I started this post back in November and this is the first time I've felt ready to go back and finish it. I hope you'll enjoy it and perhaps it will leave you dancing...that would be perfect!
Last weekend was pretty special. Sixty years special. Mum and Dad were married on November 21st 1954 and here they are, still together 60 years later! That's a truly remarkable achievement. I've been with them (or around at least on and off) for fifty-six of those years so perhaps I know more than most what an achievement it is. So first of all - Congratulations Mum and Dad! Didn't we have fun celebrating! More of that later.
We grow up thinking life is a bit of a fairy tale. We watch Disney and listen to story books and read magazines and are bewitched by the fantasy of a life with a hero (or a heroine). We spend a lifetime searching for the he or she that will be our perfect match - our Prince or Princess Wonderful with whom life will be an adventure of glorious proportions. Now and then you hear a story of a couple that managed by some sort of magic to actually have a life together that almost meets those qualifications; I'm sure that is only because we don't know what goes on behind closed doors, and they choose not to tell.
The thing is, you see, that we are all human beings. We have strengths and weaknesses, quirks and foibles. We can be charming and funny and unreasonable and downright nasty creatures at times. Being in a long term relationship brings up situations and circumstances that allow the good, the bad and the ugly of both ourselves and our partners to be brought to the surface. Sometimes these things chip away at the fairy tale dream until there is nothing left to help us believe in it any more. The only thing to do is to walk away and start all over again. Deal with the mess of separating joined lives. It's not nice and it's not pretty. Some humans do a better job of it than others.
Expectations are the trouble really. Expectations grown back in childhood. Built on stories and make-believe. Built on dishonesty by people pretending to be happy and asking, "When are you getting married?" and similar. Wanting for all to be part of the story. But how many of them were truly happy? I don't know. They probably had times of happiness and contentment. But I think a lot were probably quite unhappy but doing their best to live up to expectations.
I expected to grow up, fall in love, get married, have children and live happily ever after. Things didn't happen in that order and some of them didn't happen until quite late in life. The growing up part is still happening. I'm not ashamed to share that. I hope it takes a burden off someone else if they know they're not the only one who hasn't got it all sorted out yet.
It would be great to see a lot more time spent in educating young people about relationships and how to live successfully with a range of other human beings; older, younger, different in many ways. To learn how to communicate clearly about needs and wants and feelings. To identify what their wants and needs and feelings are. To know that people all stuff up sometimes and that understanding and compassion is needed to help us meet in the middle. To know how to have realistic expectations of themselves and of others. Not to expect others to be superhuman and not to be surprised by their own disappointment or discontent. To have some strategies for negotiating and resolving conflict, and who they can ask for help and support when things are not going smoothly.
I know my Mum and Dad have traversed some rough territory over the years as with anyone that has 60 years together behind them, but what I really wanted to talk about was how much fun I had celebrating with them. This night was so special to me because it was the night I took to the dance floor alone and the first person there. I still have trouble believing that I did that, but I wasn't going to sit and wait to be asked to dance. We had hired a fantastic seven piece band (it was very extravagant but so worth it) and the music was fabulous. I couldn't sit still and wait. So I had to get over worrying about what other people thought of me. I couldn't have done that when I was younger. I was far too self conscious to be able to manage that. I would rather have died than get up and dance alone. Well, I've come of age at last and I honestly don't care any more. If the music is great and I'm in the mood, you'll find me up there having a blast! Of course I am hoping that someone else will come and join me soon, and it does help if the dance floor is not too bright nor too large!
I can remember looking at a quite elderly lady at a sports club in Queensland a few years back. The band was playing and there was this old lady, wearing dozens of beads and bangles, alone on the dance floor, hips swaying and arms carving a story, feet tapping and sliding as if mesmerised by the sheer joy of moving to the music. She didn't know if she was alone or surrounded because she was immersed in the experience (or perhaps very tiddly, but that doesn't matter). I was astounded - no, I don't think that is too strong a word - that she could do that on her own. So, now I've done it too. Not as gracefully nor wearing as much jewellery but with the same spirit of the joy of living. I feel pretty pleased with myself for being so brave. I hope it will get easier and I hope some other people will think - if she can do it then so can I. Don't you think the world would be a better place if we all danced more often? I'm sure it would be. So put your dancing shoes on and even if it's just a jig around the living room at home, or out in the garden in the sunlight, the movement will do you good and I promise you'll feel inspired.
Sunday, 3 May 2015
Monday, 9 February 2015
At work - on a holiday - and loving it!
Call me mad if you like, but I'm sitting here at work and I've been here all afternoon and it's a public holiday! A little crazy in some ways I suppose, but I've had a lovely afternoon. There is something rather satisfying about being in the Kinder room all alone and quietly sorting, preparing and planning for the weeks ahead. Perhaps it should have all been done over the Christmas break, but the room was a bit of a building site for the latter half of January so I really haven't had a lot of time to settle in and make things 'right'.
The building project was a kind of mezzanine floor with a safety fence around it to make a cosy and inviting reading place. The kids love it so much that one of my colleagues' children head in here after school and sit up there reading while they wait for their mum to finish off and be ready to head home. There is something kind of irresistible about going up! Remember the arguments over the top bunk whenever there was one available! Everyone wants to be on the top one. Not me so much; I've never been terribly fond of heights I have to admit. Or going downhill on a pushbike which is, I think, possibly the scariest thing a person could ever do aside from bungee jumping, parachuting and eating puffer fish (none of which I have ever done or would recommend to any but the most stout-hearted). Oh and snarling dogs - terrifying. I do enjoy a rollicking good sail though, so I guess I am just selective about my thrills in life...as one probably should be!
Anyway, sorting shelves and installing a printer and preparing fun and interesting challenges for little people has been my activity of choice this afternoon and with the quiet bubbling of the filter on the fish tank for company, it has been restful and enjoyable. I've managed to shorten my to-do list and that will make my week just a bit less stressful. Stressful. Yes, even though life as a Kinder teacher is loads of fun, it can also be a bit stressful at times. I went to see a naturopath a week or so ago...I think I may have mentioned that in my last post. She gave me a few dietary guidelines and sold me an herbal mixture and suggested that managing stress in my life would be an important part of getting my health back where I'd like it to be. She recommended yoga. I like yoga...or at least I have done in the past and have been pretty pleased with my level of bendiness and willingness to hold interesting poses whilst waiting for the calm to descend. But right now I don't feel very fit at all. Rather more fat than fit. So I'm not sure I'll be very bendy at all. Nonetheless I have purchased, just yesterday, a dvd with a yoga workout for either stress or flexibility or both stress and flexibility if you have enough time. So anytime soon - perhaps this evening - I'll add that workout to my stress management routine.
