Friday 22 January 2016

It's Raining!

I am so thankful that it is finally raining! And not just a sprinkle either, but good soaking rain that has been coming down for at least four hours now.


I can hear the plants breathing a collective sigh of relief, as am I. Watering just isn't the same - we need this soaking rain. It will also help to reduce fire risk by dampening down all our dry paddocks.

Plus I love rain! I must be one of the only people I know who actually feel happier when it rains. I just love the sound, the smell, everything about rain.



I have just been watching a wonderful film. It is available to watch online here. It is called The Inspiring Story Of Us and was filmed throughout 2015 by ordinary Australians about their lives. It is only 23 minutes long, but worth watching. It just shows that we are all extraordinary and that there are so many people quietly achieving amazing things every day, without fanfare or acknowledgment. It made me feel we can all achieve something great, even if it seems small and simple to us.

I was particularly impressed by Orange Sky Laundry.

Photo from www.orangeskylaundry.com.au

Two 20 year olds saw a need and worked to fill it. So wonderful. I remember a while ago reading an article with a homeless girl where she talked about how she would rather be hungry than dirty. She said that if she was hungry no one could see it, but if she was dirty and smelly then everyone saw. So what an amazing service these guys provide, as most seem to focus on feeding the homeless. Their service goes along way towards restoring self-esteem and confidence.

But so many wonderful Australians featured. John Maher, who lost his daughter Carmen in a car crash, speaks at many schools in our area. He visited Miss Ballerina's school last year. Most of the girls and quite a few of the boys were in tears by the time he had finished. And hopefully his talk had a lasting impact on these young people as they just get their driving licences.

So as we approach Australia Day, when the Australians of the Year will be announced, it was inspiring (as the title of the film says!) to see that, although we can only acknowledge a tiny number of people, that there are so many others working to make Australia a better place for us all.




10 comments:

  1. Oh, I love when it rains, too!! Isn't that something? Rainy days are some of my favorites! I can't thank you enough for the precious encouragement you left at my blog tonight. It truly meant SO much to me. :) Sending you big hugs from the USA!

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    1. Thank you for visiting! I should be thanking you as truly your post was so wonderful - still thinking about it.

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  2. I am not a fan of rain but that is probably due to the fact I live in a part of the world that has a lot of rain. I was greatly impressed by the mobile laundry such a wonderful idea, giving so many the dignity of clean clothes that they so rightly deserve.

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    1. I guess if I saw the rain too much, I'd get sick of it! Maybe that is why I am quite happy to see the end of the hot sun - just too much of it.
      The laundry is such a fantastic idea - so simple, yet life-altering.

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  3. I am not a fan of rain but we had so little of it this past summer that I was hoping for it!! Glad you're getting a good soaking rain.

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    1. We definitely need the rain - everything is looking so dry. So I am happy for it to stay around for a while longer!

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  4. That video is amazing! I snatched my sister just now and we watched it together and I love the inspiring stories. But I think one of the most profound moments was during the credits, when that lady said, "If we want intelligent adults, give our children books." It only makes sense, lots of sense, but so often we don't even think about it. Thanks soooooo much for sharing it, Jayne. Videos like these are a great reminder that it takes individuals to make a difference.

    Btw, I LOVE the rain. I lived on the Oregon coast for 6 years as a kid where it rained at least 250 days out of the year, from a heavy rain to a light mist, and while I don't know if I would ever move back, it established a firm love of rain in me. They're forecasting rain in my town tomorrow so I'm hopeful the weather follows through! I'm never happier than when the patter of rain hits the shingles over my room!

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    1. Personally I would LOVE to live somewhere that has rain so often. Not very Australian of me though - I don't really fit that beach-going Aussie stereotype!
      There were some wonderful words of wisdom in there. I also like the Aboriginal boy who said that we need to keep our faults in the light where we can focus on them and improve. So glad you enjoyed it! I'll have to let you know who gets Australian of the Year.

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  5. I love rainy days so much !
    We'd need rain so much, it's such a dry Winter, so dangerous for all the woods and the gardens, alas !
    Let's hope in some rain here too !!!

    May your Sunday be blessed with joy,
    sending dear love to you
    Dany

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    1. I hope you will be getting some rain soon too then. Still nice and drizzly here, which is such a relief after the hot weather.

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