How to feel a little calmer while life has some challenges.

I never thought I would feel so grateful for grey clouds appearing in the sky.  When I woke early this morning, just before dawn at 6am, I heard a sound I have recently forgotten... the pitter-patter of rain on the roof.   A light, brief shower that lasted less than a minute.  But it was something that will help our parched soils just a little.  I could feel myself breathe a small sigh of relief.  Here in England, I have always taken cloudy weather and rain for granted.  We live in, arguably, one of the most grey countries of the world, where we can go for weeks without seeing any blue sky.  Iconic images of the UK would include misty, damp and lush green rolling hills.   Any summer trip would involve packing a raincoat and a jumper.  We know very little about droughts and water shortage that many countries face on a regular basis.  Not until 2022 that is.  During this summer, the pattern has changed.  Clear blue skies and sunshine have become the norm and the only thing you need for a

"Rest more and take things easy for a while" is advice we have probably all heard or given at some point in our lives.  My GP told me recently to ensure that I rested while still recovering from a persistent virus and bronchitis.  I listened to her words of advice with a deep sense of relief, as if permission was being given to do what my body needs.  But simultaneously I wanted to ignore such advice and keep going as "normal".  I have a deeply ingrained habit of pushing on through, no matter how I feel, to get something done.  If I rest, I won't "progress" or "keep up" and will miss out on things.  Someone has to hold everything together I say to myself, that someone being me!  If I rest, the world could actually fall apart while I'm relaxing somewhere peaceful? Sound familiar?  Having ignored my body's natural need to slow down and rest for decades, I now find myself being forced to pay more attention due to my health.  If I overdo