BECAUSE I CAN

Welcome to Friday evening in Australia and a day that started off with steel grey sky and heavy mist ended up being quite sunny and pleasant.It was a busy day for me and only served to prove to me that I can't take these in and out of the car all day days.  I did achieve my goals and got all the things done I needed to.

I did my shopping early and on the way back to the car the most delightful little girl skipped along holding her Mother's hand - when her Mother asked her why she was doing it - she replied with a very big smile "Because I can.

This got me to thinking of the things we do just because we can.  The things we don't have to do, the things where there is no compulsion ~ it is done with just pure joy and spontaneity.  She then turned to her Mother and said "Mummy I love you' - it was nice to witness the pure joy of a child.   A lovely little person with no worries in the world who just gave in to the joy of the moment.   

How special it is to be part of this - to do it ourselves - to just race down the stairs with someone, to splash in puddles with someone - all for just the pure joy of living and because we can.   It is very special to be able to tell someone "I love you" for no other reason than you do love them.   That they bring you joy and happiness and you want them to know that you care and are there for them.

Every one of us has a story to tell and is affected by the things that happen in our lives - we grieve, we are in pain, and we get very tired and it is not only in the sunshine that we need to feel loved, we need to feel the warmth of love and friendship under steel grey skies, when the thunder roars and storms gather.

Sometimes we get to the stage where we struggle with our jobs and commitments and it is then we need to rest, restore and recover. Those who love us will wrap us in a blanket of love and patiently wait for us to heal and we will in due time.

Music and laughter will return and we will again see beauty in our world for it is, after all a very beautiful world.   I have seen beauty in my world this week in the bud on a very early daffodil in my garden. the view from a rooftop garden in the City, the sight of our beautiful Adelaide Hills, shafts of sunlight between tall big city buildings.   I saw beauty today in the little girl at the shopping centre  - sweetly dressed in purple with little black boots and feet that could not help skipping along.   I enjoyed her free expression without any shyness - she was living her life and loving it.   Lessons to be learned there - don't worry I probably will not skip through the shopping centre car park but I most certainly will splash in puddles and kick through autumn leaves, roll up my pants and walk knee deep in the water at the beach, squish the sand between my toes and squeal when a big wave comes and makes me wet.

I will read stories to little children, growl like a bear and roar like a lion 

BECAUSE I CAN.

I count my blessings each day - and remember with respect those days when I COULDN'T do so many things that have returned to be part of my life.  I can shop, I walk by the river, by the ocean, cook meals and celebrate with family.

I can stay up later at night without being a wreck the next day and I can celebrate life by talking with a friend on the other side of the world ` BECAUSE I CAN.

I enjoy writing letters and sending cards and making telephone calls - again BECAUSE I CAN. 
I can drive friends to medical appointments (a complete reversal of how things were for me) and I can share love and laughter with those I love.  

BECAUSE I CAN.

I can write at will, blog whenever I wish, make those phone calls to encourage those who are under par who will come back and will shine again ~ those who have been damaged by the hand that life has dealt and the viscous nature of some very hurtful people.

I can encourage those who are worried and be there for them no matter what and I will be and we will celebrate life again when the clouds blow away and the sun shines again,

BECAUSE I CAN.


Tomorrow is a beading class for me and I do it 
BECAUSE I CAN. 

Thank you for visiting the musings of a very pensive heart - one that will rejoice again soon and one for whom the melancholia will lift and the music will play again.

Love and hugs,

Linda. 

TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS

Good Afternoon and welcome to Friday afternoon for me - and it is a beautiful day - the sun is shining and the sky is blue and there is a gentle cool wind.   The morning started off with a 2 degree temperature (our coldest day for the year) and I stayed in bed where I was warm much longer than I normally do - indulgence on the last day of the week.

I have been cooking today - soups and casseroles for a family get together and it will be lovely to see everyone and enjoy the comfort of a warm evening with lovely warm comforting foods.

I have been blessed with many kindnesses and much love in my life and it becomes clear to me that kindness can come in many forms.   A simple kindly smile to a stranger may mean the difference between a lonely day or a day where the sun shines.  A lovely gift especially chosen and mailed just because there is love and friendship.  At the shops this morning a lovely young man held the door open for me and gave me a beaming smile - a little kindness which meant a great deal.   I dropped may mail in the Post Office and two children on school holiday helped me pick it up - the little kindnesses always mean so much.

"If you see your brother standing by the road

With a heavy load from the seeds he's sowed

And if you see your sister falling by the way

Just stop and stay you're going the wrong way

You got to try a little kindness

Yes show a little kindness

Just shine your light for everyone to see

And if you try a little kindness

Then you'll overlook the blindness

Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

Don't walk around the down and out

Lend a helping hand instead of doubt

And the kindness that you show every day

Will help someone along their way"

A phone call, a letter, a shared meal ~ all of these things are something we can do for our fellow man and everyone is carrying a burden of some kind.  We never know how much a little kindness can bring joy to someone ~ practice random acts of kindness daily and see the joys come flooding back to you.

Thank you for visiting the musings of this thankful heart which has been the recipient of kindness and knows first hand the joy it brings.

