I am not God

Trust is sitting at a table with a red back spider underneath it.

Some would say I'm crazy. Asking for trouble. I however know this sweet little lady will not hurt me because I will not hurt her.

I met her yesterday when I, regrettably now, removed a massive egg sack I had discovered whilst cleaning our little table out front.

Reflecting on it later I wished I hadn't binned the sack and instead replanted it elsewhere.

Perhaps her babies will still survive? I hope so.

Because I am not God. I don't decide what lives and what doesn't. It's not up to me. Which is why as I write this she sits with me.

I also know she won't hurt me because she is close to death. Spiders will most often die shortly after laying their eggs. I also poked her yesterday to see if she were alive and she wasn't aggressive or that responsive, she was weak. She is waiting to die. Her job is done and it's her time. Well the job was done, until I removed it.

I know Red Backs are dangerous, more so than other spiders we have so commonly in Australia. But why should that make them less deserving of life!

It is something I will admit here and now that has bothered me for some time on Facebook. All the photos of people's house spiders and later the comment saying I killed it. Arrgh.

It also bothers me that Luke kills spiders, but not all spiders only the 'dangerous ones'. Does that make him any different to racists and other discriminating people. I question it. Why do some spiders get escorted out our house and others the verdict of death.

Perhaps I'm not like most people and I'm ok with that. But I believe in life. I am for life and I don't believe in taking a life, especially when it's not mine to take.

If a dangerous spider where in my bed or house. I would have it removed not killed. And as Luke wouldn't remove the redback for me ( he wanted to kill it) I am siting at this table proving to myself and others that unless you harm a living thing, threaten and or provoke it, it shouldn't bother you. Why would the spider bite me? Why on earth would it want too unless I started sticking my fingers at it!

Nicole. Pro spiders. I may start a campaign one day ha ha. But it gets me. And I've said it. I've admitted how much all of your killing spider photos irk me. Sorry.

Im grateful for spiders. Did you know if we didn't have spiders we'd all chock on insects!

Life is like a box of chocolates

I left a box of chocolates on a bench seat today whilst I was out with Gabe. On it a note I had written which read …

“These are for you. I have left this here for you to find today in the hope it makes you smile and feel loved. Because you are”.

I had bought the pre wrapped chocolate truffles a few months ago as they were on special at the time for only $5 a box. I bought two. I have since given the other away (to the hotel receptionists when I recently spent a night in Sydney) but I still had the one remaining. Which, I had completely forgotten about until yesterday when I saw them in my cupboard.

So today I gifted them. To no one in particular, but I'm sure to the perfect person. The person who was most needing it today.

I trust it landed in the hands it needed too heart emoticon

Flowers Say More Than Words

There is a lady named Kim who works at the nursing home I visit weekly. She is in her 50’s and is in charge of one of the morning tea trolleys. She also has down syndrome.

She’s beautiful and I love her. Every Monday when my two year old and I visit she always makes time for my son. She stops hands him a biscuit, sometimes two, and continues on her way. She is the only one that does.

So today I wanted to express just how much my son and I appreciate her and all she does, in more than just words. So on my way in this morning I stopped and bought this small bouquet of pink roses to gift her. Needless to say she loved them. She wasn't expecting it at all and although I’ve thanked her many times before, today these flowers said more than my words ever could.

I like to imagine that right now these pink roses are sitting somewhere in her home and every time she looks at them she is reminded just how much she means to someone and how special she is. Because that is exactly what they were intended to do.

Life Is For Living (and lying on Grass!)

You know what I did today…?   

Went outside and laid in the sun on some grass. Yep. I really do have the life.

Some days (like today) I beat myself up about it too,  telling myself I should be doing something more constructive and not out here lying in the sun. But you know what…? Isn’t this what life is all about - enjoying it!

Shouldn’t we all live each day doing what we love and enjoying all we’ve been given? Which for me today that was green healthy grass and a warm sunny day.

The morning I spent cleaning bathrooms and making chocolate biscuits with my 2 year old, so why not spend the afternoon laying in this beautiful Autumn sun? Why feel guilty about it? 

This crazy guilt and hard time I give myself must stop!

Yes chores and work need to be done but what about the rest of the time? Why do we then cram these bits in with more ‘jobs’? Life is all about balance. Yes we must work, clean, and do things that need doing but it’s also just as important to do nothing!

Perhaps all this rambling is to make myself feel better about laying out in the sun for an hour today with my toddler and the dog next door. But you know what? Its worked, I feel better about it.

Today was a good day, a constructive day. My vitamin D levels are soaring and I made one 4 legged girl and 2 year old boy happy and should that be all that matters?

