Reflections Inside The Greenhouse: Recent Episodes
MaxXMedia
A writer and a thinker, on a wide variety of topics pertaining to both life and times. An advocate of combining vintage and contemporary schools of thought, which either spill over onto a page or into a Pod! Believing that, just sometimes, thoughts are better out than in! This content isn't about gardening, it just takes place in my greenhouse! This is about sharing snippets of honest thoughts and a desire to sow the seeds for a balanced, purposeful and purpose-filled life. So be inspired to live wisely and graciously, with an attitude of gratitude. Be your honest best, inside and out!✨
I believe you can benefit from being Divinely protected, sustained and revived whilst you take time out to meditate, relax and sleep. A daily (or rather nightly!), peaceful sleep is your portion and has been factored into your life by original design.
You can rest, without angst or apprehension, knowing that you are safe and lovingly guarded even when you could be considered to be at your most vulnerable.
Let these sentiments still your mind and body, bathe your thoughts and induce rest and relaxation in your innermost being. Be holistically replenished as and whilst you sleep.
If nothing else please receive this as my wish and prayer for you to enjoy and benefit from, what you absolutely deserve, a relaxing and peaceful night of restful sleep.
Don't even bother listening to this one!!! I indulged myself to the endth degree by thrusting myself into our first fall of snow in London, in (I believe) 2 years!! I am having such a wonderful time in my self-styled 'Narnia' that I can barely breathe (or speak!). This is a literal ramble in both senses of the word and yet there is one small nugget of encouragement, if you care to persevere through the panting!!!!!! My apologies in advance! So, as long as I'm not required to be 'behind the wheel', I'll always be forever grateful for a snow day!
There is always so much to be thankful for. There is still so much that this unusual year hasn't stripped from us, hasn't deprived us of. Could this be the year when we just stop and express our thanks for the people around us and appreciate what we have in life as opposed to the accumulation and acquisition of more...? Let's end the year with gratitude.
What will you choose to believe, the foolishness of Santa or the 'foolishness' of Jesus, The Saviour - one belief system comes with pressure, one comes with power. Temporary gift versus eternal gift. Choose wisely!
Worldwide, we are currently being faced with all manner of atrocities and injustices, some obvious, some not so obvious; some 'in your face', some insidious. I believe the only way to overcome this onslaught, is to make strong declaration and decrees, through prayer and petition.
Spot the tummy rumble! I was really hungry during this recording and my empty tummy exposed me, so kindly forgive me!! ...and that's the theme for some of my reflections on this episode; no, not rumbling tummies....being kind. Talking of exposure...may the Good Lord consider mercy before judgement if exposure ever knocks on the door of the, tragically far from transparent, pillars of our infrastructure. Also, remember to be kind to yourself and have a good clear out, materially and mentally.
Oh and is it too early to mention the 'C' word? Not in my house - it's time to prepare to celebrate in some way, shape or form...so join me and get that garland on the front door.
This is not my usual vibe, but I've had such an awful experience recently, that the only way to get it off my chest is to write about it. So I'm sharing my thoughts on some of what I wrote when I therapeutically put pen to paper this week. PS...No dentists were harmed during this experience, or as a result of these reflections!!
In early October, we recognised Mental Health Awareness Day in schools in the UK. Now I realise that different nations recognise a day, or week, at different times of the year, but as I like to think along the lines of a global perspective in my reach, I really don't mind when it's recognised as long as we ensure that it is recognised...and without stigma. If you're a frequent guest to The Greenhouse, firstly a HUGE thank you! Secondly, you will already be aware that I am not a great fan of a day's, or week's, or month's awareness of many things - be it: Fathers' Day, Mental Health Awareness Week, or Black History Month for example; I believe that if it's worth being aware of, then it's worth being aware of all the time, consistently, or definitely more than just highlighted for a day or week or month. How about constant awareness, (or celebration) all year long? Selah. There are many alternatives prescribed by well-meaning professionals and people to treat this scourge of our times, which is mental health illness, but as we stay aware of the reality of it (and stay away from the stigma of it), may we remember and give a moment of thought to the Divine power of melodic sound... music. This universal language, which has the ability to engender song, inner and outer melody and harmonies, dance, movement, enjoyment and ultimately worship (for which you were created by the way!). Far from being an attempt to offer music as a substitute for medication, my thoughts here merely share a facet of an holistic approach to mind health and self care, by exploring its numerous benefits. So maestro please...let the music play!
