Skip to content
  • Home
  • The why
  • Contact me
clear

Catching the Curveball

The art of dealing with the unexpected

the art of dealing with the unexpected

Finding restoration amidst the daily grind
In:PositiveReality

Finding rest and restoration amidst the daily grind

September 19, 2018September 18, 2018

I saw a video on Facebook recently that changed my perception about something I had pictured in my mind quite differently. It actually turned my thinking on its head.

It was a video created by a Bible historian and pastor named Ray Vander Laan who was talking about the meaning of Psalm 23.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Bible – that’s the psalm that reads:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

The focus of the video was on the meaning of the “green pastures”.

Now I don’t know about you – but when I think of sheep and green pastures, my mind immediately goes to visions of sheep standing around in the lush green mountains of New Zealand or perhaps on the rolling green hillsides of the British Isles!

Grass up to their bellies, food aplenty. Where it would (I imagine, if one were a sheep) feel like lying down on the equivalent of a 5-star plush hotel bed for the evening – after of course moseying back from having a lovely long drink from those “still waters” the psalmist describes. Ahhhhh yes…sounds great right? Yup – I could certainly see my soul restored in a place like that! I reckon that I could probably get my thinking straight and work out a “path of righteousness” after all that rest, re-hydration and restoring!

So then – I was a bit taken aback when this fellow was standing in front of what pretty much looked like a stony hillside in Jerusalem, telling the group he was with, that these were the “green pastures” likely described by the psalmist. Huh? They were anything BUT green!

He explained that the shepherds were not allowed to herd their sheep though the lower lush farm land, but that they were instead left with feeding their flocks on these hillsides. They knew, that with the winds and the humidity and the change in temperature from day to night, there was enough water around to run down the rock faces to sustain a but few blades of grass at their base. These blade of grass that were sparsely sprouting all over the hillside, barely visible from his vantage point, were enough to sustain a flock of sheep as they were guided along the well-trodden pathways that weaved across the expanse.

The psalmist was not talking about grass up to the belly, 5 star plush “green pastures” he was talking about the “just enough” type of grass…the “daily bread” kind – the stuff that satisfies our need every day. THAT is the place where the soul is restored.

WOW. That totally flipped my thinking on its head.

I can access that rest, re-hydration and restoration amidst the “ordinary” daily grind of life – even when things don’t feel so “lush” in life, or when things feel positively “desert-like”!

So, I cling to that hope, in what has been a full-on work week. I don’t have to be “hanging out” for that end of year holiday (even though I totally am!)

I can – if I chose – stop and appreciate the daily provision, to count what I have, not what I don’t. To live out of the abundance of “just enough” – and my soul is restored.

The little things really are the big things and it is the sum of the achievements in each day, that ultimately make up the pathways in life.

So if you are feeling tired and in the need of some rest and restoration – stop for a moment and consider the blessings in the little things in life, look back at how far you have come and then take the next step knowing that you will have enough to get you through each day.

What inspiration have you taken lately that has adjusted your perspective on life? I would love to hear your thoughts!

daily grind, new thinking, perspectives, rest, restoration

Post navigation

Previous postSupporting others in grief – 10 do’s and don’ts
Next postThe importance of others

Hello

I am Zinta Harris. I live in Brisbane, Australia with my husband of 25 years, Craig (known by most as Harry) and our two children Teja and Zigi. I am a specialist wills and estates lawyer by day and inspiration seeker by night. I help Australian families navigate the legal fallout after the loss of a loved one in a calm and compassionate way. My mood is better after a daily double shot coffee and a glass or two of bubbles. I get my energy from people. My superpower is encouraging others. It is my sincere hope that this blog will encourage you. I hope it gives you a chance to chime in with your experience or to feel part of a community that has walked through a valley and made it through. Read about me

Check out my new book! “Rest in Peace” – how to manage an estate dispute without inheriting heartache

https://resolveestatelaw.com.au/

Popular posts

Embracing a new season
Embracing a new season
Celebrating Friendship - World Down Syndrome Day
Celebrate Friendships – World Down Syndrome Day 2020!
Sunset over Florence
Italy bucket list trip insider tips – Florence

Follow me on Facebook!

