Gratitude and Happiness- The things I love this week
Life
It’s tough. Sometimes you hate it. Other times you love it. Most times you just can’t understand it or work it out. But despite it’s ups and downs we are here experiencing it and every day we have a choice as to which way we choose to embrace it.
I’m grateful for my life. This week I went to a funeral. A brother of a good friend. He was only 42 and left behind 8 children and family and friends who loved him very much. It’s too young. Funerals remind you about life; how short it is, how valuable it is, and how we need to live to make it count.
Travel Plans
Hectic week coming up as we plan for a month-long adventure leaving next weekend. Yes we are fly by the seat of our pants people. We’ll be road tripping up to Brissy for a week.
From there we are heading on a P & O cruise to the Pacific Islands (lifetime bucket list check!) and then having a week in Qld before returning home. And then I go to Malaysia for six days to check off another lifetime bucket list – orangutans in Borneo.
Song of the week: Some nights by Fun
I LOVE this song lately. I’m finding myself figuring out still what I stand for and some nights I just don’t know. But I still wake up and fight. Celebrate the waking up.
Empowering Quote
“The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that you are in control of your life. IF you don’t life controls you.” -Anthony Robbins
Spending my days doing what I love
This week I had so so much gratitude for being able to create this life working from home doing what I love.
Every now and then I will take a day of teaching, as it is good money and I like to stack my bank balance odds. I took one of those days on Friday. After 10 minutes my text message to Craig looked something like this “FAAAAARRRRKKKKK. Fuck Fuck Fuck”
Thankfully he replied with a reminder to breathe and a simple word “Freedom”
At Hawke’s Nest
I sat at the desk during break and almost cried so grateful I was that I no longer have to put up with spending my days pretending I am teaching when really I am just trying to maintain order while at the same time being sworn at, abused, and yes this day, even whacked on the hand by a child.
I have my challenges with blogging, but I never wake up wishing the day would go away because of it and I never feel that pain of utter stress-filled angst twisting itself around my body and I don’t come home of a day thinking how fucked up society is and hating adults who can’t get their shit together enough to give innocent children a better chance at life.
Thank you thank you thank you, that this life is no more for me.
Favourite reads for the week
The truth about being a Mummy by Laney from Crash Test Mummy The Video in this post is great. Makes you realize how wonderful it is to be a mum despite the challenges.
Why are travel bloggers so nasty to each other? by Toni from Reclaiming my Future. This could be written about Mummy blogs too and any industry or niche really. I don’t understand why people can be so mean, but I wish it would stop. Always come from the place of kindness. Makes you feel better anyway
Bring on the Olympics I’m raising Children by Martine from the Modern Parent. Parents we are all Olympians, just check out our skills.
Instagram photos of the week
[instapress userid=”mojitomother” piccount=”12″ size=”150″ effect=”fancybox” title=”1″ paging=”1″]
What are you happy and grateful for this week?
Comments
Waegook Tom
Eurgh Caz that day in the classroom sounds awful, but Craig’s message really does remind you why you do it every now and again – freedom. I’m sure that dealing with a bunch of rowdy kids for the day is worth the pay-off that you get to do what you love.
Great share with Toni’s post, too. I read it and was going, “amen!” the whole way through. I’ve noticed a trend recently of people not being so nice to each other, probably with all the competitiveness. However, I’ve also noticed another trend of some more “successful” bloggers having a rather snobbish “I-don’t-need-the-travel-blogosphere” attitude and looking down on it, after that’s what gave them initial success in the first place. Like Toni mentioned in her post though, thank you for not letting your success go to your head and always taking the time to help others and simply be kind 🙂
Caz Makepeace
Oh my pleasure Tom. To be honest I don’t really think we are doing anything special as travel bloggers. We’re just doing what we love and sharing it but we’re not really rocking the world. I really loved how Toni highlighted that in her post. We aren’t Nelson Mandelas… yet..:) I see everyone I meet, regardless of who they are and what they are done, as my equal. Someone who has a story to share that I can learn from. And I truly believe we are all here to help one another and be kind. I feel happier when I’m kind which is why I find it bizarre when people go out of their way not to be.
I think I know one of the posts you mean with the whole snobbish, I’m done with you now attitude. I read that post the other day and was filthy. I think the first comment in reply to it was pure gold and spot one. There is absolutely nothing wrong with one travel blogger helping and supporting another and I think her attitude was really sad.
On a brighter note, you guys are doing so well in the Olympics!! Australia and England have such a fierce rivallry but I’m actually really happy for the Brits! Wonderful to see.
Sky
I am so addicted to Some Nights! It’s one of my all-time favorite songs.
Enjoy your travels! 🙂
Caz Makepeace
It’s very cool. Although I’m not sure what I think of the film clip
Kiera
Great post! And I too have been enjoying that song. It’s addicting and some of the lines sum it all up. Sorry to hear about the funeral.
Caz Makepeace
Thank you Kiera. They are not nice at all but at the same time a good reminder to make the most of our own lives.
Kate
We all definitely have lots to be grateful for, and I absolutely love the way you acknowledge each of those simple things that can so easily be taken for granted, Caz!
I’m in my third year of teaching, and share the same feelings as you on society and how it reflects life in the classroom. I’m questioning whether my dream that I’ve worked so hard to make come true, is REALLY what I want. I’m thinking about not taking a full-time position next year, to get some perspective and see if I miss it.
I appreciate your optimistic and uplifting perspective on life, Caz – keep up the great work!
Caz Makepeace
Thank you Kate. I sure know that disillusionment. It’s why I decided to get out of teaching. I realized my day was spent policing and parenting, little teaching was being done. I couldn’t stand the frustration and lack of purpose anymore. And I hated being so down on people and society because of it.
Maybe a break will help you work it out.