When the Past Provides Inspiration.

Are you from the time period that enjoyed to watch "The Sound of Music"? The "Sound of Music" was a family favourite in our family. We saw it on the big screen, purchased the record - remember those? We would listen to the songs for hours on end and practice many of the songs. Some of us would even practice some of the dances that went with them. That famous twirl being one of them.

Finding joy and incorporating joy into your life has become rather popular in recent times, but it's not a new idea! Julie Andrews sang many a song that helped one to internalize just how important joy is and gave us wonderful clues as to where joy can be found.

"The hills are alive, with the sound of music..." A famous start to one of the songs of this musical but it is so much more than a song. When one has joy in your heart, you can literally hear music wherever you are, especially when out in nature. The truth is, if you do not feel joy in your heart, by spending time in nature and listening to the wonderful silent sounds of nature you can begin to hear that music that Julie Andrews spoke of and if you will let it, the music will fill your heart with joy. So it really works both ways.

I was about to do a little research for a project we are working on when I stumbled upon this wonderful video. 50 years after the production of "The Sound of Music" Julie Andrews re-visits the places where most of the scenes were filmed and provides some wonderful behind the scenes insight into the story behind this special film.

If you have not seen the film or if it has been years since you have, do yourself a favour and look up the old movie "The Sound of Music". For those familiar with the film, take a break and enjoy learning a little of the story behind this film. Let the songs fill you with joy and inspiration for the week ahead.

SLOW READER AT WORK - in praise of the Reader's Digest.

 

I am lucky enough to be a relatively fast reader, which allows me to get through masses of "stuff" on the internet each week plus at least two full length books.  However, I came across this delightful item the other day and thought it might be of interest to others.

"All my life I have been the victim of a senseless and superstitious feeling that once I start to read something I must finish it verbatim.  There can be no turning over two pages at a time, no peeking ahead to see if there's a happy ending.  Possibly there lurks in my subconscious the fear that if I skim lightly through a printed work the author will turn up to haunt me in some nasty way.  Or it may be an exaggerated sense of guilt like the remorse one experiences after cheating at solitaire.

This conscientious thoroughness has resulted in a good many hours of ennui and the dubious satisfaction of knowing that I am fulfilling a cockeyed duty toward some writer who doesn't give a hoot anyway.  For I am a slow reader.  As a child I never learned the modern streamline method of absorbing an entire paragraph at a glance. My father was my instructor. We used a small yellow volume entitled "The Land of Song: Book One" and we lovingly spelled out each sentence, word by word, syllable by syllable.  I still catch myself muttering aloud over posers like "phthisis".  It takes me a week to read a novel and ten days for the average biography.  This naturally narrows down my selection of reading matter.

But now comes The Reader's Digest to keep me abreast of the times and to shrive my conscience.  The cutting and skipping has been done in advance by the editors - let the printer's ink be on their souls!  The pieces are of such compactness that even I can finish three or four in a taxi on my way to a party and arrive sparkling with information.

Looking back on the days when there was no Reader's Digest is much like looking back on the days when there was no such thing as air conditioning.  One wonders how one ever got along without it - at least this one does."

Written by Cornelia Otis Skinner - in 1944!!!  And produced here for the comfort of all slow readers, by Rosemary Kahn.

Keep on Writing

 

It is essential to write at least 6 pages every single day. Well, perhaps not on the Sabbath, but that is up to you! Work is work and without it one cannot get very far. If writing is your craft, it is a way to use your imagination to the fullest. It is amazing to see what pops into one's mind.  I have often thought "Now where did that come from?" And where did it? Was it something I had read somewhere or heard on the radio? Was it a totally new and fresh idea?  I would hope so, because I want to claim it as my own, to be used in a book, a story or an article.

I find writing so exciting, that I usually cannot wait to begin each day. I discipline myself to have breakfast, shower and dress before I do, then I know that I have a good stretch of time ahead of me to work uninterrupted.  Sometimes in mid winter, I remain warmly wrapped in my pyjamas, dressing gown and comfortable slippers. It's a comfort thing, I guess! Because of this, should anyone come to my door, I pretend that I am not at home! I don't want anyone to think that I am ill or  just plain lazy! I actually enjoy this little deception and of course it would have been easier if the friend or neighbour had telephoned first. That way I would have had time to swap my sleepwear for a tracksuit and a dash of lipstick.

Occasionally I wake early, at dawn or even before and knowing full well that further sleep is unlikely, I make myself a cup of tea, grab a few rusks and write in bed until I consider it time to rise and get on with the day.  The peace and quiet in the very early morning is conducive to a rapid flow of ideas.  Before I know it, I have written many more than just 6 pages.  If I am on a roll, I will simply continue uninterrupted, until the ideas slow down or stop altogether.  I write long hand in bed, and not on my laptop. I have a special writing "table" which sits comfortably, if I stretch my legs out under the covers.  I love writing in this way. Do I give away my  age?  I really don't care if I do!  That is one of the joys of getting older - little things like age are not that important anymore. In fact, time doesn't matter to me either. So what if I am still in bed at ten or eleven o'clock?  If I have had a productive morning, that is all that counts and after all, no one is judging or timing me, at least I hope not.   I know that in due course, I will shower, dress and get on with things but right now, I am happily writing in bed!  This is how I choose to live my life  and I hope it encourages others to do the same. To many, having a dedicated space in which to write is important. I am lucky enough to have a study but I enjoy writing at the kitchen table or on my bed, just as much! 

Get comfortable, relax and enjoy your daily writing session. It is so much fun and it really is good for you!

Rosemary Kahn

Ten Gifts Worth Giving to Your Child

I read this article in the Sunday Times about five years ago and thought it was worth quoting. The original author, Judith Ancer is a Johannesburg based psychologist. The list is posted in this blog post with permission from Judith.

Here she has come up with ten very meaningful ideas as "gifts" to your child or children.

1. The gift of optimism.

2. The gift of compassion.

3. The gift of courage.

4. The gift of humour.

5. The gift of community and connectedness to our families; friends and communities, whether they be the school community or other communities to which the child might belong.

6. The gift of competence. Starting at a young age with household chores, tidying up and even cooking.

7. The gift of conviction - finding meaning in faith, other people or even in the future.

8.  The gift of curiosity.

9.   The gift of creativity.

10. The gift of perspective and common sense.

All valuable gifts, I am sure you will agree.  Judith Ancer elaborated on each one. I have chosen to leave her comments out giving you, the parent food for thought.

These are gifts for a life time and can all be passed on.

I would really enjoy receiving any additional "gift" ideas, if you would care to share them. 

Rosemary Kahn

Dolphins at Sea World

Do you love animals? How about dolphins?

Have you ever been to watch dolphins that have been trained? They have such intelligence, co-ordination, beauty. They are very calming and loving to watch.

If you have 10 minutes spare, get yourself something to drink and watch this brief video of dolphins.

You are sure to be more relaxed, inspired, motivated and at peace at the end of the 10 minutes.

We do hope you enjoyed. Please come back to visit our blog again.

Let us know what you enjoy to watch or to read. We'd love to hear from you.