Taking Time to Notice your surroundings

As you went about your day did you notice the colours around you, did you hear any birds sing?

Frangipani in Barbados

I started 365 days of colour in 2011 and for a whole year I took pictures of flowers that I would see as I went about my day, whether doing mundane things or sunning myself on a holiday.  It brightened up my day to see the colour and delicacy of each flower, especially in the colder months to see a dash of colour peeping out against the stark grey. In 2012 July I continued with 52 weeks of colour, in which I continued to take photographs but also started to learn how to use Photoshop elements and wanted to experiment with the images more.

In doing both of these exercises I have grown to see my environment  in a very different way.  We are surrounded by beauty, but very often miss it because we are doing ten things at once.  Sometimes the smallest flower coming from a weed can brighten up the dullest day and this beauty is often right in front of our faces.

I recently met a lady walking down my street and said hello to her, it turned out she had lived on my road for the past 7 years, and we were both amazed that we had never seen each other.  In speaking to her it transpired that she was also interested in art so we made plans to get together and have a coffee.

This week as you go about your routine, take a moment to notice your surroundings, you might be surprised at what you find in your neighbourhood. I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments are always welcome.  Blessings

Join me every day this month for the Ultimate blog challenge 

Preparing for Alzheimers

Happy New Year!

How would you prepare for Alzheimer's, is it possible?  I recently saw a video that got me thinking about my life and as we make our way through another year I am sure new challenges and miracles will present themselves.

I have been writing about my journey as a carer to a mother who has dementia and also feelings that arise that I have been dealing with when I did the A-Z challenge.  More recently I put together a video called creative interventions which looked at taking art therapy and remaining creative, which have all contributed in enabling me to look at my role in a positive way.

While on the TED website I came across Alanna Shaikh who talked about her father who has Alzheimer's. I had always kept at the back of my mind the statistics that show dementia running in families and I began to think of ways that I too could avoid it in my later years, the possible implications of my son being put in the same position. 

Alanna mentioned the type of person that her father was before the dementia, he was very caring and loving to others and this magnified as the dementia got worse.  This resonated in me as mums personality became not only outgoing with a great sense of humour, but she was even more caring. 

As I look at my mother I definitely see the warmth in her, and she is still someone you enjoy being around. She cared for her family selflessly and that care and love shines through despite the circumstances.  So as I go through this journey with her I will ensure that I do all that is necessary to keep myself healthy, taking the necessary exercise, keeping my mind active and stimulated but more importantly will also try and be a better person, loving unconditionally, living fearlessly, valuing the relationships of family and friends while treating myself with kindness and compassion and living life to the full and being that blessing that we are all called on to be. 

I'd love to hear what insights you have realised about your lives.  Blessings

Join me every day this month for the Ultimate blog challenge 

Ultimate Blog Challenge - 31 Days

I thought I would take part in this challenge as a way of kickstarting the new year.  There is nothing like a challenge to get you started.  The aim is to post on a daily basis, I will be writing about a range of topics and will include the ones I currently post.  So you can either sit back, enjoy reading and commenting, or if your up for a challenge yourself you can sign up. 

Either way, I hope you will be blessed, you will be changed some how by the end of the 31 days.  Imagine, you will never have this day again in quite the same way with the same things happening.  Looking forward to having you join me on the adventure as I explore a range of topics for the next 31 days.  By the way.....

Happy New Year!  
Blessings
Amanda

Beauty - 52 Weeks of Colour

A thought for the week.....

When you take the time to exercise patience in your own life you begin to see the beauty that you once took for granted.  You have so many wonderful gifts and talents when it comes to your feelings if you don't treat yourself  with care then who else will.  Right at this moment, right where you are your life deserves attention!  Blessings, Amanda

You must become aware of the richness in you and come to believe in it and know it is there… Once you become aware of it and have faith in it, you will be all right. ...Brenda Ueland

"...whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22