A New Rhythm…
It has been a while since I sat down to write here regularly. Apart from the 100 day countdown to Christmas, that is! But that was Clarity-centric, and a simple case of creative focus. Fun too!
No no. I’m talking about a much deeper connection. For years, this blog was part of the rhythm of my days — a place to share thoughts, artwork, stories and the little things that caught my eye. Then life shifted.
When Dad died, something in that rhythm faltered. I rather lost my way with the blogging. I was so sad that I simply couldn’t fake it to make it beyond the LIVE performances on TV. The blog had always been a very personal place, where I spoke from the heart. And when the heart couldn’t sing, I honestly couldn’t see the point of weighing you, dear friends, down with my sadness.
Alongside the demands of work and life, the daily discipline that had once felt so natural began to feel too much.
But I have missed it. And many of you have written, asking me to blog again, saying you missed our connection. I can’t tell you how much those gentle nudges have meant.
I have missed this conversation with you, albeit rather one-sided. I do enjoy your comments, too; they spur me on. Much like the SHAC, I like to think that there is a group around this Blog, a community of thinkers.
So I have decided to begin again — though perhaps with a kinder measure.
Not daily. Weekly.
Sunday mornings feel right. It’s mostly a day when I don’t dash out of the door to work, when I have more time to reflect, dig deeper. And once a week may suit you well too.
I was reminded recently that when rebuilding a habit, achievable often beats ambitious. Consistency matters more than intensity. Better a thoughtful post each week that has room to breathe than grand intentions that quickly become burdens.
And perhaps that suits this season of life too. A different rhythm.
So Sunday Morning Tracks feels like a good name for this little new chapter — thoughts, artwork, observations, maybe the odd ramble — once a week, shared over a cup of tea.
Thank you for still being here.
Let’s see where the track leads.
Yesterday Dave and I walked through Boxley village, and followed the famous Pilgim’s Way for a while. It felt almost surreal to be walking along the same ancient path as those ancestors from another time.
Which is what prompted me to reframe this blog, and help shape this new Sunday rhythm with you. And perhaps you might tell me where your own track is leading these days.
Love and Clarity,
Barb x
60 thoughts on “A New Rhythm…”
Good to see you back though hoping blogging won’t become another pressure, there is enough of that around in the world at the moment. It is lovely to share your thoughts and artwork with you but hope you take it gently . It’s easy to take on things and sometimes difficult to drop them when they just become too much. Glad you have a balance and are able to enjoy the beautiful countryside around you. Just had a message to say my Clarity order is on its was how quick that was and looking forward to the new landscape stamps which I intend to use on the acrylic backgrounds I so enjoyed making on the recent course which I loved so much I did it a second time on my own last week so I have oodles to play with . You have certainly hit the spot with those online courses as I am not able to get away to enjoy the workshops and open days at the moment but love that I am still able to get involved. Have a happy Sunday
Hi Karen. Good to hear from you! Yes. Life certainly has a way of testing us, doesn’t it. Glad you are enjoying the online course. I am going to launch Part II of the Acrylic Paint one imminently, so I hope you enjoy that one too xxx
Good morning, Barbara…lovely to have you back here 💕
My track? Not quite what I’d like as having to adjust to minor, but persistent, physical changes that sometimes, but increasingly, require me to adjust my way of life. Having to adjust my thinking so that I appreciate what I can still do rather than what I can’t. Easier some days than others but I’m getting there! So many things I can still do so I must concentrate on those.
Take care xx
Hi Margaret. I totally get you. So important to focus on the positive, the CAN and not the CAN’T. I hope your crafting is still working for you xxx
Lovely to read your blogs again and hopefully means you are feeling more positive. I lost my Dad, my hero, my anchor, 6mths ago and like you lost my way and mojo a bit but it’s coming back now……my motto now is “better is better than nothing” and learning to give ourselves grace to grieve, to rest, to say No, to be happy and to live again. Take care, Dawn xx
Nice to have you back Barbara. Once a week makes sense so that blogging is a pleasure rather than a chore xx
Hi Ann. My sentiments exactly. Life’s busy enough!! xxx
Good to hear from you, I think we all have been diverted along the siding of sadness , most using creating to chug back out. I am making myself use all those “backgrounds” that blossom from geli plates etc with some fab results. Raiddd charity shops for frames, just got to build more walls for display lol
Welcome back
Hi Linda. Yes. Sadness can really affect us in ways we never knew. I love your word CHUG. That describes the way back perfectly. x x x
Lovely to see you back! Since you started the blog, life has moved on, so you regularly chat to people in different ways, through your live shows, Shac sessions, the newspaper! You can’t do everything.
