Going to God

I am a worrier. I first heard this term when I was in Standard 3 in an English lesson. Our teacher asked us to put up our hands if we were worriers. I thought she meant ‘Warriors’, my LDS thinking kicking into gear I gallantly stuck my hand right up into the air and carved a valiant ‘I’ with my finger. Then she explained what she meant by the term ‘Worrier’, and I felt like real dork. Cause sadly, I am that too. And I didn’t feel so gallant anymore. However I recognized this at an early age – and with that purchased my first book on the subject – ‘How to stop worrying and start living’ (Dale Carnegie) at the ripe old age of 25. Then promptly lost the book.

Thankfully, I did find, and continue to find that reading my scriptures is my healing balm than calms my mind and gives me peace. And so I do that, most especially when my mind is going nuts.  Anxiety, fear, they all stem from the same source – and in my great desire to overcome them I have learned to go to God.   

There are 3 ways that I find calm my anxious heart – when I practice them (over and above reading scriptures and saying prayers) – Morning pages(writing in my journal), Time-Outs(focused thought for 5 minutes twice a day), and Walks. Because tranquility and anxiety cannot co-exist , as I practice these my anxiety abates. I find my silver lining and feel calm. I would encourage you, to seek God, find Him in your own unique and special way. And once you have found that path, use it frequently – so the brambles of time and distraction don’t prevent you from going to Him with your worries and concerns, and leaving them at His door. Whatever the outcome, a reliance on God brings welcome results, not so?

And remember, when you are worrying or having a hard time, extend to yourself compassion, the same generosity you would extend to a struggling friend. And give yourself time and space to re-align and renew and re-discover that Heavenly Father is always there, waiting to take from us our cares. And being a friend and having a friend are pretty great too.

xx

Melissa

We are here! We are here!

We are all alive & still about - just busy as ever and short on time.

You know how it is.

The brain

A few nights ago, Jo, Phoebe , Noah and I were sitting at the dining room table chatting and grazing on some dinner.  I looked up at Noah who had his eyes rolled up towards his eye lids. And then he dropped his head in his hands and looked somewhat aghast. My first thought? Oh boy, another twitch, but I decided to investigate further first.

Noah, my boy.

Yes Mom?

What are you doing?

I just saw a little bit of my brain.

Really?

Yes.

I look over at Phoebe and Jo, who have their eyes rolled up to their eye lids trying very hard to check out a little bit of their brains too.

Did you just try?

I told Brod, gasping for breath between bouts of laughter. His reaction?

'Didn't you try to do that as a kid?'

Well no. Not ever. I just tried now while writing this blog post. First time. Ever.

2012 ran away, and since we have been unable to locate its whereabouts we have decided to embrace 2013. With all its new quirks and hangups. A new year for the Von Brughans. We begin our 3rd year of Home School and living on the edge of Society.  

Our holiday in the Cape at the end of 2012 and beginnings of 2013 provided a great back drop to our new hopes for this new year.  It has been exciting and we have already had some exciting adventures - which keeps us on our toes.

The photos are totally random - and all over the place. I have uploaded so many pics to FB and left some out - so they appear in no particular order below. 

On an arvie drive after Brod supped Kommetjie

Kalk Bay harbour

Scarborough Beach

Roadtripping

Our favourite frozen yoghurt stop - Marcels

Mom's birthday - with the Constantia Alphen Spar's amazing Cheesecake

Singing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve

Phoebe and Sophie are thrilled to start their voice training and music classes, sewing lessons and tutoring with their sweet English and Maths Tutor Nicole. Their books are freshly wrapped, new bags hanging on the banister, and they are currently pondering their daily routine from next week.

Noah and Jo are pretty thrilled just to have a place to hang out and pass their days. Somewhere to destroy the environment, mess up the lounge as they whirl through the rooms during a hectic wrestling match...a bedroom to use as a drop off point for the many outfits they pass through in a day. A garden to accommodate the many Star Wars battles with their light sabres, and guest loo to work on their aim. Which is often pretty off and does require some effort. Oh perhaps they will do some spelling here, bonds there - maybe give the handwriting lessons a go. But generally...school is life for them. 

And amongst all the noise and chaos that is them - Brod and I will continue to try work, paint, deal with clients and hope that no one heard the hollow sound echoing through the office of a perfect hit in the centre of the loo that seems to last for ever...masterfully accomplished only when one of us is on the phone!

If you know what I mean. Wink.

Just do

I am noticing that all writers give the same advice...just write, every day.

All artists give the same advice...just paint, every day.

And I reckon that it's the same in all areas, if you want to improve or achieve, just do it, every day.

That is very good advice.

And I am learning to take it.