Inspirationals - an oldie but a goodie

“I learned that courage was not absence of fear, but triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers fear. “ Nelson Mandela. I assume in sentiment he meant women too. Our thoughts are with Mr Mandela as he recovers from his recent health crisis.

Anais Nin ... inspiring me

Three quotes from Anais Nin.

"We don't see things as they are: we see them as we are".

"I must be a mermaid.  I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living".

"Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together" .

I hope these quotes  add to inspire your fulfilling, loving and happy day

keeping a journal

For the past two years I have been keeping a journal. I started when I found that I needed to get sorted out – find where and who I was at this stage of my life. My journal is a collection of thoughts, inspirational saying I have read, views on things I have been to see, a place to stick concert tickets (Sade, Pink, Neil Young ...who says I have diverse taste!?) I also collect information about things; like feng shui; doshas; places I want to visit; words in foreign languages that fascinate me ... in short – everything. I started re-reading my first journal (I am half way through my second ‘volume’) and was reinspired by some of the things I have collected. So, starting today I will sometimes post those things that inspire me. Madeleine Albright was the first woman to become the United States Secretary of State under the Clinton presidency. She is now a Professor of International Relations at Georgetown University. In May 2012, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US President Barack Obama. One hell of a powerful woman. ‘Maddie’ quote …. “There is a special place in hell for women who do not help other women” Go Grrl!

faith in the goodness of people - do we reap what we sow?

Perhaps it is cynical of me ... but I never cease to be amazed in the goodness of people in the world. 

In a recent event, a family member left her purse on a bus ... with a lot of money in it.  And it was returned; intact. We had both thought it gone for good. 

Why were we surprised that it was returned?  Well, wouldn't you be skeptical? 

I told her that she now had to do something nice for a stranger today, to keep the good karma flowing. 

Do we reap what we sow? 

I had a different but positively humbling experience recently.  I was at the NGV for the Monet exhibition (glorious and gorgeous it was too).  I had gone there once before to try and get tickets; and the queue was miles long and the wait was hours.  

So, I went home and came another day - and the queue was even longer.  I must have looked so despondent because one of the attendants came to talk to me - and gave me a ticket - free - and let me in.  I was gobsmacked.  I also knew that I had to repay the good karma by doing something nice for someone. I hope I did enough.

I wonder, if we could start an avalanche of goodness ... if a small number of people decided to do something nice for a stranger ... and then the strangers repay it ... etc; whether we could get to the stage where, instead of being cynical about the goodness of people, we could generate trust. 

It would be nice - wouldn't it?

Do something nice for a stranger today.

Start the 'revolution'!

Truth, scariness and elections

Australia just had a general election; and there has been an (unsurprising) change of Government.

The main candidates were both very unappealing to anyone who wasn't a mainstream Australian.  

There were many jokes in the social media about one candidate in particular (the winner in this case too) that focused on his penchant for white anglo saxon ordinary people.

Apparently ...

If you are gay, female, refugee, recent immigrant, work in education or medical establishments (or don't work at all), wear religious items of clothing (such as a burqa) or possess one of a host of other non-mainstream un-typical, un-Australian traits ... beware.  You are most likely one of those most likely to suffer under the new government.

I am one of the many who swear 'I didn't vote for him'.  Well, I didn't; but I didn't vote for the other guy either. 

I wanted my vote to help another candidate get a position in government to  'keep the bastards honest'. 

Whatever does eventuate  - every Australian has to watch events over the next term of office with a clear and unbiased mind; and be strong enough to support those who will be suffering.

We tend to forget that Australian's are privileged  - we have the right to vote unmolested.  We won't be murdered for having an opinion. Women, gays, ladies wearing burqas, teachers and nurses all have the right to vote without fear of reprisal in Australia.   Isn't that what it is all about?  

Sure, not everyone is happy with the result.  But we all had the chance to make it happen.  

PS I bought some yummy home-made jam at the polling booth fete at the local school.  Win/win all round!

