16 Simple joys in life

Quote of the day: 

I'm youth, I'm joy, I'm a little bird that has broken out of the egg. 
-James M. Barrie

One way or the other we go about life, carrying ourselves and living up to certain standards and expectations. There are habits we employ, goals we pursue, and a million and one other things that add to our sense of fulfilment. But out of all these things, within the elaborate and obvious, sometimes only the little joys bring us greater significance as functioning living things. What is purity if not clarity and restraint -the absence of which complicates and impedes our whole being.  

Some of the simple joys in life occur spontaneously, others deliberate. In the end nothing should stop you from experiencing these simple joys in life.

1.       One of the joys of life is music.

2.       Immersing yourself in a book

3.       Experiencing a moving artistic creation

4.       Learning something new

5.       Finishing a task earlier than planned

6.       Cold nights, warm bed

7.       Being spontaneous

8.       Reaching out to old friends just to say hello

9.       Sunrise and sunsets

10.   Basking in warm sunshine

11.   Sleeping longer on weekends

12.   Having a lazy day

13.   Finding an old diary

14.   Having clarity of thought

15. Waking up filled with positive energy

16. Giving a helping hand

What are some of your little joys in life?

Peace. Love. Light* 




Current Listen: Lighthouse Family - High

Love and Happiness and Everything In Between

Quote of the day: 

Why should I be unhappy? Every parcel of my being is in full bloom. -Rumi

In the past couple of years I learned a lot about living with regrets. And with those lessons I’ve forged on with every day life and the enormity of responsibilities it brings. In the end don’t we all strive for the same things; love and happiness. At some point a lack of all three would be glaring to see. However, a surplus of all would even more so be outstanding. 

On Love

Take love for instance. Probably the most searched for thing in the world. Movies depict a world of fantasy where things always work out in the end. But the real world is not as generous or as charitable as the movies would have us think. But what is love anyway, if not an expression of that which we yearn for. A consciousness of soul, body and mind. Loving yourself first, putting your qualities and flaws on the table, discerning, and being conscious of where you are, who you are, and where you are at present -not to forget how you got there.  Love is not just about emotional union. It is the desire for change, for a certain light or lights that you set upon yourself, and like a moth to a flame you give in, yielding to the darkness which propels you into another paradise where loving others is the norm.

On Happiness

And take happiness. When was the last time you were unhappy? True happiness like true love can be elusive. In truth we hold on to our days of unhappiness far too long. We leave gratitude, compassion and stillness locked away in a drawer, while animosity and indifference walk freely in our mind. Every day is a happy day. If the sun doesn’t shine there is one factor responsible for this shortfall. There is a purpose for everything- even clouds forming to make rain and in the process obscuring the sun. But then again isn’t rain as necessary as sunlight and shadows. The same can be said about people. One day they are normal and the next they are not. They make promises and break them. But unlike the weather you can’t predict anything. There is no magic ball to gaze into. There is no palm reading. Yesterday was a dream. Today is reality. Tomorrow is a possibility. 

Peace. Love. Light* 



Current Listen: Prince & The Revolution - Purple Rain

Book of the Day: Men Without Women By Ernest Hemingway

Quote of the day: 

You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend. -Paul Sweeney 

There are many great short stories out there and as it is a form that I enjoy, what better way to start the year than with a selection of short stories from Ernest Hemingway, who was an American novelist and short story writer well known for his understated and adventurous style of writing. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1954. His public image and style influenced later generations with many of his books considered classics of American literature.

First published in 1927, 'Men Without Women' written by Hemingway is a collection of 14 short stories -132 pages of reading. The way the stories are brought to life is outstanding. Each story shoots like an arrow and hits you square in the face. Hemingway's men are bullfighters, war veterans, boxers, hard drinkers and gunmen, often reflecting the period back when things were different. Masculine toughness and feminine sweetness. Stories and events laid bare with endings that ask a lot more questions than the story would allow, leaving you either baffled or enlightened.

