Twice This Week

“Twice this week, I have watched an elderly individual, fade into the busy life in which we all live. One man just needed Panadol for his wife but the shop assistant simply said it’s in aisle ‘6’. But he struggled to navigate the supermarket and as I watched him go in the wrong direction, I left all my groceries and took him where he needed to go.”

“Today, I watched an elderly man struggle in the heat, who had obviously had a fall with a huge scrape and blood on his leg. He walked past people in the cafe, while he slowly made his way to his car. Not one person stopped. Or looked. Or acknowledged him. I took him to his car and checked he was ok. He told me he had a fall and wasn’t sure how the air con worked in his car so he just didn’t use it. I sat with him, until his air con kicked in and heard him talk about the old frail body that he is in, that fails him now, every single day.”

“When you see an elderly person walking down the street, searching in the supermarket or struggling to their car, take a minute out of your busy schedule and ask them if they need a hand. Think about your grandparents and your parents and how upset you would be if someone didn’t stop to help them. But more, think of them as you.”

“Once upon a time they were you. They were busy, they had work, they had children, and they were able. Today, they are just in an older body that is not going as fast as it used to and this busy life is confusing. They deserve our utmost respect and consideration. One day it will be you, it will be us. I wish more people cared more about them and acknowledged them for their admirable existence and jeez I hope someday, not that far away, someone does it for me.”

Thanks to the author, Adele Renee.

Be That Friend

Hi! So nice to see you again. It's been a while since we last spoke. How are you?

How often do we hear ourselves saying the same thing and then apologising for how busy we've been, but never completely following it up? We are all guilty in our hectic lives of putting things and sometimes people including family on a list of priorities.

Sometimes it's the things that aren't always said that speak the loudest. So when you get that feeling something or someone isn't quite themselves go see them. Text or phone them. Just to let them know that you are there and thinking about them. It could change their entire day completely. It could even save a life.

So even through the chaos and uncertainties that every day can bring, as well as finding time for yourself find a little time for others too. Everyone struggles with something and it's good to talk sometimes.

A few weeks ago I got stopped while shopping by an elderly gentleman who couldn't manage to get the razors off the display stand. They were securely fastened for safety reasons but were easily released with a little pressure. I managed to get the ones he wanted and he was very grateful. He then started to talk to me about his late wife and how much he missed her. He still liked to keep himself smart because she liked him well turned out and clean shaven.

We spoke for about fifteen minutes and then he thanked me for my time and for helping him. He wished me a happy and healthy life and after I'd said it was my pleasure we went our different ways.

How easy is it to look the other way sometimes and not catch someone's eye, hoping we won't get held up or hindered in our own daily routine. But really how hard is it to find time to be kind? To cheer someone up, to share a coffee, to reach out, to talk a little while to someone who has no one when they get in.

They were once young and active and had families too. One day that might be us. I hope someone might help me, my children or even some random person we might never see again in some little way everyday. Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for that one person. We all need each other. From the youngest to the eldest we can be there. Just by showing we care.

If only a smile!

Hold That Thought.

Did you know that a donkeys eyes are placed perfectly so it can see all four of its feet at the same time? Now that is reassuring for both the donkey and its rider. If he should carry a load it helps to align his steadiness and balance.

If you have ever read the children's book, 'The Wonky Donkey' you will have smiled and laughed your way through the description of this particular animal. He had only three legs so he was a little wonky. He had lost an eye so he looked like he was winky, he liked Country music so he was a honky donkey, he was thin and leggy so he was a lanky donkey , and somewhat stinky too! 

So the story unfolds and rhymes but by the end of it you find yourself loving this animal and feeling nothing but admiration. However it would seem his set backs do not affect him or his purpose. He carries on regardless!

This humble animal is often underrated and treated poorly yet it always serves. Is it any wonder that such an animal was chosen by our God to carry Mary and Our King!

He serves his purpose. He needs no position. He guards his cargo and delivers it safely. A lesson to be learnt here I think! He doesn't ask why things aren't working. He makes them work! Humble and happy to help!

Monday's....

Every day we wake up and take on new roles and responsibilities without even sometimes thinking too much about what they might be. But as we go through the motions and the minutes it's nice to know that you are loved and appreciated and that in some small way you are making a difference, if not only for others , you owe it to yourself too.

Whether in work at college or at home you matter and so whatever happens during the day when it closes you will be changed a little by it. Make it a good way!

When we were young we didn't know what being older would feel like. Yet when we are older we know exactly what those younger years felt like. Sometimes we wish we could go back or slow the years down but we are where we are because of them all. They all add up!

I think the key to being happy is accepting and appreciating the differences along the way. Not everyday is perfect and this life brings its problems for sure. Its not always easy to carry on regardless. But Sometimes we just have to! No choice but to grin and bare it. But you will surprise yourself how strong you can be.

