Week Ending Sunday 26th November
Some participants from the workshop on November 26th
The November Mindfulness-Joy Silk-Painting Workshop
My whole focus at this time is to hold my Mindfulness-Joy Silk-Painting workshops each month. These workshops are designed to change the world, to make our world just a little bit more happy and peaceful.
The way I approach this is to give workshops which reduce stress and build resilience in the lives of the participants.
The workshop in October was fully booked, but only 5 of the 15 people who had reserved places came. We enjoyed ourselves and had a lovely time, but I was not happy. I want my workshops to touch as many lives as possible.
I believe that our world is a reflection of the people in it. We are all part of each other. If we as individuals are suffering from toxic stress we tend to be fearful, irritable and angry. This will lead to conflict in the wider world. We see this only too clearly in the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and other parts of the world. The only thing I can do to change this, to reduce conflict and bring more inner peace into the world, is to hold my workshops each month and touch the lives and hearts of the people who come.
I have designed my workshops with activities which are effective in reducing stress and building resilience. We get an average of a 38% reduction in stress. Everyone knows that toxic stress causes both mental and physical illness but there are few solutions on offer. My workshops work. That is why I put so much effort into creating these workshops. That is why, when five people come instead of the fifteen who had reserved a place, I felt disappointed.
The November workshop was also fully booked but I did not want to see the same thing happen as in October. Many people told me that the ‘no shows’ were because my workshops are offered free. They advised me to charge something or at least ask for a refundable deposit. But the whole reason why I made them free, when the war started in Ukraine was to make them available to those who most needed them at this time, the refugees. I changed my company to a Community Interest Company and I focus on serving refugees and other vulnerable groups. If money were to come into the picture at all, it would add to stress and reduce the efficacy of the experience. I offer these particular workshops as a form of worship, serving the divine in the hearts of all the participants.
I decided to try a new strategy. I expanded the number of free places on the workshop to 24, although I only have space and silk-painting materials for 15. But I made it clear that this registration must be confirmed in the week before the workshop. Once 15 people had been confirmed I would offer the others a place in the January workshop.
This system worked well, and I extended the maximum number by three, because there were several children, three of whom were aged 4 or 5. Since they could share materials with their mothers, I was able to extend the places I could offer to 18.
I have never had this number of participants before. As people arrived I had to provide more chairs and I am still unsure as to the actual number of those who came.
We begin with refreshments, but as we were already getting behind with the time and there were so many people, I skipped our usual activity of introductions and once everyone had completed the initial questions on their Feedback Form, including their current level of stress, I went straight into an introduction to Mindfulness and a reflection on where we find strength in difficult times.
We usually follow this ‘schoolroom’ activity with an introduction to Forest Bathing. Everyone goes outside with drawing paper and a soft pencil. They look for something in the garden which they find beautiful and interesting. They can draw or describe what they choose – or just look at it closely so that we can share what we have seen and our reflections afterwards.
On this occasion it was raining quite heavily, cold and dark outside, so I explained that while one of the most powerful strategies for reducing stress is to spend time in nature, especially in a wooded environment, we could use our memory and imagination. I gave out the drawing paper and pencils and invited everyone to draw some aspect of nature which they found peaceful or inspiring. I will share some of the results at the end, when I have scanned or photographed them.
This reminds me of a poem which links some of the inner qualities with aspects of nature – we can look at these subjects directly, but if we are not able to do that, then we can just approach them in our imagination. That’s what we were doing in the workshop, but choosing our own subjects.
Humility you need?
Then look at the dewdrops.
Immensity you need?
Then look at the blue-vast ocean,
Purity you need?
Then look at the candle flame.
Sincerity you need?
Then look at the child.
Duty you need?
Then look at the moon.
Power you need?
Then look at the sun.
Light you need?
Then look at your heart.
Delight you need?
Then sit at God’s Feet.
Sri Chinmoy
Yesterday I was a crying dream, no 40, 1975
While this activity is in process, my Team and I clear the table and replace the ‘Welcome’ tablecloths for waterproof ones, ready for silk-painting.
