I was invited by Elizabeth from Tea and Paper to join the Five Photos, Five Stories Challenge: “Post a photo each day for five consecutive days and attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction or non-fiction, a poem or a short paragraph and each day nominate another blogger for the challenge”. Elizabeth posts photos, poems, artsy stuff and other things on her lovely blog. Please drop by and check it out.
My nomination for today is Rob, from The V-Pub. Rob is a fun blogger that writes about everything and anything, and has been a faithful friend for over a year and a half now.
The above photo is of a plant that hangs from bananas, and was taken close to my house. I have written a Tanaga poem once again to pair with my photo. I thought the theme of the poem was perfect for it.
Here is another photo I took of the plant hanging from the bananas.
Modern living has placed expectations on humanity (at least much of the western world) to always be busy. I have decided not to buy into that way of thinking. I believe that living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t just mean eating right and exercising. A healthy lifestyle includes taking care of the entire being – body, soul and spirit. For this to happen, it is necessary to stop regularly and just hang out. Do nothing. Relax and rest. It may even mean saying ‘no’ to others when they ask something of you.
Do you regularly take time out to just hang out? To do nothing? To relax and breathe a bit? What do you like to do to relax and take care of yourself?
stacilys.wordpress.com 
This really spoke to me, Staci. I feel like I’m in transition at the moment. I have mentally been hitting the turn-off switch when it comes to things that wear me down. It’s very relaxing to me to imagine something that bothers me and then visualize a big black button (the turn-off switch) and my finger pressing the button. Some days this works better than others, though. 😀
Ohhhh, I hear what you’re saying Kate. As you know, I’ve been in transition for quite awhile now. Since the beginning of the year. I feel drained lately. Like I just want to turn off that big black button. I’ve felt totally uninspired as well. Even considered letting go of everything creative, like my blog and this online arts community I’m part of. My husband says to me, “Staci, isn’t there any grey with you? Everything is black and white.” Being such a strong feeler, it’s tough to think straight when the feelings are too strong.
At any rate, bit by bit my home is coming together, getting more organized, things put in their place, etc. My hope is that the sun will start to peek through the clouds soon.
Staci, I swear that I could have written this! I have had all of the thoughts you mention above. I always feel overwhelmed – and that is a large part of the problem. The black button image helps a lot but so would a realistic acceptance of my own limitations. 🙂 Still working on that!
Hahaha. You hit the nail on the head there Kate @so would a realistic acceptance of my own limitations. I think I may still be working on that too. It’s tough when there’s so much you want to do.
btw, I nominated you to take part in this challenge. It’s totally up to you if you want to participate or not. No pressure ok. The link is here:
https://stacilys.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/a-monkeys-thoughts/
🙂
Hi Staci, just getting caught up on comments and saw the nomination. Thank you. I’m not sure I’ll be able to participate, but if I can, I’ll give it a try. ❤
Oh yes, no pressure. Just if you want to ok.
🙂 ❤
Is that not the flower of the banana plant? In cambodia they use every part of the banana tree-bananas to eat, but also parts of the flower as a crunchy topping for noodles with fish paste broth. Then they use banana leaves as wrappers for desserts like sweet sticky rice, prior to steaming.
Great photo with a great reminder to be spiritually and emotionally healthy. Thanks staci, I needed this!
Well, I guess it would be the flower. I had never seen its flower until we moved here. Even though I’ve been living in Brazil for many years now, this is the first time I’ve seen a whole bunch of bananas with its flower hanging from it.
Interesting about using the flower too. I’ve seen it sold in the produce store here just recently. I’m not sure what people do with it here, because I’ve never tried it, nor see another eating it.
Ummmmmmmm, sticky rice. I’ve tried it before. So wonderful to use the leaf for wrapping and steaming. Hmmmm, I’m wondering if I should try that. I could, because there are banana trees here.
Thanks so much Soapie.
🙂
Hi Staci, love your ‘hanging’ comparison, yes, sometimes the best thing is sit, or hanging, and wait the right time for the action. 🙂
Thanks Elizabeth. So glad you liked it.
🙂
Nice poem.
Yes, I certainly do. If I don’t, I’m not at my best. Because I know this, I guard my ‘me-time’
Me too. I need my me-time. Usually right after breakfast.
Thanks Timi.
