Category: Inspiration

Life According to 'Re' - Really is Valuable

21/2/2021

A year or so ago, I wrote an article about living a life according to 'Re'. A self-designed philosophy from which, I believe each and everyone of us, can benefit. If you are not sure, whether or not you read this article, I'll place the link below.

In life, we all have choices. The choice to use or not to use a product; the choice to throw away packaging in the right or wrong place; the choice to find a way to bring it to life again; the choice to give it to someone else to enjoy; the choice to re-purpose the old and make it new; or the choice to just re-use it - over and over again because we don't want to waste money or pollute the planet. At the end of the day, how we use or abuse life, the planet, people is an active decision on our behalf that we all have control over - that we can tweak, to make our world a better place.

The idea of 'Re' is just that - to place 're' before just about any verb so that you have a way of re-purposing things, thoughts and actions. Be doing this, we make renewed, conscious decisions to make the world a better place, just because we can and because if it doesn't start with us and the generation that lives now, then who and what generation will act for the benefit of all?

No matter how small or minuscule we think our actions might be, they truly add up to something that will change the world forever - one drop in the bucket now, will give a full lifetime of sustenance for another being.

So below, I have added to the list of 'Re's to re-jog your memory of just how simple the process can be on a daily basis.
Click the hyperlinks for some added ideas.

The World According to 'Re'

Re-think - the situation is as we know, often hard to do in difficult situations. Step back and breath then decide what to do.
Re-assess - the possibilities - every situation has more than one way of fixing or absorbing goodness. Think outside the box, but don't be so quick to make snap decisions.
Re-balance - your life - yes stress! Everyone has it and is affected by it. Our lives are often so far out of whack, it becomes burdensome. 'Make life simple' - shorten lists - do hard things first - take a walk and just decide.
Re-energise - yourself - energy makes energy and we are nothing, but energy - or a lack of it. If you make an effort, you 'll get back everything and more that you put in.
Re-hydrate - your body - most of us don't drink enough and because of it our body compensates by either eating more, or drinking the wrong sorts of fluids, which makes us even more dehydrated. Drinking water helps you think, eliminates toxins, keeps your organs functioning properly and helps maintain balance of electrolytes and salt concentration within our bodies - not to mention lessens stress on our heart.
Re-kindle - lost friendships - most of us are guilty of this one - me included. Life gets busy, I know and we often use that excuse not to see or visit someone, family included. Yet, we make time for what we consider a priority, you just have to work out what is the priority. If it does matter, change the way you think about it or you will forever be regretting not having visited that special someone and then, it will be too late. Life lives now, not tomorrow.
Re-adjust - your thought process - ever wished you had considered something more fully or better still, not have acted so rashly at the point of decision-making? Take your time to think. You are under no clock and if you are, you can always ask for more consideration time to re-evaluate the issue. I think everyone appreciates people who are thorough and thoughtful.

Re-work - your calculations - not everyone gets it right the first time around - lucky if you do, but we are all human and sometimes re-doing, re-thinking your calculations gives you clarity and assurance to your decision-making.
Re-purpose - old goods - no matter who you are - old goods can be reused for a new purpose or idea. Give it a go - the planet and I will love you!
Re-cycle - your products - these - nine times out of ten, can be given to a friend or family and if you have no use for them, give them to someone who needs them more than you. The same philosophy I use for people who are light-fingered. I tell myself, 'well they must have needed it more than me'. You will be less agitated and more appreciative for the fact, it went to a home in need.
Re-gift - one's love, share it around. So many of us could do with a little more 'love'. If you have an overflowing heart, share your love, time and yes precious items. Remember, you can't take your goods and chattels to the grave - only your memories, so make lots of them!
Re-plant - fields and plains - most of us have a plot of land no matter how small - either in the backyard or front, where we can grow something. I believe, when you grow something or take care of something, your heart learns to care about something, other than oneself. If you can grow food as opposed to just flowers, it also helps out your pantry, while growing a little bit of love.
Reduce - your waste - carbon footprints don't just leave the planet. They are usually there for life. How heavy is yours?
Re-use - items more than once - of course we can!

Re-educate - one's mind - we use around 3-10% of our brain - growing it a bit more enables us to grow to our full potential; helps with our understanding of the world and the people in it - not to mention it can be fun! It can also give you a leg up into a higher wage bracket.
Re-learn - old skills - not all things learned stay as fresh as the day you learnt them. If you don't use what you have learnt, you will lose it. This is a very old saying that keeps me motivated to learning new things. I think the same goes for God given talents. Use it, lose it or re do it.
Re-consider - past mistakes - sometimes opportunities present themselves whereby you can make right past mistakes - sort of a Groundhog's Day' - wouldn't that be nice, hey? But I truly believe, past mistakes can be made peaceful, maybe not totally fixed, but at least resolved to some degree or another. One should never have regrets. :)
Re-place words - like impossible with possible - we are totally in charge of our positivity and ability to do or not do something - it is all in our head-space. 'If we think we can, we usually can; if we think we can't, we usually can't.' Motivation to invigorate our way of thinking, is the only line between the two. Motivation grows from how we use our words. Everything we say, our heart and mind is listening to - so make it positive.
Re-set - your temper - I think this is a hard one for many people as we get consumed by the moment and living the moment. 'The moment' is what is in-control and not us in-control.

