I sit here in my 12 foot van creating our new blog spot as the children sleep. The sound of silence is serene. It has been raining for the past two days, and on and off for days beforehand. Previously feeling frustrated that I cannot wash and that is has cost me $20 to wash and put three loads of clothes through the dryer, I wonder what my stress is all about. We are dry, healthy and warm. What do I really have to complain about when to some my van would be heaven. After all I do this by choice.
I sit and I listen in the silence. The pitter patter of the rain on the metal van is soothing music to my ears. The wind howls occassionly giving me a reminder of its presence and changing the rhythm of the rain ever so lightly. I walk to the amenities with the soft freshness of the rain tapping me on the shoulder reminding me of the blessing of it in our lives as a much needed resource. As I sit here I visualise and remember the squeals of delight as little Celeste runs in the rain, splashing in the puddles full of innocence and life. How she is delighted to discover the mushrooms that spring up every so often in the lawns.How she caresses and talks to the snails who we greet as they cross our path. I think of the magpies that greet me every morning as I open my van door. They stand at the door, look inside and chortle a beautiful tune as I thank them for their blessing and visit Undisturbed by the dog, who also sits quietly and listens, they grab their morning takings of dry dog food and off they go. I believe we truly communicate and that this is the true bonding and unity of nature and man.
This is life. This is really what living is all about. About being, seeing and experiencing. About being aware of what is around us and thankful for every moment we are given. About enjoying 'us' for who we are and the contribution we make to this world, but most of all being aware that this world relies on us to make the right choices. Nature is our mother, we need to show it respect. Without it we would not live. It nurtures and bonds with us as it provides us with the ability to survive. We must love it unconditionally and thank it for all it gives.
Tread lightly through this life aware of all around you Make choices wisely, considering the long term effect on our mother. She is all we have.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
www.runningpink.com.au - A true inspiration
This week we where lucky enough to meet Debra De Williams and interview her as she runs around Australia.
Debra is a true inspiration, spending the next 12 months running around this vast land to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. She is one solo woman runner covering 17,621 kilometres, 25 million steps, 50 kms a day, every day,for 365 days.All this after survivng breast cancer and then two fractured feet on her first run attempt.
Find our more and read the interview in our May issue of Good Gabble. We will be following and supporting Debra throughout her run each month.
You can support Debra by donating online at www.runningpink.com.au
Debra is a true inspiration, spending the next 12 months running around this vast land to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. She is one solo woman runner covering 17,621 kilometres, 25 million steps, 50 kms a day, every day,for 365 days.All this after survivng breast cancer and then two fractured feet on her first run attempt.
Find our more and read the interview in our May issue of Good Gabble. We will be following and supporting Debra throughout her run each month.
You can support Debra by donating online at www.runningpink.com.au
Thursday, April 15, 2010
One Month On.
Firstly I must apologize for not blogging on here more regularly - that I must work on. One month on since opening this blogspot and I cannot believe how busy we have been and how much support we have got for Good Gabble. The interest, contributions and subscriptions just keep rolling in. We are know approaching our May issue which is bigger and better than ever. We have grown to 40 pages big as the request for publishing of articles and support grows. Thank you to all, it is amazing.
At this stage we have not got far in our travels as we stop in Mt Gambier as Samantha obtains her drivers licence. This has given us the opportunity to fine tune our newzine and meet some lovely inspirational people. We have been spending our days paying it forward as we travel the surrounding areas.
We are currently staying at Pine Country caravan park, where all are made feel very welcome, including four legged friends. The park is set in a beautiful country setting with native birds waking us each morning.
Our stay here has been quiet pleasant and we have met some lovely people - locals and travelers. One person I was lucky enough to meet was Clay Henri Tenni, author of Enrich Your Lifestyle, Memoirs Of A Homestay Host. I first met Clay when we started talking about our dogs, as we both have black labradore x kelpies. Over the period of a week we got talking about writing and publishing. It was then that Clay produced a copy of his book for me to read. This is a positive must read for all. Grab a copy of May Good Gabble to read my book review. Clay has also kindly donated a copy of his book for one reader to win.
