Thinkboldnotold

My “word” for 2026 is EMBRACE.
EMBRACE new friendships
EMBRACE new opportunities
EMBRACE new challenges
EMBRACE new thoughts

So today I embraced a new challenge! Not only a new physical challenge but a new social challenge.

Today, Saturday January 10, 2026 I participated in my first Parkrun. Parkruns are 5km routes across many parts of Australia. While my running days are in my past 😥 thanks to a knee replacement, walking under the timer is new to me. It appears I walk faster than I swim but not by much. 🤷‍♀️It was lots of fun and everyone was so welcoming. Looks like I have a new Saturday morning date.

Walking into a group of 200+ people who you don’t know is socially daunting but everyone was lovely.

Think I’ll go back next week. 🏃🏼‍♀️‍➡️

Dianne Driscoll do you?

Only 3 more sleeps to go to the most tiring day for Irish men. I hope I don't get manflu or I will be reminded of it at every opportunity in 2026. Go on celebrate Nollaig na mBan (Women's Christmas) on January 6th.

Love this. Dianne Driscoll #6 😉❤️

These aren’t rules and this isn’t a “to-do list.”They’re invitations. If one line speaks to you, start there. One small shift is still a shift and can begin the process of change.

With love
Fiona
www.earthmonk.guru

In a world that appears to be falling off its axis right now, this is a gentle reminder to us all.
When was the last time you received or gave a random act of kindness?

I’m reminded of the time a senior couple paid for my petrol on the Gold Coast. Once I got over the shock I publicly posted my gratitude on FB in the hope they’d see it. ♥️

“Several years ago I invited a Buddhist monk to speak to my Senior elective class, and quite interestingly, as he entered the room, he didn't say a word (that caught everyone's attention). He just walked to the board and wrote this: "EVERYONE WANTS TO SAVE THE WORLD, BUT NO ONE WANTS TO HELP MOM DO THE DISHES." We all laughed. But then he went on to say this to my students:

"Statistically, it's highly unlikely that any of you will ever have the opportunity to run into a burning orphanage and rescue an infant. But, in the smallest gesture of kindness -- a warm smile, holding the door for the person behind you, shoveling the driveway of the elderly person next door - you have committed an act of immeasurable profundity, because to each of us, our life is our universe."

This is my hope for you for the New Year- that by your smallest acts of kindness, you will save an other's world.”

•
This beautiful story was shared from John Perricone ❤️
With love
Fiona
www.earthmonk.guru

Photography credit not known

Ok all you Traditionalists who still have your Christmas trees up, this is what I found courtesy of AI.

Personally if it was me I’d be waiting for those 3 dudes on camels to turn up with the prezzies. Have you seen the price of gold lately?

So let me share my pet hates, not necessarily in order. And all First World problems 🙄

Stripping the bed early in the day and realizing at the end of the day I didn’t remake the bed with fresh sheets and it now has all today’s washing folded on it. 😩.

Getting my ironing up to date yesterday and today it’s full again. 😩

Spending hours yesterday completely cleaning out the kitchen pantry and filling a large green garbage with out of date stuff and things i dont use AND I still didn’t gain any extra room. How does that work 🤷‍♀️

Anyway, tomorrow’s project is cleaning up my dressing table of all the Christmas stuff 😩 . I hate mess and I’m sure this is affecting my sleep 🤔. I came home from our break in Pottsville and just dumped everything on the dresser thinking I’d sort it out the next day ……. one week later. 🤭

Then it’s my walk-in-wardrobe and bathroom.

And I’m leaving the best ‘till last -my office. I think that one might break me or I’ll just disappear under the mess🥴

I’m trying to live a less cluttered life this year……… let’s see how that goes! 🤞

What are your pet hates? Do you get the cleaning bug at the start of a new year?

OMG 3 days into 2026 and my best sourdough yet. And tastes absolutely delicious. 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽
The rules of sourdough say you must let rest for 24 hours after baking as apparently it keeps improving.
Dont care.
I cut a chunk off, latherings of butter and vegemite once cooled and I’m in heaven.
Can only get better from here.
I’m officially a self professed sourdough baker and a legend in my own lunchbox.

Now I just have to keep the Starter strong and alive! 😆

So what are your thoughts on taking down the Chrissy decs? Will a clap of thunder and earth shattering lightening strike me if I take them down today, New Years Day ? 🤔 And yes that is a Happy Meal trinket courtesy of the youngest grandson. He didn’t think my very expensive tree and decs were chrismassy enough 🙄

It’s the year of the Fire Horse and a One year in numerology. What an amazing cocktail to Think Bold Not Old. What will you do differently this year that embraces your “think bold not old”?
My word/s for 2026 is “EMBRACE”.

As I steer into my 70th year earthbound I hope you’ll follow along with me to see what i get up to. The Good, Bad and downright Ugly ♥️♥️😉

Happy New ”Fire Horse” Year.

The aftermath of a week in Bali. I truly need to apply capsule packing next trip. I’m back on the ground in Brisbane after 14 hours travelling yesterday and boy do I hate unpacking. If it’s in the luggage it’s getting washed whether it needs it or not. I’m too whacked and lazy to sort it out🥴.
Nice to be back in the cooler temps. Now to get my circadian rhythm back into line. I had jet lag going over so I’m living in the fantasy I won’t have it on the return leg. I also think the spiritual energy of Ubud may have come into play too.

Three countries in 3 months. That’s it for me for 2025. Well that’s the story I’ve told myself unless there is a lotto win in the wings or a very generous benefactor. I’ll leave that up to my Guides to sort out. I’m certainly living my mantra of “Dare to thrive in 2025”. 😉🤷‍♀️.