On what nurtures, nourishes and replenishes my energy

A moment in the cafe to reflect, 11th January 2025

Gordie Jackson
3 min readJan 13, 2025
Photo by gordie jackson on Unsplash

Another Saturday means another week has passed—a moment in the cafe to reflect.

It has been cold this week, although I find that reassuring given that it is Winter. Although it takes longer to scrape the ice from the car, I felt creative doing it by Friday.

My week feels like two halves, Monday and Tuesday I am at home and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I am in ‘The Other Place’. The M25 and M1 North seem quiet even though the schools are back from their Christmas break.

I met up with a friend last night. It took her some persuading to get me to agree, as I am less social these days. I am more aware of my energy. Most of it is spent with people, listening, advising, and problem-solving. A side effect of this is that I have less need to be with people outside of listening, advising, and problem-solving.

The walk from the car into town or from home to St Albans somehow replenishes me. Most days I glance at articles and books. I am currently glancing at Anne Tyler’s ‘Back when we were Grownups’

I have paused at a section where Rebecca discovers music in her piano stool that prompts memories of when she first met her husband.

I think of my Starsky doll who sits amongst my books. He is the only toy that has remained with me since childhood. When I look at him it immediately brings me to Saturday night lying on the carpet with my hands and elbows propping up my head. Saturday night TV was one event where my mother, my sisters and I were usually in the same room. I was always Starsky rather than Hutch preferring the greater rebel of the two.

Photo by gordie jackson on Unsplash

Last Sunday at the Quaker meeting we asked ourselves “What are our spiritual needs?” Mine is that I am replenished. Tea and the occasional coffee give me moments of quiet throughout the week.

On Thursday we met as a Christian Life Community and here again was an opportunity to replenish as we contemplated and shared back our lives in the light of the current passage.

I am aware that to survive what I have to draw on that which is within.

Every other day I check in with Chai. Sharing how we have been in the day gives expression to concerns, successes and also support.

In between all of it are moments when I just stop and be.

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Gordie Jackson
Gordie Jackson

Written by Gordie Jackson

Speaks with a Northern Irish accent, lives in Hertfordshire, England.

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