Some years ago, during a time of considerable stress for our little family, my daughter began to show some rather strange symptoms...enough to send us to the doctor for a diagnosis. We feared some dreadful muscular disease had befallen her, or some kind of degenerative nervous disorder. She was twitching and moving her face in peculiar ways and for us as parents it was most distressing to see. The doctor couldn't see anything immediately obvious for a diagnosis...it was baffling. We had her eyes checked and they were fine. Fortunately we were open to alternative medicine and so before we headed into a barrage of possible medical tests, and due to some serendipity whereupon we had heard about hair analysis, we decided to snip a bit of her hair and send it off to see what we could find out. That might seem a little strange to some of you, but I've always had an interest in natural therapies and so it was not a hard step for me to take.
The results came back and it seemed that she was intolerant to a number of foods that we ate regularly. None of them were processed foods; they were particular fruits, vegetables, nuts and so on. We immediately cut the renegade foodstuffs out of her diet and miracle of miracles, her symptoms disappeared within a few days...as if by magic! It was amazing to me at the time...but also such a relief to see her return to her 'old' self! Some of the foods that had caused the problems for her were her greatest favourites...so she ate them very often. I wonder if that is what caused the problem. Anyway, that is history...but I will quickly mention that she can recreate some of those symptoms even now if she overindulges in some fruits...food for thought.
On the strength of that success, I have decided to send a snip of my own hair away for analysis. The same naturopath is still running his practice and I have faith that he can help me. I have had a range of annoying symptoms that I just can't seem to shift...and having played around with diet and nutrition so much over the years and read so much conflicting information I am just feeling confused and overwhelmed by it all. I hope to have the results back in a couple of weeks and I'll let you know how I go with it. I truly am so sick of feeling unwell and living at less than my best. I'm hoping this will be a good step...and one that will sort out the confusion and worry over what to eat and what not to.
There are so many various therapies and programs around to support us in creating good health for ourselves. Have any of you had spectacular success with anything in particular? I'm sure other readers would be interested to hear if you would like to share your story. I would love to know what's working for you.
The wedding
Today my thoughts are in many places. My niece is getting married in New South Wales and my kids are both there to share the day and film the event for posterity. Whilst I couldn't be there, I'm thinking of all the people gathered together to celebrate this auspicious occasion, especially the bride's mum who is organising the catering for over 250 people!. Frances, you're a Superwoman!
True to form I have yet to post the wedding card, although I bought it weeks ago. My life is organised chaos...the important things always get done in the end, but not always in the order I think they will, or at the time I plan for them to be done.
To Lauren and Andy, my very best wishes...I hope you have a beautiful day to remember always.. I reckon Uncle Bill will be keeping an eye on proceedings, and wishing he could have provided the home brew to keep all those revellers happy.
With you all in spirit.
Love, Kerry
Saturday, 8 March 2014
Saturday, 1 March 2014
A Pain in My Heart
I've been told today, several times, that it's a waste of time trying to stop people from bullying. I've been told that it's part of life and people should just 'suck it up'. I've been told that there are worse problems in the world, like hundreds of thousands of people in slavery. I've been told that it's pointless really, caring in a world where there is so much wrong. I can't not care. I can't fix everything but I can write and ask people to care with me. I can ask people to feel the pain in their hearts too, and see if it will motivate them to take more notice of the suffering of others. It's not that I don't care about all those 'bigger' issues. I'm not blind to the fact that there is war and violence and poverty and hurting, hurting, hurting people in our world. If we don't begin with feeling the pain in our hearts for the people and things close to home...for people in our own homes, our own families, our own schools, our own communities...then how can we ever find the heart to care about those far distant? It has to start in our hearts...and it has to start here.
I went to Hobart today to attend the gathering to celebrate the successes of Chloe's Law...the movement to introduce anti-bullying and specifically anti-cyber-bullying laws into Tasmania. I went because I feel pain in my heart when I think about a young girl so taunted and tortured in her heart that she felt she had no option other than taking her life. Despite the fact that she had family and friends who loved and cared about her, she just couldn't cope with the abuse any longer. It pains me to think that some of the young people that knew her had not the decency to treat her as a feeling human being; a human being with a heart that can bear only so much pain. It worries me terribly that there is a generation, or perhaps two, that have inexplicably moved somehow distant from the ability to have empathy for another human being.
I threw a comment away the other day about children having to learn empathy. A mother of a young child challenged me and said her son, although only three and a half years old, shows empathy readily. He is quick to respond if anyone is sad. He immediately wants to help. He will put an arm around them. I think she's right. My own children always showed great empathy and caring towards other people and towards animals. They seemed to want to take care of everything. How many of you have seen a child rescue a fly or a beetle, or had them plead with you to take care of an injured bird? For most of us, if not all, I think we are born with emotional intelligence...with a natural ability to feel the pain of another being and to want to help ease the pain. So what happens to it? Why does there seem to be a lack of empathy in so many people these days?
Could it be that some of us have become desensitised to distress by watching so many tv shows and movies that are based on murder, torture and violence. Have we ceased to understand that these things are not right? Think about it. If you invite visions of murder and violence into your home on a daily basis, via tv or even X Box and video games (I'm not right up with the lingo, but you know the things I'm talking about here)...if you do that, isn't it reasonable to imagine that you might become desensitised to the horror of it all. Isn't it reasonable to imagine that perhaps those things become somehow more 'acceptable' to you? I wonder.
There is quite a movement afoot now in education to introduce what is called 'social learning' to our students. Ethics are now part of the curriculum. It's great that we are teaching our young people to think more about why we do what we do, and what works well for community and what hurts community. We're all in this together. We all need each other. Our world is not a series of bubbles that we all live in and so are not touched by the ills of the rest. We are all connected. We are all one. When we hurt each other we hurt ourselves too. Social learning. How to work with, live with, cooperate with, collaborate with others to create a functional society in which every individual is valued for what they bring. We are all different; we are all the same. We can begin to feel empathy for others by starting to look for what is the same. "How is that other person like me?" we might ask.
I can't do much. I can't make anyone do anything they don't want to do. But I can ask you to slow down and look at other people in a way that asks...how are they like me? If you can do that, you will find yourself beginning to think that others might have the same sorts of human frailties that you have yourself. Yes, you have them...we all do. We look for what is different and then we fear. We can't help it unless we make a conscious effort to change that and look for what is similar. You could start with the fact that you and indeed everyone else is human. We all belong to the human family. We all need to be accepted and loved as we are. Mostly we want some sort of recognition that lets us know we're worthwhile. Some people don't think they are, and I think sometimes they're the ones that hit out in anger about that. Someone hasn't let them know that they're worthwhile and worth loving...and they haven't figured it out for themselves yet. Please, if you can't love everyone in your life, if you can't love everyone around you, at least be kind.
