Does Inspiration need a space…

/ Denise / 2 Comments

Deciding where and when to write, for me, just takes the will to do so. Much like every other decision in life, your mindset, desire to achieve and of course passion, is pretty much all you need. Pictures of the perfect space overlooking the ocean, a soft gentle breeze caressing your body, the sound of birds chirping in the background all conjure up the ideal space for inspiration.

But in essence all I need is a moment to think, a moment to notice, a moment to put it all down on virtual paper. Most times I’m writing while sitting up in my bed with the family busy bodying around, watching their favourite TV series, asking questions, telling stories about their day. If I couldn’t find a moment within that familial chaos, I’d never find the time to relax and share my thoughts.

Growing up in a large family, you soon learn how to zone out to spend much needed time in your own world, to virtually go where you want to go. To that dreamland where everything you’ve every wished for comes true. To that tennis match where you’ve served yet another ace and won the final in shiny glory. To that mountain top gazing upon the ocean view watching the sun set. To that small but intimate group of friends where you laugh, share and learn to love.

So do I need a special space to write? I guess not. Wherever I am, I make it that special space not only to write, but to simply be.

What’s your CHOICE

/ Denise / 2 Comments

This morning at work, one of my colleagues asked me with acute curiosity and a bit of disgust – “Why are you so cheerful this morning?” And without thought I answered, “This morning I woke up and chose to be happy.” There was nothing different about today. It was raining cats and dogs (oh and by the way, I love the rain). There was no great bit of news. I did not win the lottery. I did not get a raise. And I still don’t have any grandchildren.

But just the act of choosing to be happy. I. WAS. HAPPY.

And that’s the power of choice. Life is all about choice in everything that we do. And there are always only two choices.

To be happy or sad
To move forward or stay where you are
To forgive or to forever be resentful
To love or to hate
To drink red wine or ice cold bubbly
To exercise or to lay on the couch
To sit on the sand or to swim in the sea
To tell the truth or to lie
To laugh or to cry

Our life is one choice after another. The hard part is taking ownership of our lives and realising that the choice is always ours.

My love of lists

/ Denise / 2 Comments

So I’ve been wanting to get back into my blogging for a while now and to do so I realised I needed a little help.  Well maybe a lot.  OK !  I needed a great big fire under you know where to start again.  So I’ve enlisted with WordPress to send me topics every day to get me going.

Lo and behold I’ve been sent the greatest of gifts.  I need to make a list.  You cannot imagine my joy.  Just to put things into perspective.  I’m the type of person who will leave home on a Saturday morning with a list of things to do and, as I complete each task, I take enormous pleasure in crossing them off.  So much so that if I do something that’s not on the list, I immediately write it on the list and then, with the greatest of satisfaction, I cross it off.  LOL. I laugh at myself all the time, so you can too.

So here are my lists for today’s writing challenge:

Things I Like
Sunsets
Flowers
Ice cold Bubbly
Unexpected visits from friends
Fam Jams (family get togethers)
Things I’ve Learned
Trust your judgement
Parents are your biggest fans – appreciate them
Honesty, integrity and hard work will get you everywhere, eventually
You can be your worst enemy – stop beating up on yourself
Always but always do the right thing
Things I Wish
I could see into the future
I could protect my children forever
I could fly
I understood the value of my parents while they were alive
I could see how people see me
Things You’re Good At
Bringing people together
Sharing
Cooking
Drinking ice cold bubbly
Laughing

Go ahead! I dare you to make your own list!

 

 

I write because….

/ Denise / 4 Comments

I’m not a very naturally talkative person and my emotions run very deep. I can and very happily, spend a whole weekend without interacting with another soul. Writing allows me the freedom to express those feelings in words that I would otherwise botch up verbally. What I’ve realised too is that I have a sense of humour that is possibly better received in my writing – maybe because I can’t see the other person’s reaction – or non reaction.

I first started blogging to share my vacation experiences with my family and friends. It was my way of sharing what I thought would be the experience of a lifetime. I love to explore and I found that many people enjoy reading about other people’s adventures. A sense of living vicariously through another person I guess. But more than that it has allowed me to document what I’ve seen, heard and most of all felt during my travels. Feelings that are only appreciated through the written word. For most people respond better to emotions from afar.

To a certain extent too, writing has launched my love of photography. Sounds crazy but it’s true. Most times a story needs to be supported by images. Images which pretty much sum up what the writer has been saying. Yes I know – a picture tells a thousand words. But I’ve found that just a few written words can enhance a picture if only because they set the tone, build your interest and for those of us who float above the rest, words just simply tell the story.

Words connect us all whether verbal or written. Some people are so verbose I sometimes wish they would write instead of speak so that I can quickly skim through all the chitter chatter without having to hear every single detail. Yup. That’s the anxious me. Get on with the story already.

