I’ve been seeing websites with gorgeous compilations and collages of photographs, and was dying to be able to do it myself. So yesterday, opening up my pics in Picasa, lo and behold, the answer was right there. Did I have some fun! I can see many an hour ahead wasted spent creating glorious collages.

What do you think of my first effort? This is the sunset I wrote about here. A stately gum or two, a barbed-wire fence, green paddocks, clouds and that sun fading in the west.  Brisbane winter in all it’s glory… still green thanks to all that recent rain.

When was the last time you simply stopped and noticed a little piece of heaven, here on earth?

Sometimes we really are too busy to notice the beauty, hear the melody or appreciate a fine turn of phrase, aren’t we?

Sometimes we’re even too busy to notice a certain look in the eyes of someone we love. A look that says I Love You.

But it’s those very things, the sunrise that takes your breath away, the beautiful strains of your favourite concerto (played loud), the words of a dear friend or the look of love in the eyes of one so dear.

I strongly believe that surrounding yourself with beauty – and taking the time to notice – enriches your life beyond measure.

The other day, on my almost-daily run between home and horse, I was struck between the eyes by the beautiful sunset to my left across the paddocks. I pulled the car over, grabbed my camera (saying a quick thank you that I had it with me), and reveled in the beauty of the sun, the trees, the paddocks and the simple beauty of the scene. The photo above is one of many… taken just as the light was fading between two big, old gums.

Does beauty enrich your life?

Wild Grass by Kevin Dooley

The winds of life often blow us around… and I’ve certainly had my fair share of that lately. Thought I’d do one of those quick update posts about all the bits and pieces.

Where I’ve been when I’ve not been here

You can still find me around the web, even when I’m not here at The Clearing Space (and yeah, I’m very aware I haven’t been here much):

Join me at Twitter (the newest way to watch time fly by) I’m enjoying meeting wonderful new folk and learning something every day!

At The Calm Space (which does take up the bulk of my time these days, as new and exciting things are cooking on the stove…) – this month you’ll find our incredibly wise contributors (and me) writing about Kindness.

At Joyful Jubilant Learning – where my latest article about my journey post-employment and being kind to myself – A time to consolidate, A time to be kind -  has attracted an amazing array of comment conversation! I’m so honoured to be a part of that community of wise, warm and witty learners.

What else has been happening – off-line

We’ve bought a block of land – big enough for horses – and we’re planning our new home! Please throw me any hints and tips on how to handle the stress of building a house, and selling the current one. We’ve never built before… and have been in this home over 15 years!

One of the reasons for my absence lately was a glorious trip, just hubby and I, to Palau last month. Hubby went diving and I learned how to relax! Yes, I was twitchy for the first few days, and there were moments when I panicked at the thought of running out of books to read (I found no book shops on the island) – but we had a fantastic time with the six other Aussies on our trip.

I snorkelled for the first time ever – in a lake full of jellyfish! Here’s the photographic proof. Those things all around me & in the separate photo are the jellyfish…

So, that’s me all caught up. What’s been happening with you?

With an article to get up at Joyful, Jubilant Learning, I borrowed hubby’s laptop and got to it.

My contribution to the April line-up at JJL is A Time for Space:

Whether we need to clean out the fridge, our wardrobe or the entire house; whether we need to reassess relationships to sort the good from the not-so-good; whether we need to turn down the volume a little and retreat; or whether we need to open space in our diaries, cull items from our to-do lists, ditch some obligations or say ‘no’ a little more often: creating space is about making room for living our best life.

You can read the full article at JJL.

My diary has just reminded me of one further thing I’d like to mention. Whilst posting here at The Clearing Space has been sporadic of late – as The Calm Space soaks up my energy and attention – I’m forever thrilled and grateful to those who continue to read here, those who comment and those who let me know privately their reactions to my occasional postings.

Yesterday, in amongst the kerfuffle of the laptop drama, was The Clearing Space’s Fourth Birthday!

When I began writing here at the suggestion of Leah Maclean, way back in 2005, I don’t think I ever imagined a fourth birthday happening. I took it day by day. Writing here has taught me that occasionally what I need to write is what someone else needs to hear. And that is the reason I have never given it up, despite it looking a little like I was going to sometimes.

If you’re reading this, then you are someone I truly value. Thank you from the bottom of my heart – the birthday wishes are all for you.

