Inspired

This week was so hectic with work and errands that I haven’t found time to blog. Not only was it very busy but I won’t bore you with all the general stuff that happened 😉

So instead I’ll leave you with this quote. When I read it it made me think about why I am here. If you’re a frequent visitor to my blog you know I’m an environmentalist (or a tree hugger as some like to call it). I believe we should do anything we can to protect our planet for our children, and our children’s children. There are so many environmental disasters happening around us, and most of us sit idly by thinking it doesn’t affect them, but in the long run, it will. So here’s the quote and I hope it makes you think about the meaning of it all as well.

Anything else you’re interested in is not going to happen if you can’t breathe the air and drink the water. Don’t sit this one out. Do something. You are by accident of fate alive at an absolutely critical moment in the history of our planet. – Carl Sagan

With my bare feet on the deck I feel the lingering warmth of a summer day. I look up at the sky where the sun leaves traces of pink and yellow while she’s on her way to shine her light on the other side of the world…

“Now she’s lit by the warm orange spreading from the horizon as not-quite-day, becomes not-quite-night” – David Levithan

I don’t blog a lot about the causes I support but the 2013 Ride To Conquer Cancer is one that deserves a spot on here to help and raise money. Not only because I feel it’s important that cancer research continues so this horrible disease can be completely conquered some day but also because if the research continues it may save lives of those affected by it. There is a lot of research going on around the world already, but ground-breaking research costs a lot of money, of which a lot has to come from donations.

The 2013 Ride To Conquer Cancer

My cousin Sarah is participating in the Ride To Conquer Cancer in November this year. She will ride over 200 KM in 2 days and every donation made in her support will benefit Cancer Society Auckland and will support cancer research at Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre (ACSRC).

For Sarah this ride is personal, 2013 marks 16 years since the passing of her sister Kelly and through the 2013 Ride To Conquer Cancer she wants to help the ACSRC and the Cancer Society. Their works is invaluable for those affected by the disease, and hopefully their research will eventually have a break through to once and for all ban this disease.
You can support her in the 2013 Ride To Conquer Cancer by donating to her page here. Every little bit helps, no matter how small. Drink one less coffee this week, or buy one less cinnamon bun at the bakery or whatever you can think of to spend a little less money on this week and donate that money saved to this cause.

Unfortunately I think we’re all affected by cancer one way or the other. Most of us probably know at least person in our lives that has suffered from it, either someone really close to us or a colleague or acquaintance. In the end the research they do at the ACSRC could make a difference for anyone, anywhere in the world.

It would be amazing if we could one day say cancer doesn’t exist any more. Or that we have a cure for it an no one has to suffer from it any longer. In both The Netherlands and New Zealand, 1 in 3 people is diagnosed with a type of cancer at some point in their lives. In the US the statistics show 1 in 2 males and 1 in 3 females are at risk of developing cancer.

These statistics are scary if you break it down a little; look around and see how many people are in the room, and now think of how many of those people could eventually be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. I’m sure the answer, no matter what the outcome, is way too many.

So a little help can go a long way. Donate to the Ride To Conquer Cancer in Auckland, New Zealand this year. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, anyone can donate through the site.

Thank you for reading this, and thank you in advance for your help.

If you’d rather donate to a cancer research society in your area that’s great too. Every donation towards cancer research is greatly appreciated.

One of the perks of driving home from work when it’s dark out every day, is the beautiful view of the sky. The stars and the moon make for an amazing backdrop of long roads. If you live in the city it’s sometimes hard to see the moon, but look up and you’ll find it. I always get so inspired by the moon.

Today the moon was absolutely wonderful. It’s not a full moon just yet but even a near full moon is beautiful in her own right. I’m always in awe with these natural elements. Like a sunrise or sunset, a moonlit sky with stars all around can be just as magical. For some reason it also makes me feel so grounded and gives me a very happy feeling inside. I love to meditate in the moonlight, it not only clears my mind but it also makes me feel so much closer to nature.

I know this might all sound a little psychedelic to some of you, but it’s not meant to be like that at all ;). For those of you who don’t know me, I would describe myself as a travel crazy, tree hugging yogi, who loves to meditate. It’s not just a hobby, it’s a way of life. It brings me in a state of mind I carry with me throughout the day (or night) so yoga and meditation are an important part of my every day life. Which might explain the topics I write about, or what inspires me.

Many Ways To Be Inspired By The Moon

But even when you don’t do any of the above, the moon can still be inspiring in other ways. I know people who get inspired to draw or paint by the look of the moon, for example. For some reason the moon also gives me energy, maybe it’s a combination of meditation, yoga and the moon but it always makes me feel so energised besides being inspired.

So after arriving home and still having a wonderful view of the moon from my deck I decided to try and capture her beauty and share it with you here. If you have a chance, go out and look at the moon tonight, maybe she inspires you too in one way or the other. And if you don’t have a chance to go out tonight, here’s a photo I took from my deck, which hopefully is just as inspiring as the real deal.

How beautiful is this? I have to admit that the moon also reminds me of my childhood a little. My grandparents used to have a lamp over their coffee table that made me think of the moon every time I looked at it. It had the same shape, and see the darker spots on the moon? They were also on my grandparents’ lamp. So yes, not only am I inspired by the moon but it also throws me back in time for a while reminiscing about my days as a kid. What a way to end a wonderful week and start what I hope to be a fantastic weekend.

And since we’re all looking at the same moon, no matter where we are on this planet, here’s a shout out to the Let’s Be Friends Blog Hop, join in on the fun and let’s be friends!