A Father/Daughter Trust Like No Other...

The family decision was made. In 1971, after weighing up the pros and cons over many months, my parents finally unitedly agreed our family would sail across the vast seas to begin a new life on Australian shores. This meant packing up our entire German existence to a minimum, and a four week journey by ship with numerous docking intervals in interesting foreign countries. Countries none of us had ever seen before.

I was five years old at the time, and the youngest of three children, when this adventure began. I'm sure not many people can say they have experienced a taste of varied continents by the age of five! Sadly though, I have little recollection of this time and my memories are few and far between. However one special memory, I will always treasure, stands out as vividly as if it were yesterday....

I remember one time during the trip I was out on the deck with my father. It was surely only for a few moments and we were probably only exiting through one door to enter another. It may have been dusk and a little windy, yet to me, as a small child, I saw it differently. We were outside and it was dark, freezing and we were all alone. The large vessel was completely surrounded by huge, black and ferocious waves that seemed to want to swallow us up at first chance. The gale, which forced sea spray across our faces, was so strong I had trouble walking. I remember my father holding my hand. He was a tall, athletic man with huge hands, and always portrayed a certain calmness about him. He held on to my hand so tightly and I knew that if he let go, I would be scooped up by the cyclonic winds and thrown overboard into the infinite, angry ocean, so eagerly awaiting to eat me. I was initially terrified! What if my hand slipped? What if my father couldn't hold me or catch me if I flew away?

Then a reassurance came, and a knowing that my dad would never, ever let go of my tiny hand, no matter what. Of that I could be certain. I think back now, what trust I had in this beautiful man. 

This precious trust continued into adulthood and my father and I shared a wonderful father/daughter relationship. He taught me so much and was always so proud of my accomplishments, no matter how small they were. Sadly he passed away, due to cancer, thirteen years ago at the 'too young' age of seventy. I still miss him terribly, however I am thankful to have had the privilege of being brought up by this wise and inspiring role model of a man.

Dad will always be in my heart and everything I pursue in life, I endeavour to give it my best, to continue to make him proud, as if he were still here with me.

Trust, like this example, is so unique and empowering. I hope everyone reading this has this kind of a trusting bond with someone in their lives....

 

 

 

Another One Of Life's Curve Balls...

Oh my goodness, I'm certainly being tested of my adopted spiritual truths again this week!

My stress levels have gone through the roof and I find myself struggling to keep afloat.

It all started two weeks ago, when my thoughtful, caring husband arrived home with a tiny four week old grey and white kitten he had come across in the middle of a main country road. The poor little thing had a bloody nose, was traumatised, petrified and shaking all over. I have no doubt someone had dumped her, and probably the rest of her siblings, which were nowhere to be found. For the life of me, I will never understand how anyone could physically proceed with this act! How they sleep at night, I will never know...

The first thing I did was give this little fluff ball some cat milk through a medicine pipette, I eventually found in my kitchen cupboard, after searching high and low. I knew I had one somewhere! The kitten swallowed the milk furiously, obviously extremely hungry. We made a warm, comfortable bed for her in a cat-carry cage after giving her love and attention, and there she slept for the next few hours, recuperating and finally feeling safe. Meanwhile, our nine month old ginger kitten, who has grown into a monstrous feline, was trying to work out what on earth was going on, and what was this foreign smell in his home?!

After losing our beautiful, eight year old cat to Cat Aids last year, we adopted Ginge at eight weeks and made sure he was de-sexed and fully vaccinated against FIV before letting him outside one month ago. We also lock him up at night to give him further protection, so he has minimal chance of coming into contact with any infected, stray cats. So far our plans have worked out well and Ginge happily applies to the drill. He has a cat door he uses during the day, and which is locked at dusk when he comes inside for his dinner.

So this new little kitten, which we have named Bluebell, is now eating four hourly solid meals, which she eagerly gulps down, and has already grown in size along with her confidence and cheekiness. The problem is, I cannot let her roam free in our home along side Ginge because it seems he wants to eat her! Yet, Bluebell is maturing quickly and does not, under any circumstances, like being locked up any more – and let's us know by her sizable lungs. Her squeals drive Ginge crazy (and us just quietly), so presently I've succumbed to locking myself up with her at regular intervals of the day, either in our office or bedroom, where she happily and contently plays. However I, of course, get nothing done in that time!

