Fear

We have all experienced fear at some point.

What causes us to feel fear varies from person to person.

It can range from irrational fears of things like spiders to big, life changing things.

Fear is our brain's way of protecting us from danger.

If we fear something, then we are less likely to go ahead and do it.

But there are times when these fears only serve to hamper us in life.

Then we have to ask ourselves if this fear is justified.

Is something bad going to happen if we do this activity, or is our fear reflex simply over reacting.

When we feel fear, where does that fear come from? It comes from within our own mind.

It is a warning, but there are times when we simply have to acknowledge it's presence and go ahead anyway.

For if we gave in to every fear that we feel, there would be many wonderful things that we would never experience.

So instead of giving in to irrational fear, use it's energy to push you forward, give you the energy to follow through.

Fear can be your friend as well as your enemy.

Use it constructively, succeed, and bask in the satisfaction that comes from facing up to your fears.

Set a target

Where are you going? What do you want to achieve? What would you like to do.

There are so many questions, so many things to do.

But staying on course towards them is sometimes a difficult thing to do.

There seems to be so much to do before we achieve our goals.

Setting yourself a target, something to aim for will give your goals purpose, direction.

The target doesn't have to be the end goal, it could just be the little stepping stone on the way towards it.

If we can clearly see that target, we are more likely to stay on course and make our way unerringly towards it.

By reaching your target goal, you will feel more confident that you can carry on with your journey, towards the ultimate place that you want to be.

So set that target, keep your eye on it, conquer it and feel the satisfaction of a job well done.

Keep it simple

As we go through life we often attract more and more to us, such as new activities, new people, new things.

After a while we can find that our days are filled from dawn to dusk with activities, visits and tasks.

Often we are so busy with all of these things, trying to fit in everything that we often find that we don't have the time to finish everything.

Or to do list just seems to get bigger and bigger and we begin to feel frustrated and stressed.

When this happens, we should take a step back and examine what we are doing.

Do these activities serve a purpose? Are they beneficial to us? Or have they become a meaningless ritual that we somehow just feel that we have to do.

We should regularly take the time to evaluate what we do each day, to see if we can prune our activities down to a more manageable level.

By doing so we will have breathing space, time to relax, time to enjoy life rather than just rushing through each day.

So take a look at your daily routine. If things are not beneficial to you and it is possible and right to do so, then let them go.

Keep it simple, give yourself space and time to live.

Adapt

Things change so quickly in this wonderful world of ours.

When I was younger, there were no computers, internet or mobile phones for example and I have had to adapt and learn to use them as time has gone on.

Other things in our lives are constantly changing too: friendships, possessions, our own interests.

We must do our best to adapt, because if we don't we will, quite simply, either be left behind or will miss out on exciting new opportunities and new friendships

That is not to say that we need to understand the infinite complexities of new things, but that we should learn enough to use them to our advantage.

We must adapt to the world around us in order to make the most of everyday life.

Adapting gives us limitless possibilities for our future life.

It does not mean that we need to forget and give up on old ways, for the old ways are often of use when we least expect them.

Adapt, learn, enjoy.

Tick tock

Whilst you are reading this, time is passing.

If you do nothing, time is passing.

If you do something constructive, time is passing.

Time is precious, it is something that we cannot physically recoup.

How we use it is therefore important.

We should make an effort to use time wisely, to make the most of it.

We do not know how long we have left on this world, but we can be sure that it will rush by, regardless of how we use it.

So use these minutes wisely, constructively.

Use them to give, learn and grow, but whatever you do, don't waste them, because once they are gone, they are gone for ever.

When I was young

When I was young,
Many years back,
Life was so different,
A much different track.

We had no computer,
No mobile phone,
We played in the street,
Always out of our home.

We laughed and we screamed,
From dawn until dark,
Each day it rushed by,
We had such a lark.

We rode on our bikes,
Played hopscotch and skipped,
Upon our bright scooters,
We weaved and we zipped.

Outdoors all the day,
Life was such fun,
We ran and we climbed,
Burnt brown from the sun.

When the day was quite over,
We went back to ours
With dirty knees, grubby faces,
And maybe some flowers........

Picked from the woods,
Just for our Mother
Which she put in a vase,
With many another.

Yes life now is different,
Maybe not so much fun,
So get off that laptop,
And play in the sun!

Life skills

Just recently I was contemplating going back to work part time.

Looking at the application form, as well as asking for academic qualifications, it also asked about life skills.

It made me think about my own life skills and just how many I had acquired over the years of bringing up my family.

