A stream begins with a droplet…so here goes people ━ your G&T on tap!
❥Morning gratitude – so good beginning one’s day with thanks. I highly recommend it. If it seems that you may not have much for which to be grateful, let me assure you that you do! Once you start, it’s much like turning on a tap ━ it’s amazing and uplifting all rolled into one. I take my morning gratitude over a glass of morning nectar and a huge hit of sunshine – I scribble and sip, on repeat while simultaneously sucking up some sun! If I miss my MG, I hit up some G&T on the other end of my day, cocooned in bed. Just as toasty and gratifying❥Letting go – sometimes you just have to let go! Stop. And give yourself some love and peace❥Getting to bed earlier❥switching off the laptop at 8pm! So hard! But so good for me❥Getting back to hard copy books. How could I forget what that feels like?! Looking forward to whole afternoons of reading❥Vegetables roasted in coconut butter. Who knew I could do this number for dinner and be satiated?!❥Giving ‘Raw’ a real shot. It’s exciting and in motion❥Paying attention to my resistance…with love rather than loathing❥Reducing my coffee intake and just feeling how it feels❥Mario’s word-isms! Man, do they crack me up! Laughter seriously is the best remedy!❥Talking with my mamabear – big LOVE right there!❥Likes, comments, emails and gifts from SisterSledge!❥My li’l brother’s entrepreneurial spirit, and his crack-me-up humour. He loves to refer to me as his weird, crazy-ass sister!❥My thought-capsule reserved especially for my dad – it has been FULL these past 2 weeks❥Catching up with my most amazing entrepreneurial Transplant™ girlfriend over a super healthy FridayBreakfast. She is an inspiration and it was so lovely exchanging on that business level as well❥Zipping around town in Lady Josephine (my car!)❥Reading food labels, and understanding them! No small feat I tell ya!❥Experimenting. Special mention goes to eco skincare (peeps, SO much better for you and SO inexpensive and so few things in the toiletry bag!) and raw/whole-fooding!❥Getting real❥“If your goals aren’t terrifying you, they’re not BIG enough!”❥Raw cacao smoothies, minus the agave!❥Vision boarding, again! lol❥Fab additional strength-training exercises ━ thank you outdoor personal trainers! Sweet serendipity indeed as I don’t normally even notice anyone around me when I’m in huff-’n-puff mode!❥Ahhh…Apple Cider Vinegar, in my mouth, on my face & through my hair. So good. Organic and INexpensive!❥White Oriental lilies! So beautifully fragrant and lovely to look at too❥“Wouldn’t it be nice if…”❥Being treated so well during recent SundayShenanigans™ at Chez Dee! My first visit, and a blog post to follow soon on my experience there!❥Nikki Gemmel - I adore this woman, & she is a delight in person!❥Throwing myself into my own BeliefBouncingCastle and knocking myself out! Frick, it’s scary-feel-good, and a fabulous ‛get real’ activity. You should SO try it!❥PomPoms!❥Grabbing whole moments of complete contentment – no past or future thoughts required!❥Impending weekend catch-ups with good friends!
My loves, the tap doth runneth over, but I’ll stem it there…and let you take it from here! I want to hear your love-lists, I do! What’s making you happy? What are you loving right now? What’s putting you in full appreciation mode! Hit up the comments ━ I would love nothing better!
Oh, and take this with you as you wander through your weekend…
♫Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me-eeeee, happy FIRST birthday lieslg!♬
Yes, it’s that time. One year already – wow! And how apt that it should fall on a G&T Friday!!
So in honour of a year IN, and it serendipitously coming about at my G&T Cocktail Hour, I’ve decided to play on numbers today ━ yes, you guessed it, the number 12 is going to be in the spotlight!
12 things for which I am grateful ━ on the 12th month of my blog-run ━ in two thousand and 12, the year in which we all DELVE…deeper!
1. lieslg.com Of course! We have come this far, and I am only now really getting into my flow with you, and loving the be-heck outta you to boot. It was always my intention to transition to this digitised notebook ━ my über-umbrella under which my cornucopia of ideas can take shelter, percolate and flourish. My own neighbourhood of crankin’ creativity, where all wave at each other over fences. To all of this, a special G&T salute!