I fully understand your sadness after your dad died. My parents are still alive, but so frail now in their mid 90s, and both with dementia, so I too carry a lot of sadness, maybe anticipatory grief mourning the relationship we once had. In the last 2 years, journalling has really helped me. Last year it was just writing with daily prompts, this year it’s more creative, but both helped me to process that grief, my own health concerns, and find more peace. I hope you can find that too xx
Hi Susan. We have known each other for so many years, and I really can hear you speaking. Grace also journals and swears by it. Pottery is my place of peace. In fact, that’s where I am headed in a minute! xxx
Good to see you back. we missed you !! Once a week sounds perfect. You can keep in touch without the daily pressure to write. welcome back x
Thanks Janet. I think you’re right. And it will probably be more enjoyable for you too! xxx
Great to see your blog again. I have really missed hearing all your news, pottery news, card inspiration and your special cats.
One day at a time. Once a week is just fine.
Although English, I now live in New Zealand and love to hear UK news and see all the lovely photos of where you live.
Take good care of yourself and family.
Kind regards, Diana
Hi Diana. New Zealand?? Wow! That’s a long way from little old England. See the sheep and lambs in the photo above? We spoke to the farmer and his wife who were tending to the flock when we were at the Pilgrims Way yesterday – and they were from New Zealand! Small world after all x x x
Great to have the blog back, I enjoy reading them whenever they are. It’s so hard when we have lost someone so dear to us 4 and a half years on from loosing my mum suddenly I still miss her and that feeling I’m a presuming will never go away some days it’s easier to handle other not so. I have used craft to fill my time and brain and have found lots groups I follow and have been loving it. Placed a sale order last night so looking forward to my delivery to try out some new stencils.🤗 x
Hi Lorraine. It never gets easy. But I am ever hopeful it will get easier. Thank you for the order! We sure do appreciate it x x x
Lovely to see you back. We must ALWAYS focus on ourselves and our mental health. Achievable is always healthier than must do.
Hi Jackie. Ain’t that the truth. It’s been a case of physician heal thyself here. x x x
So lovely to read your blog this morning – welcome back.
Hopefully once a week will be a better balance for you – when you have so much going on you don’t need any more pressure.
I shall look forward to catching up with you on a Sunday.
Travel gently xxx
Hi Julie. Good to see you! Have a great Sunday xxx
what a lovely surprise to see a blog written by Barbara Gray turn up this morning! I took stopped my favourite things when my mum died a few years back. There didn’t seem to be any purpose in doing those crafts anymore! But I’ve hung on and hopefully it will return! I love hearing all your chat and will look forward to seeing your SMTs ! Have a lovely day.x
Hi Sally. Easy does it, eh? I am glad you were pleased to see a blog this morning. I bet your Mum would be sad if she thought you had stopped your FAVOURITE things when she went…. x x x
Good Morning Barbara
I’m so glad you feel able to blog today, a little blue
speck in the dark cloud you are in. It will get easier
I promise but it takes time.
Much love Mo.
Hi Mo! This too shall pass, eh? But we have to help it along too. Thanks for your kind words. x x x
Hi,
Barbara, I totally understand. Slow and steady wins the day. We do what we can.
Hugs,
Linda
Hi Linda! Slow and steady wins the day. I think we need that as a stamp! x x x
Lovely to see you back in the blog, have visited it a few times recently in the hope that you had written. Seems sensible to write once a week as it should be a joy and not a task.
I love a walk and recently visited friends in Spain and joined them and their walking group on some lovely walks along the coast, around lighthouses and across the rocks, the scenery was spectacular and uplifting. I was sad to return home to work where I have much less time to walk and enjoy our beauty here too. But time is something we must make for ourselves so once the marking, moderation and exam grades are in that’s just what I will do: make time to enjoy the beauty around me. Enjoy your wanderings along the track x
Hi Andrea. Yes, we have to TAKE time, because nobody will GIVE it to you. Love the idea of lighthouses in Spain. Wonderful x x x
Hi Barb, great to have your Blog back, but fully understand why you had to step back from it recently. Chatting with you over a cuppa, whether via the Blog, Newsletter or recently, The Clarity Times, always brings smiles and calmness.
A new rhythm of crafting calm, and moving to the rhythm of nature to bring us back on track with peace, calm and gentle travelling.
Hi dear Ken. So good to hear from you. I do hope you and Anita are doing well. Warmer days and better days incoming. x x x
Hi Barbara
It was lovely to read your blog this morning. I have had a bumpy track recently, I have spent the last ten days with Dad, who sadly passed away on Tuesday. We only lost Mum five months ago… 💔
On a positive note, I am enjoying being on the design team and finding it the very best of distractions at the moment.
