Inspiration

Inspiration comes in many forms and yesterday my brother blew me away with his beautiful poem- (see post).

 I have also had the JOY of sharing a few days with an inpirational lady, my friend Darlene.  I met Darlene through her blog 'My Life for a year' and have followed her journey.  Getting to know someone who walks her talk and gives so willingly of her experiences and her knowledge is such a great blessing in my life.

When Darlene told me she was coming to Australia, I was so excited that we might meet in person and having her stay with me for the past few days has enriched my life.  Her genuine love and open kindness is such a gift to all and I know that as she journeys back to Canada, she will be embarking on a path that will bless and teach all that she comes into contact with.

Thank you to both of you (Ian, my brother and Darlene, my friend) for 'inspiring' me.

I have written a poem called 'Healing in Light' - it is in the form of a Ghazal (an old persian style of poetry, that has strict rules and forms, with repetition and rhyme. Also required at the end is a signature of the author - can you spot my last name Adair in the final couplet.)  Hope it inspires YOU!

Healing in Light

Stepping out of darkness, escaping the pain—healing in light

Wanting to know more, needing to gain—healing in light

Years of anger, years of hate, years of yearning, years to date

 Learning now with courage it’s time to abstain—healing in light

Fear will conquer all, in the darkness of the night, bring out the candle

Bring out the light, and face the mirror image of the refrain—healing in light

Sing out loud, sing off-key or in tune, sing a song, sing the rune

Hear the music, hear the spirit, sing and stay sane —healing in light

Ghosts of past will dissipate, you’ll learn to trust and love, flying high in Spirit

with Angels and with Doves. Faces marked with tearstain—healing in light

Add your dreams and wishes; air your goals out loud

Shout and call, complain and feign or—heal in light.

BLOG REQUEST

Hi everyone,

Vesta has been on strike and neglected.  Reasons - hmm - not sure!

Have enjoyed a wonderful Easter weekend - blog and (almost) Facebook Free and away from the pressures of writing, but I must admit have struggled with inspiration. Also, I guess, I am not sure who is reading of if anyone is even interested anymore.

But . . . here is an update.

The Creators is finished - ready to be sent off the the Publishers next week - doubts and concerns have rushed in, but am still going to send it off.

Life has been busy with children over the holidays and I am been adicted to the entire series of The West Wing - Ivan and I finally finished Season 7 last night - that is all 154 episodes. Just wonderful.

Other than that life is good - will try and get back into the swing of things and writing regularly - so stayed tuned or tune in again.

Lessons from my child

My beautiful Sarah has been working really hard on her issues with self-esteem and anxiety and this morning she showed me one of her ideas. I am blown away with the creativity and intuition of this beautiful young woman.

 Sarah has covered her cupboard doors with heart-shape sticky-notes. These all have messages on them for her.  Everyday she will take something that someone has said or she has experienced that has hurt her and tear it up and throw it away (these are the yellow hearts).  And the pink hearts are filled with inspirational and uplifting suggestions to make her day better.

 When all the yellow are gone - she will have slayed her 'worry monster'

 This is just one of her wonderful ideas to uplift her day. 

Sarah you inspire me with your wisdom.

54 Years Working



Matthew - 18; Elizabeth - 22 & Sarah - 14

I am serving my notice after 54 years of hard work - it is a minimum of a 4 year notice period, but I have tendered my resignation and beginning the final 4 years of service in my 58-60 year working life.

Now many of you  may not have any idea what I am talking about, but today I figured out the following - I have been mothering my children for a total of 54 years.  Elizabeth for 22, Matthew for 18 and Sarah for 14.  Each of them has been a full-time job and I have dedicated all my love, time and energy to them, keeping only what I have left over for myself.  

It has been a wonderful job, the pay stinks; but the rewards have been amazing.  I have seen growth and development in all of them, and pay day may not have been in cold hard cash but smiles, hugs and words like 'I love you Mummy' are worth more than all the gold in the world.

So, why am I resigning?  Well I realised today, that unless I resign at some stage, my company (children) will stagnate. They cannot grow and take over their own leadership roles, while I remain working for them.

It is a long-term resignation as I have said - at least a 4 year programme, but today I start the process.  I need re-training, but I am looking so forward to retirement.

