I hate wooden chairs.

      Is it something I'm not doing right? Mmm maybe. The only place I could find today and yesterday with a decent Internet connection is a very nice cafe. Food is great, price is reasonable, outlook ok, but hells bells. Hard wooden chairs.....they stop the blood flow in my bum!

       Ok it's been a couple of hours, a few friends, catching up with Internet stuff, but the PAIN is excruciating!  I have got to the point where I have to continually fidget. Not a a particularly good look. Certainly not a good or easy way to sit for any length of time. Cafes, usually have a small area somewhere, where you sit in comfort. An easy chair, even a cushion. Something that takes away from the pain of sitting on hard chairs for too long.

        But today, not only has my bum gone numb, but the tops of my legs too. How I shall get up from this chair is a mystery. In fact, you may read about the mini disaster in the news papers. 'Woman keels over after sitting on wooden chair...' , or, 'legs fall off woman as she attempts to walk...sitting too long?' , perhaps 'true medical facts on the dangers of wooden chairs'.

          Of course I could go on....but for goodness sakes, I'm still sitting here. Isn't it amazing where you get the inspiration for your stories? This is taking things too far, don't you think.

         Ok, going now, my legs and bum are screaming...I bet if you listen, you can hear them from where you are.

       Bye...stinging badly now.....help!

         

Life....as we know it

     Full of surprises isn't it. No, life is never quite what you think, never going quite how you expect it to go. But that's life, isn't it. There is no point in bemoaning that fact is there. If you allow yourself to concentrate on all the things in your life which are not going well, or as well as you would like, then you will be wasting your time. Wasting not only your time, but wasting any opportunity to change anything within your life. In other words, you are accepting what you have as a 'fait accompli', and there it stops. It's as if you have dropped a heavy weight on top of everything, you stand no chance of it changing any time soon.

      We all have expectation, hopes, dreams or wishes. If they all happened just as we hope....wow, then it's magic. If you get it right. That's exactly what can happen....but how often do we? The chances are, life will not go that smoothly. It can't go perfectly all the time...can it? Well......it could if you are single minded, believe and work towards your goals, but.....You know what it's like, even on a good day, strange things happen. A bit of bad, luck, a little mistake, some stupidity, not always yours. Then, your expectations just do not work out. It can be so frustrating, so demoralising. So, what do you do?

      First off, always turn every defeat, every disappointment into a success. It's a matter of attitude. It's all about how you react to what is happening in your life. Of course, it's in your head...it's not that you actually turn the facts around just like that. Everything starts there, everything good or bad in the World today, once began as an idea, a thought. To improve your own situation start with your mind, your ideas, your positive thoughts. It's that you choose to concentrate on the good and positive points. Rather than the dissapointing ones. Chances are, if you expect disaster, that's what you get. No matter what happens. You must find something in 'the bad' to celebrate.

      Imagine if you break something...don't bewail the loss. Instead, start looking at other more beautiful items, imagine that in your home instead. Or, look at a photograph you once took of it. Attitude! If everything goes wrong with your day, take pleasure in finding a flower, a sunset, the nice weather...or enjoy the bad weather. Really it's all mainly attitude. How you react to it. I hear people say, "she made me so mad". No...no one can 'make' you mad. You choose to react in that way. Change it! You are the only one in charge of your head, your emotions.

      I was with someone the other day, who scowls at everyone, always expecting some slight, some insult. Well, guess what they saw most often in return....scowls, angry looks, dirty looks. Me, I go around like a little ray of sunshine. Even if I do not feel like it, I smile at people. O.K. Some may think I am a bit crazy, but who cares. I get a lot of smiles in return. Which in turn, helps me be happy, remain happy. Even if I get no positive responses, I know that my face is becoming set in happy lines, instead of miserable, discontented ones. So, it's a win, win for me.

