Now that’s a big family tree!

Hello hello! Grace here.

I hope you’re all having a decent week.

Each day comes with something new, good or bad, doesn’t it? I’m slowly learning to just take it all as it comes, and don’t let each wave take me down. Acceptance is key to feeling any kind of peace right now, I think.

Forgive me, I’m about to get a bit deep. But if it helps one person, then I’m ok with that.

Some mindful imagery that is helping me cope with all of this… is the ocean. I imagine I’m standing on a beach in the waves (not very deep though, because the ocean scares me).

Each wave represents some news, or something that’s happening amid COVID-19. Though the water is way choppier than ever before, no wave yet has been big enough to take me (or you) down. A few waves have looked worryingly massive in the distance, but by the time they got to my knees… I was able to stand through them quite easily. Intensely high death tolls are huge waves, and I see them. But they’re happening further down the beach. They’re happening on my doorstep, but not inside my house. Perspective.

My main point is to try not to worry until there is something to worry about. Much easier said than done, I know. But simply, if we freak out about every single wave, we will make ourselves ill. We only have to worry about the big ones. And even then… we’ll likely figure out how to swim through them. Such is life.

I used to use another visual. Sitting on the bottom of a lake (with mermaid-like breathing skills) and all of life’s problems are just raindrops on the surface of the lake above. Most are just a light pitter-patter and you can sit there in peace, unfazed. But then there can be a huge storm on the surface of the water. The trick is to accept that it IS happening, but you’re safe on the floor of the lake, unaffected, other than your thoughts or anxiety about it, which you can learn to control. But I’d argue that this COVID-19 is more like crashing waves on a beach, than a chilled out lake floor! That one wasn’t working for me anymore ๐Ÿ˜‰

So I’m on the beach, taking each wave as it comes. And I’ll try not to worry unless I find myself IN a big wave. How about you? As humans, we spend 90% of our time worrying about things that don’t eventuate. And that’s exhausting.

The stronger and calmer we are, the better we ride those waves if they do come. And the better we can help those people that do topple in a big one.

We can also equip ourselves with floating devices to make ourselves feel safer. Crafting is a life jacket. Supportive community groups are lifebuoys. Friends and family are small boats.

We are all certainly in this together, as socially distanced as we are. And what is happening in our lovely craft community is quite magical.

Between my Mums Daily Doodles, and everyone around the world being quarantined together… our groups Clarity Worldwide and Groovi Worldwide, are becoming more ‘worldwide’ than ever before. We are all diving in headfirst (it’s safer under the waves) no matter where in the world we are. I’m in NYC. My Mum is in the South of England. My brother is in San Francisco. And YOU are everywhere. Literally. Whilst running the social media, I see it all. Texas, Norway, New Zealand, France, Birmingham England… Birmingham Alabama, Australia, every little town in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, some people from China and India, Iceland, and all the other places in-between… and THAT is cool.

Our ‘little’ groups have been growing for years. And that’s why they’re like a family, because the base is so strong. We’ve been doing this for a while now… But our families are growing so quickly at the moment, and in a very international way. Which really highlights how much we are all in this together, around the world, no matter where we are.

So, one of our wonderful groups has an announcement!

We just want to say THANK YOU! To all our friends, members & customers that have helped us reach 5k on Groovi Worldwide.

In January (when I started managing Facebook) I started writing out every new members name in a moleskin diary, so that I could welcome each and every one without making any mistakes in those welcome posts! And now, I say a silent prayer for every single name I write down. That’s a lot of people, and that’s a lot of prayers. We have so much love, support and kindness in these groups, it’s quite unique. And we are VERY proud of our Groovi Family!

So, thank you again! We are all in this together.

Stay safe, stay well, stay calm. Keep riding those waves ๐Ÿ™‚

Lotsa Love, Grace xoxo

Clarity โ€“ The Home of Art, Craft and Well-being.

19 thoughts on “Now that’s a big family tree!

  • 22nd April 2020 at 10:05 am
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    Dear Grace
    What wonderful words of comfort.
    My granddaughter has been suffering with emotional pain after a break up, I shall ask her to read your blog. Thank you x

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  • 22nd April 2020 at 10:39 am
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    Hi Grace,
    We all need a ‘Grace’ by our side to keep us grounded in these troubled times. It’s one day at a time and one problem at a time, but I wish someone could find an item of good news to put at the end of the news bulleteins.
    All this will pass I know, but when?
    Stay safe and keep well everyone. The bonus today here is that we have a lovely blue sky and the sun is shining.

