I THINK THEREFORE I AM

I discovered that when I believed my thoughts, I suffered, but that when I didn't believe them, I didn't suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Freedom is as simple as that. I found that suffering is optional. I found a joy within me that has never disappeared, not for a single moment. That joy is in everyone, always. 

Byron Katie

A few months ago I had some important medical tests and had to wait 10 days for the results. I really had to battle with my thoughts. There was absolutely no point becoming anxious. That wasn't going to change anything and it certainly wasn't going to make me feel better. In the end the tests were all clear.

I am a catasrophiser. As soon as someone is a bit late my head concocts some terrible reason as to why. It is the curse of a vivid imagination. I am sure my father's very sudden death when I was a child also contributed to this. I am all too aware of what can happen even though the chances of it may be small.

So I have to fight my thoughts. I'm not sure that freedom 'is as simple as 'choosing not to believe your thoughts'. I wish it was that easy to sweep away fear and doubt. I find the best thing is to work a day at a time and I just choose to not think about something for that day. I just try to push the negative thoughts aside and think of other things. One psychologist told me that I tend to push things aside and deny them rather than deal with them and this was not good. Another psychologist told me that there was a lot to be said for denial when things are very painful.

According to Karl Ove Knausgaard, "Meaning is not a property of the world, but something we attach to the world." In other words it's not what happens to us that matters but the way we react to it.

 Buddha on the other hand concluded that suffering is unavoidable. It is a necessary part of life and cannot be eradicated. Someday we will all lose loved ones. Someday we will all fail.

There are a lot of times when we can choose how we view an event in our lives, and take a negative or positive view, but there are times when, faced with the enormity of an event we are plunged into sadness, such as the death of a loved one. So suffering is optional to a degree. We can choose the way we want to think about everyday occurrences - we can be a 'glass half full' person or a 'glass half empty' person.But sometimes life changing events can be so traumatic or overwhelming that our automatic responses take over and we succumb to fear or grief.

Buddha said, "The mind is everything. What we think we become."

And in the Bible Philippians 4:8 tells us  "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is ... is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Deacartes said, "I think therefore I am." How we think and how we choose to think are at the foundation of our being.

Underpinning all my struggles is my Christian faith and belief that everything is going to work out for the best in the end. My non-Christian friends think this is a cop out, but in a world of uncertainty it certainly works for me.

A walk on the beach

I was brought up living right by the beach and loved it. I still love walking on it no matter what the weather. Peter and I took a walk on Towradgi Beach.

Towradgi looking towards Wollongong Harbour

Yacht off Towradgi

In the garden

My herb garden is growing well. The oregano and thyme seem to thrive against the brick wall.

Thyme and oregano

Oregano flowers

Some small toadstools popped up in the coriander. I can never resist photographing toadstools.

Two toadstools

Toadstool in coriander

Design

I came across this site of designer Lisa Luby Ryan and just fell in love with her decorating.

Photo source

Her style of decorating just resonated with me. I am in the process of very slowly repainting my house from a light misty blue to the off white in the photo above. I am trying to redecorate on a nil budget, but feel this is a style that is possible to copy with some paint and imagination.


Interesting sites


1. Mirrored house blends into forest

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This house with its mirrored facade blends into the Mexican forest. Click here to read more.





2. The rise of sponges in coral reefs.

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Sponges in reef systems are far more likely to survive climate change than isolated sponges. Click here to read more.


3. How biophilia can improve your life.

Photo source

 What is biophilia? Click hear to read more.














 

MOST PEOPLE DON"T LEAD THEIR LIVES

Most people don’t lead their life, they accept their life. 

John Maxwell

John Maxwell  writes about business and life. As I was reading I came across the quote above and it made me stop and think. I decided that I am someone who tends to accept their life, rather than lead it, but I thought of 3 times in my life where I really had to step out of my comfort zone to change things - where I had to 'lead' my life.

 Of course there have been other changes such as getting married and having children, but these were all changes that came as a result of accepting things as they happened along the path of life. They weren't things that I had to work particularly hard to make happen. They just happened - one step at a time, without stepping outside my comfort zone. And I had other big changes thrust on me, such as being made redundant when I was living on my own with a single income. But these weren't changes I deliberately set out to make.

The first big change I had to make in my life was when I was 18. I had been a reasonably outgoing child and was school captain at my primary school. But towards the end of year 8 things began to go down hill. For various reasons, including a genetic predisposition, I began to suffer from a major bout of depression which would become worse the next year.

I knew I was becoming quiet and introverted but didn't seem to be able to do anything about it and I was mortified in year 10 when one of the comments from one of my teachers on my yearly report said that I was 'a quiet girl'. That was the last thing I wanted to be.

