New Year Wellbeing Poems

When I send my Xmas and New Year cards I have a tradition of writing a wellbeing poem and including it as a gift to my dear friends, family and neighbours.

As we’re in that post Xmas/New year period I thought I’d include a few for you here

And hope you enjoy them.

NOTES ON GRATITUDE

Gratitude is a bright light
that shines through despondency.

Even in the darkest hour,
can we search for a way
to give thanks, for all 
we have in our lives, right here, right now?

Gratitude is simply appreciating the times
someone has warmed our hearts,
with the comforting words they gave us,
as they looked at us with love in their eyes.

Gratitude breeds possibility in all things.
Offers a chance for things to improve.
Lets in some fresh air.

Gratitude makes life richer,
when odds seem stacked against us.
We’re still here doing our best
and a new day dawns.

Can we hold gratitude in our hearts,
even when the world sucks?
Isn’t that the best time to find it?

Dec 2023

When Hope is Present...

My prayer for us all this Xmas
is that despite the bleak outlook
we can still hold onto hope.

When hope is present -
our resolve is strengthened.
We have a reason to keep on keeping on,
to continue moving forward.

When hope is present, our spirits are lifted.
There is light in the darkness
to see what is possible.

When hope is present -
we have faith In a better outcome.
The people of Ukraine must have hope
or they would have surrendered long ago.

I pray that we all can hold onto hope
and believe that
‘All shall be Well’

Dec 2022

PRACTISING the ART of GRATITUDE

Blessed by the riches of my life,
I’m forever grateful for these nuggets:

Family surrounding me with their love.
Heartfelt friendships from the special ones
and those who hold me in their hearts.

Living life on life’s terms
which allows chances for improvement,
alongside belief in possibility and choices.

The ‘through leaves’ experiences that
make my heart sing with joy.
Those moments when I am simply at peace.

Routines and rituals that keep me afloat.
My valued sobriety - 34 years and counting,
one day at a time.

My ‘Jonny’ for the joy, love and support
he has brought to my life, alongside
the creativity he has helped blossom in me.

The essence of life itself and
the sheer beauty of this one precious life.

Dec 2021

The Art of Falling                                                                                        

Our world is weird
but we’re all cracking on.
Our hopes are now raised
but we still have to wait.

Found different ways of existing
but they’re stretched to the limits.
Lived and loved through lockdown
but release brought fresh spikes.

Despite tier systems which confuse
and test all our spirits
We resist the pull of bending
weak willed.

Despite the odds,
strong roots mean standing sturdy.
There’s a promise of tomorrow
where hugs become possible.

In this world of uncertainty,
We learn how to balance
the art of falling
with the weight of hope.

Dec 2020  (Covid year – remember that?)

In Praise of our NHS

This is the music of what happened -
Arrived at hospital, timid mouse,
for major eye operation, macula hole repair.
Full up with anxiety, verging on terror.
Determined to have General anaesthetic,
agreement given after much shedding of tears.

Met calm, reassuring Consultant, Mr Haynes
who listened to me and gave me his time.
A gift from the NHS.
Persuaded me to have a Local - safer, he said.
Anaesthetic administered by injection into eyeball,
Given by kind, calming anaesthetist.
Another gift from the NHS.

He told me I would be OK. Worst over. Eye frozen.
Awake but oblivious to the activity on eye,
Apart from brief period of involuntary
shaking jaw, I was OK. More than OK.

Had reclaimed my power and become
once more a bold, courageous woman.
Faced my fears. Danced with the music.
Nothing but praise for our precious NHS,

Dec 2019

Why a Xmas Poem?

Each year, perhaps you wonder
why I write a Xmas poem?
How my words are received is
Not the answer to the question.

I write a xmas poem because this winter ritual
comforts a swirling mind,
offers palliative support for turbulent emotions.
Living on the edge, outside looking in,
a poem helps me find my place.
A firm footing.

I write a xmas poem -
to offer insight on time passed in a flash of living.
to prise open tight circles of thoughts.
to find the spot lost dreams go to rest.
to keep heart safe for human interaction.
to soften untimely candour.
to trim thorns piercing membranes.
to fix punctured tyres.

Above all, to heal, solve, celebrate,
cherish life as it is,
not as I would have it be.

Try it. Write a xmas poem.
Offer this as your gift.

Dec 2018

Happy New Year to you all and may 2024 be joyful and peaceful.

Author of ‘Wearing Red, One Woman’s Journey to Sanity’

Available from www.browndogbooks.uk (paperback) and www.amazon.co.uk (ebook)