       So, my friends, on the great stage of life, be happy, act happy and you will be happy. If you want to be a 'have,' instead of a 'have not', you make sure you keep expecting only good things. Remember the positive rules, expect good, or positive things to come your way. Then, even if you still keep getting bad, find something in the bad to say is good...concentrate on that. Soon, life WILL look up. From now on, you may have some bad luck, or poor results, but fail to acknowledge them. Turn every failure, into a success. Be blind to the bad in your life, deal with it as best you can, then forget it....think only of the good!

        

Every day a winner

       It's the sun shining, it's lack of routine, it's being where you want to be, it's having nice people in your life......it's all of the above! Whatever it is, I love my life at present and I am having a great time. On top of all that, I am writing...I don't know when I will be published. I do know the writing part of it is great, even the editing, as over and over it I go. In between working on my book, (books) I Blog. Mainly because there I can pour out my own personal experiences. Contrary to popular opinion, what I write in my books is not my thoughts, my opinions or my experiences. Honest, it's imagination folks. 

       I guess it has to begin somewhere, but not necessarily as a part of me, or my life. What I write is not autobiographical. In fact, it's what I see around me...as I sit here for instance. How people react to each other, what I read in the newspapers, how what I see before me, sparks off ideas. Ideas which I then take for a walk... Very often, they go off in a completely different direction to what I expect. In fact, most of the time, I have little or no idea where an idea will take me. It's what makes writing interesting. You can allow your imagination free reign. Go off on flights of fancy.

        Yes. There must be a beginning, a middle and an end. There must a good plot, some interesting characters, some colour and excitement. That still leaves you a lot of leeway in the meantime. Plenty of opportunity there to let your imagination run wild. Only a 'would be' published writer, I never the less remain a dedicated reader. Indeed a voracious reader. I cannot survive without at least one book on the go. I read, or have read the classics, or a good few of them. I have read comtemporary writers, I have tried the self published writers, the young novelist, the few who began writing later than most. Many of the popular genres, it seems to me, are of werewolves, magic, the fae, all subjects where you can stretch your imagination, or people's credulity. 

         A good story is like a stirring piece of music, it will sweep you away. To somewhere you love and want to visit again, or to somewhere brand new, to explore and enjoy. With a live band, the excitement begins even before anyone plays, or stands on stage. You can feel the excitement building, as the people find their seats. The tension rising, the noise getting louder until all goes quiet, a great roar and you're off! Along with the musicians, the sound people, the staging crew and all the rest. You are all off together,  if you're lucky, on the ride of a lifetime. Building memories, making favourites.

         A good book can grab you just the same. Ok it's a quieter, perhaps a more solitary process. But whether on line, or through the printed word and book shops. You peruse hundreds, you read snippets from a few, you search out favourite authors, or try new ones. You are attracted to the colourful covers, read the synopsis, make your choice. Then find the ideal place, to settle down, to become engrossed in your choosen story, or favourite author. Then, just like the music, you are off together. Enjoying using your own imagination along with someone else's. It's stirring, it's stimulating, it's exciting. Don't you just love the books you can't put down. Fervently searching out the next book from the same author, and the next.

         Well, writing is a bit like that. It carries you away, you often just can't get the words down quick enough. A friend said to me the other day, 'I feel I should be writing something, I like the process of sitting behind a keyboard, but what to write?' Well, from someone who has been there. An ace procrastinator, that was me. Just let me say, don't worry too much what you think you want to write. Just write.....write every day without fail. Explore ideas, put down thoughts, observations, story titles, anything. It's the actual process of writing on a daily basis that will open up your direction. It's that which will inspire you. I still have no idea if I will be writing a blockbuster, or mainly blogging. Whatever! Really! Enjoy the process, I love to write...not published, but as I tell anyone who wants to know...I am a writer!

          Be happy out there, explore words, love ideas, enioy your vocabulary. Then watch, listen and above all...read!

It's heating up....

