LOOKING BACK AT A SIMPLY LOVELY SUMMER

cresting the hill

LOOKING BACK AT THE SUMMER THAT'S BEEN

Summer here in Western Australia comprises December, January, and February. It's full of hot, dry days that are so much easier to navigate now that I'm happily retired. I really enjoy being able to choose when to be out in the heat, and when to be indoors in the cool.

It's also been three months of Christmas, family, dabbling, and generally enjoying life on my own terms - living with equanimity and joy. I'm sharing a few of the highlights today and I hope you'll enjoy them too.....

I WAS SURPRISED BY THE ADVICE I'D GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF

When I look back at the last few decades I've realized that we need to experience life in all its fullness - we can't skip the tough parts.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD I GIVE MY YOUNGER SELF?

Mika from Musings by Mika suggested that it would be interesting to read a post on the advice I'd give my younger self now I know all the ups and downs life has brought my way over the years. I took a look back over my shoulder at the last few decades and all that I've been through to get where I am, mulled it over for a while, and had a surprising revelation.

This is what came to mind, and this is what I'd tell my younger self (that's me above on my last day of high school - not quite 17 years old) if I had the chance...

GENEROSITY - THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

cresting the hill

SCARCITY VERSUS GENEROSITY

I've mentioned before that I've struggled my whole adult life with frugality and having a scarcity mindset. The need to squirrel away whatever income we had to pay the bills and to make ends meet was very important for the first few decades of life. Despite the need to save,  there were still worthy causes to support - the church, overseas orphans, or local charities, and it felt good to be able to contribute where we could.

Now all that frugality has paid off, and we're in a comfortable, debt free 3rd third of life.....but it's been a battle to shed that scarcity fear and to live larger. The key for me has been to learn to be more generous with myself and with others.....