good thing to do #1: stare at yourself as a kid
I found this photo recently. I’ve just finished making my Dad a coffee-table photo book about his life for his 60th birthday (actually it’s mostly about his six kids because that’s what he took pictures of for most of his life) using Blurb.com. Which is another story. For another day.
Anyway, I found this picture in the process and I stared at it for a while. It’s me. But I’m little. And such different things were going through my little head. At least I think there were. I’m not sure if it’s narcissistic, but it’s very comforting to stare into the eyes of the kid you were. The exterior is so different, but somehow you can still see the essence of you in the eyes.
A nice reminder of the impermanence of exterior me, or little “i”, and the constant that is the you underneath, or big “i”.
On another note, what WAS I about to do with that sausage???
What was it like growing up with 5 siblings?
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Isn’t Blurbthe best? I did up a book for my sister last year as a memory book about her animals (two died), so addictive, so much fun and such a treasure ’cause it’s so personal.
You are so cute in that photo, I love the innocence of of not knowing what’s ahead when I look at mine
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Haha, love it- so true. There’s this photo of me in preschool pouting angrily at the camera. And I mean furious. At the time I didn’t know that you’re only meant to put your pretty face on for school pictures and that fury faces should be reserved for the family only. If only I knew then what I know now, I would’ve smiled like an angel. That’s what I do now anyway… except that the stubborn me with the impatient pout will always lurk somewhere underneath and rear its ugly head when I’m tired and stressed.
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Funny! I’ve just been having a sort through of all my old photos too and found one of those old Pixifoto of my older sister and I after having haircuts. My mum always cut our hair incredibly short “to bring out the curl” – all very well for me who actually had curls (and was still young enough to have a bit of cuteness left to make up for the hair) but my poor sister with her dead straight hair and shirt buttoned up to the top, well she just looks like a young man. I texted her about my find and she came back with the retort that at least she wasn’t wearing a hat that made her head look like an onion (one of another early favourite photos..of hers). Well at least I can take the hat off, I thought.
Thanks for the memories Sarah, what a fab idea for a birthday pressie!
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Hey Sarah great post i really like your blog you post some great stuff
-Brad
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yea when I look at my photos I remember alot of the good funs ti,es ive had and think bout 1 particular person. I actually think bout my friends alot and I cherish them to bits even my old school mates. coz friends mean alot and to me everytime I make a new 1 like i have with you n linda it enriches my life a whole lot more it drives me to become a better person. its even better if I get to meet the ppl ive spoken to. so I do hope to b able to get that chance 1 day with u n linda.
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Hi Sarah,
I’m not sure how else to contact you, other than to write in snail-mail, and then one never knows if the person gets it, in amongst no doubt the ‘towers’ of mail which arrives on your desk every day!
Your column in Sunday Life is such a pleasure to read over the luxury of lingering the Sunday breakfast. And I am so thrilled and optimistic that it appears on a prime spot in a mainstream newspaper. Surely, this is a sign of the times!
Today you talked about think-time, and I just wanted to share with you a workshop I did yesterday called: ‘Intimacy in Motion’, a ’5 rhythms’ dance workshop run by Madhuma Thompson, which definitely quieted the ever intrusive interpreting mind, allowing me to be in the moment enough for that ‘space’ you talked about, in which to dream and create. So we don’t necessarily have to go to Bali or spend a lot of money and time, to get those breaks, so essential to our well-being and balance. (and I’m sure you know that!). The beauty of ’5 Rhythms’ (originally created by Gabrielle Roth) is that it takes us to our core nature, exercising our body and emotions, massaging the Soul, exorcising the demons of stress, ego-mania and the usual culprits which erode our modern life-styles, turning them into a race-course where one can only live on the surface of, speeding from one moment to the next, and missing the intimacy and blessed-ness of each moment.
Thank you so much for your work, keep on keepin’ on!
All the best,
Candy Spender
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