We live in a world that has so many time saving devices. Ovens, washing machines, dishwashers – they all dramatically decrease the time we spend on household chores. In turn, this means that we have far more time to spend on other endeavours. But after I spent two hours on the computer yesterday, I asked myself this question:

Has all my time saving devices been replaced with time wasting devices?

How easy it is to get trapped on the computer for hours on end. More often than not, I sit down with a specific purpose only to find some time later, that I have been aimlessly surfing the net.

Then there s all the other time wasters: Television, social media, computer games ect. It is so easy to fill our ‘spare time’ with these ‘time wasters’.

Did our ancestors really have it so bad? They may not have had all the mod cons’ but they worked hard, were forced to self sufficiency, and spent their off hours in communication with each other – face to face. They really knew each other, and the community in which they lived.

I’m not saying that we need to dump all our white goods. But perhaps we need place less significance on who wins the next reality TV show competition and more significance on our actual reality.

I finally got to see the end of the movie ‘The Way We Were.’ You know – Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford? For those who haven’t seen it, it’s supposed to be a love story. However, despite being completely in love the two characters can’t seem to get it together. Needless to say – it wasn’t a happy ending.

But it got me thinking about our perception of love. I think that Cinderella got it wrong, folk. She didn’t live happily ever after. When the ball was over she had to go home and work hard on her relationship. The Prince was used to having everything done for him, and she was a real doer. They were opposites. Don’t you think that would have put a bit of strain on the relationship?

Perhaps we throw the word ‘love’ around far too easily. ‘I love that new show on television.’ ‘I love my new shoes.’ ‘I love chocolate.’ ‘I love the football.’ ‘I love Hugh Jackman.’ (Okay – maybe we’ll overlook this one – who doesn’t love Hugh Jackman?)

My point is that love isn’t actually the sum of all the things we like. Love is what we do. And for love to work it has to be coupled with all the other really, really ‘hard stuff’, like patience, forgiveness, compromise, trust, honesty, humility, perseverance, kindness, faithfulness, sacrifice, ECT, ECT.

Jesus gave us a new commandment – ‘Love one another, as I have loved you.’ I think it is the hardest commandment for humanity. Not just because we are flawed, but because He loved us unconditionally. He was every challenging emotion rolled into one word – Love. He didn’t just say it; He did it. He showed every bit of the ‘hard stuff’ in action.

So I guess for love to work we must also commit to the ‘hard stuff.’ Otherwise, just like Katie and Hubble (Barbara and Robert) we’ll eventually drift apart. Don’t let your memories be of ‘the way we were.’ Let them be of ‘the way we are together.’ Be prepared to accept that Love isn’t a fairytale. It’s the sum of all that ‘hard stuff.’

If you’re travelling along a road it seems that, no matter how well the bitumen is laid there will be a bump or two, (If you’re travelling along a North Queensland road there are a lot of bumps.)But what if the road was a constant run of smooth surface? What if there wasn’t a single bump to be felt? What if you never met a single other vehicle travelling along that road and you went from destination to destination without contact with anyone? Sure- the ride would be smooth. But how boring would it be? Most of us would fall asleep from the inactivity and dullness.

I’ve been thinking lately about how much life is like a bumpy road. We all complain about the ride, but what if we were faced with the alternative? We wouldn’t have relationships, wouldn’t be challenged; wouldn’t build perseverance or character – we would all literally fall asleep from boredom.

As the song says – ‘life is a highway’ and there will always be ‘bumps’ along the way, and sometimes it seems as though those bumps are unpassable chasms – but they aren’t. Because while you’re still on the ride – you’re learning, you’re loving, you’re building character, and something even greater – you’re living.

So, if you’re having trouble negotiating a difficult patch of road today don’t try to go around it – embrace it, and just remember – with each patch of hardship you are slowly trading up from a tin can hatchback to an off –road cruiser. Take heart in a journey that is only enhanced with every ‘bumpy’ experience.

 “Mum, is this a dream?” My five year old asked me recently. “Is what a dream?” I needed clarification. It was the middle of the afternoon and I was finishing off some urgent office work before going upstairs to start dinner. “You know. Me, you, here.” His answer was intriguing enough for me to stop what I was doing and give him my full attention. “What do you mean?” Needless to say I was confused. He swished his arms around in the dramatic fashion he was prone to, “Here. This. Where we are. Is it a dream?” I smiled. “No darling, we’re all real.” I kissed him on the head. My answer must have satisfied him because he happily went back to his drawing. I knew from experience that more questions would have followed had I not been specific enough for him.

But the unusual exchange got me thinking later. A dream is very real to us until we wake up from it, even though we all think we know the difference between dream and reality. The realities of living get shoved down our throats every moment of the day. As a contrast the saying: ‘We’re just spiritual beings having a human experience’, holds some significant weight in the world, even for those without faith.

