time unfolding

I went for a long walking meditation this morning around the Luebeck Cathedral. The more often I do this, the closer I sense a feeling of equanimity. Adding my footprints among the generations and generations of others footprints of humanity walking along those paths and under those majestic trees.

Letting go of a lifelong notion

All of these years I believed I was not an artist. Now, after buying an iPad a few months back, taking online art courses and many hours of patient endeavoring... I can let go of that lifelong notion. Of course I am an artist. We all are. Some of us just do not draw or paint. While other of us do.

Kindness

A dear friend is in hospital and so i spend time each day drawing images and putting in a quote that I hope will make her smile and forget the pain for one small moment. 

I have not learned well what to do with worry. Worry about the children, friends and family, colleagues in need, and the world in crisis. I wish to hold onto joy. I yearn for lightness of being. I would also like a bit of that Zen detachment that is so mysteriously elusive for someone like me.

Morning meditation

Time to sit in contemplation and do my meta meditation for family and friends:

* May you be happy

* May you be healthy and strong

* May you be safe from all harm

* May you be at ease in the world

These times continue to be confusing and desperate. I do not know how to fathom their reach into the essential corners of our hearts. And so, I do my meta meditation.

 

self-care in a nutshell

The question is why am I spending time and creative energy quoting an author that I do not like so much. Well, for today that is okay. Tomorrow I will try and do better.

Lost in thoght

Watching a family of four walking along a sidewalk this morning. Each lost in their own thoughts. Not one of them realising that those persons coming from the opposite direction them had to go out into the street to avoid them.

Still learning

The weekend was spent walking, in meditation and learning online courses. This drawing comes out of an online art course I took a few months ago. 

Slowly, I am coming out of my stay at home shell. We have been living in semi-isolation since the end of February. Since the wait for anti-viral medication and vaccine continues, Giui and I have to come up with some other means of "leaving home" regularly.

Working remotely, while having a steady and stable job, is absolutely a gift. I cannot imagine what it would be like if I was still self-employed. 

new career perspectives

A small miracle happened, I received a promotion to Senior HR Manager. I feel such elation. I have fought many battles in my career and faced many prejudices. I did not always manage to be gracious and grateful for every small personal career-step attained. I would often lament about the systemic misogyny and xenophobia that prevails as strongly now as when I started my career. I have also often felt defeated by the shameful little change my generation of women managed make. 

So, this promotion makes me happy because it shows my children that their mother found a company that was willing to put their faith in me at such a late stage in my career. How I wish I could share the news with Dave. He would have been chuffed.  

Tiny dew drops

Photo: almost indiscernible... dew drops on grass

This morning, I walked the paths outside the cathedral, around and around, on stones laid seven hundred years ago and under shading trees planted in the time of Enlightenment, and I draw strength for me and send it to all my loved ones.  

Back on track

Well I am back. Again. So much as changed. Surely, that goes for everyone. I am going to post drawings and photos and tell stories.

Photo: taken just around the corner where I live. Rebirth.

I am starting a new morning ritual of writing down HLGs (daily highlight, let go of, grateful for).