Hi there.
It’s school holidays for most of us and even if all that means to you is there is less traffic on the roads, enjoy!
A tip that works for me when holidaying with my kids is to write down a couple of things each that we want to do and also a couple of things we want to do together and then make sure we find room for them in the time we have.
It is easy and ensures we have all thought about what we like to do and even that helps to ensure we do it.
Everyone gets a holiday that way too.
‘Palm trees and margaritas’, the newsletter, is about life, the universe and what really matters. If we were to seek to categorise it, ‘Palm trees and margaritas’ is about work/life balance. None of us knows how our life will unfold so as much as we are in control, empowered living means making sure there is time in our lives for palm trees and margaritas*, however we define them.
If you want some more tips in between newsletters, check out the blog at http://blog.palmtreesandmargaritas.com
It's the last Friday of September. How was your month?
Karen Morath
karen@mpowercct.com
www.palmtreesandmargaritas.com
September 2007
* Life can’t be all palm trees and margaritas, but there are worse game plans.
TIPS
1. Go through your bookshelves or take a trip to the local library with your kids, nieces and nephews, god children or the children of anyone who will lend them to you and recommend to them your favourite books when you were their age/s.
It would be such a shame to not pass on some of our own wonderful memories.
I was thrilled when my son loved The Catcher in the Rye and Huckleberry Finn and I expect he will also enjoy Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse, which I have just recommended to him.
My other son has not been a big reader but I just knew that the gorgeous nonsense that is the Mr Twiddle series by Enid Blyton would have him chuckling. It did and I chuckled along with him.
Now if I can just persuade my daughter that Pearl S Buck's The Good Earth is wonderful.
2. Lower your expectations about fun and pleasure and find simple amusement and satisfaction right under your nose. Someone gave me a tacky promotional pen that lights up when you use it. It's my new favourite. I also smiled every time I drove into my driveway this week, as Spring bulbs appear.
3. Here’s a quick quiz you can do to see if you are in serious need of more ‘Palm trees and margaritas’ moments in your life: http://health.ninemsn.com.au/quiz.aspx?quizid=337
READER STORIES
I love this reader story. It is everything that ‘Palm trees and margaritas’ exists for.
Reader Emma writes
“I had to let you know that the (Palm trees and margaritas) issue on presentation was one I went scrambling for several months ago when the plan to return to the workforce seemed a full-blown reality. I stood in front of a mirror and was horrified.
What did I look like before I was a mum? I was no yummy mummy after two years at home. I realised that I had lost something – and I don’t mean my youthful girlie shape, because I never had one of those. I had lost me, my sense of self, may be even my sense of self respect.
It was obvious by just looking in the mirror that not only was the hair shapeless and dull, the tracksuit well worn and very unattractive, the face make-upless and dry, but what was upstairs was pretty uninspiring too.
So it was time to make a new plan – one not focused just on the needs of a two year old – so I read with great enthusiasm websites and books on what to wear, how to present yourself and gave myself a makeover (thanks to you) –not just for when I get a job, or have an interview, but for me right now, everyday.
As for the mind – well that is going to take a little more work, but I did go to the library and rather than rush out after selecting 12 books for Millie – allowed myself 20 minutes to select a pile of books I was interested in – Autism, gardening, the history of the angels in ancient texts and a whole pile of novels.
I also contacted some people I loved being around and had not been in contact with for ages. It was wonderful sitting with my old boss, catching-up over lunch, sharing stories of what we have been up to over the last 10 years and recalling old times.
After allowing myself time to focus on me – I realised how much I hadn’t focused on my husband and me – so I finally made the break and started to get a regular babysitter.
As a result I am thrilled to announce I am dating again – a very funny, attractive and sensitive man - my husband. We are now dating regularly – movies, dinners, even a walk around town on a Sunday afternoon going into shops for no reason, drinking coffee in good Italian cafes where toddler strollers just can’t fit. Just stopping to soak in life.
What a transformation – a real breakthrough. Now I really seem to be getting that ‘Palm trees and margaritas’ thing you have been talking about for so long.”
REFLECTIONS
1. How do we know when we have done enough?
2. Is enough ever enough?