So, here’s the interesting question contemplated by a five year old: Is life the dream? Is death indeed the awakening we all share? Those with faith know that humanity isn’t the end. It’s just a stopover. Reality is the spirit within. A faith in God is the difference between having a window into the awakening, as well as living in the dream.

I’m starting to understand better when Jesus said: ‘anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it.’ Sometimes a simple pondering holds an essential answer.

 My friend just sent me a YouTube link of a whale rescue. A group of researches happened across a whale, almost dead and entangled in a fishing net. They set about unravelling the encumbrance in order to free the animal. I sat watching through tears as this massive beast swum to freedom. Regardless of its obvious exhaustion, the whale jumped and slammed its bulk in a spectacular display of thanks to its rescuers.

This made me think about us humans. We may not all be physically entangled in a net, but emotional baggage, un-forgiveness, bitterness, jealousy, ect ect ect; it can all force us into a nearly dead state. Depression, sadness, hardship; they are all so prevalent in today’s world. It made me realise how truly blessed I am. My faith in God is the biggest and best part of who I am. There is nothing I ever have to go through or face alone. What a blessing, what a promise, WHAT A RESCUE.

It’s one of my husband’s more colourful expressions. In spite of the fact that we live in tropical North Queensland, this saying is thrown around our house on a regular basis. It is mostly applied when warning others to stay out of trouble, avoid danger, or shun the pitfalls of life. Of cause there are many other words of wisdom: ‘Make a peewee fight an emu’ is one I have recently used in my writing, and my Dad’s favourite and highly poignant saying: ‘You never see a hearse pulling a trailer.’

The point of it all? –  We Aussies love a saying. Life’s lessons disguised as humourous analogies that makes us laugh. It’s the larrikin way, tackling the serious problems with a good dose of light-hearted poetry. I love it. It reminds me of who we are and where we’ve come from.

If you have any favourites to share please leave a comment and let me know. (No rude ones please – we all know they’re out there but I prefer the clean and repeatable.)

Will also leave you with this perla: When recently discussing the state of our political leaders it was agreed that they; ‘couldn’t run a choko vine over a chook house’. LOL.

How wonderful it would be if we could borrow Mary Poppins umbrella. The instant our children required discipline we could tap into its magic making horrible medicine taste delicious and badly treated toys come to life. Inspiration and fun would be presented at the flick of a wrist. Lessons would be learnt and undying love acquired in the process. What I learnt from Mary wasn’t anything to do with magic but confirmation of a parenting truth – to discipline is to love. We mere mortals don’t have Mary’s powers, we have to muddle though tantrums and defiance by human means. Weather you are battling the terrible twos or an uncommunicative teenager, never forget that each time you discipline your child through effective means you show them how much you love them. So if, like me, you are worn down and imagining life with Mary’s umbrella – be assured that you are not alone. We may not have Mary’s magic, but we love our children far more than she ever will.

I have recently acquired a new, super, you buet iPhone. It’s a wonderful contraption jam-packed with features that blow the mind. The problem is that the addition of the new technology to our household has had some serious side-effects.

My husband has accused me (more than once) of becoming socially inept. His concern that the phone is being checked in far too regular intervals has led me to monitor my behaviour, and much to my dismay, he was right.

 Before the iPhone I had to walk downstairs to the office, turn on the compter and wait for the checking of my email. But now the phone is conveniently within reach and the check requires just the touch of the screen. But hang on – is it really necessary? Am I waiting on an urgent e-mail or is it something deeply Freudian – like the simple thrill of acknowledgement? Are we all – just like the Jimmy Buffett song says – “So connected, but all alone”?

If I am sitting with my husband (or anyone else for that matter) is it really necessary to have the iPhone hovering nearby? According to my husband, it is a slight on his company that the conversation is regularly abandoned for the little white contraption. Could he have a very wise point?

Is it better to give my full attention to the person who has taken the time to be with me, loves me, is interested in me and is waiting to hear my point of view? Or do I cast that aside for blur of the internet?

If, like me you have unconsciously bought into the iPhone madness please take a moment to reflect and next time, put it away and only answer it if it rings – trust me –  it won’t kill you.

Our wonderful neighbours have allowed us to trim the top of their tree. While it wasn’t a problem to have a hindered view, and the Jacaranda was a lovely substitute for the ocean (I very much enjoy the spectacular lavender flower it produces each year), now that the view lies unhindered, I have gained a surprising revelation: Water is good for the spirit. Previously I would enter the house numerous times a day without stopping – quick, quick, quick – busy, busy, busy. Now I stop, enjoy the view of Sunset Bay, take a moment to reflect on how blessed I am, then continue on my way with a renewal of spirit.

At a time of emotional upheaval it has been a lovely addition to my life. The sunrise over the ocean horizon reminds  me that the Lord has given me the day. That His creation is there to be enjoyed and give blessing. Please stop this day and look around you to de-stress – it’s been given to you for the taking.