Absent without leave … the brain being 'overwhelmed with 'to dos''and as you'll gather not getting very far. Yes, I do want to write about Yaks … strange, but true …
I've had a few things going on … the brain works, but not much else apparently – so my grey cells tell me!! Also I got a whammy … my blood pressure has decided to not agree with me … which needs to be addressed – i.e. slow down, de-stress … not something I needed right now – but obviously I must deal with it.
We had a wonderful talk from the Finnish Ambassador - he was great … very personable … he'd accepted our European Movement (see January post) invitation last June – mentioning he never confirmed speaking dates so far in advance … but for your meeting I have.
Apparently he'd been looking forward to coming back to the Sussex coast since the 1980s when his father had sent him over on a student exchange … we'd opened the door for that return.
His talk revolved around the history of Finland over 1,000 years – it was fascinating in the context of a country being part of an evolving area of Europe.
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| Identity Global image - website here |
This month we had a local high achiever as our speaker, whose Identity group has been responsible for organising the Coronation, other global events ...
... including messing up 'my childhood beach at Carbis Bay, Cornwall' for the G7 Leaders get together (their Summit!) last summer, COP26 in Glasgow and the recent NATO summit … we had a really fun evening …
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| Perhaps to get back to this age ... of no worries! |
I'm trying to cut back to give myself more time away from committees – so re-evaluating life and getting my 'rambling' health back into line. I'm fine – just need to make sure I get back to being healthier.
I think I'll stop there … having just heard a snippet about the Michael J Fox film 'Still' on his life and living with Parkinson's disease for over 30 years … the word 'attitude' was highlighted – I need to get over myself right now – and get back to normal.
I'll be curating a few other happenings – my brain is full on at the moment … and I need to lighten its load – poor grey cells - which means overloading your visits!!
Thanks for bearing with me – I'll be around soon … Happy Mother's Day weekend to those in the States …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
35 comments:
Hello Hilary: Your own health is more important than anything else, of course. So you must ensure that you prioritise it! I have recently been diagnosed with slightly raised blood pressure so I am also doing less of most things (except walking!).
Finland is a unique country and often seems to be in a category of one! I seem to remember that their language is unlike any other except the Basque one.
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s frankly fickle Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Thanks Bazza - yes I must follow your example and do lots more walking ... and exercise in general.
He mentioned that the Finnish group of languages – Hungarian, Estonian and Sami (indigenous peoples) ... and very probably Basque - I knew about the Hungarian connection.
Cheers and thanks for your concern ... good luck with yours too - Hilary
I really, really hope that your blood pressure settles down and plays nicely. Look after yourself please - you are very important to many of us.
PS: On the yak front, many years ago I had and enjoyed a rum and yaks milk one cold night in Nepal. And the next day a yak stood on my foot (painfully).
Your health is too important!
The talk on Finland would've been fascinating.
Hari OM
If you appreciate receiving the vibes of "POTP", know that I send you a weighty number! Health first; the rest will settle as needs be. YAM xx
I would love to have heard the talk on the history of Finland over 1,000 years. I have been to Europe many many times, and have lectured on European history many times. But despite the visits to Denmark, Sweden and Norway, I have _never_ been to Finland.
This is even stranger, given you found it fascinating in the context of the country being part of an evolving area of Europe.
@ EC - thanks for your wishes and compliment - I don't intend to go anywhere. Oh that's great to read about your trip to Nepal - beyond me ... I'm not that adventurous. Yak milk and rum also not for me - but the other aspect of having a yak step on your foot - I can imagine must have been really painful - and not something to happen miles away from anywhere ...
@ Alex - thanks ... yes I know - my health must come first. The talk on Finland was very informative, I was lucky to hear it ...
@ Yam - thank you for your "POTP" vibes ... I definitely need to get my act properly in gear. Health first - as you say .. the rest will settle and all will return to a degree of normality, I expect and sincerely hope ...
@ Hels - I could understand what he was talking about!! ... and I made four pages of notes - so had them to write up afterwards. I've never been to Scandinavia ... one day perhaps I'll get there; but I am enjoying the learning about Europe and the ramifications ...
