My grandmother was a woman ahead of her time while being entirely of her time. I see her now as a woman on the edge of evolution - the kind of woman open to change, tapped into the emerging energy of the new and always curious to learn and evolve.
She didn’t wear beige, or sensible shoes or sit and watch the telly every night. She was beautiful and elegant; interested in life, in people, animals and the natural world. She climbed hills, practised yoga, read books, and was into spiritual philosophy.
Her friends were writers, yoga teachers, nature lovers and academics. Two of her close friends became my natural mentors in yoga, mindfulness and writing. They arrived, like natural mentors do - answering the call of curiosity that my thoughts and wishes released. And by ‘natural’, I mean mentors that we don’t consciously seek out but those who appear when the ‘student’ is ready.
THE WISE YOGI
Ian was my yoga and mindfulness teacher (before such a word existed) for five years before he passed away at the age of 80. I was travelling in South America at the time. Before I left, I sensed that I wouldn’t see him again.
He was a little Buddha-like man with sparkling blue eyes - his skin was smooth and fresh and in his presence, I felt contentment and peace. He had travelled widely, often to India to continue his learning. Wisdom and aliveness oozed from his every pore. He was humble, with a sharp and cheeky sense of humour. From him, I learnt about the foundations of the body, the power of breath, and that where I focus my attention, energy flows.
THE WRITER
Ida, my grandmother’s other friend, was a writer of plays, short stories and poetry. I remember one occasion when I went to her house with my granny. We sat on velveteen chairs warmed by sunlight, drank tea from china cups and ate shortbread while she read some of her poems and stories to us. Her work was published(!), she won poetry and short story competitions and, I believe (from memory) that some of her plays were heard on our local radio. She shared her templates for playwriting and gave me writing tips. My senses filled with inspiration. I’d been writing short stories and poems since I was a child so to have someone in my life that encouraged my interest in stories, was priceless.
THE MAGIC OF NATURAL MENTORS
Natural mentors that appear are like wise guides who are slowly revealed over time. Their presence is a little bit magical, while their impact and influence is often not fully comprehended for years to come.
I believe that we call in what we long to learn, and often the way of learning shows up naturally in the form of people who carry the knowledge or experience that will nurture and feed that longing. These people are bright threads woven into the tapestry of our lives. The essence of these relationships can help to inform our choices and therefore our path in life.
In next week’s online writing workshop - we’re going to explore the many valuable relationships we’ve had with people, place and things through our writing practice.
What’s Coming Up…
In this month’s HYDRATE - we’ll be exploring RELATIONSHIPS with people, place and things. It’s happening a little earlier in the month on May 7th next Tuesday and may be the last one of this season before I pause over the summer months. Join us here for an evening of creative writing sparked by the richness of relationships.
Previous participants have left HYDRATE feeling:
"Refreshed, glowing, stretched (in a good way), brave, flowing, loose, energetic, lifted, watered, with a bit more hope, inspired by others creativity, invigorated, ready to refocus on work and writing, woken up with purpose, very inspired and excited for my future as a writer.” Others found the workshop: "Precious time, it opened stories I forgot about, creative, innovative, refreshing, inspiring, relaxed, varied, surprising.... a natural and warm atmosphere"
“My creativity was stirred up by Jane's inspiring workshop. I now have many threads of ideas to sow.” – Helena - HYDRATE Online Creative Writing Workshop
And, some exciting news! My new live online course - WOMEN & NATURE - a 5-WEEK ONLINE CREATIVE & REFLECTIVE WRITING COURSE - CONNECTING WOMEN & NATURE THROUGH WORDS - will be open for registration on Monday the 6th of May next week and begin on Wednesday 29th of May. I’ll be sharing more in-depth about this course next week…
Warmth for your weekend,
Jane x
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Language of the Feminine - Awaken the Source of Your Creative, Intuitive & Sensual Self