I have learned to listen, care, be patient, juggle several activities at a time, run a home efficiently.

I have learned to be a nurse, an adviser, an agony aunt.

I have learned to trust my instincts, to adapt to sudden changes, persevere when things get tough.

I have learned to be a personal assistant, juggling the diaries of my family so that everyone could get the most out of their lives.

Throughout this time, I have grown as a person, gained confidence in my abilities and gained a wealth of knowledge along the way.

So when you next find yourself in a position of wondering what you have to offer others, give a thought to all of the wonderful things that you have learned over the years.

Realise that you have so much to offer, so much to give.

You are a very special person with a very special and unique set of life skills.

Stillness

In the hurly burly of every day life, we often find ourselves yearning for solitude.

Our senses become so stimulated by everything that is going on around us, that we lose touch with ourselves and our thoughts.

We should take some time out to be still, to be quiet so that we can reconnect with our inner self.

By spending time in solitude, in stillness that we become aware of who we are, what we are capable of.

We can explore our mind without the constant distractions of modern life.

So schedule in some time. Time without the distractions of screens, other people, technology.

Be at one with the stillness deep within you, expand your mind, explore possibilities, expand your consciousness.

The Lovey Doveys

A solitary dove,
Arrived one day,
To feed in the garden,
From the food on the tray.

Every day it came back,
To eat and to coo,
So very pretty,
Did it look too!

But it looked so lonely,
Just one and not two,
It needed a mate,
To bill and to coo.

A week passed by,
Maybe more,
Then one day,
Away it did soar.

We didn't see it,
For a day, maybe two,
But then, as was usual,
Back down it flew.

But oh what a pleasure,
For with it, a mate,
They looked so happy,
It really was great.

They sat on the fence,
Grooming and such,
They were so very happy,
We liked them so much.

Now each day they visit,
Eat lots of feed!
Hopefully next Spring,
They'll marry and breed.

True wealth

What does wealth mean to you?


Does it mean a healthy bank balance? Or does it mean that you have a life full of a wealth of experience.

A person could have riches, be the most money wealthy person on the planet.

But if he does not have anything to spend these riches on, then they are worthless.

True wealth comes from our experiences, the knowledge that we gain as we go through our lives.

Instead of using all of our time chasing monetary wealth, we should also be increasing our inner wealth.

As our inner wealth becomes richer, our satisfaction with our lives grows.

We begin to see that wealth is not something that is hidden away in bank vaults, but is grown within us.

We can use this inner wealth to help and educate others, to care for them and guide them, as well as making our own lives richer.

So begin to increase the balance of your inner wealth today and reap the benefits.

I need some help

I need some help,
Really I do!
To think of some posts,
Something quite new.

I've written about this,
Written about that,
But now my ideas,
Are falling a bit flat!

I need some help,
Can I get it from you?
Give me ideas,
Can you give me a clue?

Maybe a subject,
Dear to your heart,
A hobby or interest,
Something quite smart?

Or maybe a story,
A poem or two,
A thought quite profound,
Can you think of a few?

Because dear reader,
Your ideas I do need,
To keep up momentum,
To you I do plead!

So send me a message,
Or maybe a tweet,
Because your great ideas,
Will keep this place sweet.

A change is as good as a rest

We've all been in a situation where we've been within the same four walls for a while or have been doing a repetitive task and we begin to feel unsettled, bored and fatigued.

Doing the same thing, being in the same place for any length of time numbs our body and mind, we yearn for stimulation.

When we feel like this, simple things can make us feel much better, more relaxed.

Just getting up, walking around, admiring the view from the window can all help.

Of course, the best thing would be a true change of scenery.

Getting out of the office or house into the fresh air will give us a much needed break and will revitalise us, give us more energy.

When we return to our necessary tasks, we will be in a much better mindset to continue in a productive manner.

Take the time to have a change of scenery or to do something different for a while and reap the benefits both physically and mentally.

New discoveries

This world that we live in is a wonderful place.

It is constantly changing, evolving.

Each moment brings with it new discoveries to enjoy.

As we go through each day, we should take the time to look around us, to find the miraculous things that the day has to offer.

Even if we are doing the same things at the same time, there will be differences to experience along the way.

Each day is a chance to notice things, to learn, to enrich our lives.

From a different person to speak to, a different flower that has opened to embrace the sun, to watching a bird foraging for food.

It is all there for us to enjoy, if we just take the time to look.

Competitions

I enter lots of comps,
In the hope of winning big,
But for ages now,
I've not won a fig.

