By the end of 2016, I had broken all of my New Year's resolutions. *gasp* Don't judge me! I know I'm not alone! *points vaguely into crowd of everyone on the planet* I know you feel me. Every year. Every year without exception, I fail every one of my resolutions. Here, I'll share. This was my list of ...
Soul
I went Christmas shopping and all I got was this lousy exhaustion
Last week, I made the bold move of going to our local shopping centre. All I had on my list was to pick up a Christmas present, buy some baby formula, and maybe I would treat myself to a coffee on the way out. What a great day I had planned! How relaxing! Okay. So, even after living thirty-one Christmases, I still ...
The Blessing of Insecurity
Confidence is a funny thing. We all want it. It is the key to success. It's the route to self-assuredness. It's the holy grail of finding that sweet spot in life where our self esteem is at its peak, where we have all the answers, and where every problem has a solution. "Go with your gut!" "Trust your ...
Courage, dear heart: Finding Freedom in Facing Fear
Today, I conquered one of my most drawn out fears. It has been nineteen years since I last had to face this fear, and back then I didn't even have to do it by myself. I was only eleven and, as my sister so eloquently worded to me today (tongue in cheek, as she is in that small band of people that truly understand my ...
A Wounded Warrior: My Journey with Traumatic Birth and PTSD
Ella Rose Lock 28/05/2013 6lb 6oz It makes my heart explode with love as I look at all the grace and wonder in her little face. It wasn't always like this. Yes, she was always my baby girl but my heart hasn't always exploded with love. This photo may look like a peaceful newborn photo but thanks to a very traumatic ...
Avocados vs Strawberries: The Good That Comes From Waiting
Avocados. I friggin' love them. I could eat them for every meal; on their own, with eggs, in pasta, thrown into a salad, cut into the shape of a rose, mashed into guacamole, on pizza, on toast, in a sandwich, straight out of the peel. There's literally a jumper that has a dedicated avocado pocket. I'm not sure why, but ...
That first twenty seconds
Everything in life is about getting through that first twenty seconds. Last week, I was booked in to have an MRI. Luckily, I knew all about photo-imaging and what to expect, thanks to my lengthy research through a well-documented, informative program called House. Sure, Hugh Laurie is just an actor, but he’s so ...
Modern Views on Young Marriage
[image credit: Sky Simone Photography] I have the torso of a ten-year-old boy and more baby-hairs than what is acceptable for an adult. I’m well aware that I look like I’m 12. However, it was never so obvious to me until after I was married. Are your rings real? How old are you? Is your husband rich or something? But ...
Katherine Louise on Happiness
Happiness is always such a sketchy topic. It's so broad and expansive, and can cover such sweet, fleeting moments that become memories, or such incredible depth that changes you forever. I like to think that both are important, providing only the second one is the one you pursue. It's also the harder one to obtain. Of ...
Shemma Timney on Happiness
Happiness is a fickle thing, isn’t it? Last week there was this moment, I was standing in my kitchen cupping a very fragrant mug of Earl Grey in my hands. I could feel a cool breeze coming through my dining room window and in that same breeze, I could see the bedsheets on the clothesline out back billow up full of ...
My Happy List: Letting the Little Things Shape my Happiness
It’s the little things. Am I right? It’s those little pockets of happiness throughout the day that make the hours that much sweeter – and I do mean the little, tiny things. Things you probably wouldn’t even notice unless you’ve got your happiness detection switch turned all the way up to full. If you’ve never made a ...
Why We Shouldn’t Marry For Happiness
When I was 20 years old, which was not very long ago, I did something that was absolutely outrageous for the time. Even today, almost-complete-strangers will question me on the decision that I made and continue to stand by. “You did what?!” they will profusely question, “But aren’t you too young?!” “Yes,” I will ...