Quick look at Joy's Life during 2011

I can't believe that 2011 has nearly ended!  As tradition would have it at this time of the year I like to have a look over my past year, so hold on tight & come on my life's journey!  (If you want)

You will see that I have written down all of the things that I have done each month and then I go over them and remind myself of what I am grateful for.  At the end of my year I like to see what lessons I’ve learned along the way.  If you don't want to wade through all of the in's and out's of my year, you will find the summary at Joy's life in a nutshell 2011. Enjoy  :)

January 2011

Mum had 2nd cancerous tumour removed.
Out with the girls for Karaoke.  Good night had by all!
Submitted my manuscript "Finding the joy within" for the Stanner Award with AIATSIS (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies).

February 2011

Had a reflexology with my favorite friend Marilyn from Happy Feet Reflexology at Mawson Lakes.
Continued working with Marra Dreaming (Board of Management meeting).
Gave a speech at SA Link-Up to commemorate the 3rd Anniversary of National Apology Checkout my blog post 
Out with the Marra Dreaming girls, birthday dinner night!

Attended the 3rd Spirit Festival at Rymill Park - Adelaide.  My son Jordan sold his first ever dot painting.  Proud moment!

Did a reading from "Finding the joy within" at the Writer's Tent!

March 2011

Went to "Sista Act" play - Brilliant!  (My small b'day celebration)

Went to the Nunga Funnies at Tandanya, great turnout (again) lol!

Went to the Deadly Funnies at Tandanya.  Was OK!

This year it was my turn to go the to Clipsal 500 for the first time with the Marra Dreaming Girls.  BRILLIANT!!!  Am totally hooked!  Vrrroooom  vrrrooom!

Marra Dreaming mob at Clipsal 500

Went to Blak Nite 2011  (Hip-Hop) event for the young ones!  Adelaide's got some great talent 4 sure!

Started my long service leave so that I could spend some quality time with my mum!  Took 11 weeks - was worth every minute!
Mum and I watched my 14 yo son Jordan compete at his Eudunda Area School Sports Day!
April 2011

Mum started intravenous chemotherapy.
Jai started soccer training  and games for Andrews Farm Soccer Club!
I had a pampering beauty session at Elizabeth TAFE!  Ahhhh!
School holidays! Fun, Fun, Fun!
My little niece was born!
Lunch with my work team mates!  Even though on LS Leave I couldn't resist a catch-up!
Quiet Easter at home!
Had a devastating phone call that my brother that I was yet to meet had passed away!
May 2011

Lodged my manuscript for the Queensland (QLD) Literary Awards!
Went to a "Red Faces" funny night out with the girls!  Laughs all round!
Mothers Day - well that was an interesting lesson!
My 3 beautiful nieces and my great niece and nephew came down from QLD for a week to visit my Mum!
Keiths birthday - came and went.
Lovely lunch with a girlfriend at the "Watershed" in Salisbury!  Lovely feed and friendship and lots of unexpected laughs!
Attended a funeral of a dear writing friend who took her own life.  Inspired to keep on gardening and get my book published in her memory!
Undertook a exciting project at Marra Dreaming that is yet to be unveiled!
Massage for me!  Ahhh!
Speech at Tarndarnyanga - Adelaide for National Sorry Day speech.  Check out my blog post!

"Inner Scents"

Lodged my "Inner Scents" piece of art at the Tea Tree Gully Exhibition as part of Reconcilliation Week!

June 2011
Had Violets 5th birthday party!
Back to work!  Hi ho, hi ho it's off to work I go!
Violet started school!  Oh my last little baby is growing up.  ;(
Washing machine decided to take a long term break!  Ouch said the bank account!
Went to Coffs Harbour for my brothers Memorial Service!  Thank you SA Link-Up.
Attended the "2011 Alcohol and Tobacco and other drugs Aboriginal Workers Conference" at Barossa Novatel.  Very informative conference!

July 2011
Attended Lord Mayor’s Morning Tea and the 2011 NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebration) Awards and Flag Raising Ceremony.  
Attended Statewide women's health Aboriginal womens meeting with "Bilawara Lee".  Fantastic!
Violet graduated from Kindergarten!  Yehhh!
Attended the NAIDOC Ball this year with Keith (shock / horror) at Adelaide Festival Theatre.  Great entertainment and night!
School holidays yet again!  
Mum moved to my brothers!
“Our Metro Mob” exhibition was cancelled this year!  :(  My big project, still on the boil for another day!

