Posts

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Compolsory Elections

Do you vote in political elections?

As i reside in Australia, voting is compolsory. I know that some of the time, it feels as though my choices on Election Day are limited to a couple of galahs.

But, because voting is compolsory, there are many minor parties, that create a middle ground in debate. The power is more evenly distributed over the political arena and there are many perspectives to support.

It was when women were given the right to vote, that child abuse, domestic violence and sexual crimes became offences. When someone has a right to vote, it is important to exercise that right.

I know that in America, it is different, but my hope is that some middle ground can be found between the two extremes and some common sense and compassionate debate takes place.

May the future be positive for all.

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First ideas

Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.

As ideas float through the world and enter my mind, I am amazed at the dexterity of language. As a Writer, I like to listen, to sample thoughts and capture them on paper.

Recently, I started going to art classes. To sit still at lunch time, and sketch my surroundings is very carthatic. It is a welcome hobby, unlike television that I gave away a few years ago.

As for what is uppermost in my mind at the moment, it is how important it is that we teach our girls to stand up for themselves, to give permission to themselves to only allow loving and genuinely kind men into their lives.

We as women, are in charge of how we raise our children. For the sake of humanity, let us raise morally robust children. As Aunts, Mums, and Grandparents, the future is in our hands.

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Lady Jaz

Nestled in the paddocks, opposite a small bush school, a family home of brick veneer stood.

Around the house, a home yard, with large gardens and a fence kept out cows and kangaroos, alike.

A horse with a blonde mane and tail, often could be seen at the gate. As four children raced around the gardens, her large ears pricked forward. One ear flicked off a fly, as the little mare fixed her eyes on the smallest and youngest child.

The youngest child, a brown haired girl, reached up a hand, and patted the outstretched nose.

‘Bread, Jaz?’ she asked.

Mouth watering, the little mare whickered in response.

The child procured a crust from behind her back.

‘Here, Jaz,’ and the girl held the crust, as the mare’s tongue reached out and the large teeth took it from the girl’s hand.

An older girl, with the same shade of hair, but taller, stopped her race around the house.

‘Stacey, how is Jaz?’ she called to her younger sister.

‘Trudy, she’s beautiful,’ answered Stacey.

‘Can you come inside now? Mum is calling us.’

‘Can I stay a little longer?’

‘No. Mum has dinner on the table already.’

The younger girl gave Jaz one more pat on the  nose.

‘I will be back,’ she promised.

The little mare flicked her tail and breathed on the girl’s hand, as if to say, goodbye.

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Simple forgiveness

There is much wrong with the world and a lot of conflict. Ukraine and Russia, Trump, and drones sighted above Europe. It all indicates that a lasting solution is required.

The best solution I can come up with, upon reflection, is simple forgiveness.

In the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, how to face death is with forgiveness. As a person dies, they often regret much in their life and feel guilt.

If a person is dying, focus on their positive attributes and forgive them.

If it is your own death, you are facing, focus on forgiving anyone who has wronged you.

But the most powerful and succinct way to forgive is the Fourfold Steps to Forgiveness. This is outlined in Desmond Tutu’s book on forgiving, written with his daughter.

After apartheid came to an end in South Africa, there was much hatred between the black and white peoples who called the country their home.

Desmond’s daughter had a member of her household murdered in the family home, where they both lived.

And so the fourfold path was born.

  1. Tell the story and context of the hurt.
  2. Tell why it hurts.
  3. Forgive
  4. Release or renew the relationship.

This means that the two parties can separate,  unburdened by the hurt. Or they can renew their relationship and move forward into a better future, with wisdom.

Forgiveness does not mean the person or party who caused the harm goes unpunished. It means that you believe that they have a conscience and it’s their conscience they need to appease. It’s a belief in the goodness of all creation.

Forgiveness is the key to transcending the hurt and conflict in the world. As individuals we can make a lasting difference, if Forgiveness is the path we choose to tread.

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Blogging

Why do you blog?

There is something elemental about writing. You start, not knowing how to get your thoughts down. And then you just do it. The fingers tap the keyboard and words fly out of your mind.

The question asked is ‘why do I blog?’

A better question would be, why do I write?

With writing, its like holding a mirror up to yourself and seeing who looks back. There’s something curious about how the words sort themselves out. My own mind tends to drill down to what is real. And somehow, the world starts to make sense again.

