An unexpected break

Normal service will now be resumed 😁🌻

Hello Dear Friend,

As I sit and write this today, I can hear the universe laughing at me. I am overwriting the missive which was due to be sent last Sunday, and sitting in the ‘Things Catching my eye this week’ section were two items - the first was an article about the 7 types of rest that every person needs, and a link to the Sow, Grow, Harvest, Rest newsletter which I stumbled upon a short while ago.

Can you see the connection?

I intended to discuss how we all needed to rest, and recharge ourselves. Cue raucous laughter from the universe. 🤪😂 As soon as Jo had left for France my body and brain shut down with exhaustion, and today really is the first day that I can say I feel back to normal, whatever that is.

So you could say that I have lived the experience of needing rest. I know mine is exacerbated by chronic illness, but it is still nonetheless valid to say that we all need downtime.

The 7 types of rest that every person needs by Saundra Dalton-Smith MD

This article comes from the ideas.ted.com website, from their ‘How to Be a Better Human’ series, and discusses how to understand and value true rest. In a nutshell, it comes down to the following types of rest

1. Physical - which comes in two forms - Passive - Sleep and naps, and Active - Yoga, stretching and massage.

2. Mental -Saundra recommends taking short breaks every couple of hours - to remind your body and brain to slow down.

3. Sensory - Close your eyes for a minute or two- intentionally, just to give your system a break. Also, she recommends unplugging all electronics at the end of the day, I am sure I have heard that before, lots of times 😁

4. Creative Rest - (which is not what I thought it would be) Take some time to enjoy the beauty of nature, go to the park, sit in your garden, and just breathe. Also, appreciate art and beauty - fill your walls with images of places you love, or artworks you enjoy. For me, this would be hills, seasides, lakes, and Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings, especially the crow fields.

5. Emotional Rest - emotional rest requires the courage, to be honest with yourself and others. Take time to express your emotions and cut back on people pleasing.

6. Social Rest - this is what you would expect, try to limit the time spent with people who leave you drained and surround yourself with people who give off positive and supportive energy.

7. And lastly Spiritual Rest - again, just what it says on the tin, spend time connecting to the deeper universe, away from the physical and mental. Connect in to the space of love and acceptance by adding prayer or mediation to your daily routine.

   There is a link to the full article below if you would like to read it in its entirety.

   

   Vincent Van Gogh - Wheatfield with Crows is one of my favourites

Finally Finished

This week I finally finished listening to the wonderful *Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer if you haven’t read or listened to it yet, I highly recommend you do. The book is full of observations about how we can live in harmony with both the human and non-human world, told with love and backed up with indigenous history and teachings. I think a proper book version will be making its way onto my Christmas list.
It led me to a Medicine Festival in Berkshire of all places, who knew? This also led me to fall down a Shamanic Drumming rabbit hole, so be prepared to find out more about this in a future letter.

Things catching my eye this week:

The 7 Types of Rest That Every Person Needs

The Sow, Grow, Harvest, Rest newsletter can be found here Rosie describes it as a newsletter for old souls who want to slow down, simplify and connect with the seasons.

Heron Drums UK - responsibly sourced traditional drum-making supplies and bespoke handmade drums.

The Medicine Festival 18 - 21 August 2022, a traditional medicine festival in Berkshire, who knew? I think all the tickets are sold for this year, but it might be worth going on their mailing list for next year.

I found a new Meditation YouTube channel called Unlock your Life Today I haven’t had time to listen to it fully but would love to know your thoughts on it.

I think that is all for this week, again I apologise for not writing last week, the universe had other plans for me. I did, however, cut out all 1,040 plain joining hexagons for Maggie Maguire’s Garden Quilt, and have begun basting them. so not a totally lost week.

Maggie Maguire’s Garden Quilt, the cream hexies joining the blocks is all I have done this week… 😁😁

Until next time, as ever, may your angels and guides watch over you and protect you until we meet again.

Love and Light,

Tracy

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