Savoring simple daily pleasures

It has been a week of wild wet weather here, but through the downpours and busyness of the end of term full life, I have gratefully enjoyed moments of quiet and of beauty and of company. 

The fatigue and end-of-term-itis set in in earnest this week, both for the girls and I and for their friends and my colleagues. The short days,  wintry weather and power cuts all added to the driving force to make it to Friday!

I happily have managed to get out for a walk reach day- some requiring more paper to be stuffed into my shoes than others, and have organized my self in such a way as to ensure fire wood is brought up before dark, candles are to hand or burning already filling the room with gentle fragrance, and meals chosen and planned that can be adapted if I suddenly find myself with no oven and just the gas hob to cook on. So far we've actually been very fortunate and although the local area has had some lengthy power outages, we so far seem to have skirted it. 

Usually, once a week, I walk with some other mothers from our daughters Ballet School while the girls have their lesson, but the weather was such this week we went to a local restaurant and enjoyed hot chocolates, peppermint tea, a shared decadent dessert and a good laugh and a catch up. It felt like such a treat!

This morning felt extra special as I woke early- later than a week day but still before dawn, and I snuggled in bed watching the silhouettes of the trees blowing in the still gusty winds, relishing not only the delicious feeling of the school holidays stretching ahead and also just a few more hours- 2 more sleeps (!) till my husband comes home. 

I'm now typing with a coffee beside me, listening to a beautiful black bird greet the day. The cats are fed and snuggled and have ventured into the cold to begin their day and all the adventures it holds. 

My mother is joining us for fireside dinner tonight, with a firm favorite on the menu - a slow cooked lamb leg in its own ragout over macaroni, which I'll serve with a big fresh green salad. Its a delicious recipe which I'll leave below.

I feel I have the space to breathe today, knowing the Monday isn't a school day and we have a couple of weeks to reset, restore and recharge, makes all the difference to this. No niggle of what needs doing by Sunday night in the same capacity as term time, and a pleasant weekend ahead to enjoy. 

Its been a full and eventful week with lots of exciting plans and trips on the horizon- life seemed to fall into place- but not by accident. I was highly aware and conscious of the power of positive thinking and having complete and utter faith in the universe. It would all be alright.

 This sentiment dwindled rapidly but momentarily late last night when a bedtime call came though from my husband explaining a complication with his visa travelling back though the USA that potentially could mean serval days delay(or more) to his return - not to mention expense. Suddenly the good, warm positive feeling drained and I allowed my self to deflate and - just briefly- sink into a real puddle of negativity. 

After reading but not reading the page on my kindle several times over, I turned out the light and focused all my attention on vividly imagining him opening an email informing him the visa was granted in time for travel, and then playing out the ensuing conversation in my head. I switched my mind back to positive and BELIEVED it would all be ok. As took a few deep long breathes with my eyes closed preparing for sleep I was suddenly aware of my older daughter calling my name standing in the doorway (I wear earplugs!) She just said very simply, with a big smile, "He's got his visa, he's coming home." The relief lifted off us both tangibly. A flurry of texts later and I fell into a deep slumber until not very long ago. 

" ....a thought in this substance produces the thing that is imagined by thought. Man can form things in his thought, and by impressing his thought upon formless substance can cause the thing he thinks about to be created." Wallace D Wattles

Its true. 

I am so looking for ward to Monday and keep picturing re uniting with my husband at the airport after his very long arduous journey home to us. 

But for now, a peachy glow has developed in the sky, my coffee is finished, and I'm going to put a load of laundry on and get ready for the day. 

Prepared, grateful, calm and with a glow in the pit of my stomach that everything is working out just perfectly, just the way the universe intended for me, and the luxury of extra time to appreciate and acknowledge it. 

How very, very fortunate. 

 Savoring Simple Daily Pleasures

I've been reading and listening to Rhonda Byrne lately. (author of The Secret ) I discovered her properly fairly recently having been aware of her books and I think even purchasing "the secret" or getting it from the library years ago and never quite reading it. I wont go too much into the premise - that's for you to discover if you haven't already, but suffice to say it really resonated with me and I've been intentionally and regularly applying the principals it to my daily life- I listened to it during the course of several walks on Audiobook with her narrating it. And now when I feel a need a little encouragement to get me back on track and positive, and to remind be of the key principals and values I listen to bits again or find an interview to re focus me. 

Its played a significant part while my husband has been overseas in keeping me positive, keeping my thoughts with him and in consciously manifesting his safe return and our gentle life here at home in the meantime. I found its really helped. But yesterday it was more than that. It proved itself. 

