Stand and stare

A poor life this if, full of care, we have not time to stand and stare"

William H. Davies Poet

Isolation is a revelation, there’s the time to see in-depth what, before, we’ve only caught in passing.

Forced to look by self-isolation, I’m beginning to see deeply inside what counts for me, between me, and others, about empathy that is not ‘sympathy’, how to be a part a community in a better way, what is wrong to me, but more what I want to put inside my new life, wich qualities of life as respect and expectations for a healthy life such as boundaries, learning a new modality of life, how to honour my Italian root without feeling guilty for my endless love for this countryside, the English Nature that I admire more than people sometimes.

Aloofness is not a part of me and I learned how to respect this gift, this quality of me, a good integration in a new country does not mean to delete the character itself.

I learned that, as a gift that always is within me, when a big wall is in front of my face with unrespectful words showing their qualities. This happened, rarely but happened, And you know that you are alone in the middle of a big emotional storm, without any reference point to speak with.

If you haven’t the balance between the events, the result of the entire situation could be very harmful. But I have the experience, I have skills, it was my work for a long time.

I spent a lot of time observing flowers and nature around me, I’m a great observer not only patterns of the people’s minds but Nature more. Cherries, daffodils, tulips, forget me not, wild carrots, robins, daisies and dandelions so humble so flexible, the green grass in the hill, they are all a part important of our life. They are silent presences in our daily life. The green allies, the perfect fellowship. They opened up the nearest world and you simply go through the ‘veil’.

I become flexible with myself. As a highly sensitive person, an empath, I have constant connections with ‘the entire world up and below’. And I know that Earth is my connection with this daily world.

What happens when you say goodbye to perfection? You learn life trough a simple plant of bamboo.

The first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps, the third year it leaps.

Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo survives by bending with the wind.

Watch properly, savouring each moment, there is not something more urgent to do for today. No more.

The teleconferences are scheduled, we have phones, emails, apps.

There is always time to see in-depth what, before, you’ve only caught in passing.

This is not a lockdown, but rather a lockup.

===

I noticed that the price of bread is increased. Some local shops are very popular and take advantage of roughly 400% markup. £8 for 2 pieces of bread, these numbers say to me a lot about your incomes. I’m quiet but not stupid or blind.

I would kindly remember that bread is sacred especially during a difficult time like this. For all people involved.

Not for me, I am Italian and I’m prepared to chaos, disasters, earthquakes, floods, viruses, deaths, I passed through a lot during my life. But people here, no they’re not prepared to your 'craftiness’.

===

© Bruna Zagni

Dear people

Dear people of the world, if you will see me and others with the breathing mask, this does not mean that we are ill. It means that we are wise, respectful people of ourselves and we protect others.
Last but not least, we are protecting ourselves from you, your disrespectful laughs.

All people who think that is a simple “hysteria” are invited to give up NHS treatments in time of need.
he who laughs last laughs loudest.

—-

Please read the Thames Valley Police notice and let your vulnerable neighbours know.

For my neighbours, old customers and friends who know me in person.

Some sanitizers in the format of spray bottles of 4 oz (129 ml) with 80% made of locally sourced herbs, alcohol and 20% water.
My amber bottles are BPA free, non-toxic, anti harmful UV rays. When spraying it produces a uniform, fine mist. Easy to carry, no leaking. £10 per bottle, refillable for the next time.

Lessons from the lockdown via BBC news

Bruna

How have I (and always will) create my products with Safety

Intro: These are questions that have been asked to me by existing customers who were concerned from a safety standpoint as a result of the recent events which affect the health of us all around the globe.
I’ve thought about writing this blog post to share with a wider audience the answers in order to provide a message of reassurance.

Q: Have you recently been to Italy to visit family, friends or for any other reasons?
A: The last time I’ve been in Italy during the first week of September 2019 to visit my brother and mother in my hometown, Modena. Haven’t been back there since then. To be honest, I have travelled more in England since I arrived than in Italy.