So what pay it forward experiences have we had in the last month? Quiet a lot so here I will tell of a few.
As Clay and my family spent more time together in the same park a friendship became to form. During this time we found ourselves paying back and forth on many occasions. One example of this being taking his dog for a walk on the days when he found himself out for the day.
After a long chat with a lady who has just begun her travels with her husband my son emerged from his walk around the park with arms full of Cornflake cookies. He said a strange lady had approached him and asked him if his mothers name was Jennifer. When he said yes she kindly gave him the cookies she had just made. My conversation with this lady was only one of approximately half an hour but during this time she had come close to tears as she talked about being unwell and feeling as though she was a burden on her husband. Due to being unwell she could not help with the setup of the van or driving as often as she wished. I reassured her that her husband loved her and would not have taken this journey knowing she was unwell if he did not want to spend time with her. Her company and the little help she gave was obviously all her husband asked. During our discussion I could see the weight lift as she talked of her concerns - talking was the therapy she needed, listening was my gift to her.
Whilst in the local shopping centre my daughter wanted a go on one of the rides that you put money in. This ride accommodated three children. As she sat on the ride another child jumped on. My son put the money in and it started going around. An elderly gentleman soon walked up to me apologising for the fact that his grandson was on the ride and I had paid. I reassured him that it was not a problem and that the ride catered for three children - it was my pleasure and a joy to see the smile on his sons face. When the ride stopped the gentleman held out $2 for the ride and insisted I take it. I said I simply could not take the money as it was my pleasure. With much to and fro discussion he thrust the money into my hand and with a smile wished me a wonderful day.
So to pay the $2 forward - After spending time at the ride we went to do our grocery shopping. As we were leaving the grocery store my children pointed out a busker who was playing the guitar and singing beautifully. I gave my youngest daughter the two dollar coin and together we walked to the guitar case and deposited the money. With a big smile the busker stopped singing mid song to thank us for our donation.
Upon walking out of my van one afternoon I could smell gas and commented on it to Samantha. As I crossed the road within the park to take the dog for a walk the smell became stronger and a hissing sound could be heard from the van opposite. It was apparent that gas was leaking from the front of the van which had the potential to be of danger should someone light a match or cigarette. It would also be a huge inconvenience to the owners when they returned to their van to find their gas bottle empty. I quickly turned the bottle off. When the owners arrived home from their day out I informed them of my doing and they thanked me greatly. We then continued to spend time talking of our travels and life.
Whilst standing at the clothes line hanging my wet washing up a lady approached from behind. As she approached she stated that she wanted to congratulate me. What for? was my reply. She then continued to state that she had been in the park for a few days and was staying in the caravan next to me. She was leaving in the morning and felt she could not leave without congratulating me on my wonderful children. She continued to say that since she had been in the park she had not heard one complaint or seen one argument between them. She had noticed how well they got on together and how well the family unit operated. She said it was a credit to myself. Feeling quiet embarrassed but thanking her for her compliment we continued to chat discussing our journeys, life and homeschooling. This one small moment really made my day, making me feel good about myself. I smiled all day and still do as I write this. My day was made all the better, along with my mood, which I am sure I passed on to all I met. I mentioned the comment to my children upon returning to my van and thanked them for being so wonderful and helpful - letting them know how much they mean to me. This compliment also made the kids feel good about who they are and what they stand for.
And so we continue our journey of paying it forward and building a positive world to be in..........keep tuned.
At this stage we have not got far in our travels as we stop in Mt Gambier as Samantha obtains her drivers licence. This has given us the opportunity to fine tune our newzine and meet some lovely inspirational people. We have been spending our days paying it forward as we travel the surrounding areas.
We are currently staying at Pine Country caravan park, where all are made feel very welcome, including four legged friends. The park is set in a beautiful country setting with native birds waking us each morning.
