Hello Dear Friend,
This week I have been reflecting about life and how we navigate our way through all the experiences that come our way. During our lives we have all been through so much. Had such incredible experiences, both good and bad.
Hold onto the light.
The good.
The love there was in those experiences.
The salvation of man is through love and in love.
VIKTOR FRANKL
Man's Search for Meaning
Let go of the anger, hate, shame, guilt.
Those are the things that eat us alive.
Destroying our minds, our bodies, our health, our souls, instead of nourishing us with sweet memories. Finding the fun, joy, and wonder in the world can sometimes be hard, especially at the moment.
Let us choose for ourselves our path in life, and let us try to strew that path with flowers.
ÉMILIE DU CHÂTELET,
“Discourse on Happiness” from Selected Philosophical and Scientific Writings
If you look for joy in the small places, in the dark corners - it is there. Encourage it out, give it room to breathe, to spread its wings and fly high over you. Spreading rainbows in its wake.
(Hmm, maybe not. It sounds like joy is peeing over you on a sunny day - yuck…)
My challenge to you.
This year, this month, this day, from now. Pledge to find joy and love wherever you can. And to spread it.
We cannot be passive receivers in this transaction. Give love, hope, and joy to as many as you can - smile, share a joke, or a funny image. It may make all the difference to someone’s day.
Until next time, as ever, may your angels and guides watch over you and protect you until we meet again.
Love and Light,
Tracy
P.S. Housekeeping note, I have turned off ‘paid’ subscriptions. If you feel drawn to support me, please buy me a brew. Thank you 🙏
Things catching my eye this week:
Ways to help Ukraine if you can.
My brother in law asked if I would be picking up my knitting needles for Ukraine, my response was short. In my humble opinion what they need from us now is cold hard cash and offers of help and support. With that in mind, here are a few ideas. If you have other places to recommend, please add them in the comments for people to see. Thank you.
Support local journalism: English-language news outlets based in the country, such as Kyiv Independent and the New Voice of Ukraine, are covering developments on the ground as the conflict unfolds, using local journalists.
Support individual people - I hasten to add a caveat here - only if you know they are genuine, unfortunately some folk will try to profit from others misery. If in doubt the the main aid organisations are the best way to go. I have come across a couple of people who I know of through social media, or friends of mine do.
HeyGo Voyagers
This is an organisation that facilitates online virtual tours from all over the world. Individuals take you on a guided tour of their town, their city or anything that may be of interest to you. Many of these guides are in Ukraine and Russian controlled areas, and are suffering greatly. HeyGo is doing its best to help by keeping funds safe where needed, and waiving all their fees on tips given to the guides. One lady, Olga, ran tours of Kyiv, details here. There have been concerns for her safety, but she and her family have reached Poland and are now safe.
Tatiana Popova
Tatiana is a very talented embroidery designer who was based in Ukraine. Her plea for support was posted on 3rd March, details here My wife Jo, has followed her for years.
Un-stress Your Body with Galina Denzel
Are you aware of tension and stress in your body?
Perhaps in your shoulders, neck, temples, jaw? Or maybe it's your low back or hips that call for attention? For a limited time Galina is kindly offering this workshop for free. More details and to sign up visit her page here
Links:
The work of @iuliastration can be found on Instagram her illustrations are just lovely.
Anything in bold and underlined is a link to the relevant article or web page. None are affiliate links, just things I hope benefit you, or to people whom I admire and have worked with in the past.