Because of the numbers and the way time was passing, we didn’t have time to share the drawings and reflections. Instead we moved onto an exploration of the meaning of colours. We returned to our seats around the table and took part in an activity which explores the way that different colours are associated with different qualities and values.
Next I demonstrated the silk-painting process and the real fun began.
There was no time for me to stop and take photos or talk to anyone. With so many people I was simply absorbed in ensuring that everyone had what they needed to create their own beautiful hand-painted silk scarf.
Once the silk is painted, it is steamed in a microwave oven for three and a half minutes. Then it is washed in warm water with some baby-shampoo, rinsed in water with conditioner and then rinsed in clear water. Then it is hung to drip and begin to dry.
Once the scarves had stopped dripping, they could be ironed.
When their silk scarves are drying, everyone chooses a cushion or blanket and relaxes while my cellist plays beautiful live music.
At one point there were long queues to the three microwave ovens, but when it came to ironing, people were able to rest with a cushion and enjoy the music and then take turns as an ‘ironing-station’ became available. All the scarves created were unique and absolutely beautiful.
Because of the numbers present, there wasn’t space for any of the adults to curl up on the carpet to relax. They could only sit as comfortably as possible while enjoying the music, but the children had a lot of fun with the cushions.
At one point a child accidentally brushed against the cellist’s bow-arm, which was more than disconcerting for him, but he continued without any hesitation. He is a superb cellist and has supported my workshops since I began holding them, as the lockdown eased in 2021, with humour and patience.
the following video is from this stage of the workshop in October when we had just five people in the workshop and everyone could relax with cushions on the carpet and I was able to take the time to video a bit. This activity is very important in reducing stress, not just because it gives an opportunity to relax physically, but because each one of us is dealing with different difficulties and problems. In this interlude as well as relaxing and enjoying the healing sound of the cello, we are able to engage with our own unique situation using some of the mindful self-awareness practises which we have been learning in the workshop.
While ANgel was playing, my Team and I were able to clear away all the silk-painting materials and set out our Vegetarian Feast. Some of the participants asked to help with this.
With so many people present, I knew that some would need to leave before others and it would be impossible to conclude in the usual way, after the meal, sitting in a circle on the carpets for a closing visualisation which brings everyone together, so I brought this into the gathering almost like saying ‘Grace’ before the meal. Before we started to eat, we had a minute of silence and I invited everyone to reflect on three qualities which are central to my workshops and my overall philosophy of life. These are –
Oneness
Gratitude and
Joy.
We really are all part of each other and the atmosphere we had created together in the workshop by this time was very peaceful and joyful. There was a real sense of community and love.
After the meal, I was not able to fold the scarves and tie them with ribbons as I like to do – but I asked my son to take photos of as many as he could – and I asked each person to give their name and share what they had enjoyed most about the workshop. In the Feedback Forms one question I ask is ‘what did you enjoy most’ and people respond by choosing from the activities. Silk-Painting is the most popular activity, but the Forest Bathing/Drawing, the Live Cello Music, and the dance are also frequently chosen.
Now asking the question verbally I was surprised that time and again people said that what they enjoyed most was the social side – to meet other Ukraines from different parts of their homeland, to feel less isolated and a greater sense of connection. My son videoed this exchange on his phone and I will add some of the comments here and on the feedback forms later. A few of the lovely scarf-pride photos follow.
Now to choose a concluding poem or inspiring text about creativity and mindfulness.
Question: What do spirituality and art have in common?
Sri Chinmoy: Spirituality and art always go together to the same Goal. You can say spirituality is the road which leads to the destination, and art is a traveller walking along the road. If the road reaches the Goal without a traveller, then the road is not satisfied. Because it has not carried anybody, because nobody has walked along it, the road feels useless. Again, if there is no road, how will the traveller reach his destination?
