June 2014 - Page 2 of 2 - INSPIRING MAX

It’s over!

June 7, 2014September 21, 2014 inspiringmax

I can still remember the day it happened. It was the end of an era that lasted three years. Never again would you find them in our home—cloth nappies and nappy buckets.

Yes, before disposable nappies, nappies were 40cm squares of terri-toweling. Depending on the age and size of your baby, nappies were folded into various shapes to fit your baby’s bottom and secured with one or two nappy pins. Today, the loss I am celebrating is the loss of cloth nappies, the nappy bucket and our nappy washing routine.

What is a nappy bucket you ask? It is a large plastic bucket complete with a secure lockable lid. This kept the smell of the dirty nappies inside and the baby outside to prevent a tragedy. All ‘sweet smelling baby waste’ was removed, before placing the dirty nappy into the bucket for storage. The nappy bucket was filled with water and Napi-san, a bleaching solution and kept in our bathroom beside the toilet. Nappies were added until we had enough for a washing machine load, usually 4-5 days.

When we were ready to wash our nappies, the approximately 10 kilo bucket was carried down the twenty stairs to the laundry under the house, where they were emptied into the washing machine. At times, there was a competition between our friends to see who had the whitest nappies. Ours often won, which we put down to the love that went into cleaning them.

Despite all the fun that cloth nappies and nappy buckets created—especially with two children under two—it was champagne all around when they were no longer required. Our loss was someone else’s gain. It was a great era. One that we didn’t realise how time consuming it was until our nappy washing ritual had left the building. Never to return. But the question remains what will be our next adventure?

Day 4 Writing 101

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_assignment/writing-101-day-four/

The Music of My Life

June 6, 2014September 18, 2014 inspiringmax

Songs have always been a major part of my life. They have inspired me to achieve the challenges I set myself, and comforted me during my difficult times. Songs have the power to change your mood and can be used to insight all types of emotions.

My most influential songs have been part of my life for many, many years. I love that they always create a positive emotion in me and unless it is inappropriate to do so, I always begin singing when I hear them. My top three are:

1. I AM WOMAN – Helen Reddy (1972). I was 10 when this song became a hit and it’s words empowered me to believe that I could deal with everything life throws at me. “If I had to I could face anything, I am strong, I am invincible. I am woman.” This song was also the first Australian penned song to win a Grammy Award and in 1975 was chosen by the United Nations to be the theme song for “International Woman’s Year.” It was also my ringtone for several years which I enjoyed.

http://youtu.be/MUBnxqEVKlk

2. I WILL SURVIVE – Gloria Gaynor (1978) This disco anthem reminds me to believe in myself and not let others get to me. It is the story of personal growth through a relationship breakup and developing personal confidence. Thirty plus years later, every time I hear this song I am still compelled to do the actions and sing/yell “I will survive” at the top of my voice. It never fails to bring out the best in me.

3. I AM AUSTRALIAN – Bruce Woodley (1987) performed by the Seekers. This song signifies our history and shows the diversity of the changing face of Australia. I love chorus, ‘We are one, but we are many and from all the lands on earth we come. We share a dream and sing with one voice: I am , you are, we are Australian.

I am proud to be a surviving Australian woman and I am looking forward to the sharing more of my life with you on this writing journey.

Day 3- Writing 101

A Room With Two Views

June 4, 2014September 20, 2014 inspiringmax

In my perfect world, I would have a room with two views. Then, I could mange any of my moods and more importantly, keep my favourite activities are close at hand. The view from my front room would be of my private, deserted beach. My back view is of snow-capped mountains.

My beach or private cove is approximately 1 kilometre in length with high cliffs on one side with a grassy bank and a fresh water stream running through it on the other side. The stream would start in the mountains and contain thousands of wild salmon that swim up stream, jumping between the pebbles. Owing to the amount of water in the area from the melting snow, the grass is emerald green and soft under my bare feet.

Grass tobogganing is my favourite activity during the summer, with the steep land between the beach and the mountains is perfect for this. I have even had a T-bar installed to make getting to the top easier.

The beach itself, is protected and while you can surf on the far corner, the main area has only small crashing waves. These make wind surfing, kayaking and well as snorkeling safe activities.

My back view is of mountains overlooks a private ski field in winter with enough people to make it fun, but not overcrowded. In summer, hiking is a great way to keep fit and there are several huts scattered on the mountain to provide overnight accommodation if hikers stay out late. As the mountain is relatively small, it is perfect for cross country skiing and snow shoeing. The water from the stream is pure and drinkable, with a naturally occurring spring half way down.

Each day, in my perfect world, I feel my life is complete. I enjoy my natural surrounding and de-stress with my vivid images—if only a place like this exists in my real world.

