Sunday Sessions with Philippa

This is the post where I share with you what I have learnt over the last week, with the thinking that I will use that insight to better live this coming week.  Hindsight is a privilege and reflection a great tool. I invite you to join me on this journey. 

I am judgmental

I generally think of myself as a nice person.  I am mostly friendly, except for the times I appear aloof, but I am an introvert, so maybe it’s just that.  I try to be Jesus-like and love everyone. And then today on the beach a group of youngsters arrive.  There were 4 young men, a young woman and a baby.  They arrived on the beach and immediately made their presence known with the biggest portable speaker I have ever seen. They were entirely intentional in sharing their music, their horrible, obnoxious music.  And the way they were dancing…

And the way they were behaving in front of the baby…

And were they properly caring for the baby…

And what were they drinking…

As we walked to the car, I contemplated calling the police, because of… I don’t know what, but it looked wrong, so it had to be, right? And in that moment this lovely thought popped into my brain, you are so judgmental.  The problem was this isn’t the first time I have allowed myself to think myself better in some way or another.  Jesus’ love is not conditional, so why do I think I get to police other people?

I spend a lot of time on self-talk and it is super unhelpful

I have had a rubbish week.  The older two were sent home from school with lice on Monday.  If you have ever had the lice experience you understand my frustration, right?  And then work, well, ya, work.  You remember the post about introspection? Well, I failed, and before I knew it I was having conversations with myself about all the things that need to actually be said out loud.  The problem with self-talk like I have been abusing it, is that by the time I would have the necessary conversation it would be horrible and obnoxious like the music those youngsters played on the beach. 

I love frangipanis

Many of my childhood holidays were spent at my grandparents’ home in Strand, South Africa.  I was often too embarrassed to say we were holidaying in Strand, even if I loved my holidays with my grandparents.  You see Strand is not Cape Town.  We recently moved to Strand, and it has been such hard work living here that I missed out on the beauty around me.  My grandparents had frangipani and guava trees growing in their garden and I love them.  When we moved into our house we discovered what looked like the saddest frangipani tree growing in our backyard, I had even though about removing it.  Yesterday, while taking laundry off the line I turned to see the most beautiful frangipani flowers growing off the sad tree.  They reminded to grow where I am planted. 

I am 35 and enjoying it

Thanks all, you are awesome. 

Much love

Philippa