Modern Living

As I was loading up the washing machine with laundry the other day, I thought how interesting it is that despite all these time saving gadgets so many people, including me still cry ‘there’s just not enough time in the day!’ I wonder … perhaps the time is there, only that it’s gobbled up by all the loud, demanding, ‘urgent’ types of tasks, leaving a few crumbs - precious moments for those activities which really nourish the depths of our being. I’m screening and challenging the ‘urgent’ more now and find most things which seem so imperative can actually wait.

Fastest way to feel down

When we compare ourselves to other people whom we perceive to be happier, more attractive, more educated or affluent, we are sure to feel down instantly. It doesn’t take much pondering over or reflection to get a result.

On the other hand it’s also really easy to feel instantly happy too, just by reminding ourselves of all that we do have right now that is good such as health, supportive family and friends etc.

It helps to remember that everyone has problems and that the grass on the other side is never greener - it’s just a different kind of grass.

Charitable Children

Kids are so funny, Harry my four year old nephew wanted to put some coins into the charity box on the shop counter, I didn't have any cash on me at all, being so clever he grabbed the credit card I had used to pay for the ice creams out of my hand and put it into the charity box!!! Luckily I managed to act quickly and got hold of one corner of the card before it disappeared completely into the slot. A very charitable little boy! If either of his parents say they have no money when he's asking for something his reply is 'use your card!' - he's worked out these little pieces of plastic have power!

Patience of Children

After the family get together at the weekend all the children were loaded up into the respective cars and strapped into their car seats. With everything done the grown-ups stood and chatted and a very long goodbye ensued as we enjoyed the evening coolness. Meanwhile the kids aged 6 months to four years sat in their pyjamas under blankets, strangely they just looked on not making a single sound by way of complaint for the delay and the time the adults were taking to wind up and get going. These were the same little ones who had been shouting the house down earlier with their laughter and crying, yet somehow they haven’t yet learnt to be impatient in the manner adults would be when waiting for one another. Given that they had no idea when the conversation would draw to a close and the cars would get moving their patience was a truly amazing sight.

Power of Relaxation

Making a conscious effort to stay relaxed in body and mind has more than the obvious benefits. I’m catching myself noticing more opportunities and making better decisions. I’m picking up more information and details than before in a whole range of situations. Body is more clearly able to sense when something is wrong too. To think all that energy was spent on being tense before! What a waste!

‘I always have a choice’

After much practice, this is a phrase I like to say to myself a lot – as creatures of habit we often forget we have choice in our thinking, our actions and decisions. The unconscious pull of our usual patterns of thinking or behaving cause us to do what we always do and hence we end up with the same old results.

To get different results – do things differently – flexibility is key.

Smile

It’s one of my favourite things to do when I’m out and about, one that’s very heart warming when shared with an appreciating stranger. Giving and receiving a smile changes both people. May be the person receiving a smile will go on to smile at someone else, it has a positive impact on the people watching too – and we are always being watched. Sometimes I wonder how long a chain of smiles could be, may be my smile could come all the way round and back to me ; )