Do you know where the railway bridge is?

Spring is turning to summer, there are more people on foot at this time of year, which naturally turns to people wondering where they are supposed to be going.

I was happy to offer directions this week, it brings me pleasure to be asked for directions, not just because I feel useful, or because I do enjoy being able to help in whatever small way, and often people are very grateful to have found someone else on foot who can help them on their journey. 

No, I am happy to be of assistance and to be of service, because the meaning I give to being in the right place at the right time reminds me that by being right there, at that time, and being able to help the person in need puts me in service to God, and my Guardian Angels and spirit guides have gone out of their way to make sure I am where I need to be. 

I am also aware that Angels don't always place me just to help the person who is on my path, but to help onlookers, to remind them too that we are all earth angels, here to help each other. If you have been chosen by spirit to be the helper, you have been blessed. If you have been helped by spirit and you are the person being helped, you have been blessed, because your need has provided someone else the opportunity to help and therefore grow spiritually themselves.

This is why I blog, blogger, dear reader, to inspire others to remember why they are on the planet, to remain alert to ways in which we can be of service to others and to be grateful to have been chosen to make a difference, maybe not just to one person, but to as many people as they are able to reach.

So, as coincidence would have it, this week, I was asked for directions to the railway bridge. I am often asked for directions to the railway, to the stairs, to the exit or entrance and this week, it was how to get to the other side of the railway, I pointed out the bridge. The paved road which goes over the railway line, not even a bridge really, more of a linked walkway. But, for arguments sake, I will call it a bridge. Also this week, I had another appointment cancelled because of a traffic jam due to someone jumping off a bridge. The next day my train was cancelled because someone had thrown themselves off a bridge onto the train track.  A week for bridges and reminders that sometimes people don't or won't ask for help even when there are people willing and able to help.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Knowing me, knowing you

Apologies for beginning my blog with an apology, I know I am supposed to write more, it is in my nature. There have been a few little coincidences, which I didn't make time to blog about and now I fear they have escaped the permanence of being blogged about.

What I do remember from recent days? I know I have definitely been asked for directions more than once.

Standing on the corner of a roundabout. Yes, that is a thing. Loads of junctions all culminating in a roundabout at the top, I was on the corner of one of the junctions and a young Eastern European couple walked alongside me, clutching their iphone and looking lost. They had managed to get google map up, and in fairness to them, the depths of Essex isn't really very well signposted. I pointed them in the right direction and bounced off on my journey. A reminder from spirit that I am the person who knows the way. I can't exactly recall the other request for help, I think it may have involved someone pulling over in a car and me knowing where they needed to go.

I have experienced another batch of change this month, not least of which involved more steps towards becoming a qualified counsellor. This involved an interview, a group interview actually, not just me, where the interviewer thought she knew me, or had met me. I tried to explain I get this a lot, but I am not really sure how to explain people having a feeling that they know me, I mean, usually people actually mistake me for someone else, at least this interviewer just thought she had met me before.

I am pretty sure this is spiritual intervention, where angels and spirit guides draw close, bringing people together with a feeling of comfort, belonging and a knowingness that each other's company is familiar and safe. 

I know I have never seen her before in my life, the interview was at least 20 miles from home, not an area I have ever been to and our paths have never crossed, but it didn't stop her wondering where she knew me from.

Well, signing off trying not to promise to blog more frequently, it will only lead to the need to apologise more.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin

Not blogging for the sake of it

Well, blogger, here's a turn up. I have stopped feeling a need to apologise for not blogging. I haven't blogged, there's a reason for that. See below the little snippets of my week which I found time to make a note of. See anything remotely worthy of blogging about? Me neither. And that's okay. Forcing myself to blog on a daily basis isn't necessarily going to bring about interesting content. So,I will stop apologising for the lack of blogging and accept that when the Universe wants to deliver something worth writing about, it will. 

Monday

Job Interview

Tuesday

Day's training.  Working with a young lady called Sherelle her mum's name is Tammy.

First training screen I looked at had the same name as a woman I am at college with on a Thursday.

Pancake day. Missed pancakes because I was working and although I did have dinner with my son, we didn't have the time to let the food go down and eat pancakes as well!

Wednesday

New Moon, a formal offer of employment, after two days training, which I appear to have got through. 

Thursday

A day off from learning, finding new ways of working.  Chinese New Year. 

I went for a stroll along the seafront, my favourite place to breath in the sea air and stretch my legs. A white van pulled alongside me on a really steep downward slope heading down to the beach. 

I managed to remember to put a smile on my face and switched in to 'helpful' mode. 

A guy was holding a clipboard with a list of addresses on a white A4 sheet of paper.

'Do you know where Palmeira Avenue is?' he said.

I said I wasn't sure, I knew it was one of the roads on the right from where we were, but I wasn't sure which road it was.

He drove off and I saw him take the next right. As I walked closer to the road sign, I realised it was Palmeira Avenue. It was the very next road on the right. 

Message I interpreted from the Universe...I am closer to my destination than I think.

Friday

A third day of working, Paid working. Not training.

Saturday

Worked all day. I have nearly forgotten my commitment to positivity. It gets harder the more tired I get.

So, my new commitment to blogging is not to bore you with the details of my little life when nothing spiritual jumps out, but to stick to blogging just about the coincidences. I keep putting unemployed angels to work, helping everyone I know. If you feel you need a little help just send a thought up to your Guardian Angel 'please give me the strength I need for ...x.y.z'. 


Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Journal of coincidences/Positive events 9th February 2015

Monday

Beautiful sunny day, although a bit brisk. A day to let go of stress, a day of healing, stretching, spiritually, being open to all that spirit have to offer. A day for self-reflection and self-awareness.


Tuesday

I went for a long walk. I enjoyed taking up my old hobby of  snapping photos of random things which showed up on my path. There were lots of them today, six white doves, yes, six, first time I have seen six white doves, anywhere. Two magpies, a white feather, nowhere near the white doves,one robin, a squirrel (which came right up to close to say hello), three black cats in separate locations, one tabby cat which rolled at my feet and showed me a beautiful, vulnerable tummy. So many lost gloves and hats, I lost count, but I did take snaps just to add to my collection. 

I considered going to visit my friend called Ellie, but I changed my mind on the way round there and swerved off to the park to absorb the healing vibrations of fauna and flora. On my way home a lady walking her beautiful, blonde haired labrador stopped for a chat. She spoke about her dog in that loving way only committed dog owners can. 