Q: Where do the raw ingredients come from in order to create your products?
A: As much as possible I choose to use locally-sourced ingredients including Bach flowers, waters and flowers from the gardens of the Chalice Well in Glastonbury. Also, I tend to pick and forage flowers and herbs from the South of England, in particular the Chilterns - which is where I live. I used to purchase specific herbs from China Town in London (last time I went there was in November) but I suspended this activity as soon as the very first news were shared.

Q: What safety measures do you regularly apply when creating your products?
A: I regularly wash my hands thoroughly before starting, then I wear a hair cover, I use gloves to cover my hands and a breathing mask. All of this after having the work surface prepared and cleaned. After the work, I dispose of any cover, mask, gloves and I package up the products. Each custom product is created ‘ad hoc’ for a specific customer.

Q: Have you recently hosted or visited anyone from Italy?
A: As I feel a great responsibility towards the country I’ve been living in for more than one year and a half I have decided not to go back to Italy or hosted anyone among friends or family members who live regularly in Italy. This is a feeling that can be shared among those who have loved ones abroad. Nevertheless, I set a greater value into containing the consequences of recent events rather than spreading those by acting carelessly.

Q: What do you think about the current situation?
A: At the time of writing this, the virus - which we know by a particular name - has no nationality and like any other virus has only one true goal: to multiply. I am not a doctor nor a virologist, so I simply follow the indications and recommendations of the NHS, the WHO and the instructions of my home country. I think that Italy are facing this emergency in a scrupulous manner and many among its citizens have immediately organised help and acts of kindness - like buying groceries and medicines - towards the elders, neighbours and others who are afraid. This is and still remains one of our greatest values also in times of fear. A fear which nurtures ignorance and divisions.

Ending: As far as I am concerned, I tend to lead a calm and peaceful personal life with my family in the country where I live while constantly keeping myself up to date on processes. Also, I often walk in nature - which is our first source of health and wealth. I daily sit with my ‘Green Allies’ from whom I absorb strength and peace whilst I try to avoid crowded places - also due to my character as I prefer small communities.

NB: I do not use the name of the virus as I do not want to grant so much power to it. Words bear a weight, we all shall remember that.
Bruna

Helping Hand

To facilitate passage from Brexit I decided to adjust the prices of the consultations which also include products made by me.
Brexit can be a big change for locals, they deserve our help to make the transition easier.
We do it for all of you.
Our task is to keep ourselves as open and flexible as possible, creating new way and celebrate all ‘the big changes’ in our life.

Brexit can be an opportunity, it all depends on us and our thoughts.
Black Friday every day, we are free, not cheap.

—> look at my Services page

Merry Xmas

xoxo Bruna

Helping Hand

Showing gratitude can help us reflect on all that we have to be thankful for, is an opportunity to live the spirit of Xmas in a different way.

Two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what we give.

It’s a pleasure for me to share opportunities near my village.

Helping Hand- Caversham/Reading

‘Hello Everyone,
Christmas is fast approaching and with December only a few days away me and my children will be doing the 24days of kindness, this involves doing something kind to our family or community every day on the runway to Christmas and I would like to count with your help as well as your children too, big or small on some of the things.
- The 1st thing would be to Donate supplies to a local animal shelter on the 7th day of Kindness.
- The 2nd one would be to Donate 3 toys to the children's Ward at RBH, on the 11th day of Kindness.
- The 3rd Thing is to donate clothing and toys to a Refuge, on the 17th day of Kindness.
I would love to have as many families involved as possible so we can make a difference to our local community and spread the Christmas spirit.
I'm happy to be a drop-off point to all donations and would really benefit from all your suggestions of local places we could donate to.
Many Many thanks to you all’

Piaroo’s Wish Helping the Homeless and Vulnerable in Reading

We are Recruiting for a December start

VOLUNTEERS - from 7.30pm to 10pm, 7 days a week to welcome, set up and cook. No experience is necessary for these positions, just a heart to help. Full training and induction will be given.

PAID TEAM LEADERS - to run each session. The team leaders must have experience of working or volunteering with homeless people or other relevant experience.

PAID WAKING NIGHTS - staff to sleep in at the All-Night Cafe Shelter.

The application form for the VOLUNTEER positions can be found here.