2.My peeps. Family is indeed foundation! When it’s built solid, it can withstand the mightiest wind and the angriest storms ━ the grit and the muck can slap up against your window, but.it.just.sliiiides right the hell off! Love is a short word, but its shadow is looooong, and I am grateful in my knowledge and experience that family fluff and frivolity is one thing, but it is FamilyFoundation that rocks ━ and rules! My nuclear family – including my dad who is indeed now our heavenly father! My love, my rock, my friend ━ Mario, often referred to here as my NumberOneMan™. My extended family scattered all over the world and Oz, but whose hearts are always near. My family through marriage-thread! My Transplants and Indiggies also known as my friends ━ those ‘transplanted’ from other countries, and my Aussie mates. AND of course the newest peeps ━ my PrettyPetticoats and BobbyBritches. Yes, that’s you out there who lovingly let your eyes roam over my words! To all of you, a special G&T salute!
3. Coffee. Yes, especially the smell of goooood coffee wafting into my bedroom whilst I get dressed. Yes, NumberOneMan™ does this well! To you, a special G&T salute!
4. Gifted bottles of le vin rouge. I visited Casa Mama this past weekend, and not only did we leave with the customary Tupperware containers of good food, but added to that stash came the red in multiple bottles! One, a South African 2005 Pinotage from Môreson ━ a riverside winery nestled in the picturesque mountain settings of Franschhoek Valley. That it reminds me of Gary, is extra sweet; My dad was an avid collector of South African wines. To this, a special G&T salute!
5. Word Mistress. Being referred to as Word Mistress! Such a compliment.To you, a special G&T salute!
6. Challenges. Work. Exercise. Personal. Sometimes they play on their own. Other times they come together in one big raucous party ━ oh, the hangover! But I wouldn’t have it any other way. If my aim is to continue to sprout in new and wonderful ways, then I have to deal with pushing through the dirt! And the things we learn…SO big, so nourishing ━ a whole lotta messy, but that’s what the ritual of bathing is for ━ wash away the gunk and soak those aching parts! Meeting my challenges face on, and getting uncomfortable on a regular basis, is the best comfort I can be rewarded. To these, a special G&T salute!
7. My creations. Yesterday, while searching for some laptop screen cleaner, I came across some of these in one of my many notebooks! It was a lovely distraction, and an even lovelier reminder of all the things within me, and all of the things I am doing. It’s a wink from my Universal A-Team. And for this, a special G&T salute!
8. Gorgeous Winter weather. Cerulean skies and the Sun-babe giving these cold days a pimpin’ polish ━ so good! A special G&T salute to you!
9. Baby Bliss. It’s never been in my grand plan to have babies. Strange, because I absolutely love them! Back in the day, my friend and I would laugh when I’d say, “You pause for the dogs, & I stop for the babies!” There is something so infinitely pleasing about them, and twice in the past two days, toddlers prompted a smile and animation from me ━ I must also add that both times I was mid-way through my training session, and not generally a time for smiles or convivial conversation! To the kidlets ━ a special G&T salute indeed!
10. A good read. From the frivolous fun and inspo I get from magazines, to the hardcopy books of my youth, and now the online onslaught, I am just in heaven! I read you all ━ anywhere I am! I laugh with you, get inspired by you, I get lost in you ━ relish you; I learn from you and I meet amazing people through you! I am a lucky lass. So to you my bedfellows, I salute, and a special G&T one to boot!
11. Serendipity. In all things! Finding your answers ━ so fluidly. Being lead. Discovering places and things on your radar ━ so fluidly. I think serendipity is sweet and most definitely sassy, and to her I raise a special G&T salute!
12. Snippets! When time is on a tight leash, many things get lost ━ often the things you most want to do! So when suddenly I find myself gifted with snippets ━ of both time and fiery ideas, I have to just…be in awe ━ and G&T mode! Odd things, odd times all find their way into my inspiration inkwell and I realise that all things can be done ━ we find a way. To the bits-&-bobs, I wave at you, a special G&T salute!
And with that, I have the birthday G&T salute down pat!
But, of course, that’snot all! As a little weird-y birthday treat, I’ll finish off with a wish and…
12 Frivolous Facts about the girl, in celebration of her blog birthday ━ bombastic! lol
1. I love double and triple-salted Dutch liquorice, and Brussels sprouts!
2. My dad’s pet name for me was appeltje (meaning little apple in Afrikaans). He used to always say, in a lovely lilting voice and with a big smile on his face, “Hello daddy’s little appeltje”!
