Patti…
…that used to be my life once, three dogs, Richard and woodland walks…I just didn’t see my MS coming, stopped me in my tracks at enjoying the walks I-we once took for granted…I used to tell people who said they needed to lose weight by joining a gym, i would tell them why waste money when you have a good pair of legs, just get out and about and walk, after all it is free, well that was before 4 or so years ago…
As I said, I feel everything that ever meant anything to me has one by one been taken away from me, there is very little else now to take…Oh how we take things for granted, like they will be forever there for us…Looking back I should have made more use of my feet and legs, well I would have done if I had seen what was to come…All the walks me and Richard could have taken, even sightseeing and climbing here in Dorset, he would never had gone by himself…I now look back and think of all the healthier days we both wasted when we were back at home, ( home is where we were at our happiest…)
Jackie…
Jackie…
Oh no Jackie! Nothing is ever wasted. Memories can be so painful and hurt so much, but they can also be comforting. To have such a loss and suffer as you do must be so difficult. But you sound a brave lady. You must be, although I doubt you feel brave.
I have friend with MS and I know what you must be going through. She is also brave. I think that so often such illness brings out the best in us. I have noticed so many times that people who are unwell with a long term illness are so much more compassionate. I have my legs, and your post has brought home to me how fortunate I am.
My old grandmother used to say that you can always find someone worse off than yourself. She was a lovely old lady and was 101 when she passed. When someone died she would say, ‘Oh well, they have gone to their heavenly home’. I like that. She was a lady of very deep faith but never ‘religious’ in the orthodox sense. Heavenly home! Ok, so it may be all in the mind. I don’t think so, because people like her and all you folk on here bear out the strength of the human will, Spirit and courage. That’s not something in a ‘body’, it’s inherent in the Spirit.
Kind regards.
Another great post from Jonathan. Thank you. You are so wise and right in saying that ‘spirit and courage is not something in a body, it’s inherent in the Spirit’. I like that. I also believe that we can always find somebody worse off than ourselves although it doesn’t take away from our own suffering - that remains very real. Jackie, I agree with Jonathan in that, I read your posts and you do sound a very brave lady. I hope everyone can find a little peace today. Sending love xx
Jackie my heart goes out to you because I know how I would feel if I ever lost the ability to go out into the countryside. I become very frustrated at young people that just won’t walk anywhere. Why did god give us legs. Use it or lose it, comes to mind. We just don’t know what is around the corner so make every minute count.
You have suffered more than one terrible blow in life and I truly feel for you. Please stay strong and in time you may well find another life that will give you some comfort and enjoyment.
Please take care of yourself. Pat xx
I am not sure I am brave or strong but I am a survivor…Plus, if anything life has taught me, is not to take anything for granted…Both illness and our life can come to its end in the flick of an eye, and at most times we see neither creeping up on us…I never saw MS coming ( diagnosed 11th April ) nor did I see the end for Richard ( 11th April.)
Jackie…
Hi,
Being a Wiccan witch is something most of us practice alone or in small groups of likeminded people. As I said we are loathe to talk to people about it because most don’t understand and think we are evil, trust me we aren’t. We have a strict code we adhere to which is that we must harm none.
If it interests you there is a lot of information on line and plenty of books. I love the feeeling of peace it gives me and of being one with the universe, I use whatever I can of nature’s bounty, I even use distilled elderberry blossom which I make myself to clean my face, of course I ask the trees permission to pick it first. I have practiced for most of my 70 years and couldn’t think of any other way to live.
By Sunlight and By Moonlight tread in peace
Hi,
Absolutely there is a spirit in the tree. Trees are living things, filled with essence and energy and of the Elementals and Mother Earth, with an aura of power which is visible to those who are in total balance and harmony. The lore which surrounds a particular tree or wood often reflects the power the old ones sensed and drew from their presence.
The Celts and Druids worshiped trees and I have my favourite tree which is an apple. Some trees will have a certain “spark” or feeling and when you stand near it. Oak trees are absolutely wonderful and has been considered sacred by just about every culture that has encountered it, it was held in particular esteem by the Celts because of its size and longevity. The oak was the “King of Trees” in a grove. Magic wands were made of its wood.
As to what makes the tree grow, Wicca believes in the wheel of life. The wheel turns, the God dies and tree sleeps, it turns again and the God is reborn and the tree wakes.
