Tuesday 15 April 2014

Life: A Juicy Messy Story




At the moment I like to be a homebody. I like sanctuary. I need to make my sanctuary. I read in bed and rest my injured foot. The one that I have to walk on everyday that feels like it might never heal. It will with time I'm sure. Almost. I make biscuits from scratch not long after walking through the door, after a long day adventuring, filling the house with the smell of home baking which reminds me of my grandmother. Although I am weary, I can't resist the nostalgia and comfort of it all, a perfect reward. I think and make mental notes. I'll make popcorn. Watch movies. Read Walt Whitman. I must remember, more Walt Whitman in my life. Beautiful words to live by, everyone could use more Whitman in their life. 

'Then and now, ancient and modern, we feel the need to move, to travel, to explore roads both old and new'. 

I need to find my way to these kinds of roads, sooner rather than later. Before my eyes are so filled with dust that I cannot see.




Life last week felt a little like the process I went through making juice yesterday morning - a juicy messy story. A messy journey that is worth the hard work for the reward at the journeys end. But I must say, it was a rocky ride none the less. Making juice was the easy part, I knew I could clean up afterwards and so I threw myself into the process whole heartedly and it felt therapeutic, squeezing and wringing and getting that extra drop just when you think there are none left. But real life was a little harder. Sometimes those closest to us in our lowest moments say the harshest things. I experienced that last week. Nothing crushing ... really. Just not as helpful as the speaker who uttered them planned for them to be. I have been told many times by my hubby that I am a difficult person to help. I'm sure it's true. Sometimes though, even if you know deep down that said loved ones are right, you just want a little company in your slump not someone to remove you from your slump, especially not a self elected slump remover ... All that's required, is just someone to sit alongside you and know what it is to have glassy eyes and a lump in your throat but a smile on your face all at the same time. That place is a hard place to be. 




It's funny I was dreading a meeting with another person in my life this week who I don't always find the most uplifting. This person unexpectedly shared real vulnerability and we had a moment of recognition of one anothers circumstance. Finding understanding in places you least expect it is invigorating, it's like turning a stone wondering if you will find lots of things or nothing at all. I love the spontaneity of that moment, especially when the stone is lifted and you discover lots of grubs and bugs, you find a whole world to explore!  So, when life gives you lemons, squeeze the life out of them, you'll feel better, I promise! And if in doubt, then like me, carry these words of Mr. Walt Whitman:

'Still here I carry my old delicious burdens, I carry them, men and women, I carry them with me wherever I go, I swear it is impossible for me to get rid of them, I am filled with them, and I will fill them in return'.





'Then and now, ancient and modern, we feel the need to move, to travel, to explore roads both old and new'. (Excerpt from 'Song Of The Open Road' by Walt Whitman)



'Still here I carry my old delicious burdens, I carry them, men and women, I carry them with me wherever I go, I swear it is impossible for me to get rid of them, I am filled with them, and I will fill them in return'. (Excerpt from 'Song Of The Open Road' By Walt Whitman)




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5 comments:

  1. My husband is NEVER helpful when I am in a slump...you're not the only one, but you are right, sometimes when the people you trust the most have no time/sympathy for what you are feeling it is not easy to deal with.

    I hope you feel better soon and I thought the pictures of your OJ making were really beautiful. Thanks for linking up to the #AllAboutYou bloghop.

    Angie from reasons to dress, life as a North American mom in Italy.

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by Angela! The artist temperament is such an angsty and volatile one, it's actually very annoying and both myself and my hubby are highly strung! We produced two equally high strung kids, so we often say 'we're a bit of a crazy family, one that 'feels ways about stuff' a lot!!! x

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  2. Hey Katy, nice to find your blog. Yes, if life gives us lemons then we should all squeeze and make lemonade. Ha! Life is a wonderfully messy journey of highs and lows. When we find ourselves in the valley it is good to remind ourselves what the mountain top feels like. The valleys while hard at times, certainly give us perspective. Beautiful words to live by are always inspiring and help us to continue moving up that mountain. Here's to squeezing the most out of life :)

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    1. Hello Heart n Soul! What a beautiful response - thank you! I've just peeled myself away from your blog, I love your writing and can't wait to curl up in a chair with a cup of tea and read more of your story! Thanks so much for stopping by x

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  3. I love the way you write. I too am a difficult person to help, however well meaning advice/support is I often take comment as criticism; at least an awareness of it is a step in the right direction. I do however have a fairly pragmatic view of the world, and yes, if you have lemons make something lemony :) #AllAboutYou

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