November 🍂

And the beautiful month it was...

** I’d love if you might like to listen to the audio of this Substack. I think you will enjoy it best through the audio….Go on, hit that play button, I promise you, you won’t regret it. Bring me on a walk with you, clean out the fridge with your earphones in or maybe we will put up the christmas tree :)

Me looking up at the play button on the audio ;)

On Monday night, in the writing community to which I belong and love and fondly refer to as my LWS family (London Writers Salon), there was a community meet up called ‘The Open Mic’ to which I try to never miss. I’ve been going to it for just over two years and it was only in the last two months, that I transitioned from supporter and cheerleader at ‘The Open Mic’ to actually taking part in the open mic. ..It takes place monthly and in my first attempt to read a piece, I couldn’t decide what I should read. So as I sat in the Writer’s Hour beforehand, I decided to use my new found focus and bravery to really push myself. I had set these three words ‘To Be Brave’ as a phrase that would keep me focused throughout 2023. Three words that would become my guiding lights, my northern stars, my phrase of encouragement to help push me out of my comfort zone and into a space where I tried to further expand the elements that were me.

So in true Lou style instead of picking a piece I had already written, worked on, edited and prepared intensely for The Open Mic slot, I decided for each time I dared to take part, in the twenty minutes beforehand I would take a writing prompt created by the fabulous

Lindsey Trout Hughes

and I would just dare to dare and ultimately dare to write. I would push myself, test myself, leave myself under a time limit of pressure to not only create from the last topic Lindsey has suggested (in a real roll of the dice fate) but in an even more daring feat for me, I would then commit to reading it aloud without any edits, any re-writes or even any re-thinking? Was I mad I think to myself? YES I definitely felt a bit mad in myself but in a good way. In a way that was testing my craft with the key component of this risk being ‘was I willing to take the risk, to play the vulnerability knowing full well, whatever I had written could be absolute rubbish and worse still might sound like a lot of fast paced gibberish when it came to that moment for me to unmute. In my mind, I thought as I entered the zoom room for The Open Mic, surely, I’ll be far down the list of readers and I’ll at least have time to think about what I was after scribbling down.

Well, as luck would have it, that was not the case and the two times I’ve done this and with a very spontaneous leap of faith, imagine I’ve been chosen to go first.

I have to admit, thank god both times I think I did ok so I’m going to continue doing this as long as I am enjoying it. By the way, enjoying it might be a stretch of the feeling but somewhere in the haste of my brain running around in zig zag shapes with words flying through my mind like shooting stars along with a spider web of thoughts, it’s kind of fun to test my writing craft out in a different kind of way. And in fairness to me, I do it with my shoulders back. Sure what have I to lose? That I’m embarrassed by what I’ve created. Nope that is not the type of person I am….In my younger days maybe so, but I’ve worked very hard on being myself that I now just be myself…. and no imposter lives in my head thank god. I am who I am. And once I do it with a good heart and i’m working on living the best life I can while I’m alive and well and while doing that, I’m trying to be a good human that tries her best. I want to lead my life in a way that others might want to be brave too. By each of us stepping out of our comfort zone, we are shining a light for another to be themselves! I’m happy with my goal for my life to be myself as much as I can and on the days I wobble I’ll lean on the people I love to remind me of that.

And now to to the title of this week’s substack and maybe you might be wondering why I called this Substack November….Well November was the title of my last piece I read in The Open Mic and I feel since today is the last day of November and December is just peaking around the corner, this is the perfect time to share it…So here it is…..remembering before you read it, I haven’t touched a letter or edited a word since writing it raw. I hope you enjoy it as we close the door on November….

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November

The door is about to close on your amber coloured leaves,

The winter is wondering is it time to step forward?

We don’t want to feel the cold on our cheeks,

Yet we want to hear the safe and nostalgic sounds of the Christmas choirs.

November - you were yourself. You always are. Changeable. Charming. Captivating.

And now it’s time to chase the light away.

Something you do very well.

Funny enough, I don’t dislike you for this.