'What's her name?' I was prompted to ask.
 'Ellie' she said. 

I had a little chuckle, I did explain that I was going to visit my friend called Ellie but I had changed my mind, I don't think it meant anything to her,but it may have done, often people don't like to admit that they find any significance in coincidence. I also had a chat with the owner of a little brown chocolate dog called Bella. No coincidence involved, but who knows who could show up tomorrow?

A wrong number on the telephone. Someone wanting a Mr Dean.

Wednesday

Went to church, had a lovely time. The medium used the words 'you never know what you are going to get' which is exactly the phrase I had used at a job interview, one where I didn't get the job. Not meant to be. I met a new friend called Jenny who gave me a lift to Iceland and waited patiently while I did a bit of shopping and then proceeded to drive me home to my front door! Thank you Universe for a fabulous lift.

Thursday 

Brings the final week of College, I will be half way through this year's Diploma Course. 

The session was smooth and pleasant. I enjoyed the experience. My son called round for dinner. It was lovely to see him.

Friday

Cars gave way to me, on my pedestrian travels, various cars of different shapes and sizes, some friendly drivers, some waving me on impatiently, but giving way nonetheless.

Saturday

Asked for Directions to the Ridgeway. Do I know it? Well, I went for an interview there this week, so, yes, I really do know it. I pointed the young man to the end of the road, told him to turn right at the traffic lights and the road he needed was practically parallel to where we were standing when he asked me. As he headed off I realised there was actually a short cut and a quicker way to get to his destination, so I called him back, I had to shout at the top of my voice, him being a young man he had hoofed off in the direction I sent him. The wind carried my voice and he returned to hear the shortcut version. I continued my journey, reminded I am the person who knows the way.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Have we met? - my coincidental week

A busy week in the material world, I cannot tell you Blogger, how much information, how many events and how many new people flew through my material experience this week. But, take it from me, there have been a lot. In fact, there have been so many, I just know I have probably forgotten some of the seemingly unimportant coincidences which have happened to me. 

All Week: People Giving Way

I have been taking this for granted again, remiss of me. A reminder that the person sitting behind the steering wheel has been prompted by their Guardian Angel to stay sitting in their car for a few moments longer as I go about my business. There are many, many times when people don't give way, cars just fly by, without giving it a thought as to the pedestrians they are driving past. People who have often been walking in the cold, for hours, essential miles to travel, whether it is to collect their children from school,or taking trips to the chemist for medication for sick relatives, or just carrying their shopping home. I never used to really pay attention to people 'giving way', but I have made it a 'thing'. I send love to the person who has stopped and who has paid attention to my walking plight. Although, walking is good for me and I do enjoy a brisk stroll, I need to exercise every day, sometimes, especially when it is raining, or as we have enjoyed more recently, sleeting or snowing, the walking does feel like a bit of a chore. On my travels this week, which hasn't involved any more walking than usual, I have noticed a few cars giving way for me. For this I am grateful.

Monday: Coincidental Words: Keep Smiling

I do have a history of losing umbrellas, and finding them. Sometimes when least expected, like the time I was walking along in gale force winds, rain stinging my face and an umbrella blew to my feet, literally on my path which I naturally picked up and used as a shield against the wind, it helped a bit. I did send a little sympathetic thought to whoever must have lost their umbrella, but that didn't stop me thanking the Universe/Spirit for bringing me the brolly when I needed it. 

Well, this Monday morning I trotted along my local High Street, which isn't quite a High Street, more a Lower Middle Street where a mobility shop has popped up, with brollies in a bucket outside, solid brollies for a quid. I have recently lost my best brolly, although I have managed to hang onto it for a good couple of years, somehow I have managed to lose it, I can only imagine it has been given, by the Universe/Spirit, to someone who needed it more than I did. Seizing the opportunity to replenish my Brolly Stock, I nipped in and picked up a new, black, boring but sturdy, umbrella. I had a joke and a laugh with the guy in the shop 'Keep Smiling' he said to me.  I did smile, it was my Dad's favourite saying and my Mum signs her letters off with Keep Smiling. Fabulous. another little reminder there is more going on in the world than meets the eye.

Tuesday: Coincidental Name and Place

Well, first task on the first day of a different job, receiving an email from someone called Tasmin, about a property in Ditton Court Road. My name is Tamasin, guess where I live?

Wednesday: Paul Young

I know there is going to be some drama when I hear this name. Don't ask me why, this is just one of those weird anomolies in life. Where did I hear this name this week? Well, it was on the radio, a quiz show, the caller knew the name of the song he was being played, but he couldn't recall the name of the artist. I enjoyed the 'Wherever I lay my Hat' tune again.

A Wrong Number

I notice this because it is fun. The landline hardly ever rings, unless of course it is someone trying to sell something. So I was quite surprised to pick the phone up to hear a man's voice 'I don't suppose this is the Portugese restaurant?' I confirmed for him that he is right, this isn't the restaurant, but I can book him a table for 8? We both laugh, a pleasant, makes a change, exchange on the telephone.

Thursday: Coincidental People

I trotted along to a drama group on Tuesday evening, with a new found friend I am at college with (on a counselling Diploma). I had a lovely time, I sat in a circle and read from a script, written by a young guy called Daniel, another name which often features on my path, I sat next to a man called Darren.We were both reading parts of this script. 

It was about a guy called Rob (there's a surprise) who threatened to shoot himself, amongst a lot of other drama about a girl who didn't want him and I was the person who had to calm him down and try and talk him out of it. Talk about drama mirroring life, or is that vice versa? Whichever. I did have a brother called Rob, and he did actually kill himself. 

As I read the words, I found myself being able to deal with the scenario. I have moved on from my grief. I have actually dealt with the painful feelings. There was a time, not so long ago, when I wouldn't have even been able to read a script like this without feeling upset and some level of distress. I also knew that Daniel had been prompted to write this script, using the name Rob, and I was meant to be in that place at that time to be able to test my strength of emotional well being. I have been shown by spirit that I am in a stronger, healthier place and I have moved on. 