          I am spreading myself around as much as I can. A new place, so much to see, to discover.  I luxuriate in the nature on my doorstep, although it's mostly passive, a enjoyment of sight and sounds. Pure relaxation, akin to natural mediation. The middle of the day, even in the shade is now best avoided. With the heat of the sun heating up, as it's now nearly October. Soon, they tell me, it will be 'puddle time', when any movement breaks you out in a sweat. it will be as it was, when I was living in Darwin, Australia. There you definitely fit in with the climate, rising early, breakfast outside, with the birds. Get the chores done early, and try to avoid too much movement in the middle of the day, waiting until the day cools down again. Never having been here in Brasil during the hottest season before, this will be new to me. I must say I am looking forward to going through the whole season. Which is over the Christmas period. I am sure the heat will automatically organise much of ones day. I certainly have no intention of leaving the sun, to return to the Northern hemisphere and the cold. No way hosay!

  

          It starts you thinking how climate effect life styles, and health. As for me, with slight asthma, every cold goes to my chest. With this small problem of mine, the climate is already proving a boon. Yes, the cold virus went to my chest as usual, but this time there is no infection, and less than a week later it's nearly gone. Instead of hanging on for week, after week. Wonderful...a great start to the hot season. I am happy already. The germs are a little different here. I guess that's usual, every country has it's own strains of virus and infections. It's quite easy to see and feel how they effect you differently from the usual home grown ones. But I digress, I wasn't thinking of infections so much as general health and well being if being in a different climate. Because most people feel better for a bit of sun.      

Even disregarding the vitimin D and spending more time in the fresh air. Both of which are beneficial.

            I must say, all you want to do here, is shed clothes, that is why the beach is just ideal. No shocking the natives with unprecedented amounts of flesh around the town. ha ha. Or, LOL as they say now.....Although there are plenty of people wandering around there with no qualms at all. I guess it's the English in me, concerned about such things. Perhaps because in England and the Continent, there are rules and regulations governing the amount of clothes worn once off the beach. No beach clothes around town ya boo! There are no such rules here my friends, about anything much at all really.

            

             So, of course, climate effects how you dress, what you eat. After all, who can face big meals with lots of carbs? Not me! I do still love my potatoes of course, but in small quantities, occasionally. Food then, tends to be lighter, and smaller in quantities. Of course, not so the Brasilians. I watch most of them eat unprecedented amounts of food, even the women. How do they do that? If I ate half of that on a regular basis I would be the size of a small horse, or maybe even a large one.

            Perhaps I will acclimatise, my metablismn speed up or something. Although reflecting to when living in my last tropical climate, my eating habits changed for a long time. I became only a fish eater, I could not face meat, or much else. All very good for your weight and general well being of course. I became very fit and slim. Well, bring that on I say! I am considerably older this time of course, but that doesn't matter. No reason for it to be any different. You might say, like Charles Dickens, I have Great Expectations! Positive thought and all that. After all, thinking in positve ways, got me here, now it will bring the rest to me too.

             No, allow no negative events, or situations to sit in your mind. Allow only the positive to flourish within you. With the negative, of which we all have some, you take what action you are able, then forget them. Concentrate on how wonderful your location, your meal, your friends, your inner harmony, your expectations. Anything else is wasted energy and opportunity.

           Whatever climate  you find yourselves in my friends, enjoy the positives of it, downplay the negatives. It's the only way to roll.

             Happy days, and good health to you all.........

Tranquility .....

        As in, how to find some peace or tranquility in today's hectic life. I can't help but feel I have the advantage on you all at the moment, or on many of you perhaps. As I am able to sit in a tranquil space, surrounded on three sides by a small part of Brazils jungle. I hear the wind through the leaves, I see the brightly coloured butterflies flitting through the trees and sunshine, as well as hear the strange array of birdsong. Many of which I have never before experienced...it's truly a paradise. Especially to an English woman like myself. Even through I have lived in Australia, and New Zealand, both tropical and semi tropical places, they are nothing remotely like this place.

 Part of the jungle  

                         As sun is setting over another part, banana trees abound.

