Following on from yesterday, which was a bit about how needlework seems to be very good for my health, I was listening to the radio yesterday afternoon. They were discussing how with all the trauma that the world seems to be going through (Japan, Christchurch, Queensland floods, cyclones, political upheaval in the Middle East etc) some people might be finding it a little difficult to cope. That’s not to say that we as far-off observers are feeling anything like the people who are actually experiencing these things, but for some of us it still affects us.
The presenter was talking about how it is important to do things that help you cope. For some, that might be spending time with friends, or meditating or praying etc. For me, one of my coping activities would definitely be doing embroidery.
And so, with some awful and shocking news this week from friends, and what’s happened in Japan, on top of all the other things that have happened in our corner of the world over the past few months, I realised how valuable the time I have spent embroidering over the last two days will have been.
After spending some time the other morning in sadness, embroidering really lifted my spirit. I have felt calm. It was quiet, and allowed me to think and process.
So while I have been doing work (the embroidery is for an upcoming class), I think it was probably the best sort of work I could possibly have been doing.
White Threads is the blog of Yvette Stanton, the author, designer, publisher behind Vetty Creations' quality needlework books and embroidery products.
I totally agree with you 🙂
At a Lent course my Church is running, we were asked to name three things that make us happy. One of mine was sewing. I think my Vicar was surprised by this; he didn’t know I was into embroidery as I’m the technical one who looks after the website!
However, I said that when I am sewing it is a very meditative thing. Like you, it enables me to think through other issues and it is often a time of prayer for me. I’m not a Catholic, but I almost think the rhythm of sewing is possibly similar to the rhythm of a Catholic person using a rosary, with the advantage of having something you’ve created at the end of it! Added to which, being creative does lift your spirits.
I’m glad to hear you are feeling better and that your sewing has helped 🙂
Thanks Elaine. Its lovely to hear your thoughts on it all.
When I studied meditation several years ago, there was, in our textbook, a whole section about creative meditation with a whole chapter on needlework. My craft is now quilling and I wonder if the nuns and monks who developed this art used it as a meditative practice. I think I will be doing quite a bit of it today.
That’s quite fascinating. Have you still got the book? I’d love to read that chapter particularly!
I experienced this quite recently (still am, in fact) and it truly does help. I wrote about this here:
http://fashionmate.blogspot.com/2011/01/ma-therapie.html
That’s a very moving post. Thank you for sharing it. I hope that your recovery is going well.
I certainly find embroidery soothing and rely on it to help even out my moods. Haven’t been able to stitch much recently, which may explain a lot.
I hope you find some time soon, Rachel.