Fast forward to Thursday and I was walking through Southend, headed towards a public loo to change into my waterproof boots. I noticed a man walking towards me who looked familiar, we both recognised the connection at the same time. It was Darren again, he was surprised as I was. 160,000 people in this town, and yet our paths crossed in the same week we have met. This is the sort of synchronicity which if you put it into a play or a film, people would find it too unlikely to actually be able to happen.

Saturday: Being Asked for Directions

My Spiritual nature is kicking back in. I am in touch with my Self. There can be no doubt. Being asked for directions, for me, is confirmation that spirit are in touch, putting me in the right place, at the right time, to be able to be of assistance to someone who doesn't know the way. It has happened again. 

There I was, having just stepped out of the opticians in my new varifocals. Practising, if you will,blogger, practising at walking in my new glasses. Looking down I can't see very far, but if I look up I can see the whites of the eyes of pilots flying overhead. So, I was literally just having a little walkabout, in a street which I wouldn't normally be drawn to, nor would it be part of my regular routine walk. 

A woman walking towards me said

'Can you help me?'

'I can' I say. 

I don't bother with the usually British game of saying stupid things like 'I don't know, can I?' or 'I might'. I know not to play games, especially with people who have the strength to ask for help. I smile at her and I know that I can help her. I can. This is why I help people. Because I can. There is no agenda, there is nothing being asked in return. I just help.

'Do you know where the train station is?' She asks in faltering English, but she has a determined nature about her. I say I am headed that way, I will show her, rather than try and explain in English, which she may not wholly understand how she needs to spot the opening for an alleyway, up some stairs, cross a bridge and back on to herself, 200 yards up the road, etc. So I walk her to the stairs and do some arm waving and pointing. I think she got it.

In the meantime I know to find the Other Link. The coincidence between us,or the purpose of her journey. So as we walk, I ask her where she is going in London?  She doesn't know the words in English, she cannot remember the names of where she is going.  Bit like me, I thought, yes, sums it up nicely. I don't really know where I am going.

Sunday: The Butterfly

I am really enjoying my renewed connection with the Law of Attraction beliefs. I do believe the Law of Attraction is really another way of measuring our faith in Spirit/The Universe. I have been playing with the Universe this week, so I have been expecting the unknown. I was still surprised though, to see a butterfly appear, February 8th, to be exact, not butterfly season, but there it was, in the park, waiting patiently for me to take a photo. I thank the Universe and look forward to coming attractions.

Sunday: Being Mistaken for Someone Else

I went shopping in Sainsburys. I was meant to ask for cashback but when I got to the till, the operator diverted my attention. 

'Have I served you already today?'

me: 'Ummm, No'

Till Operator with Stunned Face: 'I served you earlier today?'

me: 'No' with an imperceptible shake of the head I try and explain that this is definitely my first trip to Sainsburys today. 'Maybe it is my glasses, same glasses?'

Till Op: 'Same glasses, same hair, same face'

me: 'Oh. There is someone who looks like me?'

Till Op: 'Just like you, and she is around here'

me: 'I will look out for her! I probably won't recognise her' 

We shared a laugh. I went about my daily business feeling less unique, less special, but also, perhaps extraordinary in that I have, yet again, been mistaken for someone else.

So, blogger, my week has been filled with coincidence,synchronicity,memorable events,both expected and unexpected. I feel very grateful to be aware of these events in my world, knowing that Spirit is nudging me life along, guiding and helping, knowing that none of us are alone in our life experience, all we have to do is notice when Spirit is trying to get our attention or ask something from us.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Being asked for directions and a dog called Bob

And so it is, every blog begins with an apology. Sorry, sorry, so sorry. Honestly, sorry not to have been blogging more regularly.

However, there have been a few things which have needed my attention and I have not been afforded the luxury of random musings on the computer.

Although, this is a lie, because I have had the time to be on twitter.

Okay, I will stop lying to myself and you, dear reader. I made a commitment to blog about the coincidences which show up, the ones which bring meaning, to me, personally. I haven’t really done very well with that commitment, in that, every three or four coincidences I remember I haven’t blogged about them!

Again, I can only apologise and just try to recall the coincidences which have happened since the last time I blogged. Now, where was I? Yes, I last blogged about  being asked for directions to a place which was meaningful to me, I was asked for directions to the road I was living in when my son was born, 21 years ago. This sort of coincidence makes me happy.

What else have I seen? Well, I saw three black cats, happily sunning themselves, four squirrels and a robin. All of these creatures remind me of spirit and people I know, both past and present. 

One cold day, mid-Christmas, recovering from a nasty bug, I decided to take a walk and fill my lungs with fresh, clear air. As well as wrapping up warm, I do like to keep a smile on my face as much as possible and I am open to having little greeting comments from people I meet on my path.  I saw a few people walking their dogs, the dogs clearly enjoying the cold more than their owners, a few people nodded and often their dogs jump up in greeting at me. I wonder whether I have spirit helpers around me the dogs can see and this is why they greet me. I am not particularly a dog person, I prefer cats, but I am aware that dogs can sense so much more than us humans, so I humour the over friendly doggies, in case they are really greeting my guides.

This fine,cold,crisp day I took a detour along a back lane, walking alongside a brook where an elderly woman was walking towards me with what I can only describe as a tortoiseshell patterned collie. I commented on how pretty she looked. ‘oh, he’s a boy, his name is Bobby’.  We exchanged pleasantries and I continued on my journey, holding on to the ‘hello’ I had just received from Spirit.  I have a brother in spirit, who used to be known as Robert, but since being in spirit likes to be known as Bob. Yes, I know this sounds crazy to the non-believer or if you haven’t had the experience of losing a loved one yourself, but it is Christmas and I like to think of my bumping into a woman with a dog named Bobby as my Christmas greeting from my brother.

I have also been asked for directions twice this week. Well, technically, only once, to Westcliff Train Station, I gave two young ladies directions to get to the London side of the track and then I realised they may not have been going to London. I did manage to ask them where they were heading and they said Shoebury. I pointed them in the right direction and memories of my time living in Shoebury came flooding back to me. Again, being asked for directions to somewhere I know well. I travelled from Westcliff Station for many years when I used to work in London and I also moved from Westcliff to Shoebury.  It is the small coincidences, blogger, like these ones, which keep me going, safe in the knowledge that there is more to life than meets the eye. 

