Friday 15 April 2016

The Struggle!





I'm now home after a lovely week in the Lake District and back in to catch up mode. I always love to do a few of our favourite walks while we are  up there and take in all the gorgeous scenery. This year we did a few of the usual's.... like Grasmere Lake and Tarn Howes.  We did however add some new ones to the list because we had to stay in the southern lakes due to the road up to Keswick being closed.... it had fallen in to the lake! (caused by all the flooding around Christmas)
We did a lot of Tarn walks....which included Loughrigg tarn, (and here), Blea tarn,  Little Langdale tarn, Moss eccles Tarn (where Beatrix potter loved to go)... and a lovely walk from Wray Castle down by the side of the lake! Some of the walks we took Heni on and others we did on her rest days. We even got to go back to Lucy's again this year for another meal catered to our food intolerances.

On one of the days, we also took a drive up over the hills to Glenridding at the other side of the pass.  To get there you have to go up a 20% gradient road, along narrow stone walled lanes that wind back and forth. The climb covers more than 4.8km of twisting road, cutting through what is a stunning backdrop and the road is aptly named...... its called The Struggle!







I can imagine years ago (when there wasn't the convenience of cars) it would have been an almighty struggle  and a major obstacle for those early Lakeland villagers to climb up and over the pass to get from one small town to the next. If you cycled it today it would still be a major challenge.... but driving it in the Landy made it seem easy......it didn't seem that much of a struggle...
It got me thinking of how we all have "struggles" in our daily lives and depending on how we approach them they can seem easier or harder to negotiate.
For me, coming back from a holiday is always a struggle....
Even though Heni came on holiday with us, we still had the relative freedom to go out and do "normal" stuff on her rest days. Coming back home however, with less respite, and all the everyday jobs added on top, it seems like the freedom dissipates and its back to caged up mode until the next escape. For an outdoor, free spirited person like myself... its a real struggle to endure.
What about you? What things come to mind for you when you hear the word "struggle"? 
 For me the word implies a great deal of effort, striving, work or a battle.

Just as crossing that mountain pass can be easy or a struggle depending on how we approach it, so too can all of our struggles. It is often our "perception" of our difficulties and stresses that makes them harder  to bear. 
Are we approaching our struggles on foot, on a bike, or in a Landy? (metaphorically speaking of course)

This week on Facebook I came across the video below that perhaps a few of you have seen before.  A psychologist is teaching a group of people about stress management principles  and asks everyone how heavy the glass of water is that she is holding.  Some people guess 8 oz and others more... but she points out that the relative weight of the glass doesn't actually matter.... it is how long it's held for that makes it easy... or a harder "struggle" to bear.




In each case the weight of the glass didn't change, but the longer it was held the heavier it became. We need to remember to just put the glass down.

There are some things or people however that we cant just "put down" ....I can't change the fact that I have a daughter with multiple complex issues and need to look after her needs...
....but I could put down my negative thoughts about lacking freedom and the ruminations and the way I approach my problems ... those thoughts and beliefs that have a way of making this situation more of a struggle for me?
The weight of any of our problems potentially may never change...but the shorter the time we hold the negative aspects of them...the less of a struggle we will feel.

Are there any negative beliefs (or anything else) that you have that you need to just put down regarding your own situation?  This week I challenge you to think about the things you find a struggle and see how you can approach them differently...and look for ways that help you to do this. It could mean, in order to put something down you have to pick up something new... you might want to start to exercise, meditate, meet up with friends more, go see a coach or professional (depending on what you need). 

There will always be mountains to climb and struggles to pass through in life....lets make them as easy as possible to approach and climb.... so we can at least enjoy the view on the journey!

Jx

If you would like to see some of my favourite pics from the Lakes this year you can scroll below : )

Blea Tarn

Wood and slate (on Little Langdale Tarn walk)


Lakeside trees at Wray Castle


Sunshine and Shadow by the lake (Wray Castle)


Lake side ...Wray Castle


Grizedale Tarn


Going back to nature






Stone wall


Little Langdale Tarn


Little Langdale bridge


Boat house at Grasmere


Heni off roading!








Making memories and traditions at Tarn Howes this year..

 If you want to see more of this years family pics you can click on the link here 

If you are looking for a place to visit then you might want to take a peek at the fab place we stayed too......


The jetty on a rainy day!



















