"Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come.

Remember everything you have faced, all the problems you have left behind, and all the fears you have overcome."

Nice. A timely reminder for me today and hopefully for you too. x

It is so rewarding when someone purchases, or praises, your work.  "Your book made a difference to my friend when she most needed it" was said to me this week. How nice is that - better than chocolate.  I truly believe that peoples lives can be happier through a touch, a nice word. It doesn't take much from us.

Sit with me

just for a while.

Take a break from life,

give your worries to the wind.

Together we'll make it right.

(Julie Holland, ' A Nest Twice Built')

Never lose your sense of wonder.... after having dinner with friends who have just returned from Africa how stimulating it was to listen to their adventures. Volunteering with animal sanctuaries, paddling down mighty rivers (including being threatened by poachers who were after a crocodile their canoe was hiding), and many more fabulous tales. And this from a couple in their 60s. What a pity magazines don't write more about these places and people than the shallow celebrity and reality TV nonsense. Love peoples travel stories!

There's a saying I like - 'The caravans move on, but the dogs still bark'. It means that there will always be people in your life that aren't always on your side (whether you realise it or not); that as you move on with your life/plan/dreams some kind of resentment or jealousy stops them feeling happy for you. They may whisper, smirk, begrudge or criticise. It's so important (but difficult) to keep on your path. Live YOUR life.

Just had a week with my boys who all live interstate - what a joy. I am so proud of what they are doing with their lives. The three are so individual yet have the life values that 'we parents' always hope they will have. Each one is fulfilling his OWN dreams, not someone else's or what society demands. They have each succeeded in their own right and yet don't yell the fact from the rooftops. Love you boys - always have, always will. xxx

It's very exciting being presented with an opportunity isn't it  - do you/don't you/should I sleep on it or take a quick plunge ..... so many decisions.  Things just seem to happen sometimes - we think it's a coincidence but I believe it's a plan. By who I'm not sure but a chance comment, lucky meetings and opportunities happen all too often; so I prefer to take a good look and usually take action.
'What if....' are two little words with endless possibilities.

Sigh.  I wish, with all my heart, that the world would take a breath. To realise what a beautiful, inspiring place we have here. I wish that those who keep saying "Conflict is part of history, it's always been this way" would stop and plan for a better future for our world and us all. Enough is enough.

BUTTERFLIES

A hothouse of butterflies flutters within,

my heart races to the chequered flag.

But my smile is wary.

I am so excited at what lies ahead.

I don't know what it is ...

but I am so there.

(Julie Holland, 'A Nest Twice Built')

I had a lovely lady in our shop today who wanted to let me know that my framed words which she had bought for her sister had helped immensely. They take pride of place in her house. It is so wonderful to receive this feedback and inspires me to get cracking on my next 'little book of inspiration, observation and humour'. Am thinking along the lines of Seasons .....

What is it about certain movies that just get you in. Last night I watched (again) the 1985 Out of Africa. Love it. I even have the CD soundtrack. I think it overwhelms me because it's a BIG movie - the scenery, the times, the landscapes and when you know it was based on (as much as Hollywood can) a real life then the human story is big too. Not too much schmaltz nor gratuitous violence. It reminds you of the errors of colonialism and the importance of animal conservation, and I admire her storytelling skills. Beautiful.

Friends, so wonderful. Had a drink with a couple of girlfriends last week. We get together so rarely due to other commitments but what fun. Lots of swapped stories, ideas, advice freely given and accepted..and encouragement. Isn't that what friends are for too? To encourage; not to be jealous, nor to be absorbed in their own world all the time, nor ignore others' thoughts and lives.

The day is out there.  Waiting.
Tapping its foot. Waiting.
Counting off the minutes. Waiting.
And do you know what -
  If you don't go out there.
                                     Now.

The world will miss
  the joy of you.

(A Nest Twice Built' - Julie Holland)

 

Why do some days feel like others? Today is Friday, I am sitting in the shop - busy busy - but I'd swear it is Saturday. Which reminds me of this quote:

 It's never too early nor too late. Right now is a good time. Life is Now.

So guess it doesn't matter if it's yesterday, today or tomorrow so long as you value it.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all the mums, grandmas, stepmums, foster mums, carers, nonnas out there.
MUM .... such a big little word. x

 

STORY SHARE: I hope the fellow that was inexcusably rude to me yesterday (and yes, my directions were right...you weren't listening!) is feeling a little calmer today. So, I left the shop feeling pretty low after trying to help someone and getting abuse back. Could be why I didn't remember to lock my shop's front door! Faith in human nature was restored by a call about 7pm. A couple noticed our door ajar and stood 'guarding' it until we got there with the key. How nice is that -- thank you!

