Yes, just like the photo, lives have been turned sideways, and upside down. But, we are resilient and we can adjust!
If you are lucky enough to be able to visit a beach, share your photo or link in the comments below. If you’re in lockdown and can’t visit a beach, don’t be afraid to dream up one!
Find a photo of a recent trip to the beach on your phone or better still dust of an old photo album and find one there. Memories are powerful! Relive those memories, smell the sea, hear the sounds all around you. Share what you recall, with others in the comments below or with those present around you.
Life is sometimes choppy, sometimes calm. Find the calm today and encourage others to find the calm too!
Le grà,
Mindfully Marie xx
Anne can be contacted at info.devinepublishing@gmail.com
Hi... failte (Irish for welcome! and pronounced fall-thhha).
I'm a newbie to blogging, here just over a year, but what a great year it has been!
I've turned the corner to 50 recently and two things become more relevant...time and experiences!
Material possessions are less important! Using time wisely and truly experiencing each day holds a new significance for me!
If you wish..., a little of the back story...
I''m blessed to be married to a kind and loving man for 28 years, we have two children now 19 and 21.
As I approached 40 and searching for something more, whilst holding down my then part-time legal secretarial work, I trained as a voluntary adult literacy tutor, with the hope of helping adults improve their literacy skills and have a second, and better experience of learning!
However, little did I think that wanting to help others improve their lives would see my own life improve beyond measure also!
You see for years I found it difficult to know what to do as I watched our two children suffer at the hands of bullies. Their struggle began to change when I returned to education! Through education I slowly gained valuable knowledge, I grew in confidence and self-esteme and it had a ripple effect!
By 2014, aged 47 I had completed a Higher Certificate in Literacy Development and a B.A. in Adult Education. I love my work as an adult educator, particularly when adults trust me enough to let down their defences and 'let me in'. Then I can help them by getting to know what makes them 'tic' and what 'lights their fire!'.
As an added bonus along the way I've realised that I also have a love of writing and that writing is cathartic (providing psychological relief through written expression of built up emotions), both for my students and myself. This blog enables me to pursue that new-found interest and I've really enjoying reading your blogs, sharing comments, getting to know so many people and gaining new perspectives. I also like to share any little 'gems' of learning I've gathered along the way!
Thanks for sharing your stories and for helping me realise that it is all possible...and that together we write a truly better story!
Much love,
Marie x
got another amazing photo of the beach this morning, I am so blessed to be quarantined here 🙂
But no idea how to add a photo in the comment section … will post a pic and poem later today to match this one and link it back thanks Marie 🙂
And its very powerful Kate! I followed your link, but some tech glich wouldn’t let me like or comment. I’m glad I gave you inspiration, what a lovely thought for me to carry forward with gratitude. X
That’s a beautiful thought Marie! I remember reading this story, an extract from the Indian epic Mahabharatha, where a character Yudhishtara was asked by a river demon, as a part of a test, a series of questions. One of them was what is faster than the wind to which replied the mind. Indeed the power of the mind and imagination are the greatest tools we have! These may be hard times but our minds have the capability of conjuring images of that happy holiday. Optimism and positive thoughts are all we need.
I hope you have been well Marie. It has been long!!
Parikhit it was a real treat to see your presence today! Welcome back, it has indeed been too long! We are all well, thankful for our rural life during Covid19. Thanks for sharing part of an Indian epic in my comments, it is a great reminder of the power of the mind! I hope others will enjoy it as much as I have. We can do much to support each other via technology. Looking forward to more chats. Stay safe!
I am so glad to be back as well! I missed reading your motivational posts. Indeed, we have technology to keep us connected in these hard times. I hope you are keeping safe as well. 🙂
Yes it has been 2 days so far, however I have been working from home for about 2 weeks now. Honestly as scary as the situation seems, I am hopeful and optimistic. Besides I feel it is a blessing in disguise; we have more time to read, to write, to spend more time with our loved ones and do that one task we kept delaying always. I have been reading, learning a language, writing 🙂
My thoughts exactly as I shared in recent post on ‘focus’. Glad your seeing the positives hidden within the challenge. Sounds like you have read The Obstacle is the Way, by Ryan Holiday?