3. I could happily live without ice-cream.
4. My name, spelling included, is directly from The Sound of Music! My mum was a huge fan ━ and still is today.
5. I was born in Cape Town, South Africa.
6. For the first year of my life, I had no hair! My mum got used to the many “Oh my, isn’t he gorgeous!” and “He is sooo cute, what’s his name?” hahaha
7. In 2001 I wrote and recorded a song. It was nominated in the 2011 MusicOz Awards.
8. In 2002 I surprised Mario with a recording of “Happy Birthday” for his birthday, which was promptly played in the private room at The Park Hyatt, much to the surprise and delight of all in attendance ━ waitstaff included!
9. I am an excellent parallel parker!
10. I completed my 3-year Drama degree ━ from Melbourne’s La Trobe University ━ in two years.
…has whizzed by and now it’s time for that well-wanted thankfulness-quencher
And wow, the minute you think that there isn’t enough kapow! in your life for which to be grateful, up POPS the unnoticed which when noticed just makes you think “wow, I sure am lucky!” And more importantly makes you smile and love your life – whatever and wherever you are! You see, G&T isn’t about the brightest sparkle, the most glamourous folk and the golden kisses you’ve just landed, although CHEERS to that if it’s in the house or when it knocks on your door! G&T is just about being thankful, for EVERYTHING – big or small, coveted or not – OR all mixed in together – occasionally or continuously!!
1. Slow-&-Steady. In a world that requires demands us to move and speak and think and do…at lightning-pace, it’s good to meet with slow-&-steady, for she can & indeed does win the race! It’s more than okay to adopt this pace, in fact I encourage it. It doesn’t mean you are less ambitious, or less focussed – not.at.all! It simply means that you are allowing yourself to breathe it all in at a steady and pleasurable pace; that you are going back to your authentic self and modus operandi…in other words, how it was always meant to be. Going faster doesn’t always mean you get more done and more quickly. Sure you can get things done & dusted – sometimes. More often than not though, you find yourself face-to-face with your good ole frenemy FRENETIC, and we all know she ain’t fun!
So this week, I appreciated slow-&-steady and got things done! Oh, and I found that as soon as I relaxed into this perspective, ideas and tasks had more fluidity to them, and as a result, I got things done…quickly! hahaha
2. A Chat & A Cry. Keeping it all in is for pussies! The strong and the brave vomit it all out — in a jumble of words or streams of deliciously salty liquid. Some of us are even adept at grabbing the two-for-one scenario ━ and damnit, you feel shitty and ugly, but damnit again, it feels good when all that shitty ugliness is all.out.in.the.open deprived of oxygen and evaporating into the invisible air. See, the shitty-&-ugly comes ━ harder and faster ━ when you have decided to make good decisions, and every day are determined to stick by them ━ hellooo commitment and focus! The Universal forces kinda wanna ‘play’ with you, and see just how serious you actually are about your new commitment and focus. Cruel, I know, but they have a point. You don’t suddenly morph into nirvana personified, oh noooo! You are likely to feel more u.n.c.o.m.f.o.r.t.a.b.l.e than you have ever felt before. Your belief system flies in your face; your values bob up and down obstructing your new way. Oh, yes cue the ugly.and.the.shitty, like clockwork! But, you know, it’s great, and worth it. Being uncomfortable like this means only one thing ━ the shitty-&-ugly is short-lived, but your growth continues! [looking forward to appreciating HARD the next bout of the shitty-&-the-ugly...it never felt so good!]
Addendum: BIG love & appreciation to my ‘bucket’ aka my NumberOneMan™ for catching it all – listening and soothing and putting everything into perspective!
3. The Wind At My Back. Fresh from my Chat-&-Cry sesh, it takes every ounce of me (including the added extras! lol) to get myself onto soft sand to run. But I do and I exhale ━ the last of all that musty gunk, and inhale the sweet sea air. I soften and become sharp all in one breath and I.am.SO.grateful for small mercies. And then just to cement the tremendous support I (and in fact we all) do indeed have, the wind picks up and is literally at my back helping me along! I can’t help but break out with the huuuugest smile as it dawns on me just what is happening. And then, just to keep things fun (she’s a funny old bird, Ms Universe!) it’s still there when I have to run back and straight into it! lol But all at once, I am thinking “Cool, she’s making me work harder in a shorter amount of time – extra strength training – and I am right into it and loving it to boot!
