…well, not totally slacking, I’ve been really quite busy!
The week we got the great news from Dr Alexander we had Phil’s mum Joan with us, it was lovely to see her and as I’m still working three days a week from home, she got to spend some quality time with Phil too which I think they both enjoyed ?
The following week I went up to Mum and Richie’s for a week. Booie flew over from sunny California to Manchester and we all had a lovely week together ❤️ Mum had coordinated a schedule that revolved around meals and naps which was awesome! We seemed to pack in loads and we had some great food. I would definitely recommend the Catch 22 fish restaurant in Chesterfield, the food was delicious ? I could mention all the restaurants we went to but as this isn’t a food blog I’ll leave it at that – it was my favourite, this is the soft shell crab I had as a starter!
Bryony came down to spend a day with us too, we really did have a lovely time ? It was such fun, we were teenagers again with no responsibilities for a little while!
The following week was a bit random because I’d had my work laptop refreshed while I was on holiday and as I’m sure many of you will relate, this is often not a seamless process regardless of company you work for!! I love technology because it gives us a level of connectivity that is awesome with email, what’s app facebook etc, but it is not without its downsides. The biggest of which for me is the mystery that shrouds most of it and the consequential requirement for ‘support’… I’ll share my favourite quote from an IT support person…
Me: I can’t get my laptop do do this thing it used to do
IT person: Well it’s not actually your laptop is it? It belongs to the company
Me: The company’s laptop that I use no-longer does this thing that it used to do
IT person: Have you tried rebooting?
Anyhooo, I got it all sorted after a quick trip to Histon which included the bonus of popping in to see Dad and Chris – it would have been rude not to ?
Last week, Phil’s sister Penny came to visit for a few days. As always, it was great to spend time with her and she got the opportunity to chill in the sticks with no distractions while I was working.
I have been thinking a lot about how important it is to make time for yourself to just be. No screens, sounds, phones and other distractions just being in the moment absorbing what is in that moment. I strongly believe that my great progress is at least partly due to the fact that I have slowed down considerably and given my mind and body the space it needs to just be.
I have also been thinking a lot about my need for contribution. With the encouraging support of my counsellor Liz, I have been working on how I can achieve this. I don’t mean to become overly repetitive but I have always believed that if something is worthy of repeating we have a responsibility to share it. I think that it is my responsibility to get out there and show people that a ‘stage four’ cancer diagnosis does not have to mean imminent doom. Whilst remaining cognisant that not all people with that diagnosis will be as lucky as I have been… I feel an obligation to at least try.
My research into reflection, happiness, wellbeing, fun, joy…. you get the idea… has ultimately led me to one thing; Laughter Yoga
Of course, never being one to do things by halves, next week I am taking a ‘pilgrimage’ on my own to Bangalore, India to learn all about it from the Guru himself ?
I can’t explain how important I feel this is for my own personal wellbeing as well as the opportunities to share it with anyone and everyone. In my mind there is no better place to start than with a man who’s ambition is “Health, Happiness and World Peace”!
I can’t wait to tell you all about it ❣️
Talk to you soon
Lots of love, Mand xxx