Gratitude for Nature and Time Outdoors- Day 16 2025

Reflections

Four days away from work and I finally feel refreshed. What a blessing! The funny thing is that now my brain feels like it has all its tabs open. I have not been able to focus on anything. I feel like I am in overdrive. 🤷🏽‍♀️

This year, my garden surprised me twice. The Bearded Iris that my aunt gifted me about 5 -6 years ago finally flowered. I was delighted. Today, I looked out the window and discovered that the onion I planted about a month or two ago rewarded me with four onions. I had to throw one away because it looked like a monkey or another animal had bitten into it. My lilies flowered for the first time in two or three years. I had been so disappointed the last couple of summers when they did not flower. I love lilies.

I got to experience sunrises and sunsets in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Ballito this year. I am always in awe of Mother Nature’s work. She never paints the same picture twice and each one is breathtakingly beautiful.

All Pictures taken by the author

Let me leave you with a quote as always:

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

– John Muir

Image: Canva

What are some the wonderful experiences you have had with nature this year?

Thanks for popping in. Bye for now!

Gratitude for Rest – Day 12 2025

Reflection

It’s not that often that I find myself absolutely exhausted but this year I experienced it far too often. Last night I was just too tired to even think of writing. This morning I woke up feeling a little unwell, still exhausted and my body felt like it had been hit by a train.

No doubt, it’s a sign that I need to rest more often, given how much more stressful work in particular has become. That’s exactly what I plan to do this weekend. Sleep, potter around the house and garden, read and watch a bit of TV. My body and mind need to unplug for a bit. I might consider a walk along the beach as well just to clear my head. An added bonus is that I have taken Monday off and Tuesday is a public holiday so it’s an extra long weekend for me. 💃🏽💃🏽

How do you unplug and unwind?

I’ll leave you with Anne Lamott’s words of wisdom on rest.

Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.

Anne Lamott

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That’s it for today. Bye for now 🌼

A Mother’s Gratitude – Day 10 2025

Where has the time gone? My son received his report today. He has passed grade 11! I am so proud of him. 2026 is his final year of high school. I still remember his first day of primary school so clearly, and now here we are. God has been good to us. Thank you, God.

Today he also had his first lesson with a driving school. He was so excited. By the middle of next year, he will have his driver’s license. This probably means my car will no longer be my own…lol. I am really proud of the independent and responsible person he has become. I pray that he will always be this independent and responsible. I pray that he will always be as kind and as loving as he is now. Thank you God for blessing me with my son. Thank you for choosing me to raise him. Thank you for trusting me with his life.

My son has taught me to view the world through a child’s eyes again. He inspired me to be more creative with how I approached problems and life in general. Being his mother has taught me what it means to let go and have faith. Raising him has taught me what unconditional love truly means and what it feels like. Because of him, I know what fulfilment feels like and let’s not forget real joy. It Being his mother has really opened up a new world for me.

Image:Canva

That’s it for today. Thanks for popping by!