Winter Solstice

As we are coming up to the winter solstice on the 21st of December what is on your mind?? Traditionally it was a time when you let go of things for last year and added things for the new year, a three day period in order to shift the year. So this year what are you going to do/What do you need to take out of your life ?and what do you need to add? How has the year been for you? are you still headed in the right direction? have you even thought you have a direction. Is Belfast headed in the right direction? I was walking through town this morning along the Christmas market at the city hall-(any chance it could be fair trade next year) through the shoppers. Thinking about what has gone from Belfast's high street and what remains. The big wheel is still turning at the side of the city hall. While Victoria square is not full it certainly has added another dimension to Belfast. The cathedral quarter seems to have come of age, there is much more life around than even last year and soon it will be filled with the voices of all those Christmas party's.

The assembly is still up and running, there is still a threat of dissidents and as one person told me there is a new generation attracted to "the cause" as they have never lived through the violence of the past and all they see is "ex combatants" having all the power in their areas. (sad really) that what some people aspire to is being an ex combatant.

But each little crank of the wheel brings forth a wee bit more change, a different generation is starting to come into influence. Hopefully they will bring a different mind set with them?? is that possible? I've noticed alot of friends have moved back into Northern Ireland. Friends with open minds and open hearts, aware that there is different ways of living ,that you don't have to except the "box" that NI like to sometimes squeeze you into.

Every interaction you have with every human has an effect on the wider sphere, some businesses have closed and others have opened. I notice alot of vintage shops opening in Belfast. Charity shops are doing great trade, good to see. Technology still seems to be doing well. I went into the apple shop this morning and saw the next generation of humans demonstrating just how use full it's going to be to download something or other . I sometimes wonder if they down load their brains as well???? Are they looking after their spirits?? or is that something that they don't even realise they have??

What of my shift?? Art has taken it's rightful place in the for front of my mind. However just because it's there doesn't mean I have to get rid of my principles as well? do you really have to be bitchy and manipulative to get ahead ?? I don't think so. It's useful to believe in karma no matter what you are doing. It;'s been an interesting art year. I feel more of my self, people keep telling me just how much I have changed. But I don't think I have, I just feel that I no longer have to pretend I'm anything else other that what I am. A creative person.

Sad that in order to be taken seriously in Northern Ireland you have to conceal your creativity. What does that mean for society as a whole?Do you think that creativity is needed here?? I know I do.I was trying to explain the other day that I spent 14year working on development programmes in deprived communities and they asked me if I did art workshops??? They couldn't understand how someone with an art background could be a finance specialist, could inspire people to change their lives ,could help people believe in themselves and reach out for something better, all while keeping their politicians to account.Very important that one, after all they are making decisions on your behalf, or not as the case maybe. I noticed some budget cuts , real political work,required because they never got the water rates sorted out, ho hum one more step in another direction. Whens the next election???????While all this is going on people are eating and loving ,living and dying. One more revolution of the wheel of life. As it all never stays still. Some one asked me the other day does a certain person live their life in balance?? no was the answer. But they seem happy enough with that really.

Anyway enough of these ramblings just remember that every purchase you make over Christmas has an impact on the people in the chain of purchasing, where does the profit go??? each interaction you have makes a difference try and purchase sensibly.

Do you have any new years resolutions yet ? can you see them??are you ready for the winter solstice? or are you going to muddle your way through , did you do that beofr ?? did it work??