As New Year’s Eve comes and goes, it is hard not to fall into a moment of reflection. But I’m struggling.

My literal reflection in a mirror is my face right now…but my face has been shaped by my past experiences, and it shows my determination for the future. But today on New Year’s Eve I guess our job is to go beyond the markers of life (dark circles and glimpses of grey hair), and instead reflect on the inner-self.

My choices, my strength, persistence, resistance. It’s time to rate myself. Hmm.

I’m not comfortable and my brain hurts ruminating over thoughts such as:

‘Was it my fault that I couldn’t do x, y or z?‘ ‘Does life happen to us, or do we make it happen? Do I ever really have control?’ ‘What are my resolutions this year, my goals, motivations, intentions, life purpose…?’

I decided whilst out running this morning to avoid treating this day as an extended question and answer session. I consciously decided not to set any resolutions or goals (however in saying that I’m already stating a goal…a goal of no goal!) I really just want to be, I want simplicity and gentleness and care (self care – yes please!) My mum always said “look after number one first” – and when I was growing up and told people this, I was sometimes met with a look of disdain. No-one could understand how a mum could say that. But now I’m a mum, I get it. It’s not new news, it pops up in many different ways – most confronting is the oxygen mask instruction on a plane.

Anyway, back to not-reflecting. What I do like about this day is the beauty and the poignancy of the sun. Up it goes, around and down. It gently says hello to me, to my family near, and far away, to strangers all over the world. How lovely. Thank you sun.

In my photo today, interestingly the sun’s reflection in the water is stronger than the actual sun in the hazy morning sky. What does that mean? Nothing. It’s just as it is, as it was in that moment. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing ☀️.

Stripes and trees x

My dad used to say it so fast and angrily that us three daughters heard it as ‘do that’ – and we used to snicker as we went upstairs to our rooms. But maybe there is something in it. My wise old dad. Instead of saying don’t, say do.

As I went jogging the other day, at 10.30am (danger time!), temps of 30 degrees, a bright blazing sun, I heard the nay sayers in my head “don’t go now it’s too hot, don’t go now you’ll get burnt, don’t go too fast”…but as I was running I felt the endorphins kick in and I patted myself on my sweaty back and thought:

“do go now, because you can”, “do go now, you can cool off afterwards”, “do go now, just put more sunscreen on”, “do run, run well, run slow and steady”.

No negatives here! And I felt amazing. I really felt in that moment that anything is possible. There are often many many reasons not to do something, but there are also many reasons to. Just flip them. Don’t think about the past, the future, the what if’s, just give it a go! Be in the moment, live for now.

This thinking took me to the beach later in the day with my son. We found a car space on a busy day, we put on more sunscreen, the red flag was flying so we built sandcastles instead of paddling in the ocean. We adapted, we made a moment. We were.

Stripes & trees x

Hello. And thank you for even reading this far! Not knowing what this is or who has written it or even why. Curiosity is a good thing. Exploration is a good thing. I hope stripes and trees will be a good thing too.

Everyday I see stripes. In my home, on the train, on clothes, on packaging, on fences…but mostly, and most pleasingly for me, I see stripes in nature. The patterns of nature, straight and true. It’s a pure delight. I’m sure you have tried to draw a square (even with a lovely new ruler) or tried to cut a straight line in paper – how hard is it? Yet nature can produce the straightest of lines even in harsh conditions. Nature knows.

To me, stripes give the impression of strength and truth, rules, routine, barriers, conformity, and I find comfort in these things. There is control, but it’s not suffocating because I know that there are always opportunities to break away. Beauty in imperfection. Stripes with a random pattern, stripes with uneven widths, slightly wonky stripes.

Trees can be wonky too. These wonky trees have stories. In fact all trees have stories – if you sit and listen and observe. Trees have always fascinated me and I’m not the first to have a sense that they are magical, wise old beings. They represent growth, development, knowledge, and seem to call out for touch, hugs and gentle care. Much like humans.

So what is this, who am I and why is this written? Well, it’s all quite simple really, this is just a place for my thoughts and observations, I feel that they need a beautiful home. As for who I am, well, I’m really just me. Another person on this huge incredible planet. Being fortunate to have freedom and a voice, I sought a place to allow me to happily waffle and post some photos. Maybe one day I’ll connect with others on this huge planet. It’s just a place to hang out. Please join me if you wish to.

Stripes and trees x