President’s Blog: 4th January 2022
Happy New Year!
Many of the people I have spoken to recently are glad to see the back of 2021 for all sorts of reasons. It has been a year which has been dominated by the pandemic and we have had to get used to a new way of life of constantly changing plans, mask wearing, periods of self-isolation and there have been many personal losses too and my heart goes out to you. So let us put the old year behind us and think positively.
The New Year is a time for resolutions. When I was teaching, I used to ask the children to make 3 resolutions – one for themselves, one to help other people and one in which they could make the world a better place. So, taking a leaf out of my own book, I have decided that firstly I need to keep fitter. Christmas is a time for indulgence and it does not help the weight problem when there are four family birthdays in January! I have therefore made the resolution to take a walk each day, no matter how busy I am or what the weather is like. Yesterday we went out early and walked around the lake at Delamere. It was a lovely morning and it felt good to be alive as we watched the sun light reflect on the water. My second resolution is to keep a closer eye on those people who are vulnerable, particularly my elderly neighbours.
A friend of mine has made a resolution to help the planet. She has challenged herself to wear a black woollen dress for 100 days. She asked for the dress for Christmas and is determined to wear it every day, even when she goes to a wedding! Washing and drying it in between wears could be a bit of a challenge but the challenge is a desire for a simpler way of life (see the link below), ‘to embrace simplicity, sustainable living and slow fashion.’ Our challenge to wear black one day a week seems to pale into insignificance in comparison but it is my third resolution to spread the word about the ‘Thursdays in Black’ campaign, to draw attention to the plight of women who suffer from domestic abuse. We need to grow the campaign, to be seen in public. Elaine Banks has ordered more ‘Thursday’s in Black’ badges and has resourced printed black T-shirts to order or instead you could wear something with black on or dress black up a bit as my friend is doing – it is only for one day a week!
I would be very interested to know what your resolutions are. Perhaps we could share them on our Facebook page. In the meantime, I wish you a positive, peaceful and healthy 2022.
Blessings
Ruth
https://amp.theguardian.com/fashion/2021/may/02/could-you-wear-a-dress-for-100-days
Photo: Blakemere Moss -Ruth Parrott
