Simply Happy

Peace

2012-03-02T20:51:00.000-08:00

These words are by the Dalai Lama and I thought they were appropriate for today's post.

Whenever I meet even a 'foreigner',
I have always the same feeling,
I am meeting another member of the human family.
This attitude has deepened my affection and respect
for all beings.
May this natural wish be
my small contribution to world peace.

I pray for a more friendly,
more caring, and more understanding
human family on this planet.
To all who dislike suffering,
who cherish lasting happiness -
This is my heartfelt appeal.

Open the Heart

2012-01-27T21:06:00.000-08:00

"Open the heart

and the heart opens you

salt of the creator,

eye of the beholder

stretch your arms overhead

receive the rainfall of pure clarity...

open the heart

and the heart opens you." Leza Lowitz

In My Happy Place

2012-01-23T20:57:00.000-08:00

"They can because they think they can." Virgill

Over the summer 2011/2012 holidays in Australia I was lucky enough to spend time in a magnificent property overlooking the Gold Coast in Queensland.

I had time to reflect on things and that gave me contentment. My Dad always said that when life gets too much, it is important to be able to create your own happy place in your mind to escape too.

I often meditate on this place, I think about the weather, the smells and the sounds. It makes me happy and the memory transports me to a place of pure contentment.

Dreaming Your Dreams

2012-01-22T14:58:00.000-08:00

"Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true." Leon-Joseph Suenens

I have learned that it is important to have goals in life. Often what you visualise you create. Its all about putting it out there and seeing what happens - positive thoughts about the big picture.

Believe and You will Achieve

2012-01-18T13:56:00.000-08:00

"The future belongs to those

who believe in the beauty

of their dreams".

Elanor Roosevelt

So often we are limited by what we believe. Our world is formed by what we believe. If you believe that you are entitled to all that life has to offer, then it will be yours.

Simply Happy

2012-01-17T22:49:00.000-08:00

"True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new." Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Life is a juggling act and I have had to put my energies elsewhere. Sometimes in life one just needs to let something go in order to put energies where they are needed and unfortunately my writing and photography were the sacrifice.

Recently I have found that I have been writing in my journal a lot and taking lots of photos and thought I would transport these to my blog which has been sitting dormant for some time - so here you find me.

The site has been rebadged as this seems to be a more fitting title for the quotes and musings I will share.

Blessings to all.

Seasons

2010-04-28T00:59:00.000-07:00

The autumn leaves are falling, the cold is creeping in. I like the colours autumn has brought us, everything is warm looking - purple, red and orange. It is just a trick though because the air is definitely brisk.

Everyone is complaining about the prospect of winter. I think each season serves it's purpose. With the winter comes the rain, and we definitely need the rain. The wind blows and cleans the air - to me it is all good.

To every thing

there is a season,

and a time to every purpose

under the heaven.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Colours of a Day

2010-04-21T01:21:00.000-07:00

I am reading a book at the moment called The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. In the book he describes things in colours. It is fascinating. I find myself looking about all the time to see what colours are in my day.

Sitting on the tram, waiting to depart for the day ahead, book in hand, listening to track 4 of my John Butler Trio music on my ipod, gazing out of the window at the colours. There are many cyclists having coffee so there is lots of colour in their bright lycra suits. Note to self, does anyone really look any good in lycra?

The tram speeds by and all of the colours blur and end up blending into one. The city walls of mirrored glass and cement structure are cold against the green trees and blue sky. The office walls are white and clinical, but this is good because any other colour would be distracting. The blue sky as the sun starts to settle with the little bursts of orange are peaceful and comforting.

Here is a compilation of some of the colours in my day. I hope your day was colourful too.

People observe the colours of a day only at

its beginnings and ends, but to me it's quite clear

that a day merges through a multitude of shades

and intonations, with each passing moment.

A single hour can consist of thousands of

different colours. Waxy yellows, cloud-spat blues.

Murky darknesses.

In my line of work, I make it a point to notice them.

(Markus Zusak)

Nothing is by Chance

2010-04-14T00:23:00.000-07:00

This week a Chinese ship ran aground on our Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is in Queensland, Australia, and is a pristine assortment of coral and breeding ground for many exotic fish and sea creatures. The ship was way off course and has left a 3 kilometer ridge of oil and toxic paint across the reef. There are many sea creatures who are now in jeopardy.

This cut through my heart when I heard about this. It makes me so sad I have to leave the room whenever it comes on the news.

I know that I am in a job that I am effective it, but I often envy jobs that other people do. I don't know whether you feel like this, but there are some jobs that I wish I could do and have often day dreamed about what it would be like to do them.

Working with wild life - particularly dolphins is one of those jobs I admire. I have an affinity with many animals, but there is nothing like the dolphin. Their power through their water seems in complete contrast to their utterly gentle nature. On a recent holiday I swam with them and it will go down as one of the most memorable experiences of my life. So when I hear about threats to them or their habitat, it just does break my heart.

Be at peace

and see a clear pattern and plan

running through all your lives.

Nothing is by chance.

(Eileen Caddy)

Pursuing the Better

2010-04-08T19:55:00.000-07:00

Take the good until you find something better,

and in search for something better do not let

the good slip away from you or die out.

