Just a thought #10

Inspiration Files #9

Random Ramblings #3

We spend a lot of our lives seeking affirmation and approval.

From a young age we may show our parents our newly drawn painting so they can congratulate us on our teddy bear that has six eyes and octopus tentacles.

As we grow older it could be approval for your choice of life partner, how and where you live or your choice of career.

It takes a lot to live only for yourself. By that I don't mean to be selfish and ignore everyone else. But, to be able to accept criticism and objection to your choices and points of view.

I believe that for one to be happy one must be content. Content with where you are what you are doing. To be able to take what the world throws at you and to grow with it.

#2

From the kitchen #3

Chicken and asparagus pasta

Has: Chicken, asparagus, onions, basil, garlic and manchego cheese

Tastes: Fresh and light

Other info: You could add an egg yolk to create a slightly more creamy sauce

#1

Random Ramblings #2

As a society in general, we have become so quick and instantaneous.

We are so quick to decide as to what is right or wrong, good or bad. Are we not educated to research and find all the facts before passing any sort of judgement? I understand we do not live in a perfect world where we can know and understand all facets of the argument. However, shouldn't greater effort be made to understand the whys behind the choices being made?

We have an increasingly high demand for things to be speedy. Have we become spoiled by the ability to achieve instant gratification due to the technological advanced in our society? Has the demand for fast cars, fast Internet and fast online shopping delivery mean that we now also demand fast decision making and judgement?

From the kitchen #2

Pumpkin salad

Has: Pumpkin, chicken, onions, pinenuts, shallots and thyme

Tastes: Like potato salad made with pumpkin.  The pumpkin brings a sweetness to the dish

Other info: You could either steam, boil or roast the pumpkin for varying textures and flavours

Just a thought #9

Inspiration Files #8

Random Ramblings #1

Do we live in a society which requires us to conform?

I was watching a four year old do his homework where he was required to draw some raindrops on a page of people holding umbrellas.  His mother was sitting with him to help

The first thing that happened is that his mother gave him a blue crayon.  Who says rain has to be blue? Is it even really blue?  After a bit of deliberation between the light blue and dark blue crayon, the little boy settled on the dark blue crayon.

The page required the child to draw drops of rain.  There were samples provided.  The little boy started drawing long lines of blue.  His mother said, look at the sample provided, does rain look like that?  It should be short lines showing the drops of rain.  Who is to say how long a raindrop is?  Do all raindrops look the same?

We live in a society which has so many expectations to be of a certain way.  Would it be so terrible if a child were to draw rain with a pink crayon?  Perhaps they really have seen rain where the light has affected it so it looks pink?  Or maybe, when they draw long drops of rain it signifies what they saw when there was a storm outside and it was absolutely pouring.  I understand that when there are so many people, schools must form some way to be able to make sure they can grade them or control them as a group.

However, are we starting to lose the innocence and creativity of childhood through the simple exercise of drawing blue short raindrops?

Inspiration Files #7

Just a thought #8

No one has to love you unconditionally.  They simply choose to.