Lesson 115. You'll see it soon enough.

5am. I’m tired again. We got on the plane and off we were, back to the big city.

It was ghastly weather. Cold, wet, windy. Not my dream day to say the least, but as the plane soared to greater heights, I witnessed the sunrise beyond the clouds.

I felt it on my face and I watched it hit the clouds. I saw the colours change and I felt my tired eyes open. I felt my tired heart realise what this moment meant for me.

There is always sunshine beyond the clouds. It might be the darkest doomiest day of your life, and I can promise you that somewhere up there, there is great beauty and light to be shed. And its time will come. Have hope in your skyline sunrise, remember that no matter how hard it is down here, there is more only just above, and you’ll see it soon enough.

Lesson 114. There are so many things to smile about.

It was 12.46. I was tired. So I retreated to a corner and accidentally witnessed the spectacular. The shy and sweet blossom of love was less than 2 metres away from me.

They were twirling and laughing. He held her hand and spun her out while she smiled with complete abandon for the rest of the world. I was touched, it was beautiful.

Take time to observe and I promise your load will lighten. There is beauty to be seen around every corner and if you let it, it’ll take your hand and show you that there are so many things to smile about. 

Lesson 113. Hug with your whole heart.

On my flight down to Christchurch tonight, my sister and I were discussing the feeling that one experiences when walking out the gates of an airport. When someone is waiting with open arms and an enthusiastic squeal and for a moment, all dignity flies out the window and you’re left with one excited soul.

It’s a moment we all to often lose to pride and being overly self-aware.

We resort to pats on the backs and a floury “how are you?” instead of suffocation by love and confessions that love is infact everything we feel.

Make someone feel that today. I don’t care if it’s odd; life is odd and could always do with another peculiar friend. Hug with your whole heart.

Lesson 112. Don't let things pile up.

Don’t let things get on top of you. Rookie move. This is proof, it’s getting late and I won’t be seeing sleep anytime soon. So here’s a short and sweet lesson from Auntie Lydia, don’t let things pile up.

You're mad. It's understandable really. I haven't been returning your calls or looking you in the eye when we speak. You're wondering when I'm going to up my game, make you fall in love again. Well, nows a start, here comes the blogs. 5 to be exact.

I've been poorly today and down the other end of the country pleasing the people for the last few days. So bear with me, tomorrow is our day of new beginnings.

Thank you for being patient, love to you x

Lesson 111. Fight when it's worth fighting.

You've probably been told to choose your battles at some stage in your life. That somethings are worth fighting for and some simply aren't. I think we have a tiny tendency to go a little too passive. When something arises that we know in our heart of hearts is wrong, we try to tell ourselves that it isn't worth the argument. That fall out is simply not an option.

Although I'm very much inclined to agree that some arguments are absolutely pointless, I think we need to stand up a little straighter. Some things are worth fighting for. Someone brought up something with me today and I was faced with two options, either let it go and leave them be, or to be honest and look out for their best interests. I tried the latter and although I didn't get a stunning reception, it felt like I'd done the right thing.

Don't just sit back and let someone rubbish something you feel strongly about. Don't be walked over. Stand up for what and who you love. Start to fight when it's worth fighting.

Lesson 110. Develop photos.

I have two sweet honeymooner friends who have recently entered into courtship. They began with a disposable camera and now the first lot of pictures are ready to be developed. They've reached the end of the first film and so comes the second.

Develop your photos. Take note of this phase, where you are, who you love, what you know. Document it and remember it. It's precious even when it hurts, it's a stage in your life always worth remembering. Who knows, my friends might show the grandkids one day and smile at their early days, or it might mark something different. All the same, its beautiful. Develop photos.