My Study: A Poem

My Study: A Poem

My lounge is a place of the heart. I think of carpets, sofas, the comfort of elderly visits. the surprise and birth of children. I remember family birthday parties with cake, blowing out candles and wishing. Spring with French doors open to roses, and horsechesnut trees. In whispers, I recall funereal buffets with soft weeping.

My study, however, is the silent home of my soul; of thoughts unspoken, turning into novels and poetry tapped out onto a plastic keyboard.


My Study

A sunlit room of oaken beams where dreams
Stream flowing through fresh windows,
Searching scarred shadows, papers shown, reams,
Of prose, doomed epitaphs, mellow.
Pastel portraits of animals long dead,
Haunting, dog running, flowers, fields,
The spring of adolescence, blossoms fed
On a winter of shattered innocence, concealed.
 
Figurines from ancient dynasties,
Pagan, Hindu, Buddhist, and Abrahamic,
hover in the mist of lost loyalties,
Whilst the Virgin steps on the serpent's hiss,
Outside the dark Cathedral of Trees,
Inspires, bringing sorrow to its knees.

Copyright: Katy Walters


Can I Stay Here?

Can I Stay Here?

A few months ago, the world changed. Taking a break from my writing, I captured a precious moment outside my window. With all the global fear and confusion, I felt a longing to stay in that moment. Here is that moment, and the poem that it inspired.

The Birds Outside My Window

Can I Stay Here?

Time stood still; I was held in a bubble of joy.
Through a window, I watched our feathered friends survive.
All thought slipped away.
I became part of this simple act of nature – being.
For a few priceless moments, the world changed.
I lived with flowers, seeds,  water, birds – life.
Precious moments, no threat, no fear. 
In those exquisite moments, I experienced pure being,
no threat,  no fear, no pandemic.
 
Can  I stay here? Can I just Be? 
The Baby Thrush

Copyright © 2020 Katy Walters
All rights reserved


Please browse my website or view my many blog posts. I am sure you find much to enjoy.

Love,
Katy

RELEASE THE NEGATIVE STRESS OF THE VIRUS.

RELEASE THE NEGATIVE STRESS OF THE VIRUS.

KATY’S THERAPY SESSION

Hi there! As a former practising qualified psychotherapist and hypnotherapist, I invite you to experience the calming techniques on this recorded session. I am sure these techniques will help relieve the stress and tension of our times. They certainly helped so many of my past clients, and now you too can benefit from an hour or two of calmness and yes, serenity, as you listen to them.

The more you practise these techniques, the more you will relax in any trying situation. I will offer more techniques on this page in the coming weeks. They will help you to deeply relax at any time.

The Recorded Session

Katy’s Relaxation Session
ENJOYING THE FRESHNESS OF TREES ON A SUMMER’S DAY

Please take some time to visit my website, where you will find a gallery of my art and photos, contact details, and details about the many books I have written.

Katy Walter’s Website

Reduce Stress with Relaxing Awareness

Reduce Stress with Relaxing Awareness

Some of you wanted to know a little more about this article on awareness, so I have added a few points for you. I am so glad you are so interested in the information given here.

In these traumatic times, we can greatly reduce our stress as we mold our minds and bodies. We can do this with our breath, dynamic action, positive thinking, and relaxation. You may well think this is easy to say, but with the right exercises it is very possible, and such methods have changed my own life. You can help yourself and those you love to overcome fear and stress, and perhaps, hopefully, experience some joy and happiness in these grim times.

In my last blog post, we covered the correct BREATHING for anxiety relief. This exercise, which can be used in conjunction with the first article, covers AWARENESS. To be aware of our bodies is to have a sense of a solid base from which we face the world.

IMPORTANT

It is vital to breathe through your nose during this exercise. This way of inhaling is important to our wellbeing; mentally, and physically. You will feel refreshed, and will not suffer the dryness associated with mouth breathing.

LOCATION

It is better for you to do this lying down on a bed, comfortable couch, or a recliner. You should not attempt this standing up. As you do this exercise, be aware of your breathing, but don’t force it. Just let it happen naturally.

AWARENESS

This exercise is performed preferably with your eyes closed. Once in a comfortable position and using the belly breath, let your mind pass to the skin and muscles of your forehead. Be aware of and become interested in any sensations in the skin. But, don’t analyze – don’t judge. Just let them happen. Maybe you have never been too conscious of the sensations on the surface of your skin before – how it works, quietly interacting with your brain, sending vital messages crucial to your wellbeing.

Allow your mind to flow to the muscles beneath the skin. What are the feelings? Again, just observe them, don’t judge. In this pleasant reverie – or ‘daydreaming’ state – let your mind drift to your eyelids. What are the sensations in the skin of your cheeks, your chin, the neck, your shoulders? Again, without judgment, feel the sensations in the surface of the skin, then the muscles. You should begin to relax and be aware of your very being.

Let your mind gradually drift down to all the parts of your body, right down to your toes. In this pleasant ‘daydream’, you may slip into a state between consciousness and sleep. This is known as the Alpha state, physically, mentally, and emotionally relaxed.

Now visualize a pleasant place; one that is attractive to you. Or perhaps you could visualize yourself achieving something important in your life, or even a treasured memory. At the same time, always be aware of positive thoughts and your breathing.


As you do this exercise, your anxiety and stress should diminish. Do practice this regularly, setting aside quiet time, or when you are feeling anxious or fearful. It may take time to master this technique but the benefits are worth the effort.

I hope you find this awareness exercise useful and pleasant.

Now you can practice for the next article, the basic complete relaxation. This will help you in your journey to overcoming fear and stress.

If you want to find out more about me and my work, then visit the Katy Walters Website. Please keep yourself safe.
Love,
Katy

Katy Walter’s Website