!  I think the lack of sunlight has really taken its toll on me this year especially not having been away on holiday or even to the beach in the UK for a couple of years.  I think I must make the effort to get away next year otherwise I may just become a hermit!

Have you got a minute or two to spare?  If so; just close your eyes, take a couple of slow deep breaths and imagine the feeling of warm sunshine on your skin.  You can taste the salty sea air on your lips and hear the waves just gently lapping along the beach.  You feel calm and contented and at peace.  Feel better?  This rotten weather we are experiencing will not last even though it feels as though it has gone on forever.  The blue skies and sunny days WILL return.  Have faith. x

Fugaces Labuntur Anni

Or in other words; the fleeting years pass by.  This year has been no exception and I feel I have hardly had time to blink let alone savour life itself.

Today we had a reprieve from the wet and windy weather that has befallen us all week long.  Making the most of the dry spell and instead of rushing off headlong to the shops I was able to take in my surroundings.  I noticed that the holly bush in my front garden has berries.  I have not noticed that before.

This year has been rushed through at manic speed.  I refuse to be swept along in the run up to Christmas.  I am going to slow walk to it.  I am going to gather some plant material for the house, take some photos and then come home for a hot chocolate.  Care to slow walk with me?

Stark

Today the council came and pruned the Linden tree that stands on the pavement outside my house.  It is a necessary job that is carried out on a two year cycle.  Now the tree can concentrate on its root energy and build up its resources for the following year.

The picture above looks surreal to me.  I took it in natural daylight without any photographic tricks (not that I know how to do photographic tricks!)  I think the phone wires give additional interest to the composition!

November has been a depressing month thus far.  I seem to be wishing my life away at the moment thinking that each day will be better than the one here right now.  I am trying very hard to put a positive spin on each day for it is said 'carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero' seize the day, trust as little as possible in tomorrow.

Contented

I took this picture of Gizmo a few weeks ago.  A shaft of sunlight exposed his ginger fur through the bushes and although the title of this post is contented, I think he was quite disgruntled at being found!

Contented.  Such a good word for describing where I am at the moment.  Today the weather has been appalling.  It is dull and overcast and has rained consistently.  It is the kind of weather that gives most people the hump quite frankly!  The strange thing is that although the day is dark and cloudy I feel particularly sunny on the inside.  The Autumnal Equinox was definitely a turning point for me and I feel so more settled now it has arrived.

By contrast, yesterday was a beautifully crisp and cool sunny day with a vivid blue sky.  I mowed the lawn and had a general garden tidy up.  The last of the blackberries were picked and the branches cut back.  I can now let the garden have a good rest until the following Spring.

Back to today.  I jogged to the shops (mainly because it was raining) and bought provisions for dinner.  I came home and cooked a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings and made a pumpkin pie for dessert.  The home feels cosy and inviting and I thank my lucky stars that I have a roof over my head and do not have to contemplate a night outside exposed to the elements.

I have much to be grateful for and recently came across the quote 'all things that are beautiful - think on these things.'  That is what I intend to do.

Things I Enjoy

Today, I thought I would focus on the things that I enjoy in my life.  First off,  I couldn't think of anything and then I started to remember the things that inspire me and the things I love to do.  I began to write a list.  I have not done many of these pleasurable things for a long time and I think it is time to revisit some of them again.

 Things I enjoy

Anything  to do with body, mind and spirit

I am inspired by cats

Nature, plants and botanicals

Days out in the countryside

Bustling, vibrant cities

Market Towns

Farmer’s Markets

Eating healthily

Growing herbs

Walking

I am an alchemist!  I like to make soap, soup, bake bread and pastries and cake, jams and jellies

Learning new crafts

Natural fabrics and fibres

Good quality paper, watercolour paper and handmade paper

Making cross-stitch samplers

Reading

Writing

Taking photos

Blogging

Reading blogs

Philosophy

Paganism and Green Magic

In addition to this there are so many new things I want to try and do including:

 

Wood Carving

Lino cutting and printing

Bookbinding

Crochet with alpaca yarn

Celebrate the seasons more

Learn to spin and dye yarn

As you can see, I am not short of finding enjoyable things to occupy my time.  Next time I am in the wilderness of apathy, I will revisit this list and see what I can tick off from it.  Do you have a list of things you enjoy to do?

