Musings: The Day Back at Work After a 4 Day Easter Weekend....

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!

Song of the Moment: Lullaby by Nickelback

I haven't posted anything in a while because, well, real life has been really kicking my a**. I'm loving this song, Lullaby by Nickelback, from their new album Here and Now. I've been listening to it a lot. Such poignant, beautiful and encouraging lyrics and message. This video makes me bawl like a baby, though. Every. Single. Time. LOL So I just wanted to share. :-)

"Lullaby" by Nickelback

Well, I know the feeling
Of finding yourself stuck out on the ledge
And there ain't no healing
From cutting yourself with the jagged edge
I'm telling you that, it's never that bad
Take it from someone who's been where you're at
Laid out on the floor
And you're not sure you can take this anymore

So just give it one more try to a lullaby
And turn this up on the radio
If you can hear me now
I'm reaching out
To let you know that you're not alone
And if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell
'Cause I can't get you on the telephone
So just close your eyes
Oh, honey here comes a lullaby
Your very own lullaby

Please let me take you
Out of the darkness and into the light
'Cause I have faith in you
That you're gonna make it through another night
Stop thinking about the easy way out
There's no need to go and blow the candle out
Because you're not done
You're far too young
And the best is yet to come

So just give it one more try to a lullaby
And turn this up on the radio
If you can hear me now
I'm reaching out
To let you know that you're not alone
And if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell
'Cause I can't get you on the telephone
So just close your eyes
Oh, honey here comes a lullaby
Your very own lullaby

Well, everybody's hit the bottom
Everybody's been forgotten
When everybody's tired of being alone
Yeah, everybody's been abandoned
And left a little empty handed
So if you're out there barely hanging on...

Just give it one more try to a lullaby
And turn this up on the radio
If you can hear me now
I'm reaching out
To let you know that you're not alone
And if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell
'Cause I can't get you on the telephone
So just close your eyes
Oh, honey here comes a lullaby
Your very own lullaby
Oh, honey here comes a lullaby
Your very own lullaby

Inspiration of the Moment: Anger Management

Inspiration of the Moment: Cocoon

My Poetry: Missing You...

Two days ago marked 5 years since my big brother passed away at the age of 33. This poem is for him, for Jamie.

Missing You…

It’s been a few years now,

Since I’ve heard your voice,

But not hearing it,

Hasn’t been a choice;

It’s been some time since I saw,

The cheeky sparkle in your eyes,

Nestled in a special place in my mind,

This precious memory of you lies;

I gently let them loose,

When I’m missing you,

I clutch them to my heart,

Then I do what I have to do;

I move forward with Life,

As that’s what you’d want,

To embrace Life wholeheartedly,

And not be nonchalant;

You always gave so generously,

You had such a big heart,

Your cheerful Life’s philosophy,

Will be my navigational chart;

I know I was most often times,
The reserved, melancholy one,
While there you were,
Our bright (sometimes annoying :-D) sun;

I look forward to the day,

When I can hug you once again,

To know that we lived Life right,

And we can sing joyfully, Amen!

~ By Jayne Michellane a.k.a Lady Jayne, 6 March 2012

REVIEW: Branded by Fire (#6 Pasy-Changeling) by Nalini Singh

5 of 5 Stars

YOWZA!!! I felt Branded by Fire, alright!!!

 

This installment of the Psy-Changeling series started out SCORCHINGLY HAWT! 

When Mercy Smith, a sentinel of the DarkRiver leopard pack, leaves her best friend Dorian’s wedding to go for a run, as it was difficult seeing him and the other sentinels all happily mated, she is found by none other than the highest ranking Lieutenant SnowDancer wolf who pushes her buttons, the sexy Riley Kincaid. Riley can see that Mercy is in heat and antagonises her into a “wrestling” match that turns into something primal…all in the first few pages! As I said, YOWZA!!! 

Who you calling hot, wolf???

Yield to me, kitty. You know you want to.

This is the first changeling-changeling romance in the series, and I must say, it was certainly EXPLOSIVE! The chemistry and sparks between Mercy and Riley is off the charts.

