Cheeky Life Lessons

Posted on by Miriam

With all of our dramas and flooding issues at home lately, life’s been a bit full on. But enough’s enough! 

We all have our hard times so a big step back is sometimes necessary. Time out from the serious stuff where we can take a few deep breaths and focus on something lighter.

What better way to do that than through the cheeky antics of our pets and the animals that share our world.

Their ability to adapt and survive can help put a new spin on things and teach us a few light-hearted lessons on resilience. 

After all, things always work out in the end, even in challenging times.

1. Life isn’t about accumulating stuff, it’s about experiences.

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These roos on the beach at Cape Hillsborough aren’t bothered by too much. They’re a bit watchful but otherwise couldn’t care less that I was taking their photo.

They remind me not to be so attached to our things. We can survive on so much less than we think.

2. Be determined and fearless


Check out this eagle, the determined way he’s standing. “I’m gonna crack this egg if it’s the last thing I do”.

Be determined and go after what you want, but don’t let it be ‘the be all and end all’. Have other options and know that you’ll get there in the end, whatever the challenge. 

After all, there’s more than one way to crack an egg.

3. Be open to new experiences and unexpected encounters

Camel 2

Ah, the places we go, the people we meet.

I love meeting like minded souls but this camel at Kings Creek Station was a little bit too friendly for my liking.

Came 1

What started out as a bit of a kiss ended up as him trying to eat me. What a cheeky, frisky beast!

I suppose it’s flattering to know you’re the object of someone’s affections, even if they’re not entirely honorable.

4. Live in the moment

Who doesn’t hanker to escape it all sometimes? But whether we’re on the road or at home amongst routine, we can still make the most of it all. 

Feel the wind in your hair, the rush of a new day, embrace whatever the weather is doing. Enjoy the moment and the ride.

Harry is expert at this. Dogs are like furry gurus. They know what makes them feel good. We need to take a leaf out of their book.

Live and love like there’s no tomorrow, with all of your senses. 

5. Find those who share your passion



Lamby taught me a few lessons while she lived with us. Now she’s living like a real sheep in the high country and, as of this weekend has a new paddock buddy, Reggie.

Life is so much better when we have a good friend to share it with, especially someone who thinks the same way we do.

It’s not so baaaaaad.

6. Don’t take life too seriously

Cheeky cocky

Cockatoos and kookaburras know not to take life too seriously. 

Actually most birds do. They greet the morning with a song, fly freely and don’t hold themselves back. 

Tweet, smile, chatter, do what it takes but I bet you’ll find if you laugh the world laughs with you.

7. Fake it till you make it

If all else fails don some glasses, put on a cool face and know that you can bluff your way through anything. Yep, anything.

Just like my daughter’s dog Tilly.

After all, isn’t everything about perception?

Stay sane, keep smiling and don’t be afraid to be a bit cheeky. It makes life so much more fun, plus it makes everyone wonder what you’re up to! 

Keep enjoying the journey.

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In response to WPC: Cheeky

124 thoughts on “Cheeky Life Lessons”

    1. Thanks Louise. I think from memory that pic of Harry was taken in Vic, near the King Valley. And yeah, I should have known better, sitting next to that cranky camel. Hope you’ve had a good weekend. xo

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    1. Yep, he was! Sure made me move in a hurry I’ll tell you that!
      The house is fine, thanks for asking. It’s dry, a bit of a shambles but slowly I’m sorting things out, dealing with plumbers and insurance etc. we’ll be fine. Have a great week ahead Lorelle. xx

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  10. Love love love your photographs and your advice all I can say is a big resounding YES! Living with many cats I have learned from them how to flow with life in many ways. Thank you for this uplifting and delightful post. As for that camel …. oh my goodness!!! 😂

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  12. These are fabulous life lessons, Miriam. You are so lucky to have kangaroos on your beach! In our neighborhood it’s deer, bears and cougar. Kangaroos would be a nice change!

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  13. Reading this was an excellent way to begin my day and it, of course, brought a massive smile to my face. Animals are medicine, and if we all lived with the same attitude as they do, the world would be a much happier place. Today I am going to remember to be present and enjoy every minute. Thanks, Miriam. I hope your house is less soggy and that your weekend was lovely. Big hugs! xo

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    1. Your comments always bring a smile to my face Tanya. Thanks! Yes, the house is less soggy, the plumbers have been out and things are in motion. As for those animals, I couldn’t agree more. Have a great week ahead. Big hugs back! xo

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  15. Oh Miriam, this was a super post, and I loved all you said, and so loved the analogies and those wonderful photos that emphasised all you said.. Such wisdom and insight dear friend.. Thank you.
    I smiled at the too friendly camel, which reminded me of my own encounter with a Lama, as i fed him at a Farm park, he then proceeded and spat at me, in what was a very unpleasant sneeze.. Talk about biting the hand that feeds.. LOL.. but my granddaughter and hubby laughed their heads off.. LOL..