The other ‘asked for directions’ was really more me pointing out to someone where they really needed to be going, without actually being asked. I bumped into an old customer from when I used to work in a charity shop.  He used to come into my shop in Basildon looking for second hand toys for his son, I used to knock money off to try and help him out. Anyway, I was walking in Westcliff (nowhere near Basildon) and he was walking down the same street as me, we said Hi and his son, now talking and pointing all by himself, wanted to go into a charity shop. Well, since I know the area really well, I pointed out to him the most child-friendly charity shop, run by The Samaritans in Westcliff, one where I used to volunteer. He was more than happy to take my recommendation and although it isn’t technically asking for directions, if he had known my level of knowledge in charity shops in Westcliff, he most certainly would have asked for my help!

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Do you know the way? An inflated balloon and a lost tourist.

21st September. Is it really that time already? Here we are, heading for Autumn, looking for woolly gloves and generally brushing off brollies and cobwebs. 

Well, 2014 has brought un-seasonally warm weather to the United Kingdom. Which has probably helped to increase the number of people who are walking in the sunshine rather than driving.

I should apologise for not blogging, I should, but I am sure my readers have given up expecting me to blog regularly. Dear Bloggers, a life has ensued. Time has run away with me. However, since the rainy days and longer nights are drawing in, I am sure this will lead to more time spent in front of the computer.

Forgive me for digressing. My spiritual journey continues. The signs and coincidences are still around, whenever something meaningful happens, I silently thank spirit and carry on. No need to make a song and dance about it, I am grateful for the gentle nudges from spirit to remind me there is more to life than what we can see, feel and hear. There truly is.

Anyway, you know how I do like to be rewarded by the Universe? Not in a material sense with stuff, but by the little coincidences which I experience remind me that the Universe hasn’t forgotten me and my little world does have a meaning, even in the greater scheme of things.

Well, there I was, walking in the late September sun, actually enjoying walking home despite carrying heavy shopping, when I noticed a woman trying to attract my attention through my earphones. Okay, so I am guilty of this, switching off to the world and disappearing into a musical interlude, which this time involved Billy Ocean. Still, she managed to make eye contact and gesture at me to remove one of my head phones. I smiled at her whilst taking in the whole picture, female, motherly, blonde, sixties, carrying an inflated balloon in a carrier bag.

‘I am completely lost now and I don’t suppose you might know where I need to go’. This is actually what she said to me.

Credit to her, most people who cross my path hardly ever explain their predicament or how they got there or what they need from me, they usually just blurt out...’do you know where....x, y or z ... is?’. So I was a little prepared, more so than usual to find a link to the place she was about to ask me. This is something I have promised myself to practice and improve on. To find the link, the coincidence, my connection to the person who has been drawn to me.

‘I’ll give it a go’ I said ‘Where are you trying to get to?’

‘Wilson Road, do you know it?’ she looked helplessly at me.

‘Do I know it? It is where I was living when my son was born’.  I confirmed, that not only did I know where she was going, but the address held a deep significance for me too.

We both enjoy the link, we have a laugh and I walk with her, heading in that direction, which is about a mile and a half away from where we are. We have a little chat and she tells me she comes from Canary Wharf and is thinking of moving here, I tell her I am an estate agent and I give her my card.  My enquirer is heading to the birthday party of an 80 year old lady, who had told her to get off the train at Southend, but no, she hadn’t listened, and someone else had told her to get off at Westcliff, which is how she found herself a mile in the wrong direction.

When she stopped me to ask for directions, I thought I was going to be searching for a link, knowing I had a split second to find it, but not this time. This time the link was blatant.

A blatant blast from the past from the Universe, a reminder not just of one of the most important events in my life, but also a reminder as to how far I have come.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Do you know of a printer who is open on a Saturday?

2013 ended and 2014 began, I gave up blogging. There have been a few reasons for this, firstly, my son came home from Uni and hogged the ethernet cable for the best part of four weeks, secondly, I have been busy working in retail and thirdly, I just couldn't be bothered.

So, here I am again, renewing my typing and writing ability, flexing my creative muscles as I put words on paper. Although, not really paper, clearly, but with the Sun in Aquarius, the second New Moon on the month (otherwise known as the Black Moon) and the Chinese Year of the Horse urging me to start again, I feel a need to pick up the challenge of writing regularly.

Just because I haven't blogged, doesn't mean I haven't been asked for directions, or found myself in a position of learning new things from people with similar names, the same old patterns have shown up, I have learnt from them, I have moved on. But, not blogging about them at the time, does mean I tend to forget them. They show up, events in life, people, phrases, people, places and by not blogging, they are gone, a distant memory with no record. 

I can only apologise for this, being remiss at recording all the little details which keep me going over the years. I was also prompted to blog because someone asked me for directions the other day. A woman pulled over in her car, outside the spiritualist church in my road, and called out 

'Do you know of a printer's open on a Saturday?'. 

Yes, of course I do. She was Irish, with no knowledge of this area. I set her off in the right direction.

How did I know which printer was open on a Saturday? Because I used to be their Avon lady and I also used to buy my paper from them when I worked from home typing for my old boss. 

Yes, again, I have been asked for directions to a place I not only know where it is, I am also familiar with it on a  personal level. 

Since I haven't been in the mode of linking with spiritual matters or connecting with nature in any form (working in materialistic retail over Christmas has that effect), I will forgive myself for not delving further and finding out what her reason for going there was. 

This is my little challenge to myself, to take one step further, not just to let people know where they are going, but to try and link our journeys together by finding the coincidence which has brought them to cross my path. This is not as easy to do as it is to write. 

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Being asked for Directions - twice in one week, do you know where the University is? where is Leigh Broadway?

Hello friends,

With the advent of Sat Nav and most people having smart phones with access to the internet, it gives even more meaning to my little game of 'Being Asked for Directions'. 

Here's how it works. I am strolling along, usually minding my own business, when someone asks me for directions, usually to somewhere I know really well. Although I admit, I have been guilty of getting involved with people when I see them looking confused at a map. But no, not this week. This week I am having a few changes of my own. There has been a new experience of volunteering in an English class. English for speakers of other languages. I was invited to the adult community college to volunteer to help with a group of people who have English as their second language. I printed off the instructions, there was a list of training courses set out which I need to go through, mainly from 10am - 12 noon. My head was full of the questions surrounding my availability to attend the training, working in retail, Christmas being the busiest time of year and somehow I read the email wrong. I was meant to be there at 9am until 11am!  Eeek.  I noticed at 8.30am. It is an hour walk away. I rushed out of the door and put my best foot forward. 

