THANKFUL THURSDAY ONCE AGAIN

Welcome to Thankful Thursday in my little corner of the world, where the sun did not shine at all today and the rain fell constantly - such a contrast to the last few days, but gardens will be happy to have such a lovely steady drink.

Today has been a busy day for me - our for Coffee with two work friends and lots of good conversation and laughter - nothing has changed since we worked together and it was good to discuss and reminisce.

Then I was taken out to Lunch and today seems to have been one long meal and of course this evening I am anything but hungry so dinner will be skipped I think.

I am tired tonight and it will be an early night - I have a schedule to keep tomorrow of working at our Royal Show for Donate Life - and that pleases me to be able to pay it forward by encouraging others to become Organ Donors.

It will be a busy day and the quote above is one I really like that people will remember how we made them feel - try to reach out to people and meet them at their point of need with a word of kindness or a simple act of kindness.  It really is a special feeling to know that someone has lived a little easier because of a kind word or deed we have done.

I have a sick neighbour at the moment so I am on watch to make sure she is okay and I am in constant touch with her daughter - just a little thing, but I now it means as lot to both of them.

As I type the rain is falling heavily again and I shall be heading to my bed very soon with a thankful heart for the life I have been given and for the wonderful things I am able to see and do.   I am indeed Thankful on this Thankful Thursday.

I hope you can find something to be thankful for and that life is sweet for you.  I have so very much to be thankful for every day.

Celebrate and Embrace your life with a thankful heart.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart.

Love and hugs.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY - LET YOUR LITTLE LIGHT SHINE.

Thank you for sharing Wonderful Wednesday with me - it has been such a pretty day here in Adelaide.   The sun has been shining, the birds singing and the sky a beautiful brilliant blue.   There is warmth on the breeze and I believe we have turned the corner from winter and spring is on our horizon.

I looked at the sunshine this morning and it reminded me of so many things in my life - so many happy times with those I love and care very much for.

It also reminded me that I must be gracious and allow myself to shine and be who I am and to kindly and brightly try to cheer the day of those around me.

To shine in the dark corners for those who carry a burden and are sad, to support and uphold those who need my care.   I am truly reminded too that I need others to shine for me and to make me smile, to let their light into the darker corners of my life.

My messages first thing this morning brought a lovely smile and I am thankful for those.

Wherever you are on this August day - let your little light shine and to those having birthdays - shine on and enjoy the fuss and attention and celebrate another birthday - another milestone.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of my Heart and I send love and hugs your way.

THANKFUL THURSDAY - WE ARE ALL LIKE BEADS

Good Morning and welcome to Thankful Thursday - in my little corner of the world the day dawned beautifully - very cold, no wind and a very pretty dusty blue sky with wispy pink clouds.   We are due for rain at the end of this day but right now it is as lovely winter day.

I am thankful every day but Thankful Thursday always makes me stop and appreciate all that I am and all that I have in my life.  I am thankful for love and laughter, family and friends and the technology that allows me to be in touch with so many of you in your homes all around the world.

We have become quite a "Global Village" with text messages and message programs which makes us neighbours over time and distance.

I have new neighbours moving into the house next door to mine and this morning I knocked on their door and introduced myself and it was lovely to meet them - they are painting and doing work on the house before moving in but it is sure going to be nice having kindly neighbours.  So I have the best of both worlds - cyber neighbours and real life neighbours.

Friendships are established and grow over the Internet and sometimes those furthest away from us know us much better than those close at hand.

So on this necklace of life I am thankful for you all as you are all important to me and I wear friendship's necklace with pride.

Life is going on despite the fact that we are in Election mode and there are skeletons coming out of cupboards, rocks being thrown and friendships broken because of electioneering.  It is so important that we learn to agree to disagree and accept that others have the self same right as we do to their opinions.     Even though we may not like that opinion - it is their right to have it.  

It was Voltaire who wrote:

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

and they are very wise words because with rights come responsibilities and I am responsible for my actions and attitudes to people.

