Who needs a soothing, soft walled pink room?

Normal transmission has resumed here with a cold southerly wind blowing rain across in drizzling drifts.

Jazz, our cat loves to keep warm and snug. He has always enjoyed climbing into a fitted sheet that has been draped over the clothes airer.

Once or twice he has misjudged his weight and angles and lines and the clothes airer has either fallen over or someone has grabbed it as it toppled.

Today however he arranged himself comfortably without mishap and while he looks a little worried in the first photo, the soothing pink and soft walls of his hide out were ultimately comforting and relaxing….

Cats remind us of simple messages – seek out a sanctuary in which to rest, seek comfort and relax……

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Saturday Tip: Stress Management

“Thou shalt not try to be all things to all people.”

“Thou shalt schedule time for thyself and thy supportive network.”

From: The 10 Commandments for reducing stress.

Saturday tip: Apollo 11

What percentage of time do you think the Apollo 11 spaceship was directly on track to reach the moon?

The answer is 3 % of the time. The rest of the time was spent correcting to get back on track.

So if the earth is you and your goal is the moon, when you find yourself going off track don’t beat yourself up, just correct and put yourself back on track.

Friday wrap-up, a day late

Saturday 2nd July: Friday wrap-up, a day late.

So here are a few things that have happened today. It has been a good one.

 I realized that the very cold weather we have had this week is just the thing to stimulate my newly planted garlic bulbs.

 The coffee was good and hot at the café this morning

 A friend and I had a discussion about resilience which is a topic we are both interested in

 I walked around the lake near our shopping centre and enjoyed the winter light, the water, the birds and some stunning colours that surprised me in the depths of a steely, raw winter’s day

 Hot soup was just the right food for lunch

 I took some interesting photos on a walk near my home. I’ve included these two of a Melia tree near our local dairy. It looks so vastly different to the one in my garden.

 I completed my Garden Bird survey and was delighted by the number of chaffinchs in the count this year

 I did a guided meditation as the light of the day faded

 Everyone enjoyed their hot roast dinner

 There was some humorous television to watch in the evening.

And I found a new blog which I will be following closely with great interest. I’d encourage you to have a look:-)

Sunday quote

“Life always gets better when you treat yourself better.” Robert Holden, “Shift Happens! Powerful Ways to Transform your life.”

Step by step

I found myself feeling hurried this morning with three or more pressing tasks to complete.   My brain was feeling hurried and scattered.  Good awareness on my part I thought.  A hurried brain and body can lead to accidents and feelings of stress……so what to do?   Firstly some big deep breaths.   Then a firm message to my brain that hurry was not needed and that one of the tasks could wait until later, or until another time.  A pause to feel my feet standing squarely on the floor and the strength of my legs holding me up, balanced and firm.

A bit of time management thinking around what is the priority here and that was to finish getting the meal into the slow cooker.

That done I could peg the washing out on the line and enjoy the warm sunshine, the amazingly calm atmosphere and the singing of a Tui.  Nice…..

Next came some self care as I sat down to enjoy a hot cup of coffee and a read of my emails…….brain and body going along at a much slower pace again.  It pays for me to take things step by step using awareness and attention to regain my equilibrium and an improved feeling of well being.

What steps do you take to achieve a more balanced and pleasant path through the many tasks of your day?

12 daily messages

Over the past few years I have been reflecting on some messages that have helped me in times of stress and uncertainty and which help keep me more balanced in my life no matter what is happening around me.

I’ve listed them in no particular order: 

Be Gentle with yourself and others

Just do today

Let go and let God

This too shall pass

Step by step

I can do all things through God who strengthens me

Laugh a lot, enjoy nonsense and silliness

Breathe….Practice self care

Act with loving kindness

Remember everyone is burdened with something

Ask for help

I am interested in daily messages that help you with your life:-)