Author: Amanda Viviers

Place: Milkd

Poison: Long Mac

Favourite things: Claudine on the phone

John Mayer’s new album ‘Continuum’ is inspiring. I love his lyrical content, the bluesy, jazz, accoustic vibes but most of all the creative picture that the whole package unveils.

Music is something that totally unravels the tension in my being from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Some days you just need to turn on some tunes and dance in the dark!

Some people freak out at the thought of dancing. What if someone sees me, what if I look dumb, seriously what if…But dancing for no reason whatsoever in the privacy of your living room is one of lifes simplest pleasures. I remember so fondly the years where I taught dancing, in random outback halls, basket ball courts and church common rooms. I think I enjoyed myself often more than the kids.

Growing up we were a family who always put on little performances and created a stage out of our sunken living room. Dressing my brother up with oranges and my mums bathers was something we thought was just so hilarious esp when he let us get the lipstick out as well.

Today in the midst of Christmas production auditions tonight, The Big Weekend around the corner, Church Together on the horizon, I turned the lights off in my living room, swirled my ipod onto John Mayer’s new tune ‘Slow Dancing in a Burning room’.

Praying my neighbours werent peaking through the fence.

Gold!

A

 

Place: My house

Poison: Water

Favourite Things: Ipod with John Mayers new album downloaded! (NICE)

With our biggest events of the year a few weeks away, we are on the volunteer bandwagon again…When we ask people to sacrifice their already precious time, often its done with much reticence, as we are so sober about time and its value in our society.

I have been thinking though, when I volunteer, when I give of my time for no expected return, I am always the one who recieves. Its the paradox of servanthood. Serving others seems like such a sucky way to live your life, but the more I serve, the more I give away, the bigger and more meaningful my life is becoming.

Self centred, self consumed, self orientated people are so frustrating and boring to be around. Those who continue to think beyond themselves and generously give of them selves are so INTERESTING because they stick their finger up at society and its percieved cultural norms!!

Life is not just about you and your pursuits, your plasma and its remote control, give your time away for another and that is the true meaning of fulfillment.

Volunteering for a local community interest group, for a church, for a cause is an amazing way to pass away the hours. Wherever you are in the world, right on your corner there is someone doing something that needs your help!

In humility walk over to them, ask what you can do to help and then do it with all your might.

I will make a bet with you, that if you do it with the right spirit, you will be the bigger for it!

Generousity rules…

A

Place: Milkd (where else?)

Poison: Long Mac

Favourite Things: my pencil case…

I heard a speaker at last weeks ‘Leadership Summit’ say, ‘Greatness is not a function of your circumstance, it is the result of your disciplined choices…’

Wow, what an amazing statement. So often I say, Oh that’s not happening because…Oh I can’t do that because…Oh well thats how the cookie crumbles…I cant fulfill my dreams because…

But this statement kicks me in the butt, with a big, its not about what happens to you, its how you respond to it. Thinking about it late last night, I want to live a great life. Not because I want to be a rockstar or famous, I want to live a great life because I understand the priveleges that I have and want to reflect them by my choices.

People who I believe are living a great life: My Mum and Aunt Eileen, Elaine Fraser, Aidie Warrilow, Mrs Chis…Women that you probably don’t even know, but I do, and I so believe they are living a life of greatness, serving their family and their God but also living the life of their dreams…

Am getting ready for a HUGE event manaegement month, and my simple prayer is ‘Lord help me to make GREAT choices’

Choices in the way I speak to others when stressed, Choices in how I steward my time to be effective and love those closest to me at the same time. Choices of who I spend time with and who I don’t, not because I want to be clicky, but I want to be around people who speak life. Positivity and great conversations are a gift that I don’t take lightly.

Miss intense this morning needs to chill out…intensity and peace the tension between greatness.

Much Love

A

Place: at home

Poison: Diet Coke

Favourite Things: My four poster bed

Every idea has a time of awakening. Every idea has power, but once in a lifetime, sometimes for the lucky maybe a second, an idea comes along that will change your life.

I believe there is a great idea inside of everyone, something that will make such a contribution to the world that it will take your breath away. An idea that is longing to be birthed and given the resonance for it to ripple around the world.

Every person, no matter who you are, has a unique personality and signature that has the ability to impact this world. It could be an idea about a friend, an idea to revolutionise a childs life, an idea of how to connect one with another, an idea of grand proportions, that is just awaiting expression.

Creativity is not in limited supply. The worlds market for oil maybe sky rocketing and forecast to run out, but creativity is not in short supply. It is limitless, it is unfathomable, it is eternal.

The ideas within your soul, mind and spirit are awaiting expression, and our world needs your imprint to make it continue to grow and change.

The ideas you have are valuable. Their currency is rare, because there is not one other soul on the earth that can bring the creative expression that you alone can bring. Because there is no other you. I do believe in soul mates, I was the child of a twin so I understand that their are people who are inexplicably connected to others, but not one single other person has the same finger print as you, so not one other person can bring a resonance to the same big idea that you have…

Share them. Unlock the ideas and dream big

Thats what you were created for…

Expectant

A

Place: Milkd

Poison: Water

Favourite Things: Lap top bag, green. hmmm.

I totally have this thing about family. I also have this thing about Christmas. When I come to think about it, I have this thing about traditions as well… Although I am single and one day hope to have a family, I love that my mum taught me to love traditions.

Traditions like Boxing Day with the Smith Family, a tradition that I adore. Birthday parties, family toasts (special speeches at family night) and breakfast in bed. The Christmas tree up on the first day of December and down on the 12th of January. Camping with friends and family. Standing outside the door until the person leaving has driven away. Grace. Monday night= family night. Baileys, Pina Colada’s and spas! Bali with cousins and parents. Reading before falling asleep. Big walks along the beach. Dinner music…

At this time of year, the real romantic comes out in me, and my love of traditions, warms my weary soul. It is at the end of the year that I believe family and traditions should burn bright.

THE RIGHT TO BE RIDICULOUS IN YOUR PAJAMAS AROUND THE ONES WHO LOVE YOU THE MOST. Nice. That’s a tradition I will always carry into my sphere, no matter who I am with.

LAUGHING FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER, BECAUSE FAMILY IS HILARIOUS. (my Sister and I last night!)

SENDING CARE PACKAGES TO THOSE WHO ARE IMPORTANT TO ME BUT LIVE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, Miss Hannah, Miss Ruth, Beautiful Annie, Outrageous Claudine, Hilarious Serg, have all been recipients…(ps standby ruthie package number 2 is on its way right now!!!!)

The right to be ridiculous and let the tension of a week fade away in the bright lights of family tradition.

LOVE IT!!!!

A