This morning I watched the stress workout. In my chair. I did the throat breathing. That was new...or at least I'd forgotten about it. My son chuckled quietly as I sat there breathing loudly in and out, sounding like the ocean waves washing in and out, just like the lady said. I wonder if I sounded a bit like I was getting ready to make some rather unusual and unwanted phone calls. No. Just breathing. In and out. Loudly. Over my vocal cords. In a slightly tightened throat. Sounds impossible but you can do it. I did. Anyway, I watched the stress workout, telling myself that it would all work better if I just watched it through before trying to follow it or keep up. That went well. So I made a mug of tea and watched the flexibility workout. I'm pretty cool with all of it except the swan dive that finished off with one leg straight up in the air behind and the head resting neatly between the ankles. Hmmm. Probably not going to nail that one the first time around. The tea was great. Just what I needed after some heavy breathing. I survived watching the flexy workout then wondered about the third option on the menu...the full workout.
It would have been an injustice to watch the two separate routines and not the combined version, so I watched that too. Now we all know that I could have bitten the bullet and had a go straight off, but these things are better warmed up to, don't you think? I mean now I know how the two routines go together so when I have the time there will be no surprises. On the menu the stress workout is first then the flexy workout. But in the whole program, you do the flexy bit first then the stress bit. Who'd 've thought? So now I know. Have you ever noticed that when you've watched an exercise dvd you kind of feel a teensy weensy bit like you've actually done it. You feel kind of good about it.
That's not going to cut it for stress relief though, which is what it's all about. Flexibility back - that will be a bonus if it happens. It would be a huge benefit at work where one of the hazards of the job is perching on chairs designed to support garden gnomes (or beings of similar proportion, which I most certainly am not!). A bit of flexibility would enable me to arise with more grace in the midst of a game of Duck, Duck, Goose. The kids laugh a lot when one of them has been game enough to 'Goose' me! They've about run around the circle by the time I've got myself up. But if I start to do my yoga dvd routines...not just watch them but DO them, I'll be able to surprise the kids one day by leaping to my feet with the agility and grace of a springbok. The looks of surprise on their faces will be enough. Well, really, honestly, just doing it will be enough; just being able to move about a bit more easily.
So here I am at work, fairly well prepared for the weeks ahead, noticing that the sun has gotten low and thinking it's about time to head home for some dinner and perhaps a wee bit of yoga. Long weekends are absolutely the best and what a dreadful shame that they are not the norm. I reckon the world would be a better place if they were. We'd all be a bit less stressed and surely that would be a good thing indeed. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, make the best of it and try not to stress too much. See you next time.
The building project was a kind of mezzanine floor with a safety fence around it to make a cosy and inviting reading place. The kids love it so much that one of my colleagues' children head in here after school and sit up there reading while they wait for their mum to finish off and be ready to head home. There is something kind of irresistible about going up! Remember the arguments over the top bunk whenever there was one available! Everyone wants to be on the top one. Not me so much; I've never been terribly fond of heights I have to admit. Or going downhill on a pushbike which is, I think, possibly the scariest thing a person could ever do aside from bungee jumping, parachuting and eating puffer fish (none of which I have ever done or would recommend to any but the most stout-hearted). Oh and snarling dogs - terrifying. I do enjoy a rollicking good sail though, so I guess I am just selective about my thrills in life...as one probably should be!
Anyway, sorting shelves and installing a printer and preparing fun and interesting challenges for little people has been my activity of choice this afternoon and with the quiet bubbling of the filter on the fish tank for company, it has been restful and enjoyable. I've managed to shorten my to-do list and that will make my week just a bit less stressful. Stressful. Yes, even though life as a Kinder teacher is loads of fun, it can also be a bit stressful at times. I went to see a naturopath a week or so ago...I think I may have mentioned that in my last post. She gave me a few dietary guidelines and sold me an herbal mixture and suggested that managing stress in my life would be an important part of getting my health back where I'd like it to be. She recommended yoga. I like yoga...or at least I have done in the past and have been pretty pleased with my level of bendiness and willingness to hold interesting poses whilst waiting for the calm to descend. But right now I don't feel very fit at all. Rather more fat than fit. So I'm not sure I'll be very bendy at all. Nonetheless I have purchased, just yesterday, a dvd with a yoga workout for either stress or flexibility or both stress and flexibility if you have enough time. So anytime soon - perhaps this evening - I'll add that workout to my stress management routine.
This morning I watched the stress workout. In my chair. I did the throat breathing. That was new...or at least I'd forgotten about it. My son chuckled quietly as I sat there breathing loudly in and out, sounding like the ocean waves washing in and out, just like the lady said. I wonder if I sounded a bit like I was getting ready to make some rather unusual and unwanted phone calls. No. Just breathing. In and out. Loudly. Over my vocal cords. In a slightly tightened throat. Sounds impossible but you can do it. I did. Anyway, I watched the stress workout, telling myself that it would all work better if I just watched it through before trying to follow it or keep up. That went well. So I made a mug of tea and watched the flexibility workout. I'm pretty cool with all of it except the swan dive that finished off with one leg straight up in the air behind and the head resting neatly between the ankles. Hmmm. Probably not going to nail that one the first time around. The tea was great. Just what I needed after some heavy breathing. I survived watching the flexy workout then wondered about the third option on the menu...the full workout.
It would have been an injustice to watch the two separate routines and not the combined version, so I watched that too. Now we all know that I could have bitten the bullet and had a go straight off, but these things are better warmed up to, don't you think? I mean now I know how the two routines go together so when I have the time there will be no surprises. On the menu the stress workout is first then the flexy workout. But in the whole program, you do the flexy bit first then the stress bit. Who'd 've thought? So now I know. Have you ever noticed that when you've watched an exercise dvd you kind of feel a teensy weensy bit like you've actually done it. You feel kind of good about it.
That's not going to cut it for stress relief though, which is what it's all about. Flexibility back - that will be a bonus if it happens. It would be a huge benefit at work where one of the hazards of the job is perching on chairs designed to support garden gnomes (or beings of similar proportion, which I most certainly am not!). A bit of flexibility would enable me to arise with more grace in the midst of a game of Duck, Duck, Goose. The kids laugh a lot when one of them has been game enough to 'Goose' me! They've about run around the circle by the time I've got myself up. But if I start to do my yoga dvd routines...not just watch them but DO them, I'll be able to surprise the kids one day by leaping to my feet with the agility and grace of a springbok. The looks of surprise on their faces will be enough. Well, really, honestly, just doing it will be enough; just being able to move about a bit more easily.
So here I am at work, fairly well prepared for the weeks ahead, noticing that the sun has gotten low and thinking it's about time to head home for some dinner and perhaps a wee bit of yoga. Long weekends are absolutely the best and what a dreadful shame that they are not the norm. I reckon the world would be a better place if they were. We'd all be a bit less stressed and surely that would be a good thing indeed. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, make the best of it and try not to stress too much. See you next time.
Thursday, 29 January 2015
It's about time! Happy 2015!