So, when I say I was minding my own business, this week, I really was. I was on a street I wouldn't normally be on, at a time when I wasn't meant to be there and a middle aged woman accompanied by a teenager approached me.

I smiled at her and her daughter, I have been asked for directions so many times, I recognise the signs, it also feels like Spirit knocking at the door of my life. Her teenager smiled back, I have discovered youngsters are far more likely to respond to positive facial expression from strangers than their older counterparts. 

'Do you know where the University is?' she asked.

 I consider myself a master of small talk, working in Sales for years I have learnt the art of never directly saying No to a customer, if they ask for an item we haven't got in stock, I am capable of engaging people in small talk and swerving them onto a purchase of something they didn't even know they needed. But when it comes to being approached, unexpectedly, when I am in the middle of something else, I am finding it really difficult to keep my own promise to myself that I will engage in conversation and try and find the link or the reason why a person wants to go to their destination of choice. It is a little game I am trying to play, and somehow I am still not managing it.

So, the University. Do I know where it is? Why, yes, of course, I go there every Friday. I point her in the right direction, I tell her that around the next corner is the massive building that is The University. 

We are standing in front of the student accommodation, which is affectionately known as the Lego building due to the brightly coloured blocks of bricks which does make it look as if it has been thrown together by a toddler.

 'Does it look like that?' she asks, pointing at the lego building.

'No, it doesn't look like the lego building' I tell her. 

The teenager laughs, this is clearly the first time she has heard the lego reference. I realise they are probably going to need a little more description to get them to the University, so I give explicit instructions, about turning left, walking past the pub on the right and walking through the car free zone that will lead to the University.

 As they walk away I remember to tell them to enjoy the University. I am guessing they forgot to say thanks,  but I understand. It is 9 am, everyone is busy, with minds full of life, places, people, places to go, people to see.  But, I enjoy being asked for directions, it reminds me I am the person who knows the way, so I carry on. My indecision as to whether I should bother going to the volunteering because I was going to be an hour late, thereby missing half the lesson, or to turn up late. I knew I was in the right place at the right time to help someone, so I carried on. I loved the volunteering and I will definitely be doing it again.

The next day I was walking back from the shops, in the cold, feeling dejected and a little miserable (I really dislike carrying shopping in the cold weather) when a car pulled up next to me. Smiling on the inside I shared a joke with the elderly couple who wanted to know where Leigh Broadway was, they were facing the wrong way entirely. I turned them round and pointed them in the right direction.

My day was lifted and the shopping felt a little lighter.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Being asked for directions and a kitten called Bob.

Hello Blogger, 

I had promised myself to blog about all the little synchronicities which show up in my world, unfortunately, I haven't had time to put words together. So, I will do my best to get back into the habit of recording the little coincidental events which form the patterns of my life. I am going to attempt to recall the things which have gone on over the last couple of week.

Well, I have been asked for directions, as usual, this happens when I am least expecting it. Although, the amount of times it happens you would think I would be used to it by now. As I was walking along Southend High Street, a guy who had just walked down from the train station asked me where Superdrug was. I pointed it out. He also asked me where Luker Road was. I told him. Yes, of course I knew where Luker Road was, I had a letter from the college arrive on my doormat that very morning, I had paid attention to the address, not really knowing why, until the guy asked me for directions. Ah! It feels like a penny dropping. The information came my way, at the right time, to be able to help the person whose path I crossed. 

Do you know, maybe I will start taking pictures of people who ask me for directions, just to build up a little montage. Bearing in mind we live in the age of google and smart phones, it is becoming even less likely for people to need to ask for directions, but here I am, still being the person who knows the way.  

Who else asked me for directions? Oh yes, I was walking through the shopping centre car park on  my way to work on Sunday morning. A young man was faced with a closed shop. A lot of the shops don't open until 11am. Did I know how he could get into the shopping centre? Yes, of course I did, we both walked through the walk way, out of the building, round a couple of railings and back through the only open door. 

This is my way, blogger, being in the right place at the right time to be able to help someone else.

Coincidental names which have shown up? Well, I work with someone who has two new kittens, after losing two of his cats to untimely deaths in one week. One of the kittens has been named Bob! I also visited a friend working in her cafe, as I walked in the song 'Tammy's in Love' was playing on the radio. (Tammy, short for Tamasin).

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Being asked for directions and a chicken called Daisy

It is the little things which keep me going blogger. You know, the little patterns in my life which I have given meaning to and they show up when I need them the most. 

The things like...being asked for directions, being called the wrong name, having a wrong number dialled on my phone, those little things which remind me of spiritual matters. Well, this has been a challenging week insofar as there has been a big gaping hole where my career/studies ought to be and I have been walking in circles. 

So, I was pleased to have a wrong number on my phone. A little reminder I haven't been forgotten by the Universe. Walking to work on a Saturday afternoon, feeling uncertain as to whether I would be on the refund counter and how I would get on at work when a man stumbled towards me, he was wearing a karate outfit on one of the hottest days ever recorded in September, he asked me for directions. He wanted to know where a road was at least two miles away, did I know it? Yes, I did, I offered him directions and the interaction lifted my spirits. 

I didn't manage the next stage of the interaction. I have promised myself to always enter into conversation with anyone asking me for directions, you know, so we can uncover any further link between us or between their reason for visiting a place I know well. But, as I say, I was on my way to work and my thoughts and feelings weren't in the best place to be thinking of coincidental matters. So, I gave him directions and went on my way. I headed to work, I had a challenging afternoon and one of the big bosses came down for a day visit. Everyone at work was on their best behaviour. Turns out, the big boss recognised me as someone he has seen at Westcliff Casino!  Bearing in mind I haven't been down there for over a year, I was really amazed that he would remember me. It also made my afternoon a little easier.

