There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer

We all have “our lot” in life.  We have our trials and our triumphs, our joys and our sorrows.  Some people seem worse off and others better off, but in reality we all have our fair share of the full suite of experiences and emotions throughout our lives.

There is only one thing that can singlehandedly conquer them all and that is love. 

It has been shown that children raised without love and affection fail to thrive.  Just because we have grown up to become adults doesn’t change that.

Quite a few of my friends have been through difficult times of late, but it was the sad news from one of my closest friends this morning that inspired me to post this message today.  And to that very dear friend I would like to say . . .

Your road may be a little rocky for a while but you are surrounded by many people who love you, and if you need us to, we will carry you through until your path becomes smooth.  We are here if you wish for company and we also understand if you prefer the time and space to be alone with your thoughts and feelings.  Whatever happens, know that you are loved and supported always.

And to everybody reading this message, please give a little love to somebody who needs it today.

Thank you.

At any moment the fully present mind can shatter time and burst into the now.

This morning I got up early with my husband and cooked him bacon and eggs for breakfast (the least I could do given he was working at 6:30am on a Saturday).  I kissed him goodbye at 5:30 and set about cleaning up in the kitchen.  I was in my own little world, totally absorbed in washing the dishes, and oblivious to the world waking up just outside the kitchen window. Then, all of a sudden I looked up and noticed the forest was aglow in shades of pink and peach, and echoing to the sounds of one of my favourite birds (the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo).

My very wise mother in law (an accomplished philosopher) talks a lot about being in the present moment and the concept of “right time”.  This was a perfect demonstration of these truths.  There was no decision to be made.  The only thing to do in this moment was to drop everything NOW! and go outside to enjoy the glorious sunrise.  And what a treat! (see video below or click the link to view on Youtube)

 

http://bit.ly/12OZ1q0

It’s in moments like these that any troubles, fears or concerns melt away and you’re left with pure enjoyment, happiness and love.  What a gift!

The dishes will eventually get done, but right now my dog is telling me it’s time for her breakfast.  If you’re looking for a good role model to learn how to live in the present moment, you can’t get any better than your dog, or any animal for that matter.

Wishing you a remarkable weekend J

Photo Bicheno Blowhole Tasmania © Renee Chamberlin 2013.

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Today make it a point to choose only loving words as you speak.

What’s the first thing that goes through your mind when you wake up in the morning?  What are the most common words and phrases you use throughout the day?  And the last thing you are thinking as you go to sleep in the evening?  How does that affect your life?

Renowned, inspirational author Louise Hay suggests never use the word “should”.  When we say we “should” do this and then don’t get around to it, we make ourselves wrong.  For most people, when they make themselves wrong they spend a lot of time beating themselves up about it.  So, replacing “should” with “could” is a better option.  If you say “I could do that”, and then for some reason you don’t, you aren’t making yourself wrong.

Another word to pay close attention to is “but”.  For example, “I would love to go out and exercise today but I don’t have time” or “I would love to enjoy my weekend but I can’t afford to do anything fun”.  Remove the word “but” from your vocabulary and see what happens J

One phrase I have been guilty of saying for many years is “I can’t wait” . . .  e.g. “I can’t wait for the weekend” or “I can’t wait to go and get a coffee”.  If you take time to think about what you are literally saying, it isn’t true.  Of course you can wait.  What you really mean to say is “I’m looking forward to the weekend” and “I would really like to enjoy a coffee”.

How do you respond when somebody says to you “hello, how are you going?”  Think about it . . .  The standard response is “good thanks and you?”  Every now and then you might get “fantastic!”, “terrific!” or as my very special friend Marj says “damn fine splendid!”  One thing you notice with this type of response is the person’s energy.  They’re not just “ho hum” they’re happy and energetic.  They’re people you just want to be around because they lift your energy and make you feel good.

This week, try being more aware of what you say.  See how it affects your mood and the people you interact with.

Oh, and have an awesome week!

Photo Sulphur-crested Cockatoo © Renee Chamberlin 2013.

Images are available as prints, canvases, cards and calendars.

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A heartfelt smile gives warmth enough for three winters

The world could do with a lot more kindness right now; and we all could benefit from the kindness of others every day.  Giving and receiving is vitally important, it’s part of the energy flow on this planet.  Like breathing, we do it all the time, often without thinking about it.  It makes us happy and gives us purpose.

This quote is a reminder that you don’t have to spend all your hard-earned money to give to others.  You can give away smile, a compliment, a helping hand, or my favourite, a flower from the garden.  The great thing is that both you and the person you are giving to will benefit.  You have nothing to lose and so much to gain!

If you are reading this, you are likely to be one of the fortunate people who can afford to give in material ways such as donating money or goods to charities, or volunteering some of your time.  Traditionally I only support animal and environmental charities to protect myself from “compassion fatigue”.  However when I first learned about Kiva, it was obviously such a great idea that I joined up and contributed to my first loan straight away. 

Today, a woman in Kenya is able to build a classroom to train her students in thanks to an $875 loan that 22 strangers, including myself, contributed to.  There are many more stories like this on the Kiva website and the beauty of it all is that one loan of $25 can keep giving over and over because once it’s paid back you have the opportunity to loan it to another borrower.

What can you do this week to give a little back and generate some kindness?  Feel free to post your ideas in the comments section below.

Here’s a video which should help get you in the mood for kindness and giving: http://bit.ly/vSuXvk

And if you’re looking for ways to do this for free, please use this link to give a free trial loan on Kiva: http://www.kiva.org/invitedby/renee4853

Photo Alpine Ibex (Innsbruck Zoo) © Renee Chamberlin 2013. 

