Today I am Excited About Everything

I felt it sneak up on me last night .... excitement. Excitement about *everything*. Sure there are some specific things that make me *SQUEAK* with pure delight; namely finding out Darius Rucker (*Squeak*) is the opening act (*Squeak*) for Brad Paisley (*Squeak*) but it's been a while since I have just been excited generally.

Wish I could bottle it up - this feeling - and send it worldwide to all those I hold dear in my heart. We all should feel excited about everything today and every day! One of my many wishes for you.

I heart Karen Salmansohn

Stop what you're doing. Yes, you. I know it's Monday morning and you have 101 things to do but I promise your week will be infinitely better and brighter if you start it visiting Karen Salmansohn's website: http://notsalmon.com/

While you're at it, why not treat yourself to one of her fabulous books of awesomeness? (A gift that keeps giving).

I accidentally discovered Karen last week; I love getting random and unrelated hits to Google searches and everything I've found (from the book I read, blog posts and her fabulous posters) makes me ooze happiness.

With everything going on in the world today - so much sadness, tragedy and violence - I love how there's this one woman tour de force on a mission to spread as much peace, joy, contentment, happiness and healing as possible.

“One person can make a difference and every person should try.” John F Kennedy

Never Lose Faith

It is easy to become disheartened, sad and overwhelmed with despair with the recent news. Riots. Violence. Unspeakable acts of cruelty and evil.

These "protestors" may say they are challenging the Government and police but in reality, they are only bringing financial ruin and heartbreak to their neighbours - the people who have sold them milk and their newspaper for the last 10 years. Moreso they are insulting the heroic men and women of our Armed Forces who have fought so bravely for our freedom and continue to do so.

But I think if we give in to the heartbreak, it's one small victory to them. There have sadly been bigger wars with less hope and yet we have overcome. We will again.

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.
Mahatma Gandhi

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Martin Luther King Jr.

Be Happy.... Stay Happy

'nough said.

The Pale Blue Dot of Home

The photo above was taken by Voyager 1 in 1990 as it sailed away from Earth, more than 4 billion miles in the distance.


"We succeeded in taking that picture [from deep space], and, if you look at it, you see a dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever lived, lived out their lives. The aggregate of all our joys and sufferings, thousands of confident religions, ideologies and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilizations, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every hopeful child, every mother and father, every inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every superstar, every supreme leader, every saint and sinner in the history of our species, lived there on a mote of dust, suspended in a sunbeam.

The earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that in glory and in triumph they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of the dot on scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner of the dot. How frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity -- in all this vastness -- there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves. It is up to us. It's been said that astronomy is a humbling, and I might add, a character-building experience. To my mind, there is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly and compassionately with one another and to preserve and cherish that pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known."

Taken from Dr Carl Sagan's lecture at Cornell on October 13, 1994.

I adore this picture and message - a simple and gentle nudge to remind us to look at everything with a new perspective and approach it with a bit more love, kindness and compassion.

The Potential of the Average Person

The potential of the average person is like a huge ocean unsailed, a new continent unexplored, a world of possibilities waiting to be released and channeled toward some great good.

—
Brian Tracy

Kind over Matter

It appears I now live in a world where riots are acceptable. Where people consumed with anger and violence hijack peaceful protests simply to cause mayhem.

So it made me smile all the more to discover Kind Over Matter today.

http://www.kindovermatter.com/

A website dedicated to kindness and inspirational acts. Hurrah!

What this world needs is a new kind of army - the army of the kind.
Cleveland Amory

Practice Compassion, Goodwill, Love and Kindness

com•pas•sion [kuh m-pash-uh ]

noun a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.




My lesson for today is compassion.

Buddhism is all about it and truth be told, I am easily moved by the plight of others. By others, I mean those I’m not related to. My compassion lesson is for my family. Somewhere along the way, I started suffering compassion fatigue for my relatives. Who was the first to wake up to the fact that sometimes we treat strangers better than we treat our family?