We have many inspirational books in our Noosa store : Hearts and Minds Art. We have just taken stock of the BE HAPPY CARDS. 33 cards with 11 wellbeing themes for children - wonderful! And they are written by (Australian) psychologist and mental health nurse so you know they are authentic themes and structures. Enq: 0407840745 (www.facebook.com/heartsandmindsart).

It's raining, pouring in fact. So nice after such a long dry spell and much needed here in Noosa and other parched parts of Queensland. OK, it's a bit harder to have a holiday perhaps but remember:
SOME PEOPLE OPEN THEMSELVES AND FEEL THE RAIN.
OTHER PEOPLE JUST GET WET.
Which are you?

There are six packets of lasagne sheets in the pantry, and a Snickers amongst the towels. I was hiding it for a late night CSI re-run. They're yours.
But where are you going? friends ask, perplexed.
Oh, I don't know. Africa, or maybe some arty little place in Venice.
Wherever my scooter takes me.

(A Nest Twice Built, Julie Holland)

 

Release your love into the skies -
the universe will take care of it.
Rolled in stars and rested on clouds,
it will come back to you.
Shiny, new and warm.

(Julie Holland, 'A Nest Twice Built')

 

Let's get back to the positive ... so much nicer!

"Great ideas come into the world as gently as doves. If we listen attentively we shall hear, amid the roar, a faint flutter of wings, the gentle stirring of life and hope" (Albert Camus).

 

We own a shop. How nice it is to have a day with lovely, smiling customers and we do have many of those. How disappointing it is to be confronted with shoppers that are rude, or worse disrespectful of our space and products. It is not OK for children to sit on products, or swing a yo yo around. It is not OK to take photographs of original works, or turn away whilst I'm answering a question.
"With our thoughts we make the world" - I am trying very hard to spread joy after a weekend of breakages and snobbery. Enough said.

Something to think about - 

A PERFECT DAY.
Where are you? What are you doing? Who are you with?
How do you feel? What do you see? Where will you go next?
How will you create your perfect day?

And you know what, it can be something that you have never done before. Exciting isn't it!

If you'll be my VALENTINE

I promise to always look out for you.

Not just for one day, or one year

- but forever

(Julie Holland, 'A Nest Twice Built')

Happy 'Back to School' - here's to a year of amazement, great teaching, inspiration and positive experiences.... in the playground, the classroom and around the home kitchen table.

I think it should be compulsory for kids to read National Geographic. It's a big, wonderful, dangerous, amazing world out there but maybe we are all forgetting that. I was reading about stormchasers in America last night. Incredible what nature dishes up. Or what about the people that swing through caves to retrieve birdsnests, or sit for hours up a tree in the Amazon to sight a certain type of bug.  And the photography!! Even just grab the NG's Top 100 Photographs issue and look at the images. They will inspire and enthrall, I promise.

Do you know what I'm liking at the moment .... nice people. People who respect your opinions, your space, your property. Not just 'mine' but everybody's. Please, people, look around you and see how wonderful the world is. Love it, enjoy it, respect it....but I guess if you are a visitor to my blog you do this already.

When families move to live in Australia the parts of everyday Aussie life that we take for granted can be overwhelming or confusing. Enter my French friend Laurence Aubineau and her (French & German) family. Together we created a series 'Nina's Australian Adventures' and the first book which we wrote for the series is out - WELCOME DOWN UNDER.
Aimed at ages around 8, this chapter book has great colour illustrations throughout. It is about Nina who has moved from Germany with her parents, her new Australian home and friends and all the strange new ways Nina experiences ....and a magic charm bracelet. It's informative, funny and a great read. Readers can even collect the bracelet and charms as the adventures progress.
Available from Hearts and Minds Art (0407840745) or email me at julieholland1@bigpond.com.au for more info.

So, Year of the Wooden Horse. One of my sons (Mitchell) is under this year so onward Mitch!!
I have always liked the saying "On the cruise ship of life, is your deck chair facing where you are going or where you have been" - I think there are positives in both. Here's to looking to a great year ahead, but don't forget the value of memories. Here's one sent to me by my sister of us as Beach Babes. Classic.