Press Pause LESSON THREE The Weaver Bird

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SHORT READ (1,000 words only AND free!)

Achtung Maggots: CovidSurvivalCoach

weaverbirds

WE ARE ALL WEAVING THE FUTURE PLANET
This Weaver Bird has woken up and she is hoping all the birds – seeders and feeders are busy getting to know themselves better and keeping an eye out on neighbours in need. This Weaver Bird is paying attention and thinking how she can continue to self-isolate and continue to maintain social distance and not go off her rocker!!! A challenge that comes second nature to introverts but is very challenging for the extrovert. Some of us forget to eat, some forget to move. How bad? We can stretch for 5 minutes 3 times a day! So this Weaver Bird wants you to know that while things are strange, even scary, remember, this is a time of a great world shift in energy. It happened in the 1960s after the Mad Men time of the 1950s. But this is not a movie. This is not the Truman Show or Eternal Spotless of Whatever Mind. This is not a book. We are not made of paper neither are we made of plastic. We have to clean up our act. Regardless of how this VIRUS started, in China the professionals have succeeded in flattening their curve. Look at the worlds’ POSITIVE results in the charts and remind yourself how quickly the majority of people can recover from what is in effect a FLU. China stopped taking all the rubbish of the world, so they have in effect lead us to this challenge – regardless of what you think politically, montetarily or otherwise. So where is all the trash going in the States? Listen to a 5-minute report on this on NPR . But this Weaver Bird would say, Buy less crap, Eat less crap. Consume less crap. Refine your life. Dine. Drink wine. Drink water. Drink whatever. Drink less. Declutter. Minimise. Use less space indoors and more space outdoors. Motivate. Hibernate. Infiltrate. CONNECT WITH OTHERS by whatever means you have. But limit talk. Think more. Blah Blah Blah. We all know the truth about ourselves and that’s all we need to know. We are the universe. We are our own Gods and Gurus. We are the future. Right now, 3.4 million desperate Americans have applied for monies promised by their government but at the same time hospitals in New York are still pleading for protective wear……… 3.4 million.

What we can do for ourselves? CovidSurvivalCoach

We have to face the music. We have to buy sensibly and learn to grow and cook things – be they craft, food, art or ideas. Whatever is our leaning. Things are changing. We are getting used to this new normal. There are very sad stories flooding in from all over the world but there are also AMAZING stories of people supporting people. Our Irish Healthcare System for the first time ever has merged. Public and Private hospitals are one. This is fantastic news. Doctors, nurses, orderlies, cooks, cleaners all continuing to present to work. So, the Weaver Bird imagines that reading the HSE Corona Virus Guidelines could be a good idea. Thousands of medical staff here in Ireland have come out of retirement and come home from abroad to fight this pandemic. We can do this. We shall overcome this. We can lean on each – from a distance, of course.

stop“We are all individual, not together and never alone. We are all connected and part of this universe.”
Amy Redmond, written in NYC in 1994 on an old electric typewriter someone lent her.

 

Today’s Anti-Social Media Message 
from Singing Sister Mary Josephine who tells us all to keep washing our hands and to read between the lines, always.sr-joSr. Mary Josephine was actually unavailable on the zoom as she is zooming about her house cleaning little by little, as she doesn’t want to do her feckin back in again, she is also getting organised online like the rest of the world but we did nab her on the phone…..

“I’m a bit rusty alright but I’m not afraid to leave the nunnery, go back to school and grab some of those new skills. Or actually, I might even lose this old bad habit and down the line when that feckin curve is flattened and if I have any skin left on my hands, I might do a bit of responsible travel,” she winks in a curiously gamy fashion for a nun – perhaps she had a nip of brandy?!). “Yah, I might even go to one of those free online universities and do a bit of thinking for meself.”

So after interviewing her here is what this Weaver Bird extrapolated:

Technology Self-Check #CovidSurvivalCoach

You’ve got to monitor your own use of technology. You rule it. It does not rule you. Check once a day for updates to focus you to do your best to keep yourself together each day. That is all we can do.

Media Self-Check #CovidSurvivalCoach

Listening to the news once a day, that should be enough – ah sure have a peek at the headlines of your favourite writers but limit your CONSUMPTION of NewMedia as it is developed only based on the negative slant in order to boost ratings, get clicks.  Shock jock, bullshit journalism, not matter what the politics.

Social Media Self-Check #CovidSurvivalCoach

A lot of people are getting their news through this God-blasted anti-social media nonsense and a a few people are making all the money. Habit is the great deadener as our Mr. Beckett with the scraggly face has said. It is time to break our bad habits, god knows, I try all the time.

