Julie McCloskey Mindfulness Facilitator

The Su***de Prevention Development Officers in the Northern Locality are hosting a ‘Bereavement by Su***de’ talk.

This talk will examine:
- The complicated grief process
- The myths about grief
- The stages and symptoms of grief
- The role of family and friends
- Managing the difficult milestones

Date: Tuesday 10th September
Venue: Rover Coffee House, Randalstown
Time: 6.30-8.30pm

*Drop-in option 5:30-6:30pm: Come along and meet the staff behind NHSCT Bereaved by Su***de Support Service and Children & Young Peoples Bereavement by Su***de Support service offered by Barnardo’s.

To register contact: Laura McCaughey, [email protected], 028 9447 8645

OR use event link within the comments

This pretty girl is the only one left with no forever home 💕
A sweet natured girl she’s learning

Shy and quiet a home with another dog is important.

https://www.almosthome-ni.org/pet/pru-3/

We are running fun all-inclusive climbing sessions for Young people and Adults who have sensory, intellectual or physical impairment. As part of an Inclusive Adventure program The Outdoor Partnership and Mountaineering Ireland are offering several come and try climbing sessions on the weekend of 9 & 10th December in Tollymore National Outdoor Centre.

Sat, 9 Dec 2023 09:30 - 12:30: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/759561367497?aff=oddtdtcreator
Sat, 9 Dec 2023 13:30 - 16:30: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/759809599967?aff=oddtdtcreator

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 09:30 - 12:30: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/climbing-for-all-tickets-759810332157?aff=oddtdtcreator
Sun, 10 Dec 2023 13:30 - 16:30: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/759811285007?aff=oddtdtcreator

💕Reggie 💕

To offer our Reggie a home

https://www.almosthome-ni.org/pet/reggie/

Look at those eyes, wise eyes.

Whiskeys world turned upside down when his beloved dad went into a nursing home.

He misses him so much, he knows he’s safe and loved here but nothing beats being at home, on the sofa, a place and a family to call your own.

Whiskey is just 7 years old, a beautiful, gentle soul.

Can you help by offering Whiskey a new home?

Please hit the share button, his family are out there 🙏

https://www.almosthome-ni.org/pet/whiskey/

Scotland’s Sacred Islands with Ben Fogle - Series 2: Episode 1 Travelling to Arran and Holy Isle, Ben learns how they’re a haven for diverse faiths.

BLESSING FOR PEACE

As the fever of day calms towards twilight
May all that is strained in us come to ease.

We pray for all who suffered violence today,
May an unexpected serenity surprise them.

For those who risk their lives each day for peace,
May their hearts glimpse providence at the heart of history.

That those who make riches from violence and war
Might hear in their dreams the cries of the lost.

That we might see through our fear of each other
A new vision to heal our fatal attraction to aggression.

That those who enjoy the privilege of peace
Might not forget their tormented brothers and sisters.

That the wolf might lie down with the lamb,
That our swords be beaten into ploughshares

And no hurt or harm be done
Anywhere along the holy mountain.

JOHN O'DONOHUE

From the book, Benedictus
https://johnodonohue.com/store

Saint Patrick's Cathedral
Dublin, Ireland
Photo: © Ann Cahill

Compassion Blog - I've got your back - Mindfulness Association Compassion Blog - I've got your back - Mindfulness Association Blogs - Mindfulness Association

Free autumn National Trust passes Escape into autumn with the National Trust. Find out how to claim a free, single-use visitor's pass.

RESERVED 💕💕🙏🙏

Wee sad face 💔

Meet bailie

This boy is breaking our hearts 💔
At 7 years old he’s found himself in rescue after his owner became unwell.

An absolute pet, house trained and he adores humans.

A good traveller and super on the lead.

Bailie could share his home with another dog but with lits of attention would be happy as an only dog.

https://www.almosthome-ni.org/pet/bailie/

The Sanctuary – The Sanctuary A Welcome Note From Our Founder Over twenty-three years ago, we had a vision for the Sanctuary. That it would be a place of stillness that would speak to the stillness in everyone. That it would be a place of beauty, that would speak to the beauty in everyone. That it would be a place where people w...

THE ART OF DEVELOPING A BEAUTIFUL MIND

The world is not simply there. Everything and everyone we see, we view through the lenses of our thoughts. Your mind is where your thoughts arise and form. It is not simply with your eyes but with your mind that you see the world. So much depends on your mind: How you see yourself, who you think you are, how you see others, what you think the meaning of life is, how you see death, belief, God, darkness. Beauty is all determined by the style of mind you have.

Your mind is your greatest treasure. We become so taken up with the world, with having and doing more and more, we come to ignore who we are and forget what we see the world with. The most powerful way to change your life is to change your mind.

When you beautify your mind, you beautify your world. You learn to see differently. In what seemed like dead situations, secret possibilities and invitations begin to open before you. In old suffering that held you long paralyzed, you find new keys. When your mind awakens, your life comes alive and the creative adventure of your soul takes off. Passion and compassion become your new companions.

