OCEAN THERAPY: Refresh, Relax & Restore.

Going through my photography archives, I am always drawn to my images of the beach.
Wherever there is soft sand, salt water, crashing waves and sea air, that is where I love to be!
For me, the beach is a place of physical and mental therapy; the salt water on my skin, the clean sea air in my lungs, the rhythmic sounds of the ocean and the sea birds.

The plethora of sensory stimuli as I sit near, walk along, swim in, watch and listen to the ocean, fills me with a sense of calm and clarity.

No matter where I am along the stunning Australian coastline, the result is always the same; I come away feeling refreshed, relaxed and restored both physically and mentally.

I can't think of a place I would rather be.

Where is the place you are most drawn to??



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BEACH THERAPY

It's no secret that the beach is my favourite place. Whether I'm walking along the shore (camera in hand), swimming in the ocean or sitting listening to the waves crashing on the rocks; it is therapy for the body, mind and spirit. 

"Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone." - Unknown

"The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul." - Robert Wyland

"The ocean is a mighty harmonist." - William Wordsworth

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Which Voice Are You Listening To??

For years I believed that my ex-husband's abuse and adultery were my fault; that his sins and choices were my responsibility. If only I had been a better wife, a better lover, a better person...
The voice of shame accused me of failure at every turn.

The day he left, he said, "No one will ever want a woman with four children!" 

And the voice of shame agreed!

“He would have stayed if you were someone worth staying for,”  I was taunted by the voice of shame.

“It's all your fault that your oldest son became a drug addict. You are a terrible mother!” I was accused, by the condemning voice of shame again.

I was tossed around by the stormy waves of life...

Snapper Rocks, Gold Coast, QLD

For a long time, I believed these lies! I felt unworthy, unwanted, unlovable, unacceptable and judged.

I felt the shame of my marriage failing, the shame of being a single mother, the shame of my life not going according to my dreams...

Through another situation in a Christian workplace, I allowed people to take advantage of me; because I still didn't know my value and worth in God, and as a person.

I worked very hard through prayer with my pastors, and through counselling with my psychologist to come to the realisation and acceptance that the accusations and feelings of shame were totally unfounded and untrue.
I am NOT responsible for the choices of others... I am only responsible for my own actions and   choices.

I know I am not perfect, however I also know that I made the right choice to raise my children on my own. Our home was a safe haven; a place of love, acceptance, laughter, peace, joy and wonderful memories. My children were happier and more settled.

The voice of shame seeks to belittle and destroy us.

However, the voice of Truth seeks to build us up and speak life into us!

Sunset looking across the Blackall Ranges from Kondalilla National Park, QLD

I recently read an article on this very topic. These words really spoke to me:

"God whispers to the hearts of His beloved: Don’t pay attention to those feelings of shame — they don’t belong to you. Shame is nothing more than the scheme of darkness.

The author of Revelation refers to Satan as 'the accuser' for good reason. One of his nastiest tricks is to blame the inflicted for sin committed against them. He pummels our minds and hearts with twisted condemnations wanting to shift our focus away from our hope in Christ."

Sunset on the Hastings River, Port Macquarie, NSW

The voice of Truth gives us peace, hope, comfort, purpose and so much more. It seeks to encourage and not condemn.


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Bless Them Anyway

A very wise friend of mine recently encouraged me to respond to a very negative situation in a different way. After sharing with her a very angry message I received by text, her advice was;

"Allow their words to fall to the ground as dead seeds that cannot take root." 

I was encouraged to look beyond the behaviour and words, to the pain these people are feeling (I was aware of their pain, but it had nothing to do with me).
As the saying goes, "Hurting people hurt people."     Isn't that the truth!

It's incredible how much my friend's words touched my heart. I was understandably deeply hurt by their message, however I chose to respond in love; I chose not to react to their anger, as it wasn't about me. Instead I chose to pray blessing on them. I chose to pray that God would soften their hearts and break down their walls of hurt. I still choose to pray blessing on them, because they need to be blessed.

 

  

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who falsely accuse you and persecute you," ~ Matthew 5:44  

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A Day on the Harbour

I love discovering old images, not previously edited. These images are from my trip to Sydney in March 2014 for my older brother's 50th birthday.

An opportunity to reminisce about time spent creating cherished memories with family.

We took the Manly Ferry to Circular Quay. It was a perfect day on Sydney Harbour -- Blue skies, fluffy clouds, mild winds and sail boats.

Picture postcard perfect

Bridge climbers

Iconic views -- The Sydney Harbour Bridge and ferries

Sydney Opera House

Campbell's Cove at The Rocks

Cruise ships

All in all, a memorable day.

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