Spring has Sprung

‘If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? – Percy Bysshe Shelley

Spring has arrived the last hurrah of Winter, and our spirits awaken, from a long Winter’s slumber.

Branches that were days ago bare start to bud with new growth, and birds sing with new purpose.

Even in the times we’re experiencing, we feel the stirrings of hope, and renewal.

Over the long Winter season, we sowed soulful seeds of gratitude, order, simplicity, and harmony into our lives.

Now its time to harvest an authentic gathering of contentment, and abundance.

‘Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the sense but the soul.’

– Oscar Wilde

 

Karen Gribbin 
https://www.instagram.com/studiocone10/

We can now interpret, and experience the world through our senses. Our ability to smell, taste, hear and touch.

More and more we need to look after ourselves. Go for the walk, eat a good breakfast, stop rushing around, take time to think and rejoice in the small things.

For the next two weeks, I’m asking you the pause a moment each day and marvel at the natural gifts given to us.

Today, I ask that you look at the blue sky, hear the birds sing their love songs, and let the fruits of the earth linger on your tongue, reach out and embrace those you love, or if this is not possible in person, given them a call or send them a message.

Ask the Spirit to awaken your awareness to the sacredness of your sensory perceptions.

Don’t be too busy.

Don’t put it off.

'To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exit, that is all.'  - Oscar Wilde

If we can’t give ourselves even an hour per day to ourselves, then we need to rethink what we are doing to ourselves and our relationships.

Karen Gribbin https://www.instagram.com/studiocone10/

Take time to have coffee with friends, cooked breakfast on Sundays, curl up and read a book. Care for yourselves. 

Live, don't just exist. 

LIVING THE DREAM

 A few months ago, I made a life changing decision.

It was like an epiphany. At 62 years old, suddenly I thought, why am I waiting until 67 for a pension that will in all probability not be there for me at the end.

 I came to the conclusion, that life was too short to keep putting my dreams on hold.

Louise Hay 

 What did I do?

 I left my paid employment to follow those dreams.

To write, take photos, cook good food, and travel.

 I would finally work from home, I’ve worked from home before (we all have over the last 2 years), the difference this time, working from home, means my own work for a change.

I put my faith in myself with a feeling that all would work out, and before I knew it, a freelance contract was offered by our local newspaper.

When you put your spirit on the line; the Universe always kicks in.

Why am I telling you this, because I want you to know, there's never a time to be ready to follow your dreams, you just have to do it. 

There’s never a better time like the present, and financially, I’m sure it’ll all work out.

It’s been the best change I could’ve made for myself. I can see and feel the difference in a short 8 weeks.

It wasn’t that I didn’t love my job, it’d just ceased being the best option for me.

Now, I’m doing what I love.

Interacting with people and writing about their experiences for the paper, never thought my business card would say Reporter.

 Being freelance, I can do as little or as much to suit my own situation.

 After a lifetime of working for others. It was time to put my own foot forward for a change.

 Time for me. Sounds wonderful. It is wonderful.

 The remainder of 2021 will be used to heal and rest, and work towards my goals for 2022.

My Instagram page is up and running , growing all the time. Check it out at  https://www.instagram.com/studiocone10/  its all about having a good time, being healthy, food, photography, and life in general.

One of those goals is to produce an online creative writing course, the other to write a collection of short stories. I might even finish my long struggling novel.

Exciting times indeed.

Watch this space for follow-up plans.

Magic Mykonos

The three colours of Mykonos, grey, blue, and white. 

Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you all got to your destinations, and were able to spend quality time with your family, and friends.

On the eve of travelling north to spend Christmas with my family in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.

Previously in 'Queen Victoria' I talked about my Canada/Alaska trip in 2019.

There was so many facets of this wonderful trip, that I'm going to share our first adventure with you. 

Ripples

Skin blisters under the sun, lips swell to twice their size. He can see every ripple as the waves come ever closer.

Here we are again. Travelling in Australia.
In May 2018 I took a sabbatical to Uluru. It's a trip I'd always wanted to make. 

The desert is a mesmerising place, the red soil/sand, the landscape, a sight to be seen, and it stretches for miles. 

Queen Victoria

I think I've mentioned this before, that I just love to travel, and in September 2019, I was very blessed to be have the opportunity to travel to Canada and Alaska. 

My journeying companions on this trip were a mixture of family and long time friends, there was seven of us, all from very different walks of life, opinions, and age groups.

Travelling in Australia

I've always loved travelling, and while I've travelled overseas, I've missed doing that of late, before Covid, my planned 2020 trip was time spent in Africa. Unfortunately, its back on the wish list, but not forgotten.

In saying world travel is fine... my own country Australia is a pretty schmick destination in anyone's book.

The beaches are stunning, the wildlife astounding. We have hinterland, bushland, rain forest, and deserts that stretch as far as the eye can see. 

Animal Photography

I’ve been taking photographs since my Pop gave me a little Kodak Instamatic for Christmas when I was 12 years old. The model that had the little cubes on top for the disposable flash.

One of my fav photography subjects is animals and birds. Both can be hard to capture due to the nature of their environment.