“But the beauty is in the walking – we are betrayed by destinations” – Welsh poet Gwyn Thomas
Having to some degree drifted through life for the last 10 years or so in the same job, the same house and with little variation in my daily life or past-times 2016 has presented me with a number of new paths to traverse; some more tortuous than others.
The photographs on this post represent what I consider the most beneficial new path I have traveled this year. As I have posted before my eldest set me a challenge to walk to the top of all the peaks of the Malvern Hills. I have to admit to not having completed the challenge, there is one peak not ticked off, but the challenge has had unexpected benefits. It has given me an appreciation of the joys of walking on the hills, well to be honest just walking in the countryside. I particularly like walking first thing in the morning or early evening when it is quieter and the wildlife is more active. I am so lucky to live where I do that I can walk on the nearby common in the evenings during the summer – a fantastic way to de-stress after work.
Work has been, and continues to be, a more uncertain path. My job has changed significantly over the last year. There have been new challenges, some I feel I have risen to well and others not so much, my new role continues to be developed and it will probably be some months before it is all sorted and confirmed. In the meantime I go through periods of extreme anxiety and self-doubt and have had to try to learn to manage these as best as I can.
This anxiety has impacted on other aspects of my life, and if I am honest I think I am still struggling with grief from losing my father just over two years ago. In terms of my preferred past time of gardening it feels as though the path has been blocked for some time and I have tried various alternative routes around or over the blockage but none of them have been successful. Just as when you try to avoid a traffic jam by going on a long circuitous route only to find yourself behind the same car, I have realised that patience is what is needed.
However, one of my diversions has resulted a lovely new destination. In need of an escape from my unfulfilling pastime activities I joined my local Embroiders Guild. I have been welcomed by a lovely group of ladies and my enjoyment for sewing, particularly embroidery, has been truly reignited. Whilst the creativity of sewing is rewarding it is also the rhythm of embroidery, it is a wonderful calming experience.
With 2017 just around the corner I now feel like I am moving forward more positively, more self-aware and with a new determination to do and achieve what I want to.
This post was written in response to the weekly wordpress photo challenge with the theme of ‘path’ – it wasn’t the post I intended but sometimes it is better to go along the unexpected path.
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