Today we celebrated National Poetry Day (1st Oct) ...I know you're thinking: What? Poetry? Who even cares?!....But don't be too hasty. Of course as educators, we encourage children to be engaged in all aspects of learning and particularly literary aspects. We naturally, champion extensive and varied reading and we encourage choosing from a wide range of available genres. I genuinely believe that the more widely you read, the more you learn, on any given topic, then the more you extend your vocabulary, which is reflected in your writing. This in turn allows for successful and creative writing and of course essentially allowing for good communication skills. So today we were in for an absolute treat as we welcomed award-winning Poet, Musician, Lyricist, and Hip-Hop Artist, Karl Nova onto the campus.
Join me in The Greenhouse as I (excitedly!) share the joy of this eventful, enjoyable and informative day.
So it's October, Black History Month, or so called. Now I've subscribed to this idea of black history month for decades and always felt the need to be quite grateful for it, you know it gives us the opportunity to get around the table, or even get access to the table, for the world to to realise, recognise, understand, celebrate the achievements accomplishments, the struggles, the contributions of black people down the centuries. But for some reason, probably because of the current state of world affairs, I have even more of an issue with it this year 2020. Here's to a richly diverse and representative curriculum every month...not just in October! Make it mandatory.
You could well be forgiven for thinking, that what we are currently experiencing is nothing short of a revolution... let's be honest, we need solutions and if you know that you're part of the solution and party to the ultimate solution, you are a rare commodity right now. Past 'solutions' have resulted in atrocities and genocides, but this Solution brings life, abundant life....for all the 'whosoever wills'.
So if you're party to the Solution, you're in great demand, the world needs you, is crying out for you, groaning for you!! It's harvest time!
....and if you want to know what that Solution is...keep your eyes on The Son!
So, much as I've somewhat reluctantly, succumbed to some of the trappings of social media, I do still believe that one can be so easily drawn in to negative effect as the temptations hover to become more and more engrossed ....and then the 'scrolling and swiping' starts!!! It's easy to succumb to some of the potentially addictive, comparison-invoking and self-judgemental effects!
However, it can prove to be an extremely useful and invaluable tool for so many reasons some of which we've seen and come to rely on during this recent global shift and I admit, it's been useful for me for research and to be able to share some of my reflections with you.....
In life there's often a school of thought, which considers it acceptable to unwisely and hastily, make presumptions on the lifestyle or leanings of certain characters. Sometimes, we do this because their persuasions don't line up with our own or because they're not considered to be 'good' or 'good enough' people, there's a knee jerk reaction to dismiss anything that would come out of their mouth. "Surely nothing of good substance could come from such a person!".
Introducing.... The Speaking Donkeys...they can come in all shapes and sizes, too young, too old, too educated, not educated enough, too black, too white, too rich, too poor! The appellations are numerous; just anyone who's so far removed from our own personal reality....
Sometimes what you really need to hear though, comes from an unlikely source.
May we become more sophisticated, 'Speaking Donkey' spotters. Then, there's the choice: Will you accept what's being said, or will you dismiss the message on the grounds of its messenger?
Life can really throw you a curve ball and all of a sudden you can find yourself in an extremely heated and pressurised situation. (Which I now recall was my very own experience and inspiration for writing this piece!!) However, as was the experience of three unsuspecting young men centuries ago, be encouraged to know that you can experience the supernatural when your back is against the wall....a very hot wall. When the heat is on and you're surrounded by strife, you too can endure the fiery experience, but without the ravaging effects, you too can be supernaturally delivered from the 'flames' without the smell or even hint of smoke on you!
Fathers' Day is the designated day to celebrate the patriarch, the provider, the role model, the protector, the man of the house and many times the mantle falls on the woman of the house!!! However, these champions, which they are, these warriors, past and present (and future), I believe, deserve celebrating every day.
I realise though that a good father is not everyone's experience and unfortunately that's becoming more and more the case these days, but today we take the time to celebrate those who have left and do leave, a positive, indelible impression upon their children and anyone they come into contact with.
We celebrate and we salute you today, good fathers of the Earth. Perpetuate after your kind.
We applaud you.... everyday.
BLM protesters chant "equality and fairness" and wave banners that read "No More Hatred" and "We're Not All Criminals" but then they exhibit and portray the exact lawless behaviour and sentiments that they appear so avidly to protest against.
Is this a call for justice, engendering reparation and restoration? You could be forgiven for thinking that that would be the change we're desperate to see, a satisfying end to the struggle ....but for some it still doesn't appear to be enough.....some black people seem to want more...