Hello all you lovelies out there. I've not been into my blog for quite a while partly because my internet connection at home is just so slow and frustrating and the computer shuts down without notice and so on. So here I am at work...yes, at work keeping my wonderful son company and bringing him dinner while he is putting varnish on a new mezzanine reading platform that has been built in the classroom - the kids are going to love it! So while I'm here I thought I'd drop you all a line on my work computer. Shhh. Don't tell on me! I hope they wouldn't mind really. It's not like I'm up to no good.
In the time I've been busy with other things, my blog visits have topped 6000 so I'm thrilled to know that. Thanks for looking in. I've been getting a few new likes on the Facebook page too, so the least I can do is put up a new post...as it's the New Year and all. Well it WAS the 'new' year...it is now two days from the end of January and where the heck did that go???
I hope you've started 2015 well and to your satisfaction. Did you make any 'new year resolutions'? I didn't. I reckon there's enough pressure on us all without adding anything extra. It's more than enough just trying to do a bit of exercise (not 30 minutes 5 days a week ~ just something) and to eat the right things (not a starvation diet ~ just reasonable serves of simple natural foods) and to de-stress (not to meditate like a monk ~ just to sit quietly when a few minutes make themselves available and appreciate whatever you have in life to be grateful for) in amongst all the 'have to do' things on our daily lists. How hard is it to keep those resolutions after Day 3...or Day 2 ...or Day 1 if things are really tough? We can be so hard on ourselves and then the guilt piles up when we haven't done what we decided to do to improve ourselves.
In my eyes guilt does nothing to improve anyone. Action is the thing that makes the difference, and for some maybe those big mind-blowing New Year's life-changing resolutions might work. For most of us though, a little change...something manageable and not mind-blowing but definitely in the long term life-changing... might be do-able. It might not be something you could brag about but it is something you can keep doing without too much effort. What sort of thing might fit into the can-do category for you? For me it is writing every day. Even if it's just a little bit. I know you haven't been seeing much of it lately, but I've started to do 'morning pages' as described by Julia Cameron in The Artist's Way. It is apparently a best seller but it's only come my way recently and I've decided this is something I can do.
Writing is my first love. I didn't always know that but as I'm getting older it's becoming clearer. It's the thing that lights me up, and doing it first thing in the morning is a great idea. Now it's supposed to be three pages each day. I started out doing that but my pages are A4 and I'm thinking that perhaps Julia's pages were A5 (that's smaller for those not in the know) because it takes quite a while to fill three A4 pages longhand first thing in the morning. I love to do it but if I do that I know I can't possibly make time for a walk unless I get up well before the crack of dawn. That's not going to happen. So some days I write one page. Some days I write two. I haven't added in the walk yet but I'm back to work again next week and that routine will probably be the thing that gets me up and out the door to enjoy a bit of 'me' time before heading off to give myself to others for the day.
I'm getting too old to feel guilty about things not done. What can I do? The hours fly by and I do my best. I have to do the things that make me happy or I'm no good to anyone. I have things I have to do and there's not always time for all the things I 'should' do...so 'should' is gone. No guilt. I'll do my best most days in most ways and that will be enough. Think about it. It's all any of us can do. Yet so much of the time we feel guilty that we haven't done more. Like it's not okay to stop and take some down time and take care of ourselves.
Today I had a day for me. I went to a puppet-making workshop and saw some kids make some incredible things. Kids are fantastic - they have such great imaginations and they can make the impossible happen with a little help from adult helpers. I took myself for a massage - it was indescribably wonderful to have all the knots and tension slowly released from my back, neck and shoulders. I've not been for ages and know now that I need to do this more often. I've booked for another in a fortnight. You needed help, said the masseuse, and that's okay...with a knowing smile. Do we all feel like we have to do it all ourselves? She must see it often.
Next I visited a Naturopath for the first time in maybe 25 or 26 years. I've been struggling to move towards better health since July and have made some improvements but I need help. Yes I NEEDED help. I've done what I can. Now it's time to get some expert help to work the rest out. It was such a relief to sit and share with this beautiful, knowledgeable woman who is going to help me to finally get better. I don't have to shoulder the whole responsibility any more for knowing what to do. I didn't know what to do any more. So it's been a really good day for me. A day of release and a day to feel grateful for and not guilty about.
Happy New Year everyone. I know it will be a mixed bag for each and every one of us. Try and get through without carrying too much guilt and wearing yourself out unnecessarily. Cheers.
In the time I've been busy with other things, my blog visits have topped 6000 so I'm thrilled to know that. Thanks for looking in. I've been getting a few new likes on the Facebook page too, so the least I can do is put up a new post...as it's the New Year and all. Well it WAS the 'new' year...it is now two days from the end of January and where the heck did that go???
I hope you've started 2015 well and to your satisfaction. Did you make any 'new year resolutions'? I didn't. I reckon there's enough pressure on us all without adding anything extra. It's more than enough just trying to do a bit of exercise (not 30 minutes 5 days a week ~ just something) and to eat the right things (not a starvation diet ~ just reasonable serves of simple natural foods) and to de-stress (not to meditate like a monk ~ just to sit quietly when a few minutes make themselves available and appreciate whatever you have in life to be grateful for) in amongst all the 'have to do' things on our daily lists. How hard is it to keep those resolutions after Day 3...or Day 2 ...or Day 1 if things are really tough? We can be so hard on ourselves and then the guilt piles up when we haven't done what we decided to do to improve ourselves.
In my eyes guilt does nothing to improve anyone. Action is the thing that makes the difference, and for some maybe those big mind-blowing New Year's life-changing resolutions might work. For most of us though, a little change...something manageable and not mind-blowing but definitely in the long term life-changing... might be do-able. It might not be something you could brag about but it is something you can keep doing without too much effort. What sort of thing might fit into the can-do category for you? For me it is writing every day. Even if it's just a little bit. I know you haven't been seeing much of it lately, but I've started to do 'morning pages' as described by Julia Cameron in The Artist's Way. It is apparently a best seller but it's only come my way recently and I've decided this is something I can do.
Writing is my first love. I didn't always know that but as I'm getting older it's becoming clearer. It's the thing that lights me up, and doing it first thing in the morning is a great idea. Now it's supposed to be three pages each day. I started out doing that but my pages are A4 and I'm thinking that perhaps Julia's pages were A5 (that's smaller for those not in the know) because it takes quite a while to fill three A4 pages longhand first thing in the morning. I love to do it but if I do that I know I can't possibly make time for a walk unless I get up well before the crack of dawn. That's not going to happen. So some days I write one page. Some days I write two. I haven't added in the walk yet but I'm back to work again next week and that routine will probably be the thing that gets me up and out the door to enjoy a bit of 'me' time before heading off to give myself to others for the day.
