Savoring simple daily pleasures

"By observing nature you begin to sense the harmonious interaction of all the elements and forces of life. The lavish display of abundance in the universe is an expression of the creative mind of nature" 

Deepak Chopra

If I were to look at the several day preceding today and those ten or so to come, I could choose to be rather glum. Many friends are away either over seas or in different parts of the country enjoying not only a break but some beautiful warm weather, my husband is away on business in tropical climes, and here we are, in temperatures struggling to get above above 16, howling winds and what seems to be no more than a few brief minutes between heavy, squally down pours. 

I have chosen NOT to feel disadvantaged, or that I'm mossing out, or envy. I am so fortunate to be able to quietly enjoy my beautiful home, the nature on our doorstep and my girls. 

As I served up hot steaming waffles for a late breakfast this morning, the heavens opened (for the umpteenth time today) and my eldest physically wrapped her arms around herself and exclaimed how much she loved the rain and how perfect it was we got to spend a gentle day at home, cosy, with no where we have to be, just to enjoy it; To brace an  inevitably soggy walk later and come home to a warm inviting house to prepare dinner and have a relaxing evening.  She is so completely right. 

Two events have piqued my sense of calm and contentment  over the past few days, regardless of fatigue or weather patterns. While curled up on the sofa this morning with my coffee and a book as dawn broke I read Deepak Chopra. 

The Quote at the top of this post sums up so succinctly how I feel whenever I am out walking - no matter the weather, and gave me pause to reconsider my potential negativity about the lack of dry spells, not being able to get into the garden, hang laundry on the line or not have to stuff my walking shoes with paper upon returning each afternoon! 

We are indeed so privileged to bare witness to Mother Nature, in all her glory, every single day. It grounds me, puts worries into perspective and helps me to regain my balance. Continuously. 

Watching spring burst forth in new ways each day inspires me and lifts me - whether its spring blooms being battered again all odds by another deluge of fat rain drops or cherry blossom framed by a bright blue sky. It just slowly, determinedly and unquestionably keeps pushing forth. 

Another event which instantaneously gave me a deep sense of perspective- as well as awe and wonder, was the Egyptian Exhibit the girls and I went to see. It is incredibly hard to get our heads round just how old these incredible relics are. That a civilization so great, so advanced, and so equally beautiful as it was brutal could have not only existed so many mind boggling years ago but that these treasures and snippets and staggering artifacts have survived to tell their tale and to be admired and viewed so many centuries- millennia- later. As we wander around a gallery with our smart phones and our high tech cars parked close by having enjoyed a coffee or a meal prepared in moments  just prior to entering the museum.  

What would these ancient people make of us. And what can we learn and take into our own lives from them- on a daily basis. I think what probably struck me the most was Patience. Those sandstone panels meticulously carved by hand, the glass jewelry would have been almost inconceivably labor intensive, the woven linen cloth and papyrus, ALL THINGS TAKE TIME.

We are so used to living in a rushed society, everything on schedule, everything a little frantic, everything with a little pressure and deadline or programmed. 

Mother Nature, the Ancient Egyptians (and my own beautiful cats) have taught me valuable lessons this week. Cause to reflect. To step back, breathe. There is no need to rush as we do. We need to learn to savor. To pause, be in the moment. Be present. From these pauses we can learn and gain so much. They can restore nd inspire and rejuvenate and re align. 

If its raining, leave the laundry that day, curl up with a cat, a blanket and a book, or embrace it and let it soak your skin with its freshness. If something is taking a long time from conception, that's ok. Its probably with it in the end and in the journey is the lesson. 

I am truly grateful for an unscheduled Saturday, where I can type this by an open window, and the rain pours down, and other than a few household tasks- that can wait if I choose to let them, the only two things on my own agenda today are to take a walk, and to curl up on the porch under the shelter with a cup of tea and a shortbread biscuit this afternoon. 

 Savoring simple daily pleasures

I am fortunate enough to live in an area where although the houses tend to be rather spread out and each property enjoys a fairly large amount of land, the feeling of community and connection is strong. 

This week I have been reflecting on how fortunate I am to be part of a caring community. I am so grateful to take a walk and invariably cross paths with people I know, or I am familiar with or just recognize from daily walks. It brings a sense of home, and contentment and belonging. I enjoy the routine and familiarity. Often recognizing that I see the same faces at certain times of the day- coinciding with their routine, be it tooting as they drive past, walking their dogs after work, taking in some fresh air, or walking to a particular destination at on the same schedule. 

