Flatten the curve. Flatten that curve. But I say let’s not just focus on the end goal, focus on the journey too. And good god is this a journey.

I am sometimes wishing time away, like billions of people I expect. However I don’t just want this over and for it be behind us, to forget about, I don’t actually want to get back to normal. I’m fortunate that so far I don’t know anyone who has been struck ill by this most obscure virus, so I’m able to think a little positively. I’m grateful for the circuit breaker. The slowing down. The making do. The back to basics.

I always thought I was born in the wrong era, and the required skills at this testing time gives me a glimpse into what life might’ve been like many decades ago. I have worn my apron weekly of late! Unheard of usually.

But throw in the mix an almost full time job (4 days IS is really 5!), a kindy kid, a year 4 kid and a hubby who plies me with coffee and mini eggs, life is pretty messy. Not the simple times of the 40’s or 50’s. Or what I imagine they would have been like.

And the news from overseas is simply frightening. My family is in the UK. They aren’t feeling too positive. But coping yes. The good ol’ British resilience, stoicism, head down get on with it (in line I hope).

Back to stripes. My comfort. Oh to be in a stripy world with certainty and linear pathways. How nice. But we aren’t. We never are. We try and be, we try and gain control, and that’s why there can be turmoil. Perhaps control is something we shouldn’t have. Sounding a bit spiritual…

So, back to that flat curve. Back to the future. The future of flatness. Stripes can be flat. But only if they are horizontal. A vertical stripe right now would be absolute disaster. A diagonal stripe not so good either. But we have to make sure we retain the flatness. Hence we need to truly live the journey, acknowledge it, respect it, remember it. Knowledge is power. Awareness is the start.

And then we can get back to early 2020, before all this started. Not forgetting, not reliving, but instead redoing it, better. And hooray, I get to travel back in time a tiny bit. Not to the truly simple times, but I will live simpler in the times that lie ahead. That is my reward for staying home.

Stay home folks. Stay safe.

Love Stripes & Trees xxx

With so much global uncertainty at the moment, following on from months of uncertainty here in Australia with respect to drought and bushfires (which are still actually global issues – hello climate crisis), we all have to find our own ways of coping. Not knowing what is going to happen day by day, let alone next week, next month…next year…!!! The not knowing is the hardest part.

I’ve been trying for years to be more in the moment. I am certainly more mindful, my focus on the smallest of details is truly mastered. But those moments of succumbing to the mesmerising pattern of the veins on leaves, or ripples in puddles, are all too often broken by a child’s demands, or the clock ticking towards the next appointment, or simply my overthinking brain moving to the next moment. Most of our days are planned, even if loosely, there is usually a plan. And when moments don’t go plan the feelings of frustration and lack of control come rushing out. Right now we are out of control. All of us. It is scary.

However, this last week I’ve been observing and noticed that my 5yr old son is far less affected by the current situation. He is aware of the virus, but is not listening to the news, hitting refresh, or panic buying, or thinking about money and the future. He is playing with his cars on the carpet whilst humming Star Wars tunes. He is in the moment. Truly in the moment.

Sometimes I wish I was my son.

He recently got a library book about mangroves, and excitedly described it to me as a book about mangoes 😊. I giggled and then we read it and talked together about trees and tides and destruction and rebuilding (it was a great book!) The very next day I went for my usual river walk and literally stopped and stared at the mangroves. Really appreciating and understanding them after reading the book.

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This photo is of the mangroves that sit along the sides of the Cooks River. I find them strong and strange and sometimes very smelly! They are big and round and lush, and then only at low tide can you see the magic that lies beneath the surface of the water – the shoots and leaves that live half their day underwater. These trees produce pods that can drop off and float downstream to find a new home to grow. They fascinate me. I don’t think I’d seen them before I moved to Australia. Imagine if they grew mangoes too – even more amazing!

These mangroves see a lot. They experience a lot. And they just get on with it – high tide low tide, they just do their thing. Resilient.

Nature wins again.

Nature is my way of coping.

Love Stripes & Trees xxx

As I took this photo, following a meditation walk and a gentle stretch before I set off on the return leg, I heard someone yelling at me out of a car speeding past ‘stop taking photos and start running!’ There was aggression in the voice. Normally I would’ve been incredibly bothered by this behaviour, but today, as I was trying my best to combat the overwhelm in my life, I chose not to let it in. I did let myself think about it a bit more than I would’ve liked, I ended up thinking about the person who shouted and feeling a bit sorry for them – what is going on into heir life to feel the need to holler out at a stranger? I am none of your business!!!

And then on further reflection, at the end of the return walk in peace, I came to the conclusion that the meditation helped. I had been learning about ‘noting’. And I feel that I noted this annoyance and swiftly got back to myself. Yay! Progress!

Just trying my best.

Love Stripes and Trees xxx