Julia Matheson
This is my first time sitting back on my computer in a very looong time.
I’ve come back from a little hiatus. Some time out to unwind, chill out and refuel. My body, and my spirit had been running on empty – yet I didn’t even realise it until I stopped. We often don’t realise how fried we really are until we have a moment to slow down, remove distractions, and truly BE with ourselves.
As promised in my last post, more on my underwater experience in Indonesia – this is something I will never ever forget . . .
The scene is set on a small island – Nusa Lembongan – off Bali’s south east coast. I am submerged 19 meters under the ocean, in a cove called Crystal Bay. I am in a parallel under-water world, feeling like an amphibian (or more accurately, a mermaid) – under the oceans surface, yet still breathing air.
I just LOVE travelling. For me, it’s honestly one of my greatest pleasures. And ironically, it feels like home to me.
I just returned from a wonderful trip to Bali, Indonesia. My head is still spinning a little from all the amazing experiences, adventures and conversations I had . . . but I’m going to attempt a little download, Part #1.
I find travelling the perfect time for reflection.
With travel comes time away from my every-day life, time to just be. No commitments, no appointments, nowhere to rush to, or work to get done. It’s a golden time that we don’t often get in our busy daily lives.
You may have already read the piece below floating around in cyber-space, but I encourage you to re-read it. See what fresh new perspectives come to you today. I have been thinking about many of these aspects since being away, and wanted to share it with you . . .
“The paradox of our time in history is that
We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment;
more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired,
read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We’ve added years to life, not life to years.
We’ve been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space.
We’ve done larger things, but not better things.
We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We write more, but learn less.
We build more computers
to hold more information
to produce more copies than ever,
but have less communication.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion;
tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare;
more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are days of two incomes, but more divorce;
of fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality,
one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do
everything from cheer to quiet, to kill.”
Every time I read this, it causes me to stop and think about my lifestyle, and the way our society has evolved.
We have greater progression, more information and faster technology – all designed to improve our lives. Yet while we receive many benefits, what are the hidden costs we pay?
I certainly identify some of my personal demons in this piece, and as I read it, I am reminded to slow down and take note of the important things in my life – my values, the person I choose to be, time in nature, my health (both physical and mental), and my relationships with others.
I am also reminded of my purpose behind the work that I do – by this line in particular: ‘We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life.’
What do these words highlight for you?
What are some of the high costs you pay for the way you choose to live? Think about areas of your life you are neglecting, or things you are currently missing out on.
Perhaps from this, you realise there is a shift you need to make in your current lifestyle. What are you committed to changing?
And from this shift, what are the benefits you look forward to reaping?
What do you have to gain by letting something go?
I am Australia bound in T-minus 2 days!
It’s been a year and a half since I’ve seen my loved ones – the longest time I’ve ever been away. It’s certainly been hard at times – home-sickness has definitely reared its uncomfortable head. But for the most part, it’s been fantastic, and I’m extremely proud of how well I’ve adapted to life abroad. But it’s time, it’s time to pay a visit to my roots.
How blessed I am to have a home that makes being away from so tainted. I know how lucky I am.
I will be home for a month, and when I return to Canada I will be relocating to Vancouver to pursue my career goals.
I’m excited to head home, but it also doesn’t yet feel real. I had my final day at work today, and saying my goodbyes to the team felt so surreal. Even as I write this, my place is filled with half-packed boxes & suitcases, but it still doesn’t feel like I’m really leaving. This always happens to me with big changes; it doesn’t sink in until after the fact. I know when my plane takes off on Tuesday afternoon that I will be overwhelmed with emotion, but for now I’m feeling a slight detachment, kind of like I’m watching from the outside in.
I am returning to the motherland to attend my best friend’s wedding. I’m so excited for that, what an incredible celebration it’s going to be! I’m also feeling anxious, as a close relative has just been in hospital for a biopsy and we are awaiting the results. This came as a real shock to us, I guess you can never prepare for these things. It’s so strange to feel two opposing emotions at the same time. But they both stem from love, which I guess makes sense that they can be experienced simultaneously.
