Which way do you focus?

I recently went out to Karawatha Forest for a walk and to get back to nature and rejuvenate the inner batteries in the Australian bush. It was a chance to get away from suburbia with my beloved husband, connect and unwind. We were wandering along, taking random paths that we figured would eventually take us back to the car park. We had no set plan and were just enjoy the surrounds and each other's company.

I love how I can always learn something from situations that on the surface seem to hold no importance at all. The lesson that came to mind was when we found ourselves on the edge of the Forest walking along a path with the Gateway Motorway nearby. For readers, not familiar with Brisbane, the Gateway is one of the major six to eight lane motorways that cross the city. I found that I was becoming irritated by the disturbance to the peace and serenity I had been enjoying in the bush. I began to question why I was letting it bother me.

As we continued to walk along the path, the noise of everyday life on one side and the beauty and peace of nature on the other, I realised that I had the choice on what I could focus on. So I gave all my attention to the Forest. I began to notice all the subtleties that I had been taking for granted earlier in our walk. The textures and colours, all the small wildlife as well as some larger ones (like the family of gorgeous Tawny Frog mouths). All of this would of been missed if I had chosen to focus on what I did not want - namely the distractions from others.

It was along this same path I stumbled on a loose, plain looking stone. At least it first appeared to be plain looking. Yet after I stumbled and had disturbed it, I was able to see that it had been damaged. And inside of this dull greyish-brown rock, was a colourful, glittery heart that sparkled in the sunlight and was an object of extreme beauty.

Here was another lesson from nature, to teach that we often need to look inside of others, into their hearts to see their beauty. Much like one of my favourite movies Shallow Hal with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black. Imagine how different our world could be if we choose to only see the beauty in others.

As it turned out, the path we were following was a dead end and we had to turn around and retrace our steps. Which is as it is in life at times. Some of the best lessons are found on roads that need to be traveled more than once before our learning is complete. Or on roads that appear to lead nowhere, but have to be traveled so that the lesson appears in a form that we can recognise.

I ask you, what lessons have you found on today's journey? Maybe you need to change what you are focusing on, or just look a little deeper to find the beauty of the lesson.

Which way do you focus?

Can we ever make a "bad" decision?

Nowhere can I find it written that decisions are meant to be easy. The choices we make are a mixture of intellect, intuition and instinct. And the more important the decision, the harder it seems to make it. Why is this so...?

I feel that it is because the perceived importance increases our fear of making the wrong choice and what might happen because of that. Remembering that our perception is only our impression and take on reality, while fear tends to disappear with knowledge and action.

You make millions of decisions on a daily basis. Do you agonise over each and every one? Decisions like what do I eat for breakfast; what will I wear today; will I go to work/school or the beach or will I use a black or blue pen? Now realise that these decisions will not dramatically change your life... or will they? How often was it something small in your life that when you look back, made a huge difference?

So how will you know which way to go and what to do? I suggest that with faith and using your intellect, intuition and instinct, you just pick one, any one really because it will not be wrong.

How can I say that? Because I believe that every decision made this way can serve our highest good and learning - that every choice leads to wisdom. So often, what others might term a "bad" decision have given me the best lessons in life.

What would have happened in the past if you had made different choices? Turned left instead of right, gone to a different school or accepted a different career or relationship choice, said yes instead of no...? Some things might have been great, some not so. In any case, you will never know. You have chosen this life, this way, this moment.

Are we alive to learn how to make an infallible decision so that everything turns out perfectly every time? Or is our lives about learning, discovery and finding wisdom? And what is a "wrong" decision anyway? Is you choose this instead of that and you go through a tough patch....does that mean that you made the wrong decision? is the easier path always the best one?

You might like to consider these questions - not because they will make decision-making any easier or bring you clarity, but because they will lead you into uncertainty and that leads to variety which we all know is the spice of life.

So from this perspective bad decisions, wrong decisions just don't exist. Some decisions will take you one direction and some another, but every direction will give you lessons and lead you to wisdom. There is no one technique to make a decision. Just remember that whatever decision you make is perfect for you at the time.

Your decisions also become part of others' lives - your family, friends, colleagues; they are a natural part of your learnings. Will you know what is ultimately the best direction to take?
Well ... no, you cannot. So doesn't it seems like a great thought to rely on the uncertainty or mystery of life and trust and have faith that every decision you make will lead you to the wisdom you need.

Can we ever make a "bad" decision?

Go Jump Off A Cliff

Yesterday For Mothers Day my family watched me jump off a cliff, backwards - commonly known as abseiling. It was one of those things that had been on my "Must Do Before I Die" list.

At the top it was OMG why am I doing this !!! The first few steps were the hardest, just getting started. After that it was fairly easy going. Then I had to climb back to the top of the cliff to do it again. Up was worse than down - once I had gotten past the first initial leap of faith to get down.

In a way it was kind of anticlimatic because it was so easy. I had built it up in my head to be a lot more of a challenge. Even though it was a lot of fun.

So what lessons did I learn:

* Things are easier when you are already moving in the right direction

* The first few steps are the doozies - once they are out of the way the rest of the journey can be fast, fun and fabulous

* To achieve a goal does not always have to involve a struggle or challenge, just a step out of my comfort zone

* New things can be enjoyable and easy when taught by people who are passionate about what they are doing - learn from their experience rather than your mistakes (it's a lot less painful)

Would I do it again? Yeah maybe. The best bit was that Jess, my 9 year old daughter was there watching and she said she would like to try it. So I guess showing her that it's good to do things even if you are a bit (or a lot) scared is leading her by example. Maybe next time will be with her. It would certainly give the instructor a challenge to get her past the first few steps. I know how hard it is to get her out of her comfort zone when she doesn't want to do it for herself. She is like me - too stubborn for our own good at times.

Watch that first step


Just hangin' around


I Did It!!

"All things are difficult before they are easy"
Thomas Fuller (1608-1661)
English historian

Go Jump Off A Cliff