‘Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom’ ~ Marcel Proust
This week I just want to share an extra bit of positivity as we find ourselves in mid-winter, surrounded by conflicting information and arguments over the Covid vaccines; how effective are they against the new strains? how effective are certain vaccines in the over 55s? (an issue only in certain parts of Europe)? There’s been a coup in Myanmar and our national hero Captain Sir Tom has died at 100. I know that’s a great age and he’s enjoyed his life but how sad is it to lose Captain Tom so soon after his massive achievement and knighthood?
With the regards to the vaccination issue, I don’t know about you but sometimes I wish that the media would just stop reporting this conflicting stuff. Just stop reporting it for a couple of weeks to let us regain some equilibrium. I can’t help thinking that me knowing about these arguments isn’t going to change them and it isn’t going to help me to keep putting one foot in front of the other each day metaphorically speaking.
Which is probably the reason that I came to this Proust quote. I love the imagery he uses, likening people who make us happy to gardeners tending our souls and nurturing and growing our well-being. How apt is that? What a calming thought and so very true. Feeling happy makes our soul blossom. Just thinking about that makes me feel warm and starts a smile.
So, who makes you feel happy? What can you do this week to connect with those people even in lockdown? Can you speak on the telephone or even video call each other to get that sense of being nurtured and cared about? If not, can you email them or even write a letter or send a card.
Why not help their souls to blossom in the same way that they impact yours? Be their charming gardener even as you appreciate the way that they make you feel so much better about life when you connect with each other. Grow together in the fertile soil of shared caring and especially laughter.
If you’re in need of a bit of positivity and you’d like to talk to a chaplain you are very welcome to call or text me directly on my mobile: 07526 378529. Alternatively you can email info@mite.org.uk and request a call back.
We have a range of resources on our web-site including some that are more specific to the Covid-19 outbreak and some that help in dealing with stress: https://mite.org.uk/quietspace and you can find other resources on Mental Health Matters and in this TED talk How to be kinder to yourself amongst many other online offerings that will come up in any Google search.
If you prefer you can easily keep in touch with us on social media:
Facebook: @mitechaplaincy Twitter: @mitesthwarr
