pieces of ria

"Let everything happen to you. Beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final."  - Rainer Maria Rilke A bit of very valuable truth that I carry with me. When I read this quote for the first time a few years ago, it made such an impact that I can honestly say it has become my life's motto. I am an empath and most of my days are determined by my (and others') feelings and emotions. Combine that with my INFJ personality type (introverted, intuitive, feeling , judging) with characteristics including being sensitive, passionate, private, creative and a bit perfectionistic - it leaves me with a whole bunch of interesting thoughts and feelings to deal with daily! That's why it is so comforting to read this quote, whenever, wherever and to be reminded that no feeling is final. Feelings are like friends visiting, they come and go. Rumi so accurately describes it in his poem, "The guesthouse", and I quote: THE GUEST HOUSE This being hum...

Do you sometimes feel the need to 'step out' of your own life, just for a few hours, maybe for a few days, for whatever reason? If I had the opportunity today, I would transport myself to this little getaway, in the middle of a lush forest, somewhere cool, rainy, quiet. I would take a book, some good coffee, a few delicious things to eat, a candle or two, the softest, comfiest blanket I can find and some amazing music. The cabin would smell like wood, verbena and something citrussy inside. In the one corner a lovely, crackling fire would welcome me when I open the door. The huge windows would let in natural light that filters through the branches and leaves of the majestic trees outside.  My soul would soak up the silence, bit by bit, until I'm able to sit down comfortably, in my own company. I'd lay back against a soft cushion and sink into the sofa while staring outside into the green splendor of the forest.  The light breeze would tickle the leaves and I...

Life is beautiful at the moment and I intend to share some of it on this platform. It's 2018 and I've woken up this morning with a fresh, supernatural zest for life! Oh, how thankful I am for what I've been blessed with! My heart feels warm and soft and if you look closely, you'll see a light in my eyes. Note to self: Keep writing, even when no one reads your words. It is so worth it. Oh, and keep dreaming. Never stop dreaming. And fill your thoughts with hope to carry you through your days.

  So I've decided to turn a new page and start over today. New week, new mindset, new goals, healthy eating, more water, less thinking, more doing, less dreaming, more writing, less wasting time, more getting things done.   Including more exercise. I'm taking the next three weeks for myself and I'm going to make a few visible changes. {If you want change, choose it.} I'm choosing it...

I wanted to share a few links with you on this calm Sunday night.  Herewith some blogs that I read on a regular basis.   I love them, maybe you will too?   It is only the tip of the iceberg, though.    There are lots, lots more. Rockstar Diaries The wild and wily ways of a brunette bombshell A cup of Joe Pacing the panic room Make things happen Happy reading!

I'm back and a lot has happened.  I'm now a lecturer and I teach people things.  It's unbelievably rewarding to go to 'work' and to know the possibility is there that you're making a difference in someone's life.   It has also been hot .  Way too hot ... Almost unbearably hot.  And I've decided that I want to live on the coast in an area where it's mostly autumn/winter.    {I want cool, misty, wet days somewhere where it's green and quiet and beautiful.} Somewhere where it looks something like this:  A girl can dream, right?

... but not all the time.  :) (Now where did I put those matches...?) Sleep is absolutely great for you.   (...although I haven't been sleeping too well lately...) I sometimes wish I had red hair. If the permanency of tattoos didn't freak me out as much, I would probably get one similar to this. I will be OK with a permanent holiday.   No, honestly. I wish I could take better pictures.   It really is all in the mind. {trust me on this one} images: all somewhere on weheartit

image credit:  drifterandthegypsy {Tell them that you love them every chance you get} x x x

There are a few reasons why I don't get around to blogging this year.  The main reason is because I think I have too much to say, and I'm not sure how to say it.  And I want it to come out right .  So I wait.  I wait, wait, wait, on myself, on the right feeling, the right words, the right time... And all this waiting gets me nowhere :)  Today I leave you with this gorgeous picture and a few reasons to feel good.  Because if all else fails, you need to remain thankful.  And sometimes a picture speaks a thousand words. A few of my reasons to feel good: My new Amazon Kindle. It's got a red, leather cover and I'm going to spend hours holding it and drinking in every word it has to offer. My pregnant cat. I can feel her babies move in her tummy and it makes me uncontrollably happy and excited. My new business cards. I have never had a business card.. it feels kind of good. My husband. He's great. He's calm, he's real, he's honest and true and we love ea...

