The crests of the Birds of Paradise are vibrant orange in the morning sun. The agapanthus blooms are tiring. The river stones cry out in the heat beside weathered boardwalks and the rippling water of the inground pool.
Yesterday kite surfers could be seen from this hillside retreat where spirits are soothed and merry hearts do good like a medicine. These past few days my hubby and I have been in the company of long time friends as we've holidayed in Northern NSW. There has been time for reading, watching of movies (just loved "Second Hand Lions" starring Robert Duvall and Michael Caine), swimming, sharing our hearts and considering the way forward.
Here we are at 54 and 43 years respectively. We have a few runs on the board and so do our friends. We cherish them for their very character, how they love, how they honour and banter with their spouses, how they dig their children, celebrate one anothers achievements and mourn together when life's seasons change. How as teachers, emergency service personnel, IT specialists, child care operators, business owners, individually and collectively, they invest in community and future generations; a lot of the time without even realising it! This seems to work, from what I can see from the outside looking in, by getting the balance right. They combine a vibrant love of life with a recognition that you've got to sew to make a difference, that if you want something to occur then make a plan, strategise, invest in your own learning, and share your knowledge with others, work hard, be a good mate, be hospitable. Be open to making new friends, don't hide behind walls, exercise in your local neighbourhood, laugh heaps! As my husband said recently, 'friends help you stay sane'.
Dave and I will come away from this time refreshed, having laughed, swum, eaten too much and ingested far too much coffee. Life's fun when we have an attitude of gratitude. Gratitude is an essential key ingredient in every relationship and helps smooth out the lumps. Developing an attitude of gratitude takes practice, like renewing the mind or making a great cup of coffee!
Why don't you join me and consider all the things we have to be grateful for today and develop a faith - filled heart of positive expectation. I know I am grateful for that rippling pool of water that's beckoning me right now. I think I might just go and dive right into life!
Thanks friends for doing life with us....
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