life Archives - INSPIRING MAX

Perfect Day

November 21, 2014November 21, 2014 inspiringmax

What’s your idea of a perfect day off: one during which you can quietly relax, doing nothing, or one with one fun activity lined up after the other? Tell us how you’d spend your time.

Today is the first day of my 7 week holiday. I am excited. Next week I will be traveling to Canada with my husband for our first white Christmas. I am looking forward to exploring new areas, cultures and ways of life.

However, today I plan on enjoying the peace and quiet of my home while nobody else is here. This is my idea of spending a perfect day off. I work full- time with people, so on my day off, I like to recharge under my own rules. Mostly this involves sitting at my computer—oblivious to the rest of the world. I do really know what is going on around me—through years of training in observation, but I don’t get involved unless I need to.

Since I recommenced blogging in late August—I start every day on my blog. Excited about who has visited, any comments made and also what others have written on their blogs. I spend as much time visiting as I do on my blog. I love the interaction and inspiration. Blogging allows me to interact with others according to my time schedule, not somebody else’s and this I find relaxing.

The other way I enjoy my day off is working on my book. Having a large chunk of uninterrupted time to work on it helps me see my progress. At present I am on the last stages of editing, which is nowhere near the fun of writing it. I find it tedious and boring. But when it all comes together, editing is like learning to drive—a necessary evil that requires a lot of concentration—with a great reward at the end.

Thanks for calling in and visiting. You help to make my day off perfect. All I need now is some sparkling wine—just to top it off.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/still-or-sparkling/

Wonderfully Weird

November 20, 2014 inspiringmax

We all have that one eccentric relative who always says and does the strangest things. In your family, who’s that person, and what is it that earned him/her that reputation?

In my family, over the years every member would have taken the strange crown at various times, myself included—but no one holds it alone or regularly. We are all individuals and allow each other to be themselves.

Often described by the younger generation as a weird family compared to their friends, we try to hold family functions 3-4 times a year. These times allow us to keep up with each others busy lives, relax and plans for the future. Sometimes, it is fun to relive memories and help put together the details of the past forgotten by some.

Our family is large so inviting the relatives makes an instant party. Always keen for a party, we guarantee success—fancy dress included if requested or sometimes just because we felt like it. You can also rely on some high jinx to pop up. During my 40th birthday party our concrete aboriginal ornament was removed our house—later found in another family members bed. This began a journey of about 12 months of him traveling around various family members homes—creating fun stories to tell about how or why he was there until he finally returned home to us.

Having fun and being yourself is important in family. It’s the strange and weird moments that I remember with fondness. I am personally pleased that in our family the weirdness or strangeness belongs to all of us—not just one person.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/cousin-it/

Movement

November 19, 2014November 19, 2014 inspiringmax

Capture a fleeting moment and experiment with blur and movement.

My daughters diving show in one of China’s theme parks. It was a fun interactive display loved by the audience that gave us plenty of opportunities to practice our action shots.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_assignment/photography-101-moment/ ‎

I See Red

November 17, 2014 inspiringmax

Colors can stir emotions within us, tell stories, and transform our images. Today, use one color to add life or drama to your shot.

Christmas every year in our family is colour-themed. It is a very democratic process—all family members vote, from the youngest to the oldest. My sister who organises and holds Christmas every does an amazing job. Her decorations and year-long planning—set the scene for the celebration. It is amazing how dramatic one colour can be when up to thirty people in the room are wearing it and it is reflected everywhere—from the decorations, to the food, table presents and the gift wrap.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_assignment/photography-101-pop-of-color/

Life With Purpose

November 16, 2014 inspiringmax

Present-day you meets 10-years-ago you for coffee. Share with your younger self the most challenging thing, the most rewarding thing, and the most fun thing they have to look forward to.

“Well hello,” I said to my younger self. Thanks for taking the time to meet me. You think you are busy now. When you move to Sydney next year, your life is going a lot busier—with purpose. As a mother, your time will rarely be your own, as the kids sport goes to the next level. It is fun and makes you proud—but it controls your life.

The next 10 years are both difficult and rewarding. The difficulties are both personal and professional and are not things you have any choice about. Your role of getting yourself and others through these times, makes you a stronger, more confident person. It also makes you a better teacher and mentor than you ever thought possible.

When things get tough, remember the tough get going. Stop and think about the goal to the challenge you are currently facing. Break it down into simple steps and follow the advice in this quote. It is powerful.

You join Toastmasters for your own personal growth. Initially, although you can speak in public you waffle on, which minimises the impact of your message. Learning to hone your skills improves your life in many ways. There will be times when you consider giving up, as you are too busy—don’t. Remember to make time for things that develop your confidence. As the difficult stage of your life comes to an end, you will suddenly notice how easier things are for you as your confidence shows.

Somewhere in the next 10 years you decide to write a book based on your knowledge of what, why and how eating disorder recovery is possible. Written for those living with the disorder, their family and friends as well as professionals. You start this journey in 2009 and plan to publish it next year. Feedback to your original daft is that it is a thorough book and what the market place needs. Writing has turned into a love as you discover your voice that others can connect with—on this blog and through the pages of your book.