Some of the speakers today talked about kindness. Go away from here today with kindness in your heart they said. I read somewhere a sign that said "Kindness is my religion". What a great religion-a religion that needs no church, no priests, no bishops, no offering plate, no guilt, no rules, no sin, no threat of eternal fire...just the simple recognition of the fact that we can choose in all situations to be kind. Imagine if all of us everywhere made it our life's work to be kind in everything we did. What a new and different world we would wake up to. I know I'm not perfect, and I don't expect any of you to be either, but if you could just keep those two little words 'be kind' in the front of your mind...like a little voice reminding you all day long...and I'll try to do the same...maybe we can make a difference. Like the butterfly effect, the small changes we make in our lives affect those around us. Your small act of kindness ( a simple smile or holding a door open for someone) may just inspire the recipient to do the same. There are loads of kindness movements around the world at different points in time. There are Random Acts of Kindness, Free Hugs, and all sorts of others. Why do so many of these keep popping up on Youtube and Facebook and other places. I suspect it's because there are a lot of people out there who believe it is the only way we can mend ourselves and our planet. I refuse to share things about the vile things people do. We are all too well aware of those. Let's make a point of sharing with each other snippets of hope and encouragement to do the little good we can...and hope that the seeds we plant will grow a forest of caring.
If this motivates you in any way to change the way you've been living, please let me know. If you've ever been a bully, I'd like to know what it was that led you to that behaviour...did you lack love for yourself? I'd love to hear your story. In the meantime, I'll keep listening to my own heart...and if it tells me I need to care, then I'll be doing my best. Love to you all out there. Be kind to yourself by being kind to others.
I wrote a post last year after reading about Chloe's death. Read it here if you'd like to.
The Chloe's Law petition to the Australian Senate can be signed here
I went to Hobart today to attend the gathering to celebrate the successes of Chloe's Law...the movement to introduce anti-bullying and specifically anti-cyber-bullying laws into Tasmania. I went because I feel pain in my heart when I think about a young girl so taunted and tortured in her heart that she felt she had no option other than taking her life. Despite the fact that she had family and friends who loved and cared about her, she just couldn't cope with the abuse any longer. It pains me to think that some of the young people that knew her had not the decency to treat her as a feeling human being; a human being with a heart that can bear only so much pain. It worries me terribly that there is a generation, or perhaps two, that have inexplicably moved somehow distant from the ability to have empathy for another human being.
I threw a comment away the other day about children having to learn empathy. A mother of a young child challenged me and said her son, although only three and a half years old, shows empathy readily. He is quick to respond if anyone is sad. He immediately wants to help. He will put an arm around them. I think she's right. My own children always showed great empathy and caring towards other people and towards animals. They seemed to want to take care of everything. How many of you have seen a child rescue a fly or a beetle, or had them plead with you to take care of an injured bird? For most of us, if not all, I think we are born with emotional intelligence...with a natural ability to feel the pain of another being and to want to help ease the pain. So what happens to it? Why does there seem to be a lack of empathy in so many people these days?
Could it be that some of us have become desensitised to distress by watching so many tv shows and movies that are based on murder, torture and violence. Have we ceased to understand that these things are not right? Think about it. If you invite visions of murder and violence into your home on a daily basis, via tv or even X Box and video games (I'm not right up with the lingo, but you know the things I'm talking about here)...if you do that, isn't it reasonable to imagine that you might become desensitised to the horror of it all. Isn't it reasonable to imagine that perhaps those things become somehow more 'acceptable' to you? I wonder.
There is quite a movement afoot now in education to introduce what is called 'social learning' to our students. Ethics are now part of the curriculum. It's great that we are teaching our young people to think more about why we do what we do, and what works well for community and what hurts community. We're all in this together. We all need each other. Our world is not a series of bubbles that we all live in and so are not touched by the ills of the rest. We are all connected. We are all one. When we hurt each other we hurt ourselves too. Social learning. How to work with, live with, cooperate with, collaborate with others to create a functional society in which every individual is valued for what they bring. We are all different; we are all the same. We can begin to feel empathy for others by starting to look for what is the same. "How is that other person like me?" we might ask.
I can't do much. I can't make anyone do anything they don't want to do. But I can ask you to slow down and look at other people in a way that asks...how are they like me? If you can do that, you will find yourself beginning to think that others might have the same sorts of human frailties that you have yourself. Yes, you have them...we all do. We look for what is different and then we fear. We can't help it unless we make a conscious effort to change that and look for what is similar. You could start with the fact that you and indeed everyone else is human. We all belong to the human family. We all need to be accepted and loved as we are. Mostly we want some sort of recognition that lets us know we're worthwhile. Some people don't think they are, and I think sometimes they're the ones that hit out in anger about that. Someone hasn't let them know that they're worthwhile and worth loving...and they haven't figured it out for themselves yet. Please, if you can't love everyone in your life, if you can't love everyone around you, at least be kind.
Some of the speakers today talked about kindness. Go away from here today with kindness in your heart they said. I read somewhere a sign that said "Kindness is my religion". What a great religion-a religion that needs no church, no priests, no bishops, no offering plate, no guilt, no rules, no sin, no threat of eternal fire...just the simple recognition of the fact that we can choose in all situations to be kind. Imagine if all of us everywhere made it our life's work to be kind in everything we did. What a new and different world we would wake up to. I know I'm not perfect, and I don't expect any of you to be either, but if you could just keep those two little words 'be kind' in the front of your mind...like a little voice reminding you all day long...and I'll try to do the same...maybe we can make a difference. Like the butterfly effect, the small changes we make in our lives affect those around us. Your small act of kindness ( a simple smile or holding a door open for someone) may just inspire the recipient to do the same. There are loads of kindness movements around the world at different points in time. There are Random Acts of Kindness, Free Hugs, and all sorts of others. Why do so many of these keep popping up on Youtube and Facebook and other places. I suspect it's because there are a lot of people out there who believe it is the only way we can mend ourselves and our planet. I refuse to share things about the vile things people do. We are all too well aware of those. Let's make a point of sharing with each other snippets of hope and encouragement to do the little good we can...and hope that the seeds we plant will grow a forest of caring.
If this motivates you in any way to change the way you've been living, please let me know. If you've ever been a bully, I'd like to know what it was that led you to that behaviour...did you lack love for yourself? I'd love to hear your story. In the meantime, I'll keep listening to my own heart...and if it tells me I need to care, then I'll be doing my best. Love to you all out there. Be kind to yourself by being kind to others.
I wrote a post last year after reading about Chloe's death. Read it here if you'd like to.
The Chloe's Law petition to the Australian Senate can be signed here
Thursday, 13 February 2014
The News
Dear FriendsLate evening tv has been a smorgasbord of murder, mental illness, violence, missing persons, rape and racial tension. I'm sure there was other stuff in there too but these issues are important to us all as they involve people that are like people we know. The stories jump out at us and remain close to our hearts, perhaps giving us cause to fear for our own safety or the safety of loved ones. We can feel as if the security of our quiet lives is under threat. We are wired to hear those threatening stories and to respond with the flight or fight 'mechanism'. Once upon a primal swamp, that was essential to our survival. I'm sitting here with heavy heart, imagining the grief of a mother bereaved of her young son and her husband in the same tragic incident. Every mother's heart will feel the tightening that measures a fear we all live with; that we might lose a child. I've heard it said that being a parent is the bravest thing you'll ever choose to do because in that act you agree to have your heart living outside your own body. Your heart travels everywhere with your children.
