About

The Garden of Life is an on going journal about life, whether that be as I experience it, respond to it or make it happen.

Having spent nearly 40 years ‘alive’ I’ve come to the realisation life happens and passes us by often without much more than a need to survive. Basic needs such as food, shelter and belonging often push us forward through life and before we know it the merry-go-round has taken us another ten years down the track and we are still doing the same thing despite those earnest promises to ourselves to change, do more or try something new.

We can’t always be in control or do something outlandish despite what we wish or think. Our human needs to some extent control us. On top of this, are the external factors of others who come in and out of our lives. This might be once in a life time (e.g. someone you talk to on a plane and never see again) or daily (e.g. your significant other). Regardless of how often or who, they all touch our lives in some way. They may make us happy or sad, give us reason for thought and in some instances change our lives forever for better or worse.

What we think may not always be optional either, it is our gut reaction after all, but how we look at it and how we react to it is optional. That is not to say it is easy. We can choose to just go with life as it happens, choose to go with our initial gut reaction or we can take time and consider a more rounded approach. I know, who has time to think beyond the now! Time is relative, it may only be a few seconds or minutes, not necessarily days, months or years. However, for some it may take that kind of time. Taking time does not even mean your initial reaction will change. In fact it may be solidified and strengthened by personal reflection. On the other hand immediate reaction or thoughts can often be changed after contemplation and reflection, gaining a deeper understanding of what may have caused the first reaction(s).

Sometimes we may even be able to surprise ourselves if we take just a little time to think, to centre ourselves and step off the merry-go-round of life if only for a moment. Lets face it, the merry-go-round will keep on swinging round and we can jump back on if thinking is a little too scary or your needed to help push it around when it slows.

 This journal is my stepping off time.