If you disregard it despite its worth, and pursue something better, what you had escapes you; but if you remain attached

to what is good, you will always have it if nothing better follows.

(Paracelsus)

Happy Easter

2010-04-05T23:04:00.000-07:00

Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.

(S.D. Gordon)

Every end

is a new

beginning.

Inspired

2010-03-31T00:24:00.001-07:00

When you are inspired by some great purpose,

some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds,

your mind transcends limitations,

your consciousness expands in every direction,

and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world.

Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be. (Patanjali)

Big Expectations

2010-03-26T00:27:00.001-07:00

This is a collage of what I hope to achieve this weekend.

1. Be nice to those I love.

2. Hide myself away for a bit of me time.

3. Sleep.

4. Get grumpy if none of this happens.

Hope you have a great weekend.

It is important

from time to time

to slow down,

to go away by yourself,

and simply Be.

(Eileen Caddy)

Irony

2010-03-24T00:57:00.000-07:00

The definition of irony - "a situation or result that is the direct opposite of what was expected or intended".

While I was looking through my photos I came across this photograph I took last year. The heading was going to be beauty and this Flamingo certainly is beautiful. Then I started thinking about him and it made me sad.

This beautiful creature who is now in his twilight years, has spent his long years trusting humans to feed him and clean his enclosure. He has stood magestically while children and their parents admired him. One night he was beaten within an inch of his life by a group of evil, emotionless thugs who broke into his enclosure after the zoo had closed. To the distress of his keepers they found him barely alive the next day. He was operated on and has made a full recovery, although completely blind.

It has been some time since this evil event, but he still stands proudly, and I pray karma will haunt those thugs.

Life has a bright side and a dark side,

for the world of relativity

is composed of light and shadows.

If you permit your thoughts

to dwell on evil,

you yourself will become ugly.

Look only for the good

in everything,

that you absorb

the quality of beauty.

(Paramahansa Yogananda)

Live By Intuition

2010-03-01T23:22:00.000-08:00

I really loved this quote by Eileen Caddy when I read it - it is just so true. Have a great week.

Cease trying to work everything out with your minds,

it will get you nowhere.

Live by intuition and inspiration

and let your whole life be a Revelation.

A Bountiful Universe

2010-02-19T22:19:00.000-08:00

Every moment of your life

is infinitely creative

and the universe

is endlessly bountiful.

Just put forth

a clear enough request,

and everything

your heart desires

must come to you.

(Shakti Gawain)

God bless and have a great weekend :)

The Power of Magic

2010-02-15T00:03:00.001-08:00

Whatever you can do

or dream you can,

begin it.

Boldness has genius, magic

and power in it.

Begin it now.

(Goethe)

All we

see or seem

is but a dream

within a dream.

(Edgar Allen Poe)

Love Alone

2010-02-12T22:11:00.000-08:00

Love alone can unite living beings

so as to complete and fulfill them ...

for it alone joins them

by what is deepest in themselves.

All we need is to imagine

our ability to love developing

until it embraces

the totality of men

and of earth.

(Teilhard De Chardin)

Happy Valentines Day!!

Thought of the Day

2010-02-10T21:47:00.000-08:00

Man cannot discover new oceans

until he has courage

to lose sight

of the shore.

(Author unknown)

Collage of Summer

2010-02-06T13:57:00.000-08:00

Hello blogging friends. At the inspiration of Dagmar, I have given you a collage of my favourite summer photographs to warm your winter blues. For those of you who are in summer - enjoy it while it lasts :)

Happy weekend.

What we are today

comes from

our thoughts of yesterday,

and our present thoughts

build our life

tomorrow:

or life is the creation of our mind.

(Buddha)

A Journey of a Thousand Miles

2010-02-02T23:19:00.000-08:00

A tree that can fill the span

of a man's arms

grows from a downy tip;

A terrace nine storeys high

rises from hodfuls of earth;

A journey of a thousand miles

starts from beneath one's feet.

(Lao-Tzu)

Life Should Be Divine

2010-01-24T17:34:00.000-08:00

The divinest things - religion, love

truth, beauty, justice - seem to lose

their meaning and value when we

sink into lassitude and indifference...

It is a signal that we should quit

meditation and books and go out into

the open air, into the presence of

nature, into the company of flocks and children,

where we may drink

new health and vigour from the

clear and full-flowing fountains

of life, afar from the arid waste

of theory and speculation; where

we may learn again that it is not

by intellectual questionings, but by

believing, hoping, loving and doing

that man finds joy and peace.

(John Lancaster Spalding)

Spontaneous Changes

2010-01-22T16:11:00.000-08:00

Life is a series of natural

and spontaneous changes.

Don't resist them -

that only creates sorrow.

Let reality be reality.

Let things flow naturally forward

in whatever way

they like.

(LAO-TSE)

My Geisha Girl

2010-01-09T17:36:00.000-08:00

Today's quote: "The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then it is where we feel that it is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature." (Anne Frank)

I thought I would give you a reprieve from this week's book and share some images from my backyard. I have a beautiful Geisha Girl tree that takes pride of place in my yard and the insects and birds love it.

It has been so terribly hot here, you can see from the little bird's face, how hot he is. Hope you have had a great week. Happy weekend.

