...longing for a little quiet!!

I haven’t posted in a while mainly because of being hugely busy at work and also because I sometimes think that the things I have on my mind are not hugely interesting to anyone else but me!

I’ve had an interesting time recently – with a lot of pondering and thinking about the people and things in my life which are really important to me. I yearn frequently for space to sit and reflect and try to carve out a nook in my week to do this. Sometimes it can be difficult in the course of a normal day. The bus first thing in the morning is filled with twelve year old voices shouting abuse at friends sitting right beside them!…the noise of the passing traffic as I walk the rest of the way is a nightmare! In the office I counted 18 people in and out within the first hour of the working day asking for everything from home made birthday cards…staples…a tray of coffee..someones new address…….…oh…for solitude! I guess that’s why I go for a walk around the quieter roads at lunchtimes…where I’ve found a hidden pond 5 mins away with lots of ducks… a couple of swans and water like a mirror reflecting what sun there is……I can sometimes hear my heartbeat (am I weird? do others feel like this?!!) The only thing at work which I never complain about is the sound of a child giggling…or when a little one who doesn’t usually make eye contact because of their learning disability glances sideways at me, smiles and says ‘Mo!’ – I will never complain about that!

I have promised myself that in the next little while I will – as the late John O’Donohue suggested we do – ‘attend to myself’ – with moments of quiet…times of reflection and hopefully a period over Easter when I will hear God’s whisper above the noise of life…

bye for now…MO


PS the photo was taken last week near the office!

I'm rich!

...well not with cash I hasten to add...but spending a weekend with the most amazing group of people has been just fab. I then arrived into the office today and received an email which I appreciated so much - thanks my friend!
...I feel blessed!

"My friends are my estate."
- Emily Dickinson

...it's been a good week...

...and an even better weekend! Eight souls are heading off to Wexford for a weekend of long chats in front of a blazing fire (although if this weather keeps up we may not!)...walks on the beach...gorgeous meals made by loving hands and a little reading thrown in for good measure. I've spent the day getting as much admin completed in the office as possible...so that I can head off with no major stuff outstanding (who am I trying to kid!?).

We had a wonderful Tues evening with the same group of friends and there were smiles and tears and connection... a special time for each person there.

Until next time...blessings!

Belfast from the big wheel!

...looks kinda nice...huh?

...where's that brush!?

...thanks to my last retreat and art materials being supplied...it's given me a real push to begin painting again. It's a lovely feeling to be creating stuff that I can give to others - that's the big thrill for me. I've also been interested in the way the paint looks on the canvas and have tried to take a few photos to let you see what I mean..

In memory of John O'Donohue

...taken at Greenbelt 07 - we'll miss that unmistakable voice...

Sad news...

...that one of my favourite authors/speakers - John O'Donohue passed away on 3rd January 2008. He was a regular at Greenbelt and it was lovely to meet him last August at his book signing... an amazing person.

Beannacht ("Blessing") by John O’Donohue

On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.


And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets in to you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green,
and azure blue
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.

When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.

Last weekend's retreat...almost heaven!

..good company..twinkling lights...art..books..good food..sharing..caring..frosty windows..roaring fires..crisp walks..poems and prayers..Thanks Pad! (and the gang!) xmo mox

A prayer....

Help me to make you the center of my inner life. Give me the grace of prayer. Show me how I am fooling myself when I fail to make you the center of my life and my prayer. Let me understand that in and through you all my little concerns will be taken care of. You do not despise my worries, but you ask me to trust that you will deal with them when I simply keep my eye on you and your kingdom. Teach me your way, O Lord. Amen. (Henri Nouwen)

...a couple more pictures for Markie...get your gloves out...and a scarf...and ear muffs...see ya next week!

mx

Maybe winter isn't so bad after all!

...went awalking through the Belfast Market the other evening with the lights twinkling and the big wheel looking amazing in the moonlight...not a bad way to end a day!

I also saw the cutest thing on the bus to work this morning...three little sisters - probably around 7,5 and 3ish...all with short blond hair...all wearing the same brown coats, fur trimmed hoods up and they reminded me of those sets of little Russian dolls where one is smaller than the next!

Have a nice wintery day!

Longing for the summer!

On these dark, cold mornings as I wait for the bus...I remember the heat of August and thought I'd cheer myself up with a posting of some Greenbelt Festival photos...ahhhh....sunshine!

thanks for Saturday!

A good friend and I took a long walk around Mountstewart Gardens last weekend and it was a joy - leaves crunching...blue sky...birds singing...just beautiful. But in the midst of the day there was a certain sadness as he remembered a special person who had passed away... who had loved the lake..loved seeing the seasons change and in a way - seemed to be with us as we walked. Thank you for sharing this special time with me my friend. These photos are for you.

Up with the lark...

There's something to be said for starting work early...this morning I was greeted with the most gorgeous sky...just so amazing and gone within five minutes! It was a moment of beauty to focus on...

I read recently...sometimes you pressure yourself into taking it all in, when grasping one small detail can be so rewarding. Right now, you need to focus on one single aspect of your life --- how can you improve it? Instead of your overall health...just focus on your teeth! Instead of making more money...just focus on saving a penny at a time! Instead of find a true love...focus on just finding someone you can have a really great conversation with! The best way to move forward is simply one step at a time.

Have a blessed weekend...

The people in my life....

See how that works? Your people are much more than people. They are a community of cheerleaders, therapists and treasured advisors.
I don't remember where I found the quote above...but it's so true. I've had a number of retreats in the past year and each time I have space to think about my life...there's one thing that makes me smile as I'm walking around the lovely country lanes ...and that's the family and friends I have in my life. Each one is special to me...each one adds a different colour to my week..they cheer me on...they listen to my woes...they feed me with words as well as food! I've also realised that behind each smile...each look...each gesture there is a world of hopes, questions, insecurities, dreams - each person's life is a story just waiting to be heard. I'm fortunate to have a whole library of friends and family - I wish the same for you.

Good friend...good day!

At Lynn & James' wedding last week...a wonderful time was had!

...a lovely evening...

...spent with some lovely people last night - and cute little one month old girl who was very well behaved!

Sorry this blog has suffered some lately because of an especially hectic September - hope things are well in blogland with you!

I am now looking forward to a delightful weekend ahead - a silent retreat - ahhhh...bring it on! Words are wonderful but sometimes silence says much more! If anyone still tunes into this wee blog...let me know and leave a comment! Bye for now...

I love this!

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

...photos take by my 12 year old niece!

....I think these pictures taken last weekend are amazing! She obviously has a great eye for composition and when she gets my camera...she won't give it back!!

they say...

they say she's stitched together
with dreams
and when it seems she's reached the edges of her day
she quilts with kindness
where it's frayed
and prays
beneath the sapphire sky

I'm back!

...and a great weekend was had by all...thank you my friends xxx