Richard

 I know a man with no legs. His name is Richard and having no legs, naturally, he is in a wheelchair, but that isn’t the point or relevant to this story.

I’ve come to know Richard quite well and have known him for about a year. Every week I visit a local nursing home and sit with and chat to the many residents there, including Richard.

Richard loves iced coffees, smoking and puzzles. Boy does he LOVE puzzles! He is actually quite incredible with them. He can complete a 1000 piece puzzle in under 2 weeks. I’m not sure if that’s impressive but to me it is. Then again he does have a lot of time on his hands being in a nursing home.

As often as I can I’ll bring Richard in an iced coffee but what I love most is buying him puzzles! I don’t do it often, 3-4 times a year. Every time there is a bookfair on here I pick up a few 2nd hand puzzles for a few dollars. Last week I did just that and today I was able to gift the puzzles to Richard.

Now, this is the thing. I never actually give them to him, instead I go to his table set out only for him and his puzzles and place the new puzzles on the table and walk away. He has no idea it’s me and I like it that way.

A few weeks later I’ll see him working on the new puzzle and telling me how he found a new one and how happy it made him.

Do you know how happy this makes me?

To know that I made him happy. That something I did, something so small can bring another person such happiness makes me just about weep. There is nothing I could ever buy that would give me the joy that giving joy to another person and making them happy does.

It’s such a simple thing but I love it, and it always has me thinking of all the little things we can do to make anothers day.

know a man with no legs. His name is Richard and having no legs, naturally, he is in a wheelchair, but that isn’t the point or relevant to this story.

I’ve come to know Richard quite well and have known him for about a year. Every week I visit a local nursing home and sit with and chat to the many residents there, including Richard.

Richard loves iced coffees, smoking and puzzles. Boy does he LOVE puzzles! He is actually quite incredible with them. He can complete a 1000 piece puzzle in under 2 weeks. I’m not sure if that’s impressive but to me it is. Then again he does have a lot of time on his hands being in a nursing home.

As often as I can I’ll bring Richard in an iced coffee but what I love most is buying him puzzles! I don’t do it often, 3-4 times a year. Every time there is a bookfair on here I pick up a few 2nd hand puzzles for a few dollars. Last week I did just that and today I was able to gift the puzzles to Richard.

Now, this is the thing. I never actually give them to him, instead I go to his table set out only for him and his puzzles and place the new puzzles on the table and walk away. He has no idea it’s me and I like it that way.

A few weeks later I’ll see him working on the new puzzle and telling me how he found a new one and how happy it made him. Do you know how happy this makes me? To know that I made him happy. That something I did, something so small can bring another person such happiness makes me just about weep. There is nothing I could ever buy that would give me the joy that giving joy to another person and making them happy does.

It’s such a simple thing but I love it, and it always has me thinking of all the little things we can do to make anothers day - See more at: http://www.kindspring.org/my/story.php?sid=53292#sthash.Wmn2BMmT.dpuf

know a man with no legs. His name is Richard and having no legs, naturally, he is in a wheelchair, but that isn’t the point or relevant to this story.

I’ve come to know Richard quite well and have known him for about a year. Every week I visit a local nursing home and sit with and chat to the many residents there, including Richard.

Richard loves iced coffees, smoking and puzzles. Boy does he LOVE puzzles! He is actually quite incredible with them. He can complete a 1000 piece puzzle in under 2 weeks. I’m not sure if that’s impressive but to me it is. Then again he does have a lot of time on his hands being in a nursing home.

As often as I can I’ll bring Richard in an iced coffee but what I love most is buying him puzzles! I don’t do it often, 3-4 times a year. Every time there is a bookfair on here I pick up a few 2nd hand puzzles for a few dollars. Last week I did just that and today I was able to gift the puzzles to Richard.

Now, this is the thing. I never actually give them to him, instead I go to his table set out only for him and his puzzles and place the new puzzles on the table and walk away. He has no idea it’s me and I like it that way.

A few weeks later I’ll see him working on the new puzzle and telling me how he found a new one and how happy it made him. Do you know how happy this makes me? To know that I made him happy. That something I did, something so small can bring another person such happiness makes me just about weep. There is nothing I could ever buy that would give me the joy that giving joy to another person and making them happy does.

It’s such a simple thing but I love it, and it always has me thinking of all the little things we can do to make anothers day - See more at: http://www.kindspring.org/my/story.php?sid=53292#sthash.Wmn2BMmT.dpuf

I know a man with no legs. His name is Richard and having no legs, naturally, he is in a wheelchair, but that isn’t the point or relevant to this story.

