Thursday, September 19, 2013

The Quite Moments

quite moments in the mornings at the kijaro house


Life is crazy, no matter who you ask, everyone is busy. I am no exception. Sometimes I feel like I am in a circus, with trapeze artists, jugglers, clowns, horses, monkeys, and many many ring leaders. I feel that throughout the day I change rolls. I might be the clown for a second and then end up riding upside down on a horse trying to make it look easy. Its non stop, and really its all a show, a game. 

We all live in our own circus, and sometimes its a blast, and other times you wish the curtain would just close for a day, and let you and your world, catch up. You wish that you could just take time out for you and then take a moment to reflect. 

What I am learning, and that has been a journey across the past few months is, that it doesn't just stop, you have to make it. 

You have to find time within your circus, to sit, reflect and enjoy how far you have come. It really does wonders for you. I was always under the belief that you have to keep going, keep pushing and keep working. But recently I have found, that if you don't stop, and don't rest, and don't take time for you, then the circus game will consume you. 

Although I know all of this, and I am learning I need to reflect and slow down (sometimes), it is still a very hard thing to do. I still feel guilty when I spend a day not working on something. But you have to take a different view. If you spend time with a loved one, its working on your relationship. If you spend time by yourself, its working on your creativity, or your mental health. Lately I have been trying to take time to journal, draw, or even just sit with a cup of tea and reflect. Just to work on myself a little bit, and you know what, I have been joying those little moments. 

I have found in our house, the best time to do this for me is in the mornings. The sun is rising, the light is beautiful, the world is quite, and everyone in our house is still asleep (except for me). It has been lovely to boil the jug, make a cup of tea and sit, by myself and reflect. 

I have found that by doing this I realise that life really isn't that bad, the circus is entertaining and that through out my life so far I have done ok (sometimes, you are your own worst critic). Sure I have faults, and sure things are perfect, but you know what, thats ok, I am on this journey, and if you want to change something, there is no time like the present. The other thing that I have learnt is you need to dream. You need to have goals and  you need to grab them with both hands. If you don't strive for your dreams and do something every day to help get you there, no one else will! 

You have a one life and you can build it into what ever you want to. 

You are the only one holding you back!

So grab a cuppa, and sit for a moment this morning, take time out from your circus and enjoy the moment you have, however fleeting and reflect, dream and plan. It will give you a new perspective to start the day with and a new perspective to create the rest of your life!

Monday, September 16, 2013

The Fear of the Digital World.



Now don't get me wrong, the digital world that we have is amazing! We have instant access to our friends and family across the globe (both the ones we know personally and the ones we know through their online profiles). We have the joys of sharing moments on instagram, blogs and email. You can instantly 'google' it to get the answer you want in just 10 seconds flat. And I am the first to say that I love all of it. We are so very lucky to have this access, however building the kijaro presence in the digital world scares me silly. 

Recently the lovely Amy from the typesmitheryeffect built me a website using an e-commerce site, I was so lucky that I really didn't have to do much, except list items and put in my terms and conditions (which actually took me 4 months, due to the above mentioned fear). A few weeks ago we discovered a flaw in the website which could not be fixed except for paying a third party check out system, which I didnt want to do. 

This has lead to, in the past week a total restructure of the website. The taking down of the old website, putting up a landing page, finding a new ecommerce store, and new website and soon to be new blog. While this is all exciting and a new opportunity to learn, the digital world terrifies me. I don't know if it is because I cant touch it or hold it, or I cant just cut and paste, but in all honesty it sends fear running through my veins! I think it might be because I don't understand it.. code, html, terms and conditions, sub-domains, ecommerce, links and all the other techno jargon! 

Put me in someones garage and tell me to rummage and I'm in heaven, tell me to build a website and I will run faster than a vintage treasure hunter heading to an estate!

My head has been spinning, but something crazy has happened, I have found it quite rewarding trying to do it myself. Yesterday I spoke with the VERY help full tech guru on my hosting website, (who I think secretly wanted me not to have my hosting with them) to assist me to get a landing page up with a shop link, to the new kijaro shop site and have also started to set up the new website. I have been receiving guidance from Amy, but all in all, I have been doing it all myself. Changing code, taking photos, editing them photoshop, finding templates and you know what, it still scares me but  I am so proud I am doing it myself.

I have control (sort of, despite the moments of running to hide under my vintage hospital bed, rocking back and forward, wishing I could just cut and paste my website with paper and glue), I am starting to understand it all (even if it just a little bit), and feeling like a bit of a tech nerd (until I find a word or concept I just don't understand!). I have a long way to go, but its getting there, so this lead me to the exciting stuff! 

Keep an eye out on the shop for new treasures popping up, and also keep an eye on the website. Its all systems go here at kijaro, and Im so very glad to share it with you all!