Gratitude and happiness

Looking over the edge

Looking over the edge

The Remarkables Birthday bash

So my agent’s 1st birthday was on Thursday evening at Eau De Vie in Darlinghurst. It was a slightly, quirky and cosy venue, perfect for the celebration. Lorraine has done super amazingly well in her first year of business and has such incredible growth. She is helping open so many doors for bloggers in Australia. I am stoked to be a part of it. I drank far too much wine, but had so many amazing conversations and laughter with old friends and new.

Sugar free, dairy free, gluten free pumpkin pie

pumpkin pie

One day I will become a better food photographer

I fell in love with pumpkin pie when we lived in the States. I was super excited to make this recipe from Sarah Wilson’s I quit sugar ebook. It was delicious!! Kalyra could  not get enough of it.I need to make a few slight adjustments next time but its a winner for sure.  Click here to view details of her cookbook (affiliate link)

P.S just made another one tonight and nailed it!

Sarah Wilson’s hard cover book

I was so excited to get this book for Mother’s Day. I have the ebook version, but when I am cooking, I like to hold a real book in my hand and this book is so pretty I get a ton of food inspiration from it. I’m really loving this lady!

Village Voices 2013 Launch Party

WE attended the launch party for the Village Voices 2013 Best blogger competition. Craig was about one of the only men in the room, which he of course loved! It was fab to see old friends and meet some really cool people. I just love my blogging community. So many people following their passions and inspiring others to transform their lives.

AND I am immensely proud of  myself for choosing to drive and forego a night of too many wines. I’m finally listening to my body! I had fun regardless.

Song of the week: Blurred lines by Robin Thicke

This is such a groovy, catchy tune

What are you grateful and happy for this week?

Why I don’t care about government budgets?

government budgets

The budget was released yesterday, or wait was it the day before? I don’t really remember. All I know was I heard the words deficit and surplus mentioned several times and members of both political parties tearing each up yet again.

Yawn. Switch over to The Voice, something that at least inspires me to reach greater heights.

I often feel bad at my total disdain and lack of interest in politics and budgets. I mean I really should care shouldn’t I? Isn’t it these things that determine my fate? Shouldn’t I be more concerned with how the country is being run and what it means for all people?

It’s not that I don’t care, I really do, but I care more about helping people see how they are in fact in charge of their lives, not political parties, or government budgets. I don’t really have a political allegiance, because my views and beliefs are always evolving so how can I lock myself into one way of thinking all my life AND I know that whoever is in and whatever policies they set won’t effect me to a large degree.

Now if I was living in a country like Iran or Sudan, I might have a different view. Policies set by those political systems do tend to have a very large effect on an individual’s life.

But, I’m not that fussed here in Australia. You see I’ve never cared about government or budgets and I have spent the majority of my adult life living it how I want. I’ve traveled and worked around the world in various different jobs, and positions, and now created my own business and ultimate lifestyle. I’ve made lots of money and I have lost a shit load of money (read that pain here)

Absolutely none of this happened in my life as a result of budgets or government policy, or political parties in power. It all happened as a result of my choices. Sure I have a lot of freedom and the Australian government does do a really good job of looking after it’s people. Sometimes perhaps a little too good. And I really do appreciate this. So in this regards perhaps it plays a much bigger hand than I realize. (BTW I base this opinion from living in 5 countries- believe me we’ve got it good in Australia)

But, what I am trying to get at is that you can never ever rely on government to give you the life you want and to make your circumstances better or worse. You are at the centre of it. You hold all the power. It’s why during recessions or depressions many millionaires are made.

It’s people saying I’ll make it work no matter what, I”ll arm myself with knowledge and experience and I’ll seize opportunities.

I have always had the attitude in life, even as a young girl, if I don’t know something I’ll learn it. I’ve had this strange need to make myself invaluable and arm myself with as many skills as possible so that I cover all bases.

That way when the shit hits the fan thanks to government policies, and we know that is possible, I can go make my life better with my own skills and knowledge. I don’t fall in a heap and curse my political leaders. Why would I want to leave my life to people who seem more intent on name calling and one up man-ship than to work together to make a business thrive?

They can’t look after the needs of all people, it’s impossible. With each new policy and budget release there will be losers. And even if you fall into these groups who lose, you can still decide to be a winner.

So I really don’t know how the new budget will effect me or anyone else around me. I have never known. I don’t want to lose my focus on what it is I can do to make my life great.

But then again, maybe I don’t care because I don’t really understand the words deficit and surplus.

Do you?

Let’s get the discussion going:

Why should I care about budgets and policies? Do you? or do you feel you can still win regardless?