If anything I’d admire you for your bravery.

You look light directly in the eye and you say ‘it’s time to rest for awhile.’

Darkness is here and we must settle in. That is your very purpose.

To remind us that light is not to be taken for granted.

And as we slowly adjust….You step back and December takes its seat at the table.

It is in this moment we must recognise the role you have played.

You’ve stopped us in our tracks just in time and with your transformative mood.

You present to us the other side of the story as gently as you can.

Leaves turning shades of colours not possible at any other time of the year.

Animals knowing its time to retreat underground.

The trees that stood tall and handsome question themselves with your celestial wand changing everthing.

Giving one and all the opportunity to grow further down the line.

Without you November, we would all stay still and nothing would change.

You are  without doubt the bravest month of the year. The month I admire most!

Where we once stood with sun on our faces, we now stand in darkness because of you.

November you opened the door and let her in.

But I thank you, because just like in life, we must not live in denial that darkness does not exist.

Instead each year you are training us, that even by allowing darkness step in,

If we remain true to ourselves just like you do,

We cannot only survive the shadows but we can grow in shades that only nature could dream of.

You make us see that beyond the light, darkness lives but it’s your accepting attitude that brings hope.

And it’s that brave charming hopeful heart of yours, that reminds me that you November are dark in nature.

But without you, Spring and Summer would be everlasting & healing, hope and new beginnings would never exist.

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Substack Family, I just want to take a moment to say thank you for being here. Thank you for reading my words and for listening to my heart every time you enter into this creative home that I have built. I am so grateful I am not here on my own. Thank you to you for giving me your time every time your inbox beeps with me inside it, this means more to me than you will ever know. You mean the world to me.

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November Gratitude List:

1. The Monday Night Get Togethers have been beyond magical. I am so grateful to my guests and my community who support me in so many ways. There have been lots of smiles but equally we have shared tears every Monday night too but in the most beautiful way.

   As stated last week ‘These sessions make me so emotional, but in such a good way.’ I could not thank you all for showing up. I have to admit I was feeling very vulnerable starting these but I am so grateful for you attending and also acknowledging each and everyone of you as you help keep my livelihood of being a writer, a communicator and someone who wants to help others alive and financially supported. I hope to run another one next Monday and my guest will be the wonderful and magical Celine Garvey. Celine has been one of my lifetime friends and is the same age as myself. She has one daughter - Elanor. Myself and Celine were planning to do a live show together last February when Celine started to not feel well. As things began to unfold for Celine, feeling more unwell by the day in which Celine eventually had to fight with a lot of doctors to take her intuition about her health seriously. She really felt something was wrong and in the end had to really push for further tests. She eventually received the devastating diagnosis of cancer. She has been fighting it ever since and as she travels through ten months of chemo, Celine is coming to join us Monday night as part of our ‘Finding the Light When The Darkness is Against You’ Series. I am honoured to have her along and could not speak highly enough of Celine. She is beyond an amazing human, she is an absolute inspiration.

   To book your space and to be part of the community gathering, please pop along to https://calendly.com/workwithlou/finding-the-light-when-the-darkness-is-against-you to confirm your attendance and to receive the zoom link for next Monday’s session!

2. Being nominated for a Book Award and being lucky enough to be able to share this moment with my mam. Granny Nancy was both our life’s love and vocation in many ways. Between the two of us we minded her and loved every fibre of her being together. Mam minded Gran all her life and when the moment came that someone else needed to step in, that was my moment to step forward. I would have done anything to help gran and to help my mam and I live with only love in my heart for being in the right place at the right time & being willing to sacrifice my own path to make sure Gran lived out her final days with love all around her in the comfort of her own home.

   My story & this book is as much my mam’s as it is Gran’s and I know Gran wouldn’t want it any other way…..I love my mam with every fibre of my heart and would do anything to help her and everyday we get to spend together is an absolute gift to me & I will never ever take her for granted. Her love is unconditional and her generosity and kindness boundless. I just hope I bring her as much joy and a sense of value and love that she gives me!