However you are spending this Thankful Thursday I hope that there is joy in your day, a song in your heart and a spring in your step and you can find it in your heart to be accepting of the rights of others.

To my northern hemisphere friends enjoy the last days of summer and the return to normal life with return to work and children back at School - the seasons soon roll on and for you the days will be shorter and much cooler as you head into winter.

Spring is stirring here in Australia and the days are lengthening and the daffodils are blooming, blossoms are on the trees and summer is bound to follow spring.   I don't relish the long hot sizzling scorching days of summer, but it is rather like I can't have a rainbow if I don't have the rain.    We need summer to pass and take us into my favourite time of all - Autumn.

"Season of mist and mellow fruitfulness" - John Keats

(from his lovely poem To Autumn written in 1820)

I love Autumn when Mother Nature dresses in gold and red and dances on the wind leaving piles of leaves for me to kick through.  I like waking to a cool morning and feeling the change in the air - the changing shadows and a world ready to rest.  The harvest is gathered in and winter will follow. 

I shall enjoy following the Autumn days from the Northern Hemisphere and seeing the glorious photographs of this special season.

However, we should be present to the moment and enjoy life exactly where we are - no wishing it away - just enjoy it all.   I hope you can find joy in the little things around you today and that you take time to smell the roses.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart - a heart today filled with lovely thoughts about the seasons of the year.

Love and hugs,

TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS

Welcome to my little corner of the world at the end of a scorching hot day with temperatures in the low 40's and today I celebrate the large and small kindnesses I see around me.

The neighbour who always brings my rubbish bins in for me and the neighbour across the road, who is under enormous pressure of her own, offers to drive me to the shops or fetch groceries for me.

The friend who lost everything in Bushfires almost four years ago who spends all day packing things into boxes to send to Tasmania and another friend who drove a mutual friend to the eye specialist in the heat.

The text message or phone call telling me to take care and stay cool from the other side of the world where they struggle with cold and icy roads.

There is so much to be thankful for and to celebrate and embrace - those little acts of kindness that can mean so very much.  Try to find little things to do for others - bake a batch of cookies and leave them for a neighbour as a sign of your gratitude for their care.  

It's been a busy day today with shopping and an outing with my daughter and her partner but we had air conditioning in the car so it wasn't too bad and we have a milder day forecast for tomorrow and a welcome 25 degrees for Wednesday which should cool things down.

I have been planning Christmas 2013 with colours and designs and have bought several items on line - oh the joys of online shopping!!  

I have a beautiful new candle for Christmas 2013 - a Yankee Candle Company Christmas Eve with a lovely shade and stand - a special gift from a cherished friend.  The fragrance is splendid.  It is very beautiful.

Glen Campbell sang this song in 1970 but the words still ring true.

"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"

Take care wherever you are - be cool or warm and feel the warmth of human kindness running in your veins.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart and for taking up the challenge of practicing random acts of kindness.

Love and hugs

Linda

LIFE IS AN ECHO

Welcome to Sunday evening in my little corner of the world and I can't believe it is Sunday evening already.   Where has the weekend gone ?  I have had a busy few days and been tired today.  I guess getting out of bed a little later makes for a shorter morning.

Alexis and Naomi called in to share with John and I the news of their forthcoming overseas holiday in October, which they booked yesterday and are very excited about.  I love to see them so filled with their ideas and dreams and find it is lovely to see them putting their dreams into reality.  2012 will have been a big year for my kids and I am delighted to be here to see them bloom.

Later I did a browse around a local shop and bought lots of bits and pieces, cards and a few little things for CHRISTMAS - now that's scary isn't it?  155

days to go and I shall enjoy every one of them.

What is echoing in your world - are you experiencing good things like those you have put out there.  There are so many things and circumstances that affect our lives - we may be doing very well in our own lives, but the circumstances immediately around us can be daunting and often impact on our energy and attitude to life.   Deep down inside all is well with us, but living with sadness, illness and sour tempers can drag us down and leave us leaving less than up to par.