I'm getting too old to feel guilty about things not done. What can I do? The hours fly by and I do my best. I have to do the things that make me happy or I'm no good to anyone. I have things I have to do and there's not always time for all the things I 'should' do...so 'should' is gone. No guilt. I'll do my best most days in most ways and that will be enough. Think about it. It's all any of us can do. Yet so much of the time we feel guilty that we haven't done more. Like it's not okay to stop and take some down time and take care of ourselves.
Today I had a day for me. I went to a puppet-making workshop and saw some kids make some incredible things. Kids are fantastic - they have such great imaginations and they can make the impossible happen with a little help from adult helpers. I took myself for a massage - it was indescribably wonderful to have all the knots and tension slowly released from my back, neck and shoulders. I've not been for ages and know now that I need to do this more often. I've booked for another in a fortnight. You needed help, said the masseuse, and that's okay...with a knowing smile. Do we all feel like we have to do it all ourselves? She must see it often.
Next I visited a Naturopath for the first time in maybe 25 or 26 years. I've been struggling to move towards better health since July and have made some improvements but I need help. Yes I NEEDED help. I've done what I can. Now it's time to get some expert help to work the rest out. It was such a relief to sit and share with this beautiful, knowledgeable woman who is going to help me to finally get better. I don't have to shoulder the whole responsibility any more for knowing what to do. I didn't know what to do any more. So it's been a really good day for me. A day of release and a day to feel grateful for and not guilty about.
Happy New Year everyone. I know it will be a mixed bag for each and every one of us. Try and get through without carrying too much guilt and wearing yourself out unnecessarily. Cheers.
Saturday, 18 October 2014
The Purple Notebook
I guess I'm not a very modern woman. A modern woman would be keeping track of day to day appointments and happenings on her Iphone. I don't have an Iphone and I'm not sure I'd be able to figure out all the wonderful intricacies of its workings if I did, in order to make the best use of it, so it would probably be wasted on me. I have a large diary for work. You know the kind. A4 pages and one page to a day. They are great because I can write a lot of notes in them but they are useless for upcoming events or 'a couple of weeks off' events unless I am continuously flicking forwards through the pages...which I am not. So I also record important dates and happenings on my calendars. I have two at work and one at home. Then there is the full year wall planner at work. And the emails that I must trawl back through to find things of importance. To be honest it was all driving me a bit batty and I was losing track of things and missing appointments and needed to find a solution.
I know other people who write notes to themselves on their phones and set alarms and reminders. Well, to begin with I'd need a reminder to take my phone with me so that I'd hear said alarms. I'm a bit useless at this staying connected by having my phone on me all the time. I'm a little bit wary of the microwaves or whatever waves are happening in, around and through it all the time. I don't really want that going on too close to my person so I prefer to have it on a table or a bench or in a bag. So sometimes I forget it. I also tend to put it on vibrate or silent for meetings and forget to switch it back so that I can hear it again if anyone calls. I'm a hard gal to catch! I could do all those things on my little old phone, but I'm just not really inclined and I can't see it working all that well with my phone management inconsistencies.
Having a lifelong love affair with books and paper has me leaning in another direction. I decided that yes, the diary, the wall planner and the calendar all have their place in my system of organisation, but what I really needed was a book where I could write down all the things I wanted or needed to remember. Not a book with dates or assigned areas for anything particular. Just one where I could write down line after line of things to jog my memory. Once that was decided I had to find just the right book. It had to be smaller than the diary so it was easy to take with me in my handbag or to grab en route to meetings, but not so small that I'd need a watch-maker's precision to put the notes therein. It needed to be big enough for me to scrawl a few notes in with whatever scribing tool I have to hand, pen or pencil and in desperate moments chalk or permanent marker or lipstick. I have so many things to write with both here at home and at work, but you know how it is when you need to write something down right now! They all seem to become chameleons and blend with their surroundings so as to be invisible at that time. Surely I'm not the only one to whom this happens!
Enter the Purple Notebook. I found it at Woolworths. Aye, it has humble beginnings but I know it will be a true and faithful friend who will not let me down with failing batteries or a refusal to do more than buzz when I really need a beep. At a mere six bucks I've got a feeling it's going to be money well spent. Apart from being my PA, it comes with the guaranteed satisfaction of 'crossing off'. Oh, the feeling of crossing something off the 'to do' list. It's an under-rated joy, that. If just feels so good to know I've done something and don't have to think about it again. It's like a bit of mental spring cleaning in a way. And 'crossing off' is like drawing a line in the sand. End of story. Backspacing has never been known to elicit the same level of satisfaction.
So from here on in, it's me and my Purple Notebook, ready to take on the world. It comes to work with me and most other places too. It carries all sorts of notes and reminders and it takes just a minute to cast my eyes down the page to see what I need to get done in a quiet minute or two when I get them. Sometimes the lesser technologies are the best. Perhaps I'll change my mind one day, but it'll do me for now. How do you keep track of all the things you're meant to do; keeping them organised and unforgotten? I'd love to know because maybe you've got something that works better than what I'm doing. I'm always open to change! Hope you've enjoyed a cuppa while we've been chatting here! Thanks for reading me. I hope to get more writing done over the coming weeks. With all that's going on in my world and the larger one 'out there', I'm bound to have plenty of inspiration.'Til soon, take care, be happy and look for the good things in life.
I know other people who write notes to themselves on their phones and set alarms and reminders. Well, to begin with I'd need a reminder to take my phone with me so that I'd hear said alarms. I'm a bit useless at this staying connected by having my phone on me all the time. I'm a little bit wary of the microwaves or whatever waves are happening in, around and through it all the time. I don't really want that going on too close to my person so I prefer to have it on a table or a bench or in a bag. So sometimes I forget it. I also tend to put it on vibrate or silent for meetings and forget to switch it back so that I can hear it again if anyone calls. I'm a hard gal to catch! I could do all those things on my little old phone, but I'm just not really inclined and I can't see it working all that well with my phone management inconsistencies.
Having a lifelong love affair with books and paper has me leaning in another direction. I decided that yes, the diary, the wall planner and the calendar all have their place in my system of organisation, but what I really needed was a book where I could write down all the things I wanted or needed to remember. Not a book with dates or assigned areas for anything particular. Just one where I could write down line after line of things to jog my memory. Once that was decided I had to find just the right book. It had to be smaller than the diary so it was easy to take with me in my handbag or to grab en route to meetings, but not so small that I'd need a watch-maker's precision to put the notes therein. It needed to be big enough for me to scrawl a few notes in with whatever scribing tool I have to hand, pen or pencil and in desperate moments chalk or permanent marker or lipstick. I have so many things to write with both here at home and at work, but you know how it is when you need to write something down right now! They all seem to become chameleons and blend with their surroundings so as to be invisible at that time. Surely I'm not the only one to whom this happens!
