Category: Life experience

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Meaning of life

I’m in my middle years of life. Sometimes I wonder why they’re not called the muddle years as life seems to suddenly turn upside down and inside out.

I remember my 30s. Life was ahead of me. My thought was that I was wise now and had years to sort out life.

Once, I was 20. The road ahead glistened with all things new and there was potential everywere.

But I am in my 40s and am a Writer. So there is only one cure… ad that is to write about it.

I can see my next novel now… the plot is as follows:

Character… 40 yo. Desire… Meaning of life… Obstacle… she’s living with a Magical Pumpkin Pie that won’t let her leave…

Anyone else know how to turn this into a meaningful story?

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Neighbours

A brilliant question came through my internet feed this afternoon. It was asking me what three things went well today.

I answered with FOUR reasons why my day went well.

But the best part of the exercise was focusing on what I’m grateful for.

My answers included that I woke up. Many people, each morning, do not.

Then, I mentioned how smoothly my morning disappeared into the afternoon. How I returned home from work to take care of myself and my chores.

Although it was third on my list, spending time with my neighbour was the most important out of all.

This member of the Silent Generation and I, have become fast friends over the years. She has been invaluable and now I have a chance to give back… for her wise counsel, beautiful cooking, and endless cups of tea and conversation.

So… from my own life to yours… just something that may help…

Reach out to your neighbours.

In my experience they are a treasure indeed.

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Babylonian time

Time. It’s a resource we’re always short on. But where did measuring it come from?

The Western method of measuring time, using 60 seconds to a minute, and 60 minutes to an hour, is Babylonian in origin.

This is some trivia I picked up from a documentary. The rationale is that 6 is the lowest number divisable by both an odd and even number.

It’s fascinating how history influences our modern lives.

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Perfectionism

To the average Perfectionist, Perfectionism can hold one back, cause worry, and stop one from achieving.

But I have a simple solution.

Add an Ing at the end of Perfect.

So today, I am Perfecting, my writing.

It’s a way of life, an aspiration, a verb.

So now, Dear Perfectionists, keep doing what you do. Keep Perfecting every aspect of your life.

Perfect!

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Failing

Just to mention this bush fires again… it is still bush fire season here in Australia…I’m just posting this piece I wrote as I helped with the bush fire near my family’s home.

While the bush fire is near, I feel irresponsible, leaving my sister with my nephews alone and with out my support.

So that means I am currently sitting in the lounge room with a 4 month old.

Now one thing I must note. His target at the moment is to learn to crawl.

In the past 30 minutes I have watched his little face screw up in concentration as he pushes his chest up off his baby blanket. To all extents and purposes he is failing.

But do you know what he does?

Every time he’s on that blanket, he tries and tries again.

It’s not failure. It’s a part of his learning process.

So every time I hit a wall, I’m going to follow his example. I’m going to focus on my goal and start working on it again… until I get there.

Are you going to follow a 4 month old baby’s lead too?

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Christmas

As Christmas nears, I bet you’ve been Christmas shopping.

Buying gifts at this time of year is a major part of life. And mostly it is expensive.

It also is an activity that leads to rampant consumerism… and I DON’T like seeing myself as a Consumer.

So a tip to all who are also rebelling against this label.

From a Podcast I recently listened to:

Buy something to wear.
Buy something to read.
And buy something functional.

Merry Christmas and I’ll write to you in the New Year.

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Waiting

How many of us spend our life waiting.

Waiting for a higher paying job. Waiting for the holidays, waiting for the Significant Other?

It’s hard to get this, or at least it has been for me…

But Life is happening NOW!

As we all wait for things to be different, life is not waiting for us to make up our minds or for the right opportunity to announce itself.

So, why are we?

My challenge before the Christmas season and the New Year is to stop waiting.

Get up and make a decision.

Resting is okay… but do not wait.

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Junkie

There’s a new twist on the word “Junkie.”

In many ways I am a Junkie. A Junk Junkie.

Crowding my home are little knick knacks, several pine cones, and some sentimental things to remind me of Nanna.

Oh, and did I mention I love op shops. I love trawling through, looking for little treasures that none but me find attractive.

Sounds like a Junk Junkie to me!!! Self diagnosed!!!

But today, I am proud of myself.

I actually walked into an op shop and out again with only one item stowed away in my shopping bag.

Maybe I’m beginning to join the mini revolution others have started. The swing away from clutter. The swing towards minimalisation and saving the planet by owning a few less pieces of junk, and freeing up some time and wealth for loved ones.

Are you an Op Shop tragic like me? Or are you swinging towards owning less?

Leave your answer in the comments section

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Caring

Recently, I attended a workshop on how to cope when living within an emotionally unstable environment.

The take away lesson for me was this:

Be on the watch out for the Perfectionist.

When caring for yourself or someone else, it’s okay to be unable to fix the problems within the relationship.

People cannot be fixed.

It’s best to accept that you are doing your best, even when the situation isn’t working out.

But if you are seeking perfectionism, then you become a part of the problem.

Relationships are not perfect. They are always changing. Being a Perfectionist just puts you into a state of distress and weakens your ability to respond with love.

So next time I find myself seeking perfectionism, I’m pulling back and saying to myself:

“Good is good enough.”

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Hillville fire

My Nanowrimo has hit a snag.

It’s not writer’s block or lack of discipline.

This morning, my family were relieved to go home. They were lucky they had a home. Over the past 48 hours, a spectacular effort was put in by the Firies of Australia. These are the true heroes of the whole event. Men and women who volunteer their services to be Fire Fighters when the bush fire season are upon us are amazing.

These brave people are not paid a cent for risking their lives in times of fire.

If you’d like to know more about the bush fire my family almost lost their house to, google Hillville Fire. It’s been all over the news.

As I write this, my Dad, also a volunteer firiey is sleeping. He is 78 and worked from 7am to 7pm yesterday with a tiny crew of 3 people, putting out fires.

Most of the volunteer Fire Fighters are over 50 years old.

I suspect more of my posts may be influenced by my experience of the Hillville Fire. There are so many aspects of this event that strike a chord with me.

But today, I’m so proud to be a part of a nation where we have such an effective volunteer force.

Thank you to the volunteer operated Rural Fire Service of New South Wales. You and your interstate colleagues saved my family’s ancestral home.

Thank you indeed.