Its really the lifeblood of society. To care for one another, lookout for people, show respect and kindness for your neighbors, and put out love and positivity into the world, daily. 

I have taken to trying not to pay too much attention  to the news of late- national news is purely dominated by the forthcoming election and global news is pretty horrific and, frankly, doesn't help my anxiety of to focus on my little bubble. I don't mean to sound void of compassion or crass or ignorant, but, particularly at the moment while I am feeling somewhat stressed, tied and over whelmed, i need to hone my focus a little more centered around my home and my loved ones. 

Its actually quite a pull to consciously step away from. I took a walk last Friday after a full week and towards the end of a long day, and on my usual loop I spotted the kereru swirling above the trees then, rather ungraciously - as they do, practically crash land in a tree overhead. It was then I noticed his/her partner was already in the branches already. As I reached for my camera movement caught my eye and there was another couple slightly further along the branch. It just struck me that these big graceful peaceful birds who mate for life, were quietly existing side by side, their habitat or territory shared agreeably. They roll with the changing seasons and what the weather beings us, they co habit and remain respectful, gentle giants. I'm sure society could learn an enormous amount from these creatures, we just have to pause enough to observe and reflect. The whoosh and swoop of their wings is such an incredibly peaceful sound to me.

I am currently sitting at my desk as the rain gently falls, having enjoyed a long walk through the bush tracks early with a dear friend, the cats came to inspect my writing and I think Albie has appointed himself editor in chief. 

Its school holidays, we are home for a couple of weeks with a few commitments but no heavy schedule, the weather is flick flacking between very warm spring and teetering on wintery, and I am starting to feel the sense of calm and peace seep back in which has been lacking for the past few weeks as days grew fuller and longer in the leadup to the break.

Now I can feel the relief of the luxury of time. Some much needed rest, our own schedules, and simple pleasures like listening to the birds with my coffee at first light, taking walks whenever I feel like it, having the time and inclination to cook for pleasure and try new recipes, read mid afternoon if I wish to, and potter in the garden when there is a break in the rain. Not to mention the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment if I steadily tick off all those jobs we don't usually have time to squeeze in on a busy working week. 

Today, I am actually rather grateful for the rain, as it encourages more inside jobs, the luxuriousness of being cozy, and the soothing pitter patter as our backdrop. 

 Savoring Simple Daily Pleasures

Two characteristics- or qualities, of my personality are that I really rather like the rain, in that I find as much joy and comfort in a wet day as a sunny one, and I am a true home body: Home is my ultimate sanctuary, happy place and most treasured spot. 

Today, I was happy to not welcome yet more rain- as it has been so utterly relentless here for many many months, but to revel in the warmth of a true spring day. A spring day, at home, surrounded with my family - Husband, daughters, cats and Grannie  (My mother), with no where we had to be or go to, no time constraints except our own appetites' and daylight fading, and a pleasant list of garden jobs. 

I cannot remember the last day that unfolded like that - perhaps last spring even, and it was such a huge treat. 

The sun allowed enough warmth - with non of the typical southern hemisphere bite, to be the optimal temperature outside, the ground just dry enough to mow the lawns (Still a little boggy in places) the laundry dry on the line with the breeze, and coffee and cake- Almond Torte, baked fresh this morning, enjoyed on the patio in the shade during a little break in garden work. 

This idyllic spring Sunday was even finished off with a butterfly lamb leg cooked on the BBQ , served with a fresh zesty salad and a friends amazing home made seeded sourdough.... and possibly there was another slice of torte too. 

Tonight, after a welcome hot shower, I feel so happy and contented I can feel my chest expand with the joy of it, so I'm going to go and make a cup of my favorite peppermint tea, and curl up in my robe and savor the last moments of this perfect Sunday before a new week begins afresh tomorrow. 

If every weekend could wrap up like this, every Monday would seem so much more do-able and less daunting. There's most definitely a lesson in that. Often we are not able to fully control or shape our weekends in quite such a way, but when these gems come along, savor every moment and feel the life force course back in, filling you with the positivity , energy and restored vitality to go forth into the next few days. 

 Savoring simple daily pleasures

Last week was an especially hard, long week. It was both physically and mentally taxing. As I spoke about in my previous post, I knew this was in the calendar, I prepared as much as I was able to, and I tried to provide myself the snippets of respite I needed where possible. It also helped that the feeling of comradery with my colleagues was comforting and we buoyed each other along. No less tiring though!