History is in a state of flux - particularly in Europe and its place in the world, let alone us here in the UK ... I'm trying to get a knowledge of world history - a huge subject ... but I'm trying to get an overview and then reflect on life in the world ...
Thanks so much for all your good thoughts re my present health ... I need to get on with getting better - cheers Hilary
I was about to email you, Hilary, to check up on you, but your post today forestalls the need to do so. Glad to hear that you are well, save for some issues that seem to be controllable. I bet the talk about Finland was fascinating and informative. It seems to be a country cloaked in mystery, so northern and remote, yet consistently in the top ranks of the happiest countries in the world. Having said that, I am not quite sure how they measure such indices, but I am sure it would be rigorously done. Speaking of public presentations, I was recently invited to give a talk on urban birds at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery and it was very well received. Life is fun! Hugs from Ontario - David
I'm pleased to read that you're taking positive steps to 'rebalance' your life, Hilary. More time for yourself and less for other's demands, I think. Take care. Janice
It's easy to get out of balance. Look at what you are drinking and eating, too, as they can affect high blood pressure.
Sorry to hear your health is playing up - hope things sort themselves out soon.
You know, you're allowed to take a "minute" and rant and rave over the turn your health has taken. It might actually help things, rather than stuffing it down and "getting over it". Yes, slow down. Yes, take care of yourself. This might be the sign you needed to jettison some things out of your life that you've wanted gone for a while now. Take care :)
Still sounds like an interesting film. I knew about Michael J. Fox's Parkinson's disease, but I didn't know a movie was made about it. Thanks for sharing.
Hope you get some time to relax so your blood pressure goes down!
@ David - thanks so much for thinking about checking up on me ... I've been dilatory and not getting on with things - our cold weather isn't impressing me! We've had some interesting speakers recently ... so learning lots.
Oh how wonderful for those attending your urban bird talk ... I bet it was very informative ... I'd have loved to have been there. I tried to subscribe to the Clay and Glass Gallery but it wouldn't take me as I was on this side of the pond!! Yes life is fun ...
@ Janice - yes I'm adjusting and improving my health. That's right adjusting how much time I give to volunteering ... the summer will help in that direction ...
@ Diane - thanks for your thoughts ... fortunately I eat well, and drink lots of water with very little else being consumed. It's mainly exercise and de-stressing ... I'm on that.
@ Anabel - yes I sincerely hope things adjust soon ... thank you.
@ Liz - I just needed to mention it here - as I hadn't been around so much recently. I am re-allocating my life ... so you're right there.
@ Sherry - I was impressed with the promotion about Fox's Parkinson film ... one worth seeing, I think ... I too hope the BP goes down.
Thanks so much everyone for your concern ... I'm changing a lot of my life as far as I can and making sure I continue on with those changes. Cheers to you all - Hilary
The problem is actually that at some point the body's performance decreases... now the mind has to go along with it and correspond to it AND that's not as easy as you might think. I got behind the fact that it should be a blessing to get this far... when the time comes.
You can do it... and you will be happy.
Then you have it.
Hug.
I'm so glad you're going to slow things down a little and focus on your health! It's never fun to, but it yields amazing benefits. We'll be here for you whenever you're able to post. :)
Health comes first, all the rest later. Yes, we need to reprioritise at regular intervals depending on what is important. Just check if you need to change your diet. That might help, along with some regular exercise. Please do take care.
Take care of yourself, Hils. Long walks, tea,scones and good books.
Sending much caring.
@ Viola - thanks for your thoughts and comforting words - oh yes it is a blessing 'to be so old'!! - and the mind will get into gear this week ... the plan is in place - as too the will. This week things will come together - thanks ...
@ Elizabeth - I'm really not that busy ... just I don't get on with things ... but must sort that side of life out this week ... I'm on my way!! Thanks - I can't see much changing ... as posting is part of my life and I've lots to mention - hence the curating of thoughts ...