Scroll forward a few days and I find myself sitting in the Spiritualist Church, on the Wednesday afternoon. Yes, I got a message, the medium gave me the name Mary, and a painting. I explained that I had been in this month's edition of Spirit and Destiny, having been given the honour of a free psychic artist experience, Patrick Gamble had painted a picture of my mum's Gran, I believe, who was called Mary, I always get her confused with my Gran, and my Dad also had a Gran called Mary. The reason I get confused with these women in spirit is because I didn't have a lot of information about them as I was growing up, I just know that there are two women in spirit who are both called Mary, one is my mum's gran and the other could be my dad's mum or his gran, I am not sure. I am sure about the painting though and I enjoyed the message from the medium. I also had a conversation with a woman in church about her recent loss, it reminded me of the Counselling class I used to be part of. I studied Basic Counselling,Intermediate Counselling and Foundation Counselling. Yes, maybe this is a path I should continue?  I committed to finding out about the course. It would take another two years, it is a long journey to step out onto, but, really, after a degree with the Open University which took years, what is another two years? I have committed to being a lifelong learner, so what is there to lose?  I made the necessary enquiries and found myself sitting in Basildon College reception, waiting for the course leader to return from lunch.

Naturally I struck up conversation with another woman, also waiting. I wondered if we were waiting for the same person? No, she said she was waiting for Robert. I told her she had reminded me of my brother Robert, in Spirit, we both acknowledged the coincidence, which for me, obviously, holds personal meaning. 

Off I went, to interview for the course, followed by an enrolment with a team of admin people in Basildon, ten miles from  my home town of Southend, where the course is actually held. The young lady who took my form exclaimed 'You live in my road'. Yes, ten miles from home, I found myself having the admin for my counselling course carried out by one of my neighbours. Turns out, the young lady lives in the house with the chickens, three doors down the road from where I live. I usually stop and chat with her mum about Daisy the chicken and I always say hello when we pass in the street. It really is such a small world, but the coincidence was one of those times which just confirms for me that I am in the right place at the right time. 

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

p.s. I have met two people called Jane this week. Two new people in my world and they are both called Jane.

Coincidental people

Coincidence makes the world go round. Well, it helps my little world go round. It is the small things which keep me going. I share these little things with you, dear blog reader, in an attempt to keep a record of the events. So many little events and coincidences happen, they are easily dismissed and forgotten. This little blog serves as a reminder of the daily events which keep me going.

This has been quite a big week for me, starting a new job, working in a retail shop and also taking steps towards becoming a teacher of English to speakers of a language other than English. Trust me on this blogger, it isn't easy.

I spoke to a woman on the phone about the retail job, she invited me for interview. I interviewed with someone else, I got the job. The first woman I spoke to was the person who organised my induction dates and had me installed at work. I have never met her in person, I was just grateful for the opportunity. The very same week I found myself queueing at the College for information about a course I need to qualify myself for the teaching. Standing behind a woman dressed in black, a uniform if you will, as she turned I noticed she still had her identity badge from work on her blouse. Yes, of course, the name rang a bell and I introduced myself.  

The woman I have been speaking to on the phone for the past couple of weeks about working in a retail shop had materialised in front of me at college. 

Some people are meant to cross our paths, and I have a feeling this particularly lady is one of those. Or is it, that I am meant to be crossing her path? 

So, that was one thing. Then on my first Sunday at work, in the mens' fitting rooms, a young lady asked me if I knew if we sold three quarter length trousers for men. You know, summery clothing. I had to confirm for her that no, we have moved into the autumn range now but the conversation did lead to her telling me how she was off to Thailand with her boyfriend for six months, they have both just qualified as English as a Foreign Language teachers. Lovely. I enjoyed the coincidence.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Being asked for directions

There I was, minding my own business, as is my way Blogger, you know this is always the way when someone asks me for directions. On this day particularly, my birthday, there I was, restricted for time, having been offered a job due to begin the next day and I  needed to buy a black blouse for work, with birthday plans hovering around on my calendar, I was trying to fit in a shopping trip amongst my birthday celebrations.

It was really hot, it usually is at the end of August, and I was really flustered, being time constrained, when a woman pulled over in her car, as I was walking along Crowstone Road, she said 

'Do you know the way to Valkyrie Road?' 

Yes, of course I did, I turned her round, next junction, first left, and it was at the end of the road. 

Yes, I knew Valkyrie Road, it is the road with the Homeless Hostel, the Harp Centre, where I used to volunteer. Being asked for directions slowed me down and reminded me of my mission to call into the charity shop where I was going to be volunteering on the Friday, but now I was to be starting my new job. It also reminded me to be as spiritual as I could manage, which is much harder when there is a time shortage. So I slowed down. I breathed a little deeper and I headed through Westcliff towards the Samaritan charity shop. As I was crossing Ditton Court Road, another person asked me for directions. Twice in one day! 

A young man walking up from the Station called out to me

'Excuse me, do you know where the Plough Pub is?' he asked politely.  Yes, of course I know the Plough Pub, it is at the top of Valkyrie Road and the first left.

I smiled to myself. A little acknowledgement from Spirit of my birthday. Being asked for directions twice on the same day.

Lovely. I did call in to the charity shop to apologise for not being able to make it on Friday, while I was there I found a perfect black blouse, ideal for work. Obviously, it needs washing before I can actually wear it, but it was a right place, right time, type of bargain.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Volunteering as a tutor in the English as a Foreign Language Class

There I was, as always, minding my own business, waiting for a train, quite late at night for me. I had tried to get a bus home from the other side of town and the bus hadn't arrived. It was 8.30pm, too late to be out walking comfortably, on my own, through the rougher parts of town. What to do? A half hour wait at a bus stop until 9pm, what if that bus didn't show? The only thing for it was to risk a walk into the main part of town and take a train. There were some hairy moments, I have to tell you blogger, walking through little tree lined walkways out of sight of the main road. Did I encounter the expected bogey man, burglar,mugger, or any other untoward individual trawling the streets for a victim? No, I didn't.  I did head for the High Street at the earliest opportunity and buy a train ticket to travel two stops in a safer direction so I could do the twenty minute walk at the other end in relative safety.  

So, as I say, there I was, minding my own business, sitting on a bench at the train station, surrounded by tourists, people who have had a long day enjoying Southend on Sea, the place to bring young children on a sunny day, lots of asians and people heading back to London, groups of families and young men. A young asian woman strolled onto the platform, on her own, she came and joined my bench. I guess we both felt a little more safe knowing we were no longer the only single female on the platform. She asked me if I knew what time the train stopped at Barking. 

Okay, so she didn't actually ask me for directions, but it is the next best thing. Asking me for information which I am sure is available at her fingertips via her smartphone. Although, she did just have a conversation with her boyfriend on the phone,she was explaining to him why she hadn't left Southend yet and she did tell him that her phone was about to die.

