What Can Be Done in a Day?

With me being booked off for a few days to recover from my smashing ordeal on Friday, I have spent the entire day doing absolutely nothing, apart from lying on my bed and cuddling with Lola.

It has actually really made me think of how much I usually get done in a day and as today draws to an end I realise how much I could have done today but didn’t. You would think that with the usual busy schedule that I have (who does not) I would be grateful for some time to rest and recuperate but strangely enough it has left me feeling wrecked with guilt.

I feel so bad that I did not work today.. I could have quite happily from my laptop in bed but I did not. I suppose the point is that I do need to rest and I can really feel my body telling me to but I am finding it extremely difficult to do so without remorse.

There are often not enough hours in the day to get things done, as we all know too well. Our lives are filled with chores, jobs, kids, errands and commitments that we often have to re-schedule for another day because so many of us take on more than we can manage.

When we get some “time off” you would think we would automatically take it as an opportunity to get things done, and catch up on all the outstanding things we still need to get too.

But, alas I have not. I have done absolutely nothing today.

In the second edition of the Flow Magazine International that I bought with my July 2013 copy of the Ideas Magazine there is an article titled “Life is About Finding the Balance”. I read through it briefly today and I knowing me I will read it again and mull over it for a bit. It truly is a great read, and quite fitting for me today, feeling the extremes of constantly doing too much and now doing too little.

One thing the article suggests is that we should all develop our own slogan for life, and I think this a fantastic idea. The article also says that if we live our lives with our values and morals in mind we can learn to live more mindfully.

It’s given me a lot to think about, and seeing as I have all this time to think I might just as well! You really, really need to get a copy of this magazine if you haven’t already!

What do YOU give yourself?

I was reading the article in the Flow Magazine today titled “What do you give yourself?” It is a powerful article to those who are listening.

Really, if you have not got a copy of this magazine.. get one TODAY!!

What an amazing article.. It’s about a book called “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying” written by an Australian Nurse, Bronnie Ware. I know this is an intensely “depressing” topic for a Friday, but heavens only knows how much I can relate to this amazing article!

It is basically is about is what is written in Ware’s book. The writing in the book has had such a profound effect on the writer of this article. She goes on to say how we need to fill voids in our lives, and how very often- this is done with the constant need to buy things..

You really need to read this article, because what the writer is telling us all is that we need to create or own happiness and not be consumed by empty voids which fulfil us, only for a few minutes.

I can totally relate to this.. The article suggests that one “day dreams” about things that we want in life and says this is healthy for us to release the constant “nags” of everyday and in so forces is to live the way we truly want to.

Honestly.. Who has time for that?We are often forced to live each day in the moment, forced to worry and to stress about things we have  no control over. I do wish that the happy daydreams I do have on occasion would come true.  But what if they don’t?

What if the daydreams are so unrealistic that what I think will make me happy actually does not? The author of the article relates this to shopping - Buying endless items that give one a “quick fix” yet leave us all so empty a few days later.

I have no idea what I choose to give myself. I just choose not to want to feel so hyper stressed and to not become the person my situations are making me become. I DO want to be happy, I DO want to have fun memories that I can cherish on my deathbed. I DO NOT want to have regrets.

I need to decide. And maybe so do you?

What “simple pleasures” will you grant yourself? (What are actually yours already and you have full entitlement on)

Well.. For me.. I choose to “allow myself to be happy” as the article suggests, and to allow myself to “let go” – of all the frustrations that are out of my control..

And lastly.. To realise that I am in control of my own destiny, and I will not allow daily events to dictate my emotions. I will let go. I have to. Even if it is only for my own sanity!!

I totally stole this from the Flow Magazines Facebook page.. Please visit it ! The caption they posted with the image reads: "If money isn't making you happy, what about time? We ask you to consider: what do you give yourself? Image by Laura Ruth."

Praise to the Humble Pencil

This months Flow Magazine (ISSUE 2) has such an interesting article about the humble pencil in it.

Gosh when last did you actually think about this amazing tool and how much it is still used today?

As the article suggests, and I totally agree:

“With a pencil you say, ‘I dare to make mistakes,

I dare to doubt, I dare to show it is not yet certain’”

- BART MOEYAERT

Moeyaert says that people may doubt you when you use a pencil, but sees it as a tool of the daredevil and not of the coward. He has written about his love of pencils in a book called 56 Kilometres, as a pencil can be used to draw a line 56 kilometres long!