Art is the earth-traveller, the pilgrim, and spirituality is the road. When both reach their common destination, both feel that they are satisfied. Both art and spirituality have one Goal, and that Goal is supreme Joy, supreme Delight.
Sri Chinmoy
Art’s life and the soul’s light, 1974
The November Mindfulness-Joy Silk-Painting Workshop
My whole focus at this time is to hold my Mindfulness-Joy Silk-Painting workshops each month. These workshops are designed to change the world, to make our world just a little bit more happy and peaceful.
The way I approach this is to give workshops which reduce stress and build resilience in the lives of the participants.
The workshop in October was fully booked, but only 5 of the 15 people who had reserved places came. We enjoyed ourselves and had a lovely time, but I was not happy. I want my workshops to touch as many lives as possible.
I believe that our world is a reflection of the people in it. We are all part of each other. If we as individuals are suffering from toxic stress we tend to be fearful, irritable and angry. This will lead to conflict in the wider world. We see this only too clearly in the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and other parts of the world. The only thing I can do to change this, to reduce conflict and bring more inner peace into the world, is to hold my workshops each month and touch the lives and hearts of the people who come.
I have designed my workshops with activities which are effective in reducing stress and building resilience. We get an average of a 38% reduction in stress. Everyone knows that toxic stress causes both mental and physical illness but there are few solutions on offer. My workshops work. That is why I put so much effort into creating these workshops. That is why, when five people come instead of the fifteen who had reserved a place, I felt disappointed.
The November workshop was also fully booked but I did not want to see the same thing happen as in October. Many people told me that the ‘no shows’ were because my workshops are offered free. They advised me to charge something or at least ask for a refundable deposit. But the whole reason why I made them free, when the war started in Ukraine was to make them available to those who most needed them at this time, the refugees. I changed my company to a Community Interest Company and I focus on serving refugees and other vulnerable groups. If money were to come into the picture at all, it would add to stress and reduce the efficacy of the experience. I offer these particular workshops as a form of worship, serving the divine in the hearts of all the participants.
I decided to try a new strategy. I expanded the number of free places on the workshop to 24, although I only have space and silk-painting materials for 15. But I made it clear that this registration must be confirmed in the week before the workshop. Once 15 people had been confirmed I would offer the others a place in the January workshop.
This system worked well, and I extended the maximum number by three, because there were several children, three of whom were aged 4 or 5. Since they could share materials with their mothers, I was able to extend the places I could offer to 18.
I have never had this number of participants before. As people arrived I had to provide more chairs and I am still unsure as to the actual number of those who came.
We begin with refreshments, but as we were already getting behind with the time and there were so many people, I skipped our usual activity of introductions and once everyone had completed the initial questions on their Feedback Form, including their current level of stress, I went straight into an introduction to Mindfulness and a reflection on where we find strength in difficult times.
We usually follow this ‘schoolroom’ activity with an introduction to Forest Bathing. Everyone goes outside with drawing paper and a soft pencil. They look for something in the garden which they find beautiful and interesting. They can draw or describe what they choose – or just look at it closely so that we can share what we have seen and our reflections afterwards.
On this occasion it was raining quite heavily, cold and dark outside, so I explained that while one of the most powerful strategies for reducing stress is to spend time in nature, especially in a wooded environment, we could use our memory and imagination. I gave out the drawing paper and pencils and invited everyone to draw some aspect of nature which they found peaceful or inspiring. I will share some of the results at the end, when I have scanned or photographed them.
This reminds me of a poem which links some of the inner qualities with aspects of nature – we can look at these subjects directly, but if we are not able to do that, then we can just approach them in our imagination. That’s what we were doing in the workshop, but choosing our own subjects.
Humility you need?
Then look at the dewdrops.
Immensity you need?
Then look at the blue-vast ocean,
Purity you need?
Then look at the candle flame.
Sincerity you need?
Then look at the child.
Duty you need?
Then look at the moon.
Power you need?
Then look at the sun.
Light you need?
Then look at your heart.
