A Reason, A Season or a Lifetime ....

Such great words! I am sure most of you have seen/ read this before , but I thought it worth re-publishing, just because ..... 

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person..

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support,   

To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.

They may seem like a godsend and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,  this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire  fulfilled, their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.

They may teach you something you have never done.

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life,  whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Authored by:  Brian A "Drew" Chalker

Picture taken in Mpumalanga, south Africa

Boredom and frustration can represent impending change! Really!

There are times when no matter how good things are, how comfortable we are, how much things are just going along .... quietly and happily, we arrive at a point of discontent, disharmony, frustration even, or boredom if you will. More often than not, not making any sense at all!

It always appear strange to see people hit a phase like this in their lives, since it seems out of place - after all, what right do we, any of us, have to be unhappy, bored or frustrated when you have all your basic needs met?!

This got me thinking, that surely as long as moments like this are real and with the awareness that we (generally) have lots to be grateful for... is being bored and / or frustrated with the status quo, such a bad thing? Is it being negative? or even necessarily destructive?

I remember listening to a CD by Anthony Robbins where he expressed that frustration is a good thing, because until you reach this point, you are not driven to take note, to face facts, to ask what is going on, to determine what can be changed, what needs to be changed, to... well, in effect, make changes.

So, I am of the opinion that feeling fed up, bored and frustrated are not bad feelings or emotions at all (albeit that it can feel very uncomfortable at times). It's not a bad place to be, and neither do theses feelings/ emotions (necessarily) lead to destructive acts, provided, and that's really the trick.... that we are open and honest with ourselves and with those around us, so that they know that all is not well for a little while. More importantly, I'd also add, provided that we make a concerted effort to understand what is going on and make the necessary changes, act on them, not abandon our thoughts, feelings and emotions - these are, after all, disguised "gifts" or opportunities for us to do what we need to do to improve our viewpoint of the world around us, to take on the challenges, to learn new things and do new (exciting??) things ...

So, picking up my glass of Van Lovern Merlot (aka a good South African red wine), here's to taking on new challenges and making changes!!! Cheers and I wish you well .....

Picture credit: Gena D Photography

A list of things that make me happy 1.

I recently read an article on the things that make, or that people perceive to make them happy, and got to wondering, if I could compile a list of my own. Evidently it would never be comprehensive and neither would it be conclusive, since after all we change constantly, and I am sure that there are many things yet uncovered, which I will only with time come to realise what they mean to me.

That said, in an effort to put some ideas down, here goes....

• the smell of rain (especially after a hot, dry spell)
• a good cup of coffee (without which I don't think I'd function very well)
• a great home cooked meal, like goulash, for example
• good company - normally a good friend with whom I can share almost everything
• a good (dare I say it, South African) red wine
• sitting in front of a crackling fire
• listening to animated '"story teller" (you know the type that can tell stories with just the right words, level of emotion and thought ......that are just by nature very entertaining)
• good music (and this can vary substantially depending on the time, the event etc. -see my previous post on music .....
• a great unputdownable book
• a great discussion or debate
• laughter (and someone who makes me laugh)
• making someone smile!
• stargazing
• wonderful fabric!!! (my weakness!!!!)
• rich autumn colours
• the smell of popcorn
• a great (entertaining) movie
• vast open spaces
• my camera (how could I forget!!!!) see link to My Photography
• being able to make a difference (in whatever form)
• being surrounded by good friends
• sharing a meal
• the smell of baking bread
• the smell of jasmine in spring
• a bunch of roses
• the sound of running water (i.e. a river, or water feature)
• being part of a family
• spring!!!
  

I'm going to stop here, leave the rest for another time ....... What an interesting exercise to do and it wasn't as "brain wracking" as I thought it would be. Like the question - "what are your positive traits?" - one normally has to think about it, yet when you get going, it's amazing what you can come up with!!!

Try it, it's a great exercise in getting to know yourself, and if nothing else, at least we are reminded of all the things that we take for granted or simply forget about and that in effect we should be grateful for!

To read my previous post on "Where would we be without music" click here

For My Photography aka the love of my camera, click here

For wholesome, comfort food, see recipes under Vintage Rose

Picture: Gena D Photography taken at National Botanical Gardens, South Africa

Idealistic? Maybe ....