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Stress is toxic no doubt! I’m detoxing right now meditating on Psalm 23. Visualizing myself well taken care of and loved. Great tanga. Great thought for today. I’m so grateful that Elizabeth from teaandpaper had your link on her blog!
Awwwww, that’s so sweet. Thank you so much Wendy. You know, another great Psalm that I absolutely love, and has impacted me profoundly is Psalm 139. I think I’m going to detox ( 🙂 ) a bit on that one this afternoon. I REALLY need it.
Ok, heading on over to see what you’ve been up to.
🙂
The true recipe for wholeness – is balance in all areas of your life, just like you mentioned. I’m a recovering people pleaser, so this really spoke to me. When I place appropriate boundaries in my life I disappoint people. But I’m learning to love/care for myself so that I can love/care for others. Great photo and post Staci xoxo
Oh yes, this is so true. The true recipe for wholeness being balance. That’s the true challenge for humans I think, is to be balanced. I used to be (an maybe I still am) quite an extremist. Not so much a people-pleaser, but in other areas.
Thanks a ton Kirsten.
🙂 ❤
That flower is really cool looking, Staci. And thanks for the poem and reminder to rest and relax. I’ve been very busy the last month or so and needed to take a step back. I’m in South Beach for a long weekend with my sister, mom and aunt. There will be a lot of relaxing, reconnecting and laughing! Thanks for sharing your poem.
Ohhhhhh, that sounds soooooo nice. I’m sure you, your sister, aunt and mom will have a wonderful time.
Thank you so much Geralyn, and have fun.
🙂
Body, soul and spirit! You truly have it all figured out. *bows* I have to come see you. I want to see bananas hanging from a tree. You live in an incredible place, Stac.
Awwww, thanks Audrey. Maybe in theory I have it all figured out. The actual carrying it out is the tough part. Eek.
Hahahaha. Yes, come and visit. We’ll have a blast. It’s great here. You’ll see banana trees, papaya trees, avocado trees, and a ton of other trees as well. We can also visit the little mico monkeys that live in the trees, and if we’re lucky, we may even see a toucan bird. We can eat Acaí cream every day and drink coconut water right from the coconut. Then we can travel to the beach. That’s a whole other experience. You have not been to the beach for real until you’ve been to a Brazilian beach.
Soooo, when ya com in? 😉
Thank you so much, Staci! 💗💗💗 I’ll start this on Saturday. I love your post, and hope that I can do well with this challenge. So, each day a new person is nominated for the 5 days that we post? I’m very excited about this!
Yeah! So glad you’re going to do it. Yes, that’s right. Each day you nominate someone to do the same challenge. I’m a bit behind because our internet has been awful. Our service provider just fixed it today, so hopefully it will be better from now on. Tomorrow I should be posting my fourth.
Can’t wait to see yours Rob.
Thanks a ton.
🙂
I just completed day one of the challenge, Staci! I hope that you like it! You can find it here:
https://weight2lose2013.wordpress.com/2015/05/16/ceramic-frog-tanaga-%f0%9f%90/
Loved it. I will be off to read day 2 this afternoon.
🙂
come what will and come what may….
ah – so nice – and yes ma’am – I like to hang out and chill. I call it the simpler parts of life. We also like seasons of producing and doing/going and all that – but buffer it with times of being able to chill.
anyhow, I read your little comment above (about feeling drained at this point in the year) well just hang in there -<3 ❤
Awwww, thanks Prior. I hear you. I also like the seasons of producing and doing/going. I also like the rest times. I guess it’s all about balance eh. I would go crazy without having stuff to do. But I would also go crazy if I didn’t have those quiet times.
Yup, drained more because of not having my routine down and established in this new place yet. I’m pretty excited though, because tonight I will be painting the wall in my little creative space/office and finally getting it set up and organized. Let’s hope that I can get a good chunk of that done tonight.
Plus, it’s getting colder here now. That always gets me down.
Anyhowwwww, thanks a ton. It’s always so great reading your comments and conversing with you.
🙂
thanks Stac – :0 – and don;t forget that sometimes the enemy likes to come in and rob people of their joy – which is why we bring every thought captive – but we both know that sometimes he will just plant thoughts in the mind that are not always fruitful – (and why we are to be aware of the craftiness that might come that way) anyhow, I think sometimes creative folks get certain attacks to just give up – or shut it all down – when really things just need a pause or like you said – a rest after the pouring out. well – actually there is no “formula” as we all change and then go through different seasons while we change – and moving is tough – so is being the stay at home momma – and for some reason i am thinking of Matt redman’s song right now – “your grace finds me” – because during it all – God’s grace is more than enough and He leads and feeds as we sometimes go through the process while other times get delivered from it…
ok – I will stop rambling – and hope your little creative space turns out nicely – what colors are you painting it?
