List of Happiness...The Beach

A quote that hit home...

Sunrise on Palm Beach, Qld ~ my local

Bench of contemplation & focus


Time is a wonderfully confusing thing ~ it bends, confuses, distorts and also heals
 It has been almost 10 months since we returned home to Australia from living overseas. This was a decision that was essentially made for us, not by us.  A decision that has been both a blessing and a curse... In the past couple of weeks that I have noticed a shift in the energy around me ~ opening up to the  lessons that are there to learn from and grow. Everyday on social media I see quotes that are sprinkled along my path to "be inspired by". But it is the above quote that I borrowed from one of my dear friend's Facebook page that actually hit home. And being a lover of lists - this was an eye opener! The simple instruction to compare two lists: one that makes you happy and one that fills your day.  Sounds simple right?
But it is often within simplicity that we find the magic we need to transform. At the top of my list of happiness was the BEACH, so off I went to enjoy the sunrise before launching myself into my day. Being from the East Coast of Canada - the ocean is in my blood. It has healing, meditative properties for me.  I know this ~ so why don't I make it a daily priority if it can make me happy? We all know and worship those two ugly words: too busy
Well I am choosing happiness as my new mantra instead. How about you...what simple acts can make your lists more compatible?  What do you do to banish the "I'm too busy" mantra to replace it with your search for happiness?

Secret Gardens...

love the archway.. Garden of Her Love one of my weaknesses...lavender Can I move in? How perfect!     I could sit here all evening...   

My mother is a gardener - in fact, in my opinion, she is a floral magician.  She was taught by her mother and then by the amazing women that were a part of her life, and her community. She knows everything about plants and loves nothing more than having her hands in the earth - encouraging something to spring forth and grow.

I would not consider myself a gardener...yet. 

So far life has had me busy focusing on other pursuits - education, teaching, traveling, yoga and of course being a mother to our four children. But in each place we make our home I try to build a garden, even if it is just a few plants in pots. I make mistakes (aka..kill things) and learn lots. 

These are the times when I wish I could have my mom beside me teaching me the things I want to know now, but was too busy as a younger woman to listen to. 

But with her living in Honduras and me here in Ethiopia I have to rely on emailing her my gardening questions and exploring the pictures of other people's gorgeous gardens.

What about you? Is there something you wish your younger self had learned from your parents or family?