Author: inspiringmax

Coffee Catch-Up # 32

inspiringmax

If we were having coffee I would tell you that I am not really sure where the last moth has gone. I worked up to Christmas Eve and then I was on leave. During this time I relaxed well reading and doing jigsaw puzzles. It wasn’t until returning to work this week that I returned to my routines including blogging.

If we were having coffee I would tell you about our family Christmas. At the previous Christmas the colour/theme is decided by popular vote. At times it can get interesting as all family members have equal voting rights. This year the theme was flamingo, anything pink or flamingo print. As this year we were on trend there were plenty of flamingo accessories to choose from. Christmas is always hosted by my sister and she and her family go to great efforts to make the day beautiful and memorable for all. I wish I had her level of creativity.

If we were having coffee I would tell you about my Sunday walk and coffee this morning. We walk around the local area randomly with no real direction and see what we can find. Today we hit the jackpot. We wandered across a brand new coffee shop that officially opens tomorrow. They opened today for foot traffic only but were happy to set tables and chairs up for us in the café. We were excited to be one of their first customers. By the way the coffee was amazing and we’ll definitely be back.

If we were having coffee I would tell you that over the summer I have been working on improving my Charcuterie board presentations. My last one was my best yet and I am beginning to feel more confident. No wonder they are so popular once you understand the principles of how to make them work there is no limit to options.

If we were having coffee I would tell you that the recent rain has helped the garden grow. Just after the new year I was down looking around for some salad vegies when I discovered our cucumbers had grown. I couldn’t believe it they were huge and tasted amazing. So fresh and crisp. And the good news is that I just finish one cucumber and there is another one to take its place. There is nothing like fresh garden vegies.

If we were having coffee I would ask you what has been happening in your world?

Thankyou to Natalie The Explorer for hosting this weeks Weekend Coffee Share.

Christmas Calendar #15

inspiringmax

This quote reminds me to make a plan daily. This is going to be even more important next year as I work less and play more. There are a lot of things that I want to do but time can easily get away if the day has no structure. My dad was always making lists to get things done. So I will be channeling him as I dig deep to enjoy my semi-retirement.

Christmas Calendar #14

inspiringmax

I love this quote and use it regularly in my therapy. Sometimes my clients start out being a little confused so I get them to try and pick up any nearby object. They look at me strangely and automatically pick up the object.

Trying was never an option you either do it or not.

Christmas Calendar #13

inspiringmax

I like to think of ideas and actions as the seeds of our life. I acknowledge and use them all because they won’t all germinate and grow. Sometimes the smallest ones on first look don’t seem to be valuable. Plant them anyway as they may surprise you and turn out be very strong. The more regular a habit you make of following ideas and steps to your goals, the more you’ll get the bonus seeds life plants in your garden. For me, just a small comment made years before has been enough to start my life going in a new direction. I didn’t even know it was happening until the harvest. In hindsight I was regularly adding to it’s growth without realizing.

You can’t start harvesting anything, if you haven’t put the required work in before hand. Prepare, plant and plow. Without the first two there is no harvest.

Christmas Calendar #12

inspiringmax

I love this quirky turn of phrase. It makes a new meaning of the power of positive thinking. In most circumstances its how you view a situation that tells you how you respond to it. If you tell yourself something is impossible, it will be. However, if you ask yourself how is this possible you will find a way. If necessary, break it down to it’s simplest form and then piece it back together.

Christmas Calendar #11

inspiringmax

I believe every choice has a resulting consequence. Hard work builds confidence and a solid reputation. Equally poor choices ruin them.

Having skills and abilities however can be transient. You might be on top of your game for a while, then suddenly someone will replace you. This won’t matter if by using your skills and abilities you have also made good choices and built a solid foundation. You will find a way to reinvent yourself and who you truly are will shine through from a different perspective.

Christmas Calendar #10

inspiringmax

In my life the difficult times are definitively the ones that built my strength and resilience. They have come in many ways, but it is their lessons that I have found the most valuable. On a few occasion I had no map for what was ahead of me, I just kept taking baby steps. Then over time, I realised that struggles was over and the difficulties had overcome were now a new layer of protection on my life’s journey.

Coffee Catch-Up #31

inspiringmax

If we were having coffee I would tell you how much I enjoy picking my salad vegetables every morning and night. Our vegetable gardens are growing well. My fresh baby spinach, rocket, parsley, various styles of lettuce and self growing tomatoes taste amazing. Who knew my husband and I have green thumbs.

If we were having coffee I would ask you how you eat your gingerbread men. Head or legs first? I am a leg person. This special man created for me by one of my young clients is awesome. She said she made him herself and he smells divine. I wanted to name him but didn’t because then I couldn’t eat him. Taste verdict. Perfect.

If we were having coffee I would ask you if you have any idea why my hair is turning yellow in places. It has been totally grey for about 3 years now and today I noticed the changes. I hope its temporary as I’m not a fan. I love having grey hair. It’s on trend and that you can’t purchase in a bottle

If we were having coffee I would tell you how much fun I had running around the ward last Monday with a French chicken on my head. Why you ask? The company I work for has set a 12 days of Christmas challenge. The aim to get staff and patients into the Christmas spirit. Last Monday was the 3rd day and we needed to either dress or decorate with chickens, eggs or French. Every ward or area did it differently. Our 3 staff wore chicken hats with the wings painted red, white and blue. They made everyone smile and laugh. Tomorrow is cow day. Who knew work could be so much fun!

If we were having coffee I would tell you how much fun we had celebrating my husband’s 60th birthday. He never wanted a big party so COVID restrictions weren’t a problem to him. We had 2 smaller parties. One for each side of the family. A joint one with my sister’s husband who was turning 50, and a surprise one with his brother and family. It was the Beatles themed. We all wore a Beatles T-shirts, most of which came from hubby’s supply.

Both were great nights filled with fun, laughter and memories.

If we were having coffee I would tell you how frustrated I was last week when my blog didn’t work. The problem was my Jetpack plug-in. By disabling it, my blog worked. But it was useless. I couldn’t connect with anyone or receive any feedback. It was weird, like giving a speech to an empty stadium. I didn’t like it. So I stopped blogging until it was fixed. Lucky, as the posts I wrote during this time remain in limbo. Not recognised in the official count.

If we were having coffee I would ask you what has been happening in your world?

Christmas Calendar #9

inspiringmax

When I started blogging I was petrified of being seen. I had lived my life in a bubble. I used this quote to help motivate me to post on Mother’s Day 2014 and I’m so glad I did. Now to get into a regular habit of showing up and take my writing to the next level. Is there somewhere you need courage to show up at the moment?

Christmas Calendar # 8

inspiringmax

Many years ago I did a Dale Carnegie course. I loved it. and it certainly helped develop my people skills. For me, it was fascinating to learn and truly understand the power of asking people their story. Even a small question can led to a totally different story line.

People won’t tell you if you don’t ask, especially if you’re too busy talking about yourself. Everyone’s story is unique and helps us to understand what makes them tick.