Maybe a holiday,
Or perhaps a phone
My dreams of a win,
Keep me fixed in the zone!

I sit and enter,
I type and I fill,
Hoping there's a prize,
That will give me a thrill.

The postie's my friend,
I look forward with glee!
Will it be today,
That he brings goodies for me?

But no, by he goes,
Ignoring my house,
Nothing again,
I grumble and grouse!

But I think back,
Over the years,
So much joy,
So many cheers

Cheers of joy,
You see they were,
For the days when,
A prize did occur.

Holidays and phones,
Clothes and cash!
I've even won,
A birthday bash.

I dream and remember,
With fun and with glee,
When wonderful things,
Arrived for me.

So I sit and I enter,
And dream of the day,
When I win something big!
Please be soon, I pray.

Happiness

Some people seem to be happy all of the time. Others seem to be permanently grumpy.

People with very little can be happy, people with much can be distinctly unhappy.

So what makes some people happy and others not?

It is very simple. The happy people have chosen to be happy.

If we choose to be happy, then everyone around us feels happier.

If we are grumpy, then people around us aren't quite as comfortable in our presence.

If we wait for something good to come along before we feel happy, then we could be in for a very long wait.

But if we are happy to start with, then nice things will seem to come along more frequently - or so it will seem.

So instead of going through life waiting for happiness to find us, choose to be happy instead.

Choose to be happy and the whole world somehow becomes a much better place to be.

A better way

Each day, we have tasks to do, but do we have to do them the same way each time?

If we have done well on a task in the past, it is only natural to tackle the task the same way in which we did it the first time, after all it worked, so why change things.

But if we do a task exactly the same way each time, how are we to know if there is a better and more efficient way of doing it.

In order to grow and learn, we have to look for new ways of doing things, better ways.

If we don't question the way things are, the way things are done, then we will never learn, never make new discoveries.

We should challenge ourselves regularly, to see if we can improve on the way in which we do things.

If we never challenge ourselves, then we will never learn new skills, we will never grow.

So climb out of that rut today and see if there is a better, more efficient way of doing things.

Challenge your mind and body, find a better way.

The recycling blues

I like to do my bit,
As much as the rest,
I recycle lots,
Along with the best.

Wash and squash,
Tis the way it is done,
Then into the bin,
It's rather good fun.

So I collect up the empties,
Tubs, tins, and bottle,
And off to the sink,
I keenly do toddle!

I grasp hold of lid,
And give it a twist,
But it's welded on tight,
Oh my poor aching wrist.

I pull and I squeeze,
That recalcitrant bottle,
Hold it by the neck,
I twist and I throttle!

I threaten it! With a knife!
But, no, oh my life,
It still won't open,
It's causing such strife!

So I immerse it in water,
Squeeze, fill and wash,
I've been working so hard,
The floor is awash!

So please, when you weld on your lids,
Just spare a kind thought,
And make it more easy,
To do what we ought!

Don't make excuses!

Some days we are full of energy, tackle our day with gusto, tick off lots of items on our to do list.

But on other days, our get up and go just seems to elude us.

How many times have you sat on the sofa, feeling bored, wanting to do something, but instead you sit and waste your time.

Resting and taking time out is a necessary part of our lives, but not doing anything just because we can't be bothered to isn't.

It saps our strength, saps our enjoyment of life, serves no purpose.

So if today is one of those days when you just can't be bothered, give yourself a stern talking to and do something constructive.

Make a to do list, go for a walk, get on with that job that you've been meaning to get around to but somehow never do.

By doing so, you will find that you feel so much better, both physically and mentally.

So once you have finished reading this post, go and do something more interesting.

Get on, get out and get productive. What are you waiting for?

Life is wonderful

This morning, I awoke, flung open the curtains, to be greeted by a clear blue sky and sunshine.

It made me realise how wonderful my life really is.

There is so much beauty, so much joy in the smallest of things.

Even on days where everything goes wrong, there is still wonder.

There is wonder looking at the faces of my children.

There is wonder watching the clouds scudding across a clear sky.

Each new day is a new and wonderful adventure.

The fact that I am alive today to see it all - that truly is wonderful.

Each morning we should take a little time to take stock of our life, to see all of the wonderful things that it contains.

Even on the darkest of days, there is wonder to be found, if we just open our eyes and look for it.

Look after yourself

Many of us spend our days looking after other people, running here and there to keep them well and happy.

But we seldom get the chance to look after the person who is the most important person of all - ourselves.

For if we do not look after ourselves, make sure that we are happy and healthy, then we will not be in a position to help and look after others.