Aahaa Moment!

Why do things happen the way they do?  I have been trying to find a solution to a family issue and have been looking in all the wrong places - and then today someone suggested that I don't make it my issue. I let it be and stop trying to solve it.

I am a 'fixer' I didn't realise how much until even in a general conversation I found myself suggesting solutions for others, when it really wasn't needed.  Now I wonder why I do it - most likely because I suffer from the 'Mother-Guilt' complex!

I also listened and heard a simple sentence - "It takes 2 people to argue" - silence solves all!  I immediately said "Wow you are right, I can just say 'I am not going to discuss this'" and then I realised that even that was an explanation and a discussion in itself.  I don't have to feel guilty, I don't have to participate, I don't have to do it anymore.

I am the Boss!  My life is mine to live, mine to enjoy and mine to control.  I don't have to do anything for anyone else, unless I choose to.  I am not being mean in this statement or even selfish - I am just learning to live my life. 

So away with the guilt, away with the explanations and away with the negotiations.  I am going to set some boundaires - Wish me luck!

P.S.  Thank you all for your wonderful support - am feeling a little better. Each day is a new step along the road to recovery and I have found a tiny bubble of hope and light inside today.

P.P.S  Wish me luck to make these changes last.

2012 and a 12 month layout

 My 12 month layout - Tonight I felt drawn to do a 12 month reading for the year ahead. The first card that I drew as the over-arching theme for the year is the one below - Writing.

Okay Angels - I get the message.

It is an interesting mix of messages that I have drawn, but all appear to follow a theme of sharing, teaching, and fulfilling all the goals and dreams that I want in my life - what an affirmation. The cards also all appear to be mostly focused on Creative and Healing arts - my passions. I feel so positive about the layout and the year ahead.

So here they are - all drawn from Doreen Virtue's Life Purpose Oracle Card Deck

January - Options
February - Creative Expression
March - Counseling
April - Children
May - Career Change
June - Heart's Desire
July - Healer
August - Infinite Abundance
September - Crystals
October - Leadership
November - Nutrition
December - Music

So the message for January is: Consider the career possibilites that are open to you.

Breakdown is the beginning of Breakthrough (Matthew Ferry)

Tonight I ran out of energy and the smallest thing that normally I would blow-up about caused me to breakdown.

I have the most amazing children, they help me so much.  When I think that at age 21, 17 and 13 they treat the world with respect, are polite, funny and gentle kind people - I swell with joy & pride.  BUT, like all kids, they sometimes just don't manage to do what they are asked - well at least not as well as Mum would like.

Tonight it was Matthew's turn - I had asked him to clean the pool - he had done it, but not really well enough and as I stood re-doing his chore, I ran out of energy.  I was angry, tired and had no idea where to turn.  I kept my cool however, finished the chore and then went inside to make my bed (had washed my sheets today).  I went to the linen cupboard to find fresh sheets and because, I have been working so hard, I hadn't got around to sorting it out and tidying it up.  I tried to find a set, and ended up losing it and pulling out every single sheet, towel, table-cloth in the cupboard and boy oh boy - I have a lot of linen.

I began to cry and cry and cry and cry.  I refused to talk to Matthew, to Sarah, to Elizabeth and eventually Sarah fetched my Mum.  Sometimes, that is all a girl needs  - a hug from her Mum.

So back to the title of my post - "Breakdown is the beginning of Breakthrough" 

I have been listening to Matthew Ferry and 'Ridiculous Bliss' and he is inspiring.  Tonight I experienced the breakdown and a few hours later I have the breakthrough. I needed to cry, to explode and let go all the tiredness and frustration; so that I can go on.

This has been a long post, and if you have reached this point you will know that I am fine.  I have had my tears, made friends with my beautiful son, taken my daughters to the supermarket to buy some yummy comfort food (chocolates and ice-cream) and am about to head to bed.

I wish you all the joy and the success of finding your break-through from any breakdown that you experience.

Hugs
Beverly

M.E.D.S.

Have you taken your MEDS today?

I have been listening to a new audio series by Guy Ferry called 'Ridiculous Bliss' - it is funny and inspiring and one of his ideas that struck a chord that I thought I would share is that we should take our MEDS daily.