Funnily enough as much as I like writing, my love for reading does not necessarily rise to the occasion. Of course reading has influenced my style, but for me the story has to not only pique my interest, it must also match my mood. During travel, I’m interested only in simple romance. During a relaxing vacation of at least on week, I’ll enjoy something with a bit more drama and depth. When wanting to extend myself a bit, inspirational and somewhat spiritual stories are my first pick. But always I enjoy a story that will bring all my emotion to the fore.

Yup – I love a good cry.

So why do I write you ask? I guess because there are no rules. And I can literally say what I want without fear.

How do you express yourself?

Sounds of the early morning

/ Denise / Leave a comment

I’ve written about this before – the beauty of the early morning, the rising of the sun, the peace and calm that envelops your surroundings. But have you ever sat and truly listened to the early morning.

Of course it depends on where you are, the sounds will vary – some may not even be worth the attention as they disturb you rather than put you at ease. I am truly blessed to be living on an island where I have the occasional opportunity to spend my weekends at the coast. Waking up to the waves gently crashing against the rocks is comparable to being awoken by your mother gently rubbing your leg on a morning singing in her soft voice – “time to get up”. It puts a smile on your face as you stretch your body and open your eyes one at a time, feeling calm and rested, eager to start another day.

Sitting in the garden this morning, watching the sun slowly rise above the trees, I realised just how many other creatures were awake and starting their day. The birds were having a stretch themselves picking at the grass seemingly without a care in the world, chirping in the trees as I imagine them waking each other.

As the macaws fly by they too bring another sound with their loud squawking, so out of character with the beauty of their red and blue bodies. Then you are almost disturbed out of your revery by the tap tapping of the woodpecker as he too, searches for his early morning breakfast. Brontis, my dog, was not bothered, too relaxed himself to even grunt.

Wake up Wake up – it’s another beautiful day.

 

The Tour Experience – Cinque Terre

/ Denise / Leave a comment

When travelling, you are always pressured to ensure that you see as much as possible in the country that you are visiting. Many of us do the infamous google searches and scour the travel websites to ensure that we know exactly what we must see on our precious journeys. Hence the concept of an organised tour is always the top priority on everyone’s list. And that’s all well and good.

But there are tours and there are tours. There are those that herd you into a bus with like-minded tourists whose main objective is to quickly visit, take as many photos as possible, and put a check on their vacation list. Those tours include a guide whose primary objective of the day is to ensure that no one gets left behind. Heads are counted, endless reminders of where and when to meet, brisk walks from one location to another, and heads are counted over and over again.

As the tourist, you hustle and push past your fellow tourists, albeit very politely and with a smile, to try to get to the best spot first so that your photos aren’t filled with loads and loads of people, heads with hats or cameras in the air trying to record what they are passing, because be assured, you’re not really seeing anything. You will probably view these photos in the quiet of your home days after your vacation and be just as wowed as your neighbour who wasn’t even on the vacation with you.

Nonetheless you rush through the day from spot to spot, trying to hear what your tour guide is telling you about the history and importance of the site, only really focusing on the moment he says – “Now remember you have 15 minutes. We meet on the other side of this tunnel in 15 minutes. Be on time or we miss the train.” After that you are only focussed on 15 minutes and not missing the train.

Then there are your own tours. Where you choose a couple of places, do the obligatory google search and travel site browsing, and then say to yourself – “Well that looks nice. We’ll go there, browse the neighbourhood, revel in the sights, taste the local cuisine, sample the regional wines, maybe take a swim, but oh, definitely relax and enjoy the moment.”

Hmmmm…

Cinque Terre is well worth the visit. My recommendation? Do it on your own time. You will find that your experience will be very rewarding, as you will have come away with a great sense of satisfaction and peace knowing that you’ve journeyed through and truly experienced, one of the most beautiful territories in Italy.

 

 

Firenze – a Personal Wake-up Call

/ Denise / Leave a comment

My memory of my first visit to Firenze (affectionately known as Florence to everyone other than the Italians) includes lazing in a beautiful park, flowers everywhere, munching on Italian hams and cheeses, sipping red wine (and probably the cheapest available, as I was on a student budget at the time). Of course I’d also been to see the infamous statue of David. It was a happy, go-lucky time of my life and I vividly remember admiring one of God’s creatures in the form of the male species, jokingly likening him to the statue of David, with one of my girlfriends. Your youth should always have such pleasant memories.

Thirty years later and some, excited to return, I find that Firenze, as beautiful as it is with its architecture and history, variety of shops, restaurants, river flowing through it, a perfect example of the pure essence of Italian lifestyle, was just not what I remembered, expected, or maybe wanted. Maybe, secretly, I wanted to be whisked back to that world devoid of worry and filled with carefree moments, idle days and endless dreams. Maybe I just wanted to be young again.

