How Ironic.....

How ironic! Last week I posted the significant, and what I believe to be, important message that, 'It's not what happens to you in life, it's how you react to it'.

Well, low and behold, everything that happened to me this week, which was neither here or there, frustrated and annoyed me to the point I thought I would explode, which is not actually me at all.

The farm and farm chores were annoying me and I felt I was running around in circles, achieving not much at all. And, it didn't matter what he said or did, my husband frustrated me too. That's not ideal! Then, I became annoyed and frustrated with myself for feeling this way. I added some guilt to the equation by remembering how lucky I am and what a wonderful life I lead, and hey presto, I felt like crap (excuse the language).

So, I decided I needed some time-out (well, a short break anyway) to identify and acknowledge why I was feeling this way and what action I needed to take to rise above this 'crappy feeling', that I wasn't particularly enjoying.

I granted myself a few moments to quieten my mind, as opposed to always literally running with a mission and a head full of endless to-do tasks, and I realised exactly that was the problem.

I'm trying so hard to keep up with the all-round household chores, plus the mowing, the brush-cutting, the garden. Then I have my repetitious daily farm work, such as turning on our petrol water pump numerous times a day at the right tidal times, feeding the animals three times a day and cleaning their personal environments. Then there are the farm jobs that crop up out of left field or the ones already on the list in need of attention. There's too many jobs to articulate here and some I am unable to physically achieve anyway (which frustrates me as well), but I'm sure you understand where I'm coming from.

So, the issue at hand is either I'm needing to improve my time-management skills to create a stronger 'sense of achievement' for myself to actually complete my daily list of jobs.....Or, maybe I need to 'let go' and ride with the flow and have trust and faith that all is happening as it should, therefore easing off the pressure I tend to place myself under. Maybe I need to listen to my intuition and follow my dreams instead of fitting into someone else's! Or...maybe I just need a holiday to remove myself from every day life, view different scenery and dust off the cobwebs, returning refreshed and rejuvenated with motivation and passion. Possibly after shouting the 'important message' to the world last week, maybe I was being tested to see if I 'walk the walk', as well as I tend to 'talk the talk!

Probably a part of all the above suggestions is the answer! I do feel stale and in need of some different scenery, and I must accept that I cannot do everything in one day. Less self pressure! My dream, his dream, our dream? That one's a black box! And yes, I need to walk the walk as well....

That also reminds me, I really need to give myself a few quiet moments daily, as I get so much information from stillness, and instantly I feel better. Connecting to Spirit is amazingly physically and emotionally healing. I'm always going on about that, but again, I often don't allow myself the time, thinking I will never be finished with my physical labour. However, connecting to Spirit is a priority and from this communication/stillness, the day flows so much more easily because I am centred, and do not even come close to reaching a feeling of annoyance or frustration.

There it is then, there's the answer. I'm amazed how writing the week down on paper helps so much to off load and work out what it is that's missing or needed.…..and I thank you so much for listening to me think out loud. Have a lovely day : )

 

 

Life's Challenges...

This week almost everyone I have had a conversation with seemed to be going through a difficult and challenging time, from relationship breakdowns, to ill pets, to problematic teenage issues creating angst and upheaval within family units. All of this can be emotionally (and physically) devastating and soul draining.

That started me thinking again about life and why we get thrown our challenges to conquer.

But, that's what life is all about! I believe, to learn our lessons through various 'individually' picked situations......and if we don't learn them the first time around, we are given the same lessons in different scenarios. That's why we are living this physical existence. To learn, grow, evolve.

If that sounds too farfetched to believe, one thing I am certain of. It makes no difference what we are confronted with in life, it's how we react that's important. It's how we learn, grow stronger and become role models for our children, our families, the people around us.

So it's not what happens to us, it's how we handle the difficult situations that come our way.....and I believe we are not dished out more than what we can carry, even if doesn't seem so at the time.

Life isn't always easy, but hey, it's also pretty wonderful.

                                      Happy Easter to you and your family xoxo

 

The Unsettling Wind....

It's such a beautiful day today, twenty-six degrees, blue skies and glorious sunshine, however a cyclonic wind is blowing across the farm (as it often does down this neck of the woods), leaving me feeling completely rattled. This always happens! I get such an unsettling feeling and I don't know why?

My animals do too. My horse can't stand the wind and I watch him trot around the paddock, seeming like he doesn't know where to comfortably stand. My cat finds himself a confined, quiet, private place to hide and I don't see him for hours, and the cattle all sit huddled in a mob and situate themselves so that their behinds are facing the wind.

Meanwhile, our house (which is only six years old) sounds like it's falling down around our ears, with some of the doors whistling and windows rattling. Our poor little kitten, which hasn't been allowed to venture outside yet, becomes frightened and looks at us with a scared, questionable expression on her tiny, innocent face.

Strange how the wind can have such a negative effect. Is it because it's ferocious and controlling and scoops up everything it can in its way? When I work on the farm, it almost pushes me over from behind or does its best to forbid me to move forward when I'm attempting to walk. How dare it try and manipulate me, as if it has a mind of its own. Or maybe it has? Maybe it's the violence of the gale that rattles me. A gentle breeze is lovely, especially when the weather is warm, however the aggression of strong winds is not at all pleasant, constantly and literally slapping me in the face.

The easterly winds are the worst of all. The fish don't bite, the tide is never as high as usual because the wind attempts its best to keep the water from travelling up the river, the usually quiet cattle are stirred up and frisky, and the land becomes dangerously dry. Most people I speak with complain about the difficult and challenging 'easterly gale'.

