Sunrise

Well worth getting up early this morning, when we see this kind of colour in the sky. 😃

Make an Effort, Not an Excuse

In life, we either make an effort, or we make an excuse. Results are proof of the effort you’ve made. You’re not fooling anyone, either. The fruit you bear, is the result you show. Whether you put in effort or excuses, it’s seen by everyone who comes into contact with you. 

You have a choice to live in mediocrity, or in greatness. You can be productive, or non-productive. You can be happy, or unhappy. It’s all in the choices you make. How you spend your time, tells you and those around you, who you are. 

There’s plenty of free online stuff, which will help you achieve breakthrough, in any area of your life. And if you’re truly unhappy, there is help available. You just have to make yourself available of it. 

There’s no shame in wanting greatness either and greatness is different for everyone. For some, greatness is the mansion on the hill. For others, it’s the ‘quiet achiever,’ where things get done, but no one outside yourself, know about it.

You can complain and wallow in self-pity, or you can go after what it is you want out of life. How you utilize your time tells the truth of how much you really want, what it is your going after and commitment shows up in your life, by what you do. 

If you want to lose weight, stop smoking, become fitter and more energetic, but still eat cake, light a cigarette, and lounge around in your pj’s all day, it shows your commitment isn’t there. You can make a commitment towards your desire, but you won’t change the result of your life, unless you do something, unless you act on your commitment.

The word commitment, intimidates a lot of people. People who may have failed already, struggle to try again. People say they’ll try, but trying isn’t doing. You either do, or you don’t. There’s no such thing as try…no excuse is acceptable, outside of your commitment. 

Commitment is hard to do, especially if it’s something new and your nervous, but it’s good to stretch yourself, past your comfort zone. Just remember; if it’s hard, do it hard. Even if it’s difficult, inconvenient, cold, or wet, don’t give up on your commitment. 

Often people find reasons to quit, making excuses, rather than putting in effort. Once you give up on your commitment, it weakens you mentally and you’re less likely to sustain the effort, next time round. That’s why people don’t bother making new year resolutions; they’ve quit so many times, they don’t bother any more. 

Dreams are the same. When you don’t keep your commitment, it weakens your faith in yourself and you let the dream die, without giving it the major push, that might just get you there. 

When you say you’ll do something, do it, even if it’s just as simple as time management. Managing your time is highly important to achieving your dreams. If you can’t manage something as simple as time, how are you going to manage the big issues that crop up; The challenges to your dreams and the brick walls, that are trying to stop you from arriving at your destination?

When you’re constantly late, your displaying to the people around you, your time is more valuable than their time. It’s generally taken as selfishness. When you consistently arrive late, or leave early, you’re showing a lack of respect and a propensity to tardiness, laziness and sluggishness. You show you can’t be depended upon, because you don’t keep your word.

Try commitment, one time. Commit yourself to something, just one thing and follow through regardless of discipline it takes. Focus and harness your attention and make it a priority. Make your commitment important. Keep that commitment before you. Once you succeed at your first commitment, you’ll want to keep at it, trying more and more new things in life and life becomes more exciting and less mundane, as you strive to achieve. 

Exercise your will and find one action, one step, that challenges you. Make sure it’s doable, so you can see results. Start small and increase, as you go along. Don’t start too big, or you’ll quit, as it’ll be too overwhelming. Expand each session and build from there.

If it’s weight you want to lose, don’t look at the 25 kilos, or 50 kilos. Look at starting with 1 kilo. That’s doable. Then you can work on another kilo and then another.  If it’s saving, start small. Save $2, then $5, then $10 and before you know it, you’ll be saving hundreds of dollars. 

Perhaps you want to travel, write a book, or go to college. What one step could you do today, that will move you closer to your goal? It takes discipline, but it can be done.

Make it manageable. How can you manage to do a little bit more, every day? Have someone to which you will be accountable, a friend who will support you, but won’t let you get away with anything. Have contingency plan, a list of things to do, when things go wrong.

If you don’ know what to do, think instead, of what you would do, if you did know what to do. Come up with something, anything. You can fine tune it later. Brain storm, if you need to, but gather ideas and work on them, until you have a solution. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. Challenge yourself to find results, to find other ways, to make it work.