Black lives matter, yes they do, all lives matter, yes they do, but only if and when black lives matter, can it be said all lives matter. The recent events are a reminder, if we really needed one, that the anger, bitterness and frustration is real and justified....but we have to wisely, calmly and positively articulate our truth, violence and vengeance is not the way to lasting victory. It's time to usurp our energy in a positively, demonstrative fashion...come together and engage in constructive dialogue, to break the back of this curse, in solidarity with our families subject to social injustices here and all over the world. Then see the oppressor for what he sadly, really is...
Teaching is as much about attitude and approach as it is about content. Teachers in educational institutions are generally aware of the need to take into account learning styles and earn the trust and then the engagement of their students. Learning is also about attitude and approach, requiring humility, determination and a willingness to learn.
Educators, of any kind anywhere in life, also need to take into account learning styles and earn the trust and then the engagement of their listeners, their 'receivers'. The roles can also often be interchangeable. Let's ensure that we adopt the right attitude and approach, whether we are required to teach or educate (give information), or learn (receive information).
People connections are powerful! Once you've made a meaningful and fruitful connection with someone it's not just superficial, it's made on a much deeper, spiritual level. If you consider yourself 'salt' and 'light', never underestimate, but instead, cherish the power of your connections with all kinds of people, everywhere, everyday!
Could everything you've ever experienced to date, be all the ingredients used to shape you for your destiny?
I believe that no experience in life, whatever kind it's been, is wasted. Every ingredient is useful and dare I say, purposeful in shaping and preparing you to fulfill your ultimate purpose.
Sleeplessness is no fun. It can oftentimes prove hugely debilitating, affecting everything from your efforts at concentration and your daily output, to your skin and brain health! Did you know, you are prized and loved so much that a good night's sleep has been purposely and purposefully, programmed into your daily routine. This is to allow you to be rested, replenished and restored - spiritually, mentally and physically and to prevent 'running on empty' syndrome. I've used what I believe to be a surefire way to overcome the issue of sleeplessness myself. This is an introduction to my plan to share my method, to assist you in making the most of this potentially, life-changing and vital 'activity'. You may even discover benefits in areas beyond sleep!
I believe you can benefit from being Divinely protected, sustained and revived whilst you take time out to meditate, relax and sleep. A daily (or rather nightly!), peaceful sleep is your portion and has been factored into your life by original design. You can rest, without angst or apprehension, knowing that you are safe and lovingly guarded even when you could be considered to be at your most vulnerable. Let these sentiments still your mind and body, bathe your thoughts and induce rest and relaxation in your innermost being. Be holistically replenished as and whilst you sleep. If nothing else please receive this as my wish and prayer for you to enjoy and benefit from, what you absolutely deserve, a relaxing and peaceful night of restful sleep.
I believe you can benefit from being Divinely protected, sustained and revived whilst you take time out to meditate, relax and sleep. A daily (or nightly!), peaceful sleep is your portion and has been factored into your life by original design. You can rest, without angst or apprehension, knowing that you are safe and lovingly guarded even when you could be considered to be at your most vulnerable. Let these sentiments still your mind and body, bathe your thoughts and induce rest and relaxation in your innermost being. Be holistically replenished as and whilst you sleep. If nothing else please receive this as my wish and prayer for you to enjoy and benefit from, what you absolutely deserve, a relaxing and peaceful night of restful sleep.
The times and seasons call on the believers, to now join hands and face outwards, church without walls; be involved, be aware and be relevant. The world is crying out for answers. Now, more than ever, it's time to invade secular space.
Now, more than ever, particularly as the world has been forced to stop, lockdown and isolate, we need to be reminded of the power and positive benefits of pausing, being still, reflecting and just breathing. Make the most of the time and opportunity to engage in the, centuries-old practice, of meditation.
Stop, breathe and enjoy precious, enriching and enlightening moments of peace.
In a time when it's becoming increasingly difficult to be human, try edifying your spirit, by daily giving yourself to God.
This isn't about money, or possessions, this is about giving you: your hopes, fears, joys, sorrows, dreams goals and (shock, horror!) your failures!....none of it is a shock or surprise for our Creator. Remember He knows everything....but this is about benefitting your soul, this is creating healthy habits for your mind health. Don't burden yourself....give it all away to the One who can handle it - warts and all!
A very warm welcome awaits you Inside The Greenhouse. This content is nothing to do with flowers or gardening, it just takes place inside my greenhouse! This is more about sharing snippets of honest thoughts and a desire to sow the seeds for a balanced, purposeful and purpose-filled life.