Some people can be very nasty and difficult and make life miserable for others - even those who are part of a family network and I often wonder why these things happen - is it because they are not the centre of attention, or is it the nature of the beasts, a guilty conscience or jealousy.     Only they know why they behave thus and there is very little we can do about their behaviour - they are responsible to that and it is up to them to make the changes and face the consequences of their actions.

We are responsible for our actions and the consequences of them and life is like an echo what you send out does indeed come back.   Give out kindness and kindness will come back to you.   Laughter is something that comes back often - be happy, be kind, be caring, be gently and see what pleasures and riches are yours.  Share the joy that lives in your heart and feel the warmth of love and friendship.   Make the phone call, send the text message, the email, the card or the letter and surprise someone.  

Taking care of others is very important, but it is also very important to take care of ourselves so that we can send out positive echoes.

I had dinner out with friends last night after a full day beading class and by the time bedtime came I was exhausted and almost crying tired ~ it was a lovely feeling to snuggle down in my warm bed and just not move and to feel the lovely waves of sleep drift over me.   The concentration at the class is very tiring and I had a mistake with the colour of the main bead and was disappointed with the overall effect, so it has been pulled apart and a much lighter champagne colour bead will be purchased to replace the brassy gold which I just couldn't deal with.  The gold colour was just too "brassy" for me. Lesson learned - go for something lighter  ~ I am sure when I get the right beads it will look much better.  I will post a picture when I do get it finished.

We are now at the start of another working week and I hold you all in my heart and thoughts as you face the winding down of your weekend and wish you courage and strength for your week.  If you are off to the Office to deal with a pressure job and difficult people ~ try putting out some positive thoughts and I hope they come back to you.

If you are a parent getting children off to school, or dealing with school holidays - I hope that you can enjoy the nice thoughts that come back from the kids - they can be difficult.

Several of my friends have a young family member leaving home for the first time to make their way in the world, hugs for you - it is a bitter/sweet time - we miss them but are happy that they are making their way.   Be confident that they will be fine - that you have given them roots to ground them and wings that they can fly.

Wherever you are and whoever you have to deal with, please be sure to take care of yourself, nourish and nurture yourself and know that you are doing a great job and are much appreciated.

Thank you for visiting the musings of my heart ~ a heart that cares and supports you as you journey on ~ remember the "Joy is in the Journey".

Love and hugs,

Linda.

PRACTICE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

Good Afternoon on Saturday and the winter weather is holding us ransom again today with winds, hail and a very cold breeze ~ I hope wherever you are you are feeling warm - either from the sun, your warm snugly bedclothes or you are being warmed by the love of friends and family.

A random act of kindness from someone on the other side of the world by leaving home made cookies for a friend made me think again of the changes we could bring about in our world if we all tried to do one random act of kindness each day.

There are many ways we can do this - just pick up the phone and make a phone call to a person who, because of health is shut in, pick up something that has been dropped and hand it back with a smile.   Post a letter for someone, allow someone with only a few items to go through the cashier before you because they are in a hurry. Pick up the tab for a family in a restaurant so that when they go to pay they will be advised that there is nothing to pay, with the hope that one day they made do the same thing for another family.

If you are at work - buy a coffee for a colleague and just leave it on their desk with a note to "have a nice day",  open the door for someone, give someone a smile and take the time to spend a few minutes talking with someone - you may the only contact they have with the world all day.   If someone is in the line in front of you and doesn't have quite enough to pay - dig deep into your pocket and pay the shortfall.

There is no pattern for random acts of kindness - by definition they are "random" acts and should be met as the situation arises ~ you'll know what to do when the situation arises and you will bring untold joy to someone.    Pay someone a compliment ~ tell them how nice they look ~ make their day.

Random acts of kindness are coming my way - dinner with friends this evening - just because we can and phone calls to see if I am okay - they mean a lot to me.

