Focus

Life has been quite unconventional of late. Resignations, saying goodbye, moving country, unemployment, adjusting to very different weather, meeting new people and settling in. A lot to take in and absorb - it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But in those heady moments, what always brings me focus and clarity is to see the amazing things around me. The burst of orange and flame red in the autumn trees. A stranger holding a door open for you. A puppy bouncing along, enjoying the best walk he's ever had. Freak hail storms. Big bold rainbows. These things are everywhere - to see and be uplifted by them is a choice.

I'm choosing to soak up the beautiful things, and in the meantime, trust that everything else will eventually fall into place.

Slow down

A life lesson that I have had to learn, re-learn and learn again. Slowing down is not part of my nature, it's a discipline I have had to develop. But when you do, amazing things happen. Being peaceful and calm allows you to soak up the things around you - the beauty in the everyday, a reciprocal smile from a stranger, the breeze in your hair, the sun on your skin. Breathing in the moment, in both senses, is a new-found habit which takes me to a good place. Happy. Grateful.

Because it's the little things that make each day count.


If you like this, you might like In Praise of Slow by Carl Honore

the big swim

 

Last Sunday it was very beautiful, warm, sunny, stunning blue sky. Now, I live in Australia, so this isn't all that rare, but as we're now into May and heading into winter, we're all appreciating the last of the warm days. Ok, hot. I am English, so in my book, anything over 25 degrees is hot.

Walking back from a lazy brunch in Manly, I watched truck-loads of surfers pile into the water. Feeling slightly guilty in my long sleeved layers, I promised myself that I would make the most of the ocean pool in Freshwater one last time this season. Striding down to the water in my swimmers and shorts (barefoot. because I live and the beach at that's still a novelty, even if I do get stones in my feet). I'll be honest, the previous summery confidence I felt wrapped in my warm sports lycra had now reduced, along with my body temperature.

But, deterred not, I was going to get in that pool.

I arrived, and of course, the usual scene presented itself before me. Accomplished ocean swimmers cut through the green water with grace in various strokes, but mostly front crawl. The kind where the swimmer keeps their face in the water for several breaths and then skilfully turns their head to take some air from under their armpit. Yep, the regular front crawl that normal people do. But for me, this is not so regular. I usually make an attempt, swallow a lungful of water and then make a scene, coughing and spluttering. Nice.

Despite feeling a wee bit intimidated, I plunged in, bracing the cold, feeling my body slowly going numb to that lovely tingly cold that begins to feel quite nice actually. Head held high (literally), I began to swim my usual granny breast stroke. The kind where I don't really get my hair wet. And yes, feeling slightly silly amongst my fellow swimmers, I swam a length. On my second lap, the wonderfulness began to sink in. The breeze on the water. The smell of the ocean. The salt on my lips. The laughter of kids playing. The sun in my eyes.

I was swimming like a novice. It was a bit chilly. I didn't care. I was frolicking in the salt water and loving every minute.

pen to paper

At a very significant point in my life, a postcard landed on my desk, as part of a 'retro' print DM campaign. I have no idea what turn of events caused this trio of postcards to arrive over a three day period, beginning on the very day my life changed massively, but they did and I still have them today.

The third - write your own manifesto - was the most thought provoking. As I slowly build this creative project, call it what you will, it really resonates with me. I have had the fortune to encounter so many people recently who are seeking out their project or already exploring what path it will take them on. All have a tangled, living breathing mass of ideas, creativity and vision inside. At this point, I am taking my own advice to them. Feel the fear. Do it anyway. Write your own manifesto.