Images are available as prints, canvases, cards and calendars.  For purchase enquiries click here

Comments & feedback are most welcome, select "Anonymous" or "Name/URL" if you don't want to log into a google account when posting.

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

 

For the last couple of days, I have been reflecting on the many mentors who have positively influenced different areas of my life.  I am blessed to know so many amazing people who have shaped and guided my career, life, well-being and spirituality; some of them quite deliberately and others by just being great role models.  

I was wondering if these people realise just how important they are in the lives of others and how the effects of their guidance can have a profound impact on a person’s life for many years to come.  

Maybe the only way they will know is if we actually take the time let them know . . .

Mentors are just one of the many blessings we have to be grateful for every single day.  Do you have an amazing role-model who has influenced your life in the most positive way?  Are they aware of how important they are to you?  Why don’t you write them a message of thanks and make their day!  Feel free to write your message in the comments section here and then send them a link to this page.  

Wishing you a week with many blessings J

A huge thank you to all of my teachers, I am lucky to have so many that I can’t name you all here, but a special shout out to Mum and Dad: my first and ultimate mentors.  And to Tabitha, my first work supervisor to whom I owe my strong work ethic and have learned so many valuable lessons from.  In case I haven’t said it earlier, thank you!

Photo Jundah, Qld. © Renee Chamberlin 2013. If you would like to purchase images, click here

No tree has branches so foolish that they fight among themselves.

 

I am still under the weather with a virus and so have missed a few weeks of this blog, however I feel it’s important to post an ANZAC day tribute.  Regular Monday posts will start up again soon all going well.

This photo is from Tyne Cot cemetery in Ypres, Belgium which I visited with my family in January 2012.  There are countless graves of unknown soldiers, some of which were identified as ANZACS or other nationalities, and many of whom are “known only to God” which is what is written on their head stones.  One can only imagine how badly damaged a body might have been that they could not even tell which army the soldier belonged to let alone their name.

We toured other significant WW1 sites that day including some of the trenches and Hill 60.  It was freezing cold, windy and raining and this gave us a tiny glimpse into what the Australians fighting there may have endured many years ago.  But we were wearing high-tec thermals, snow jackets, and socks made specifically for  -30°c conditions; and when it got too cold we had a warm, comfy bed and local hospitality to retreat to.

I still cannot fathom what it would have been like for a young Australian, to be so far from home, in such inhospitable conditions notwithstanding the violence they witnessed and the terror and hopelessness they might have felt.

We may think the world has come a long way since then, and in many ways it has, however some people say we are currently living in the most violent time the world has ever seen.  This is a bit hard to digest given what we know about the two great wars that have preceded the current conflicts going on in the world.

This quote is a poignant reminder that war is unnecessary and stupid.  There are so many other ways to resolve our disputes, and they all have one thing in common. 
Love.

Lest we forget {

To all the Men and Women who suffered and gave your lives so that we may live in beauty, freedom and peace, words cannot express how grateful we are for your sacrifice.

If you’re interested in seeing Ypres, go ahead and do it!  Apart from war history the area is famous for it’s beer & chocolate; the local people are amazing and very welcoming to Aussies.  We stayed at Camalou and could not recommend it highly enough.  The owners are historians and will custom build a tour of the local, historical sites just for you.  http://www.camalou.com/

Photo Tyne Cot Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. © Renee Chamberlin 2013. If you would like to purchase images, click here

Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

 

 

What a beautiful time of the year it is!

In the Southern hemisphere we are enjoying the cooler, Autumn weather after a Summer of extreme heat and other memorable weather events.  Family and friends in the North, are enjoying spring time and the anticipation of Summer after what sounds to have been a very harsh Winter indeed.

Many people spend their Easter break doing projects around the home, and as owner builders we would normally be no exception.  Instead, we took the invitation this year to camp and enjoy nature with some great friends, and like-minded souls.  We were rewarded with beautiful weather (for the most part), an abundance of birds, wood-fired pizza (the best I’ve ever tasted) and lots of laughs.

There are so many rewards to be found in spending a bit of time outside.  There is also a very serious flip side.

Vitamin D deficiency has long been known as a health issue in some Northern Hemisphere countries, where the weather is often less conducive to BBQ’s and Beach Cricket.  Recent research in Australia, however, has found that between one and two thirds of Australians are now lacking adequate Vitamin D intake.  

How on earth does this happen in the sunburnt country with a population who largely enjoys an outdoor lifestyle?

I have always been an outdoorsy person, but find these days that it’s getting harder to make the time in a very busy schedule to go out and enjoy nature.  But it’s vital that we do, spending time outside is not only good for your health, it’s great for your soul.

How do you like to get out and enjoy nature and what miracles have you been rewarded with?  I would love to hear your ideas and comments J

Wishing you a week full of miracles!

If you would like to read more about the Vitamin D issue, here are two articles to get you started:

The great Aussie paradox: vitamin D deficiency rates soar
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/the-great-aussie-paradox-vitamin-d-deficiency-rates-soar-20121023-282kg.html

 
Vitamin D are you getting enough?   (Article by ABC ) http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/stories/2012/04/03/3459266.htm

 A huge thank you to my good friends Adam and Steph for an amazing weekend with great food, an abundance of nature and awesome company, just what the Doctor ordered! xoxo

And to John, Happy Birthday, hope you enjoy your week.  Brrrr!

Photo Damselfly © Renee Chamberlin 2013. If you would like to purchase images, click here