From the category archives:

Jan’s story (memoir)

Laughing out loud

by Jan on June 30, 2010

I’d like to share this with you. It’s a true story about a way in which I hid myself a wee bit, for many years. Reflecting on it has got me wondering about the connection between being ourselves – our true selves – and the development of our creativity. I’m wondering if it will resonate [...]

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I discover hidden jewels…

by Jan on June 1, 2010

In 1991, when Mr N and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary, we bought a vibrant pink azalea. It has survived our unskilled gardening techniques (it hates being moved, we’ve discovered, and punishes us by refusing to flower the next year) and every May we look forward to the jubilant burst of colour which marks [...]

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Writing to learn, and writing to understand what the learning is

by Jan on November 25, 2009

I’d like to share a story with you. It starts kind of sad, but the ending is very joyful, very jubilant: In 1995, I bought a beautiful plain notebook with a specific intention. I’d always been a note-taker, a list-maker, but this was quite different. This journal was to be my companion as I sat [...]

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Get close up to yourself, find your essence

by Jan on November 24, 2009

If you’re able to be yourself, then you have no competition. All you have to do is get closer and closer to that essence. Barbara Cook (The image is pure copper, mined by my grandfather in Andalucia in the 1920s.)

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Moment in time

by Jan on August 18, 2009

3rd May 1916 Strait of Gibraltar Gazing out, mesmerised by the landmass looming ever closer, Father and I had been on deck for hours. Now we were able to see the quay, and even make out people swarming about. I strained my eyes for the first glimpse of Alec. Tomorrow at St Andrew’s Church here [...]

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