...a time to curl up around the dancing flames and sink into a good book!
October has brought new and tough challenges for so many around the country and indeed the world, so it is reassuring to remind ourselves of John Sinor's words as shown above. The Autumn season is full of bright and beautiful colours, a reminder of Nature's pervasive wonders. The nights may be drawing ever closer, but there are still chances for us to take delight in the reds, oranges, yellows and multiplicity of colours radiating from the trees all around us...
As Halloween approaches nearer day by day, we will naturally considering our futures beyond All Hallows' Eve and the uncertainty of what will happen with families throughout Christmas time. Nevertheless, I think that this is a useful time for us all to consider some of the imagination and inventiveness which has come about due to the situation of the covid-19 pandemic. Consequently, I have decided to focus on a song which was created during the heights of the restrictions earlier this year and which demonstrates the ability of artists to respond to the situation in objective ways.
Although there have been warnings that there could be a three or four year gap before the music industry returns to 2019 pre-covid levels, many artists have been working harder than ever to produce music which can be a support and lifeline for many people, especially if they are alone. My personal involvement with local community radio station, Lymm Radio, continues to be a highlight of my week and I hope that those who listen feel the wonderful sense of unity and harmony which I experience when producing and presenting in the studio. Click here for the link and please tune in every Wednesday evening 8-10pm for Evening vibes with Sitara. I would love to have you as part of the show's audience.
The song which will be the focus of this blog, is titled "Strange Days" and was recorded by The Struts with Robbie Williams earlier this year, as a way to reflect on the unpredictability of life during the time of the covid-19 pandemic.
When you stumble and fall get yourself off the ground
Play your favorite song and sing it out loud
Take a deep breath and in time you'll begin to smile
It begins in a consolatory way, acknowledging that there will be ups and downs, particularly when there is a feeling of precariousness at the moment. Much of the media is centred around the differing views and opinions of politicians in relation to the ways that covid-19 pandemic should be managed, but it is comforting to think that we can look beyond that to see the humanity underneath all of the concern.
Roald Dahl said:
"If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face and you will always look lovely"
This is acknowledged in the words of the song below:
Listen to the wind, it's the sweetest of sounds
Smilin' at the stranger on the Underground
Every little thing that you do goes a long long way
Any little act of appreciation and gratitude may contribute to the highlight of someone's day, and the simplest actions can often be the most impactful. Given that there are restrictions on physical proximity with so many people around us, a happy facial expression (albeit somewhat restricted by the latest trend of face mask!) can reassure others that there are reasons to be positive.
The words next below signify an important change which many of us have observed, as people became ever more valued in our lives:
Something money could never buy
It's worth more than a million roses
Daily financial gains versus family time at home.
Many people have been given the opportunity to reassess their work/life balance and think whether they are prioritising what is most important for them in their lives...
This wasn't the case for everyone, since many people have continued to act selflessly on behalf of the nation and put their own lives at risk to help protect and save others. Nevertheless, when business offices - except the essential places - were closed for a duration earlier in the year, many families were reunited together for many days. Everyone has a different personal situation but it is lovely to know that so many people were able to spend quality time together, less affected by the usual chaos of business/academic/personal life all wrapped up in confusion.
Life's tough but that's what makes you real
Many of us may be sympathetic to the line above, having experienced a barrage of emotions and unexpected life events or changes in recent months. Whatever hardships come your way, take a moment to think about what you can learn from that situation. It may be months or years after the event, but you may find that there is a point of learning which you can add to your personal strength and perseverance.
The words above by Bob Dickman illustrate the importance of life experience. As previously mentioned, smiles are contagious and a great source of joy which unites us around the world. Furthermore, it has been proved that smiles are innate, not learned. So, that should be an even more important reason for us to smile as much as we can to help lighten up the world. Your most jubilant reaction is something you're simply born to do.
Psychologist David Matsumoto acknowledged this in his words "Individuals blind from birth could not have learned to control their emotions in this way through visual learning, so there must be another mechanism". He links our facility of smiling with evolutionary development which we have inherited throughout our ancestry.
Therefore, we should take hope from this information, even when times feel most difficult:
We don't know, it's unclear
Where we'll be this time next year
These lyrics seem to me to be some of the most poignant words from this song which are directly related to the current situation of ambiguity. Nevertheless, recognition of this scenario will assist in moving forwards and in lessening the worry about the unknown future.
What is more, the following words highlight the significance of living through everything that is happening now. There may be times which you would prefer to forget, but there will remain opportunities for us to learn and grow, in our life journeys. Remember that everyday is a new opportunity...
Girls and boys are rushing to be on show
What's the hurry children you're forgetting to grow
Make the best of where you begin in this crazy world
I hope that you have found the lyrics of "Strange Days" comforting, as we are all experiencing different hardships at varying times, but we will be able to continue with cheerful smiles and acceptance of the present moment.
I continue to enjoy sharing and spreading my daily and weekly creations on social media, including Wednesday words and a more recent post about the importance of breakfast to start off the day with renewed energy levels. I hope that you all enjoy the variety of posts on Instagram and Facebook and I welcome any new suggestions for content and baking ideas. As the darker nights start to set in earlier day by day, alongside colder days, it remains a pleasure to bake and cook in a warm kitchen, accompanied by a range of relaxing songs or the radio. Thank you to all of you for your continued support and please do take a look at my personal website for my journey so far. I am immensely grateful to you all and share a recent shot of a favourite view which changes delightfully throughout the seasons :)
In the darkest days, take Nelson Mandela for daily inspiration:
"It always seems impossible until it's done"
The unachievable word impossible is quickly conquered when you take a moment to dissect the word im - possible, demonstrating how time can be used effectively to analyse situations and work out the best outcome possible. Nelson Mandela is a great role model for this. In 1994, he was elected to be President of South Africa and this also was the first time that he ever voted in an election. He was 76 years old, having only been released from his 27 year-long sentence which ended in 1990. Take strength from his story which show us that first times can be truly remarkable.
"Everything you can imagine is real"
Take Pablo Picasso's words to heart and embrace your inner dreams. They can happen if you believe in yourself.
Lots of love always,
Sitara xxx
What a beautiful expression of the important things to focus on whilst we ride this storm xx