I’m not sure when or why it happened and I’m not even sure how to live with compassion when suffering can’t be alleviated without destroying yourself with grief. Whatever happens, I will open myself fully to my family and walk with them through any trial or tribulation.

Face the Fear....

Today I had the sobering realisation that somewhere along the way, I had become a scaredy cat. I had gone from being fearless (and if I am being honest, borderline reckless) to being cautious. CAUTIOUS! *shakes head* When did I start to let fear run the show?

Joie de vivre is impossible when consumed by fear. So today I did the scariest thing by declaring I won’t let fear rule my life anymore.

I then proceeded to do something that scared me (albeit small in the grand scheme of things) and was rewarded with applause. There may be an award ceremony going on in the room next door but I’d like to think it was the universe saying You Go Girl!

One plus One...

When I started Weight Watchers, I never had an end weight in mind. A particular number to aim towards. To be honest, this was partly due to an unshakeable belief that losing weight was going to be impossible. The smaller and less substantial reason was I truly didn't know what I wanted to weigh. All I knew was if it was possible, I wanted to be smaller.

Five months later, I'm over two stone lighter. 2.07 if we're being technical (that's 13.2kg in new money), three dress sizes smaller and a whole lot happier.

I still don't have a specific weight in mind but I know I would like to be at least one more dress size smaller and I have faith that I will just know when I am at a weight where I feel confident, comfortable and healthy.

Two things I know to be true:

1. A year from now you may wish you had started today.
2. Nothing tastes as good as thin feels.

Easily the best thing I have ever done and the biggest gift I've ever given myself.

Keep Karma and Carry Om

Week One of Meditating.

In short, j'adore.

2011 started out innocuous. Truth be told, I felt slightly short-changed throughout January. After all it was the Year of the Rabbit; my year. Magic was promised and I was impatiently waiting.

Somewhere in the midst of that grey, painful winter season, everything changed. A shift in my thinking from acceptance to challenge. Is this the life I wanted to live? Exactly when had I fallen into the trap of believing dreams could be contained if not squashed by the recession? No more.

It was as though I took the first exit from the path I was on and immediately felt better. Breathed easier. It would be easy to mourn how long it took me to wake up to mindlessly traversing the wrong road but mourning belongs to that old life and I believe everything comes to us in the perfect timing.

Meditation has been a long-running but ignored theme in my life. Friends and family members have encouraged me to try it, especially during those career-driven periods of madness where 60 hour weeks were the norm. But I didn’t have the time or inclination to meditate. I was fuelled by adrenalin.

The winding path of my life is taking me closer to Buddhism and before I knew it, I arrived at meditation but this time with an eagerness to try it. That being said, I still assumed it would be difficult. That there would be navel-gazing and robes. In short, I assumed it would be 10 minutes of my life I’d never get back.

I may be slowing down to smell the roses but frankly I don’t have all day so I decided to start with the Headspace app – Take 10. 10 minutes of meditation a day. Even I could spare 10 minutes.

I wasn’t prepared for the effortlessness of meditation nor the seismic shift from off-balanced to feeling centred straight away. It’s intricately complex and simple at the same time. It is awareness and contentment and joy and peace. It is part of my path now and I can’t wait to see where I go next.

Namaste.

http://www.getsomeheadspace.com/

Whatever you think of yourself… you are bigger than that!

Have you ever met someone that makes you feel bigger than yourself? It’s an incredible gift to give hope or the belief you can be more.

Today I met New Zealand Paralympian, Tim Prendergast, an incredible individual. I applaud all high achievers for their dedication, determination and perseverance – absolutely noteworthy and due respect – but seldom do you meet someone who surpasses ordinary parameters and is just an outstanding, inspiring and incredible individual. That was my experience with Tim.

Tim came to speak at our Staff Development Day and truly, I wish everyone could have heard his story. Inspirational, affirming and incredibly moving. It profoundly touched me.