Delight you need?
Then sit at God’s Feet.
Sri Chinmoy
Yesterday I was a crying dream, no 40, 1975
While this activity is in process, my Team and I clear the table and replace the ‘Welcome’ tablecloths for waterproof ones, ready for silk-painting.
Because of the numbers and the way time was passing, we didn’t have time to share the drawings and reflections. Instead we moved onto an exploration of the meaning of colours. We returned to our seats around the table and took part in an activity which explores the way that different colours are associated with different qualities and values.
Next I demonstrated the silk-painting process and the real fun began.
There was no time for me to stop and take photos or talk to anyone. With so many people I was simply absorbed in ensuring that everyone had what they needed to create their own beautiful hand-painted silk scarf.
Once the silk is painted, it is steamed in a microwave oven for three and a half minutes. Then it is washed in warm water with some baby-shampoo, rinsed in water with conditioner and then rinsed in clear water. Then it is hung to drip and begin to dry.
Once the scarves had stopped dripping, they could be ironed.
When their silk scarves are drying, everyone chooses a cushion or blanket and relaxes while my cellist plays beautiful live music.
At one point there were long queues to the three microwave ovens, but when it came to ironing, people were able to rest with a cushion and enjoy the music and then take turns as an ‘ironing-station’ became available. All the scarves created were unique and absolutely beautiful.
Because of the numbers present, there wasn’t space for any of the adults to curl up on the carpet to relax. They could only sit as comfortably as possible while enjoying the music, but the children had a lot of fun with the cushions.
At one point a child accidentally brushed against the cellist’s bow-arm, which was more than disconcerting for him, but he continued without any hesitation. He is a superb cellist and has supported my workshops since I began holding them, as the lockdown eased in 2021, with humour and patience.
the following video is from this stage of the workshop in October when we had just five people in the workshop and everyone could relax with cushions on the carpet and I was able to take the time to video a bit. This activity is very important in reducing stress, not just because it gives an opportunity to relax physically, but because each one of us is dealing with different difficulties and problems. In this interlude as well as relaxing and enjoying the healing sound of the cello, we are able to engage with our own unique situation using some of the mindful self-awareness practises which we have been learning in the workshop.
While ANgel was playing, my Team and I were able to clear away all the silk-painting materials and set out our Vegetarian Feast. Some of the participants asked to help with this.
With so many people present, I knew that some would need to leave before others and it would be impossible to conclude in the usual way, after the meal, sitting in a circle on the carpets for a closing visualisation which brings everyone together, so I brought this into the gathering almost like saying ‘Grace’ before the meal. Before we started to eat, we had a minute of silence and I invited everyone to reflect on three qualities which are central to my workshops and my overall philosophy of life. These are –
Oneness
Gratitude and
Joy.
We really are all part of each other and the atmosphere we had created together in the workshop by this time was very peaceful and joyful. There was a real sense of community and love.
After the meal, I was not able to fold the scarves and tie them with ribbons as I like to do – but I asked my son to take photos of as many as he could – and I asked each person to give their name and share what they had enjoyed most about the workshop. In the Feedback Forms one question I ask is ‘what did you enjoy most’ and people respond by choosing from the activities. Silk-Painting is the most popular activity, but the Forest Bathing/Drawing, the Live Cello Music, and the dance are also frequently chosen.
Now asking the question verbally I was surprised that time and again people said that what they enjoyed most was the social side – to meet other Ukraines from different parts of their homeland, to feel less isolated and a greater sense of connection. My son videoed this exchange on his phone and I will add some of the comments here and on the feedback forms later. A few of the lovely scarf-pride photos follow.
Now to choose a concluding poem or inspiring text about creativity and mindfulness.
Question: What do spirituality and art have in common?
Sri Chinmoy: Spirituality and art always go together to the same Goal. You can say spirituality is the road which leads to the destination, and art is a traveller walking along the road. If the road reaches the Goal without a traveller, then the road is not satisfied. Because it has not carried anybody, because nobody has walked along it, the road feels useless. Again, if there is no road, how will the traveller reach his destination?
