My man is reading a book with the title "Die Empty". I like the concept. I try to live every day of life to its fullest. I lead a very active life (there are times when I exhaust myself!). I would like to be more social. I miss my friends. I have had to acknowledge that I only have twenty four hours a day. While I would like more, I need to realise my limitations.
I am a passionate person. I do everything wholeheartedly and deliberately. To me, dying empty means that I have no fuel in the tank at the end of the ride. Nothing leftover. Nothing in reserve. To me, it means giving everything I have to the people I love the most - my children, my lover, my family and my friends. To die empty means that I will work hard, play hard and train hard. I will love with all my heart. I will not only seek my dreams I will chase them down and beat them to a pulp if I have to. I will treat everyone with kindness and compassion. I will willingly give more than I am expected to without thought of return. I will focus on the little things; the things that matter. I will live my life authentically.
I will embrace life - the ups and the downs - knowing that I am truly blessed.
Tuesday, 28 April 2015
Monday, 27 April 2015
True love
True love is the thing fairy tales are written about; songs are penned over and legends are based on. True love is something you feel and means different things to different people. True love is a morphing, living thing that is treasured between two lucky people. True love leaves you feeling light and makes you want to be a better person.
True love is rare and even less often cared for in the way it should be. True love, though strong, should not be taken advantage of. True love is not eternal unless it is allowed to breathe and given the attention it deserves. True love is solid but fluid enough to allow for the inevitable change required over time.
If you are lucky you will fall in love once in your lifetime. If you are truly blessed you will find true love. True love survives beyond the initial flurry of infatuation and grows into a passion to be proud of. True love is respectful, honest, open and compassionate. True love is thoughtful, kind and considerate. True love puts an emphasis on the other persons needs ahead of your wants.
True love is finding someone who accepts you, flaws and all. Someone who knows you inside and out and doesn't want to change you. Someone who sees your baggage from the past and takes the time to help you unpack it. Someone who will stand by you and help you when you need it but who encourages you to stand up for yourself when you can.
Love is falling asleep in each others arms. True love is waking up entangled together. Love is stripping each other naked at the end of the day. True love is helping your man dress in the morning. Love is cooking a special meal for your partner. True love is getting up ten minutes early every day to make them breakfast.
Love is giving. True love is equal - with give and take from both parties.
Some wise person (I forget who) once said "Forget all the reasons why it won't work and believe in the one reason why it will". I choose to throw myself at the mercy of love and hope for the best.
True love is rare and even less often cared for in the way it should be. True love, though strong, should not be taken advantage of. True love is not eternal unless it is allowed to breathe and given the attention it deserves. True love is solid but fluid enough to allow for the inevitable change required over time.
If you are lucky you will fall in love once in your lifetime. If you are truly blessed you will find true love. True love survives beyond the initial flurry of infatuation and grows into a passion to be proud of. True love is respectful, honest, open and compassionate. True love is thoughtful, kind and considerate. True love puts an emphasis on the other persons needs ahead of your wants.
True love is finding someone who accepts you, flaws and all. Someone who knows you inside and out and doesn't want to change you. Someone who sees your baggage from the past and takes the time to help you unpack it. Someone who will stand by you and help you when you need it but who encourages you to stand up for yourself when you can.
Love is falling asleep in each others arms. True love is waking up entangled together. Love is stripping each other naked at the end of the day. True love is helping your man dress in the morning. Love is cooking a special meal for your partner. True love is getting up ten minutes early every day to make them breakfast.
Love is giving. True love is equal - with give and take from both parties.
Some wise person (I forget who) once said "Forget all the reasons why it won't work and believe in the one reason why it will". I choose to throw myself at the mercy of love and hope for the best.
Sunday, 26 April 2015
Mind over matter
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This message, in varying forms, has been hitting me lately. I am well aware of the power of the mind - to both heal and hinder. I consider myself a conscious being. I make mindful decisions every day to live in accordance with my beliefs and values.
Hope is what gives us strength in times of hardship. The ability to dream; to see a better life for ourselves is fundamental to change. But applying this principle to the body is something I have only recently considered.
I am focusing healthy on my underdeveloped self image and in particular the way I feel about my own body. My loathing for my physical form is slowly, very slowly fading. It takes worth but self love and respect are worth it
My mind is focused on creating the strongest, fittest body I can. Inside and out.
Saturday, 25 April 2015
Creative pursuits
Last year, the kids and I made a birthday present for a friend. It rekindled my love of creation. While I have been writing for years, before that I used to make stuff all the time - sewing, craft, knitting, embroidery. And I've always loved photography.
I would never consider myself artistic or talented in any way but I do love to make things; to take a pile of fabric and turn it into something - cubby house or toy horse - is actually quite satisfying.
So, I have started to slowly but positively embrace my creative side. I am re-entering a world of stitching and finding great relaxation in the repetition. The satisfaction gained from completing a project of my own design is immense. Something I have poured a little bit of myself into.
There is something special about a handmade object. The imperfections make it special. The time taken to make something for someone else signifies how important they are to you. The fact that you would dedicate something as precious as time to another makes the gift priceless.
I would never consider myself artistic or talented in any way but I do love to make things; to take a pile of fabric and turn it into something - cubby house or toy horse - is actually quite satisfying.
So, I have started to slowly but positively embrace my creative side. I am re-entering a world of stitching and finding great relaxation in the repetition. The satisfaction gained from completing a project of my own design is immense. Something I have poured a little bit of myself into.