Our stay here has been quiet pleasant and we have met some lovely people - locals and travelers. One person I was lucky enough to meet was Clay Henri Tenni, author of Enrich Your Lifestyle, Memoirs Of A Homestay Host. I first met Clay when we started talking about our dogs, as we both have black labradore x kelpies. Over the period of a week we got talking about writing and publishing. It was then that Clay produced a copy of his book for me to read. This is a positive must read for all. Grab a copy of May Good Gabble to read my book review. Clay has also kindly donated a copy of his book for one reader to win.
So what pay it forward experiences have we had in the last month? Quiet a lot so here I will tell of a few.
As Clay and my family spent more time together in the same park a friendship became to form. During this time we found ourselves paying back and forth on many occasions. One example of this being taking his dog for a walk on the days when he found himself out for the day.
After a long chat with a lady who has just begun her travels with her husband my son emerged from his walk around the park with arms full of Cornflake cookies. He said a strange lady had approached him and asked him if his mothers name was Jennifer. When he said yes she kindly gave him the cookies she had just made. My conversation with this lady was only one of approximately half an hour but during this time she had come close to tears as she talked about being unwell and feeling as though she was a burden on her husband. Due to being unwell she could not help with the setup of the van or driving as often as she wished. I reassured her that her husband loved her and would not have taken this journey knowing she was unwell if he did not want to spend time with her. Her company and the little help she gave was obviously all her husband asked. During our discussion I could see the weight lift as she talked of her concerns - talking was the therapy she needed, listening was my gift to her.
Whilst in the local shopping centre my daughter wanted a go on one of the rides that you put money in. This ride accommodated three children. As she sat on the ride another child jumped on. My son put the money in and it started going around. An elderly gentleman soon walked up to me apologising for the fact that his grandson was on the ride and I had paid. I reassured him that it was not a problem and that the ride catered for three children - it was my pleasure and a joy to see the smile on his sons face. When the ride stopped the gentleman held out $2 for the ride and insisted I take it. I said I simply could not take the money as it was my pleasure. With much to and fro discussion he thrust the money into my hand and with a smile wished me a wonderful day.
So to pay the $2 forward - After spending time at the ride we went to do our grocery shopping. As we were leaving the grocery store my children pointed out a busker who was playing the guitar and singing beautifully. I gave my youngest daughter the two dollar coin and together we walked to the guitar case and deposited the money. With a big smile the busker stopped singing mid song to thank us for our donation.
Upon walking out of my van one afternoon I could smell gas and commented on it to Samantha. As I crossed the road within the park to take the dog for a walk the smell became stronger and a hissing sound could be heard from the van opposite. It was apparent that gas was leaking from the front of the van which had the potential to be of danger should someone light a match or cigarette. It would also be a huge inconvenience to the owners when they returned to their van to find their gas bottle empty. I quickly turned the bottle off. When the owners arrived home from their day out I informed them of my doing and they thanked me greatly. We then continued to spend time talking of our travels and life.
Whilst standing at the clothes line hanging my wet washing up a lady approached from behind. As she approached she stated that she wanted to congratulate me. What for? was my reply. She then continued to state that she had been in the park for a few days and was staying in the caravan next to me. She was leaving in the morning and felt she could not leave without congratulating me on my wonderful children. She continued to say that since she had been in the park she had not heard one complaint or seen one argument between them. She had noticed how well they got on together and how well the family unit operated. She said it was a credit to myself. Feeling quiet embarrassed but thanking her for her compliment we continued to chat discussing our journeys, life and homeschooling. This one small moment really made my day, making me feel good about myself. I smiled all day and still do as I write this. My day was made all the better, along with my mood, which I am sure I passed on to all I met. I mentioned the comment to my children upon returning to my van and thanked them for being so wonderful and helpful - letting them know how much they mean to me. This compliment also made the kids feel good about who they are and what they stand for.
And so we continue our journey of paying it forward and building a positive world to be in..........keep tuned.
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