Relaxation Archives - INSPIRING MAX

Conversations

January 11, 2016 inspiringmax

If one of your late ancestors were to come back from the dead and join you for dinner, what things about your family would this person find the most shocking?

Back in the day, there was a saying that children should be seen and not heard. In our family all members are heard particularly around the dinner table. Our guests, particularly our children’s friends, frequently state that they can’t wait to see where the conversation at dinner goes to this time. There are many things that surprise them:

That we eat together regularly
The topics of our conversations—anything is possible
How animated our conversations get and that everyone joins in
The laughter created is very welcoming

Once they go over the shock of not having a nice quiet meal with the family, I think my ancestors would get involved with some horror stories form their own time to add to the eclectic mix of conversions on the day. It is common for us to continue our crazy conversations all night by staying around the table chatting or while we play cards together to finish the evening. The following acrostic poem describes our conversations well.

Connecting

Original

Non-conforming

Vocal

Entertaining

Real

Spontaneous

Acceptancing

Trusting

Interesting

Open

Natural

Stimulating

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/modern-families/

Weekly Photo Challenge: Transition

November 28, 2015 inspiringmax

For this week’s challenge, share an image that depicts transition. Let life itself be your muse.

When he designed the Sydney Opera House I am sure that JØRN UTZON could not have envisaged the amazing displays this centerpiece of VIVID SYDNEY creates each year. I spend hours fascinated by the transitions that unfortunately because of their speed are difficult to photograph. The following photos are from 2014 and I loved the bright colours. If you are in Sydney during late May or early June it is well worth the visit.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/transition/

Things I’ve Learnt

September 8, 2015 inspiringmax

Have you ever considered what you have learnt? The following list reflects my first thoughts after pondering this topic.

I can do anything I want by breaking my goal down into small practical steps
Adequate sleep is essential for my mental health
Connecting with people brings me joy–in person and in the blogging community
Acknowledging my feelings takes away their power over me
I can do anything I really set my mind to by seeking the right help and guidance
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but one of strength
My choices need to reflect my priorities to achieve my goals
Mindfulness colouring-in books are great for stress relief
We teach others how to treat us by how we treat ourselves
Colour lifts my mood
Positive thinking is powerful
When life is difficult I work out what I can practically do in the moment—the rest can wait till later
Drinking water makes my body work better
Spending ME time daily is important
Spending time visiting others blogs is an important part of the joy of blogging
If I just do things instead of procrastinating about them I save time
When one door closes a window with a better view usually opens
Getting back to nature grounds me
Get the facts then make decisions—don’t assume
If in doubt—Google

Weekly Photo Challenge: Today Was A Good Day

August 22, 2015 inspiringmax

In a Mesh gallery, show us what makes you happy. Share your ideal day, recount a memorable day in the past, or share your favorite things.

A few years ago I went for a walk with my father around the hidden places of Sydney Olympic Park.We made fascinating discoveries and really enjoyed the peace and serenity.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/today-was-a-good-day/

Recharge

August 20, 2015 inspiringmax

Imagine that tomorrow, all of your duties and obligations evaporate for the day. You get the day all to yourself, to do anything you please. What types of fun activities would make your day?

I believe taking time out to recharge and celebrate ME Time is important for mental health. This week I have been lucky enough to have a week of ME Time without any duties or obligations doing whatever I feel like for the day. It is liberating and relaxing. I am spending the week in Port Macquarie New South Wales, an area I first visited as a 10-year-old child. So how do I plan to spend my days when I don’t have my usual busy schedule to contend with. No problem. Below is a list of my options most of which I have already done:

Build a sand castle
Celebrate days off with a glass of champagne
Catch up on my blogging
Colour in
Do a crossword puzzle
Draw
Enjoy the winter sunshine
Explore new areas
Gather ideas for Inspiring Max
Listen to different bird calls
Play a board game
Play solitaire with cards
Read a romantic comedy
Reconnect with what it was like living in regional New South Wales
Relive childhood memories
Sleep in
Smell the ocean
Smell the flowers beginning to burst as Spring is around the corner
Swim
Visit regional art galleries
Walk on beach
Watch a girly movie
Work on my book

It has been a great week staying in one place, catching up with myself and expand my experience of my amazing homeland, Australia.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/nothin-but-a-good-time/

Share Your World – 2015 Week 23

June 15, 2015 inspiringmax

For your blog do you basically use Mac or Windows applications. What type of device laptop, desktop,tablet, phone or pad?