As I sat here feeling the weight of the sorrow from these reports, I made a conscious shift of mind to think about all the things that didn't make the news today. They wouldn't sell papers or current affairs advertising time but they are the stuff of life. The real stuff. Today, even in the small town where I live, hundreds of people woke up this morning and enjoyed a shower and a nourishing breakfast before heading to work or school. Hundreds of families chattered away together as they went through the busy morning routines finding clothes and shoes and homework. Husbands and wives, friends and lovers, children and families and friends went through their everyday tasks without a second thought. They smiled at each other and hugged each other, told jokes, patted the dog or washed the car and enjoyed the gleam that rewarded their hard work. They wrote letters and sent birthday, wedding, engagement, get well soon, sympathy and Valentine's cards. They mowed the lawn and weeded the garden or took a walk and found images of rabbits in the clouds. They went for a drive and stopped at a country cafe for coffee and apple danish. They browsed antique stores or shopped in supermarkets for food. They bought new shoes or cleaned out wardrobes and donated un-needed items to charity.
They made decisions to make some one else's life better; they started to support a child through a charity or registered to donate time to visit the aged or infirm. They volunteered in animal shelters and homeless shelters and soup kitchens. They touched the untouchable and reached the unreachable by doing what they do with love and sincerity and no need to be thanked or rewarded. They flew planes or traveled as passengers to far shores to learn about this vast global community. They spent time in new places and new cultures with new faces and foods and smells and sounds. They made their lives richer and will bring home new understandings and interests to share with friends and family. They read books and watched documentaries or soapies on tv. They worked and they relaxed and took pleasure from having time to take stock of life. They had thoughts and read comics and poems and looked at paintings and thought about how marvellous it can be to express oneself through art. They played music and danced behind closed curtains in case someone should see and think them mad...but they were joyful and free and happy for that time. They took children to school and collected them at home time. They sewed quilts and played football and made bets on the horses or the dogs. Some won. They learned to send an email or enroled for university courses in middle or old age...or right out of high school. They shaved legs and tweezed eye brows and put on moisturiser. They looked in the mirror and put on their best face for the world they were going out to meet. They lived their lives in the best way they could. No one will ever take much notice, but so many people do so many GOOD even GREAT things every single day. Hats off to us all for making the very best of life that we can.
We get a lot of news these days unless we make a choice to avoid it, and I have spent long periods of my life doing just that. The news, whilst it can be viewed as important, carries such a skewed view of the world as it really is. News is shaped and presented in the way that ensures the greatest sales of advertising or that furthers the political stance of the station owners. I was fortunate enough to be at an event many years ago; a fire walking ceremony on a beach on Magnetic Island off Townsville. The news teams were there recording the event and I watched it later on tv. I have to tell you that the tv coverage of the event was nothing like being there. It was as if they'd been at another event altogether. It has made me wary of news reports.
I guess I'm just trying to say that whilst it's not healthy to pretend that nothing bad ever happens or that other people are not suffering, it's probably going to be good for your health to think about how much is going along quite nicely in your home, your town, your county or country. Fight that impulse to notice and focus on the scary, the threatening and the 'negative' aspects of life and the news. Do what you can to help others. Be kind. Spend at least an equal amount of time devoting your thinking to what might be good and right and happy and lovely. What you think about...you will find.
Wishing you a life that is interesting and full and rich. Wishing you the strength and wisdom to grow through the difficult times. Wishing you friends and family to love and support you through times of grief and loss. Wishing you compassion to help others when you can. Wishing you the ability to see what is good in the world, and to contribute towards it too. Most of all wishing and hoping that the sad and terrible events of life remain as the exception to the rule for most of us, and that we can together build a better and happier world for the children yet to come. Thank you.
As I sat here feeling the weight of the sorrow from these reports, I made a conscious shift of mind to think about all the things that didn't make the news today. They wouldn't sell papers or current affairs advertising time but they are the stuff of life. The real stuff. Today, even in the small town where I live, hundreds of people woke up this morning and enjoyed a shower and a nourishing breakfast before heading to work or school. Hundreds of families chattered away together as they went through the busy morning routines finding clothes and shoes and homework. Husbands and wives, friends and lovers, children and families and friends went through their everyday tasks without a second thought. They smiled at each other and hugged each other, told jokes, patted the dog or washed the car and enjoyed the gleam that rewarded their hard work. They wrote letters and sent birthday, wedding, engagement, get well soon, sympathy and Valentine's cards. They mowed the lawn and weeded the garden or took a walk and found images of rabbits in the clouds. They went for a drive and stopped at a country cafe for coffee and apple danish. They browsed antique stores or shopped in supermarkets for food. They bought new shoes or cleaned out wardrobes and donated un-needed items to charity.
They made decisions to make some one else's life better; they started to support a child through a charity or registered to donate time to visit the aged or infirm. They volunteered in animal shelters and homeless shelters and soup kitchens. They touched the untouchable and reached the unreachable by doing what they do with love and sincerity and no need to be thanked or rewarded. They flew planes or traveled as passengers to far shores to learn about this vast global community. They spent time in new places and new cultures with new faces and foods and smells and sounds. They made their lives richer and will bring home new understandings and interests to share with friends and family. They read books and watched documentaries or soapies on tv. They worked and they relaxed and took pleasure from having time to take stock of life. They had thoughts and read comics and poems and looked at paintings and thought about how marvellous it can be to express oneself through art. They played music and danced behind closed curtains in case someone should see and think them mad...but they were joyful and free and happy for that time. They took children to school and collected them at home time. They sewed quilts and played football and made bets on the horses or the dogs. Some won. They learned to send an email or enroled for university courses in middle or old age...or right out of high school. They shaved legs and tweezed eye brows and put on moisturiser. They looked in the mirror and put on their best face for the world they were going out to meet. They lived their lives in the best way they could. No one will ever take much notice, but so many people do so many GOOD even GREAT things every single day. Hats off to us all for making the very best of life that we can.
We get a lot of news these days unless we make a choice to avoid it, and I have spent long periods of my life doing just that. The news, whilst it can be viewed as important, carries such a skewed view of the world as it really is. News is shaped and presented in the way that ensures the greatest sales of advertising or that furthers the political stance of the station owners. I was fortunate enough to be at an event many years ago; a fire walking ceremony on a beach on Magnetic Island off Townsville. The news teams were there recording the event and I watched it later on tv. I have to tell you that the tv coverage of the event was nothing like being there. It was as if they'd been at another event altogether. It has made me wary of news reports.
I guess I'm just trying to say that whilst it's not healthy to pretend that nothing bad ever happens or that other people are not suffering, it's probably going to be good for your health to think about how much is going along quite nicely in your home, your town, your county or country. Fight that impulse to notice and focus on the scary, the threatening and the 'negative' aspects of life and the news. Do what you can to help others. Be kind. Spend at least an equal amount of time devoting your thinking to what might be good and right and happy and lovely. What you think about...you will find.