Grounding and belonging

I have been feeling very disconnected lately. I feel 'temporary' (it is the way I feel) in my new house, in my job/s and in my life, and for no apparent reason. And it  is unfounded too. 
  
It may be spring fever (every year I get the spring restlessness in a serious way, and it totally throws my life in turmoil) or just that I am doing too much and not taking enough care of myself) too much running around and eating rubbish; and not enough R and R.

Gala Darling wrote this in her blog recently (and interestingly Sarah Wilson has written similar).  Maybe it is spring fever! Perhaps this is a reason too ..... 

 'I believe that one of the major reasons people feel lost, sad and disconnected from reality is because we’ve replaced nature (getting outside, walking on the grass, enjoying a cool breeze or splashing in the ocean) with technology (sitting inside, in the air conditioning, staring at a screen for hours on end). In a lot of ways, I think we’re detached from the seasons, and I believe it has a much greater negative effect on us than we realise.'

I am still here, just having a blog break

Just to let you know, I am still alive and well, and not blogging because I am doing other things (not exciting things but time consuming things).

Will post again soon.

xxx

I wanna do it my way .... Yoga

I have been practicing self-designed yoga  for a while now.  I am not very good at it, but that's ok. It is my 15 minutes of feel-good breathing and stretching, whenever I can manage it.  

I have a standing up routine for outdoors (on the end of a pier, or a quite spot in a park) and a lying down routine for the carpet at home.

My  life timetable is so erratic that making a proper class is a major issue.  When I did make it to a class, the teacher spent a lot of time correcting my position.  It hurt.  That isn't what I wanted, I wanted to enjoy it, not grimace and feel stupid.

I bought a couple of yoga books - especially two by Tara Stiles (yoga guru to the stars!) and put together my own routine; included positions I like to do and found easy to sustain and generally made me feel good. 

And I do it - at least 3-4 times a week.  Badly and awkwardly, but I do it. And I love it.
 
Choosing the positions that I love makes me enjoy it totally.  I do it when it is quiet, or I do it playing music I love. My time, my choice.

My yoga and my walking (read ... dawdling while daydreaming) make me happy.  Riding waves in summer is fun.  Dancing to great music (either by myself or with good friends)  is good for the soul.  Gentle and no pressure. 

I have come to terms with the fact that it doesn't make me happy to do exercises I don't like to do - at least not anymore.

I used to be really into the adrenaline rush.  I did fun runs, half marathons, triathlons and trained and pushed and motivated myself into every bit of pain. 

Then, I decided .. NO MORE.   

'Push ups' may give you gorgeous arms but they are a chore, not a delight.

Sprinting up hills may be great for fat burning, but it is not fun.

Hey life is too short ... I will do it my way; gently, relaxingly and happily.  Just not gracefully!

For those of you who chase the rush; if you love it ... do it.  After all, happiness with yourself is  the reward.

Simple pleasures

It has been a while since I went to my local library.  I decided to have a browse to get some new reading material for a cosy night at home.

I ended up with;

Two cook books by Gwyneth Paltrow and Alicia Silverstone

A novel that I had already read – bummer

The first and only fiction work by Woody Guthrie (still to read)

A novel by Nikki Gemmel – too explicit and cruel for me.  Not a genre I like to read – I got to chapter 3 and felt uncomfortable.  All kudos to Nikki for her writing however.

A book I had been trying to find elsewhere; by Kelli Cutrone … which my teenage daughter promptly grabbed and, after an hour, tells me ‘this book is great!’

Cosy night was had – blanket over knees; on couch with dog; glass of red and cup of green tea; reading cook books that made me feel hungry.  

Where's the chocolate? 

remembering something funny

If you are a hoarder, like me, you keep things that seem special at the time; and then re-find them years later and sometimes wonder why you kept them.

Then, there are the other things that you love to re-find.

Sorting through my stuff (in my continued quest to de-clutter) I found this gem that never fails to make me giggle.....

A newspaper article titled 'Wonderful world of wacky words'.

Word meanings....

