"Why don't we take time for ourselves?"
"Because there's always something to do when you're a mum."
"But sometimes I just think it would be nice to be... alone. And do something for me. You know?"
"Yes, but the guilt... What would people think if I put myself first? Did something solely for me? It just sounds so.... indulgent."
"I know, I know... but what if it didn't cost money, and what if it wasn't that much time either... maybe just 10 minutes alone. And what if that 10 minutes meant I would move about the rest of my day feeling recharged, a little more nourished and calmer. Mindful even? That would make it worth it, wouldn't it?"
"I suppose if it was just 10 minutes..."
"Maybe 10 minutes is all I need..."
"Maybe 10 minutes is everything I need."
xx
Do you give yourself a few minutes for you each day?
{I choose to give myself 10 minutes most days. Normally to just be, to breathe, meditate, write. Sometimes I read or take photos. Sometimes I lie down, sometimes I walk. Sometimes I'm not alone. And some days I only find five minutes, but even fewer minutes then I'd like make a world of difference. Image during my 10 minutes this morning by a ferocious sea. So windy my eyes watered, and to watch the waves it became necessary to take refuge behind the boat sheds. Elisa x}
This first week of January is not at all how I envisioned it. The plan was to laze away hot summer mornings at the beach with my two girls, picnic lunches, afternoon siestas and then cleaning up the trail of sand that always makes its way home with us...
But instead it's been crashing waves and overcast days. And still I feel called to the sea.
Today as I watched the waves pelt the sand I got been thinking about my guiding word - honour - and simple ways I could make it more part of my moments, minutes, days and weeks.
And then I realised I was already doing it. Sitting by the water, witnessing its rhythm {and my internal rhythm}. Taking time out here to just breathe, to honour where I'm at.
I'm always mesmerised by the water's view - no matter the sea's temperament. So here begins a photo a week savouring the rhythm of the sea.
xx
No matter the weather this is where I want to be.
No matter if I'm admiring calm turquoise waters or witnessing a dark sea with rolling waves.
Whichever is the rhythm of the day, being here nourishes me.
Reminds me that every day brings change, and to embrace it.
Reminds me to breathe. And exhale fully. And to give thanks.
It reminds me to look for beauty in the ordinary. Because it's always there. And here.
xx
Do you look for beauty in your everyday? x
As I drove home this morning miss four called out for me to stop, "Over there, Mummy! Let's see it."
The beach.
We were driving past the lookout, a place I stop often to watch the sky, to reconnect and just be with my two little girls in tow.
Today the sun was shining bright on the turquoise green sea with soft waves crashing in, the sky a bright blue with just a few scattered clouds.
And as I parked the car I saw miss four already had her camera {her recent fourth birthday gift} ready to go.
"Just a few photos for my collection please."
And so we sat by the car admiring the colours and capturing photos. And giving thanks that we can take in this beauty and wonder just about any time we want.
xx
{Gratitude for where we live, for a week where I have learnt and healed, and for my gorgeous photo-taking miss four and her little sister - who make me laugh every day. Elisa x}
What are you most grateful for today? x
With sick lingering here for longer than I would have thought {much longer than I'm happy about}, there's been a whole lot of home time and pretty much no script to our days.
I wake up and wonder what the day will bring, and I throw up a couple of options out and see what the little misses like best.
Sometimes we do a whole lot of nothing. Lying on the ground reading books, and lying on the ground with them lying on me.
We bake our bread together. I plan nutritious immune-boosing meals for our days, and my girls make soup {to make us all feel better} in their play kitchen.
But often we make our way to the beach. Miss three requests visits to the water, almost as much as my heart does.
When it rains we watch the waves from the car. And when it's windy, we make our way to the lookout. If it's sunny, we'll run on the sand or watch the sun dancing on the water from afar.
On Wednesdays we keep heading to the market, and wander rugged up down the street.
We buy daffodils and jonquils, and I sip hot chocolate while the girls play at the park.
And every night {after reading their two favourite books} my angels fall asleep in my arms.
And then I find myself getting out of bed to finish work commitments, but not getting to write from {and for} my heart.
