Tag: friends

Day 24

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Writing into Life, more

Tonight’s Buddhist class completes the five-week course on ‘Embracing Change’.

Change can happen in so many ways, on so many levels. 

In my experience, I have not always known why I have not been able to ‘let go’ and move on at times. I think, now, I have more insight into why, and it’s because of the deep inner healing that I needed to do.  It’s understandable to want to do that in a safe way, at a safe time, so that when the wound is exposed, it won’t be subject to any more damage.

Sometimes, however, circumstances force us to push through pain on a survival basis. How amazing then, to be in those circumstances and somehow find that you have got access to the support that you need to heal, from sources that in the past you could not have even imagined existed, yet somehow, they do. That’s where I’m at now. 

And, for now, I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing; different things on different days. Today it was painting, white emulsion on walls; tomorrow I’ll go to pottery in the afternoon.  Walking Lydia, of course, in the mornings, is such a good thing, I’m pretty sure for both of us. Meditating, practising yoga and Qigong, listening to the teachings of Buddha passed on through the Kadampa lineage. Meeting up with friends, chatting with neighbours. More painting of walls until that job is done, then I’ll move on to do something else.  I know this is all leading to further change, and I am becoming more able to embrace the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

Day 14

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Writing into Life, more

Lydia and I did a double circuit of the woodland walk today. She was a bit reluctant to go round again, but soon started to enjoy more sniffs and it gave us both a good dose of fresh autumn air and gentle cardiovascular exercise.

Did some cupboard clearing and cleaning later, with a few things loaded into my car, ready for a tip run tomorrow.

I’ve had regular resting sessions between my exertions, meditating from a horizontal position which may not follow the guidance to the letter, but it’s worked for me today. Feeling much calmer – more of the time – than a few days ago.  It’s also helped enormously having support from friends. So lucky to have them in my life, including Lydia, of course. A very faithful friend.

Day 12

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Writing into Life, more

 

After a morning outing with Lydia, to her favourite dog field, I got ready to go to meet up with a friend for coffee.

She had brought her dog, Faith, who got lots of attention and admiration from people in the coffee shop. I do feel sad that Lydia can’t enjoy similar experiences. Maybe one day . . .

My friend and I had a good catch-up. Her company and conversation were very welcome.

Now back at home, here with Lyd. Good just to be with her. It’s a bit too early for her tea so for now we can just do nothing together.

Day 9

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Writing into Life, More

Photo by Amar Preciado on Pexels.com

I visited my friend today, who now lives in a care home nearby.

She said it was good to see me and it was good to see her too.  She tends to put herself down a lot so I challenge her when she does this. She is such a lovely lady, good company, funny and kind.

Lydia and I only had a short walk today, so I’ll make it up to her tomorrow. She doesn’t seem to mind, and is enjoying some evening air outside, barking occasionally.  She’s had her tea and I’m enjoying an early evening glass of wine.

As my friend and I reflected together today, it’s the simple things in life that mean the most: a cup of coffee in the company of a friend; a glass of wine when you fancy one; a loaf of bread and some good cheese.  Can’t beat it.

Day 5 – friendship

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Writing into Life

In yesterday’s post I reflected on my self-management rule no. 2: Establish a good relationship with a stationary (or stationery) supplier. https://gladabout.life/2025/08/29/day-4-growing/

Today I’m considering rule no. 3: Establish (and maintain) good relationships with other suppliers (providing the bases are reciprocal).

Not all friendship relationships are reciprocal.  I like to think that I can and do reach out a hand of friendship and support to people without any expectation of return. I do, however, have friends where the relationship is one of mutual support.  These relationships help to sustain me through difficult times and I do what I can to sustain my friends through any difficult times that they might be having.

Coming, as I am, through a period of emotional and psychological burnout, I don’t have a lot of giving energy available at the moment.

I am, however, gaining spiritual nourishment and sustenance from an increasing commitment to the Buddhist faith.

‘The Liberating Prayer’, composed by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, includes the following two verses:

With folded hands I turn to you
Supreme unchanging friend,
I request from the depths of my heart

Please give me the light of your wisdom
To dispel the darkness of my mind
And to heal my mental continuum.

Basically, that’s what I’ve been working on for a long time without knowing it but – more recently, since I started reciting this prayer – with growing awareness of what I am doing and why I need to: to dispel the darkness of my mind and to heal my mental continuum.

To know that I can do this, using methods through meditation and putting the Buddhist teachings into practice in other ways, has been like a hand of friendship is helping me to pull myself out of a deep well.  I still have to do the work myself – and it’s taking a massive effort – but I’m not stuck and I’m not on my own.  That’s friendship.

I also feel an increasing sense of friendship with members of the Buddhist teaching group that I go to. It’s good to have friendship groups as well as ‘besties’ in our lives.

Having just given Lydia a good ‘rub-a-dub-dub’ tummy rub and chest massage, and knowing that she looks out for me and Trev too, in her way, it’s good to know that we have our own friendship group here at home.

Day 21

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Continuing the story of Lydia and Me

We’re home!

The joys of camping are many, and we were blessed with fine weather and fun this weekend. Even so, it’s good to be back to home comforts: a shower, electricity, a proper bed.

It’s been a great couple of days though.

I’ve met up with old friends, made some new ones and put my vote in for a repeat next year.

Lydia might even be able to join us by then. We’ll see. For now I’m just looking forward to seeing her tomorrow, and we’ll keep doing what we do, day by day, step by step.

Day 20

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Continuing the story of Lydia and Me

The breakfast table

We’re camped.

The weather is wonderful, company convivial, fish and chips last night were fabulous, and I’m sure tonight’s barbecue will be even better.

I know Lydia wouldn’t have been able to relax here but she’s in good hands, and we are too.

Day 19

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Photo by Rachel Claire on Pexels.com

Continuing the story of Lydia and Me

I took Lydia to the boarding kennels again this morning, for a three-night stay.  It’s the first time she’s been back so soon after her last stay, but this weekend Trev and I are going camping.

We took Lydia camping not long after we first got her, and she was very anxious about it all.  She did very well on the whole, sleeping between us in the tent, and I put up windbreaker screens so that she had some space just outside where she couldn’t see other dogs. We also camped as far away from other people as possible. Even so, I had to take her out in the car for her to do her ‘poopie’ and overall it wasn’t the best experience for any of us.  So, this weekend, she’s back with her friends at the kennels and we’re meeting up with friends in a field.

I thought my camping days were over, not feeling inspired or enthused as I used to feel at the prospect of sleeping in a tent.  However, we received an invitation from friends to join them and others for a gathering this weekend, and it should be a good one.

We’ve got plenty of essential supplies: wine, beer, whisky and gin.  We’re all chipping in for a barbecue on Saturday night and our remit was to bring sauces.  So, I bought ketchup, brown, salad cream, mayo, various types of barbecue sauce, some relish and some hot.  I hope I’ve catered for all tastes.

I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a campfire, singing and hopefully lots of laughing. I think it’s going to be a very good weekend.