I guesstimated her arrival time, around 40 minutes from where we were, so she had given her boyfriend the right time to meet her, she had told him around ten o'clock.  I explained to her where I had been (finding out about volunteering in the learning English as a Foreign Language class). She told me her story, how her mum speaks Punjabi and her fourteen year old brother only speaks English and so now she has left home, her mum and brother don't communicate very well and she would love for her mum to learn English.

This sort of coincidence for me blogger, tells me I am heading in the right direction by volunteering as a tutor. In the meantime I will carry on volunteering in a retail shop, hanging donated goods and working alongside a job centre worker who has been let out on day release to help out in a charity shop.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

'Do you know where the sea is?' Being asked for Directions (again).

There I was, minding my own business, walking into Southend with my grown up son (20). I used to described my son as  'my teenager' but now he is twenty I have to accept he is fully grown. Which makes me older. Tsk. It also makes our opinions jar against each other with no winner. I may be older but I am no longer the only adult in the situation. His opinion now carries the same amount of weight as my opinion. 

Being a parent to a young adult is quite possibly more challenging than being the parent of a teenager. Now it is not for me to stand my ground because I know I am right, now is my turn to know when my son has the right to 'win'. Which of course, doesn't really mean him winning, it just means, for the sake of peace, for me to shut up and stop arguing. 

My son not only differs with me in his opinions about life, the universe and everything, but particularly in my spiritual beliefs. He thinks I am creating links where none exist, giving meaning to events which barely pass for coincidence and just generally make God up to make myself happy. My son also knows how I feel about being asked for directions. I take it as a reminder that I am the person who knows the way.

So it gave me great pleasure to be strolling into Southend, with my son, who was on a mission to Southend Library to borrow a book about computer programming. There we were,mid-heated discussion about something that doesn't matter, crossing a road joining a roundabout and a beautiful four by four, sort of amber coloured car pulled over, on the roundabout,to ask for directions.  A lovely young lady with blonde hair and oversized sunglasses hung out of the window 

'Do you know where the sea is?' she asked.

She probably wondered why I smiled at her. I sent her in the general direction of the beach.

Being asked for directions is one of my favourite things and my son and I continued our walk in silence. He knew I placed some meaning on being the person who knows the way and I knew he knew. I silently thanked spirit for reminding both of us!

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Where is the seafront?

How wonderful is it to be able to retreat into our own little world of music on our ipods? I love it. There is nothing I love more than taking a brisk stroll along the seafront with my choice of music. I choose uplifting, friendly, upbeat tunes and I smile at everyone, regardless of whether they are smiling or how unhappy they look.  I try and remind people that happiness is not something that people talk/write about. There is always something to cry about, fret about, stress over, of course, but there is also always something to smile about. Even if it is just the ability and strength to be able to walk along the seafront. There are many people who would give anything to have that level of independence and freedom.

I headed to Southend, I had an appointment at 2.30, I had to head in early because it was so hot, I knew I would struggle in the heat. I mosied around for a couple of hours, made my appointment and headed home. 

I had a lot to complain about, the list of physical complaints growing by the hour. I stayed tuned to my inner intuition, my spidey-senses on high alert and I turned off my ipod. I was prompted to do this, there is no other way to describe it. I love my ipod, it makes my journeys shorter, my mood higher, I don't turn it off without good reason.

But it was no surprise to me to see two young people parking a car and looking around for a parking meter.

'Maybe you don't pay here?' said a young lady wearing giant sunglasses and a floppy sun hat, as only a tourist in Southend can.

I was walking past at just the right time for her to have someone to ask.

'Do you have to pay for parking here?' she asked me, from the middle of the road, as if I was standing next to her and it was the most natural thing in the world to join me in conversation to answer her query.

I shook my head, confirming 'No, it is definitely free parking'. I carried on walking past.

'Where is the seafront?' she asked. I smiled. Having pointed out the way for her and sent them on their way the little experience that gives me so much pleasure helped lift my spirits on the journey home. Being asked for Directions, always reminds me that I am the person who knows the way.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Do you know of a Grammar School around here?

I was thinking to myself this morning, and you can trust me when I tell you this dear reader, 'I haven't been asked for directions lately'. 

What have I been doing lately?  Well, I have been looking into learning to teach English as a Foreign Language. I haven't had a lot of success. I am not exactly being faced with doors flinging themselves open. In fact, my efforts at digging around for information haven't really come up with any gold nuggets, not even so much as a Hansel and Gretel crumb actually.

So, I was pleased when a lady who didn't have a brilliant grasp on the English language stopped me in my tracks to ask for directions.  There I was, stomping along in the sun, although the clouds were gathering, it was lovely and warm and we have been promised by the weathermen that summer has arrived. Stomping, my friends, in time to Abba on my ipod.  

She waved me down. This foreigner in a strange land. The London Road. The busiest road of all for traffic and people busy going somewhere else. 

'Errr'  She had to think about what she needed to say.

I took my ipod out 'Alright there?' I asked cheerfully, and quite friendly, I thought.

'Do you know of a Grammar School around here?' she said

Do I know of a Grammar School. Well, if you count the seven years that my son spent attending the one at the bottom of the road, then, yes, I know of a Grammar School.  I pointed her in the direction she needed to go and confirmed it was a left, followed by a trip down one further road.  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.  

It has been so long since I have been asked for Directions I forgot to make conversation as to her reasons for wanting the destination. I also should have told her my son went there, to make the connection for her more meaningful. But, I am still learning Blogger. Plus I was in an Abba induced world of my own.  

I promise to try and make the next request for directions more meaningful for the person doing the asking.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Angels on my path

It feels like a while since I have blogged about a sequence of coincidences.  You know, the sort of coincidences that I feel are meaningful and worthy of blogging about.  Of course, all coincidences are worth a mention.  Even the little ones that are just so obscure as to not really count, you know, like the lady at Church who went down to Devon for an Easter break, turns out she went to Brixham, which is where my mum lives.  Lovely little coincidences like that serve to remind me that we are all connected.  But no, the sort of coincidence I am talking about are the ones where they just pile up, as if they have been waiting to drop themselves at your feet all in one go.

