Work vs Life

31 October, 2009. Denise Ferguson

I went shopping with a good friend yesterday.  She made a comment that she doesn't really 'work' per se' but life and work all roll together into one.  I had to agree with her; for me my life IS my work and my work is my life.  I notice that there is myriad of different ways the people I know spend their lives.  One friend who had children and married very early says that maturity came early because of the path he chose to take.  I chose to study in the school of life through having as many experiences and meeting as many people, and living in different cities and towns before settling and building.  It took several interesting years to do it, but now I am very strong in my sense of self and what i want.  Some of my friends have been to almost every corner of the world before coming home.  They have such a refreshingly broad outlook on life.  Others haven't ventured far, but instead have had a head-start in New Zealand life.  I admire their stability.   I have one friend whose job leaves not alot of time for social life, and other friends who work simply so that they can live.  Finally I have one friend who simply doesn't work.  That one?  I haven't figured it out yet.  I'd say lazy, some might say wise.  What is better?  Who can say, but I'm learning to be less judgemental.  The more experiences I have, the less I can say one is better than any other.  We can be a master of our life , but totally naive in the life of another.  If there is one thing I have learned in the different facets of life, lights keep getting turned on with each new experience I have and the more I learn, the less I know.

The Dark Side of Fashion

22 October, 2009. Denise Ferguson

This week, rolling out my mat each day has been a more than anticipated blissful release.  I’m still renovating so I’ve also been relishing in just being clean again.  Getting out of the shower and putting on my second skin (Lululemon yoga pants and a sleeveless top) has been the highlight of my day.  It got me to thinking about yoga style.  I love my yoga pants, they are stylish, fit like a glove and there is no ‘peek-a-boo’ effect.  ‘Oops, is my thong showing’ has been the downfall of many women (and in my experience one man) and if it’s going to happen, it’ll happen at yoga.  I have never been keen on discovering the colour and style of the undergarments of my fellow yogis.  When my yoga instructor kindly tucked mine back into my pants after giving my hips a nudge one afternoon in class however, I realised none of us are above it.  Style is important, and it helps me to reflect how I am feeling on the inside.  When I look good on the outside, I feel good on the inside.  Whilst beauty is only skin deep, I believe our body and how we present it, is a canvas for us to reflect to others how we feel inside.  For the record men, nix the thong, it’s not cool... ever.

View From Below

16 October, 2009. Denise Ferguson

I have woken this morning feeling like I smoked a thousand cigarettes.  No I don't smoke... I'm renovating.  Some dust, two slugs, a live cockroach and the most disgusting soap dish I have ever seen has confirmed it... the place is in need of a little love.  I currently have to 'hover' when nature calls.  Hmmm, new bathroom?  I can't decide.  Perhaps priority should go to a new fence and gate to keep the dodgy guy with a limp who keeps walking past the window out.  I'd like privacy when I hover please.

In all seriousness though, I've been humbled and filled with gratitude by the help of a particular friend.  My friend has gone over and above the call of duty and dedicated alot of time, effort and swag to help me.  Not only has it been a humbling experience, it has been a mirror to show me how I could be of more value to others.  Perhaps I've been too motivated by my own needs and drive to succeed?  Perhaps I can give, more for the sake of giving and be a friend, regardless of what friends have done for me.  I will return the favour tenfold if need be (perhaps not in the form of DIY thanks...) and i shall pass it forward to as many people as I can.