Contemplations straight from the heart
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TGIF? Not In A Month Of Sundays…
( a look back and a look forward) I read an article by a leading psychologist recently citing that there is actually a term known as ‘The Sunday Scaries’. Nothing at all to do with Halloween, the phrase refers to a different kind of spectre. It’s the sinking feeling of dread that people experience when…
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The Calm Before The Storm…
(Let’s talk about the weather. And feelings) As I write, the UK is bracing for the arrival of Storm Agnes. She is set to hit the UK with winds of up to 80 mph and the threat of flooding in places, disruption to travel, power cuts and even potential building damage and loss of life. …
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Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day
How often do you think about the Roman Empire? Bizarrely, this question has been dominating social media recently. This viral TikTok trend has women asking their male partners the question and filming their response which is often quite humorous to watch, such that it’s gained huge traction and has even made the news! And it…
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Caregivers or Caretakers…
What do these words conjure up for you? For me, ‘caregiver’ has a personal, relational ring to it, whilst ‘caretaker’ sounds more procedural, task and object based. This past week I saw an advert via Instagram indicating that Braemar Health Centre is looking for a replacement doctor. The current GP has been there for 30…
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Pace Of Grace
(Rocky Mountain High – Colorado) As I enter into my third week of recovery and begin to experience a little taste of heart pacing stability, it feels good. Simultaneously, my body reminds me that I need to go slowly as my heart is also healing from the Takotsubo assault which hit it hard a few…
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Snap, Crackle and POP!
(healing from the inside out) I’m finally on the other side of my latest heart procedure! It’s been a long time coming due to various setbacks but the planned initial op moved to a two stage op then morphed into four stages, and that last stage is now done. The process and procedures: You may…
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Forever
(a look at commitment) With the Women’s World Cup featuring heavily in the news and media last week, it reminded me that my husband and I first found love on a football pitch. Over 40 years ago our love first ‘kicked off’. We already had a mutual love of the game, and then we found…
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A Balancing Act?
(A pep talk to myself ) I’ve been reflecting on the word ‘TRUST’ in these days running up to my op. My previous health experiences this year mean that it is easy instead to gravitate towards doubt, fear and stress as I wait. Some say that stress is the opposite of trust. Trauma expert Dr…
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Zip It, Grandma!
Young children possess a beautiful innocence and translucency. One can almost see straight into their heart at times. And equally, they look out on the world with such openness, trust and illumination. I am blessed with five gorgeous grandchildren and have had the pleasure and delight of having them all in one place this past…
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The Rhythm Of Life
It’s a daunting thought to relinquish one’s natural heartbeat forever. In one week’s time, I am due to undergo my fourth cardiac procedure in a year. This one will obliterate my natural heartbeat permanently, and consequently my life will be 100% dependant on the steady working of the electronic pacemaker device implanted in my chest.…
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