Wishing you a life that is interesting and full and rich. Wishing you the strength and wisdom to grow through the difficult times. Wishing you friends and family to love and support you through times of grief and loss. Wishing you compassion to help others when you can. Wishing you the ability to see what is good in the world, and to contribute towards it too. Most of all wishing and hoping that the sad and terrible events of life remain as the exception to the rule for most of us, and that we can together build a better and happier world for the children yet to come. Thank you.
Saturday, 8 February 2014
Spinning
I've been sitting here at the computer for about twenty minutes now...checking out the Raptor and Wildlife Refuge hoping to visit there today but discovered that it is just a refuge and not open to the public. I've popped onto Facebook and responded to a couple of things there and checked the page associated with work for me. I've just finished eating a bowl of rock melon (cantaloupe) cubes for breakfast and have been working on my first coffee. I've had a shower and washed my hair so I'm sitting here still wrapped in towels. My head is full of thoughts about all sorts of things and one of them was that I've not written a post here for a while...and that I ought to. So here's what I'm going to muse about today. Living in the moment. Because for the past twenty minutes or half an hour, that is definitely not what I've been doing.
My tummy is full and I can remember the first two or three pieces of rock melon; spearing them with my fork and sending them in the direction of my mouth. I can remember the sweet taste and the bright coral-orange of the flesh...and a wee burp just now reminds me that I've eaten the bowlful. But I've had my mind on so many other things that the rest of the bowl was engulfed as by an automaton. I was not taking any notice. I think I deprived myself of the privilege of enjoying and savouring every mouthful. Perhaps next time I can sit away from the computer and actually focus on the food I'm eating. Perhaps then my mind will appreciate the quantity, the flavours, the textures and satisfaction of chewing to the point that it won't be telling me I need more. I feel full right now but I wonder if the satisfaction might have been greater if I'd really noticed everything about the experience of having my breakfast. Hmmm.
Sitting here now I'm trying to notice everything about this experience. I can feel the pressure of the chair under my rear and against the outside of my right thigh. I can feel the dampness of the towels around me, the weight of the one on my head. I can feel my glasses on my nose and see the rims of them at the periphery of my vision. I am grateful. I can't see much without them. The world is a blur. Sometimes we move too fast and try to get too much done and feel like we never get to the point where we can be satisfied that we're enough; that we do enough. Maybe being present is a bit like putting spectacles on so that we can see more clearly. I am grateful that I could get out of bed this morning and stand under a hot shower and that I had soap and shampoo and conditioner to take care of my body. Somehow that nourishes my soul too. I am grateful that I had a bed to sleep in last night and the security of a safe home. I am grateful for my mug of coffee and my rock melon. I am grateful for the fridge that kept my rock melon in good condition until I was ready to eat it. The value of slowing down is that I can start to really see my life and remember how lucky I am to have so much. I am grateful for my desk, my computer, my connection to so many beautiful people, my job, my family, my friends. Many of those things may seem cliche. We all say we love our family and friends; that we are happy to have a roof over our heads and tucker on the table. But are we truly grateful? Are you? Am I? We are more likely to be, I think, if we live with awareness in the moment.
It's easy to take for granted the things that surround us all the time; the things we've always had or the things we believe we deserve because we've worked hard for them. I try to remember that even though I know others whose lives appear richer or who have more or do more or go on more adventures...there are so many millions of people, perhaps billions who have never and will never have the opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasures I take for granted in my day to day life. Sometimes I feel guilty but the reality is that I am here and this is my life here. I do what I can to help others and contribute something to community. I can't mend the whole world but I can take a step towards that end by noticing and knowing and by being grateful. It's a shift in consciousness. It's a shift in attitude. It's humbling somehow. What lottery was it that placed me here in this space and not in some poverty stricken, war torn country, perhaps with illiterate parents and no opportunity to go to school? That is the reality for so many. I was sold a lucky ticket in life.
My mind this morning has been full of thoughts about things I want or need to do; ring Mum and see how she's doing, text the kids to let them know I'm thinking of them, plan for next week at school, contact people I need to for work, make lists. Life is going to be so very busy for the next ten weeks; the school term. There will be much demanded of me, but I am grateful to have the chance to be part of the lives of the people I work with. I am grateful to have the chance to learn new things and new processes. I am lucky to have all the skills and abilities I need for my job. I am lucky to have a job. All I have to do really is stay in the moment and remember that even though sometimes I feel really disorganised and sometimes overwhelmed I am enough.
I have a plan to keep myself from spinning out...to keep my head from spinning so fast with a million thoughts that it might just fly off my body and finish up somewhere in the outer stratosphere. I've decided to call it my 30-30-30. The 30s represent minutes. My plan is this; after work I will give myself 30 minutes to walk, 30 minutes to meditate (this may be just sitting and enjoying the view of the bay but it will be with determination to stay present and not be thinking about other things) and 30 minutes to do something nice for myself (a foot soak, a hand massage, a book for personal enjoyment, a favourite tv show) and then I'll have a meal and complete preparations for the next day. After a busy non-stop day at school, I think it's important to allow myself some time to reset my psyche and be present for myself. That's my plan. My Anti Head Spin Plan. Wish me luck! I think it's time for me to get dressed and head out for the day...not to the Raptor Refuge but I'm sure I'll find something or somewhere new to explore. Have a great day!!
My tummy is full and I can remember the first two or three pieces of rock melon; spearing them with my fork and sending them in the direction of my mouth. I can remember the sweet taste and the bright coral-orange of the flesh...and a wee burp just now reminds me that I've eaten the bowlful. But I've had my mind on so many other things that the rest of the bowl was engulfed as by an automaton. I was not taking any notice. I think I deprived myself of the privilege of enjoying and savouring every mouthful. Perhaps next time I can sit away from the computer and actually focus on the food I'm eating. Perhaps then my mind will appreciate the quantity, the flavours, the textures and satisfaction of chewing to the point that it won't be telling me I need more. I feel full right now but I wonder if the satisfaction might have been greater if I'd really noticed everything about the experience of having my breakfast. Hmmm.
Sitting here now I'm trying to notice everything about this experience. I can feel the pressure of the chair under my rear and against the outside of my right thigh. I can feel the dampness of the towels around me, the weight of the one on my head. I can feel my glasses on my nose and see the rims of them at the periphery of my vision. I am grateful. I can't see much without them. The world is a blur. Sometimes we move too fast and try to get too much done and feel like we never get to the point where we can be satisfied that we're enough; that we do enough. Maybe being present is a bit like putting spectacles on so that we can see more clearly. I am grateful that I could get out of bed this morning and stand under a hot shower and that I had soap and shampoo and conditioner to take care of my body. Somehow that nourishes my soul too. I am grateful that I had a bed to sleep in last night and the security of a safe home. I am grateful for my mug of coffee and my rock melon. I am grateful for the fridge that kept my rock melon in good condition until I was ready to eat it. The value of slowing down is that I can start to really see my life and remember how lucky I am to have so much. I am grateful for my desk, my computer, my connection to so many beautiful people, my job, my family, my friends. Many of those things may seem cliche. We all say we love our family and friends; that we are happy to have a roof over our heads and tucker on the table. But are we truly grateful? Are you? Am I? We are more likely to be, I think, if we live with awareness in the moment.
