Looking after yourself: how to fill and empty cup

I wanted to start a new year positively with a kindness post a week. So here is to week 2! How fast has this last few weeks gone? Seriously?! 

This last week has been interesting work wise and exciting in my private life. 

I’ve been working on a couple of different archaeological sites this week. Plus I’ve helping another “new to the company” woman learn the ropes. Which has been both fulfilling and encouraging because I’m still relatively new myself so I find myself learning right along side this lovely lady. 

As for my personal life... well my boyfriend and I today celebrated the fact we survived 6 months together as a couple. Miracles happen. Lol. Whilst I make jokes, he has really looked after me and welcomed me into his family. I spent all of my time with him and his family over Christmas. They all welcomed me in with open arms which is nice because I was so far away from my own family. He has had to learn the hard way how to care for me when I’m not well and how to deal with me when I’m tired, grumpy and inevitably emotional. He’s also had to deal with my quirks and weird sense of humour. I really appreciate this man and his support and encouragement! Thanks G!

Kindness wise I’ve been doing all kinds of things. For instance I brought cheap (reduced to £0.05 per pack of 6) Fruit mince pies to work. I can’t eat them (they are neither Celiac friendly OR AIP friendly) but I thought they would bring a smile to the faces of my colleagues. It did. 

I’ve also smiled at people, complimented some, expressed gratitude for people and things that came my way, baked goodies to share, did a couple odd jobs for people, even made some much needed hot beverages for those I’ve spent time with. I even bought a mate a drink at the pub on Friday night. 

I also did some things to look after myself. Or alternatively put...Be Kind to myself!!!

I had a bath, Meditated (I love the Insight Timer App), Read a book (one of many I got for Christmas), Made a yummy meal and Baked yummy food even I can enjoy. 

I have a list now of things I like to do to help me improve my mood and be kind to myself. After all they do say you cannot give from an empty cup. 

Maybe you can take some “Sunday Ideas” from this list above. Or you could make your own! I keep this list in my journal which I have with me all the time.

What do you like doing that fills your cup up? 

What thing do you do that helps you to be kind to others? 

Wishing you all a great weekend. 

Love Daena x

Lent gifting day 17

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!! 

Today marks the 40th Anniversary of my Grandfathers (my mums dad) death. So we just celebrated this Scottish mans life by drinking his favourite Scotch Whiskey and playing cards on this traditionally Irish celebration of Saint Patrick's life. My grandfather had a healthy sense of humour too. Playing cards and raising our glasses to his memory...We had a lot of fun. 

I really wanted to start this Game of Lent Gifting to have fun as well as make my life easier in the future. So today's thing to gift was something that was fun to use when I needed it but it's also fun to give to someone else to enjoy. I love general knowledge. I know my friends and family have laughed sharing the stupid and random information that stays with all of us. So I'm glad I can share this with someone else.  

I often take life too seriously. I know it. But I also make sure I laugh a lot. In the weirdest and more complicated situations I often find something to laugh about or to share a giggle with a friend. 

My niece and nephew have also both found their niches with jokes and jokes books. So I can giggle with my niece and nephew over bad knock knock jokes. I really appreciate their humour. 

Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. 

Make sure that, not matter what is going on in your life, you take time to laugh and make yourself feel good. Comedy shows and comedians are just a couple suggestions. Because honestly sometimes we just need to laugh our heads off and feel good. 

Sending love and kindness to you all. 

Love Daena 

An anniversary of sorts... still missing dad!

Hey everyone,
So today is the anniversary of my fathers death.Victor Guest (my dad) died one year ago.

Just after midnight this day, last year, mum & I got a phone call to say dad had passed away peacefully in his sleep. We made our way down to his nursing home, and said our good byes. My sister Vandra made the journey down from the hills, to say her own goodbye. And then we waited with him until the early hours of the morning to see him taken safely into the care of the undertakers. We watched over him like guardians.

When we eventually got home we slept badly (my sister having to sleep on the couch in our tiny house). And we woke early, after only a couple hours sleep, to make the phone calls and tell those who knew us, and dad, what happened. It was one of the longest nights/days of my life. 

But even through it all I am grateful. He is at rest. No more suffering. No more pain! It hurts for those of us left behind but it is a blessing for dads body and his spirit. I miss him. But he is a constant companion to me when I work, and spend time in the garden. Social justice and Permaculture, just two of his many and varied passions!

I miss talking to him. He would be so proud of us, working together as a strong family (those biologically related and those "add ons"). He would be proud because we are following our passions in all shapes and forms.

I'm proud to have had a dad like Victor. He helped build me into the amazing person I am today (and a modest girl too. Lol)! And I miss him, I miss him oodles. I continue to love him dearly, in new ways, for the things he taught me without me knowing it!

He taught me kindness, understanding, and generosity of spirit (all with the help of my amazing mum). He taught me that it doesn't matter what colour, race, religion, creed, sexuality,or life choices a person has made, they are still human, after all "we all bleed red blood". He taught me that everyone deserves kindness, and that is what I am trying to pass on to others too. So a part of him will live on in others, even if they never got to meet him.

So today I ask something simple of you... could you please do a kindness for a guy you've never met today, to honour his life? You don't need to tell me what you've done, just that you did it. Please? Thank you! I appreciate that! :)

Lastly, can I say, rest well Dad, you deserve the peace. See you in the next life.
Love from your little Miss Chief! Xxx