Shiny Distractions

I was meant to buy toilet toll , but bought MAC make up instead.

People will respect you if you respect yourself. 

Goodbye Mr. Past, I'm going to make Lemonade.

Image source

The past always comes knocking...

Seasons like this.

As the weather shifts from gloomy grey skies and dark afternoons, to long days and clear skies, it is blatantly obvious how everyone's mood switches to the epitome of happiness.  No one is exempt.

The Descent of the Darkness

I am not myself. I am not currently who I thought I was.  I am evolving through a darkness.

The Window

Photography by Andrew Harris
Instagram- @blastpeed

I think humans get to an age where whoever they have been all their life, is what they will remain as. Some people will never change. That is something I have found hard to accept.

Paradise is sugar-filled

"If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it. Anything you want to, do it. Want to change the world? There’s nothing to it. -Willy Wonka

Heaven looks like a sweet shop.  See the look of pure happiness on my face? That's caused by being comfortable in knowing my sugar intake has no limit.  I am way beyond therapy and past caring.  What greater joy is there bar, taking your time selecting the perfect variety of pick n mix?! I am not sure why I was chosen by God to be a sweet monster, but please believe I am the sugar connoisseur.  If there is a sweet worth knowing about, I know about it.  Even the dodgy ones...(that was aimed at those disgusting Camel Balls).   If I had no hands, I could count on one of them the amount of times I have felt sick after polishing off a bag of sugary goodness.   Life has always included sweeties, and more recently candy from across the pond.  Some people drink Vodka (no, I don't know why either), some smoke, others consume Pot Noodle. Me? I eat sweets. From marshmallows to bubblegum flavoured turtles, and Nougat and Candy Sticks, pure bliss is easily achieved with a bag of the good stuff.  I think the world would be a happier place with a bag of pick n mix every so often.  Don't take my word for it though; next time you pass the sweetie aisle or an old skool sweet shop -hit me up for locations in and around London- take a trip inside and let your inner child loose on the selection. Take your time.  Fill up your pockets/paper bags till your heart tells you to stop.  You wont be the only one spending £20 odd quid on the good stuff. Just don't forget to brush your teeth kids.

Those Life Changing Reads.



 

There are times in your life where you are drawn to certain books, for whatever reason, and when you get into the book, things around you start to make sense.  Have you ever felt that?  Some books just speak to your heart.  This one sung to my Unicorn's hoofs.

I will admit, it took me a couple of months to finish it, but I'm okay with that.  I find that these kind of books call out for you when you need them. 

Last weekend I was feeling like I didn't know my purpose in life, like I didn't have what I wanted.  I spoke to my friend and she told me to just be thankful.  Focus on what you do have, and be thankful for it.  You have to learn to love life- that starts with appreciation of your blessings.  We are all blessed whether we recognise it or not.  Many people will go through the pain of not having the life, that you are being ungrateful for.  We must remember that happiness is a feeling, like upset, sadness and excitement.  Feelings do not last forever.  Enjoy happiness while it is present.  Understand that it isn't never ending, but that it is coming back!  The sooner we can accept this, then we will soon notice happiness come and go more often.  After that conversation, the next day I picked up Manuscript Found in Accra and the chapter I was at, supported much of what my friend had said. 

The story of a man who offers wisdom and reality to a group of people who await their countries invasion, is well worth the read.  Get yourself a copy, take a deep breath and get stuck in.

Much love. xxx

From Where I Stand...

From where I stand, Love makes the world go round.  Love is the centre of the Universe.  I aim to act with Love as I go about my daily routines.  I endeavour to think of others and be there for those who need me.  I want to surprise my loved ones with affection and warmth so they can be reminded of Love.

Life is beautiful.  Stop and take a minute.  Look not at the pavement in front of you, but up and around; above your head and to the neighbour next to you.  Really see the sky for what it is.  Really feel the warmth of the sun and fresh air on your face.  Do not just glance at the trees, but take in their colours and shapes.  Autumn is here, did you realise?

Have you noticed that, there are things you do not notice?  We go through life with our eyes wide shut, forgetting all that we have experienced, neglecting our love of things that we regularly do.  Put your all in, 'give it some welly!'  Be present while you wash the dishes.  Show up to do the ironing.  Feel alive as you sort out your clothes for the next morning.

When did we stop living?

Happy Saturday. xxx

Because I gotta have faith?

This beautiful picture of Jersey Shore, USA was taken by my cousin.