Most of the time I write my blog from my main Windows 8 computer which has a big screen and is easy to read. When I travel I write on my lap top also Windows 8 but it is much smaller and more difficult to read. When I was in Canada for 6 weeks I got very used to it and it wasn’t till I go home that I realised how much easier my desk top is to use.

If you were to treat yourself to the “finer things” what would you treat yourself to?

If I were to treat myself to the finer things in life I would choose a weekend away of luxury at a day spa in the country with a girl friend. French champagne, strawberries and seafood would of course be on the menu. I would also like some 1:1 time with a good book and an open fire is to be included.

Can you change a car tire?

I can change a tire and have done so on a busy highway although these days I would most likely call the NRMA road side assist to do it for me. My reasoning for this is that if I have to pay them $500 plus dollars a year to be a member they can earn their money. I am also getting older so I am not happy to be roughing it in the dirt anymore.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

Last weekend I was happy to get some serious editing done on my book and to print out the first part in book form using Pressbooks. I am one proud nearly published author motivated to move on to the published stage. This week I am looking forward to catching up with family—having some laughs and a few drinks.

http://ceenphotography.com/2015/06/08/share-your-world-2015-week-23-and-a-poll/

Weekly Photo Challenge: Off Season

June 13, 2015 inspiringmax

I love Australia’s beaches in winter. The smell of the salt air, the crash of the waves and the feel of sand under my feet. It all adds up to total relaxation for me. These beaches—Nelson and Blenheim on the South Coast of New South Wales are joined by Jervis Bay National Park. As a result I had a memorable, mindful bush and beach walk—my favourite ways to connect with nature all in one afternoon

27 - Walking along the racks south of Blenheim Beach

46 - Along the rocks south of Blenheim Beach - sink hole upper level

36 - Walking along the racks south of Blenheim Beach and looking across the bay

43 - Along the rocks south of Blenheim Beach

- large dead tree on track heading back north

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/off-season/

Time Out

June 10, 2015 inspiringmax

We all have things we need to do to keep an even keel — blogging, exercising, reading, cooking. What’s yours?

My mental health is important to me, so when things become too much I take time out. Depending on the situation I may take 5 minutes or a whole day. Sometimes the situation will need me to take 5 minutes in the middle to recollect my thoughts and a day as soon as possible when it is over. During this time I do whatever I feel like to top up my tank and prepare for the next wave.

My time out options – for short and long time periods can be found in the following acrostic poem.

Treat myself

Isolate—block out the world

Meditate

Exit the situation

Outdoors—connect with nature

Useful—be creative in some way

Talk—online or in person

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/on-the-edge/

Eat, Drink And Be Merry

June 7, 2015 inspiringmax

…for tomorrow we die. The world is ending tomorrow! Tell us about your last dinner — the food, your dining companions, the setting, the conversation.

If the world was ending tomorrow I would choose to go camping in the Australian bush with all my family. Not glamping—glamourous camping with all the modern conveniences. Camping à la natural. No electricity, no showers and dig your own toilets. I love getting out with nature, listening to the sounds of the bush and hopefully seeing a koala or possum in the trees. We have never had a problem with snakes as with over 20 people we make too much noise.

The food would be a bush BBQ that we begin preparing in the afternoon by collecting a massive amount of wood to keep us going all night—waiting for the world to end. Included on the menu is:

bacon
capsicum
corn
damper
green salad
mushrooms
potatoes
rissoles
rocket salad
sausages
steak

After dinner as we continued to chat and drink champagne and beer by the fire I would introduce S’mores to the family. I would get everyone to cook their marshmallows over the fire while I prepared their chocolate and biscuits. We don’t have graham crackers in Australia so I would use the best substitute I could find. Once the marshmallow is cooked I would join them all together and watch everyone’s enjoyment.