Every now and again I come across sayings, words, bits of wisdom, some would even call them cliches. Little statements that make you go "uhm, now that's an interesting perspective" or "I didn't look at it that way", or even "how inspiring is that?"

Little snippets that make you stop and wonder if sometimes we just take things far too seriously and in the process forget to pay attention to the things that really matter, the things that really make a difference... on this journey, called life.

Well every time I come across this little piece of wisdom, I read it more than once, even though I have read it many times before. I stop and think... wow, it really is that simple! Is is possible that we can just be, just enjoy the moment, stop fretting and worrying and obsessing about all the other things that, quite frankly, you will not recall in 5 years time.

So, ponder on this one for a little while, and maybe, just for today, think and act a little bit differently.

Work like you don't need the money,

Love like you've never been hurt,

And Dance like no one is watching.

G

Picture: taken on location, Phefumula Farm, Magalies by Gena D Photography

Capturing the Moment

At least every so many days or weeks, I experience the truth of capturing the moment. This applies to most things in life, but in this instance I am referring to my camera.

I love my camera (as most people who know me well, will attest), I love capturing moments, things, places, people, textures, in fact, whatever piques my interest or curiosity at that given moment. In light of this passion, I often carry my camera or at least, the smaller version, my Sony cybershot, with me, just in case... as you never know when you may come across a beautiful scene, a flower, a building, an interesting person.

This morning, as I was taking my son to school, there was a beautiful scene worthy of being captured, over the Jukskei river, which flows through our suburb. There was a thick veil of mist over the meandering river, so thick, that it disguised the fact that beyond the river, up the embankment, there are a whole lot of homes. The angle of the sun was perfect.... in essence this would have made a perfect picture. Alas, no camera.

Yes there will be another morning where I will get the opportunity to capture the mist over the river..... but in many instances, capturing that moment, as is, never really re-occurs. In effect, a lost opportunity!

The analogy that I have gleaned about the immediacy of taking pictures, is that the same thing applies to life. Don't wait to say what you think, don't wait to share your thoughts and opinions, don't wait to express yourself, or make that call, or send that letter/ email, or to give a hug .... Say what's on your mind, hug, forgive, do what you need to do in the moment, make that phone call, send that email, do that task..... don't wait, because you may not get the opportunity again, ever, or certainly not in a hurry... and the moment will be lost.

Tomorrow, I will have my camera with me, in the hope that I can capture the mist over the river.....

Being Grateful

Give time to time.... What a strange saying? As a youngster mom would say these words whenever we felt frustrated by the slowness of time or events. I admit, though that back then, I really didn't get this bizarre statement .... what does it mean? As with most things parent's teach us, only as you get older and wiser do you begin to see and understand the wisdom.

So I have to say that only now in my 40's do I truly get the message.... essentially it's no good pushing things, it's no good forcing things and wishing and whining, it's no good demanding and throwing your toys.

Everything happens or comes about when it is meant to, and in the way it's meant to. The negative aspect of this, of course is that whilst you are feeling despondent about things not happening quickly enough, often enough, at all, or whatever...... is that time goes by and we are focused on all the wrong things! We certainly are not present in our lives and events and most definitely are not displaying gratitude for the good and great things we do have in our life - let's face it, even in the worst of circumstances, there is something to be thankful for.

Life is of course, a quandary (to me anyway) ..... the more I learn, the less I seem to know ... but I do know this:

• Where you are is where you are meant to be.


• You can only control yourself, your thoughts and actions and nobody else's,


• Be grateful for everything you have whether it's the roof over your head, the car you drive (even if it's old), the food and clothes you have, your health, your friends, your family, even your eyes, ears, legs, you ability to question, your ability to learn, your ability to explore ...... the list is endless and let's face it, what we are grateful for today may differ tomorrow and from person to person. That's okay, no-one is measuring or judging.

As a very good friend of mine put it: "sometimes time just takes toooo long" .... indeed! But, instead of pondering when "such and such" is going to happen" or why such and such hasn't happened, just remember to be grateful and live life well ... be in the moment and treat your loved ones, be they friends or family, well, treat everything as a great experience, even if it's something you definitely won't do again. After all as the great George Carlin (comedian) put it :

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.