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Reasons To Be Cheerful


Un Peu has cruelly dragged me from the Sofa of Misery to tag me. Apparently I’ve got to write about five strategies which make me feel better. Right now a lavish publishing deal and lunch at L’Escargot would hit the spot nicely, so that’s two if anyone would like to make my day.

No, I do know what she means so I had a little ponder about it whilst myndying the siopa just now. I remember when my heart was broken for the very first time and Dad found me sobbing. He gave me a hug and said, ‘It’ll never hurt this much again, Miss Chris.’ Reader, he lied. But I can see why. A couple of minor dents and bruises help prepare you for the serious knocks that come everyone’s way. Stuff happens. That’s the cost of living if you like.

Okay, this is how I deal with the small stuff, this is different to living with the black dog who I’m also well acquainted with but we’ve got the measure of each other now. This is what Lily would call the ‘Cry me a river, build me a bridge and get over it’ stuff.

Make Every Day Count
This is it. You get once chance, one life. Yesterday’s gone, forget about it. You have this precious new day so live it.

Keep On Running
This is how I get dispose of the daily rubbish, the stuff that would grind me down if I let it. Ticking off the miles with only the rhythm of my breathing to think about is an almost transcendental experience – and I get to see the sea as well, which is always a bonus.

Wallow
When I’m really hacked off the best thing for me is to shut the door and immerse myself in music. An hour of listening to other folk’s misery and despair never fails to cheers me up! My personal choices would include:
Nick Cave, ‘I Had A Dream, Joe’ – sheer madness
Nick Drake, ‘Black Eyed Dog’ – sheer desolation
Tim Buckley, ‘Song To The Siren’ – hauntingly, scarily beautiful.
To cap it all, of my three choices only Nick Cave is still alive and kicking. Both Nick Drake and Tim Buckley died wastefully young.

Poetry
We’ve got shelves of it. I always return to:
W B Yeats, anything really
Siegfried Sassoon, ‘Together’
Don Paterson, ‘A Private Bottling’

My Daughters
I would walk through fire for them. Thinking about them or imagining them by my side has got me through no end of trying times.

So there you have it, my highly personal account of what works for me. I won’t tag you but if you’d like to write about what makes you feel better I’d love to read it.

Hwyl fawr!
Painting is 'Lobster Pots Off Caldey' by Tom Tomos





Comments

That was really interesting to read Chris. Love to think of your daughters keeping you going like that. My boys have had the same effect over last few years.

warm wishes
x
Un Peu Loufoque said…
There you go that it was worth getting off the sofa for thank you!!
Sally Townsend said…
So glad you are off the sofa, you don't strike me as a coach potato anyway and I love reading your blogs !
Anonymous said…
I hope reading those points back to yourself will cheer you up!

I'd walk through fire for my daughter too. Children do have a wonderful effect on our lives, they always give up something else to think about!

Crystal xx
Blossomcottage said…
I'm so glad you got off the sofa, a friend of mine sat on the sofa one day all day because she was feeling miserable, she had been sitting with her feet tucked under her, and the door bell rang, she jumped up to answer it, her leg had gone dead with the weight of her body and she fell down and broke it in 3 places. At least she then had a reason to be miserable.
Blossom
Good Blog.
Faith said…
Snap with the daughters!

And good news about the book.
CAMILLA said…
Wonderful news about the book Chris, and yes, I would give my life for my children, they mean everything to me.
Camilla.x
Pondside said…
I love to read how you beat the blues - the wallowing is a new one and one I think I might just try - but I'll add chocolate to the music mix!

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