looking forward by looking back

We live in a world consumed by the need to change.

Every day something changes.  It’s inevitable.  Your clothes, your hairstyle, the weather or the newest model phone it seems. And as fun as change is, and I am by no means against it, I also feel sometimes it’s not necessary.  That its done just because we assume we have to, because ‘modern life’.

Take for example history.   I am no history expert that’s for sure and it’s not something I’ve yet got an innate desire to delve into, but we are living in a modern age where we have technology increasing at a rapid rate.   We assume we know everything because its new.  As if we have to change the world from what it was, just because we can now do it bigger and better.

But what does history show us?!  It shows hundreds of years of tradition.  It shows thousands of years of human civilisation.  It shows for example, a monarchy that reigned far before our time, that still reigns and remains a current link to our past that we for some reason are set on destroying here in Australia.  Can you tell I’m anti-republic;) ?

It’s frustrating to me that instead of the constant desire to change history, we don’t instead look back and more strongly use what has been learnt.  What worked, how these huge civilisations made long standing buildings that last the ages or why the traditions that were set years ago are actually still embedded (often unknowingly) into our society.

The online world doesn’t help.  Its where we are constantly looking for something new and the next funny meme or hilarious video – and that is fine, I love a funny cat video don’t get me wrong.  But on a large scale, on a global scale, what will be our legacy.  What will be the one thing in this techno-age that will last?  In a world that is now set on the newest trends and fast dwindling fads and 15 minutes of fame, what lasts?  What is unique?

It’s a reflective time of year let me say.   I have been thinking about what will happen next year and the change that is going to happen in our little slice of the world.  It has got me excited don’t get me wrong, but that’s my immediate space and my change. On a global scale, on a ‘leave a legacy’ scale – how will what we are doing now really matter if we keep changing to look forward without learning from looking backwards? 

So here we go – sitting at the cusp of change.  Where another year ends and a new year begins.  It’s a fun time to reflect.  But it’s got me reflecting differently, more broad than I usually do and I’m okay with that.  In this coming year, I am going to use this to look back on my own history, on my countries history and further, to see how I can change from what’s been taught already.

Where I can learn and move forward, by looking back. 

currently

Things have been a little hectic around these parts lately and has left little time for this little space of mine.

September has been big work events, family weekend away to the beach, a funeral, awards nights, late work days, a wedding, sore necks and backs, church kids and a whole lot of trying to eat clean!  Exhausting!!!

But lately I’ve been deliberately trying to slow things down.  Finish work on time.  Clear the weekends to spend at home.  Stop the to do lists and just DO.

Its a work in progress….but its progress…so I’m happy to just go with it at the moment 🙂

Currently things are looking okay;

Laughing at > the truth of this meme and its accuracy to my husband 😉

Eating > all things healthy.  It’s so easy to not eat the right foods, but I find when we have fresh food in our fridge and fruit to snack on, we are much more well behaved.  Tonights dinner was a Morning Glory stir fry with brown rice. One of my favourite recipes and you can see it here!

Wearing > striped purple and white pyjamas and an old shirt that was my dear dads 🙂 its a mid week slop fest in this household haha!

Feeling > tired.  But i’m sick of feeling tired so I’m trying to push through and be thankful for the life that surrounds me!

Needing > my osteo appointment.  I put my back out just between my shoulder blades a week ago and its just not right!  Happy to have full movement back now with being able to turn left again – hooray!

Working on > quality time with the husband.  Computers and phones have gotten the best of us lately and we’ve been blanking out at the end of the day.  We need to intentionally stop and talk to each other – without the distractions!

Loving on > this clever idea for indoor self watering herb garden!

a bung knee, a funeral and a bite [lately]

 

Well.  March certainly was one super busy month.

The beginning of the year always seems to be this way for my family.  Just with 10 birthdays in the first 3 months of the year – its enough!  But of course always fun.

The past two weeks have been a real test.  A test of organization, patience and understanding.

The Bung Knee
My lovely mother has had her second knee replacement done due to the terrible pain she’s been in with arthritis swelling her knees and resulting in bone on bone.  Thankfully the second knee operation went so so well and a week and a half later she is finally pain free for the first time in years and walking again.  So so awesome.

My 3 sisters and I have been swapping shifts to look after her as she got out of hospital Monday last week and my time looking after her was Monday and Tuesday last week.

The Funeral
Sadly, the day after her operation on Friday, her brother and our Uncle passed away after years of struggling with prostate cancer and lymphoma.  Such a strong family man he was just lovely!

Unfortunately for our mum, due to her major operation, she couldn’t travel and us 4 sisters travelled to Sydney to not just represent her but say goodbye to our Uncle.

Quickly filming mum’s eulogy to her brother to show during the service, we headed off on Wednesday, catching up with SO much family (uncles, aunties, cousins, second cousins and family friends) it was both a sad time saying goodbye and a happy time, celebrating his wonderful life and reuniting with cousins we hadn’t seen for a while.

The Bite
Coming back Friday night to Brisbane after our whirlwind, last minute trip, it was certainly lovely to be home.

Unfortunately for me, from Wednesday night in Sydney I’d had this pain and lump in my neck.

I thought it was my tonsils and me coming down with a flu, but Saturday morning I woke up and just knew I had to go to the doctor, it just didn’t feel “normal”.

My instincts were right and the doctor applauded me on acting quickly as my glands in my neck had become infected which can lead to septicemia – something I definitely DO NOT want to have. Who knows what it was that bit me, but my body certainly didn’t like it and I’m glad I didn’t muck around!

So 4 days of antibiotics, both orally and externally, a bit of nausea and hot flushes later – the pain is completely gone thank goodness and praise God!

>> So it has been a big few weeks topped off by 2 separate family do’s for Easter over the weekend. While I’m glad its over it has been lovely at the same time.

I’ve been surrounded by my mum, my 3 sisters and extended family who were all filled with love in honoring a great man!

Its often I pray for peace and quiet and my life to be less of running around and ‘go go go’, but when it’s all said and done – I’d rather be freaking out trying to organise last minute flights days before Easter. Having my patience tested in trying not to react to sibling bickering. And in being filled with a strong wave of understanding and strength from the Holy Spirit to help others around me who are overwhelmed with emotion and sadness.

Its why I will always choose being caught up in the whirlwind that is big family life than at home with the quiet routine…..though it certainly helps to have the quiet routine to recover 😉