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Glenn Bryant's avatar

Super post! Thank you Siobhan. And what a lovely watercolour from Doug. Loved! This really made me think. I've been busy doing something currently where I do look and feel foolish, for 1hr each week. I've joined a [quite extreme] self-defence school. No beginners' class. You're thrown in at the deep end. Sink or swim. But, 2mth in now and I've met some amazing people. Inspiring. Amazing knowledge and skills and expertise, and I'm learning to defend myself. I struggle for most of the 1hr sessions each week, but I've so far stuck with the struggle! I remind myself of how sick I am of feeling afraid around any threat of violence. I was attacked and seriously assaulted in my teens by an adult man. I overcame my injuries. Non life-changing. But the psychological impact always remained, for years while I was often unaware. I can now feel I'm shaking finally, 20yr on, that psychological impact off. Yes Siobhan!

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Gillian's avatar

Love this piece Siobhan. It's inspired me to dig deeper into my own experience. It's an excellent point

You're already travelling. That's already an adventure. So why limit the adventure?

Why go back to a defunct default when there's much to explore. My thing was travelling solo as a senior.

Nonetheless In Banff Canada I decided not to plan, but to take the first shuttle come what may. Wed hurtle off i knew not where. A biggee for me. When we're on an adventure, we've an opportunity to create a new palette, textures, colours rhythms, and explore through the eyes of an uncluttered, openhearted Child. For me an opportunity to let go of my stiff upper lipped Brit, to Channel my inner pioneer. So much still to process and bring back home.

I love your openness. Your inner Madame Curham is wild, as well as passionate a true creative and living the life of her dreams, not to be limited by language when it's the language of the heart that counts.

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