Enter the Purple Notebook. I found it at Woolworths. Aye, it has humble beginnings but I know it will be a true and faithful friend who will not let me down with failing batteries or a refusal to do more than buzz when I really need a beep. At a mere six bucks I've got a feeling it's going to be money well spent. Apart from being my PA, it comes with the guaranteed satisfaction of 'crossing off'. Oh, the feeling of crossing something off the 'to do' list. It's an under-rated joy, that. If just feels so good to know I've done something and don't have to think about it again. It's like a bit of mental spring cleaning in a way. And 'crossing off' is like drawing a line in the sand. End of story. Backspacing has never been known to elicit the same level of satisfaction.
So from here on in, it's me and my Purple Notebook, ready to take on the world. It comes to work with me and most other places too. It carries all sorts of notes and reminders and it takes just a minute to cast my eyes down the page to see what I need to get done in a quiet minute or two when I get them. Sometimes the lesser technologies are the best. Perhaps I'll change my mind one day, but it'll do me for now. How do you keep track of all the things you're meant to do; keeping them organised and unforgotten? I'd love to know because maybe you've got something that works better than what I'm doing. I'm always open to change! Hope you've enjoyed a cuppa while we've been chatting here! Thanks for reading me. I hope to get more writing done over the coming weeks. With all that's going on in my world and the larger one 'out there', I'm bound to have plenty of inspiration.'Til soon, take care, be happy and look for the good things in life.
Sunday, 17 August 2014
Getting things done - yes, even a little walk!
Read a wee article on Facebook about how television and indeed Facebook itself can steal our time and lead to us having less full and interesting lives, although we might always be feeling busy. After I'd shared it with friends, I decided to log off and see what I could achieve with this rather dull and dowdy Sunday. I got up full of enthusiasm this morning and was so sure I'd achieve great things...but the day just didn't feel like one to get moving on really. The sun was well hidden. Dull, grey, overcast. It seemed a bit like a huddle down and do nothing much sort of day. That's all very well, but if I'd arrived at this time of the day...it is now 7.05pm...with nothing of note achieved or done, then I'd have been feeling pretty cranky.
As it is, I did get off the computer and set myself the challenge of writing down what I did so that I could share it with you later. Here I am and here it all is. Nothing startling nor madly exciting, but I am sitting in a relatively clean and tidy house and I did get some of the things done that needed doing. Take a look and see if you think it was worth my while. I'm feeling pretty good about it all at present, and there should be no mad rush at bedtime to get things done before work tomorrow.
Status Quo - One load of washing in the machine, dishes soaking in the kitchen sink, bed unmade, general messiness about the place, sitting in my pjs and poncho, curry and rice defrosting on the draining board for later (so I had been doing a few bits and pieces, but it was not a concentrated effort to get things done)
Time for action!
12.14pm Log off Facebook and Gmail.Find paper and pen. Finish decaf coffee for which I had boiled the kettle three times during the morning before finally making it. Emptied bins from kitchen, bathroom and bedroom (still full of tissues from a cold two weeks ago), tied bag and put outside ready to take to the tip. Relined kitchen bin. Washed dishes. Determined kale bought at school during the week and not yet cooked was past it's use-by-date and pitched it over the verandah rail for the local wildlife to nibble at tonight when they emerge. Put shopping bags and coat back in the car and grabbed the rubbish (more tissues) out of the pocket in the driver's door. Put my name on my new stainless steel water bottle. Hung washing outside...no wind so it won't be drying very quickly...and put another load on to wash.
12.55pm Washed, drained and dried empty detergent bottles for the 'making' box at school. Dubbin-ed two pairs of shoes and one pair of boots. Folded and put away dry washing. Collected wheat bags and hot water bottle...emptied the latter and put away in the cupboard until they are needed again tonight. Organised week to week finances on paper (not as far ahead of things as I'd hoped, but at least not behind!). Made the bed. Folded dry towels. Hung another load of washing out.
2.02pm Showered and dressed. Wiped over bathroom. Put last load of washing on.
2.43pm Wiped over coffee table, bookshelves, tv stand etc with wood polish. Vacuumed through. Hair dried au natural while I was vacuuming - no hairdryer needed today! Tidied spare room ready for new house-guest next week. Cleaned front doormat. Wiped mold from some window frames I'd missed last time around. Spread plastic containers out and turned them over (from dishes) to allow them to finish air drying.
3.13pm Made a cup of peppermint tea and heated my curry lunch. Time for a break.
3.43pm Took last load of washing out and hung inside. Polished shoes and boots.
4.15pm Brushed teeth and put on shoes and top vest for walking.
4.25pm Hill walking and stretches afterwards (only 18 minutes but enough to get my heart rate up).
4.45pm Candle meditation (only 9 minutes but better than none at all). Made poached egg on buckwheat pancake supper. Sorted some receipts for work. Tidied last messy part of kitchen bench. Put dishes away. Filled sink with hot, soapy water and put the next lot in to soak. I'll go and do them when I sign off here!
5.16pm Booked accommodation for next Big Night Out at the theatre in September.
I got things done that I didn't even dream of doing (Cleaned the front door mat...really? Yep!). The one thing I didn't get to was my tax - eek - still gotta do that. If I don't watch tv tonight I just might get it done too. Then I'll be starting the week with a fairly clean slate (relatively speaking...teachers always have lists and they never get any shorter).
So my new goals for tonight are to get that tax done so it's not on my mind any more, cut up some salad vegetables for my lunch tomorrow and make some home-made hommus for dipping. In between times I'll do that new load of dishes (there aren't many) and start to read Bill Bryson's A Really Short History of Nearly Everything. That sounds a bit scary but my son recommended it as a good book to get a general understanding of a lot of things...so I'm going to take a look.
Love the local library (45 minutes away...we used to have one in town here...they pulled it down and built a toilet block in its place. We had a mobile library for a while then they took that away too.) There is a small one a bit closer but I never seem to think about going to that one. I should make it a mission to go and explore it one day, then I might think to go there more often...it's only 25 minutes drive. The great thing is that I can order books online so I only need to go in to collect. Most of the time the book is ready for me in just a couple of days. What a wonderful world we live in. Books are so expensive but we can all have access to as many books as we like...no charge unless we forget to take them back on time.
Guess I'd better get on with things. That tax is waiting for me. Once it's done I'll be wondering why I procrastinated for so long over it. It's just one of those things.
I've enjoyed my little experiment today. It was fun to see what I could get done...but I didn't rush about or be silly about it. Just went from one job to the next without popping onto the computer. I'm going to use this strategy again and see what else I can get done.
Cheers for now. Wishing everyone a good week (if only that could be). My thoughts go to all the people around the world sleeping on the streets tonight or living surrounded by war. Our complaints are so trivial when you think about it. How very, very blessed we are.
As it is, I did get off the computer and set myself the challenge of writing down what I did so that I could share it with you later. Here I am and here it all is. Nothing startling nor madly exciting, but I am sitting in a relatively clean and tidy house and I did get some of the things done that needed doing. Take a look and see if you think it was worth my while. I'm feeling pretty good about it all at present, and there should be no mad rush at bedtime to get things done before work tomorrow.
