The Little Things

How’s your week been, friends? I have so much to be grateful for.

My children tried something new and their enthusiasm has been so inspiring! (Particularly my daughter, who has a love affair with her duvet).

They’re been working out twice a week with a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) trainer. He has them doing squats, lunges, karate kicks and sprints. Just when I think they’ve had enough, he throws in one more thing and you know what?….they do it! Turns out the challenge gets them going.

So, I took a leaf from his book. I got them involved in the kitchen for a bit more than our usual Sunday bake off. Oh, please don’t ask about that. It’s this wonderful thing we’ve been doing every Sunday for about 4 years now and we really have baked some wonderful things over the years. This week though, we made some Cannoli (or as my littlies call them “Ma’s Caramel Horns”, because my mom used to make them):

The were insane! Imagine the faces of my little humans who got to boil some Condensed Milk and witness the magic of it turning into “caramel”.

I also got to burn some Palo Santo for the first time (OMG!!!!). I wrote lots, spent some QT with the hubs, hit some golf balls. I signed books for Secretaries Day coming up, I’ve slept well, eaten well and we even got to cuddle some bunnies.

I call these moments The Little Things.

Being grounded in GRATITUDE helps me not only to see them, but to really pay attention to them. With a full, full appreciation for the magic.

How may of those moments did YOU have this week?

Did you pay attention to them? Trust me, the more you do, the more they will show up. It’s the law of the universe.

Beautiful Palo Santo, burning away

xoxo

Lee

Feathers appear when ANGELS are near (A story about a lady cleaning my room)

I was sitting and writing in my hotel room, watching the bluest sea go up and down like digital musical notes while a lady who looked just like my late mother went about her business of cleaning my room.

 

I kept changing my position slightly in order to stare at her, wondering each time if she noticed. I was feeling naughty, bad, sad and weird all at the same time. It’s hard to explain.

 

I finally let up the espionage to take a walk along the beach.  She called back at me “Lady, you dropped something”.  It was a feather which I quickly picked up in a big red blush!

 

It was then that I felt this immense sense of Gratitude.

Gratitude for her presence,

Gratitude for the lesson,

Gratitude for way the dice landed placing me in a position to live the life I do,

Gratitude also for the luxury of being able to travel, write and tell YOU about the things that touch my heart.

 

I dreamed of days like this, I must tell you.

Days of random magic,

heart swells,

ocean air,

pink sunsets,

…and days when the old saying “feathers appear when angels are near” rings beautifully true.

 

I wish YOU days of “magic” too.

 

© Aluta continua, as they say.  A Heart Full of Stories, 2017

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Whilst we don’t know the origin of the pics used, all respect and due credit are hereby given where appropriate. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lee-Ann Mayimele and A Heart Full of Stories with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. All media rights and copyright for the words reserved.

 

I remember the day I was born (A “crazy” story about a memory)

Guess what?  I have the very vaguest recollection of something said to me on the day I was born.  I kid you not.

 

Yes, I know that sounds crazy but just today, while I sat up at 5am waiting for the sun to rise, I sort of remembered it from 40 years ago. Honestly, I did.

Now, there were quite a few people present at my birth (it was a home delivery with a house full of people) so it could have been anyone. I recall an actual whisper of something into my ear.  I also know for sure that it was sweet and that it told me of the blessings that would lie ahead for me.  Perhaps it was a prayer? Perhaps it was simply a “welcome”?  I mean, it could even have been angels, ancestors or my own soul’s voice saying “oh hi” because it had been here before?

 

Now, I get that you’re thinking that I’ve truly lost the plot this time  (and that’s always a possibility) but I implore you to trust me on this one. So, please do listen to my story a little while longer…

 

Of course it could have been a dream. Of course it could just be something I saw in a movie.  But, have you considered that it could totally be true?!  That I remember?

 

Isn’t that magical?

 

Isn’t that just why we’re on this planet?

To crack open the magic?

To listen to “wild” stories?

To experience miracles?

To explore the various aspects of “possibility”, both of things we understand and accept and then more importantly of the things which are not widely understood and accepted but are certainly no less of a “truth”?

 

I thought you’d say YES!

 

Because here’s the thing. That’s what we ALL want:

To engage the MAGIC,

To understand our PURPOSE,

To explore all aspects of the mystical, spiritual DIVINE and to excite one another with our unique expressions of what we see/feel/taste/sense/remember as we go along.

 

YES, there it is! I see that little light flickering in your heart’s memory too. Go there…it’s your work!

 

© Aluta continua, as they say.  A Heart Full of Stories, 2017

 

 

 

 

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Whilst we don’t know the origin of the pic above, all respect and due credit are hereby given where appropriate. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lee-Ann Mayimele and A Heart Full of Stories with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. All media rights and copyright for the words reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

I Believe (Another Reflection)

I believe in vintage clothes, antique furniture, old tea sets and dusty old books.

I believe that our talents evolve, our fantasies change, our goals shift.

I believe that allowing ourselves the space to recreate ourselves is a great indulgence.

I believe in a vision, mission and life policy that allows for edits.

I believe in the smell of babies.

I believe in prayer. 

I believe that your energy introduces you before you speak.

I believe in speaking out, even when my voice shakes.

I believe that humility and gratitude will always be fashionable.

I believe in soft light, soft music, soft perfumes.

I believe in surrender.

I believe in coffee.

I believe that sometimes no one knows exactly what you are going through. And, that’s totally okay! 