I cant wait to be amongst the familiar – people and surroundings. To share home cooked meals with family, to smell the eucalyptus, to see the ocean again, to walk along the beach and feel the sand between my toes. But most of all I cant wait to hug my friends and family so tight – that’s what I’m really going home for.
This trip for me is all about ~
I know as soon as I arrive home that I will be grounded. Though in these final days before I leave, it’s going to be a struggle to stay present. My mind constantly wanders from such highs to lows – sometimes in the same breath. Excitement and anticipation are juxtaposed with anxiety and worry. It’s been a bizarre experience for me.
I need to ground myself, and make the most of my final days in my beautiful mountain town.
I’m just glad that in a few short days I will be where I need to be right now, home.
Now all I need to do is click my heels together three times . . .
There’s no place like home . . . there’s no place like home . . . there’s no place like home. . .
“Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes
It’s been over a year since I made one of the scariest decisions of my life.
I bought a one way ticket and took a plane to the other side of the world.
My plan was to travel through South America for 3 months, and then go and live in Canada. Beyond that, it was very vague.
‘How long was I going to be away for?’ No idea. ‘Did I know anyone on the other side?’ Nope. ‘Can I speak Spanish?’ err Si? ‘Where will I live?’ Umm I’m not sure. ‘What will you do for work?’ I haven’t organised anything yet. .
These were questions not only running through my own mind, but ones asked by people who were generally concerned for me. For a person that generally has control in their life, not knowing the answers was truly terrifying for me!
I still remember heading to the airport in the early hours of the morning. I was so nervous that I barely slept a wink the night before, and I couldn’t even speak on the drive out there. I don’t think I have ever experienced anything like it, I was completely consumed with fear. I had an awful dread in the pit of my stomach and was totally caught up in my own worry of the unknown.
As I said goodbye to my nearest and dearest at the airport, part of me was asking myself ‘What the hell am I doing?!’ ‘Why am I leaving these beautiful people behind?’ ‘My life is really good here!’ ‘What if I fail?’. . It’s like I floated up out of my body and looked down on the situation. Here I was about to leave my comfortable life behind, to venture out into the unknown. Was I making the right decision?
And then I remembered the quote that fuelled this adventure. The one that my dear colleagues wrote in a travel journal for me –
Oh yeah, that’s why I am doing this! I had been feeling uninspired, bored and listless for the past few months, I knew something had to shift. It was time for a BIG life change.
I looked around me and saw people buying houses, getting engaged, having babies, tying the knot – and I was incredibly happy for them, yet as much as I wanted those things, I knew that it wasn’t yet my time. That was a hard thing to grasp, because most things that I had wanted in my life up until this point I had been able to go and get.
I got caught up comparing myself to others, which lead to thinking of all the things I didn’t have. I sat in a place of missing out, and that only made me feel incomplete.
Then one day I decided enough is enough. I no longer want to feel this way. I have the power to choose something else. To chose adventure, challenge, fulfilment – to choose my unique life.
I get to create my life.
I started to shift my focus to what i did have. As soon as I did this, my whole outlook changed – I began to look at my situation as a wonderful opportunity. I had no partner, no mortgage, no kids, no pets – no ties or responsibilities whatsoever! I had the novel realisation that this was actually a good thing. Why not take advantage of the situation, and use my freedom? This chance may not come around a second time.
It had always been a goal of mine to live in another country at some point in my life, but I just had never got around to actually doing it. The timing was never right, I was caught up in my career, or in a relationship, or saving money (which ironically helped fund this trip!). I thought, well if not now, then when? I was waiting for some illusive moment that may never arise.
Time was ticking and running out to be eligible for a working visa in Canada, so the decision to leave was almost made for me. Which was great as it meant I didn’t have to think too much about it. (Remember hesitation is devastation!).
I’ve now been living overseas for over a year, and what an incredible journey it’s been.
