Keeping the positivity going.

I am a positive person by nature. That doesn't mean my state of mind doesn't get challenged.

In a time of the uncertainty facing the world today in the form of Covid19 I, like many people I suspect, long for a bit of recognisability, stability and continuity in this strange world we live in. There are so many changes going on. New rules. In the short term too. Waking up and seeing or reading or hearing that everything has suddenly changed does nothing to create confidence or peace of mind.

But we (hubby and I) have little to complain about. Although like many, we too have our frustration moments. We are dry, warm, have enough (too much 😉) food, clothing, regular income, a beautiful house, a beautiful view and our families are also healthy and well. If all those things are ok one has a tendency to look further, right? Call it human nature. We can move within our country: BUT we have nowhere to go. Attractions, cafes, restaurants, theaters - nothing available. Not here in the Netherlands anyway. The comforting part is, we're all in the same boat. So..

... I prefer to look at what is possible.  My husband has been shopping for groceries since March 2020. The reason being that I was sick the first week of March. Out of commission for quite a while. Because the world around us changed so drastically at the time, he kept doing the shopping. He, because sitting inside became too much for him, she, "because I didn't dare to go 'out' there."

We went to a Landal house holiday park twice this winter. Oh how wonderful. Houses far apart, you don't meet anyone in the supermarket on site and you walk a different route in a different area. (See video links at the below.)

Hubby has polished and updated his cooking skills again. How cool is that? Sometimes I just have to book my cooking moments. We enjoy the sharing and because he does the shopping anyway, hubby often determines the menu. Fine. I love to cook, but I don't need any pre-planning except for 'real planned' dinners. I mainly cook "whatever the cupboard and fridge have to offer".

Shoes: Since recently we can make shopping by appointment moments: by booking a time slot. With my forst outing I thought it was very exciting.  I was nervous. Yes, I went shopping for shoes. My shoes, after all that forced walking, really needed replacing. I was done in 20 minutes. Two pairs. With memory soles. At least then I know where I've been or where I want to go to. 😂😂😂!

Garden center: This year we will be picking lettuce, tomatoes and strawberries. I really missed out last season when the garden centers opened and everyone went crazy and wanted to convert their gardens, planting vegetable gardens, etc. realising home was the place to be, holiday money had to be spent, it went to upgrading things around home. Because of my reserved attitude at the time, we were too late to purchase the seasonal plants I wanted on my balcony. Everything was sold out. Very unfortunate. Now, in a 30-minute time block, I purchased what I desired. It was so neatly arranged. You could fire a cannon at the garden centre and not hit a soul. My neighbour mentioned it so I had looked at the site that morning and 18 slots were still available at a time that suited me. Bingo!

Rug: Off to the Volero showroom. A fun, well thrilling ride, in hail and snow. You don't buy something like that online. Well I don't anyway. What a fun outing. We also got served coffee. Just like "in the old days". And we made it an outing. Round trip. Not the same route home. That's how we got through the day. It was fun.

Shopping is NOT my favorite activity. Still, it's inevitable. No, I didn't book them close together. Not sensible I thought. The past 3 weeks I booked one a week. That also gives peace of mind. If I would have been infected with the virus, I would have noticed it after 5-7 days. I'm careful about that. If I felt at all uncertain I would have cancelled the time slot. I didn't need to.

So yes, there are possibilities. It is not the freedom that I am used to, but also not the oppression that forces me to house arrest and prosecution. I am free and safe. That everything is not as I would classify as normal is another story. I/we need to focus on the positive aspects of this period and breath in, breath out, breath in breath out and hang in there. It, the pandemic, won't last forever. Changes will happen. Life does go on. Just differently and maybe we might become more reflective, less impatient and more compassionate. 

Who knows!

The challenges today

At the start of this year I selected a word- I try to actively 'better' myself or focus on something I find important to me. This year my theme is - Persevere. To keep focussed. To not digress.

My life's motto ( amongst a few others) is, Carpe Diem. Seize the day. Make the  most of life and what it offers. Live, love and laugh A LOT!