Two more years passed and it was time for university. I was going to a different university from most of my peers so I saw it as a chance to remake myself - and I did. I really moved out of my comfort zone. I did a lot of things on my own. I joined clubs and went to all the social events. I made myself talk in tutorials. University work came second to my social life. And it worked. I made lots of friends, had a great social life and married at the end of my third year. And I obtained my degree - but I often wonder what I could have done if I had really put my heart into my university work. That was the first time I really had to work to change the direction of my life. I no longer saw myself as 'quiet'.

The second time I really had to move out of my comfort zone was when I was 40. I had been happily married for 20 years and had 2 teenage daughters. I had been an English and History teacher. I battled depression but kept it under control. But unfortunately it reared its ugly head in my daughters. It became too difficult for me to work when they were not well. I had to home-school my daughters and I was very worried. A psychiatrist my daughter was seeing said I needed to do something for myself, and my whole family would be better off. So after some thought I decided to go  back to university and did a Master's Degree in psychology. It was hard work. This time I took the work a lot more seriously than my first time at University. Again I had to step outside my comfort zone, but my new studies led me into a new job. I began teaching at a small school for year 10 students with major behavioural problems. I could do this and home-school my daughter. I worked there for 16 years.

The third and hardest big change I had to make was when I was 51. After 30 years of what I thought had been a happy marriage my husband left me for somebody else. I fell into a dark abyss and knew I had to make a new life for the sake of my daughters, if not for myself. I became very involved in my church and decided to go online to look for romance. This was really going outside my comfort zone and surprised a lot of people, but I chose to view this as an adventure and had some interesting times along the way. Eventually I met Peter and we have now been together for 10 years.

I am quite proud of the way I made myself a new life but I don't think I have enough energy to remake my life again. I'm just taking it as it comes.
  
The past week

Last Friday, Peter and I went to see a musical, We Will Rock You at Wollongong Entertainment Centre. It was written by Ben Elton and is based on the music of Queen. We really enjoyed it.

We had coffee in the park at Helensburgh, where some cockatoos joined us.

On Monday we went for a walk on Towradgi Beach. 
We  had to be careful of the bluebottles near the water's edge.

There were a few yachts out on the water which was beautiful and clear.

The Plant Paradox

Kelly Clarkson (Photo source)

After seeing Kelly Clarkson talking about her dramatic weight loss on television, and her adherence to the Plant Paradox diet, I decided to give it a go. 

Photo source

I was especially interested since the eating regime was supposed to have a positive affect on auto immune diseases. I have brachial neuritis, also known as Parsonage-Turner Syndrome, which is thought to be an auto immune disease.

Anyway, I bought the book and accompanying recipe book. Although I am not completely convinced yet, I have lost 5 kilos in 7 weeks without being excruciatingly hungry, as I usually have to be to lose weight. But it has meant a whole new way of cooking and eating.

More about this next week.



Interesting sites


1. Borneo cave art may be the oldest in the world

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Cave paintings in remote mountains in Borneo have been dated to at least 40,000 years ago - much older than first thought.Click here to read more.


2. Finland publishes its citizens' taxes.

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On November first each year Finland publishes its citizens' taxes'. Click here to read more.


3.Coffee may reduce risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

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Evidence suggests coffee may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Click here to read more.

RADICALLY TRANSFORM THE WORLD

I came across this quote on Facebook. It was put there my my daughter's long term partner. He and I differ radically on many things especially religion. I am a Christian and he is an atheist but in the end we are looking for the same things in the world - social justice; a more people caring government; a narrowing of the gap between rich and poor.

I dream of a world where everyone is honest. Where I can leave my bike at any location not locked up and find it there when I return. Where so much packaging doesn't have to be tamper proof, and bags don't have to be searched as we leave shops because people don't steal things. Where we can leave our house doors opened and not locked. Where people take responsibility for their own actions and the grave problems we have with drugs and alcohol do not exist. A world where respect for one another as individuals is paramount.

Wishful thinking will not make all this happen, but we can do our part by acting with integrity and honesty. By being realistic but seeing the best in people, and assuming the best about people. By treating everyone with respect.

For quite a few years I worked with teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds, many with behaviour problems. They didn't want sympathy. They wanted empathy and respect, two qualities which would go a long way to radically changing the world.

Half a century ago Eleanor Roosevelt made the statement that, "when you adopt the standards and values of someone else... you surrender your own integrity {and} become, to the extent of your surrender, less of a human being." 

So it seems if you want to radically change the world you need to stick to your values no matter what, and live in hope that someday things will change.



The past week

Below is a praying mantis I spotted in my herb garden, on the oregano. The leaves are about half the size of your smallest fingernail, so you can see how tiny he really is.

We went for a walk on Towradgi beach and these tumbleweeds were covering the bank. They look like giant spiders massing down the hill.

It was very misty on the beach and very beautiful.

Peter's second eldest son turned 39 and we had a picnic under the trees at Engadine tennis courts.