    Have a wonderful week, and yes, enjoy every moment.. we are here to experience.. ❤ Hugs, and much love Sue xx

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    1. Thanks so much Sue. Oh yes, those lamas are absolutely notorious for spitting. Clearly they’ve never been taught good manners lol.
      Have a wonderful week ahead too my friend and thanks, as always, for your delightful comment. Hugs and love x 🙂💕

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  21. Enjoyed this! Interesting set of animals/encounters, and Harry is one cool dog – love that out the window photo! My Dad had a llama, Brian, for a while, can’t remember why(!) but he wasn’t that friendly. Dad said Brian had lovely eyelashes…

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    1. Thanks PC. Llamas are very cute, no doubt about it, though they’re also renowned to be cranky, they spit and have bad manners. I think I’ll stick with Harry. 🙂

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  27. Miriam, a lovely post showing us the wise lessons ready for us see and absorb. The photographs are wonderful…I can’t get over kangaroos on the beach!!😀 Harry just has ‘it’ in his attitude to living and I had to laugh at your daughter’s dog…yep, some days are just like that! Others we battle on until we break that egg…hugs from a snow-swept England. xx ❤️

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    1. Thanks so much Brigid. A break from blogging sounds very therapeutic. In case I don’t ‘speak’ to you before Friday (though we probably will) I wish you a wonderful break and a very happy and peaceful Christmas. xo

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  29. This post (like most of your posts) made me smile! I agree with all of these points, especially the first one about experiences being more important than possessions. I think we need to get to a certain age to really appreciate the wisdom of that simple expression. I can’t wait for my next adventure. Have a wonderful week Miriam 🙂

    ps: reblogging this one my friend!

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    1. Thank you so much! And thank you also for your insightful comment. I think you’re right, with age comes wisdom and the realisation that all that stuff does is weigh us down .
      Have a great week yourself. x 🙂

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  35. So glad you took a step back to assess what’s really important! Love those roos…they must be such fun to watch hop around too. Boy oh boy that camel was getting a little obnoxious…they can be quite mean actually…glad you were ok. Wow great shot of that eagle and the egg…as you know I love birds so all your bird photos are great!! Yes Harry reminded me of me last week when I went soaring across the bridge with windows wide open and hair blowing…it was such a great, freeing feeling!! Hope your plumbing is fixed soon though so you can be done with it once and for all! I think we’ve found those who share our passion!! 😉 Great post as always, such a feel good, forget about it, kinda mood, I’m left with…loving it!! Big carefree hugs xo 🙂

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    1. Glad you loved it Deb, I had such a great time putting it together. Just came to me the other afternoon when I honestly thought, enough’s enough. Gotta laugh at life sometimes and all the dramas that make up our days. Ha, you sound just like me driving with your window wide open and hair flying everywhere, music full chat … love it! 🙂
      Big carefree hugs back xo

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      1. I bet it added to your good mood and helped to shift your focus too!! Yes we definitely have to laugh at life, most of the time…the Universe had such a sense of humor!! Big happy laughing hugs xo 😆

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  39. Oh I’m laughing out loud!! The dogs looking at me like I’ve lost the plot… Not everyone can say they’ve ‘picked up a camel’… yep a bit of flirtation does us the world of good – even if it is with a camel! You’ve come out smiling that’s for sure and in doing so, you’ve spread your smile to the other side of the World – how amazing is that!!! Fab post Miri and good for you xxx

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    1. Oh Wendy, you’ve made my smile even wider with your funny comment. I never thought of it as ‘picking up a camel’ but I guess you’re right! Ha! Thanks for always being my cheerleader. I’ll be replying to your email very soon. xo

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  41. I’m sorry that things have been rough for you lately, but glad that the animals are helping you cope! It’s true that we can learn so much from them, but only if we are smart enough to pay attention. Thanks for helping the rest of us remember that! And I hope you have a wonderful week ahead; you deserve it!

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    1. Thanks Ann, that’s very kind of you. Yes, I’m sure you know first hand how animals, especially dogs, can help put things into perspective. Things will be fine here. Hope you have a wonderful week as well. xo

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  45. Hey Miriam I must have missed this post on first pass. So glad I came back to check it out! I was doing a lot of nodding along to forgotten pearls of wisdom, but when saw the camel smooch, I felt like we were same-eze;) Life really is so much more full when we open ourselves to new experiences and unexpected encounters, live passionately, and (I forget this a lot), don’t take ourselves too seriously.

    So glad to see that Lamby has a new buddy in Reggie too (although they look like they might need a trim in the near future;))

    I’ve been working on to a sketch inspired by a photo of rising stone steps that you graciously allowed me to use as inspiration on and off for the past several months. It’s still not quite right, but after reading this, I think its time to share. I hope it brings you a measure of the joy and perspective that you give to all of us!

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    1. Oh Gabe, that would be so great and so very timely for me. I’m in big need of a lift this morning so thank you. I’d absolutely love to see it. And thanks also for your awesome words here, yes, here’s to living passionately. 🙂

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  47. Brilliant! I just found you through Gabe, and I’m glad I did! I’ll be following along on your exploits now, and keeping these thoughts in mind: Be bold, open, present, and light. Find kindred. Enjoy the grand experience of life, and smile through the not so grand times.

    My kind of advice. 😎

    Kudos, Miriam! 👏👏👏

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