   

3. Having so much fun with four of my best friends and my mam at above mentioned book award ceremony :) My friends are everything to me and I love them and tell them so! I couldn’t and wouldn’t be the person I am without them by my side! Everyday I talk to these ladies and I mean where would you get that - friends who check in on me and support me in everyway that they can. I am honoured to have them in my life and privileged that they are a huge part of my heart!

   

4. Donadea Forest - This month I have spent a lot of thinking, walking and reflecting time within the remit of the most gorgeous local amenity. I love this place and it never fails to reset me. I need not say no more - the photo says it all and it’s literally 18 minutes away from my house. Am I the luckiest person in the world?! I think so x

   

5. Saying I love you to two of my favourite friends who turned 40 this month. Best friends we are since we were 15. Friends really matter to me and even though I don’t see the boys enough, we are as solid in the core of our friendship as if we still work together in the local restaurant.

   

   6. My nephew Josh turning 8 - all I can say is a lot of love, hugs and cake were involved. There is nothing as magical for me that being an auntie…..I take my role very seriously ;) Every inch of love goes into my favourite small people and I tell them so x I’m so lucky I get to do the school run so I lead them to the school gate with sing songs in the car and discussion about the colour of the sky and then I get to see them run into my arms on their return! x I will never take this time for granted. I may not have my own children but this is as close and as magical as it gets for me and I will never take this unconditional love that they show me for granted. It means everything x

   

   7. So grateful to so many of you buying The Granny Nancy Book for Christmas Presents. At this time of the year, us independent full time writers really need the support of readers and gift buyers to keep our business going all year round. If you might be looking for a gift for someone this year I would be really grateful if you might purchase a copy of my book - Granny Nancy - The Story of Ireland’s Oldest lady from my website - www.livingandlaughingwithlou.com Thank you for your support. Also if you were tempted to become a paid subscriber of this substack, that too would mean the world to me or you might gift someone a subscription either :)

   

   8. Ciaran Mullooly - Irish broadcasting and News Correspondent was part of the wonderful team who officially launched my book last year and as November began to think about closing its door, Ciaran invited me to attend his launch. I was honoured to be there as his book ‘The Future is Now’ is fabulous. He also was so super kind to include a chapter about his friendship with Granny and also so kindly included a piece about myself and a photo too. Even though I have had a million reasons to give up writing, to give up this creative path, a night like last Tuesday reminded of why I can’t give up yet. Too many people have complete belief in me succeeding and they not only believe in me, they are willing to lay their words down, their open support of me in public and that means everything. This photo is taken with Ciaran speaking so lovely of me to his fellow colleague Marty Morrisey who I both admire so much.

   

9. I am so grateful to the new initiative which I started on Wednesday night. My effort to bring back Christmas Card Writing and also I wanted to create another opportunity for community to gather. We had an absolute ball last Wednesday night as you will see in the photo below. We are now going to meet for the next two Wednesday nights at 7.30pm on zoom. The link to book yourself a seat at the most chilled and joyful festive fun of the year is as follows: https://calendly.com/workwithlou/write-your-christmas-cards-with-lou

   More information about what happens is linked here

   This is a photo of some of our fantastic crew who took part this week! Legends the whole lot of time. To turn up and support me is something I will never be able to put into words!

   

10. My final gratitude item of November is a very tiny three letter word but it is the most important - it is YOU! YOU mean everything to me and I am so grateful you are here. To all the people who I have talked to me, walked with me, supported me and loved me this month - you mean everything to me! And I will never take you for granted! To those who reach out quietly and so beautifully to me, it means so much to me…Those beautiful messages sit in my heart and keep me going when times turn against me and I want to give up. It’s so hard to be a full time writer and not want to just pack it all in. The financial end is something I really struggle with as I now enter year two of being self employed so thank you for being such a wonderful support! You keep me going in so many ways.

Until next week my dear friends, Love you lots and thanks a million for being YOU!

Keep looking up!

Lou x