Helen Monkton

Interference

At work I had this rude little device that sat in my ear and hissed all the time. While it was useful for telling me what was happening in the show, I found it constantly grabbed my attention when it didn't need to. Trying to talk to anyone with it in proved difficult as I felt constantly distracted by the bee like buzzing feeding itself straight to my inner ear. 

This example highlighted to me what happens when I try and listen to God sometimes. The busyness of life is a constant buzzing in my ear and distracts me as I try to focus on him. I've been reading a lot recently about getting yourself to a place of quiet and rest, both amongst the busyness of life and through purposefully retreating and taking quiet time. Two little books I've found helpful are 'Finding God in the Fast Lane' - Joyce Huggett and 'Coming to God in the Stillness' - Jim Borst. This comtemplative prayer thing is something I've never really grasped, but this little book is really useful in breaking it down into steps. I'm still only on  step one - "Be still..." "come and rest..." I think it may take a lifetime to reach 12 :O)

A Big Few Days Out

I am absolutely exhausted but the last few days have been fun. WIth a show that finishes at 11 each night, early nights have not been plentiful with a weekend of working at CFT. Couple that with a very long, 19 hour day on Sunday and you get a grumpy Helen. I really hate being tired, it makes me miserable and bad company, I hate that. 

Still... the Big Church Day Out was such a  good day. I loved talking to people on the 24-7 stand (despite the sweltering heat) and listening to some awesome bands in the background, even managing to sneak out a few times to watch. What I loved was standing at the back of the crowds looking down onto the thousands of people as they worshipped to such a variety of styles over the course of the afternoon and evening. The flags made it feel like a Narnian field as they billowed on the top of the hills. As I turned around 360 degrees, I was surrounded by worship, hills and beautiful countryside, some of my favourite things in the world, awesome. 

Today was just as good. lunch with my very favourite ladies, soooooo good to catch up after Carla's jetsetting of the last few weeks. Rounded off with Star Trek. I love half term!

Looking back

I looked back today over what is now several years worth of blogging. I haven't done much lately, mainly because I haven't taken the time, but also because I really didn't think anyone would want to read my musings. Actually, going back over events of the last few years reminded me of small details that i'd forgotten and it was quite nice to be reminded. So if for no other reason, I can blog to remind myself of the small things of life :O)

Infrequency

Every time I sit down to my computer I think I should write a blog about something, and by the time I've finished checking mail and Facebook I feel too drained to write. Maybe it's because I associate my beautiful Mac predominantly with work that I don't sit down and bash out a few thoughts into my keyboard. Thinking that it's a task that has to be completed rather than a life to share.

Maybe I need to change my perception of my computer, seeing it as a portal to the world rather than a device to trap my time and energy. 

Wii

I have long resisted the Wii phenomenon, berating computer games as a pointless waste of time. I still think this for the most part, but when the Wii combines it with fitness, suddenly I'm listening. it was an entertaining sight (I made sure the curtains were closed!) to see me wobbling around trying to keep my balance on the Wii Fit board in some sort of Yoga pose that my 'male coach' had just shown me. The tennis was fun too!

I think I may have a Wii party, so everyone can join in the fun!

This time I really mean brrr....

Last time I got in the water outside the air may have been cold but the water was warm. This time neither air or water were radiating any heat. 

The UK Cold Water Championships are held at Tooting Bec Lido and attract people (read nutters!) from all over the UK and even further afield. My intention was to go and watch and see what it was all about. My Swim Trek buddies had other ideas! After watching several sharp intakes of breath as they lowered themselves into the water, I had no inclination to join these hardy souls as they made a mad dash across the 30m wide Lido. But, I somehow managed to find myself saying yes to being part of a relay team to make up the numbers where people had dropped out (hyperthermia maybe?) Before my brain had really engaged I was donning my swimsuit behind a beautifully brightly coloured door. I remember thinking " What am I doing?" but still carried on getting changed. I resisted the temptation to put my hand in the water to see how it felt. (If I had, I'd never have got in). Clothes stashed in a plastic bag, the next thing I know the starter is urging us into the water. OH MY GOODNESS... you actually hyperventilate when you get into water that is only fractionally above freezing. I had to force myself to breathe out. 

3, 2, 1 go...

Head down and just swim, ignore the burning pain all over your body, just get to the other side... quickly!

Despite having no feeling in my hands or feet and being the colour of a beetroot, it's actually exhilarating. Apparently this is the lure. 

Bracing it may have been but we legged it asap for the hot tub followed by the sauna. Utter bliss. 

My hot tub moment is currently adorning the outdoor swimming society home page... ah, fame at last!

Beauty

I read recently about the value of seeing the beauty that is around us everyday. It's made me contemplate more the things that I see around me and simply  take for granted. 

Beauty in front of me : The graceful Ukranian ballet dancers twisting and turning their way through 'The Nutcracker'

Beauty behind me : I rest my back on the walls of one of the most magnificent and celebrated theatres in the country.

Beauty to my right: Space- To be who I am and learn to breathe in that space.

Beauty to my left: Colleagues and a community of friends with whom to share my life. 

Brrrr...

I've missed swimming outside since my adventures in the Lake District and so the opportunity to indulge was welcome.

I often forget that we have a Lido just 20 mins down the road in Arundel. They open for just a few hours a day over Christmas and so I dragged my parents out to stand in the cold and watch me swim laps as the steam rose off the water and the lifeguards clapped their hands together with cold. The temperature out of the water was barely above freezing, but the water was a pleasant 24 degrees. You didn't want to be standing around,however, so I paddled and paced up and down until my nose was so cold that it could take it no longer.

It was fun, swimming in the shadow of Arundel Castle. Slightly crazy, but fun :O)

A first.

Today I did something I've never had to do before...

mend a puncture!

I'm very pleased with myself in accomplishing this simple task. I always feel like I can tick off an achievement when something was broken and then I fix it. 

I'm not convinced, however, that it will stay inflated, it was looking decidedly squashier an hour ago that when I inflated it. We'll wait and see what the morning brings.

Slow Dance

Going through my journals from yesteryear, I found this poem that spoke volumes to me at the time and still serves as a powerful reminder when I cram my life too full of 'stuff'.

Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids

on a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain

slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's

erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into

the fading night?

You'd better slow down,

don't dance so fast.

Time is short, 

the music won't last.

Do you run through each day

on the fly?

When you ask 'How are you?'

do you hear the reply?

When the day is done

do you lie in your bed, 

with the next hundred chores 

running through your head?

You'd better slow down,

don't dance so fast.

Time is short,

the music won't last.

Ever told your child,

we'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste, 

not seen his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,

let a good friendship die,

cause you never had time

To call and say 'Hi'?

You'd better slow down, 

don't dance so fast.

Time is short, 

the music won't last.

When you run so fast

to get somewhere,

you miss half the fun

of getting there.

When you worry and hurry

through your day, 

it's like an unopened gift

thrown away.

Life isn't a race

so do take it slower.

Hear the music,

before the song is over.

David L Weatherford (InEasy Living Jan 06)