Harvest Time- Reaping What You Sow

Welcome

One tonne Cahllenge update

So far I have harvested 88kg of fruit and vegetables

This month I have been harvesting some yummy vegetables, and it feels great to pick your own vegies. Not only are they fresher and free from chemicals, it is rewarding to wait for something and then finally pick it. A bit like having a layby ( which I absolutely love) working for something and then finally getting it, make it more worthwhile.

I feel like I was playing with my food as I was arranging these

vegetable to make a lovely display and photo.

Would you believe that these Romana and Cherry tomatoes all came from Self sown plants. I have picked about 16kg of produce and I did not even plannt one plant. This is another benefit of having chickens and a compost.

I did however rescue about 20 plants from the compost and replanted them to a position of better soil and water accessability. I unfortuneatley still have to share soem with the chickens as they seem to love them just as much as me!.

The capsican plants were last years. I saved them at the end of summer and replanted them in mid spring.

Good luck with your gardening endevours.

Tip for a contented life.

We only have time in our lives for the things we make time for. Make time for things that will make your life happier and you will be content.

Until next time

Kindest regards

Lina

How to slow time down

Welcome to my Contented Life Blog

Do you think the pace of life is speeding up? Are you constantly busy with no spare time for your self? Do you want to know how to get more time for your self.? Do you find your self looking to the future at the next holiday or next job that needs to be done.?

I remember as a child, time did pass so slow and it was a long time between birthdays. As I got older time did seem to go faster and faster. We all seem to think that as we approach retirement we will have more time to do the things we want. I think this is a fallacy as many retired people I speak to seem to be very busy with grand children, and the usual things in life. I also thought that when I left my full time job, I would have all the time inn the world and I would be drinking cups of tea everyday. I quickly found that the reality was quite different.

How to make time Slow down.

When we think of the way we spend our days, we are constantly looking into the future at the next job , next holiday, next whatever. This does tend to make us live in the future and we do not fully appreciate the here and now. If we only had a few months to live, I think our focus would be to enjoy the moments we have and to live them in the present .We would not be looking too far in the future ( as in reality we know that the future is never ours).

My advice on how to make time go slower is to simply slow down, what is all the rush about. Why do we want to cram so much in to our every day activities, are we afraid that we won't get them done ? Make time for important things like friends and family.

cheers

Lina

Only what's Done with Love With Last

Welcome to my Contented Life Blog.

I hope you are not really needing my advice and that you are leading and happy and fulfilled life. If nothing else I hope I am striking a chord with you and that you can relate to what I am writing about. After all we are all the same when it comes down to our feelings and what is really important.

I like to begin with a statement that was the last thing I read in my book of Maximum Achievement , by Brian Tracey, found in the last chapter tittled 'The power of Love'.



Only one life, that is soon Past

Only what's done with love will last


or another way


Life that is too soon ended,
Only what's done in love will be remembered.

I happen to read this about the same time of Micheal Jackson's Death and when you think about it, the above is so true, he has left some good things behind( not his money) but his wonderful gift of music for all to continue to enjoy. He will long be remembered for his music than anything else.

When you get to a certain age ( usually about 40) you start to reflect on your life, on your achievements, on your goals and usually on the meaning of life itself. You may decide to change direction with a new job , new ambitions , new dreams. It seems once you have decided to do something new, everything seems to come by happenstance that re-enforces the new idea or decision that you have made. Sometimes this change of direction comes as a result of a life changing experience such as a serious accident, death of a loved one and so on.

When you look back on all the things you thought were important before the life changing experience , you suddenly realize that they were not so important. Living life in the moment and letting the little things go become more a way of life. This is harder than it sounds and needs constant practice. I find I am always brought back to earth when I hear of others misfortune and I re- analyse my situation and all of a sudden I don't feel quite so bad, and I have a different perspective on it.

Brian Tracey advises that " if you truly want to be successful and happy in everything you do, in every part of your life, you must learn and practice love on every occasion, at every opportunity. The expression of love and kindness must be as natural to you as breathing in and breathing out.".

I must say that I have to agree. I feel great when I have done an act of kindness especially towards someone obviously needing it to the point that I get a swelling of emotion rising through my body that I am moved to tears ( happy tears). Every time we do something nice for someone else, we make that person happy and we enhance the quality of their life. You are also enriching your life as what you give always comes back. You are making the world a better place to be. You make you life a blessing to others.

