Reflecting on the Year...

As I reflect on the past year there are lots I have missed but lots I have gained. Like many, if someone had told me last March we would all still be in lockdown I really would have struggled to believe it. Yet, here we are…………………….what I am writing is familiar to all of us.  I feel the need to document how the year has been so that I can read this back in a few years.


Once this was announced last March I sort of went into overdrive , spring cleaning the house emptying cupboards filled with clutter doing jobs that I had not had time to do.  Walking my 5k morning noon and night literally !!


Then came the garden. It has always been a little sanctuary for me ………..and boy did the garden become my saviour. I felt that somewhere out there in the universe a divine decision was made to give us glorious weather to help us adjust to the new restrictions.
I can honestly say the house was never so tidy and the garden never looked as well.


I had to learn a whole set of skills I might never have learned………..I am not very technically minded………..but negotiating zoom, waveband, and the like I am not as afraid of it all.


I never thought I would ever have sessions online “ it couldn’t possible be the same “ I said. Yet, I adapted like many and now will continue to offer sessions online and by phone when this is all over.


So how did I cope ……………I got busy, then I got creative………I decided to write a couple of guided meditations and then I wrote a few more ………………………I began to do some short guided meditations via zoom  which were well received.


I then had an idea to record them with music and photography.  My wonderful friend was going to put the whole thing together but now we couldn’t meet.


Further technological trial and error …………..lots of error on my part !!
I bought a microphone online …………..That was a first !!   Then began to record each meditation over and over the self critic was alive and well………..too fast too slow……….too loud ………too soft. Eventually accepting that they were good enough.


I have just completed a series of five meditations from Irish monastic sites they are little different from the usual as they bring the listener on a journey sharing some history of each place. About 10 to 12 minutes duration with the most beautiful photography and accompanying music.  Each place is special  as they hold both happy memories and spiritual experiences for me. I wrote these with need to connect with Irish everywhere and bring a little sense of Ireland to them when they are unable to visit at present.


I feel very lucky to live in a country with such amazing landscapes………….I think this past year has brought people back to nature appreciating the simple things in life. It has also made me reflect on how fragile life is and how every moment should be treasured.  I long for the day I can hug my family and friends again…………..I really hope that day is not too far away. ​