Mary Monfries

Experienced #trustee, #mentor, #retreat guide and #coach. All views are my own.

[CALL TO ACTIVISM @CalltoActivism]

A mother has written a touching note to the teenager who taught her daughter how to use her skateboard and it’s now gone viral:

"Dear teenage boy at the
skate park:

You’re probably about 15 years-old, so I don’t expect you to be very mature or for you to want a little girl on your skate ramp for that matter.

What you don’t know is that my daughter has been wanting to skateboard for months. I actually had to convince her that skateboarding wasn’t just for boys.

So when we walked up to the skate park and saw that it was full of teenaged boys who were smoking and swearing, she immediately wanted to turn around and go home.

I secretly wanted to go too because I didn’t want to have to put on my mom voice and exchange words with you.

I also didn’t want my daughter to feel like she had to be scared of anyone, or that she wasn’t entitled to that skate park just as much as you were.

So when she said, 'Mom it’s full of older boys,' I calmly said, 'So what, they don’t own the skate park.'

She proceeded to go down the ramp in spite of you and your friends flying past her and grinding rails beside her.

She only had two or three runs in before you approached her and said 'Hey, excuse me …'

I immediately prepared to deliver my 'She’s allowed to use this park just as much as you guys' speech when I heard you say, 'Your feet are wrong. Can I help you?'

You proceeded to spend almost an hour with my daughter showing her how to balance and steer, and she listened to you – a feat not attained by most adults.

You held her hand and helped her get up when she fell down and I even heard you tell her to stay away from the rails so that she wouldn’t get hurt.

I want you to know that I am proud that you are part of my community, and I want to thank you for being kind to my daughter, even though your friends made fun of you for it.

She left the skate park with a sense of pride and with the confidence that she can do anything, because of you."

Credit: Jeanean Thomas

[Jonathan Cook @Jonathan_K_Cook]

Stunning moment when a Sky News journalist programmed only to run through western propaganda talking-points gets schooled by a Palestinian in what it means to be a thinking, feeling human being

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

…..for those who want to know more about ‘the other half of the carbon cycle’, which is much neglected in most current solutions : https://t.co/LJdEeozC8z and https://t.co/wjmhS3aTHf

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

@ChrisMasonBBC @BBCNews If we’re needing to slow down net zero how about investing in the other half of the carbon cycle - helping the earth to absorb more Co2? https://t.co/OmVEWWvMo7

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

If we’re needing to slow down net zero how about investing in the other half of the carbon cycle - helping the earth to absorb more Co2? https://t.co/OmVEWWvMo7

[Nick Robinson @bbcnickrobinson]

PM in retreat from green policies. He says will still hit net zero BUT 'in a better, more proportionate way' & argues that govts 'of all stripes' have failed to be 'honest about costs and trades offs'. Confirms @hzeffman & @ChrisMasonBBC scoop. More on @BBCr4today from 6 am

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

@ChrisMasonBBC @BBCNews If we’re needing to slow down net zero how about investing in the other half of the carbon cycle - helping the earth to absorb more Co2? https://t.co/OmVEWWvMo7

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

I rarely tweet these days, as there already seem to be so many opinions exchanged and sometimes fought with as if they were weapons …… and then someone shared this poem with me here in Assisi …. how very refreshing and, I hope, worthy of sharing … https://t.co/dlCR23K6TG

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

2023 dates just released for much needed #crossroads #retreats. One guide’s personal thoughts below. If it’s time to step back and take a look at your own #life questions, in a supportive, confidential space, reserve your retreat here: https://t.co/3yWmQxMRUT

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

This needs no additional words from me …….

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

This great warden team on Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) are climbing the mountain 3 times a day to fundraise for the WELSH REFUGEE COUNCIL on @JustGiving. Donate now https://t.co/dapx8TcB4X

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

This is a very beautifully written piece. One of life’s more difficult storms, navigated with an intention of dignity and Love, notwithstanding the inevitable pain. Thank you Sophia for sharing.

[Sophia Parker @mssophiaparker]

This year, my partner of 13 years and I ended our marriage. it is hard and incredibly sad. so much of what’s written about separation is grounded in rage and acrimony. that isn’t our story: here are a few reflections about that. https://t.co/E9QKfl9tK9

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

@mssophiaparker This is a very beautiful piece Sophia. Thank you for sharing.

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

At https://t.co/hEqhVRQ9uF for a Lent retreat day ……. an extraordinary place of prayer. May this day be a prayer for peace.

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

@KevinJDEllis @PwC_UK @jo_salter @Tech_She_Can Many many congratulations Jo

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

@chellehanra Thanks Michelle …. an engineer and an opera singer, bless them …. ❤️

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

My dear brother, my dear sibling, has reframed these old photos of our Mum & Dad …. what a treasure to have these as well as the memories ….

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

@dprosser01 Thank you David

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

Up in the Wirral this morning for work ….. and this greets me ….. ❤️

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

@RichardEGrant …. as is this Richard. Raw and beautiful and human and real. That’s how love is. Bless you Richard for sharing.

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

@GUYPRESS @RichardEGrant This is beautiful Guy

[Mary Monfries @MaryMonfries]

First light, and slightly later yesterday, with #mindovermountains charity on their guided mindfulness walking weekend in the beautiful Peak District … what a privilege!