Colour

2009-10-16T23:57:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "The only way to keep your heart beating as a photographer is to photograph things you love." (Author unknown)

I heard this quote in the course I did recently and loved it. How true it is. I started photographing my family because that is what I loved. I then went on to photograph nature because I love that too, now I am photographing animals because I love them too.

Colour was the other exercise I had to do on the course I did recently. We were given 3o minutes to find as much colour as we could - I just loved the parrot - I just could not find any colour that beat is vibrance.

I wish you a happy and colourful weekend. God bless.

Beyond the Bars

2009-09-10T00:11:00.001-07:00

Quote of the day: "What do you fear my lady? 'A cage. To stay behind bars until use and old age accept them and all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire.'" (J.R.R. Tolkein)

Joyce asked how I removed the bars in my zoo shots. My notes say that you require a narrow depth of field and the aperture open as far as possible. If you have an SLR camera - select spot metering in the menu selection. Turn the dial on the top of the camera to Av - I had my aperture selection on 4.5 which was as low as it would go. I hope this makes sense. I have found the best way is just to play.

I have shown a couple of other photos that did not quite work at a higher aperture. You can faintly see the bar silhouette over the lion's face and the hazy look of the net over the little bird.

One picture I have included with the bars is that of these beautiful bears. These bears were saved from certain death. The male bear has several teeth missing. It just broke my heart hearing their story from the zoo keeper. In so many countries these bears are hunted and held captive for their body parts - anesthetic is never used.

How is the irony? We saved them from certain death only to keep them behind bars to protect them.

Chameleon

2009-09-09T01:54:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "Life is like a mirror, we get the best results if we smile at it." (Author unknown)

At the photography course we also had to take photos of things through glass. I had absolutely no luck photographing the chameleon - all I got were images of myself taking the photo.

Life is a challenge - but it would be dull if it wasn't.

Zootography

2009-09-08T05:10:00.001-07:00

Quote of the day: "Sometimes I do get to places when God is ready to have somebody click the shutter." (Ansel Adams)

The course I did at the zoo was beautiful. It was very confronting initially as the group was no longer allowed to use the auto functions on their SLR cameras. For me that was difficult as that is what I have always relied on.

Learning about shutter speed, aperture, white balance and altering the camera to enable the removal of bars on the animal's cages was so fascinating and so satisfying. I was really pleased with the images I took and photographing animals is just such a beautiful thing.

Bird Song

2009-08-25T00:41:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: The song was wordless; the singing will never be done." (Siegfried Sassoon)

Loving nature makes me feel like I am living - part of the universe so to speak. Taking time out to listen to the birds in my garden makes me happy.

Have you ever noticed that they are just so busy going about their little lives, in their own space co-existing with us and the rest of their surroundings.

The ones that survive the domestic animals who stalk them, seem oblivious to anything that could be bad in their environment.

I would like to take a leaf (pardon the pun) from their book - live oblivious to the bad things that may or may not happen - just live in the moment.

A Child's Imagination

2009-08-06T00:18:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "I am enough of an artist to draw upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." (Albert Einstein)

We were visiting friends recently and were discussing my friend's son's creativity. My friend said that the puppet he made was well made, but disturbed the family because its eyes seem to follow everyone everywhere so they booted the puppet out into the shed.

Of course I wanted to see it after having my interest peaked by the thought of a disturbing puppet that was so freaky it had to be booted outside.

Anything creative is fascinating, I always wonder what the artist was thinking when they created their masterpiece.

I was actually really impressed with his masterpiece. My friend's son has such a great imagination and is very artistic and I could see how hard he worked on it - I wanted to play with it for a while.

I am a great believer in the imagination of children and encouraging it and supporting it any way we can - I think he did a great job - their dog Solomon took a liking to it as well.

Weekend Wish List - Camp Eden Please

2009-07-25T01:01:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "Trees are earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven." (Rabindranath Tagore)

Thinking about my weekend wish list this week - I thought a nice retreat would be in order. I love the thought of these retreats (not that I have ever been lucky enough to experience one). I am sure one would return refreshed and invigorated after a week of good food, fresh air, massage and exercise outdoors.

This place is called Camp Eden and the photos are from their website. It is located in Queensland, Australia. The weather there is tropical and warm for a great portion of the year. I long to feel the warm weather again - so nature, warm weather and pampering makes my wishlist this week.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and get the pampering you deserve :)

Wasting My Days Wisely?

2009-07-22T00:25:00.000-07:00

I came across a great little piece of literature about wasting one's days wisely. Sometimes I wonder what purpose there is in the things that I do - and then something good happens as a result of my efforts - and then I think - ah yes this is where I am meant to be. As much as the concept of this literature might be my intention - I am sure I do not achieve it all of the time. But I live in eternal hope :)

"To awaken each morning with a smile brightening my face; to greet the day with reverence for the opportunities it contains; to approach my work with a clean mind; to hold ever before me, even in the doing of little things, the Ultimate Purpose toward which I am working; to meet men and women with laughter on my lips and love in my heart; to be gentle, kind, and courteous through all the hours; to approach the night with weariness that ever woos sleep and the joy that comes from work well done - this is how I desire to waste wisely my days." (Thomas Dekker)

Weekend Wishlist - Dubai Please

2009-07-17T23:35:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "An extravagance is something that your spirit thinks is necessary." (Bern Williams)

I came across these photos in the cool photo category of the Damn Funny Pictures website. The Burj Al Arab Hotel rises from the Arabian Golf and stands 321 metres above the Dubai cityscape. If you can afford to stay in this hotel (another one that is only in my dreams) your stay comes with your own chauffeur driven Rolls Royce.

