Category: Life

Everyday, things are put into perspective for you. You can either be positive or negative, focus your energy on something else that deserves it or accept your findings and move along. There will never be a balance in life. Someone can have all of the money in the world and purchase everything they want but be unhappy because family is not in sync or they cannot be as carefree and normal as someone who is considered the “average joe”. Then on the other side you have the “average joe” who longs for a little more money to be comfortable in life and not have to worry about what he will use his next paycheck for or if it is even spent before he gets it. As humans, something will always be out of balance no matter what we want other people to think. 

EVERY day I have to tell myself be thankful. Sometimes no matter how many times I say it, I’m so hurt or upset about things not going my way that I’m consumed by the things of this world and not focused on the greater good – life. Life where all of my needs are met and I don’t have any “worries”. But I do. Every person has certain core desires that can often leave a person to feel empty and out of place when these desires aren’t met or attended to as often as they should be. Get your mind out of the gutter, can’t you see I’m being emotional here? Let me elaborate. Doctors choose that profession because they have this desire to help people, save them and make their lives better or they had to because their parents made them. Better? Mine is to nurture. As I may have said multiple times, I was a sitter when I lived in Barbados. 

When I started, it was truly a test. I had little patience and my tolerance level was 1/10. My mother often said she’ll be sorry for the kids I have as I won’t be an easy mother, but when I got into it, things changed – a lot. I came around to understanding how smart children are and with that my patience and tolerance grew. It’s been about 2 1/2 years that my desire to nurture has been suppressed by not babysitting- no more clients or my nephew or niece to look after. This seems like forever considering it was a part of my daily life for about 3 years prior to moving here. 

What does this have to do with “be thankful”? Simply put, as my desire is suppressed by not having something or someone to nurture, I have to remember to put life in perspective and to also share this as a reminder to whoever may be reading,  and I’ve shared something about myself to help you understand. Sometimes our desires take over and we become overwhelmed by them that we come across as ungrateful for the many other blessings that we have. And maybe, just maybe, God has heard our cry and is just waiting for us to stop throwing our tantrums whether internal or external. We often look at what we want and aren’t able to get as opposed to what we have and should be thankful for. Maybe my desire isn’t attended to as I’d like it to be but maybe when I become aware and thankful for what I have things may change and start to work in my favor as sulking isn’t helping me one bit. 

Some people have jobs but cry about the money, what about those who would love a job and the pennies you think you’re receiving now? How about being thankful that you can “hate Mondays” as the first day of the week for work when others would like to have that thought. You love food? I do too. You love to try new restaurants and call yourself a foodie? Good for you, be thankful that you can leave your job and pick up food on the way and not be drinking hot water at night to break the air because you haven’t eaten for days. One word – RECESSION. There is soooo much going on in the world that sometimes when people complain and get petty about material things, I get annoyed that they don’t realize how privileged they are to even consider complaining about it. I complain as well but then 2 seconds later I’m jolted back into reality and become thankful. When you go through life complaining and whining about what you don’t have, you block every blessing that is trying to pass through your window of opportunities.

It’s OK if you’re wondering who am I to speak on this stuff. I don’t even know myself. All I know is I was feeling to write about how I felt it helped me see a blessing and why should I just keep it to myself and not share with you? I do not write about being positive to sound like some yoga guru and make you think everything is all honky dory with me. I write because if I express positive ideas, those reading can feel them too. I write as a reminder to myself that I am human, that as I share, others may share as well and at least a little postivity gets out there somehow. It’s mostly during my sulking/pensive sessions (writing) that I get revelations and a desire to share. So I can only hope this is as fulfilling to you as it was for me.

Lots of love xx

I know I’ve been M.I.A., but this month has been a roller-coaster in these first 2 weeks. I have a picture filled post for you so enjoy!

