Though I had intended to post the photos at least weekly, as that clearly didn't happen. I was however stepping my way gently through Advent and taking a photo a day really kept me grounded in "gentle" especially on some very tough and challenging days. I have a lot to be thankful for, and I am very aware of how lucky I have been in my life ......but somehow the depression and anxiety that I have lived with most of my life just won't shift. You can't see it on the outside (well some days you can), but some days I have to accept that it takes all of my strength to get out of bed and do the things I have to do each day.
Taking a photo a day in December really helped me to find the joy and to keep remembering that I am a worthwhile person who deserves to be here in the world and who deserves to be happy.
Here is the list of prompts with a link to Susannah's website:
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| Susannah Conway |
And here are some of my December Reflections:
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| 1. Sparkle, 2. Hot Drink, 3. Red, 4. Sacred Space, 5. Branches, 6.Best Book of 2015, 7. Best Photo of 2015, 8. Shadows, 9. Gold, 10.Something beginning with A..., 11. The Space In-Between, 12. My Smile, 13. Circles, 14. Warmth, 15. Numbers, 16. Delicious |
I hope that your December, Christmas and New Year were warm and safe, and that you were not alone (unless you wanted to be so), and that you did not feel alone. The world has seemed like such an alien place sometimes this past year, with the reactions to the refugee crisis, and terrorist attacks resulting in more fear and suspicion towards innocent people. More drawing up of our drawbridges and barricading ourselves in against the dangers outside!
Sometimes we can forget that most people are kind hearted and generous, and have good intentions. Sometimes we can feel despair for the world's children and their future. For me, I think that this is age talking, after years of being an idealist, it feels that nothing is changing and that the same mistakes are being repeated.
As you know I do not have a faith, but on Christmas Eve every year I go with my sisters to a children's carol service. This year the vicar played this version of Emmanuel by Enya, which I think is beautiful and expresses something of what we might all be feeling after this year's world events....
I remind myself that for each of us, baby steps and everyday actions are our contribution to making this world a better place. When we feel we have nothing to offer, just getting out of the door when it is still dark and driving into the sunrise to work, filling yourself with some love, just enough to find the courage to say "good morning" and "how are you?" - that really makes a difference to the world and to yourself on the darkest of days.
This year I will try to be more curious and less judgemental. Curiosity is something I have never quite formed into a habit. Time to restore my factory settings back to childhood mode I think!
Happy New Year from my blog to yours and may all your wishes for your world come true.
Jan,
ReplyDeleteYou are such a lovely soul. It is so hard for us depressed and anxious people to look at the world and not ache. People often tell us we are "too sensitive" but I think if more people were "too sensitive" the world would be a much nicer place to live.
Where was photo #7 taken? I can see why it is your favourite.
I love Enya.
And you. But you more.
I do hope this new year is a good one for you, Jan. I always appreciate your creativity. Thank you for sharing your December Reflections. 'Elizabeth is Missing' was one of the books that I read in 2015 and which touched me.
ReplyDeleteI was trying to remember what blog mentioned 'Elizabeth is Missing' because I downloaded it to my Kindle. It was you! :-)
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