I've learnt that asking questions is much more fun than getting answers. Be curious, share and tell. The answers will soon follow and fall into place too. Even if we don't fully understand or accept them. Wishing we knew then what we know now is kind of ironic but would it have changed anything anyway?

Happiness is after all an inside job! Remember a hug isn't refundable but it is returnable and one size fits all!

Be kind to yourself and those around you, the rest will keep!

What Matters

So, health, death and money matter! Faith and Family, the list grows. If you ask any one what matters most in their life they will usually say at least one of those mentioned above. They are, after all the main focus of everyone of us truth be known.

Health is so often taken for granted until we lose it. Losing someone is painful because it is inevitable as we age and sometimes seeing children die is unfathomable and our worst nightmare. Money is always stressful especially when it goes in the wrong direction.
Yes, all of them matter. They are what we need to survive and thrive.

So when faced with the little things remember what really matters. Not the bad hair day, the weather man being wrong, walking in dog poo, someone pushing in line, missing the bus, the cold callers, ringing the door bell when dinner is ready, the parking fine, the missing button on your favourite blouse, running out of tooth paste, pimples or wrinkles or whatever it may be, count your blessings. Remember some things we can control and some we can't.

When we look at what really matters we can narrow it down quite significantly. I have friends whose little girl is fighting cancer and only seven years old. That is not fair! Not fair at all! But they carry on and don't give in to the weights of the world because their priorities are so much more focused than the mundane that we all so often let consume us! They are the strongest most inspiring people and their little one is pure joy. They make me humble and stronger in my faith as I see them rise above trials time and time again.

Make everyday matter because it does, even the dull and boring days. Be there, don't worry about the makeup, no makeup, the fad diet, the celebrity gossip, the ideal Instagram or the bucket list!

Make moments matter, whatever they may be. Today I watched a child trying to catch dust in the air as the sun made it sparkle. It was pure magic and something so simple that brought so much laughter it was one of those moments that reminds us what really counts.

So long as we have each other we have everything we need...

Sticks and Stones

So, during the summer months we probably all have or will at sometime visit the beach. If we are lucky enough to live close by to the sea then it is probably something we often take for granted.

There is something about sitting on the beach looking at the horizon and hearing the waves that instills something of infinity into us all. It is refreshing and time has no real substance. It frees us from distraction somehow.

I love to gaze and wonder where all the pieces of driftwood have come from and how old the pebbles may be as they have made their journey to the shores.

In some places driftwood is a major nuisance. But it provides shelter and food for birds, fish and other sea life as it floats in the ocean. As it breaks down it turns into nutrients that get reintroduced into the food chain. Similarly we enjoy making ornaments and decorating our own homes with small pieces of it too. Its natural and raw beauty still has a vital part to play even now after it's life is done.

So walking along the pebbles to the soft sand it is sometimes forgotten that even they were once rocks. Although different in size their journey is at different stages. Again the pile of rocks to the grains of sand provide food and shelter to many of God's creatures.

So where am I going with this? I think sometimes we either don't think about or we over analyse what we have in our lives. We have been given an abundant life that we take for granted until life breaks us down and we realise how fragile it all is.

But nothing is for no reason. Whatever or wherever your journey takes you appreciate the big and the little things that make life so precious.

Often the most inspiring people have the seemingly most uninspiring lives to others. It is through the hardships, turmoils and wildest of weather's that beauty is made.

So it is in life. Whatever your calling whether you know it or not you may make differences you are not even aware of.

Sticks and stones may not be that inspiring. But maybe they are. Walls keep things out but boundaries allow the right things to filter through. That horizon for each of us is always in view.

Remember everyone is hoping for something. All it takes is a little faith and time....

Know Your Tribe

We are all seeking community, belonging, family or tribe. We are created to be and live together. Yet in today's society everyone is so busy or say they are, that very often we don't connect the way we should.

Social media is the new forum to get noticed! So much hype and effort is focused here that real life and real people get overlooked.

Now it's great to spread some kindness and positivity and promote good things. But there is a need to be involved, included and take part too.

There are ways to make life richer without 'likes' from random strangers. Welcome the visitors, the new girl, the not so cool dude, include people. Don't wrap yourself in social media, get to know and make new friends - family - face to face!

Being connected does not mean being disconnected from real life. Don't miss who and what is around you. If you add up all those hours scrolling think what you could have accomplished in the same time!

Obsession is not the same as dedication. You may enjoy what you do but is it narrowing your searches. You may be putting in the hours but are you missing the minutes that make them valuable.

As we approach the weekend try harder to reassure others that they matter. Invite, include and if need be interrupt your train of thought to be there for those who are real life stories and have something to share with you too...