Seashells by the Seashore.

Write it on your heart, that every day is the best day in the year.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Long has gone the days that sand castles were the most detailed pieces of architecture on the shoreline.

The past weekend, I made the brave choice to watch the sunrise and do the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk to look at the sculptures by the sea exhibition.

Horizon

... and it was worth the 4:30 am wake up call.

Bubble no.5

Whether it was the early surfers and paddle boarders getting their waves in before the rest of the tourists hit the beach, the joggers on their run getting fit for their summer bodies or the yoga enthusiasts meditating as the sun rose.. it was the best way to start any Saturday morning and highly recommended. 

L: Cheshire's grin (Top), Diminish and Ascend (Bottom)
R: There's many a clip (Top), Moon Buddha (Bottom)

Someone wise once said to me, live each day like it was your last - whether that be in the little or big things. Living the dream includes choosing to make every day special, this was mine and I'm choosing to never stop doing that!

Much love,
Meenal xx

Attitude is everything.

The finer things in life. Sunrises, Sunsets, lying on the grass on a sunny summer afternoon or even getting to train just on time to make the early train.

It has been awhile since I have had the chance to blog and since have been caught up in the rat race of juggling work commitments, tight deadlines and demanding stakeholders - but have learnt a few things:

1. Attitude is everything - The past weekend I heard one of the most profound statements I have heard in awhile during a preaching message at church " You decide what your week will look like and that any circumstances that come will not change your outlook." Tough decision - nope. Tough to keep - sure! But after 4 days of sticking to my guns and plenty of "derp" moments - my week has never been as good as it now. Life will throw every curve ball that you can imagine, but it is how we respond, being able to share the joy of the small wins and being able to have a laugh in the midst of it all that makes the difference.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" Mahatma Gandi

2. Make time for yourself - Sometimes we have the tendency to try and do everything ourselves and to cut back on things we have control over; for instance, not eating lunch to work through it faster, sleeping less hours because we'll have more time to do what needs to be done or prioritising everyone else before ourselves to keep everyone happy. I'm not saying that there aren't seasons that we all need to do this - but at what cost. Someone wise once said to me - "You are no good to anyone else if you don't look after yourself". 

So what does making time for yourself actually mean? 

I guess I can only really tell you what it means for me - Quiet time with God, sleeping 6-7 hours a night, eating well, having time to go to the gym, dance and read during the week! This would be ideal but ultimately it's making sure that my energy levels are being used in the right way on the right things and never becoming so exhausted that I have nothing to give to those around and closest to me. At the end of the day - we're no good to anyone else if we're not being able to love out of the overflow, right?

"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you and 

that your joy might be full." John 15:11

3. Laughter - It is never too early or late to laugh. I eluded to this earlier, but so often everything becomes so serious and over analytic! Coming from a corporate background, sometimes the smallest things are taken way more seriously than they should but the moment there is laughter and joy it can change the whole atmosphere of a room, meeting, situation and decision. I am sure we all know those people who are ready with reservations against every idea of why it wouldn't work or that you feel like you're walking on egg shells around them and cannot put a foot wrong. Those people aren't fun to be around and more importantly are difficult to work/do life with. So why not choose to be a person that radiates light around you - after all I heard somewhere that's what we're called to do - be salt and light...

Happy Thursday!
Much love Meenal xx

Rest.

"Slow down,  and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you." - John De Paola

It was a little under a week ago that I found myself completely challenged by the concept of rest.

I was driving and halfway to a local cafe to "rest/slowdown/relax (insert any other term here for chillaxing", when I fell into a panic. I had realised my phone was left at home on charge. 

What followed was nothing short of horror, as I felt a total detachment from the world of emails, texts, phone calls and social media. This immediately made me want to turn the car around to go pick up phone; when this internal dialogue hit me – "What makes me feel so naked without a phone?"

With changes in innovation and the increasing emphasis on efficiency; our generation are constantly bombarded with everything that is competing for our attention whether it be physically, emotionally or spiritually. 

Whilst not everything that desires our attention is bad, if we aren't careful it can be difficult to slow down and take those Selah (Pause and Consider) moments. 

I know personally, I have been challenged by this recently and realising that it is in the moments that I am trying to carry everything in my own strength - I forget that Jesus can (and wants us) to help carry the load.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of Grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” 

Matthew 11 verse 28 - 30 (MSG)

I don't think I will ever be at a place where I don't need to balance my life out - but finding out the detrimental nature that a lack of rest brings, I am choosing to make rest a priority. 

