Wondering why the grandstand is empty?

I'm delighted to hear the grandstands are empty at the Games.
We are not created to be spectators, rather contributors - giving life our all!

Magical Moments

We've all gone through, or are going through some tough times; and they can engulf us if we let them! IN these times i need to find hope, hope that I'm not on my own and hope that is dependable rather than wishful. I'm a pretty level person and fake happiness doesn't wash with me. It needs to be genuine, from within, and it must be sincere or I'm only kidding myself. What I find really interesting, is that the more intouch I become with my inner self and my peaceful satisfaction of being true to myself - the more revealing my identity becomes.

Dance a crazy dance

I did something today I haven't done in a long while, I danced a crazy dance for no-one but myself. My version of dancing with wolves. Music has elevation and today I chose to spread my wings and fly - I celebrated!
Sometime afterwards I was standing next to a dear lady and she turned to look at me and said she saw angels all around me. Happy in my celebration I replied, "I know I'm there."

The Monastaries of Meteora, Greece

The people that built these rooms upon massive shear faced sky-scrapers were ordinary people looking for peace.

There physical nature is an inward statement of the ongoing struggle of my life, to escape the battles, to find elevation, to discover a fresh God's peace.

From this place perspective is sought and received, my guidance, my bearings, my place of reassurance and trust, of home.

The Extraordinary in Everyone of Us!

We can choose to either go about our day pouting about our wo's or turning our wo into wow! This little fellow was in our room to greet us when we got back from an exhausting day. A thoughtful person on staff of the Crystal Cruise Liner delighted her patrons with her creativity in the art of towel folding, the ability to make people happy is a gift. In talking with this special lady she told me that she very rarely gets the opportunity to disembark to enjoy the exotic locations that the Crystal goes to because of the demands of her job, yet her joy is renewed every time she hears the delight of those she blesses. This is clearly a person that has the embraced the WOW factor in her day!
Take a look at your day and explore where something of the amazing that is present in you rubs off on those around you. We all have gifts to share and together we give and receive, discovering the extraordinary in each one of us.

Egyptian Pyramids

The Pyramids are an inspiration! Every bit as incredible standing beside them and taking in the sheer scale in size and dimension. They highlight how important getting our foundations right factor into everything else we do in our lives.

Foundations are not a one time, lay a concrete slab and its done, because the earth moves. Life happens, and we need to keep paying attention to the needs of our true self and who we are in relationship with.

What aspects of your foundation have moved and need aligning with who you are in truth?

Living the Dream

Here we are in Athens upon the Acropolis. Pinch me, I'm really here!
The Parthenon and its antiquities are a living statement to an amazing turn of events in history. To save the statues from pilfering during times of unrest and poverty, they were buried underground. Hundreds of years later archeologists uncovered them and they were perfectly preserved due to the cool chambers and the soil. We have the privilege I viewing these amazing products of human artistic achievement and foresight today.
What are we preparing and protecting today as a legacy of our lives?

Live today aligned with your dreams becoming reality!

Some things you just can't pack in your suitcase!

Sellers in Istanbul
know how to stock their merchandise! I just loved these lamps, much more Wow in actual daylight amidst the contrast of grey and at night all lit up.


Live every day as though it were your last
Grab opportunity with all your strength

Wisen up
Listen to the patient voice within

Love lots, your light will glow brighter
Take care everyone
Ann

Happiness is contagious!

This is for all my sweet tooth friends out there!

This candilicious shop in Dubai has the motto happiness is contagious as it's mission statement, you can read if you enlarge the photo, is to ensure their shop is a place of happiness for their customers! Got me smiling :) Hope you like it too!

Liked to, but never actually thought you would?

This was just one of those moments (above) that caught me by surprise! We are in Israel, the people in the photo are all looking out from a viewing platform over the Jerusalem wall and into the ancient city. I'm more fascinated with this camel that is just sitting there enjoying the 40 degree heat. I've only ever seen a scrawny camel from a distance through a fence at the Auckland zoo. Yet i've heard only to beware, camels spit! So i'm gingerly keeping away from the mouth region to give this camel a stroke of its lovely velvet coat. Not wanting to ride the jolly thing, these creatures are way to high off the ground when standing and too jostly for my liking! Besides just one look at the blanket you would be required to sit on was the deciding clincher, no camel ride for me - especially in a skirt!

Oh, and just incase you thought I missed the view the photo above shows what the fuss was all about...

Jerusalem was even more impressive when walking inside the ancient city, moving though the narrow streets that Jesus once walked and sharing this journey intimately with Him. An experience I never dreamed I would have done, it wasn't anything I had planned, it was a complete surprise to find ourselves here in Israel, an inclusion in our travelling package - how incredible life can be when you least expect it!

Winter Solstice

21st of June will always be my winter solstice, it was the night I endured labour making it the longest day and most rewarding day of my life. It was on this day 16 years ago Alysha was born. We are spending the evening celebrating with friends and family this special day.
Happy Birthday Alysha
We love you!!

Finding Home

I've been thinking about what makes 'home' really home for me. It's a place that I feel most at peace. A place that grounds me and offers rest. It is also a place I can be totally free. A place that gives and receives love, a place of honesty, companionship and unconditional acceptance. Home is also a place of healing, renewal and strength. A place I can dance with wild abandonment!

I can be far far away, yet home calls me back. I find my compass bearings.

I am truly home when I experience the peace that resides in my heart of being true to myself.

Home defines me.

Profoundly moved by Passion

Circumstances around me have severed my nerves to the core and I'm only just surfacing from a very frightened place.

