Morning calm : some thoughts

After a somewhat restless night with the dogs barking and refusing to settle, it is nice to have a moment of peace.  

Nothing to accompany my thoughts except the faint snoring of a dog and the sound of seagulls flying overhead. It amuses me how that sound used to annoy me so much when I lived here, yet now I like it as it reminds me of the sea.  Another thing I disliked as a child but love as an adult.  

Sometimes I am really compelled to visit the seaside, not for Fish and Chips or an Ice Cream but to walk along the coastline or sit and let my thoughts roll in and out with the tide. There is something so soothing about the motion, which is odd because I am so afraid of the water.  

I'm feeling quite homesick now. It is strange being back here and I miss my home and Mr L.  In some ways hardly anything has changed since I left here 10 years ago and in other ways things are so different.  There is a "greyness" about it all now, bleak is the word I am looking for I think.  I had a happy childhood in this part of the world and yet I am so grateful I managed to "get out".  

Off to do some work whilst things are peaceful and dogs are sleeping! 

Time Out

I am away for the week, dog-sitting for my sister whilst she is on holiday.  I have to admit I wasn't looking forward to it, not only was I a bit uncomfortable with the two large dogs but also with spending a week in the bleak little town on the north-east coast where I grew up. Luckily, my Mum has tagged along to keep me company.

Despite not looking forward to it, I had set my mind on trying to enjoy a week in a different environment, away from the four walls of our office.  I had plans to get lots of work done and take stock.  It doesn't seem to be happening though, it's hard to concentrate with two dogs bounding around.

I'm also missing Mr L, it sounds silly as we have only been apart for a few days but I am missing him being around, his silly jokes (although don't tell him) and curling up on the sofa with him at the end of the day.

New Routine

Last week Mr L and I set ourselves a new challenge (well really it's my challenge but Mr L was being lovely and supportive).  A while back I used to run almost everyday, it was my daily exercise and an opportunity to get outside and clear my head.  I loved running in the morning as it set me up for the day but then an old knee injury took hold and, alas, that was the end of my running routine. 

Since then, I have to be honest and say that exercise dropped off my radar.  Aside from the occasional walk I have been doing very little.  Add into that setting up a new business and some days I am so engrossed in what's happening on my computer screen that I don't leave the house. 

*Hangs head in shame*

Enter the new routine.  It was decided that whilst I can't run, I can walk so that is what I would do each day.  Every morning, before starting work I would get outside and go for a walk and to show his support Mr L would come with me.  Day one of this new routine arrived and at 6.30am off we trotted (in the dark!) for a 5km walk.  As we were nearing the end, the sun had risen and we stopped to watch a flock of Geese come into land at our local wetland.  Lovely start to the day.  

The week continued in a similar way and I managed to clock up 24km in total!  I also had a gym session with a friend which even involved a little light jogging on the treadmill.  Not only I am proud of setting this new routine in motion, I have really been enjoying having the time to get outside, breathe, and clear my head. 

This week I definitely intend to continue, despite the dismal weather forecast, and I hope I will continue to feel inspired and refreshed. 

Morning Thoughts

Grateful for cosily dozing as the sun starts to come up.  Grateful for the rise and fall of each breath.  Grateful for the sharing of dreams, for the hot cup of Green Tea, for the hand that squeezes my shoulder as it passes.

Sometimes (most of the time) I forget to take stock of the present, I am hurtling too far into the future or buried deep in the past.  I had heard people talk about "being in the present" but I hadn't understand until I began the practice of taking stock this week.  The practice of starting each day with a deep breath, feeling the life in my lungs, feeling alive.  It's such a simple exercise yet one we are all too quick to abandon.  

There is nothing special about this morning, it is ordinary in every sense and yet I can feel the fog lifting, as my tea kicks in and I slowly wake up to face the day.  My eyes are opening to this world, to me, to you.  Things are shifting, perspectives are altering, barriers are being broken.

I am here, in this moment.