Hi Orangeblossom, thanks for chatting with me. Yes, there's a rhythm to it all that seems to work: purpose, pattern, point-by-point. Really helpful on the tough days. One step-at-a-time. Hope you have a great day that that inner critic has a day off. L'x

Hi Christine, I'd relax on the goals thing. If life is really tough, and it sounds like it is for us both at the moment, it works better to think in terms of 'focus'. "What do I need to focus on for the next hour or so?" Once we can answer that, we can then ask the power question, "OK, so what's the first physical action step?" Once you get into this rhythm, you and I can get bolder and sketch out a pattern of steps. Our minds crave structure - and finding gentle ways to structure our time can be really helpful whether it's a good or tough day. May you find a gentle purpose for the next few hours, that then blooms into a purpose for the day. Thanks for chatting. L'x

Hi ya LillyPet, "inspiring and soothing" is a lovely compliment. I'm not a big visionary anymore, nor do I feel the need to have big goals... and I'm certainly not an over-achiever type. Nevertheless, a gentle rhythm and pattern to the mowing works its magic. Critically in need of decluttering myself, so I sympathise deeply! One pile at a time... one box at a time... and maybe, just maybe, one room at a time! Thanks for encouraging me at a particularly low point. Appreciate the hug too. L'xx

Sorry to hear you're not in a good place Lex. I was thinking about how motivating you are and so humble. You really do have a gift. There have been times when I've felt low too and just reading your blog has lifted and motivated me to try it that way! I guess we just have to let nature take it's course in it's time. Sending sunshine and more hugs! LP xx

Thank you, LillyPet. Father's Day is not always a good day for me! And this one was particularly naff... so I was reeling from the emotional impact of that. Really appreciate the hugs and sunshine. L'xx

You're welcome. Nature will take it's course. The balance between the natural pain and natures beautiful blessing will come to you in its time. At least today wont be that naff! Some things hit us hard. At least your recovery from reeling from that will be faster. Just looking at the lawn. It'll actually be a pleasure doing it this time! Treated myself to a lightweight one that rolls lines! Very satisfying! :) I always start at bottom left corner! Hey ho best get back to work. Take care. LPx

Oh S, I think I love your auntie! What a beautiful phrase and philosophy: "are you making your little life?" I shall treasure this today, and more than that, I shall work on my little life today - I know exactly where to start and what pattern to mow! L'x

She is lovely - I will tell her that her question is much appreciated. Hope your day went ok and the mowing went well! Sx

Dear TF - so pleased that someone else has a life like mine. Just at the moment my teenager is a delight and my pre-teen a stroppy nightmare. I feel for you in sisterhood!

Actually it's me who feels like a stroppy teenager today and I should have grown out of it in the 1980s. I do have a teenager who does strop about her hair but nothing too awful for a while and thankfully not today! TF x

Hi Ya Tutti Frutti, I utterly understand today. You don't have to mow the lawn every day. Sounds like you need a day off. What would your inner stroppy teenager like to do today? Sounds like she needs some time and attention. Let her play for the day. L'x

Lex thanks. 'You don't have to now the lawn every day' sounds like one for me to remember!

Hi TF, just to say that I hope your Pilates class went ok. The rain was full on today- hope you got the sun we did this evening. Take care, Sx

Thanks S. Yes the pilates class was good and the sun came out for the evening. I also managed to plough on through the rest of the day and get some work done. Decided that the metaphorical lawn really was in need of a mow yesterday however little I felt like it. Hoping for a better day today. Weather nice at least. Love TFx

Ah, bless you, Skyblue - feeling the love today... and need it, so that kind of works out doesn't it? Nice to be part of our community. L'xx

The guy that did the time management programme last week talked about "Dreams with a Date" - I liked that. I so dislike the word "deadline". I really do fancy having a date with my dreams... even if some days they seem far off. L'x

All makes perfect sense to me, dear Gardener. We need to see patterns in life - and thus it's applaudably natural that we should seek to establish order and patterns in our lives and environment. The lawns, for me, are a very welcome distraction. L'x

Mow away, Lexi - mow away - and sing as you go, a mowing song! Inch by inch, victory will roll your way (with the mower's roller)! L'x

Thanks Richard cool song. Bringing back all the mother and toddler group versions with crocodiles etc. Love TF

Ha ha Richard, brilliant! And, yes, I am singing it! Peace and Love to you too. L'x

Hi Lesley, we're being gentle with ourselves today... just find a pattern and follow it. Of course, singing Richard's song helps while you do this. Pattern... Rhythm... Flow... L'x

Here's hoping today will be less pants. Love TF x

"Pantsarama" is a wonderful word, though, Ratg. And I hope you invented it, 'cos it's so cool! May you have a Blissarama season to make up for all the Pantsarama ones. L'xx

"Pantsarama" is a wonderful word, though, Ratg. And I hope you invented it, 'cos it's so cool! May you have a Blissarama season to make up for all the Pantsarama ones. L'xx

Hey ratg, just sending love and hoping that pantsarama doest last long for you! Was going to send a hug, but not if youre feeling suffocaty! Sounds like a cue for one of your stomps! I made it out for a powerwalkfirst thing this morning. First one for goodnes knows how long! Mwah! PXx

Hi Jules, hope you get this response - as I'm a day late in replying, but I think there is value for us in the whole metaphor of making as much as possible "Straight-forward". Mowing the grass in straight lines requires me to look directly ahead - and not to the right nor to the left. It is a very simple focus. I was crushed at the weekend (with the repercussions on Monday) because I went too wide and too far with my vision, and what I saw terrified me. I can look forward today, an hour at a time, and even a task at a time. That seems straight-forward. One physical action step after another - following a straight line or simple pattern. One of the most important aspects of the Moodscope Community for me is knowing that we really do understand one another's strength and depth of emotion - even if those emotions differ. In the face of such strong emotions, motion seems a good response - shifting the emotion into another kind of energy. My heart goes out to you because I know some of these feelings. May you find a simple line to mow today. Hugs. L'xx

Thank you for this Lex. You are a gem. I knew you would help me. It's strange how things work out or happen. I was walking into my nearest town just now and thinking ahead to the future in the context of this one huge life change which has been thrown at me. Just as you say Lex..not a good idea..... the future I envisaged was horrible!! So coming back and reading your words Lex has stopped me in my tracks which led only to doom and gloom. Instead I will think ahead but only to the next hour. Moodscope is great for all the reasons you state Lex. What would we do without each other? My guess is that we would seek each other out, all of us, now we have established such strong sustaining roots.xxx