However, the only option is to make friends with the wind – somehow.... and I remind myself it will pass. Sometimes after a day or sometimes after a week, but it always passes. Then I can once again appreciate the stillness, and my environment returns to balance and serenity – until the next determined gale force wind rears up, which will no doubt unsettle and rattle me all over again....

 

 

 

 

　

Life.....

Tiny beads of diamond sand,

Interwoven through life's strands.

Mysteries endless in the seams,

Iced with imaginary dreams.

Snow flakes filled with love and gladness,

Cross roads bringing wary sadness.

Doubts, angst and fearful seeds,

Grow silently as learning weeds.

Blue skies shine as one's own power,

Bringing forth amazing flowers.

Needs and wants are measured high,

Listen....so that life complies.

Love and wisdom comes with age,

The only significance on life's page.

No need to fear the act of dying,

Once released await soulful flying...

 

 

Our Country/Sea Change....

Tarwin Lower is a small, picturesque, country town, with a population of approximately 420 people, nestled on the banks of The Tarwin River, in South Gippsland, 167 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. It sits 5 kilometres east of the popular coastal, holiday town of Venus Bay, 22 kilometres north of Walkerville and is centrally located between Wilsons Promontory National Park and Phillip Island.

Tarwin Lower was first settled in the 1840's and, as the Tarwin River was once the life blood of this small town, it relied upon the ketch 'Ripple' to deliver stores, carry mail and take the town's supply orders. Over the years there have been floods, fire and much hard work and adversity, but today the area boasts rich grazing and farming land with strong dairying and pastoral industries.

The main road into town hugs the river and today there are several fishing and viewing platforms built on the river's edge. The town centre stretches along the River Drive, boasting a petrol station, complete with a 'country- style' road house, a mechanics shop, a post office, a hairdresser, a chemist, a locally grown fruit & vege shop, a Cape View Mitre 10, a butcher, a local hand craft shop, and a brand new IGA store, with a lovely cafe attached.

Tarwin Lower also has a rustic pub, with a large, beautiful timber deck, overlooking the river. The motel is conveniently located near the pub, and there is also a primary school (educating 45 students), a church, a community health centre and a hall. Beside the hall is where an ever-growing market is hosted numerous times a year, bringing many visitors to the town.

At the north-western edge of Tarwin Lower is a beautiful river-front picnic area, along with the jetty and a 35 metre long picnic table, made from a single length of wood. Between the river and the road leading to Venus Bay from Tarwin Lower (which is the only road in) lies a track, ideal for the morning or evening jogs, relaxing walks or bicycle rides. 

An event named, 'Tour de Tarwin', where people make their way from the starting point at the Venus Bay shopping strip to finish at the Tarwin Lower jetty, is organised annually for the Easter long weekend, and is a joint Venus Bay/Tarwin Lower initiative. Whilst it is primarily a cycling event, everyone is welcome to participate, from walkers to golf buggies, to go-karts. We've seen it all! Hundreds of people gather, while the number of attendance to the event increases each year.

Middle Tarwin, which neighbors Tarwin Lower, consists mostly of milking or beef farms, that have been handed down from generation to generation and are still very active. It is a quiet, serene part of the world amongst beautiful flora and fauna. It is also home to the disappearance of the famous 'Lady Of The Swamp', which is a local mystery still unresolved to this day. Our farm actually backs onto the once mysterious woman's land. I've read her story and I would love to know what happened to her! Middle Tarwin also has tennis courts beside a multi-purpose hall. I've personally experienced a Middle Tarwin Christmas Party there, complete with Santa on horse back!

There is so much to see and do in this beautiful area besides the obvious surf, sun and sand. Visitors are also enticed to this corner of the world by the Bald hills Wetlands, where migrating birds can be observed at dusk.

Many programs and activities for all ages are offered through local clubs, the Venus Bay Community Centre, (also home to the Community Recycling Op Shop), and Tarwin Lower Health Centre, just to name a few.

The Tarwin Lower Footy Club, known as The Tarwin Sharks, is part of the local Alberton Football League, and together with the Netball Club, is a major part of the town. Besides being well organised and competitive, the club strongly values its family orientation. It also continues to be the largest social meeting point of the town and has proudly been responsible for forming life-long friendships and marriages.

Cycling, tennis, bowls and especially bush walking are also very popular, where many native animals can be spotted. There's fantastic river, surf or boat fishing, and the Venus Bay Fishing, Beach & Surf Shop can expertly inform you on which fish are available and which bait to use all year round. Fishing competitions are also organised on a regular basis.

Venus Bay has a population of approximately 600 people, and increases into the thousands over the summer holiday period. It's surf beach, although a little dangerous, is superb with five entrances along the Bass Strait Coast to choose from. Beach one is patrolled during the summer holidays and preferred by visiting families.

The surrounding vegetation of Anderson Inlet is covered with grazing kangaroos at dawn and dusk, which is a magnificent sight.

Walkerville has few services, however is popular with holiday makers, due to its peaceful environment, safe swimming beaches and scenic fishing spots.

Walkerville is also known for its limestone cliffs, which were actively mined until 1926, supplying material for Melbourne's building industry. Ten kilometres south-west of Walkerville is Cape Liptrap, where a ten metre high lighthouse stands, built in 1951. I've attended a wedding ceremony there and it is a stunning location.

To sum it up, Tarwin Lower and surrounds is a beautiful area, with a welcoming, approachable community, abundant wildlife and superb beaches. We have the best of both 'country and sea', only minutes away from each other and we're less than a two hour drive from Melbourne.

In the ten years my husband and I have lived here, I have often said, 'We now live at the rear end of the world', but honestly, I'm so glad we discovered this little piece of paradise....You should come see for yourself :)