Re-engage - with life - we sit inside our little places of confinement with technology as our entertainment and forget there is life on the outside. It is a self-imposed prison, all of our own doing. 'Live a life, not an existence.'
Re-define - your purpose - find out what you really want to do in life and just do it. Life is far too short to be pleasing other people who just don't get you, no matter how hard you try. When you find your purpose, you find time to breathe; to understand and see the world and all the joy it brings.
Re-negotiate - your terms - whatever the deal, make sure it pleases your values as much as those with whom you are trying to negotiate. The coin is two-sided - of equal measure and value. Value your worth as much as those around you. For a long time, I did not get this right. Forever and a day, I placed others' voices and opinions more worthy than my own - I called it compromise...I could avoid conflict. But I have since learnt that conflict is on a certain level is necessary, so your voice can be heard.
Re-build - your world - if 'you' and the image of what makes up 'you' and your values is out of sync - rebuild and tweak your world, to fit your values. You are not obligated to keep the same friends, job, lifestyle or even thought form. The only thing you have an obligation to - is you.
Re-invent - the wheel - this could just as easily be tweaked as much as re-invented. Sometimes, a new way of thinking is just putting on a new tyre, not changing the shape of the wheel.
Re-link - with one's childhood - over the years, we lose touch with people from our childhood who really made a difference in our lives; that changed us for the better; who gave us opportunities we would otherwise not have. It is important to value those relationships and the fact that they are part of what makes us the unique individuals we are today.
Re-live - precious moments - reliving the past is often thought to be a bad thing. For me, considered reflection of the value of all moments - be they precious or otherwise, is a necessary part of human growth. If there is no reflection, we make the same mistakes. If precious moments are reflected upon for their worth of making you, life and those around you all the more richer, then these we should truly treasure for all eternity.
Re-inspire - a friend - often we think those around us are in control; friends regularly are looked up to as doing better, living without a care in the world. Yet, just like you and I, friends are proud people and don't always share their troubles for fear of burdening others or ruining a relationship. Get out there and do something with a friend; invigorate your relationship so it can endure the gift of time and communicate on a deeper level.
Re-invest - in yourself - I can not say this enough - only 'you' determine your worth. Invest in getting to know - 'you'.

You're worth it!
...Sketa

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Why LILIWIOFE?

10/11/2020

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LILIWIOFE is not a story, a tale or a novel. It is a diary. Some of you will ask, "but why a diary? What possible use could a diary have in anyone's life?" This diary is far more than just a method for attacking one's goals head on and recording the tasks one needs to do, in order to achieve them. It represents the act of taking action, in a physical sense. When an individual writes something down by hand, there is a commitment to oneself and the likelihood of following through with a dream, to make it reality, is far more likely. The brain switches on because the senses have been initiated.

However, for me this diary represents time - something we all have, but in limited supply. It is a full year, that we can choose to engage with our dreams or flitter them away on something less meaningful. And sometimes, it is not just a year. It could be as much as six years, just gone in an instant and you don't know where those hours, days, minutes have flown. Time has a funny way of healing one's heart. You don't plan to lose time or put your life on hold - it just sort of happens without you realising it and before you know it, you have not moved in the direction you set out to or something else has taken its place.

Since my father's passing, six years ago - life has just up and flown away and with it a great deal of my confidence. He was the person to whom I discussed my ideas, my plans and creations. We were very similar, in many ways. This diary represents a promise - not to waste a minute, an hour or a breath. It is a commitment that I can physically see on my shelf, see what I have achieved and how long it has taken me to create those dreams I had planned, prior to him being consumed by cancer.

Dad was a man who was energetic, creative, passionate and had dreams like the rest of us. We don't know what Mother Nature has in store for us, where we will be, who it will affect, how we will react or how we will claw our way back when the dust settles.

Illustration by Sketa

All I can tell you, is that we should not let 'time' steal our plans for achievement, joy, love or life. So many times we hear, "oh I'm just killing time; I don't have the time; I lost time; I can't give you my time." The list goes on. I'm sure, you could think of your own phrases that you use on a daily basis, as to why 'time' is stealing what you set out to do. Yet, my point is simple - we don't have time. It is gone as quickly as you can say the word, 'time'.