          Of course this is Brasil, South America. I know that not so far away, there will be dogs barking, or loud music playing. They are an exhuberant race, who like noise, music, dancing. Indeed. I was once told, it seems strange to many of them that the foreigners (such as I) don't play loud music all the time, or like be on the brink of a fiesta. There are dogs everywhere, who obviously feel they must compete to be just as noisy. Speaker vans drive around with music and dialog blaring, advertising all sorts of things, from politicians to night clubs. Sometimes you see a man on a bycycle, massive speaker fixed front or rear, doing the same thing.  He must surely be deaf by the time he goes home. Their sound levels break all decibel rules for most countries, but no one bats an eye. Dozens of small motor bikes zip around the roads, competing with lorries, cars and happy pedestrians. It is true I seldom see an unhappy face. Perhaps it's something to do with the sunshine. Oh yes, I see the odd crazy, but they are seen in every country, whether sunshine or rain.

      People sit at every sort of eating establishment you can imagine. Most of them spilling out onto the pavements, or the streets. Evn the places that sell alcohol are friendly and open. No skulking inside dark, low ceilinged pubs for Brasil. People calling out to friends, or aquaintances, or kissing cheeks in greeting. There is a lot of kissing goes on in Brasil, which I like a lot. Puts one in a good mood, beats a scowl anyday. Another reason for there to be less unhappy faces here perhaps.

                These large leaves make some of the more pleasant sounds, and beautiful too.

         So, you get my point that much of this place is noisy and hectic. So, perhaps tranquility is sometimes harder to find. That if why I choose the place I live, with regard to it being next to the jungle. Although it is still near the centre, you wouldn't know it. This is only a small place after all. When I was shown around the house, it was the outside space that sold it to me. Ahh, space, I thought, tranquility, uninterrupted  solitude if I choose. After a few years of living away from New Zealand and into England. Where the inside was squashed for space, the outside non existent, yes, it looked like heaven.

        Thus it has been...a retreat in the true sense of the word. What wakes me, is a raucous bird or two, or birdsong in general. I rise from my bed, throw open the double doors and there it all is...my jungle, my birds, my butterflies. As well as, somewhere in there, my monkeys, although so far I have missed seeing them. They like the bananas I leave them though. A treat for me, still to come. Yes, I know, they are not truly belonging to me, but for now they are. Wandering outside in my night clothes, for who is there to see me? I sit, close my eyes and listen. Then I open my eyes, listen and watch. Watching the leaves sway in the breeze, listening to the gentle sounds, birds calling, undergrowth rustling. Blessed silence, free from aggravation, or modern bustle.

        I know when I first built my meditation vista inside my head, as you do, it was a peaceful place. Nothing as exotic as this I have now, it was a grass bank, a lake, some trees for shade in the sun. Now, without having to build the picture, it is all there before my eyes. How lucky am I! All I can wish you all, is some of my luck. A place of your own to sit in tranquility, just to BE. Use one of these posted photographs, or design your own haven. Using somewhere you remember, or wish you did. Just ensure you find that small place, that precious time for a least five minutes, to half an hour a day for just enjoying the peace and the beauty. Nothing else.

       I wish you peace and tranquility. As a dear friend said to me, listen to your breath, be aware of your breathing, and of the sounds of nature around you. Connect one to the other, for maximum enjoyment.

                    Happy days......and seek beauty, always.

The beaches of Brasil

        Now I am in Brasil....for an indeterminate period, I want to share my enjoyment of its coastline. Of  course I am in country region, Bahia, where everything is quite laid back. . Part of which contains a lovely, long coast line, but then, the entire coast of Brasil is said to be fantastic. You will find me down at the south, around Porto Seguru, and on the peninsular at the very end. There is what they call the island of Arraial D'Ajuda, reached by road if you must, but mostly by ferry. Pale sands, softly shelving water, blue seas, wide sweeps of bays, and palm trees. In fact, everything you need to make it a paradise for your enjoyment. In addition, the beaches are not crowded. It's always possible to walk for an extra five minutes to find seclusion, to be alone. However, if you choose to stay on the main beaches, only a very few of which are owned by any hotel, it's all wonderful. 

