Tag: #love

Posted on

It’s been a while

It’s been almost twelve months since I put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard, depending on how you roll). And I can’t help but notice how slippery time has become. A week now passes like a day, and a month vanishes like a week. Blink, and another season has already tiptoed past, and I’m still trying to figure out what happened to last Tuesday!

In this whirl of days turning into months, one lesson has returned to me with quiet insistence: change is the one permanent resident in our lives. Like an uninvited houseguest, it shows up, makes itself at home, and whether we like it or not, we’ve got to adapt. And really, unless we evolve in both mind and heart, we risk being left behind—like the person still clinging to their Nokia 3310 while the rest of the world is on foldable smartphones. The Nokia 3310 was the best. I still have one, just saying!! Unless I’m willing to keep my mind and my heart open and stay curious, I risk being left behind, clinging to old certainties while the world pirouettes forward.

And then there’s the other certainty: death. We arrive in this world with nothing but a cry, clinging to our mother’s smell and voice. We leave with empty hands. No riches, no possessions, no accolades come with us. Yet this truth is oddly liberating. Because it reminds me that wealth wears many disguises. Peace of mind is worth more than any balance sheet. Happiness is not outsourced to others, but cultivated within. And completeness? Well, I am already whole—beautifully imperfect, glorious with my cracks and quirks, my “beautiful brokenness” is part of the design. I am reminded, fearfully and wonderfully made.

Around me, the world hums with noise: politics near and far, AI shaping new realities, natural disasters reminding us of our fragility, wars, rising prices, dazzling innovations, and the heartbreak of homelessness. Chaos is everywhere, spinning in circles. And yet, within that spin, a quiet truth remains: some things are still mine to choose.

I get to choose my mindset. I get to decide how I respond. And I get to choose whether I meet the absurdities of life with despair or with a smile. More often than not, humour lightens the weight, optimism steadies the heart, my faith is my anchor, and reflection reminds me that even in turbulent times, there is always beauty to be found. There’s not a lot we get for free these days; however, as a reminder, here are some.

Posted on

Managing the in between

Inspired this morning by a video that my cousin Elaine shared in the cousins family chat. (Thanks cuz) 🥰🥰

The video shared some words from Steve Jobs as his life was ending. It was reminding us that we are loved when we are born and when we die, the in between we have to manage.

Got me thinking, Who do I love? Who loves me? And how do I know that they love me? What’s my love language? How am I managing the in between? It’s a bit deep for a Sunday morning but gotta examine and sit with the question a little while.

As I reflect I know who I love, that was very easy. The who loves me … easy. The how do I know …. a deeper level of inner inspection required. 🤔🤔🤔

There is truly some deep wide love in my life (I am exceptionally blessed in this area). There are those that look out for me and have my back for sure. They show me kindness, love, tenderness and compassion. They are interested in what I am doing, how I am feeling and doing and when I royally f@&% the hell up they cover me with grace. When I’m sick they are prepared to wipe my derriere if they have to, feed me and comfort me. Words fail me sometimes. They give, show and provide additional happiness to my life across the piece as well as heaps of laughter, especially about rubbish. 😂🤣

The good ones are there for me, I only have to ask. Sometimes I don’t even need to ask. They tell me as it is in love. Not putting me down so they can feel tall. And not in a way that leaves me crushed so I can’t recover or it takes a long while to recover.

Not the fair weather kind. With me in the good times and don’t disappear in times of distress and need. If you have a couple of these people in your life, drop to your knees in thanksgiving and gratitude. These people are priceless.

My mum taught me from early door to treasure my relationships and friendships because ‘Jan-et! It’s a two way street. The new friends are silver and the old ones are golden. And never give away the old ones for the new ones’. Wise words indeed which I’ve never forgotten.

Equally she told me and showed me that I needed to be a friend. To show myself friendly, be prepared to be in it for the long haul, (unless something happens and for very good reasons you call it a day, and it has happened to me on one occasion). To never gossip about a friend with another friend in a malicious and destructive way. When you love someone you do your best for them always.

Question to you today – How are you managing the in between?? Who do you love and who loves you? Who do you look out for?

As you think about it connect with your heart and feel the joy and sensation in your body. Stop right there … doesn’t it feel good to love and know that someone loves you back. Each one a blessing. 🤗🤗🤗After the exercise, if you haven’t told them for a while, remind them and let them know. Give them their flowers and praise whilst they are still here.

This week I’ll be chatting with some family and friends who have been there for me and with whom I’ve not chatted to for a while.

Whilst I’ve been writing, the sun has risen here on the coast and it is -2 but still truly glorious. Have a blessed and happy Sunday.

Love Auntie Jan x