Much love, 

Meenal xx

I Heart Melb.

From hipster hot spots, coffee connoisseurs and the fashion hub, 

to the sporting marvels of the MCG and Rod Laver Arena 

to fresh tunes on each graffiti alleyway and a foodie's heaven.

This is Melbourne.

Despite having weekend getaways... this recent adventure gave me new insight (and I didn't even venture into the Crown once!)

...So Why was this trip amazing?

1. Authenticity - Being a Sydney sider, I hate to say this, but the people were probably twice as friendlier and actually bothered to say hi on public transport. #challenged This got me thinking, what if we all decided to actually smile and say hi to people on public transport. Not in a weird overly in your face manner, but when someone is sitting directly opposite you on that train or bus, smile - it could make a world of a difference!

2. Hidden bars and restaurants - There is something tantalizing and exciting about being in a city where the cultural heat beat is not ridiculously fast paced and people don't mind waiting for blazin' cocktail at the bar under Chin Chin 

or the smoothest coffee I've ever had at Patricia ..

3. Possibly the best part of my trip and the main purpose - the moment when 95,000+ Liverpool FC fans stood up to sing YNWA! Although it was a friendly and Suarez only played for the last 20 minutes, it is a night I will not forget anytime soon! 

Part of my heart is definitely left in Melbourne and another trip is to be planned soon, but for the moment being back home with family & friends is not something I'm taking for granted either...
Always a Sydney-sider at heart.

Much love,

Meenal

.

Smile.

Let your smile change the world, 

but don't let the world change your smile.

There is something so powerful about a smile. This short yet profound thought is as a result of sitting on the train this chilly Friday morning and looked up to find a whole carriage full of Sydney-siders in peak hour public transport almost frowning. 

Whether it was the chill of the 8 degree foggy morning or thought of going to jobs that they hated or purely just being half asleep without their caffeine shot.. it was a moment where I decided I could change someone's day - maybe even the person in front of me who was squashed in between two people with earphones in.

The result of a small yet significant gesture changed her frown to a smile.

Underrated. Yes.

Simple. Definitely.

Influential. Absolutely.

So next time, you're tired/frustrated or just cannot be bothered - try smiling  If you don't start, who will; you never know whose world you might be changing as a result.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. 

- Proverbs 15:13

Rainy Day.

As Peter Allen put it back in 1980...

"I've been to cities that never close down.

From New York to Rome and all London town.

But no matter how far or how wide I am.

I still call Australia home."

This could not be more true to date. Last few weeks have gotten crisper and rainier with Sydney weather but I can say that Rain. Boots. Laksa. and Good company have made it the best few weeks!

Petaling Street, George Street - Sydney

Last night I went to one of my new favourite malaysian places and despite the rain, tiredness from the week and expectation to everything coming up it could not have been more perfect.

This blog is simply me saying that despite what the day looks like; good food, good company and knowing a God who incredibly in love with you is nothing short of perfection.

"I believe in pink,

I believe in laughing is the best calorie burner,

I believe in kissing, kissing alot, 

I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong, 

I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls,

I believe tomorrow is another day.

And I believe in miracles." - Audrey Hepburn 

(Despite who said this, still holds great weight)

Much love,

Meenal

Present.

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come.
Today is all we have, Let us begin.
- Mother Theresa

We often see inspiring quotes and/or hear encouraging stories of people that make you want to dream bigger and see what tomorrow will be. 

Is this wrong? 

No, Of course not! 

...However; recently I have been asked to ponder the thought of "Being Present".

Often society (and well, marketing) has turned our generation into tech-fad addicts waiting to pounce on the next big thing; the new iPhone that works twice as fast, the new dress & 9-inch heels, the new car with wi-fi inside the car (why you would need this to drive a car from A to B safetly.. I'm not even sure of), the new tablet that has triple the features than the previous OR that  app that can predict your future babies face by merging two people's faces together (like really?).

Then, if it isn't society telling you to chase your dream and reach the corporate ladder then its those moments of doubt and repeated thoughts about what you did/didn't do, how you should have changed that or how you could have done that better.

Don't get me wrong or misquote me here.. I am all for dreaming big and chasing them at any cost and loving people passionately even though it can often get you burnt; but what I'm focusing (and in some ways being constantly challenged about is) being present, actually (if you're being honest with yourself) take the time to arrest the day and be aware that it is the moment you have to make the difference that your heart is crying out for.

I get being busy in life. Trust me.

