soul food friday | universal truths

I've been a bit of a sad sack these last few weeks. I've done a lot of crying, been tangled up in thoughts and indulged in much soul searching.  In fact, it's all been a bit...

[yesterday's fat mum slim photoaday pic - a favourite word]

And while I said that I wouldn’t make the blog a diary of my personal trials and tribulations, it occurred to me that there have been a few light bulb moments lately that may be worth sharing. Some universal truths if you like. Things that have hit me over the head and not, I dare say, for the first time in my life either! In no particular order:

• Uncertainty is anxiety inducing, so make sure you get the answers,  even if you don’t like them.
• Not knowing is much, much worse than knowing.         
• You can’t look forward while you’re constantly looking back.
• Everyone owns a piece of the truth about a situation – you should find out what those truths are.
• Exercise really does help, much as I hate to admit it :)
• Find something to immerse yourself in. Develop a new interest or rekindle an old. For me it’s been a digital photography course (I've got a long way to go but here are some early attempts...and remember possums, Rome wasn't built in a day!)

...this was a serendipitous (hi Felicity) event, having booked the course a while ago, but it’s been a life saver...

• When you're very sad you should be kind to yourself, kinder than you've ever been. 
• You always need something to look forward to...for me it's travel. Morocco in December, and a work trip to Shanghai in September.
• Let yourself feel all the emotions you need to feel, whether they're 'worthy' or not, but probably think for a bit before acting on them.  Not one of my strengths I'm afraid :)
• There will always be a reason for what’s happening, even if it’s not clear and even if you don’t like it, or even if it’s just to confirm that sometimes there really is no good reason! 
• Remind yourself of timeless wisdom - I'm re-reading The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, especially the part describing how we feel sorrow because we've previously experienced joy, and vice versa - it's comforting. It's ageless. This too shall pass right?
• Take any help that’s offered, but only if you’re ready to receive it – sometimes it’s not quite the right time.     
• There’s no such thing as perfect. No, really, there isn’t, but imperfection can be ok too. We just need to see beyond the imperfections.

I read somewhere a long time ago that the universe keeps on giving you the same old lesson until you get it through your thick skull (I’m paraphrasing of course). This seems to be very true for me, and to be honest I'm a bit tired of it. I get it. Enough already! 
And if all else fails, take the day off work and go on a road trip with some buddies to that place that sells the Swedish meatballs (yeah, that one)…that’s what I’m doing today. Have a fab weekend. I've got a photography course field trip to Captain's Flat tomorrow. Fun. Yes, it surely will be...if only I can find my memory card. Sigh.
all images: kerry martin / a tranquil townhouse

in my dreams...

It won’t be any surprise to people who’ve been following along for a while that I can get quite immersed in new things :)

Photography is the latest (I won’t say fad), but instead, let's just say it's a bit of a consuming interest at the moment.

I dream of being able to take photos like these I saw at the NationalPortrait Gallery on Sunday. What amazing captures of extraordinary faces. The winner...

by Roderick McNicol

...and some other favourites. It was mainly, but not always, the older faces that grabbed me. And the stories behind them of course.

Peter West

by Matthew Abbott

 by Andrew Campbell

by Eryca Green

 by Miles Standish

I'm so lucky to live in Canberra. 

I’ve started a photography course...I’m only one week in and completely bamboozled by F-stops, apertures and ISOs. But I’ll get there!

laughter, linen and princesses...

I can’t begin to imagine a life without friends, and I count myself lucky to have some very good ones around me.  And I still...even after over two years, continue to be amazed by the friendship that blogging brings. I just spent a fabulous weekend in the truly wonderful company of one of those people...Jules from One Pink Chair. She wrote about it here.

If I dared to forget it, I was reminded in no uncertain way that laughter really is the best medicine. 

Jules made me laugh. I made her laugh too. We did a great deal of it...mostly at my expense though...now I think about it! 

Jules set me up in the 'princess bedroom'. Princess? Me? No way! 

And I slept on monogrammed linen...isn't it beautiful.

Jules fed me. 

I got her drunk. 

Fair exchange.

Jules taught me how to play words with friends...not very well as you can see by this...

I didn't beat her but I WILL one day. She may look sweet, but she shows no mercy when it comes to games...not a bit :)

Jules took me out for coffee with her fabulous friends and I could have sat there all morning. 

Hmm, perhaps I did.

