Splurging out a reflection

I woke up this morning feeling contemplative.

There are so many things happening all around me, and I haven't stopped to even think. Amongst writing my assignments and my dissertation, I've been a socialite, part of a support network, a musician, a photographer, a leader, and a wife. I haven't had a spare moment for the last 6 weeks, and haven't sat around for long enough to enjoy a weekend, yet I feel content!

This time last year, my husband was in Scotland, and I was frazzled. We had something like 8 2500 word assignments to write in 3 months, and a week's placement in the middle. Communication with Simon was very scarce, as he was always busy, and when we did communicate, we often fell out as texts and Facebook can cause so many barriers with there being no body language or facial expressions to decode.

Honestly, it was the hardest period of time I've had to endure! However, we've come out the other end even stronger than before. I do remember, though, having to seek counselling, as there were times when I just couldn't cope.

Anxiety and depression are close acquaintances of mine. I've had to live with them for a few years - in fact, 7 years now (has it really been that long?). In the present day, I can honestly say I feel free of them, but there are days when I wake up and think, "wow, I am not feeling today," or I have a panic attack over something that is not even real.

But look at what I have been blessed with: a loving husband, an incredible family, some of the best friends I could have asked for and a secure home. Why is it that we focus on the negative, when the positive is slapping us around the face screaming, "appreciate me!"?

Unfortunately, it is down to human nature. We are broken people, but we can call on God to help us. Sometimes I forget that. Sometimes I forget that in the list of things I am being, I need to also be a worshipper.

Psalms 25:17 says this: Relieve the trouble of my heart and free me from my anguish. That is my prayer for myself, but also for those people around me that I know are hurting, lonely or anxious. Because, as Jesus said, in my favourite of all passages from the Gospel:
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34).

(P.S. I apologise in advance for how random this post was, but it was just a splurge, again.)

Autumn & The Lake District

So, the hubs and I went all the way up to Cockermouth in the Lake District for the week. Our first holiday away together after the honeymoon, and I suppose that's meant to make it more exciting, but it was exciting enough, anyway! Simon loves going up there, and seeing his G'ma, so I was more than happy to go, and it was wonderful.

My favourite part of the holiday was seeing the trees just beginning to turn for Autumn. I love Autumn. It's my favourite time of the year. Pumpkin spice lattes, butternut squash soup, cozy scarfs and jumpers, and slippers in front of the fire... although, it doesn't really feel like Autumn, does it? When coming back from University today, I was overheated in the car. It's October, for goodness sake! I don't want an Indian Summer! I just want to get on with the Autumnal-ness.

Anywho, back to the holiday I was talking about... I discovered a few things in the Lakes:

• There is such a thing as eating so much you cannot even think about eating for at least 24 hours. 
• I like photographing the outdoors
• I dislike (even more than normal) visiting endless amounts of bike shops
• Using a hairdryer is quite overrated, and
• Simon and I should not really be allowed to go into small shops. Or dance. Especially not dancing in shops.

Unfortunately, we tend to do the latter a lot. Twice we were spotted for our little dances in the middle of a smaller-than-average shop... The first time was particularly embarrassing because we were dancingk to some 80s sound track in what we thought were tall aisles which would hide us from the public eye. Well, unfortunately, the sales assistant spotted us from her spot at the counter, and, with chin still rested in her hand, leant round to watch us bobbing around. I realised someone was watching and, whilst dancing, looked round and made eye contact with said sales assistant. The normal person would have stopped dancing. I, however, kept dancing and maintain eye contact for about 4 seconds before looking back at what we were examining on the shelf and continuing my jiggle. Eventually I told Simon quietly maybe we should stop...

The second time round, the sales assistant in another shop asked us, "Would you like any help - or are you just enjoying the music?" Cringe.

Life is fun.