These past few weeks have been fuelled by fear, it’s been really difficult to be led by anything else. But it’s time to let go of that fear and to choose love. To trust in the universe once again.
Choose Love.
Monday Musings. 20/04/2020.
I’ve racked my brains all day for something uplifting and inspiring to say to you all. I have nothing. I’m struggling emotionally and I’m finding lockdown is triggering me.
From me and Storm I hope you all have a wonderful week and give yourself the time and space you need to just be.
Review of A Forged Affair by MaryAnn Clark
I started reading this book aware that it is part of a series, but it is easy to read as a standalone book. To begin with I found the pace of the storyline quite slow, the author’s illuminative writing allowed me to picture the area of France that the book is set in, but at first I felt swamped by this.
Sticking with the story I found that after I had the first chapter under my belt the storyline opened up a lot more, the characters started to flow a lot more freely and I began to get a feel for them.
At first I wasn’t sure if I liked the protagonist, she came across as cocky. I soon learnt that this showing off that Niki was doing was a mask to hide her pain, and that warmed me to her.
Niki’s relationship with Didier was uncomplicated at first, her desire to help him out was really endearing. Her need to stand up to the bullies on his behalf really won me over. Her relationship with Luc was really complicated and this had me very frustrated right the way through the book. That said, the complications were as a result of her pain and therefore quite understandable.
During the first chapter, when I felt the story was slow, I was really certain I was not going to enjoy this book. After about the third or fourth chapter I found that the emotions of all concerned had got me gripped, I have to admit that this did surprise me.
The author has carefully woven a rather surprising story of love, friendships, heartache and an utterly independent woman who you will find endearing but frustratingly stubborn at the same time.
Her descriptive account of the area really helps to set the scene for this story. The characters are both likeable and believable, although some of the background characters lacked dimension at times. That said, this did not take anything away from the storyline, nor did it interfere with the flow of the story.
I found this book enjoyable and thought provoking. Niki’s character caused me to ponder what it would be like for a young female to be travelling around France and then to dive headfirst into a friendship with a man she has just met.
I enjoyed the author’s writing style, her knowledge about the area of France that the book is set in and the activities that the characters are involved in comes across very well. I would definitely recommend this book to family and friends.
Beauty in our surroundings.
Like many people I’m struggling with Lockdown. I don’t usually go out much, but now that I can’t I feel really trapped. I know there are a lot of people feeling exactly the same way.
I’m blessed to have such beautiful surroundings in my neighbourhood and it’s certainly helped to soothe my jangled nerves.
Finding beauty in the places we have around us can help alleviate some of the stress that we feel. Mother Nature always soothes my soul.
Happy Easter.
Self care during a pandemic.
If, like me, you’re really struggling mentally and emotionally during this pandemic and especially if you’re in lockdown, chances are you could benefit from some self care.
When the Covid19 virus started making headlines back at the beginning of the year it felt scary for me. I read as much as I could about it, and with each passing week it got closer to home.
Around ten days ago my brain/thoughts had just had enough. I already socially distance myself anyway so that wasn’t a real hardship for me. But then the UK went into lockdown.
As a person who spends a lot of time at home I really thought this would be a breeze for me. A couple of days in and I started to struggle. I don’t know what it was about the enforced staying at home, it just suddenly started making me feel so very claustrophobic.
This is when I had suddenly decided I’d had enough of the endless news cycles churning out everything and anything Coronavirus related. Social media channels were just as bad too. Everyone had something to say and everyone was an expert, it was driving me nuts.
Enough was enough for me. Now I limit my time on social media (I was doing this mostly anyway) and the browsing of news is very limited too. Instead, I have been focusing on self care and trying to be as kind and gentle to myself as possible.
When I was writing this post I felt called to draw an Oracle Card. The card is from The Sacred Self-Care Oracle deck by Jill Pyle. The Card I drew is Music.
Music always has the power to move me one way or another, and I think at a time like this music can really help aid relaxation. Music allows us to forget our troubles, even if it’s only for a while. It has fantastic healing abilities and is such a feel good past time.
Whether you’re into rock or pop music, or whether it’s classical or easy listening, now is a good time to crank up the music and set your worries aside for awhile.
Love ❤️
In the current world climate I think it is important to know that love is actually inside of us all. We can help ease this suffering if we radiate our love light instead of pouring out hatred.
This doesn’t mean that love will cure the virus, it means that love can help us overcome our need to panic buy when we already have enough. It means we can show compassion to people instead of fearing them.
Love is the currency and the emotion that we need right now. Love can and will lead the way.
Keep moving forward.
We are living through the scariest, darkest times since World War II and our world is changing. In just a few short days we’ve gone from observing countries on lockdown to being on the verge of lockdown ourselves.
And it’s terrifying.
Washing our hands, avoiding crowded places, self isolating, feeling frustrated and angry when the panic buyers have left us without our basic essentials, this has become the new norm for us.
And it’s terrifying.
I was asked a day or two ago how I’m coping. Like everyone else I’m bewildered by the world we are now living in. I feel lost at times, definitely scared, but I have no choice but to keep moving forward.
Taking each day as it comes. Sometimes hour by hour, minute by minute, that’s how I’m coping. Moving forward as slowly as I need to. It’s all we can do in these uncertain times.
Ostara Blessings.
Just breathe.
Amid all of the coronavirus mayhem we all need to take a moment to just breathe. This isn’t me dismissing the severity of what’s happening, I just want to remind you all to take a breath. Take a moment out of the chaos and confusion. Take a moment out of the fear and the anger and just breathe.