It's easy to take for granted the things that surround us all the time; the things we've always had or the things we believe we deserve because we've worked hard for them. I try to remember that even though I know others whose lives appear richer or who have more or do more or go on more adventures...there are so many millions of people, perhaps billions who have never and will never have the opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasures I take for granted in my day to day life. Sometimes I feel guilty but the reality is that I am here and this is my life here. I do what I can to help others and contribute something to community. I can't mend the whole world but I can take a step towards that end by noticing and knowing and by being grateful. It's a shift in consciousness. It's a shift in attitude. It's humbling somehow. What lottery was it that placed me here in this space and not in some poverty stricken, war torn country, perhaps with illiterate parents and no opportunity to go to school? That is the reality for so many. I was sold a lucky ticket in life.
My mind this morning has been full of thoughts about things I want or need to do; ring Mum and see how she's doing, text the kids to let them know I'm thinking of them, plan for next week at school, contact people I need to for work, make lists. Life is going to be so very busy for the next ten weeks; the school term. There will be much demanded of me, but I am grateful to have the chance to be part of the lives of the people I work with. I am grateful to have the chance to learn new things and new processes. I am lucky to have all the skills and abilities I need for my job. I am lucky to have a job. All I have to do really is stay in the moment and remember that even though sometimes I feel really disorganised and sometimes overwhelmed I am enough.
I have a plan to keep myself from spinning out...to keep my head from spinning so fast with a million thoughts that it might just fly off my body and finish up somewhere in the outer stratosphere. I've decided to call it my 30-30-30. The 30s represent minutes. My plan is this; after work I will give myself 30 minutes to walk, 30 minutes to meditate (this may be just sitting and enjoying the view of the bay but it will be with determination to stay present and not be thinking about other things) and 30 minutes to do something nice for myself (a foot soak, a hand massage, a book for personal enjoyment, a favourite tv show) and then I'll have a meal and complete preparations for the next day. After a busy non-stop day at school, I think it's important to allow myself some time to reset my psyche and be present for myself. That's my plan. My Anti Head Spin Plan. Wish me luck! I think it's time for me to get dressed and head out for the day...not to the Raptor Refuge but I'm sure I'll find something or somewhere new to explore. Have a great day!!
Saturday, 25 January 2014
How things work out...
Sometimes, as I'm sure you all know too well, life throws us some 'curly ones'; things that are unexpected or that test our creativity or resilience or courage. Those things don't need to be earth-shattering or even, in fact, of any note or meaning to someone else. Nonetheless, we can feel shaken and unsure of ourselves when those 'curly ones' come our way.
Just recently life threw me a 'curly one' in the shape of me feeling a strong need to move out of a living situation that had somehow led me to feel deeply unhappy. Now you can tell me that happiness is all in the mind, and that I create my own happiness, and that happiness is not the only human emotion worthy of experience. I know all that, but I also know that my default position in life...my default emotion if you like...is to be basically happy. I don't need a lot to be experiencing happiness, or at least a deep sense of contentment. When I am struggling to feel that level of peace and contentment with life, I process it as a need to change something. I can embrace discomfort or 'unhappiness' as a fleeting situation, but if it's hanging about then I figure it's up to me to do something about it. The trouble is that no one is an island and there is that inevitability that someone else may be saddened by the choices I make in order to care for myself.
All that taken into account, I did make a move and stayed in the home of generous and gracious friends for a few weeks while I sorted my head out. During that time I visited my children in Victoria and enjoyed a week with them. On my return a couple of days ago I moved into a new place that became available for me to live in. Although I've only spent two nights here, I have to say that the decision to move was a good one. I realise that I need to have my life arranged so that I can have my 'stuff' around me. I don't collect just for the sake of having things, but I do love to read and write...so there are books and pens and of course, my computer. I also like to craft so there is a sewing machine, a small amount of fabric, a couple of sewing boxes and some patterns. There is a basket of wool and needles for knitting and crochet. There are cookbooks and candles and various other bits and pieces, and I like to see them all around the place. I'm not one to put everything away all the time. Part of my joy in life is to have those things beckoning me...hey, come read a few pages...or knit a few rows...or write a few lines. I like those reminders that I am creative...and I like those times when I can indulge myself and spend a few hours on a project and lose track of time. This stuff is part of my identity somehow.
I'm still not completely organised, but I have promised myself that I will go through all the paperwork and discard what is no longer necessary. It's such a task, isn't it, to go through paperwork. I still have most of my final assignments from uni...I completed my degree in 2010. I have a friend who recently let go of her 'stuff from uni' and she graduated almost 30 years ago...so you can imagine that these things are not easy to let go of. I think I still believe that I can get something out of going back over some of those essays. But if I'm being realistic, I can Google anything these days and track down all the whatever that I could ever need. I wonder if it's some sort of attachment still to what was an incredibly important phase of life for me. I have to say that some of the memories of that time would be better let go of...but still there is the temptation to hold on. Anyway, I will get to it. Perhaps I can set myself a goal to halve the amount of stuff this time. That might be a way to begin. I can say that having to keep moving that great load of paper from one location to another (paper being so darned weighty!!) means that I am becoming less attached to moving it. I can't imagine staying in one place for the rest of my life...moving is for me some sort of inevitability...so I guess I'll have to reduce the load a bit if I want it to be easier next time I get itchy feet...
Still, as I look at the view, the bush surrounding this cosy little home, and my various projects beckoning...and as I realise that it's only days until I'm back into full time work mode...I think perhaps it would do me well to sit tight and stay put for a while. Moving house can be exciting but it's also very tiring and expensive. I wonder if my unsettled nature is something to do with being a 'Scanner' (see Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher)? Perhaps I'm driven to keep moving too. That's something for me to think about. Perhaps I could arrange my life so that I can nourish my urge to keep moving by planning trips to see new sights (this is such a strong need for me)...sounds like fun. Perhaps it would be kind of good to stay in one place (at least have one place as a base) long term. I'll have to think about that.
Today has been another day of moving bits and pieces of furniture and testing to find out if the internet connection was going to be satisfactory or not. To my great joy it is better than I've had for the last several addresses...at least it is today so I'll make the most of it! I also indulged myself this morning in a little pamper session...a home-grown facial, a manicure...popped on some of my favourite perfume and just enjoyed being me. Mum called in for a couple of hours' mother and daughter time and it was just...nice! Relaxing!
I'm planning to enjoy the remainder if this Aussie long weekend just hanging close to home and reflecting on how darned quickly holiday times seem to disappear. I'll remember some precious times with my gorgeous kids and how very lucky I am to have them in my life. How big is a mother's love for her kids? I forget sometimes that my mum feels the same love for me (and my brother too, of course!). It's pretty special...to know that you are so well loved.
I'll also be allowing those thoughts back into my head...the ones I've been fighting off valiantly for the past weeks...the ones that are the start of planning a school year with a new class, a new job, new parents, new colleagues and new challenges. They kept sneaking up on me every time I let my guard down and I'd tell them firmly (after taking down a few notes on occasion) that it's holiday time and that I'd get back to them closer to the end of the summer break. Well, work looms large...back I go on February 3, so it's time to start some serious thinking and note-taking, study and planning...and prepping the classroom so it's all ready for things to run smoothly when the children start back. Holidays can't last forever...and really I'm looking forward to getting back into seeing life through the eyes of the children I work with.
