IT'S TUESDAY AGAIN AND PLEASE SHARE THE COLOURS OF MY LIFE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paLDE-PzUGE

Colours of my Life - The Seekers

Good Morning and welcome to Tuesday -(and I "don't mind missing sleep if I can see the colours of my life.")

 Today is overcast and damp and holds the promise of a shower or two.  I have just visited my resident spider and said Good Morning and admired the beautiful handiwork he has made.  There are diamond dew drops on the web which I found when I walked into it a couple of days ago.  I was fascinated by the sticky nature of the threads spun and they are working very well - my friend had caught lots of things in his web.

I live in what is known throughout Australia as the FESTIVAL STATE (the reference being to the Adelaide Festival of Arts which is held annually and is a feast of drama, music and culture.)  We are also known as THE WINE STATE and THE ROSE STATE.  Wine because of our beautiful wine growing areas and rose because we have magnificent blooms for many months of the year.  My car registration plates say:

South Australia - The Wine State.

fes·ti·val 

n.

1. An occasion for feasting or celebration, especially a day or time of religious significance that recurs at regular intervals.

2. An often regularly recurring program of cultural performances, exhibitions, or competitions: a film festival.

3. Revelry; conviviality.

That's the dictionary definition of Festival and it brings to mind all sorts of celebratory things, music, dance, religious ceremony, Christmas and currently Easter.   There will be celebrations in homes across the world and traditions will be maintained and nurtured.

I love the traditions my family maintains - the Hot Cross Buns and the Easter Eggs and the getting together to celebrate.   With life in full swing it is difficult to get everyone together so this year we are celebrating on the Thursday evening.

I looked at the definition of Festival and loved the description of "revelry" and "conviviality" and it became clear to me that we don't need special dates and times to celebrate, to revel in - that we should celebrate each day and each thing in our lives. 

My gratitude this morning is:

I am grateful for the colours of my life and for celebrations.

Celebrate the colours of your life, celebrate your friends, celebrate and revel in your family.

Get together just for the sake of being together. Make the favourite sorts of foods they like, use the colours they like, play the music they like.  Share and care and enjoy each other.  Just sit down and have a drink together and let the conversation flow.   I was missing my elder daughter the other week so I wrote her a letter and included two tea bags and asked her to make herself a cup of tea and think of me and hoped that it would be rather like a short time together.  She loved it.

Don't wait until birthdays and Christmas to buy gifts for your family - if you see something you think they would like buy it and give it to them "just for" just because you love them.  These lovely little surprise gifts bring such treasured memories.  I have a little notepad in my handbag bought for me "just for" by a treasured friend and each time I use it or even just see it, I celebrate again the friendship we share.  Another friend bought me a pink Dragonfly brooch - and I wear it with pride and celebrate the friendship.

Indulge your grandchildren with little things, but mostly share your time with them - bake cookies, play ball, read a story - be a child with them again.  Let the laughter ring out.

I look at the beautiful young people in my life and whilst they will always be my "children" I now see before me healthy, strong and vital young and responsible citizens and I am proud of them and they bring colour to my life.

Lots of families will be on the roads travelling and trying to make the most of the holiday break - and if you are among them - pack early, be ready, don't get frazzled and frustrated and please remember to take care as you travel.   Slow down and be safe.  Stop and rest a while it is much better to arrive a little late than "dead on time."   To those staying at home - make it a holiday for yourself by doing the things you enjoy, the things you have wanted to do for a while.  Some sewing, craft, painting or whatever takes your fancy.  Turn the music up and "revel"

Take a walk by the river, the beach and let the wind blow through your hair, taste the salt sea air and "dance like no one is watching"

Look around you at the colours of your life, the beautiful pinks, blues, greens, yellows and every shade within, those soft and muted hues and the vibrant colours too.  Paint on your canvass in the colours of your life.

I have special reasons to celebrate life  - my second chance that I was given by a wonderful donor and his family.

I live because of my liver transplant, my donor and family and I celebrate.

And because it is Easter time - sing with Perry Como about your Easter Bonnet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIiM_whAa9U

Quiet gifts touch the spirit and heart absolutely free, not costing a penny, taking only a few moments from the day. A soft touch to the shoulder quietly holding hands, a warm hug when least expected - quiet gifts of love and appreciation. Sitting still and listening, walking slowly hand in hand, watching children play in the park - quiet gifts of life. Quiet gifts touch the heart and soul, give meaning to love and life...