                           

I have been wondering if it is possible to live a complete life without believing in something. 

For many years I have read books on spirituality, the law of attraction and positivity. As much as I have evolved since doing this, lately I cannot help but feel I am searching for something I am not going to find. 

Believing in a faith or whatever it is you choose, comes with great responsibility.  The minute you tell people your beliefs they judge you purely on them, whether it may be something you have just discovered or been trying to incorporate for longer. I am especially talking about people who do not even share your beliefs! I have found it hard to live up to my beliefs for this reason. 

I have always believed in God but stopped going to church as I got older.  However, I did start to attend not long ago, and while I found it uplifting and moving, I asked myself if I really needed to be there. I started to go because I just had a feeling. Something was telling me to go.  A few months down the line I needed the support of the church at an important event, and I never received it. I initially thought, they are a church how could they not support me on this? I didn't go back after that.  When the anger dissipated after two weeks, I realised something else was stopping me going back.  I was numb to the idea of returning yet part of me felt I should be there every Sunday. Weeks turned into months and at this point in time I just don't know if it is for me.  All I feel is pressure from others to return.  I thought I needed church to be a better person.  I thought my life would change when I went. I am not sure if it did.  After those couple of weeks of not going I tried to psyche myself up on a Saturday evening to make an effort to go, but I would get up Sunday morning and I just wouldn't.  I see some of the congregation around my town and I swear they are slightly off with me. As if me not going to church has personally affected them. Why do some people with faith view others as lesser beings? 

Before church I had the Universe and the law of attraction. I believed positive things happened if you radiated positive energy and staring negativity in the face with positivity was the only way to combat it.  I have researched these beliefs, read books and been guided by friends who feel the same...but- and this may sound ridiculous-  on Saturday I was on a mission to visit a couple places in central London and I kept finding myself in situations that tested me. A man tried to intimidate me on train,then strangers kept bumping into us as we walked down the road. 2/3 people even knocked into my little people and just walked off! I was so frustrated I just sat down and let my blood boil. And someone send to me 'think positive'. I thought what the hell?! I got up in a wonderful mood with the intention of having a fabulous day and these things have happened to me and I am still meant to think positively. I felt stabbed in the back by the universe. 

While this event may seem insignificant it actually just made me think 'I can't be doing everything wrong!', 'when does the course of events change?!'.  It dawned on me that I have spent so much of my life trying to live a certain way that I actually think it is working against me.  How sad that the very belief that was my salvation should now be what is preventing me from living.  In that moment I decided I am done with it.   In that moment I understood why some people say they believe in nothing. In that moment I decided to stop searching, stay away from the mind body and spirit section in book shops and start LIVING. 

So back to my question, I wonder if you can live a complete life without believing in something? My answer is yes. I came to that conclusion after speaking with a friend who reminded me we can learn from stories of any faith or discovery of life, that it is not just about beliefs but our opinions and attitudes towards life. People grow, people learn, people evolve. 

Funnily enough, I now feel free like a weight have been lifted. I am happy with myself. I am living in the present moment. 

I really appreciate you all reading. Much love x

Did you know?

                                        

 

You’re a ghost, driving a meat coated skeleton made from stardust, what do you have to be scared of?  Your beauty is not in the shape of your flesh, the contours of your face, but the depth of your soul.  You are unique and God made you that way.

Are you happy where you are?  Not just physically but mentally.  Think.  Don’t like where you are? Move; you are not a tree!  Get up, sit down, walk about, come back.  CHOOSE to be happy.  Choose to be sad.  Choose to be content.  Choose to be determined. 

Go out and get what you want from life, but make a plan first.  Write down where you want to be in 5 years time, 3 years time, 1 years time.  Too difficult? Plan the next 10 minutes.  Just make a plan.  List all the things you’d like to achieve.  Achievements can be based on what you love, what you enjoy, and what you are good at.

We all have talents.  Every single one of us.  Don’t think you’re very good at something? PRACTISE.  You can be better if you want to.  Grown-ups always tell their children- “go on, just try.”  In reality there is no ‘try’, only do or do not.  So, do. Do not, do not.  You can do it.  Believe in yourself.

That old cliché that ‘life is what you make it’.  Let’s make it good.  Spread love.  Be kind.  Talk to your family.  Help someone in need.  Ask your relative if they're ok.  Really listen to your friends.  Good things happen when we do good.  Blessings come in abundance when we do good.