Status Quo - One load of washing in the machine, dishes soaking in the kitchen sink, bed unmade, general messiness about the place, sitting in my pjs and poncho, curry and rice defrosting on the draining board for later (so I had been doing a few bits and pieces, but it was not a concentrated effort to get things done)
Time for action!
12.14pm Log off Facebook and Gmail.Find paper and pen. Finish decaf coffee for which I had boiled the kettle three times during the morning before finally making it. Emptied bins from kitchen, bathroom and bedroom (still full of tissues from a cold two weeks ago), tied bag and put outside ready to take to the tip. Relined kitchen bin. Washed dishes. Determined kale bought at school during the week and not yet cooked was past it's use-by-date and pitched it over the verandah rail for the local wildlife to nibble at tonight when they emerge. Put shopping bags and coat back in the car and grabbed the rubbish (more tissues) out of the pocket in the driver's door. Put my name on my new stainless steel water bottle. Hung washing outside...no wind so it won't be drying very quickly...and put another load on to wash.
 |
| The kale went in this direction. I am so blessed to live in this lovely place. |
12.55pm Washed, drained and dried empty detergent bottles for the 'making' box at school. Dubbin-ed two pairs of shoes and one pair of boots. Folded and put away dry washing. Collected wheat bags and hot water bottle...emptied the latter and put away in the cupboard until they are needed again tonight. Organised week to week finances on paper (not as far ahead of things as I'd hoped, but at least not behind!). Made the bed. Folded dry towels. Hung another load of washing out.
2.02pm Showered and dressed. Wiped over bathroom. Put last load of washing on.
2.43pm Wiped over coffee table, bookshelves, tv stand etc with wood polish. Vacuumed through. Hair dried au natural while I was vacuuming - no hairdryer needed today! Tidied spare room ready for new house-guest next week. Cleaned front doormat. Wiped mold from some window frames I'd missed last time around. Spread plastic containers out and turned them over (from dishes) to allow them to finish air drying.
3.13pm Made a cup of peppermint tea and heated my curry lunch. Time for a break.
3.43pm Took last load of washing out and hung inside. Polished shoes and boots.
4.15pm Brushed teeth and put on shoes and top vest for walking.
4.25pm Hill walking and stretches afterwards (only 18 minutes but enough to get my heart rate up).
 |
| This was taken on a sunnier day, but it's home, and home was where it was at today! |
4.45pm Candle meditation (only 9 minutes but better than none at all). Made poached egg on buckwheat pancake supper. Sorted some receipts for work. Tidied last messy part of kitchen bench. Put dishes away. Filled sink with hot, soapy water and put the next lot in to soak. I'll go and do them when I sign off here!
5.16pm Booked accommodation for next Big Night Out at the theatre in September.
I got things done that I didn't even dream of doing (Cleaned the front door mat...really? Yep!). The one thing I didn't get to was my tax - eek - still gotta do that. If I don't watch tv tonight I just might get it done too. Then I'll be starting the week with a fairly clean slate (relatively speaking...teachers always have lists and they never get any shorter).
So my new goals for tonight are to get that tax done so it's not on my mind any more, cut up some salad vegetables for my lunch tomorrow and make some home-made hommus for dipping. In between times I'll do that new load of dishes (there aren't many) and start to read Bill Bryson's A Really Short History of Nearly Everything. That sounds a bit scary but my son recommended it as a good book to get a general understanding of a lot of things...so I'm going to take a look.
Love the local library (45 minutes away...we used to have one in town here...they pulled it down and built a toilet block in its place. We had a mobile library for a while then they took that away too.) There is a small one a bit closer but I never seem to think about going to that one. I should make it a mission to go and explore it one day, then I might think to go there more often...it's only 25 minutes drive. The great thing is that I can order books online so I only need to go in to collect. Most of the time the book is ready for me in just a couple of days. What a wonderful world we live in. Books are so expensive but we can all have access to as many books as we like...no charge unless we forget to take them back on time.
Guess I'd better get on with things. That tax is waiting for me. Once it's done I'll be wondering why I procrastinated for so long over it. It's just one of those things.
I've enjoyed my little experiment today. It was fun to see what I could get done...but I didn't rush about or be silly about it. Just went from one job to the next without popping onto the computer. I'm going to use this strategy again and see what else I can get done.
Cheers for now. Wishing everyone a good week (if only that could be). My thoughts go to all the people around the world sleeping on the streets tonight or living surrounded by war. Our complaints are so trivial when you think about it. How very, very blessed we are.
Monday, 14 July 2014
Where Does It All Come From?
Holiday time and a chance to clear out a bit of that build up in drawers, wardrobes and bookshelves again...oh, and the rack next to my chair where I put things I'm going to read - Ha! I thought I'd done a good job of clearing space in my life last time I did this, but somehow one lot of clothes didn't quite leave the house. I found them in the back of a cupboard, still looking like they don't want to live here any more. They will go this time, along with whatever I've skimmed off the current load. Honestly, have you ever pulled all your clothes out of the wardrobe (the shelf part, not the hanging stuff) and the chest of drawers...and the clean stuff in the laundry basket...and piled it all on your bed? It was staggering how much there was when you consider that I wear the same dozen items over and over again. There is rarely a change in the load going through the washing cycle each week. So what's it all about...and where does it all come from????
I'm making myself think about it so I might finally tame the tiger in me that seems to keep going through this same cycle...accumulate and throw out. When I say throw out, I don't mean into the garbage...I mean that I bag things up and take them to the charity shop and they can decide if there are some things and they can use and which few might not make the grade and end up in the bin or perhaps in the rag bag. They do sell rag bags so I reckon most of the stuff they get in will be used in some way. So what is it in me that seems to need to keep purchasing clothes?
I suppose I often think that I could improve the way I present myself to the world and that perhaps a new this or that might help me to do that. But I think the real problem is that instead of knowing I want a pair of comfortable, well cut dress pants (for example) and looking online or going on a dedicated spree that takes me into every shop in town looking...I tend to be out doing something else, see some nice looking black pants on a rack...don't really have time to try them on, but the size looks right...take them home and find they don't fit well at all. I live a long way from the shops so I might mean to take them back for a refund, or think to myself that I might one day get someone to come and pin them here and there and get my sewing machine out...but of course, that never happens and I'm stuck with them.
Or perhaps those tee shirts were only $5 and I loved all the bright colours...but when I get them home and try them on they just don't seem to suit. Into the drawer...wear them once or twice then no more. Am I just hard to please or am I throwing my money away due to lack of planning and self-control?? Well, that's a no brainer!! It's the latter. I tend to impulse buy...because things are cheap. In the end they are expensive because they don't enhance my life at all but rather cause chaos and clutter in my life. They glare at me each time I'm looking for something to wear and remind me that they are there but I don't want them.