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  • 22nd April 2020 at 11:48 am
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    Hi Grace, another great blog which puts everything in perspective. We have always said live for today sort tomorrow out when it comes. In other words deal with what you know & don’t think about what hasn’t happened yet. Its great to see so many joining in the Facebook pages both Groovi Worldwide & Clarity Worldwide along with the doodle sessions everyday – morning at 10 for most but anytime of the day for those living elsewhere, working or busy doing essential things that can’t wait. The joy of the You Tube videos they are there at any time. Stay safe everyone xx

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  • 22nd April 2020 at 3:26 pm
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    Hello Grace

    I so agree with what you have written today. I now life by ‘if you can’t change it, just go with it as best you can’t. Also, I don’t listen to news or updates. I stopped listening to the news in 2006 when my daughter-in-law, Nikki, was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour. Next week it will be six years since she passed. None of us could change that, we just had to go with it and make it a good time for Nikki (or as best as we could)

    Love
    Roz.xxx

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    • 22nd April 2020 at 7:50 pm
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      Our clarity family has kept me going for sure! I love it every time I see a new welcome message appear on the Worldwide group pages. What a wonderful community to be a part of xx

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  • 22nd April 2020 at 5:33 pm
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    What wonderful calming words Grace. I have a friend that suffers quite severely with anxiety and I think you’ve put a great analogy forward and I shall be sharing that.
    Thank you, take care, stay safe xx

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  • 22nd April 2020 at 6:24 pm
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    Great blog Grace. I’ve always maintained we cannot change the past, we live every day the best we can and tomorrow will take care of itself. No point worrying about what might be – it may never happen.
    Even before this pandemic started I was having some trouble getting to sleep so I started to imagine soft waves washing the beach and the swooshing sounds that come with that picture. I found this very soothing and now can fall asleep quite quickly.
    We will get past this pandemic, just have to keep smiling, keep safe and keep crafting.

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  • 22nd April 2020 at 6:35 pm
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    Aww what lovely comforting words and thoughts. You are so like your mum who makes us all feel better and have a laugh every morning even though I imagine she doesnโ€™t always feel like it. Things WILL get better in the near future Iโ€™m sure and we will all be able to hug our loved ones again. Must keep that thought. Stay safe take care and thanks again xxx

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  • 22nd April 2020 at 6:52 pm
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    What a really lovely, heartfelt blog. It made me so calm. You are such a joy. Thank you. Xx

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  • 22nd April 2020 at 7:07 pm
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    Great blog Grace. You’re so right about finding ways to keep perspective on this. This too shall pass…

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    • 23rd April 2020 at 6:47 am
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      Dear Grace that was such a beautiful read and sums up the whole state of mind we are going through. Thank you and keep well and safe over there. Xx

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    • 23rd April 2020 at 12:55 pm
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      Just read your post Grace and I agree wholeheartedly, no sense in worrying unless we have to. Thankfully it’s the way I’ve always been, doesn’t mean I dont think, or wish things were different but I can’t change it so just have to ‘go with the flow/ride those waves’ as you say. The only thing we can do is our best to keep to the guidelines and try to stay as safe as possible for ourselves and everyone else. Big hugs xx

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  • 22nd April 2020 at 7:39 pm
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    I love your analogy, Grace. I’m having to find ways of helping families through the large waves with all the restrictions that are in place. But you know, even with far fewer people around them at a critical time in their lives, they get through. We get through it together.
    Stay safe. Hx

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  • 22nd April 2020 at 8:16 pm
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    Beautiful words Grace , Thank you…x

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  • 22nd April 2020 at 11:18 pm
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    What a brilliant, supportive blog! Thank you. A lot of people survive big waves, if not by swimming then by other intervention. Look for the people who are helping them. Helpers are there at most disasters, professionals and passers by. Trials of a potential vaccine from Oxford started today. There is another from London. Other drug trials are already underway. A Cambridge project has developed a machine reducing testing time from days to a couple of hours. You are here, so are your Mum and Dave. People are sewing gowns, shopping for the vulnerable, delivering meals on wheels. Look around you. Hundreds of different size boats all over the ocean.

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  • 22nd April 2020 at 11:18 pm
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    Thank you for the comforting words, Grace. We are in this together and we will also overcome this together. Take care and be safe.

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  • 22nd April 2020 at 11:55 pm
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    Awesome post,such comforting words, thank you xx

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  • 23rd April 2020 at 7:25 am
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    Fantastic analogies Grace, and you are right we will weather the storm we just have to take it one wave at a time. I have come across many companies and Facebook sites in my time but none that do so much for their customers that make it truly feel like a big family. Both Groovi Worldwide and Clarity Worldwide are full of lovely supportive people who are all going through their own troubles but are pulling together as we all are through this difficult time. Take care of yourselves and thank both you and your mum for everything you are doing for us all x

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