Wednesday 29 April 2015

The beauty of nature can be rewarding.
Like the quiet sitting, relaxing on the beach, in the park or in a friends back garden.
So often we listen to life's pressures. What others think we want e.g. new T.V, new phone, new car
and trendy furniture.
Generally we are quite happy and contented with what we already have.
Why do we allow ourselves to be overcome with pressure to keep up? Is it because we  risk being labelled unsuccessful, not on trend?  I'm sure those of us who land on our feet through hard work and determination, at some point would  enjoy a swap for the simple life " the gypsy way", I call it.
I put so much stress on myself, listening to the external messages, as I get older. I sometimes think  that I should be further ahead than I am. However when I think back to my childhood I often remember how we enjoyed the little we had. Having a vegetable garden to help put food on the table, preserving, making clothes by sewing and knitting.
I find it so rewarding to give away hand crafted items and receive them, knowing the effort and love
that's gone into them.
My point is, that I am a person of value and talent, despite my literary  challenges. I am worthy and consider myself wealthy in the best things in life. For me to be happy, I find peace within myself, am more content  and relaxed and  remember that 'Life is short'. These thoughts come easily to me when I'm surrounded by the beauty of my garden.


Wednesday 15 April 2015

 -Anne Lamott- a fabulous Quote:
 
Oh my God, what if you wake up some day, and you're 65 or 75,
and you never got your memoir or novel written,
or you didn't go swimming in warm pools and oceans all those years because your thighs were jiggly and you had a nice big comfortable tummy,
or you were just so strung up on perfectionism and people pleasing that you forgot to have a big  juicy creative life,
of imagination and radical silliness and staring off into space like when you were a kid?
Its going to break your heart.
Don't let this happen.




























Wednesday 8 April 2015

A lack of confidence can get in the way of achieving even the little things in life, if you have Dyslexia as I have.
Self doubt can be my worst enemy. Judgement on everything I do can affect how I judge other people around me. It can make me have jealous, unhealthy thoughts. It can effect weight gain to some and weight loss to others. You don't think of yourself as worthy to take on the bigger things, I would be the first one to put my hand up and be guilty of this.
I have discovered that comparing myself with others is a waste of  energy and self destructive.
I remind myself  we all have gifts to share but the rewards may not be what we hoped it would be.
Do you realize that we can be content being happy with the simple things in life. Contentment can make us healthier and live longer.
When things are free, like a smile, a hug, a friendly wave or a kind thankyou, you can make a big difference to someone's day. 
It is exciting to think about what I have yet to discover about my life and the world.
This challenge they call Dyslexia will always be part of my life but the difference that my lovely Tutor has taught me is...
This is not a disability, it is the ability to be who I am.
'JUST BE ME'

Wednesday 1 April 2015

continuing on...

although I have a learning difficulty in my life, I have been blessed with skills to discover  how to do the Arts I enjoy.
Crafts such as quilting, mosaics, gardening, bottling  jam and pickles which I find rewarding.
Nothing too complicated. Frequently, I simply followed the illustrations (pictures).
When my children needed me to help them as a parent, I felt I may have let my girls down.
Reading a bedtime story, for example, would scare me.
I didn't wont to look dumb to my girls, so I made up words to fit the story, thinking they were too young to know the difference (ha ha).
I was unable to help them with homework even at their early age and as they grew older I made myself  too busy. I knew their Dad was better at this homework job than I was.
My girls found school easier then most. Now they both have great full time careers with wonderful futures ahead of them. They are confident, professional, honest women. Everyday they make me proud..
Unsurprisingly, I continue to have trouble reading. A restaurant menu is still hard work. 
I look for words which are easy to read  or resort to that boring known choice.
Do you realize how challenging  it is, when looking through a magazine, to do a simple crossword or to understand short stories.
This frustrates the hell out of me !
Mostly I find pleasure looking at nature. Bumblebees, butterflies, trees and gardens, the beauty of  the simple things in life. All the wildlife and scenery that mother nature gives us, free to enjoy.
This reminds me to stop, relax, slow down and enjoy life more. I've started to do that, thanks to my
Tutor and my loving partner. I see that I don't have to be perfect. I have plenty to offer with  the talents I have.