Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

                                                 

Sinead from Dreaming Again has been kind enough to nominated me for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award.  Thank you Sinead! You can check out Sinead's beautiful blog here.

Here are the rules-

Thank and link the blogger who nominated you

Include the award logo in your post

Answer the set of 10 questions that the blogger who nominated you has provided

Supply you own set of questions

Nominate 10 other bloggers

1. What advice would you give to your younger self?
Hmmm..that is a hard one...
I would say... focus on school and family life. Believe in yourself and do better, because you are more than able.

2. What is your favourite thing to do when you have nothing to do?

I usually stare into the abyss for 30 minutes before realising I have tons of books to read.  Also, my iPad chases boredom away like the fire of a thousand dragons, singeing a rats tail.

3. Why did you decide to start a blog?

Because Kayla told me too. She didn't force me, but I toyed with the idea after she told me she had one.  I like to talk/write and she coerced me into setting up the blog.  I am very glad she did!  I am not sure I would have had the courage to do it otherwise.  In fact I am pretty sure I would not have.  So thank you Sheepy x

  

4. If you could live in any other country in the world where would it be?
I always talk about retiring in Guam.

5. Would you rather spend £100 all on make-up or clothes?

Definitely clothes, because make-up has a shelf life, and I don't wear that much of it.  I would make a £100 go very far, on clothes.

6. If you could give one piece of advice to a large audience what would it be?

Love freely and be thankful.  Gratitude is abundance is the key to happiness.  Love makes the world go round.  Love even when you feel it is not deserved.  Those are the people who need it most. 

7. Would you rather have to eat Chinese or Italian food for the rest of your life?

Chinese.  I love Chinese food!

8. If you could go on a date with one celebrity who would it be?

Hmmmm....it would have to be Eminem.

9. What specific character trait do you want to be known for?

Making people smile, laugh, chuckle.

10. What is your biggest pet peeve?

I can't decided between people chewing with their mouth open or slurping tea.

I nominate...

Nabeela at Nabsticle

Sarah at Sarah Smiles

Jeanette and Louise at Jeanie and Lulu's Kitchen

Anastasia at Anastasia Amour

Jessica at Gingerly Pale

Lauren at What Lauren Did Today

Emma at Girl Lost in the City

Corinne at Skinned Car Tree

Lauryn at Lauryn's Notebook

Bonita at Bonita Rochelle

My questions are...

1.  What gives you the greatest satisfaction in life?

2.  At what point in your life, if you had made a different decision, could you have lived a different lifestyle?

3.  What is happiness, to you?

4.  If you could pick a skill to be brilliant at, what would it be?

5.  Imagine you could not fail: which one of your dreams would you go about achieving?

6.  Name a book you think everyone should read in their lifetime.

7.  Have you ever had a great experience that you will always remember?

8.  Your friends invite you out for the night, where do you go, what do you drink and what do you wear?
9.  Do you class yourself as a messy person or tidy person, and why?

10.  What is your favourite variety of cake?

At Christmas time....

Christmas is a time to celebrate family, new birth and loved ones.  A christian festival that celebrates the birth of Jesus.  It has got to be the most celebrated festival in the world.

Picture a child who rates Christmas as one of her favourite times of the year.  The child's nanny cooking.  The whole family spending time together.  Fond memories of eating a wonderful Christmas dinner, Cadbury's chocolate selection boxes and television marathons 'til late.  That time she received the Monopoly board game and asked her uncles and aunt to join in.... That would be her best memory forever.

Fast forward a few years and life is not the same.  No longer the whole clan sitting together, because one is missing.  Nanny is gone.  No longer will that child witness her beloved relative watch over the precious turkey.  Nor will she have those special hugs and the love no one can replicate.  The house she grew up in gone, all those memories lost.  It can only be described as a sad time.

While most would treasure times that were, carrying with them the recollection of happier times, striving to achieve the once beautiful magic of Christmas, this child did not.  Burned from the absence of her dearest nanny, she repels all that Christmas is, seeing only the negative; splashing out on gifts and food overdoses.  Each year from December 1st, the familiar dread of the repetitive feeling of loss.  "I hate Christmas".

How can one change their outlook?  She never thought it would ever be the same.  And yet, there was hope.  There is always hope.  It takes a certain situation, a winding process or a defining moment to bring about change.  She got her change.

Unafraid of her pessimism and dismissals, he coached her; guided her, showed her, what it means to 'celebrate'.  Celebrate and rejoice.  By way of love, her eyes were opened and she felt.  For the first time in as long as she could remember, she felt.  "Christmas should be about family celebrating each other", she said.  "So make it about that", he replied.  And that is what she did.

No longer a child herself, she thought about her offspring.  Their excitement over gifts and good food.  Every adult knows, that Christmas is magical for children.  Her Unicorn lovers should have the same magic she had.  Definitely.

Nanny would be proud.  Look at her little granddaughter keeping her memory alive.  Look at her living, enjoying Christmas.  Finally she is free from her demons, she can create more wonderful memories for her children.

That is what Christmas is all about.

xxx

Since you've been gone...

 

I know that the Universe removes people from your life for a reason.  They say that people that leave you, are not meant to continue with you on to the next phase of your life.  In those moments, it is not always clear why....sometimes its not always clear after...all you have left is your faith in the Universe that everything has worked out for the best, and you have to trust that.

