Wellbeing notes: A wellspring within you

01/07/2024 at 5:49 pm | Posted in Wellbeing notes | Leave a comment
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Many years ago, in my 20s, I experienced one of those dreams that you never really forget. In this dream, I met an older version of myself. A fountain sparkled in her garden. She reassured me that my life might get bumpy at times, but it was ultimately going to be okay. 

Roll forward to the present day and who knows how it happened, but I’m now as old as that dream character. Even my home, and its setting, are like hers. But there is one difference. My garden contains no fountain.  

And yet I wonder if something does sparkle here: a sort of spiritual fountain or wellspring, that can be accessed in moments of quietness. This place, after all, has hosted countless meditators as well as those looking for sanctuary. The healing that has taken place here can seem quite tangible at times.

Recently I was sitting in the garden, listening to birdsong – a form of meditation in itself. I became refreshed. And I understood then that we each have a wellspring within us, that sparkles during moments of peace. Just like the water feature of my long-ago dream, this spiritual fountain is full of light. 

I invite you, now, to sit silently, focusing on the rhythm of your breath. If any worries crop up, let them pass through your mind without engaging, just for now. Feel your body and mind relax. In the quietness of this moment, right here, is your own inner wellspring.

Wellbeing notes: A time to share

03/11/2022 at 11:12 am | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
Tags: , , , , , ,

Recently a stranger, a young woman, moved into my spare room. Before she arrived, I was nervous. I’d heard stories about house shares that had gone wrong: lodgers who expected hotel service; who made a terrible mess; who were noisy; who smoked or drank too much.

“It’s wise to set clear boundaries,” said the rep from the refugee department at the local council. So I settled on ‘No smoking’, and ‘No visitors’, and hoped for the best.

Needless to say my new lodger is lovely: quiet, considerate and thankful to be safe. The council rep is just a phone call away if I need guidance. A government payment covers any extra costs that I might incur. Honestly, the risk is minimal, and I’m glad I took a chance in opening my door. 

Imagine, now, that bombs were falling in a town near you – close enough to hear them, close enough to feel unsafe. And now imagine that in some far away country there’s a household where you can stay… how welcome that sanctuary would be. 

There are various ways to sponsor a refugee. In the UK, the easiest method is to register interest at gov.uk. In due course your local council contacts you, to invite you to join their list of available households. They send someone to okay your property, and organise a DBS (criminal record) check. And then, when your room is needed… your new lodger comes to stay.

Website Built with WordPress.com.
Entries and comments feeds.