Month: November 2014

Circle of Life

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If your life were a movie, what would its soundtrack be like? What songs, instrumental pieces, and other sound effects would be featured on the official soundtrack album?

I love Disney. I find their songs very empowering. Circle of Life from the Lion King reminds me that life is a journey that never ends—there is always something else to be done.  Everyone and everything on the planet plays a part—no one is an island.

“From the day we arrive on the planet

And blinking, step into the sun

There’s more to see than can ever be seen

More to do than can ever be done

There’s far too much to take in here

More to find than can ever be found

But the sun rolling high

Through the sapphire sky

Keeps great and small on the endless round

It’s the Circle of Life

And it moves us all

Through despair and hope

Through faith and love

Till we find our place

On the path unwinding

In the Circle

The Circle of Life”

The circle of my life has been an interesting one. It has taught me many things. The older I get, the more I realise the rewards I received from the various difficult mazes I have been through.

I have had the oppurtunity to see most official versions of The Lion King— animated, stage show as well as the Disney Theme park version. I enjoyed them all and they left me warm on the inside, reminding me of the importance of family.

Like in The Lion King, everyone has a support team surrounding them to help in times of need. Thanks to everyone who has been on my support team over the years and helped make my life what it is today.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/cue-the-violins/

Dr Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum

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It’s a swarm! Show us something that overruns your scene, but observe and compose carefully before you click the shutter.

In 2102, we visited Dr Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, Purple Mountain, Nanjing, China. It was an amazing experience. Swarms of people paying their respects to the father of modern China. I had never seen so many people. As I learnt more about this man and early China—I understood why they came. He changed their lives forever.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_assignment/photography-101-swarm/

Perfect Day

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What’s your idea of a perfect day off: one during which you can quietly relax, doing nothing, or one with one fun activity lined up after the other? Tell us how you’d spend your time.

Today is the first day of my 7 week holiday. I am excited. Next week I will be traveling to Canada with my husband for our first white Christmas. I am looking forward to exploring new areas, cultures and ways of life.

However, today I plan on enjoying the peace and quiet of my home while nobody else is here. This is my idea of spending a perfect day off. I work full- time with people, so on my day off, I like to recharge under my own rules. Mostly this involves sitting at my computer—oblivious to the rest of the world. I do really know what is going on around me—through years of training in observation, but I don’t get involved unless I need to.

Since I recommenced blogging in late August—I start every day on my blog. Excited about who has visited, any comments made and also what others have written on their blogs. I spend as much time visiting as I do on my blog. I love the interaction and inspiration. Blogging allows me to interact with others according to my time schedule, not somebody else’s and this I find relaxing.

The other way I enjoy my day off is working on my book. Having a large chunk of uninterrupted time to work on it helps me see my progress. At present I am on the last stages of editing, which is nowhere near the fun of writing it. I find it tedious and boring. But when it all comes together, editing is like learning to drive—a necessary evil that requires a lot of concentration—with a great reward at the end.

Thanks for calling in and visiting. You help to make my day off perfect. All I need now is some sparkling wine—just to top it off.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/still-or-sparkling/

Wonderfully Weird

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We all have that one eccentric relative who always says and does the strangest things. In your family, who’s that person, and what is it that earned him/her that reputation?

In my family, over the years every member would have taken the strange crown at various times, myself included—but no one holds it alone or regularly. We are all individuals and allow each other to be themselves.

Often described by the younger generation as a weird family compared to their friends, we try to hold family functions 3-4 times a year. These times allow us to keep up with each others busy lives, relax and plans for the future. Sometimes, it is fun to relive memories and help put together the details of the past forgotten by some.

Our family is large so inviting the relatives makes an instant party. Always keen for a party, we guarantee success—fancy dress included if requested or sometimes just because we felt like it.  You can also rely on some high jinx to pop up. During my 40th birthday party our concrete aboriginal ornament was removed our house—later found in another family members bed. This began a journey of about 12 months of him traveling around various family members homes—creating fun stories to tell about how or why he was there until he finally returned home to us.

Having fun and being yourself is important in family. It’s the strange and weird moments that I remember with fondness. I am personally pleased that in our family the weirdness or strangeness belongs to all of us—not just one person.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/cousin-it/

Movement

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Capture a fleeting moment and experiment with blur and movement.

