A Peanut Butter Moment

This is a photo that captures the emotion of absolute present mindfulness -  which brings forth joy.

We made our own peanut butter by roasting red skinned peanut, shelling them altogether around the table, popping them in the food processor and whizzing with a tablespoon or two of peanut oil.

We all hovered around that processor with teaspoons ready….Delicious… the taste of it, but more wonderful and delightful, was that JOY  i felt.  It’s so important to practice mindfulness daily…we think we are being present but the majority of us aren’t…the peanut butter moment was a great reminder for me of the gift of being in the ‘moment.

Curiosity doesn't kill the cat

Curiosity doesn't kill the cat it opens up our worlds.

Our natural relationship to the world is not indifference. It is curiosity. - Tara Mohr

May we never stop being curious about the world around us. I am grateful to be curious about so many things. 

bEAUTIFUL sURPRISES

 

This was one of my most visually satisfying wow moments of late…I was in the garden  collecting some flowers for a vase.  When I went to cut the rose I wanted, I also cut a small bud by mistake.  My sister had just bought me the most perfect set of chemistry vases to put small collections in and this tiny one fit my bud perfectly.

Not only was the scent of this flower astounding but also on viewing the next morning it had opened from a little bud and was slowly in the process of realising its true full potential as a rose in bloom.

It was pretty much opening before my eyes and injected me with so much light and love in my day.

The smallest mistakes can lead to the most joy giving experiences.

Proud Flesh

This is my latest intuitive painting, the last layer was inspired by Matisse's Blue Lady.

I see a scarred body but nevertheless a beautiful body. In fact, the body is more beautiful and captivating because of the scars. It reminded me of the poem For What Binds Us by Jane Hershfield. and that's where the name of the painting, Proud Flesh, came from;

 "  And see how the flesh grows back

across a wound, with a great vehemence,

more strong

than the simple, untested surface before.

There's a name for it on horses,

when it comes back darker and raised: proud flesh,

as all flesh,

is proud of its wounds, wears them

as honors given out after battle,

small triumphs pinned to the chest"

I am grateful for my scars, as it means many of the wounds have healed. 

I am grateful to have proud flesh. 

Babylonstoren….time spent in amazing places.

 

It was a magical treat to take Julia out of school for the day (life is too short) and take mum, my sister who was visiting at the time, and Nev to this beautiful gardeners paradise in the winelands.  The lunch at the greenhouse was so delicious and fresh with tiny edible flower, blueberries and raspberries scattered about.  Nev received kisses from delighted koi in the pond, whilst Julia marvelled and absorbed nature all around, growing pumpkins, strawberries, lotus flowers.  I saw the most amazing presentation of tiny succulents covering and living on a tree trunk amidst a recycled rubber tyre set up of sorts..fascinating and creatively inspiring.  Grateful for this memorable day spent with loved ones in nature which is always so revitalising.

Loving Hurts

Love might not hurt but loving with a open heart sure does.

Loving your child means you feel it intensely when their heart hurts.
Loving a loved one if they can't love you in return hurts.
Loving a loved one that has a huge wall around their heart hurts because you know they don't feel loved.
Loving a loved one when they are facing a big battle in their life hurts because you feel their energy sapping struggle when they get up in the morning to face another day on the battle field, not knowing how it will end.
Loving anyone with an open heart really really hurts.

But I don't want to love any other way.

It's only when I love this way that I can feel the intense, eruptive joy when my child is shining.
It's only when I love this way that I know I made someone feel loved, who might have never felt loved before.
It's only when I love this way that I can experience the intense connection when love is returned.
It's only when I love this way that I can be deeply inspired by a loved one who gets up every day, strap on their shield of courage and go to the battlefield.
It's only when I love this way that I can taste the deep relief and the exquisitely sweet, elated victory when their battle has been won.
It's only when I love this way that I can feel the love flow.

I am grateful for the courage to love with an open heart.

I am grateful to love with an open heart, even if it is really hurting right now.

Something Blue

In my quest looking for gratitude, I am looking with fresh eyes at my objects around the house, appreciating the beauty, colour, texture or memories it stirs.

Object #1 is my blue bottle, it sits on my dresser table with beads around the neck of it and I must confess I can't remember the last time I have actually noticed it. 

Today I am looking at the bottle with new eyes;

• the exquisite cobalt blue 
• the curvy shape
• the contrast created by light reflecting and deflecting from its curves
• remembering the friend that gave it to me more than a decade ago

There is gratitude in seeing beauty.