It was Saturday, and the girls and I had planned to drive across town to the City's Aquarium as we had some expired vouchers for an experience we had purchased mid Pandemic. Its notoriously busy, lengthy queues- even the parking, and we had set off later than planned. however, I was looking forward to this trip out with my daughters and Brunch/lunch afterwards as a treat by the water, and I was imagining it all going smoothly and picturing the scenario where the vouchers were honored and it was a stress-free experience. I was doing my best to Manifest it all. 

In brief- we arrived, parked almost outside, not a single person queueing- not one!- we walked straight to the counter, in minutes not only were the vouches extended happily, we were offered complimentary passes for that day and invited to go though and enjoy the exhibits! The girls eyes were on stalks, they couldn't believe their luck. I had a tummy turner moment as I realized I COULD believe my luck. It wasn't LUCK it was the universe. 

After a brief but fun visit, we went on to sit in a sundrenched restaurant for a girlie lunch- again parking right where we wanted to. To top it all off on the way home we called into the nearest supermarket for a few bits (Which years ago was our local when we lived that way pre children). Within the shopping complex is a home wares store which happened to have the exact kind of indoor watering can I'd been wanting - I was beyond thrilled. 

The lovely thing was, despite such a wonderful excursion, we were all three of us just as excited to get back to our home, to enjoy being quiet and cosy and pottering in our own space and recharging after all the excitement and stimulation of our Saturday. 

It gave me such a sense of peace and contentment to know they felt the same and were so relaxed and appreciative of their sanctuary too. I am such a home body and as a family we sometimes marvel at friends who seem to be always on the go and have so little time just HOME, that it was really heartwarming to feel us all melt and decompress as we arrived back over the threshold of our peaceful home.

We all felt truly content- and rather delighted- with how the day had panned out, and so completely grateful we had our own precious 4 walls to return to. 

This morning I would usually have been out walking, but for various reasons plans changed, so I'm sat typing with a coffee, as the birds enthusiastically greet the new day outside, the cats explore the garden in the gentle rain and it's its delights, and the girls slumber on peacefully. 

The universe is wise and knew that I needed this quite time, and I am incredibly grateful to it. 

 Savoring simple daily pleasures

It has been a most unusual week. Nothing has been ordinary or routine, and while rather emotional and a little drained, I've welcomed the challenge its provided me. To remain grateful, happy, contented and most of all present. 

Several things occurred this week from sick children, to injuries, surgical procedures, and a long distance separation for a trip. But these were sprinkled with gentle moments, hugs, walks, warming toes by the crackling fire, kind messages, offers of help, delicious food and cozy wintry weather- as a contrast the the warm Fiji sun of the week prior. 

Time apart from a loved one, with thousands of kilometers and oceans between us, can leave us in a state of limbo, or with an attitude to just get through it and inherently wish the days away until their safe return. 

While the goodbyes were hard, and I'm missing my husband desperately, I am also looking at this as an opportunity to grow, to strengthen, to have a different experience with my girls, and to mindfully remain present. To see this as a gift. Not only for him to spend much needed time with family, but for me to explore and broaden my mind, attitude, skills and independence. To appreciate each wintry day a new.

Now our daughters are older they are much more independent, allowing me to continue to take early morning walks while they slumber, or run errands- as opposed to when they were younger and needed looking after in a different way.

"Do not dwell on the past. Do not dream of the future. Concentrate the mind only on the present moment"

And while I picture greeting my husband again, and with my positive thoughts manifest his safe return, I am also treating these days as unique gifts- as every day should be, but we do sometimes forget and get caught in the hum drum of daily life, to dos, routine. We also - even unconsciously- may take our closest family for granted as they are ALWAYS there. There is much to be said for the saying absence makes the heart grow fonder. We have rarely spent time apart through our marriage and relationship, but each time we do I fall in love all over again. 

We are enjoying meals that I wouldn't necessarily prepare for his tastes, I only have to make half the bed in the mornings as I'm a very peaceful sleeper (!) and I'm enjoying a unique bonding experience with our girls and a change of pace and routine. While more responsibility and burden lies with me, I am choosing to embrace it and enjoy each day. The crackling fire, the cozy kitties warming their paws in front of it and a 1/4 less laundry is all part of the package! 

On the morning of the day he flew, I was retrieving the wintry sun dried towels off the washing line, and was aware of a fantail tweeting. I notice she is darting about above me, and I see, catching the light, she's chasing a small blue butterfly- lunch? She's flitting about high up over the roof and continuously calling and narrowly missing catching him until finally she does, and flitters away with her pretty tail on display. A privileged moment as a stood smiling with the laundry basket on my hip, smiling as I gazed upwards, A sign from the universe, a calm took over me. It was all meant to be. It was all going to be just fine. 

