TAKE TIME

Welcome to Sunday morning in my little corner of the world where the sun is shining and birds are singing and my heart is peaceful.    

I had dinner with friends "The Golden Girls" who understand and accept that sometimes I can't see out a long evening and drive me home when my energy sags and I need to sleep.   Thanks girls - dinner was great.

The day is moving on nicely and time for me to go to the Post Office to mail my weekly mail - which you know I enjoy very much, and while out I shall get some lunch and then sit in the sun and read a while.

Wherever you are in this beautiful world please take the time to enjoy the journey and be present to each moment.  You are making memories which will serve you well.

If it is Sunday for you - take a leisurely stroll through the day - walk in a garden, at the beach or just curl up with a book by a cozy fire ~ or if Saturday evening holds family times and celebrations for you - cherish the time, enjoy the people you celebrate with and enjoy the journey.

I had just had a lovely chat on the telephone with my elder daughter who is enjoying her Sunday at home with a good book by the fire. 

Life is sweet and beautiful and despite all the ugly things it is still a beautiful world - enjoy your journey through it and stop to smell the flowers, hold a small child's hand, walk by the river, by the ocean and breathe the air of life.

Today is INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY and I share with you a picture of Cape Willoughby Lighthouse on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

and another Lighthouse at Cape Byron - most easterly point of Australia.

Enjoy your Sunday - and remember to let your little light shine.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of my heart as I dance through life with the daffodils and a joyful, thankful heart.

Love and hugs,

Linda

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

Good evening and welcome to Tuesday evening in my little corner of the world - Ruby Tuesday - a day to remember to sparkle and shine and to look for the gems and jewels that are to be found along our pathway each day.

These gems and jewels are truly beautiful when we find them - I have just walked outside and viewed a full moon in a clear velvet sky that is filled with diamonds.  The air is crisp and cold, but it is truly beautiful.

My daffodils are dancing to the symphony of an early spring and the blossom on the almond tree is beautiful - and soon the wind will blow those blossom petals on to my pathway and it will be like a snow fall.

I stepped out in faith today and followed my heart with very great encouragement from a friend - who told me to "hit the road and to remember that roads are for journeys not destinations." and it was the right and proper thing for me - my instinct was right, I took the journey and there was joy in the journey.

Some days are filled with activities and others much quieter - for some this Tuesday is a full on schedule and to them I say don't miss the gems and jewels along your pathway  ~ slow down, take some deep breaths and find those gems that will feed your soul.  Courage, energy and strength for the task.

It is true - only you know what is right for you - be guided by loving family or friends, but follow that gut instinct and find the treasures in your life and follow your heart.

I came home and took my nap - I am getting very good at this "napping" - when they make it an Olympic sport I suspect I shall have a chance at a gold medal.

Life is and can be full of adventure and exciting times - I have a cooking class on Saturday ~ this time "Citrus, Cannelloni and Cotta" ~ A Mediterranean Taste Sensation and possibly another one at the end of September ~

"Chermoula, Chicken and Couscous" ~ Delights from the Casbah.

It is very special to me to be out and about enjoying these classes and my beading classes - it has been a long time since I have been able to be part of the world and I am looking forward to working with Donate Life at our Royal Adelaide Show from September 7 ~ 16.  Life is good and I am able to do these things and I do so with a thankful heart ~ I am following my instincts and doing only what I am able to do and being careful not to overdo things. 

While I am out enjoying these things, I am also enjoying the treasure that friendship is - the joy of working together, laughing together and generally just having fun. 

There are times when I need a push to get out and do things and today was one of them and I am grateful for the encouragement and message of support.   

Veni vidi vici ~ I came, I saw, I conquered.(well almost - at least I have made a good start.) 

Wherever you are - be it hot or cold - and whatever your Tuesday holds for you (and the same thing applies for Wednesday and every day) find joy in the little things - the people you greet with a smile, a kindly word, an open door,  see the lovely things around you, take in the fragrances of life, keep your eyes open and make sure you hear the sonata of life and when the music plays for you I hope that you can dance.

Thank you for visiting the musings of my heart ~ a heart that is very aware of the life I have been gifted and very thankful for the loving support I receive daily.

Love and hugs,

Linda.

FIND JOY IN YOUR JOURNEY

"Under the heavens
we journey far,
on roads of life
we're the wanderers,"


Good Morning and welcome to Saturday for me and Friday evening for some - welcome to my heart and my home on the web,  and your visit here is all part of your journey.


The joy is in the journey - at least it is for me and I hope that I can encourage you to leave the past behind and go forward with courage, strength and hope.
Indeed we are the wanderers and must be looking forward not backward ~ there is nothing anyone can do to change the past. 


  Please don't visit me in my past for I don't live there any more.


I have had a wonderful and long conversation about this already this morning and clearly we acknowledged that there are going to be bumps on the journey, holes in the road and storms as we travel, but what we should always remember is that these things pass and we can't dwell on them.
We don't travel alone - and have and need the support of others to share their umbrella on rainy days.  There are also times when we need the solace and comfort of our own company on our journey - there is also joy in solitude.


There are times when I need to be alone with my thoughts and I have just remembered some of the lyrics from a song I can remember my Grandfather singing to me as a little girl:


""When you come to the end of a perfect day,

And you sit alone with your thought,
While the chimes ring out with a carol gay, For the joy that the day has brought"  

Wow - where did that come from - from some deep dark recess of my mind. !!

Take time with those you love but also take time with yourself - enjoy your own company - learn to like yourself.    What do you see when you look in the mirror - I hope you see a kind and compassionate soul who is willing to reach out to others ~ one whose heart is filled with hope. 


It is already well into the weekend for me and I have been shopping for groceries this morning and even enjoyed the bustle and crowd - I gave away smiles and surprisingly received some in return.  


I like my life - I like me  - I am so very blessed.  I have a family grown and making their own way in the world and doing very well.  I have friends and I am loved, encouraged and supported in so many ways.


I am finally getting to watch the Lord of the Rings series on DVD - somehow in the mess that was my illness I never got to see them and I have watched one of three and of course Enya's "May It Be An Evening Star" completed the magic for me and, although it was late I caught hold of a phrase at the end of the first film "The Fellowship of the Ring", which challenged me and captivated me.


"All you can do is decide what to do with the time you've been given."  


How profound is that ? and it is so perfectly true of any of our lives - we don't know the time we've been given and must decide what to do with it.  I know for me I feel I have been given a second chance at life and a friend calls it "re-birth"  whatever you call it, whoever you are and for whatever reason,the decision is yours as to how you "spend" your time.


There is much sadness in the world but amid the sadness are ordinary people making the best of what they have and going forward - never turning back, nor even looking back.


I wish you a beautiful weekend with your thoughts, your solitude, your busy family times, and the problems that beset you - just keep looking forward and find the joy in your journey.


Thanks for visiting the Musings of My Heart a contemplative heart this morning, but one finding joy in the journey and moving forward.


Love and hugs,
Linda.