August 2011

Started walking in the "Corporate Cup" again, once a fortnight for 12 weeks!  4.5km around the River Torrens!  Relaxing and healthy!
Attended UniSA Open Day!
Started attending Aboriginal Women's Leadership workshops through Relationships Australia!  Very helpful and insightful!
September 2011

Went to Geoffrey Gurrumul's Yunupingu's  concert at Thebarton Theatre with Keith!  A completely spiritual experience, highly recommend it to anyone.  A messenger sent straight from heaven!
Been a year since started going to Marra Dreaming.  Wow how time flys!
Mum came with us when we went to Jai's Andrews Farm Soccer Club and trophy presentation day!
October 2011

Jai’s 7^th birthday – Small party at home with a few of his little school and soccer friends!  Followed by the AFL Grandfinal between the Geelong Cats and Collingwood!  Need I say who won?  Carn the CATS!  Yah!

Keith and kids - Goolwa Holiday

Keith and I took the 3 kids away to Goolwa for a little holiday!  
Helped mum through a rough patch and helped her move into a Nursing Home!
Jai met his big brother Gordy for the 1st time!
Attended a 1 week training workshop at the "Koolunga Aboriginal Writers Retreat".  Met some fantastic people and learnt sooooo much!  Thank you for this great writing opportunity Ali, you lit the fire in my belly again!
Submitted my manuscript "Finding the joy within" to the South Australian Wakefield Press Unpublished manuscript award!  (Still eagerly awaiting results).
Went to Semaphore beach with the family and Gordy and Lorelle!
November 2011

Attended Nunga's Writers Group meeting for the first time!
Attended funeral!

Soon to be in our naughty 40's

Caught up with my old school girlfriends for dinner and resolved to save up for a cruise in 2012 to celebrate our upcoming 40th birthdays!  Excellent night!

Me, Jazz and Lowitja!

Attended the "Long Walk Luncheon" on behalf of the Marra Dreaming team.  Got to have a photo with legendary Michael Long and icon Lowitja O'Donohue.

Mum's in hospital again.  :(
Attended Kaurna Plains 25th Anniversary celebrations!
Attended the Australian of the Year 2012 awards with Mr John Browne!  Very humbling experience, I witnessed that there are some completely dedicated individuals in this world who  give 100% without expectation of returns!  Amazing!
Attended my neighbours daughters 18th (alcohol free) Bday party!  Very different and fun experience, nice fun filled night!
Attended a family funeral.  :(  Sad sad day!
Was accepted and attended a 1 week "Curatorial Art Workshop".  Absolutely amazing learning and networking experience!  Brilliant and inspiring, kick started the desire to continue with my art work too!
Exhibited my "Inner Scents" painting again and this time it sold.  :)  Happy much!  lol!
Attended Violet's Reading Superstar Assembly with Mum!  What a proud moment for us all!
December 2011

Big Boy "Oliver"~ RIP

Lost our Big Boy Oliver our cat!  Most devastating day of the year!  I cried for a week!  

Took Jai to the Zoo with his Dad, Big brother, Lorelle and 2 of his new found little cousins. 

Woke up with THE WORST EVER back pain in my entire life!

Took my Mum to the kids Christmas Concert (despite unbearable pain)!  All the extended family came to watch Jai and his "shuffling" moves and Violet's ballet and singing!  Once again it was worth the world and more.  Thank you Universe for allowing me and my mum and family to share in this special little event!  

Found out that I had actually ruptured 2 discs in my back and had the most physically painful week in my entire life.  Thought that my life was over!  Was the biggest scare I've ever had.  Yes my life did flash before my eyes, I can hardly believe that I managed to get through it.  In retrospect I realised that every physical injury has an underlying emotional cause.  The next task was trying to work out what that was!  Think I've worked it out and am continuing to work through it and process it.  It really has become the focus of my life.  Sometimes when we don't hear life's little whispers it just pulls you straight up in your tracks with a SCREAMING HALT!  So take my advice and listen to the whispers!  Costs a whole lot less in the long run (in all aspects)  ~ trust me!  This experience got me to get in touch and to utilise every bit of advice I have ever given and ever preached, certainly an interesting experience - (she says now it's over).  lol!