It must be baby season - two little families known to me have a new addition - a baby boy and a baby girl - Harry and Lottie are welcomed to our world - Miss Lottie at 9.00.a.m. this morning and all is well - so their is cause for rejoicing.


It's the weekend and some of you have family and friends to stay for a visit and others have traveled distance to weddings and celebrations.


Life is a celebration and their is joy in the journey and I hope that you are able to practice random acts of kindness or that you are the recipient of one of these lovely deeds.   Celebrate your life, your health, your love, your family and your friends.


Expect nothing in return apart from the sheer joy of spreading the warmth of kindness.    It is a wonderful pattern and example to set for your children and your family - we really could change the world.

Share with me in a comment about your random act of kindness and let the love and joy of human kindness shine through.

Thank you for visiting the musings of this thankful heart.


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. 

SILVER GREY CLOUDS ON SUNDAY MORNING

Welcome to Sunday Morning in my little corner of the world and where I am the sky is silver grey with darker pewter coloured clouds and a cold stiff breeze blowing.   I really like the quiet of Sunday mornings and the heavy cloud seems to make that quiet even more intense and although I suspect the roads are busy, where I am there is peace.  I am not far from the beach and may this afternoon go and spend some time there with the cold salt sea air and the plaintive cry of the gulls for company.

I have this morning spent some time with Grace and Henry who are growing up so fast.  Grace went to the Football with Papa Ray yesterday and seemed to enjoy it very much - (although she did tell me quietly it was a bit boring).  The children have grown in the weeks since I saw them last and they are keeping their parents on their toes.  Fortunately they travel well as they are in the car such a lot traveling to and from Adelaide.


I was able to witness some papers for Melinda and to share sweet buns from Baker's Delight with them all.  It is lovely from time to time to step back from adulthood and to see the world through the eyes of a child and find joy in the most basic of things.   Colouring books and pencils, construction sets and Lego and of course soft fluffy toys 

On this Mother's Day I think about you all - those of you who are Mothers,

Expectant Mothers, those who miss their Mother and those for whom this day is difficult.   My particular thoughts are with Donor Mothers whose loved one's gift has enabled people like me to spend time as a Mother to my daughters.

Mother's Day could well have been very different for my girls, thankfully an unselfish act of kindness means they have their Mother with them still.


Some of you are celebrating Mother's Day as a first time Grandmother and I hope the new arrival in your family brings all the joy in the world to you.


I drove past a flower stand and they were very busy and as I passed The Cheesecake Shop they were doing a roaring trade as people collected cakes for luncheon celebrations.


My family celebrations will take place next weekend but I have spoken with both of my daughters and I understand that life gets busy at times for everyone and commitments with partner's family make all getting together at the same time difficult.   At times it is a bigger production that Ben-Hur.


I don't need a special day to celebrate - I have so much to celebrate each and every day.  


I celebrate life and love,
kindness
care
friendship
Motherhood
family and so many other wonderful things.


Thinking of you all as you move through your Sunday and wishing you calm and peaceful thoughts.


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. 

WELCOME TO SATURDAY - LIGHT UP MY LIFE

Good Morning and welcome to Saturday in my little corner of the world where the sun is shining and the sky is blue and there are lots of fluffy white clouds.


I have talked with friends recently about candles and how the light is not diminished by sharing it's light - how that many candles may be lit from one central flame.  


Light is so very important - it's not the darkness we fear, but the things we cannot see there - I feel very blessed to have such "lights" in my life and know that my life is sweeter, richer and more beautiful because of them.


I love candles, although I am very careful with them and aware of the damage an unattended flame can do - but there is nothing more beautiful (or flattering) than sitting in candlelight.   It softens the wrinkles and flatters the skin and makes me feel oh so mellow.


On the journey we take of our lives, we can be a light to so many people - illuminate their darkness by the simplest of things - a smile to a stranger (it may be the only contact he has that day) - a phone call to someone who is "shut in" through illness, a kind word, a helping hand, a shared story and laughter.    So much that takes such little effort but that can mean the world to someone else.