Day 2 Writing 101

Glimmer of hope

June 3, 2014 inspiringmax

Frustrations, frustrations, frustrations! Travelling to work on the train is usually a simple task for me but not today. Firstly, my train was delayed by over 10 minutes, then it took 35 minutes to complete the first half of the journey which regularly takes 20 minutes, only to be told that due to mechanical failure the train would be terminating at Central. Sound familiar?

Well the way I see it I have two options; I can continue to focus on ‘poor me’ or decide that my rail journey is not going to dictate my day and focus on the positive.Today I am going with the second option and focus on the fact that my transfer to the next train was quick. I believe that due to my positivity and despite the fact that people were cramming into the train like a can of sardines, by the next station I had found a seat and was able to commence writing.

Being mindful of how you look at situations can change your outcomes. The more you focus on the positive or when this is difficult at least be grateful for some part of the situation, the quicker you can change it.

On days when everything is going wrong, I do a big stretch, circling my arms back down to my side and just decide that I’m not going to focus on the difficulties anymore. It is what it is! This is a favourite saying of mine that allows me to remember that somethings can’t be changed and fighting them doesn’t help you to move forward.

Fifteen minutes into my train trip later, I am back on track for a successful day. I am smiling, having completed my writing assignment and ready for the day ahead albeit a little later than planned.

Next time you find yourself dealing with the daily frustrations of life, take a look at your self talk. Step outside your comfort zone if necessary and look for that glimmer of hope.

Thrill A Minute

June 2, 2014March 26, 2015 inspiringmax

Have you ever been white water rafting? My husband and I went on the Tongariro River, New Zealand, to celebrate my 50th birthday. It was amazing. We were feeling brave, so we tackled the No.3 rapids—higher up the river.

I loved:

The exhilaration
Unpredictability
The rivers natural beauty
Silence—except our screams of course
Unknown challenge—would we fall out as we rode the waves
The twists and turns

Our guide told us the river is different everyday. He can never take the rapids for granted. They change constantly and if he isn’t focusing on the rapids, everyone’s life could be in danger—heads and rocks don’t mix well.

The mighty Tongariro River

All eight passengers on our boat were from different countries, so during our quiet times on the river, we were able to learn more about the world.

If ever you get the chance to go white water rafting—take the risk. It will change how you think about life. You have absolutely no control over what happens and it is the best. Handing over trust to the boat’s guide allows you to enjoy the ride and take notice of your surroundings.

Lower Tongariro River

Thanks for the experience!

Calm Action

June 1, 2014June 1, 2014 inspiringmax

It had been weeks in the planning, my trip to Toowoon Bay. I had dreamt about feeling the fresh sea air, the sand under my feet and hearing the crashing waves. Imagine my disappointment, when, as I arrived it began to rain. It became heavier as I pondered my situation. “Do I ignore the rain, take my umbrella and go walking on the beach anyway?” or “do I stay inside and keep warm and dry?” Forever the optimist, I choose option one and was greatly rewarded.

Waves crashing Toowoon Bay

As I reached the top end of the beach, the rain stopped and the skies cleared. It was a beautiful autumn afternoon and I was the only person on the beach, which I shared with two seagulls.

Ony two Seagulls

I was complete as the sounds of the waves crashing and the smell of the salt air was taking all my stress away. Off came my sandals and my feet hit the wet sand, probably for the first time in a decade. My dream was coming true and it was so peaceful.

Toowoon Bay is on the Central Coast, 90 kilometres south of Sydney. It is a small protected family beach approximately 1 kilometre in length in a horse-shoe shape.

Toowoon Bay

Walking on the beach just after it has rained is an amazing feeling. The wet sand felt different as it was course (from an abundance of crushed shells) and solid. As I walked my foot broke through the sand like a crust, I felt the warm, dry sand underneath, leaving my toes with a very different feel.

Selection of shells found on Toowoon Bay beach

The further I walked down the beach the more surprises this beach had in store for me. All my childhood memories of going to the beach were coming flooding back. The naturally occurring types of seaweed and whole shells on Toowoon Bay were amazing.

Seaweed sample on the beach

I even came across a large area of pumice stones hidden among ground cover. I had not found natural pumice stones for years, so this discovery energised me.

Pumice Garden

A few hundred metres down the beach, I came upon a natural spring of fresh water flowing from the cliff top. It was like a little waterfall and the water was icy cold.

Natural Spring

Surrounded by this natural beauty and enjoying paddling in the foam, I began thinking about my life – past, present and future. It was at this point that I decided the time was right to begin this blog. I had little knowledge of how to do this technically but believed it would work itself out, which two weeks later it has and Inspiring Max is born.