Must also give credit to all of the alternative therapists that assisted in my recovery - Chiropractor, Acupuncture, Massage, Reiki, Ngankari (Traditional Aboriginal Healer), Reflexology, lots of water, vitamins and mineral replacement, anti-inflammatory foods and lots and lots of prayer! 

Mum in hospital again  :(
Due to my above temporary illness I missed 3 of my most looked forward to festive season events, my work Christmas party, Marra Dreaming Christmas party and my ISS work team Christmas dinner.  
Went to a small Christmas Carols event held at Marra Dreaming, organised by my close friend Mary Graham.  Lovely night with lovely company! 

Officially now on Christmas holidays and attended the SA Link-Up Family BBQ with Keith and the 3 kids at the Belair National Park.  What a beautiful event to finish off yet another very productive and insightful year.  Thank you SA Link-Up was once again reminded what my purpose in life is all about and will make it my new years resolution to help other people less fortunate than myself with their self healing.

Finally, finished off our year with a lovely little get away with the 3 kids again to Port Pirie.  Despite my earlier back injuries which by this stage were well and truly on the mend, we went bike riding, swimming and walking on the beach with the kids.  I realised from this trip that I love my life, I love my kids, I love my partner and I love my body and myself, most of all I love God!
Well that was the year that was, many lessons learned!  Check out Joy's 2011 Lesson in a Nutshell for my shortened version of insights!
Until next time  :)  Joy 

Loss or gain?

Hi everyone, I trust that you all had a wonderful Christmas and hope that you are now heading towards a fantastic New Year.  Today’s blog has been inspired by the fact that the New Year is just around the corner and I’m wondering what the future has in store for us all.

This morning I was reading a book called “The best is yet ahead” and it made me start to think about all of the people who were missing family over Christmas.  Some are missing family because they just didn’t get a chance to catch up; others are missing family because they have passed away. 

My question is why do we wait for Christmas to all catch up?  Why do we wait until the New Year to set a new goal?  Why do we wait until someone dies before we realise how much we loved them?

Now considering that we just spent yesterday giving each other presents and gifts then the following quote seems quite appropriate.

“There’s no time like the present”

Sometimes it takes for a loss before we recognised what we already had.  It often also takes for a loss to force us to do some things that we normally wouldn’t do? 

This is where the who, what, where, when, how and why questions come in?

WHO?

Who have you lost or hurt over the past year? 

Who do you need to forgive?

WHAT?

What have you done that you need to say sorry for?

What has this loss forced you to do that you normally wouldn’t do? 

What lessons have you learned from your loss?   

What are you still putting off?

What are you still holding on to?

What can you “let go” of?

What can you do now?

WHERE?

Where is your life headed?

WHEN?

When will you say sorry to someone for the hurt that you have caused?

When will you forgive someone for the hurt they have caused?

When will you know that your life is in perfect order?

HOW?

How many people do you have to lose before you learn life’s lessons?

How long will it take you to learn your life lessons?

How will you know what you need to do?

How will you move into the New Year?

WHY?

Why will you make changes in your life?

Why wait until someone dies before you make those changes in your life?

Why not now?

“Why put off tomorrow what you can do today?”

  

I’ve often wondered why someone makes a last will and testament when they die.  I now realise it’s because this is what they wish they had done while they were alive.  If you’re reading this blog, then that means that you are alive, so why not use your will to achieve all of these things in the New Year.  Instead of putting who, what, where, when, how and why in front of those questions, turn them into an action and say;

I will forgive someone, I will say sorry, I will “let go” of the past, I will learn my life’s lessons, I will make changes.  I will love myself, I will love others.

As Nike says;

Love and Peace everyone!  Until next time!  Enjoy!

The best is yet ahead 

Joy's year at a glance 2010

Hi Everyone,

Well as another year draws to a close I thought that I’d include you in on one of my annual traditions.  At the end of every year I write down all of the things that I have done and then go over them to remind myself of what I am grateful for.  This year I have drawn some conclusions and listed the lessons I’ve learned along the way.  If you don't want to wade through all of the in's and out's of my year, you will find the summary at the end of this post. Enjoy  :)

January

·        Continued to support Mum after her cancerous tumour was removed.