Joy Every Day

I am taking part in Anne's Joy Every Day over at My Giant Strawberry.  The idea is to make a small book (or use one you already have) and record either by writing, drawing or pasting in something every day that brings you joy throughout the month of June. 

I am slow starter to this as to be honest there hasn't been much joy in my life for quite a while!  I will start looking at the small pleasures in life and hopefully the tide will turn for the better.  Thank you for the inspiration Anne. 

Worrying about Gizmo has kept me busy on the creative front and I have now added a few more items to the Etsy shop if you would like to have a browse.

Gizmo is improving but his 'sickness' turned into an upper respiratory problem.  I am keeping a close eye on him.  He is eating and drinking but point blank refuses to take antibiotics no matter how hard I try to conceal them in his food!  

Serendipity

I have noticed something recently.  My new positive outlook on  life has begun to change my fortune.  There has been no major changes such as a money windfall or offer of interesting employment but there have been little things, and it is the little things that make all the difference.

In the last couple of months I have had 3 emails read out on the Create and Craft channel (don't laugh!) and a photo of my scene-it cards shown.  I have had two letters published in the local newspaper, I received a personal email from Uri Geller, I won a beautiful knitted bag in Viv's giveaway and today Louise sent me a lovely magazine on baking and cooking - just my kind of thing!!!

In addition to the good fortune being bestowed on me, I have had a surge of creativity and feel that I am making progress in my creative endeavours.

Being upbeat isn't easy for me. I have to work at being positive.  Even if I am feeling low I adopt a cheery attitude and have recognised that my good mood has a positive effect on those around me.  I have made a conscious decision to do something for someone else every day.

I truly believe that serendipity is at work.

Happiness

I am struggling today. Even though the sky has brightened up the January blues seem to have set in. Anyway, I am determined to keep my positive attitude up. The first snowdrops have started to show and I can see new life emerging from the fallen leaves around the garden.

Yesterday the postman brought me this lovely bag that I won at Vivienne's giveaway. It is so beautifully made and I can imagine the hours of work that she put into it. She even added little beads to the hang tag. Her thoughtfulness made me feel very happy.

This has set me thinking about the things that make me happy or at least quietly contented!

• attention to detail
• Gizmo purring loudly
• a spark of inspiration
• an engaging book

OK, the list isn't very long but like I said I am struggling at the moment to find the positive! What makes you happy? Maybe your suggestions will make me happy too?

Muscari, Laughter and Quote

The potted muscari are just coming into bud. It really is a hopeful sign when new shoots start springing up. Roll on spring!

I have been pondering recently for the reasons as to why I have been so down. I think it has a lot to do with reading and hearing about bad news stories and the medias unrelenting tales of woe and despair. I know that horrible things happen in this World but I don't need a constant drip, drip of gloom and doom everyday. I also know that lots of good things happen in the World and I am going to start to focus on happy things.

Whilst I was pondering (shouldn't do too much introspective thinking when feeling like this!) I started to think of how others may view my blog. Is it a true representation of who I am? Well, I am introspective and quite a private person but there is nothing really to show that I actually have a sense of humour although you wouldn't think it reading my posts some days! I am going to try and inject a bit more humour into my posts in the future.

As an antidote to the misery of the news and the gloomy weather and despairing story lines in Soaps etc, I am going to actively seek out laughter. I love to watch a good comedian or comedy show (I love the Big Bang Theory) and I am going to belly laugh until tears of laughter spurt from my eyes!!! Now there's an image!

'Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face' - Victor Hugo

Staying Positive

My new 'positive' outlook on life is proving to be more challenging than I previously thought. I very nearly put up a picture of a bleak January afternoon in the garden on this post but decided on the cheery Gerbera instead. I almost feel more positive just absorbing the orange glow of the flower.

I have been looking at quotes on positivity and would like to share this one with you.

'Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway.' (Emory Austin)

Wishing You a Positive New Year

"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves." Bill Vaughn

A pessimist by nature, I am going to make a big effort to turn my negative thoughts into positive ones this coming year. No matter what life throws at me I am going to turn the tables and make sure that I view things with a much more positive attitude.

Most of my pessimism is borne out of fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of the known. I am going to face up to my fears and fight back!!!

I wish all of you a year full of positive things, and if they are not positive then lets make them so.