Now what does it stand for - well M - Meditation; E- Exercise; D - Diet; S - Sleep.

Well if all those things are working well, then you probably are experiencing Blissful happiness.  Most of us in the Western world, don't do so well on at least one of those if not all of them.

He also talks about the 'Drunken Monkey' - this is the mind chatter that lives in our head and is a leftover relic from our days of 'survival mode' - in other words situations are dangerous, so we should fight or flight. 

Most of you reading this blog have long passed survival mode - you are in improvement mode, but still the Drunken Monkey keeps working.  If someone annoys you in a traffic jam, then your Drunken Monkey comes out and attacks, if someone is mean to you then your Drunken Monkey tells you to flee.  Isn't it an interesting thought that if we think of our thoughts and behaviours as those of a Drunken Monkey who is just trying to help us survive - then maybe we will view the world in a different way. 

I will try and share more of this idea tomorrow or in another post.  If you are interested in learning more from Guy Ferry yourself, go ahead - his series is called Achieving Ridiculous Bliss and is really funny and interesting as well as informative.

Weekend away in Sydney

World famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

My lovely friend Michelle and I, met up for a weekend of Inspiration at the "I can do It!" conference in Sydney.

My arms weren't quite long enough for a great photo, but here we are enjoying our Friday afternoon doing the tourist thing in Sydney. We had a harbour cruise, a ride on a mini-train around Darling harbour, took a trip on the mono-rail and rode the Ferris Wheel (more photos to come).

It was great to be away from home and responsibilites and just relax together.

Thanks Michelle!

The Ten Commandments

1. Thou shalt not be perfect or even try to be.
Realistic expectations only

2. Thou shalt not try to be all things to all people.
Save some time for yourself.

3. Thou shalt leave leave things undone sometimes.

4. Thou shalt not spread yourself too thin.

5. Thou shalt learn to say "no".
You can say "no" gently and with respect.

6. Thou shalt make time for yourself and your support network.
Supported people live longer and happier lives.

7. Thou shalt switch off and do nothing.
Yes, nothing! - regularly.

8. Thou shalt be boring, untidy, inelegant and unattractive at times - it is okay.

9. Thou shalt not feel guilty.

10. Thou shalt not be thine own worst enemy - be gentle, kind and loving to yourself.

What a girl!

My amazing daughter Sarah received an envelope at school today regarding School presentation night. When I picked her up we opened it and these are the opening sentences:

Dear Sarah,

I have great pleasure in informing you that you are to receive the following awards on Presentation Night:

Mavis Reath Awards for Literature - Years 4, 5 & 6 Poetry
and
Mavis Reath Awards for Literature - Years 4, 5 & 6 Short Story.

My talented girl has won not only the poetry award, but also the short story award, which had to be 400 words or less (Sarah's was exactly 400 words). She entered her poem 'Circus' and her short story 'The Picture'. These competitions are judged not by the class teachers, but by a recognised poet and writer. So this achievement in winning both categories is even more impressive.

Sarah I am so proud of you. Your creative talent is amazing. Well done! See below for the poem and story.

Circus
by Sarah Adair 6S

Red and white stripes of the Big Top
Jumping, catching, flying, landing
Acrobats on wires, large trampoline
Flexible people want to be seen.

Lion tamers, elephant riders
Little French poodles riding bikes
Candyfloss, popcorn, peanuts and more
Everything you can buy from the stall.

The Ringmaster calls in the clowns
Funny faces, big floppy shoes
Smiles painted on chalky lips
I love the circus and all its tricks.

Droopy eyes in the car
Dreaming of being a circus star.



The Painting.
By Sarah Adair 6S


A light stroke of a paintbrush is all it takes to bring a painting to life. The dots and lines covered the canvas in rich, earthy reds and browns. The people that stood before the famous piece of art in the gallery didn’t understand the new painting.
“I don’t understand why the artist painted such a little kangaroo?”
“It doesn’t even seem to belong in the painting.”
The little kangaroo felt even smaller and sadder as he heard these comments.
“Five minutes to closing time,” the speaker crackled.
The little kangaroo watched the people leave the gallery and the lights slowly dim.