Art is the earth-traveller, the pilgrim, and spirituality is the road. When both reach their common destination, both feel that they are satisfied. Both art and spirituality have one Goal, and that Goal is supreme Joy, supreme Delight.
Sri Chinmoy
Art’s life and the soul’s light, 1974
The November Mindfulness-Joy Silk-Painting Workshop
My whole focus at this time is to hold my Mindfulness-Joy Silk-Painting workshops each month. These workshops are designed to change the world, to make our world just a little bit more happy and peaceful.
The way I approach this is to give workshops which reduce stress and build resilience in the lives of the participants.
The workshop in October was fully booked, but only 5 of the 15 people who had reserved places came. We enjoyed ourselves and had a lovely time, but I was not happy. I want my workshops to touch as many lives as possible.
I believe that our world is a reflection of the people in it. We are all part of each other. If we as individuals are suffering from toxic stress we tend to be fearful, irritable and angry. This will lead to conflict in the wider world. We see this only too clearly in the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and other parts of the world. The only thing I can do to change this, to reduce conflict and bring more inner peace into the world, is to hold my workshops each month and touch the lives and hearts of the people who come.
I have designed my workshops with activities which are effective in reducing stress and building resilience. We get an average of a 38% reduction in stress. Everyone knows that toxic stress causes both mental and physical illness but there are few solutions on offer. My workshops work. That is why I put so much effort into creating these workshops. That is why, when five people come instead of the fifteen who had reserved a place, I felt disappointed.
The November workshop was also fully booked but I did not want to see the same thing happen as in October. Many people told me that the ‘no shows’ were because my workshops are offered free. They advised me to charge something or at least ask for a refundable deposit. But the whole reason why I made them free, when the war started in Ukraine was to make them available to those who most needed them at this time, the refugees. I changed my company to a Community Interest Company and I focus on serving refugees and other vulnerable groups. If money were to come into the picture at all, it would add to stress and reduce the efficacy of the experience. I offer these particular workshops as a form of worship, serving the divine in the hearts of all the participants.
I decided to try a new strategy. I expanded the number of free places on the workshop to 24, although I only have space and silk-painting materials for 15. But I made it clear that this registration must be confirmed in the week before the workshop. Once 15 people had been confirmed I would offer the others a place in the January workshop.
This system worked well, and I extended the maximum number by three, because there were several children, three of whom were aged 4 or 5. Since they could share materials with their mothers, I was able to extend the places I could offer to 18.
I have never had this number of participants before. As people arrived I had to provide more chairs and I am still unsure as to the actual number of those who came.
We begin with refreshments, but as we were already getting behind with the time and there were so many people, I skipped our usual activity of introductions and once everyone had completed the initial questions on their Feedback Form, including their current level of stress, I went straight into an introduction to Mindfulness and a reflection on where we find strength in difficult times.
We usually follow this ‘schoolroom’ activity with an introduction to Forest Bathing. Everyone goes outside with drawing paper and a soft pencil. They look for something in the garden which they find beautiful and interesting. They can draw or describe what they choose – or just look at it closely so that we can share what we have seen and our reflections afterwards.
On this occasion it was raining quite heavily, cold and dark outside, so I explained that while one of the most powerful strategies for reducing stress is to spend time in nature, especially in a wooded environment, we could use our memory and imagination. I gave out the drawing paper and pencils and invited everyone to draw some aspect of nature which they found peaceful or inspiring. I will share some of the results at the end, when I have scanned or photographed them.
This reminds me of a poem which links some of the inner qualities with aspects of nature – we can look at these subjects directly, but if we are not able to do that, then we can just approach them in our imagination. That’s what we were doing in the workshop, but choosing our own subjects.
Humility you need?
Then look at the dewdrops.
Immensity you need?
Then look at the blue-vast ocean,
Purity you need?
Then look at the candle flame.
Sincerity you need?