This month started with a bang for me – Bruno Mars and Janelle Monáe’s concert – AWESOME!!!!!!! I LOVE going to concerts and the artists sounds as amazing live as on the album! I’d heard a few of Janelle Monáe’s songs but I’m definitely a fan of her now, she’s a true performer. Bruno Mars….. not much to be said here, just LOVES him! The temps have gone up and I’m loving the few sunny days we had! Here are a few pics 🙂 (my camera isn’t the best but at least I got some pics 🙂 )

I also just returned from an unplanned trip to New York. It wasn’t under the best circumstances as a family member on my husband’s side fell ill and we went there to see him. This was the first time I went to NY since I was like 2 years old and it was a “bittersweet” trip. We stayed in Great Neck as it was close to the hospital and it was a reallllly nice area.  While there we went to a restaurant/bakery called Bruce’s every morning for breakfast and it was LOVELY! It was a lot of food and the first morning I couldn’t finish my breakfast… But that was also in part due to the vanilla crumb cake that I mauled before my plate came out, and you’ll see why I had a hard time parting with this restaurant.

While there, it was my father-in-law’s birthday and we went to Matsuya restaurant (http://matsuyasushi.com/). The food was  nice and I’d definitely recommend it :D.  We also took a day trip to Manhattan, the weather wasn’t the best for a sight-seeing trip but we made the most of it. We went to the preview site for the Ground Zero memorial (model shown below), saw the Paramount Theater, passed the Brooklyn bridge (was too cloudy to see it properly and get a clear shot), hung around Times Square, and had dim sum for lunch in China Town. 

 

 

As I said, it was a bittersweet trip. I met some of Dave’s family I’d never met before and he was able to see cousins he hadn’t seen in a while. Life is full of unexpected events but it’s how we respond that make us better or worse as a person. Also, family is the most important thing in our lives. We’re often brought together during the low points (funerals and sickness) but it’s to keep the bond strong for future generations to come. 

You don’t choose your family.  They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.  ~ Desmond Tutu

Can you believe June is around the corner?!?! WOW! Well, so far for the month of May gym has been down a bit but my diet has been steady and my husband joined :). Our friends (a couple who got married the same year as us) moved back here from living in NY for almost 2 years and I’ve been having lunch dates with her (and eating healthy meals while doing so :D) and it’s been a very wonderful time. If I could get our other friends move back here from England as well I think this would be one of the best years of my life!! I’m definitely looking forward to summer. I think there’ll be lots going on even though we don’t have any set plans and that’s when the most fun occurs – sheer randomness! We’re going to Bruno Mars concert this week and I CAN’T WAIT!!! Anyway I’ve got some stuff to share :).

I just got home from church and I was going through my bookmarks and clicked on Livvi Franc’s blog and the post I read just touched me tremendously. I’ve been feeling really happy recently and like something excellent is on the horizon. I feel at peace. I feel more in love with my husband than ever before and life is just GOOD. Sometimes I worry about being able to find a job but at the same time it’s like there’s a reason I’m not allowed to work and it’ll be shown to me soon and I’ll understand and appreciate – more than ever – everything God has given me and done for me. PLEASE read this:  http://livvifrancblog.com/2011/05/21/progress/ 

On another note. The main message in the Homily today was when you help someone, don’t do it just to help them in their current state, set an example that they will want to help others and your work will not be done just to help one but many. Could there be anything stronger than this? They joy that would overflow in your heart when you realize a person you’ve helped has seen your effort and wants to help others in the same way is probably unimaginable. So often we set out to help others only thinking that we just want to see them get on the right path, but we never expect to get a return like them helping someone else in the way you helped them. Flattery doesn’t just come in the form of “Thank you”, but when they look up to you and appreciate everything you’ve done for them it truly comes in the imitation of your work. So this month, make an example of yourself when you’re trying to help others. No one’s a saint. I sure ain’t! But I know what a cry for help looks like and I can say that the only way to answer properly is to humble yourself and accept whatever pains you may suffer to help another along the way. 

Hope you’re having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and remember and pray for the souls of all who have passed in war.

Love 

Mone xxx