Coffee: a person who is coughed on 

Flabbergasted: appalled over how much weight you have gained

Abdicate: to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach

Esplanade: to attempt an explanation while drunk

Willy-nilly: impotent

Lymph: to walk with a lisp

Gargoyle: an olive flavoured mouthwash

Balderdash: a rapidly receding hairline

Testicle: a humorous question on an exam 

Negligent: describes a condition in which you absent-mindedly answer the door in your nightgown

Oyster: a person who sprinkles their conversation with Yiddish expressions

Pokemon: a Jamaican proctologist

 

Still giggling

SURPRISE PARTY

Very dear friend turned 50 years young. 

‘No, no party please’.  Oh yeh!  They may not have wanted a party – but I did!

So we (very dear friend’s sister and I) had a kind of reverse surprise ... a small family dinner and after an hour, everyone turned up through the back door – including the musicians!

It was a fabulous night – guests contributing in some way with food or drinks. The music was fantastic – thank you to Mick Thomas and ‘Squeezebox’ Wally (both ex Weddos!) for the fantastic intimate gig. 

Too much food left over (lots to freeze for later) and enough wine etc to bring out around Christmas time. 

Still trying to catch up on sleep tho’!

Eat what you like

Over the past few years I have finally achieved what I have been wanting all of my life ... that ability to eat whatever I wanted, and not put on weight. 

I always felt a bit pudgy and dieted and exercised to control it - but I was always 6-8 kg over my happy weight.  

Several years ago I stopped focusing on what I ate;  I threw away all preconceived ideas of what I should and shouldn't eat.  I just started eating whatever I wanted - which strangely coincided with my vata dosha eating.

I lost weight - about 8 kg.  No struggle.  

I eat chocolate, nuts, cake, muffins ... but only when I feel like it.  I didn't understand why this change in my body happened ... but then I read an article in the Sunday supplement of the Age newspaper, written by Lucy Cavendish.  It happened to her too. I have but an abridged version of it below for you to read.

I suppose the most important thing is ... just relax and don't beat yourself up with your eating.  If you want to eat ... do so ... but make it quality, not 'make do' rubbish.  

Eat-what-you-like-when-you-like food mindfulness? By Lucy Cavendish

This is what I had for lunch today: nuts. That's it. I had some nuts and a few seeds and then I felt full. For breakfast I had a boiled egg and a square of dark chocolate. For dinner it will be chickpeas and green tea.

I know. It sounds crazy, a weird mixture, but every day everything changes for me.

A year ago, if you'd told me that all I would eat for lunch would be two handfuls of nuts, and that I would have chocolate for breakfast, I would have thought you were mad. Yet these days this is how it is. I eat what I want, when I want, no matter what it is. The only caveat is that I truly have to want to eat it.

I eat whatever I want and I've lost three-and-a-half kilograms.

Instead of being diet-obsessed, I now listen to my body.

At first I had no idea what my body wanted to eat.  Like most women, I have a complicated relationship with my body.  One day and made a commitment to a new way of being. I wouldn't diet. I wouldn't kilojoule-count. I would try to listen to my body and what my body needed.

On the first day of my new regimen I started with breakfast. I looked around the kitchen: eggs, bread, milk, cereals, porridge, yoghurt.

The freedom to choose threw me completely.

After a few days I became convinced I would not be able to achieve any harmony between my physical desire for food and what my brain was telling me. By the second week, I began to calm down and started to listen to my body more and become aware of what I actually wanted to eat, rather than what I thought I wanted to eat.

The most interesting thing was that I ate a lot less. I'd expected the opposite to happen.

By week three I felt I was truly beginning to take on board what my body wanted and, more importantly, what it didn't want. This doesn't mean to say that I didn't have cravings. I had - and still have - them all the time. I still happily eat sweet biscuits, but I only eat them when my body is telling me to.

The mental and physical benefits have been immeasurable. I have energy. I am ready to move, run, jump, take flight at any moment. I love the sense of freedom it has given me.

Earthing: barefooting-it!

Earthing; Grounding Yourself to the Earth?

I first heard of earthing on Sarah Wilson's blog.  

