is the wrapper the reality?

are we authentic or have we chosen the wrapper over the reality?

This is my first link up with the girls from the #1 Word Blog LinkUp and my word for the week is "reality". It took me a moment to get my head around the concept of reality, but I think it comes back to is "what is real?" In this postmodern world we live in it seems to be about the image we project to others - "the wrapper is the reality" (in other words what is on show is what we want others to believe is our true self and our true life) As long as the wrapper appears pretty, it covers all the stuff happening on the inside.  

now is my time

Now is your time. Become, believe, try. Walk closely with people you love, and with other people who believe that God is very good and life is a grand adventure. Don’t spend time with people who make you feel like less than you are. Don’t get stuck in the past, and don’t try to fast-forward yourself into a future you haven’t yet earned. Give today all the love and intensity and courage you can, and keep traveling honestly along life’s path. Taken from Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist

This is part of a quote I read and, although she was applying it to people in their 20's, I thought that this part applied to all ages and particularly my midlife stage. It reinforces the idea that living in the moment is so important.

IS HAVING A "PASSION" A FIRST WORLD CONCEPT?

Is having one burning Passion a First World concept? Do frivolous pursuits equal a passion if the person thinks they do? #passion #lifequestion

FINDING THAT ELUSIVE PASSION

Since I've started talking about leaving my job, I've been told by some of my slightly 'new-agey' friends that I need to use this time to truly find my Passion (not sure what I've been doing with my life up until now - obviously not enough!). Apparently I'm not allowed to slow down and enjoy my life in a simple and non-stressful way, I can't just cruise along and lead a calm and ordinary life and take a break for a while - no! I must have a Passion! I've given it a capital "P" because that's how they say it - emphasis on the "P".

I could understand it more if they had a Passion that was wildly exciting or even better - an altruistic Passion like caring for a loved one, or sending money to refugee camps, or volunteering at their local hospital etc, but some of the Passions I've had friends go into raptures over include.....

BEING A LITTLE BRAVER ON MY BLOG

Your worth is not measured in likes, comments, notes or followers; but in your ability to love, keep comments to yourself, take note and lead.

WHY I DIDN'T HAVE COMMENTS OPEN

Several weeks ago I wrote about turning off the comments on my blog. I did this because I am still so new to the whole blogging process and I felt my self worth was being tied up with whether I received a comment or not and whether I should gear my posts to encourage comments. I also read a post about trolls and mean comments and that really freaked me out. Since then I've had a bit of time to think and learn and hear other's viewpoints and maybe it's time for me to be a bit braver.

regrets I've had a few.....

Ecclesiastes 3:12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live

I've been thinking about making some changes in my life lately and one of the biggest motivators is that I need to live my life now and be happy now and not look back and regret all the time I wasted trudging through life waiting for the rainy day I was always planning for.

AT THE JOB CROSSROADS

When you've been hammering away at a job that has no joy left in it - you're at the crossroads - it's time to be brave and move on.When you've been hammering away at a job that has no joy left in it - you're at the crossroads - it's time to be brave and move on.

WHEN YOU FEEL STUCK

I'm not sure if I am the only Midlifer stuck in a fairly monotonous job. I have been working in reception at an orthodontist's office for eight years. I've hung in there through thick and thin but I'm starting to feel like the time to move on is looming.

when the kids come home take #2

midlife blog ~ cresting the hill
mum, Erin and me ~ or as we refer to it ~ past, present, future
It's been a wonderful time of playing family catch-up over the last week or so. First we had our son and daughter-in-law and their cat, Willow down for a few days......and now we've just said goodbye to our daughter and her little kitten........and hello to my mum!

TOGETHERNESS

I am homesick for a place I am not sure even exists. One where my heart is full. My body loved. And my soul understood.

midlife blog ~ cresting the hill

A BEAUTIFUL QUOTE

I love this quote and particularly the part that reads......"where my heart is full, my body loved, and my soul is understood." I think this is the cry of every woman's heart. We long for a connection and a depth to our relationships. The sadness and pathos in this quote comes from that deep longing for one special person who will be our home.

GARDENING AND OTHER DISASTERS

i tried. it died.

GARDENING DISASTERS

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, my sorry saga of life as a gardener is the source of much hilarity within my family. I have the unenviable skill of killing most plants I come in contact with. I start off with great enthusiasm but seem to kill them either with kindness or neglect.

My husband is somewhat better in the horticulture department - although there is the family legend of the native bush out the front of our last house that wasn't thriving, so he set fire to it......

when the garden can wait no longer

midlife blog ~ cresting the hill
my good husband using his talents

I'm not known for my gardening skills (I'll follow this post with one about my legendary lack of horticultural and animal husbandry skills). Fortunately I married a man who is remarkably useful and he has bitten the Easter holiday bullet and is tackling our side garden.

WHEN THE KIDS RETURN TO THE NEST

when the chicks return to the nest

EASTER AND FAMILY

Besides all the chocolate and church of Easter (not to mention those delicious hot cross buns that I can never get enough of!), the other bonus Easter brings is a longer holiday break and the chance for the 'grown and flown' children to come back to the family nest for a visit.

As a mum this is just the best bit ever - all the catching up and hanging out and eating and talking.....

Christ is risen!

midlife blog ~ cresting the hill

On a final Easter/Youtube note I thought I'd include this Matt Maher song "Christ is Risen" because it speaks so strongly of Jesus' victory over the grave and the call to his people to come alive too.

an Easter painting

midlife blog ~ cresting the hill
David Garibaldi painting

While I'm on the subject of Easter and Youtube videos, another series that I have particularly enjoyed are David Garibaldi's speed painting to music.

He is an amazing talent and it's fascinating to watch him in action.