Mindset Self-Check #CovidSurvivalCoach

This is NOT a time for choosing sides or playing stupid spin city games with friends or foes on anti-social media. Let’s save this DATA for what is really important. THE FUTURE OF MOTHER NATURE. Forget the ISTS and the ISMS. This is a time, to pause and reflect and recollect ourselves. In order to be really free, we must be in perfect harmony with the way things are, this is not an idea, this is reality. You have seen it. You know this. I know this. The master masters nature, not in the sense of conquering it but in becoming it.

FOR NOW, Let’s attempt to give up all concepts, judgements and desires and allow our minds to grow naturally compassionate.

GET OUT IN NATURE WHEN YOU CAN FOR SHORT PERIODS – NATURE CAN BE LOOKING AT A WEED BURSTING THROUGH CEMENT – for now. WE ARE HERE.

Carpe

Meditation really can matter

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Meditation

Practicing meditation is one of the most powerful things I have ever done. I remember thinking I would never be able to meditate. My first encounter with meditation when I was around 19 and I went to a yoga class. At the end of the class we all lay down in Shavasana (or corpse pose as it’s known in English), the teacher put on some music and told us to meditate. I lay there with my mind racing, thinking about what I was going to have for dinner, whether I’d need to go to the shops or not, what I’d watch on telly etc. etc. How could I meditate? Nobody had ever taught me how to do it. I have since learned how to meditate by practicing and by reading more about the benefits of meditation and ways to do it that suit me. I once thought that you had to be able to stop all the thoughts in your head to be able to meditate. This is a myth and it is not possible. We have something like 60,000 thoughts a day so it is not possible to stop them. Even long time meditators are not able to stop their thoughts. With practice you learn how to not get caught up in your thoughts, you acknowledge them and then let them go. This is where mindfulness can benefit your meditation practice.

How do I start?

The simplest way to start meditating is to start, it’s as simple as that. Basically set aside even just five minutes a day to sit quietly and connect to the breath in your body. Practice focused breathing like 7/11 breathing. Breathe in for the count of 7 and out for the count of 11. By counting your breathing you will be able to focus on the breath rather than your thoughts. With practice this will become easier.

Can technology help?

You can listen to guided meditations if you find that easier. There are lots of apps available for free. My favourite app is Insight Timer, where you can explore numerous different meditations. If you ‘d like to read more about Insight Timer click here. Try a few different ones until you find the ones that suit you best. I particularly like guided visualisations as I find this a good way to stop getting caught up in my thoughts.

Choose what works for you

If you know the type of person you are and which of your senses you are most connected to it will make it easier for you to find a meditation practice to suit you. The best way to find out is to think about how you describe places. For instance when I have been on holiday and I come back I usually talk about the food I had, the place I stayed, how the people were. I am very visual with a strong emphasis on taste. The five senses are taste, smell, vision, sound, and touch. Trying different meditation practices based on these five senses will help you find out which one works best for you.

Start with just five minutes a day

Meditation is a great way to switch off our brains at the end of a busy day. It is a great way to focus our minds at the beginning of the day. Great way to relax and wind down in the middle of the day if we have been running around. Even just five minutes a day can make a difference. Start with five minutes and aim for thirty minutes a day. You will be surprised at how beneficial you find it.

If you would like to learn to meditate with a group of people, why not join myself and Amy for The Power Of Me morning workshop in June. All the best, Anne Marie Curran. Read more here.

The Power of Me – Happy Valentine’s to me

powerofmeAdios January! Sayonara winter! Spring is here. But wait, have those resolutions gone by the wayside and you’ve been under a duvet for the past month eating treats and watching Netflix? Who hasn’t? Who cares? So what, we say to that. Resolution Shmesolution. We can take it easy. Bit by bit. Bird by bird. Babysteps. But yeah, oh dear, another holiday, Valentine’s Day, is fast approaching. Well, we have just the ticket for you. Act The Maggot is thrilled to be offering a different spin on the annual hallmark romantic holiday. We’ve developed The Power of Me – a workshop for yours truly. Click on that “workshop” link for all the info. Yes, how about some self love, self care for Valentine’s weekend? Who is more important than you? Do you feel stressed, tired, exhausted, anxious at times? Do you have difficulty navigating all the different relationships in your life: work, friends, romance? Let’s get you grounded and relaxed. Have you ever tried meditation or mindfulness? Have your ever tried mindful journaling? Join us for this restorative two-hour session and learn some great tools for resilience and self care. Easy exercises that you can continue to do on your own. Why not take some time for yourself or come with a friend and go for a lovely lunch after at the fabulous Fumbally Cafe. There are still some places left. Get in touch – The Power of Me – Saturday, Feb 16, 2019 – actthemagggot@gmail.com

relaxation (ˌri lækˈseɪ ʃən)
n.
1. abatement or relief from work, effort, etc.
2. an activity or recreation that provides such relief; diversion; entertainment.
3. a loosening or slackening.
4. diminution or remission of strictness or severity.

