After a 'Lucky Break' (of the worst kind!) I am back.

It's been 12 weeks since I broke 2 vertebrae doing something I never ask my clients to do! I was riding, but ended up falling off my large, cantering horse who it turns out was leaping to save me from a suspected pheasant! 8 of those weeks were spent in a somewhat NHS looking brace (featured below) - a fashion accessory I'm rather pleased to have ditched.

.

The announcement is I can (at last!) drive and hold a dog lead again.

.

As I was propelled from this fast moving, 16.3' (large!) horse, two thoughts crossed my mind: "Don't let go of the reins!" and "My youngest has his last GCSE tomorrow, I have to get up". My back thought otherwise. And so the saga began. But I very soon realised it was my "Lucky Break". I think I'll write more on this in a blog, so won't go into huge details - but (with the help of lots of spiritual and coaching tools) it really has been an incredibly peaceful time.

.

My teens stepped up, with cooking, cleaning, dog walking and general support (or prevention of this disaster to their Mother, cook and slave continuing longer through lack of rest). The distribution of the work they did was somewhat reminiscent of the latest Cadbury's chocolate bar design with squares shared according to achievement, so of course, my husband did the lion's share and gets the most squares of chocolate! And I am immensely grateful to all 3 of them.

.

10 things that helped:

• The Work, Byron Katie

• Morning Pages (as ever!) & meditation

• Lovely Zoom clients

• Crochet (chunky blanket well underway now!)

• An antisocial, high backed arm chair with 4 strategically arranged cushions and a stand to rest my Kindle/notes/books on

• A new Astrobutterfly course to focus on

• Lots of sleep (a staggering amount, bones require rest!)

• High dose homeopathy (50M for those in the know)

• Endless patience from my family & my Equus clients

• Curating each day to bring only joy

.

Many of these tips I wholeheartedly recommend to you to try if you haven't already, and there are several I plan to keep going with... including Curating Each Day To Bring Only Joy!

.

So I raise this glass of kombucha to you, and to me being back and out in the world!

.

I've returned to working with my Zoom clients, but am also returning to working with Equus clients in September and embarking on further training too. If I can find joy in the pain and trauma of a broken spine, I know you can find joy in whatever you are suffering with in life. So I'm back to taking bookings and looking forward to helping more people find their own joy in the world.

.

Much more to follow!

.

But meanwhile, for those who like a little story - here's what I shared on social media just after it had happened....

.

So... This is what a broken spine looks like. Or it does for me.

.

(There may be a small interruption in some services) .

.

Flying along riding my very lovely four legged Equine friend, Spike, and a massive and sudden leap sideways from him and I'm flat on my back in a field. He was, after all, trying to save us both from a possible monster in the hedge! And it was entirely my fault I fell...

.

Amazing help from the kind and generous friends nearby, as well as husband's rapid response, and got me sorted quickly. I actually just thought I was badly winded as couldn't breathe and the pain was symmetrical and blunt

.

Turns out I have zero bruising (took arnica 50M immediately...once a homeopath...) but have 2 cracked vertebrae and 6 weeks wearing this delightful little accessory. Pain is minimal now. I can walk. No lasting nerve damage. And what amazing doctors, nurses and radiologists at the Great Western Hospital.

.

I'm reminded to really listen to my body in a way many will find surprising. Not the pain, but the subtle sensations from my nervous system that tell me what is and is not good for me.

.

I'm pausing Equus Coaching (can't drive nor hold a horse, or dog for that matter, for 6 weeks), and minimising work that involves lots of computer based sitting.

.

I get lots of time to ponder and reflect, rest and ease up. The teens are stepping up, for which I'm extremely grateful and proud of them too.

.

And yet my 'body compass' says YES! to clients and teaching my last practicum coaching class for Martha Beck. Although I may need to rejig a session or two to pace myself, so bear with me if that affects you.

.

In my worldview things happen for a reason. I'll share more about what I uncover as I go. But I wanted you to know there'll be a change to some services, and normal (and more on track) services will be resumed ASAP.

.

And I may just have to go to a few parties with a summer dress under this. One dress code for an upcoming ball is 'dress as if you've just left your yacht on the Amalfi Coast'...

.

... I'm planning to 'dress as if you've left your mobility scooter in the blue badge area'!