Old friends

I've met some great people in life that no matter how long the time or how far the distance have remained good friends. A now really good friend of mine, who I met when I first moved to the states, was there for me when my mum became ill and finally passed. They were just there, did not intrude and just listened. We hadn't spoken for a long time and yesterday when driving home they reached out with a simple text "You alive?" Immediately I smiled and rather than just text some off the cuff message I called.... We spoke for about an hour and it was as if we just picked up where we left off. 

Few things have such a huge impact on happiness in life like friendship does. And all good friends strive to be a source of love and support.Whether you are celebrating or consoling about bumps in the road of life you can alwys rely on good friends to be there for you.

C.S. Lewis once wrote "Friendship is unecessary, like philosophy, like art....It also has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that gives value to survival."

Sunday mornings

Ever since I was a little kid Sunday mornings were the best. It wasn't about it being a day of rest, more it was a day for the family. I still remember my dad would be up early and my mum would get up and then rally us for church. Dad always used the excuse that he would worship from afar and say that it didn't matter where you did your worshipping while mum tried desperately to keep us kids in order and not to stray the way my dad had.....

After church was the great we would come home and get changed and then it was off to help my dad. I would often find him up a ladder or doing yard work. He would never be idle. 

As I grew up these were the times that I found to be almost perfect. Mum would be cooking sunday lunch and dad would be out pottering and his faithful labradors and son would be right next to him. It was just something that we did on Sundays. As I grew older I realized that these were the best of times and I would and could never get these times back.

Nowadays I sit and lament about these times, reminiscing about mum's Sunday roast or Dad making me hold the ladder for him as he dropped leaves or branches on my head. It was our time.....

Sunday's for me now are still restful but have taken on a new meaning. Being single, I have learnt over time that the me time is just as important as the family time. It is my day and I prioritize me no matter what. I realize now after all these years what my parents were trying to teach. If you don't have family then you make the best of what you've got. 

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

Dr Seuss

Roaming

 Last year, before Coronavirus entered the western world and gave us a new normal, I was lucky enough to go travel to New York for the first time. It was big, bold and beautiful. The place was as described but more. I think for the entire time I was like a deer in the headlights as I had not lived in a large city for a very longtime and I had never seen anything like this. Anyway, just a few pictures from my time there. Excuse the black and white, I was experimenting.....

 

Challenging times

 Something I read this week reminded me that from time to time you face challenges in life. For me it has always been about how you conduct yourself while challenged and how you respond to the challenge that is paramount. Keeping to your values and the code that you live by is important as this is your hardwiring....

So remember;

1. Everything can and will change

2. You've overcome challenges before

3. It's a learning experience

4. Not getting what you want can be a blessing

5. Allow yourself to have some breathing time

6. Being kind to yourself is the best medicine

7. Other peoples negativity is not worth worrying about

8. There is always something to be thankful for 

Privileged enough to have seen one of the seven wonders of the world....Puts everything in perspective.

Growing

When I read this this morning It resonated with me. It reminded me that we are constantly changing and constantly being challenged in life. It depends on your mindset as to how you view or respond to these changes and challenges in life. Contine to grow and become the person who you were created to be..... 

Me: Hey God.

God: Hello...

Me: I'm falling apart. Can you help put me back together?

God: I would rather not.

Me: Why?

God: Because you aren't a puzzle.

Me: What about all of the pieces of my life that are falling down onto the ground?

God: Let them stay there for a while. They fell off for a reason. Take some time and decide if you need any of those pieces back.

Me: You don't understand!I'm breaking down!

God: No - you don't understand. You are breaking through. What you are feeling are just growing pains. You are shedding the things and the people in your life that are holding you back. You aren't falling apart. You are falling into place. Relax. Take some deep breaths and allow those things you don't need anymore to fall off of you. Quit holding onto pieces that don't fit you anymore. Let them fall off. Let them go. 

Me: Once I start doing that, what will be left of me?

God: Only the best pieces of you.

Me: I'm scared of changing.

God: I keep telling you - You aren't changing!! You are becoming!

Me: Becoming who?

God: Becoming who I created you to be! A person of light, love, charity, hope, courage, joy, mercy, grace and compassion. I made you for more than the shallow pieces you have decided to adorn yourself with that you cling to with such greed and fear. Let those things fall off of you. I love you! Don't change! Become! Become who I made you to be. I'm going to keep telling you this until you remember it. 

Me: There goes another piece.

God: Yep. Let it be.

Me: So...I'm not broken?

God: Of course not! - but you are breaking like the dawn. It's a new day. Become !!!

Author John Roedel