| MUSES - Occasional thoughts and experiences My first words at the beginning of my - ‘Blog’! I don’t like the word ‘Blog’. It sounds sticky!! I like the word ‘journal’ but that feels too prescriptive for here. Maybe I need to have a ‘thunk’ about this – like Pooh Bear. “When you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and Think of Things, you find sometimes that a Thing which seemed very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it.” -- Winnie the Pooh www.great-inspirational-quotes.com/winnie-the-pooh-quotes.html I've decided.... It's MUSES |
| Latest Muse... Trivia IS important Friday 23 July 2010 A 'Fun List' for the summer. more... Receiving gifts Wednesday 21 July 2010 Receiving gifts from clients I know this topic that will divide many therapists. more... Magical words from Nanny McPhee Monday 5 April 2010 For me these words are very apt for counselling children and young people. more... Invictus Tuesday 30 March 2010 Meaningful words that inspired me in my dissertation and with my case study. more... Synchronicity Wednesday 9 September 2009 My husband and I were organising where we were going to sleep on the day we arrived for our few days away in Scotland during the summer. more... A Smelly Washing Machine and Itchy Nipples! Sunday 19 July 2009 I was aware of my washing machine becoming smelly when I went to take the washing out. more... Routine! Sunday 19 July 2009 I keep thinking I have to go to work tomorrow – and I don’t. Yeah! more... Beginnings and Endings! Saturday 18 July 2009 I have ended my work in schools until September and said ‘goodbye’ to all the students. more... |
Friday 23 July 2010 Trivia IS important At ending the term today, my son (who is 21!) suggested excitedly that we sit down and make a list of what we want to do during the summer holidays. We spent some time pondering what this list is called and he came up with – ‘Our Fun List’. Over a very adult cup of coffee we began thinking a of what we wanted to do - A trip to London on the Greyhound bus Buy an up to date ‘Trivial Pursuit’ Visit ‘Pecksniff’s’ in Brighton Lanes Have a party in the garden with our friends with lights in the trees Paint his bedroom Walk to the beach We will extend this list to husband / father for him to add his ideas – but one item has already been fulfilled – the new ‘Trivial Pursuit’ game had been obtained and we are looking forward to many challenges between us. Wednesday 21 July 2010 Receiving gifts Receiving gifts from clients I know this topic that will divide many therapists from different disciplines and schools of thought. My training in Humanistic counselling leads me to believe that my clients and I work in a relationship – an ethical, therapeutic and professional relationship and different from most other relationships we experience during our lives. However, the space in which we work is a special space that is safe and secure for them to explore. It is a respectful and sacred space to talk about anything and anyone, knowing that their words will be heard and left - not reacted to. Therefore, as a school counsellor, at this time of year, I occasionally receive a present from clients. This year I have had two gifts that have been received with warmth because our work together has been a tough journey. We have ended in appreciation of that journey we have made together – and for me to refuse their thoughts and gifts would have undone all the meaningful and hard emotional work they have accomplished. I thank them for their thoughts. Monday 5 April 2010 Magical words from Nanny McPhee For me these words are very apt for counselling children and young people. “There is something you should understand about the way I work. When you need me but do not want me, then I must stay. When you want me but no longer need me, then I have to go. It's rather sad, really, but there it is.” Nanny McPhee Tuesday 30 March 2010 Invictus Meaningful words that inspired me in my dissertation and with my case study: Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. William Ernest Henley Wednesday 9 September 2009 Synchronicity My husband and I were organising where we were going to sleep on the day we arrived for our few days away in Scotland during the summer. Looking through bed and breakfast websites I noticed a house called ‘Anam Cara’. I have a book called ‘Anam Cara – Spiritual Wisdom from the Celtic World’ by John O’Donohue, which I like to ‘dip into’ sometimes to enter a world of words that instills peace and calm. So, drawn to the house name we booked a room for our first night after flying to Edinburgh. Knocking at the door we were met by an extremely friendly and welcoming lady who invited us in for a cup of tea with her husband, daughter and baby grandson. Through gentle conversation and humour, we heard that she was a therapist herself. We had much in common. Margaret Mc Cathie has trained as a laughter therapist with Dr. Patch Adams and has written the following piece in an article, “Patch Adams is a wonderful doctor who believes that the combination of laughter and love are the best medicine. Patch has proved time and again in his work as a doctor, that laughter is a cure. He has made such an impact