Returning to the small
On finding the glimmers again and come co-write with Charles Causley and me
It was only ten minutes, but that was enough.
Ten minutes of lingering in our well room last week, having placed some daffodils for the next Solo Retreat guest, watching the blue emerge through the grey and the light return again. Ten minutes spent watching the sky put on its best show, lit up with mother of pearl iridescence and an ever-changing swirl and swoosh of cloud magic… And then, finally the sun broke through again.
Such a small thing, but oh so sorely needed.
To just stand still for more than a minute is something I have failed to do recently. In between juggling work, children and trying to keep up with the never-ending rollercoaster of uncertainty of the world, I have felt like I have been in constant motion, gripping on with white-knuckles and slightly bared teeth, unable to loosen my grip.
In my workshops, I so often encourage others to look for the small, to look for the seemingly insignificant or otherwise overlooked to find a glimmer in the grey.
I so often encourage others to take a moment to turn our gaze to that which is right in front of us… To fill their cup with wonder and awe at the everyday…
And yet, I have well and truly neglected to do this myself recently, caught up in a whirlwind of uncertainty and stress.
But that little moment of stillness was just the tiny reminder I needed. A small nudge and encouragement to linger in the light and sip on a small little glimmer of hope and joy, even if just for a moment.
So here’s a little exercise and nudge for anyone who needs over the coming week….
Windows and wonder
Take five minutes of your day to stand outside (ideally) or find a window and just spend some time tuning into what you can see.
Allow your shoulders to drop, your breath to slow and your eyes to open to what is around you. Our attention is our powerful gift, so allow yours some time and space to fill up on the good things.
If you want to, take note of what you can see, smell and hear.
Now on to some nice things to look forward to… I still can’t quite believe that I have been chosen as one of the Emerging Poets in Residence for The Charles Causley Trust. I’ll be heading there from 9th March to spend a week immersing myself in his work and staying in his house… I am absolutely over the moon and so incredibly grateful for this opportunity, it feels like such a gift and makes me determined to make sure I can open up such opportunities and spaces to others. It does mean that my usual co-writing sessions are set to change for the next few weeks as I juggle a few hats. But fear not, as you can join me for some very special co-writing during my residency (see below).
In other news, at the Writers’ Block there are some lovely events coming up including a workshop with on Permission to Play: Building creative resilience and finding joy as well as some fantastic sessions with Guest Writer, Noreen Masud who will be facilitating a workshop on Writing Our Lives on Friday 27th March, followed by an evening reading with a Q&A hosted by me.
Come co-write with Charles & Lucy
Join me in March for some very special one-off Charles Causley themed co-writing sessions in March as part of my Emerging Poets Writing Residency at The Charles Causley Trust.
Wednesday 11th March | 13:00 - 14:15
Friday 13th March | 9:15 - 10:30
Sunday 15th March | 19:00 - 20:15
All sessions will take place online (UK time), please use this link. Donations to the Charles Causley trust are very welcome (details on Lucy’s website).
Each session will involve a reading of Charles Causley’s poetry followed by a creative writing prompt set by me. We will then write together for an hour and come back together to share how we got on.