I was having a quick re-read through some of my posts and noticed I waffle on an awful lot about how fast time flies, so I'm going to make a conscious effort not to do that anywhere near as much.  I was going to say not at all and then thought, perhaps that's not realistic as we do sometimes comment on things in passing.  For me though, it's no longer going to be every post or every other post!

This week has been an interesting week and has been bit of a roller coaster in some ways.  Hearing of a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was not a high point and as always with anything like that, it reminds you of your own mortality and reminds me I have so much to be thankful for regardless of whatever else I have going on in my life.

I am truly blessed to have so many loved ones in my life, to have a job that fulfills me and supports me, to live in an area I like where I'm close to the sea and not too far from the mountains, that I have the capacity to get away and take a break somewhere from time to time - yes I have to save up for it but I'm fortunate I can do so, that despite being overweight, I'm also reasonably healthy and that I have dreams I can pursue.  Admittedly some are bigger than others and some are more achievable than others, but that's all ok.. the fact I have hopes and dreams is a wonderful thing.

So this weekend I plan to spend less time on the computer.  I know there are things I want to do on here and follow up, especially in relation to my retreats, however, I also need the down time so I have some loose plans in place to do some gardening, spend time weeding and planting flowers herbs and veggies - not heaps, just a few.. enough for me to enjoy, make a curry, do some baking and maybe even pull out my paints.  There will of course be at least a little time spent near the water.  

I may even make a plan of where to start with some de-cluttering I've been wanting to do.  Or just start without the plan.  I'm a list person though which can be a good thing and a pesky thing at times.  I prefer to think of it as a good thing that sometimes needs a little relaxing now and then.

During the week I spent some time at another favourite place near the water. I have a few favourite places and was able to spend a little time in reflection. I know I need to make some more little changes in my life, so I'm going to start taking some baby steps towards those changes.

Today's pic was taken in Queenstown, New Zealand around 18 months ago. Have I mentioned lately how much I'm looking forward to returning to NZ later this year?  I love the place!  Enjoy your day :)

And another week has flown by!  Hard to believe it is now the 1st of May.  I seem to keep saying that, is it a sign of age?  As a child, I used to think my mother was nuts when she said how fast the year was going, now I'm finding it goes lightning fast.  When your kids start commenting how fast the year is going, that's when you feel a little old! 

All that aside, it's been another full on week both with work and home.  My work is always challenging but the political climate at the moment certainly has a huge impact.  Over the last 6-12 months particularly, it's been like a race to the bottom with our political parties as to who has the least humanity when it comes to some of our most vulnerable people seeking help.  The level of cruelty and punitive measures that have been put in place are beyond words.  Each time we've thought it surely can't get worse, it does and I find it really disturbing on so many levels that we have successive governments (and many in this govt who purport to be Christian) who think this is ok.  People who used to pay lip service about being solidly against the very things they are now introducing. It's sickening.  And makes one feel deeply ashamed of what's being done in our name.

So in an attempt to find some perspective, it's about seeing what we can do within that climate.  What are the little things we can do that may help someone get through their day and cope with their burdens and this limbo they are living in indefinitely.  And it's the little wins we have that make the difference.  For these people to know that someone cares makes a difference and even though there are restrictions on what can be done, we can be creative in finding other ways to help build their capacity, be able to live a meaningful life when so much is in turmoil for them and bring a little joy into their lives. The resilience of some of these people is both humbling and inspiring.  I feel that I'm where I'm meant to be and it encourages me to keep doing what I'm doing, making my life meaningful in some small way.  

When working with all of that, it also means my down time and self care is really important.  To take time out not only for reflection, but quite time, grounding time and some fun as well.  Last weekend I strongly felt the need to be grounded again, so took a day and went for a drive up into the mountains.  We (my friend and I) stopped at a little cafe with a magnificent view and soaked up the scenery.  It was beautiful and very relaxing.  We spent a little time driving around and enjoying the mountains.  I find so much pleasure in those simple things.

From the mountains, we went to the beach and enjoyed a light lunch before a paddle.  I love the feel of walking on the sand and the water over my feet.  A pelican came over close to join me and just seemed to be keeping me company.  The day was just what a I needed to refresh.  On that note, I will finish here and hope you're having a good week too.

Oh my, how the time flies!  I was thinking it had been around a week since my last post, but it's actually been 9 days.  So what has happened in that time?  

I had a look at a venue yesterday for the retreat I'd like to run in November. It's very close to another place I'd had in mind, however, that place has sadly closed.  This place was definitely work-able though, had good sized rooms, offered catering as well, but alas is unavailable the weekend I'd like it!  So I'm looking at a Plan B and perhaps a Plan C.

