It's the simple things

“Look deep into nature then you will understand everything better”. Albert Einstein

It was my birthday a couple of weeks ago. 

I explained to my family and friends beforehand that although I was grateful for the thoughtfulness of gifts I really didn’t feel I needed any more ‘stuff’. I am completely content with my life and I thought nothing I received materially could enhance the day-to-day happiness I feel.

Ummm it turns out I was wrong.

My children bought me a bird feeder for the garden as my old bird table was too rotten to move when we relocated last year. It has a steady stream of winged visitors and has had the whole family completely captivated.

I have passed many an hour (hence the lack of blogging lately) sitting peacefully in a chair observing the habits of our feathered friends.

There is the huge pigeon who regularly lands with such a thud in the water bowl he capsizes the whole feeder (inspiring my son to draw a no pigeons allowed sign now stuck in the window); to the sparrows who drop seeds to our eagerly awaiting spaniel.

We are now making our own fatballs (boy can those birds eat) and this simple gift has bought me more joy than any designer handbag or diamond jewelry could do.

The best things in life really are (virtually) free.

People are inherently good

"We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibres connect us with our fellow men".  

Herman Melville.

I recently moved from a small friendly village to a big, impersonal town. I have to be honest, it was a big upheaval.

Relocating from somewhere with such a strong sense of community to a place where people drive everywhere and appear to not know their neighbours was slightly disheartening. 

Last week I stopped at the shops at the end of my road to buy a loaf of bread. Usually I go to the nearest supermarket but on this occasion I was really pushed for time and thought this would be the quickest option.

I had, luckily, got out of my car when a speeding car came past smashing into the car next to me and then crashing into mine. The young, inexperienced driver drove off straight away leaving me shocked and a bit bewildered as to what to do next.

Within minutes I was surrounded by people from both the shops and the flats above them. Numerous people had written down the numberplate for me, one called the police, another went to check if the CCTV camera had recorded it and one kind lady said I could wait in her flat and offered to make me tea.

I was literally overwhelmed by kindness and hang on steadfastly to my belief that people are inherently good. A fact it is so easy to lose sight of with the hundreds of media reports each week implying otherwise.

Initially I was sad there was nothing beautiful about where I am now living but I was wrong. The people are. 

Spreading joy to the world

“Peace begins with a smile.”   Mother Teresa

This 54ft rubber duck, designed by Dutch artist Florentijn Hoffman has been titled 'Spreading joy around the world'.

Florentijn created this giant inflatable as he wants to help people reconnect with their childhood and make them smile. He explains "My sculptures give people a break from their daily routines. Passers-by stop in front of them and enter into conversation with other spectators. People are making contact with each other again".

I love this simple yet effective way to brighten someones day. I believe most people would find such a sight uplifting. It's great that it's made from recycled material too.

As Florentijn explains on his website "The rubber duck knows no frontiers, it doesn't discriminate against people and doesn't have a political connotation".

The duck has so far stopped at Sydney, Hong Kong, Osaka and Auckland and is rumoured to be heading the US next (it is deflated for transportation).

Joy is lovely to feel and even better to share. Thank you Florentijn.

What's your greatest wealth?

"Even the rich are hungry for love, for being cared for, for being wanted, for having someone to call their own".

Mother Teresa 

I saw this photo quote this morning on somebody's facebook wall with their comment "health is the most important thing".

"Yes" I thought. Being disabled and in chronic pain everyday I could totally relate, but then I had a thought about my thought. "Is that really how I feel?" I questioned.

After pondering for a moment I decided that health isn't the most important thing to me. An admission that surprised myself. I realised that if I had a choice between being perfectly healthy, mobile and pain free or loving freely and being loved unconditionally as I am I would pick love any day.

I get so excited when I have a lightbulb moment that changes the way I think. From this simple photo I now know that I won't pay half as much attention to my body and pain levels as I currently do.

It can be really liberating to realise what you want more than anything else in the world, especially when it turns out to be something different than what you thought you desired most of all.

Give yourself some thinking time to acknowledge what your heart's greatest desire is. I would love it if you would share either here or via our facebook page

Today I have received liberation through love and it's a beautiful feeling.

Treasure your friends

“A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same”. Elbert Hubbard

I recently started playing an online game with an old friend from my teenage years. Although we have always intermittently been in touch, as the years have passed contact has been sketchy.

We were talking how enjoyable it was to catch up. It can be comfortable to fall back into an old friendship with someone who has known you for so long where you have complete confidence to be yourself, secure that you won't be judged.   

When I expressed this they agreed. "Good people in your life are always the good people no matter how long it's been" they said, "true friends are islands in the sea of life".  

This statement really struck a chord with me. I believe people come into our lives for many reasons. It's only natural that as we progress and develop there are those we grow apart from and new friendships are formed which suit our mutual needs.

But there are however, those precious friends, those ‘can call with a crisis at 3am’ friends, who are unwavering in their love and support whether it’s been six hours or six years since you last  spoke to them. As Oprah famously said “there are plenty of people who want to ride in the Limo with you but what you really need is someone who will ride the bus with you when the limo breaks down”.

If you have someone like this in your life and it has been a while why not give them a call? It really can make someones day to know they have been thought of.

Share this with your friends.

Schoolboy leads with kindness

“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness”.  William Arthur Ward

Josh Yandt and his family were relieved to move to Ontario to escape the relentless bullying Josh endured at school owing to his lisp. Making a conscious decision not be remain invisible during his fresh start Josh started holding the door open and greeting his schoolmates. Initially shocked it wasn’t long before the teenagers started greeting him back and appreciating the gesture each day. 

Josh’s Mum reports that whereas Josh was always very withdrawn at home and never wanted to go to school, he has had a complete turnaround and is eager to attend each morning.

There have been various responses to this story online with a minority expressing a concern that Josh may feel this is all he is good for after being bullied. 

Josh himself has stated that he is happy and has not been bullied at his new school. He said that he wants to make a difference and it is clear he has achieved this. 

Other students have been filmed saying since Josh joined and started holding doors open and acknowledging them they are far more willing to approach people they don’t know and the whole school is a much happier, more sociable environment. When a student recently dropped all his files in the hall rather than walking over or around the papers a flurry of kids all helped to pick them up.

Josh has now been voted student with the best personality and Prom King. 

Kindness breeds kindness. Be kind. Always.

Dog loves dog

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.”  

Milan Kundera 

Some of my happiest times were spent with my dog; loving, loyal and such fantastic company. I don't believe there is such a thing as a 'dumb' animal and I am a sucker for a happy canine tale.

Ben, the mixed german shepherd picture above was adopted from an animal shelter and although taken home with a loving family Ben pined for Jade another German Shepherd cross he had formed a strong bond with.

Attempting to run away twice, he succeeded the third time in making the 10 mile trek, mid-winter to find his friend.

Realising how strong the bond was Ben's new owners decided to also adopt Jade and they now all live happily together. 

Love is always the answer.