The sound of children’s laughter fills the summer evening (and the occasional shout from a parent of ‘Cut that out right now!’). Babies cry and chortle. Bird song chirps in harmony with the joy of new life and plentiful food. Evening meals cooked on the BBQ arouse the taste-buds. The garden is thirsty for rain, but thankfully water is on tap from the lakes filled through the winter.
The colours of the sky captivate the mind and the incessant internal chatter eases for a moment as the beauty of nature takes hold and calms the senses. The body feels revived with sunshine and walks on the beach. The sound of the waves and the feel of the sand on bare feet connects the rhythm of the heart with the beat of the Universe.
Christmas is around the corner and the Pohutukawa trees are beginning to blossom to herald in a summer of warmth and light evenings. We have so much to be thankful for in our little patch of paradise amongst so much sadness and turmoil in other parts of the world. Our prayers and thoughts are forever with those who are suffering. At this point in time my heart goes out to all those families affected by the evil terrorist attack in Mumbai – dear Sara of ‘Cricket Family‘ has a very poignant first-hand account of what happened there, which is simply unimaginable.
It’s so easy to feel helpless against the tide of destruction, poverty and environmental damage around the world, but I truly believe we can all do our part in helping. Small gestures combined making a big impact (see ‘Operation Nice‘ for inspiration). Christmas cards sold to raise funds for charities, gifts that grow for those in Africa and donations of clothes and toys to local groups like the Women’s Refuge or The Salvation Army. The supermarkets have donation boxes for people to drop off food. There are so many people spending the festive season giving and helping those in need. They are truly living the message, ‘Tis the season of goodwill’.
For our contribution we are busy washing, sorting and boxing out-grown clothes to donate to those who need them most, are sponsoring a little girl in Africa and are giving food donations to the Wellington City Mission. Our young ones in New Zealand are surrounded my marketing, consumerism and a culture of ‘want’ and it can be a tough job as parents to educate them on the difference of ‘needs’ and ‘wants’. Thankfully, we have the best gift of all, nature. With an appreciation of the outdoors and a true love of the simple things in life they’ll go far.
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Hmmm, we have just been having the same conversation tonight. Its a world that does not know itself, one that will never seed together and one that will always look the other way. We also mafe efforts as you do to try and make the world a ‘better place’ but its sad to know that in all honesty this will never happen. Cynical? Maybe.
Beautiful photos Sarah, as long as we keep it real in our hearts then our children will grow from what we teach.
xx
Dear Marrisa, I love your words ‘as long as we keep it real in our hearts…’ that’s so beautiful. Having been watching ‘Star Wars’ heaps recently there probably always will be a ‘dark side’ and another, where the force is stronger. Yin and Yang. But there really are so many more people beginning to think differently and though our world will never be perfect I do have faith in the actions of so many people to make a difference.
Our lives are but a blink of an eye in history. Our actions have so many consequences beyond our existence. We are but a small part of something so much bigger than our brains will every comprehend. This beautiful planet would be so much better off if human beings weren’t on it! Perhaps what happened to the dinosaurs will happen to us one day and there will be, once more, a new beginning… mmm, this wine is making me so philosophical this evening! Lots of love, Sarah xxx
What is this Shangri La that I’m reading about? Does it really exist?
Take me there now!!
……… and such thoughtful words to follow, showing how each of us can ‘give’ to our fellow men. It may be material giving, or our time or just as necessary a kind word, a smile or a touch. How many lonely people yearn for even such a small drop of human contact.
You are certainly teaching your girls to know the things that are important in life.
Enjoy your sunshine.
mmmm, having sorted and resorted the many things we own – a lot of which I don’t know why?! – we have been able to pass on things that we don’t need anymore to others who do need them. This has so made me think of what is necessary for us all and hope that our lives In NZ will be more connected to nature and our true selves than we are here! It seems that more and more people are trying to connect with this way of life. For us it’s about experiencing the essence of life and it’s beauty. We feel at this time of year and with all that we’ve experienced to become a family, that there is much to learn and gain from the challenges of a new adventure which lays before us. So here’s to the sunshine and the magic of raising a family on the other side of the world – one which is less crowded and more in tune with the rhythm of life – hugs Rach x