I know I’ve harped on about commitment, but you’ll only make a difference, when you are committed and when you put yourself in the situation and tackle it. Be willing to be disappointed, until life gives it up and you get what you’ve gone after. Regroup, if you’ve failed and go at it again. Refuse to give up on your dream. 

Most of us decide on something if it’s safe, or popular. But what if it’s right? What if it’s right for you. That doesn’t mean quit your job, if you have a family to support, but look at ways you can build a business, or your craft, until it grows to where you can go full time.

If you do decide to go for it, remember, it takes a great deal of courage to stand against what’s safe and popular. The position might be uncomfortable, it might not even go the way you want. Can you live with that? Can you suffer the worst and come out stronger, or do you think the risk is too great? At the end of the day, are you going to say, I wish I had, or I’m glad I did? Start small if you need to, to keep your sanity (and family), intact. Be mindful of those who are relying on you. 

At the end of the day, what if you gave it your best and failed? Firstly, you didn’t fail, you just found a way not to do it next time. Sure, you’ll be discouraged and frustrated, but don’t let that define you. You gave it a shot and that’s more than a lot of people would do. 

Then take responsibility, assess the situation, ask yourself what happened and don’t judge yourself. Pick yourself up and decide if you could give it another go. 

Perhaps you need to take a little time out and then you can start again. Perhaps you need more knowledge, more money, more time. Perhaps you’d like to try something different. In the end, work on your dream and don’t lose the dream. Change it, if it’s needed, but don’t quit.  

You may not be a professional yet, but keep going. One day you will be. Enjoy where you are, while striving to get where you’re going. Then forget your failures of yesterday. That’s been and done. We only have right now. Work on this moment. Think only of the best, work as best you can, forget your mistakes and look to the future.

Commit to stretch and get out of your comfort zone and don’t worry about what people think about you. In the end, who cares? Sure, there may be some who talk about you for a week of two, but they’ll move on to someone else very quickly. 

Your life has meaning and you have something to contribute. You have something to offer, to achieve, to perform and experience. Look within and make a commitment for health, and happiness, and to make a difference in your community. Don’t just go with the flow. Live with intention.

You don’t have to start as a master, or an expert, you just have to start. Wherever you are in life right now, decide you’re going to commit to something and then honour your commitment.

When Opportunity Knocks;

If you wish to strive to be your most capable and proficient; working to maximize your time and strengths toward achieving your goals in life, strategic planning will help you get there.

Strategic planning helps you break down your goals, into manageable actions. Complex issues, big issues, issues that you haven’t been able to face, become simpler and easier, when you have an action plan in place.

When you decide to make an action plan, questions come to the fore and strategic planning, helps you focus on the issue and helps draw your mind to asking the right questions. Questions such as; what’s the first step I need to take? What would stop me from taking that step? How can I manage this, so I can take that first step? What would be the next step? If I can’t afford it, what do I need to do, to be able to afford it? If I don’t have the time right now, how can I make time? 

These questions are many and varied and will help you formulate a plan, which will take you closer to achieving your desired outcome. And you may not get it perfectly right the first time, but every time you try, you’ll get closer to your desired result. Take the time, to acquire the knowledge, so you will be ready when opportunity knocks. 

When you try to manage the issue, as a whole, it can feel overwhelming. So, observe what it is you want. Prepare a plan, that will take you where you want to go. Work the plan you’ve prepared and use the strategies you’ve come up with, to achieve the desired result.

Strategic planning, lines up your objectives with your actions. Without it you’re just shooting from the hip and hoping for the best. Shooting from the hip, is not the kind of planning that will get you where you want to be. 

Write your action plan. Writing it makes it clear and you’re less likely to get side tracked, once you have your objective in front of you. And it must be in front of you. Put your written plan, where you can view it every day and this will keep it fresh in your mind. See yourself achieving the dream, as this gives you the motivation, on difficult days, to continue to strive. 

You can wish all you like, but it’s action that gets you there! It's not wishbone, that gets you there. It's backbone, that gets you there. It’s having the right formula, the right steps, to propel you towards your goal. Being side tracked with other affairs, won’t help move toward your goal. Your time becomes more efficient, when you have a plan in place. 