Tags

Acceptance Anger Beauty Bucket list Celebrate Community Direction Family Grief Hope Identity Lifestyle Love Parenting Positive Reality Uncategorized

Insta Inspiration

The work we do in Estate Administration often take The work we do in Estate Administration often takes us across the world. Having a Latvian speaking lawyer means that we sometimes work with Latvian clients! 

Receiving these traditional goodies from the other side of the world made our week! ❤️

#latvianlawyer #estateadministration #internationalestates
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#lawyersofinstagram #lawyerslife #lawlife #lawinspired #lawyering #attorneys #lifeofalawyer #happylawyer #womensupportingotherwomen
#womeninlaw #solopreneurs #creativeentrepreneurs
#dowhatyoulovelovewhatyoudo #livecolourfully
#catchingthecurveball
#resolveestatelaw #brisbanelawyer #brisbanelife #brisbanebusiness
#probate #compassionatelawyer
#choosecompassion #bekindalways
#zintaharris
Today is Australia Day, Survival Day, Invasion Day Today is Australia Day, Survival Day, Invasion Day, Day of Mourning. As a non-indigenous Australian I acknowledge that today is not a day to celebrate. 

I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land where I live and work - Meeanjin (Brisbane) – the Turrbal peoples and the Jagera/Yugerra peoples and I pay my deepest respects to Elders past, present and emerging on this difficult day. 

As a daughter of immigrant parents whose land was stolen and who took refuge and built a new life in Australia - I stand with indigenous Australians today. 

Yet I am torn between thankfulness for all that living in Australia means to us - and mourning with you on what this awful date marks for you. 

I wish we could find a new date - unconnected to events that represent an unwelcomed occupation of this country - as the date for Australia Day so we can celebrate all that we are as one united country. 

#australiaday2023 #notthedatetocelebrate #invasionday #dayofmourning #survivalday #noprideingenocide #alwayswasalwayswillbe #changethedate #changethenation #ulurustatement
✨LAST CHANCE✨ If you are a wills and estates ✨LAST CHANCE✨

If you are a wills and estates lawyer, financial advisor, mediator or psychologist tired of seeing families battling over inheritance - come and join the next cohort of professionals getting trained in the new collaborative model taking the estates world by storm! 

Join others who are flying in from across the country to do both trainings (Core Skills and Advanced) face to face in Sydney on 2 -3 & 4 February 2023 at The College of Law Australia's new campus!

This will be the ONLY face to face training running in Sydney this year and registrations will closing at 11:59PM AEST today! 

The program teaches the unique Collaborative Practice model developed for the pre-death and post death contexts with a particular focus on multi-party and multi-capacity facilitations unique to estate matters. Coupled with practical role play training in an estates “mock file” role play series, you will receive comprehensive training for the Wills and Estates contexts not offered anywhere else!

Click this link to book now!
https://resolveestatelaw.com.au/collaborative-training/
First day of highschool for Zigi! @teja.harris off First day of highschool for Zigi! @teja.harris officially only starts tomorrow but the legend wanted to hang our with her little bro today to help settle him in! 💕

It might have something to do with that snazzy new senior's uniform she now gets to wear starting grade 10! 👔

Zigi said he was scared and nervous but he was super keen to get dressed and ready this morning! 😬

He was sad to have to take his rainbow nail polish off yesterday so we hid some glittery toenails in his shoes and his funky hair cut under his hat! 🤫

Out the door by 8am - a brand new school morning routine for us - that gives me an extra hour every day! 🙌

Bring on 2023!💥

#firstdayofhighschool #newschool #schoolday #downsyndromeawareness #newroutine 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#lawyersofinstagram #lawyerslife #lawlife #lawinspired 
#mumslife #happymum 
#womeninlaw 
#dowhatyoulovelovewhatyoudo #livecolourfully 
#catchingthecurveball
#resolveestatelaw #brisbanelawyer #brisbanelife #brisbanebusiness
#probate #compassionatelawyer
#choosecompassion #bekindalways
#zintaharris
Did you know? ✨Before making an application for Did you know?

