In Conclusion

“Remember that all things which happenTo you are raw materialsEndlessly fertileEndlessly yielding of thought that could changeYour life and go on doing so forever.” – Ben Okri The Anastasis Icon Is-o- lat-ed by Andreas Anastasis Take a look at the first image: it may be familiar to you as I have used it twice already. …

Home

This month we have been thinking a lot about “home”… What is your relationship with home? Many of us find ourselves starting to spend more time at home and indoors at this time of year; there’s less daylight, and the weather is becoming increasingly cold and more unpredictable. This can present genuine challenges to our …

Opening Up

“It is exhausting, all this opening up.”  Nitya Prakash The other day I caught myself yearning for the early days of lockdown last year. I wondered what this was about. Surely it is much better that we are getting to see our friends, families and even hug some people. My mind went to the story of …

Getting There

“’I can’t see the way through,’ said the boy. ’Can you see your next step?’ ‘Yes’ ‘Just take that’ said the horse” Charlie Mackesy I recently had a vivid dream. In it, I was trying to get to a mountain top. I often have dreams in which I am trying to get somewhere, mainly by …

Empty Hands

“The heart regulates the hands.” 2 Corinthians 8 Ok, I admit it, I’m exhausted. A year of this, even though there may be a little glimmer of hope now, has taken its toll. And talking to friends, family and work colleagues, I’m not the only one. We are keeping going, we know we do not …

Anniversary

“celebrate good times” Kool & the Gang I don’t suppose many people celebrated the 23rd March. A year ago, this day lockdown started in the UK. Unbelievable as it seems, we have now been under covid restrictions one way or another for just over a year. Who would have thought it, a year ago? Around …

Survival Plan

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style” Maya Angelou Take a look at the first image. What does it say to you? This painting by Chagall, who was a Russian Jew, was made during the Holocaust …

‘I wonder…’

As one year ends and another begins, it can be a good time to pause, look back and reflect as well as look forward in hope.  In my ponderings, I’ve been drawn to the theme of ‘wondering’.  One definition of ‘wonder’ includes; a feeling of amazement and admiration, caused by something beautiful, remarkable or unfamiliar.  …

Zeitgeist

“If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill Shelterers in the Tube 1941 Henry Moore OM, CH 1898-1986 Presented by the War Artists Advisory Committee 1946 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/N05712 Take a look at the two pictures. The first is a commission I made as part of an event aiming to focus on the Christian meaning of …

Reflection for the second lockdown

Struggling with the second lockdown? Take 10 minutes to listen to this gentle reflection about this challening time for all. We invite you to reflect on what your coping strategies will be. For many reflection, meditation and mindfulness have proved vital for coping in these difficult times. For a full list of our guided meditations …