My daughters diving show in one of China’s theme parks. It was a fun interactive display loved by the audience that gave us plenty of opportunities to practice our action shots.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_assignment/photography-101-moment/ ‎

Now Not Then

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Is there a period in your own personal life that you think of as the good old days? Tell us a story about those innocent and/or exciting times (or lack thereof).

Now are the exciting times of my life. While I remember some fun things I did, they were usually surrounding by many other things I don’t wish to remember. My other problem was I  couldn’t afford to do things my friends were doing such as traveling—the down side of buying a house when I was young.

During my younger years, I learnt many things from my mistakes as well as those of others. My life was full of difficult times, but I have always developed through them and they have made me the positive person I am today. I use these experiences in both my personal and professional life and they form the basis of my life’s patchwork quilt.

You cannot change what has happened in your life. You can however, change its impact on your future.

The next 6 months are going to be exciting. Next week we are going to Canada for a 6 week holiday—my first since I was 16. Then, on my return I will begin the journey of self-publishing my book—Inspiring Hope.

I am happy my current days are the preferred days of my life. Afterall, they are the ones I can control. Focusing on the past keeps you looking back—not moving forward which is the way I choose to go.

Dream, believe, achieve—this phase is paying dividends in my life and I plan to keep these exciting times gathering momentum daily.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/salad-days/

Canton Tower

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Built for the Asian Games in 2010 Canton Tower, Guangzhou is one of the world’s tallest building—4th in 2013 although the order changes quickly. Situated on the banks of the Pearl River—Canton Tower is home to the world’s highest horizontal ferris wheel and is the world’s tallest TV tower. It was spectacular to see from the ground. Unfortunately, due to the heat and time constraints, we were unable to go to the top. We will plan our visit better next time.

I See Red

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Colors can stir emotions within us, tell stories, and transform our images. Today, use one color to add life or drama to your shot.

Christmas every year in our family is colour-themed. It is a very democratic process—all family members vote, from the youngest to the oldest. My sister who organises and holds Christmas every does an amazing job.  Her decorations and year-long planning—set the scene for the celebration. It is amazing how dramatic one colour can be when up to thirty people in the room are wearing it and it is reflected everywhere—from the decorations, to the food, table presents and the gift wrap.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_assignment/photography-101-pop-of-color/

Tongaririo River

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Capture a moment, big or small, and pay attention to the lines and curves produced by nature.

Walking beside the mighty Tongariro River, Turangi, New Zealand. It was my first true connection with New Zealand and I fell in love instantly. The caolours and fly fisherman were like pictures from a travel journal—albeit I may not have done them justice.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_assignment/photography-101-natural-world/

Life With Purpose

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Present-day you meets 10-years-ago you for coffee. Share with your younger self the most challenging thing, the most rewarding thing, and the most fun thing they have to look forward to.

“Well hello,” I said to my younger self. Thanks for taking the time to meet me. You think you are busy now. When you move to Sydney next year, your life is going a lot busier—with purpose. As a mother, your time will rarely be your own, as the kids sport goes to the next level. It is fun and makes you proud—but it controls your life.

The next 10 years are both difficult and rewarding. The difficulties are both personal and professional and are not things you have any choice about. Your role of getting yourself and others through these times, makes you a stronger, more confident person. It also makes you a better teacher and mentor than you ever thought possible.

When things get tough, remember the tough get going. Stop and think about the goal to the challenge you are currently facing. Break it down into simple steps and follow the advice in this quote. It is powerful.

St Francis of Assisi quote

You join Toastmasters for your own personal growth. Initially, although you can speak in public you waffle on, which minimises the impact of your message. Learning to hone your skills improves your life in many ways. There will be times when you consider giving up, as you are too busy—don’t. Remember to make time for things that develop your confidence. As the difficult stage of your life comes to an end, you will suddenly notice how easier things are for you as your confidence shows.

Somewhere in the next 10 years you decide to write a book based on your knowledge of what, why and how eating disorder recovery is possible. Written for those living with the disorder, their family and friends as well as professionals. You start this journey in 2009 and plan to publish it next year. Feedback to your original daft is that it is a thorough book and what the market place needs. Writing has turned into a love as you discover your voice that others can connect with—on this blog and through the pages of your book.

After you turn 50 and the children have become happy, healthy and independent—you begin to travel as a couple. Your holidays both at home and internationally are no longer be dictated by sporting commitments. This is a great experience and adds to the patchwork quilt of your life. Believe in yourself and enjoy your journey.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/good-tidings/