I’ve seen so much beauty in the world, both in nature and in people. My travels have been even better than I had imagined – not even in my wildest dreams could I have predicted some of the incredible experiences I’ve been lucky enough to have.
I focused on having fun, and living in the moment for the first time in a very long time.
It was exactly what my soul needed. I am so glad I listened to the faint murmur in my heart, the one that was yearning for something more.
What are the niggling little voices inside your head asking for?
What does your heart truly wish for?
What plunge are you ready to take in your life?
Perhaps it’s your time to throw away the bow lines, and sail away from your safe harbour.
EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER.
Travelling is one of my biggest passions. I love the adventure that it brings as I journey into the unknown. Exploring new landscapes, cultures, and culinary delights. However eating healthy fresh food while away from home is a constant struggle. One that I experienced on my recent trip.
Your body is a temple. When I treat my body with the reverence of a temple, the results are abundant. I feel alert, light and energetic. Similarly, when I treat it like a garbage disposal, the results are also abundant! A cloudy mind, lacking energy and feeling heavy.
My travel offering to my temple consisted of – wine, gluten (which I’m slightly allergic too) and indulgent meals.
Don’t get me wrong, experimenting with great food while travelling is one of my favourite things. Life is too short to deny ourselves. But I am now more in tune with my body than ever before. I know what works for me, and also what doesn’t.
So now that I’m home, I’m going to make a different offering to my temple. A much greener one.
GREEN SMOOTHIE TO THE RESCUE!!!! (Wearing a super-hero cape. Seriously)
I’ve been drinking green smoothie’s for the last few years now, and I go through major withdrawals without them!
I was first introduced to this liquid gold by an incredible raw food chef Kemi Nekvapkil, owner of Kemi’s Raw Kitchen. Kemi creates some of the most delicious raw food I’ve ever wrapped my mouth around.
Green smoothies are a true love of mine. They improve my digestion, make me feel vibrant, brighter eyed, and energetic.
GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPE
Ingredients:
1 banana (or 2 if you want it creamier)
1 kiwi
2 handfuls of spinach (or kale, or bok-choy)
1 orange
1 handful of berries (blueberries are highest in anti-oxidants)
optional – chia seeds, spiralina, ginger, celery, beets, almond milk, cacao nibs, goji berries . . (as you can see, the options are endless!)
Method:
Throw these in a blender, cover with water (or my personal favourite – coconut water) and blend until liquified. Voila!
Slam it down for breakie, take it in a flask to work, or store in the fridge for the family (it will last a couple of days).
I guarantee you, your body will thank you for the offering.
Cheers!
I just returned from a fabulous adventure across Canada with my parents. We hadn’t seen each other since I left Australia a year ago, and what an incredible reunion we had!
It’s not often the three of us get to spend time together, just us. Me moving countries obviously created an obstacle, but the other reason is I have a twin sister, so the family catch ups have always been all four of us – which I love! But it was really special and rare to have that time with my parents – solo.
What is quality time anyway? It’s a term that gets thrown around a lot.
What does it mean to you?
For me, it means being present, having real conversations, asking deeper questions, building stronger bonds, getting more related, really appreciating and having fun in each others company.
Quality time = Creating memories
It’s not scrolling through my iphone during meals, it’s not being stingy with my listening, it’s not reacting like my 16 year-old self may have done. It comes back to my previous post on integrity, to me it’s being responsible for the energy I supply in the time we spend together.
While driving through the Rocky Mountains we played a question game (I think it was actually designed for first dates, but it worked a treat!). We asked each other; What are your greatest accomplishments in life? Who are the people who have had the biggest influence on your life? If you could live any place in the world where would it be and why? What is the most challenging thing you’ve ever endured? What’s something that no one knows about you? What’s your favourite childhood memory?
It was priceless to get these insights into my parents. Often the people closest to us are the one’s we know the least about.
I’m so grateful for the quality time we had together during this holiday. We created memories I will never forget.
Life is short. Memories are precious.
If you’re going to spend time with your loved ones, make it quality time.