Enjoy your Sunday XOXO
Oh no Sally. I am so so sorry to hear your news. What a show stopper. Life is so tough at times, it is almost more than we can bear. Sending you a gentle hug and healing love. x x x
Morning Barb, so lovely to see and read your blog this morning. Life is just and there will always be obstacles, we just have to learn how best to navigate around them. It’s been more years than I like to remember since losing my wonderful dad and 18 months since losing my mum. Some days are harder than others but I know they wouldn’t want to see me sad all the time. My daughters bring me great joy and my youngest is now planning her wedding for Oct 27. Today the three of us are going to the wedding show at detling hill. The sun is out and it will be fun. Enjoy your pottery today xxx
Good Morning!
Lovely to be reading the blog again. I’ve missed it so thank you. Once a week on a Sunday day morning sounds good to me.
I totally understand the sadness of loosing a parent. My dad passed away 50 years ago and my mum 25 years ago and I still miss them very much.
My track is leading me towards travelling whilst I still can and, as I’m still working part time, whilst I can still afford it! I’ve just come back from South Africa which was a 70th Birthday trip. Last year and the previous year were big road trips to USA and I’ve just booked to go to India next year. Well, you can’t take it with you!
I love reading the blog and the stories. Sending love x
Hi Barbara, I think once a week is a very good idea for you. You’ve got so much going on you absolutely need to make time for you, lose yourself in your wonderful pottery, relax and thoroughly enjoy the process …. It’s the process that’s so important for our well being as life can be so very tricky and can constantly throw us curve balls.
Sending you loads of love xx
Weekly Sunday reset sounds perfect. My routine is gym classes, cyclone, pump, pilates and yoga, while always making time for reading and craft, add a full time job and household chores and my Garfield sometimes one wins more time than the other, especially when new groovi plate or goodies arrive 😊❤️🎨😻
You have such a lovely connection with your Clarity customers Barbara, and that’s because you reach out and share in so many ways already. It’s not surprising that you’re not blogging every day with everything else that you do! I will enjoy reading your blog once a week, but I’m sure everyone will understand if you need to pause for whatever reason so don’t feel pressured.
Talking of pilgrim routes, in one week from today I will be flying out to embark on the Camino del Norte. It’s a 520 mile route along the northern coast of Spain to Santiago de Compostela. For me it’s more of a personal challenge rather than a pilgrimage, but no doubt I’ll have a lot of time for reflection in the 5+ weeks that it’ll take me to walk it.
I’m glad that you’ve found your blogging mojo. Travel gently.
Jane x 🌸🌼🌺
So lovely to read this today – I have really missed your blogs!
We set off early yesterday to one of our favourite places to walk, while it was still quiet, before the crowds, and it was glorious! Such beautiful flowers, many different butterflies, lots of bees and the birdsong was stupendous – so many different birds and so loud! Just glorious! Xxx
So good to read your blog this morning and all the comments. It’s been missed, but once a week will be lovely to look forward to.
I’ve spent a few days in The New Forest this week, so good to stop and just listen to bird song and admire trees! Xx
How lovely to see you back on the blog, I’ve missed you.
Sending hugs.
Oh Barb, I’m just happy to know you are all right (I was beginning to think you were not well). You blog whenever it suits you – or when you have something to tell us – like how the cats are doing).
Love you
Maggie (York UK)
Hi Barb, good to see you back. Also a change is as good as a rest so they say. My Sunday mornings for years until last June was visiting parents/in-laws then it was just Mum left, and when she left us is June I sometimes feel a bit lost. Nearly a year now and, although no one would know on the outside, Sundays aren’t the same. Not that we didn’t see her on other days but Sunday was different. When all 4 parents were here (they lived next door to each other!) we used to go over to see them all – we were working then so it was the only day we could manage! Or they would come to us for lunch.
How things change as we all move on, sometimes it’s hard but we manage and adapt don’t we. Thanks for bringing the sun back ! Enjoy the weekend xx
Dear Barbara, it’s so lovely to read your blog today and whether it’s weekly, monthly or occasional it can be whenever feels right for you.