It doesn't matter if some of you don't get what I am saying - that's okay. In 'time', the penny will eventually drop. But for me, I am on a quest to do as I say and complete what I started six years ago...and on my way, I hope to help a million others to leave their comfort zone, before 'time' up and flies away. Living a life without fear and taking a chance on getting it right, takes a lot of guts. You have to shelve the voice inside your head that says, 'what if it doesn't work out; what will they say if I fail...' There are so many what if's. But what if, you get it right? What an honour that would be to yourself? What an achievement it would be to be proud of your growth and the person you have become. What an honour it would be to share those milestones, with others who have struggled similarly and overcome the hurdles.

This is my plan. You are my witness - help keep me accountable - failure is not an option.
Grab a diary - and join me on Instagram at #liliwiofe

Read more on working your brain...
https://www.forbes.com/sites/markmurphy/2018/04/15/neuroscience-explains-why-you-need-to-write-down-your-goals-if-you-actually-want-to-achieve-them/?sh=414a817d7905
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-power-of-writing-down_b_12002348
http://neurorelay.com/2013/08/07/how-does-writing-affect-your-brain/

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A species other than our own

27/8/2020

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We are all part of the one, continuous chain - life; one species no less important or more important than the next.

We all share the air we breathe, the water we drink and Mother Earth who shares her sustenance with us. Our lives are all finite, some more quickly than others, our time is equally as precious as the lives we choose to create.

Each species is bound by a unique language, culture, belief system that bonds a community whether you understand it or not - whether you speak it or not - whether it is human, animal, plant or not.

Yet, there is something ‘we’ all have in common and that is the circle of life; destroy that precious chain and we all suffer.

Find time for a species other than your own, learn its needs - there are no wants, no desires. It does not come calling to kill, destroy or possess you; it gives you love, pleasure or assists you through your life hood journey.

Repaying that kindness with equal reciprocity, helping out that species when the sea of life becomes turbulent is the least we can do.

~ Sketa

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Perfect...

24/12/2019

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What is perfect? There is a time in one’s life that appears too good to be true, maybe that is perfect and maybe - life is perfectly, imperfect - for that is all we need to aspire.
#perfection #sketa #godsblessings #live #life #loveall #laugh #begrateful #merryxmasall

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A life challenge...

13/7/2019

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Life really is, what you make.

Get out there - be brave, live new experiences, find undiscovered places, enjoy being with new friends and find you.

It is sometimes easier said than done. For some of us, the task will be a real challenge because we all have begun to lose that natural knack of just saying ‘hi’; lost that inquisitive nature that once sparked our dreams and desires.

Life, responsibilities and what the world expects from their trustworthy, reliable citizens always seems to come first. The model citizen does have its draw backs. One tends to stay in the same job, respond in the same way the population would expect and you find yourself caught up in a dull, uneventful world of being proper.

So I declare, starting today - an entire week of new discoveries; where reporting back is obligatory - telling the world just how, what and with whom you spent this new period of discovery! :)

Type - ‘I’m in!’ and we can keep each other accountable. :)

Can wait to hear your tales!

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Challenge and success

7/3/2019

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Challenge and success - it is hard not to say ‘why does it happen to me ‘ or ‘why is such adversity on my doorstep - I don’t understand’. Yes, it can be difficult, but true balance and equilibrium exists only in equal measure of opposites. Hence, one can not truly live a full life without loss or tragedy, in the same way one can not experience fullness with joy and success.

Balance truly lives at the nuclei of a life having experienced both. Anything less, can not be called life only an existence - where by the state of being is not affected or is not given energy to, because there is no push or pull from each direction. It is the pushing and pulling of atoms equally that maintains the structure and place of cells in life.

Existence is when life pulls only in one or no direction - dragging the cell along for the ride, not able to change, evolve or grow. Equal forces from opposite directions pressurises the cell to move forward - at that point life is initiated.

So never complain, why me - the ups and downs it is what gives you life, what gives you energy. The greater that rocking and rolling of life; the greater energy, progress and nourishment received to maintain life’s balance.

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A Difference...

3/12/2018

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A difference is not just creating some massive change in another’s life, even the smallest act of kindness everyday, can make a difference. Kindness shared creates an abundance of inspiring possibilities - can spark new ways of doing things - can resolve underlying problems, left unresolved because they’re too hard - give confidence and inspiration that might not seem like much at the time, but are a mountain of help for that person over their lifetime.

Photo - Sketa Oz

It is so easy to carry on with our lives, in such a busy way - we don’t think twice about the way we ask people to carry out daily tasks if we are management, when in conversation with others, when we speak to kids or adults who are still young at heart. We get blindsided by business, by society’s expectations that we take on board as needing to be more efficient, so we can get ahead in life. We forget how we might have arrived in the world, who gave us that first break, who took time out to teach us right from wrong - the abc’s - who helped us when we were down.

Caring is sharing the burdens of life. Sharing is caring about those burdens, so the pain is less on everyone.

Photo - Sketa Oz

We are all interconnected and what affects you - affects others. Share the love of positivity and inspiring assistance to others - you may need it yourself one day.

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