This is also the first book with a wolf hero. While I love the DarkRiver cats, I also enjoy getting more of the SnowDancer wolves. And while I’ve loved the stories with the Psy/Changeling and Psy/Human pairings, it was great that Nalini Singh changed pace with this one. 

Mercy and Riley, as the representatives for each of their packs in their still new alliance, are thrown together often, and in this one, they have to work very closely together. 

Mercy a.k.a. Miss Bikini Babe 2067 is afraid she’ll never mate, because she’s a dominant female in her pack and she doesn’t want to be with someone she is more dominant over nor does she want to submit. Mercy is kickass, and her family and pack are very important to her.

 Miss Bikini Babe 2067 - Rawr!!!

Riley a.k.a. The Wall…or Mr Mud Stick/Muddie, as Mercy refers to him … is responsible and serious but is also so deliciously sexy and caring. I love these kinds of heroes! Just like my darling Marcus, Lord Westcliff, of Lisa Kleypas Wallflowers series. They are so outwardly controlled, but when they fall for a woman, their control is decimated and their passions are incredible to behold. Riley is so protective and he has a big heart. Just love him!

“Be gentle with him, Mercy. He's got a heart as big as Texas— he'll die for you without blinking. But he doesn't expect anyone to do the same for him.”

Be gentle, Mercy!

Physically, these two are far from gentle with each other. Being changelings, biting and scratching certainly factors into their passions - it was very primal. They simply can’t keep their paws off each other. 

On the emotional front, Riley is convinced he wants a domestic female for a mate, not an independent, kickass one, who would be putting herself in danger on a regular basis. But when things develop deeper with Mercy, he realises that Mercy is the one for him. But how can Mercy bring herself to submit to Riley? 

I absolutely loved their banter!

Riley: "Do you want to claw at me, kitty-cat? Come on."
Mercy: "Sorry, I don't beat defenseless puppies.”

While there was no slow build-up to their physical relationship, like with couples in previous books - though there was already sexual tension brewing between them, earlier in the series - I loved reading about the development of Mercy and Rileys’ emotional relationship. These two struggled with how to make not only a relationship between two dominants work but between two different changeling packs.

Things aren’t easy for Mercy and Riley, and as much as I enjoyed the banter, I loved the moments of intimacy as they both bared their souls, making this a truly satisfying read. And when they submit to each other, in the end, it was simply wonderful!

“I have something for you.”
“Yeah? What? Is it shiny?”
They both waited until Indigo had jogged away before resuming their conversation. “So,” Riley asked, “what have you got for me?”
Taking his hand, she placed it palm-down over her heart. It would hurt like a bitch, she thought, but he was hers to protect as much as she was his. “Me.” And she opened up her soul, laid herself bare.”

*sighs*

I loved seeing Mercy and Riley get their HEA!
 

I love how Nalini Singh lets readers into the ongoing relationships of couples from earlier books after they get their HEA, such as with Lucas and Sascha, who hold a very special place in my heart, and the development that happens in this installment was just “awww…”. And seeing Judd and Brenna in their HEA, too, was great.

Sienna is all grown up now and tensions are rising between Sienna and Hawke. Looking forward to getting to their book!

I enjoyed meeting Mercy’s three gorgeous brothers – Bastian, Sage and Grey.

I’m enjoying the progression of the overall series story arc and the tensions growing between the Psy, Changelings and humans. 

The mystery of The Ghost continues to intrigue me.

And is it wrong that I find Kaleb Krychek alluring in some dark way? Could he be The Ghost??

If you still haven’t picked up a Psy-Changeling book by Nalini Singh, then you really should do something about that!

Credits:
My Mercy - Amanda Righetti
My Riley - Aaron O'Connell 

Inspiration of the Moment: Insecurity

“Insecurity. It's in all of us. That voice inside that tells us that we can't do something, that we’ re not good enough, that we shouldn’ t even try. And when we listen to the voice we hold ourselves back in ways we don't even realise. All because we're scared to take a chance, to face our fears, to see what we're really capable of.”