Is it healthy to let things remain in your life when you don't want the? I'm talking about things here. Not people. You might need to explore the reasons you don't want people in your life...but with things...they are there to serve you or to make your life richer. If they're not doing that then you're probably better off with them gone. So that's what I'm going to do today. Take a load to the opportunity shop. Hopefully someone else will find them more useful than I have. I find the same with jewellery. I love beads. I buy them. I put them on and they don't suit. I don't feel comfortable wearing them. So out they go.
I think I need to create a mantra for shopping. What could that be? Perhaps I need to put a wee card in my purse that asks loudly...will this make your life richer??? do you really want this??? really??? Or maybe I need it printed on the outside of my purse, just to make sure I can't overlook it! Would that make me stop and think? Because I can do better things with my money than to spend it on things that end up being 'rubbish' in a sense. I would rather only spend my money on things that I know will add value to my life. I wonder if I can change after all these years of doing things the impulse way? I think as I'm growing older I am getting to know myself better and slowing down in some ways...becoming a little bit calmer and more reasonable (some may argue!!). I think I can do this.
As I free myself of this latest burden of no-use stuff, I'm going to keep focused on what it is that has put me in this position...to need to off-load stuff. I'm going to try and not just feel the relief of letting it go, but also to commit to myself not to spend unless it's something that I really believe totally...in my heart and my brain...that it is exactly the thing that I need and not just near enough or it will do. If I do that, I'm pretty sure I'll end up having the savings I keep wishing I had, and perhaps I'll get to make that trip back to England that I've often dreamed of doing. A little restraint can pay off in wonderful ways. Wish me luck...but for now I'm just going to be so relieved not to have to keep looking at all those bad, impulsive decisions as they glare up at me accusingly. I'm going to be free again. I don't really mind if I wear the same stuff over and over. I just want practical and comfortable clothes.
Oh, I have to admit that I did buy two pairs of pyjamas and a dressing gown in town the other day with Mum...when Dad was in the hospital. I have worn both of the pjs and the dg and all are successful purchases. Cosy and comfy. I also bought three scarves that were on sale. They are not lurid colours or vibrant patterns which would usually grab my attention and tempt me. One is beige, one is smoky blue and one is black. They are warm and comfortable and will compliment many of the other things I have in my wardrobe. I think they were a sensible buy...a good investment. I feel very pleased with myself about that really.
What are your shopping habits? I look at all the millions of tons of clothing in the shops out there and think I mustn't be the only one tempted to buy on impulse. What was your worst 'investment' in clothing? We're all human and the advertising and marketing gurus know just how to manipulate us into buying things that will not help or enrich our lives...they are masters at it. In the end though, we get the money out of our purses and hand it over. I guess it's up to us to know who we are and what we really want in life. That helps us to make wiser choices. Love to you all. Kerry xo
PS As for the books...some I've read long ago and some more recently. I'm going to let them go so they can enrich someone else's life. I will continue to buy books now and then because I love them, but I do often buy them pre-loved...and I wouldn't be able to do that if someone else hadn't let them go. Circle of love.
I'm making myself think about it so I might finally tame the tiger in me that seems to keep going through this same cycle...accumulate and throw out. When I say throw out, I don't mean into the garbage...I mean that I bag things up and take them to the charity shop and they can decide if there are some things and they can use and which few might not make the grade and end up in the bin or perhaps in the rag bag. They do sell rag bags so I reckon most of the stuff they get in will be used in some way. So what is it in me that seems to need to keep purchasing clothes?
I suppose I often think that I could improve the way I present myself to the world and that perhaps a new this or that might help me to do that. But I think the real problem is that instead of knowing I want a pair of comfortable, well cut dress pants (for example) and looking online or going on a dedicated spree that takes me into every shop in town looking...I tend to be out doing something else, see some nice looking black pants on a rack...don't really have time to try them on, but the size looks right...take them home and find they don't fit well at all. I live a long way from the shops so I might mean to take them back for a refund, or think to myself that I might one day get someone to come and pin them here and there and get my sewing machine out...but of course, that never happens and I'm stuck with them.
Or perhaps those tee shirts were only $5 and I loved all the bright colours...but when I get them home and try them on they just don't seem to suit. Into the drawer...wear them once or twice then no more. Am I just hard to please or am I throwing my money away due to lack of planning and self-control?? Well, that's a no brainer!! It's the latter. I tend to impulse buy...because things are cheap. In the end they are expensive because they don't enhance my life at all but rather cause chaos and clutter in my life. They glare at me each time I'm looking for something to wear and remind me that they are there but I don't want them.
Is it healthy to let things remain in your life when you don't want the? I'm talking about things here. Not people. You might need to explore the reasons you don't want people in your life...but with things...they are there to serve you or to make your life richer. If they're not doing that then you're probably better off with them gone. So that's what I'm going to do today. Take a load to the opportunity shop. Hopefully someone else will find them more useful than I have. I find the same with jewellery. I love beads. I buy them. I put them on and they don't suit. I don't feel comfortable wearing them. So out they go.
I think I need to create a mantra for shopping. What could that be? Perhaps I need to put a wee card in my purse that asks loudly...will this make your life richer??? do you really want this??? really??? Or maybe I need it printed on the outside of my purse, just to make sure I can't overlook it! Would that make me stop and think? Because I can do better things with my money than to spend it on things that end up being 'rubbish' in a sense. I would rather only spend my money on things that I know will add value to my life. I wonder if I can change after all these years of doing things the impulse way? I think as I'm growing older I am getting to know myself better and slowing down in some ways...becoming a little bit calmer and more reasonable (some may argue!!). I think I can do this.
As I free myself of this latest burden of no-use stuff, I'm going to keep focused on what it is that has put me in this position...to need to off-load stuff. I'm going to try and not just feel the relief of letting it go, but also to commit to myself not to spend unless it's something that I really believe totally...in my heart and my brain...that it is exactly the thing that I need and not just near enough or it will do. If I do that, I'm pretty sure I'll end up having the savings I keep wishing I had, and perhaps I'll get to make that trip back to England that I've often dreamed of doing. A little restraint can pay off in wonderful ways. Wish me luck...but for now I'm just going to be so relieved not to have to keep looking at all those bad, impulsive decisions as they glare up at me accusingly. I'm going to be free again. I don't really mind if I wear the same stuff over and over. I just want practical and comfortable clothes.
Oh, I have to admit that I did buy two pairs of pyjamas and a dressing gown in town the other day with Mum...when Dad was in the hospital. I have worn both of the pjs and the dg and all are successful purchases. Cosy and comfy. I also bought three scarves that were on sale. They are not lurid colours or vibrant patterns which would usually grab my attention and tempt me. One is beige, one is smoky blue and one is black. They are warm and comfortable and will compliment many of the other things I have in my wardrobe. I think they were a sensible buy...a good investment. I feel very pleased with myself about that really.