I’ve come to know Richard quite well and have known him for about a year. Every week I visit a local nursing home and sit with and chat to the many residents there, including Richard.

Richard loves iced coffees, smoking and puzzles. Boy does he LOVE puzzles! He is actually quite incredible with them. He can complete a 1000 piece puzzle in under 2 weeks. I’m not sure if that’s impressive but to me it is. Then again he does have a lot of time on his hands being in a nursing home.

As often as I can I’ll bring Richard in an iced coffee but what I love most is buying him puzzles! I don’t do it often, 3-4 times a year. Every time there is a bookfair on here I pick up a few 2nd hand puzzles for a few dollars. Last week I did just that and today I was able to gift the puzzles to Richard.

Now, this is the thing. I never actually give them to him, instead I go to his table set out only for him and his puzzles and place the new puzzles on the table and walk away. He has no idea it’s me and I like it that way.

A few weeks later I’ll see him working on the new puzzle and telling me how he found a new one and how happy it made him. Do you know how happy this makes me? To know that I made him happy. That something I did, something so small can bring another person such happiness makes me just about weep. There is nothing I could ever buy that would give me the joy that giving joy to another person and making them happy does.

It’s such a simple thing but I love it, and it always has me thinking of all the little things we can do to make anothers day - See more at: http://www.kindspring.org/my/story.php?sid=53292#sthash.NiO1WnG9.dpuf

I know a man with no legs. His name is Richard and having no legs, naturally, he is in a wheelchair, but that isn’t the point or relevant to this story.

I’ve come to know Richard quite well and have known him for about a year. Every week I visit a local nursing home and sit with and chat to the many residents there, including Richard.

Richard loves iced coffees, smoking and puzzles. Boy does he LOVE puzzles! He is actually quite incredible with them. He can complete a 1000 piece puzzle in under 2 weeks. I’m not sure if that’s impressive but to me it is. Then again he does have a lot of time on his hands being in a nursing home.

As often as I can I’ll bring Richard in an iced coffee but what I love most is buying him puzzles! I don’t do it often, 3-4 times a year. Every time there is a bookfair on here I pick up a few 2nd hand puzzles for a few dollars. Last week I did just that and today I was able to gift the puzzles to Richard.

Now, this is the thing. I never actually give them to him, instead I go to his table set out only for him and his puzzles and place the new puzzles on the table and walk away. He has no idea it’s me and I like it that way.

A few weeks later I’ll see him working on the new puzzle and telling me how he found a new one and how happy it made him. Do you know how happy this makes me? To know that I made him happy. That something I did, something so small can bring another person such happiness makes me just about weep. There is nothing I could ever buy that would give me the joy that giving joy to another person and making them happy does.

It’s such a simple thing but I love it, and it always has me thinking of all the little things we can do to make anothers day - See more at: http://www.kindspring.org/my/story.php?sid=53292#sthash.NiO1WnG9.dpuf

Love In A Clothes Dryer

You know what I love ...? How every time I use my clothes dryer I am reminded of my mother and her love for me.

We never use clothes dyers and instead always hang our washing on the line. Living where I live it hardly rains and is often warm so it has always worked for us. We therefore viewed it (or more so I agreed to view it) as an expense we didn't need.

It has rained all this week and today I had no choice but to use our clothes dryer and when doing so I felt so grateful (like I have said this gratitude thing hits me anytime, any place). I felt grateful to own a dryer when I remembered why I owned one. My mum bought it.

My other half never would never ever have agreed to spending money on a dryer so my beautiful mum, god bless her, bought me one when my second son was born. She told me it was my baby gift and even apologised at the time for giving me such a crappy gift (which it so clearly wasn't!!)

Mum told me that now we had become a family of 4 I'd be needing it with the amount of washing I'd soon be doing. It sat in the garage for most the time she was alive, too big to fit in our small laundry and was hardly used.

Today however and in the past few years (mainly since she has left) it is used more frequently and every time it is I am reminded of her.

Its funny the things that become dear to you when a loved one passes. Sometimes its something as boring as a clothes dryer.

It has shown me though that we never do know how a gift we give to another will touch someone some day. I never would have thought all those years ago that a clothes dryer would hold as much sentimental value as this one does to me.

You Deserve It!

 Earlier today I was in a store purchasing a birthday gift for a friend and had a choice of two items. One was cheaper and overall packaged nicer to give as a gift, the other more expensive and in my opinion better.

I stood there for a moment and decided whether or not go with the more pricey item and splurge, or the cheaper one and save. I picked up the cheaper one and went to walk away when I stopped, put it back and grabbed the expensive one.