~ Erica, in Being Erica S4E2, Osso Barko

Be brave. When Insecurity threatens to drown you, hold strong, ride the tide, and let it wash away.

 

REVIEW: Again the Magic (#0.5 Wallflowers) by Lisa Kleypas

5 Stars

“The worst thing you can do for love is deny it; so when you find that special someone, don't let anyone or anything to get in your way.” 
 ~ Author Unknown

“It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return, but what is the most painful is to love someone and  never find the courage to let the person know how you feel.” ~ Author Unknown

Lisa Kleypas is one of my absolute favourite authors. Most of her books are keepers for me. I devoured her books in 2007, after my BFF recommended her to me, and they helped me through one of the absolute worst years of my life. So, that makes Lisa Kleypas’ books and characters even more extra special for me. I’ll never be able to express how much they mean to me!

Because I read this book pre-Goodreads, I didn’t do a review for it. Also, I’m afraid that nothing I could say could ever be worthy of the eloquence of Lisa Kleypas’ lyrical and evocative prose. But I keep saying how Ms. Kleypas is one of my favourite, FAVOURITE authors, so I think I should attempt some reviews.

If you haven’t picked up a Lisa Kleypas book, before, then you really should!

Again the Magic is a star-crossed lovers and reunited lovers story. It’s a story of betrayal, revenge, secrets, forgiveness, imperfections, trust, and so much more.

It’s considered a prequel to the Wallflowers series because it happens chronologically before it and has Marcus, Lord Westcliff, a much beloved character from Wallflowers in it - I ADORE Marcus!

The story begins with Lady Aline Marsden, daughter of the unbending and intolerant Earl of Westcliff, and her childhood friend, a servant at Stony Cross Manor, John McKenna, falling in love.

“It was likely that no one had been surprised, however, as it was clear that Aline and Mckenna belonged together. There was something invisible and yet irrefutable that made them a couple. Perhaps it was the way both of them stole quick glances at each other when one thought the other wasn't looking... glances of wonder and hunger.”

When their love is found out, to protect McKenna from her father’s destruction, Aline says some very hurtful things to send McKenna away.

Twelve years pass and McKenna has returned to Stony Cross Manor with his business partner, Gideon Shaw, hell bent on revenge on Aline…but his love still burns strong and he can’t bring himself to hurt her.

Aline has suffered a trauma in the intervening years which has changed her and she feels unworthy.

If I had to describe this book in just a couple words, it would be… INTENSE...and...PASSIONATE. I was completely absorbed into this emotional journey with Aline and McKenna. And the love scenes were passion-filled and STEAMY! YOWZA!

I loved the setting at Stony Cross Park and Manor; with the river nearby, the heather-strewn hills of Hampshire, and the woods... Oh, the trees, the trees… ;-) *coughs* 

The river at Stony Cross was Aline and McKenna's special place

 McKenna is brooding, passionate and intense and his declarations are oh, so romantic. I love McKenna!

“I want morning and noon and nightfall with you. I want your tears, your smiles, your kisses...the smell of your hair, the taste of your skin, the touch of your breath on my face. I want to see you in the final hour of my life...to lie in your arms as I take my last breath.”

My heart ached for Aline and her feelings of unworthiness; it really hurt to see that even in the face of McKenna’s immense love, she couldn’t bring herself to share with him her fears and secrets. I found both their reactions realistic and raw, and I really, really longed for Aline to get over her issues so that she and McKenna could have the happily-ever-after they deserved. Aline and McKenna brought me to tears.

I absolutely loved seeing my darling Marcus as the wonderful big brother he is. He is so protective towards his sisters and I loved “the talk” he had with Aline.

This was a two-for-one romance, and I must say that I am one of those people who didn’t have an issue with this. Both romances were developed enough to my satisfaction. Sure, if they had been separated out into two separate books, we definitely would have gotten more development of both relationships, but like I said, this really didn’t bother me.