Hahaha. I love that: “ok – I will stop rambling.” Hahaha. No, please don’t. I like your ramblings. Reminds me of me :-). I ramble a lot.
“I think sometimes creative folks get certain attacks to just give up – or shut it all down – when really things just need a pause or like you said – ”
–I was just going through this the other day Prior. Actually, our base is really beautiful and tropical, and we have a lot of space. One day I went down to our sports court thingy to do some exercise and then I walked around it and prayed for a bit. I kept thinking that maybe I should just give it all up. You know, all the creative ventures and all. No more writing. No more art. No more blog. I think I was hormonal. My hubby says to me, “Staci, why does it have to be all black and white? Don’t you have any grey areas? Hahaha. He knows me very well.
I had painted my space purple, and then decided I hated it. I decided to just paint it a neutral off white/cream colour and then put my own art and photos and stuff up with time. Maybe in the future I will paint it something different, but until I get a surge of inspiration and something vivid in my mind’s eye, I will leave it as it is.
Ok, I’m off to listen to “Your grace finds me”. Never heard of it before.
🙂
Hi again – well that Redman song was my song of the year for 2014!! and when ti comes on – like if we are shopping or out somewhere – the first few notes stir up something very special in me – and well, they overplayed it over here in the States last summer – so it is also just a memory song for life that summer.
anyhow, you and your hubs sound like you are in sync in so many ways. oh – and I think the neutral will serve you well – and like you said – you can even change the art as needed. I have a “few” bare walls (on purpose) – and some colors folks would say are boring -like the sand – or that silver gray (in a nice textured paint, which was in for a while) and well, I sometimes want to fill the hallway with photos in matching frames – but there is something about “less is more” (at times).
anyhow, one analogy that comes to mind – and I just shared it with another blogger who is on a pause – but kjeep in mind that we cannot bloom or productively pour out “all the time” – or by a formula. well – it is different for people during different seasons – but even most flowers do not bloom 12 months out the year. And for creative people like yourself – who write, paint, sing, and all that – well There are seasons of blooming and producing – but there has to be seasons of feeding the roots and nurturing the soil. and of course pouring in and soaking up stuff to generate even more creative output. And sometimes in my experience – when I have seen a bit of angst from creative folks – soemtiems there is low level burnout from not nurturing the soil enough – or just from lack of sleep (like from being drained and needing some more REM sleep and extra nutrition). And I know you are not new to all this – and have many lessons that seep out through your posts….
🙂 Thanks Prior. I like that analogy about the flowers and how they don’t bloom for 12 months. Some very beautiful flowers only gloom for a short time even.
I think I am a little burnt out, plus our winter is creeping up on us, and I am very affected by climate changes. I get down and feel tired a lot.
I’m telling you though, I certainly would looooovvvvveeeee some nurturing right now in my life.
Blessings.
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hey! I nominated you for very inspiring blog award. 🙂
Ohhhh, thank you so much. I’m humbled that you would consider my little blog.
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You deserve it. 🙂
Thank you so much. 🙂
Precisely what I did this afternoon – laundry was calling, prep for Bible Study tomorrow night was calling, the want to work on TMD projects was calling – BUT…..
The body and soul said “it’s time out time!”
Sat down on the chaise lounge out on the patio, the pond was trickling, the breeze was fluttering thru, the birds were singing and the sun was shining (and that is HUGE for us in Texas given all the flooding that’s been taking place over the past couple of weeks).
So I rested.
I chilled.
It was needed.
And now I’m refreshed!
LOVE all that you share with us Stacilys, praying for deep restoration for you even with your colder temps coming.
Thank you so much for sharing. Sounds like you had such a refreshing and beautiful afternoon.
With two little ones (one on the autism spectrum), my body and soul often say, “it’s time out time” :-). Well, at least on the weekends.
Thank you so much for he encouraging words as well. I’m so glad you ‘love’ my tiny little contribution here and at HKC.
Bless you.
🙂 ❤