It all seems over the top I know - but if you are dreaming - you might as well go all the way. Have a nice weekend everybody :)

Weekend Wish List - Maia Please

2009-07-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "Paradise is exactly like where you are right now...only much better." (Laurie Anderson)

I was surfing the net (as we do) and I came across paradise. Oh yes please take me there if only in my dreams. I loved the images on the Adelto website about this gorgeous luxury hotel in the Seychelles called Maia - even the name is beautiful. I always admire beautiful interiors - it can be an art form in itself. I also love outdoor rooms and exotic exterior furnishings - I also love the ocean - so you see - this place would be paradise for me. Have a great weekend everybody - enjoy :)

In Memory of My Dad

2009-07-04T15:24:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "When a man has done his best, has given his all and in the process supplied the needs of his family and his society, that man has made a habit of succeeding." (Mack R Douglas)

I contemplated not writing this blog. I like my blog articles to be uplifting to those who choose to read them - then I thought about my Dad and his life was uplifting - so here goes!!

My Dad died on the 4th July 2008. This beautiful man who gave me life I held in my arms and I felt his heart stop at 2.37 pm. At that time my faith in God was challenged it was such a huge upheaval in my life I thought I would never be the same again.

Twelve months passed yesterday - and I was ok - in fact I was uplifted by the thought of his life and what he had achieved - and I continually remain the proudest of all daughters.

His family were extremely poor - and he left school at 13 years old - his principal said he would never amount to anything. This made my Dad all the more determined.

He secured a plumbing apprenticeship - a defining moment - it provided him with a wonderful livelihood but also exposed him to asbestos which was what ultimately killed him.

He learned how to fly planes. He used to fly supplies to his men who were building housing for Aboriginals in the outback of Australia. His passion was flying and he ended up with many planes over his life - including a tiger moth.

He retired young - which in hindsight was a blessing for my Mum as they had 20 good years of quality time together which is more than some get.

He could not stay idle - he bought a bus and spent a couple of years ferrying children to and from school, he volunteered for St John Ambulance helping all manner of people. He went to LA and learned how to become a hynotherapist with a man called Gill Boyne and also helped many people. My Dad then volunteered for Sea Rescue right up until he became ill. His new passion became the sea, he was determined to buy a boat - which he did - but unfortunately never got to enjoy it because of his illness. One of the last things he did with Sea Rescue was save a woman who was trying to commit suicide. The other rescuers could not get her on the boat. All she needed to do was let go of the side of the boat and she would have slipped deep into the water through exhaustion. She kept threatening to let go. My Dad was the one who talked her into his arms. He became ill not long after that event.

My Sister found a poem that I think sums up things ... I thought I would share it with you.

Your life was one of kind deeds,

a helping hand for others needs,

sincere and true in heart and mind.

Beautiful memories left behind.

Two tired eyes are sleeping,

two willing hands are still,

the one who worked so hard for us

is resting at God's will.

I understand that God is good, bad things happen to good people because evil is random. Don't be sad because he has gone - be grateful that he was here xo

I Love French Style

2009-07-02T01:20:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma. Fashion is something that comes after style." (Author unknown)

I just love anything french. I have never been to France - in fact I have never travelled anywhere. If I can ever get past my fear of flying I would dearly love to travel to Europe and pay a visit to Paris.

I have romantic visions of what it would be like. I imagine the women to be glamorous - trotting around in pencil skirts and striped t-shirts with red scarves. I imagine that they can eat and drink whatever they please and still stay svelte just because they live in this magical land called France. I came across an old article about French Style written by Rita Wilson (Tom Hank's wife) it made me laugh - I have given the link in case you are interested.

I love the ornate furniture and the objects d'art that I imagine to fill their gorgeous homes.

I imagine the country side to be full of sunshine, grapevines, pretty little chateaus and the most unimaginable red wine and cheese - not to mention the delicious pastries. I imagine that the french people cycle everywhere with their little baskets filled with beautiful flowers.

I don't know if this is what it will be like or whether this is just a concoction of my imagination - but I will be content in my imagination and long for the day that I can find out what the reality is.

Have a nice weekend my blogspace friends :)

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-articles/steal-french-style-0506

Temptation

2009-06-30T23:18:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "Lead me not into temptation - I can find the way myself." (Rita Mae Brown)

I love this quote. One of my biggest weaknesses is food. I just love it - any sort of food (apart from brussell sprouts - yuk) . One of my great pleasures in life is food.

I used to be able to eat whatever I liked and it would not amount to anything on the scales. As I am getting older I find that I have to exercise or that piece of chocolate indulgence - or sweet little tart - that I absolutely must have for fear of tormenting myself beyond recognition - inevitably ends up on my thighs as well as the scales.