Well, I had one of those little pile-ups yesterday.  It was Saturday and the weather was forecast for Sun.  There is only one place to be in Southend when the Sun is shining and that is down the seafront.  Although, by the time I left home it was a bit chilly, it wasn't even warm enough for sandals, never mind about beachwear.  Having just secured myself another part-time job, I needed to go shop hunting for a new blouse.  First day at a new job and training with complete strangers, feels like the first day of school and there is nothing like showing up in new clothes to boost your confidence.

So, having resigned myself to a beach free day, I strode along the seafront anyway.  Mentally calculating the calories and checking off a few more ounces.  I have recently been reading a book about Angels, a lovely book, offering personal experiences of Angelic encounters and spirit matters Gifts from Angels (by Chrissie Astell).  One of the phrases in this pleasing little book stuck in my mind 'messenger of God', yes, Angels, communicators of spirit.  As I was enjoying the sea air and the general buzz along the seafront, the smell of freshly cooking doughnuts and the squeal of the ever hopeful seagulls, I was walking and contemplating how spirit communicate with us, the ways they make themselves known to us using urban signs and daily events when I noticed a van parked in front of me.  The sign on the van was of a lovely winged horse. 'Pegasus'.  They had made the wings extra prominent. 'How lovely' I thought to myself.  Yes, I would trust a removal firm who used the emblem of Pegasus.  

On reaching my destination, having made the 2.2. mile walk to Southend and hiked up steps to get back to the main town I found myself in the centre of a young couple who were debating where they needed to go.  I looked at him, to her, I gave them my best questioning expression 

'Looking for somewhere?'

'Yes, the .......hotel' the young lady said.  I had never heard of it.  'It's in Church Road' she clarified. 

I do love being asked for directions and although I had never heard of the hotel they were looking for I enjoyed the idea that they were looking for Church Road.  Calling up the google map, I confirmed where they were in relation to their hotel and packed them off in the right direction.  Lovely.

Reaching my destination and meandering around TK Maxx,  having a slight detour from the blouse section, I found myself standing in front of an Angel Candle.  Yes, it smelt angelic and gave me another little lift for the day. I hadn't intended to wander around the home goods area, I had just been drawn over there. It was probably the smell of the candles that drew me in!

Finishing my shopping and with clouds darkening overhead, I decided it was time to head for home. Being asked for directions to Church Road, the Pegasus Sign and the Angelic candle were such pleasing additions to my shopping expedition, I wasn't expecting anything else to happen on the way home.  But, I was wrong.

As I was passing a really popular Pizza parlour I noticed their daily special 'Angelic Pizza' (only 600 calories), I was only too pleased to take a picture to share with my blog. As I put my phone away a lady walked up to me tapping me on the arm

 'Hello' she said.  

She was wearing giant sunglasses that covered most of her recognisable features, ie her eyes, eyebrows and cheekbones. I had to admit I didn't recognise her, I asked her to remove her shades. I knew her immediately once she showed her face.  An old co-student from Counselling College. We had gone to evening classes once a week for the best part of a year.  We had a chat and a catch up, she suggested linking up on facebook, I agreed and gave her my phone number.  As she tapped my number into her phone she had to admit she couldn't remember my name.  We shared a laugh and I confessed I didn't know hers. 

'Angela' she said 'it means Angel - messenger of God'.

What a great day. 

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

Being asked for Directions

A stressful time Blogger, stress-filled and miserable, mainly, although I am forcing myself to bubble along the top, as frivolous as champagne bubbles.  No points are gained from being serious and unhappy, so I am trying the light-hearted and happy approach, see how that works.  

So, the job hunting continues, the interviews roll on relentlessly. I am all interviewed out, suffering from interview fatigue.  Today's traipse in the wind and the rain to an interview that may or may not result in paid employment was only a slight improvement on other less enticing journeys to potential employment.

I went anyway, I didn't feel like it, I arrived early and spent fifteen minutes meandering round the nearest clothes shop. Forcing the inner emotional state of 'happy and joyous' in order to shine at the interview.  I manage to drag my emotional state up to 'pleasant, smiley and confident', which was an improvement on 'can just about be bothered'.  

After the interview, walking away from a reasonably pleasant experience (as far as interviews go) I was waiting at a bus stop debating whether I really needed my brolly up and I noticed a woman striding towards me  She was carrying a set of keys, with a frown on her face and a determined expression. Not the sort of person who didn't look as if she knew where she was going, nor the sort of person who would normally enquire as to her whereabouts.

She walked towards me and just as she was about to walk past me, she turned and asked 'this is Rochford Road?'  

I confirmed for her, yes, this was Rochford Road

'I just wanted to check I was on the right path' she said.

We both laughed, her face lightened and she made my day. I do love being asked for directions, even if the person already knows where they are going.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x

p.s. a beautiful ginger cat crossed my path just as I was making it home.  Yes, I do believe I have been joined by spirit guides today on my job hunting journey.

The right direction

I do apologise for my lack of blogging. This is not due to lack of coincidence or strange events, it has just been due to a lack of time on my part. 

This January and February have been particularly brutal for me, a new job led to a twenty minute trek before 8am every day in the cold and snow, various combinations of uphill in icy winds, or downhill on snow covered pavements. The journey to the station was just the beginning of an extremely arduous couple of months. Long days at a new job, as an Assistant Manager, turned into even longer days with no lunch breaks as acting Manager as my Manager went off sick for weeks at a time.  

No, it has been no picnic this year.  One particularly nasty morning as I was approaching the final furlong of the traipse to the station, a woman approached me, signalling with an expensive glove that she was going to speak to me. I removed one of my earphones, smiling because it has been a while since someone asked me for directions, and the symbolism of the act always cheers me up, a reminder from spirit that I am the person who knows the way.  Yes, I was happy to tell her where Imperial Avenue was, she didn't have far to go. I pointed her in the right direction. Lovely, a slightly lighter start to a long, dark day ahead.  

Eleven hours later, walking back home on the same stretch of road, feeling the biting icy wind on my face and straining with my brolly in an attempt to keep the snow off my coat, another woman approached me 'is his the way to the station?' she gestured towards the path I had just trodden.  Yes, I confirmed for her that she didn't have far to go and she was headed in the right direction.  'Thank God for that' she said.

Yes, I had to agree, thank God for small mercies.  

Being asked for directions twice in one day.  Well, I think that is probably a first.

Lots of love and light to everyone who needs it.

Tamasin x