Hi there
Given that my ‘Palm trees and margaritas’ theme was originally inspired by the sudden death at 44 of my friend Kurt Bruhn, it is not surprising that tragic life-threatening circumstances generally re-ignite my belief that life is for living while we have the privilege.
When I was finishing off last month’s newsletter, my adored mum was on life support in intensive care having had a near-fatal cardiac arrest. That’s now a month ago and thanks to medical miracles and, as my sister puts it, my mum being a “tough old bird” is hopefully well and truly behind us.
My November was one of the very worst times of my life (not sure it was a picnic for my mum either) and palm trees and margaritas couldn’t have been further from my mind. Or did I just define them differently?
As my mum lay unconscious for days and we wondered if we would get her back, I noticed my family hoped for small things. We wanted to be able to take her for a walk around the hospital and ask her if she thought the nurse was cute. When thankfully she did come back to us she sat up for her first meal for a week and declared the cup of tea she was drinking “lovely” as if it was something truly special.
Palm trees and margaritas can be about time out and cocktails, gardening, travel, finding time to embroider or learn to make Thai salads or whatever gives you the sensation of deciding for yourself how you will live your life. If that means doing small every day things with people who are special to you, life is being cherished as it should be.
How was your November? Did you make time for ‘palm trees and margaritas’* however you define them?
I love to hear (and publish) your stories of how you are living your life. Please get in touch and share your tips, stories and reflections. Each month, the reader who sends us the best story will win a copy of Palm Trees and Margaritas – Finding Your Oasis in a Busy World. Send your stories to me here.
We don’t publish in December so best wishes for a safe and happy holiday period and see you in the brand new year.
Karen Morath
karen@mpowercct.com
www.palmtreesandmargaritas.com
November 2008
* Life can’t be all palm trees and margaritas, but there are worse game plans.
The book Palm Trees and Margaritas - Finding Your Oasis in a Busy World is out now, go to www.palmtreesandmargaritas.com to buy your copy.
TIPS
This month’s tips are to use the official Palm Trees and Margaritas Christmas Gift Guide – order now from your desk and have Christmas sorted!
Palm Trees and Margaritas - Finding Your Oasis in a Busy World by Karen Morath is the perfect stocking stuffer for everyone in the family who could do with a little inspiration to make time for palm trees and margaritas. $20 from www.palmtreesandmargaritas.com
Horror Mothers-In-Law… and you thought yours was bad! by Leah Bryan features 79 real life stories that will make you feel better about your own mother-in-law. It’s an ideal gift for anyone with a mother-in-law – or for mothers-in-law with a good sense of humour. $20 from www.nuhousepress.com
From the Stable to the Stars – The Life of Lorenzo Galli by Pamela Galli is the story of the life of Lorenzo Galli, an Italian immigrant who came to Australia with nothing and built a fortune and an extraordinary life. A great buy for the men in the family. $36 from www.nuhousepress.com
The Baby Doctor – Explaining IVF to Your Child by Leah Bryan and Sara Riches is a thoughtful gift for friends with IVF children or who are currently going through IVF. $30 from www.nuhousepress.com
Baby Pash - a baby-sized pashmina is a luxurious gift for the youngest member of the family. Available in pink, blue, green, navy and natural. $185 from www.babypash.com
Or if you’re inspired by the words of John D Rockefeller Jr: “Think of giving not as a duty, but as a privilege” (quoted in The Good Giving Guide by Lyn Amy and Mary Pearce) there’s some fantastic charity gifts out there that help the community and the planet. Here’s a few:
- www.karmacurrency.com.au allows you to give to charity while your giftee gets to choose which charity the money goes to.
- www.rainforestrescue.org.au has a range of rainforest conservation projects that you can help protect, including the Daintree.
- www.greenfleet.com.au offers a carbon offset program for private or corporate cars.
STORIES
Palm trees and margaritas is not necessarily to be taken literally (although if that’s what you like, cheers!) It’s about seizing the day and remembering you only live once and you don’t know how much life, let alone good health you have left. Continuing our year-long series inspired in part by Bill Clinton’s book Giving, here is this issue’s story about someone doing something wonderful with their life right now.
THE QUIET LIFE-SAVERS
All work has merit and we need people doing all sorts of jobs for society to function of course but the weeks I spent this month in hospital with my mum spotlit for me the truly noble work of doctors and nurses. Intensive care nurses are as expert in their line of work as anyone can be and those who cared so diligently and caringly for my mum were working 12 hour shifts. They are focused that whole time on their patient who is often intubated and not feeling very chatty anyway. They do have to talk to their patient’s stressed and not-pleasant-enough families though and they do it with class and patience. Doctors work crazy hours and still respond to all-hours calls when their particular expertise is required. People who work in hospitals are doing something wonderful with their life right now and I am grateful to those who saved my mum and to those saving everyone else’s mums.
READER STORY
Thanks to Deleece Kelly who wins a copy of Palm Trees and Margaritas – Finding Your Oasis in a Busy World for this story last month –
“I did find time for my Palm Trees and Margaritas this month thanks to the fantastic company I am a consultant for. Fifty eight of us were sent over to Phuket for five days of total fun and relaxtion. We were spoilt with great food, great surroundings and lots of massages! It was a great chance to reflect on the busy year that has been and to truly relax. We even did a mock video singing along to the song Nine to Five while we were sipping daiquiris and margaritas in the pool! I love my job and the lifestyle it provides me and am looking forward to improving my work/life balance even more in the coming year. I agree with your newsletter this month so much....When you love what you do, you'll never work another day!”
If you are looking for a speaker for an event next year, click here to talk to me about a ‘Palm trees and margaritas’ presentation. I have formats that are ideal for business women’s networks and motivation or work/life balance aspects of conferences or training days. Or let’s discuss tailoring something especially for your needs.
REFLECTIONS
If you weren’t happy with how this year panned out for you, what are you going to do differently next year?