Apple Is My Teacher

 

By Sharni Montgomery - please visit me sometime at Sharnanigans! 
I am convinced that on the journey of life we are thrown several character tests.
Opportunities or a run-in where our decision will either send us plummeting backwards (in which case the lesson usually rears its head again in another form) or flings us forward.
Sharnanigans was recently thrown an opportunity which I experienced as a test of my integrity.
A metaphorical ‘apple’, if you will.
I was honored to receive an email offering me an opportunity to write for a major Australian Parenting Website.
They told me that they had chosen my blog along with a handful of other “Australian Mummy Bloggers” that they considered to be a great contributors to the Australian online community. (yes my head swelled considerably)
The email went on to say that they would send me a massive hamper of deluxe products from a very well known baby product company.
I could either review the products or write about a special experience of motherhood and link my story to their site, have my site mentioned on theirs and display their ‘badge’ on mine.
There is no doubt about it, I was wrapped (and grateful) to be chosen for such an opportunity.
I throw everything I have into this website and opportunities that pop up as a result are virtual pats on the back.
After the initial excitement wore off I had a think about the offer.
I considered the moment when the Courier delivered me a big hamper of goodies.
Caught up in my self-importance I got butterflies in my stomach and may or may not have bragged about the prospect to friends.
This was my angel on one shoulder, devil on the other moment.
While I was drifting in Ego Heaven a familiar voice piped up.
It was Angel.
“Ummmmm… what are you even considering this for girlfriend? I have two words for ya :  Natural.Products ! Ring any bells???  Geeeez!
(she has a bit of ‘tude this particular angel, but I’m down with that)
Oh sheesh, that is right, I am on a quest to use all natural products for my son and have been reviewing them.
Why on Earth would I do a complete 360 and start plugging a brand that doesn’t comply with this?
Blogging without Integrity anyone?
As quickly as it arrived the fantasy of the Hamper arrival went into the dustbin.
I explained that I could not accept the gift of the hamper as I would not use these products nor write about them as they would present a conflict of interest.
I said, I would, however, be happy to write about a lovely motherhood experience and wear their badge on my website.
I lost the gig.
While this hurt my ego a bit initially, I gave myself a pat on the back because I had passed my own personal test.
I am quickly learning that opportunities come along often, some are ‘tests’ sent to challenge our resolve and personal integrity.
Whether we choose to be true to ourselves at these moments or get caught up in the temptation offered and ‘take the apple’ is one of the most common challenges we face as human beings.
I have spent a good chunk of my life feasting on the ‘apples’ that have been presented to me, without a second thought!
Looking back the ‘apples’ I consumed didn’t do much to keep the doctor away or my sanity intact but if you never accept an ‘apple’ you can never learn to knock one back.
Today I am proud of the fact that I saw this situation in a new light.
While this opportunity and hamper may have been a wonderful blessing for some, for me it was a test of my resolve.
Rejecting a hamper is No Big Deal or heroic effort but the exercise was beyond hampers, it was an excellent reminder and lesson to myself.
When all is said and done, it is the tests you set for yourself and your ability to pass them that matter.

The Butterfly Effect

(Taken in full this time from my website, but if you like, I'd love you to drop by my website www.sharnanigans.com)

Sometimes we  get so caught up in self-righteousness and festering anger that we can lose the present moment.

This weekend, a side of me I don’t like very much reared its ugly head.

Thankfully I was bought back down to Earth by a butterfly.

Yep don’t adjust your goggles, I was literally pulled out of my dark hole by a good old fashioned, wing flapping, flower hopping butterfly!

Who’d have thunk it?

I don’t know if there was a major planetary collision, or if the fairies that took my sleep gave me a severe case of cranky pant-it-is from hell but the last few days I have been in a really bad way.

The Cowboy and I have not been seeing eye to eye, nor have our eye to eyes been seeing much sleep, probably the cause of our eyes not meeting.

We decided a fix of the outdoors might help matters.

We packed up Monte and went for a walk to watch the cricket at the park.

The walk was mostly in silence though inside I was boiling.

Halfway I decided I couldn’t keep it inside anymore and unleashed a can of crankypants.

I picked a fight.

Cowboy failed to respond to my advances.

I could feel my frustration rising rapidly.

My fuse  was about a millimetre long and it short circuited.

Irrationally, I did an about turn and decided I wanted to be on my own.

I started legging it in the opposite direction.

“Where are you going?” Cowboy said bemused, pram in hand

“Home!” I yelled dramatically.

He yelled back to stop being so stupid.

Easily convinced I sauntered back over and decided that I would go along with them, I just wouldn’t talk.

This plan succeeded for about ten seconds before I launched into it again.

The more I spoke the more I became  wrapped up in my self-righteousness and hard done-byness (both legit words).

I had temporarily forgotten that the apple of our eyes, Monte, was right there sitting up in his pram soaking in the parental atmosphere from hell.

Just as I was about to take a short breath and start my next rant, Monte let out a grunt and a point and I noticed he was looking at a butterfly.

“Butterfly!” I said – briefly breaking out of cranky pant mode.

He continued pointing.

I lost where I was in my rant and too looked at the butterfly.

It was a particularly beautiful butterfly exploding with bright colours.