© A Heart Full of Stories, 2017

I Believe in Rituals II

I believe in rituals.

I believe that our talents evolve, our fantasies change, our goals shift.

I believe that allowing ourselves the space to create freely is a great indulgence.

I believe in a vision, mission and life policy that allows for edits.

I believe in the smell of babies.

I believe that “I understand” are among the most beautiful, healing words.

I believe in filtering the news.

I believe in avoiding traffic and people who complain.

I believe in tv-less bedrooms.

I believe in taking sides.

I believe in potato chips with mayo.

I believe that you can’t un-spill the water.

I believe in overdrafts.

I believe in routine maintenance.

I believe in self investment.

I believe in self-promotion.

I believe in talk radio.

I believe that humility and prayer will always be fashionable.

I believe in soft light, soft music, soft perfumes.

I believe in mentorship.

I believe in surrender.

I believe in less sugar, less tv, less hair processing.

I believe in ginger chai.

I believe in instrospection.

I believe in Tobasco sauce.

I believe that scrolling on your smart phone during church is sad.

I believe in cupping and dry body brushing.

I believe that sometimes no one knows exactly what you are going through, and that’s okay.

© A Heart Full of Stories, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lee-Ann Mayimele and www.aheartfullofstories.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

I Believe in Champagne

I believe in Champagne

I believe that lasagne has super powers

I believe in pink

I believe in angels

I believe that good hair makes you feel like a princess

I believe in photo albums, walks on the beach and being silly

I believe that travel is the best university

I believe that hard work, modesty, good manners and a black pencil skirt will never go out of fashion

I believe in saying thank you

I believe that life is simple and that intimacy heals

I believe in mascara, drinking water, immersing myself in my lover’s warmth

I believe in taking risks, asking for directions, accepting gifts

I believe in change

I believe in avocado

I believe that God is in my children

I

I Believe in observing local custom

I believe in observing local custom

 

I believe my jeans don’t fit because I eat too much.  I believe in eating too much

 

I believe in smoked salmon, fresh salmon, shellfish and other squiggly beings drenched in lemon butter

 

I believe in a black suit

 

I believe in hedging my bets

 

I believe that heart break is physically painful

 

I believe that frenemies have their place

 

I believe that emotional intelligence is under rated

 

I believe in the power of names. I believe that South Africa is crying for a name

 

I believe that I write from my heart

 

I believe that my heart can touch other hearts

 

I believe that the group decision making is for wimps

 

I believe in karaoke

 

I believe in walking away from dead chemistry

 

I believe that the difference between expats and immigrants is yet to be clarified

 

I believe in wedding ceremonies, baby dedications, barmitzvahs and other rites of passage

 

I believe in public displays of affection

 

I believe that sometimes the heart gets it wrong

 

I Believe in Khalil Gibran

I believe in Khalil Gibran

I believe in asking for favours

I believe that your little black book is your real value

I believe in Queen Rania

I believe in asking for introductions

I believe in cold calling

I believe in faking it until you make it

I believe in convertibles

I believe in Truffle Oil

I believe that “burn out” is more common than we realise

I believe in random acts of kindness

I believe in giving anonymously

I believe in cranberry juice

I believe in Persian carpets, essential oils and a good Hammam session

I believe in NDA’s, MOU’s and SLA’s

I believe in agreements based on handshakes

I believe in frequent hand washing

I believe in allowing kids to challenge the opinion of adults

I believe in discipline

I believe in allowing the eldest in the family the best seat at the table

I believe in the hashtag #sorrynotsorry

I believe in the women that have gone before me

I believe in the women that have gone before me.

I believe in proper spelling and full sentences.

I believe in using punctuation.

I believe in kaftans, turbans, doeks and head wraps.

I believe in bookclub. I believe that bookclub should be 10% about books.

I believe in space cleansing.

I believe that each time my ego has driven my decision, I have not made the right call.

I believe in emojis.

I believe in making lists.

I believe in scheduling.

I believe in chance meetings.

I believe that I don’t need to explain myself to morons.

I believe that not everyone gets my drift and that that’s okay.

I believe in my essence.

I believe in eating the topping off pizza, the caramel off Twix and the leaving the merinque on the side of the plate after devouring the lemon tart.

I believe that chivalry is not dead.

I believe that where attention goes, energy flows.

I Believe in Rituals

I believe in rituals.

I believe that our talents evolve, our fantasies change, our goals shift.

I believe that allowing ourselves the space to create freely is a great indulgence.

I believe in a vision, mission and life policy that allows for edits.

I believe in the smell of babies.

I believe that “I understand” are among the most beautiful, healing words.

I believe in filtering the news.

I believe in avoiding traffic and people who complain.

I believe in tv-less bedrooms.

I believe in taking sides.

I believe in potato chips with mayo.

I believe that you can’t un-spill the water.

I believe in overdrafts.

I believe in routine maintenance.

I believe in self investment.

I believe in self-promotion.

I believe in talk radio.

I believe that humility and prayer will always be fashionable.

I believe in soft light, soft music, soft perfumes.

I believe in mentorship.

I believe in surrender.

I believe in less sugar, less tv, less hair processing.

I believe in ginger chai.

I believe in instrospection.

I believe in Tobasco sauce.

I believe that scrolling on your smart phone during church is sad.

I believe in cupping and dry body brushing.

I believe that sometimes no one knows exactly what you are going through, and that’s okay.

© A Heart Full of Stories, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lee-Ann Mayimele and www.aheartfullofstories.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.