I have some Helen Steiner Rice poems and was at St Vincent's De Paul store recently and came across another volume. These poems are wonderful. I had forgotten how timeless they are and how well written that you can find solace in the simple words.

Tips on giving the simple things in life and being happy.

1. Be thankful for all you have, especially your health. List all the good things you have in your life.

2. Smile at a complete stranger- it's free. You will always get a smile back.

3.Do something nice for someone without expecting anything in return. The key to living is in Giving.

4.Tell someone that you love them- always nice to hear these words.

5.Be genuine- always follow through with your promises- you will love yourself for it.

6.Decide to be happy, its a mind game. Do things that make you happy. Did you know , happy people have less health problems and live longer.

7.Create your own future by listening to your inner voice.

8.Be kind and compassionate as you never know when you will need someone to do the same for you.

9. Don't be afraid to say sorry- we all make mistakes.

10. What could be more important that being here and knowing you are making a difference to someone and that you are loved.

To end this post I have found a poem by Helen Steiner Rice , titled 'the Magic of Love'.

Here are the last two verses that say what I want to say to you all.

Love is the answer

That everyone seeks-

Love is the Language

That every heart speaks-

Love can't be bought,

It is priceless and free,

Love like pure magic

Is a sweet Mystery!

It seems that in life the simple things are free and if you have these things in your life, you will be rich in happiness, health, love. These things are available to rich and poor alike, there is no discrimination.

cheers all, don't forget to comment- love to hear what you say or think.

Lina

How to be Content

Welcome all once again.

I have been giving some thought as to what makes me feel content. I also googled "contented life" and there are so many articles on the subject.

Here are a few tips on the things that make me "Kuntenta". I believe in the KISS principle - Keep it simple , it works for me.

Lina's Tips on a "Living a contented Life"

1. Accepting and loving your self for who you are. Looking into your self and listening to your inner voice and going with your instincts. Don't be too critical of your self.

2. Living life in the moment- have you noticed that you are always thinking of the next item on the the to do list to be accomplished. I now focus on the task at hand and enjoy the moment for what it is, even it is doing the dishes. This way we are focusing and giving our full attention to the task at hand. I find I can get it done quicker and feel more satisfied.When we constantly focus on the future we are not enjoying the present. The present moment is all we have, yesterday has passed and tomorrow is not yet ours.

3.I am working on not putting things off for too long. If I think of something I try to do it straight away, an example is when I think of family or friends, I try to call them right there and then ( if it is the correct time of the day).

4.Try not to cram too much into your day. If you have less on your to do list and accomplish 3/5 things , you will feel great as you will have done most of the things.

5. Be generous. This does not mean you have to spend all of your hard earned money on buying lots of gifts. Being generous can mean you are generous with your time volunteering, donating goods that you no longer want, making your own gifts, donating vegetables, lending a helping hand or shoulder. What you give always comes back to you one hundred fold and "the smell of a rose always stays with the giver". You will find it has a good effect on you as you have a good feeling that you have helped or made a difference.

6. Be grateful and thankful. When we are grateful with what we have , we appreciate all the things in our life and sometime more things come into our life because of this. When we feel grateful we are not always wanting to have more which puts less pressure on us to work to obtain more things.

7.Be connected with nature and kind to all things in nature. I love gardening and when I am gardening I am constantly amazed at how beautiful and wonderful all life is, how a simple seed can turn into a beautiful tree or flower or vegetable.We are all part of nature and the more we surround ourselves with nature , the more simple we realise our lives are. Grow your own vegetables, feel more in control of what you are eating and lessen your food miles and reduce your foot print.

8. Take some time out to make time for the things you really want to do. Cut out the things that are not that important and commit to less , say no to the less important things. How often do you use the excuse that you are too busy?. Be creative , go visit someone you haven't seen for a while, spend more time with your kids.

9. Set some achieveable goals with realistic time lines. Picture your self achieving these goals.

10. Slow down. Rushing from place to place and job to job can become a way of life. Allow for some free time where you simply do nothing, but enjoy the moment and relax. When we are rushing there is no time to stand still and take stock of what you have achieved and where you are going. Look into your self and ask " if I had a second chance, what would I do differently or what would I be doing now".

Thats about it for now. Here is a link I found through google - Live a life of contententment

So what do you think , Have you got any tips you can share.?

Cheers for now
Lina



Lina