I'm also getting ready to start up a Women's Circle ~ a small gathering for women I hope to run for a couple of hours once a month.  So things are slowly but surely coming together for this dream of mine.  

I'm still enjoying the Gayatri Mantra on a daily basis, just listening to it being sung on a CD I have is very relaxing as well.  It's beautiful.  

It was great to have the break over Easter and I spent some time catching up with family and relaxing.  I didn't go away as I thought I may have done, but enjoyed the time at home.  I tried to get into some painting, but I think my head or mind was too in the way and it wasn't terribly productive or successful or satisfying.  Perhaps some mindfulness and letting things be, just getting in the moment and painting would have been better!  

I did manage to spend some time by the water, doing some reflecting and planning as well as enjoying the fresh sea air.  I'm also hoping to get away for a couple of days this weekend and have some beach time.

I'm feeling a little ticked at the moment because I'm not making any progress with my weight.  In fact, I've re-gained the little I lost.  It's such a roller coaster and never ending battle ground.  I will keep plugging away though and I realise that perhaps I need to look at the bigger picture some more.  

Making some other changes might also mean looking at my days and making time to do certain things like walk more regularly.  Also looking at being a little more mindful about meals I make, not continually getting home late and thinking I couldn't be bothered so just grabbing whatever I lay my hands on first.  I guess it's about breaking those not so good habits really.  That mindful word keeps popping up, doesn't it?  It really plays a role in every aspect of our life.

Well that's it from me for now.  Thanks for reading.  Today's pic is of a little plaque I saw in a garden at the recent retreat I had on the Sunshine Coast.

Wow, nice to see a whole bunch of readers to my last post.  Thank you for taking the time out to have a read!!

I realised after my last post that I didn't mention the business breakfast I attended last Friday.  One of the speakers was very difficult to hear but spoke about the marketing side of business and what I could hear, sounded really interesting and very relevant so it's something I'd like to chase up a little more.

A friend attended with me and from there we went to check out a venue for another retreat I'd like to run locally in October.  The grounds and the rooms were good, but I didn't quite like the feel of the place.  It was a church run place and had a very heavy Christian feel about it which is fine, but it just didn't feel right or quite appropriate for what I was looking for.  So it's back to the drawing board. 

I have made enquiries about another place and once we've finished playing phone tag, I will hopefully be able to go check it out.  

I also found another motel type place up the Sunshine Coast that I'd like to check out.  A little more expensive than I was looking for, but it may be ideal for our needs so hopefully over the Anzac weekend break I can take a peek.  I may even try to spend a night up there.  

I've had the frustrating exercise of looking for a medium sized art book that I'd written a lot of workshop idea's in, along with a children's book outline. Do you think I can find it though?  I last had it just before I went to NZ and I've been looking for it ever since I returned from the Yamba retreat.  It surely can't be too far away but I have looked and looked and looked everywhere I can possibly think of and then some.  

I'm hoping that if I can't find the book, that I at least have another big burst of inspiration so I can recall or come up with some fresh ideas that I can use. I feel the need to have a major planning session and would like to do some of that over the Easter break.  I don't mean spend the whole break on it, just a day .. or an hour here or there as the idea's come by.  

Well it's just about time for me to stop rambling here but just wanted to say that I feel a bit like I'm missing NZ at the moment.  Crazy eh?  Never lived there yet so very drawn to the place.  I was looking through some of my pics and decided to share another with you.  It was taken in Lake Wanaka heading towards Mt Aspiring.  The beauty of this place takes my breath away and I so want to spend a lengthier period of time there.  Until next time...

It's been a little while since I posted.  How is it that time goes so fast?  I know I say that often and you're probably sick of reading it.  Our lives seem to be lived at such a fast pace these days.

The weekend retreat I ran last weekend on the Sunshine Coast was lovely and went well.  It was so nice to see this bunch of women again and spend time with them, being creative, laughing, talking, sharing meals, shopping, enjoying the scenery and catching up on what's going on in our lives.

We altered the program I'd put together a little to make space for more of that catch up time.  We still did our beading workshop though and all left sporting a lovely beaded necklace we'd made.  A special memento of our weekend together.  We also did the fastest session ever on mindfulness the morning we left.  It still went well though and the women said they enjoyed it.  

The feedback I received was all positive and there's even been a suggestion to make it an annual event.  How fun will that be!

I have to say the Bella Vista Pizzeria at Mapleton is worth a visit.  The guy that waited on our table (I think he may have been the owner) was a very funny guy and had awesome people skills.  Food was great too.

Maleny Cheese Factory was delicious as always and they do great cheese and antipasto platters too.  We also went to the nearby lookout and enjoyed the spectacular views of the Glasshouse Mountains.  I think I need to go back up there in the not too distant future and enjoy those views some more.

