Flowers in the desert + a Recipe for a Better day + How to be Empathetic = 3 posts that have made a difference to my week 🙂

These pictures of the desert covered in flowers, which I found via Ann Voskamp’s website, feel like a metaphor for how I see my life right now. I’ve written a bit about my childlessness before, and how it feels to want a baby but not conceive. It’s often described as ‘barrenness’ and I have certainly experienced feelings of emptiness as the years have gone by, just as the desert is seen as barren and lifeless. Lately though, despite still feeling sadness at times, I’ve been resolving to make the most of the opportunity my childlessness brings. It’s taught me to have ambitions where before I did not, to seek out how I can use my life and situation for good. I’m finding life in my desert, just like the flowers growing up through the cracks in the dry ground.

I’ve really enjoyed a lot of Tania’s posts at Joy Felicity Jane recently. I love her honesty about the challenges of moving to Sydney, I love her photos, and I love her attitude! Her Recipe for a Better Day gave me good advice, but also comfort that I’m not the only one who finds some days hard work.

Jo is a lovely friend of mine, who I visited this week. She is such a good host and after an evening and a morning of sitting in her garden, eating her food and playing with her girls I felt so refreshed 🙂 She writes at joswinney.com and I found her post about the Difference between Empathy and Sympathy really helpful. Sometimes it’s all too easy to sympathise with people rather than walking through their pain with them, and this was a really helpful reminder.

So… A few photos from Jo’s garden, and a Bible verse about friendship 🙂

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.