We haven't seen much of the people we love to see this past month, we haven't had the out-and-about rushed that comes with normal weeks and I haven't been afforded the time to hit the publish button when I do write.
But always before I fall asleep I notice how our unscripted days of late are filled with heart moments.
And while at times I feel like I haven't been able to catch my breath, I think in a way it's what I needed.
Because in the not-knowing and the lack of planning, I've been propelled to move further out of my comfort zone, be even more selective with my time, to trust and move further in the direction of my heart.
So many things have been thrown up in the air this month, but it's starting to feel like that only happened so things could land the right way up.
xx
How have your days been of late? Do you stop to notice all the heart moments collected throughout your week?
In the spirit of a little less staring at the computer screen, a little more staring at the water, we headed to the beach this past week.
Not once, but four times. It was as though the water was calling us to return.
And I had forgotten just how much I adore the beach in winter.
When all sounds bar the roaring of the waves are forgotten.
The mesmerising colours of the sky and water, different each day.
The rhythm of the water, inviting me to witness the seasonal rhythms around me, and transform my internal rhythms of the day too.
The clarity that comes from a change of scene.
And that alive feeling that comes from running through the wind on the sand on a sun-shining blue-sky winter day with your two little people laughing and running beside you.
xx
{Photo taken into the sun while we ran on the windiest sunny day at our closest beach. It was magic. When I arrived home I heard the weather warning that winds of 100kph were hitting coastal areas. Timing is funny like that. Because had I known earlier, we most definitely would not have gone. Elisa x}
~ Gratitude that we are blessed with the beach close by and for spontaneous and intentionally created heart moments that that are filled with a sense of magic and leave you feeling oh-so-alive. Joining the 52 weeks of grateful here ♡
What are you most grateful for today?
On the coldest of winter days, when the wind is fierce, waves are crashing and the air is icy, I feel most called to the ocean.
Mostly I sit {and stare}, then walk {and wonder, let go, listen, feel, wish and dream}.
And I feel a little calmer just by being there {as I look out at the waves and up to the sky}.
Watching the water reminds me that the universe is big {so much bigger than whatever worry I may be nursing, so much bigger than my little world}.
And it reminds me that every single moment and every single day is different {we're always on the eve of something new}.
I leave {knowing I will return} with a feeling of refreshed and alive running through my heart.
Elisa xx
{My winter beach obsession has rubbed off on little miss two who asks to see the water every time we get into the car. When we're there, she holds me close and points to the waves, sky, sand and birds, proclaiming them all "Wow!". And lately when we go to leave, shes says "Wait mum, stop. We listen to waves". We close our eyes, she listens to the waves and I listen to her xx}
Do you retreat to nature to reconnect?
I stared at the ocean twice this week {mesmerised by the rhythm of crashing waves}.
On both days the ocean seemed to hold so much strive and purpose {intent on getting things done}.
And I've been feeling a little the opposite {watching days unfold and struggling to find my own rhythm in their speed}.
Weeks like this floor me {leave me overwhelmed, wondering and eager for a new day}.
Mid-week {and again today} I realised where I was heading {a feeling of disconnection coming from my soul}.
And so {with help from a friend} I remembered to hold my heart close {and listen for words of ways to make a change}.
I trusted time and I trusted my body {and they trusted my heart}.
I meditated and I practised yoga {and gave thanks for two little girls who sleep at the same time}.
I recieved calls from three girlfriends I haven't spoken to in weeks {and gave thanks that our friendship is stronger than time}.
I looked into a dark early morning sky {and gave thanks for the day that was, and the lessons learnt}
I watched the sun rise and gently transform the sky from black to blue {and gave thanks for a new day and a shining sun}.
I chose to believe the words that keep coming at me {today will make you stronger for tomorrow}
And on the bumpiest of weeks, I gave thanks for the practise of gratitude {and the many blessings it allows me to see}.
Elisa xx
{Grateful I can find gratitude no matter the week's happenings ~ linking to Kidspot's 52 Weeks of Grateful}
What are you grateful for this week?