And here I am, on a cold wintry morning with watery sun trying to make its way through the mist. A beautiful walk at first light with a lovely friend and her pooch and 2 cats greeted me warmly on my return. 

Some housework, laundry, a few errands, then maybe a trip to the movies as a treat later. 

But first. Coffee

 Savoring simple daily pleasures

I've been quiet for a week or so as we have been over seas. I intended to write from there but due to internet connection and various technical issues it made it too difficult for a technophobe like myself!

 However, I decided to embrace the enforced technology down time and just enjoy the present. 

We were fortunate enough to be in glorious tropical Fiji, one of our most favorite places and somewhere very dear to our hearts as a family. This time, it was just my husband and I. 

I normally devour books when we are away, as there are no other real pressures or time constraints. I read less this time, but I did spend some very rare and much needed quality time with my beloved, and myself. Just to be. To bask in the sun, listen to the splashes of the pool and the waves, the exotic birds and wild life, observe the dazzling seascapes, sunsets, dawns and flora and fauna. To fully and completely stop and recharge. 

I came across a few poignant quotes which I jotted down too, like the title of this blog post. 

The irony is not lost on me that while indulging in a luxurious tropical holiday I found and observed the very essence of contentment and great riches -among the marble tiles and fluffy bathrobes- with the people, their way of life, their positivity and infectious smiles. 

We spoke of the pandemic, and how it had forced Fijians to return to their villages, to work the land again, re unite with family- (their own young children often brought up by grandparents while they work away for weeks at a time with only a few days or hours home before returning to work) to fish, to provide, to slow the pace and to go back to the old ways before tourism exploded. 

We took a walk one morning over to the "Hidden Beach" it was early but already the heat of the day was getting up.  As we crested the hill on the island the hum of the resort fell silent and the mud track led us to what we thought was a wrong turn; A Fijian farmer with his young son and bouncy puppy were quietly working on their crops of taro. When he assured us we were in the right place with such warmth we were welcomed to explore the most pristine, picture book white sand beach I have ever set foot on. The family were in the shade on a rough wooden sleeping platform - Mother, grandmother, young babies. A small vessel pulled up onto the foliage that reached onto the dunes. They explained their village is on the opposite island- one of very few left as untouched villages with no tourism. They come over to work their patch of land for a few days a month then return to their village over the waves. 

The contrast between the resort side of the island and their beach shack was huge, and yet the simplicity of their lives, contentment and pride in their produce was overwhelming. A moment we will treasure and feel privileged to have witnessed so briefly. And we had no phones, no cameras, Just our memories. 

The glossy resorts are not the real Fiji, essentially a 3rd world country with some very basic living conditions for the majority. But a temperate climate means their living is outside much of the time- cooking too. Day beds adorn most make shift porches to catch the cool breeze at siesta. They sit and talk, they laugh. The kids hang out, play, and find entertainment. 

They are not frantically racing and buzzing about as we have come to see as normal. I was humbles as we passed several road side stalls of a rudimentary table set up- a crate and a flat piece of door or cabinet- on them were tiny silver fish piled high and glistening in the sun. No other wares for sale. Just tiny fish. Or chickens tied to a crate under the shade of a tree waiting to be chosen for the pot. Or neatly tied vegetables in bundles lined up.

I cannot imagine living so utterly hand to mouth as these vendors must, on a few dollars a day, but the vast majority of the world do I suppose. 

I don't feel guilty as such for my way of life, but I do feel a duty to take away some lessons. We only landed 24 hours ago (Now with many woolen layers, jeans, crackling fire and thick blankets to keep us warm as we are in the dead of winter suddenly)  Yet my head is spinning already with to do lists, appointments, commitments, work, school schedules, extra curricular activities, grocery shopping, laundry...... I need to step back, slow down and breathe. I also need to acknowledge I put a lot of these pressures on myself. I have high standards- which is great- but not to the detriment of peace and true contentment. 

Despite the bitter cold, my heart sored to have my girls in my arms after a week, to be greeted so warmly by our cats, and to see the color bursting from the plant pots on the deck regardless of the season.  Our aircraft cut though a magnificent wintry orange sunset last night to land safely and welcome us home. 

We confuse the price of material things with the price of happiness. Its only by stepping out of the material mindset that we can appreciate that confusion. 

Contentment is indeed the greatest wealth.