Getting Things in Perspective

The recent travesty in Japan should serve as a wakeup call for us all, it shows us just how powerful out world is and personally it has put several things into perspective for me. The time we have with each other is precious and goes by so fast. There is no more important time in our lives than that which we spend with our families, our loved ones, and our friends.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I do not want to be working in an office my whole life. I realise that with three children I will most likely always need a job in order to survive, but I certainly don't want to spend what time I have working away for someone else. I have a vision of a small shop (also as mentioned in my previous post) let's call it Paradise Lost.

A small bookstore that caters more towards the Indie writers of the world, rather than the mainstream names. Not only is it a store, but a place for everybody. I imagine it with a coffee shop attached with a range of coffee's and pastries to choose from, a quaint and relaxing atmosphere. Ipads, Kindles, Nooks and the like all available to rent during your stay, a full selection of newspapers, magazines and novels to choose from, and for those of us with children a professionally supervised play room for kids, with tv's arts and crafts, toys, the whole nine yards. I want to create not just a space for the business people, or the childless, but somewhere that parents can go to, whether to meet up with friends, or just to relax and enjoy a coffee in peace, knowing that their kids are safe, and being looked after at the same time.

I speak from personal experience that it is impossible to go out of the day with the family and enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee and a chat. (My kids are young, 4, 2 and 7 months) and maybe this is a driving force behind my imagination conjuring up this extra room, but I think many parent will agree with me the concept is an attractive one.

I can see myself working there, with my kids helping out (once old enough of course) me passing on my love of books and writing to them for my two eldest children both seem very creative characters.

I also have a dream of hosting monthly Q and A sessions with a writer, again keeping the Indie perspective. A monthly wine evening where a writer comes in and talks about his book and answers questions. It's dark outside, there is an open fireplace for in the winter, and well, it's still just a dream at present so who knows what else may come or what may indeed go.

The thing is I see how fragile life is, and how quickly it can all be taken away from us. I refuse to waste another minute of my time, and vow to do whatever I can to ensure my time, my family's time, our time together is more than just a few hours a day in between shifts in a cubicle answering to that fabled 'MAN'

Don't forget that 50% of all my book sales are being donated to the relief effort for Japan, so please get your copy today and help those in need.