·        Was a bridesmaid in best-friends wedding.

·        Attended Survival Day event at Tandanya.

February

·        Attended a challenging meeting, which ended in a positive outcome.

·        Had lovely lunch with an old school friend at Fasta Pasta.

March

·        Celebrated my birthday by going to the Deadly Funnies and the Nunga Funny’s.  Brilliant!  I highly recommend it, it was a good laugh!

·        Had body measurements taken in preparation for the Aboriginal Women’s Fitness Program.

Jai's first day of school

·        Keith got given free tickets to go to the Clipsal 500.  Thank you!

·        Attended Jai’s first parent teacher interview.  All good!

·        Had a surprise afternoon tea for my Mum’s 70^th birthday.  Made a beautiful PowerPoint presentation for her.

April

·        Had a lovely quiet Easter with family.

·        Had a week of relaxing annual leave.

·        Started first lot of x2/week gym sessions for Aboriginal Women’s Fitness Program.

·        Went to sister-in-laws 40^th birthday.  Nice!

May

·        Went to Sydney to the “Happiness Conference”.  Brilliant and inspiring!  Caught up with my nieces' and sister while in Sydney.  All beautiful women!

 

·        Had lovely home cooked laksa at girlfriends’ house.

·        Went to the “Sorry Day” event in Adelaide.

June

·        Had a 4^th birthday party for Violet at Tin Lids Play Café.  Great!

·        Attended Aboriginal Student Pathways Conference at UniSA.

·        Attended Aboriginal Power Cup (nearly had a melt-down, due to technical difficulties)

·        Took caravan away to Goolwa for a little family holiday with the kids.

July

·        Went to nieces’ 21^st birthday party!

·        Attended Lord Mayor’s Morning Tea and the 2010 NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebration) Awards and Flag Raising Ceremony.  Celebrated in UniSA Engineering student’s award presentation.

·        Attended NAIDOC March to Parade Grounds.  Followed up with family fun day.

·        Had a High School Reunion with class of 1989 Elizabeth High School Friends.  Fantastic night!

·        Attended the NAIDOC Ball at Adelaide Festival Theatre.

·        Entered 6 photographs in the “Our Metro Mob” exhibition as part of the SALA Festival.

·        Went to see Darryl Braithwaite in concert at the Highlander.  Brilliant night had by all!

·        Went my Bosses 60^th birthday lunch at The Lakes Resort.  The loveliest meal with friends ever.

·        Went on the radio “Nunga Wanga” to promote “Our Metro Mob” exhibition.  My kids were at home wondering why Mummy wasn’t answering them back when they yelled at the radio.

·        Went to a meditation / yoga class at Mawson Lakes.

·        Took Mum and Keith to the launch of “Our Metro Mob” exhibition at Tandanya.  Was joined by a few faithful friends, which I was very grateful for.

August

·        More yoga!

·        Started the Corporate Cup for (12 week) with work colleagues – 4.5km walk around the River Torrens.

·        Became involved in a very rewarding Community Service Learning Project through work called the “Learning by Walking Together” Project.  6 Aboriginal students and mentors working together to develop a tourism brochure and tour for Kaurna Park (a local revegetated wetlands area).  The most rewarding activity that I did all year.  It was full of ups and downs.  I was stretched beyond my comfort zone and I learnt so much from this whole experience.

·        Participated in an artist talk at Tandanya talking about “Our Metro Mob” exhibition.  Very challenging, especially getting used to being classified as an “Artist”.

·        Joined Jai’s schools Aboriginal parent support group.

·        Attended my nephews’ 18^th fancy dress “Country and Western” birthday party.  Fun was had by all.  Great band and highly recommend “City Cowboy’s”.

·        Entered 2 pieces in another art exhibition – Gawler Community Art Gallery. 

September

Jordan and Jai at the Show

·        Took the boys to the Royal Adelaide Show.

·        Attended my first and last “Zumba” class.  Great fun, but decided I need a whole lot more stamina and co-ordination for that one.  Too much like hard work.  Lol!