that millions have now seen the film “Patch Adams” based on his life and work. He even travels to war zones to bring laughter and joy, sometimes taking 40 clowns with him. They consist of doctors, nurses, therapists and lay people whose only qualification is a desire to serve in a loving and caring way. They dress as clowns so as to not be threatening to anyone of any age group. It is not the type of clown that would splash a pie in your face, but a caring clown, bringing fun and laughter to hospitals, prisons, old peoples homes and orphanages.” Margaret’s bed and breakfast provided a caring and comfortable stay for us, made more impactful by her hospitality. I am always excited and humbled when synchronistic moments happen like this. It feels to me like messages are being subtly given, which may have been missed if by a click of a mouse we had chosen somewhere else to rest our heads. Sunday 19 July 2009 A Smelly Washing Machine and Itchy Nipples! I was aware of my washing machine becoming smelly when I went to take the washing out. Sometimes it was so bad I rewashed the items. I read that due to the cold or low heat powders, the machines aren’t being cleaned adequately inside so advised that once a month to put bleach in the drum, turn the heat to the hottest setting and allow a full wash time to clean the inside. Then after suffering from an itchy right nipple I looked on a medical website to gain some sanity as I was beginning to frighten myself with horrible fears. A doctor had written in answer to a woman experiencing the same thing, to check if she had used a different washing powder or creams and then advised to wash underwear in a hot wash to get rid of bacteria. When I was studying Human Biology, Physiology and Hygiene as a GCSE many years ago, I learnt that a way to keep bacteria (the only thing I have in common with the Queen!) under control was by using hot soapy water and dry items in the sunshine and fresh air. My muses about this are: Bacteria may rule the world one day because they are clever little things and know how to survive! Washing powders we have now may be used in a cold wash in the machine to save global warming and the universe, but doesn’t always kill bacteria. Some young people we know do not hang washing on the line outside, but dry their clothes inside, which can cause mould to grow on the walls becoming another health hazard. The fear of security and leaving windows open in case of theft also does not allow the house to ‘breathe’. (Don’t get me started on that one!) In the fast world we live in today with all the appliances we use, I think that hands aren’t washed so much as when washing up was done after every meal in the sink, for example with hot water and lots of bubbles! Teachers now aren’t able to take children to the toilet and check they wash their hands afterwards. I can remember being taken as a class during ‘toilet time’ and the teacher would stay and check that (a.) we didn’t mess around flooding the cloakroom (as if!) and (b.) everyone washed their hands after using the toilet. So my thoughts turned to becoming a ‘Mary Muse’!! In the fear of the ‘Swine Flu’ pandemic and being advised to keep our hands clean, to cover our mouths when we cough and sneeze, to look out for others if they are ill - that maybe we need to go back to the ‘good old ways’ of taking care of ourselves and keeping clean. Oh yes – my washing machine now does not smell since using hotter water and my nipple no longer itches! Sunday 19 July 2009 Routine! I keep thinking I have to go to work tomorrow – and I don’t. Yeah! The good thing about work routine, in my mind, is that it is comfortable; you know what you are doing and tasks are a usual pattern. But routine can be boring and repetitive, if allowed. I am fortunate that my work is different every day and can never be called boring. However, what happens when I step outside the comfort zone of going to work? I get a little buzz of excitement when I realise my day is mine. I can do something different, I can do something for me, I can do something with my family, I can meet up with my friends, I can have a day out with my son – and I can do NOTHING! The choice is mine. That’s the good thing about not having a routine. Freedom. I also realise that I feel like this because I work and things would be totally different if I was in the position of having no job. These are purely my musings! Saturday 18 July 2009 Beginnings and Endings! I have ended my work in schools until September and said ‘goodbye’ to all the students who have begun their transition from Primary onto Secondary School; and also to all the older students who have ended their Secondary education and moving onto College, Sixth Form or training. To attend to endings in this situation is an important issue, as some people have not experienced good goodbyes before. It is also important to end our relationship correctly as these young people have trusted me with a lot of personal information, about which I feel privileged. So the ending between us needs careful attention. All relationships deserve respect. Considering endings and thoughtful beginnings. Now - I am looking forward to beginning the summer holidays! |
