Beginnings

 Last week I went to my first Tai Chi class. Having wanted to do something martial-arty for years.  So, as Pilates practice made my neck feel worse and the classes were expensive and at times that I coudn't make, I decided to be brave and go see for myself.

It's always difficult being the clueless newbie! Last year, that was me at work, this year it is me trying my best to follow the demonstration of our tutor, who looks like a buddhist monk - shaved head, gentle demenour (he works in a physio as a therapist)  He moves like a crane, dancing with it's wings outstretched.  Flowing and smooth.  But he's the tutor so he should be a master of his craft.

We start with an awareness/breathing exericse to loosen up and I breathe a sigh of relief and wish I'd not had to rush home from work/had so much tea.

45 minutes later I am trying to remember my left from my right - I didn't last the whole "beginners form" class, but sat and watched the last 15 minutes.  It's hard - to focus, to flow, to be gentle and precise, when all my sport has been strength based - swiming, walking, lifting a few weights, cycling in the gym. None of these prepared me for the subtle shifts and transfer of weight and what he described as "moving meditation" although, for me, swimming can feel like prayer.

I will go back again and remember that it takes 36 hours of practice at least - to master the beginner's form. 

Remember

It's good to remember

And I marked it, standing in pitch black, 

listening to an owl relentlessly calling.

Swirling and scribing liquid fire 

Scattering star sparks

And standing in wonder.

Looking at friends faces

wondering like small children

Fully alive.

COP26

 It's hard to listen to the news sometimes isn't it?  Domesday has been the theme for so long - Covid19 and now COP26.  

It's very tempting to stick your head under the duvet and pretend it all isn't happening.  It's such a complicated, inter-connected world after all.  Greta Thunberg is well intentioned, but she annoys most of the folks I have worked with - think it is her simplictiy of vision, her contention that we must act, without any idea of the cost implication of how complex societies will implement the ideas she champions.  She certainly annoys me if I am honest.

This week, I have shouted at my TV - some show on saving money and the planet - listing the changes as ground source heat pumps - but "you'd need a big garden" oh and they are ridiculously expensive, electric or hybrid vehicle - expensive and nowhere yet to charge it in Terrace-house land.  What, I wonder, will they do with all the scrapped conventional cars?  Let alone that most mechanics are, apparently, not trained in dealing with this technology.

I did a quick "carbon footprint" calculator  - WWF, because an article on BBC news tells me that the sustainable footprint is 2.3 - well, no surprise that I am above that, even with a simplish life - I drive to work and I don't think 15 miles by bike is going to happen anytime soon.

But, positive, small steps.  I have swapped to a veg box, delivered on a more affordable plan, and a couple of other changes too.  There are some lovely, positive podcasts on BBC sounds that I would recommend - 39 ways to save the planet and also People fixing the planet which is from BBC world service.. From harvesting locusts for livestock feed, to building multi-storey homes with wood, not concrete and many other innovative and genuinely encouraging things.

There is enough doom and gloom in the world even if it is needed.

Flames

 A friend of mine, Morag Lobley has a book of "poems and wonderings" published.  It's called "Flames" and is available from Bridge Books or I can get a copy.

It's excellent - Morag writes from her heart as she says in her introduction - and she can certainly write!  There are reflections on bible characters, on current events, and on Jesus.  Most touchingly, there is a section on grief.  I don't have experience of loss like this, but for my own much smaller loss, I have found her poem "Steps" very, very resonant, as a friend has said to me, "Judith would have wanted you to enjoy life" - which she would, of course!

"Steps" Morag Lobley (Flames)

He died..

And I said,

I choose life,

Not knowing how big a step that was.

The next day

 I chose life again

and the next....

How

    many     

        steps?"

Poems drive deep into our hearts.  I used to write, but I find that I can't write that kind of thing so well, so will make do with blogs!  There will be a blog soon on my adventures in the South Hams, when I have a bit of headspace.