The secondary romance between Livia and Gideon really touched me, too. Livia is a widow and Gideon a rake with an alcohol addiction. Gideon was rakishly, playfully sexy and I loved the teasing attraction between these two that turned into so much more. But what I loved most the honesty and courage that Livia showed and the response that Gideon had to it, in the end.

I enjoyed getting glimpses of Livia’s and Gideon’s HEA in the Wallflowers series.

When I re-read this, a few years ago, I was deeply into Moonlight and that may have affected my images slightly. I’m not complaining though. LOL

My McKenna (Alex O’Loughlin) and My Aline (Madeleine Stowe) 

Inspiration of the Moment and My Photography: After the Rain

Okay, now that I've given my dark muse its expression again, it's time to focus on the light...

I title this “After The Rain”, taken at Waterfall Gully, 11 Feb 2012.

“After every storm the sun will smile; for every problem there is a solution, and the soul's indefeasible duty is 

to be of good cheer."

 ~ William R. Alger

“Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you.”

 ~ Langston Hughes

“Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them?” 

~ Rose Kennedy

My Poetry: A Silent Shout

Feeling all mixed up again, today, and this slipped out…

~*~ A Silent Shout ~*~

Caught in a spiral,

Churning emotions gone viral,

So many things to express,

My inability causes duress;

I want to tell you,

What’s in my heart,

But I don’t even know,

Where to start;

How do I tell you,

All I desire,

My feelings all caught up,

 In a quagmire;

I feel like, 
I can’t breathe,

Suffocating in, 
My emotional sheathe;

I feel immobile,

My words gone sterile,

And then...

 The tears slip out,

A silent shout.

~ By Jayne Michellane a.k.a Lady Jayne, 27 Feb 2012

 Image Credit: Tear Drop by JosCos - Stunning!


"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love."

~ Washington Irving

Sultry Saturday: Life's a Beach Pt. 3

It's been super hot today, so here's something to cool down... All that lovely, cool, foamy water, washing over heated skin...Ah, yes, I feel better already. ^_^

REVIEW: Hostage to Pleasure (#5 Psy-Changeling) by Nalini Singh

5 Stars!!!

Time to catch up on my reviews for this series…

“I heard the sniper’s voice against my ear when I woke today. He whispered sensual promises so savage, I can hardly believe these thoughts come from some corner of my own psyche. And yet they must. Because, at the end, he called me prey.

And told me to run.

- From the encrypted personal files of Ashaya Aleine”

Now why does that give me a delicious shiver?! Because it’s Dorian!! *sighs and swoons* I LOVE Dorian!!! And I loved this book and Ashaya! ^_^

Dorian, from the first moment I met him in the first book of the series, captured a piece of my heart. In Slave to Sensation, we meet Dorian when his beloved little sister, Kylie, had just been murdered by a Psy, and he was in so much pain and filled with rage. My heart just ached for Dorian.

The other pain in Dorian’s life is that he’s a “latent” leopard – a leopard who can’t shift into his animal form. In every other way - his senses, speed, strength, etc. - Dorian is a leopard. To compensate for his latency, Dorian is a high achiever, always striving to make sure he is the best. He is a super-skilled sniper, a computer genius, and is as lethal as the other sentinels of the DarkRiver leopard changeling pack, despite looking like a gorgeous surfer. Dorian, with his charming nature, portrays to the world that he has come to terms with his latency, and he mostly has…but deep down, he hasn’t really.

“When you want something so bad it hurts,” he said quietly, “and you bury it, bury it so deep that you convince yourself it no longer matters . . . and someone tells you you can have it, it's terrifying. What if you take the chance and you're wrong? What if you let yourself feel the loss and it's this huge pain and you can't put it back in the box?”

Ashaya Aleine is an M-Psy (Medical); a specialist in DNA. Ashaya never really took to the Silence Protocol, ie. the conditioning the Psy race has imposed on the race to eliminate emotion, in order to protect their society from mental degeneration and madness. But because of this, Ashaya has very strong psychic shields, and she had to carry out a ruse for her own, and her son’s, survival in the PsyNet. She is intelligent and compassionate.