What are your shopping habits? I look at all the millions of tons of clothing in the shops out there and think I mustn't be the only one tempted to buy on impulse. What was your worst 'investment' in clothing? We're all human and the advertising and marketing gurus know just how to manipulate us into buying things that will not help or enrich our lives...they are masters at it. In the end though, we get the money out of our purses and hand it over. I guess it's up to us to know who we are and what we really want in life. That helps us to make wiser choices. Love to you all. Kerry xo
PS As for the books...some I've read long ago and some more recently. I'm going to let them go so they can enrich someone else's life. I will continue to buy books now and then because I love them, but I do often buy them pre-loved...and I wouldn't be able to do that if someone else hadn't let them go. Circle of love.
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
To Snap or Not To Snap?
Our lives are overwhelmed with thousands and thousands of images. Every gadget we carry with us is capable of taking a snapshot of moments we share with friends, family, nature, pets, ourselves. There seems to be an absolute compulsion to share photos of every little thing in life. I wonder if you, like me, find it all a little bewildering and something of a pressure.
I recently had the pleasure and delight of having both of my grown-up children staying with me for a total of five or six nights. In the past when we have been together I've felt an enormous pressure to record the event. It has seemed a necessity to get some proof that we've been together. You might find it easier to understand if you know that we live far enough apart that it takes an overnight ferry to visit each other, or a plane trip. It's pretty special to have us all together. I have a collection of odd photos to prove that we have been together on those other occasions but both of my kids are somewhat camera shy...or they think it is really uncool to have mum take photos...I'm not really sure what it is but the photos usually show them making some weird gesture or another...or pulling silly faces. They are always completely uncooperative about it. Perhaps if they ever become parents themselves they might better understand how precious those images can be to we mums. My dream is to have a 'nice' photo of the three of us together.
This time I let go of that 'need'. I was busy working during the daylight hours and most of the rest of the time we just sat and chatted or knitted together (my daughter and I) or we were in the car heading to and from the airport. This time I just did my best to enjoy the short time we had to spend together. It was nice and I actually felt more relaxed.
I take a lot of photographs at work. Part of the work of an early childhood teacher is to 'document' learning. Much of the learning for young children takes place through play, and often a photograph is the best way to record some wonderful learning undertaken though dramatic play or even with play dough. When patterns are made with stones or block constructions created, they are the children's learning work. If there is nothing to show then it can be assumed that not much is happening, so we document through photographs. This too can become such a dominant part of our work as to actually begin to detract from experiences rather than enhance them. It takes a measure of discernment and restraint to avoid overtaxing the patience of the children who are then made aware that they are being observed. That can interrupt the flow of their play.
I try to remind myself to be aware that I am there for the children and that their learning is the reason for me. I am there to teach them and to observe their learning. Whilst I must make judgements and record in order to inform parents and other staff members, it is important to give myself to the children while they are learning. My core work is to help them question and problem-solve in their games and play 'work' so that they are best equipped for life and learning.
It's good to leave the camera sitting dormant sometimes. I might miss a fantastic opportunity for a great photo, but if I'm always looking at life through a camera lens, I will miss many wonderful opportunities to connect with the important people in my life, whether they be my own children, other family members or my students. In some ways, I think looking at life through a lens robs me of the gift of living in the moment. The level of awareness that comes with living in the moment is what gives life its true richness and wonder.
I hope one day I will get a photo of myself and my kids together. The last one I have is many, many years old. In the meantime I'll treasure the quirky odd shots I have of the pair of them and instead do my best to really listen to them and be present with them on the rare and precious occasions that we do get together. I have a head full of lovely memories of conversations and facial expressions and that is all I need.
Well, that's me for tonight. I was heading to bed early but decided to pop some biscuits in the oven for some special visitors that are coming to our class tomorrow. A teacher's work is never done! At least while they were in the oven I found the time to write. Let me know what you think about our obsession with taking photos these days. Do you take photos of every little thing you do? Do you save the snaps for special occasions? Or do you have some other approach?
Cheers for now
Kerry
I recently had the pleasure and delight of having both of my grown-up children staying with me for a total of five or six nights. In the past when we have been together I've felt an enormous pressure to record the event. It has seemed a necessity to get some proof that we've been together. You might find it easier to understand if you know that we live far enough apart that it takes an overnight ferry to visit each other, or a plane trip. It's pretty special to have us all together. I have a collection of odd photos to prove that we have been together on those other occasions but both of my kids are somewhat camera shy...or they think it is really uncool to have mum take photos...I'm not really sure what it is but the photos usually show them making some weird gesture or another...or pulling silly faces. They are always completely uncooperative about it. Perhaps if they ever become parents themselves they might better understand how precious those images can be to we mums. My dream is to have a 'nice' photo of the three of us together.
This time I let go of that 'need'. I was busy working during the daylight hours and most of the rest of the time we just sat and chatted or knitted together (my daughter and I) or we were in the car heading to and from the airport. This time I just did my best to enjoy the short time we had to spend together. It was nice and I actually felt more relaxed.
I take a lot of photographs at work. Part of the work of an early childhood teacher is to 'document' learning. Much of the learning for young children takes place through play, and often a photograph is the best way to record some wonderful learning undertaken though dramatic play or even with play dough. When patterns are made with stones or block constructions created, they are the children's learning work. If there is nothing to show then it can be assumed that not much is happening, so we document through photographs. This too can become such a dominant part of our work as to actually begin to detract from experiences rather than enhance them. It takes a measure of discernment and restraint to avoid overtaxing the patience of the children who are then made aware that they are being observed. That can interrupt the flow of their play.
I try to remind myself to be aware that I am there for the children and that their learning is the reason for me. I am there to teach them and to observe their learning. Whilst I must make judgements and record in order to inform parents and other staff members, it is important to give myself to the children while they are learning. My core work is to help them question and problem-solve in their games and play 'work' so that they are best equipped for life and learning.
It's good to leave the camera sitting dormant sometimes. I might miss a fantastic opportunity for a great photo, but if I'm always looking at life through a camera lens, I will miss many wonderful opportunities to connect with the important people in my life, whether they be my own children, other family members or my students. In some ways, I think looking at life through a lens robs me of the gift of living in the moment. The level of awareness that comes with living in the moment is what gives life its true richness and wonder.
I hope one day I will get a photo of myself and my kids together. The last one I have is many, many years old. In the meantime I'll treasure the quirky odd shots I have of the pair of them and instead do my best to really listen to them and be present with them on the rare and precious occasions that we do get together. I have a head full of lovely memories of conversations and facial expressions and that is all I need.
Well, that's me for tonight. I was heading to bed early but decided to pop some biscuits in the oven for some special visitors that are coming to our class tomorrow. A teacher's work is never done! At least while they were in the oven I found the time to write. Let me know what you think about our obsession with taking photos these days. Do you take photos of every little thing you do? Do you save the snaps for special occasions? Or do you have some other approach?
Cheers for now
Kerry
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