 (I haven't quite worked out how to get the photos off my new camera, so this generic coffee shot I took will have to do for the moment!)
Breaking news...I worked it out...sort of. I still have no clue where they go on my laptop...but one step at a time hey?

Jules introduced me to four legged friends - not the feline variety. 

I sneaked Winnie food under the table when the mistress wasn't looking. 

Pooches are ok it seems, but don't tell the vampire slayer I said that.

It's such a wonderful thing to get away for a bit, out of your own space, away from the familiar. The time went very quickly, although the road trip home seemed to take forever. Not that it mattered. I was feeling good. Thank you lovely lady for such a soul enriching 48 hours. And thank you Souki for tolerating me. 

Now that one really is a princess!!

all images: a tranquil townhouse using the iPhone

how instagram is helping me cope with depression...

Well there's a blog post heading I never thought I'd write!
This is just a short post...dipping my feet in to see how it feels. But first I want to say thank you so very, very much to the people who've been in touch with me...by email, on FB, by phone, sms....you are so generous and I appreciate your kindness. I'm sorry that I haven't been back in contact...I'm not quite ready yet to respond in the way your kindness deserves, but one day for sure...I will be :)
So....instagram? I've been doing Fat Mum Slim's April photo-a-day. It's given me something simple to concentrate on each and every day, and something to look forward to...although some days have been harder than others. Case in point; Day 14: how you feel today...

There were many other words I could have used but this felt the most appropriate, and one that was at least publishable!

I've always loved images and I'm enjoying taking more of my own...here's a smattering. I was in Sydney last week for a meeting and when it had finished I took myself off for a wander in The Domain...this sculpture is a tribute to Speakers Corner...

Day 16: flowers...

Day 13: something you found...memories of happy days on beaches or walks...

Day 5:tiny...a silver buddha on a bracelet...gifts from friends...

Day 9: younger you...much younger!

So there you go. I've also signed up for a 6 week photography course starting this month...that should be a bit of fun!

all images: tranquiltownhouse on instagram

why I'm not here at the moment...

This is not overly easy to write. I've been struggling with what to do about the blog for a few weeks now. It appears, that for me at least, “lost my mojo” actually equals “I have depression”.  It’s diagnosed, I’m getting help and I know that others are a hell of a lot worse off than I am, but nonetheless I’m doing it a bit tough at the moment. I have people in my life who love me, are gentle with me and who wrap me literally and metaphorically in their compassionate arms, so I consider myself lucky. And in a funny way, hitting rock bottom is not so bad; it's allowing me to reflect and really consider what I want from the rest of my life. So that is a good thing, and who knows...I may reinvent myself!

But I can’t devote any energy to blogging right now. I did contemplate giving it up altogether, but it’s given me so much pleasure over the last few years that I thought doing that would be a bit of a knee-jerk reaction to what I'm going through at the moment, and very short-sighted. But nor do I want to make this place a diary of my depression. So until I can be a bit more upbeat (heavens I can’t even look for pretty pictures at the moment and I have stacks of unread magazines!) I’m going to bow out for a while. I hope you hang around, but I'll understand if you don't. I’ve had nothing but kindness, care and laughter on this little blog of mine from day one and I’m extremely grateful for that. Thank you, take care and bless J

photos: tranquiltownhouse on instagram

lost mojo...and my site is safe

To be honest, I’m not 100% sure what mojo is exactly…but whatever it is, it’s deserted me. I need to take a bit of a break to recharge, and part of that will be stepping away from the computer in my non-work time. I know you’ll understand if I don’t visit for a while. I have another trip to Newcastle next week…this time for mum’s eye surgery. Sigh.

In the meantime, do you like my new necklace? Red Phoenix Emporium…pretty in instagram J

I know my site is coming up with a malware warning. I have checked it out and it's not me! We're all protected here so please continue to visit while I try to get it sorted.

Take care and I'll see you in a week or two... 

image; tranquiltownhouse on instagram

instagram has got me...

After a couple of years being wedded to the Crackberry, a few days ago I hooked up with Mr iPhone again...

And there’s a new baby as a result (who would have thought at my age!)...welcome instagram J I’m a bit besotted.

If you’d like to follow...and goodness knows what you might find from time to time...I’m tranquiltownhouse...no surprises there! And how about you? Can I find you there too?

I'm still avoiding pinterest, though I'm not sure how long I'll be able to hold out!

Have a great week...I'm still recovering from Richard's 50th birthday party! Don't worry, just tired...couldn't possibly be any other reason could there Mr Tequila J

At least it's stopped raining...for the moment!