4. The Colour Blue. It’s ironic, that phrase ‘feeling blue’ because blue is such an invigorating colour! Cobalt, azure, cerulean, sapphire, turquoise, sky, sea, mazarine, opalescent, gentian…even these words sound deliciously uplifting! Running on biscuit coloured sand while being up-and-side swathed in beautiful blue, is nothing short of rejuvenating. Oh and it helps that half of my running get-up is a hot hit of cobalt – pow! In short, loving the upside of blue!
5. The smallest of actions is always better than the noblest of intentions. From Who Will Cry When You Die?, I took a moment to rejoice in this saying ━ because it’s true! Our intentions are usually magnanimous, our to-do-lists equally so ━ the thought of which can make anyone keel right over in fright! And when we are overwhelmed, we tend to zone out in favour of a preferred instantaneous-super-distraction! Been there, done that!
But then I took stock, decided to buck up and become mates with the small things; I grabbed one – any one and just.did.it! Bam. Done. Dusted. Aahhh m’goodness, felt darn good, and tick ✓ one thing done. And now repeat. Oooohhh, I feel a pattern parking itself in my vista (a bloody good one too) and I am diggin’ it.
And while my Olympic-worthy-to-do-list still prevails, I can proudly say that I am already polishing one medal!
Okay, your turn!
PS: There are plenty more rounds of this Friday’s cocktail, but I’ve decided to plant them (in pink!) in my mazarine Moleskine, and leave some white space for you to paint up BIG!
Here’s to mammoth love swirling its way into and all around your weekend xx
Today I serve up FIVE delicious-tasting-smelling-feeling G&Ts, aaand they’re all on the house! Get tipsy on some good old-fashioned thankfulness…
▲She is often touted as bad. Perhaps some redemption is in order! Loving this perspective on procrastination, and grateful for the reminder. This has happened to me many times, where I have put things off, albeit nudged by a murky gut-feeling. And yet continued to feel bad for once more indulging in the P-word…only to find that my murky-gut-feeling was indeed my instinct that once again, had served me well!
▲Evenings chez nous! Hanging out at home is the best – especially when you’ve done a solid day’s work, and just eaten a deliciously healthy meal. Nothing beats some home-hang-time. Whether it’s more work, blog-work, the perusal of your chosen-cyber-corner, watching a dvd, or spontaneously discussing more biznez! It’s wind-down time (even if you’re kinda still working!) and I am grateful to be able to indulge.
▲Out-&-About. Sometimes your most productive work is done in your training gear, mid-morning, over coffee, and in about 20 minutes flat! Add to that another 15 minutes lappie-on-lap, and in the car (not driving! lol). PLUS in-between unpacking the groceries, prepping dinner and a wayward email!! I am learning to value and appreciate those times when it’s least expected to be in work-mode (at least productive work-mode!) and just BE bloody awesomely proactive. Sometimes being in-the-rough, brings on your most stellar work. I appreciate my fluid schedule!
▲Recipes from The Stonesoup. Jules Clancy is a genius in the easy-kitchen. She has a truckload of divinely simple recipes – all with at least 3 options – read veg/vegan/nut-free/diary-free and more! Hello 5-ingredients and 10 minutes cooking time – holla atchya hunny! She even has video versions – how cool is that?! AND if you hop on over there now, you’ll be in for some super-lovely freebies…all you need to do is click and download. Cooking in as little as snack-time? Girl after my own heart!
▲ Reconciliations. Ah yes, those things! Sometimes emotions run high, and things are said. Later, the pot cools down and the kettle sings her sweet song once more….bless….all is well in the kitchen. Am grateful to be cooking once more with love in ze heart and tap-tap-tappin’ toons swirling about m’ears.
Okay my PrettyPetticoats and BobbyBritches, how is your G&T tastin’ right about now?! Spill……pun intended!
I’m parched! Let’s head to the bar….of abundance shall we?!