©JOHN O'DONOHUE

Excerpt from the unpublished collection of John O'Donohue. The title and description John wrote in late 2007 for a public event in 2008.
https://johnodonohue.com/store

Fanore Beach, Co. Clare, Ireland
Photo: © Ann Cahill

SPERRINS WALKING​​
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Time to get your walking boots on! The popular Sperrins Walking programme of events is back for another year! ​​​​​​​​
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Sperrins Walking takes place in September and October 2023 and March 2024 and is run by The Sperrins Partnership, a collaborative project between 4 Councils, and outdoor experts Far and Wild
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It’s a fantastic opportunity to discover and learn more about the rich history and heritage of some of our most beautiful landscapes, through a range of small group, guided walking routes from moderate to challenging, across the beautiful landscapes of the Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.​​​​​​​​
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Save the dates of 14th and 15th October for two great walks in the Causeway Coast and Glens – a 10km route through beautiful Banagher Glen and a more challenging 12km route to the summit of Mullaghaneaney.​​​​​​​​
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Places are filling fast so we advise booking soon!​​​​​​​​
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Find out more including how to book your place 👉https://bit.ly/3R55laz
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You have traveled too fast over false ground;
Now your soul has come to take you back.

Take refuge in your senses, open up
To all the small miracles you rushed through.

Become inclined to watch the way of rain
When it falls slow and free.

Imitate the habit of twilight,
Taking time to open the well of color
That fostered the brightness of day.

Draw alongside the silence of stone
Until its calmness can claim you.

Be excessively gentle with yourself.

JOHN O'DONOHUE

Excerpt from the blessing, 'For One Who is Exhausted,' from John's books:
Benedictus (Europe) / To Bless the Space Between Us (US)
Ordering Info: https://johnodonohue.com/store

Lahinch Beach, Co Clare, Ireland
Photo: © Ann Cahill

How beautiful are these little souls 💕

So many looking for new homes.

You can fill in a general kitten application to come and meet all of our kittens.

https://www.almosthome-ni.org/pet/kittens-looking-for-homes/

🚌 It's Summer so we've teamed up with to bring back the Divis Shuttle bus which will be running from 15 July each weekend to the end of August. Watch this space for further details on the route and the timetable for this free service. 🚌



📷 Shanna

Apologies for the lack of updates.
At this end we are all emotionally and physically drained.

It’s a never ending cycle of calls from people who for whatever reason can no longer keep their pets.

Most days we try to be strong, smile and go with the flow.

Those of you that know me well know I usually take things in my stride , I was once asked what my plan b was when working on a project and I smiled and answered Plan b?
Sometimes I don’t even have a plan A 😀

I’ve always been one to just trust that things will work out, that we will just keep smiling, keep loving.

Lately it’s getting harder, the sheer neglect, volume of unwanted animals increases by the day. Rescues all over are struggling, pounds are full.

Every time we say no (about 20 times a day) we feel guilt, we listen to your stories and often they are harrowing, sometimes I come off the phone and want to scream, the person who’s garden is too small for their dog, it grew to big, it snapped. The list is endless, we get berated and told that it’s a disgrace that we won’t help. We listen to the complaints that people didn’t get the dog they applied for, we didn’t answer your email or reply quickly enough.

There just are not enough hours in the day.

What happens when there are too many dogs and not nearly enough space?

It's constant, never ending, soul destroying . What do we do?

We post their stories We fight for them. We turn every spare space into shelter, Maybe we shouldn't.

Maybe we should let them just get on with euthanising, with dumping, starving, left for a life that’s unfair, breeding until they can give no more.

Maybe if we never seen them, heard their stories, looked into their eyes as they try to process the next chapter of their journey, it wouldn't matter?

But humans created this mess. We domesticated these pets. They can not survive on their own.

I don't know what the answer is. We just keep struggling and it just keeps getting worse.

They have no time, no voice, for many no chance.

Please please if you are considering a new pet visit the website, see who’s available.

Almosthome-ni.org

If you have some free time come volunteer.

https://www.almosthome-ni.org/volunteer/

Our animals rely on us. We are their voice.

One day there will be no need for rescue, one day every animal will have a home, a family to call their own.

Until then we will keep going.

Tomorrow is a new day 🙏

These 2 girls arrived from the pound yesterday
They are terrified, sore, infected, broken.

For them we will keep going.

Meet Dillon meaning ray of hope and Asha meaning alive and well

Mary Oliver
What can I say that I have not said before?
So I'll say it again.
The leaf has a song in it.
Stone is the face of patience.
Inside the river there is an unfinishable story
and you are somewhere in it
and it will never end until all ends.
Take your busy heart to the art museum and the
chamber of commerce
but take it also to the forest.
The song you heard singing in the leaf when you
were a child
is singing still.
I am of years lived, so far, seventy-four,
and the leaf is singing still.

When I Am Among the Trees by Mary Oliver

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”

Mindfulness Based Living Course 8 week in depth Mindfulness Based Living Course Weekly 2 hour sessions including a day of retreat in week 6 or 7

Julie McCloskey Mindfulness Facilitator updated their business hours.

Start the week with some new faces to Maitri Studio!
Clockwise from top left:
Luciana (.holistic on insta) soon to bring reiki, yoga and herbalism consultations
Swaralipi of Nrityangana Dance Academy teaches Bollywood and Indian classical dance to children on Sundays
Stacey Dobbin Yoga brings her excellent pregnancy yoga to Maitri on Mondays after Easter
And Julie McCloskey Mindfulness Facilitator will run a Mindfulness Based Living Course after Easter but look out for her taster sessions before then!

Julie McCloskey Mindfulness Facilitator is now on WhatsApp.

Beautiful Belvoir forest