Through video Tim took us to the Beijing Olympics where he struggled to finish the 5,000m. It was heartbreaking to watch. Having pushed his body harder than he ever done before, we saw it start to break down. First the shakes. Then wobbly legs. And finally collapsing at the finish line.

He found himself in the changing room of the Bird’s Nest Stadium focussing on failure. Berating himself and mentally stripping himself of titles such as New Zealand Team Captain and Paralympian.

A thought formed in the despair. It spoke of the journey to Beijing.

As a child in New Zealand, Tim dreamt of being a 'black cap' (playing for the NZ Cricket Team) with a healthy boyish love for all things cars and mechanical. When he was 9, he looked out the living room window and saw a black fuzzy spot on the horizon. Despite blinking, it didn't go away. He kept quiet. Several weeks later, several spots appeared and his teacher started noticing how he squinted at the blackboard. He was then diagnosed with an extremely rare eye condition that meant he would be 90-95% blind.

His dreams were dashed. No playing cricket. No driving cars. No eye-contact. He thought he would spend his life on disability doing a mediocre job that 'blind people can do'. As he entered his teenage years, he walked oozing despair and difference.

Year 9 (aged 14), he started a new state school where sport was compulsory for Years 9 and 10. Being the ‘token blind kid’, he couldn't do the sports he used to do and loved (cricket, football) but he chose the one sport that he thought he could possibly do - running. His coach told him that if he wanted to take part, he would have to work as hard as everyone else. Looking back he can now see the concessions he made (no more running through forests etc), but that one moment made a lasting impact on his life. He became the same as his classmates. He ran his first race in Year 11 and came third and got Bronze Medal. In that moment, he found self esteem, confidence and hope. He also found a new identity: a runner.

He took us through the Sydney Olympics (Silver Medals) and Athens (Gold Medal), the heartbreak in Beijing then back in the changing room there. What a journey it had been. One that showed him what failure was. Failure was not trying – in the 5,000m he had been victorious as he had tried his best and 'emptied the well' so to speak.

Of the many things his coach said to him, the phrase that resonated with me was ‘Whatever you think of yourself, remember you are bigger than that’.

In short, Tim is one of the most inspirational people I have ever come into contact. I felt buoyed and incredibly moved at the same time.

There are 420 days until London 2012 Paralympics where Tim will be representing New Zealand in athletics. At the end of every day, he reflects if he has been the best he can be. And now, I will do the same.

Namaste.

The Power of 10%

When I started my Weight Watchers journey, my 10% goal symbolised a weight, I thought I'd never be again. Undeterred, I thought I'd try anyway. And that brings me today.

I'm 10% lighter and feeling of top of the world!

Not only did I believe that I couldn't reach this goal, when I dared to envisage the possibility, I thought it would take years and not a mere 14 weeks. In fact that has been one of my biggest lessons from Weight Watchers (besides nothing tastes as good as thin feels!) - how quickly you see the difference as well as how a little weight lost can make a big difference in how you feel and how others see you. For the last few years, losing weight has felt like "mission impossible" but I realised it wasn't my mindset that was at fault, I just wasn't properly equipped.

So today I see the fruits of my hard work using the right tools at my disposal. If 10% wasn't enough to put a spring in my step, it was also measurement time. (Cue dramatic music) and in four weeks, I've lost 12cms (in total) off my measurements. No wonder my smaller sized jeans are feeling baggier!

So today I celebrate - not with cream buns and a lie-in - instead I'm off out to seize the day and whatever comes my way!

I Want .... Never Gets?!

I don’t know who first said, “I want, never gets” but I first heard it from my mother. Whenever I would pipe up starting with “oooohhhhh” followed by “I want…” she would inevitably finish the sentence with “never gets”.

At the risk of sounding like a really terrible greeting card, I firmly believe the important things in life can’t be bought. And true riches are felt in the heart. (I think I threw up a little in my mouth). Still, why do I want so much?!