I have since seen it pop up on other well being sites such as Dr Mercola and Dr Oz. 

Earthing is where you walk, barefoot, as much as possible - preferably on grass or sand.

The principle behind it is:

"When walking barefoot on the earth, free electrons transfer from the ground into your body through the soles of your feet. These free electrons are some of the most potent antioxidants known to man. Experiments have shown that these electrons decrease pain and inflammation, improve heart rate, promote sound sleep, and make your blood less viscous, which has a beneficial impact on cardiovascular health.

Lack of grounding due to widespread use of rubber or plastic-soled shoes has contributed to the rise of modern diseases by allowing chronic inflammation to proliferate unchecked. So the more you can walk barefoot on the ground, the better. Ideal locations are the beach, close to or in the water, and on dewy grass."  from Dr Mercola.

I love walking barefoot - anyone who knows me knows that I walk barefoot most of summer and other times of the year as well.  I do anyway, not just because it is good for me. I have pretty tough feet, not pretty but resilient. 

I find it interesting that barefooting-it is considered a wellbeing 'must do'.  There are even grounding mats you can buy to help you earth if you can't walk barefoot (people will buy anything).

Do you remember that pivotal scene from Pretty Woman when Richard Gere (sigh!) walked barefoot on the grass when he was considering a change in his modus operandi for business/life etc. He was barefooting-it before it was called earthing.

I recall an acquaintance of mine who refused to go barefoot ... anywhere. She had 'perfect feet' with no calluses, and said her feet hurt if she didn't wear shoes or slippers. She even wore thongs when she got straight out of the shower.  She was always getting sick, had lots of aches and pains, was overweight, generally unhappy with her life.  And she was young (well 30ish) and seemed to have everything. 

I wonder if it is the earthing, or instead, feeling close to the texture and temperature of the ground surface.  Your feet equate with that sense of freedom.

Shoes equal protection for our feet,  but also are part of conforming - try going to the office without shoes?  To the pub or a restaurant?  Hmmm.  

At the Rye Hot Springs in Victoria there is a hot walking (reflexology) pool that has different sized pebbles for you to walk over - some are a challenge even for my rough feet.  The concentration you need to 'walk this walk' makes you very aware of your feet and your contact with the ground.

How good does a soft carpet feel.  Mud puddles. Beach sand - dry and wet. A springy lawn. 

Do it 'cos it feels good, not because you have to.  

Wardrobe de-cluttering continued....

My great clothing de-clutter has gained momentum.  I have effectively halved my clothing and shoes - because I have nowhere to put them - and I dread the thought of hauling them around again if I have to move.  

I love Garanace Dore's principles of de-cluttering and creating the perfect wardrobe.  

1. If you have fewer choices you have to be more creative with what you wear

2. The perfect piece (hunted out and not compromised on) brings eternal joy to wear. 

3. I am not Elle MacPherson (or Giselle B.) so this item is not for me to wear ... ever ... yes really!

4. Have a role model (I love the relaxed style of Jane Birkin: pics of Jane below) 

5. Dress for the life you want, not the life you have ( I want to be a beach bum ... hmmm ... doesn't quite fit the corporate world I work in - Ugg boots to work anyone?)

In one of my previous blogs I used the book 'Style Statement' to establish my clothing style. 

I am a cherished bohemian, with a side order of feminine.   

I wonder if I can also add ..'and sand between my toes'.  

What am I wearing today?

A shortish grey and white leopard print 3/4 sleeve dress (op shop bargain) with black jodhpur leggings, long black biker-style boots with leg warmers poking out of the top.

A FB post I had to share

I don't Facebook much.  I find it difficult to use (I know, I know, tech incompetent!)

I sometimes have a browse to see what people are doing.  Often their posts are conversational.  Sometime just inane.

However, I was quite taken by this post below (and thank you Mon for giving me permission to blogpost it!).

Before you read it: I don't really know Mon, she is a friend of a friend.  I also don't know much about her background, although from this post you could guess a bit.