Do you know now?  Do you know you can do anything you want? Have you realised the power you have to create?  Now tell someone else :)

 

                                                                           (All images from Google Search)

Happy Friday to you all xxx

Robin Williams. Sunrise- 21st July 1951 : Sunset- 8th August 2014

(picture taken from Twitter)

 

 

 

 

Robin McLaurin Williams.  Actor, comedian, stand up comedian, film producer and screen writer. 

The world is still in shock to hear that he passed away yesterday August 11th 2014.

I remember Robin from some of my favourite films as a child.  I loved to watch comedy films, films that made you giggle and howl with laughter.  

I watched Robin play Batty Koda in Fern Gully, and transported us to a magical world of faries and magic ( way before Avatar).  I had the film on VHS and recall slotting the tape into the machine, whenever I could get the television on its own.
 

I know all the words to Aladdin.  The genie was always my favourite character and the great friendship him and aladdin had used to fill me with warmth.  I have this film in my collection today.
 

You could always catch Hook on television, on a Sunday afternoon.  Hook is one of those films that childhoods are made of. Robin made The character of Peter Pan come alive and fill us with dread about growing up, ha!  

You will ALL be familiar with Robin playing the nanny Mrs. Doubtfire.  I loved the part where Uncle Frank and Aunt Jack tired and tested all of their make up and wax on Daniel to try and turn him into a woman.  And the famous line- "Helloooooooo dear!!!" When he emerges out the fridge with cake face to a shocked Mrs Sellner to which he replies "I'm sorry dear, I must look like a yeti in this." Hahahaha.
 

I also had Jumanji on VHS, where Robin played Alan Parrish.  My favourite line has to be when Sarah Whittle says "Well...a little rain never hurt anybody." And Alan replies "Yeah, but a lot can kill ya."  I used to fear the Hunter as a child.  I liked the bit when monkey Peter uses the axe he's looking for to get into the shed, then he realises what he's doing hahah.  And what about when the aunt calls the house for Judy and Peter- Judy picks up and puts on a posh English accent to say "Oh im sorry dear, I think you have the wrong number!" And promptly hangs up. Hahah can you tell I love that film. I own that on DVD too.  

Robin also gave us the story of a mad scientist who created flubber, the tale of a young boy called Jack who ages rapidly, and a favourite of my little Unicorn lovers, Happy Feet, the penguin movie.  With a career spanning from 1977 until the present day, its safe to say Robin Williams made a mark in everyone's film collection or their splitting sides! 

Haven't seen any of those?! How about- 

Good will Hunting, Patch Adams, Bicentennial Man, A.I Artificial Intelligence, One Hour Photo, RV or. Night at the Museum to name a few. How about one of the 25 television shows he was in?  Mork and Mindy being the most recognised.

Mr. Robin Williams thank you for the memories sir. May god bless your soul and keep your loved ones. Your comedy will live on forever.  Much, much love. XXX

 

30 Day Snap | Day 27

                        

Outside looking up at the stars is something I rarely get to do.  Its fascinating to just be at peace with yourself while watching the sky.  I need more of these blissful moments in my life!

xxx

30 Day Snap | Day 23

                            

This was my success today. Aided by little hands; homemade burgers and chips. 

Ingredients for the burgers

Lamb mince

Red opinion, grated 

Black pepper 

All purpose seasoning 

All spice 

Nutmeg

Rosemary, chopped 

1 beaten egg

For the chips

Baking potatoes

Salt

Oil

Method.

Mix burger ingredients, bar the egg together.  Then add the egg and mould into patty shapes.  Place the patties on a plate and cover and leave to set in the fridge. 

Boil some water for your chips.  Wash your potatoes and cut them in half.  Slice the halves into chunky chip shapes.  Make sure they are all the same thickness.  Place the chips in the boiling water for 10 minutes.  Meanwhile add oil to a roasting tin and place in the oven until it sizzles.  Drain the chips once boiled and season with salt.  Add the chips to the pan and coat them in the oil.  Cook them for 30 minutes.  I set my oven to 160/170 degrees (fan oven).  

Fry the burgers in a small amount of oil on a medium heat.  You want them to cook slowly and evenly so the outside doesn't crisp and the inside is raw. 

I served the burgers in buttered cholla buns with tomatoes and pineapple.  And the chips on the side. Voila!