You can never really know how things will work out. We all do the best we can, I think....the best we can with what we know and what we have to work with. I don't know how life will work out this year. When I was young I used to think that there was some magic point in life where you knew who you were and what you wanted to do and how to do it; that life would become 'smooth' somehow. Now I'm older I know that the bumps are a big part of the adventure of being alive, and I'll just have to go on riding them for as long as I'm here. It's kind of comforting in an odd way. It would be so unsatisfying to know what the future held. Here's to surprises and serendipity! A toast to new experiences, new challenges and new knowings. It's lovely to be back and I'm looking forward to seeing what piques my interest to write about for you over the coming weeks. Hoping your adventures are all good ones!
Just recently life threw me a 'curly one' in the shape of me feeling a strong need to move out of a living situation that had somehow led me to feel deeply unhappy. Now you can tell me that happiness is all in the mind, and that I create my own happiness, and that happiness is not the only human emotion worthy of experience. I know all that, but I also know that my default position in life...my default emotion if you like...is to be basically happy. I don't need a lot to be experiencing happiness, or at least a deep sense of contentment. When I am struggling to feel that level of peace and contentment with life, I process it as a need to change something. I can embrace discomfort or 'unhappiness' as a fleeting situation, but if it's hanging about then I figure it's up to me to do something about it. The trouble is that no one is an island and there is that inevitability that someone else may be saddened by the choices I make in order to care for myself.
All that taken into account, I did make a move and stayed in the home of generous and gracious friends for a few weeks while I sorted my head out. During that time I visited my children in Victoria and enjoyed a week with them. On my return a couple of days ago I moved into a new place that became available for me to live in. Although I've only spent two nights here, I have to say that the decision to move was a good one. I realise that I need to have my life arranged so that I can have my 'stuff' around me. I don't collect just for the sake of having things, but I do love to read and write...so there are books and pens and of course, my computer. I also like to craft so there is a sewing machine, a small amount of fabric, a couple of sewing boxes and some patterns. There is a basket of wool and needles for knitting and crochet. There are cookbooks and candles and various other bits and pieces, and I like to see them all around the place. I'm not one to put everything away all the time. Part of my joy in life is to have those things beckoning me...hey, come read a few pages...or knit a few rows...or write a few lines. I like those reminders that I am creative...and I like those times when I can indulge myself and spend a few hours on a project and lose track of time. This stuff is part of my identity somehow.
I'm still not completely organised, but I have promised myself that I will go through all the paperwork and discard what is no longer necessary. It's such a task, isn't it, to go through paperwork. I still have most of my final assignments from uni...I completed my degree in 2010. I have a friend who recently let go of her 'stuff from uni' and she graduated almost 30 years ago...so you can imagine that these things are not easy to let go of. I think I still believe that I can get something out of going back over some of those essays. But if I'm being realistic, I can Google anything these days and track down all the whatever that I could ever need. I wonder if it's some sort of attachment still to what was an incredibly important phase of life for me. I have to say that some of the memories of that time would be better let go of...but still there is the temptation to hold on. Anyway, I will get to it. Perhaps I can set myself a goal to halve the amount of stuff this time. That might be a way to begin. I can say that having to keep moving that great load of paper from one location to another (paper being so darned weighty!!) means that I am becoming less attached to moving it. I can't imagine staying in one place for the rest of my life...moving is for me some sort of inevitability...so I guess I'll have to reduce the load a bit if I want it to be easier next time I get itchy feet...
Still, as I look at the view, the bush surrounding this cosy little home, and my various projects beckoning...and as I realise that it's only days until I'm back into full time work mode...I think perhaps it would do me well to sit tight and stay put for a while. Moving house can be exciting but it's also very tiring and expensive. I wonder if my unsettled nature is something to do with being a 'Scanner' (see Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher)? Perhaps I'm driven to keep moving too. That's something for me to think about. Perhaps I could arrange my life so that I can nourish my urge to keep moving by planning trips to see new sights (this is such a strong need for me)...sounds like fun. Perhaps it would be kind of good to stay in one place (at least have one place as a base) long term. I'll have to think about that.
Today has been another day of moving bits and pieces of furniture and testing to find out if the internet connection was going to be satisfactory or not. To my great joy it is better than I've had for the last several addresses...at least it is today so I'll make the most of it! I also indulged myself this morning in a little pamper session...a home-grown facial, a manicure...popped on some of my favourite perfume and just enjoyed being me. Mum called in for a couple of hours' mother and daughter time and it was just...nice! Relaxing!
I'm planning to enjoy the remainder if this Aussie long weekend just hanging close to home and reflecting on how darned quickly holiday times seem to disappear. I'll remember some precious times with my gorgeous kids and how very lucky I am to have them in my life. How big is a mother's love for her kids? I forget sometimes that my mum feels the same love for me (and my brother too, of course!). It's pretty special...to know that you are so well loved.
I'll also be allowing those thoughts back into my head...the ones I've been fighting off valiantly for the past weeks...the ones that are the start of planning a school year with a new class, a new job, new parents, new colleagues and new challenges. They kept sneaking up on me every time I let my guard down and I'd tell them firmly (after taking down a few notes on occasion) that it's holiday time and that I'd get back to them closer to the end of the summer break. Well, work looms large...back I go on February 3, so it's time to start some serious thinking and note-taking, study and planning...and prepping the classroom so it's all ready for things to run smoothly when the children start back. Holidays can't last forever...and really I'm looking forward to getting back into seeing life through the eyes of the children I work with.
You can never really know how things will work out. We all do the best we can, I think....the best we can with what we know and what we have to work with. I don't know how life will work out this year. When I was young I used to think that there was some magic point in life where you knew who you were and what you wanted to do and how to do it; that life would become 'smooth' somehow. Now I'm older I know that the bumps are a big part of the adventure of being alive, and I'll just have to go on riding them for as long as I'm here. It's kind of comforting in an odd way. It would be so unsatisfying to know what the future held. Here's to surprises and serendipity! A toast to new experiences, new challenges and new knowings. It's lovely to be back and I'm looking forward to seeing what piques my interest to write about for you over the coming weeks. Hoping your adventures are all good ones!
Friday, 10 January 2014
What size are your clothes??? If you're worried about it you need to read this!
I am writing this because I overheard a conversation in an opportunity shop while I was browsing the other day and it really made me think...especially my reaction to the conversation. I didn't contribute to the discussion, but listened and observed with some shock the silent contribution I made in my own head. It's made me think about how often many of us probably do that without questioning where our thoughts came from or whether they deserve to be checked out a bit more thoroughly before accepting them as okay to think! The conversation went something like this...not verbatim, but close enough for the purpose of this writing.
Well I surprised myself by thinking smugly to myself...(yes, smugly...eek)
"Autograph sizes are bigger than normal sizes. They make them bigger and put the sizes smaller so that people feel better about being big...silly woman.You're kidding yourself."