In other news, I've now sent off my advertising cards to Altamont Lodge in Lake Wanaka where I'll be hosting my NZ retreat.  The lovely Noeline is going to have the cards at her reception for anyone who may be interested.  

Well that's about it from me for now.  Today's pic is of the Glasshouse Mountains.  Wishing you a wonderful week.

Oh my gosh, all of a sudden Friday is here!  This week has been incredibly busy and has absolutely flown.  

Today is kind of exciting though.  It will also be a bit crazy busy but I'm running my first retreat this weekend and it starts this afternoon.  Well people start arriving this afternoon and we should all be there by 9.30pm tonight.

An huge amount of planning has gone into the weekend, so I hope it all goes well from the littlest things right up to the big things.

This morning I'm also attending a business breakfast run by our local council at 6.45 am! Why not take the opportunity when I have the day off I thought.. I knew this week would be busy, but the last couple of days made me realise perhaps this wasn't the best plan to attend an early morning meeting today as it's added a little stress knowing I wouldn't have the morning to do much of the last minute stuff.

It is a learning curve for the next one.  Note to self - Ensure you have a quiet-ish weekend prior and not have too much outside of work going on in the week prior.  I've had two busy weekends leading up and a dinner on Wed night, plus just a really full work week in my day job.  So lesson learnt!

All good though really as I seem to work reasonably well under pressure and it all gets done one way or another.  I slept like a log last night, although nowhere near as much sleep as I probably should have had (given I was awake at 2.30 am yesterday after a really poor sleep) but I slept solidly from around 11.30 pm til 4.30 am this morning and have got up to finish off a few things.

I haven't yet packed my gear (as in clothes etc) or the art supplies, but not feeling too stressed about them as neither should take long. 

I will also be checking out some accommodation this morning after the meeting for another retreat I'm planning in October.  This accommodation is not far from where I live, so I'm hoping it will be in line with what I'm looking for.  Fingers crossed!

Well I best get moving.  I'll post again after the retreat!  Have a great weekend :).

   

So another day is done, I'm tired, I have 101 things still to do for this retreat starting Friday... ok, well perhaps not 101 but a few... I completed some training today that has provided me with more ideas for some workshop material, and I sit here procrastinating over writing my blog!  

There is so much going on that I want to put down, kind of a way of capturing all the excitement this year has held so far.  Of where I've been, where I'm going and all the bits in the middle.

Trouble is, I procrastinate or think I'll write it up tomorrow, then I don't do it for whatever reason and by the time I come back to it, I've forgotten half of what I was thinking of writing.  Makes so much more sense to just get in and do it!

But isn't that like anything in life?  From chores or tasks we don't like doing, errands we don't feel like running, weight we are trying to lose yet are struggling to stay on track, the meditation we were doing every day that has now slipped off the radar somewhat, and on and on it goes.  

For me, it comes back to that accountability thing again.  Ugh!  I do so well for a while, then I seem to come to a screeching halt.  Not always for any good reason, but somehow it slips off my radar.  For me, I only have to miss a day and I struggle to get back to it that next day.  If I miss two days, it's harder again and when I miss 3 days, it takes me ages to get back to it.  

I have this crazy thing of leaving deadlines til the last minute.  I will be half or 3/4's organised and those last little bits that I'm quite capable of doing earlier to ensure there is no stress around them, are the things I seem to leave... and then it's the mad crazy rush to complete them.  My to do or check list grows longer and while I usually complete what's on there, I create stress for myself by not addressing some of the things sooner.  

So recently, as in the last few weeks, I've started using my diary more and actually spreading tasks out across different days.  I wouldn't say it's working 100%... well not for the days I have them written on, however, I am finding that I'm achieving most things by the end of the week so I guess in some sense it's working in a reasonably functional way.  

I need to do that with other things too.  Like exercise, even if it's just walking a few times a week.  All well and good to say I'd like to walk 3 times a week and meditate at least every second day, but if I'm not more specific about when or don't create the time for the when, then I don't always get around to it.

And I think a lot of it comes back to that word I used earlier ~ procrastination!  I remember a tutor saying to me once that 'resistance has meaning'.  In other words, what is behind my resistance?  What is really stopping or hindering me?  What is the mind chatter that is going on?  What do I need to encourage me to stay on track?  It's interesting to delve a little deeper into these things.  For me, I often find they are fear based or involve some self doubt.

And while I know there are a handful of huge fears that take up space from time to time, I also know that I've met some of those fears head on... and managed them.  I can't say it was easy or felt good while I was meeting them, but it felt dang good after I achieved them.  

Anyways, just some reflections this evening.  Today's pic was taken from an 'ahh, look what I found!' type moment last Saturday.  Isn't that the cutest bus stop ever on the corner of Lovers Lane?