New year, new me, new growth

So, it’s February 2020 and we’ve just entered a new, post-Brexit era. When we originally faced the Halloween Brexit deadline of 31st October, I was filled with a sense of dread. I wasn’t quite ready to “die in a ditch” but for me, it did put a dampener on the usual spooky celebrations of the old Celtic New Year. There was the worry about what all this would mean for daily life - for travel, the economy, the medicines supply chain…

Candles and confusion or new learning and growth?

"Will our friends in Europe leave the light on for us?”

In life, as in politics, things don’t always go to plan, but every day brings new surprises, new learning and new growth. That’s what makes it so exciting.

I can hardly believe February is upon us and with it, the reality of a new chapter outside of the E.U. For many people this has been a time of mourning and confusion, of candlelit vigils. For Scotland, there are many mixed emotions. Are we truly big enough and strong enough to stand on our own two feet? Will our friends in Europe leave the light on for us?

Sparking imagination

On 2nd February I took my young son to a Family Forest School event run by the amazing Little Acorns Early Years. It was a dreich day but an enriching and enlightening experience. Together with other parents and children we got muddy, learned woodcraft skills and chatted round a campfire. It sparked all our imaginations.

At the end of the session, the children gathered for story time, a tale about a snowdrop - the first flower of winter, ushering new growth. This was clearly a symbol of the pagan festival of Imbolc or Candlemas linked to the start of the lambing season. The meaning of the word Imbolc is debated. It may mean “in the belly” or “ewes’ milk”, but either way it signifies new beginnings and fertility, the first signs of the days lengthening.

As a newly self-employed person, I sometimes feel vulnerable, like a snowdrop trying to push through the frost. Sometimes the fire of inspiration in my belly feels it could be easily blown out by the winds of change.

Keep the fire burning

When that happens, I know it’s important to connect with others who have a common purpose, to share ideas and keep the fire burning. Things don’t always go to plan, but that’s what makes it so exciting. Maybe a chat round a campfire could help you with new some new learning and growth?

P.S. I’m happy to meet indoors too if getting muddy isn’t your thing! Drop me a line at hello@ncg-grow.com