Silhouettes In The Dark

Yes, I think so @Historylover

And no doubt it has something to do with my core values, too. Which, depending on what school of thought one prescribes to, is either very normal, or very defective!

Those values being reflected through nuclear family, and dependable partnership...

As far as I'm concerned, the world is a mess and I'm merely collateral damage.

My problem was ever believing I would be impervious, I guess... IDK.

I agree that the world is a mess, too, @Kyle1. In fact, I sometimes think it best for me to stay sequestered away from it. My lifestyle is wholesome, and my values are very different to mainstream.

I sometimes think of the saying that if it's right, it's right even if no-one else is doing it, and if it's wrong, it's wrong even if everyone is doing it.

I have very different values to my family and to adopt theirs would be to dumb myself down and sell myself very short. I like me and that's worth more to me than gaining others' approval.

I think you mentioned having lived in 48 degree temperatures at one time. I have wondered where that was...Coober Pedy?

Not quite Coober Pedy.

It was in the Lachlan Valley. Wiradjuri country, Middle - the very middle - of NSW. Land of blue bonnets and budgies. Floods, and drought, and dust and mallee. River red gums. The Indian-Pacific. Wheat trains, and hard winter frosts... And not one abridged or abbreviated star!

What about yourself, @Historylover: Where did you blossom?

Thats true @creative_writer cortisol does rise in the mornings and you wake up feeling anxious and jarred. I did come across a Taoist set of techniques which other people on here found beneficial with waking anxiety. I may dig it out. I hope you enjoy your relaxation today and self soothing as you said. I may put on some chill music and aromatherapy as I'm feeling tired myself! ❤️

Well, I didn't realize that NSW had such extremes of temperatures, @Kyle1. We never stop learning, do we? So that's where you grew up?

I grew up in Brisbane, moved to Gosford when my ex-husband worked in Sydney for a time, back to Brisbane for another while, then on to Melbourne where we have all lived since—although now very separately. I used to love Melbourne and felt 'at home' for the first time in my life—there was such a different atmosphere here, and one in which I could feel comfortable—but lately I haven't felt at home anywhere. I guess I only blossomed, in any sense, here in Melbourne. But how I wish I could now go back and live my life with the wisdom of hindsight, with the maturity I lacked the first time around. And without the interference.

You're a writer, aren't you? Have you been able to make headway with it as an occupation, or is it just an interest?

I've liked Melbourne - the few times I've been there. Lived a time out at Kinglake (pheasant creek)...before the bush fires... Really liked Whittlesea!

Um, as for writing: I don't think of my self as a writer. I do find it comes easily enough for me. I don't much feel it's me doing the writing, though. It more so trickles out, like it is water and I'm just the channel.

I feel much the same when I am doing my assignments, @Kyle1, like I'm just the conduit.

I think you may have seen more of Melbourne that I have. I don't have a car and only travel about by bus and train, and as I am pressed for time, that isn't too often—just as necessary.

Well, I guess we have exhausted our conversation here for now. I'll get back to my work and leave you to attend to yours. Have a good weekend.

Thank you for chatting with me today, @Historylover

I've enjoyed your voice and appreciate your time! 🤗

Bless you, and all the best 🧡🙏

@Historylover

No, too unnaturally colourful for me, @Kyle1.😕