Hello my friend, welcome back to my blog.

If you’ve connected with my website, I hope you’ve found it useful, if you’re reading the blog (my sixth) for the first time, please do take a look around the website while you’re here.

My Week

As you know, if you’ve been reading my blogs, that the last few weeks have been very difficult and grasping onto ‘balance’ and wellness has been a challenge.  I’ve had emotional pain due to our dog Holly being poorly, which has manifested in physical pain, I’m sure, as I developed shoulder pain over the last 10 days or so. Stress, leading to scrunched up shoulders and a whole lot of worry led me to a visit down to A&E on Sunday evening, as the pain in my shoulder became unbearable.

My sister attended with me (thank you) and we settled in for our long wait.  After an hour and a half of sitting there feeling helpless and tired, I went to the desk to let the paramedic know I was leaving, as I really didn’t want to be there. 

Anyway, I want to tell you, this paramedic actually ‘saw’ me.  He listened, empathised and said I could leave, not until he felt assured it was safe.  He was so nice, caring and took the time with me and told me the best thing was to wait.  He gave me a wait time estimate, a preliminary diagnosis (rotator cuff injury), and some pain relief.  He said wait and I did.  His diagnosis was confirmed by a senior paramedic. Directions about medication and physio advise administered, I left happy.  Happy because of the one person who saw a person not a number.  Big thanks to him and all NHS workers, but especially him last night.

Where is the balance this week?  Self-care, is so important.  This means putting yourself ahead of others sometimes – the analogy of flight safety comes to mind, as they say ‘put your own oxygen mask on first’.

Favourite Things

Book – Show Your Work, Austin Kleon, this is the book that gave me the courage to start my website.  Not long into this idea evolving I met a friend over breakfast and I excitedly shared my plans.  She told me about a friend of hers who had a real talent and passion for her hobby and how she’d tried to convince her not to hide her talents away.  Austin Kleon, shares his messages in this book in a simple and creative way.  If you know anyone who needs to share their gifts with the world, show them this book.  Austin says, “Make stuff you love and talk about stuff you love and you’ll attract people who love that kind of stuff. It’s that simple.”

Music on YouTube – A little something different for those who find it difficult to switch off, meditate or just want to have a listen and look to some beautiful relaxing music Calming Music | Heria | Mei-lan Maurits - YouTube – take a look at her website too - About — Mei-lan Maurits

Recommendation – A friend and I spoke about anxiety and how it manifests in the body and she recalled a trip to her GP and A&E and in that instance, for her, medicine wasn’t the answer.  I suggested a shakti mat to her for relieving anxiety and began to describe it like lying on a bed of nails – wasn’t selling it at this point.  Not nails, just pointy bits of plastic on a thin foam mat. Once lying on it for a short time, the initial pain goes and your body melts into the mat in a state of relaxation. It’s not a cure but it is really helpful.

Photo of the Week

Quote of the Week

Question of the Week

I’ll always leave you with this question, as I think it’s a nice way for us to connect.  Please do leave your answers in the comments section and I will read and reply to them.  Continuing the theme of balance.

“What makes it hard for you to maintain balance and how do you re-centre yourself”?

Thank you for reading.  Bye for now.

Jackie