New Plans - New Journey

photo credit

There are times when life takes you on a different journey, down unexpected pathways, along roads unplanned.... these journeys could be 'feared' for the changes they will bring - or they can be anticipated with willingness to experience the change.

I am realising that I was on my planned journey, the way I wanted to go... when those plans were interrupted.

In my work life, I spend quite a bit of time and energy promoting 'disruptive' change - innovation - for better outcomes in the public sector - which is well known for doing things the same old way because that's the way we've always done it.

Well, now it's time to live my own mantra.

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”
― Lao Tzu

I have a dream to be a champion for the women and girls of the village of Thirichuli. I like to visit them often to see how they are growing and developing, and I like to support the NGO that manages those programs. I was hoping to be there right now. I'm not. I'm currently still in Oz. I waited patiently for my paperwork. But it was time to change my plans. I'm about to leave for 6 weeks in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. I wont be volunteering - I'll be backpacking and experiencing.

Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”  Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

So, here I go... Anything can happen.... I may come back different... that might be a good thing. I'll try and keep you posted.

Ps. As I'm heading off to somewhere I've never been and really never thought about going to - I'd love any travel suggestions...

Change and Constant

 Rhubarb, Spinach, Mustard Leaves, Kale  & Banksia lower

 Lettuce, Leeks, Strawberries & Beets

 Mandarin Blossom

 Strawberry, Kale and Spinach Bouquet

Hugely Grateful to Becs, because her mentorship and garden advice has made gardening this season rewarding and I feel invigorated because the garden  in. Becs offered some gardening advice earlier this year, just when I was needing to give the garden a thorough re-start. As we head into spring, the garden is now brimming with yummy stuff. Sometime soon, we need to get chooks - cos Kale & egg muffins have been a fairly constant meal round here recently.  The above bouquet was my innovative strategy to get the strawberries inside without bruising them. If I leave them on the side until I get a basket, one  little four legged garden helper thinks they're for her!

I recently posted that my intent is to be travelling in the next 2 months - hopefully to visit the girls I support in India. It seems however there may be a hiccup to my plans - so while I wait [patiently] for word on paperwork, I am taking time to rest in the moment - see hope around me. When a friend asked me recently about how my plans were going, I responded that when I am still, and calm, and rest in the knowledge that there is a divine purpose in my being ready to leave - I am OK - BUT when I am not that person, I am frustrated because I am not in control - so it's time to just rest in the present.

View from my friends place.... enjoyed a BBQ here last week

Interest in Indian Literature

Very soon I hope to visit these girls again. They live in a remote village in Tamil Nadu India. I have been visiting for the past 8 year, watching them grow up, learn English, gain confidence in their studies and develop dreams of their own. Some of these girls had a difficult start to life, commencing work from as young as 4 years old. Most have come from very disadvantaged families. Yet through the accelerated learning program at the KGBV primary school, they are catching up and, in many cases, far outreaching their parents and siblings learning achievements. If you would like to join me in supporting these girls - check out my charity information on the top right of my home page.

So if I get to go to India soon, I could be there for up to 6 weeks. Quiet nights in the village mean lots of reading time (especially if there's a power outage). So I've started downloading my books. Along with my JLC reading list, I've got some Indian Literature also.

Sleeping on Jupiter

A Fine Balance: Rohinton Mistry

such a long journey

 

I have read many Indian novels in the past, never disappointed. Do you have any recommendations?