"April weather...
- sitarabartle
- Apr 24, 2023
- 4 min read
...rain and sunshine both together"
Happy April!
What a variation of weather we have experienced in the month thus far, with lots of promising sunshine in recent days. It feels as if April brings the promise of weather yet to come, reflected in the quote which began this blog post.
I was very fortunate to travel abroad earlier in the month for a week away in the Portuguese sunshine, and thoroughly enjoyed soaking up the Vitamin D there. I hope you enjoy the varied photographs which are interspersed amongst the text of this blog.
I experienced some very choppy sea states whilst out sea swimming in Portugal, particularly when trying to come back to the shore safely. I had a couple of moments where I felt as if I was in a washing machine of sea water, salt and sand…this brought inspiration for the topic of this month’s blog: harmony.
“Difficult times in life are like washing machines. They twist us, spin us and knock us around. But in the end we come out cleaner, brighter and better than before”
I came across this quote which directly reflects my experience in the sea...and I am sure that the photograph directly above also demonstrates the power of the sea. As a small human being amongst the giant ocean, I was truly at the mercy of the waves and swell. This made me consider how we can consider ourselves in a giant washing machine throughout our lives, if we don’t take the time to hang out and dry (pardon the pun!)…and find some harmony, instead of fighting the disharmony…
Albert Einstein spoke the words below:
“Out of clutter find simplicity. From discord find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”
This speaks to us about the importance of finding the harmony and about how we can find the harmony in the chaos. There are so many choices that we can make on a daily, hourly and even minute by minute basis, which often results in us feeling the disharmony and perhaps even feeling confused as to how we should react and respond to the constantly changing situations which are presented to us.
Consider Harmony in your own life.
Harmony in your closest inner-circle of family, friends and loved ones
Harmony in your work/business life and all the commitments that a job may bring
Harmony in your mental, emotional and physical health
Harmony in your physical and digital life
The list above may seem overwhelming but whilst I was considering this concept, I came across 9 simple rules to find harmony in life. I have noted my thoughts after each rule, which I hope may be useful for contemplation.
1 Harmony in disharmony can mean harmony – accepting that you are in disharmony and feeling ok with that, could lead to a greater feeling of acceptance and less confusion
2 Work is life and life is work – a good life during work is essential to a good living, rather than considering that your life does not include work; you don’t stop living when you work but instead should improve your work satisfaction
3 Don’t live Someone else’s Life – own your life and everything that has come with it; you are best prepared to face everything that comes your way
4 Learn, Un-learn and Re-learn – never stop learning; this is part of the reasons that I enjoy constantly seeking new watersports to try out and learn…it focuses the mind and shows what you can achieve…try a new book, walk or perhaps visit a new country?
5 Do It with Passion – just like gardening; nature gives you back what you invest in it…find what you enjoy and throw yourself into it!
6 Find your Sparkle – consider what your purpose in life may be and find your sparkle; it may not be obvious but you are the only one who truly knows the answer…
7 Life is not a rehearsal – live in the moment, not just for tomorrow…remember Master Oogway’s quote “Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, but Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present”
8 Physical health is mental health – go for a walk, enjoy some yoga, cycle in the sunshine…whatever ensures that you can get out into the outdoors and release the endorphins which will send you positive feelings
9 A good, healthier and happy life is built with Good Relationships – nurture your relationships with everyone around you, just as you would continue to nurture a new seed / plant with lots of care
I am delighted to have written another blog for Rooster about the transition back into the season of dinghy racing. As an ambassador for the brand, I am delighted to share some of my experience with other keen dinghy sailors, and hope that others find it useful and inspiring ahead of the busy season.
Please find the blog via the link below:
I am delighted to say that I have continued with more episodes of my own mini podcast-type series @snippetswithsitara which featured stars from every walk of life, talking about their own life experiences, how they deal with their challenges and their advice for future generations…recently there have been guests including a kitefoiler, windsurfer and Nacra 17 duo from the British Sailing Team. I am always looking for new individuals to feature in this series, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any suggestions! Please follow the account on Instagram and TikTok to receive the latest updates and episodes!
Thank you for all your continued support for the foodie brand Instagram account. I hope that you have thoroughly enjoyed Easter and all the lovely treats surrounding this time of year. Here are some of recent creations, and it was lovely to experiment with cooking abroad…thank you for all your continued engagement with the posts and do let me know if you have any creative ideas that you would like me to try!
I conclude April’s blog with the following words of encouragement and harmony by Charles G.D Roberts:
"Winter’s done, and April’s in the skies, Earth, look up with laughter in your eyes!"
Lots of love,
Sitara xxxx
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