By Eithne Cullen

Welcome to October’s Thoughtful Tuesday page. As I write, I’m seeing autumn creeping in to take the place of summer, and know that the dark days and nights, drop in temperature and blustery winds are here to stay for a while. I must get around to planting my bulbs as, when we reach winter’s end, the cheery colours of my spring flowers will make a difference to my mood. Which leads me neatly into our theme for the next few issues: Difference.

I love reading articles about how changes to our lives can make a difference to our health and wellbeing. I’ve enjoyed the radio programme and podcast by Dr Michael Mosley (who sadly died this summer) where he tells us how Just One Thing can improve our lives. I’m afraid I didn’t quite get on board with moving my daily walk to early morning, or turning the shower to cold for the last few minutes. However, he did encourage me to stand on one leg while brushing my teeth, eat more apples, try and do more squats, sprinkle flax-seed on my cereal and many other little acts, too. I only hope I’ll be seeing the benefit as I age more gracefully.

So I asked the Pen to Print writers if they’d taken any form of action to make a difference in their lives.

First up, this poem from Julie Dexter. She describes a swim in a beautiful and unusual location, evoking a sense of natural wonder.

Ferraria

The stones have shifted.
The ground gives as
everything you know to be solid
crumbles —
Ash and fire-
boil like a kettle-lid lifted off
And after, nothing resettles right.

A volcanic cove of geothermal heat—
peculiar,
to bathe in,
when expecting
a lick of saltwater over your feet
a wash upwards to shin, thigh
shivering in icy coldness until
you surrender,
submerge,
in churning
turquoise green, or
still, silent, sapphire where
black-pink fish
flit with spotlight swiftness,
like spiritual mermaid sisters
swimming in coral gardens
far below.

Slowly, ever so slowly,
slipping
succumbing
scalding
accepting

The water sears my body,
envelops like a warm embrace
stress unravels,
tension soothes away,

Upon the rocks,
in the crevices,
crawling hermit crabs
scuttle, peep —
pinch, snap toes.
A gnarled line dangles like a skipping rope
protection from the fierce
tide beyond and the cold wide open
—no thing will win over the ocean,
Its power to carry you.

© Julie Dexter, 2024

Connect with Julie on X: @JulieADexter, on Facebook: Julie A Dexter and Instagram:@LateNightSwimmer

Ponta da Ferraria is the westernmost point of Sao Miguel Island, Azores. It’s an area created by hot lava pouring into the sea. At low tide it’s 40 degrees Celsius in the cove, which is heated by a hydro thermal vent in the basin of the ocean.

The accompanying  image by Beryl Touchard captures the unusual water and its wildness. it reminds me of that volcanic rock – fabulous!

Connect with Beryl through Instagram: @beryltouchard

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Palak Tewary has written the next poem, where she describes the difference music makes to her wellbeing. I love the phrase:

In the cadence of life, where stress can reign,
Music is my refuge, easing the pain.

These words really emphasise the way music can take her from her worries and troubles.

Finding Repair

When the weight of the world is too much to bear,
And my thoughts tangle up in a web of despair,
I uncover my peace in a simple refrain,
Music, my shelter from the storm and the rain.

In the rhythm, I find my heart’s steady beat,
A reminder that life can be bittersweet.
It dances through my veins, ignites a spark,
Guiding me through, when the path is dark.

Each note, a bridge that leads me back home,
When my mind feels adrift, lost, and alone.
A soft melody, like a gentle embrace,
Turns chaos into calm and slows the race.

I turn to the tunes when the dark shadows creep,
For in music, my spirit can finally sleep.
It’s my therapy, my voice when I can’t speak,
A healing balm when the heart feels bleak.

So, I turn to the songs, in joy and in sorrow,
For music gives strength, and hope for tomorrow.
In its cuddle, I feel understood,
In its pulse, I unearth what’s good.

In the cadence of life, where stress can reign,
Music is my refuge, easing the pain.
A symphony of solace, a chorus of care,
In every harmony, I find repair.

© Palak Tewary, 2024

Connect with Palak Tewary via her website palaktewary.com, on X and Instagram: @palaktewary

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In my final piece, Vrushali writes about her yoga practice and how important it is in her life.

Movement: Something I Do To Make A Difference To My Wellbeing

Since childhood, carving at least half an hour for my fitness routine has always been at the core of my lifestyle. My parents put me in a routine where I used to go to gymnastics class, play basketball or sweat at a boxing class in the evening. Later on, as I became very busy with studies and then work, I fell in love with yoga and home workouts.

A little goes a long way and embedding yoga into my daily routine has helped me connect with my body on an intuitive level. It’s also helped me to be calmer and less impulsive, to do better at work and centre myself more. These days, I fall apart less often!

I also started taking 30-Day Yoga Challenges, giving me more momentum. I love a challenge, finding it energising.

I live in India and, when the weather allows, enjoy going for morning runs and doing some cardio. I love how pink and vibrant I look post-running! I’m planning to run a Marathon this year – let’s see how it goes. I skip running and cardio in the summer, when the temperature passes the 37°C mark. During a heat wave, I keep my fitness routine very slow, ensuring I don’t challenge myself overmuch. Being kind to the body and learning its natural rhythm is very important.

© Vrushali Khadilkar, 2024

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Finally, I hope these pieces remind you to do something different sometimes.

If you fancy listening to Dr Michael Mosley, the link to his podcasts is below: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09by3yy/episodes/player

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Issue 22 out now, click here to read. You will also find it in libraries and other outlets. Alternatively all current and previous editions can be found on our magazines page here. 

You can hear great new ideas, creative work and writing tips on Write On! Audio. Find us on all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Google Podcasts and Spotify. Type Pen to Print into your browser and look for our logo or find us on Spotify.  

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