I'd rather be a whale!

I received this email from a friend at work today and I just love it! Had to share ....

      A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:

"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.

But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?

Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.

We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "

Love it love it love it!!!

xxx

M

Markets, Busy Weekends and other ramblings

I feel like I've been at the gym all weekend actually exercising! Something which, if you know me well enough, you'd know I wouldn't do. No, I'd prefer to curl up with a good book!

Why do I feel like this, I hear you ask? Well, Treacle Studio had a three day Festive Fair/Market this weekend at Hathersage Farm in Somerset West.  It was great, but exhausting to say the least. Lugging things to and from our vehicles takes its toll on ones old bones. I made enough scones that if I see another one any time soon I may be physically ill. We also sold enough pancakes to feed a moderately sized village of starving people. So I'm doubting that making more pancake batter anytime soon will be in the cards.

It was interesting to see a lot of people I haven't seen in a while. Someone even had the audacity to tell me I'm obviously so happy and eating so well that I've gotten fat. Now I know I'm no supermodel and I love my food so much that the chances of getting down to a size "a" (aka anorexic) is way beyond my grasp. I know I'm overweight and could stand to loose a few kilograms. But when someone with the tact of a doorknob comes and tells you while trying to be very sweet about it and claiming to be a friend who cares, its hard not to want to reach over and bitch slap them upside the head. This is besides the fact that we never see each other and haven't in years and when we did we weren't exactly joined at the hip either AND she doesn't know about the thyroid and type-2 diabetic issues. I can still take it from someone that truly knows me and has for years, but not from someone like this.

Of course I'm way too diplomatic to be bitch slapping anyone in public. The restraint is pure torture at times, but worth it. However, being sarcastic is my best defence with any threat that comes my way. There is something to be said about saying something that seems so innocent but has quadruple meanings and is dripping with sarcasm. Its very helpful when dealing with stupid people on any level. Sadly though not everyone gets that kind of "humour" and its generally WAY over many peoples heads.

I also find it interesting to watch peoples reactions to seeing me again after such a long time. Previously they would avoid eye contact and ignore me as if I were some sort of sort of pariah. Now they see me, smile and say hi - still with caution though. I find it hilarious actually. Small minded people who don't know how to do anything other than being lead like mindless sheep. I'll still greet them, be friendly and will continue to just be me. I'm done with doing what others want me to do and live in a box of their making. Its claustrophobic in there and your heart dies.


Its sad how many people allow their wings to be clipped and even broken, allowing others to dictate how they should live and what they should think. Is it easier for them to be mindless and just conform? Are they just too lazy to be themselves - be the individuals that God made them to be? Or are people just too scared to go against what someone "powerful" says they should do because they think it will make them an outcast? Everyone has a fear of being rejected, so I guess the latter question could be the problem the majority of people have.


The problem with the "powerful" is that they are more often than not just bullies who revel in dictating and being in control. And they can't deal with it when someone actually stands up to them and says "your ass in a glass buddy - not happening"


Standing up for what you believe in and living your life as you feel it should be lived - those are not easy choices to make. Especially if you've been used to just leaving all those choices up to someone else instead of making them yourself. But you know what? Even someone like that can grow a backbone and finally take a stand. Its a mindset at the end of the day. Why would you want to give someone else the power to dictate your lifestyle, happiness, beliefs or choices. It's not their life to live ... its yours. And you alone will answer for the choices you make in your life.

The personal life deeply lived always expands into truths beyond itself.

-Volume Two (1934-1939) The Diary of Anais Nin

“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path.”
― Paulo Coelho

“Life is too short, or too long, for me to allow myself the luxury of living it so badly.”
― Paulo Coelho

“I can choose either to be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It's all a question of how I view my life.”
― Paulo Coelho

So..... how do you view your life?

xxx
M

King of Anything

Keep drinking coffee
Stare me down across the table
While I look outside

So many things I'd say if only I were able
But I just keep quiet
And count the cars that pass by

You've got opinions, man
We're all entitled to them
But I never asked

So let me thank you for your time
And try to not waste any more of mine
Get out of here fast

I hate to break it to you babe
But I'm not drowning
There's no one here to save

Who cares if you disagree
You are not me
Who made you king of anything
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died
And made you king of anything

You sound so innocent
All full of good intent
You swear you know best

But you expect me to
Jump up on board with you
Ride off into your delusional sunset

I'm not the one who's lost
With no direction
But you won't ever see

You're so busy makin' maps
With my name on them in all caps
You got the talking down just not the listening

All my life I've tried
To make everybody happy while I
Just hurt and hide
Waiting for someone to tell me it's my turn
To decide

Let me hold your crown, babe

(Sara Bareilles)

The lyrics of this song reminded me of a few people I have known in the past .... those of you that know me will know what I mean ;)
xxx

Anything for love

“Love is like a narcotic. At first it brings the euphoria of complete surrender. The next day, you want more. You’re not addicted yet, but you like the sensation, and you think you can still control things. You think about the person you love for two minutes, and forget them for three hours. But then you get used to that person, and you begin to be completely dependent on them. Now you think about him for three hours and forget him for two minutes. If he’s not there, you feel like an addict who can’t get a fix. And just as addicts steal and humiliate themselves to get what they need, you’re willing to do anything for love.”
― Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

I love ...

I love your silences, they are like mine. 

You are the only being before whom I am not distressed by my own silences. 

You have a vehement silence, one feels it is charged with essences, it is a strangely alive silence, like a trap open over a well, from which one can hear the secret murmur of the earth itself.
Paulo Coelho

Thought for Day

“In fairy tales, the princesses kiss the frogs, and the frogs become princes. In real life, the pricesses kiss princes, and the princes turn into frogs.”
― Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

Thankfully I kissed a King ... and he stayed the same. That was the best surprise ever!