When I first started writing this blog in 2009, I set myself just one simple rule.
My words were not allowed to weigh anyone down.
Not myself, not my friends and family, not my readers.
And whilst over the years, I’ve angsted a bit about it (as you can read in this post from 2013 and this one which I wrote last year), I’m pretty sure that it was a good decision. My life was and is complicated enough without adding weight to it by writing in a negative way. I don’t rage about world events, I try not to whinge about difficult life circumstances, and I don’t force words to come out when my head and heart aren’t up to it.
It’s been a very good exercise in mindfulness – constantly seeking the good and joyous things in life, and then recording them in as much detail as possible. The process shores up my own psyche, and hopefully brings a smile to others along the way. I’ve basically created my own meditation list – when I’m feeling tired or blue, I’ll open up the Musings or the Family & Friends pages and read my old posts. I always come away feeling better for it.
So…let me share with yout some random happy moments from my week. It’s been a crazy busy one, but here are the highlights…
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Remember my stripey sock story? Well, it now has a happy ending.
All the large charities I rang weren’t able to take used socks (fair enough too), but the Mustard Seed Op Shop, an offshoot of the Ultimo Uniting Church, was delighted to have them. They support a small homeless community in the inner city and socks are always needed, particularly clean, almost-new ones.
I’ll collect them from our lovely podiatrist Richard every couple of months, wash and dry them, then drop them off to Shelley, who will ensure that they’re given away to those in need.
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I bought Pete’s birthday present from Time Flies Designs last year, and since then, we’ve become good friends with Juan and Olivia. I think their pieces are brilliant, and I’ve asked them to make me some new earrings for Christmas.
As well as their Paddington Market stall, they currently have a kiosk on the ground floor of The Galeries (close to the Town Hall underground exit). We popped in to visit them at the Christmas at Pyrmont Markets last weekend.
The markets were small, but great fun, especially when the Lion Dance started. Pete and I had to laugh at the screaming, excitedly terrified kids…
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I ended up buying this art deco fork bracelet from Steve the Bush Jeweller – I find his stuff so appealing (and very affordable)! He’s at the Rocks Markets every week if you missed him at Pyrmont…
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Pete’s extended family came for lunch on Saturday – his brother Steve, his cousin Fiona, plus cousin Richard and his family. They’re wonderful company and we don’t get to catch up with them often enough.
It’s at times like these that I’m so grateful for sourdough baking – we were able to put lunch on the table in an hour flat and everyone ate heartily. I love serving shared, simple food like this – it always puts people at ease.
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Tatsuo Miyajima is at the MCA!
If you’re a fan of lights and shiny things (as I am), then you’ll love this retrospective exhibition of Miyajima’s works. His pieces are covered in LED counters, cycling from 9 to 1 and back up again. It’s an unsubtle contemplation about life cycles (“time and its passage”), but I found it impressive, fun and thought-provoking…
Arrow of Time was my favourite installation…
As it hung from the ceiling, it was best viewed lying down…
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Finally…somewhere in the UK (Yorkshire…thanks Helen and Kaz!), it’s customary to eat fruit cake with cheddar cheese. Whoever came up with the idea is a genius, because this is an inspired combination. I believe I’m supposed to wash it down with whisky…
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Wishing you all lightness of spirit and the happiest of weekends! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
I have said it before and I will say it again… I do not know you outside the confines of your blog and your life that is reported in it, BUT… If I had a choice of friends from the billions that live on this planet, I would pick you. I love your honesty and overall view of life and not least, your ability to convey it through your words and actions. Keep on keeping on Celia, you are an inspiration.
Such a kind comment, thank you! :)
A beautiful post Celia and lovely to revisit some older ones too. I think we all know that our lives are fully rounded with the good stuff and the crappier bits but I know that I don’t want or even need to share the horrible stuff with the world. I do that with friends and family more privately, even if it’s across the world via whatsapp or sitting down with them over a glass of wine or a coffee. I do read some blogs that specifically relate to say a health problem but I know I’ve stopped reading a bloggers posts that seem to be a constant whine and whinge session. Her choice to write it, mine to skim past and ignore. I too feel that focusing and blogging about the small joys in my day to day life enable me to reflect and be grateful and really appreciate all the little special moments that make life good. And knowing you through your blog is most definitely something very, very special!
I have a similar philosophy with my blog and with my Facebook page. There is so much discord and ugliness. I don’t want to add to it. Only once in a while—especially after the last election in the U.S.—do I violate my rule. Love the lunch you put together for Pete’s family. I will be keeping that in mind for the next time we have guests for lunch. Simple but delicious.