Oh dear. Yes, I thought pretty much what I've written there. You might have thought similar when you read the conversation, especially if you're familiar with Autograph. I am. I buy clothes there sometimes and in some items their 14s are a good fit for me. In others not so much.
What struck me about this whole conversation and my silent appraisal and judgement of the woman who spoke about Autograph's sizing was just how ridiculously silly it all is. Yes, absolutely crazy silly. What do all these 'sizes' mean and what do we take them to mean? In my experience it seems that much of the sizing is almost arbitrary and often seems to be unique to a particular brand. Some clothing manufacturers seem to work to certain body types and thus a certain size seems to be just right. Then to try and wear the same size in some other brand is a total misfit and I know that this can send women (and men? I don't know...) into such a spin. They think they need to lose weight or squeeze themselves into a smaller size to be valued as a human being.
We have been thoroughly conned people. We have been brainwashed. How often have you read in a magazine that someone lost so many kilos and 'dropped three dress sizes'. What the hell does that mean? It's time to question this stuff. Was it three Just Jeans dress sizes or three Target dress sizes or three Ishka dress sizes or three Collette Dinnegan dress sizes or three Autograph dress sizes...and who cares anyway really?? Celebrate that the person has created a healthier life for themselves. Celebrate that they've had to buy some new clothes and they are happy to be doing that and feel more confident and energetic but stop telling us about the dress sizes.
This is what sizes are about. Listen carefully. Read carefully.
Sizes on clothing and footwear are a GUIDE to choosing something that will fit you. They are not absolutes. As the women talking in the opportunity shop discussed, sizes are not consistent from one manufacturer (or even one style) to another. The numbers are on the clothes to give you a rough idea where to start trying things on. That's it. It stops you from starting at the front of the rack and trying on every dress/jeans/shirt/skirt until you find one that fits!
It's time to take our power back and know that when we look for clothing to buy we are looking for something THAT FITS US not something with a particular number on the label. Does that make sense to you? Cut the labels off when you get them home and FORGET what size you bought because it doesn't matter a bit. What matters is that the clothes FIT YOU. It matters that you think they LOOK RIGHT for you and convey YOUR PARTICULAR STYLE. It doesn't matter a hoot if you've got pants that had size 20 on the label and a shirt that had size 16 on the label and a jacket that had size 12 on the label. Cut the rotten labels off and be happy that you have found clothes that fit you, that are comfortable and that look good on you. That's all you need right? If the 'sizes' are so inconsistent across brands and styles then I contend that they are not 'sizes' at all and are in fact just numbers. That's how I'd like you to think if you've struggled with this in the past. Let's get rid of this stupid notion that our worth is defined somehow by the number on our clothes!
Okay, next time you are out shopping I want you to take this mantra with you...
THE NUMBER IS JUST A GUIDE...THE NUMBER IS JUST A GUIDE...THE NUMBER IS JUST A GUIDE...
...and don't worry about what number is on the label of what you find that fits you well. Buy the thing, cut the label off and get rid of it. Let go of the idea that the number matters or judges you or shames you or demands something of you. It's all in your head...put there by social conditioning and marketers. It's time to let it go people! Let go of all that 'size' rubbish that's in your head and be free to smile again. And next time someone proudly announces that they fitted into a 12 you will know they haven't figured this stuff out yet (so you're way ahead) and you can tell them that 12 is not a size...it's a number. Then you'll probably have something to talk about. Cheers and hugs and happy shopping!!
PS Keep in mind that the numbering systems vary not just from brand to brand but also from country to country...no wonder it has us all floundering and in a flap. But now that won't have to happen to you any more. Oh, and if someone asks you what size your label-free jacket is...you can say size? Well, it's me-sized. It fits me!
"I wear a size 14 usually but now when you buy a 14 they are so small."
"It's those Asians. It's alright for them. They make them to fit them and they're all so small.They look at our clothes when they make them and think they're HUGE."
"The only place that gets the sizing right now is Autograph. They have good sizing. They're the only ones that do it right now. With them a 14 is a 14."
"What I'm wearing here is a 16!! I never wear a 16 but that's what I had to buy for it to fit me."...and so on.
Well I surprised myself by thinking smugly to myself...(yes, smugly...eek)
"Autograph sizes are bigger than normal sizes. They make them bigger and put the sizes smaller so that people feel better about being big...silly woman.You're kidding yourself."
Oh dear. Yes, I thought pretty much what I've written there. You might have thought similar when you read the conversation, especially if you're familiar with Autograph. I am. I buy clothes there sometimes and in some items their 14s are a good fit for me. In others not so much.
What struck me about this whole conversation and my silent appraisal and judgement of the woman who spoke about Autograph's sizing was just how ridiculously silly it all is. Yes, absolutely crazy silly. What do all these 'sizes' mean and what do we take them to mean? In my experience it seems that much of the sizing is almost arbitrary and often seems to be unique to a particular brand. Some clothing manufacturers seem to work to certain body types and thus a certain size seems to be just right. Then to try and wear the same size in some other brand is a total misfit and I know that this can send women (and men? I don't know...) into such a spin. They think they need to lose weight or squeeze themselves into a smaller size to be valued as a human being.
We have been thoroughly conned people. We have been brainwashed. How often have you read in a magazine that someone lost so many kilos and 'dropped three dress sizes'. What the hell does that mean? It's time to question this stuff. Was it three Just Jeans dress sizes or three Target dress sizes or three Ishka dress sizes or three Collette Dinnegan dress sizes or three Autograph dress sizes...and who cares anyway really?? Celebrate that the person has created a healthier life for themselves. Celebrate that they've had to buy some new clothes and they are happy to be doing that and feel more confident and energetic but stop telling us about the dress sizes.
This is what sizes are about. Listen carefully. Read carefully.
Sizes on clothing and footwear are a GUIDE to choosing something that will fit you. They are not absolutes. As the women talking in the opportunity shop discussed, sizes are not consistent from one manufacturer (or even one style) to another. The numbers are on the clothes to give you a rough idea where to start trying things on. That's it. It stops you from starting at the front of the rack and trying on every dress/jeans/shirt/skirt until you find one that fits!
It's time to take our power back and know that when we look for clothing to buy we are looking for something THAT FITS US not something with a particular number on the label. Does that make sense to you? Cut the labels off when you get them home and FORGET what size you bought because it doesn't matter a bit. What matters is that the clothes FIT YOU. It matters that you think they LOOK RIGHT for you and convey YOUR PARTICULAR STYLE. It doesn't matter a hoot if you've got pants that had size 20 on the label and a shirt that had size 16 on the label and a jacket that had size 12 on the label. Cut the rotten labels off and be happy that you have found clothes that fit you, that are comfortable and that look good on you. That's all you need right? If the 'sizes' are so inconsistent across brands and styles then I contend that they are not 'sizes' at all and are in fact just numbers. That's how I'd like you to think if you've struggled with this in the past. Let's get rid of this stupid notion that our worth is defined somehow by the number on our clothes!
Okay, next time you are out shopping I want you to take this mantra with you...
THE NUMBER IS JUST A GUIDE...THE NUMBER IS JUST A GUIDE...THE NUMBER IS JUST A GUIDE...