·        Started community engagement work with a local Aboriginal Community Arts and Craft Centre in Salisbury – Marra Dreaming.  This is a fantastic place that is just full of lovely people from all walks of life.  They are extremely welcoming and dedicated people and they need as many volunteers as possible.  Especially in the grant writing area, if anyone is interested.  I can guarantee you get back so much more than you put in with these beautiful people!

·        Travelled with one of my sistagirls to Canberra to meet an inspirational Aboriginal woman “Anita Heiss” at AIATSIS (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies).  Got the fire in my belly to really get stuck into finishing off my book “Finding the joy within”.  Thank you Anita!  I am forever grateful to you!

·        While in Canberra (before the meeting) caught up with my beautiful friend from High School days, during a trying time in her journey.  Thank the Lord for the timing of that trip!

·        AFL Grand-final – Went to sister-in-laws for this big day.  It was between St Kilda and Collingwood!  Only to end in a DRAW!  Voiceless and frustrated we all went home for it to be continued the following weekend.

·        Another week of annual leave – got busy with researching and writing my book. 

October

·        Jai’s 6^th birthday – Small party at my Mum’s, went to St. Kilda playground and another small party at sister-in-laws.

·        Went to Murray Bridge Aboriginal Football and Netball carnival -  Whoop there it is!  Raukkan won! 

Stall at Tandanya Art Fair 2010

·        Had a stall at the Tandanya Arts Fair.  Fun was had by all!  What a great way to spend a weekend!  Catching up with family and friends.  Made a few new friends too!  

·        Went to the Desert Country Art Exhibition Launch (SA Art Museum).  Awe inspiring art!  Beyond words!

November

·        Kids’ friends’ birthday parties all weekend – Oh Joy!

·        4 days of pure bliss!  Travelled to Queensland with 2 of my girlfriends and stayed on the Gold Coast in the most beautiful apartment (Magic Mountain) Highly recommend.  I am sooooooo grateful for the opportunity to join these lovely ladies.  A brilliant weekend was had by all!

·        Caught up with my beautiful niece and spent a day of quality time together.  Can’t get better than that!  I was reminded of what a beautiful country we live in while on my weekend get-away.  Sun, sand, sea and lots of love and laughs!  Thank you everyone!

·        Took kids to free Playford Alive Fete!  Great event for the whole family!

·        Decided to try and get rid of a long term wart from one of my little toes.  Went to podiatrist at Muna Paiendi.  Had a trial of new treatment, which involved numbing my toe and then stabbing it relentlessly until it started to bleed profusely.  Yukkkkkk!  But guess what – hey presto!  Nearly 12 weeks later it’s just about gone.  Yeah!!!! Sure was worth the small amount of pain!

·        Took kids to the local Christmas Pageant!  They loved it and it was all that much better sitting there in the soaking rain!  If you haven’t guessed it already – I love the rain too!

December

·        My family and I (Aunty, Uncle, Nana and Dad) all went to the kids Christmas Concert!  Fun fun fun!  All these little kids are soooo innocent and cute!  I wish that they could stay that way.  On this day, I was also strongly reminded to be grateful for my healthy kids!  Sometimes we all need this hey!

·        Found out some really sad news, nearly a year to the day from last year.  Despite Mum’s year of chemotherapy, another tumour needs to be removed in the New Year.  On the bright side, I have been able to spend another year with my Mum and I am beyond words grateful for that! 

·        Went to a Christmas dinner dance at Central Districts footy club and watched an 80’s band called “Fever”.  Lots of fun was had by all! 

·        This month I was let down in a big way!  I had been hoping, praying, affirming and believing that I would have been on/at the Oprah show in Sydney.  This wasn’t to be and I was devastated!  I am still reviewing what went wrong with my plans, but I think it’s  time to “let it go” and I know that there are bigger and better things awaiting me.  I did go for a lovely walk around the lake that day to try and make myself feel better.  Not quite the same impact! Lol!

·        Spent the most beautiful day with a few of my special work friends.  We shared a beautiful meal together followed by sharing our positive thoughts and comments about each other.  A few tears were shed by all, men and women alike.  I thank the Lord for my fantastic and faithful ISS (Indigenous Student Services) Team.  Love you all!