Writing and posting my blog again is part of getting my life back on track after some health issues earlier in the year. I still have some doubts but am trying to make this one thing I do each week. I have been reading a book entitled The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan which has been very helpful.






Interesting sites


1. Beautiful cottage in Lithuania

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 Click here to checkout this beautiful little cottage in the countryside of Lithuania.


2. Scientists tapping algae and plant waste for energy

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Scientists are exploring the huge potential of single-cell organisms such as algae and bacteria in the production of energy. Click here to read more.


3. Five countries hold 70% of the world's last wilderness

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Just 5 countries hold 70% of the world's last untouched wilderness and  according to research urgent international action is needed to save them. Click here to read more.

A ROUGH SEA ( #3 September 2017)

Last Sunday morning I visited two of my favourite places - the beach and Bunnings.

Peter and I went for a walk along Towradgi Beach. The sea was rough and had come right up the beach at high tide.

  

The waves had completely swamped the local rock pool.

This sponge looked as if it had only recently been ripped from the rocks as it still had its
pinky colour.

I also came across these fish eggs. I wonder what type of fish they are from.

At Bunnings I bought some new guttering and downpipes for the front of my house to replace my old disintegrating stuff. Peter had it replaced in no time.

Now I need to repaint the pergola.

 I am tossing up between white, light grey like my door......

 or the same green as my garage door.

I fancy accessories of the blue colour featured below.

 


Meanwhile I have made a handful of polymer clay toadstools to use in some gardening projects.

You may be interested in knowing that my talented niece Amy and nephew Laurie are involved in setting up some of Wollongong's first break out rooms.

Photo source

 Click here if you would like to read more about it.


RECIPE

I am always on the look out for thrifty recipes. Here is  a standby I have developed for left over vegetables.



Cream of mixed vegetable soup


This is a recipe for creamy vegetable soup made from left over vegetables that have been frozen or of course you could use fresh if you prefer. The vegetables and proportions can be changed, depending on what you have available. This makes about 4 litres of soup. Two cans of chick peas add protein to make it a complete meal.

I began with 1.3 kg of precooked frozen vegetables that had been thawed out. These included broccoli, carrots, potatoes, and pumpkin.

1.3 kg of precooked vegetables

 I used a large saucepan and caramelised 4 Spanish onions.

Caramelised onions

 I added the vegetables and gave them a bit of a stir around for a few minutes.
 

I added 1 litre of water and 4 teaspoons of Vegeta and  2 cans of chick pease including liquid. This provides protein to make the soup a complete meal. Then I added 2 teaspoons of curry powder. This is optional.

I simmered the soup for 40 minutes until all the vegetables were quite soft.Then I blended the soup in my food processor with soy milk (which makes it vegan) but you could use dairy milk or any other substitute. I blended it at the rate of 2 cups at a time with 1 cup of soy bean milk. But you could vary this ratio to taste.

Cream of mixed vegetable soup.

Makes about 4 litres. Suitable to freeze.

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons olive oil.
• 4 Spanish onions chopped
• Around 1.3 kg of cooked mixed vegetables
• 4 cups water
• 4 teaspoons Vegeta or other stock powder 
• 2 425g tins of chick peas including liquid
• 2 teaspoons curry powder (optional) 
• About 1 litre of milk or substitute

Method

1. Heat oil over medium heat in fry pan
2. Add onions and cook until caramelised, adding water as necessary to deglaze the pan.
3. Add vegetables and cook stirring for 3 minutes
4. Add water and stock powder
5. Add chick peas
6. Add curry powder (optional)
7. Simmer for 40 minutes 
8. Blend in a food processor at the rate of 2 cups of soup to 1 cup of milk or substitute.
9. Makes about 4 litres.

Thanks

Thank you for reading my blog.I write it for myself first. It helps me look at the positive things in life even though they may only be small. Also if I say I plan to do something I have put it on record and this helps me to actually do it. Unforeseen life events have  led me to end up in a different position in life than I had planned. As a result I am unable to be involved in many of the activities of my friends. So I try to find joy in simple things and share some of these.

Thank you for those who have left comments and to those who have tried but been unable to. I am not sure what the problem is but will try to sort it out.

Lindy




Interesting sites

1.

 Earthships

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 Earthships - the ultimate in off-grid architecture. Click here to read more.


2.

 Makeover bus stop

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For the residents of a small village in Dartmoor, England, the universally-dreaded morning commute to work is now very much something to look forward to. Last summer, the village of Walkhampton woke up to find their grim and graffiti-covered bus stop had been transformed into a welcoming living room, complete with an armchair, pillows, framed pictures, potted plants and various household ornaments. Not just a one-time make-over, the bus stop has been “re-decorated” several times since and the best part is– no one knows who’s doing it. Click here to read more. 


3.

 Eerie music in Pyongyang

Click here to hear the eerie music played in Pyongyang, North Korea each morning to wake up the residents.