My current world consists of schedules and appointments starting from 6am til 1030pm (on an average weekday), building teams, working in new role and managing multiple (sometimes ridiculously difficult) stakeholders at a professional services firm, finding time for family and friends, gym, travelling... and oh yes, rest.

Despite all of the above, I have been challenged (and constantly am) to live a life that means I'm being present and living the dream, wherever I am.

I know (from experience) that the midst of everything life throws at you, it is easier to be reactive where often mere survival is a challenge enough......but what if (just let me humour you for a moment) you were made in a very image of the creator of time to live each moment with purposeful intent and rather than a victim of circumstance.

Choose to live the dream, choose to have your eyes/ears/attitude open for you to take this day, this hour, this moment and be totally aware of where you are and live it with such passion.

After all, all we have is today, the present.

Much love,

Meenal

PS: This post was inspired by my church and expectancy across 40days of revival

Sushi Me.

You can't help getting older.  But you don't have to get old.

This week has been a world-wind. I can honestly say I am so undeserving of this love but am going to embrace it! I have so eloquently labelled the past week #birthdayweek. The week went something like this:

• Sunday - Flowers, technically had to give these back and were only "temporarily given" due to a small glitche in logistics.. but something I am still laughing at today.

• Monday - Surprise Sushi eating contest! 36/50 pieces! (May never eat sushi again but definitely had a great laugh!)

• Tuesday - My actual birthday with some 400+ text messages/calls/facebook posts and emails! Yikes.. and if that wasn't enough - cake with friends at night with a serenaded birthday song labelled "Brown girl".

• Wednesday - Lunch with a view and oriental lillies at the Ivy pool.

• Thursday - After work dinner at a new cute restaurant labelled "Chalkboard cafe" on Young Street, Waterloo.

• Friday - After work drinks and dinner at one of my all time favourite places Al Aseel with enough food to feed an army! (Including their amazing garlic lemon chicken)

• Saturday - Woke up to go surfing up in Manly (probably the most fun you could have and seriously blessed to go surfing in the middle of Autumn!) and then finishing the best week ever off with dinner with some close friends at SugarCane followed by Karoke!

The funny thing is that despite this amazing week...  if I was completely honest, I had initially been dreading turning twenty-four & found myself a tad fearful of it.

Why? Good Question.

Well, being a girl - I tended to have 5 year plan.. and at twenty-four you realise that you're in your mid-twenties and no longer have the luxury of blaming (or excusing) your shortfalls and mistakes on being naive.

This being said, I have since realised - I can eat my own words..

1. I have an incredible family and amazing friends who love me (and for anyone reading this, don't ever get complacent in having those people that love you and care about you in your world - let them in)

2. I get to literally get to live the dream every morning; either getting to work in marketing strategy, doing college, church leadership & getting to choose to fight daily in following a God that lets me chase after the biggest dreams, with a hope and a future!

3. Twenty-four is seriously just the beginning; the world is my oyster! 

Much love,

Meenal

Ps: Biggest shout out to my family & friends 
who have seriously blown me away! xoxo

Fog.

Fog (verb): a cloudlike mass or layer of minute water droplets or ice crystals near the surface of the earth, appreciably reducing visibility.

Fog (Synonyms): blur, dim, obscure, mist, darken, haze.
On Sunday morning I woke up with this view as I was driving home from my cousin’s place:

  

The air was thick with a haze and I found myself struggling to drive down the main road, given the amount of light/haze about. This combined with lack of sleep got me thinking; how often do we live our lives with this obscured view and struggle to make a move in any direction because of the feeling we have to move forward.

Today, a few days after I have been pondering this for some time have realised that fog (metaphorically of course) is a choice that we choose daily.

Like it says in 1 Cor 13:12 (Message): 

“We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!”.

Fog (Antonyms): Clarity, clarify, clear.

This next season, whatever it looks like for you – I challenge you to not focus on the haze/possibilities of the what if or even look to the left or right with other choices you could make; but choose him. The God above all who loves you for who you are and he will show you the path that you (and me personally) need to take. 

Whether that means to drive straight in (use your high beams) and drive slowly with caution or Whether that means pausing on the side of the road (take a break and rest in him).

Choosing to Live the dream may not always be clear or cosy, but I know it is the best decision I’ve ever made.

Much love,

Meenal

PS: This post is dedicated to my friend, Charlotte x

Concrete Jungle.

Brooklyn Bridge, NYC

The Big Apple. 

Gotham. 

The City that never sleeps. 

...The list goes on...

