09 Sunday Aug 2015
This article explains the first half of my holiday. A noisy brain, internal rules about what I “should do” instead of what I needed to do. I particularly like the point on rest not just being physical – and slthough difficult, stopping the mental, spiritual and emotional angst/business is necessary.
I intend to be more mindful of my negative inner talk and reverse it for the second half of my time away.
The Underappreciation of Rest in Today’s Society.
03 Wednesday Oct 2012
I’ve been feeling under the weather for a while now. Just when I think I’ve got the dreaded lurgy licked, it’s back with a vengeance. Given the fab fruit coming into season in the Aussie summer now – this bug has no chance! Fresh juice to drink, use to do my soaked muesli, add to yoghurt and glasses of water to keep hydrated. I’ve got vitamin c coming out the wazoo at the moment.
28 Monday May 2012
For those playing along, I’m wending my way through the maze that is home ownership. What a stress-filled time it is. I’m certainly learning a lot about what people are comfortable with – and what I’m not comfortable with. The biggest shock of late has been the barefaced bluff made by real estate agents – even in answer to my direct questions. It’s quite confronting for me to have someone persist in fudging vague information about something when I’m standing there looking at it. Unbelievable. Weak. Entirely unimpressive.
28 Monday May 2012
Quite a bit of synchronicity around at the moment. All of it is pointing to the need to start looking after myself. No-one else is going to do it for me, right? Reminders are coming through the lives of friends and family, workmates too. Slow down. Nothing, NOTHING, is more important than health. Not a half hour of flex time being saved, not getting the early bus, not “doing everything that needs doing”.
I think that’s the lesson for me. The only person who sets the rules that start with “I have to…” is me. I can let things go – but I should never let go me. My time to stop, rest, sleep, eat properly and exercise is not less important.
26 Saturday May 2012
A salute to Jeremy Piven for this photo. Ain’t it the truth though? “Oh woe is me” has never been so prevalent…First World Problems they’re called. Where’s our sense of perspective gone? Have we forgotten where we come from? We grew up in houses – not in mud huts. We were dry and clean and warm. Do we not look at those around us – all struggling with problems of their own – or do we look straight through them?
I refuse to believe Australia is getting to the point where everyone who has more “haves” than “nots” doesn’t give a stuff until it’s them that loses out. There’s a lot of community spirit around, I see it everyday. I’ve been in workplaces where it’s the lowest paid members of staff who always “bring a plate” to celebrate life’s milestones. I’ve been in workplaces where the top dog earning nearly $200k a year can’t put a bottle of plonk on the table – because the tank in his beemer is nearly empty.
What’s the minimum you need? A roof, a job to pay for it and you and your family healthy. Period.
20 Sunday May 2012
I love family get togethers. My family gathers for a meal every fortnight to catch up and share what’s going on. It’s not a long amount of time, given the travel distances, but it’s a good time. It’s so we can all connect in to each others lives. Otherwise, we get too busy with all the “have to do” to really know how each other is going. It’s not enough to just trust they’ll tell you if they need something.
04 Friday May 2012
It’s been a long week. I didn’t even realise until yesterday that this weekend is a long with the Monday a public holiday for … Labor Day? Ironic really, given the result of the state election held last month. Labor Day reminds me of the story of the traveller who stopped at the tree in the outback – the one with the $5m art installation and shed build around it. $5m for that but the locals don’t have a dentist. Says everything really.
10 Tuesday Apr 2012
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Is there an age at which you stop fluctuating between happy and sad? Does the pendulum swing with less umph as you get older? The times I feel happiest (or at least quietly accept the moments of low) are when I don’t care about how I feel. Weird, huh.
At what point do you not doubt yourself? I always figured that would be when I was grown up, but the doubts are still there. The fleeting grasp I seem to have on a reliable resilience has me stuffed. I’m strong. I’m educated. I have moved countries. I have travelled alone. I have walked away from jobs that others called a “career”. I’m clear about what I will and won’t put up with, so where’s the fear coming from exactly?
At this point, I can at least note when it’s happening. I have this weird out of body conversation with self thing happening. I know I’m feeling like I want to walk away, but I stand there and stay in the moment a bit longer to see what happens…which is nothing. No tragedy. No drama. Nothing bad really – it’s all in my head. A weird work in progress. I am my own wacky experiment, I’m just not sure if I’m Jeckyll or Hyde.
24 Saturday Mar 2012
Well that is quite some outcome. Today, the Queensland Labor Party has been annihilated.
I love election days. I don’t like the campaigning, the speeches, the debates (if they happen) or the gazillion media opportunities splashed in front of me. I don’t trust them.
But I like voting. I like having my say. For my reasons that I don’t have to tell anyone, but I believe are reasonable and honest for me.
That’s what women handcuffed themselves to gates and got arrested for. That’s what they marched and picketed for. So that my voice would be heard as an equal one amongst the many. A lot of countries don’t let women vote. I am fortunate – and ever mindful and grateful for living in a country that does value my voice.
04 Sunday Mar 2012
The challenge – should I choose to accept it (and I do) – is to maintain the rage against self-absorbed crazy-makers, energy sappers, suited wankers, ditzy dipsticks, drama queens and lazy bastards.
My life, my balance, my wants, my will.
I WILL win.
04 Sunday Mar 2012
My time:-
– in a safe place
– with no computers
– surrounded by supportive people
– walking amongst natural beauty
– in silence
– massaged
– cooked for
– taught new things
– and reinforcing old knowledge
– relaxing
– reading
– sleeping
– balancing.
Time out for me.
