My year end posts have a common theme. Extreme navel gazing Deep reflection, an attempt to balance the good and the bad that the year has brought before concluding with deep gratitude for life's ups and downs and the blessings (mixed, deeply hidden or blindingly obvious) that they have brought me.
Which is all well and good but there are those years in your life which refuse to be defined a several paragraphs of prose tapped out to a soundtrack of pan pipe music, under the light of a full moon filtered through healing crystals as a pot of cold drip filter single origin organic coffee percolates.
Which is all well and good but there are those years in your life which refuse to be defined a several paragraphs of prose tapped out to a soundtrack of pan pipe music, under the light of a full moon filtered through healing crystals as a pot of cold drip filter single origin organic coffee percolates.
Yes, this year was different. And this year's 'year that was' post will be as well.
2014 has already been considered from every possibly angle as I've encouraged Toddler SSG to go to bed or whilst I've been in traffic on the way home. So in this year's post, I'm aiming for short, sharp and simple. But just as cathartic to write as those of years gone by. And they do go by so quickly these days. There have also been a lot of them go by too.
2014 has already been considered from every possibly angle as I've encouraged Toddler SSG to go to bed or whilst I've been in traffic on the way home. So in this year's post, I'm aiming for short, sharp and simple. But just as cathartic to write as those of years gone by. And they do go by so quickly these days. There have also been a lot of them go by too.
My take home message for the year is this.
Ah the gym selfie. You're never too old to try it at least once. |
2014 has left me a stronger, better, happier and more contented person.
Stronger because I've been training like a fiend at the gym which has given me more physical muscle than I've ever had in my life. The thinking time I've had under those pesky bar bells has given me spiritual strength. In between the deep and controlled breaths (why is it that men lifting weights always sound like they're in the final stages of labor? I've always wanted to give them the 'you haven't even been through a gynaecological procedure or childbirth' huff and sideways stare...), I've developed self restraint and magically turned bitterness and anger into pity. I'm pretty sure time should be able to take that pity to the next level of love we're all supposed to feel towards those we'd rather just hate and have done with it.
Having a quiet moment or two back in Perth never fails to restore my inner calm or to strengthen my resolve. |
Better because I've realised my own self worth and have made the decision to remain true to the person I was brought up to be.
Happier because how could I not be?
A beautiful, happy and healthy child. A job I (mostly) love and which (mostly) loves me back. My health. And my family. Of whom there will never be enough words of thanks or actions of deep gratitude to convey to them precisely how I feel.
More contented. With less in some areas but with so much more in others. Finding serenity unexpectedly in those 'other' sources of contentment is perhaps the key reason why I've not only thrived survived this year but ended it a new and improved person.
Scratched out 'thrived' in that last sentence because it's a word that makes me cringe these days. Along with its humble bragging partner in crime 'extended'. Our children are not plants and neither are they a home renovation. They are our children for whom we make the best decisions we can so that they can be the best people that they can be. Progress reports are what schools write and not what we talk about over coffee or social media.
Yeah. Best be wrapping things up on that one. Not having walked in the shoes of a parent of a school aged child and all.
Scratched out 'thrived' in that last sentence because it's a word that makes me cringe these days. Along with its humble bragging partner in crime 'extended'. Our children are not plants and neither are they a home renovation. They are our children for whom we make the best decisions we can so that they can be the best people that they can be. Progress reports are what schools write and not what we talk about over coffee or social media.
Yeah. Best be wrapping things up on that one. Not having walked in the shoes of a parent of a school aged child and all.
There, I've let it all out. Unfiltered. With conviction. And so totally not giving a damn if anyone begs to differ.
Apologies for the opinionated hot air.
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Looking back on this photo just made me smile. So I've put it in this post. Completely out of context. |
Actually, no. I'm not really sorry at all.
Standing under clanking bamboo is so soothing and relaxing. Not something we can do every day of the week but I thought you might like looking at a picture of it as the next best thing. |
Happy New Year and thank you all for reading, for your friendship and just being there.
But champagne on the other hand. That's readily accessible in the suburbs, in the city and all across this great country of ours. |
Love this. Happy for you that 2014 has made you stronger & happier, I hope 2015 continues along that vein for you. Wishing you all the health, happiness & laughter for next year.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzi.
DeleteHappy New Year!!
SSG xxx
Love this post SSG. It's great to read that the past year has been one of growth and positive change for you. I still think about your 2013 post. Wishing you and Toddler SSG all the best for 2015. Happy 2nd birthday to Toddler SSG too, it's hard to believe that he's 2!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, TCA.
DeleteMuch love and warmest wishes to you and yours too.
SSG xxx
Happy New Year! It seems like you've gained a lot from 2014...may 2015 be everything you want it to be :)
ReplyDeleteHappy 2015 to you too, electrocat.
DeleteSSG xxx
I love so much of the 'hot air' in your tribute to 2014!!! Anyone who juggles as much as you do, gets my vote! So good too, that you stick with exercise, it does great things to our brains...,even if it's just a walk every day. I have a small backyard full of bamboo! I have taken it for granted lately. I am going to give it some love. Happy NYE dear SSG. Xxx
ReplyDeleteHello dearest Flora,
DeleteEnjoy your little corner of bamboo serenity.
Happy 2015.
SSG xxx
Thank you SSG, for your open and warm self, and your wonderful photographs.
ReplyDeleteThank you and happy 2015, Lisa. You've long been an inspiration for the blog and life in general.
DeleteSSG xxx
Such a beautiful post! And I concur on every single level xxx
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with you, SWIW.
DeleteCongrats on all the new achievements of your own this year.
SSG xxx
Happy new year, SSG. I hope 2015 is every bit as good to you as 2014 has been. Hawt muscles, BTW. You are ready for anything and everything! x
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Bron!
DeleteSSG xxx
My darrrlink I love the conviction with which you wrote this post- practicing the gentle art of not giving a single fuck!
ReplyDeleteAll the very best to you and yours xxx
Much love and so well said, C!
DeleteMay 2015 deliver us both what we need and the things that we want that are good for us!
SSG xxx
Happy New Year SSG & birthday boy SSG. Surviving is wonderful (& we have school age children) & too often overlooked. Den xxx
ReplyDeleteMuch love and Happy New Year, Den!
DeleteSSG xxx
Sending you lots of love for the coming year.
ReplyDeleteYou've got a point about how cathartic it can be to put into words the year that was, whether it be for public posting or just your personal archives. It puts a lot into perspective. I'm so happy for you to have found a better way during 2014. May it continue through this year and beyond.
Su xo
i love this post so much! xx
ReplyDeletewww.mschikee.com