A Wee Something for the Soul

Quite a few of the blogs I read are by people who have a wonderful gift for writing – many even have the vision and determination to be writing novels.  I take my hat off to you because I don’t think this is something I could ever do.

I do love books though.  Books are precious things but I find I don’t have room for all the books I get through.  Some years ago I decided to pass them on. So, when I finish a book I write a little note in it about why I enjoyed the book and leave it for someone to find. Sometimes I leave them on benches, in supermarkets, even in public toilets.  I never know who picks them up or even if the books I leave are read by those who find them.  I like to think they do – even better to be passed on again in a similar fashion.  There are some books however I know I could never part with and will come back to again and again. One of these is Anam Cara – A Book of Celtic Wisdom written by John O’Donahue.

Anam Cara translates as soul friendship and John was certainly big on love; love of others, of self, of the landscape and even what’s unseen but ever present.  It is believed that you are joined eternally with your anam cara and your friendship crosses all boundaries and convention.  This is made possible as the Celtic understanding did not set limitations of space or time on the soul. So reading this book always causes me to reflect differently on the past, present and even the future.

A trained philosopher John died in 2008.  His family described him as ”a beautiful wild soul that he showered with love and attention” and it is this that I think he shares in Anam Cara.  So, this book may not change your life but it is gentle, whilst still finding way to be rigorous.  It’s also pretty sweet but at the same time challenging. Every time I pick it up and leaf though it I take something different from the words.

My favourite is a poem he wrote called “Beannacht”, which is the Gaelic word for blessing. He uses a wonderful phrase to end his poem; “and so may a slow wind work these words of love around you, an invisible cloak to mind your life”.

Beannacht is wonderful to read, but even more wonderful when read by the author.  Enjoy.

Blogging Marvellous

Well would you believe it today I got a lovely surprise. Robert ( The Quiet Photographer) passed on The Versatile Blogger Award to little o’l me – how lovely is that.

I also received this award a couple of months ago and although I don’t think my blog is any more versatile it is still lovely to receive an award from a fellow blogger (particularly as it comes from a blogger whose work I both admire and enjoy.)

The rules of the ‘Versatile Blogger Award’ are:-

Rule No. 1 – Thank the person who nominated you for the award

• I’m particularly thrilled to receive this award from The Quiet Photographer - who is a nomad of the image.  Robert is exploring his roots and the culture of others, transforming his visual freedom in a style where choices and aesthetics depend on the emotions to be transmitted.  So a huge thank you Robert.  I’m greatly appreciative that you chose to pass this award on to me and I will try very hard to do justice to Rule 2 and 3.

Rule No. 2 – Make a list of 7 things people may not know about you

• 1. When I was younger my passion was ballet and I was fortunate enough to be selected for an audition at the Royal Ballet School in London.
• 2. Injury put paid to the above career path – but in my head I’m still dancing.
• 3. The only reason my passion for shoes has been curtailed is that I now have pins in the joints in my foot. (ouch!)
• 4. I was once invited and attended The Queen’s Garden Party.
• 5. Next to shoes hats are my most favourite things.
• 6. My favourite flowers are tulips – I’ve always thought they die so beautifully.  They don’t frizzle up they just kinda flop over gracefully.
• 7.  I grew up, for the most part in Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Ireland – only returning to Scotland as a teenager.

Rule No. 3 – Nominate 15 blogs you think should receive the award

• In no particular order I’m thrilled to nominate the following fabulous bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award.  I should also apologies at this point for the rather long post but I wanted to give a bit of info about you all.  I’m also pleased that, having previously made 15 nominations, I’ve come up with a new 15 for this list.

Old Girl at Uni - Check out the ramblings of a mature post grad student struggling to find her way through dealings with slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

Counting Ducks - A lovely blog that deals with the normal muddle and bewilderment of passing life with an optimism not based on any facts.

Dribbling Pensioner - A recent find for me is Harry who promotes himself as ‘just another pensioner with his thoughts – if he can remember them’. This gentleman now has time on his hands to write a blog – Oh and a lovely thing about his blog is that if you comment he always answers!

Kana’s Notebook - This interesting blog is ‘Life in Kanatext, er, Context’. Kana is a writer, explorer, coffee-drinker, book-dragon……. actually Kana is many things. Check it out.

My Open Adventure - This is Aimi’s blog, a young student who writes about being a student and working towards her degree – but not in the way you would expect. If you want to find out Aimi tells it her way, through her own eyes.

Joanna Dobson - Joanna has been blogging since 2009. Through blogging she has realised that it is ok to ‘prioritise to be happy’. If her blog is about one thing it is probably the out working of that discovery.

The PhD Pimpernel - She shares her dualist world – good and evil, life and death, student and supervisor battling eternally. The Pimpernel will tell you that she wanders unsupported and unknowing however this smart lady provides valuable insight and information any student will benefit from. Her journey began almost a decade ago – so there is no shortage of insight.

Jayney Rambles - A lady that loves to write about life and all the stuff that goes with it.  I’ve had many a smile reading this blog.  Jayney always writes what’s on her mind – so yours may need to be open.  A lovely blog.

Carridwen’s Cauldron - This lady rocks! You will find an abundance of wit, wisdom, humour, nonsense, rants and raves all brewed with her special pinch of individuality.

My Creative Voice - Taking the plunge back into education this lady is determined to find a way of combining her love of writing AND get paid for it. Both her love of writing and her determination shine through in her posts.

Angry Pear - Quite simply a joy of a blog.  Yes it is actually about pears, their troubles, joys and their anger.  Angry Pear is a recurring character who is angered by everyone and everything. Created by Drew the sentiment and humour in Angry Pear is just a delight.

Doing it The Open Way - Darragh’s blog documents her journey as an Open University student.  There is some lovely randomness in her writing.

Studying Parent - In the process of working towards a PhD in English Literature this is a lady after my own heart who says up front “I don’t know where this learning journey is taking me but I know I don’t want it to stop”.

Back on My Own - Through her journey from divorce to free spirit Pat kept a journal and discovered a love of writing. I always think reading her posts is like sitting down and having a cuppa with her. Delightful, insightful and personal.

My Open Experience  - Hayley is a young student studying towards a Humanities Degree with Philosophy and Religious specialism – but not in the conventional way. If you want to know more her blog fills the holes of curiosity, oh and her photography is wonderful.

So I’m thrilled – didn’t expect an award. I’m also delighted to nominate all of you.

 I hope that you bask in your glory and go forth and nominate.