I work near the Central Market and find myself there most days. Everything is shipped in fresh every day. If food looks appealing - it is even harder to resist. I try not to go when I am hungry because the smell of the hot cashew nuts is always too much for me to resist.

I had a coffee in my favourite place recently. Everything is exquisite - the furniture, the little water feature that runs through the coffee shop and of course the smell of the coffee. Every piece of food is displayed just as beautifully as the ambience that is created. Just look at that beautiful display of little sweets on a plate - who could resist that - unfortunately not me!

An Artist's World is Limitless

2009-06-23T03:36:00.000-07:00

The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep." (Paul Strand)

I think truly appreciating photography is to see images as they appear. What I see as a great shot may be just an image to someone else.

I was thinking today about photography and the images I have taken recently. One can walk around with a camera and just snap away - but to truly appreciate the image you are viewing - and then be fortunate enough to capture what your own vision is - this is truly artistic.

Whilst on holiday with my friend I had many opportunities to photograph our children. I was lucky enough to get some great shots and I recently developed the images and gave them to her as photographs. She was absolutely wrapped that I captured our lifestyle on that weekend.

To have people appreciate what you do is such a great compliment. I think this is why I blog and this is why I share my photographs. I am so proud of my images and to think that other people appreciate them too is such an honour.

My Passion is Photography

2009-06-22T02:30:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "If you are not passionately devoted to an idea, you can make very pleasant pictures but they won't make you cry." (Ruth Bernhard)

I was talking to one of my special friends today. She is one that I met through my career - far too many moons ago to think about. She is my standing Monday lunch date. She is one of my friends that I can speak to about anything.

She is so excited about my life in general. She asked me today how I got into photography. I told her the story of my Gran dying in 2006 and leaving me a little bit of money. I did not want to fritter it away on something trivial - I wanted to spend it on something that would always connect us. My Gran was my Dad's Mum and we had a special spiritual connection. Throughout my life I had many conversations about religion - I always remember her as my spiritual guide when I was younger. At the time of her death I had no answer so I decided to wait for inspiration.

On one Saturday outing with my beautiful family we ventured into our local book store and a book jumped out at me. The book was called Italian Joy by Carla Coulson. The photographs in this book and her story inspired me to buy a camera. This was my inspiration.

For the next 18 months I continued to learn my craft. I was overwhelmed with the feeling of artistic creativity that I did not even realise I possessed.

My Dad has always been the most important, inspirational person in my life - we were so close spiritually and emotionally and I absolutely adored him. In March 2008 my Dad was diagnosed with Mesothelioma. I nursed him at home with my Mother and Sister until he died. He died on the 4th July 2008. I did not photograph anything that year until after he died.

My Sister invited us away for a family holiday to regroup and spend time together after this horrid time. This photograph is enlarged on canvas and hangs in my home. This photograph was the first photograph I took after my Dad died - this photograph made me cry and brought back my passion for photography. I have continued to photograph everything and anything ever since that time. The simplicity of my Son looking out at life after this tumultuous time continues to overwhelm me. This passion has led me to continue my creative outlet through photography and to share my thoughts through my blog - and so the story goes on.

Sleep Really is the Best Medicine

2009-06-18T05:02:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry during the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night." (Author Unknown)

Ever had a bad night's sleep and found it difficult to focus and get through the next day? I think sleep is so important. It helps us to stay on top of things and feel in control. When I feel tired, everything tends to get on top of me.

It is also important for our health - it recharges our immune system and maintains our emotional health. I have read varying reports about the amount of sleep one should have. Some say six hours is enough, others eight hours. I know if I do not get my eight hours sleep I am as grumpy as a bear and everybody in our house just hides in the nearest corner.

Some people don't like sleep or find it difficult to sleep. I have found that the more active I am during the day the easier it is for me to sleep. Not that I go out and jog around for hours (Heaven forbid) - but just ensure that I am physically active enough to be tired at the end of the day. With all that I do in a day - this generally is not too difficult to achieve.

If I am finding it difficult to drift off to sleep I will have a warm milk drink and read for a while.

All this talk about sleeping is making me very tired. Good night all of my blog space friends :)

Strategy for Happy People

2009-06-11T00:23:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we should dance." (Author unknown)

Do you know someone that is always complaining, sad faced and walks around like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders?

Working in large corporations I have worked with these people. These people suck the life energy out of the atmosphere. They are difficult to be around and tend to effect the well being and motivation of those around them.

It is wrong to assume that happy people and unhappy people are born that way. But the self talk of these people does determine their mood. It is important to design a strategy to be happy.

After my Dad died I feared that I would never return to normal. People I have worked with have commented that my smile lights up a room, but I tend to think every person who smiles lights up a room.

I went about making a determined effort to get the memories of my Dad's suffering out of my mind. I put up pictures of his beautiful face around the house and focused on the events where I remembered him happy and healthy.

This was not an immediate fix, but as time has gone on I feel that I have returned to normal. I still have moments of intense sadness, but I consciously change my thought pattern to something happier.

Children have it together. I look at photos of my children when they were younger - no worries, no angst, no comprehension of the simplicity of their life - just freedom to express themselves in whatever way made them happy.

I think all of us need to find the child within sometimes, do what makes us happy, laugh a lot and love a lot.