After you turn 50 and the children have become happy, healthy and independent—you begin to travel as a couple. Your holidays both at home and internationally are no longer be dictated by sporting commitments. This is a great experience and adds to the patchwork quilt of your life. Believe in yourself and enjoy your journey.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/good-tidings/

Warmth

November 15, 2014 inspiringmax

Despite summer being two weeks away in Australia and yesterday temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius—warmth is a topic I find hard to express without winter. My photo choice depicts the chiminea my husband and I keep warm by on a winter weekend evening.

We enjoy its warmth while planning our week ahead. There is something mesmorising and relaxing about watching the flames dance—they warm you from the inside out.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_assignment/photography-101-warmth/

By Hand

November 15, 2014 inspiringmax

What’s the best present you’ve ever received that was handmade by the giver, not store-bought? Tell us what made it so special.

I love hand made gifts. They take time as well as thought and make me feel special. Over the years, I have received many and cannot judge any one as better than another. I love them all. Each had specific meaning to me and I struggle to be able to throw them out—even the paper crane a patient made for me with the words tough love and smiley faces remains at my desk—energising me when work is difficult.

These two vases are an example of my hand gifts. The pottery one was designed and thrown especially for me during a friends pottery class. The second was hand painted by my sister-in-law for my 40th birthday.

My father has made me many presents—recreating ideas he sees and crafting them in wood or metal. I was the only child I knew growing up who had a wooden skateboard with her name etched into it. I still own it but I no longer ride it.

Thanks to anyone and everyone who have ever given me a hand made gift—including food. It makes me feel special and is appreciated.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/by-hand/

World Kindness Day

November 14, 2014November 14, 2014 inspiringmax

Our ten-minute free-write is back for another round! Tap away on whatever comes to mind, no filters attached.

November 13 is World Kindness Day. This day focuses on acts of kindness in the community and helps breakdown barriers such as religion, sex, race, age and demographics. To join people together, making the world and our community more connected and a happier place.

Random acts of kindness, part of World Kindness Day are encouraged everyday, not just November 13. Some people are easier to be kind to than other. However, it is often those that are the hardest to be kind to—that need our kindness the most. Where possible choose to be kind to these people. A simple smile or hello can start to break down barriers and help develop opportunities for further act of kindness.

When working on being kind to others, I believe it is important to remember to be kind to ourself. Many people would never criticise or treat others the way they treat themselves. Make World Kindness Day a starting point to prioritising kindness—for others and ourselves.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop

Photo Credit: Google Images

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/ready-set-done-6/

Daily Prompt: Survive

November 3, 2014 inspiringmax

What’s the best story someone else has recently told you (in person, preferably)? Share it with us, and feel free to embellish — that’s how good stories become great, after all.

Bush walking in Australia can be dangerous—even deadly. Situations can change quickly at the hand of mother nature. This is particularly true with canyoning—traveling through canyons using whatever mix of activities is required—abseiling, swimming, walking, jumping, scrambling over rocks etc to get through what is sometimes a very small space. Due to the areas where canyoning is possible, there it often only one way in and out. Without the knowledge of these exits—you may not survive.

Photo Credit: Google Images Canyoning in the Blue Mountains

Photo Credit: Google Images Canyoning in the Blue Mountains

Recently, on a warm autumn day, a group of experienced canyoneers where exploring some of the many canyons in the Blue Mountains. As usual, they had spent the whole day seeing no-one, just enjoying each others company and the peace, serenity and beauty of the canyons.

Suddenly as they were moving through the canyons, they came across four lost unequipped young people. They were scared, freezing from the icy cold water and had run out of food and drink.

“Do you know where you are or do you need help?” asked the group leader.

“Thank God you are here. We have no idea and thought we might die here tonight.” replied the other leader.

“If we hadn’t of come along you probably would have, if you don’t know that the only exit is hidden not far from here. There is no other way out,” he said.

“We have learnt a lot today both about the dangers in the mountains and our own life journey. A brush with death brings you into the here and now quickly,” replied another member of the lost party.

“You are all safe now. We will be back at the top within the hour before it gets to dark. Does anyone need anything before we lead the way out?”said the female of the rescue party.

“No, we are good now. We are ready to leave when you are” replied the lost leader.

And within twenty minutes the older team leader found the hidden exit using his maps as well as knowledge of the area and they began their ascent to safety, teaching the young explores about the Blue Mountains—its dangers and its highlights as they went.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/second-hand-stories/

Go Paperwork Go

November 2, 2014 inspiringmax

If you could slow down an action that usually zooms by, or speed up an event that normally drags on, which would you choose, and why?

Paperwork is the bane of my life. Home, work and play—they all involve what appears to be mountains of paperwork. Just when I think I have contained one of these paperwork events, another one, even bigger arrives to take its place.

In a perfect world, I would find a way to speed up paperwork in my life. It’s not always about being organised—it is the amount of it. Documentation is the focus of the world. Documentation equals paperwork—so there is no getting out of it.

I would love to have a system to speed up this process. Usually—the busier my day, the crazier my desk. This doesn’t help anyone, especially me. I need my paperwork to be contained. Maybe a magic button on the wall stating—DO PAPERWORK NOW—would do the trick. Press the button and it is done for you. However, until someone invents such an amazing concept, I will continue to work on systems to make my paperwork at least easier to manage.