Pencils are great if you think about it.. You can choose if you want to erase what you have written.. you can decide if you want to write softly or HARDER. 

You are in control. I like that! You can draw, you can write and you can colour..

I suddenly miss my days at art school.. enjoying life drawing lessons with my ever so loved 2B pencil..

Enjoy the Moment.. #thatisall

Today I read an article in the Flow Magazine - the one that came with this months (July 2013) Ideas Magazine. The article is titled Super Pretty #fluffyclouds and it is about how we are all consumed with sharing and saving important, happy moments of things we see. We then immediately feel the need to share them on the internet through twitter, facebook and yes.. blogging..

The article goes on to say that we should  “.. enjoy the moment for itself, then let it go” Here they refer to looking at clouds.. and what they mean is that we should simply enjoy precious moments in life and not feel the constant need to archive it for later or share it with everyone.


This really happened to me today, and I find it quite ironic that I read this article today too. I came back from work and my son and his best friend were each snuggled in a blanket on opposite sides of the couch. When I saw this, it immediately made me smile, and my first instinct was… yes.. I have to take a photo!!


The article also mentions that of course it is OK to document things, but not to let these moments in life control us in such a manner that leads us to be obsessed with showing the world how happy / successful / lucky / awesome we are.


There are naturally numerous movements worldwide that encourage this concept. An NPO in the USA called Reboot started a “The National Day of Unplugging” which forms part of The Sabbath Manafesto which encourages people to turn off all technology and to

"Avoid Technology; Connect with Loved Ones; Nurture Your Health; Get Outside; Avoid Commerce; Light Candles; Drink Wine; Eat Bread; Find Silence; Give Back"

The next scheduled this global movement will be on the 7th - 8th March 2014.

Don’t feel sad because you missed it this year, and there is absolutely nothing stopping you from enjoying a tech free day any time before then.

So, no photo today.. I will just remember the happy moment when I came home today after another gruelling day at the office..

Oh hello!

Today I have updated the “About this Blog Page” – surely that counts as a daily post too! Go on and have a read..

I have also included this lovely photo that literally took me 3 minutes to take with my phone and dazzle up for you today, Yip! (I know it shows OK)

Source (kind of)

The image is from a page in the lovely Flow Magazine.. and if you don’t have yours yet.. You’d better get one.

What's Between your Covers?

This month’s issue of the Ideas Magazine had a special offer which included a copy of the amazing Flow Magazine, a popular Dutch magazine that is simply packed with inspiration, interesting articles, and even beautiful window art pieces and MORE!

The amazing Flow Magazine

 

Seriously, if you have not bought it yet.. you simply have to! I went to three stores before I found the offer, but let me tell you it is WELL worth the money and effort. The magazine screams “read me!!” and has the most beautiful inspirational quotes and illustrations.

Let me tell you.. here in South Africa all our magazines are rife with adverts for laundry powder, baby nappies and even hardware products.. yes.. all in one magazine!? Can you make a connection between these random items!? Because I don’t think I can!!

Anywho.. the Flow Magazine is nothing like what we have here in South Africa.. it is filled, I tell you FILLED with information and articles you actually want to read! I’m seriously considering subscribing to this magazine, I just hope they post to RSA, because I couldn’t find any areas in the country which stock the magazine!

Which brings me to my second point.. This month (July 2013) if the Ideas Magazine they announced a HUGE price increase which they justified by saying that they do not want to have to fill the pages of the magazine with numerous adverts. They go on by saying that they may have been forced to close the magazine if they did not increase the price. (I would die if they did!!)

Now, I totally so understand this, however how can it be possible that a magazine (such as Flow) is able to provide such quality without a single advert in the entire issue?

Well one thing is for sure.. I will be keeping my eye on the content if the Ideas Magazine and it better be bursting with really informative information. Now that I have seen what other magazines in the world can create, only time will tell if it will deliver.

I am not sure how often the Flow Magazine is published. But perhaps the great folk at Ideas should consider having a bi-monthly magazine? That may be an option? But let me tell you I would not mind paying over R100 per month for a magazine such as Flow. It is truly a keeper and I know I would refer to it again and again!