As the weekend approaches for you all it is with a thankful heart that I wish you a pleasant time, good food, friends and family and happy hours.  If you have to work then make it the best it can be  - make your working environment a happy and kind place.

Take care out in the sun or stay warm - depending which hemisphere you are in.

Love and hugs,

Linda. 

WEDNESDAY - THERE IS JOY IN THE JOURNEY

Good afternoon and welcome to Wednesday in most parts of our world - and for me in Adelaide the sun has been shining, but the heat has been tempered by a cool breeze.  A very good day for laundry to dry and I have done lots of load of that.

I have had a quiet day at home and I have been concerned about a friend, but we were able to talk for a while and I think I was able to chase the clouds away for a little while, at least I hope I did.

My life is changed in so many ways and life is sweet for me and most certainly there is joy in my journey.


I have had amazing days over the last few months - I am well enough to enjoy it all.   I am able to wake each morning and although sometimes tired and slow, I am alive and living my life.  Transplant is the Gift of Life and want to live my new life to it's full potential and I am finding joy in the journey.


I am meeting new people who share my passion for organ donation and I am looking forward to meeting many more of them.   This afternoon I received a lovely phone call from Kevin from Transplant Victoria and I was delighted to "meet" him over the phone.,   It made my day.


If one can say that I am thankful for my illness, then I am, because I have shared the road with many amazing people from all over the world, and I hold them close in heart and thought.  I have "met" on line and by telephone with people who, like me want to spread the word and help others understand just what a precious gift life is.


Some months ago I posted about how I felt I was "who I was born to be" and after this week I am even more convinced that I am travelling on the right road with wonderful travelling companions.
I AM who I was born to be.

I have the most special friendship anyone could ever wish for - I share joy, laughter, tears, frustration and care and know that I am loved and cared for and there is a spring in my step and a song in my heart because of this.  There is much laughter and a sharing of music and poetry ~ I know what "friendship" really means.


I have lots of other friends and I love them dearly each with their own particular spice to add to my life.  I feel rather like a cake really - all the ingredients are mixed together, personalities and foibles, sweet and bitter sweet and together form "friendship".  I think I have learned to accept myself and I know I have learned to laugh at myself and it is an amazing thing.


Wherever you are on your journey - take time to nourish and nurture yourself and be proud of who you are and the kindnesses that you show, even if they don't seem to be appreciated by some people
You don't need their approval you just need to be yourself.


There is much turmoil in our world, nation against nation, political party against political party, Leaders against Leaders, religions against religions  and sadly to say Family against Family.  This saddens my heart that family issues often cannot be resolved without conflict which can lead to lasting bitterness.  If this is happening in your family I hope that you can seek or offer forgiveness and offer the olive branch and spend what time you have left living happily with your loved ones.


The hurt that comes from these animosities is often deep and damaging and can very easily drag someone down ~ don't let it happen to you ~ remember you don't need to be accepted by others, you just need to accept yourself.


Accept yourself with all your idiosyncrasies and learn to like the person you see in the mirror each day.   Be honest and true to yourself and life will be sweet for you.  Be kinder than you need to be because everyone is carrying a burden of some kind, but be careful that your kindness is not used and abused, because sadly this does happy.    Take care of your own health, keep your lifestyle complete by spending time on the things that bring you joy, and wherever you are in this world of ours, be sure to find the beauty that is all around you.   Take the time to spend with your loved one, take time to nourish and nurture your own relationships as stress can do untold damage.


Make the phone call that tells someone you value them, that you think they are doing a good job and that you are proud of them ~ believe me it is a very much appreciated call.   I had one of those calls today from someone I haven't met face to face and it made my heart sing.


Those special words "I love you"  ~  "I love you more" are able to turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary day.


Thank you for visiting the Musings from My Heart - today a heart filled with care and compassion.


Journey gently and walk safely through the mists,


Love and hugs,
Linda.


Who I Was Born to Be.

"When I was a child 
I could see the wind in the trees 
and I heard a song in the breeze 
it was there, singing out my name 

But I am not a girl 
I have known the taste of defeat 
and I have finally grown to believe 
it will all come around again 

And though I may not 
know the answers 
I can finally say I am free 
And if the questions 
led me here, then 
I am who I was born to be 

And so here am I 
Open arms and ready to stand 
I've got the world in my hands
And it feels like my turn to fly 

And though I may not 
know the answers 
I can finally say I am free 
And if the questions 
led me here, then 
I am who I was born to be 

When I was a child 
There were flowers that bloomed in the night 
That are afraid to take in the light 
Unashamed to have braved the dawn 

And though I may not 
know the answers 
I can finally say I am free 
And if the questions 
led me here, then 
I am who I was born to be 

I am who I was born to be"

RUBY TUESDAY AND LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Welcome to Ruby Tuesday and Valentine's Day - a day to celebrate love and romance. 

"The moment we choose to love we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others. That action is the testimony of love as the practice of freedom."

- Bell Hooks  

The day is often interpreted as being all above romance and there sure is a lot of that in there, but love in general is a very beautiful gift.  It is a gift of trust and honesty and  brings joy to hearts that are willing to step out of the safe place and learn to love.