A sigh crept around the gallery as all the figures stretched and groaned.
“I hate posing all day for those art critic snobs” said Lisa Mona.
“That’s not a smile, well what would they know” said The Scream.
“Well at least they don’t call you small” said the tiny kangaroo.
“Hush Junior, don’t talk to strangers” said the sun, peeking from behind Uluru. “We are far from home in this cold, wet land. Don’t annoy the locals.”

“Locals, who are you calling locals?” screeched The Scream.
“I don’t know why they have let dotted riff-raff into the Louvre” whispered Lisa Mona.
Everyone leaned out of their frames to peer at the strange foreign painting that now hung in the gallery. Junior tried to hop behind the big mountain, but fell out of his frame.
“Ha, ha, ha,” laughed The Scream.

Poor Junior felt sadder than ever, he was so far away from Australia and all alone in this new place.
“Don’t listen to them,” said Vinnie Gogh, “I don’t.”
Junior decided explore to escape the comments that made him feel small. Hopping from room to room, he met many famous sculptures and paintings. Some were very friendly and some were just plain rude.
Junior realised that he had been hung with some very special paintings and started to feel a lot bigger and more important.
Junior wandered back to his painting.
“Oh look Spotty’s back,” snickered The Scream and Lisa Mona.
Vinnie Gogh said, “Leave him alone, he is far more important than you think. He represents his whole country. We are all from here.”
Suddenly, Junior felt a whole lot bigger and better. He hopped back into his painting as the sun lit the gallery.
“Thank you,” he whispered before the visitors came to stand before him once more.

An Angel's Gift.

First of all this is not the best photo in the world and a better one will be up soon, but I need to get this out to the world immediately.

My amazingly talented youngest child has once more blown me away, with her amazing gifts. My Mom has been teaching Sarah to do a little pyrography (wood burning) and Sarah decided that because I love Angels so much she would do one for me for Christmas.

Over the holidays (when I was away) she found this picture on the Internet and traced it onto the wood. Then things got in the way and she left it. Today she had some time with Granny and Grandad (she has been home with a sore throat) and decided to 'have a go at Mommy's Angel.'

Well not only did she have a go, but has produced this MAGNIFICENT GIFT. The detail and beauty of her talent is wonderful and I am blessed by my child who gave it to me tonight. I want to boast to the world of her talent, but will restrain myself to sharing on my Blog.

What makes us laugh?

In response to my post yesterday, Michelle made the comment that she finds it hard to laugh. It really got me thinking about how much I do laugh and what I laugh at.

My son is the person in my life who makes me laugh the most. He has a very quick-witted sense of humour. He finds something funny about almost every situation and sometimes it is inappropriate, but I still find it really funny and have to harness in my natural desire to laugh and play the parenting role.

Yesterday we were driving home together and a large truck pulled into the Garden centre in front of us. Matthew commented that they looked sinister and were probably carrying something dangerous. My reply was: "Probably grass!" His reply: "No weed" My reply "No pot/s", his reply they probably have "crack in them". And so the two of us giggled and laughed for a few minutes. Bonding in a way that I thank God for every single day.

I love laughter, it cleans my insides! It is hard to worry about things when a real laugh takes hold. I love clever humour and fun. So laugh everyday, find something funny, a joke, a song, or maybe a silly comment. Just Laugh!

Waiting for News

I have been inspired to write today about a friend who is 'waiting for news.'
My new Blog friend Darlene is waiting for some health news and today posted an inspirational Blog called IF. She commented that 'If' the news was not good she would live her life, like she was dying - but not recklessly; and continue to treat people the way she wanted to be treated.
And if the news was good, she would do her happy dance and pretty much live the life she was planning to live if she was dying.

This made me think, that if we were told today that we only had a certain number of days to live, what would we change? It made me think that this is how we should live our lives everyday, because even though we may have years, months or even days to live - each day should be lived like it is our last.

I believe with all my heart that at the end of each day, I should go to bed and know that if I did not wake in the morning, I would be satisfied that I had lived my life to the very best. Made mistakes along the way, but lived. Tried my best and lived. Enjoyed each and every gift and faced each and every challenge with grit and determination. Treated all those I love with respect and honesty and all those I don't know or don't like just the same.

