Tag: friends

Day 5

'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment

‘Social Example’ a collage by Maggie Baker, 2001

Continuing the story of Lydia, Me and our Family of Three https://amzn.eu/d/99yW3Qk

Yesterday was a good day, until it wasn’t.

I received some bad news as a bolt out of the blue, and it hit hard.

It could be argued that I could have foreseen it coming, but I didn’t.

The calm, peaceful mind I’ve been cultivating was suddenly no more. I was angry.

I know anger is a negative emotion, and the teachings of Buddha tell me that it arises from self-cherishing delusions; having more regard for myself and my own needs than for those of others.

I do accept this, in principle. In practice, yesterday my anger arose and was a long time abating.

As I continue to learn how to train my mind – and my heart – anger is something that I need to and will address. I’m going for growth.

Today, on my walk with Lydia, I am still aware of anger. It feels like it is pervading my whole body.

I have concerns that Lydia will pick up on this, but she doesn’t seem to have done.

We are in a quiet spot with no immediate triggers. Lydia is calmer today than she has been on this same walk for some time.

She walks to heel with a loose lead most of the way, and I reinforce this with food rewards and praise.

It rains a little bit but neither of us minds. Then the sun comes out.

I’m going to visit friends this afternoon. It will be another good day. And this time I believe the good feeling will stay, at least for longer than it did yesterday.

Lydia, Me & our Family of Three

'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment
Lydia, 2025

When I first started writing this blog I had just retired and it was something that I wanted to do.

I thought it would help me to complete a cycle of mental health recovery that I’d started many years previously, and that in writing about my experiences it might help others too.

I had no idea then just how far away I was from the summit of my recovery mountain, or just how many sheer cliff faces I was going to have to climb to be able to finally enjoy the view.

That was over five years ago.

I found no easy answers but knew that I had to keep going, and I did.

At 69 I have no wish or need now to climb any more mountains, either in my head or with my feet. However, my journey does continue, day by day, step by step, and I will continue to write about it and share it with anyone who is interested.

My new e-book, publishing on Amazon for Kindle 5th June, gives insights into how Lydia, Me & our Family of Three have recently  made our final ascent:

‘Train your dog; train your mind – positive reinforcement for humans and canines’

https://amzn.eu/d/iAQbck8

Stitching

'A Poetic Potter & A Potting Poet'Leave a comment

Cross-stitching to be precise.

I’ve spent hours – days even – cross-stitching over the last few months.

A lot of other people must have been cross-stitching too, as all the company websites I’ve bought kits from have had special messages up to say how they are coping with unprecedented demand due to the Covid crisis.

Even so, orders have arrived promptly, and been a joy to work with …

… helping me to gain a sense of being at peace with myself and the world:

There’s something so soothing about the technique of counted cross-stitch, that puts my mind at ease.

I’ve mostly made cards – and some Christmas decorations – to send to people – friends – and it’s lovely to think about these friends as I stitch away.

I’m not great on phone calls or Facebook, but stitching has become my thing. I’m going to try knitting again though, for a while. Knitting’s good too. And macramé: knotting!