mindfulness (ˈmaɪndfʊlnɪs)
n
1. the state or quality of being mindful
2. (Psychology) the practice of giving complete and non-judgmental attention to one’s present experience, used as a stress-reduction technique

meditation (ˌmɛdɪˈteɪʃən)
n
1. the act of meditating; contemplation; reflection
2. contemplation of spiritual matters, esp as a religious practice

Journaling may refer to:

Writing therapy, a form of psychotherapy
Writing in a diary

And just so you know – while we have serious intentions – our groups are relaxed and playful

Phrases

act the maggot

informal Behave in a foolishly playful way.
‘we’d all walk in a line behind him, acting the maggot, you know, imitating him’

Origin

Late Middle English: perhaps an alteration of dialect maddock, from Old Norse mathkr, of Germanic origin.
Pronunciation
maggot/ˈmaɡət/

Culture Night Madness

img_4446.jpgYes. It’s finally almost here. Culture Night is coming this Friday, September 21, 2018. We cannot wait. Act The Maggot is absolutely thrilled to be part of this amazing adventure @CultureNight We are offering free taster classes in beginners Drawing, Beginners Creative Writing, Beginners Improv and Mindfulness Meditation for Beginners. We are so excited to meet you all on Middle Abbey Street in Dublin! Culture Night has become a huge, national event and it reminds us of all the amazing experiences we can avail of right here in our cities and towns thanks to the tireless work of people who dedicate their lives to working in area of arts and culture. Go on, for Dubliners anyway, explore your city then yourself! Our Drawing classes are totally booked our but there are still some free spots left in Improv, Creative Writing or Mindfulness. Book here

Note: For those who come on the night, you will also have the opportunity to register on the night for our next batch of courses in Creative Writing, Drawing or Acting – all fun for the beginner!

“Create” your way to better mental health this summer

img_4446.jpgSometimes it can feel that becoming well again and staying well is all hard work and no fun at all. “Eat well, exercise, sleep early, take your meds, don’t drink too much alcohol, tea or coffee, avoid noisy, loud places – learn to meditate and how to stand on your head or do the downward dog!! Are you tired of being so serious about minding your mental health? Do you feel like having some fun? The road to recovery can be a winding, challenging journey but it can be an enjoyable one too, when shared with peers. Remembering how to act the maggot again can be an integral part of your recovery. Build confidence and have fun tapping into your creativity with this 6-week course. During this Drama for Self Esteem course you will explore gentle, fun drama exercises in a safe, relaxed environment. Simple mindfulness tools will also be incorporated into each session. Confidentiality and mutual respect is important in order to build group trust so participants can learn, have fun and really enjoy themselves. Limited places.nido2
Drama for Self Esteem – Lantern Centre, Dublin. See googlemaps

Thursdays 2pm – 4pm – May 10 to June 14, 2018   – €150 per person.

Participants can be any age as long as they are over 18!
Wear loose comfortable clothing and bring water.

N.B. This course is recommended to compliment your current wellness treatment plan. While the benefits may be therapeutic, this course is not intended as a replacement for any form of therapy. If the idea of signing up for this course excites you more than it scares you (a little bit of fear is good!) and you feel you are able for the social aspect, get in touch. Maybe you can seek the advice of your counsellor, GP, family or friends. If you feel you are not up to taking part right now, that’s ok too. Don’t rush yourself. Be kind and patient with yourself. This course will happen again.

Who is this course for?
Mental Health Therapists ◆ Psychologists Social Workers, Teachers ◆ University Lecturers ◆ Psychotherapists ◆ Medical Doctors ◆ Nurses ◆ Carers ◆ Healers ◆ Art Therapists ◆ Students ◆ Psychiatrists ◆ Psychiatric Nurses ◆ Mental Health Nurses ◆ Support Workers ◆ Counsellors ◆ Clinical Managers ◆ Holistic Therapists ◆ Parents ◆ Facilitators ◆ Coaches ◆ Drugs Project Workers ◆ Social Workers ◆ and anybody who wants to empower and support their own or someone else’s Health and Healing.