I haven’t been anywhere fancy, least of all met anyone to shrill about, and I certainly haven’t scored an envious collaboration with a designer-du-jour……but boy have I been hit with the abundance stick – and again – I cannot praise enough, the simple things!
♥A long-time friend messaging me that my blog had inspired her son to start his own! How utterly heartwarming! He is 10. A foodie. And now a reviewer of pretty cool digs too. Check out his perspective – he has good taste (& good parents!)
♥Two sweet Mother-Country friends using some Facebook real estate to create a pretty humbling compliments-thread for yours truly! Rosita Rhode and Nicky Bantham – you gals are too sweet!
♥When my alarm trills at 4:45am – I am indeed a morning person! It is the best thing running on soft-sand, in the dark – all the world asleep…except for the crazy-good woman swimming laps in no less than her cozzie!!
♥Watching the sun come up each morning, over ocean and beach…the best groundhog-day!
♥Getting our coffees at Manly Wine before even ordering them – now that’s service, and my kinda barista! Today it was the same plus 2 on the house ━ hello simple things!
♥New exercise gear!! Yes, it deserves a double exclamation mark – too good! I always feel that much better and more enthused when I am ‘dressed the part’ hahaha. It was début-day today, and I have to say, I ran much ‘lighter’ – seriously! Hey, it worked for me! hahaha
et les petites choses…
♥working hard & being immensely focussed
♥persistence
♥faith
♥recognising resistance and rejoicing in the lesson; It is all so clear, and I cannot recommend highly enough, Ask and it is Given!
♥cheques in the mail
♥morning gratitude scribblings in my cobalt Moleskine
This week I appreciate the simple things…and see my vibration move up a notch or two!
Yellow tulips – I adore the shape, and how can one not feel happy around this lutescent loveliness?! They don’t cost much and they look magnificent anywhere in the house. A pleasure to look at – they make me smile and appreciate the availability of such beautiful blooms.
Orange nails – I sense a colour-theme going on here! And why not?! When the sky is grey or my entire running outfit is a mélange of white and grey (!) that POP of orange can do wonders for the outfit and the mood! I dunno, it just makes me feel super snazzy when I take my post-run sweaty self, complete with tied up bed-hair, out for my morning fuel
Kitchen Skincare – I am on the experimenting train again! I know, I can’t help myself – just can’t sit still! hahaha. I was recently reading an article about the simplicity and goodness of natural skincare, and was so happy my train veered onto this track! I had been thinking about this (again!), so it turned out to be a well-timed catalyst! It’s lovely to know wise women who also love to share their knowledge – I am super grateful for the Sarah Wilsons and Maria Hannafords of the world – you gals rock!
Reading – my love of reading stems from another very wise woman aka my mom! When I was little, she read out loud to me – with much inflexion and facial expression to boot! And I guess it all started there! I love to read out loud too, and with feeling (actress!! lol) But most of all I love to read…pretty much EVERYTHING, and pretty much ANYWHERE too. I cannot go anywhere without a wee something onto which I can cast my eyes and mind, should a reading opp’ arise! Language is marvellous, & the knowledge even more so…well, for me anyway!
My work – It has been hard yakka, but it has also been immensely satisfying. As you too may attest, b.u.s.i.n.e.s.s is not for the faint-hearted! There have been times (many!) when my “faint” wanted to get.it.on, but my “heart” point-blank refused! I love my heart – she’s a wise cookie. Because it is precisely those moments, days, months….years(!) – when you seriously want to throw in that big ole wet towel – that steel you, teach you and allow you to soar. Thank you Share Your Victory™ - you continue to teach me as only a great teacher can!
Sunrisin’ - watching the sun come up every day this week – and last – has been nothing short of life-affirming. It’s like a huuuge hit of VitaminG (that’s Goodness y’all!) for the soul. It’s magical, available and free!