...and don't worry about what number is on the label of what you find that fits you well. Buy the thing, cut the label off and get rid of it. Let go of the idea that the number matters or judges you or shames you or demands something of you. It's all in your head...put there by social conditioning and marketers. It's time to let it go people! Let go of all that 'size' rubbish that's in your head and be free to smile again. And next time someone proudly announces that they fitted into a 12 you will know they haven't figured this stuff out yet (so you're way ahead) and you can tell them that 12 is not a size...it's a number. Then you'll probably have something to talk about. Cheers and hugs and happy shopping!!
PS Keep in mind that the numbering systems vary not just from brand to brand but also from country to country...no wonder it has us all floundering and in a flap. But now that won't have to happen to you any more. Oh, and if someone asks you what size your label-free jacket is...you can say size? Well, it's me-sized. It fits me!
Mawson's Huts Hobart
This is an extension on yesterday's post about my wee holiday in Hobart and surrounds. I left New Norfolk mid-afternoon, if you remember, in order to visit the Mawson's Huts replica on my way home. I'm so glad I made the time because it was just brilliant. Talk about wake up the sleeping adventurer in me, haha, and bring back memories of being hunkered down in stormy seas and howling winds back in my sailing days.
After paying for my ticket...$12 AUD (I was given a VIP pass so that if I bring someone else next time I won't have to pay...make sure to ask about that if you think you'd like to come back for another look)...and getting a brief run down from the charming fellow at the ticket desk, I started the 'tour'. Reading and watching film footage of the men struggling with sleds and dogs and building materials, raising radio masts and sailing in those treacherous southern waters was enhanced by the continuous sounds of howling, screaming wind. Mawson's Huts were built in the windiest sea level place on earth...not by design I'm sure...and so it would have been incredibly noisy for most of the time I suppose. I won't say much about what I saw...I asked if I could take photographs and was given sound approval, so I'll let my pictures do most of the talking. What I will say is that it was a fantastic experience for me and I hope you'll go and take a look when you can.
I was entranced by the photographs of the men (I've not included any here). They were young, handsome, robust adventurers; scientists and explorers. They reminded me of young men I know now, or see around town...so very real...so very human. I thought about the bravery and the madness of doing what they did. Yet I know what a mistress adventure can be...she draws you forward sometimes against your sensibilities and thus great things are achieved, though sometimes at great cost.
Later on inside the living quarters, I was to be touched by the poignancy of family photographs on the walls near each man's bunk. They were such a long way from home and loved ones. It seems the loved ones were never far from their minds...they kept them close the best way they could.
I enjoyed the cosiness of the living space, and photos showing the men chatting and laughing...sharing the adventure. The warm glow of the beautiful timber brought all the way from Finland was comforting and reassuring, although there must have been times they were afraid the place would blow off the face of the earth! I'm sure it must have been so tough down there in Antarctica, but the sharing of an adventure makes the hardships easier to bear. It wasn't a jolly little adventure; lives were lost, there was illness and heartbreaking 'bad luck'...but what an example they are to the rest of us. Life is for living. This planet is a wonderful and fascinating place. Those men have been part of sharing the inaccessible with the rest of us.
The ticket man suggested to some late visitors that they allow themselves a good half hour to spend and they were coming back the next day. I spent 55 minutes...had to go as I only had an hour parking voucher and from experience I know the fine for being late makes it worth rushing back in time! I could happily have spent longer as there was more to read and enjoy. I bought a couple of items from the store; a book, a puzzle and a couple of commemorative coins. Funds help with the restoration and maintenance of the original huts down in Antarctica. All items appeared to be of excellent quality and I was happy to purchase to support the cause.
We need adventurers in our midst...in some way they give us the courage to embark on the smaller adventures in our own lives. Taking calculated risks and moving outside our 'comfort' zone is when we really start to feel alive, I think. I know a few adventurers...and I've been one myself in a small way. I'm pretty sure we all have an adventurous spirit deep inside us...hope you'll find the inspiration and courage to let yours out to play one day soon.
Now I have a new puzzle to do and a book to read..they're going to have to line up behind my new tome from Book Group...The Street Sweeper by Elliot Perlman. For now though, I'm heading out to enjoy the remainder of this warm, sunny day. Tomorrow...something completely different! Cheers, Kerry
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| Mawson Place next to Constitution Dock, Hobart, Tasmania |
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| The Radio - times have changed! There was a radio station manned at Macquarie Island and messages were relayed through there. |
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| One of Mawson's sleds, reputedly found on a dump and rescued for posterity...good find! |
After paying for my ticket...$12 AUD (I was given a VIP pass so that if I bring someone else next time I won't have to pay...make sure to ask about that if you think you'd like to come back for another look)...and getting a brief run down from the charming fellow at the ticket desk, I started the 'tour'. Reading and watching film footage of the men struggling with sleds and dogs and building materials, raising radio masts and sailing in those treacherous southern waters was enhanced by the continuous sounds of howling, screaming wind. Mawson's Huts were built in the windiest sea level place on earth...not by design I'm sure...and so it would have been incredibly noisy for most of the time I suppose. I won't say much about what I saw...I asked if I could take photographs and was given sound approval, so I'll let my pictures do most of the talking. What I will say is that it was a fantastic experience for me and I hope you'll go and take a look when you can.
I was entranced by the photographs of the men (I've not included any here). They were young, handsome, robust adventurers; scientists and explorers. They reminded me of young men I know now, or see around town...so very real...so very human. I thought about the bravery and the madness of doing what they did. Yet I know what a mistress adventure can be...she draws you forward sometimes against your sensibilities and thus great things are achieved, though sometimes at great cost.
Later on inside the living quarters, I was to be touched by the poignancy of family photographs on the walls near each man's bunk. They were such a long way from home and loved ones. It seems the loved ones were never far from their minds...they kept them close the best way they could.
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| Douglas Mawson's room |
I enjoyed the cosiness of the living space, and photos showing the men chatting and laughing...sharing the adventure. The warm glow of the beautiful timber brought all the way from Finland was comforting and reassuring, although there must have been times they were afraid the place would blow off the face of the earth! I'm sure it must have been so tough down there in Antarctica, but the sharing of an adventure makes the hardships easier to bear. It wasn't a jolly little adventure; lives were lost, there was illness and heartbreaking 'bad luck'...but what an example they are to the rest of us. Life is for living. This planet is a wonderful and fascinating place. Those men have been part of sharing the inaccessible with the rest of us.
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| Mum used to make us blanc mange when we were kids in England...so I was tickled to see this on the shelf. |
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| Realistically, they didn't have a lot to choose from I suppose. |
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| The kitchen - heart of the home. |
We need adventurers in our midst...in some way they give us the courage to embark on the smaller adventures in our own lives. Taking calculated risks and moving outside our 'comfort' zone is when we really start to feel alive, I think. I know a few adventurers...and I've been one myself in a small way. I'm pretty sure we all have an adventurous spirit deep inside us...hope you'll find the inspiration and courage to let yours out to play one day soon.
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| Sky lights and mezzanine for storage |
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| Patriotism |
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