Viral Spain Blog 11^th March 2022.

Would I or wouldn't I? Sitting in the opening circle of Biodance on Wednesday evening I did not know. It could be embarrassing and raise nothing. I wanted to see if people were minded to contribute to a collection for UNICEF's children in Ukraine campaign.

A few people spoke then I took the plunge. I am so pleased I did. We raised in total 175 euros. Since then I have been trying to get UNICEF's UK website to accept the money! I hope the non functioning of the computer is due to an over whelming number of donations. I shall break off from this when the Uk opens for business to phone them.

Wouldn't it be great if all the charities helping out in Ukraine were over whelmed with donations. I even felt quite optimistic when I got home on Wednesday evening and counted the money. Since then I have had a little foray into the British newspapers a kind neighbour brought back from the UK on Monday, but alas soon descended from my relatively positive mood. Now I am back to my media abstinence. I have a friend who accused me, a few months ago of carrying the troubles of the world on my shoulders. I cannot deny it. I am not sure how to be light hearted and care free when there is a pandemic, global warming, Brexit and a war.

I aim not to think about these areas except in a problem solving sort of way. I meditate twice a day. I go out into the garden to enjoy the view, the flowers and the sunshine whenever it is sunny, and quite often when it is not. I spend a minute or two stroking the f—king cat whenever.

I even have a therapy session every three weeks, maybe I will look specifically at 'carrying' less next time.

My friend and therapist shared her woes and then I shared mine, an hour each way. This is what we do. It means no money changes hands and I get to practice my therapeutic skills as well as receiving some. We have been doing it for years. One might imagine it would be difficult to move from deep self examination and the woe that can sometimes arise in this, to a position of support, reflection and re-framing that might be needed immediately after. In practice it has never arisen. We do take five or ten minutes at change over for a breath of fresh air or a pee, then somehow we can just proceed. I guess both of us have been involved in therapeutic work for decades. Receiving as well as giving sessions is a normal part of being a therapist.

In my session last week I picked my friend's brains about relaxation or guided meditation recordings and she recommended an 'App' called Insight Timer. I have now used it seven times, mostly with the same recording. It is called `Yoga Nidra for Sleep and Rest ' and lasts half an hour. It includes tracking through the body one finger at a time. So far it has only sent me to sleep for a siesta and not at night but there are nearly three quarters of a million meditations on the app, so I can probably find one that works for me....or die trying!!

I just tried UNICEF again and they could not help me as I have a non UK post code.

They suggested I ring again after nine when head office will be open. Who knew it could be so difficult to give. Sarah and I must have spent a total of 3 hours on this so far. Alright some of that is registering my new credit card and updating my banks contact details. I feel I need to stick with UNICEF as that is what I told the dance group. One more call!

Go well my friends, and don't mention the war!!