The Truth.

My name is Catherine.

And I'm bipolar.

Years ago I would have never shared that. 

Perhaps Carrie Fisher passing has made me brave,

....or perhaps more honest!

I got diagnosed two years ago. 

I take medication to manage it. 

It's not the solution to what ails me.....

....but it really, really helps. 

I still get up at between 1-2am and run. 

I still miss making the insomnia and mania go away with red wine + sleep.....

But all the stuff I've mentioned above doesn't matter:

Do you know what does?

Shitty 'labels' whether they be about mental or physical illness do NOT define you. 

My name is Catherine & I give a sh*t.  I care. 

....because I've been alone + I've been there. 

C 

Xo

Who you are.

Turns out I have no idea what I’m doing.

…and do you know what I love best?

I have no idea what I’m doing.

I really enjoy working with people though. 

And I really, really enjoy life.

In all its misery, bleakness and to be honest - raw beauty.

I see beauty in things many find monotonous. 

I love sunsets.

I love late night discussions about everything from astro-physics to art.

I love old radios.

I love music.  (ALL music).

I love maps & cartography.

I love Monet.

I find ‘Dracula’, ‘The Haunting’ (original Vincent Price version only), ‘Sinister’ and ‘Sleepy Hollow’ fascinating.

I do not see the ‘point’ in a lot of things. 

It’s not about a rebellious nature or changing;

I just believe it is terribly important for people to chase their dreams.

I cannot understand conformity.

I cannot understand a world that efficiently tries to transform beauty to mediocrity. 

You are amazing; an original and should not be changed.

Do not let the World change you.

C

xo

Pit-bulls, a truck & inspiration

Whilst in a Supermarket this week I overheard two customers talking about how awful Pit-bulls are and how “they should all just be put down”.

All of the sudden I was transported to a moment many years ago……

I was at the factory my father worked in and a gentleman that brought supplies to the factory started chatting to Dad and the factory manager about orders. 

I must have been about 10 years old.  To be honest I was distracted by the dog sitting in the passenger seat of the truck.  The dog was a Pit-bull.  He was black and white, and rather ominous looking. But I wanted to pat the dog, and chat to him.  So I did….

The supply guy introduced me to his dog that wagged its tail and responded to his commands obediently.  I was never afraid. 

Years later after experiences at animal shelters and volunteer work with animals I’ve seen many breeds of dogs.  Can pit-bulls be aggressive? Sure.  But so can many breeds.  Pit-bulls have strength.  But they also possess many other traits – they are loyal, trust-worthy and would die for those they love. Like many animals if properly cared for during their ‘puppy’ and ‘adolescent’ stages they make wonderful companions.

So is it OK to write off/judge a whole breed because of the acts of some dogs improperly cared for by irresponsible people?

This made me think about a lot of different topics….

And to be honest it made me feel inspired. 

Sometimes labels are put on beings when they are simply just different. 

Actions speak louder than words. (Did you know Helen Keller’s assistance dog was a pit-bull?)

Everyone has a story. 

Sometimes labels and judgments are made when a story is only partly written. 

Everyone makes mistakes, and to be honest those I’ve met on my journey who have made mistakes and learned important lessons are the most caring, least judgemental and most compassionate. 

A simple remark today made in a Supermarket today made me think about how I need to be less judgmental, how lucky I am to be on this journey and how one wonderful black and white Pit-bull changed my everything……


Hope your week is wonderful and inspiring xo

2013

Labels

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUmYGLIubho

These are a few of my favourite things...

Things I adore:

Moonlight
Green tea
Music
Staying up far too late
Reading
Writing
Painting
Arguing my point
Discussing politics
An expensive glass of Shiraz
Live Music
Watching waves break upon the shore
A new novel
The minor chords
Ancient Egypt
Spirituality
Red nail polish
Watching documentaries
Vintage heels
Walking along the beach
Sunshine
Op-shops
Road Trips
Finding a way to contribute to solving an environmental issue
Studying world religions
Quantum psychics
Watching bad '90s Films; think 'Braindead' & 'The Craft'
Japanese Architecture
Pancakes
Looking at different periods in architecture
Art, art, art
Summer
Laughter
Volunteering
Daydreaming.....

..and then daydreaming some more..

"Live Simply so that others may Simply Live.."

He assists many on the streets of Los Angeles.

I adore his work and his attitude.