Burgers are so easy to make- you can flavour them with ANYTHING.  The egg binds the mixture together, although you can use chutney or breadcrumbs to do this.  

Let me know if you're going to have a go!

Much love xxx

Let's have a blessed week!

                         

With my new found free time, I am able to do all the things I wanted to do but never have time, and the things I was procrastinating with while I was meant to be studying.  Amazing!  It is so important to take a little time, no matter how small, to do something pleasurable.  Yes there are chores to be done, work to do and bills to pay, but that's not really living is it?  The saying goes 'don't get so busy making a life that you forget to live'.

If time is something you struggle with, I suggest making a log of your day, in two hour slots, and writing down all the things you have done.  Everything.  At the end of your day/week, have a look over your log and spot the areas where you procrastinated or didn't use your time effectively.  Or even gaps in your day.  BINGO- here is your free time for 'me time'!

Goal- Aim to do two activities that you enjoy each day
Mine will be reading and painting a Unicorn (by numbers, because I am not an artist)!

Positive Thought-  It is perfectly fine to spend some time doing something you enjoy.  Take the time as a moment to rejuvenate, to collect yourself.  Mums especially, should relish these opportunities! 

ENJOY your week!!  At the end of the week you should be able to take a look back and think 'I really enjoyed myself this week'.  Have a very blessed week people!! Go out and LIVE this week!

Much love xxx

30 Day Snap | Day 19

Andddddddd that's a wrap!!

Nine months of hard slog over! Amen!

This time last year I had no idea I would be a college student three months later.  Later, that August (the last week to be precise), I got up one morning and took a look at my career path and realised I needed to go to college.  That same day I enrolled and got accepted.  I started the following week. 

I was amazed at how the situation unfolded.  It still amazes me when I think about it.  It was a tough course; drama, staffing issues and a lot of unprofessional behaviour.  Sadly, all of that had an affect on the coursework and the pupils.  However,  I learnt a great deal.  Not just about the topics but about myself and life in general. 

It was interesting to experience stress.  My interactions with people were tested to their limits at times.  From my experience I learnt lessons about relationships with others.  Something I would not have been privy to, had I not been in that environment.  Although, I met some lovely people on the course, some of whom I can call friends :)  Experience, experience, experience!  That's what it all comes down to haha. 

It is not always easy being a student, whatever your age.  Although I think maturity helps when it comes to group dynamics and willingness to put in extra work. 

I am so so proud of myself for completing the course.  I am so thankful to those who have helped me reach my goal- they definitely know who they are! 

If there is something you want to do, go for it!  Keep the faith and don't look back!! You can definitely do it, and it's never to late. 

Much love to you all xxx

A Blogging State of Mind

I am now officially a blogger.  I mean, I may have been one before but I feel like it now. 

I am always on the look out for potential blog pictures and inspiration for my posts.  But I also have a blogging book where I can write down my ideas and such.  

It is accompanied by a selection of coloured pens :) You can find these wonders in WH Smith. 

The notepad I found in a discount book/stationary/arts shop. 

My photo shooter of choice is my phone.  I do have a digital camera but I forget to take it with me when I go out!  I am more comfortable using my phone but I would really like to practice taking pictures with the digital camera more.

Blogging gives me great satisfaction.  I love to write.  I am really enjoying what I have posted so far.  It gives me joy to know I am reaching out to people in this way.  I really do hope you all enjoy my posts!  I write about things that mean something to me and things that resonate with me. 

How does blogging make you feel? Why do you post the type of things you do?

Much love to all my readers and fellow bloggers.

Peach x

Let's have a blessed week (without social media interference)!

Happy Monday!!!! 

Today and for the rest of this week, I have set myself a 'challenge' if you will, to pay less attention to social media.  Instead I will fine solace in hugging large bears and painting Unicorns by numbers.  

I personally find social media is something that can eat away at your time  unintentionally.  Not only that, but images and opinions of others can affect us in a negative way.  The internet is open to any and everything with no filter, so we cannot control what we witness. Or can we? 

Weeding out the bad stuff

Take a few minutes out of your social media perusal time and actually look at who you are following, what images/text they are uploading, and the comments YOU leave on their posts.  Now ask yourself if these things are helpful to your life and mindset.

Further digging

Now not only that but we can limit ourselves to a small amount of time networking.  Having a quick look through your feed after you have uploaded something, is a big difference to spending 30 minutes finding out who's hating and who's dating from your old skool friends.

