Giving your time

What job would you do for free?

Walking the dog/s of folk who need some help, I would happily do,  but there are several pet service businesses around here. If word got out, I was doing for free, I’d be lynched, I’m sure.

In the past I’ve worked in charity shops, and enjoyed that. Especially when I get to do the window display. Years back I worked at an Oxfam shop ( some time ago dubious behaviour by outreach workers was reported, though. Which is shameful)

There are several local food banks. I have already thought about asking them if they need an extra pair of hands.

Or maybe a hospital visitor. I am sure there are people who have no one close by to drop by, say hello, and hopefully  cheer up a little?

I think if we put our minds to it, we could all find a little something to do to make the world a better place.

Like peas in a pod…or not

Which aspects do you think makes a person unique?

We all agree, I reckon that it’s our genetic make-up, our DNA, that is the mother of our uniqueness?

After that, it’s pretty much the wildwest-I was going to say where do we start? But I guess the beginning is a good place as any.

We were created by and from two souls who brought a whole bunch of baggage to the table.

Our upbringing and could on the surface be similar to a sibling, but there will be differences from the off. And dont forget, identical twins will have different fingerprints.

The conditioning that is absorbed and that rejected. An inane sense of self may begin quite young. There again, maybe sometimes that never develops.

Does a child feel supported, guided, safe, and loved? Is it well fed and nourished in all ways every single child should? Everything that happens around them will affect their way of looking at the world. Or do they look the other way in denial, shutting down their developing brains for safe keeping?

Personal life experiences, triumphs, failures,challenges,perspectives, perceptions, values, beliefs, morals, passions, natural abilities, goals,authenticity, and  choice? It all has an effect.

Our ability or inability to express ourselves with so many varying communication styles. Or unable to at all, causing innumerable issues.

Where does self-reliance and strength of character become a thing?

When/how is an honest or dishonest person formed?

What makes a human being kind, open, friendly, and compassionate?

Why are some folk cold, hard, remote?

What makes us unique is a topic worthy of a thesis. Methinks

How complex.

In the moment

What activities do you lose yourself in?

WP you asking bloggers about which activities they lose themselves in. Mmm, now then, I wonder what one of them may be? 

Is being out in nature an activity per se? Walking is obvs, but I am talking about immersing myself in nature. Being mindful of every single moment, movement, sound. The smell of the woods, hearing the stream race along. The sun shining through the trees or rain  dropping from the sodden leaves. The crunch underfoot or the slosh of puddles of mud. The birds.

I’m wondering. Maybe I lose myself in everything I do now that I have the time and space to do so?

Messaging with friends, making coffee, listening to the radio, looking out of the window-watching the squirrels, reading the posts of my fellow/favourite bloggers, driving everything, and anything i can think of.  even chilling. Yep, they all have my undivided attention, thesdays.

Enough already

Do you need a break? From what?

A little break from the ageing process would be cool.

All those formative years aching to be older, like it was a superpower. Then you get there, and maybe it’s not so magical after all?

I’m enjoying slow living now, absolutely loving it, but it’s going far too quickly. I had no idea! I thought being older would give me all this free time. The days would be endless, maybe to the extent of having time on my hands. Not a chance.

Bam and another day has gone. Pretty damn freaky tbh.

Tick tock⏳️

How do significant life events or the passage of time influence your perspective on life?

Significant events and the passing of time change all of us, but lately I’ve been noticing the particular ways they’ve shaped me. Now that I’m retired and finally have space to reflect, the bigger picture is coming into focus.

My life hasn’t been the easiest, and I’ve had to navigate most of it without much support. I’ve weathered storms on my own, learning resilience the long way round. I’ve also learned a lot about people — mostly that I tend to hope everyone is kind, and I’m often disappointed when they’re not. But even those lessons have helped me grow clearer about boundaries and what I deserve.


One constant through the last twenty years has been my dogs. Their loyalty and presence have kept me grounded and sane in ways I can’t fully put into words.

These days, I see every day as a school day. I’m not the same person I was yesterday, and I won’t be the same tomorrow. Not because I’m lost, but because I’m still learning, still growing, still becoming.