Five months ago (over New Years eve), I ventured across North America and found myself in an empire state of mind: 

"One Hand in the air for the Big city, 

Street lights, big dreams, all looking pretty

No place in the world that can compare." Alicia Keys

My perception of New York was shaped through the likes of King Kong, Gossip Girl, Maid in Manhattan, Friends, Serendipity, Independence Day and (how can I forget) Sex in the City. 

From the moment I landed at JFK til my last night on 6th Avenue, everything from the food to shopping took my breath away. 

The best way to explain this journey was a love/hate relationship. My first night in New York started with my bags breaking off the baggage carousel to freezing cold rain and waiting for a taxi for 50 minutes with a phone that wouldn't work. Endless to say, it was a nightmare of a start - This combined with my lack of sleep, jetlag and culture shock on the tipping scene and no lift to take my bags up 4 flights of stairs... well and truly made me want to just pack up and leave that moment. 

Despite this rough start, my next 12 days were unbelievably life changing:

Madison Square Garden, NYC

It wasn't the cheap, greasy and incredibly tasting food;
Shakeshak burgers, red velvet cupcakes, hot dogs, warm salted bagels, hot Starbucks holiday flavours in Central Park or even eating in Gordon Ramsey's restaurant.

It wasn't the literally shop til you drop moments; 
including Saks 5th Avenue, Bloomingdales, Macy's and cannot forget Century 21 (which took close to 6 hours of my time whilst venturing through Wall Street).

It wasn't even the crazy sights and experiences; 

Times Square, NYC

like bringing in 2014 inside the Empire State building and then celebrating on the street in Times Square, watching the Knicks play the Spurs at Madison Square Garden, feeling on top of the world whilst looking out at the skyline from Top of the rock early in the morning, walking through central park and seeing the last of Autumn's animals like squirrels running around near an ice skate rink with a coffee in hand, watching Wicked on Broadway, eating the famous Grimaldi's pizza in Brooklyn, sitting on the MET steps or walking through east village's markets or walking through the 9/11 memorial and remembering the day that impacted the world in my lifetime.

Although all those were amazing and possibly hold some of the best travel/food stories none of that compared to...

The moment I stopped on 7th Avenue when a tall African-american guy and Medium-height latino woman asked me for some food. Mind you, I have had homeless people ask me for money in the past before but this was different.

My heart was stirred, my eyes were wide open and a still God-whisper sounded. 

I turned looked at both of them and something in me, tad fearful asked "What's your story?" 

This conversation ended 45 minutes later inside a fast food joint (which had amazing hot chips, but for the life of me, I can't remember the name) giving them both my testimony of Jesus' love across my life. I gave them details of Hillsong NYC (which is incredible and totally home away from home!) and was on my way as I was running late by then to meet a friend. 

...The Moral: To this day, not really sure whether this couple got the help they needed or found Jesus - but I know that having someone ask and genuinely listen can be life-changing and not just for the person being asked.

New York. A city with bright lights, glamorous shopping, cars and sirens that never die down, food carts on every corner and a whirlwind culture that sucks you in. For me, "Living the dream" is a choice - despite my emotions, feelings or circumstance.

Skyline from Top of the Rock

Much love,

Meenal

Blank Page.

There is something so daunting about a blank white page. Despite the fact that our generation has changed this concept to white iPad screen, the blinking cursor still brings the flood of fear and doubt of "what will people think?" "what will they say?" or "will anyone even care?"

It is here, that I begin my blog journey. I have decided to title my blog Living the Dream or #LTD for social addicts across instagram, pininterest, Facebook or twitter. Living the dream for me sums up who I am today in my mid-20 somethings with disposable income, what I choose to be known for, what wakes me up in the morning and what keeps me up at night; from travel adventures, coffee catch-ups with friends, trampoline craziness with the nephews/neices, foodie adventures and God-breathed encounters.

Stacie Orrico back in 2004, put forward the question many of us have (or will)

at some point ponder:

"There's gotta be more to life

Than chasing down every temporary high to satisfy me

Cause the more that I'm Trippin' out thinkin' there must be more to life

Well it's life, but I'm sure There's gotta be more"

There's got to be more to life. This statement (or question, whichever you choose to believe) is one that I asked myself many times, until I met the God of the universe, through Jesus in year 9 (over 11 years ago).

This Jesus I speak of, knew me before I was in my mother's womb, could find me even in the darkest places and covered my inequities with an agape love that I still to this day cannot completely comprehend.

Despite life's ups & downs, it was that night in September 2003,

 that I decided that I would live the dream.

Much love,
Meenal