Then look at the child.
Duty you need?
Then look at the moon.
Power you need?
Then look at the sun.
Light you need?
Then look at your heart.
Delight you need?
Then sit at God’s Feet.
Sri Chinmoy
Yesterday I was a crying dream, no 40, 1975
While this activity is in process, my Team and I clear the table and replace the ‘Welcome’ tablecloths for waterproof ones, ready for silk-painting.
Because of the numbers and the way time was passing, we didn’t have time to share the drawings and reflections. Instead we moved onto an exploration of the meaning of colours. We returned to our seats around the table and took part in an activity which explores the way that different colours are associated with different qualities and values.
Next I demonstrated the silk-painting process and the real fun began.
There was no time for me to stop and take photos or talk to anyone. With so many people I was simply absorbed in ensuring that everyone had what they needed to create their own beautiful hand-painted silk scarf.
Once the silk is painted, it is steamed in a microwave oven for three and a half minutes. Then it is washed in warm water with some baby-shampoo, rinsed in water with conditioner and then rinsed in clear water. Then it is hung to drip and begin to dry.
Once the scarves had stopped dripping, they could be ironed.
When their silk scarves are drying, everyone chooses a cushion or blanket and relaxes while my cellist plays beautiful live music.
At one point there were long queues to the three microwave ovens, but when it came to ironing, people were able to rest with a cushion and enjoy the music and then take turns as an ‘ironing-station’ became available. All the scarves created were unique and absolutely beautiful.
Because of the numbers present, there wasn’t space for any of the adults to curl up on the carpet to relax. They could only sit as comfortably as possible while enjoying the music, but the children had a lot of fun with the cushions.
At one point a child accidentally brushed against the cellist’s bow-arm, which was more than disconcerting for him, but he continued without any hesitation. He is a superb cellist and has supported my workshops since I began holding them, as the lockdown eased in 2021, with humour and patience.
the following video is from this stage of the workshop in October when we had just five people in the workshop and everyone could relax with cushions on the carpet and I was able to take the time to video a bit. This activity is very important in reducing stress, not just because it gives an opportunity to relax physically, but because each one of us is dealing with different difficulties and problems. In this interlude as well as relaxing and enjoying the healing sound of the cello, we are able to engage with our own unique situation using some of the mindful self-awareness practises which we have been learning in the workshop.
While ANgel was playing, my Team and I were able to clear away all the silk-painting materials and set out our Vegetarian Feast. Some of the participants asked to help with this.
With so many people present, I knew that some would need to leave before others and it would be impossible to conclude in the usual way, after the meal, sitting in a circle on the carpets for a closing visualisation which brings everyone together, so I brought this into the gathering almost like saying ‘Grace’ before the meal. Before we started to eat, we had a minute of silence and I invited everyone to reflect on three qualities which are central to my workshops and my overall philosophy of life. These are –
Oneness
Gratitude and
Joy.
We really are all part of each other and the atmosphere we had created together in the workshop by this time was very peaceful and joyful. There was a real sense of community and love.
After the meal, I was not able to fold the scarves and tie them with ribbons as I like to do – but I asked my son to take photos of as many as he could – and I asked each person to give their name and share what they had enjoyed most about the workshop. In the Feedback Forms one question I ask is ‘what did you enjoy most’ and people respond by choosing from the activities. Silk-Painting is the most popular activity, but the Forest Bathing/Drawing, the Live Cello Music, and the dance are also frequently chosen.
Now asking the question verbally I was surprised that time and again people said that what they enjoyed most was the social side – to meet other Ukraines from different parts of their homeland, to feel less isolated and a greater sense of connection. My son videoed this exchange on his phone and I will add some of the comments here and on the feedback forms later. A few of the lovely scarf-pride photos follow.
Now to choose a concluding poem or inspiring text about creativity and mindfulness.
Question: What do spirituality and art have in common?
