365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 3

Reflection

How much of yourself have you given away?

Get a life in which you are generous. Look around at the azaleas in the suburban neighbourhood where you grew up; look at a full moon hanging silver in a black, black sky on a cold night. And realize that life is the best thing ever, and that you have no business taking it for granted. Care so deeply about its goodness that you want to spread it around. Take money…and give it to charity. Work in a soup kitchen. Be a Big Brother or Sister. .. You wnt to do well, but if you do not do good too, then doing well will never be enough. 

....Anna Quindlen

Blessings in the post

I wanted to say a big thank you to two very special artists for their generosity.  I recently recieved two gifts in the post.  The first was from Diane Salter who sent me a copy of her Zine, Creativie Snippets - finding tiny inspirations.  It's a lovely little book and has got some great ideas.  She also sent a couple of ATC's based on Red Riding Hood.

The second was from Cynthia of Prayer notes who sent me a collection of book marks, and fridge magnet from a giveaway she was running.

With the rise in technology and the internet, it is always great to connect with each other by 'snail mail' the anticipation of hearing the post falling through the door, seeing the envelopes and postmarks from far-away-lands:) and the excitement as you open them up and see the contents! 

When you get a chance check out the links and have a look at both Diane's and Cynthias work, you will be blessed and inspired.

Taking time to Listen

Met an elderly man in the hardware store recently, he was about 85 years old. We were both looking for something they didn’t have, as we both stared at the shelves in worlds of our own he apologised for being in my way. I laughed and said it was alright and that started us chatting. His wife had died 6 years earlier and he shared how much he missed her, how he like ‘most men’ and these were his own words, didn’t appreciate what he had when she was around. He signed, as he stated that she spoiled him and would do everything for him ‘oh how I miss her he said’.....the old saying ‘you never know what you got till it’s gone came spilling out my mouth and he laughed, ‘yes your right’ he said.

He asked me what I had been looking for I told him I was picking up a few bits for my mother who I look after. We talked for around half an hour dodging the other customers that walked past us, time was irrelevant we were in the moment. I learnt of his past, fighting for justice, a rebel with a cause in South Africa, fleeing to London, and talked about his childhood sweetheart he was forbidden to see and every now and then since his wife had died he wonders how she is and whether he should get in touch with her.

He then turned to me and told me I was a treasure, and how lucky my husband must be....would you like to get a cup of coffee in the cafe next door? I rain-checked and promised the next time that I saw him we would sit and chat.

How much time do we give to others to listen to what they have to say?  He hadn’t spoke to anyone for a whole week, people just didn’t have the time and I was for him a breath of fresh air, just as he was for me – I was on automatic as I got on with the chores of the day until I met him!  Being called a treasure reminded me of the light we all carry around with us that we can choose to let shine or turn it off as we get burdened with the pressures of life.

Making the most of every opportunity and relationships that come our way we need to seize life with both hands and live it to the full. When I get to 80 or 90 years old I want to be able to look back with fondness at all those memories, and those times that I stopped what I was doing and listened.

April Reflections

April has come and gone and now a new month is upon us with promises of the unexpected, new opportunities, revelation and understanding.

Looking back on April saw my participation of the A-Z challenge on both of my blog sites. After I had committed to the challenge I wondered just exactly what I was thinking to commit myself to writing 52 posts!  It was a struggle and part way through I wanted to give up, especially when life threw some unexpected curve balls!

Moving onwards, I decided to focus on what I wanted to get out of my participation in the challenge and this included improving and being more consistent in my posts, find interesting creatives and blogs, and most of all I wanted to finish!  I dug deep, kept my eye on the finish line and persevered posting 2 and 3 posts when I fell behind, and appreciated all the comments that I got with my posts.  I have connected with some amazing writers and artists, and feel more confident in my writing and more focused in the things I want to achieve with my creativity.  I also was given award above by Elizabeth 

Since completing the challenge I took a break from blogging and just spent time with family and painting. I have been going for long walks which is especially nice since we have had some lovely weather. 

Took a trip to Regents Park and also used it as an opportunity to take some photographs; it was a sunny but breezy day, when we came back I was exhausted.  I’ve also spent the time creating a supply of handmade books among other things. It’s great to get back to the supplies and reacquaint myself.

If ever there was a challenge needed it's now, we need to shake ourselves up a bit and look outside our window. Outside your front door there are amazing things happening, people getting involved in a range of things some that you would never even imagine. Taking part in challenges allows you to stretch and grow and see your situation and life in ways that you may never have dreamed of. It gets you connecting with people from all walks of life and you come out with a renewed outlook...Whats your next challenge going to be?