Australia Day it is, and what better way to start the day than with Vegemite on toast, narna on Rice Bubbles, and a good strong cuppa!
Days like today bring out all sorts of memories of family and home and harbour boat races and everyone gathered round the barbie, with snags and chops sizzling away. A beer or two to wash it all down, and then plonking ourselves down on the couch for some cricket or tennis - or both. Those were the good old Australian days!
Nothing quite like celebrating your homeland in the traditional way, even when you are miles away from it. A few phone calls to family in the great southern land and a check in with the kids to make sure they are making the most of the day - like swimming in the weir with their mates or working hard in the veggie patch - and makes you feel all comfy inside, even though it's bloody freezing outside and you can't see any green for looking!
Make light of it if you will, but it's tough being away from family anytime of the year. And that's why we wanted to help our friend by taking care of her little ones - Tika and Mojo (see tikabrown.blogspot.com) - while she was away. If one has to be separated from the ones they love, there's nothing more comforting than knowing that they are safe, happy, and well taken care of.
A few days ago, Tika and Mojo were happily reunited with their Mum - although still waiting for their Dad to come home from Afghanistan - and seem to have settled into their usual routine no worries. Yesterday we reconnected with my family down in Oz and a few mates around the world. At the end of the day, everyone was where they should be and we were all the better for it.
So, regardless of your nationality, mark this Australia Day by checking in with your family and friends, whether they are next door or around the world, and let them know you are thinking of them. If you can't walk to where they are, drive or take the bus or hop on yer bike, use Skype or Facebook or MSN, or simply make a phone call.
Take a moment to connect or reconnect because doggone it, in this hyper fast-paced world, it just feels good! And we are all the better for it!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Hiatus, anyone?
Okay, so if you are reading this blog and wondering where I've gone, wonder no more. I am taking an 11-day hiatus from blogging at 'words at random' so I can help my canine boarders maintain their daily blog - 'tika and mojo at rover's retreat'.
When they said they wanted to keep track of everything that happens during their time here, I figured, what the heck. Easy to set up and fun to see what they think about their vacation. Besides, it gives them something to do when they are sick of lounging around. If you'd like to follow along, feel free to visit tikabrown.blogspot.com - makes for some interesting reading, if Tika does say so herself.
Photo coming, as soon as I can convince them to sit quietly together long enough to snap a snap.
And then, when I come back to 'words at random', hopefully it will have a new and more interesting look. Even I'm a bit bored with it, so goodness knows what you think of it.
Anyway, gotta got - Tika is trying to push me off the computer so she can start on Day 3 ...
Later, friends!
When they said they wanted to keep track of everything that happens during their time here, I figured, what the heck. Easy to set up and fun to see what they think about their vacation. Besides, it gives them something to do when they are sick of lounging around. If you'd like to follow along, feel free to visit tikabrown.blogspot.com - makes for some interesting reading, if Tika does say so herself.
Photo coming, as soon as I can convince them to sit quietly together long enough to snap a snap.
And then, when I come back to 'words at random', hopefully it will have a new and more interesting look. Even I'm a bit bored with it, so goodness knows what you think of it.
Anyway, gotta got - Tika is trying to push me off the computer so she can start on Day 3 ...
Later, friends!
Monday, January 4, 2010
While I was painting
When do you get your best ideas? Your creative thoughts? Your new directions? Usually, that all happens for me while I am either walking, watching television, falling asleep, or, as it turns out, painting.
After recently painting virtually our entire house and taking it from plain old white to lush contemporary taupe, pier and sateen, we offered to paint a friend's apartment. She had been trying to finish off her place for months, but, well, let's face it, it's always much easier and more fun when there is more than one painter at work - especially if they've already practised on their own place.
Anyway, it happened on New Year's Day while I was trimming her living room wall, taking it from off-white to stardust - where do they get such telling names for paint these days?! I was in my own space thinking about the sabbatical I was on and wondering why it had stalled. True, I had achieved much during the past few months, but I had not been able to voice my spiel, define my message, identify the link between each of my keynotes. I needed to proclaim my platform.
"What is the problem?" I asked myself. "Why is it so difficult? Are my concepts so obscure that not even I can see what I am about?" Time was a premium - I had to ramp things up quite a bit in January or I would not achieve my goal of relaunching my speaking career before I was less than a blimp on the circuit radar.
And then it happened. My brother's words, spoken for something entirely different, suddenly came into thought, resonated in my head for a few minutes, and obviously fell into line. And I knew. I knew I had found what I was searching for. And I knew that I knew because I did not miss a beat. I continued painting without pause or hesitation and simply smiled. Slowly, broadly, confidently. I smiled and I smiled and I smiled.
Now I am back on track with the last piece of the puzzle firmly in place. Everything flows together, everything makes sense, and it will all take shape with me at the helm instead of trailing far behind.
So, if you're stuck looking for that idea, thought or direction, try painting. You never know; it might be all you need to do. And if you're looking for a canvas, there are a few walls left at our place waiting to help you find your way!
After recently painting virtually our entire house and taking it from plain old white to lush contemporary taupe, pier and sateen, we offered to paint a friend's apartment. She had been trying to finish off her place for months, but, well, let's face it, it's always much easier and more fun when there is more than one painter at work - especially if they've already practised on their own place.
Anyway, it happened on New Year's Day while I was trimming her living room wall, taking it from off-white to stardust - where do they get such telling names for paint these days?! I was in my own space thinking about the sabbatical I was on and wondering why it had stalled. True, I had achieved much during the past few months, but I had not been able to voice my spiel, define my message, identify the link between each of my keynotes. I needed to proclaim my platform.
"What is the problem?" I asked myself. "Why is it so difficult? Are my concepts so obscure that not even I can see what I am about?" Time was a premium - I had to ramp things up quite a bit in January or I would not achieve my goal of relaunching my speaking career before I was less than a blimp on the circuit radar.
And then it happened. My brother's words, spoken for something entirely different, suddenly came into thought, resonated in my head for a few minutes, and obviously fell into line. And I knew. I knew I had found what I was searching for. And I knew that I knew because I did not miss a beat. I continued painting without pause or hesitation and simply smiled. Slowly, broadly, confidently. I smiled and I smiled and I smiled.
Now I am back on track with the last piece of the puzzle firmly in place. Everything flows together, everything makes sense, and it will all take shape with me at the helm instead of trailing far behind.
So, if you're stuck looking for that idea, thought or direction, try painting. You never know; it might be all you need to do. And if you're looking for a canvas, there are a few walls left at our place waiting to help you find your way!