Hello friends. Yes, it’s been a long time since I’ve posted to my favourite blog and I must apologise for not announcing my absence. It was obviously unplanned and I was not prepared to say the least when I found myself enveloped in darkness.
But here’s the good news. I saw a blinding light at the end of my long dark tunnel and headed straight for it. I don’t know what took me so long to see the light but I’m sure of one thing, my prolonged experience with darkness was a learning in itself.
“I have learned things in the dark that I could never have learned in the light, things that have saved my life over and over again, so that there is really only one logical conclusion. I need darkness as much as I need light.”
Barbara Brown Taylor
Isn’t that so true? We don’t want darkness but we sure need it.
I hope to live well in the light for a long time to come.
“If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again.” ~ Author unknown
For my readers who are unaware, my beloved wife Ethel passed away on 22 December 2020 after a valiant two year battle with Stage-4 Lung Cancer. She was laid to rest on 31 December 2020, the last day of a year that will long remain etched in our memories.
We shared a unique love that cannot be defined. One that can be enjoyed only by sharing.
She left me after 52 years of a ‘full-on’ life filled with daily laughter, dancing and beautiful memories. She was double trouble and has left me feeling like 104. 😊
You have left this world a better place, and me a better human being.
Until we dance again in heaven to angelic tunes, I remain…
Personal growth is an ongoing process. Isn’t it? I call it my journey. I’m always learning and growing. When I want to touch base on the old school stuff, I learn from my kids. 🙂 It’s a vital milestone on my journey of personal development.
Do you agree that as we grow, we begin to feel more passionate about life? I was always passionate about reading and writing. And here I am at 48, excited, motivated and still learning to write through this blog platform. I want to simply be the best person I am meant to be with the endless possibiities and opportunites around me. I awake each morning with anticipation of the day ahead.
I want to describe the picture above. On a beautiful sunny day, I was walking on Beaconsfield-Emerald Road, Upper Beaconsfield, not too far from my favourite bakery Up The Hill Bakehouse (more in my next post), and came across this beautiful scene and couldnt resist sharing it with you. I initially shared it with a very good friend of mine who is on his own journey, and I am hoping it served its purpose.
Some of the things I do for my daily growth are:
Listen to music and dance with Ethel, location not a problem. 🙂
Staying still and keeping calm some times of the day
Taking a walk in the neighbourhood and saying hello to fellow walkers
Cleaning my home and car
Making healthier food choices
In a conversation, giving someone else the benefit of the doubt
How do YOU grow on a daily basis?
You can share your thoughts by commenting to help me and other readers. And remember, there are never any silly comments. 🙂
Photography was my first love. I enjoy capturing subjects in different settings especially nature because it’s constantly changing and always a mystery.
At the age of 12, I was introduced to a close-up (macro) photograph of a beautiful spring flower bejewelled with a hundred dew drops and enveloped in the rays of the morning sun. I was smitten…forever. 😍
Here’s four of my recent photographs that define my passion for the art.
A personal tribute to my habit of drinking Coffee (java) while delving into technology. I had the cups lined up for a standard shot using my Samsung mobile camera. I then opened the window blind for some extra light and the setting sun cast these long shadows that absolutely blew me away. I later applied a Silhouette Style using the professional photo editing app Snapseed on my mobile.
Using the Triple Camera on my Samsung A50 mobile phone, I captured the Heart of The Rose at a friends garden in early Spring 2020. Image tuning and sharpening applied with Snapseed.
Living in Pakenham, Victoria since 2011 has been bliss. For me, contentment & balance of living is key and I’ve found that right here. Paky as the locals call it has a suburban-country town feel to it. This sunrise view shot on my Canon EOS 70D is from Eddie Barron Terrace and is my place to go for an occasional birds eye view of my leafy neighbourhood. 😊
In early Spring 2019, on a day that will remain forever implanted in my memory, I captured these amazing pictures. I got my elbows and knees dirty in the cold mud and battled frostnip on a 2°C morning. Was it worth it? I think it absoultely was.
I had never attempted anything of the sort, so was quite amazed to see the wonders of creation. And yes, I must admit I did make a personal connection with the creator in those moments. Defining moments.
This little pinky was the size of my pinkie. 😃 It was amazing to discover that every petal was covered in ice crystals, almost like fine jewellery. I wonder, if all we humans do is imitate nature. 🤔 The Big Freeze was captured on my Canon EOS 70D.
Photography keeps me sane and grounded while connecting with natural beauty all around.
So there we have it until my next post with more beautiful pictures.
“You don’t take a photograph. You ask quietly to borrow it.”
