Fun in The Sun

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

It was like any other Saturday, friends and family spending time at a local lake, having some fun in the sun, swimming and water tubing.  When I was younger, I had always wanted to water tube.  So to me, the thought of it sounded thrilling and frightening all at once.  All sorts of worse case scenerios played in my mind now that this opportunity presented itself years later.  What if something precious got hurt?  Me!!!  I convinced myself that I will be quite happy watching from the sidelines and chatting with those on the bank. Although my friend was so keen to go tubing from the start and I was quite happy to wave her off or so I thought?

First of all I watched from the shore and chatted for a while, but the sun was gettting hotter and hotter and that water looked so inviting.  My friend asked again, would I like to go tubing?  I couldn't answer with  any real certainity and replied that the boat sounds inviting and I was willing to watch in the boat.  

Finally my boat came around and the ride was thrilling and awesome.  I could do this again. This is enough.  I am quite happy with the boat, or was I really?  I just need a little more confidence before I go tubing.  Maybe next time, I will do it then.  Another boat ride, please.  I even told my friend, I will watch her from the boat. This seemed like a pretty good deal.   I was trying so hard to convince myself that this was the best option for me.

And then my friend did the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the incomprehendable.  'Bronny and I want to go watertubing... our turn!!'  'Really?' I replied.  My thoughts were racing - Oh my!  what do I do now? She said this in front of everyone.  By this time, a couple of hours had  already passed and almost everyone had a turn by now.  Nerves started to rise within me.  I had seen people fall off not so long ago and they seemed alright, but I was different, it might hurt me.  I could not bring myself to say no.  I did want to go, but it was just... well you know what I mean.  Many excuses came to mind, but nothing escaped my lips.

 

I tried on nearly every life jacket.  Oh that's got me off the hook... I will go next time, I will lose a little more weight and then I will be ready.  They finally found a lifejacket that fitted me, really fitted me.  I waddled over to the boat and before I got on the tube, spoke with the driver about how tender and precious I am, please be gentle and take it slow. I repeated this a few times, just in case he didn't hear me the first time.  

So brace yourselves because a picture speaks a 1000 words and four pictures speak 4000... (LOL)

   

Well, that's what I did on Saturday, I stepped outside the box and faced a fear right in the face, with a little convincing from my friend.  I had the best time ever... can you tell?  I am definitely doing that again.  How can I go wrong?  with a life jacket on. One challenge would be to get back into the tube (LOL) but I didn't even fall out.


'How often do we miss out on great opportunities in life, all because we were afraid and could only think the worst!?!'  I nearly did.   I encourage you to take those opportunites that may seem impossible and step out of your box into what could actually be possible.

By the way, I am the one on the left.

Dance, Love, Sing, Live

John - An Inspirational Gentleman

Isn't it awesome how God brings across your path, interesting people who leave you feeling refreshed, inspired and encouraged!  Well today, on my way home from Mallacoota, I met a gentleman called John and he did, just that, for me.

Let me tell you a little about him first.  The story starts like any other.  John displayed a real passion for life, which was wonderful to hear.    John loves to sail and owns a sail boat.  He enjoys travelling and travels to Mallacoota on average once a month as well as taking two trips a year to different places around Australia with the odd trip overseas.  John enjoys his garden and attends a three-day gardening history conference at different places around Australian and New Zealand annually.  

Sounds like your average person.  Well there is something different about John.  Can you guess what it is?    Would you like to know why I found John so inspirational?

John is 93 years of age.  Daily, John walks his dogs one to two kilometres and says his dogs need the walk more than he does.  He drives his car everywhere and said he will only drive 100 kms away on his own from his hometown.  John lives alone and since his wife died four years ago, decided to put on a part-time housekeeper to tend to the housework and cook his meals.  He is bright, mentally alert, loves to read and has many friends around Australia.  This sounds a little like his resume.  Will you hire him?  :)

He doesn't let his age hold him back nor anyone else for that matter.  He is a little wobbly on his legs and has a cain to support him, but this doesn't stop him from living what he loves to do.  He is such a delight.  I believe I have discovered a real treasure. 

Research has shown that the brain should be getting better with age.  John is a great example of this.  We should be getting smarter as we get older.  So the next time you hear someone say, 'You're getting older', reply to them by saying 'Yes and isn't that great!!'


The following two YouTube videos are funny and inspiring.  These two elderly people are living life and not letting anyone hold them back!  ENJOY!!!

Welcome! I am excited!!!

My friend Sarah has inspired me to create my own blog. I think this is so exciting. It's like I have discovered a whole new world. I have seen the light and my eyes have been open like a new born baby. Well, maybe a slight exaggeration.

I see this as a great opportunity to be creative, express my thoughts, share my cherished moments and discover hidden gems about myself, my passions and life.

So welcome to my world of blogging. I am so looking forward in seeing where this goes and taking this journey of blogging to new heights. The sky is the limit. WooHoo!!

Let me introduce myself. My name is Bronwyn. I am currently working at a health centre as an admin support officer. This job opportunity has been such a blessing from God. God definitely has provided in so many ways throughout my life. I will tell more in a later post. I don't want to give too much away.

I live with my two cats, Jaspur and Cleo. I am in my 30s (no I am not telling my actual age, although you may start to work it out as I continue to blog). I have re-discovered my passion for cooking. I have always sang since the age of 14 and love a variety of music genres. I started writing my own songs in the late 90s and have recorded these two songs onto a CD with a band called Zimran and would like to continue this. Song writing, I mean. I also love art and will be experimenting with a variety of medians. Who knows I may post my artwork on this site?!?

I love to travel and I am currently staying with my friend Sarah and her family in Mallacoota and they have been such a blessing.

Well, that is just a taste about me. Thanks for reading. Keep posted.

Cheers Bronny.