Life According to Solomon

2009-06-09T02:37:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "He is your friend, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion". (Author unknown)

I thought of Dagmar when posting this. Solomon is the dog of my good friends and is a Rhodesian Ridgeback (not sure if that is the same breed as Storm - but they look similar).

Solomon was this adorable little puppy with enormous feet that grew and grew and grew and grew. He still thinks he is a puppy - I am sure of it. He curls up on the children's bed, sleeps under my girlfriend's bed and she said it is like an earth tremor in the morning when he decides it is time to get up.

The pure size of this dog is enough to frighten any intruder, but he has the gentleness of a lamb. I watched him recently play ball with my Son - he is a big, bouncy, giant who I trust to play with my Son.

The majesty of this creature is something to behold - and I feel privileged when he puts his big nose on my lap - as if to say - you are ok by me.

Looking at Life Differently through a Lens

2009-06-06T16:40:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "All animals except man know that the ultimate point of life is to enjoy it." (Samuel Butler)

Speaking to my Cousin yesterday we discussed how photography makes you look at life differently. I think the more you photograph the more intuitive you become. I find myself looking at an object or a corner of something and thinking wow that would make a great photograph.

I also think looking at an object from underneath it gives interesting shots. I take my camera most places now just in case I find one of those moments I want to photograph.

This is Sunday morning out of my kitchen window, looking at my neighbour's cat on a garden shed. What made me take that photo? I just imagined what it would look like through my lens.

Work-life Balance

2009-06-04T01:10:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends and spirit - and you're keeping all of those in the air - you will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the four other balls - family, health, friends and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life." (Bryan Dyson)

Many people are working longer hours and feeling unsatisfied with balance between their work and family life. This frustration with work commitments and lack of balance between work and family contribute to many health problems.

I have fallen into this situation at various times throughout my career. Realizing the importance of work-life balance is the most important step. I gave thought to my priorities and adjusted my life accordingly. Health is so important. I look at health as not only the absence of disease, but complete wellness of body, mind and spirit. If you imagine an apple being a complete object consisting of 4 quarters. If you take away a quarter of the apple, it is no longer complete. Complete wellness, I think, is like an apple. The four quarters I think are important for me are physical and psychological health, being socially connected, being organised and being spiritual. If one of these is not in order my body does not feel completely well.

I find particularly that if I get a good night's sleep I am more able to juggle the balls I have in the air.

Coincidence or Fate?

2009-06-03T01:47:00.000-07:00

Quote of day: "Life is not merely a series of meaningless accidents or coincidences, but rather, it is a tapestry of events that culminate in an exquisite sublime plan." (Author unknown)

This photo was one I took in my original photographic course. We had to slow down the aperture so that everything moving was blurred and the subject was still.

I have chosen this photo as that is how I have been feeling lately. I feel like the world is just whirling around me and I am just sitting still trying to keep track of it all.

I don't know if strange things have always happened to me or that I have just become more aware recently.

I have been thinking lately about whether life is a series of random acts or whether it is actually planned for us.

A few weeks ago my Mum asked if I would take her to the doctor. I had to take a day off of work. I thought I would drop my Son to school for a change (normally my husband does his school run). Anyway we were driving to school and he said to me "Mum did you bring your camera?" I asked why and he said it was his chapel performance today and he was a fireman. Well I was completely shocked - I hadn't read the notice so was completely unaware of the performance. The children do one performance a year - what are the odds that Mum would need to go to the doctor on that particular day and that I had taken that particular day off. As I sat in God's house watching my beautiful boy with his beaming smile, seeking me out in the crowd, I was just so thankful for that strange coincidence.

On Saturday I was walking down a section of the city that I never go to. As I was walking a lovely lady that I used to work with came out of a shop just as I was passing. She had been on my mind of late - but what are the odds of me being there just as she was coming out of the shop.

Then yesterday I had to park my car in a car park that only took coins. I just had enough to put in the meter box, but it didn't seem to be working so I cancelled the transaction to try again. Well then all this money came pouring out. Anyway I put it all in my purse. I noticed a lady struggling at another machine. I went to see if I could help her. She said that she only had notes. I had exactly the right amount of money to help her because of my little windfall - what are the odds of that?

I used to believe life was a series of coincidences, but now I am left thinking maybe I am just a tiny part of a wider plan?

One Step at a Time

2009-06-02T04:16:00.001-07:00

Quote of the day: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." (Lao Tzu)

Sometimes I get so absorbed in my own life that forget there are others suffering - I forget to appreciate just how lucky I am.

A work colleague of mine has had a dreadful year, his wife of 25 years died 3 months ago, he has had to move from his home and he is facing losing his job in the next couple of months.

He has obviously been very depressed and comes to see me regularly to talk about things and to share his thoughts with somebody. I suggested to him that it was important not to live in the past but to focus on the day at hand and not look too far into the future - just take one step at a time.

I helped him with his resume and to apply for a new job and he has recently moved into a new home which he is enjoying. He came to me and said that he was doing what I had suggested - taking one step at a time and that those important few words had helped him.

Whatever action we take in this universe causes a reaction - even if we are not aware of the power of that reaction. I hope his next steps are easier for him.

