Two thoughts to start your week around physical and mental wellbeing.
In London, we are now on day four of our second lockdown. Yes, the official announcement is that it is for 28 days, but few people believe that will hold, it will be a long winter.
So, today, two thoughts to start your week around physical and mental wellbeing. As Ian Sanders sagely guided us on the most #WhatComesNextLive , be kind to yourself.
I hope these thoughts support you in that. Be well, #BeMoreYou …
Riding and exploring
First, yesterday my riding buddy and I decided to get going early and get out into central London and explore. After all, we are allowed to exercise and get take out food and drink, so why not take advantage of the relatively quiet city roads and explore.
This photo came after we tasted probably the best salt beef beigel in the world (sorry, New Yorkers!). Some Londoners might then guess where this canal spot is that we visited relatively close to our beigel pilgrimage.
Being out in the fresh air to explore, to take in the magic of nature, the fun of exploring new areas, all is wonderful for “Proactive Resilience” for physical and mental wellbeing.
Democracy IS coming
Second, I’m writing this on Saturday after my bike ride before taking the rest of the weekend “digital free”, hence scheduling my Sunday and Monday posts. At time of writing, the US Presidential election result has still not been announced. As I woke up on Saturday morning I recognised that I was, figuratively, holding my breath to see a change to, well, an adult in the White House.
As I woke up and browsed my phone, I happened upon a Brainpickings post on Leonard Cohen: “There Is a Crack in Everything, That’s How the Light Gets In: Leonard Cohen on Democracy and Its Redemptions“, bringing me back to a moment almost a year ago when a friend had taken me to watch The Lumineers play in London. For the encore, they brought out the Webb Sisters, famous for being the backing singers to Leonard Cohen.
As they sang Democracy, it was hard for me to imagine anybody defeating Trump this year, so the words of the song felt a little distant. However, as we watch people stoically counting the votes despite the lies and bluster of the man besmirching the office of President of the United States, whilst at the same time the challenger is dignified and calm, this song does make me feel much more positive.
First the lyrics, then the song as played live last year at the O2 Arena.
On Saturday morning when I took time to listen to the introductory words of Wesley Schultz, then the divine harmonies of the Webb Sisters, tears did fill my eyes, in a good way.
Give yourself what you need for your own wellbeing.
It’s coming to America first
Lyrics from “Democracy” ~ Leonard Cohen
The cradle of the best and of the worst
It’s here they got the range
And the machinery for change
And it’s here they got the spiritual thirst
It’s here the family’s broken
And it’s here the lonely say
That the heart has got to open
In a fundamental way
Democracy is coming to the USA