Skating into the New Year

Skating into the New Year, Greenwich, London Dec 2019

"What is love? Tis not hereafter, present mirth hath present laughter. What's to come is still unsure. In delay there lies no plenty. Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty - youth's a stuff will not endure."  - Shakespeare ( Twelfth Night)

On the last Sunday of the decade, I'm contemplating how fast this year rolled around to Christmas holidays and the festive season. I don't know if anyone else felt it, but Chapter 12 of 12 slipped in quietly, like the fog creeping along the river on a chilly winter's evening. Sometimes I forget to be grateful for the smaller things in life, and each day is literally a blessing so that's what I'm going to do here - focus on a few of the smaller things, those mostly invisible moments in life we take for granted and wish we did more of, because as we get older, it's those blissful moments we remember.

We all go through ups and downs, that's a given but what we take from those highs and lows is what grounds us. Self Care and Self Love are all over the internet now, it's a much bandied concept but you know what? It's essential. I spent much of 2019 on my own - well, not counting family time with my son. Being a single mother who works, I welcome alone time because that's essentially "Me Time". Mum Time. Mom Time. Girl Time. Whatever  you want to call it. Nowadays it doesn't mean running to an expensive spa or having a wild shopping spree anymore (although a cheap mani-pedi is always a great find in London!) - but no, personally these days, "Me Time" is taking a quiet moment to reflect on my week, to read a book, grab a coffee, or clear out some old boxes of clutter, bundle up old clothes for charity. Ticking random items of old To Do lists. Taking a long walk in the park - checking out the flower stalls in markets. Catching a movie. Going to the library - I still love doing that and I've currently got 4 books out for the holidays - but that's another blog post! 

Living in the present - we hear this often now.  With social media being part of every day lives for many folks, it's important to be present in the company are with - your family, friends, your partners, husbands, wives, lovers. The sun rises and sets each day, and what you do in between, is what matters - because you just never know what the future brings, so be present for your loved ones, no matter what. Put the phone-laptop-whatever freaking device down and talk, laugh, enjoy another human's conversation face to face. I try to practice this one with my son who is very chatty and wise beyond his years. Listening, truly actively listening to what someone is saying is a skill. 

Laughter - real, unadulterated pure laughter is the best medicine in life. Shakespeare's quote " Present mirth have present laughter" resonates for me. (Also, if I don't laugh, I'll cry - I can totally relate to)  I think we need to laugh in the present, find love in the present - whatever the situation. Listening to music, reading a great chapter in a book, finding a sweet verse in a poem, watching a film, taking a walk with friends or just the dog - having dinner - taking to family long distance - enjoy those moments.  My forever favourite sound in the world is the sound of my own child laughing when he was a baby. That sound will stay with me forever.  You can hear kids screaming with laughter in playgrounds around the world. It's a great reminder not to grow up so fast - keep that inner child alive.  

These are my top 3 things that I learnt from 2019 and I am going to practise being thankful for more quiet moments in 2020.  Hustle can be quiet too, so I'll keep writing and posting when I can.

Whatever you are planning for 2020 - I wish you all well. Peace and health, love and happiness. - Talei xox

PS: Feel free to share what you're grateful for in 2019!