I despise the thought of Bluebell being locked away alone for any length of time. The nights are long enough, which she spends in our bathroom, transformed into her bedroom (we're using the en suite). The wet area now boasts cat toys, a cosy bed and the kitty litter tray, which Bluebell seemed to know all about from day one, (hence another reason why I believe she was dumped).

 

I also dislike Ginge being behind a closed door, puzzled why he has suddenly been given unreasonable boundaries to adhere to..... and this causes my stress to escalate. Ginge is our beautiful boy and I don't want him to have any reason to be jealous or to question my loyalty. I continue to shower him with all the love and adoration he deserves, if not more, to reassure him Bluebell is no threat. If only he would understand...

Even down the track, if our fury kids do become friends, Bluebell will not be allowed outside until she is de-sexed and fully vaccinated (four months to go). This again will prove to be problematic, as she will still need to be locked up while my husband and I are not home, so that she doesn't disappear through the cat door, which I'm sure she will mimic by observing Gingie.

To try and rectify the immediate problem, I purchased a guinea pig cage, where I place Bluebell in, while Ginge stalks the circumference, attempting his best to claw-poke Bluebell through the thin, metal bars with his paws. This has become a game between the two of them, although the boundaries are blurred and I question whether it's playfully acted out or not. Bluebell has become quite big for her boots, and although Ginge is about five times the size of her, she is beginning to fight back. She's become very brave and cheeky towards him!

I have held Bluebell in my hand or placed her next to me on the floor quite a few times, to let Ginge sniff her and to see if I can let Bluebell roam freely, in the hope Ginge would warm to her. However I have had to catch Ginge numerous times, as Bluebell has wanted to jump spontaneously (as kittens tend to do), and Ginge has attempted to dart at Bluebell on all of these occasions. Bluebell is just too small for me to let them come together. Ginge would injure her in a flash. I have also tried to play with both of them, while Bluebell is in the guinea pig cage, trying to connect them through a common goal. Sometimes I feel this works, but then Ginge suddenly becomes aggressive and when his beautiful, golden eyes transform into black marbles, my confidence dissipates.

I have no idea where to from here. I'm hoping, as it's only been two weeks, Ginge will become used to Bluebell and they will make the best of friends. I pray this will happen...

So, my spiritual truths of, 'Everything happens the way it's meant to', and 'Let go of what you can't control', 'Live in the moment' and 'Have faith and trust always' have been a little challenging, to say the least. However, this is a good lesson for me, as little Bluebell obviously entered our lives for a reason. I remind myself to take a few deep breaths often, as I feel my anxious, tight knotted stomach and shallow breathing dominate my peace, during this stressful process. I'm normally quite disciplined when it comes to remaining grounded, however when my fury children are involved, it's a whole other ball game. This curve ball has obviously been thrown at me for a reason and while I write this, I am reminded of yet another spiritual truth being, 'Struggles and challenges bring forth growth'. Well, let's see how much I can grow!

 

 

'Never Say Never!'

I sat pondering my life one day at the commencement of 2012. I had just married my long term partner and decided to reassess my goals on a physical, spiritual and emotional level. I felt I needed to breathe some fresh air into this new life chapter. A new phase of marriage compliments new and challenging experiences to push me through to greater heights.

So, as I was throwing around possible new, creative ideas in my head, Taekwon-Do came to mind, right out of the blue! It's not something I had ever thought about and certainly never envisioned practising. I'm a lover by nature, not a fighter, however before I knew it, I was searching the yellow pages for a local club, phoned an instructor, who informed me of various classes in my surrounding area and invited me along to check one out.

Well, that was three and a half years ago now.... and I just love it!

Beside the fact that I commenced just after my 45^th birthday and am now armed with self defence and increased discipline, flexibility and co-ordination, I feel so much fitter and healthier. My adopted mantra is, 'If you don't use it, you lose it!'. I have also returned to my normal weight for my height, which has been a never-ending battle throughout the years (but that's another story).