Ashaya sought help from DarkRiver, the dominant leopard changeling pack in the San Francisco surrounds, to rescue her son, Keenan, after she helped them out in the previous book.

Ashaya manages to escape from the Psy research facility where she was required to work on some special projects. After she escapes, she ends up with DarkRiver - Dorian, specifically.

I loved being sucked into the electrifying sexual tension and developing relationship between Dorian and Ashaya. Dorian battles with his hatred for the Psy, and his leopard-self telling him that Ashaya is his mate; he was a hostage to his compulsion towards her. I loved the banter between these two. Ashaya is strong and doesn’t back down from Dorian, and Dorian can be both charming and demanding.

‘Her eyes opened.

Locked with his.

“Why are you watching me?” Her eyes, he saw, were not blue, not truly. They were a vivid pale gray with blue shards coming in from the outer ring to hit the pure black of her pupils. Strange eyes. Wolf eyes.

“My leopard is fascinated by you.” By her sensuous, flawless skin, her wild hair, her damn curves. He leaned in and blew a gentle breath that made a rebel tendril dance. “I dreamed of running my tongue across your skin.” He spoke to release some of the tension, to leash the beast before it broke its bonds. “Of exploring you in long, slow licks."

She didn’t break the deeply intimate visual connection. “You’re crossing lines again."

Hell yeah. It was either that or go insane. “And your heartbeat just got erratic.” The cat smiled, pleased. Ashaya Aleine wasn’t as immune to him as she liked to pretend. “What would happen if I tasted you? If I took a bite out of you?”’

*SHIVERS* Hell yeah, Dorian is insanely sexxxy!

There is plenty of hot, sexy romance, intrigue, and suspense in this one! But what I loved most was how Ashaya helped Dorian heal, and how a family was formed between her, Keenan and Dorian.

Ashaya’s son, Keenan, was adorable, and I loved watching the bond that formed between him and Dorian, with Keenan’s almost immediate trust in Dorian, and Dorian’s protective instincts toward Keenan.

Ashaya has a twin who will... Creep. You. Out. Yet the bonds of twinhood are so strong.

I’m really enjoying the world that Nalini Singh has created, with the tensions between the cold Psy, especially their governing body, the Psy Council, and their machinations, and the changelings and humans.

I admit that I enjoy watching sci-fi but not necessarily reading it, and I had found the concept of the PsyNet a little confusing, initially, but now, I am really enjoying it!

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I love how racially diverse the characters are in this series. I believe Nalini Singh’s own background of being a Fijian Indian, who moved to New Zealand as a child, and then teaching English in Japan for a few years, gave her a real appreciation of different ethnicities, and I love how she knit this into the fabric of the Psy-Changeling world. Nalini Singh has removed the prejudice against the colour of one’s skin, and instead, created a world where it is the dichotomy between cold logic versus hot emotion, and the mental/psychic versus physical/sense-driven, which breeds prejudice.

‘“Hate will destroy you,” she whispered. “It’ll destroy…us.”

He shuddered, burying his face in the curve of her neck. The electric curls of her hair cushioned him with a soft warmth that was so intrinsically female, he couldn’t hope to explain it. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he simply held her, allowed himself to hold her, to accept that she was his mate. And that she came from the very race he’d made a target of all his rage, all his pain…so that he wouldn’t have to face his own guilt.”’
….

“Then save me, Shaya.” He laid his heart bare, invited her to savage it.

Dropping her hand, she turned in his arms. Then, rising up on tiptoe, she cupped his face in her palms and drew him down. Her kiss was innocent, vulnerable, a caress so gentle that it made him her slave between one breath and the next.”

THANK YOU, Nalini Singh, for a wonderful addition to the series!!! 

My Dorian (Jesse Pavelka) and My Ashaya (Aishwarya Rai)

Sultry Saturday: Life's a Beach Pt. 2

I didn't get a chance to post one yesterday, but since it's still Saturday in the Northern hemisphere...

It's a sultry Sunday here, actually, being all hot and humid. I need something to cool me down.

