45 Life Lessons from someone very wise...
/We have been in Korea for a little over 2 weeks now. If any of you have been following me on Instagram, you probably think that I have landed in an incredible world full of gorgeous stationery, makeup for miles, and pretty things everywhere I look. The truth is that there are a lot of things that go on in a day that are far from wonderful here. Arriving in Korea, and living here, you are emerging yourself in a culture so far removed from anything you will have experienced before. There are days when I question our lives here, there are days when I want to strangle some of my students and kick them out of class, days when I want to shake my co-teacher and shout at her to stop smiling at me when she doesn't understand a word I've said.
What starts to matter is the small things in life. The little old lady I meet on my walk to school. The small piece of shade I walk under for the last 10 minutes of my walk. The fan above me the staff room, and all the things my hubby does for me in the morning when we get ready for work. Our lives here, at least while we await our first paycheck, are very different from back home, not only do you start to appreciate things back home, but I've also grown to appreciate other South Africans so much more. Even though things can be pretty tough here (the language barrier has a lot to do with it, and the levels of respect in society - being able to give your opinion has become a luxury here) we have found every other South African we know to be very positive about life. Very rarely have we come across another South African who moans and complains about Korea. South Korea is our home, we are treated very well here, and in return they expect us to give our best in everything. It's a give and take situation, where a lot of other foreigners do a lot more taking than giving. I came across these 45 life lessons on Facebook today, they have reminded me of how we should try and live our lives, wherever we are in the world, and I wanted to share them with you...
Written by Regina Brett
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 50 this year, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short – enjoy it.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks.
16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19.. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
Lovely, don't you think?
Korean coffee shops...
/Instagram from Korea...
/{Huttons in HongKong}
/Happy Birthday to my Farmboy!
/The birthday girl and boy (who knew we would meet someone with the same birthday as Farmboy. Happy Birthday to you too Siobhan! |
Getting {Korea} ready...
/Greek doors...
/Our Wedding {flowers}
/{Roadtrip} to Zimbabwe
/{Wonderlust}
/Our Wedding (bouquets)
/Our Wedding {The Ceremony}
/{photo's by Jacki Bruniquel}
{Candles in the Barn rented all the way from Joburg from Rent a Candle}
{Confetti was dried Erika (lovely purple flower that looks a little like Lavender) very environmentally friendly!}
{Chandelier hand made by my Step Dad}
{Our Wedding} Official Photographs
/Finally, I am able to pop these photo's up! All of these incredible photo's were taken by the talented Jacki Bruniquel, thanks so much Jax, Farmboy and I are so glad that we picked you to capture our special day.
Here are a few highlights...
{I will be posting lots more in time and under particular headings with lots of tips for other bides-to-be!}
A little context for new readers...Farmboy and I chose to get married on his family dairy farm in the small town of Creighton, just outside Ixopo, KZN. He proposed in March this year and so began 6 months of prepping and planning and convincing my Dad that yes, I really did want to get married amoungst the cows!
Words can't even begin to explain the hard work that was done by family and friends to get the barn and the shed ready for our big day. You see, the farm is a real life working farm. The Shed (where we had our reception) is the home to the calves after they have been removed from their mums. The Barn (where our ceremony took place) was used for storage and the shearing of sheep, as well as the home to a very special little owl.
So, with that in mind, Farmboy and his Dad set about hand crafting all 18 tables, I set about sourcing vintage plates, knives and forks, champagne glasses and mahogany tiffany chairs (who would have ever thought this things would be so hard to get hold of!) and so began the wedding prep!
To everyone that lent a hand, an afternoon or even an entire month to help make our dreams come true, we love you all so much, and it would never have been possible without you!
Greece {Athens}
/Here are some shots of part 2 of our honeymoon {the best is still to come though!}, enjoy!
xxx
Our first ride on the Metro rail in Athens...why doesn't Durban have such a cool underground transport system?! |
The Parthenon! |
We were hoping to catch a sneak peek of Zeus peering round the corner... |
The old and the new... |
Loved the look of these shutters |
Our first truly greek meal...yum! |
Very cool antique shop we found at the end of a side street...pity we didn't have 300 euro's lying around to make a purchase ;) |
{Before} The Shed & The Barn
/The Shed...
The Barn...
Honeymoon Highlights {Joburg > Istanbul}
/Waiting for our plane to take off...next step is for me to get my ID & Passport doc's changed! |
Breakfast on the Bosphorus |
Sunrise... |
The most delicious street saamie! |
We only had a 6 hour layover in Istanbul, but managed to at least make our way down to the harbor to see a few of the lovely old buildings |
Local brew |
Magnets anyone?? |
Every building had one of these, ornate and golden |
Turkish coffee...no one ever warned us it would be so strong! |
A trip to Turkey just ain't complete without a little delight... |