Writing into Life
Lydia had some anxious moments when she saw another dog while we were out on our walk this morning. I helped her through her anxiety with some guidance and reassurance, and hope that, over time, and with continued reinforcement, she will start to realise that she no longer has anything to fear, providing I’m with her. It’s no easy thing, working through deep-rooted fear. I know that from my own experience.
Latterly, and increasingly, I’m finding guidance and reassurance from the Buddhist community that I’m lucky enough to live near. When I say ‘near’, it’s about a 45-minute drive away, but it’s near enough and it still amazes me that it’s there at all.
Finding a source of meaningful guidance and support through fear and anxiety is a big thing. It took me a long time to search out and find this guidance and support but I’m sticking with it now, and hoping that I’ll be able to give back through some volunteering work with the Centre.
I’ve done a lot of volunteering in my life, which has been part of my searching journey.
While at 69 I don’t have the same amount of available energy as I had when I was younger, I feel that I have a clarity and a focus that I didn’t have when I was younger either, so hopefully there’s a bit of a balance going on.
I have a friend who volunteers practically every weekend, after a full-on working week. That’s quite something, especially as it involves a lot of driving and early-morning starts. Most people want to have long lie-ins at the weekend, but not my friend. She’s a true star in every sense. Some people just keep shining. You know who you are Jo!
Glad About 