But is being young manifested only by your age or can it be a way of life – the way you engage with the world around you. I never think of myself as being old, mainly because in my mind there’s nothing stopping me from being or doing all the things I want to be and do. Would I go back to my youth? An emphatic NO. Who I am today is a result of the mental and spiritual growth I’ve experienced over the years. Why then are we obsessed with being young, keeping our youthful appearance? Why are we afraid of growing old?

I’ve decided now that, in fact, I AM YOUNG! Young in spirit and at heart. The memories I create at this stage of my life are even more pleasant because the ‘me’ in it is the same ‘me’ of thirty odd years ago – just a ‘me’ with double the responsibilities, yes, but more importantly, double the love and double the blessings in my life.

 

Taste of Tuscany – Siena

/ Denise / 2 Comments

Certainly Siena is the most impressive of the Tuscan towns. As we climb our final ascent into Siena we are filled with pride and a great sense of accomplishment. Along the way we are tempted to take the short and easy road but stay our course and continue along the long and narrow pathways to our final destination.

And well worth the journey – Siena rewards us with its magnificence, grandeur and imposing strength as we meander to our hotel Il Chiostro del Carmine – a former monastery equipped with a small chapel and a welcoming courtyard where we eventually spend cool peaceful pre-dinner wine tastings.

We celebrate the end of our journey with the now expected Prosecco and pasta, but even better we are serenaded with the ringing of the bells from the Santa Maria de Asunto Cathedral. The following day we venture further as we explore the town and its amazing Cathedral – a magnificent showcase of craftsmanship, artistry and simple dedication, with intricate details of biblical history throughout. We are fortunate enough to celebrate a small mass therein the following day.

The stairs within the Museum lead to an amazing view of Siena and we are once again entranced by the beauty of this city and its surroundings.

The days are hot but the nights are cool and we engage in pure Siena hospitality as we embrace the culture of ‘liming’ in the Piazza after dinner, just simply enjoying the moment, the environment and the company.

Happy to be there, happy to be a part, proud of our accomplishments. What started as a simple adventure through the Tuscany Valley, ended with stronger bonds, greater sense of self and one’s own physical ability, and of course, memories that would last a lifetime.

Thank you my friends for sharing your time, determination, good nature and self with us. We look forward to many more exciting journeys together.

 

Taste of Tuscany – Asciano

/ Denise / Leave a comment

A rest day is always welcome. And where better to spend the day than lazing around a hill top hotel overlooking one of the most spectacular views in Tuscany. As with many of these establishments located on vast acreage, the pasta served was freshly made as was the honey, as this is part of their own industry.

Leaving was a bit difficult but knowing that the first part was primarily downhill was certainly an incentive. The Tuscany region once again did not disappoint with its smell of the pine trees, gentle rolling hills and intermittent gravel roads, you truly feel one with nature and the environment as you pass along perfectly manicured vineyards and small towns on the way.

We skirt off course momentarily to visit the Monte Oliveto Maggiore. This is a large Benedictine Abbey located just 10km south of Asciano. The monastery is accessed through a drawbridge which leads to a medieval palace in red brickwork. This structure began in 1393 and was only completed in 1526 and restored in the 19th century. After the entrance you are greeted with a long alley lined with cypress trees surrounding a botanical garden. Strolling through this peaceful place calms you and at the same time energizes you for your journey ahead.

Asciano is a small town with just about 7000 inhabitants. Typical of Tuscany’s history Asciano became the centre of attention between Siena and Florence in the 13th century eventually being won over by the Sienese after the bloodiest battle in the Italian medieval history in 1260.

As usual we arrive at the hottest time of day when all are indoors and the place is quiet and filled with an eire atmosphere. Later in the evening, we are thoroughly entertained by our multitasking receptionist, come bar man, come chef, as he Kariokes the evening away to our personal enjoyment.

 

Taste of Tuscany – Buonconvento

/ Denise / Leave a comment

Life does not begin until you’ve had a close up view of a field of Sunflowers. My journey could have ended today and I would have been the happiest person alive. If you’ve been following my blogs you will surely have noticed that no matter where I am, there will always be a flower that catches my eye. Well the sunflower fields were my heaven-on-earth experience.

The ride today was a bit more challenging to say the least as we scrambled up steep gravel trails, pushed our bikes up some 16% grade hills, cursed the Tuscan heat, and endured the trials and tribulations of cramps and flat tyres.

In the midst of it all though, a small quiet town with a water oasis calmed and relaxed us. Gave us the energy and willpower to carry on and we arrived safely at our destination – weary, weary and did I mention weary?

But as usual the recap of the day, the local wine and beer and the cool breeze that accompanies the amazing sunset, lifted us and we ended the day once again triumphant of what we were able to accomplish and experience.

Stay awake Tuscany – we have not yet finished our journey.