The Freedom in Lockdown

Whoever thought that the entire world would be united in a war against a deadly virus? If you had told me a year ago that there would be a global pandemic forcing millions and millions of people into isolation, I would not have believed you. No one would have.

Coronavirus has rocked our earth and everything we know has changed. If there is anything I have learned, its that humans adapt incredibly quickly. Being in lockdown is not easy and we just have no idea what another person is really going through. For me personally, I was very fortunate to have been able to continue to do my job for a while at home. Schooling our son, who is turning 5 soon has had its challenges but for the most part, we have been very lucky that he has adapted relatively well. We take each day as it comes.

We have been living in the UK for just over a year now. We moved from Johannesburg South Africa to Suffolk. It was an incredibly hard decision to leave our friends and family behind to embark on this new chapter in our lives. Its been tough and finding work took a long time! Much longer than we expected.

Having been furloughed for the last 3 weeks, as I work for a charity and our fundraising has essentially stopped due to COVID-19, I thought it the perfect time to get the things on my list ticked off. Not all of them, but the really important ones. Like resurrecting my blog and getting a move on with the children’s books I have dreamt about writing.

I have an incredible amount of support around me from my hubby and son, to family and friends. I made the announcement on social media that I have completed my first story and I was so overwhelmed by the response. I just didn’t expect that! I have always found excuses as to why I cant get to the things I want to do and really, I was lacking motivation and laziness was the easiest option. Everything just took too much energy, time and effort. I just didn’t feel it.

Now, we’re at home, with no end in sight. It does sometimes feel like we are trapped. But then I saw the NHS quote which said “We are not stuck at home, we are safe at home”. We are safe from the outside world, coronavirus, the shops, the thrills of doing other things to keep you busy, the trappings of a false busy life that adds no value. We are safe. Safe and we are free. I am free to use this time to do something I’ve always wanted to do. Write.

I know there are many households who are not in our position and do not have the love, security, food and sanctuary that we do. For that, I am saddened and I wish the world was different for them. There truly are bad days, but for me, I really have nothing to complain about. I’m blessed to have my health, a good boy and a husband who does everything he can to look after us. There is so much to be thankful for.

So now, I write. And when lockdown is over, I will still write. I’m grateful for the freedom I found in lockdown. However contradictory that sounds. Stay safe everyone.

The Disconnect that comes with Being Connected

In today’s modern world, technology is an essential part of daily living. Social Media, the internet, TV and Smart Devices deliver everything we need from our favourite celebs and what they are doing and with who, to what we will have for dinner with our food app. But is all this access to technology really good for us? The truth is – at least I feel; NO.  I think it is the main reason we are so disconnected from life. Real life.

We have all these tools yet we complain that we are so busy and we are literally burning out.  Life was so much less stressed 30 years ago.  Our parents didn’t worry about status updates.  If mom forgot to tell dad to get bread at the shops it was just too bad.  No one cared that you just went to the gym and burnt off the extra calories from the jam doughnut or 5 you ate when no one was looking.  And if someone was following you, it was time to get worried.

Where did we go so wrong? I believe that the world is lying to us. We don’t need to know everything about everyone and what goes on in the world.  Only whats relevant. What Justin Bieber did last night really ads no value to your life.  Being permanently connected with technology is causing us to disconnect with who and whats important to our lives right now. This includes ourselves.

So where do we draw the line and get our lives back?  Here are 5 great ways to do this simply!

1. Everything in moderation.  Make time to switch off from everything technology related and spend time with your family and friends.
2. Do something YOU love.  Whether its gardening, reading or doing some yoga.  Do something that connects you to you.  For me, that’s writing.
3. Evaluate what is important.  What do you need to know and have access to?  Unsubscribe from emails and social media accounts that take up time and add no value.  If you are not going to use it, get rid of it!
4. Be disciplined.  Have a time for what you need to do with your devices, and stick to it. This helps you set firm boundaries for yourself and sets a good example for those around you. Especially your kids.
5. Get OUT and do something DIFFERENT at least once a month that is within means for you and your family.  Go somewhere and do something fun you haven’t done before.  You will see there is in fact a whole world out there that is at your fingertips waiting to be explored.

At first, you may battle and want to check your phone and get in some games on facebook.  But keep going, you will find it will get easier as you go and those things your thought you really needed to know, are not that important.  Take time to have real conversations with real people and look them in the eye.  See them smile and laugh.  Hear them speak. and let them hear you. These are real connections that are worth keeping!

“If it is not written, it is not true…”

Putting the proverbial Pen to Paper!

Many years ago I used to work for a company who had some fancy smanchy process consultants come in and evaluate your internal processes and help you and your staff do things more efficiently blah blah blah.

Anyway, one thing that really stuck with me (now I’m talking a good 20 years ago people), was one of their motto’s “If it is not written, it is not true” ~ It did not EXIST.  No policy, request or order “existed” or would get done if it was not recorded in writing.  Now, the concept was good, but what an overhead.  Things got really drawn out and complicated. In the end, we used what we could and dumped the rest, I mean, you just cant put EVERYTHING down in writing, its just not practical.  But, the important things, you bet!

Moving on 20 years, and amidst all the many thoughts in my head, this phrase popped into the forefront of all my ponderings.  There are so many things I love, and would love to do, yet seldom get the time.  Or MAKE the time should I say.  Writing is one of them and always has been.  Since I was a kid I loved writing stories and poems, even songs. You needed a slogan for something, I was your girl! I have named paintings, beers, new products and concepts. The list goes on for miles.

I have always wanted to write short children’s stories.  “One day when I have time”. I have so many stories in my head. So many ideas, but I never write them down.  I never explore them.  They sit there taking up space in my head, which is really full!