To every blogger on WordPress, their journey is unique. But for me to be successful, I’ve just gotta love the simple act of writing.

Do you love writing?

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Vegetarian

What food would you say is your specialty?

For over twenty years, I’ve been a Vegetarian. 

This means I’m better at cooking vegetables than any other food group. And my favourite cuisine to cook at home is Mediterranean.

I love all vegetables and have never met any edible plant I dislike.

The staples for me are tinned tomatoes and tinned or dried beans.

Dried beans are easy to cook. Just boil the kettle, pour boiling water over the beans generously, soak overnight. And then let the slow cooker do the rest of the work.

What are the benefits of this diet?

It’s healthy, affordable, good for the planet, and cruelty free.

Why not cook more vegetarian meals or, if concerned about climate change or your budget, become Vegetarian today.

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Hobbies

How do you unwind after a demanding day?

There are many hobbies available for pursuit. If I had more time, I’d indulge in more than I do now.

But, currently, my favourites are gardening, writing, and cross stitch.

With the glorious weather of a Southern spring, the garden is taking up much of my attention.  This morning, I did two hours of wedding and still have loads more to pull out.

Earlier in the year, when we had record-breaking floods, mostly, I was indoors, reading and writing.

And if it’s not suitable to be outside, I like to do hand stitching projects. As a result, I have many half finished projects to complete. So, this is also on my current Task List.

But the hobby I really wish I had time for is playing music. Already, I know some piano, but would love to learn the Recorder.

What hobbies are on your wish list?

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Pag bibitiw (Letting go)

Ano ba ang kaya mong bitiwan, para sa kapayapaan?

Matagal na ang lumipas since inumpisahan ang Liz Everest, dito sa wordPress. Bago mag Covid ay parte na andito na ang website ko.

Ang pagbibitiw ay ang paggawa ng decision at mag iisip ng mabuti, para magdecide kung ano ang hawakan mo.

 So ang tunay na tanong ay, hindi ang aking gusto bitawan, Pero kung anoa king hahawakan. Dahil ang pasusulat ay matagal ng parte ng buhay ko. Tumutulong sa paglalaki ko bilang tao.since bata pa ako,palagi akong  magsusulat. At itong  blog palasgi.

Ano pa ba ang  hahawakan ko?

DI ko bibitawan ang pagmamahal ko sa kalikasan, sa paggagardensa pagbubuhay sa excosystem na nagsusuporta sa mga native na mga hayop at native na tanim. i kikeep ko ang relasyon ko sa mga kaibigan ko at pamilya, dahil malaking tulong sila sa buhay k. At bigyan ako ng magandang payo ko ako. Kung kailangan ako ng direksyon.

Ano ba ang bibitawsan ko?

Dahan dahan  muna.cbago mag umpisa. para mas marami akong panahon mag garden at sa pasusulat.

Anong iniisip mo na hindi mo sinasabi?

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Letting Go

What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony?

Much time has passed since I started Liz’s Everest, here, on WordPress. Before Covid was even a part of our shared history, I had this website.

Letting go, is making a conscious decision about what to hold onto. It’s a conscious decision to decide what to keep.

So the real question, is not what I am letting go, but what I am keeping. As writing has always been a big part of my life, assisting me in my personal growth, since a young child, I am keeping my writing habit. And therefore, this blog.

What else am I keeping?

I’m keeping my love of Nature, by gardening, and working on living in an ecosystem that supports Native animals and Native plants. And I’m keeping my relationships with friends and family, as these people enrich my life, and give me wise counsel, when I need some direction.

What am I letting go of?

Well, procrastination, for a start, so that I have more time to do my gardening and my writing. And so that I have more time to spend with my loved ones.

What are you consciously keeping?

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What’s happening?

Hi Everyone,

I’ve received some comments asking what is happening on my blog.

Suddenly, there are stories translated into Tagalog, a Filipino language.

This is because I am learning Tagalog and using Liz’s Everest as a place to work out what words mean in this very easy language to learn.

It also means that my blog is accessible to more people. The internet is international.

Don’t worry. I’m still writing stories and posts in English. And I’m still developing my writing skills in my Mother tongue.

I’ve just always wanted to learn a second language and now I’m able to live this dream.

What dreams do you have?