Unleashing creativity

A month to slow down. Stop. Grow.

The last month has been incredible.

Thanks to Rowena Hennigan and the inspiration of Zoya Misha I’m putting my fingers on the keyboard and gently easing my way on to LinkedIn and Substack.

Another thanks goes to the break fellowship, the brain child of Eva Curto and her team at EOI.

My month has been spent living in the remote, rural village of Artieda. Set atop a hill overlooking a valley that leads on to the now snow capped Pyrenees Mountains.

Co working, co living with nine other people. From various backgrounds, different cultures, perspectives, talents.

In this little village Artieda, with its cobbled streets - medieval chapels. Pockets of soil carefully sown to produce sustenance for the 77 inhabitants.

Amongst a community that cares for the elderly like the valuable treasures they are. Who welcome blow ins like us with curiosity and laughter.

I’ve attempted to learn a few Spanish phrases. I can say hello, goodbye. Good. Thank you. I also know what it means when they comment on me walking the streets barefoot. My nod to the Wim Hoff method of cold therapy.

We have listened. And been listened to.

We’ve come to know each other and ourselves in a very unique way.

My project was myself. Re-igniting my creative fire. My love of art, music, but especially writing.

I created the bones of a manuscript about regenerative farming. I sent it to a number of publishers.

Whether the book makes it to a shelf is irrelevant. There will be others to follow.

I’ve reaffirmed my vows with the land. The amazement I feel watching anything grow. How far we’ve come on our own regenerative farm project Magners Farm.

The joy food brings at harvest.

The satisfaction of a shared table.

I’ve gained confidence in telling my story. All of it.

I’ve revelled in sharing the secrets of the soil.

What am I taking from the break?

The absolute pride I feel watching my cohorts delicately separating vegetable seeds. Wiping them dry. Carefully setting them on to plates for saving.

The thought that these women will go back to their homes.

Plant those seeds.

Share in the wonder as their first tomato plant breaks through the soil.

Watch in astonishment as the plant grows, needs to move into a new pot.

Produces a flower. A flower becomes a ball of tomatoey goodness.

The sheer joy when that first fruit is eaten. The skin pops between their teeth and their lives have been changed forever by the sheer magnitude of flavour.

That the tomato on the supermarket shelf will never hold the same allure and sublime taste.

In turn, they will save those new seeds. Share the tomato love with new friends.

It just begins with one seed.

“From Little Things Big Things Grow” Paul Kelly.

Thank you Zoya, Natalia, Amanda, Carole, Raquel, Amanda, Irisa, Laila, Shar, Tomas, Ana, Juan.