My goodness Ashtrees. That sounds perfect. ‘In total balance and harmony’. Yes indeed! We are not in harmony with nature and our surroundings. Death is as much part of nature as is life, but we have problems accepting it. The Spirit world goes unrecognised because very rarely does anyone talk about it or put the idea forward, so a big part of mankind’s inheritance is lost. Just as the word ‘witch’ frightens so many so does ‘Spirit’. I was listening to Peter Dawkins this morning on the radio. He is foremost a scientist. If you can’t touch it, smell, it, hear or see it it doesn’t exist! Not for a moment would he entertain the idea of Spirit, or that part of mankind that is so important. Everything has a scientific explanation, and if it hasn’t it soon will have. What a terribly restricted outlook. He is just as stuck as is a religious fanatic. An open mind is such a great asset. But he can’t see that any more than the religious one can.
I feel comfortable among trees rather than people. People are fine in small groups. Crowds frighten me. Being in the open countryside, as painful as it can be at the moment, is still soothing if I allow it to be.
Emotions are not just products of the brain. Oh no! They are indescribable just as are feelings of empathy and love. According to some we should just be able to click a switch and ‘snap out of it’. Yeah?? I say to those people ‘give it a try when you are in this situation’.
You do bring home the fact that you either have empathy or you don’t. I don’t believe it’s something you can learn, although adversity may trigger it.
It is said that the wonderful arches in a cathedral Nave are taken from the branches of trees above that our ancestors worshipped under. Some do have the semblance of leaves and trees. My wife loved nature and all things associated with it. She was an artist and painted the landscapes around us. She was different to me because I tended to take it all for granted. She never did.
I shall certainly look up the Wicca beliefs, it does sound very interesting.
Blessing and love and light to all.
Thankyou for your reply. I am certainly going to look into it. It sounds perfect for me.
The countryside and nature is a great love for me. I adore tree’s and will become so upset if I see one being cut down. Have stood and protected a tree that the local council was going to cut down. It is such a beautiful tree and safe now. Locally a tree that is very old and called the Umbrella Tree was going to be cut down. Locals fought for it and enlisted help from celebrities. Hopefully that’s safe also.
Grow my own organic fruit, veg and herbs. Many thanks for your reply. Pat xxx
I
Pat…
…same as me, I simply love to see trees…I too just hate seeing one being chopped down…Back in the days when I was doing Tai-Chi-Chuan at a school in St Albans, we done a pose-a stand whereby we were rooted like a tree, I particularly enjoyed the once a month in the local park going through ours rotines under a large tree, then we had a tea at the parks cafe when it opened after we had finished, another great time of my life, Richard never shared my passion…Have you ever read John Muir quotes…he loved all things being outside in nature…I feel calmness whenever I read his quotes…
Jackie…
Hi Jackie, just looked up the John Muir quotes. Your right they are so lovely, just what I enjoy reading. Particularly liked the following:
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks”
“Between every two pine tree’s there is a door leading to a new way of life”
I shall now be looking for those two pine tree’s
Take care Pat xxx
Pat…
…yes they give me comfort…
…“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”
“The sun shines not on us but in us.”
“Earth has no sorrow that earth can not heal.”
Lovely, so simple but so true.
I picked up on the ones you quoted also
Pat xxx
Hi,
I’m so sorry, I’ve just discovered how to read my replies on this site and come across your question. Wicca is worldwide but rarely spoken about, there are lots of books you can read to see if it piques you’re interested. I have been a Wiccan for over 40 years and it makes me a happier and more contented person.
I love the fact that Wiccans will never take from nature without giving something back, if I want a piece of wood I will firstly look for some that has fallen off the tree naturally, if I can’t find what I’m looking for I will ask the trees permission to take a twig or piece of wood and leave an offering of water or seeds in return. Remember we don’t just live on the earth but with it.
Blessed Be
I had that prom at Tim’s funeral. The day after I heard beautiful bird song… We carry them with us x
Welcome. I am so gad you have found some little peace by coming here. You are among friends because we all know and understand. I assume you have been recently bereaved. You don’t have to do anything now. Come back when you are ready. The loss of a loved can be devastating, but sharing can help a lot, and that’s what we all do here. Without knowing more it’s difficult to make any suggestions. But PLEASE come back when you are able.
Blessings and take it easy. John.
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Hello Tillwemeetagain. Carry on looking through because by doing that you have just resurrected this thread which I had forgotten about. It’s a particularly good thread so thank you for bringing it to the fore. No one says you have to chat. We can get so much from just reading the posts of others. Sending love to you xx
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