You may not know what your desire is, or what goals you’d like to achieve. To you I would say; if you had unlimited time and unlimited money, what would you be doing today? (Lazing on the beach sipping pinacolato’s doesn’t count because, believe it or not, you would be bored in a couple of weeks or months.) 

Your dream, your desire, is something that should fulfil and satisfy you. Your goal now, is to create the steps, to make your dream your reality. And sometimes, you might have to put your dream on hold for a year or two, while other things are in play, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start learning more on the topic of your choice. The internet has plenty of free stuff, to get you started.

So – what are you waiting for? Take action now and turn your dreams, into your reality!

 

Autumn is well and truly here...

With autumn in full swing, my garden is still looking lovely. 😀

Quick and Easy, Creamy Mushroom Soup

Serves 4. Cooking and prep; 15-20 minutes

Ingredients;

3 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 finely chopped shallot

500 gm sliced mushrooms

2 tablespoons flour (any kind you have on hand)

3 cups chicken stock

Salt and pepper to taste

Cream (roughly 1 tablespoon per person) and chives to garnish

Method;

Fry the first 5 ingredients from the above list, until mushrooms are soft.

Add the chicken stock, salt and pepper.

Blend 2/3 of the mixture, until smooth.

Stir remaining 1/3 of the mixture.

Serve either singly, or in a soup taurine and drizzle cream around the centre of the dish.  

Garnish with chopped chives. 

I'm not sure if this is breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 😁

Bean salsa, chili bacon and brussels, as well as capsicum and corn frittata. I don't think it matters when I eat it, I know I'll enjoy it. 

Mansfield Reserve, Bowral

We've certainly had some beautiful days, for walking. At least it's something we can enjoy, as we spend our days in lockdown. 😁

Isolation

With this back garden, who wouldn't enjoy isolation. 😀😄

My thoughts on success.

Are you struggling with success, or rather lack of it?

I’d like to speak to you about success. Do you think you’re reaching your full potential? What is success anyway?

Success is different for everyone. To me, success is being happy where you are, while striving to get where you’re going. Success isn’t necessarily having the biggest home, or the latest car, although some people see that as success.

I feel successful, although I only own a modest home and drive an older model car. I’m comfortable financially and although I work, I feel I have a good work/life balance. I feel successful, because most of the time I do what I love. Sure, there’s bills to pay and housework to do, but most of time, I do what I love. And I enjoy good health…what’s more important than that! (Although even that, doesn’t have to define your success.)

Am I where I want to be yet? No, but I continue to strive and I’m doing what I love and what makes me happy, as I work towards my personal dream, the dream I envisioned for my life. I’m financially comfortable. I have good relationships with family and friends. I work on what I’m passionate about, throughout my week and I’m happy and content. For me, that is success. 

What’s my dream, you might ask? My dream was to become an author and I have achieved that, a number of times. My dream now, is to become an author, where book sales support my lifestyle. That’s the thing with dreams, they’re flexible and changeable.

I have a very nice job. It’s not my dream job, but I like it and it keeps the roof over my head, while I work towards ‘the best seller.’ Having a job you like, is also a form of success. It’s so much nicer to work in a job you like, rather than one you hate. If you hate your job, changing your job, might be the first goal you set, towards becoming successful.

You see, success isn’t linear. It’s not stagnant and in one place, but covers many different aspects of one’s life. To be truly successful, I think you need to know you can cope with what life throws your way. To be successful, as I said, is about having a comfortable lifestyle, with good relationships, a job which you like (or a business, if that’s your dream). It’s about finding peace in the storm and remaining calm, no matter what. It’s about creativity, love, joy, passion and purpose. And if you can reach this point, you’re in the small minority. Not many people in the world, have this level of peace.

So how did I get here? Quite simply; I followed biblical principles. I went from complete looser, where I was so depressed because I couldn’t seem to make anything work, to so joyous, that even on a bad day, you couldn’t knock me off my perch, or steal that joy.

Every day, I feel truly grateful, for that second chance at life and I thank God, for His word, love, provision, help, passion and comfort. It didn’t happen any other way, but through reading my bible and believing what God’s word said, about me, about life, about love, blessings and protection. 

Does that mean everything I’ve tried has worked? No. failure is the step you take, before success. So, if you fail at something, don’t let it stop you. Tell yourself, you’ve just found one way not to do it and get back on the horse. Try, try, try again. Eventually you will win. 