@ Pradeep - yes - health must come first ... I'm pretty good at most things - just need to grasp the nettle and get on with the changes needed ... thankfully I eat fairly well, don't really drink ... exercise is the big missing element - that will change this week too.
@ Sandra - long walks definitely ... not too much sitting will help. I'll get there ..
Thanks for all your thoughts and care - lovely to hear from everyone! Cheers Hilary
Do take care of yourself first. Glad you got to hear those speakers. I love stuff like that.
I’m in PA now but had to check in. De-stress with a leisurely stroll. Not that I know a darn thing! Peace, my friend.
I'm sorry that you're unwell. Detox and destress and take it easy. Take care of yourself. Feel better soon, Hilary. Sending you healing and hugs.
Hi, Hilary - I am so sorry to hear about your health troubles. I know that you have lots on right now but I'll add this extra reminder to take care of yourself first!
Sending healing health vibes your way.
I'm certain you are a positive thinker, why else would you have called your blog Positive Letters etc? You'll be OK I'm sure.
I've never given much thought to Finland - apart from placing a small bet on them to win Eurovision (which they didn't) - but I'm sure the talk was really interesting.
Slowing down and destressing sounds like a good idea in theory, but sometimes hard to put into practice. Hopefully you'll find the right balance which works for you. As much as I love reading your blog, your health comes first.
Hearing a talk from the Finnish Ambassador is very special. Glad you enjoyed it.
Hope today is a good day.
Cheers,
I'm a bit late here, Hilary, but do take care of yourself. As you say, lighten the load, slow down and take some time to breathe and smell the roses. We'll all still be here when you ready to resume. Hugs and love!
@ Joanne - thanks - I enjoy the learning. So glad you've got to PA and will be having a lovely family time with your Dad. Yup - the weather is improving and I'm getting sorted.
@ Nila - great to see you ... I'm getting there - more to follow on - and thanks for your healing and hug thoughts!
@ Donna - all well really ... just obviously need to get on with things - and you're right - me first - I'm on it ...
@ Keith - yes I am a positive thinker - well there's a story behind the name of my blog ... and yes I'll be ok. It was so interesting hearing Finland's story - connected a few dots for me ... oh sorry about your Eurovision bet! (I steered clear)
@ Annalisa - I'm sorting stuff out and cleaning while also building more exercise in - then the exercise will increase. Yes - I will find the right balance - mind over matter ...
@ Sandra - yes, a talk I could understand! and learn from ...
@ Val - no worries - you're not late ... I'm always late at the moment ... I am lightening the load - yet adding a few things for later in the year - the brain continues to want to work ... thanks for your thoughts ...
Thanks so much to all - I appreciate your thoughts ... I'm on it - and feel more positive that I can see a better life nearby! Cheers Hilary
Michael J. Fox is amazing isn't he? Take it easy and decompress.
Cheers,
I do hope you can tame your blood pressure. Perhaps lighten the load a bit. You seem to enjoy being busy, so maybe not too much - you wouldn't want to shock those gray cells.
Hope you've had a lovely, relaxing weekend, Hils.
Cheers,
@ Sandra - far too lazy - now panicking with lots to do ... and yes I'd like to see the Michael J Fox film ...
@ Dan - I hope I can tame my blood pressure - I must get to it ... but I do enjoy the stimulation of being busy, occupied and helping out - the gray cells would miss the learning ...
Thanks you two - great to see you - cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary, sorry to hear your health isn't so good. All of life's demands can get a bit overwhelming at times, and it's good to take stock and figure out where you want to spend your energy.
The no grain must be what separates yak from cattle:)
Have a great one, Hils.
@ Ian - I hope it'll pick up - just now got summer flu - not at all helpful! Yes I do need to take stock ... and am doing so - I'll feel easier in a couple of weeks ...
@ Sandra - yes ... and the fact that they can live up in the Himalayas with their amazingly thick coat ... and in the area where the grasslands are found - the yak adapted to their surroundings ...
Good to see both of you - cheers Hilary
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