My day has been delightful with flowers (pictured above) on my doorstep, music shared and beautiful words of love and there has been laughter and an expression of that care and trust.   I am blessed indeed.   Better still for me in this hot clime my flowers are silk and will last and bring joy every day.

They are sitting on my desk with some special photographs and a statue of Buddha that belonged to my Dad and used to sit on his desk - it has been a day of sentimentality for me.    When tidying up my desk to place the flowers I came across a tiny photograph of me with my Dad - I was a little girl with a very big smile.   As I said it is very tiny, but I will post it here and see if you can see it.

It is an old and tiny photograph ~ but it's me and my Dad and I cherish it - just check out the smile on my face  ~  all was well in my world I was with my Dad - I remember the day as though it were yesterday.

I have walked down memory lane today and I have travelled a fresh road with a friend and both paths have been sweet and pleasant.

I hope that your Valentine's Day is a happy one and that you can celebrate the love you feel for those in your life ~ I have also spoken to my girls and been able to tell them I love them and that brings joy too.

Today has gone very quickly and I haven't achieved much around home, but my heart is full and thank goodness there is another day tomorrow and I hope there are many many more days when love is my companion and friend.

Wherever you are in this wonderful world I hope that you can feel the love of family and friends and share the joy of complete honesty by telling them that you love them.  Love is in the air for me and I hope it is for you too.

"Love is in the air

Everywhere I look around

Love is in the air

Every sight and every sound

And I don't know if I'm being foolish

Don't know if I'm being wise

But it's something that I must believe in

And it's there when I look in your eyes

Love is in the air

In the whisper of the tree

Love is in the air

In the thunder of the sea

And I don't know if I'm just dreaming

Don't know if I feel safe

But it's something that I Must believe in

And it's there when you call out my name

Love is in the air

Love is in the air

Love is in the air

In the rising of the sun

Love is in the air

When the day is nearly done

And I don't know if you are an illusion

Don't know if I see truth

But you are something that I must believe in

And you are there when I reach out for you

Love is in the air

Everywhere I look around

Love is in the air

Every sight and every sound

And I don't know if I'm being foolish

Don't know if I'm being wise

But it's something that I must believe in

And it's there when I look in your eyes."

Enjoy the love in your life - spend time with your children (even if they are grown) try to talk with them, call a friend long distance and surprise them, let them hear "I love you" straight from your voice..  Be a little kinder than you really need to be - remember that everyone is fighting a battle of some sort.

To those in pain and struggling with health issues I wish you tender nursing hands, soft voices and the knowledge that you are loved and cared for well.

Enjoy this special day - I am and send my love and care to you.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart - a loving and romantic heart on this day of love.

Love and hugs,

Linda. 

MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUaXzMrznwU

Harry Belafonte - Try to Remember

Welcome to evening in my little corner of the world - it is dark now and the rain is still falling - rather a nice evening to be inside and to be warm again.

I have been out again today - I know quite the little gadabout - this time a new hairdo and a short shopping trip trying to find a new handbag that will take all I need and not have everything fall to the bottom - I carry far too much, and I have tried to minimize it but it doesn't work, so I am on a handbag hunt.  It was great watching John trying to appear very inconspicuous in David Jones as I searched for my treasure.

I am heading for an early night but like to check in daily - this may not be a long post, but once I start it often just happens.

There have been snippets of good news during today - Kenzie is doing okay and Ethan is home and I haven't heard so I am hoping that means good news.

I introduced Kortni to you yesterday and I am very pleased to report that they have found a liver for her and she will just about ready to be wheeled into theatre as I write for this life saving operation.   I hold her close and give thanks for the generosity of her donor family.  At at time of extreme stress for them they have stepped up to the bar and granted Kortni the gift of life.

Some strange things have been happening to me recently - phone calls from people I haven't seen or heard of for months/years - there have been five or six phone calls that have rocked my little boat.  Not that they are bad, but just out of the blue and a surprise.  Several times things have happened to me that I cannot account for but have been the right thing at the right time.

It is a little unnerving, but nice to catch up and to try to remember so many things from the past.  My phone call last night was one were memory was stirred and the lady could remember things I had forgotten, but I remembered several things that she did not.

This song is very special to me - My Dad used to sing it to me because I was born in September:

Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh, so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.


Try to remember when life was so tender
That no one wept except the willow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That dreams were kept beside your pillow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That love was an ember about to billow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.


Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
Although you know the snow will follow.
Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
Without a hurt the heart is hollow.
Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
The fire of September that made us mellow.
Deep in December, our hearts should remember
And follow.

I value the sense of memory - good and bad because hopefully from the bad lessons have been learned.  There was much laughter during my phone conversation and we left it that we would be in touch again and possible go out for breakfast sometime soon.

I hope you can find a quiet spot and "try to remember" and that there are sweet memories for you that bring a smile to your lips and sunshine to your day/stars to your night.

Please take care and try to remember all the good things in life, share them with someone who may also remember and be glad you did.

Thank you for visiting the "Musings from My Heart" and I send love and hugs your way.

Linda.