Les petites choses…
┃Fresh ciabatta – still hot from the oven! ┃Coffee at the right temperature – for those of us who like to sip slowly!┃Early morning runs on soft sand┃Sticking to a schedule┃Being completely focussed – so much so, that I am longing for my bed at around 19:40 these days!┃Hitting up with morning fuel every morning post-run. Just a happy ritual┃Watching the sunrise every morning, and being “surprised” by it every day┃Running-gear-anticipation┃New green smoothie recipes – necessity is indeed the mother of invention or creation as I like to call it ┃Sardines-on-fresh-ciabatta for breakfast┃Being close to the beach┃Comfortable chairs!┃Movie nights┃Going to the cinema, the old-school kind ┃Road trips┃Impromptu belly dancing for a restaurant audience!┃Winter swims┃Clearing the air┃Shedding old skin, continually!┃My glasses┃Being organised┃Fresh organic green juices with a twist┃Beautiful veggies┃Parcel excitement┃Almonds and good olive oil!┃Okay, so I know I’ve been giving sugar a bad rap (and rightly so!) but I’ve been wanting to keep company with her a bit of late, soooo…givin’ it up in appreciation for my li’l corner of candy this week!!┃Being reminded – of stuff…the good stuff!
Here’s to a sweet concoction and a full tumbler at your HappyHourHoedown!
It’s July. It’s Winter. We’re on the cusp of a weekend…winner!
Feeling the Joy-tune? Yes?! No?! Either way, here’s what we’re gonna do — we’re gonna whisk up some joyFULLappreciation with a sparkling G&T! Ready…set…go!
✸5am & the peepers fly open✸
For me, this week has been all about the mornings…the EARLY mornings! I have always been a night owl. There is just something magical about being up late-early and creating up a storm! It’s like, in the still and dark of the night, my creative cavern doors fly open, and proffer all sorts of goodness. It’s been my way for the longest time. But…what has been on my mind for…oh the last 6 months or so (!) is entertaining the idea of being a morning maven! It’s only taken me this long – hahaha – but oh my there is equal magic in mornings! Who knew?! hahaha
I am loathe to give up my nights, but these 5am starts are allowing me to, more easily, relinquish and it’s not s’bad! Getting up super early and slamming straight into some mooooovement is double-dose-goodness! I’m finding my stillness at the other end of the dark spectrum, and it is hitting my sweet spot. I am awake, filled with energy, enthusiasm, and my focus is getting sharper! It’s amazing that you can know something for years, and when you finally engage, it’s like this wonderful “surprise”! hahaha - two words: human beings!
Best bit? Everything! hahaha…but here’s naming a few:
✸watching the sunrise every morning! The universal act is pretty much the same everyday, but the experience is just completely awe-inducing each.sweet.time! And hello, Pantone eat your heart out!
✸another delicious morning ritual – sipping good coffee at various hole-in-the-wall beachside establishments.
✸watching the sun come up and streaming into my kitchen while I am cooking my morning oats! It’s by far the little things right?!
✸being the first café customers of the day – appreciating the sleepy-eyed barista, the crisp newspapers neatly arranged, the first coffee! And the ensuing quiet and orange friend climbing the horizon, ever so slowly and yet, oh so quickly too!
✸Monday morning’s 5:20 moon! Yes, the moon, standing its luminous ground in the stretch of inky sky; The windchill factor was high, but I was stopped in my tracks to just look at her – wow!
Annnnnd….
Running again-it sure feels good to mooooove over soft sand, and effortfully indulge in affirming head-conversations with myself┃SundayShenanigans┃late-Sunday-afternoon grocery shops – the best time to go┃my car – vroom vroom! ┃early-morning-NO-traffic!┃taking photographs of everything!┃discovering new phone & web apps and actually using them┃learning new things everyday┃shopping online┃getting clear┃re-visiting my personal mission statement and vision book!!┃real hot chocolate, with accompanying ocean views┃serendipity – she’s a sweeeet soul-sista┃life-affirming moments┃there are no mistakes – every decision is an experience, your experience – and a welcomed one┃divine discoveries – been thinking about doing this again, so this was sweet timing indeed┃green juice┃going for night-time drives┃impromptu dinners out avec le mari┃rainbows!┃adopting The Pomodoro Technique – it really helps, and works!┃Eating less and less sugar – yay!┃home-made soups┃keeping warm with layers – so lush!┃DIY-scheming – I get such a kick out of “fiddling”┃Article ideas – they’re coming fast and furiously – now just to keep up and get them out!!┃SisterSledge correspondence┃my intense desire to learn, to be open to everything, for knowledge, and to prosper┃creating – it’s one of the most satisfying things one can do┃dreaming! ┃believing – it takes a lot of hard work, but it’s worth it┃fresh flowers – this week, purple tulips on my desk and magenta orchids in my bathrooms & outdoors┃reading: books, e-books, mags, blogs, newspapers, cereal boxes…all of it is a pleasure┃And last but not least – Allowing – it.is.the.key that’s for sure!
