Out an' About

Have you noticed all the good intentions doing the rounds at the moment? January seems to be the time for declaring New Year resolutions and making big plans for the year ahead. I guess it’s only natural.

Many people have declared themes, focus words and challenges for the year ahead. I’m impressed, inspired and also, I’ll admit it, slightly nonchalant about it all.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m a big believer in setting intentions and having goals but I feel as though I’m in a period of lull.

Perhaps all that sea air and relaxation on the first few days of the new year at Yanakie slowed me down.

I feel no rush. No hurry. And I realise I don’t want to feel pressured.  Yes I have my goals and I know what I want to achieve this year but I’m easing myself into 2018.

After the dramas of our December flooding followed by the festivities of Christmas, the high and rush of our milestone wedding anniversary in December and then starting the year off in beachside Yanakie I’m settling slowly into the pace of a new year. It’s a gentle time of reflection.

My new Gratitude Journal awaits me, 360 empty pages and days in front of me to fill. I love the quote that opened up to me today, it was so fitting.

“Time is the universal clock of which we and our planet are a part. It cannot be hurried and we must trust.”

So trust I will. There’s unknown territory in front of us, opportunities to grow, expand, travel, learn and take chances.

It’s a journey with a map and unchartered waters lie ahead.

In my garden I have sweet basil and other flourishing herbs and plants. After waiting months, an abundance of zucchinis are almost ready to be picked and the tomatoes are teasing me with their slow ripening.

Everything is growing, slowly but surely.

Looking ahead, on the travel front, there are plans in place for a big Tasmanian walking trip in September this year.

There’ll be plenty more camping plus weekend and day trips, which always translates to fun research, travel articles and more blog posts.

There are magazine editors to contact and lots of writing goals to achieve, both on and off my blog. But all in good time.

I hope to further grow my Facebook Outanabout Group YOLO (You Only Live Once). If you’re interested come check it out. The link is at the bottom of this post.

On the domestic front we’re still in the throes of contesting our declined home building insurance claim from the flooding. Loop holes in the policy has made it difficult but I know that through challenges we grow. One way or another things always work out.

Everything takes time.

There is no rush.

For in anything we need to determine what it is we want. Plan, plant, cultivate, nurture and then trust that all will work itself out.

Two questions I’m asking myself as the year begins:

1. What is possible for me this year?

2. What is my next best move?

Anything is possible but we have to be clear about what we want.

Then we can take the steps necessary to create our own future, to write our own story.

Along the way don’t forget to look up, take it all in and believe that we can achieve it.

Five slow things I’m doing to nurture growth this month:

1. Decide what you want and then go for it! Just make a decision and begin.
2. Yesterday I wrote a Dear Universe letter, pouring out my intentions and goals for the year. I stuck it in an envelope, dug a hole in my garden and buried it deep within the earth. I’ve written it and let it go, just like seeds that grow up slowly into plants, time will take care of my intentions.
3. Take action, little steps day by day to achieve your goals. Water those plants, write a story, make a phone call, accept that invitation, do something to step out of your comfort zone.
4. Do what you love. For me at the moment it’s my music. Stay tuned for another collaborative song in coming weeks.
5. Choose to feel good. Too simple? It’s not. I read a quote the other day that stuck with me: “Don’t make where you are too big of a deal. Let it be what it is: it’s a moment in time where you have the choice to feel good or feel bad. That’s all that it ever is.”

As the days turn into weeks I wish you all a gentle easing into the new year.

I hope that 2018 is a year of personal growth for you, one where your desires manifests into doing what you love to do.

Dream big, love deeply and live your days to the fullest, with all your heart.

In love and light as we keep on the journey.

Sharing for WPC: Growth

“The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. Throw yourself.” ― C. JoyBell C.

Now, hopefully Harry won’t dig up that letter!

---

 Stay in touch and connect with me on Facebook

Come check out my new group for like minded travelers
Outanabout YOLO “You only live once”