Hi, Marie. I don’t have a picture of the beach but I do have a picture on my latest post of a pond that I found to be mesmerizing. I love the thought of encouragement, either to ourselves or towards others. Yes our lives have completely changed on levels most of us still have yet to incorporate or understand, yet through it all, as you said, we are resilient. I absolutely enjoyed your post!! Keep on shining!! We’re going to get through this and be the better for it! Much love to you! xo
Amy I’m delighted my post brought your mesmerising lake memory to mind! I look forward to seeing it! A little encouragement can go a long way particularly when we are faced with the unknown. I agree that we will get through this and come out all the better. That journey made easier if we stay connected, have courage and remain determined. Thanks for your kind wishes, all welcome at present!! Xx
Greetings from Mumbai! Here in India we are under a three week lock-down period and going to beach is not an option from where I live. I love sunsets at beaches. And living in island city of Mumbai all my life I have had many incredible evenings in the past gazing at changing colors of the skies. Sharing one of my favorite post! Thank you for taking me to my happy place. https://mastmusaphir.wordpress.com/2019/01/22/7-instagram-worthy-sunset-spots-in-mumbai/
Hi Naresh, thank you for reading and joining me from Mumbai!! Warm welcome also to my blog from Ireland. I’m so pleased my words prompted you to recall and relive the feelings magically stored for us within special memories. I had seen news from India when the lockdown was put in place. I can’t begin to imagine how difficult it must be when confined within a city. I have never appreciated our rural Irish countryside so much. I’m off to check out your post and hope you will visit another of my Encourage Yourself Encourage Others posts soon. Le grà, Marie
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March 25, 2020 at 9:57 pm
got another amazing photo of the beach this morning, I am so blessed to be quarantined here 🙂
But no idea how to add a photo in the comment section … will post a pic and poem later today to match this one and link it back thanks Marie 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 25, 2020 at 10:41 pm
Do Kate, add your link in the comments. I’ll be looking forward to seeing your post & photo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 26, 2020 at 12:03 am
just posted it, thanks Marie for the inspiration ❤
http://aroused.blog/2020/03/26/waves-save
LikeLike
March 26, 2020 at 4:39 pm
And its very powerful Kate! I followed your link, but some tech glich wouldn’t let me like or comment. I’m glad I gave you inspiration, what a lovely thought for me to carry forward with gratitude. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 26, 2020 at 1:22 pm
That’s a beautiful thought Marie! I remember reading this story, an extract from the Indian epic Mahabharatha, where a character Yudhishtara was asked by a river demon, as a part of a test, a series of questions. One of them was what is faster than the wind to which replied the mind. Indeed the power of the mind and imagination are the greatest tools we have! These may be hard times but our minds have the capability of conjuring images of that happy holiday. Optimism and positive thoughts are all we need.
I hope you have been well Marie. It has been long!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 26, 2020 at 5:06 pm
Parikhit it was a real treat to see your presence today! Welcome back, it has indeed been too long! We are all well, thankful for our rural life during Covid19. Thanks for sharing part of an Indian epic in my comments, it is a great reminder of the power of the mind! I hope others will enjoy it as much as I have. We can do much to support each other via technology. Looking forward to more chats. Stay safe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 27, 2020 at 10:58 am
I am so glad to be back as well! I missed reading your motivational posts. Indeed, we have technology to keep us connected in these hard times. I hope you are keeping safe as well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 27, 2020 at 11:11 am
One of the plus sides of technology! All good here, following guidelines! India is in a 3 week lockdown. How are you coping?
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 27, 2020 at 11:18 am
Yes it has been 2 days so far, however I have been working from home for about 2 weeks now. Honestly as scary as the situation seems, I am hopeful and optimistic. Besides I feel it is a blessing in disguise; we have more time to read, to write, to spend more time with our loved ones and do that one task we kept delaying always. I have been reading, learning a language, writing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 27, 2020 at 12:15 pm
My thoughts exactly as I shared in recent post on ‘focus’. Glad your seeing the positives hidden within the challenge. Sounds like you have read The Obstacle is the Way, by Ryan Holiday?
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30, 2020 at 3:44 am
No I haven’t read it read. But I’m marking it in my to read list 🙂 Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 30, 2020 at 7:27 am
Looking forward to any feedback Parikhit! Have an adventure filled day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 5, 2020 at 12:08 am
Hi, Marie. I don’t have a picture of the beach but I do have a picture on my latest post of a pond that I found to be mesmerizing. I love the thought of encouragement, either to ourselves or towards others. Yes our lives have completely changed on levels most of us still have yet to incorporate or understand, yet through it all, as you said, we are resilient. I absolutely enjoyed your post!! Keep on shining!! We’re going to get through this and be the better for it! Much love to you! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 5, 2020 at 7:53 am
Amy I’m delighted my post brought your mesmerising lake memory to mind! I look forward to seeing it! A little encouragement can go a long way particularly when we are faced with the unknown. I agree that we will get through this and come out all the better. That journey made easier if we stay connected, have courage and remain determined. Thanks for your kind wishes, all welcome at present!! Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 5, 2020 at 5:23 am
Greetings from Mumbai! Here in India we are under a three week lock-down period and going to beach is not an option from where I live. I love sunsets at beaches. And living in island city of Mumbai all my life I have had many incredible evenings in the past gazing at changing colors of the skies. Sharing one of my favorite post! Thank you for taking me to my happy place. https://mastmusaphir.wordpress.com/2019/01/22/7-instagram-worthy-sunset-spots-in-mumbai/
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 5, 2020 at 8:08 am
Hi Naresh, thank you for reading and joining me from Mumbai!! Warm welcome also to my blog from Ireland. I’m so pleased my words prompted you to recall and relive the feelings magically stored for us within special memories. I had seen news from India when the lockdown was put in place. I can’t begin to imagine how difficult it must be when confined within a city. I have never appreciated our rural Irish countryside so much. I’m off to check out your post and hope you will visit another of my Encourage Yourself Encourage Others posts soon. Le grà, Marie
LikeLiked by 1 person