Social media is a brilliant way to connect with the world but it can also be something we allow to feed our insecurities and become obsessed with. 

Goal- Spend little to no time on social media after uploading (if I choose too). 

I will be logging out of my accounts. 

Positive thought- It is far better to communicate face to face, so this is what I will endeavour to do. 

What are your thoughts on the use of social media?  Has it affected you in a negative way? I would love to hear your thoughts. 

Have a blessed week. 

Peachy xxx

Thankful Thursday

                        



Another week flies by...another round of blessings!  It has been an interesting week.  I am looking forward to the weekend for once.  And I mean looking forward as in- why cant I skip today and tomorrow?! Rarely do I wish to rush ahead to the weekend but it has been one of those weeks.  Still, lessons have been learned, so for that I must be grateful.
This week I am thankful for...


friends. I rarely get time to see people because of my studies, and not everyone understands this.  But there are those friends who will walk to the ends of the earth with you regardless if you sent them a random message on what's app.  No matter where life takes you, real friends will always be around.  Lurking in the background (that wasn't meant to rhyme).

the support of my loved ones.  I have needed everyones help this week as I try to pass an assignment and I have been overwhelmed by the offers of help and donations.  I am grateful for all the love!

food.  I did a very measured shop this week.  Paying real attention to what I was eating and how much I had to spend.  I cut out most of the junk I buy and found that I spent less money.  No longer will I complain about food prices being too high as I managed totally fine using a smaller budget.

I have also been thankful for...

tea
unicorns
electric whisks


Its been a pleasure being thankful as always.  Thankfulness sends positive stardust out into the Universe and returns it to you ten-fold.  Before you criticise or complain about something ask yourself  'what could I be thankful for in this situation?'

Much love people.
Peach xx

Let's have a blessed week!

Happy Monday!!! 

 

 

How is your day going today?  Has anything exciting happened?  What have you achieved? 
As I eat my cheese bagel and read over my email from Inner Space it got me thinking... Are we happy with dissatisfied with circumstances or ourselves?

Last night I took my mind away to a sunny beach, with white sand and palm trees.  College is stressful sometimes and the work load is heavy.  But if I went on holiday wouldn't the stress just be removed temporarily?  Wouldn't it be here when I got back?  So how can it be my circumstances that are the cause of my stress.  Holidays do not cure stress.

This morning's email was entitled 'The Way Things are'.  It asked, after we change things around in our lives, how soon are we discontent again?  The most effective way to conquer discontentment is to start with contentment.  Creating contentment with our current circumstances; the way things are arranged and our routine at this current moment.  Only then can we think about making changes to what we are not happy with. 

So that's what this weeks goal is!

Goal- Becoming content with my current position in life.  Inner satisfaction.

Positive Thought- Being thankful for my current position in life.  I think I will make a list of all the things I am experiencing in my life and why I should be thankful for them.  What do those situations mean? And what new circumstances will follow?


You can sign for a Thought for Today email over at Inner Space.  Their emails are beautiful and really give you food for thought.  I fully recommend!

Have a blessed week everyone. Much love xx Peach.

Let's have a blessed week!

Happy Monday everyone!!!

The start of the week is something most people dread.  Do you struggle through a Monday?  I combat the Monday blues by incorporating 'Happy Monday' into my mind-set.  Your frame of mind at the beginning of the week can affect the next six days.  Start with negative thoughts or feelings of dread, and you will find your week can drag or not be as enjoyable as you want. 
Let us change that this week :)

Today, I will think of one goal I would like to achieve this week, and focus on one positive thought.

My goal - To complete my coursework to the best of my ability.

My positive thought - Spend a few minutes each day feeling love in my heart to send out into Universe, to counteract any negativity I may feel.  Doing this, will remove resentment, anger and sadness.  Feeling these emotions only attracts them back to you in abundance.  Feeling love attracts love back to you.  Any emotion you feel towards another person, you bring back to yourself.
(credit for my goal goes to The Secret Daily Teachings by Rhonda Byrne, page 118)

I picked up The Secret Daily Teachings by Rhonda Byrne and opened it at a random page and this is what I saw.  After coming up against negativity last week how fitting is this daily thought?! Amazing!  Let me know if any of you have read The Secret Daily Teachings or The Secret by the same author.

What will your goal be this week?  What thoughts are you thinking to walk the path to a blessed week?

Go out there and get the wonderful week you deserve!!
Lots of love to you all. xxx