Recently attending training with thestoryweaver.net to focus my writing skills. I was reminded of the importance of honouring creative flow as it happens, rather than forcing pen to paper un-naturally. So I haven’t been blogging since December. All in divine timing, I guess. And here is what flowed today…
Just in the door from another weekly litter-pick. I was stopped in my tracks. Realising, it is exactly four years from I first began cleaning the hedgerows during lock down. And here are my stats so far…
When
One hour a week.
Where
1 mile & a half return journey. Roughly about 7000 steps.
Why
Why not? I am fit and healthy and can give back to my wellbeing, community and environment.
Results
One 25L bag a week for 4 years (many weeks there was much more rubbish and the odd week I did miss) totals about 5,200 litres. So roughly, 5 tonnes that would otherwise have blown into our sacred hedgerows.
How did I begin? In lockdown we all had an abundance of time and while out walking I couldn’t believe how much rubbish I saw. So I took action, grabbed my gloves, litter picker, bag and off I went. There was no more procrastination about it. And seeing the results I was so proud for how it was benefiting our beautiful countryside. Then a layer of me became addicted to the buzz of it seeing it clean. So I had to set boundaries, or I might have ended up on the opposite side of Ireland cleaning hedgerows. 😊 My weekly ritual became more structured. I now stop at the 30 mile an hour speed limit, use a 25 litre bag that I can safely carry, and I lift what I can safely reach. Common sense must always prevail.
What have I learned? It clearly shows patterns of what people are eating and drinking. Energy drinks being the main culprit. These types of drinks contain quite addictive substances. And sadly many don’t realise the harm they are doing. And this then allows me to send love to people. Life becomes your meditation really. By sending love I hope they will awaken to the dangers. And what I say next is a joke with a jab (a loving jab 😊)…. I hope they also awaken to the fact that we have bins! And that rubbish could really be recycled consciously. That we can recycle all our thoughts words and actions and transform them for our highest good. But enough of my rambling.
How could my weekly adventure reflect me? Discipline I guess is required. So far, I haven’t given up. I have created a routine that kinda gets ‘two birds with one stone’. I can exercise and take care of the environment. It’s a win, win I feel. And its also something I enjoy giving back. And this is very much me…. always cleaning up Me. Constantly learning and unlearning about myself in service to others as I go. As being on a spiritual path since my mid-twenties I was always intrigued by observing and working through issues in my own life. The biggest one I worked through was probably confidence. Finding my voice and letting go of old fears about being seen and heard. To then evolve and grow in a deeper understanding of the importance of silence and the divine timing of the spoken word.
Life is constant learning and unlearning. Clearing, releasing and de-cluttering old belief systems. I have discovered that exploring higher consciousness teachings we can reframe and transform.
How could you upcycle you? Start simple and take action for you. Pick one thing that you like but that also has the potential to challenge you to grow. Or join us. Have you an hour a week that you could create a new routine for you? I host a free monthly wellness book club via zoom. We dip into issues such as weight, anger, dreams, love, forgiveness… to name but a few. The classes page on my website always has the zoom link. My colleagues in the USA host the same gatherings offering you a wider range of times that may also suit. The book club promotes self-enquiry, with a cuppa in a relaxed setting, spending time together to uplift each other. And my wish is that it empowers others to host their own gatherings. To inspire a new way of living for you and generations to come. Please just message or email should you have any questions. I’m just off to do my walk. Not a litter pick today but one that simply grounds, energises and clears the cobwebs.
SHARON QUINN 