Coronavirus Challenge Day 11
Thursday 26 March 2020 — UK Lockdown day 4
Each morning as I walk to the river I see something that touches my soul. Today it was a child’s attempt to reach out to the postman as in the photo above.
Twenty years ago I walked the same paths I am now walking when my daughter was born. I struggled with being a new dad but I found then as I find now that early morning walks helped. Twenty years ago I brought her with me now she lies on in her bed. As I walk I remember. I remember how nature where I live reached me and gave me something that I needed. Here twenty years later it is doing the same. And almost 30 years before that it was doing it when I lived in Corcrain.
Probably not a secret that we return to what comforted us as children as struggling adults.
I decided to make the call to the telephone counselling service. To my surprise, my call was answered quite quickly. It was such a positive experience. You see counsellors don’t judge ( well they probably do but quickly put it to one side) they listen. They listen to what the soul is trying to say even if it comes out all over the place. Just to be listened to and not reacted to is such a great thing. I felt valued, affirmed, and the biggest thing of all it is ok to be me. By which I mean so often people dismiss your ideas, “ You are being this, that and the other….” Excuse me I thought I was just being me. Counselling allows the soul to speak. She recognised, as I know, that I feel deeply. It is a blessing and a curse. She said what I needed to hear, “ You are valuing yourself whatever they may think that is their stuff, not yours.” She is right why should I devalue myself based on what another thinks. Thank you, Clare.
She also recognised that I was setting my boundaries even if I felt the guilt from the other’s reaction. She also helped me find a practical solution. I also jokingly considered asked her for a date but then that would have crossed boundaries.
I need a few texts messages a day and I give out a few. The occasional phone call helps. It helps so much I almost used my phone allowance for the month.
Last night we had our Christian Life Community group by Whatsapp. That was a first. It has taken me years to agree to Whatsapp then along comes this crisis and we all are signing up. People are missing physical contact and meeting together in ways such as churches do but Whatsapp is helping us to connect in a different way.
Thank you to everyone who reached out on Facebook to the last post. It helps, it makes a difference, thank you. So just to change direction as I end I share below a rap by Jay Woolsey. I met Jay in my home town last November at an open mic event. I like how he sounds. He does use the ‘F’ word a bit so if you don’t like it, it probably best not to listen.
best day,
g