I may be the last person on the planet to see this, but if you haven’t yet seen this wonderfully dowdy lady from a village in UK blow Simon Cowell’s mind (and change the mind of all those rolling their eyes and sniggering as she first appeared on stage) you need to watch it. Now.

Go watch… I’ll wait…

You’re back? Great…

What a miracle for Susan Boyle. No matter what happens now, she truly is a star. Her dream has come true. She has the voice of an angel.

What dream are you chasing? There really is hope, you know…

No matter what you call it, a conversation is one of the best ways to connect with people you care about, and even with those you don’t.

Rosa would call it ‘Talking Story” and we agree!

Hand the talking stick around and let’s get this party started!

Sit Down by Saxon on Flickr

In one of my favourite books, Gift from the SeaAnne Morrow Lindberg said: “Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee and just as hard to sleep after.”

We don’t want to keep you up too late, but we do want you to join in the conversations we’re having at The Calm Space throughout April.  There is too much in the issue for me to waffle on about here – so just go, have a look at the line-up and jump right in.

While you’re visiting with us, please pop by the Challenge Space where we’ve got a little competition going and join in – we’ve already some thought provoking entries!

Don’t forget to visit the Breathing Space and download your April desktop featuring the amazing photography of Amy Palko and the digital wizardry of Leah Maclean. It will bring a smile to your face whenever you’re at your computer.

I wish you a happy, relaxing, conversation-filled Easter, full of loving family and good friends all ready for a bit of a blather…

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place

but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment
- Dorothy Neville

Sit quietly doing nothing,

spring comes,

and the grass grows

by itself.

~Zen Wisdom

I’ve just settled back at my desk after mowing our lawn (with the ride-on mower – we have two acres:) and this saying sprang to mind. Even though it’s late summer our grass is lush and green and seems to grow as you watch it!

I love the smell of fresh cut grass. It’s so earthy and rich and, well, green.

The seasons roll around so serenely, don’t they? Mother Nature just keeps on doing her thing, never fretting about heat or wind or hail. Taking damage as well as lushness in her stride. Even in times of chaos her power and rawness are breathtaking.

Sometimes, in times of mental chaos – longing for stillness – I seek out Mother Nature as a balm to soothe my soul and calm my frantic thoughts.

When was the last time you sat quietly doing nothing and let Mother Nature work her magic on you?

I felt unappreciated, uptight and drained. Very drained.

But as I pulled into the riding school, there she was on her big boy – riding up a dream. I told her to keep going and parked the car so I could sit and watch without being eaten alive by mozzies.

And as I watched her, I felt this release… This time was a gift. Here I was watching my gorgeous daughter ride her magnificent horse, the almost-full moon rising behind her, the sun setting to my left.

I took a deep breath.  The tension magically bled out of me, flowing through the seat of the car and off into the ether…

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

I get goosebumps every time I read that! What about you?

Now here’s how I was reminded…

Joyful, Jubilant Learning is that wonderful community place where I sit in awe of the wisdom, generosity, acceptance and love of those who contribute and those who join in the conversations. And for the month of March, and half way into April it’s A Love Affair With Books time! My favourite time of year at JJL…

The book I read and selected for review this year is Marianne Williamson’s The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife.

I have to admit this book sat on my shelf for quite some time while I came to terms with the fact that, yes, I probably am in midlife now… and not something younger. Sigh…

After reading this book, I’m no longer in such fear of being ‘older’ and not quite so ‘cool’ as I used to be. In fact, being cool was never something I aspired to. My kids have words for me that I don’t think will change with age. Words like weird, hippy, and crazy.

You can read the full review, and the wonderful comment conversation on JJL here. Will you join in the conversation?

Why not check out the rest of the book reviews while you’re at it. We’ve had an amazingly diverse range of books reviewed so far – and many more to come! Here’s to an overflowing list of books to be read!

image from quotablecards.com

Dance. Love. Sing. Live… what more is there than this?

Vicki Baum said “There are short-cuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.”

On the days when we’re feeling a little blah there is nothing like stirring up the blood with a little foot stomping or hip wiggling or shimmy shaking to lift our spirits (preferably with great music, played loud).

I believe you cannot do a good twist or jive without a smile on your face… so we’re sharing all those happy dancing hormones with you as we dance through February at The Calm Space.

Join us?

There’s plenty more for you this month – in fact a whole month full of dancing and loving over at The Calm Space (and way too much for me to go on about here)… We’d love for you to join in the dance – come on over and kick off your shoes… and please leave a comment or two – we’ll be certain to respond.

www.thecalmspace.com