Monday 17 February 2020

The final column, but not the final blog.


This column was first published in The Press York, on Tuesday, December 10th 2019.
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18084705.column-final-wise-words-rita-leaman/


I was asked to contribute a monthly column to new Wellbeing pages in The Press, starting in January 2014. It was initially for six months and I was thrilled. After five months, I was asked if I would like to continue for another six months and that is how it has been for the last six years. It has been an opportunity that was better than I could have hoped. 

This year I thought that the columns could be put together in a book and that idea was realised last month in the publication of ‘Wise Words’. As if I’d had a premonition, the format of the newspaper is changing and this is to be the last Mind, Body and Soul column. Through seventy years. there have been many beginnings and endings in my life. The unexpected endings tend to be harder to manage emotionally than the expected ones and I have been expecting this ending for five and half years. There is still a sense of loss, but also a frisson of excitement about what might come next. 

Last Sunday, I was asked if asked if I did therapy on myself in stressful situations. I replied that I felt that if I wrote about how to manage emotions, then I should be willing to take my own advice and do some self-reflection at times. That is what I’m doing now. Understanding that I feel a little sad about this chapter of life coming to an end, but also recognising that new opportunities are out there, if I can get out of my comfortable chair and motivate myself. I would like to continue sharing some ‘Wise Words’ and at the moment, am tempted towards book readings with Q&A. 

My final ‘heal thyself’ advice is to finish with my favourite quote from Helen Keller. It describes many people with emotional health problems. ”When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” 

What could be through the door of 2020? 

Rita Leaman is a psychotherapist (www.chasingrainbows.org.uk.) She has recently published the 2014-2019 columns in a book, ‘Wise Words’. Available in paperback and on Kindle. https://amzn.to/34ukHJV 

New age, new challenges

This profile article was published in the York Press on Tuesday, November 19th 2019

https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18033538.not-write-off---retirement-not-option-70-rita-leaman/https://alisonrussell275.blogspot.com/2019/01/


November's column (see previous blog) was published as part of a two page article about my real name personna, Rita Leaman.


It is now February 17th 2020 and I've taken time off from posting on the blog to reflect and consider how I feel about continuing with the blog. My final column was published on Tuesday, December 10th 2019 and will follow. 


©AlisonRRussell2019