To my friend Darlene, I wish you well, I hope your results are positive and healthy and I am proud to be able to say I have a Canadian Blog Friend - Eh!

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

My beautiful husband gave me this wonderful card and the final season of our favourite comedy series 'The Vicar of Dibley!' He surprised me as we have seldom celebrated Valentine's Day over the past 20 years, deciding that the commercial hype took away the meaning for us both and yet, my heart swelled with love when I read his words and opened my gift. Maybe the meaning of Valentine's Day is the LOVE that inspires us to spend money on all the commercial hype.

My favourite colour and today on Valentine's day I have the joy of wearing a new purple top and feeling happy and colourful. My lovely Sarah took this photo of me, saying : "Mom you look spectacular" How is that for a wonderful comment from your daughter.

So whatever colour you love, red for Valentine's day or purple for Love, I wish you LOVE, JOY AND HAPPINESS this February 14th.

What makes me proud?

I have been very blessed in my life by my amazing children. Each of them is uniquely gifted and have provided me with so many opportunities to reflect on the blessing that they bring to my life.

As an expectant mother, I always knew that I would love the child that I carried, but I never knew that I would be so proud of them. I did not think that I would look at them as individual human beings and be honoured to not only know them, but to be able to claim kinship with them.

Today it is Matthew's turn to make me proud. It all started last year, when one Sunday night he informed me that he needed to write a speech. I flipped as I thought he had forgotten a homework assignment. As it turned out, he needed to write and deliver his speech as part of his application for the position of Middle School Captain.

Matthew's speech was amazing, it was filled with humour and delight and he managed to deliver it in the most amazing manner. He had staff and students in the palm of his hand and outshone so many of the other candidates. Voting took place and after a very long wait, he found out at the end of last year that he had achieved the honour of Captain.

Today was his official induction into the position and during a lovely ceremony he spoke with eloquence and confidence, giving his oath of office, smoothly without even referring to the paper provided.

Our family is so proud of this amazing young man, he is on the verge of adulthood and carries himself with dignity and maturity. He has also managed to retain his wonderful sense of humour and also just be our Matthew.

I am proud of my son for giving something a go! For deciding to make a difference, not by moaning about the situation, but by standing for election and deciding to be the School Captain that he wants to be.

I am proud to be his Mom, well done Matthew, I love you.

The Joy of Handmade

Today Elizabeth and I shared the 'joy' of sewing a handmade apron!

As a young girl I learned to sew, first at Girl Guides, learning to sew on buttons that even the Troupe Leader could not pull off, then from Mom as she made me clothes and also at school. In home economics I learnt to make a dress, zipper and all and even got to parade it at the Home Economics showcase. I remember clearly getting my very first pair of high-heel shoes to wear with it - I was just 13 years old.

As I got older I tackled some amazing projects, making myself tailored jackets and trousers, tops, skirts and even amazing evening dresses. When the children were little I sewed for them making them some favourite tracksuits. Time however, grew short as our lives got busier. Clothes became cheaper to buy than to make and I found new and wonderful hobbies to keep me busy.

The sad part of this shift, was that I forgot to teach my three lovely children, especially my girls to sew. Elizabeth won the Home Economics prize at school, despite my lack of attention, but the sewing bug did not really bite until a couple of weeks ago.

This year I made two Christmas aprons as gifts and Elizabeth was enthralled. She picked out her own material and today the two of us sat down together. I bought an identical one to hers, as my old one is looking very sad and faded. My idea was that I would do every step on mine and she could copy. It turned out wonderfully!

We had two hours together of Mother-Daughter time, laughing and chatting, teaching and learning and the end result is an amazing young lady in a beautiful Christmas apron.

The smile says it all!

Cuddle time - not computer time.

My beautiful daughter Sarah has just walked into the computer room and wanted a cuddle. Now I get very little time on the computer, as Matthew is always wanting to play games or maybe Sarah, so these mornings as I sit and Blog are very important to me. Normally I get up extra early to enjoy the peace and quiet before anyone wakes, to allow my thoughts to roam and be creative, sometimes writing poetry, answering emails, or just writing Blog posts. I love this time of morning when I can be alone without the demands of being wife, housekeeper and mother.

