On fragility
Fragile, or rather the word fragility, is one that has arisen several times this past week in writing and conversation.
References such as ‘fragile times’ with respect to the precarious nature of our world and her ecosystems; anti-fragility in relation to whiteness1 or our emotional responses coupled with laws that seem all too easy to overturn.
Everything, or so it seems, needs handling with care right now.
fragile (adjective)
(of an object) easily destroyed or threatened
(of a person) not strong or sturdy; delicate and vulnerable
A random opening of a poetry book (Images of Women by contemporary women poets) published by Arrowhead, I happened upon this offering from Valerie Josephs:
White, fresh and heavy, eggs and their pellucid membranes are chambers for yolk and albumen, an embryonic universe.
Fragile reminders abound around me…
In my garden I am fortunate to have nesting birds: one box has Great Tits - last year’s nest was a disaster due to bad weather in the UK with many nests being abandoned. There’s much hope from the high chirruping calls from beyond the dark hole containing the promise of fledglings.
There’s also a Robin’s nest near to my back door: search as I might, I’ve yet to discover its whereabouts. Meanwhile the parents sit and observe me as I do them, making me wonder, who’s really being observed or are we merely a reflection of the other?2
This week has been Mental Health Awareness Week - an area of life more of us are familiar with following the events of 2020 than ever before. For me, it highlights lack - lack of resources, lack of real understanding by employers and lack of training with GPs.
Mental health is our ‘second pandemic’ - there was much written and spoken of this across 2020 / 21 - I attended Government webinars on the topic from leading ‘professionals’ in the UK advising on what was needed, yet still not enough is being done to tackle the rising numbers.
It may be somewhat cynical to ask, but why is there only a week given to something that affects lives 52 weeks a year?
Even more cynical (and there’s no apology here) is women being given one day’s acknowledgement in the whole of the year (8th March if you were not previously aware).
Currently we are experiencing a shortage of HRT products in the UK with supplies being sought from Europe to support demand. Shortage appears to have been triggered by Davina McCall and Mariella Frostrup speaking out on their own experiences of menopause.
This has been happening for some time and has led to waiting lists in many areas. Women, in general, feel unsupported at this pivotal point in their lives and still we find ourselves at the mercy of commissioning groups and budgets, alongside our health needs not being given the priority it deserves. In my last museletter I spoke of women’s health and am sure it will remain a theme for some time to come. It needs to.
Some good news though: Spain are supporting women with up to five days menstrual leave a month!
All of which leaves me to consider the aptly titled book from Laura Bates, ‘Fix the System, Not the Women’3 - if you are interested, there will be a digital launch of this book on Thursday 19 May at 7pm (UK) time - tickets here.
Vasana is a sanskrit word which translates in many ways, one of which I interpret as fragrance4
If all of the above appears to be ‘fragranced’ with a smidgen of rage, you’re absolutely right.
How often do we pause to consider the ease in which we are ‘fragranced’ by elements when scrolling through social media or hearing soundbites from the TV or radio? Even snippets of conversation from other’s calls on public transport5
This morning’s meditation group (which is a highlight of my month by the way), women shared ways in which they are still being disadvantaged by ‘the system’.
It is not meditation’s role to eradicate life’s ills, rather, provide a tool-kit to help us manage them. One attendee this morning said (and here I paraphrase), “Claire and these sessions are my spare wheel in anticipation for when the next crisis arises” - I may feel my mid-section resembles a spare tyre at times (!) but feel quite humbled to have been described in such a way. To hear that meditation and its practice is providing a buffer for when emergencies may arise is heartwarming6
When events feel oppressive or challenging, ask yourself, ‘what’s the story I’m telling myself right now?’ This may have the effect of stopping you in your tracks - drop into your body and become aware of the sensations and how your body is responding to the storyline. You can even do it now as you read.
Follow the breath - allow each one to invite warmth, tenderness, softening.
Be kind to yourself.
https://radicaldharma.org/
After having typed this newsletter and before pressing send, a Robin and chick appeared together by the open back door - a happy moment indeed.
http://veda.wikidot.com/vasana
It seems (to me) that people are less bothered about having their private conversations overheard amongst a train carriage of strangers. If Ellen is reading this, I think you’re doing a great job as a Mum and it doesn’t matter what your friend says.
The next meditation session will be Saturday 11th June - details here