My reasoning ... she deserves it and deserves to be spoilt. I thought about this more later that day and realised that we all deserve to be spoilt, each and every one of us and that includes me. But how many of us actually do? I also wandered if I were buying the item for myself which I would choose?

So splurge and spoil. It’s a service to you. Its loving to you and you my dear deserve it.

Caring For Another Mans Children.

You know what I love .... seeing a man care for and provide for children that are not his.

In the supermarket earlier I passed a girl I knew and her two children. Pushing the trolley was a man who I know for a fact is not their father. He was playing with them, kissing them and treating them as though they were his own.

When they time came to pay for the weeks worth of groceries I watched as he pulled out his wallet and paid for them all.

I personally believe it takes a strong man, a good man, an amazing man, to love a woman and her children, and to provide for another man's kids.

That man today earnt my respect. Bless him and his heart.

Tim Tam Kindness

These are Tim Tams and if your Australian you will know them well. They are a double chocolate biscuit with the most decadent chocolate cream center.

Tim Tams are currently holding a promotion which requires you to purchase two packets to enter and so I have been. But what I love about all this is due to my excess of Tim Tam biscuits, I've decided to get creative. I have started a Tim Tam Kindness. I take a packet with me daily and bless whoever I come across and feel would benefit from them.

Today I gave a packet to the staff at my sons school front office. They were so overjoyed and all came over to hug and kiss me. It was so heart warming to see how much a packet of biscuits can touch the heart of someone and cheer them up.

I have also given packets to some elderly ladies in a nursing home and will bless my local librarians with a packet when I visit them next week.

Promotion aside I have become addicted to my Tim Tam Kindness and every time I'm at the store I look forward to buying packets just so I can find creative ways to gift others with biscuits. It is wonderful and now its your turn ... can you gift someone biscuits today?

Starting Conversations

You know what I love? How kindness and love spreads.

I was in the supermarket earlier today to pick up a few things. A lovely older lady served me and as she showed interest in my 2 year old (he was climbing up and out of the trolley) I decided to start a conversation with her. We spoke about her grandchildren and how crazy they were and children in general.

Not long after another older couple join the cue and as I pay and leave I notice that they begin a conversation and carry on from where we left off, grandchildren. The whole mood and atmosphere in the line changed. One friendly conversation changed it.

I have learnt people are dying for connection. To be spoken to and seen. It doesn't cost a thing to say hello how are you, and really mean it. Yet how many of us do? The days I do it always reminds me how much I must do it more.

Thank You Letter

Remember the house I drove past the other day. The one with the dog bowl and “paws for a drink” sign out front? 

Well today I wanted to do something nice for them. To let them know that their act of kindness and generosity hadn’t gone unnoticed…

So I decided to write them a card with some nice words (very similar to what I wrote here the other day) and today I purchased a lotto ticket along with some scratchies to put into the card and placed it in their letterbox.

I didn’t sign my name nor mention who I was or where I lived. I didn’t do it to be thanked. I did it to thank them. This wasn’t about me and my ‘kind act’ but about theirs. I wanted them to know how much this world needs many more people like them and I hope it inspires them to continue opening their hearts and to never stop.

Paws For A Drink

For about a month now I've been driving past a home around the corner from me. On its lawn a container of some sort along with a sign. Every time I drive pass I strain my neck and head to read what it says but am never able as I always pass it too quickly. Today I pulled over to read it.

On it it reads "Paws for a drink" and is decorated with paw prints.

As I read it I smiled. I was smiling because of the love behind this beautiful persons gesture. Every day they must refill that container with clean water not for themselves or even their own dogs but for complete strangers they will never meet.

Don't ever underestimate the difference you can make or kindness you can show. It doesn't require you to spend a lot of money or be incredibly talented or skillful it only ever requires that you open your heart

Recovering Complain-aholic

We all know someone with cancer or who has had cancer. And what about the children. Those beautiful, young, strong spirited children, who show us how to smile in the face of adversity. 

Children who never complain and are put through more than any child should when young. Their childhoods stripped away and replaced with hospitals, injections and illness.

Today I wrote a card to a young boy who is fighting cancer. He will celebrate his 10^th birthday in hospital as he has many of his previous ones.

How can we not appreciate our own children, their health and ours when we see so many that aren’t as fortunate. As a past and recovering chronic complainer I can no longer complain about such idle things. Life is a gift, your health is a gift, the eyes you’re reading this with. A gift. There all gifts.

It’s hard sometimes not to get caught up in everyday problems but when I remember that others out there have real problems and real issues it always puts my own into perspective - mine are so small and pointless in comparison.

The things I can complain about sometimes are embarrassing to admit, but as I mentioned I’m in the process of giving that up. I want to embrace life not condemn it.