Create peace again

"The simplified life is a sanctified life,

Much more calm, much less strife.

Oh, what wondrous truths are unveiled-

Projects succeed which had previously failed.

Oh, how beautiful life can be,

Beautiful simplicity."

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A simply quiet life

Simplifying your life does not only mean cleaning out your cupboards, re-organising your store room or getting rid of excess stuff. All most of us want, is a quiet life. By that I don't mean you must not travel, be adventurous or have a busy life. I'm talking about having a quiet, peaceful mind, a mind that is at ease with where you are in life, that can handle whatever is thrown at you.

Decluttering our minds is one of the most important aspects of living a simple, fulfilled life. If your cupboards are neat and organised but your mind is still in a place of turmoil, you won't feel any better. We all have problems that arise in our lives and important decisions to make and problems are much easier to handle when we have inner peace.

Inner peace is obtained by taking a good look at what's going on in your life and deciding what is important and dumping all the rest. By clearing out "unnecessary" thoughts and problems, it leaves us space to deal with only that which is necessary. We often fill our minds with all sorts of irrelevant things which makes it impossible to see the big picture. 

If you're contemplating moving house, don't sweat the small stuff like, "where am I going to put this in the new place" or "I won't have space for my desk and computer" or "the new bathroom is so small". Life has a way of working out those small issues and we are all actually very adaptable beings. Once you've made a decision, just do what you have to do and the rest will fall into place.

Inner peace also comes from deciding which problems you can actually do something about and which you cannot help with except by giving constant support, like a friend or a family member that might be going through a difficult time. If the problem is of a financial nature and you can help, that's fine. If not, let it go and know that things happen as they must. To tell you the truth, you are not actually responsible for the rest of the Universe, even your own adult child, but love and support is something that we all have an abundance of and that's the best we can do.

All problems and decisions are the same - changing jobs, getting divorced, financial security, loss of a loved one - look at the big picture, let go of what you can and move on. Regrets and living in the past serves no purpose. All we have is now, tomorrow might never come, so let's do the best with NOW that we can.

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Coquettish maids

 

Lovely

Coquettish maids

Peeking painted faces

Coyly from under tilted green

Sun shades.

- Imogene Wagner (1948)

Taken in my garden -

Camera : Canon EOS 550D

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May today there be peace within - New Year 2016

May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of the Universe.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

On this day and for the rest of our lives.

Happy New Year!

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Celebrate every moment

Our time on this earth is sacred, and we should celebrate every moment. 

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We cook and complain that it's a waste of time, when we should be pouring our love into making that food.  

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We work and believe it's a divine curse, when we should be using our skills to bring pleasure and to spread the energy of the Mother. 

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Honest-to-goodness South African home-made Apricot Jam! Made by my dear friend Elizabeth  

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Camera Kodak EasyShare C195

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Winter is dead

She turned to the sunlight and shook her yellow head... and whispered to her neighbour, "Winter is dead”.
- A A Milne

Doors open

when you feel good about yourself

when you set yourself free

 when you start listening to yourself

doors open when you start living in the NOW.

(some of the door handles in my home)

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Do what you love

Nothing is of more importance than our mental and physical health - if you're not well, you are of no use to those around you. In fact, you might be a burden.

I have this special little corner set up in my dining room where I can disappear into my own little world, doing the things I love - journaling, sketching, making notes of new birds visiting my garden and where I keep some seeds ready for sowing. Here I often also plan my week, it seems to bring order to my life and reminds me to not fill my day with too many things and to leave some moments for just being quiet...

Doing what you love is one of the most important steps to mental and physical health. It has been proven scientifically that people that feel passionate about, and enjoy, what they're doing, live a longer, happier and healthier life than someone who struggles to get up in the morning because they hate their job, or what they're doing.

Put a spring in your walk, get your skin glowing and exude vibrancy - by doing what you love! And if you want to make a difference in the world, the single most important thing you can do is consciously and deliberately choose to do work that you are passionate about.

When you follow your bliss, it seems like the rest of the world orchestrates things so that your life is easy. It becomes effortless.

If you don't know WHAT it is you'd love to do, get some answers here at 'How to find what you love to do'. 

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Green tip #11 How to store Basil

Basil leaves are renowned for their medicinal properties as well as for their culinary properties. Basil is a rich source of nutrients and is a great addition to a variety of dishes.

Whether harvesting your own home-grown basil or wanting to store market or store bought fresh basil, knowing how to best store it will ensure that it remains in top condition for longer. Since basil has a high water content and is delicate, it cannot be dried like many other herbs, as it will turn black and lose its flamboyance (flavor). It will also turn black if chopped or bruised and exposed to air. Fortunately, freezing basil is an ideal option.

Store in water away from direct sunlight. If you don't want to freeze the basil, whether it's home-grown or purchased, you can keep it fresh for up to two weeks by placing the branches in a vase and keeping them on the counter out of the sun. This method is ideal when you're likely to be using it frequently for cooking throughout the following week or so.

• It's recommended that you keep the basil close to your cooking preparation area to make it easier to remember to make use of it.

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Coffee with a conscience

W&N watercolour on Amedeo 200gsm

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The next time you're ordering your favourite morning cappuccino, spare a thought for the planet. Here's why.

Most of us are aware of climate change, but don’t always understand its far-reaching effects. Woolworths set out to change this when it undertook an expedition to Kilimanjaro in January.

"Climate change is one of the four pillars of our Good Business Journey," explains Woolworths Good Business Journey manager, Justin Smith. "Global warming results in increasing average air and ocean temperatures, and melting snow and ice. In Africa, Kilimanjaro’s melting ice cap is one of the most visible indicators of global warming."

The aim of the expedition, which was led and filmed by respected guide Sean Wisedale, was to raise awareness of climate change and its effect on coffee farmers in Tanzania – the farmers who grow the organic coffee Woolworths sells in its cafés.

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Smith explains: "Kilimanjaro's melting ice cap is directly threatening Tanzania's coffee farmers, who are reliant on the glacier melt for water. These organic farmers grow their coffee under the shady forest canopies on the slopes of the mountain, which means that once the ice disappears, there will be less water for their crops."

Climatologist and 50:50 presenter Simon Gear joined the expedition, along with South African Champion Barista, Ishan Natalie, and a team of passionate coffee and environmental enthusiasts. When the team reached the summit, they used water from the melting glacier to make a symbolic iced coffee drink.

The drink – minus the glacier water – was launched in Woolworths Cafés on 18 January 2011. It costs R16.
Taken from "Woolworths TasteMag"

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A mystery wrapped in brown,
A fragile enigma,
Enveloping the senses,
With the earthy steam
Of a bean.
The mind wrapped in warmth,
The essence of dark roast,
Heating from within,
The senses thrill,
With every lingering
Sniff of the aroma
In the mug
- by Drew K.

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