         On any beach anywhere near people, you will find little beach bahaccas, or cabanas...often straw/reed topped huts, of all sizes that serve food. Assorted tables, chairs and loungers, many of nice solid woods are available for your comfort. But even if they are plastic, or a bit battered, it doesn't matter. It is free to sit at any beach bar, or beach bahacca. There will be umbrellas, or trees for shade, plenty of space for finding the sun. In some places, you might even strike it lucky with hammocks. Then, the cream on the coffee, are the waiters who look only to make you happy, bringing you food or drink. So, you don't even have to move from your chair. Pay before you leave, however much later that may be. Ahh no, it's real relaxation on the beaches of Brasil. You can easily stay from early morning to late night if you are enjoying yourself. Which is exactly what friends, or families do.

       It's not like Bali, or other countries of that sort either, where the vendors drive you crazy trying get you to buy something, anything!  I remember there, the only place you got a modicum of relief from them was on the hotel beaches. Which are very nice, but here in Brasil, you get to find the real brasil a little easier. Here there are beach vendors, who wander the beach. They sell foods, beach clothes, even, for some reason, tablecloths and hammocks. I think the difference is, the waiters and whoever owns the bahaccas, look after you. They ensure no one is hassled if they don't want to be. They keep an eye out for any kind of pressure selling. I know, I do understand, third world countries, it's life or death if they can't make a living. However as a tourist, it soon becomes harassment. It's not a problem one tourist can make a dent in either. Not even if you gave all your money to them. If you were generous, they would harass you even more, and did!

       I remember my daughter, when in Bali and some other parts of Thailand. She ran from the pressure, refusing to leave the hotel again after a few bad days. She got a bad case of claustrophobia and panic from being squashed in the middle of a crowd of aggressive sellers. Because of the hands clawing at her, pushing, voices shouting at her. With the crowds of sellers, many of them small children, following her, stuffing things in her bag, or her arms. It really gives you some idea of what it's like to be a star. When every time you step outside, crowds or paparazzi, or fans, rush you, pushing, or shouting to get your attention, or some response. Never willing to take 'no' for an answer. It's really a madness. However that's not Brasil, thank goodness.

 Enjoy a fresh, cold coconut on the beach.

           Here, tranquility is the name of the game. Relaxation and sun, the aim. While many beach places are fully independent, some of the nicer ones are next to beach Pousadas, or up market restaurants. It all depends on how much you would like to spend on food, or how well you would like to eat. I will talk more about foods of Brasil in general and the beach in particular in a later blog.

           Yes,  Brasil, and Bahia in particular if wonderful. The people are friendly, the beaches and coastline beautiful. Ahh I am in love with Brasil.

Say yes...

         It's part of my philosophy ...for now, for ever, as it should be? SAY YES....rather than no, rather than I dare not, rather than oh no! rather than I'm afraid, rather than what if it doesn't work, say yes. Because if you don't say yes, you stop everything and anything dead, as well as anything which may have come from that suggestion. Where can it go? Up it's own exhaust pipe...that's where.  It's just hit a brick wall, the end of everything. The energy of the suggestion, of that idea, of the proposal can only slide down that wall, dead in the water so to speak. A puddle of nothing on the floor, defunct energy cells, rejected potential magic........lost opportunity!

            An idea, a suggestion, a plan, call it what you will, needs some energy putting into it to keep going. 'Yes' is energy, it's oxygen to the flame of the idea. 'No' is the heavy blanket thrown over the spark. Blocking out the energy, killing the oxygen. Killing the prospect of anything developing from the idea. Yes, I know, what if it's an outrageous suggestion. What if it could disrupt your life? What if it put you in danger? Welllll...I'm a bit naughty I suppose. Have to live dangerously once in a while. Put yourself a bit on the 'edge' so to speak, take a few risks. You know, as long as it's not reckless, like throwing yourself in the traffic, or peeing off drug dealers.....or worse. Even getting falling down drunk in a strange place, or high on something with people you don't know......I don't know where that came from? From being in Brasil I suppose, it's well known to avoid the wrong people. Supposedly the land of the drug dealers, jockeying for position. Me, I walk all over the place, alone. But I would not walk across the campo, the barren common here, alone, with my bulging bag on my shoulder in the dark of the night. It's like shouting...'come and get me boys' to anyone hanging around hoping to make a quick, easy buck! There is a great difference between taking an opportunity, and being stupid or reckless. No, don't stand up waiting to be knocked down.