This photograph of my Son is hilarious - he was just so grumpy that day - but they were the only steps I could find :)

Life According to Harley

2009-06-01T01:46:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." (Author unknown)

You know when you download photos from your camera that you took a while ago and then relive that time by looking at them again. Well these photos are like that. When I was downloading the photos I took yesterday I came across these photos that I had forgotten about.

Harley is the new addition to my friend's house. He is a gorgeous little kitten with a typically playful nature. Both of my children were completely taken with him - the fact that he is a baby brings out the kindest side of my children and I love to watch it.

I look at a garden and often just notice all the weeds I need to pull out, my Son and my animals seem to notice the flowers and a place to explore.

Harley found a ball of string and my Son and Harley played with it for hours.

Sometimes I think God sends us children and animals to teach us about life - not the other way around.

An Autumn of Simplicity

2009-05-31T02:52:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "Winter is an etching, spring a water colour, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." (Stanley Horowitz)

I spent a most beautiful weekend. It was good for the soul. I spent the day on Saturday with a much loved friend. We enjoyed a lovely Greek meal and a glass of wine on the sidewalk. We enjoyed the bustle and noise of the city, the peculiarities of the people walking by and the smells of the local cafes.

We could have been anywhere in the world, but just for that short time we had a little slice of Greece - enjoying our time together in our cosmopolitan city.

We went to the Art Gallery and enjoyed a beautiful Japanese art exhibition. The simplicity of Japenese art is just quite exquisite. They use quite bold colours of purple, gold, orange, red, green, and the most beautiful blues. Everything has such order and such precision. It does seem fitting that this exhibition is held in autumn as the colours are so much an autumn palate.

Today I was able to get my camera out and finally photograph those colours that I have longed to capture. I also came across these animated old ladies sitting on a bench, chatting, sitting under the shade of a tree. They were so jolly and I asked if they would mind if I took their photo. They seemed delighted that someone was interested in taking their photo. It just makes me smile looking at it.

I had arranged with my most beloved that we would share a family day together - which is rare these days as we often have to compete with my teenager's social calendar. But she is off to camp this week and I will miss her light in my life so I pleaded that she spend the day with us which she did. We had a lovely lunch in the sun, we had great conversation, we really just had time to catch up. It was just the most precious time.

We visited our dear friends this afternoon and shared the photographs, they cooked us a delicious meal, and we felt special as always.

It is the very best thing to be with people you love, look at things you love and be grateful for the simplicity of every experience - whatever that may be.

Life in Abundance

2009-05-27T23:41:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "Stop every now and then. Just stop and enjoy. Take a deep breath. Relax and take in the abundance of life." (Author unknown)

After a hectic day of work and feeling that I have not spent much time with my Son this week I decided to go for a walk along the river.

It has been very cold, so rugging up and feeling the cold, fresh air on my face was invigorating after being inside all day.

There is a colony of pelicans that live on the river. They are the most fascinating birds. They seem to have such a comical nature. My Son just loves feeding them. I feel very blessed that we can have these amazing creatures roaming free in our environment.

Life truly is wonderful when you get to share it with nature - especially the animals.

Dragonfly

2009-05-27T00:24:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I wonder why I bother reading the newspaper - there does not seem to be much happy news. I read today about a young man who had been visiting his grandmother on Sunday. He complained about feeling unwell, his parents took him to the hospital that night and he died early the next morning. He was 17 and the disease was called Meningococcal.

It just struck me as something so absolutely awful. This was a healthy, beautiful young man who complained of feeling unwell and died 24 hours later. What a curse to outlive one's child. I pray I never know such pain, I pray he is at peace and I pray his parents find strength to cope.

Ironically, I came across a special story only last week, it warmed my heart, it gives hope, it goes like this...

"At the bottom of the old pond lived some grubs who could not understand why none of their group ever came back after crawling up the stems of the lillies to the top of the water. They promised each other that the next one who was called to make the upward climb would return and tell what happened to him. Soon one of them felt an urgent impulse to seek the surface; he rested himself on the top of a lilly pad and went through a glorious transformation which made him a dragonfly with beautiful wings. In vain, he tried to keep his promise. Flying back and forth over the pond, he peered down at his friends below. Then he realised that even if they could see him, they would not recognise such a radiant creature as one of their number.

The fact that we cannot see our loved ones or communicate with them, after the transformation which we call death, is no proof that they cease to exist." (Walter Dudley Cavert)

Staying Goal Focused

2009-05-26T04:08:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "People with goals succeed because they know where they are going." (Earl Nightingale)

I watch my daughter play netball most weeks. She is a goal shooter. Watching her focus on her task always amazes me. She very rarely practices but has a natural ability to shoot with such precision. I often say to her - just imagine how you would excel if you practiced more. Her reply to me is that she is only interested on the game at hand and will only focus on that task.

Goals are important in life. Goals keep us motivated and organised. Goals need to be realistic and achievable. Goals form the foundation of where we see ourselves and who we want to be.

Goals often revolve around "things will be better when". I have fallen into this trap myself. I have pursued higher paying jobs so that I could buy more material possessions. I had to work longer, harder and spend less time doing the things that I liked to do.

