When life slows, the richness of its simplicity is vivid…
Simplicity…
Tag: simple life
Finding your happy place…
It’s a place often sought: some of us find it, some of us don’t.
If you’re lucky, you’ll find it maybe more than once.
I’ve been lucky.
I’ve found it, yet I’ve also lost it, and as a consequence wasted time trying to find it again.
So what is this illusive happy place? It’s actually very simple.
It’s called being home.
It’s called being with my sons.
It’s called being with my precious, four-legged family, Stanley, Oscar, Simon & Eddie.
It’s called sharing moments with special, loyal friends who never judge my failures, rather, they find ways to have me celebrate them.
It’s called reflecting and feeling grateful to have had an amazing job that allowed me travel the world, to experience special moments, and to have shared those moments with beautiful people.
It’s called being grateful for opportunities presented.
Finding your happy place?
Simply embrace simplicity…
the serious business of being a dog…
Being a dog is a very serious business.
It’s a dog’s business to inspect, sniff AND sample all foods a human consumes.
It’s a dog’s business to always accompany the human to the bathroom.
It’s a dog’s business to occupy 2/3’ds of the human’s bed.
It’s a dog’s business to always travel in car with the human.
It’s a dog’s business to love and be loved.
Ah, the serious business of being a dog…
In 5 years …
A good friend asked me recently, ‘Jen, do you ever think about where you will be in 5 years?’
On hearing his words, I didn’t need to think about where I’ll be, for I already knew, as the destination had danced in my mind for many years.
Now, as my life changes, and my precious sons and partners are now shaping their own futures, the path to that destination is becoming a reality.
So where shall I be?
I shall be somewhere in France, perhaps sipping a good Pinot Noir or Gris, whilst basking in the hue of glorious sunset from the verandah of my home.
Along the verandah’s balustrade, brightly coloured flowers stretch upward and fresh herbs, of which I use to excite my cooking adorn the ledge. In the garden, my precious sausage dogs are taking in the scents, before rolling with passion on the freshly mowed grass.
In the small, yet quaint living room, an overstuffed sofa bed bought from a second hand store, lies in wait for my two grown boys who are soon to arrive.
My french is now reasonable and in the last 5 years I have trekked the Annapurna, floated in the Dead Sea and gazed in wonder at the natural beauty of the Northern Lights.
My life is full of simple pleasures.
Daily jaunts to the colourful market where freshly baked baguettes and locally grown produce are in abundance. Summer evenings see friends gathering under the vine covered terrace, their faces taking on a warm, orange glow from the abundance of fairy lights intertwined through the vine’s branches. Soft music filters through the night air, as does the laughter of people living a life well loved.
In the winter months snowflakes dance through the frosty air before blanketing the ground, and transforming my garden into a shimmering winter wonderland. Inside, I’m curled upon that comfy sofa in front of a flickering log fire, with the company of a good book and my beloved dogs.
I am content, I have fulfilled long held dreams.
Mostly though, I’m full of love for my beautiful children and loyal dogs who are, and always will be my greatest achievement.
stanley & bear 