Not sure that did the trick, though! LOL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAVID GANDY!!! ^_^ 

Kitty Cuteness

My Poetry: Melancholy Day

I think I spoke too soon when I said I did not have my poetic muse. LOL I felt very strange and uneasy, yesterday. Just having one of those melancholy days.

~*~Melancholy Day~*~

Melancholy day,

Can't find the words to say,

How strange I feel inside,

Sadness, a rushing tide;

Yet there are no tears,

No identifiable fears,

Just the pulsing of my heart,

The sense of falling apart;

This too shall pass,

It will not last,

Just another melancholy day...

Please dissipate without delay!

But what can I do to speed its way?

Without being torn within its fray?

I will try and give it a tug,

Maybe...I just need a hug.

~ By Jayne Michellane a.k.a. Lady Jayne, 15 February 2012

Inspiration of the moment: The Beautiful Path

Photo taken at Waterfall Gully, 11 Feb 2012

"If the path be beautiful, 

let us not ask where it leads."

  ~ Anatole France 

To me, this means to live in the beautiful moments, without having it marred by the worries of the future. I know that I certainly need to learn to do this more. 

 

Song of the Moment: Northern Lights by Cider Sky

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, EVERYONE!!!

I give you my "Song of the Moment" - Northern Lights by Cider Sky. I feel happy every time I listen to this song. 

I hope it makes you smile and brings you joy 

this Valentine's Day, too. ^_^

 

Raindrops, Sun and Rainbows

Raindrops, sun, and rainbows,

 
Lighting up my window,

 
Sparking up creativity,

 
Creating magic in simplicity.

~ By Jayne Michellane a.k.a. Lady Jayne, 11 Feb 2012

Taken on a rainy drive, with bursts of sun emerging through the clouds.

Sultry Saturdays! - Life's a Beach

I've decided to start a new segment called "Sultry Saturdays", to spice up the weekend. ^_^

It's the last month of Summer here in Australia, and one of my favourite parts of Summer is the beach. Or should I say, sights at the beach. I don't have these sights but I wish I did! LOL 

Mmm...I've never enjoyed sand quite so much, before. Oh, to be that sand and be all over him...^_~

Stay tuned for more Sultry Saturdays!

Inspiration of the Moment: Imperfectly Beautiful

“To banish imperfection 
is to destroy expression,

to check exertion, to paralyze vitality.”

~  John Ruskin from The Stones Of Venice

(Writer, art critic, draughtsman, watercolourist,
social thinker, philanthropist)

 

If you’ve noticed on my blog banner, there are butterflies. My lovely friend Rane Aria created it for me and did an amazing job when I asked her to please incorporate butterflies for me. Thank you again, Rane!

The butterfly has been a symbol of Hope for me for many years in my battle with anorexia, depression and the dreaded Negative Voice in my head. The butterfly is a symbol of transformation from my distorted, wretched mind - from seeing myself as someone fat, short, ugly, stupid, useless and worthless, someone so imperfect that I didn’t deserve to be loved, to someone of worth, who is beautiful because I'm kind and I care about people around me.

The pressure for perfection (and the longing to be loved unconditionally, and not just by my family) was what drove me to anorexia and depression, such that I started starving myself when I was just 11 years old. I also contemplated suicide, many times, and would punch myself in the stomach, where no one could see my bruises. I have come to realise that causing myself physical pain was just a way to release the immense internal pain that I kept hidden away from all those around me, because I feared they would judge me even more if they knew. 

I am now 35 years old and have come a long way from who I was. In recent years I have suffered some painful loses, including the loss of my one and only sibling, my precious big brother. In my deep grief, the butterfly continues to be a symbol of Hope, for me.

I give thanks to God for creating this beautiful creature that starts out life not looking very pretty, that develops a hard shell, and in this chrysalis goes through growing pains, to come out beautiful, but with a fragility, as well as strength to enable it to travel long distances. 

The ancient Greek word for "butterfly" is ψυχή (psȳchē), which primarily means "soul" or "mind”. I’ve always been introspective, but in my journey through overcoming anorexia and the Negative Voice, I continually seek to nourish my soul and my mind. 

