hollylbarber

Perspective

Perspective is something that is unique to each and every one of us. We each see things through our own set of lenses and filters. These come from our own belief systems – whether swayed by those we have inherited or those we have cultivated. I’ve been spending a lot of time lately thinking perspectives.Continue reading “Perspective”

What matters?

Yesterday I finished a month long writing workshop called Unmute yourself – your story matters led by the incomparable Ann Randolph. Each weekday for four weeks we met as a group to meditate and then write based on a prompt/s that Ann offered. I’ll be honest – I started the month with a bad caseContinue reading “What matters?”

El suenito

Last night I went to a screening of the film In The Heights, based on the stage musical from Lin-Manuel Miranda. If you watch it, and I highly recommend you do – especially if, like me, you’re a musicals fan, then you’ll understand what el suenito means. For the rest of you … it translatesContinue reading “El suenito”

Sanctuary

I don’t remember when I first started loving nature. I guess that’s because I always have. There wasn’t a before. There wasn’t an epiphany moment. There wasn’t a eureka. It’s just always been. The natural world is my sanctuary. Whether a beach with waves crashing by my side, a rainforest constant cacophony of sound, theContinue reading “Sanctuary”

Five years

Five years ago today my life changed forever. At about 8.10pm on Tuesday 24th May 2016, after watching EastEnders (which he did religiously), my Dad had a heart attack at home and passed away. Whilst he hadn’t been well for a couple of months – none of us expected him to go so suddenly. ThatContinue reading “Five years”

Storytelling

Once upon a time in a land far far away … or so the story goes. They are words that have started so many stories over the years. That have taken us to lands where everything and anything is possible and that everyone lives happily ever after. Well most of the time they do. AsContinue reading “Storytelling”

Limiting beliefs

Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve already decided what the outcome is going to be before you’ve even tried to make it anything else? Those glass half empty moments that seem to happen over and over again? I know I do. I have them regularly. They’re known as your limiting beliefs. ThisContinue reading “Limiting beliefs”

Wisdom from the Bard

It is believed that on this day in 1564 William Shakespeare was born in Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire. I say believed as there are records confirming the date of his baptism (26th April 1564) but not of his actual birth. It is though known that it was on this day, 23rd April 1616 Shakespeare passedContinue reading “Wisdom from the Bard”

Recalibrating

Yesterday was meant to be a day of celebration and, whilst it started that way, something in the universe conspired against it ending that way too. It left me feeling low, upset and angry. As a result today I took some time out to recalibrate myself. I had already planned to visit one of myContinue reading “Recalibrating”

Midday chorus

Much has been said across the ages of the sweet sound of both the dawn and dusk chorus. The sweet melodies of birds as they are either starting or ending their day. The dawn chorus even has its own day (the first Sunday of May if you were wondering) – and rightly so. It’s beautifulContinue reading “Midday chorus”