·        Went to my works Christmas lunch!  Had a beautiful meal at the Bombay Bicycle Club.  Then went out on the town to celebrate a year well spent!  Spent the next day remembering, why I hardly ever drink!  Final lesson for the year!

·        Went to watch someone get given a surprise car for an early Christmas present!  What a beautiful act of kindness, organised by the most giving person I know!  I am so grateful to have been witness to such a loving moment!

Well the years not quite complete, but so far it has well and truly out done all of my expectations!  I have learnt so much, which I will now try to briefly share.

Joy's 2010 Lessons in a nutshell

·        Forgiveness is the key to healing.

·        A life full of friends is like a garden full of flowers.

·        Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and the world cries with you.

·        Be happy with who you are!

·         Be grateful every day!

·        Home is where the heart is!

·        Live in the present moment!

·        Children are our future, so let’s invest our time in them!

·        You gotta be in it to win it!

·        Stretch yourself regularly! (Mind, body and spirit)

·        Do something you love and you’ll never work another day in your life!

·        Culture cures!

·        Work, rest and play makes for a happy Mummy.

·        Happy Mum equals Happy family!

·        Live life to its fullest!

·        Never ever give-up!

·        Dance with abandonment!

·        Instead of worrying about what you don’t have, appreciate what you do have.

·        There’s a reason for everything

·        Giving is so much better than receiving

I hope you have enjoyed this year as much as I have.

Until next time  :)  Joy 

Life patterns

What do you feel when you hear the words, life is a journey, life is full of lessons, we must learn from our mistakes?

Throughout my book I have looked back at my own life and have identified some of my own life patterns, journey, lessons and mistakes that I have made.  So today, instead of looking at my life and what I have learned, I want you look at your life, so that you can become more aware of some of the patterns that have occurred in your life.

Wouldn’t life be so much easier if it just came with a user manual which you could look up a problem in the index and work out how to fix it quickly?  Unfortunately, there is no such manual and yes all of the above clichés do come back to haunt us.  So let’s take a look at some of these sayings and see if you can see any evidence of them in your own life.

Life is a journey!

Yes I think we can all safely agree that life is a journey and it begins from the minute that we are born.  However, we are often all so worried about the destination that we forget to enjoy the ride. 

 

~ Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it. ~ Greg Anderson

I love this quote because so often we spend so much time looking at the past hoping to find answers there, then we worry about the future and we just forget to live in the only moment; which is right now, in the "present".   

Here’s another quote to help you think about this point.

~ Yesterday’s history, tomorrow’s a mystery, but today is a gift.  That’s why it’s called the present. ~

Author unknown

I admit that I have spent the majority of my life, living in the past or worrying about the future.  I  remind myself daily that “now” is the only moment that I have, so accept it and enjoy it .   When we focus on the “moment” our thoughts become still and at peace.  This is the only place to be!

Life is full of lessons!

"Ah ha"

It is true that life is full of lessons.  These lessons are repeated over and over again until we learn them.  Often we don’t notice that the same lesson is occurring, but disguised in a different situation.  Life is very creative and tries to create a new experience from a different angle so that our subconscious minds might be more open to learning the lesson.  This continues endlessly until we learn the lesson.  These lessons are very subtle and you may not even notice the signs unless you are looking for them.  These signs or patterns only become evident when we stop thinking and quiet our minds.  When this occurs you will reach a new awareness.  It’s what is known as an “Ah ha” moment.  This is similar to a “light bulb” switching on in our minds.  Everything just becomes clear, all of a sudden you know what you know.  

It is only after this “moment” that you can move forward into the future.  When this occurs you take ownership of your life.  You take responsibility of your own actions and you no longer blame the past for your current situation.  It is a very powerful moment that impacts the rest of your life.  This is when you give yourself the best present of all; the ability to change.  

This next quote by Abraham Maslow wraps this thought up perfectly.  

"What is necessary to change a person is to change their awareness of themselves"

We must learn from our mistakes!

 

I know that we all have made mistakes, but who says they are mistakes?  When we shift our thinking to realise that there are no mistakes in life and our lives are always in perfect order, then real change can occur.  

Until next time!  Joy  :)