I’m so pleased you found a place for all those socks Celia. i like the way you report on the simple and happy moments in your life. The lunch looks very appealing.
I have a slightly different rule. My blogs should be positive and they must talk to people. I try to avoid talking about myself. Although I use the personal pronoun, my rule is to allow the reader to enter the experiences I write about.I have only written about illness once- and that was in the form of a psychadelic piece of writing. I am not keen to read about people’s medical conditions or health and diet problems so I wouldn’t impose mine on them.
I do write about politics here and there- I am a political creature and it is part of my makeup. My raves are not meant to be sad/angry or negative, but to inspire others to address real issues that sensible people should stand up to.
I have too many blogs spilling out of me most of the time- it;s a kind of exorcism for me – to expel the words from my system so I can move along.
I have always found your blog so very interesting and yes, it has given me many smiles.
Hello Celia first time I have posted but read your blog for many years with pleasure. I am in Liverpool England. I think it is Yorkshire for fruitcake and cheese I have had it in a lovely cafe The Post Horn in Leyburn Yorkshire Dales. Just in case you are interested!
Helen, thank you! As I was saying to Kaz, that makes perfect sense. I’m sure I first read about the fruitcake and cheese combo in a James Herriot novel! I’ll amend the post! :)
Hi Celia,
helengorman2013 is right, its Yorkshire folk like myself who have fruitcake always with cheese. I grew up thinking this was how everyone had it, the two just go together!
I love your blog, I lived in Sydney for 8 years and moved back to Yorkshire due to family illness about 18 months ago. Your posts about the city and Sydney life make me still feel a part of the city i will always love.
xxx
Kaz, thank you for reading! And it makes sense that it was Yorkshire, because I seem to recall reading about it in a James Herriot novel! :)
Give me joyous moments and happy days any time over whingers and health or diet obsessives. Glad you found a home for those socks, though I notice Shelly is still wearing her protective gloves.
To be fair to her, she had them on when I arrived. She’d been sorting through donations! :)
You do have a lovely way with words that is a fact. You do live your life trying to focus on the positive that is also a fact. You find something you like and you give it the attention it deserves and that my friend is wonderful. I don’t often report on negative or highly personal things either as I am not good at that but I do like and have devoured many a time fruit cake with cheddar cheese as I have many many English friends. x
Love your positive, interesting blogs, I will learn to make sourdough next year…there, the first of my new year resolutions. Joy at Christmas to you and your family.
Love all that you do and say Celia … you are an inspiration, and a very passionate and sensitive lady … thank you xo
So glad those socks have found a home.
I love your blog Celia due to the fact that you uplift and encourage here and beyond and you give credit to where it’s due.. You’re always smiling – I see it and read it in your posts. God bless you and give you rewards of joy always. xx
And that’s why we love you, my friend!
Dear Celia, I feel very privileged to read your blog.
I love your musings and introducing my family and me to our beautiful
city. I also love that I will be guaranteed either a laugh a cry or both!!
The fact that I don’t have to read politics or negative thoughts is why I have absolutely loved following you these years….
The beauty and positiveness you find in every day life is a great gift you OWN.
Thank you xx
Thrilled you were able to find a home for all the socks. With all the chaos we’ve had lately I find simp,e things like a family dinner very calming and centering. Sometimes it’s the regular things that need to be appreciated a little more.
That was a great post. You are always positive! positively invigorating!! Loved your bracelet and the lion dance, fun. I just finished eating some Prune Cake (Dan Lepard) with cheese……..always! cheers
I needed this today Celia. Thank you for bringing sparkly pockets of joy into so many lives. Live the little things – it’s what you excel at.
What a great premise for blog writing, I totally agree. There is too much sadness and anger in the world already. I love your morning walk posts, you definitely find such interesting things and I love that you share them with us.
I’m always happy to read your posts. No-ones life is without its trials, but you have a way of lifting mine. You must have times when you feel blue but your writing is always so positive and frequently joyful. Please don’t change 😃
Life’s best moments are so often the little things that bring joy… or at least a smile. Your posts highlight so many of those special yet everyday occurrences. Thanks for sharing the positives!
I truly enjoy visiting your blog, Celia. It’s not just for what you include but, also, for what you choose to ignore. I prefer to keep my blogging world as drama-free as possible. t’s not much of an escape otherwise.
John, I don’t choose to ignore (I know what you mean, but feel a need to clarify)…rather, I choose not to report or dwell on the negative. As you say, it’s not much of an escape for us or our readers otherwise. Thanks for being such a lovely friend! 😘