But I'm human (which basically means I have emotions).  So I am emotional.  I trust the Universe, but I don't always understand.  I wish I did.  It can be hard for someone to leave you behind and not know why.  Every human wants to know why!

I have been ditched, abandoned and treated badly, sometimes for reasons I cannot fathom.  I have sat down with so many questions, and only had myself to answer them because the other person has checked out.  The Universe tells I have the answers.  All I have to do is look harder, think outside the box and look at things from a different angle.  How many times should I do that until I find an answer that makes sense??  That feels like defeat.

In reality the defeat lies in letting someone elses actions affect you.  When you say it aloud it seems silly. You let someone affect you when they are no longer a part of your life? Worrying over someone while they live their life without you? Silly.  I'm still human though.  Its not healthy to hold on to sadness/regret/anger about an absent person.  I am going to let it go now.

To all who have left my life, I forgive you.  I understand we were not meant to continue together.  I trust that the Universe separated me from you, for my own good.  We had some good times, which I will always remember.  I wish you nothing but love and blessings.  Always.  If you ever see me, know that I missed you for a bit.  Know that I thought about you for a while.  Most of all, remember that I continued my life without you.

Much love, Peachy x


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2014 you have been....

We all have a golden ticket.  We all have a golden chance to make our way. And with our golden tickets, its a golden day.

Wow. The last month of 2014.  I can remember what I was doing exactly this time last year, I can remember what I was doing on January 1st 2014.

What a difference a year makes!

I can definitely say I am not doing the same thing I was doing in January 2014.  Things have changed.  Events have happened.  Lessons have been learned.  Friends have been made.  Birthdays have been had.  Above all we are blessed.

And that is my lesson of the year for sure.  Blessings.  How can we go after the things we want when we do not believe in what we already have?  Let us be thankful for what we have.  For, there are people out there fighting for the very position we are taking for granted.  Everything you have, is someone else's dream. 

Someone would give their right arm to have a child, to have that job you detest, to have a loyal boyfriend who burps in front of your parents, to live in that nice flat you can't be bothered to clean...  Focussing on what you do not have only brings more of negative feelings.  Remember what you have, and blessing will fall upon you in abundance. 

You know those days where everyone is getting on your nerves and you're 'having a bad day'?  That's your attitude.  Your ungratefulness.  Your negative mind-set.

"Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at will change."

Funnily enough lessons and such come to you in the strangest of times.  2014 has been an eventful year.  I have had wonderful things happen in my life, some not so good things and had news that I would rather not have had.  I have been through every emotion possible.  I have lived harder than the previous year, and had some real highlights that I will treasure forever.  I do not think I am the same person who started 2014.

Whatever your year has been like, always remember you have memories, time is a great healer and every second is a chance to live better than before.

I wish you all a blessed December.  Much love xxx

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

Let's Have A Blessed Week

Let music be our words, our thoughts, our guidance.

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This morning I have been listening to Rabbit Holes by Thology Feat. Maeve.  Ahhhhh what a groove!  This is the type of tune you want to be listening to when you wake up on a Monday! Have a listen here.

Music is so powerful.  If you are not much of a music listener, find something you like a give it a whirl.  Music should uplift you, invoke emotions and provide you with a outlet to just 'let go'.  Shall we try it? Just let go this week!  At any given opportunity; lose yourself in the music.

"If it wasn't for the music I don't know what we'd do.  You know the music stepped in and saved my life." ~ DJ Narrows, Saved Soul

There is a never-ending supply of music out there.  You will be sure to find something that rocks your Unicorn.

Goal- Take five or ten minutes a day, and get down to something funky.  Out your headphones on, or turn your speakers up and jam.

Positive Thought- Letting go of thoughts and inhibitions for a few minutes can do no harm.  In fact, its probably a very healthy thing to do!

I'd love to hear what you're listening to, so feel free to let me know.

Have a blessed week! Much love x

Let's Have a Blessed Week



Stand back and focus.

There is a saying that goes...to be honest I can't remember the exact words, but its something like 'you shouldn't worry during tough times because they don't last.'  (I'm pretty sure that's nothing like it, but the interpretation is the same). 

It is so easy to get caught up in a bad mood or let things affect you so much that they cause you stress.  Can we gain some perspective please?  Remove yourself from the situation, take out your lens and focus on the bigger picture.  Chances are you will realise that whatever you are buggin' about will not matter in 5 years time.  And that's the million dollar question; 'will this matter in 5 years time?'
If you answer yes, then ask yourself the question again, and consider it properly.

Don't get me wrong, there are situation that can be devastating, which may affect your life further down the line...  It seems that human can focus on the little things a lot more than they should and those are the issues I am referring to. 

Have a go this week.  I am in for a busy one so I will be sure to need perspective. Let your positive thought be that you can overcome your feelings of not being able to deal with the situation.  Control the situation by asking the question, so as not to let the situation overwhelm you.  You would not believe the things I have stressed about, only to feel like a fool 10 minutes later when everything becomes okay again.  Now I know I have the power to diffuse a bad mood/stress.


I wish you all a wonderful week.  Sending you lots of love and good vibes xxx