Sri Chinmoy: Spirituality and art always go together to the same Goal. You can say spirituality is the road which leads to the destination, and art is a traveller walking along the road. If the road reaches the Goal without a traveller, then the road is not satisfied. Because it has not carried anybody, because nobody has walked along it, the road feels useless. Again, if there is no road, how will the traveller reach his destination?
Art is the earth-traveller, the pilgrim, and spirituality is the road. When both reach their common destination, both feel that they are satisfied. Both art and spirituality have one Goal, and that Goal is supreme Joy, supreme Delight.
Sri Chinmoy
Art’s life and the soul’s light, 1974
somehow I have made the main section into a continuous block so I can't yet place these two photos where want. The above one belongs with the photos of silk scarves while the below one is Vlad, an excellent Saxophonist. His family came to the July workshop and loved ANgel's music. He mentioned that he plays saxophone and we invited the family to come again and bring their instruments. He played after ANgel, and before we began our Feast.
This section should be above the 'concluding poem.'
Reflection on Mindfulness
In addition to teaching an introduction to Mindfulness during the workshop, I was also practising mindfulness in a strong way, which enabled me to stay cheerful and in the moment, despite some tricky developments.
The first unexpected challenge was that on the Saturday I had a stall at a local Wellbeing Fair, followed by a Coaching Zoom. That meant I couldn't go to get the shopping for the Vegetarian Feast until after 9pm and I didn't finish until the supermarket was closing at 11pm.
This meant I was too tired to unload the food and load the car up with the first of three loads of materials required for the workshop. I like to take that the night before, but it was nearly 10am by the time I was loaded up and ready with the first load. On the way back, I returned to the Supermarket to get the bread rolls as they had none left on the Saturday evening. That added to the delay.
My son had phoned first thing to say that the frost was so thick that when he set out at 5am to cycle to the station, his bike was slipping and sliding in a very dangerous way, so he had to go home and wait for the bus-service to start. That meant abandoning the coach he had booked on and getting a later one which meant he would arrive after my workshop started, and would be unable to help me set up.
As a result it was impossible to take all three loads and quite a challenge to have the second load to the Hall by 1.30 when we have access to our room. There are roadworks at an island over a railway bridge and the resulting congestion is very slow.
My son phoned to say that my translator had been trying to get a message to me but I had not been answering the phone. That's because I left it charging while I was loading the car and I had not had time to check for any messages. It transpired that she had an unexpected emergency and couldn't come at all. There was one other Team Member who was coming to help with the Set Up. He didn't phone or text until evening. It transpired that he had been injured in a bike accident and was unable to come. I still have to find out how he is.
It would have been very easy to panic or get stressed as a result of these setbacks, but I was able to stay cheerful and just focus on the task in hand. I knew it would be impossible to be ready but I was able to lay the tarpaulins that protect the floor and the carpets which cover the tarpaulins in the first 20 minutes, then set up the trestle tables and start with setting out the chairs before the first people arrived. I even had the refreshment table ready.
The first three ladies to arrive kindly offered to help. They filled the tea-urn and boiled kettles of water in the little kitchen so that as more people arrived they could offer them a choice of hot and cold drinks plus the biscuits which I always get for that part of the workshop. They laid the table-cloths and set out more chairs as required. Meanwhile ANgel my cellist arrived (I had phoned him when I realised my son wouldn't be able to help in setting up and he came as swiftly as he could.)
As soon as the bare essentials were in place, I started the programme. We were half an hour late and I had not even changed into the special outfit I usually wear for my workshops. Luckily I was wearing a very nice silk sari - one which I had chosen to wear on Saturday for the Wellness Fair, so at least i was respectable.
My years of mindfulness and meditation practise meant that I did not get flustered or anxious. I was able to stay in my heart of oneness and stay in the moment, managing each challenge as it came along. Then move straight into the programme.
It was a deeply satisfying day and everyone enjoyed the workshop. I've not yet calculated the average stress reduction from the Feedback /forms but I will add that later. I have only one word for Sunday's Workshop, - Gratitude
