100 Happy Days: The Reflection

Way back in May (gosh, I hadn't realised it'd been quite so long) I posted about the start of my 100 Happy Days challenge. I posed the question, "Can you really be happy for 100 days in a row" because statistically most people can't, and then embarked on this journey with Tarrin.

So as it turns out, it's a lot easier than I thought it would be. Well, initially, it was a bit weird. I think I've become so accustomed to have something big happen in order to be happy, that it was unusual to find happiness in the ordinary - like having smoothies after dinner, doing online shopping, or just enjoying a cup of tea.

Of course I also had my fair share of 'out-of-the-ordinary' happiness - oysters at the Knysna festival, a special girls' out night right after Ash and PJ left for the USA, my World Cup winning team, and getting an ipad from school. We also celebrated birthdays, new arrivals and special milestones - some big and elaborate; others private and intimate.

I'm actually finding it rather weird to not end every day with a Facebook post hastagged #100happydays, but I am so much more aware of these things that make me happy - and so grateful to have them in my life!

To see all 100 pics, go to https://www.facebook.com/robyn.h.klaasen/media_set?set=a.10152397990110926.1073741829.545050925&type=3

Faith Walking

2 Corinthians 5:6-7 says "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord for we walk by faith, not by sight". Like, what does that even mean, anyway?

No matter how many different versions or commentaries I read, everyone pretty much agrees that it involves seeing things in eternal consequences; to believe and obey the Word, even though it may conflict with man's ideas; to trust God in every circumstance, regardless of how things seem, or what people say.

I happen to be in a season of my life where I am required to walk by faith, and man, I am finding it tough! To me it seems sometimes it's easier to apply this eternal perspective to the bigger things - I believe in God, I believe in His salvation, I believe that all who give their lives to Him will go to heaven when they die etc. The 'less spiritual', more everyday things I find a little more difficult - like when people give up their jobs to look after their kids, not knowing where their finances are coming from; when someone stands quiet, taking it on the chin, when they could be absolutely, justifiably defending themselves; when someone chooses to hope for a miracle when the doctor says there's nothing more they can do...

Even though I may know the scripture and understand the interpretation, how I long for a more childlike faith. I think as we get older we often complicate things by trying to logically plan for, or work things out. God wants us to trust Him. He is our father - what parent doesn't  want that from their kids?
It's like when Zac wakes in the middle of hte night and quietly navigates his way to my bed in the dark: even though he can't see anything (to be honest, I actually think his eyes are still closed) he gets to me without crying, falling or getting lost because he knows the way, he believes that I am there, and he is convinced that I'll never leave him or let him get hurt. How much more shouldn't we believe that of God?

I don't have a quick fix soluation. I've still not found a way to completely stop my doubt, calm my anxiety, or quiet the voices of my fear. And yet I know - because my life already bears testimony to this - that God is trustworthy and faithful to fulfill his promises, and that as we place one foot in front of the other, our hand holding tightly onto His, we will not be disappointed.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

They say change is as good as a holiday, and since I figured I could actually do with a little bit of both, I decided to go with the more affordable option of getting a haircut.

Any of you who know me well will know about my deep dislike of hairdressers. Unfortunately a history of cutting off too much, not getting the style quite right, commenting on my inability to blow dry, or worse: on my anxiety induced bald patches, leaves me feeling more than just a little apprehensive when heading for the chop. Add to this the fact that I actually like having long, wavy tresses, and you should be able to envision in the internal conflict that must have occurred before I took the plunge. Or not?

Funnily enough this decision was made in 2 days for 2 main reasons: I needed a change of scenery (what better to go with a new job than a new hairstyle), and my hair was in bad shape (you can thank years of ponytails for that). So I searched on the 'net for styles that would supposedly compliment my face shape and hair type, and just went with that I liked best.

So on Saturday, while at my in-laws, I got my sister in law to cut my hair. Not even Zac's playing with my long, loose locks all the drive to Elgin could change my mind, and I went from hip-length hair to shoulder-length hair in a few minutes on her chair. And I did actually feel like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. It didn’t look exactly like the picture I had in my mind (then again I am sporting the blow-dried version which I’m likely not to see until I make it back to a salon again), but I like it.

I didn't take a before pic - but you can tell it's a lot of hair!

And this is the end result

Thankfully I can still tie it up. Just about.

My new do takes a little bit of getting used to, and I can tell my boys are sitting on the fence a little. But it really has been a refreshing change. And at the end of the day, it’s just hair, right – it’ll grow back!