Julian of Norwich

I find this quick tip helpful...

Happy Sunday, and hello!

For all the new people this week, I’m Catherine Greer, author, mother of young adult sons and wife living in beautiful Sydney, Australia. I love to capture photos of tiny, usual things — little moments of beauty like this rainy carpark with cloudy skies.

Today let’s talk about worry.

We all do it, right?

Whenever I feel worried, overwhelmed, tired, dispirited — I whisper some words, written more than six hundred years ago.

They were written by Julian of Norwich (1343-1416). It’s important for women to know about Julian (sometimes called Juliana) because she was the author of the earliest known English language writings by a woman.

Isn’t it incredible that a woman was allowed to write at that time?

Isn’t it amazing that her writing survived and can still reach us today?

The repetition (called anaphora, in case you love writing and language like I do!) is what makes Julian’s words so beautiful and memorable.

Whispering “all shall be well” is so much more helpful than diving into worry or fear. If you’re keen, try it now and see how you feel…but use the anaphora, okay?

Say it like Julian wrote it — three times.

It’s simple, but it works.

All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.

(Not some, but all. All manner of things…kids and work and finances and health and life and death and sorrow and joy and uncertainty and pain…)

In the end, all of it shall be well.

Wishing you a beautiful Sunday filled with unexpected, tiny joys.

Love, Catherine x

PS. The fun stuff!

Something Pretty

Trees at night.jpg

Welcome to my neighbourhood in the evening.

Gum trees.

Sunset.

Fruit bats.

My husband and I love to do our garage workout and take a six kilometre walk in the evening. It’s not as productive as running, but it’s slow and pretty and a great way to catch up on each other’s day.

It’s the little things.

During these wild times — when there is so much advice and fear floating around — I wanted to drop into your inbox with something pretty.

So for you, today, an Australian sunset, and the wise words of Julian of Norwich (1342-1416). This poster is available on Etsy for $3, and now’s a perfect time to support small business! You can download and print immediately. The sellers are South Pacific Prints and they seem like a lovely young couple.

I hope you and yours are okay.

Love Catherine x