Growing pains

Occasionally we all have those days or sometimes weeks when we feel a little uncomfortable and overwhelmed; and it isn't instantly clear why. Those days when its best to stop and remember where everything sits in perspective; although, having already lost composure and now unable to remember quite where all of the normally functional little pieces fit, more often than not, is because they no longer do. Somehow without noticing, they've changed shape and evolved; so in fact it's no longer re-placing the pieces back to where they used to fit, but redesigning the slightly different shaped pieces to fit more comfortably into something new. More commonly, this is known as CHANGE... and there's still something about change that occasionally troubles me. I enjoy the idea of change, in processing the fresh and new, or reinventing the tired old, but change isn't always expected or predictable. Occasionally it may offer subtle signs or prompts in the peripheral before it rouses its sly little eyes to the window sill to catch us unaware, regardless of the fact we were uncomfortably trying to ignore it and see whether it might go away. But, when finally we acknowledge and accept it, its already happening; and it wasn't really all that terrifying after all.

I now know personally that those slight discomforts, that feel oddly familiar, but equally new and unrecognisable, are the growing pains of change.

So after a week of growing pains, and unhelpfully not being all that honest with myself in recognising their presence; I hit that wall. Although, having a little more familiarity with my wall and being much better at negotiating tall buildings these days, I've come to realise that its the final obstacle to conquer in each little chapter of my life. That is, before finding that the wall is actually more like a door, but seeing that everything is slightly distorted and out of perspective, I was unaware it was there to direct me, not to be obstructive. Then waking yesterday, I sensed an interesting hint of significance in the air, everything about it felt clarifying.. A day of growing I would say metaphorically speaking, yet from the moment I woke my entire day was filled with the refreshing presence of growth; and I partly have Spring to thank for that.

I have to quietly admit a small unnecessary addition to the discomfort of these growing pains was caused by my school books need for attention, but as did the abundance of fruit in my kitchen. So I went about this remarkably pleasant day, attempting to do both. Unfortunately the sun streaming through my kitchen windows and the baskets full of colour on the table, left my books feeling a little neglected. But the inspiration was far better suited to the concocting of flavours, and the coinciding wofting of aromas that sifted out from every open window to catch upon each softly floating breeze; than spent nuzzled amongst that very academic style 'black-on-white' of book pages.

So to make the most of not just the day but all of the apples, pears, and citrus fruit I had, my resourceful enthusiasm became;

Cinnamon and star anise stewed apple;

 A rather wholesome pear and apple cake;

 

A marvelous batch of marmalade;

 in the most sticky shade of orange;

.. And a particularly inexpensive lunch; one of the first picked nearly entirely from my garden, tossed together with a few wild leaves from the rivers side, and a few lonely leaves from the sprouting red cabbage heart in the side of my compost; which proved equally inspiring. Also having discovering that my home-made sourdough, fried with olive oil, thyme, and sea salt never seems to go wrong with anything (and everything), it has now become rather deliciously routine.

And to see all that I had accomplished by the end of the day (reading aside), with little expense other than my time, that was more spent pensively in the calming clarity of my kitchen, I re-found my perspective. 

So from beginning,

To end,

.. with every beautiful spring delight that surrounded me in between, yesterday was much clearer than had been the last few days before it; And everywhere I turn everything is finding space to stretch out and grow; and with my appropriately self-diagnosed growing pains, clearly that was me included.

However, now having acknowledged and accepted the latest inevitable path of change, the next part is what I enjoy most; the knowing that I've got unexplored places ahead to discover. I often hear stories from friends of their intrepid journeys to far away places, whilst I've never left the shores of the island on which I was born. Yet no less exciting by any means do I find my journey and my exploration of the great unknown. So once again I pack my bag, slightly more well equipped than before, to face the challenges and enjoy the experiences on the next chapter of my journey.

By the way; Thanks again growth and change, you sometimes make me a little weak at the knees, but I'm actually rather fond of you. x