Humility

I went to a funeral today - personal landmark, as the last one I went to I triggered a big relapse in symptoms, whereas this one was OK - and the man who died was a neighbour of mine. He and his brother ran a workshop that superceded the blacksmith's. In the villages, the blacksmith's often turned into garages, and ours mends Formula 3 racing cars!

Anyway, the thing that struck me about both of the brothers was their helpfulness, practicality and humility. Humility may seem like a submissive trait, and it could sound condescending to describe someone like that, but I think it's a high quality to have. It means they take things lightly, don't mind themselves much and just get on with things and enjoy them. Perhaps it comes with a lack of materialism? A belief in God? - well, I know that's one of the aims of Christianity and other religions to submit to God, however people who don't believe also have it. I think people who've lived in the country all their lives may have it more often - the older generation, anyway. They aren't chasing more 'stuff', more experiences, just enjoying what they like doing.

Well hello!

I have been inspired by my friend Sarah to write something in this blog. I write notes all the time about my rehabilitation into the wide world - and maybe this will help someone else as well as be an indulgence for me as I love writing!

I am Jane, I am 54 and live in a village in England, and am getting back into doing things normally after 20 years of having 'ME' sometimes called 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome'. I have had a more severe form of this for 10 years, however I have done things I wouldn't have done otherwise during this time, like write and publish a cookbook and learn painting and garden design. I have been based in my house and my village - like a huge change in my centre of gravity, as previously I was a consultant for telebusiness centres, travelling round Britain and sometimes abroad.

Then I did a training called the Lightning Process, which helped enormously, and since then have been working on different things to get back into socialising, physical activities, and eventually work. So, that's me!