Somehow some of life's to-do's are deferred to - Tomorrow. I have tried to grasp the concept of tomorrow and found- it never comes. Like the new zip needed in the pants, the recipe still not tried out, the phone call to that friend still not made, the photo album still half finished, the film not yet seen, the drawer still cluttered, the painting still not on the wall, the letter left unanswered. Stuff like that. It is so easy to say- I'll do that tomorrow, till I got to thinking, "heck tomorrow is already fully booked". And which tomorrow did I want to do all this stuff in?

Today I have managed to write up 3 blogs, chat with my grandson, send him an email with a list of stuff he needs to pack before he boards a plane to visit me. Read the morning paper, we just had local body elections and the outcome was interesting. I've recovered all the info I need for a dinner for 15 people I am helping a friend prepare. All this before coffee. I'm trying to not become distracted by other stuff that is also fun, enjoyable and worth spending time on. Like the WhatsApp chats I need to answer- but will have to wait till this blog is done. I am PERSEVERING and it feels so good achieving stuff. Actually being able to tick stuff off and not add to my 'to do later list'.

What is also very rewarding is the jobs left 'to do' list is shrinking. I am not that naive to think I will never have a 'to do' list. I am however pretty positive about how short a list it will be. I want my in tray as minimalistic as possible and my out tray full of ticked off chores. DONE and DUSTED today!

Have you ever wondered in which  tomorrow you'll do all those pushed to the background and out of sight chores you've saved up or avoided?

Last night I closed the (to)day on a positive note. It was reasonably warmish, was pleased I finally got my hair cut which was a week or more overdue, had a positive result after the tax man filled out out tax form and actually got the ironing done within 24 hours of the pile being made. Then I slept fitfully and woke up to 'TODAY'. Not tomorrow. So you see, had I planned stuff for tomorrow- I'd have to wait and wait some more 😉! Because it isn't tomorrow- but today!! Confused? Don't be. I'm keeping on keeping on. Persevering. Doing today all I can achieve and working on my staying power, my tendency to divert my attention to 'other stuff'. And you know what- I'm enjoying my efforts to date. It is almost the end of March and my year is shaping up to be a great one. How is yours coming along?


It is 10:50 am. I'm happy as I can be. Time for coffee!!

It is always TODAY!

Many, many, many years ago I read a short article in the Reader's Digest about someone who focussed on 'the last time'. Not out of a sad and pessimistic point of view, but a reality many of us, certainly me, didn't (or don't) pay much attention to.

I even think that I have mentioned this before. Still, it obviously weighed a lot and I have stored that item in my mind - to occasionally haul back to the foreground of my memory. As it happened again this morning.

In my direct circle of family and friends there a a few people struggling with ill health. So much struggle that there is reason to believe that these people may, in the short term, leave this world and therefor leave gaps in my list of 'loved ones'. Now, this could happen to any of us. We are all flowers that bloom just one more day. No-one is guaranteed any amount of years. We get what we get.

I'm not mentioning this because I feel deflated, depressed, sad or negative. I just want to revive a thought, an idea that was brought to my intention years ago and it keeps fading into the background.

The idea that I may be sitting here at my desk for the last time. That I may have had coffee with my dear friend for the last time. That I may have slept next to my hubby for the last time. That I may have waved to my neighbour the last time. That I may have baked my last cake, cooked my last meal, read my last newspaper. Or it could be my husband, any one of my children grandchildren( heaven forbid) It has happened before. Who says it can't happen again?  In fact all those I know and love. Who knows what the next minute, hour or day will bring?

NO, I am not negative or a doom thinker. I think actually this thought, this awareness may just help me appreciate my loves and my daily 'doing's in a much more positive light.


Imagine your 1 year old taking her first steps! What a celebration. However, that cute crawl style she had that everyone ooohed and aahed over- is gone forever! Can you even remember how it looked, how she moved across the floor with such grace? Did you realise this might be gone forever? The last cuddle in bed, the last tooth that the fairy pulled, the last.........!

I guess what I am trying to say is, ENJOY EVERY MOMENT. Love those you love, give them your time, affection, understanding, space. Even if they are unaware or don't understand your efforts. Don't look too far ahead to what tomorrow may bring. Tomorrow never actually comes. It is ALWAYS TODAY!

CARPE DIEM - Seize the day. With both hands. Grab it, use it, fill it with love and kindness. That memory will stay forever. Even when it fades into nothingness, something will bring it back.