by Fiona Rossiter on June 11, 2013
This is a post I wrote last year and something that has been on my mind constantly for the past few weeks! My hubby put it very aptly the other day – it is as if you are following your dreams and headed in the right direction, when something distracts you! You see what someone else is doing and you think ooh why can’t I do that as well! Something I always say to my girls, when they are studying is – “focus girls focus”! Well it seems I need to take some of my own advice. I am not saying that you cannot diversify or change direction but you need to be careful, that what you are doing is not merely a distraction from your real plan and purpose!
This is a question I have been pondering the past few days. I think this thought process was instigated after my daughter hauled out a few of my art pieces from high school the other day and then insisted on taking them to school to show her art teacher! After I got over the feelings of complete and utter insecurity, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. These were after all my creations and my daughter saw fit that they were good enough to share with her teacher. I am completely aware of the fact that I am “no Picasso” but I felt proud none the less!
It did, however, make me reflect back to my, somewhat naïve, yet hopeful outlook at the tender age of 15 or 16 years, when the world was my oyster. My aspirations of becoming a world-renowned fashion designer, with my own thriving chain of boutiques! At that point in my life doing anything that was creative, was my ultimate goal in life. This really got me thinking – well are my dreams still the same or have they changed and morphed into something completely different? Or are they buried beneath all the stuff life throws at you? I think that maybe I have changed, as my circumstances have changed but I think my dreams are still alive and well! If anything I think we add to these dreams as we grow and mature.
So what now? When does living your dream become impossible, well never, as far as I am concerned – if you want something badly enough you will make it happen? Luckily for me I have daughters that both enjoy fashion and have a creative flare, a husband who is extremely supportive – which I feel makes living my dream even more plausible. It may not be the exact same dream that I had all those years ago but I believe it will be better than ever because I now have special people in my life to share it with!
Images: Photography & Drawings By ©FAR Photography
by Fiona Rossiter on April 8, 2012
The long-awaited digital piano has eventually arrived much to the delight of all! We will announce concert dates soon! 
Thank you to all who made this dream a reality!
Photography:©FAR Photography
by Fiona Rossiter on March 29, 2012
I love this and it is so true, according to some wise individuals we should be reading to or with our children, at least, until the age of 13! Wow – how many of you still read to your children after they start school and can read themselves? I think that it comes back to spending quality time with our children and what better way to do it! Reading is awesome and if we love it and show our children we do surely they will too!
Source: Pinterest
by Fiona Rossiter on March 16, 2012
My Top 4 Bits of Parenting Advice
I have never really been someone who readily dishes out unsolicited parenting advice – I think I have been burnt once too often by the reaction you get from some people, so now I mostly just smile and nod knowingly! So rather than call this advice, we will file this list under the title of “I wish I knew Then, What I Know Now!”
- First up – cut yourself some slack; you most definitely are not expected to be the perfect parent, especially first time around! Just remember all children will eventually “eat”, “sit”, “walk”, “Sleep” – so don’t sweat the small stuff and do not compare your children with their peers or yourself with others parents (it’s dangerous). We all get there in our own time.
- Let your children discover the “world” for themselves, try not to be a helicopter parent, calculating your child’s every move, constantly doing everything for them – it’s exhausting and they do need to find out stuff for themselves. Sometimes they need to “burn” themselves to find out that something is indeed “hot”! Which certainly does not mean you should not protect your child but be careful to not “over-protect” them.
- Remember to look after yourself and remember to put yourself first sometimes. Nurture those relationships that are important to, especially your marriage. You are of no use as a parent if you are constantly stressed out, take time out for yourself, find a hobby, read a book, get a pedicure (yes even Dad’s!) – you get the picture!
- Last but certainly not least remember to enjoy your children, laugh with them, talk to them, especially as they get older. Very often we are so busy with our own lives; we forget that our children are “people” too. Make time to share family meals, get to know your children, find out what makes them tick, what they like or what they don’t! You may not always agree or get along but that’s life. Just remember that someday they won’t want you around or want to talk to you and then it may be too late!
Walk A Little Slower Daddy
“Walk a Little slower, Daddy.” said a little child so small.
I’m following in your footsteps and I don’t want to fall.
Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they’re hard to see;
So walk a little slower Daddy, for you are leading me.
Someday when I’m all grown up, You’re what I want to be.
Then I will have a little child who’ll want to follow me.
And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy, for I must follow you!!
~author unknown
Images: ©FAR Photography
by Fiona Rossiter on February 28, 2012
AS my children are growing up I am realising more and more that it is so important to teach them how to be “little people”, all the material things in the world are not sufficient replacement for what we as parents – “big people” can teach them! It is a constant process and each day we are faced with new and different challenges, I think the most important thing is getting the basics right. Go back to old traditional values, teach them good manners, respect, loyalty, the list goes on – if we can get these things right, we can equip them for so much throughout their lives.
So at the end of the day it’s not about what we can give them but about who we can help them become!
Image Source: Pinterest
I am Fiona, a Capetonian with a passion for all things beautiful and creative. Inspired Living, is a melting pot of things that inspire me from beauty to fashion & photography. I love to cook & family is super important to me! I hope you stay a while & please do come back! Thank you for visiting my blog! Please follow me on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with future posts... 
