Night-time run, luxurious and needed. How inspiring a street-lit metaphor can be... running with my shadow's frame in front, still striving forwards and apparently strong regardless of how different I feel inwardly at times. Christmas is particularly difficult if you find yourself/selves without the loved ones that have created the very definition of this celebration. I read a really helpful article today (hang on while I get my pink notebook) written by Victoria Milligan in the Times that refers to this very abject feeling. One year on despite losing her husband and daughter in a tragic accident in Padstow she too strives forwards regardless of the huge loss she and her family feel. Read on, this helped. Victoria's words completely expressed how I feel at this time: "everything I do makes me realise what I have lost. There is so much family tradition that each action triggers another memory [...] last year I couldn't even contemplate getting a tree"... tricky...card, gifts with namesakes upon further stapling the loss making one feel "desperately sad [...and therefore...] emphasising what I am missing." Yes, a few tears have been shed for those we/I cannot have back, still. Grief has no limit. So the question was this 'What if you don't find comfort of joy this Christmas?' her response in short: "I am going to enjoy each joyful moment [...] I am going to live in the present", me too Victoria. Further advice: don't try to be too strong, it is sad and you miss them. It is appropriate to feel like this, especially at this time where there are grief triggers everywhere and much emphasis on family. Christmas will not be the same but it can still be full of JOY and this IS what your lost loved ones would want it to be. Thanks so much to Victoria Milligan and Love to those of you, that like myself, feel a little lost at Christmas. It's ok, there is joy, love and momentous laughter...after all I just ran past a flashing green lit-collared pug...X

Sometimes you just have to pull over and capture a golden path in the countyside that flickers so brilliantly. A stunning view on the drive home, all that glitters...may as well be gold to me. Gratitude...x

There is nothing more meditative than staring into the beautiful sea for me. On reflection of another near year it is good to acknowledge the depth of my learning and subsequent growth from experiences. I am stronger, wiser and able to appreciate everything that surrounds me more than ever. Life, death, love and loss, beauty and the horror in binary opposition to each other need each other to be present as do we. All part of the journey; that intricate tapestry. Above all the knowledge that love exists in everything, connects to everything and is the key to everything is a beautifully reassuring affirmation. May my motto be love emblazoned for all to see, yours too...x  

Today I received a positive result, more than one in fact. BRCA 1 and 2 negative. The relief was unsurmountable. Hugely significant reminder....The Gift of Life is never to be underestimated, sometimes you just have to focus on what is really important. The latter.  Grab that wonderful life passionately with both hands and Live it...X

'Seize from every moment it's unique novelty and do not prepare your joys' - Andre Gide

Ok, so it seems there is a lot of sadness for a lot of individuals at the moment. Struggles and situations that challenge to the near beyond is a message conveyed loud and clear. Love and empathy to you. So here is a photograph taken in my local town on a very dark day. Keep reading.The wooden bench I sat upon was soaked as I waited thirty minutes for a prearranged someone who 'sought advice'. No show. I hoped they were ok, safe at least, and rearranged my day. Then came the most brilliant spill of light, such a breathtakingly beautiful moment. I captured this as evidence to depict a viewpoint, mine. You have to experience the dark to appreciate the light. It is ok to feel sadness but you must also not forget there is so much joy out there too so be wary how much time you give to it. The mind is a powerful thing, master it. Negative thoughts serve to fuel the body with negativity and therefore illness so please, every so often kick negativity right up the ass and remember all of the things we have learned that do not serve us we CAN unlearn. Anticipate happiness and happiness is yours. Sending much love Loves...X

Oh stunning Winter sunshine after work and a refreshing wicked wind capable of blowing away the most persistent of cobwebs. A sign of change, crisp clean good change and a willingness to venture forwards. Near excitement. Glorious. I want to photograph everything.There are so many beautiful skies, cloud formations, waves, people, frames. All of these gifts, such a visual explosion of joy and love. In life, the everyday, I am so grateful for that mere glimpse of the landscape...the double rainbow this morning for instance, miraculous, spectacular and so momentary. So brief. So magic. The snapshot perfect waves, the wild wind playful and divine as it whips my hair around my face of many smiles. Being of the moment, seizing all of those wonderful things in that moment are key, I believe, to the soul and to enrich our lives. Love the now, love that magic that can never be repeated. You will never seen the same rainbow twice, the same sunrise or sunset. Live with eyes that open with the wonder of a child...x