what a year this has been – we really have lived a historical moment, but for most of us, I am guessing that we would rather have passed this by.
the only good thing that has come out of this year is the realisation on how lucky we have been in the last few years with our freedom and the simple things like being able to see friends, go anywhere, do anything we want at any time – all things that we have all taken for granted. for us older ones, I am guessing that some of us have quite enjoyed the peace and slow pace, but having 3 children who are trying to get on with their education and work careers, I have just seen them be anxious and struggle to understand their futures. its easy for us to say, its just a year and everyone is in the same position worldwide, but if you are in their shoes, it really is difficult to imagine how frustrating life must be for them.
anyhow, I did use some of the time to continue my creative women photography project, teach myself how to oil paint and catch up on darning all my socks and jumpers! I also started a new writing Instagram with a ‘soul sista’, about growing up in a western world with Chinese heritage. amazingly we share very similar likes, dislikes, passions; our boys were at nursery together, we both studied architecture, are the same age and she is called Christine – inevitably we were going to meet up again and it has given me the opportunity to look back at my old family photos and write my thoughts and emotions honestly about how I feel and how I felt then. and then there is the Qigong – it was introduced to me through my friend Claudia, who told me how much it helped her mentally as well as physically – this was in March at the start of lockdown. And how right she was – I got completely addicted and have done some courses and daily qigong since then. I have even been teaching it to my friends as a way to keep us together and see each other on zoom and this has further encouraged my wanting to learn more and understand it better. if you had told me that at the end of 2020 I would want to be a Qigong teacher, I would have told you that you were mad! anyhow, we shall see …….
I also sadly lost my mother in July and its just recently that this has impacted on me. I used to visit her once a month in manchester, and so when lockdown started I got used to face timing her and so the lack of human contact had not really kicked in until December when it was her birthday and then Xmas…. I console myself with the fact that her dementia was definitely getting worse and that for my brothers to care for her, it was getting increasingly more difficult. she didn’t die of covid, but a brain bleed due to a fall – I don’t think she understood what was going on at all, but her frustration of not being able to go out was obvious. so 2020 has lots of milestones for me to remember….
I also realised how much I enjoy dancing and how I have missed just going out there and letting oneself go.
what this year has really made me realise – is how important your health is, family and happiness. so here are a few things that i will be bearing in mind….
generosity of thought
kindness of heart
patience of mind
selflessness in spirit
a friend wrote that we should not build fences but make a bigger table to share our food…….
love the moment. flowers grow out of dark moments. therefore, each moment is vital.
a little phrase that really resonates – friendship isn’t about who you have known the longest – it’s about those who came and never left your side ….
traits that I shall specifically aim to improve with my own family and friends, calm not anger, praise not criticise, speak not shout and listen and not preach……..
wishing you all a joyous and healthy 2021 and hoping that it will be much brighter!
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