It is just such a morning for God to wake me early and take me on a journey with Him under this (photo taken at the top of my street) His canapy of spectacular sun drenched sky.

In a vulnerable state nothing on earth can empower like God's own intimate touch. The overwhelming feeling that understands the gap of how undeserved this all is, I've done nothing, yet He gifts in such a way that makes my heart full, and over flow with the warm tears of knowing gratitude for His healing. I'm profoundly moved by His passion that restores my soul as the sun the sky, His signature and life within me.

Paeroa - a kiwi tradition!

When I was 19 I went to Canada to meet Rae, my birth mother. It was a time of true discovery in every way. One-day I found myself in a pull-off freeway cafe and the person behind the counter looked at me bermused saying, "I'm sorry Mam, what did you say? L & P?" To my embarrassment, which for people travelling will understand, is a common occurance in regard to our ignorance, that Lemon and Paeroa is well and truly our kiwi indigenous brew; which remarkably always makes me feel right at home!

Unwinding and Energizing

We've just returned from a truly relaxing stay at Omaha beach. My life was never created to be stuck in over-drive! So there comes a rhythm of time when our body, mind and soul cry out for some serious time-out; not just a tease of time like a weekend, but a down-tools space to really catch your breath. It's during these times that I begin to see things more clearly and get my bearings for the next phase. Taking a break gives me more in the long run, it is the epitome of iN-JOY (ENJOY).

Take care!

What moves you?

What moves me? It's passion! My friend Jo said to me today,
When you have loved lots you grieve lots. One of lifes snapshot moments.
Love gives me purpose, it shapes my existence, it is patient and kind as it laps like a tide on the shore of my heart. Love surprised me today, as I met my brother James for the first time, what a sweetheart!

Shaun's 14th birthday party

At Shaun's birthday celebration he was gifted with a large candle which he lit and had burning during our meal together with his family and friends. Shaun took his time thinking about what he dreamed for/wished for and offered his request in his heart before blowing out the candle, sealing the transaction. We toasted a blessing on all our family who could not be with us, in various parts of the country and overseas, we love you all!

Inside of me

Every now and then I catch a glimpse of my inner world... like an incredible sunset that just can't help itself - taking your breath away! What magnificence! What stunning beauty beholds this Creator of mine!!

I'm in love

Lantern Festival in Albert Park, Akld

Alysha and I went to the Lantern Festival to emerse ourselves in Chinese culture for the evening. We felt as though we had teleported to Shanghi with the hustle and bustle, languages and song, sights, smells and fashion - well hats mostly! I was amazed at the little lanterns that people were carrying around with them, each with their own lit candle inside, and not one fire - incredible! The place was full of colour, with bright cultural Chinese arrangements and they were wonderful hanging in the trees and all over the park in contrast with the dark night. We enjoyed watching the artists painting the lanterns but a little shocked at the $300 price tag. Finally we escaped the crowds for an evening drink and an escapade to get our car out the locked parking lot! After several attemps we managed thankfully to make it home much to our relief after having thoughts of spending the night in a concrete lot til the morning.

Growing up with model trains

This is my most precious memory of growing up, Dad would take us to the model railway on Sundays and we would ride the trains and play along the Panmure Basin. This is Dad with the train that he built still volunteering at the local railway, and still as passionate! I think he could drive these tracks in his sleep he has gone around them that many times. He teaches me alot about stamina!

Waitangi Day Celebrations 2010

The Auckland community celebrated our national day with festivities at our local park. The highlight for me was meeting the lady who designed the tino rangitiratangi flag, she explained it's meaning - the black part is a symbol of The Sky Father and the red the Earth Mother, the white inbetween is about the birth place of the people (tangata) and the aroha(holistic love)that this place holds.
Then she publicly gifted the flag to the Maori people of Aotearoa. The flag is about unity she said. What a treasure! The huge impression that lingered with me for a long time after was, what a legacy this women has given to her people, and to the Nation. Being present was so significant for me as a New Zealander, I was a witness and understood the importance of the gift first hand, being purposeful about what Waitangi Day means for me today as a person who calls New Zealand home.

Seize the day

My favourite moments in a day are those that capture the stillness of the day, when I'm waking early in the morning and its still quiet everywhere; and when I'm tucked up in bed allowing peace to envelope my slumber. They are times when my honesty is clearest, my thoughts are before God, nothing is hidden from His eyes. My sleep and my awake enjoy His company.

Refresh

Driving from New Plymouth to Auckland takes about 6 hours with regular stops to take in the magnificent scenery. I took a rest at the beautiful Awakino River in the Mangaotaki Gorge, middle of NZ's North Island. It's a hot summers day and it was refreshing to enjoy the drop in temperative beside the river and that fresh crispness in the air. The river reminds me of our movement through life, in a healthy way, removing the debris and clearing away any hold on the past.... as long as we are willing to let go and be guided by our purpose.

A Psalm

It's been a time...
To unwind and appreciate life
To reflect on the past and forgive myself
To seek my Creator with all that I am, to listen and be heard
To connect in closer ways with the people I love
To find meaning in the present
To caste vision and gain perspective that seemingly guides my future
To understand the limitations of my humaness
To learn to trust more
To worship in abandonment like no-one is watching but the One it is for
To experience joy in every part of my being, that just can't be contained!

What are you hoping for?

Amidst the New Years celebrations, this is a time of quiet reflection for me.
What of the past year can I fully appreciate?
What dreams have yet to be fulfilled?
Am I living true to my priorities?
Take a closer look at the rudder that stears the ship.
Become very clear about the direction the rudder is heading.
What will this picture look like one year on?

My legacy: input, impart and impact
Fulfill this New Year!