Wisdom....

Wikipedia - Wisdom is a deep understanding of people, things, events or situations, empowering the ability to choose or act to consistently produce the optimum results with a minimum of time and energy.

I was chatting to a dear friend last night over tea in Starbucks before we both dashed off home and I explained a situation to her regarding my family....and it suddenly dawned on me that I may well be getting wise in my old age.

My father passed away last year and recently my mum decided to re write her will so that her ‘house was in order’. She sat myself and my older brother down and discussed her requirements and what we should do in the event of her death – not exactly the kind of discussion you ever want to have, but it really does makes sense to have these things sorted out – and my brother and I had to make some decisions which will affect us and the family. Not wanting to go into too much detail, but suffice to say I made one which pleased both my mum and brother and at the same time left me feeling pleased that it had been dealt with calmly and sensibly. A few years ago I may well have made the decision based on what I thought was best for me, or maybe because I wanted to be in control of the situation, but this time I made the decision based on what was the best overall, leaving my ego at the door.

And when I explained this to my friend, I realised that I may well becoming wise....and you know what I quite liked it. I took comfort in that especially as society always is focused on age and we worry about getting old.

Next year I turn the dreaded 40 where they say life begins.....and if it’s full of wisdom then I say bring it on!

The best we can be.....

I have a confession to make......a month has passed since I last blogged! Where has the time gone?

On 10th February I committed to blogging more and revamping my website and I have achieved only a little bit of that. Why? My only answer to that is that life keeps me pretty busy and at times it’s hard to make way for other things....such as a blog.

I hate not living up to commitments – I feel like I am letting myself down and others too! But it seems like I am not alone in this, so I take solace from that.

I have joined a group on Flickr called The Blog Camp 365 project where you take a picture every day and post it as and when you can. Although I haven’t posted much to the group itself, I have been taking a picture every day. So yesterday I dropped by the group to see what was happening and the common theme on the discussion board were members who had decided to drop the 365 project as it either wasn’t working, they were not enjoying it or was taking up too much time. I completely understand that, especially after last week whereby it was mad and crazy and left hardly any time for me.

My reason for not visiting the group much was because I had not joined it from the start, so therefore I felt a bit disjointed. Everyone knew each other (or at least seemed to) and I felt a bit left out....so I just dropped by every now and then. But I wanted to be a part of that group as everyone seemed so nice. The community spirit I felt from just reading the posts and the comments on the pictures made me want to be involved. Plus the constructive comments, the ideas and inspiration is just what I need.

So I will. I will endeavour to be more active in this. But we have to realise that we are not superwomen (or men). We lead busy lives, we have family commitments.....and we can’t be everything to everybody or do everything we wish we could do. And if that’s the case, then we need to accept what we cannot change and do the best we can.

So here comes ‘the best I can’.....

A rainy Tuesday

Yesterday it did not stop raining. All day it just came down and although I like rain, when you are commuting to and from work in it, it just isn't nice!

So imagine my delight when my lovely Jim picked me up in the car as he had been working in town, And to top it off I managed to snap this picture on my camera phone through the window.

Bring on spring.....and fast!

Quotes

I simply love quotes! Not sure why....I just do. Maybe it's because I find people inspiring and therefore what they say in a quote can be inspirational (and clever and funny.....).

Here are some pictures I have taken using quotes as a theme.

Have a good Tuesday!

Helen

My version of Peace and quiet

I saw this on the back of the seat in a train. Absolutely loved it!

Happy Valentine's Day

I woke up this morning with the man I love - how fortunate am I.

He presented me with a Lego scene he made of a Stormtrooper giving his lover some flowers. Very bizarre you might think, but to us creative souls it's perfect. I am thankful to have him in my life and love the fact that he made something just for me....not a cuddly toy in sight!

Here is a pic he took of it and a link to his Flickr photostream.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/templeton-cross/

Happy Valentine's Day everyone and I hope you all have a wonderful day.

Portrait time

In my quest to re-develop, spruce up, brighten up and liven up my blog and website I feel I really ought to have a better photo of myself. The ones up are a bit old - mind you, I am then a bit younger so that can't be bad- and to be honest, not really worthy of someone who enjoys taking photographs.

But boy do I hate my photo being taken. It's horrendous, I can never find an image I like and I think 'do I really look like that' So my goal this month is to have one taken. I have the resources, namely my wonderful Jim to help me with the lighting etc, and I have the equipment, I just need to make the time.

I then started thinking about doing a portrait every week or every month, like I have seen people do on Flickr. That all depends on whether I can force myself to do it and have the bravery to post them.

But first....little steps and take that one portrait picture.....

What a difference a year makes....

It really has been ages since I have written my blog. Lots of things have happened in my life in the last year, some great.....brilliant infact, and others not so good. This has meant that my time has been diverted away from writing blogs, updating my website, and doing other similar activities.

Briefly, my father passed away in April 09 after a 3 month battle with cancer, and if this has happened to you I am sure you understand the impact this has on your life. My dad was a huge inspiration to me but not only that, he was the head of the family, he made the decisions (guided by my mum) and he was my safety net. He was the man I looked up to, the man who I wanted to emulate and the Dad I adored. I have no idea when I will get over his death....I hear that you never do, you just learn to live with it. I guess at the moment I am trying to do just that.

On a more positive note, I met a brilliant man in July 09 who is my soulmate. His passion and vocation is photography (http://www.templeton-cross.com/) and he has inspired me greatly. One creative soul with another. Absolutely perfect!

On another positive note (see it's not all doom and gloom) the rennovations to my old cottage are taking shape and it means I can free up some time to be creative again.

My plan (gotta have a plan) is to re-develop my blog and website and do more of the things I love....such as photography, art, spending days with my lovely Jim and not forgetting, laughing.

Helen

Behind every good man, is a good woman..........