I am off out shortly to lunch with a friend and I intend to let my little light shine, to share laughter, tears and be a listening ear to someone who needs to talk.   I am blessed to live in sunshine, have my car to take me where I need and want to be.   There are days when I don't want to go out - but this isn't one of them.    I shall open the door and be glad to be part of the world today.


I shall share the gift of friendship in real time - I have already shared that over miles and time, laughed and been silly and loved it all.  So today is a good day - a weekend day and a day when the sun is shining literally and also in my heart.


There are days when I want to stay inside and let the world come to me (and it does through my computer and telephone) and on those days I find comfort in the safety of my own little world.


I am glad to share my light with you and I hope you let your "little light shine."


Thank you for visiting the Musings of my Heart - an illuminated heart today ~ filled with love and light.


Love and hugs,
Linda.

WEDNESDAY AND LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES.

Welcome to Wednesday and it is a little cooler in my little corner of the world this morning after another hot night.  Our sky is heavy and the air is humid and there is the promise of rain.  It has been the hottest start to summer for many years and wonderful for those on holidays near the beach or on the River.  Staying covered up from the sun is always a challenge with Children as they tend not to want to wear sunblock, hats and shirts.

SLIP ~ SLOP ~ SLAP ~ SEEK ~SLURP ~ SLIDE

Slip on a shirt

Slop on some sunblock

Slap on a hat

Seek out some shade

Slurp on some water

Slide on some sunglasses

Following the rules does make for more comfortable days - but I am guessing most of us have had sunburn at one stage or another - Ouch  it certainly does hurt and we are much more aware of the danger of the sun than we used to be.

The lovely seasonal fruits grown here in Australia are delightful at this time of year - I have in my fridge grapes, mangoes, peaches, apricots. strawberries, rock melon (cantaloupe)  and of course the sweetest of all - cherries and for me life is just a bowl of cherries.    Life, like the cherries has it pits. but it is sweet, colourful and very tender.  Unlike the cherries the sweetness can be taken in larger amounts.   I love it when my fingers are stained with cherry juice - it is a reminder of their colour and the way that friendship stains my life.  Cherry red is a beautiful colour and long after the cherries are gone the stains are there.  I am thankful for the friends whose touch stains my life with love, joy and care.

More of Christmas is coming down here and I am gathering all the red balls I can to store with the gold ones so that decorating the tree Christmas 2012 will be easy and there will be no hunt for them.  They will be stored in a plastic crate with lid in the garage - so you know where they are if I forget.

I received all the lovely post Christmas bills in the mail today and was actually very surprised and pleased.   There was an error on my MasterCard Account and I spent over and hour on the phone with the Bank trying to get it sorted out.  I ended up asking for the Team Leader or the Manager and we soon got it sorted.   "I am sorry Linda, but the bank has made a error just deduct $82.00 from your payment and that will be fine."   All is sorted but such a waste of time and I had to identify myself numerous times by answering the same questions to each team member - very frustrating, but all sorted now. 

How grateful I am to be able to do these sorts of transactions over the phone without having to leave my cool home.

I am going to Office Works today - if I am not back to Blog for Thursday you best send out a search party and you will know where to look.  I love that shop    and could spend lots of time and lots of money in there.  I am on a mission though not a browsing trip.  I know what I am going for but you can be sure I will be distracted for a while.

I hope you have been able to get some bargains in the post Christmas sales - I have kept away from the crowds but have picked up some things.  I hope that for you too there are the sweet fruits of friendship and hope in your lives.

Love and laughter are very sweet, sprinkled with music and dance.

This is a warm fuzzy I received in my messages this morning - big smile here. 

I hope there are cherries in your bowl and that your fingers are stained and I am glad you visited the Musings from my heart today. 

Love and hugs from a Sassy heart today.

Linda (aka as Sassy Susan)