24 comments:

  1. Beautifully written and equally beautiful photos Jade. I think we do all have a glass in our lives and thank you for sharing this, love H xx

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  2. Yes the lakes are gorgeous. Easy to take a good pic or two there. Hope B and the kids are all well xx

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  3. Jade, thank you so much for your encouragement to change our perspectives and the way we think about the things in our lives that can be struggles. I love this line you wrote: "The weight of any of our problems potentially may never change...but the shorter the time we hold the negative aspects of them...the less of a struggle we will feel." Such a powerful truth. thank you for stopping by my blog today and happy late blog birthday to you!!! Oh, and I LOVE your pictures, what a beautiful place you live in. The scenery is so very calming and stress relieving . Blessings to you.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words Debbie. The Lake District is one of my all time favourite places to visit and I just LoVE taking pictures of it. Thanks for visiting today x

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  4. Beautiful pictures! I followed you here via the http://purposefulfaith.com/ link up. I too have food issues, so loved how you had a meal prepared for you with sensitivities in mind! Headed to read about your sweet baby now. :)

    - Jennifer Saake, www.StrokeOfGrace.blogspot.com

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    1. I like to mention restaurants that cater for people with intolerances as it's difficult to find good places that do. Glad you could stopped in

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  5. Gorgeous photos! Thanks so much for linking up at Counting My Blessings! This is really beautiful!

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    1. Hi Deb. Thank you. England is a gorgeous place.... But it's even more stunning if the sun comes out!

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  6. Your photos are absolutely breathtaking! Nature is captured so well by your photography. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, too at Together on Tuesdays Blog Hop.

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    1. Thanks Lisa. Glad you liked them. I love taking pics of nature. I especially like trees and water for some reason! I didn't realise how many pics I take of them ... Thanks for stopping in.

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  7. Beautiful photos. Glad to be your neighbor at Woman to Woman. Have a blessed week.

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  8. Just getting away from home to an adventure of sorts is freeing. Taking Henri with you blessed her too, even with her rest days that gave you some free time. Your photos are wonderful and I know the "vacation" was enjoyed by your entire family. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.

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    1. Heni loves to go away on holiday too. She enjoys all the walks and being somewhere new. The only downside for her is the travel takes it out of her : (

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  9. I was strolling through your words, enjoying the break you spoke of and then I caught the part about struggling with a load we can't put down.... and catching the burden of a child who has special needs to make plans for... and I just sighed. I get the point of the letting go in this and the way it I can be hard. I needed to read your words and sigh through your photos today. It was a respite. Thank you! I would love to have you share this with my link up if you feel led to do that. :)
    Blessings,
    Dawn

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    1. Hi Dawn. I'm glad you found some respite today in the words and photos. I am glad that you were able to find Henibean and I'm heading to your blog right now. Xx

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  10. Gorgeous photos and what such beauty. I love your message here! Thanks for sharing at Party at My Place.

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    1. Thanks Michelle. It's even more beautiful in real life. X

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  11. Beautiful photography! Thanks for sharing at the #LMMLinkup. I enjoy your perspective and how you've found it worthwhile to "enjoy the view on the way" in the midst of your struggles. I can only do that through the power of God!

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  12. Me too. I need that power everyday. I'm gradually trying to work on enjoying the view! Thanks for dropping in

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  13. WOW, what beautiful and spectacular pictures! Thanks for the reminder to put down my burdens! Some burdens are not even mine and I do have the Lord to help with mine.

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    1. As women we often have to carry a lot of other people's burdens. ... But like you say there is one greater who can carry all of our burdens ....if we let Him X

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  14. Hi Jade,
    What a beautiful holiday you had! I have yet to visit the UK, but look forward to the day I do! I love how you wove the images of The Struggle into the struggles we face in daily life. I, too, am a Mama of a special needs little. I understand your words. And you are right, so much of the struggle is in our perception. My faith gives me that strength each day. I know that my child is ultimately God's child on loan to me. I know He will fill my gaps and I can give all the frustrations to Him. He is even quite good at handling my bad attitudes;-) But, when I take my focus off what is wrong and put it on what is good and right. When I give thanks for the much good I have, my perspective changes. And the struggle is less burdensome. The struggle can actually become joy!
    Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful post of hope alongside me at Moments of Hope! I am honored to have you share your story there!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

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  15. If you ever get to come to the uk you must visit the Lake District ... It's so gorgeous.
    I know what you mean about God dealing with bad attitudes and frustrations! I often unloAd my frustrations upon Him. I wish you every Angel to uplift you on your most troublesome days and turn your struggles in to strengths. it's great learning a little more about you. See you soon at moments of Hope! X

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