I am saddened that there are people who read her posts and make negative comments. What she is saying is important to her. Many of her previous posts are upbeat and instructional and positive.  Her posts may also be important to other people, going through similar situations.  

Congratulations for what you wrote Mon.  You have a beautiful life attitude and a shiny outlook to what could be a real downer.  

Mons FB posting:  'I have a number of friends and acquaintances my age who, like myself, have chronic medical conditions, but who have folded up and stopped honouring their bodies with exercise and healthy food, according to their capacity and means. These women are dying in front of my eyes, developing additional chronic illness due to misuse and disuse of their bodies.I don't advocate extremism, obsessive behaviour, or expect anyone to follow my example. But I DO recognise the importance of staying active and eating mindfully in order for me to remain functional physically, mentally and emotionally. These posts are my reminder to myself to keep going, when I'd rather fold too.I'm not finger-pointing, just keeping myself on track. If you're challenged by me -- great! If you're threatened, annoyed or nauseated by my posts -- these are your reactions and I have no input into them.' From FB written by Mon Edgewater Lukas

More about hugs, and Amma

I was reading Amma's website (Amma is the 'hugging saint' who travels the world giving hugs to people).

There are 'chapters' of 'Amma' disciples all over the world, and a chapter is based quite close to where I live.

I have been toying with the idea of finding out more, but I am also torn, because I was also interested in a Buddhist chapter that is also a easy distance away. 

I then thought, do I need to do this?

Ammas TEN STEPS TO HELP SAVE OUR PLANET are:

1. Develop Reverence for Nature
2. Develop Water Awareness
3. Develop Reverence for Plants
4. Develop Reverence for Wildlife
5. Use Sustainable Technology
6. Develop Reverence for Food
7. Grow Your Own Food
8. Take Less from the Earth
9. Be a Responsible Consumer
10. Inspire Others

I thought about my own philosophy of life and how it compares with Ammas ten steps above. 

I reckon I do 9 of the 10.  Number 10 is a toughy.  INSPIRE OTHERS. 

How do you know if you are an inspiration?  And why would you purposefully go out and do it?  Shouldn't it come naturally and spontaneously? 

Being a positive influence (encourage others about steps 1 to 9) is purposeful and achievable.  But inspire?  

Some people inspire just by being. 

Some people aspire to inspire. And don't.

Visiting the Chapters?  

I think like any groups, they are there to lend support and reaffirm belief in times of wavering emotions and doubt.  

I don't think I need this in my life, yet.  My motivations are strong, and I have things in my life that are very important to me, and I am doing the best I can with what I have.

For now, that will be enough to make me feel fulfilled.

Mums and hugs

I was thinking about my mum today.  And yesterday. And everyday.  She is still alive at 87 years young, although not in great health.

This year I have literally run away to mums when things have gotten a bit tough.  I run to her for a cup of tea, some toast and a big nonjudgmental hug.  

After a few hours, I am ready to face the world again. 

I love my mum, and I don't want to think about life without her.

Gala Darling (one of the blogs I follow) wrote about Amma. 

Gala queued up for a hug from Amma, a complete stranger, because she is the 'saint' of hugs.  

Amma travels the world offering hugs to anyone; no cost, no expectations.  (Amma means mother.)  Gala said it was a warming and moving experience.  

I hope that my hugs mean that much to someone.  As a mother I love my child.  As a friend I love my friends. As a sister, daughter, aunt; I give hugs because I love. 

Hugs to you all.  

My moving house post checklist....

Life is returning to some semblance of order ... if you can call it that.

Action	Status
Entire house hold full of belongings and chattels (are they the same thing?) moved into new unit (and confused dog)
Beds are assembled and bedding located
At least half of boxes unpacked (enough socks for a week)
Located essential items like dinner plates and bowls
Can walk into garage to find missing essential items
Started some form of work/exercise/sleeping routine in between unpacking boxes
Lots of stuff being set aside for garage/yard sale
Can walk into lounge room/bedroom/kitchen without stubbing toes/shins/knees

Hmmm. Still a bit to go ……