Take care ,
with love xx
So lovely to see your blog this morning, I have missed it. Once a week on a Sunday sounds grand. A chance to sit down with a cup of tea and reflect on the week perhaps but look forward to the coming one especially now the weather is starting to cheer up a bit. I always enjoy Grace’s Saturday share on a Saturday as well. Take care and enjoy your pottery xxx
good morning Barbara.
so good to read your blog and welcome back. I also lost my dad 7 years ago now at the grand age of 90. I’m newly semi retired and traveling alot while I can. and making more time for crafting. Talking of which I need to check out your sale.
thanks for all your inspiration. xx
Ahhh morning Barbara how lovely to read your beautiful heartfelt words coming off the page. My own heart sang this morning when I checked your blog, and the world tilted back toward ‘goodness’ in an instant for me…. Thank you. Im so pleased to hear that you are going to release that pressure cooker in your own life by blogging weekly. What do they say “how do you eat an elephant?” …. In little pieces! Very true! Have a lovely Sunday afternoon, looking forward to 10am see you there. Love and hugs xXx
Oh it is lovely to see you blogging again. Reading your words is like having a friend pop in for a coffee and catch up. It will be good to have your blog to read with my coffee on a Sunday morning.
My track seems to be one that I can happily plod along at whatever pace I like and doing whatever I need to do. Occasionally I have to speed up a bit but mostly life is much calmer and easier than it used to be.
I keep putting off resurrecting my own blog but then things seem to stop me. Or am I just making excuses? We’ll see!
I’m off to do a few little jobs in the house then I’ll be getting creative.
Love to you as always. Xxxx
Hi Barbara. Great to see your blog today.
I get it. The sadness. It goes deep. Stays buried.
Since my beautiful daughter passed, I’ve been so, so sad. I couldn’t cope with the ‘memories’ But, We have just moved house, and I feel lifted.
I know Sandra would be pleased as punch for us!
So, I will look forward to your Sunday blogs, and be uplifted once again.
Take care. X
Its so lovely to have you back. I have missed your blog.
Weekly is fine, gives me something to look forward to during the week.
Take care of your health. X
Lovely to have you back, Barbara. I now have something to look forward to on a Sunday, a day which, for some reason, I find difficult. x
So good to read your blog again! Your personal musings always inspire me, and give me pause to stop and think – so welcome in the busy world of turmoil! Looking forward to seeing where your musing takes us…
WELCOME BACK..
.really missed you and stories of what your kitties have been up too..
have checked every night, thinking….that must be it now…sad!!
YEY..GREAT YOU ARE BACK….once a week…something to look forward to…Thankyou!! xxxx and to kitties .
Lovely to have you back, I kept popping on to see if you had blogged and was delighted to see your post. Once a week seems like a good idea – something for us to look forward to, without putting too much pressure on you.
Welcome back Barbara, you have been missed. Once a week blog will be fine and worth waiting for each Sunday. I do follow Grace every week, so nice to see her choices.
We have both had a rough time since last October when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Luckily it was caught early and the fantastic team at NNUH got me through the treatment and I am now in remission. During this time they caught a few other small problems which have now been sorted out.
While both of us have been semi immobile Ray has improved his colouring skills watching Louise with me on the workshops and Clarity in general has kept me crafting and sane.
I have spent a small fortune topping up my stash and now need to find the energy to use it. The will is there but I can’t always do what I would like to do.
I am not computer savvy and don’t have any social media knowledge, and to be honest don’t want it. So to all the lovely people who, according to my email, appear to have sent messages on Facebook I say thank you but I am not able to read your comments or see what you have posted.
On that note I wish everyone a great day in this lovely sunshine and I look forward to next Sunday’s blog.
Keep smiling, it helps.
So glad to see your blog this morning. I thought you were just busy with Clarity, the newsletter, new ideas, life, etc. so just waited to see when you might post again. There is so much to see on the website.
I totally understand when you say the heart couldn’t sing. Grief takes its own course and catches you off guard at different times. My Mom was an artist, painting watercolour as well as acrylic. I am lucky to have many of her paintings in my home. She completely stopped painting when my Dad died in 2001. She passed almost 2 years ago and it took me a long time to sit at my art table and feel that it was a place of reprieve, rest, imagination, creativity, rejuvenation, and not something I felt at time I might have lost. I have my mojo almost back.
Hi,
Hope you’re having a wonderful Sunday. This is a day when we go to Church, catch up with friends, and share our week with them. Have a crafty update and enjoy the blessings of another day. I agree some things in our lives live with us from day to day, remembering our love ones. Looking back on great adventures, and how they impact our lives. We’ve had a few tough months, but now I can see that I needed to slow down. New dies have helped and looking forwards to using them and getting more inspiration from Clarity friends. Thank you Barbara for the joy, love and laughter that you bring to so many of us. You are all amzing.
So glad you feel able to blog again and once a week is good. I look forward to reading your musings and perhaps seeing some of your pottery creations.
x
Welcome back Barbara! How I’ve missed your blogs as I too have suffered a loss. My motivation to craft has dwindled recently and I have struggled to make cards for other people. I’ve begun making felt flowers, something just for me.