Work - Life balance!
I never knew the words in South Africa. I worked HARD and PLAYED hard. It's amazing how much you can do when you just do it! I had a support structure though that allowed me to do it. That made a huge difference in my life. I then went through a transition in Wales. I learnt about doing things with the people I love, I learnt how to laugh again and I felt FREEDOM within my soul for the first time in ever in over 40 years! It helped me to face challenges and overcome many emotional days when I unpacked my internal baggage! Then 2012/2013 took it's toll. I closed myself off in such a way to protect myself. I locked all the doors again and built the walls back but this time even higher than before. I don't like being in here though, after feeling such freedom one wants to return to that place! I want to love myself for who I am and accept myself for who I am right now. Easier said than done! One step at a time I want to withdraw from my winter - so it's just as well I feel like that on the first day of Spring! I have the seasons on my side!
I have taken my first day at a very slow pace. I need to focus my energy on achieving a very specific goal in the immediate short-term. I need a miracle in 48 hrs to turn my academic circumstances around. I am trusting myself to do what I always do - do it!
I LOVE my HOME! I really do LOVE the home we are in now. It's been a home in which so much has happened. So many people have been and gone in this HOME. I LOVE the view from my bedroom window. It may not be quite as beautiful as Dylan Thomas's view from the boathouse. If I lived there I would spend most of my time at home enjoying the view! I do spend a lot of time at home. When I am not at work I am home? It's quieter now. There are not that many people coming in and out.
We had the pitter patter of little feet taking their first steps in this HOME. We have welcomed friends new and old, from near and far. We have giggled, cried, screamed and whispered. We have had lack and we have had plenty. In essence, we have memories. What is so strange about that? We build memories in all our homes. Why is this one so special? I can't answer that. All I can say is we have six months left on the lease and it makes me feel ill when I think we may have to moving. I know in my heart that in order to travel more it would make sense to downscale but I don't see that being a motivating factor. Is it just because I'm comfortable? Maybe the next six months will reveal all?
I did a HOME challenge some time ago and took loads of little details of HOME! I found myself going to the same things yesterday. I am only going to say that February revealed WHY I LOVE my dresser so much!
Firstly, I was telling someone -who? The story of when I found her all dusty and scruffy in the Red Cross furniture shop in Llantwit Major. I stood in front of her and knew that I could not leave without her. She filled my soul with LOVE. In actual fact - it's a known fact that the Welsh don't inherit property or fortunes they inherit furniture! Thank you Griff Rhys Jones - Your Adventure in a Wales series was such a pleasure to watch. The series on Welsh dressers tickled me pink. I now know why Sian and I have always had a passion for dressers! So now I have a dresser to pass down the generations! I have a dresser that most people admire - she is a little version of the big Welsh farm dressers so will fit into any home really but I know in this home were I would like her to be if it was my HOME! For now she is in my dining room. I find peace when I beeswax her every week or two. I love her textures and patterns and I love most of what she stores. Reducing your earthly possessions to move from one side of the world to the other means you change your value of possessions. You think before you keep or buy or collect. I know that the dresser will be with me until the day I am no longer here. No question.
Today is the 1st March. St David's day here in Wales. It's also the launch of all our marketing activity so for those in the UK you should see Visit Wales' TV ad. We also have a large amount of OOH and press so you'll see us somewhere. For the rest of you just check into the Wales page on Facebook and you can see it there too! It's SPRING! What better way to celebrate the longer and warmer (not feeling it today!) than with beautiful plants! LOOK at this pot plant - if I told you this grew in a week would you believe me? Can't wait to share it with you when it blossoms!
The promise of LIFE, seasons, ups and downs, lying dormant and transforming into LIFE! Mother Nature is so amazing . . .
My inspiration for this month - Alice Herz-Sommer -The Lady in Number Six - "Everything is beautiful! Everything."
YES - LIFE is beautiful, YOU are beautiful, I am Beautiful. Every minute of every day is a gift - it's BEAUTIFUL!
My BEAUTIFUL TUM partner is sharing these images for February - can't wait to catch up on her blog - lovely Mariette. I hope my images make sense now!
I am intrigued by gemstones -can't wait to read about these images!
Until next time - LOVE yourself, your body is your HOME, you enter it when you are born and you vacate it when you depart.
Me
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