Life is a juggling act

Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air. 

You name them . . . work, family, health, friends and spirit, and you're keeping all of these in the air. 

You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. 

But the other four balls . . . family, health, friends and spirit . . . are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same.

Fantastic Rice Crackers

Fantastic Cheddar Cheese Rice Crackers.

These Cheddar cheese (not to be mistaken with the plain ‘cheese’) rice crackers are absolutely covered in bright orange cheesy flavour. You know that ultra cheesy flavouring on CC’s, Doritos and the like? These rice crackers are like those, so if you feel a bit like cheesy corn chips, but want something a little different, give these a go. They have that same (strong) cheesy taste, but the usual super crunch of a rice cracker.

I love these rice crackers, and have to make a real effort not to inhale the entire packet in one go.

Be Yourself

Shall We Dance by Maggie Alderson

      I’ve just finished reading Maggie Alderson’s newest book, Shall We Dance.

This is a lovely book (if a bit predictable at times), which explores the various levels of relations – from mother/daughter, through to same sex and opposite sex friendships, sisters and relationships across age gaps.

The book is written from the perspective of LouLou and her daughter Theo, with alternating chapters from each one.

*spoiler alert* The story revolves around LouLou’s business (vintage dress shop) and her relationship with her daughter, which becomes complicated when LouLou starts seeing a young man, who is her daughters age. Theo also has her own issues throughout the story and almost has an unsuitable affair of her own. The insight into unexpected sexual attraction is an interesting reminder that we cant always help who we are attracted to (despite our conscience). They do both find ‘suitable’ men at the end of the book and it is all happily ever after.

Initially I found the chapters by Theo (a 21 year old) quite frustrating, as I felt the way it was written better portrayed a 15 year old whingey teenager, but this did improve over the course of the book. You just have to persist with it for awhile.

Despite being somewhat predictable at times, it is a lovely story and for anyone interested in fashion (vintage or modern) the setting in the world of fashion may add a little something extra.

This wasn’t my fave Maggie Alderson book, but I would still recommend it

Self Help, Therapy and Reflection

So, I think its about time I do a self reflection and therapy time here on PureHappiness. Reflection is something which fascinates me, I love constantly learning things about myself and exploring the who/what/why’s.

So for todays exercise

Imagine you are 95 years old, looking back on life.
Finish these sentences. And remember, this isn’t about here and now necessarily, this is your whole life, when you are 95 years old.

I spent too much time worrying about ………..
I spent too little time doing things such as ………
If I could go back in time, I would ………

***

I spent too much time worrying about – money, things happening at the right time (ie- getting married by 25, having kids by 30 etc), what other people thought of me and whether I was good enough.

I spent too little time doing things such as – going and doing the silly, spontaneous things, trusting myself, being true to who I really am.

If I could go back in time, I would – have more fun, take more risks (life is an adventure), put myself first a bit more. But in the end, I would probably change very little.

How would you finish the sentences?

Pic of the Day

Cute Panda Wallpaper

You're Beautiful

This is just a little statement to consider, which has been doing the rounds on blogs lately. It was originally posted here (The Myth of Fingerprints). I just like the words.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You are not your bra-size, nor are you the width of your waist, nor are you the slenderness of your calves. You are not your hair color, your skin color, nor are you a shade of lipstick. Your shoe-size is of no consequence. You are not defined by the amount of attention you get from males, females, or any combination thereof. You are not the number of sit-ups you can do, nor are you the number of calories in a day. You are not your mustache. You are not the hair on your legs. You are not a little red dress.

You are no amalgam of these things.

You are the content of your character. You are the ambitions that drive you. You are the goals that you set. You are the things that you laugh at and the words that you say. You are the thoughts you think and the things you wonder. You are beautiful and desirable not for the clique you attend, but for the spark of life within you that compels you to make your life a full and meaningful one. You are beautiful not for the shape of the vessel, but for the volume of the soul it carries.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I love the notion that ambitions, goals, the things you laugh at, your thoughts and your wonderings are what make you beautiful.