At the end of this draining week, we enjoyed family dinner around the table for the first time since Sunday prior (all be it not a meal I'd prepared my self) and I took a long hot bath and we all watched a fun movie. It was perfect, just what we needed to wind down, spend a little time as a family and herald the weekend. 

Despite the lingering fatigue in the morning, real proper bone tiredness I haven't experienced in some time (intentionally), there was a feeling of accomplishment, rejuvenation, and new energy ready to burst forth. 

My husband and I attended a wedding on the Saturday which was a treat in many respects- in a beautiful setting, we hadn't been to a wedding in a long while, a lovely excuse to get really dressed up- fascinator, heels and all, and a wonderful uplift to see tow people of very different cultures, so in love and happy, and all their loved ones supporting them and surrounding them. 

Sunday was the day i was truly waiting for in that I knew it could be shaped as i pleased to walk, potter, catch up with myself and have a much gentler home day. I took a long walk to the village to enjoy a coffee and then spent the day tidying, organizing and getting prepared for this brand new week. With a sense of excitement, a new fresh energy, and deep contentment that the crazy week that was, WAS, and I can embrace and flourish in my usual routines and habits and commitments this week while enjoying some much needed peace at home to gather my thoughts and complete the recharging and resting process. It's all very well to have these intensely busy periods in out lives, indeed, we often are not able to avoid them entirely. But its vital, certainly for me and from what I've leaned about my self, to also map out some rest and down time after- and or before these periods. Knowing I had these few days to allow myself to unwind, pause and breathe helped keep the stress levels to a manageable level last week and keep me moving forward anticipating how delicious this would feel ; Home on a Monday, laundry whirring, I'm fresh out of the shower after my morning workout, with a gentle, pleasurable, to do list of various tasks and chores, before the family roll back in late afternoon, dumping school bags, kicking shoes off and professing they are starving! 

Nature, as its wont to do, helped ground me yesterday on my walk and allow me to refocus for a new week. A beautiful, iridescent Tui was happy enjoying his nectar breakfast as I set out and was very comfortable with me in close proximity. and to see the trees with tight bright green buds ready to literally burst into spring with brand new energy amongst the magnificent pink magnolias which are in full dazzling glory already. You can FEEL the new energy being shared with you if you take a moment.

Listen to yourself- with out any guilt, know what energises you, and what drains you- and consciously balance them out and try to include more in your everydays that provided that energising quality. We cannot avoid things that drain us entirely, but we can do our best to fully engage with what lifts us. Give yourself that buffer if you are able to after a long and challenging week, make sure it’s a quiet weekend- or whatever kind of weekend that will propel you into the new week revitalised. 

We sat outside enjoying early morning bird song in the fresh air as soon as we woke yesterday, and even had steak cooked in the BBQ last night- it really, truly must be spring.

 Savoring simple daily pleasures

The wind is buffeting though the open window I sit by and I am enjoying every gust bring freshness and clarity to my tired fuggy mind. 

This week, happens to be an incredibly full few days, with many commitments and events over lapping, resulting in some careful planning, time keeping and organization. I am trying to really listen to myself if I were to be offering advise to a friend, to not sweat the small stuff and commit any more than in necessary on the one hand, but acknowledging what will make me feel more settled and able to cope on the other.

 Balance

So, after a HUGE day yesterday of my husband catching an Early flight to Australia, coordinating work and school, a double length working day and vert wet windy weather, I allowed myself an hour of extra sleep this morning, (one of the best decisions yesterday was putting fresh linen sheets on our bed first thing in the morning, so that finally last night when I'd put the house to sleep, I climbed into a beautiful and welcoming newly made bed, snuggled down and lay for some time enjoying the lashing rain at the windows and the coziness inside. )

Early this morning, I took a long walk and treated my self to a coffee watching the world go by, got on top of the laundry and spritzed the bathrooms, and took a leisurely amount of time to get ready to head in to work later than usual as I wont be home until gone 8pm this evening again. 

It kept me going yesterday knowing I had these few hours to my self today and I feel I can get back into it somewhat re charged and refreshed. I am grateful for the flexibility to do this and the sunny blustery morning I have had to myself. 

A real tonic. And no, not a luxury, a necessity. It will enable me to cope and balance the ensuing business that is the next few days until I can rest properly again. 

SO on that brief note, I am going to enjoy a few more quiet moments before setting off out the door, knowing the house is in order and my mind is quiet. 

No doubt my bed will feel just as welcoming tonight too once I'm home and showered and ready for slumber.