It took the death of my Father to make me stop and look at what was important. I decided I actually had all that I needed. I stopped thinking about what I didn't have and became grateful for what I did have. Since then my life has taken on a new sense of purpose and satisfaction.

Everybody has blessings in their life - you just need to focus on them. I set goals now to be true to myself.

Rainy Days and Sundays

2009-05-25T02:48:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: Always plan ahead. It was'nt raining when

Noah built the ark." (Richard C. Cushing)

I had great intentions of getting my camera out over the weekend, but it rained constantly. South Australia has had the driest summer - so seeing the rain was wonderful and I would never complain.

Everything looks different in the rain. I love going for a walk along the beach when it is dreary. I just love the beach at any time - it brings me great peace. Some people find the beach depressing when it is raining, I just see it as one of nature's great wonders - even more spectacular in a storm.

Because of the rain, I was unable to get my camera out and hunt down those Autumn colours as I had planned. I had however, made a contingency plan just in case the weather was inclement. I wanted to try a new recipe I had found for a sticky date pudding. Not being the most natural cook, I was a bit apprehensive, however, I have to say that it was a huge success. My Mum came over for a meal - one of my favourite things is cooking for those I love.

We sat down to a lovely chilled glass of wine in our cosy room, overlooking a very green garden being drenched in delightful rain. All the while my pudding was bubbling away in the oven. The aroma filling the house with a comforting warmth reminiscent of my childhood when my Mum baked. The end result was amazing (if I do say so myself). It probably clogged an artery - but was it ever worth it!!

Time is Precious

2009-05-21T00:05:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it." (M. Scott Peck)

I was sitting in a favourite little Asian Cafe today enjoying a laksa. I was looking around at all the different people - I love "people watching". Some were young - school age - just starting out, some were business people, obviously grabbing a bite on the run and some were old. The elderly interest me, I wondered how the lines on their faces had been created. Had they enjoyed their lives, were they happy, had they seen much tragedy in their long lives?

Both elderly couples still had their partners and as I thought about my Mum now being alone, I thought how lucky they were to still have each other - and they did seem happy.

It made me think about managing my time better. I find making lists a waste of time. It is easy to use lists as a way to procrastinate. I do believe that time management is more important. I do have a tendency to cram as much as I can into a day, I do achieve a lot, but I would like to ponder more and enjoy each day. I loved that hour of time to myself - I am going to grab that hour as much as I can.

I want to get to a ripe old age and look back on my life knowing that I achieved a lot, that when people thought of me they would smile and that I made things a little better for those who knew me. I really think this quote is great: "to be able to look back upon one's past life with satisfaction is to live twice" (Martial).

Mum Needs a Cocktail

2009-05-14T01:32:00.001-07:00

Quote of the day: "The most wasted of days is that in which one has not laughed". (Sebastian R.N. Chamfort)

I came across an old movie of the children the other day. I was quite emotional when I was looking at them - thinking - my goodness where has the time gone? Where has my life gone? It is so scary to consider how fast life flies by.

Then there was today. I raced around, cleaned the house, flew into work for a few hours, picked up my son and his friend, came home did snack and homework with the children. Then had to pick up my other child from sport training. I have found 5 minutes to jot down this blog and then we are off for dinner with Mum. My daughter told me something funny that happened to her at school today - so as I sit down with my glass of wine - I intend to share my day with my family and have another giggle at the story.

Now I realise why my life is flying by - I am just very busy - but as long as I can have a laugh at the end of the day then it has been a good one :)

Emotional Health - Celebrate Every Relationship

2009-05-07T00:58:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day: "Life in abundance comes only through great love." (Elbert Hubbard)

Yesterday took an unexpected turn. I caught up with one of my beautiful cousins - purely spontaneous, but just delightful. We had a lovely meal, both our families chatted and laughed - we each had quality time with the other. The simple things in life really are the best.

The relationships with the people in my life are very important to me. My family, particularly the spirit and beauty of my husband and children fills my life with happiness. Friends are another important facet of my life. My friends have been an integral part of my emotional health.

Sometimes relationships are hard work, time escapes and it is harder to keep in contact. I remind myself when I am tired and cant be bothered nurturing my relationships that any relationship takes time and energy, but the benefits that I reap through my efforts make it all worthwhile.

There is a lot written about emotional health. I believe it is about being socially connected with those whose company you enjoy, being environmentally connected - recycling whatever you can, not comparing yourself to anyone and being grateful for what you have in life.

Forgiveness is also important - we all have conflict at one time or another and I have found that I do myself the favour if I build a bridge and just get over it. I dont carry that angst around.

Like anything we do in our lives, we should approach each of our relationships with enthusiasm, passion, happiness and peace.

Amazing Results with Photoshop

2009-05-06T06:12:00.000-07:00

The normal image of this photograph is something that I am proud of (you can see it on my Flickr site).

One day out of pure boredom, I decided to mess about with a recently uploaded version of Photoshop.

I messed about with cropping, enlarging - and then came across the colour exposure. Well did I ever have fun!!! I played around with the image for ages - until I reached this one.

It may not be everyone's cup of tea - but I love it. Nothing can change the majesty of his eyes - they are amazing!!

I have just found one I did of a Zebra too - hope you like it :)