There’s a lot of information about success, on the internet. Many different ways of getting there. And I think I tried most of them, before coming to the bible and seeing that particular one, work in my life. The bible is the success manual for living, although most of us don’t believe it. And I was one of those people. I didn’t believe the bible was for me, however, at the end of the line and with no where else to turn, I prayed and it literally turned my life around. 

You need a mental transformation and the bible will give you that. You need to know what to do, in different situations and the bible will give you that. The bible teaches you nothing is impossible and if you serve the God of the impossible, He will make everything possible in your life. 

If you have a dream, it’s most likely God given. Write your dream, for the bible tells us to write our dream and make it plain. Work out the steps it’s going to take, to turn your dream into your reality. Make sure the dream has purpose and passion, for if it doesn’t, you’ll quit during the rainy season, when the going gets tough.

You write your dream, so you can keep it before you and so you can see what you’re aiming for, because nothing changes until your mind changes. Change how you see yourself, change how you think about yourself and seeing your written goal, will give you the momentum to keep going, when you feel it’s too hard, too much, or too slow. 

You know, we’re not put on this earth, to work, pay our bills and die. We’re here to create, love and enjoy life. So, find your passion, write it down, look at it every day, work towards the steps, which will help you get there and never quit. 

You’re created to live with meaning and purpose, not drudgery and boredom. Discover your potential and build on it. If you don’t have a dream, pray that God gives you one. Think about what you love and enjoy doing. How can you turn that into your passion? Your passion doesn’t necessarily mean you have to make money, either. If you love it and love to do it, then go for it.

These small steps are half the fun, for it’s the journey you’re on, which brings fulfilment, not the destination. The destination is the reward once you arrive, so don’t stop in the arrival lounge. Set another goal and take another journey. 

I’ve had so many fun things happen to me along the way; things I never thought would, or could happen. I’ve spoken to trading guru’s – at least conversed by mail. I’ve spoken and sung, in public – something I never, ever thought I would do. I’ve even had a phone call from Arnold Schwarzenegger – Ok, it was a recorded message on my phone, but how many of us can say “Big Arnie called me!” It’s been a wild ride, with it’s ups and downs and I wouldn’t change it for the world.  And don’t rest on old stories of wild rides. Create new ones. 

I achieved my goal of running 10 k’s. I became a JP (Justice of the Peace), studied dressmaking, journalism and photography, as well as how to trade shares and have written many books and articles (and continue to do so). I failed at cycling from Bowral to Adelaide, (it wasn’t lack of preparedness, but lack of knowledge – see, I found the way not to do it next time). I’ve read my bible from cover to cover…four times – Ok, I get it. That’s not everyone’s idea of a goal. All I’m saying is, I’ve set and achieved a myriad of goals. Even before I finish one, I’m planning the next. 

I’ve always got new projects on the go. Sometimes they’re simple, like taking a bus ride, just for fun. Others are bigger, like renovating my home. Set your goal and work at it every day, and every day, you’ll make a little more progress to achieving it. So what if it takes five years? You’ll be five years older, in five years anyway.

Don’t let fear stop you. To quote the late Susan Jeffers; “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” 

Don’t wait! Make a start today! Live life to the fullest!  

Lonely

For those who are beside themselves, being shut in for two weeks, spare a thought for the lonely. There are lonely people all over the world, who live in isolation most of the time. Maybe, when life returns to normal, some of you might have the heart to visit the lonely. 

Our gorgeous big man...

Mr Kai McGubbles

Baked Beans, My Style.

                 Baked Beans, My Style

 

Serves: 4. Time: approx. I hour.

Ingredients for frying;

1 onion, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1 tsp garlic

1 chili (optional)

1 tbls olive oil

1 tsp sweet paprika

1 tbls white vinegar

1 ½ tsp honey

1/2 each of red, yellow and green capsicum, chopped

1 tin tomatoes to add after frying the above.

Further ingredients;

2 tins beans (white, or cannelloni, or butter beans. I’ve even used red kidney, although it changes the flavour slightly)

Grated cheese (parmesan, tasty or cheddar)

Crusty bread

Rosemary to garnish

Method;

Preheat oven to 225 degrees. 

