.... I'm being true to me!!

“Simply by being your true authentic self, you gift the world with your presence.”  Debra Oakland ..... FB Page ‘Living in Courage’

Not fitting in sometimes means that I’m being exactly who I need to be ... I’m being true to ME ... the only person in the world I really need to be true to.  I’ve gone past the point ... or age I suppose .... of trying to fit in with everyone else’s idea of what or who I should be ... or even what I should do.  It’s uplifting .... I don’t have to justify my behaviour ... good or bad .... to anyone!

Maybe it’s because my kids are growing up .... their need of my constant presence in their lives is diminishing .... maybe it’s because I’m growing up .... or growing into the person I’m meant to be.  All I DO know is, that by being true to me, I’m liking the person I’m becoming .... I’m fascinated by what I’m discovering beneath the surface ... and if, in that process of self-discovery I alienate people ... then so be it .... maybe they weren’t meant to be in my life forever .... you know .... the “some people are only there for a season” kind of thing.

Happiness is!!

This journey of self-discovery would have eventually happened I’m sure but I think moving to NZ precipitated it.  Facing my fears and forging new friendships .... most of which were born in the waves .... has been enervating!  I face each day knowing it’s going to be glorious ... knowing that I’m likely to chat to a stranger on my ramble ... knowing that my hound is going to make someone smile today .... and I don’t mean just me ... she makes me smile EVERY day!

This morning is MY kind of day too .... glorious sunshine .... beautiful blue skies .... the waves are calling .... there’s bound to be someone I haven’t met before wanting to chat.  I don’t know why but it’s so much easier here to chat to strangers ......


as I head down the hill this morning I pass the time of day with a chap on his way to work .. briefcase in hand ..... collar and tie on .... he verbalises his envy of our obvious destination ... the beach and the waves .... especially on a morning like this one!

The hound wastes no time in pleasantries this morning ... she wants her ball .. and she wants the waves .... and preferably both at the same time.  I kick the ball into the waves ... she races after it ... we make our way up the beach ..... me kicking the ball and clicking the camera .. or was that kicking the camera and clicking the ball .... one of these days I’m probably GOING to kick the wrong thing!!  Julia and beautiful Indy are here this morning ... I shouldn’t really call him beautiful .... after all, he’s a boy ....

A new friend, Lucy ..... both so fascinated with each other!

but he’s more than just handsome .. he’s magnificent .... and I think he knows it.  He’s a clever chap too .. he knows how to give Julia a hard time .... plays hard to get when she wants to put his lead on ... and it’s just too cute .. I can’t help laughing .... bum in the air - no, not mine .... Indy's ... tail wagging .... “come and get me” kinda look on his face!!

Indy loves the treats that Julia carries in her bag ..... and my hound is fast learning that Julia carries treats too

...... there’s no hesitation when she’s told to sit for a treat .. the bum can’t go down fast enough!  She’s just as bad with Carol and the treats she carries for Sebastian ... just one glimpse of Carol reaching into her bag for a treat and once again ... it’s an instant ‘sit’ .....  anyone would thing she never got fed!  What is it with Labradors and food!!

Yes ....... she LOVES ice cream!!

I value these new friendships I’m making in the waves ... each of these “humans with hounds” is adding something new to the enigma that is me.  It takes courage to explore ... not just new lands but to explore new people too .... to open up a part of yourself to new souls ... but that’s what this life of ours is all about .... exploration ... discovery ... and not just of something tangible ... often, it’s of ourselves!

And just as I’m finished writing my blog for today I see this post on FB ... from Positive Outlooks ... and it reaffirms how necessary this journey of self-discovery really is!