Three Simple Secrets for a Happy Life

From time to time I come across words of inspiration which really strike a chord with me.   The sort of thing that really makes me analyse the way I live my life or respond to those around me.   Mostly,  I keep these thoughts to myself.   I choose to do this because often they involve very personal feelings and moments of critical self analysis.  Even though I like to think of my blog as a place where I can journal my life (warts and all!) - somehow the idea of completely bearing my vulnerability to the entire world is well....... a little awkward to be perfectly honest. In the back of my mind I can also hear Matthew (jokingly) saying to me : "Gee Mum - sounds like you're trying to be Oprah or something!" However,  something I read recently was just so simple and so true that I just had to journal it here.  Not just to share with anyone who might happen to stumble across my ramblings but also so that I can have it for ever more.     My Mantra for Life. It was written by Serge King.  Now I have never heard of Serge King?  However Mr Google tells me that  "Serge King PhD is an author, humanitarian, speaker, scholar and speaker and has published the world's largest selection of books and tapes on Huna, the Polynesian philosophy and practice of effective living, and on the spirit of Aloha, the attitude of love and peace for which the Hawaiian Islands are so famous."   From what I have read,  his philosophy on life seems to be very uncomplicated with a good dose of common sense thrown in for good measure.  In fact, it's a wonder he hasn't got his own television show somewhere in the world!    I just love his Three Simple Simple Secrets for a Happy Life : Bless the present Trust yourself Expect the best   How powerful are those three little statements? Imagine if your lived your life according to them! - Bless the Present In a previous "Oprah" moment (sorry Matthew!) -  I did a posting on "Being Present".   BEING present means that we are aware of the present - not bringing the past in to taint the moment. Not worrying about things that haven't happened yet. Not focusing on how bad things are, because you are too busy blessing this moment as perfect - for whatever reason.  Just because IT IS! ‘Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this moment is life.’ ~Thich Nhat Hanh Anger, resentment, fear, jealousy, disappointment, frustration and other negative emotions are what we bring from the past.   They are not relevant to this moment. The first time I read this little quote - it was like a real lightbulb moment :- "after 3 minutes, whatever happened is in the past and should be let go!"    Yes!  Time to embrace where we are now and put an end to all the negative thoughts of the past and future. BE present and  in being present - be thankful! - Trust Yourself I have always been a big believer in "listening to that little voice" deep inside me.   It was something I also taught my children from when they were very young and over the years they have (individually) related stories to me of how that "little voice" has got them out of some tricky situations.   It's a bit like the stories I used to tell Kendall (when she first got her licence) about the dangers of picking up hitchhikers!   My stories traumatised her so much that I doubt she would even pick ME up if I was stuck by the side of the road with a flat tyre!    Have you ever had a sense of KNOWING something is true or the right thing to do?  It is almost like an intuitive wisdom.  I guess that is what "Trusting Yourself" is all about.   It really is your truth.  It truly is something to treasure. - Expect the Best My dear Mum's favourite saying used to be  "with my luck....," "I'll never win anything".  OR "I'm such a Jonah....nothing works out for me".    Yet, in so many ways she was one of the most positive people I have ever known. There are so many people who succumb to negative thinking.  Goodness knows how it has come about or whether they have been so used to using negative language that they can't break the habit.  Maybe we also only see what we expect to see. How much more uplifting would it be if in every situation, in every person, in every relationship - we expected the best! I'm definitely going to give it a try.  What about you?

So thank you Serge King.  You have given me such a lot to think about and to have it condensed into just 3 simple secrets - quite inspirational.

and yes, dear family (particularly Matthew!).........

I will be back to my regular postings about cushions, and flowers, and gardens and Mickey and Buffy  and other pretty stuff -

but maybe tomorrow......

Brown Paper Packages.....

How I love receiving parcels in the mail!  

The thrill of anticipation as I skipped up the steps of my local Post Office this morning and pressed the little "out of hours" buzzer.    It reminds me of exactly how I used to feel as a small child when my Nan (who lived ALL the way away in Sydney!) would send us parcels for Birthdays and Christmas.  Her parcels were always wrapped in really thick brown paper and tied securely with jute string with a neat little bow at the back.   She had the most beautiful handwriting - a very distinctive backward sloping script with lots of flourishes and scrolls.  The sort of writing that you see these days in vintage manuscripts.

It's amazing how the simple act of collecting a parcel from the Post Office today can evoke such memories of the past. 

So with my Express Post parcel in hand,  I couldn't wait to tear open the plastic.  Easier said than done I must say - Australia Post are not joking when they say these parcels are tamper proof!  

Yah!   What a surprise.....

The gorgeous fabrics I had ordered from the lovely Jody and Simone at Fabric Traders.com.au on Saturday (last weekend - 4 days ago to be exact)  had arrived!   Talk about SUPER FAST delivery.  I am so impressed!

So be honest - ask me "what I did last weekend" and I can tell you most of it was spent pouring over all the amazing fabrics at their fabulous new on line store.    I am absolutely smitten with everything they have and had to seriously stop myself from ordering more.  (Don't get me started on all the trims and bobble braids and oilcloths  - seriously swoon-worthy!)

These little beauties are destined to join my ever increasing cushion collection.  As I have said (more than once I am sure!)  one can NEVER have too many cushions.  I am the Queen of over-cushioning!

Isn't this just Divine!  "Normandy White" by Bernatex.   I can just see this in my bedroom as part of my new blue and white summer look.   (Definitely ordering more!)

And how about this for a definite pop of red -  "Pallazzo Red" by Alexander Henry.  This is a beautiful medium weight fabric has a real feel of quality about it.   I'm thinking maybe some big white buttons and white binding ?

And this would have to be my absolute favourite - "Tres Chic" by Waverly.  Truly fabulous!   Definitely a candidate for some bobble trim or maybe a gorgeous contrast binding?   Love it to bits.  I'm thinking it would make a lovely Christmas gift as well - truly unique.

Thank you so much Jody and Simone.

Your shop is amazing and your service incredible!




and thank you also for the $5 discount coupon you very kindly included with my order -
Guess what I'll be doing this weekend?...

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

In some parts of the world,  the lead up to Christmas is  heralded by a change in the seasons.  

Here in Far North Queensland we have 2 seasons - "the Wet" and "the Dry".  "The Wet" usually runs from Oct/Nov to April and the "Dry" May - September/October.

There is nothing significant to mark the start of the "Wet".  One day it is hot and dry and the next.... it's hot and raining (and raining....and raining!.....).   That simple really. 

So instead of a change in seasons - Mother Nature has devised a cunning plan to alert us to the fact that we are fast approaching the end of the year. 




Just like clockwork - at the beginning of November every year - tiny red specks  begin appearing on the magnificent Poinciana trees here in the Valley and by the end of the month the trees are literally dripping in vibrant red/orange blooms.

When my children were little they used to call them their Christmas trees and used to squeal with excitement to see the footpath covered with petals.  "Look... it's snowing!!!" they would say.  

I must admit, there is something quite magical about seeing all those red "snowflakes" fluttering through the air.....

Although I wish someone could have reminded me to shift the car!

 

PS - A big thank you to Michelle and Melissah for becoming my 51st and 52nd followers!
It constantly amazes me that anyone would find my waffle about everyday life here in the Valley  very exciting - but Yah! there are now 52 of you.  I feel so privileged.

Thank you ALL for popping by and leaving your little comments - it really does mean a lot to me.