watchingthedaisies

The Wild Atlantic Way – A New Year Walk on Carrickfin Beach

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“Walking is a man’s best medicine.”

                                             Hippocrates

A New Year Walk on Carrickfin Beach

It was a very mild but very wet Christmas!  I missed walking, so I was delighted when Carrickfin Beach beckoned me on a beautiful sunny but frosty day.

The beach was almost deserted, as I admired the frost on the sand dunes and seaweed – a rare delight.

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I reflected on the past year and my writing progress.

Taking an extended break over Christmas has allowed me to pause and ponder on the way forward for 2018.

“The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.”

                                                                                                                                 Jean Paul

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It feels good to stand back and enjoy the view…

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After my beach walk, I made my way back to my car past icy puddles, knowing that this time shall soon pass, and the flow of life will continue…

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Dear friends, at the beginning of a New Year full of endless possibilities:

“May the blessing of soft rain be on you,

Falling gently on your head refreshing your soul,

With the sweetness of little flowers newly blooming.

May the strength of the winds of Heaven bless you,

Carrying the rain to wash your spirit clean,

Sparkling after the sunlight.

May the blessing of God’s earth be on you,

And as you walk the roads,

May you always have a kind word for those you meet.”

                                                                                Traditional Irish Blessing

Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.

 

 

                                                                                                          

110 comments

  5. 2017 was a busy and successful year for you and the hard work you have put in is, rightly reaping rewards. Standing back from the situation to take stock and calmly measure what one wants is essential at such times and the start of the year almost demands it, if one has the willingness to slow down 😉 The pictures of a frosted coastline are stunning and your reminder that soon enough we will be waking to spring timely as we face the depth of winter with no festivities to buffer us. Peace and contentment above all things to you and continued control of your health. 🌺

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  10. Welcome back Brigid! I hope you had a lovely holiday season. This blessing is so beautiful – I think I’m going to print it out and hang it where I can see it. I’m glad you had some time for quiet contemplation, and as always, your photos of your walk are stunning. All the best for this upcoming year!

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  14. I was undecided about taking a walk today (I’ve been “under the weather” for the past week or so, but your post convinced me to go. I am envious of the wide-open vistas you share in your photos; they invite reflection and offer calm. I’ll go to our nearby park and enjoy a more limited, but usually refreshing landscape. Thanks for you New Year’s inspiration.

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  16. It was so nice to see a post from you pop up on my reader. Congratulations on such success of your book. You deserve to just get to set back and enjoy. Beautiful photos especially for a landlocked Mid-Westerner. Happy New Year and to a wonderful 2018!

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  18. a very lovely walk and I am sure something so treasured after a long time being indoors. I love the photos and landscape, I felt so free just looking at them. happy new year Brigid, love and light to you.

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  19. I enjoyed your post and photos. Loved this line, “The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.” So true! Now that you’ve ‘Watched the Daisies’ take some down time and ‘Smell the Roses’. Have a great year in 2018. 🙂

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  24. It’s always good to just stand back and enjoy the view… and what a wonderful view you have! Beautiful photos! Congratulations on the success of your book. Do take time to bask in your accomplishments; you deserve it.

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  27. Brigid, what a beautiful walk and I feel peaceful reading your post. Wow!! Congratulations on such a large number of reviews, that is fantastic and don’t fret about writing another book yet…you have been so busy with this one. Inspiration will come when the time is right. Finally I love the poem and it’s message…thank you for sharing here. ❤️

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  31. (playing catch-up because of having some time off over Christmas and the New Year . . . )…
    Having some time to step back away from everything which normally would fill your time, is a great thing to do Brigid, for it allows your heart, soul and mind to just ‘be’. It gives you chance to assess and find your gratitude surging forth and filling you with the joy that only taking time out can find for you.

    Bless you Brigid, for everything you are and everything you do. You’re such a truly fabulous person.
    I’m thrilled to see you back, and wish you a blessed and very happy New Year.
    Sending much love ~ Cobs. x

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  34. Beautiful Blessing Brigid! And I’m so glad your book is being read and appreciated!! And also– lovely to have the gorgeous stretch of beach all to yourself for the walk. A lovely way to start the year… Glad you are well. xox

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  35. Oh I love that Irish Blessing!! Great shot of the mountains in the background too…all snow covered on the top! Yes I think you have the right idea of enjoying the view for a while right now…another book will come its way soon enough!! xo

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