             So, all I am saying is, sometimes you have to think outside the square. Do something different to what is your normal routine. Open up to the Universe. Say, and re-iterate inside your head, inside your heart, here I am Universe, send me fantastic opportunities. After which you maintain the belief of wonderful things coming your way. Build it, see it, feel the joy it brings. You build up a wonderful picture of everything you've ever wanted, as if it's with you already. Believe me, it very soon will be. If you convince the Universe, along with yourself, then the Universe has to deliver. Why should it not? Life does not have favourites. There is plenty of good luck, and riches out there.

             It's like love..you were not born with a certain quantity of love, and then when it's used up, that's  it! All gone! No, you were born with a limitless supply of love. The more you give, the more you have left to keep giving. Surely you believe that, it's like an eternal spring in the ground, just keeps bubbling up. Ok, you can stop giving, you can stop allowing yourself to give love, but it's your decision. Not because of any shortage of love inside yourself, your heart. Like refusing a good opportunity, it's motivated by fear, pure and simple. Sometimes by hurt, we all get hurt at some point, all of us. 

             Recently, I was told by a healer, in a special healing church here in Brasil, that the last time I was badly hurt by someone, let down, cheated on, I shut down my heart. At some level I was completely unaware of, I shut down the danger of falling in love, allowing another man in my life. Yep, slammed the door, turned the key. No more vulnerable situations for me. Of course I kept loving my children, my friends but I did shut out new men friends, romances, or even new friends. I even went so far as to keep the one I had, the one devoid of loyalty. No, not as a good strong, happy relationship, but limping along on his terms really.....as bad as it was (for me) certainly not recognisably. I think many of us have done that at some time....hung on making the best of things, believing we are over the hurt. So, yes you can make mistakes, but usually it's because of fear of making a big jump. Keeping to something already established. The familiar way seems safer. Ten, eleven years later, I can see and accept it's what I did. But that damaged, closed down heart is operating again now. So look out world, I'm not dead yet, not by a long shot. You know that old saying, whilst there's life there's hope and I'm not dead yet.

             So, when that slightly, or outrageously different offers start to appear, don't crush them, don't dismiss them. Instead say yes! Even if it's with conditions....overall, take a chance and say YES! Then expect wonderful things, sit back and wait for them to fall into your lap, as long as you keep building up he picture, with a bit of life breathed into them they can be yours. The universe, with a bit of feeding the flame, will deliver. That NO you gave, could well be something you regret for the rest of your life. Worse than that, that 'let's not rock the boat' caution, can and will lose you years ( just like me) as you keep traversing the same familier circles, getting nowhere you could be. Carefully looking neither to left nor right. I should know....I did it. 

              I know, life can throw you some curve balls. Problems of all kinds can heap up on you, so you don't know which way to turn. It's at those times you need your clear pictures of your good future before you the most. Build it before your eyes, many times each day, think of it before you sleep. Feel it, taste it, see it, enjoy it. It doesn't mean worrying yourself silly, or running around despairing, that doesn't help either. No good relying completely on blind faith to deliver, doing nothing to help yourself, or worse doing things that worsen your situation...be smart. It means look at the problem, decide what you can do about it and do it. No good at all despairing, better to look at and count all the wonderful things in your life. Your health, your children, your friends, the sunshine, or the rain, whatever you have some enjoyment from. There are always many wonderful things around you if you look beyond the basic situation.

            Attach yourself to the good things around you, as you what must be done.

           Put up the thoughts of a good life, open your heart, and trust your instinct. The first response to pop into your head, or step into your path is often the best. Never worry about what would the neighbours think, or, it too out of character for me. Jump in with both feel.....and enjoy the splash!