You’ll love the story, you’ll love the photographs, and you might book a flight to Greece.
“ We left our food under a vine-covered terrace and wandered into a small orchard containing peach, lime and orange trees. This is where we came upon the priest. Further back was a terrace containing olive trees and trailing vines loaded with ripening grapes and beyond that the reason for the existence of the monastery – a spring . The monks had taken the concept of the traditional well one step further and built a pool to accommodate the water burbling to the surface. It was here that I saw an azure blue, 12 cm, gauzy winged dragon-fly on my first visit many years ago. It was also here that when stung by the only jelly fish to be lurking in the waters around Samos, and there being no resident priest at the time, was administered first aid (vinegar rubbed over the infected site ) by another visiting family.
I have always thought it was rather pretentious, and almost insulting like someone who says to you” that’s nice, but I like to treat myself first class” [?? – and I don’t?]
What are they saying? Is it an implication that you are satisfied with less and they would never do that? I think that’s insulting.
Go Big! what I think it means now is keep having a desire to reach for more in your life. Are you coasting? Look at the mental image of coasting ~ you usually coast downhill or else you lose speed, right?
If you are coasting then I think it is time to go big again. Can you point to anything you have done recently where you could not predict the outcome? Have tried a new sport? Set a new goal? Signed up something new to try at the community centre? I have not, and it time to do so again. I have learned and reminded myself that is good to put yourself in new, slightly uncomfortable situations so you obtain growth!
A few years ago I tried Tai Chi for six months – it was fun, and relaxing; I learned 101 moves like “Fend off Monkeys” and I learned about Tai Chi. Proud and glad I did that.
I also one January signed up to do the Sun Run – the first day I was standing there at the community centre with 120 or so growth seekers, in a snowstorm. I have a picture of that first class, all of in the snowstorm. I did stick with it, and did the 10 K Sun Run that year; it was an adventure. Proud and glad I did that.
A few years ago I was invited to join Toastmasters, I held off, and then realized I had nothing to lose. I joined, and since then I have tried to keep resisting ever saying NO, I have been an officer of my club nearly every year, and I even said yes to being Area Governor one year. Do I feel like I can do it, sure; why not? The best thing is knowing all I need to do is try, and work at it; it isn’t heart surgery and I am pleased to say again it was an adventure, a pleasure, and a risk I am glad I ventured. Proud and glad I did that.
Go Big. Go Big. This is your life, no re do’s, your regrets will be yours forever, some day nothing will ever change, and you will no longer have any risks in your life, but then you will be dead. Now you are alive – Go Big.
This blog, very small and unknown in a big sense is another Go Big for me; I work at it and hope that I have something to be proud of. A small venture, but am proud I ventured.
Look around – plan now to go big, cooking class, join Toastmasters, try Yoga, get off the downward slope and say to yourself – what small step can I begin the journey with today? Do something for yourself, you will encourage yourself, be proud of yourself, you will grow in yourself. Go Big!
Thanks for visiting, visitors make blogging worthwhile and inspiring. Let me you know your view on how I can improve, or what you thought of this post. Cheers !
If you ever get a chance to travel to Turkey, do it! I was fortunate enough to be able to visit these are wonderful pictures. And this writer has many other interesting posts.
This was the 2nd morning in Cappadocia. We left early in the morning.
A shot in the morning. Birds flying around on the tree.
We went to the near mountain side of Cappadocia to see the hot air ballooning. Nope.. I did not take a ride up the hot air balloon if you asked me.
This is one of the famous Blue eye charms or Nazar which is a common sight in Turkey.
A tree with the Nazars in Cappadocia.
Colourful knitted hats….
Leaving Cappadocia, we headed to Ankara, the capital of Turkey. It is the 2nd largest city after Istanbul. We had our lunch at the inside main railway station in Ankara.
before heading to Atartuk Mausoleum or Anıtkabir. It is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atartuk, the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey.
Sorry I wandered from the keyboard again, but trying to be balanced. I have been doing some cooking, because I love to eat. I made an indian curry dish with potato and cauliflower called aloo gobi marsala – I’m not good at following recipes closely but it turned out super yummy. I will make it again!
Ah, but I digress. July 1, myself, my lovely wife, and my tall patient son loaded up the Chevrolet Malibu and pointed it south to Chelan, WA. We have never been there, and it is only a few hours south of the Okanagan and we made plans for a holiday and exploration trip.
This area in Washington is beautiful, farmland, small towns like Omak, and Brewster which make claims they are the center of the Universe. The travel was in daytime and we were enjoying the drive, and suddenly a deer appeared crossing the road. I had no time to do more than swerve and brake to try and prevent the deer from coming through the windshield.
Deer 1 – – Chevrolet 0
Bam! The deer hit the driver side front fender, his head banged on the hood, and his butt hit the drivers door from the spinning of the impact. I never saw what happened to the deer but the kind witness who stopped to make sure we were ok, said the deer was fine and ran away!
My driver door was crunched and I had to force it open, but the car was running. My first impulse was to call it a day. But lovely wife, and patient son encouraged me to shrug off the sudden cloud on our day, and forge ahead.
I am grateful to them for that. After all, we were alright, no one was hurt, I have insurance and in a sense the milk was spilt, and it could not be put back. Family, and relationships matter, cars do not.
My nerves were rattled and we stopped in Brewster on a side road, and found a Mexican restaurant called Camperos. Wonderful, small restaurant off the highway, and the food was hot, reasonable, and yummy. I wish it was closer to home, because it was very good. I had enchiladas and patient son ordered deep fried ice cream for dessert. We shared, the lovely wife has a picture of that dessert on her camera. I will add a picture later if I get a few requests.
Chelan, friendly town
The hotel we stayed at in Chelan, The Lake Side, was awesome, the people around town were friendly, the lake was clear, and refreshing to swim in. A lovely town, with a friendly community atmosphere. A real jewel.
I had a car accident, that is rare, very rare. I am disappointed. But it was also a good chance for me to be reminded to bend, and enjoy life. I am blessed for the reminder.
I met and chatted with Americans all three days, nice people all; and if you travel around Brewster, have some delicious Mexican cuisine, it’s all good.
Thank you for reading, all comments and feedback welcome !
Life and Random Thinking 