The pandemic is on the lips of many and is spoken about in many ways. Why ever not? It is something that has created a huge challenge for most of us. It is an extremely painful and difficult time. This description could refer to what many people refer to as “The Dark night of the soul.” We might ask why the pandemic is happening: and there are as many answers as there are people but we could rather be asking ourselves: how do I live at such a time as this. What is this dark painful time asking or summoning from me? How does this calamity change the way I live my life, not superficially but what might I change so that I live the authentic life I long to live or the meaningful life I long to live. How do I summons up the courage to answer the call that is personally springing up within me?

We can only answer these questions for ourselves but there needs to be pause for such thoughts: A resting space where we can discern the answer. Or maybe it is an energized space that digs deep within. There are many ways to practice discernment: prayer, meditation, reflection, contemplation, singing, walking, breathing, dancing, exercise, creativity etc. Today I want to share Ellie’s advice on creating an environment that is conducive to meditation, reflection or mindfulness. It simply discusses how we can use space, sound, smell and light and, although her suggestions are for knitting, it can be used for many ways of quietening the heart for reflection and discernment.

Have a good week. xx

Hello, I hope you had something that you can look back on this weekend that lifted your spirit. I have an interesting concept to share with you today as I re-blog this post from Ellie. I promote the practice of the deep reflective process as well as meditation. I think Ellie’s post shows a unique use of knitting in meditation especially if you are one of those many people who don’t like sitting still in meditation. Some people are kinetic by nature: they learn through movement, relax through movement and think through movement. I am one of those people. This is the first of a three-part series. I will share the other posts later but if your curiosity is piqued go to her blog and have a look at them. Have a good week and take care.

I have taken the opportunity to share a fellow South African blog post, wetanddustyroads.com, where she gives an explaination of what it means to braai and wonderful descriptions of the many dishes. She has written a series and in each she covers the different types of food one can cook as well as the lovely camping places she visited. I do hope you will enjoy her posts.

Take care and have a wonderful weekend.