Category: Life experience

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Fitting in fitness

How can you build a regular fitness routine?

An easy way to fit fitness into a busy life, is to do ten minute exercises, through out the day.

Easy upper body exercises include raising the arms to shoulder height. I do about 50 reps, but hope to increase this, as I get fitter.

Arms out to the side 50 times

Arms in front 50 times

Arm curls 50 times

And then, if I am home, I lie on my back and do 200 bicycles. This firms up leg muscles, involves cardio, and firms up stomach muscles.

Bicycles involve pretending you are on a push bike and you are pedalling, but in the air.

There are numerous other ten minute exercises available on the internet.

Why not do a Google search and discover more easy exercises?

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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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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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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?

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Bookaholic

What books do you want to read?

There is an old cliche I’d like to use against my better judgement.

So many books, so little time…

My home is littered with many genres, authors, and titles, some read. And many not.

They gather in bookshelves and crowd on tables, some with a bookmark betraying my half finished literary meal.

No particular book is more alluring than the others. My appetite is not fussy.

But also competing with the written word are audio books.

Audio books are my latest way to consume my Beloved texts.

With hands in soapy water, I can wash up while absorbing stories. Or I can knit, make the bed, tidy, drive even…all while relishing the latest best-sellers.

So, there is no solitary book I’d like to read. I want to read them all.