✨Before making an application for probate there are 7 things that a will should be checked for. 

✨If the original will can't be found, probate of a copy of the will can be applied for but only in certain circumstances. 

Want to learn more? Read our blog - link in bio. 

Need our help? Book in for a FREE 15 minute clarity call. 

#willsandestates #lawblog #blogginglife #willsandestateslawyer #whattodowhensomeonedies #estateadminstration #lossofalovedone #griefandloss #griefsupport #griefjourney
Sending out good vibes to those who are facing som Sending out good vibes to those who are facing something new this week! ✨️

It's a big week ahead for us as we 
👩‍🏫send kids back to school
💫get ready for our Sydney training and
👶count down till our first REL baby arrives! 

Thank goodness there's a public holiday in the mix! 🇦🇺

Who else is feeling the need for hope and strength this week? 👋

#mondaymotivation #mindsetmonday
#newday #newhope #newstrength 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#lawyersofinstagram #lawyerslife #lawlife #lawinspired 
#mumslife #happymum #happylawyer 
#womeninlaw
#dowhatyoulovelovewhatyoudo #livecolourfully 
#catchingthecurveball
#resolveestatelaw #brisbanelawyer #brisbanelife #brisbanebusiness
#probate #compassionatelawyer
#choosecompassion #bekindalways
#zintaharris
#dailyquotesforyou #wisewordsoftheday 
#thoughtoftheday
#perspectiveiseverything
#havehope
Here's to surviving the first week back at work! ☕️🎉🙌
.
Facing another big week ahead trying to chanel some back to school energy as we enter a new chapter of life with both kids now highschoolers! 👩‍🏫🎒📚
.
Are you on top of the back to school prep or have you left things till the last minute? 🤪
.
Sending out good vibes to all Aussie parents this weekend!💕
.
#firstweek #saturdayvibe #chillaxing #backtoschoolagain #energyneeded #preparationiskey #parenthoodmoments #sendinggoodvibes 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#lawyersofinstagram #lawyerslife #lawlife #lawinspired #lawyering 
#mumslife #happymum #happylawyer
#womeninlaw 
#dowhatyoulovelovewhatyoudo #livecolourfully 
#catchingthecurveball
#resolveestatelaw #brisbanelawyer #brisbanelife #brisbanebusiness
#probate #compassionatelawyer
#choosecompassion #bekindalways
#zintaharris
In the next two decades we are going to see the la In the next two decades we are going to see the largest transfer of wealth from generation to generation in Australian history. 💥

We have all heard horror stories about how disputes over inheritance can destroy families and their businesses while hard earned inheritances are diminished paying legal costs. 💔

Sometimes making a will isn't enough to stop this. Nor is choosing not to a solution. 😪

What if I told you there is a way to manage inheritance  conversations (pre death or post death) without starting a family war? 💫

Want to know more? Head to the Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals (AACP) website where you can find brochures specifically designed to outline respectful methods to manage wills and estate disputes and family inclusive estate planning. 

Checkout the links in my linktree for more details!

#collaborativeestates #collaborativepractice #teambasedresolution #Inheritance #willsandestates #legacyoflove #abetterway 
#lawyersofinstagram #lawyerslife #lawlife #lawinspired #lawyering #lifeofalawyer
#womeninlaw
#resolveestatelaw #brisbanelawyer
#probate #compassionatelawyer
#choosecompassion #bekindalways
#zintaharris
Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook
  • instagram
  • linkedin
  • pinterest