Fry all the ingredients from the ingredients  for frying list. Once cooked through, blend to a paste, adding the tinned tomatoes last, after all else has been fried. 

Without blending, mix in the 2 tins of beans, including bean liquid. 

Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Add grated cheese to your satisfaction and mix through.

Tear crusty bread into chunky pieces and add to top of mix.

Sprinkle rosemary over dish and place in oven.

Cook for 15 minutes, or until crusts turn golden. 

©AlexandraGrose2020

Just a simple dish, but tasty.

Ravioli and roast pumpkin, with baby spinach, crushed walnuts and grated parmesan.

Strings in the Shadows

Strings in the Shadows, where the wolf of wall street meets biblical end times. A conspiracy theory, written by Alexandra Grose. 😀

How to have the best year

How to have the best year, in spite of what you’re facing. 

Some of the best things in life are free and as we face our time in isolation, all the rush and bustle of life, slowly grinds to a halt. What do we do now? We can’t go out, so now is the time to sit back and take stock of our life. 

Are you where you want to be, in life? Many people, who have lost their jobs, during the coronavirus, would say no, right now to this question. Many people already, were not living the life of their dreams, even before this world wide pandemic. 

So, now is the time to take stock, to think about what you want out of life and how to get there, from where you are at this point. 

For those with money worries, now is the time to think of new ideas for making money from home. What can you do at home, that could earn you some money? Do you have a hobby, that you could turn into a buck? What areas can you cut your spending down, to help you through this time of economic uncertainty?

For those who aren’t happy, in their job anyway, now is the time to think about studying something you’re passionate about. Even if, right at this moment, you can’t afford tuition, get a jump start, using all the free materials available on the internet. 

For some, you are stuck in relationships, which aren’t good for you, particularly if you’re both stuck at home together right now. What can you do about this? This is often a silent battle, where it doesn’t matter what you do, you’ll be found at fault. 

Some of you may not want to hear this, but the bible talks a lot, about building good relationships. If you’re not a reader, there’s a movie called; The War Room, which will tell you how to battle a relationship and win. 

If you could see the workings of God, with your own eyes, you may just find it’s a worthwhile pursuit. You know the saying…Don’t knock it, until you try it. 

Now is not a time for hoarding! It’s a time to share, to spread love and smiles and to be thinking of others. That doesn’t mean it has to cost.

If you’ve recently lost your job and are feeling useless, now is the time to add value, to yourself and to others, who’ve lost their job. 

We can add value to people, without cost; by a smile, by asking if they need anything, or just letting them know that you care, in a quick phone call, email, text message, or an online chat. Adding value, not only encourages, but also empowers. It empowers people to believe in themselves. Adding value, not only lifts the person you are in touch with, but lifts you also.

As the world worries; about the pandemic, about money, about how they’re going go survive the next few months, you can be the staunch rock, in their life. You can tell them, it will be alright, in the long run. You can let them know, this is just a blip, in the time line of life and we will move past it. You can be a shining light, in their darkness.

For those who feel they are sliding into depression, remember: You have the innovative power of God and you can use it, to bring change. You might need to think outside the box, but if you pose the question, your mind will bring forth the answer. 

People are scared at the moment. Scared of the virus, scared for their family and friends, scared of isolation, scared of financial ruin and scared of being homeless. Jesus knew what it was, to have great stress, and yet He still chose to serve. 

Right unto the last, He served, leading the man on the cross next to Him, into Paradise. If Jesus can serve, in that moment, we can serve, in this moment. And when we serve others, we serve Jesus. And when we bless Jesus, we’re blessed in return.

It was Jesus who said in Matthew 25:35-36 “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”

Matthew 25:37-39 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You a drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?”

Matthew 25:40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”’ (Holy Bible NKJV)

Don’t let your emotions control you, at this time. Put your character, over your comfort and don’t let go of your moral standards. It’s important to be unselfish, to be giving of what you can and to stand firm, in what you believe. And if we have nothing else to give, we can give value, for it costs nothing. 

How can you give value? Believe in people and in their potential. See things from their perspective and create an environment of encouragement. Look for ways to add value, every day. Think of things you might say or do, to add value. If you put your mind to it, you will think of something. Do things that add value and encouragement to people and encourage others to do the same.