Drama for Self Esteem will take place on Thursday afternoons from 2pm – 4pm – May 10 to June 14, 2018 in the

Zephyr Room,
Lantern Centre,
15 Synge St.,
Dublin 8, Ireland
See googlemaps

For more information or to book your place please contact actthemaggot@gmail.com

Sunday Selection: Poetry

caduffy

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer

Some days, although we cannot pray, a prayer
utters itself. So, a woman will lift
her head from the sieve of her hands and stare
at the minims sung by a tree, a sudden gift.

Some nights, although we are faithless, the truth
enters our hearts, that small familiar pain;
then a man will stand stock-still, hearing his youth
in the distant Latin chanting of a train.

Pray for us now. Grade 1 piano scales
console the lodger looking out across
a Midlands town. Then dusk, and someone calls
a child’s name as though they named their loss.

Darkness outside. Inside, the radio’s prayer –
Rockall. Malin. Dogger. Finisterre.

by Carol Ann Duffy

image: Carol Ann Duffy/bbc.co.uk

Draw your way into the New Year!

Would you like to begin your new year in a fun, creative way? Have you ever wanted to get into drawing? Maybe you used to draw a lot and now everything is all done on computers and you feel removed? Want to get back to basics with pencil and paper? Do you want to develop a relaxing hobby? Do you need to develop storyboarding skills? Join our artist teacher and learn the rudiments of drawing in a chilled out group on Tuesday nights in Dublin city centre. This group will focus on line drawing, perspective, shading, still life and in true act the maggot vein will also have lots of fun drawing from the imagination. Click here if you want to read about our next beginners drawing course.
Five Good Reasons to take a drawing class.
1. Making art may reduce stress and anxiety.
2. Creating visual art improves connections in the brain.
3. Art making can help us get over sadness.
4. Mindless sketching can help focus.
5. Turning our problems into narratives can help us work through them.

If you want to read the full article on this subject click here

Act The Maggot to begin a new chapter!

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xmasAct The Maggot is thrilled to be starting a new chapter in our ever developing story! That’s right, we have found a brand new home at Chapterhouse on Middle Abbey Street, right in the heart of Dublin city centre. We look forward to opening the doors of No. 73 for our signature beginner courses in Acting, Creative Writing and Drawing all kicking off the last week of January 2018. We also plan to offer some new courses and one off workshops throughout the year. We will launch a 12-week course called The Artist’s Way and a 6-week course in Public Speaking. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and feel free to contact is at anytime with your queries. Until then, have a great festive season and a very happy new year.chapterhouse

‘Tis the season! What’s new with those maggots?

xmasCHRIMPROV: It’s all go here at Act The Maggot. The Christmas Party this year has been dubbed the ChrIMPROV!! We will host a free Improv session on Dec 7th followed by a few seasonal drinks. This is open to maggots from over the years. Come back! Say hi! Whip out your wackiest character and come have the craic with your old classmates – or meet some new maggots. There is no doubt you have all got something in common! Maggotology? Maggotiness? Maggotanaeity? Maggotificence? Whatever. Join us.
OTHER NEWS: Our current beginners’ acting class is in full swing. I hear this week they were massaging their vocal chords and rolling all over the floor in their Temple bar studio.  The things you do of Thursday, wha! SHOWCASE: Elsewhere in city centre, our Level 3 maggots are up to ninety putting the finishing touches to their scenes.  They have all been working really hard. Fourteen actors will star in seven different scenes in the Act The Maggot showcase on November 30th. Break a leg guys! That is sure to be a highly entertaining evening. And no doubt a few drinks will be had after to celebrate. CASTING INFO: There is an interesting Q&A session happening over in Smithfield on Monday night, Nov 27th with top dog casting director, Priscilla John. It’s free, so if you want to know more about the business from her point of view, get thee to eventbrite and sign up for it here. NEW COURSES: Booking has already begun on our 2018 courses, so get cracking  if you want to try your hand at beginners acting, creative writing or drawing. New Year, New You? Go for it guys. You won’t regret it. We are delivering another of our regular introduction to Mindfulness workshops in Rathmines this weekend and Act The Maggot is thrilled to announce it’s new venture with Elavon Financial Services – bringing Mindfulness to the corporate sector to their offices in Cherrywood, Dublin and Arklow. That’s all for now folks! Looking forward to a calm December!!!

Drawing is so much fun!

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All sorts of wonderful drawing came out of our recent Beginner’s Drawing class in Rathmines. It’s so much fun learning to make art using just pencils, charcoal and the odd coloured pencil or marker! Such a relaxing way to spend a … Continue reading