So I’m a week into my personal shopping embargo – my vow, for the foreseeable future, not to buy things that are considered luxuries and those items that the world won’t end if I go without (let’s not even mention the non-Rapture!)

Admittedly the first week was easy but as it was the week leading up to pay day, I think it shouldn’t count and I definitely shouldn’t be patting myself on the back yet.

Today, however, is a whole new ball game. Pay day. The mother load. And so it starts. What is a necessity - despite the passionate pleas of my inner self, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipstick doesn’t qualify! At 36 however, my beloved moisturiser most definitely does!

Although I don’t believe money can buy happiness, I think it can buy a release of pressure, a roof over your head and basic human necessities (granted, not as pithy as the well-known phrase) but I’ve never been consumed by it. I’m not greedy and I don’t covet more dólares. Truth be told, I’ve primarily ignored that part of my life as I’ve changed continents and bought houses. My interest has only ever gone as far as to check if there was enough to take me on my next adventure.

Being the intrepid explorer that I am, I’m going to delve into this mystery world and come out with an understanding, healthier bank balances and hopefully more trips! So although I would desperately love to ‘treat’ myself to Chanel’s latest lippy, this broad has firmly marked that against the “I want” list and is excited to see where this latest adventure takes her.

The Awakening

As powerful as when I first read it many, many years ago....



The Awakening
Written by ... Sonny Carroll

A time comes in your life when you finally get it ...
when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity,
you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out ...
ENOUGH!
Enough fighting and crying and blaming and struggling to hold on.
Then, like a child quieting down after a tantrum,
you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.
This is Your Awakening.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change,
or for happiness, safety and security to magically appear over the next horizon.
You realize that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings,
and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must Begin With You ...
and in the process a sense of Serenity is born of Acceptance.

You Awaken ...
to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always
love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are ... and that's OK.
They are entitled to their own views and opinions.

You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself ...
and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.
You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you -
or didn't do for you
and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.
You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say
and that not everyone will always be there for you
and that everything isn't always about you.

So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself ...
and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.
You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are
and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties ...
and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.
You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view.
You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing
and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown,
or should never have bought into to begin with.
You learn that there is power and glory in creating and contributing
and you stop maneuvering through life
merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.
You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity
are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era,
but the mortar that holds together the foundation
upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything,
it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing.
You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry
and that martyrs get burned at the stake.
Then you learn about love.
You learn to look at relationships as they really are
and not as you would have them be.
You learn that alone does not mean lonely.
You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.
You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility
and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside,
smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.
You learn that your body really is your temple.
You begin to care for it and treat it with respect.
You begin to eat a balanced diet,
drink more water, and take more time to exercise.
You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty
and so you take more time to rest.
And, just as food fuels the body,
laughter fuels our soul.
So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life
what you believe you deserve,
and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for
and that wishing for something to happen
is different than working toward making it happen.
More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success
you need direction, discipline and perseverance.
You also learn that no one can do it all alone,
and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is fear itself.
You learn to step right into and through your fears
because you know that whatever happens you can handle it
and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms.
You learn to fight for your life
and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.
You learn that life isn't always fair,
you don't always get what you think you deserve
and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people ...
and you learn not to always take it personally.

You learn that nobody's punishing you
and everything isn't always somebody's fault.
It's just life happening.
You learn to admit when you are wrong
and to build bridges instead of walls.
You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy
and resentment must be understood and redirected
or they will suffocate the life out of you
and poison the universe that surrounds you.
You learn to be thankful
and to take comfort in many of the simple things
we take for granted,
things that millions of people upon the earth
can only dream about ...
a full refrigerator, clean running water,
a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.

Then, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself
and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself
and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.
You make it a point to keep smiling,
to keep trusting,
and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.
You hang a wind chime outside your window
so you can listen to the wind.
Finally, with courage in your heart,
you take a stand, you take a deep breath,
and You Begin To Design The Life You Want To Live
As Best You Can.

Passion!