So, I have given myself 21 days to do something about this. 21 days, to change my attitude about “not enough time”.  Yes, there are many things that need to get done, but I have the support, I just need to make the commitment.

So, short stories living in my head, you will be given life.  I will write you. And you will live. You will be TRUE!

Plan A…

If “Plan A” didn’t work, the alphabet has 25 more letters!  Stay Cool.

Beautiful Woman

Beautiful woman, do not cry. You have forgotten that you are perfectly created. It is the world that is imperfect.

Rise up, for I have clothed you with humility, kindness and love. There is no task you cannot do. In your heart lies wisdom and your feet are guided by the voices of angels.

Do not let the ways of the world stand in the way of the life I intended for you. Yes, you will encounter pain but do not let it define you.

Live because I have breathed life into you. Smile because you are the light of the world. Be at peace because I have given you mine.

You are precious. You are my masterpiece. Shine. For in you is the hope of the world.

Plans

A Prayer

“Even though you are far away we still think of you every day.
Prayers for the Lord to keep you well and safe in every place you dwell.
Angels to guide your feet and watch over you when you sleep.
Most of all we ask the Lord to provide for every need and sevenfold bless you for every good deed!”

She Stood in the Storm…

I love quotes.  They are little snippets of wisdom that can carry us through almost anything.  I stumbled upon this one and really felt so very moved by it.

 As I read it over and over again, I realised that there was not only power in what was written, but in what was not!  As much as it is very true that Life will always bring storms and it’s how we hold against the raging wind and pelting rain, it’s telling us that this is what is needed to withstand the storm.  We simply need to stand firm and hold; not fight!  When we fight we tire.  We lose our endurance and ultimately the battle.

There is a thin line between fighting and enduring.  It is in our nature to fight.  We want to fight.  It’s our right to fight!  The reality is that there are just some things we can’t fight.  We must make peace with them and endure what the road has ahead.   There is a time for everything and we all know how that verse goes.  We need to know when we need to stand and when we need to fight!

 

 “She stood in the storm” – she did not run away and hide or curse the storm

“& when the wind did not blow her away”  – she endured and waited for the wind to pass

“She adjusted her sails”  – she took action

 

All we have to do is hold and when the time is right; do what we need to do.  This takes great courage and is never the easiest route but in the long run, it’s the best.

I shared it with a friend of mines whose husband passed away a few weeks ago after his long battle with cancer.   This quote reminds me so much of her.   She is truly inspirational.   She and her family will always be close to our hearts.

Although we have our own; we will never truly understand your pain and loss.  We will however always be here.   You will always be loved!

Spiders make Unfriendly Door Men!

So after a hard days work, I decide to treat myself to a well deserved pizza for dinner. All the way home all I could smell was this yummy four seasons! I park, grab my pizza and head for the front door. In the semi darkness of night, as I open the trellidor, I’m sure I spot something. Stepping towards the door, what do I see? Not 1 but 2 freaking huge rain spiders, one which even looked me straight in the eyes! I swear I saw his pupils dilate! My mouth opened and I did that internal silent gargling intake of air and retreated backwards to the garage. Now, imagine my disappointment as I realise I am not going to get to eat my hot and tasty pizza as I can’t bring myself to walk past the critters on my right to unlock the front door as, unashamedly I’m not afraid to admit, I am absolutely terrified of these particular species of spiders. 8cm’s people, that is a big spider!

I start to sweat like a mexican drug lord with interpol on his tail. My hubby is away and usually he will remove said critters But he is not home and now, thanks to Murphy, there is an extra one camping at my front door!

I can’t pluck up the courage to try remove them with the broom. Dashing out to look at them and then dashing back again about several times, I just can’t bring myself to even attempt to get rid of them.

I call my lovely friendly neighbours 2 doors down to ask for assistance, but they don’t pick up. I now deliberate for 20 minutes on what to do, call my sister who is in absolute hysterics and continue to sweat further more. Natasha phones back and I explain the situation, her hubby is not home either but she will see if she can get rid of them. I go camp out at her house to keep an ear out for her sleeping son.

5 minutes later she comes back, they won’t move! She goes back, now with broom in hand instead of the long feather duster. I continue to feel like a chop! Natasha, bless her soul, is 5 months pregnant! I sent a pregnant woman to take care of my problem! WUS of the year award to me, real master card moment!
A moment later I get a message from her stating that Gertrude, the female security guard on duty is taking care of them! A sigh of relief is expelled from my body.

Nearly an hour later, A thousand thank you’s later and a good giggle, I go back home to fetch my now cold pizza and settle down to watching survivor. How poetic! I now have my sister in stitches after using some choice words she has never heard come out my mouth, a few other friends enquiring on the pic and status I put on BBM but the best was Kim who said he is sure they have made babies! I used to like him…

Removal of these pests usually results in hubby using his trusty glass dish and throwing them over the neighbours wall, because they irritate us and they deserve them and me cowering like a wus as far away as possible!

For the past 2 seasons, these stupid spiders have had a nest the size of a flipping tennis ball in our garden. They usually come into the lounge and sometimes sit outside the front door. Always one every now and then but not tonight, tonight especially for me there are 2! Despite my fear, I have never killed them, they have always been re homed by my spider removal specialist.

I have this to say…. This is MY turf you vermin, you have the whole garden to chill in but noooo, you wanna come into my space and scare the living daylights out of me! Tomorrow, that nest is going down. DOWN biatch, I’m getting a flame thrower and I’m gonna torch that puppy!

4 seasons pizza R60, asking you pregnant neighbour and lady security guard to deal with your un welcomed guests because you’re a wus…priceless!

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