There is something special about a handmade object. The imperfections make it special. The time taken to make something for someone else signifies how important they are to you. The fact that you would dedicate something as precious as time to another makes the gift priceless.
Fitting it in
No. This is not a post about trying to squeeze into too tight jeans (though I find that a problem a lot these days!). This post is focused on ways to fit a workout into a busy lifestyle.
I hear so many reasons why people don't work out - it is too cold, it's dark early, it is too hot, I have too much work to do...
I'm lucky for many reasons. Two of which are thus:
1. I am a morning person. I like crossing a workout off the list of things to do before there is a chance that life will take over and ruin all my plans.
2. I am addicted to the endorphin rush a workout gives.
For these two reasons alone I will probably never have a problem making time to work out. Staying fit and healthy is so important to me that I will not hesitate to wake up at 0400 to go for a run or getting to the gym at 0600 to smash out a workout prior to starting the working day.
But, I am a realist. I know not everyone has the inclination to get up before dawn and pound the pavement. So, for those who are not so inclined, however, there are tried and true ways to ensure you find time to stay fit:
I hear so many reasons why people don't work out - it is too cold, it's dark early, it is too hot, I have too much work to do...
I'm lucky for many reasons. Two of which are thus:
1. I am a morning person. I like crossing a workout off the list of things to do before there is a chance that life will take over and ruin all my plans.
2. I am addicted to the endorphin rush a workout gives.
For these two reasons alone I will probably never have a problem making time to work out. Staying fit and healthy is so important to me that I will not hesitate to wake up at 0400 to go for a run or getting to the gym at 0600 to smash out a workout prior to starting the working day.
But, I am a realist. I know not everyone has the inclination to get up before dawn and pound the pavement. So, for those who are not so inclined, however, there are tried and true ways to ensure you find time to stay fit:
- Pair up with a buddy - you'll be more inclined to turn up if you know someone is depending on you
- Join a group fitness class - like the aforementioned, the camaraderie of classes can become self motivating
- Pay for it - financially forking over your hard earned is often enough to get you to turn up whether it be PT or a gym membership
- Set a goal - perhaps you have a holiday coming up or you want to train for a particular event. Having something to look forward to can provide you with the motivation you need to keep going
Empathy
I would say I am an empathetic person. In fact, I feel compassion for others very deeply. I often go out of my way to assist people in need. Being classified as an empath is possibly going a tad far though. I cannot, for instance, claim to know what is happening to others intuitively.
Being empathic can be exhausting. Constantly thinking about others can wear you down, especially if you don't make time to nurture yourself.
I do think, however, that being empathetic makes you more thankful for the blessings in your own life. Seeing the hardship of others can be a great eye opener to how easy your life is and how lucky you are. I know that each time I come away from visiting my ill father in hospital I am grateful that I can breathe without pain. I am so saddened that Dad is unwell and is in so much pain but his condition makes me appreciate the little things in life. Things like mobility, freedom and independence; the ability to be self sufficient in daily tasks.
Being empathic can be exhausting. Constantly thinking about others can wear you down, especially if you don't make time to nurture yourself.
I do think, however, that being empathetic makes you more thankful for the blessings in your own life. Seeing the hardship of others can be a great eye opener to how easy your life is and how lucky you are. I know that each time I come away from visiting my ill father in hospital I am grateful that I can breathe without pain. I am so saddened that Dad is unwell and is in so much pain but his condition makes me appreciate the little things in life. Things like mobility, freedom and independence; the ability to be self sufficient in daily tasks.
Secret women's business
I recently had a Pap smear. No big deal. A routine procedure done on a two yearly cycle. So why is it such a big deal?
Honestly? The thought of having my legs splayed for a medical professional to scrape cells from my cervix isn't hugely appealing. Naked from the waist down and covered in goosebumps; a medical sheet loosely draped over my waist in a failed attempt to maintain modesty amongst friendly chatter with the GP. I can feel my heart racing. It's like a drum pounding inside my chest.
I raced home from work to shower and change before my appointment. I applied make up in a vain attempt to maintain some dignity. And now that I look back on it; I feel like a fool. There's no reason to stress. It's a routine procedure that carries very little risk with the chance of early diagnosis giving the best possible chance of survival against cervical cancer if affected cells are found.
A Pap smear should not be something to fear. It's not the most pleasant thing on earth (I'll take a round of cocktails any day) but it's not particularly painful. So, women of the world, make sure you drop your pants every second year and get your Pap smear done.
It's so easy in our busy lives to put things off. To postpone. Sometimes indefinitely. However, it is important for your health. So have a hasty shower, pop on some perfume and a veil of makeup and get into it!
Honestly? The thought of having my legs splayed for a medical professional to scrape cells from my cervix isn't hugely appealing. Naked from the waist down and covered in goosebumps; a medical sheet loosely draped over my waist in a failed attempt to maintain modesty amongst friendly chatter with the GP. I can feel my heart racing. It's like a drum pounding inside my chest.
I raced home from work to shower and change before my appointment. I applied make up in a vain attempt to maintain some dignity. And now that I look back on it; I feel like a fool. There's no reason to stress. It's a routine procedure that carries very little risk with the chance of early diagnosis giving the best possible chance of survival against cervical cancer if affected cells are found.
A Pap smear should not be something to fear. It's not the most pleasant thing on earth (I'll take a round of cocktails any day) but it's not particularly painful. So, women of the world, make sure you drop your pants every second year and get your Pap smear done.
It's so easy in our busy lives to put things off. To postpone. Sometimes indefinitely. However, it is important for your health. So have a hasty shower, pop on some perfume and a veil of makeup and get into it!
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