Welcome Mango!

NAME:
Sweetmango aka 'Mango' MacKenzie

LOCATION:
Australia

AGE:

hmmm depends really on my mood and the situation I am in. Sometimes I view the world through the eyes of a 4 year old and sometimes through the eyes of an 80 year old and on other days I can view the world through the eyes of any age that seems either appropriate or necessary!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING FOR:

I started blogging in June 2008. I was inspired by another artist who had a blog. I had never heard of blogging but soon began to see the potential of running a blog. I loved the idea of sharing who we are with the world, not the person people create in their minds when they view us, but the person who resides in our own hearts and minds...our true authentic self.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION THE MEDIA GIVES OF WOMEN:

I think that it has to be the idea of a woman's body and what it looks like. Our physical appearances have been so manipulated and distorted by the mainstream media that women no longer really know what their body is supposed to look like, it has created generations of women who have no idea how to be comfortable in their own skin. Even when someone who loves them deeply tells them how beautiful and attractive he/she finds them they are unable to believe that he/she is able to see them as beauty itself....the media and the advertising industry has a lot to answer for in regards to disfiguring the bodies of all women. I am comfortable in my own skin and I think that I help other women to change the way they view their own body, the vessel that carries their true identity....oh and if someone hasn't already told you today....I THINK YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU THE MOST:

Without a doubt, the one thing that inspires me the most is nature and all things residing on the planet. I cannot remember a day in my life when I did not have my breath taken away by some divine interpretation of nature. The way the light plays upon the planet, the beauty that exists all around us at any given time .... we just need to open our eyes and our hearts and we will see beauty in the most unexpected of places. The beauty of nature creates love within us and that love creates a calmness of being that exudes itself to all around us. Nature and Love are the balm to the soul for all who reside on the earth. Yes, without a doubt it is nature that inspires me.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME:

I'm sorry...hahaha spare time did you say? First, everyone should create time out in their lives, time to just BE. Sometimes that proves to be more difficult at certain times in our lives and that is what it is like for me right now. Spare time is a rare commodity in my life, however I am working on creating a more streamlined existence which will allow me the opportunity to have time out for for me. Having said that i do still find time to do the things that I enjoy and love, I would just like to have more time to follow those pursuits. I love art, all forms of art and my life is filled with art. I also love the outdoors and physical pursuits...but that is proving to be the hardest thing for me to fit into my life, but once again I am working at finding a happy medium which will enable me to have time to play in the great outdoors with much more frequency. I don't watch TV, I would love to read more, I listen to music a lot, I adore the beach and the mountains...overall I do what makes me feel happy, whatever that may be on any given day.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS BLOG:

Oh I love and admire anyone who wants to make change in this world, bring about change through education in any form. I admire Carlys determination and spirit and I am honoured to be a part of this team of women.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DISH:

Oh I love food, end of story. I can be quite vocal when I eat, I will describe the taste sensation, I will let you know that it is the most divine dish ever made with each mouthful much to the amusement of my lover friend 'the poet', he loves to watch me eat! I am vegetarian by choice as part of a Buddhist lifestyle so my kitchen is full of vegetables, all types, all colours and flavours, I despise take away food and I love 'slow food'. Off the top of my head the first dish that comes to mind when it comes to a favourite dish is my very own recipe for fresh baby spinach and mushroom cannelloni....mmm DIVINE.....

YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO SPEND TIME:

My favourite place to spend time is at home. I love being at home, it is my sanctuary, everyone should create their homes so that they become a place of relaxation and comfort, a place that is a joy to spend time at. That is how I view my home, it is my cocoon that allows me to breath out and be me...I love to spend my time at home with the people I love.

WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE A WOMAN:

My ability to multi task!! Women can do so many things at once and remain focused on all the tasks and as cool as a cucumber no matter what is going on....I love that.
Overall though I have to admit I am more proud of who I am as a person, I believe in the soul and the soul is neither woman nor man it is love, it is a pureness of being that transcends all else. As a person I like that I am learning to be loving in all that i do and to all who cross my path no matter who they are. I am proud that whether you are a king or a beggar I will see you with my heart and you will be treated with the respect you deserve. I am proud that I can SEE those around me who others in society fail to see whether they are people, animals or plants... I see them, I care about them, I love them and if they need help I will always help, I will never be too busy to 'see' you or to offer a helping hand to you.

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED WAS:

Oh I have so many and each piece i received was necessary for the stage of my journey that I was on. At a guess I would say the most enduring pieces of advice would be:

I will not be the silent majority.

The silent majority are as guilty as the perpetrator for not standing up to oppression in any form
closely followed by:

Justice is an Action not a Reaction

and:

I have learned
kindness from the unkind
Patience from the impatient
tolerance from the intolerant