It was not one of those drab little moth like ones that you see everywhere.

It was certainly quite the  extrovert.

This butterfly was working it!

It was shakin’ its butterfly bootie all over the shop,  spinning and fluttering in front of the pram.

As we kept walking I noticed that the butterfly kept up with us.

I was captivated!

I hadn’t noticed at the time, but it had caused me to lose my train of thought.

I had shut-up!

I had never noticed a butterfly hanging around like this before.

For more than half a block it swirled and fluttered in front of us.

I wondered if it was some sort of angel purposefully captivating me to snap me out of my anger-fuelled monologue and into the moment.

Was it a magical butterfly sent to transform me from the ugly creepy crawly that I was acting like into someone more carefree, beautiful and present.

I stopped.

I listened.

I returned to the moment.

I looked around for the first time that day and I really noticed what a beautiful day it was.

I looked down at my son and at Cowboy and took a deep breath. I felt like I had just stepped out of the jaws of hell and how good it was to get out of there!

It was a nice day, I was with my family and we were walking to the park.

That was it!

What the hell had I been on about?

Then just as quick as it appeared the butterfly disappeared.

We went on to have a lovely afternoon watching the cricket. The memory of my angry rants left behind.

When we returned home  I read Monte a book.  A colourful book filled with farm animals.

He kept closing the book up and pointing to the tiny publishers logo on the back of the book.

“Yes, that’s nice” I said returning to show him the cows.

Determined, he would continue to close the book and again, point at the logo.

I had a closer look.

The logo was a little butterfly.

Monte looked at me, I swear, knowingly.

I don’t know if you believe in signs or little messages from beyond, but I am convinced that the butterfly was there to remind me to look at the beauty in the present moment.

It also reminded me that we all have our caterpillar days, the key is to leave them in the past, transform ourselves and look for the beauty in the present moment.

Part Two - The Lesson

Part two of the post regarding the flatmates from hell, but the lesson within:

The Lesson

So the lesson is I shouldn't trust so easily? That kind of sucks...

….

There was no way I could continue paying the way for these two irresponsible socialites.

I spoke to my Aunt (the one who tells me to water the grass) who was also the leaseholder.

We decided it was time for them to go.

I was so intimidated by them however, I could not tell them.

Instead, I wrote  a letter which I left on the table serving up notice and a tally of the money that was owed and went to my Aunt’s for a few days.

The make-up artist called me up informing me that they had rights and they were not going anywhere.

The next day the flatmates had enjoyed another massive night out.

They had made a mockery of the apartment and spent the day in bed – zonked out of their brains.

There was no signs of them moving out of bed, let alone out of the apartment.

My Aunt decided we had to get the message through in a stronger fashion.

She played “Bad Cop” as we tried ringing them, then knocking on their door.

After they ignored our knocking and ringing my Aunt decided to open up their door.

They had not paid rent or any of the phone bills for an extended period of time and things were not working out.

Well, didn’t this go down a treat!

The Graphic Designer responded by grabbing his deodorant can and spraying it at my Aunt.

The Make-up artist got out of bed and started going off tap.

She came right up to my face and screeched “You are a dog, I have been nothing but nice to you!”

Her breath smelt of a big night out......

You can view the entire story over here 

A mouse in the Laundry Basket

Hi All - YAY we got an award. I have a new website that I'd love you to visit  and love even more if you subscribed to.....

In the meantime, here is what I was inspired to write today. Hope you enjoy.

A mouse in the laundry basket,

like I need another deterrent

to attack Mount Fuji of undies and socks

and reach for the detergent…

A mouse in the laundry basket,

its head peeps out of my jean leg

well hear me now as I scream to the hills

and disown all the pegs!

A mouse in the laundry basket,

I can no longer enter that room

I guess the boys better get used

to going nude real soon.

Hello from Down Under

Ooooh how exciting.

I am officially a contributor!

I could be really cheesy now and say... G'day

But I won't.

My real name is Sharni Montgomery - Sharnanigans is the name of my upcoming website and freelance writing business.

I am stoked to be part of this group.

Thank-you Katherine for having me as a contributor.

I am from a small town in Country NSW in Australia.

I am passionate about writing.

I lived in Sydney for a number of years where I worked for the Sydney Morning Herald .

I worked in an advertising role, however just before I left for the 'One Horse Town" (my nickname for where I live) I had 2 stories published.

One was a little crazy (my pre: settle down a little days) I answered share accommodation advertisements in the paper as a means to find love!

Click here to read

The other was an interview with an Australian rock singer - Jon Stevens.

Since leaving Sydney life has turned on it's head.

I met and fell in love with a farmer - we took off to Vietnam to teach English - but discovered we were pregnant and came home!

It has been a blessing - since becoming a Mother I have started my blog The Chronicles of Sharnia which I am absolutely passionate about.

It has given me a creative outlet as well as allowed me to meet many inspirational writers - that I begrudged not being able to meet in my town - hello cyberspace!

I am in process of having website design - and I hope to interview inspiring people on my here and make a real dent in the cyber world (ambitious! yes!) and I will continue writing the chronicles of my life.

I love being part of a writing group as I love to empower and be empowered by talented writers.

Thanks for having me.