After 20-something years, a very close friend from high school got in touch and tonight we had dinner. What a delight it was to spend time with her and her mother and hear all about their lives, successes, family... and to giggle and share memories from our crazy teenage years. She is now an importer of lovely goods from Peru - lots of beautiful alpaca knitwear.
We met at a trade fair being held in Melbourne. We went for a walk around the fair - past beautiful handbags, elegant jewellry, leather goods. I have to say, it was so hard to stay 'on the wagon' and resist the lure of a gorgeous patent leather handbag that would be perfect for my law books this semester. I found myself trying to reason as to why I needed it & that it wouldn't really be shopping.
Clearly, I'm addicted to 'stuff'. I don't need a new handbag - there are a number of lovely ones in my wardrobe. I don't need something for my books as I have a wheelie bag + a car that lugs me to and from work. I don't need more stuff... this was just a reaction to the fact that I'm struggling with PMS and I'm detoxing after 4 weeks of no shopping. It was hard - particularly as I didn't tell my friend about my commitment for this year.
I've been listening to the audiobook The Power by Rhonda Byrne (which I purchased from the iTunes store ages ago). It is an interesting book. While it doesn't say anything I haven't heard before, the focus on the idea of 'love' fits with my thinking about love and what I need. Byrne talks about finding passion and thinking about what you'd like to achieve. Talking to my friend tonight over a great Indian dinner, I realised that I had lost all the passion of my youth and was struggling to come up with the big ideas and dreams that used to come naturally to me.
That, I feel, is the next step in my path. February will be devoted to rediscovering my passion and dreams.
On the news front, I am very pleased to report that both Pan and Chai are home and are doing well. After a few days in hospital, they are both home and, although a little balder and battle scared, seem to have recovered from their ordeal. They are cranky that they are no longer allowed outside, but they are recovering and it is a delight to have them back in our lives. Thank you for all your good thoughts & wishes -they are very much appreciated!
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