She stood with her arms out and I immediately said "Sweetheart I have given you a cuddle already - this is my computer time" to which she replied "Well Mom, I am interrupting your computer time for some cuddle time."

Wow! It hit me! I was turning down my beautiful little girl's cuddle to commune with a keyboard and screen. I swung the chair around as quick as I could, held out my arms and wrapped them around the most precious thing in the world, my little girl.

I know that there will come a time when she is too busy or maybe to far away to reach out her arms for me to cuddle her. One day there may be someone else in her life that she will reach out to, for comfort or with who she will share her joys and tears.

So I realised in that brief split second that I am going to reach out and cuddle each and everyone of my children as often and as long as they need and then add a whole lot more cuddles just for me.

The lesson that I have learnt this morning as I sat here wondering what 'inspirational' message to pass onto the world is that there is always time for a cuddle. It will not be the amazing 'poem' that I have written that Sarah will remember, or the fantastic Blog post, it will be all the cuddles and the knowledge that I never turned her down.

Do you take time to cuddle your loved ones? I guess it will only take a second or two, or do you do the dishes, answer the phone, watch TV or work/play on your computer?

Take the time for a cuddle today - both parties will walk away renewed.

Beverly

Attitude of Gratitude for 2009

A very good friend of mine "Angel Julie" sent me an email a couple of days ago that has completely inspired me. She had read an article in which a lady described her "Blissings!" - no the spelling is not wrong! These are her moments of bliss and her blessings combined - see the quote below:

"As part of a personal project to improve my 'attitude of gratitude' I took a photo every day for a year of something I was thankful for. At the end of the year I compiled the collection into a photo book for my children. I'm now into my second year - it had become addictive"

WOW! For everyone who knows me, this is totally up my alleyway. I love my photography, love my memory albums and for years I have worked on an inner project of finding something to be grateful for each and everyday.

So for 2009, I am starting an "Attitude of Gratitude" album. I am ordering a very simple slip-in type album from Creative Memories, called a Picfolio expandable album that holds 5 photos per page, or 4 photos and a journalling box and each day I am going to write my gratitude journal on the pretty journalling box, take a photo of something that I am grateful for; something that makes me laugh or smile or something that brings me joy.

At the end of next year, I will own an "Attitude of Gratitude Album" a keepsake of 365 wonderful moments in my life, that will reflect the joy of being alive, all my blessings and allow me to let go the difficult/problem/worries of the world. Help me to share the 'blissings' that we all have.

I would like to challenge all the readers of my Blog to share in this wonderful idea! Imagine what a world we can create if everyone let go the negatives, let go hate and brought into the world, peace and harmony. Start with your own family, share the message with friends and strangers and as you take your daily photos, share your gratitude for the wonderful life you have and live.

Remember today is also "Pay it forward Tuesday" - share the joy today. Send a friend or stranger a card or an email message, telling them how much you appreciate them. Tell them to "Pay it forward", so we can share the Joy of living.

Beverly

Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Turkey! This year we have followed some of the wonderful traditions that we learnt while living in the USA. First of all we had Halloween and this weekend we celebrated Thanksgiving. It was really just an excuse to have a Turkey with Stuffing and remember all the things we are thankful for.

Firstly I am thankful for the wonderful man in the photos above. His love and his care of me and his family is something for which I am grateful everyday. For nearly 20 years he has loved and cared for me and I am most 'thankful' for Ivan.

We spent most of the day decorating our tree and the house and now it is 'beginning to look a lot like Christmas!'. This is my 'most favourite' time of the year and for this I am truly thankful. I love the spirit of Christmas. The times we lie in the dark looking at the tree, listening to Christmas music and sharing time together as a family. Of course Christmas day is my 'bestest, most favourite' day of the whole year.

The next thing that I am truly 'thankful for' is that my Dad (who went into hospital yesterday with severe chest pains) appears to be doing okay. I am thankful for the nurses, doctors and all the staff who have looked after him so well. Hopefully they will now do some tests and find out what is causing the problems.

Although I am thankful for many things this year, the most important things are my wonderful family (especially my beautiful children); my special friends and for all the peace and joy that I have in my life.

Take some time today to find some of the things you are thankful for, it is amazing when you take the time to just acknowledge them out loud, how many you can find.