It is the ability to get lost in the stories and to feel what the characters feel, to see what they seemingly perceive, to grasp the underlying nuances and expressions while imagining the time and period it was written in-all these elements magnify the stories told.

And for such a small book the dialogue is straight forward. Simple stories but with unique subject lines and memorable characters. It certainly it is certainly a great book that has stood the test of time and definitely one to have on any bookshelf -to return to at a later date like an unforgotten well of water.


Are you reading anything at the moment? Do share.



Peace. Love. Light* 




Current Listen: David Bowie - Let's Dance

It's All In The Painting

Quote of the day: 

I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars. 
-Og Mandino 

Happy new year.

A new calendar year has begun, moving on from national holidays and congratulatory messages. This period can be an exciting time. A time to reflect, to be self-conscious while trying to form a new identity-an artist painting new work. But to remain decent a blank canvas should start to suffice filled with sentiment and imagination. The canvas from the previous year delicately or indelicately placed -as the case may be out of reach but within view.

What must you as an artist possibly want to do different this time. Perhaps you have a new vision of contrasting themes or art tools, or maybe building a better work-space filled with inks and palettes. Either way the end product is all that matters not the tools used in the process. Or is it the other way round? The truth is that one can not keep colouring the same way expecting a different result. Alas it all starts in the mind and the reflection of what you see through your eyes, how you view the world and how the world views you right back -like gazing at the moon through a telescope only to have the moon gaze back, or starring into the mirror...fixated, weighing, appraising, sizing up the reflection starring back.

The origin of each thought is a process, a seed germinating into action. To stand the test of time it would have to grow into a tree strong enough to withstand forceful winds. To preserve oil paintings artists often varnish their work to protect the painted surface. A sensible thing to do. But what about you and your thoughts and the elements you are exposed to. To reveal and possibly recreate yourself don't you need protection just like a painting? And this is not just to save you from the world but also to save you from yourself. 


Don't paint over your old canvas.
Grab a new canvas...decide on a composition.
Transfer that idea into every element of your existence.
Evaluate this painting from time to time, choose your own colours.

Don't allow anyone tell you...
What colours to use and what subject matter to pursue.
Your life is your painting...the end.




Peace. Love. Light* 



Current Listen: Waiting on the world to change - John Mayer

Do What You Love in Life

Quote of the day: 

Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right.' Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along. 
-George Herbert

A week to go till it's Christmas and under two weeks to the new year...what a long way you have come, what a long journey. What a special time of the year, where giving is all that matters, and spending time with loved ones -especially those you scarcely is all part of it. And after the celebrations, after the wishes and exchanges, after the fireworks and memorable dinners, after the toast and countdown on new year's eve, weeks and months later the new year continues to loom large, like new moon increasing in size from one day to the next.

So how's your new year going to play out? Same as this year or different. It usually starts with determination and a strong will not to repeat the past year's mistakes. A good start to start making necessary changes in life and a desire to accomplish personal goals. One thing to remember is to actually make time for your plans. Making plans is one thing, setting aside time to complete said plans is another. These two separate things are often ignored.

It's not enough to want to write a book, join a gym, or learn how to dance. You have to think of the time of the day that would suit you the best. For instance do you prefer to write in the morning before sunrise or do you enjoy working out around this time -alone or in a gym, and if you want to learn how to dance do you prefer to do so in the evening? Ask yourself questions about why you want to achieve something, what it means to you, and what you will have to give up to achieve it. And if you are hard pressed for time multi-tasking can come into play.


A few things to remember

• Nothing comes from nothing. Your thoughts and actions reflect like a mirror. If the world sees your determination to achieve whatever you have set out to achieve, then they will certainly make way for you to progress, offering you encouragement and support along the way.

• Nothing can be made from nothing. Focus all your energy on what you need to do, how you need to do it, and measure your success along the way. 

Peace. Love. Light* 



Current Listen: John Lee Hooker