The main attraction and reason I keep persevering and pushing myself to attend at least two classes a week, is the Taekwon-Do community. There are many wonderful fellow students of all ages that take part in regular training. Some of my favorite pocket-rockets are as young as six years! The oldest student, I believe, is in his sixties. Very inspirational, to say the least. Throughout the classes, the higher belt students often assist the lower belt pupils, regardless of age, and bonds can't help but be formed. We all support and encourage each other to reach our common goals.

So, although I find myself physically and mentally challenged, while striving to be all I can, the work I put in feels almost secondary when I look at the big picture of Taekwon-Do. It's not a chore! It's a lot of fun and class time passes by so quickly. That's exercise one dreams of!

So, looking back now, whoever would have thought I would be a student, enjoying this respected ancient martial art – and at my age? Certainly not me! In my wildest dreams, Taekwon-Do never, ever came to mind. I guess this is a perfect example of the saying, 'never say never'.

I am amazed at how far I have come. I have achieved way beyond my expectations and a part of me finds this difficult to accept. However, why shouldn't I take credit and be a little proud of my accomplishments?! I had an idea, I took action, and I have followed through with dedication and perseverance. I have made this happen because I chose to be proactive. It makes sense.

Now, if I can just take charge of all other aspects of my life in this way, there's no stopping me... 

I now challenge you to find a new, healthy and enjoyable activity that pushes you to greater heights and enhances your life in the process !!!    : )

 

 

Check In With Your Belief Systems!

Why do we anxiously focus on what we 'don't' want in life, yet seem to attract more of it? I have proven this throughout my own journey time and time again, and have discovered the moment I change my thoughts and perceptions towards what I actually 'want' to have happen, immediately the energy around me transforms and I am able to manifest postivity. It's wonderfully amazing and gratifying.

Our thoughts create our lives. We act, think and feel from our personal belief systems. Our thoughts make up these belief systems, and if these beliefs are negative, we need to change our thoughts!

'A belief is only a thought that you keep thinking'

 

We all have some detrimental belief systems, mostly ones that stem from an early age. I can't argue it can be a huge task to change these because we have embedded and cemented them deeply into the core of our being over a long period of time. However, it is not impossible. Change your thoughts regarding these negative beliefs as they surface, and remind yourself  'it is only a thought I am thinking' and you will slowly, but surely change your belief.

Life is meant to be good! Your purpose is to be happy and to have faith in yourself and in this wonderful adventure called life. So, if your beliefs portray to you that you are undeserving, not good enough, weak or incapable etc, 'think again'.

You are all of these things and so, so much more – if you will only believe....

What If?...

 

                                     There is so much devastation in the world.

I believe to heal our world we need to start with ourselves and our own environment, our own backyard....

Please take a few moments to soulfully ponder over each of the following:

What if we are presently in 'school' here, in the physical world, and once our lives are completed our bodies return to the earth and our souls travel home to a place of pure love? (We are made of energy and energy cannot be destroyed. It simply transforms).

 

What if our life can be likened to a personal play, in which our role is the main character, and we decided while we were still at 'home', previous to this lifetime, what lessons we wished to learn within the duration of our play, in which situations and with whom?

What if this were true, therefore we need not fear death?

What if we were absolutely aware that love and insightful wisdom were of the only importance, and our focus was on our growth as a person (as a soul gaining wisdom and clarity), while giving freely, lovingly and unconditionally to ourselves and to others – without judgement? This could begin with smiling at a stranger - for no reason.　

If we believed this as our 'truth', our personal experience of life would be much more simple, for we would know to fearlessly and enjoyably make the most of every moment. We would let go of pettiness and not take things quite so seriously. We would smell the roses more, live in the 'now' and appreciate this precious physical opportunity we have been granted.

This lifetime is over in a blink of an eye, so we would stop procrastinating for whatever reasons that hold us back, we would stand tall and own our personal power (instead of giving it away to others) and, with confidence, we would get on with whatever it is that we wish to achieve or experience - with love and trust in our hearts.

In fact, life as we know it, would be looked upon from a completely different perspective, for we would understand, no matter what happens...........everything will be alright...