What’s stopping you in your tracks, & invoking appreciation?! Where and how do you do your G&T? Does it work for you?
Passion has Red Lips indeed….colour your life with exuberance!
Crank up the comment-dial below, and whip up some weekend majeeeeek!!
When the grey out there is mirroring your spiritual grey, well then it’s time to call on your own bit of sunshine!
There is ALWAYS a hit of COLOUR to be found on a grey ole day!
We can’t be expected to be a bouncing ball of neon yellow all of the time, right? There are days when the grey feels like it will never allow any POP back in! I hear ya. But when I’m feeling like this, I know I have a choice. As hard as it may be to move away from that comforting wallow-whimper, it is imperative to make the shift!
So decision time: a) keep company with misery OR b) tell her, you’re moving on…NOW.
And the quickest way to peel off that layer of gloom, is to pull out your favourite tumbler and mix up your G&T! So in honour of a little grey this week, here is mine…
⇥ My eyesight! Last night, the power switch tripped and there was a momentary blackout. My first reaction was…to react! I was in the middle of writing and was not happy. But then I breathed, slowly felt my way to the nearest flashlight and was back to my writing, tapping-by-torch! In no time the power was back up and the lights were once more shining brightly. But it was in that moment (you know when “catastrophe” is amended and all is well in your world again?) that I realised just how lucky I am to have my naturally powered eyesight! There are many who don’t have that privilege, so my momentary darkness made me get real and thankful!
⇥ Yoga. I’ve conveniently forgotten that I had a daily date with running. Okay, so heavy rain and the cold-cold, have indeed had a hand in this voluntary amnesia! But I digress. Being cyber-connected pretty much all day, does not automatically make my blood pump faster and give my organs the work-out they need. SO, when NumberOneMan suggested insisted that I make like yogi and do some yoga, I was irritated at first, but then completely grateful! Only 20 minutes of simple moves and wow, hello energy and relax-max! No joining fees, no travel time. Just me, m’living room and a YouTube stream. Easy-peasy.
⇥ Catching up with friends. Time just gets away and before you know it, you’ve not seen some friends for a year or more! How does that happen?! Last Saturday, we caught up with the divine couple Artemiss & Paul and their kidlets. It was like there never was an absence-gap; We simply picked up from where we last left off and continued amidst laughs, food & wine, and the odd blow-my-mind quip from 4-year old Phoenix “You can’t define it…” FOUR years old!! My friends and their kids are smart! Such a fabulous night of soulful conversation – you cannot put a price on that. Merci.
WeeWonders: ♥Fragrant flowers in my bathrooms – heavenly♥Warm pullovers♥drinking water♥green smoothies and green juice♥Australian talent – I want to lift y’all UP!♥BondiBrunches♥people-watching♥being inspired♥being inspired to create rather than swayed by the buying-force♥being reminded…to be thankful!♥writing♥ideas♥compliments from total strangers♥sun on my face♥good homemade coffee♥working smarter♥being focussed after a bout of procrastination♥cleaning – my head works much better in a spit-polished environment! Hello neat-freak hahaha♥fresh bread♥prosciutto to satisfy a salt-need♥homemade hot chips♥cutting out sugar more and more, but not beating myself up when I sneak some in♥happy sox♥good movies♥a warm bed♥my Eames hang-it-all♥My preferred Napoletana-style Margherita from my favourite Italian joint Enopizzeria♥words of wisdom all around me♥discovering new Australian blogs♥Fighting against consumerism, and only participating where absolutely necessary♥Another imminent wardrobe purge – yes, shoes included♥Discovering & hanging out in new cafés! This could very easily be another full-time career – I would be the BEST!♥Thoughts on writing about my new-found coffee-caves!♥Creative food creations! I am determined to use everything in my pantry and fridge before I embark on another grocery trip!
I could go on and on and on (and to think that I thought I had nothing or very little G&T-worthy hits to report this week! See, again, start and you’ll create a groundswell!!) but I’ve just realised it’s nearly Cocktail Hour, so I need to finish up and handover the baton to my BARhoppingBABES; No-one likes to be kept waiting as far as their end-of-week G&T goes!