Even when we do get free time, we will often spend this on others, because making them happy also makes us happy.


But without taking time for ourselves, we run the risk of becoming tired or ill, burning ourselves out.

So we must look after ourselves first and foremost.

We must take time away, to recharge our batteries, both physically and mentally.

This doesn't mean that we need to take a lot of time out. Just a few minutes could be all that we need.

It is not the amount of time that is important, but how we use it.

It must be something that it just for us, that gives us pleasure and relaxation.

It doesn't matter what, as long as it makes us feel good.

Maybe a good book, a walk in the sunshine, a new haircut or even pushing the boat out and being pampered at a spa.

Look after yourself and you will be stronger in body and mind so that in turn you have the strength to help others.

Tackling fear!

We all have things that we fear. For each of us this is different.

Many people are afraid of spiders, snakes, the dentist, the list goes on and on.

It is what we do, our experiences that shape our fears.

But we cannot go through life without facing the situations that bring on these fears.

And without facing them, we will never overcome them.

This is not to say that if you are afraid of spiders, that you should immerse yourself in a swarm of them, but little by little it is possible to overcome your fears to a level that makes you more comfortable.

Take baby steps, challenge yourself a little more each time.

Learn that even though you feel fear, you are still strong enough to deal with the situation.

Before you know it, you will be ousting that spider from the bath (under a glass, of course) or sitting in the dentist's chair and having work done.

Facing our fears and overcoming them makes us proud of our strength, makes us feel happier and more secure without the constant fear of failure.

So face those fears, tackle them head on, little by little. And little by little, you will conquer them.

What shall I do?

What shall I do today?
The sun is out,
To shine and play!

Maybe I'll sit and read.
On my garden seat,
With a cup of tea.
That would be such a treat.

But oh, that sun,
It's far too hot,
That's no fun!

I'll read indoors,
But my book is done!
Oh what to do,
I'm back to square one.

I have my lunch,
Maybe I'll bake a cake?
That, a happy family,
With full tummies will make.

So here I sit,
With cuppa and cake,
Writing a poem,
During a break.

For truth be told,
Even during a bite,
I cannot wait,
For inspiration to write.

Focus on the important

As we go about our lives, our day to day activities, it is very easy to get bogged down by things that aren't important.


These things can fill our days, hiding our true path, stealing our time and our energy, taking us off course.

We should regularly take the time to evaluate where we have come from, where we are going to, and if we are still working in the right direction.

We should take a step back, look at things, see if we have been side tracked by unimportant activities.

Often these things sneak up on us, and we don't notice them, just accept them and incorporate them into our already busy days.

A regular pruning of these unnecessary things can free up a great deal of energy and time.

We should look at each activity, ask ourselves if it is helping us to achieve our goals, is giving us pleasure or if it is just a hindrance.

If activities are serving no purpose, then we should ask ourselves if we can let them go, to make our lives clearer and less cluttered.

Focus on the important, clear the clutter and free the path towards your goals.

Stay calm

How many times have we been doing a task, all does not go well, and we begin to feel tense and anxious.

The more we worry, the harder the task becomes.Things begin to go wrong, our head starts to ache, we start to feel angry and frustrated.

But when we are in this state of mind, we become far less effective in our work. We do not enjoy what we are doing, we feel no sense of accomplishment.

In this situation, it is a good idea to take a step back, take some time out.

Maybe go for a walk, do some meditation, or take a chance to do an activity that will relax you.

This will not be wasted time. It is a chance to calm your mind, prepare yourself to restart afresh.

Walking away from something for a while is not giving up, it is a chance to relax, calm down, clear your mind, let your subconscious help with solving the problems that you are facing.

When you return to the task, it will be with a new vigour, a new focus and the project will flow much easier again.

So stay calm, take a step back, take time out and stay productive.

Rats!

Over the years,
We've owned lots of rats.
Some people have dogs,
Some they have cats.

First there was Chip
And his little brother Sam
Adorable men,
With a soft spot for ham! 

Then there were more-
Many to be true,
All through the days,
They would nibble and chew.

Many a day,
Without a word of a lie,
They'd be down my top,
Having a nap on the sly!

We loved our ratty men,
Every day of their lives,
Sometimes we considered,
Getting them wives,

But no, we decided,
Babies were out!
There'd be too many rats,
No word of a doubt.

So we sat and we cuddled,
To stroke and adore
Our wonderful boys,
Til they peed on the floor!

Seize opportunity.

Every day is different and each day is special, bringing with it a new set of exciting possibilities.

