Perspective

Perspective is an amazing thing ...

It is a thing required by artists, such as photographers, painters and architects. But perspective is also a thing that normal, every-day people require too -- we just don't always know it.

Whilst some people dwell on whether their outfit makes them look fat or not, whether their hair is too frizzy or dull, or whether their house is perfect like in magazines ... others dwell on whether they will be able to feed their family, whether they will find the strength to get out of bed because of depression, or whether they will survive the beating or verbal abuse likely to come their way.

However, perspective can be elusive. Often it is gained once a struggle or difficulty has been surpassed -- such that one can look back over recent events and realise the insignificance of it all. Should one feel guilty? I don't think so. Yet, the event can be filed for future reference in order prevent a loss of perspective under similar circumstances.

I am constantly reminded of the importance of perspective. Last week I enjoyed a wonderful few days away with my two children ... we read books, played games, went shopping, collected shells, stayed up late and snuggled in bed until the sun shone through the window. It was bliss. I realised the long, hard grind of recent months ensuring the girls were well nourished, rested, educated and challenged now paved the way for us to relax and strengthen our bond under more joyful circumstances. Thus, I realised that although learning is important ... so is relaxation and family unity. There is need to make time for both.

As two of my closest friends are currently dealing with the reality of a parent with terminal cancer, I know the importance of keeping perspective about my day-to-day dramas. Like the fact that I spent 40 minutes this morning herding a run-away cat back into its owner's house! Grrrr. And I would dearly love to take away the mental anguish my two friends are suffering, but I know the importance of having someone simply be there to listen or to hug or to just be with ...

Today, I can look back over the de-railment of my own life over the last three years (due to grief upon the loss of my grandmother) and make this experience assist me to be the best supportive friend I can be. In addition, I can use a sense of perspective to realise recent disappointments will not prevent me from successfully moving along my chosen path. :)

Hold my hand ...

Hold my hand, oh little one

Hold it nice and tight,
Hold my hand, oh little one
Hold it with all your might.

Today you've entered the big, wide world
And they've given me the chance to tend you're every need,
Tomorrow we're going on this journey together
Both of us unsure of what lies ahead, indeed.

Hold my hand, oh little one

Hold it nice and tight,

Hold my hand, oh little one

Hold it with all your might.

You may be small and the youngest of us by far
But your instinct about what you want is overwhelmingly strong,
I need to keep calm and listen to all your cries
As to underestimate your sense of self would be quite wrong.

Hold my hand, oh little one
Hold it nice and tight,
Hold my hand, oh little one
Hold it with all your might.

There is so much to learn from one another
To think of all our future challenges brings up a sense of fear,
However, you know and feed off all my emotions

So I am keeping myself strong and positive, my dear.

Hold my hand, oh little one
Hold it nice and tight,
Hold my hand, oh little one
Hold it with all your might.

Well, my child, the years are simply slipping by
You've reached an age now where I'm needed oh so rarely,

Indeed, when my face at school is deemed so uncool

Then I know it is time to let you go, albeit warily.

Let go my hand, oh little one

It is time for your maiden flight,

Let go my hand, oh little one

The timing is oh so right.

Dedicated to my two beautifully-spirited girls who gave a sense of purpose to my life, and give me great joy, inspiration and contentment each and every day. I love you both so much! ❤❤❤

Faith in goodness and love

You might think on the day of your birthday you will celebrate with family and friends and it will be full of joy, laughter and love ... but sometimes it just isn't like that. That was my birthday this year.

The events of the day before, May 28th, seemed to overpower the celebration meant for the 29th.

One may argue that you should ignore all that has gone before and "be in the moment" ... and normally I would say I can do this, but yesterday I could not. My work ethic, personal integrity and ability to be a true friend were all called into question on Friday. How do you ignore that? Of course, it also happened to coincide with the anniversary of my Father's death. To say Friday was a tough day would be a huge understatement.

However, it would also be misleading to recall my birthday as totally miserable because there were pockets of beautiful moments with friends and my family that I will treasure. I was given the gift of my husband's presence and support throughout the events of Saturday morning, my two girls made a special effort with their birthday cards, and then I found myself in the company of some very special friends throughout the afternoon. Yet I felt sadness in my heart, and perhaps I couldn't receive those wonderful gifts in full.

Today I have been able to reflect upon the last few days and still find myself wondering what it has all been about. My faith in the goodness of people and beauty of love, however, have been somewhat restored as I found many lovely birthday wishes on my Facebook page, email, mobile phone and in my birthday cards. So perhaps Sunday the 30th has been the day when I have been able to celebrate my birth some 37 years ago, which luckily enough my Father was alive to enjoy.

Overall I feel grateful for my life, my family, my friends and my faith. These are beautiful gifts that cannot be taken away by dishonesty and bullying. I hang on to these with joy and love, and hope that laughter comes my way soon.

❤❤❤

Being different

Today has been a hard day. Today, I felt like I was back at high school; I had that feeling of not fitting in and of being different. Yes, it is silly. But you can't control how you feel. However, the benefit of being 20 years older is having the knowledge that you can control your reaction to these feelings!

I have two wonderful books on the go at the moment ... the first is called The Six Questions of Socrates and the second is Secrets About Life Every Woman Should Know. I am loving the ideas contained within these two books, especially the concept of my purpose in life being to grow into the best human I can be ... with virtues such as a sense of social justice, a sense of courage, piety toward humanity and love or empathy for others. It is with this knowledge that I can reflect upon today's events and remain confident in the person I am now and who I want to be in the future.