Let’s twist again like we did last Friiiidayyyy…yeah let’s twist again like we did last weeeeek! Hello week 3, and indeed this week of Gratitude & Thankfulness comes with a twist.
You see, my arm-long lists got me thinking…am I inspiring or merely doing a show-’n-tell?
Of course my intention is to give myself a place to have a regular date with my G&T – it’s discipline, and a happy one to which I can look forward, when things are good or bad.
It’s also meant as a meeting place for you; A way of starting the machine, filling the air with that intoxicating aroma and enticing you to sip at the delicious brew too.
A gratitude list can be daunting – it’s not meant to be! But it is nonetheless. It’s not something we’re taught as part of our ABCs, and perusing others’ lists can make ours – in short, our lives – look rather uneventful. There are lists as long as giraffes’ necks and as colourful as the perfectly patterned Zebra’s coat; Suddenly we don’t feel fabulous enough to simply be grateful for a magnificently pressured hot shower! But! That is where I say hoorah to simple appreciation!
It is SO important to note and acknowledge and be grateful for those bitsy-boring and murmuringly-mundane things because firstly they make us realise just how damn lucky we are; They make us smile at the realisation, and they make us feel goooooood! How about that? Feeling good and happy about things gives us energy and ideas, and allows us to take action – the bigger blingier things will come later and so unexpectedly that we’ll simply smile the same and appreciate some more!
If you’re nervous about starting and stating your gratitude, don’t be! The premise of gratitude is that it is a groundswell and soon you’ll see that your gratitude runs in reams, and that every little thing counts!
So in honour of short-&-sweet, what are the FIVE things for which you are grateful this week….& yes, I’ll go first
✚Warming oats on a chilly morning – I take mine organic with chia seeds, cinnamon and a drop of stevia.
✚Aches-&-pains. Yes, not in a whinge-y way. Just purely that I am lucky enough to have a full-feeling body to feel the pain and be alerted that something needs to be done or looked at (I’m kinda speaking metaphysically now). How awesome that we have an inbuilt indicator that we need to pay attention to some part of either our physical body or our emotional well-being! Priceless! This is also a reminder to daily tune into my instincts and nurture that most precious instinctive self!
✚Time With Family! Part of the long weekend was spent in the nation’s capital and, despite the perceived “Canboring”, I had (& always do!) the best time; You know that laugh-till-you-cry kind of fun! When I think back to times past, this is exactly how I remember it – talking until the wee hours and laughing so hard, you could easily pee in your pants!! The family dynamic is simply superb – despite the drive-you-crazy quirks that inevitably get thrown in to add to the FamilyFlavour! – and in spite of the very stark missing piece of the puzzle! When my dad was here, he would quietly sit, observe & listen – and I am sure – relish in the “crazy” that made up his girls-plus-boy family Oh, and PS: home movies are a LOL unto themselves!! In between ab-crunching guffaws, I kept yelling at my young-ish self “What were you thinking?!!!” in reference to the hair and fashion choice du jour!!!
✚Support from friends - true friends! From the miniscule to the magnanimous, it is just pure WOW!! It’s like a goooood glass of red, that unexpected $20 bill that falls out of your jean pocket! A roaring fire on a chilly night, a mini island getaway, shelter from the rain…only better!
✚lieslg.com!! Fear kept me from her for SO long. And when I finally opened the door to the world of blogging, I let fear tie my hands & feet and vice-grip my “doing” spirit! Contemplating the dive, with fear on both of your shoulders, and looking into your reflection of over-analysis, WILL lead to paralysis! And for a while it did. But thankfully at some point, I made the decision (or perhaps just accidentally fell in!) to dive-bomb it and flippin’ swim once I was in. So so so grateful for my place in the creative sun! And for the eyes and ears who read and share in my DailyDribble™
Over to you my lovelies! 1 2 3 4 FiiiiiVE! And then onwards to a WonderfulWeekend!! xx
Post-Script: I struggled to keep it at just 5! Which proves the point that Gratitude is a groundswell. Once you begin, you’ll find that there are more and more and more things for which you are SO grateful!! And amen to that!!
I have much for which to be grateful, but today I am leaving it all in my BlueBook – also known as my cobalt Moleskine.
