Category: Life experience

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What do you wish you could do more every day?

The cursor blinked at me. I blinked back.

What would I like to do each day, more than anything? What would I like more of?

To find time to write. That cursor on the screen beckons me to lay down words and structure them into some kind of sense.

Instead, there’s work to pay my bills, and chores. And people. These take up time. One cannot schedule unexpected visitors. I love them dearly, though.

Gardening, cooking, sewing. These are necessary tasks. But they are not writing.

So when I get time for lunch, today at work, I will write. Because that will be my chance.

Just start, for those of you who crave time to follow your passion. Ten Minutes, thirty minutes. Just start.

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Work Sounds

What do you listen to while you work?

My job is a hands job, not a head work career. This means that while I’m creating new plants or doing other labour, my mind is free to roam around the universe,  as it feels fit.

In order to tame and tether my curious mind, I listen to podcasts and audio books.

These audio bites, I download from my local educational radio station and from the library.

At the moment, due to my desire to write better content, I’m targeting memoirs and autobiographies by well known and published Writers. 

All sorts of content grab my attention on my radio station. I love this radio network as there is always something interesting to learn.

Who else loves radio?

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Impatience

What is one word that describes you?

One word that describes me is impatient. I’m a very impatient person, wanting everything done yesterday. Unfortunately,  I am also my own victim to this irrationality.

Why?

I’m not just a Writer and Author.

I love nature and being in my garden. This means I love photographing and drawing nature, and yes, sometimes I even write about nature.

Music is another hobby. I love to play the piano and am teaching myself the Recorder.

Cooking and sewing are other hobbies I dabble in.

There’s so much to do!

No wonder I’m so impatient.

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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.