Butterflies aren’t just pretty things. The butterfly also serves an important purpose. Butterflies carry pollen from plant to plant. It helps flowers, fruits, and vegetables to produce new seeds. This has always been my desire – to help people. Often times I’ve felt helpless to do so and that led to further self-loathing and depression. I have realised that I can’t heal the world, no matter my desire, but I can make a difference in some people’s lives, and that is what matters.

The butterfly, pictured above, is scarred and imperfect, as am I. But it is still beautiful and it still has a purpose. Every one of us has scars from the grief and trauma we experience in Life. From our scars and imperfections, though, there can emerge the beauty of a meaningful Life.

I have a continuing battle with my Negative Voice, as it does like to rear its ugly head from time to time, especially when I am pressured or feeling vulnerable and it causes me to doubt and hate myself. Most days, I have the strength to tell it to “Shut Up!” Some days, I am so overcome I burst into the tears, and feel battered by this Negative Voice that keeps telling me I’m a failure, that I'm just not good enough, that bad things that happen are my fault, that I can never do anything right. 

Then I keep thinking of the wonderfully created butterfly, and I strive to be the butterfly to the people whose lives I can touch. It brings me out of the deceitful web of lies that the Negative Voice attempts to entrap me in.

So while we strive to be better people and the best we can be, we should never aim to be perfect. Perfection is impossible and the drive for perfection can be self-destructive.

This post was inspired by this blog post by one of my favourite authors, Pamela Clare, titled "Project: Happiness - My new journey" (Project Happiness Link Here).

Pamela isn’t just a wonderful author and journalist who has won awards including a lifetime achievement award. She is an AMAZING person of immense strength, who has suffered many traumas in her life, ones we can only imagine. But more importantly, she has survived and grown stronger from these traumas, and became a voice in her journalism career for those who needed it. Out of her horrific experiences she writes real characters with whom we connect and love. I strongly urge you to read Pamela’s blog post and to follow her and support on her inspiring journey.

THANK YOU, Pamela, for being so courageous and open to share your story and your journey with us. It moved me to tears and inspired me and I know it will many others.

Pamela’s post reminds me that I have been on my own Project Happiness and that it is a lifelong project.

I write poetry which arises out of my darkness, my pain – it focuses inward, but then it somehow starts to free me from that darkness. Through confronting my darkness in this way, I am able to deal with my overwhelming emotions and then release them out into my poems. 

“All great and beautiful work 
has come of first gazing 

without shrinking 
into the darkness.”
~ John Ruskin 

My photography, on the other hand, comes out of my seeking beauty and joy, the light. I look outward into the world around me but what inspires me is not only what I see through my camera lens but how what I see makes me feel; how I can find beauty and meaning in my landscape, in nature, even in the weeds or the gutter, that feeds my soul.

My poetry and my photography are both meaningful to me in their own ways. At the moment, I am focused on my photography, and am actually very thankful that I have no dark muse to incite any more poems, for now. 

“All great art 
is the work 
of the whole living creature, 

body and soul, 
and chiefly of the soul.” 
~John Ruskin 

Pamela’s  "Project: Happiness" post has a powerful parable of the two wolves that her loving sister sent her. It is a battle between good and evil that happens in all of us. I really encourage you to read it. 

Feed the good wolf. Worry not about perfection. Imperfection breathes expression and vitality. 

Today’s quotes are those of John Ruskin who was born on 8 February 1819, and yesterday was the 8^th of February here in Australia. Suffice it to say that John Ruskin has since passed, but his beautiful words live on to inspire future generations.  

“Do not think of your faults, 
still less of other's faults; 

look for what is good and strong, 
and try to imitate it. 

Your faults will drop off, 
like dead leaves, 
when their time comes.” 

~ John Ruskin

My Photography: “G-Utter Beauty”

“There is beauty in the gutter,
Where Resilience springs,
A beauty that reminds us to be thankful,
For the depth of Hope it brings!”
(From my poem “Resilience”)