When we see these new opportunities, we have a choice.

We can either sit back and watch them pass us by, or we can grab them and make the most of them.

Some of these new opportunities will only occur once in our lifetime, so it is important to make the most of the experiences that they offer.

Sometimes, however, it is right to be a passive observer, to see the joy and then to let them go, so that others may enjoy them also.

Make the most of each day's new opportunities. Use them as a way in which to learn about both the world around you and yourself.

Seize each new day and explore it's unique surprises.

Love in paradise

She stood at the edge of the ocean, arms folded, looking out to sea. Her long, blonde hair billowed in the breeze.


She sniffed, wiping the tears from her eyes, as the calm, warm water lapped around her bare feet.

Why did he have to make her cry!

She thought about the last few weeks.

This was going to be their dream holiday. A private villa on a deserted beach. No mod cons, just each other for company.

It had been wonderful so far. Long, romantic walks on the beach, hours spent talking about the future.

She looked up at the sky, at the twinkling stars, the bright full moon. It was such a beautiful place.

She stood, lost in thought, going over everything that had happened.

She heard a sound behind her, sensed him. He put his arm around her shoulders.

'Are you cold?' She turned to him, tears still glistening in her eyes.

'No' She replied.

He handed her a glass of champagne.

They stood hand in hand, drinking in the view.

Yes, he thought. This was the perfect place in which to propose to the love of his life.

She turned to him and smiled. They embraced, kissed, lost in their love for each other, the diamond ring glinting on her finger.

Cutting the lawn

Summer is here,
The sunshine is warm,
Insects and flies,
Over the garden they swarm.

The grass it does grow,
With sun and with rain,
I suppose it needs cutting,
Oh dear what a pain.

I get out the shears,
From the shed at the end,
Give a big sigh,
And down I do bend!

I cut and I rake,
Oh my back it does ache,
But it's looking much better,
Now a good look I take.

And now it's all done,
At least for a while.
It's tidy and neat,
Time to sit back and smile.

With cuppa in hand,
I sit on the seat,
A friendly little robin,
Hops at my feet.

I sit and I rest,
Pleased that it's just so,
But, give it a week,
And it'll need another mow!

You are your own expert

When it comes to knowing what is best for ourselves, we are our own expert.


Often, however, we will not listen to our own inner expert due to fear, or knowing that the path ahead will not be easy.

But if we do not heed our own inner expert, we are less likely to find out about our true self, to know what we are truly capable of and to learn and move forward in life.

So use that inner expert, listen to it, heed it's advice.

Do not be afraid to listen to it's truth, it's wisdom.

Be confident, do what needs to be done, rather than doing what feels the easiest.

Listen, act, do what you know to be right in your heart.

Be your own expert.

The call

She woke with a start, her heart hammering inside her ribs. She lay still in the early morning light, her breath steaming in the coldness of the air.


She huddled under the warmth of the duvet, wishing, waiting for sleep to claim her once more. She began to doze, her mind wandering.

Again, the sound! She opened her eyes, wide awake now. Listening intently. The call!

She heard movement downstairs. She glanced at her bedside clock. Seven a.m!

She pulled the duvet higher, over her head, trying to block the weak Winter sunshine.

The call came again, more urgently this time.

She sighed, her sleepiness gone. She reached down for her warm dressing gown and pulled it tight around her.

Her body recoiled as her feet hit the frigid floor. She stumbled along the landing and down the stairs.

Something heavy flung itself against the door! She stepped back, startled by the movement for a moment.

Then she slowly, carefully opened the door.

Suddenly she was assailed, almost knocked to the floor. A flurry of golden fur bounced around her excitedly.

She laughed and hugged the dog, getting her face and hands washed by the delighted animal.

She hurried to get dressed in warm, winter clothes with the dog watching her expectantly, it's tail wagging.

She walked to the back door and reached for the lead. The dog bounded up to her, jumping up in excitement.

She opened the door and side by side they stepped out into the crisp beauty of a Winter dawn.

Go with the flow

There are times when all that the world seems to want to do is to throw a spanner into the works and make things more difficult than they should be.


At these times, it is so easy to give in to frustration and anger.

But do these negative emotions make things any easier?

By getting frustrated and angry about things, we usually make things even more difficult for ourselves.

But if we accept these annoyances and work around them in a calm and methodical manner, we will still be working towards our end goal.

So instead of getting angry, try to shrug your shoulders, accept, and maybe see the funny side of things if possible.

So stay calm, go with the flow, and keep moving towards your important goals in a positive way.