This is what I'm planning for 2011: Think less and do more. Don't over-analyse. Spell better, run more, worry less. Be at peace with who and what I am. Believe in myself. Remain thankful and pray constantly. Let's see if I can manage that! {I'm going to try really hard!}  For some reason it's been harder than previous years to get all excited about what lies ahead, but I'm in the process of changing my attitude.  Just so you know.  :)

I found this song yesterday and it did something for my soul.  I thought I'd share it. It's called This Moment by Nic Chagall Feat Jonathan Mendelsohn Listen to it here And I wanted to say that it's been one of {those} weeks. {thinking.too.much.all.the.time.analysing.overcomplicating.planning.but.waiting.thinking.contemplating.wishing.thinking.considering.evaluating.expecting.anticipating.conceiving.projecting.analysing.} (And all of that takes time and a lot of energy, and I have no idea why I do it. Someone once told me it's called intellectualisation - maybe he was right, maybe not ;) But, today is Friday . And I have a weekend to myself . So, let's see what happens ...  

Oh, if I could be here   for a few days, with him   I would be really happy. {a girl can dream, right?}

This week, image: scatterheart I am going to { DO MORE } image: milajessica and  { THINK LESS } .

image credit: margeauxklein So today is Monday and I have a sudden urge to change something.  I want it to be different from the past few Mondays I've experienced.  I want this week to be different from the past few weeks I've experienced.  What shall I do? Change my routine?  (Ha, what routine.  I don't exactly have one at the moment!) Maybe change my hair colour.  It's about time. I'm going to put up a Christmas tree and decorate the house.  That will be a nice change! {I'll post a picture when I'm done :)}  

image credit: skylighters We spent some time at the Spier Cheetah Outreach over the weekend and I had the privilege to touch a cheetah!  I love cats and it has always been a dream to have an encounter with a really big cat.   The cheetah I met was male and around eight years old. Joseph was born at the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre on 30 May, 2002 and hand-reared. He came to Cheetah Outreach with his brothers Kaya and Bryon at 3 1/2 months of age. Since then he has been an essential part of the awareness programme, greeting visitors both at the facility and at venues throughout Cape Town. Joseph is owned by Wild Wild Wild in Africa. image credit: http://www.cheetah.co.za/   (pictures of me and Joseph to follow soon!)

image credit:  andreaferrari  image credit:  flickr { Beautiful .}

image credit: imstillgonnashine   I spend too much time wondering. Wondering and thinking, about life, about people, about situations, about what has happened, about what is happening, about what might happen. Instead of just living in the moment, I'm mostly in another time frame - in the past, in the future. I intellectualise. I analyse. I project and plan and evaluate. All the time. I spend too much thinking that I end up doing less. Does that ever happen to you?    

I recently dove into my picture archives (I keep folders filled with inspiring pictures found on the Internet) and found the following (sources unknown, unfortunately) : My idea(s) of the near-perfect writing room:  Aren't they great?  I can picture myself in any and all of them.  Imagine having a room dedicated to your writing (if you have one, I'm jealous).  A room filled with all things inspiring.  Bookcases filled with your special collection of favourite books, dictionaries in every language your heart desires, artworks which gives you goosebumps every single time you lay eyes on it. Walls painted in any colour you want, be it a deep, reading room red or a deep olive green.  Maybe the room has a window or two, overlooking a lush garden - or better yet, overlooking the ocean.  Imagine that!  Imagine being able to hear waves crashing on rocks or the wind move through a forest, right below your window. A place where you can let your mind ...

It only happens once, not twice the moments vanishing like mice scurrying past, life is much too fast And only for the very brave, the strong , the true And when the moment’s come for you Don't let it pass you by, for in the twinkling of an  eye the love is gone, the moment’s dead an empty ringing in your head Your heart will know when fate has whispered in your ear Oh never fear!beloved friend, for in the end its worth the price, the fee, the cost When all is lost and love is won When true love comes , there is but One. - Danielle Steel