Quote-ching

Be you

2011-11-08T10:01:00.004+13:00

Today's Quote: "A friend is someone with who you dare to be yourself." ~ Frank Crane

Today's Question: Who in your life can you be completely and utterly yourself with?

How I Apply:

I believe I share too much of myself with people and I open myself up to all kinds of hurt. I am rather naive and think that like me people only want what is best for you. I think the best of everyone but not everyone thinks the best of others.

I dare to be myself in many situations and I get told over and over again that I have to change in order to get sales in my business or act differently to the person I am so that I can come from the same place as other people are coming from.

I understand this and I know that people either get me and where I am coming from or they don't get me AT ALL.

I realise that I can come across soft and squishy but hey, that's just me, what can I say...?

I do get that I might need to alter my approach after reading the situation before me but I hope I don't get lost in there. Can I be truly myself with everyone?

The photo above is me with my dad when I visited home earlier this year. My family have always just been themselves and I like that about them.

Are you being it?

2011-11-07T07:47:00.006+13:00

Today's Quote: “When I was young, my mother always told me happiness was the key to life. When I went to school they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy.” They told me I didn’t understand the assignment. I told them they don’t understand life.” ~ John Lennon

Today's Question: What word did you wish to be when you grew up? Are you being it?

How I Apply:

I always wanted to be content. Happiness came and went but contentment could last.

I apply contentment to my life by using the many wonderful coaching tools and techniques I have learnt over the past several years. By listening to my authentic voice. By hanging out with others who bring out the contented me. By enjoying the moment and bringing an air of mindfulness to everything I do.

Sometimes it is lost and yes I struggle with it and fall off the path but I quickly realise that it feels strange to me and put myself back on it by reading a nice book from my personal wellbeing library or speaking to a friend who shares my vision for a world filled with contentment.

Photo by Pen3ya Creative Commons

An Authentic Life

2011-11-04T15:40:00.014+13:00

Today's Quote: "Thoroughly unprepared we take the step into the afternoon of life; worse still, we take this step with the false assumption that our truths and ideals will serve us as hitherto. But we cannot live the afternoon of life according to the programme of life's morning; for what was great in the morning will be little at evening, and what in the morning was true will at evening become a lie" ~ From The Stages Of Life by Carl Jung

Today's Question: How can you step away from ego?

How I apply:

The ego is a tricky devil. We live this way in the early years of our lives and some people live it on and on. It ultimately becomes inauthentic and unfulfilling. Our ego says we should have possessions and pure driven ambition and that we will be nothing without accolades or achievements. This is the morning of life with which Jung refers.

There may come a time when we peer cautiously into a different space inside of us and hear the whisperings of something new, a longing for something more authentic and true to who we are, what our soul knows. Listening to our soul can be scary. Many of my clients are afraid of what they might find there. Yet this is the only way we can become more in line with who we are, what we value and how we show up in the world.

I continue to struggle with this myself. More and more though I am letting the ego quiet down and my soul to find it's clear voice inside. It is more loving, more nurturing, more peaceful and giving. It wishes to hold me in its arms yet allows me to be free to make errors along the way.

I wish this for you too. The energy of the world is changing, people aren't tolerating what they used to. You only have to watch or read the news stories to see this. Global shifts in consciousness are upon us. Now is the time of the soul...♡

Be who you are

2011-10-31T20:58:00.002+13:00

Today's Quote: “The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” ~ Joseph Campbell

Today's Question: Are you being you?

How I Apply:

I was always following someone else's plan. Gathering every opinion going. What do you think I should do? How do I go about this? Is this the right way?

Or I would read books on how other people did things and achieved and I would think that if I just followed the path of someone I admired then I would achieve the same results. Not so. I was following their map, not mine.

I heard something recently about creating your own map and it really resonated with me. Was I being me? Nope, I was being someone else and wondering why things weren't satisfying me.

Now I play by my own flexible and soft rules and follow my own path through the map I have created. I am being the best version of me that I can be right now and that is all I can do.

I may go to slow and stop along the way to smell the flowers and hug those in my path and I know that I am going at the right pace for me now.

So are you being you? Or are you being someone else's version of who you think you ought to be? ♥

Thinking Vs Reality

2011-10-31T09:33:00.002+13:00

Today's Quote: "You’re just suffering from the belief that there’s something missing from your life. In reality, you always have what you need." ~ Byron Katie

Today's Question: What beliefs are you suffering from? Is it time to change your thinking to better serve your life?

How I Apply:

I go back again and again to Byron Katie's work. Our suffering is a result of our thinking. I presented recently on stress resilience and someone asked me how her thinking would cause her suffering. Here was my answer:

Imagine you don't get on well with your manager. They boss you around and put you down and generally aren't nice for you to be around. So imagine you go home and you complain to anyone who will listen and tell them how horrid your manager is and how unfairly you feel you have been treated. What has happened is reality (your boss may not be very nice to you) and what you have attached to that is the thinking..they should be nice to me, it must be different, this is terrible and you go round in an emotional cycle.

Or you could choose to say you know what I am going to relax in a bath, have a glass of wine or whatever and realise that this is the way of it and not attach all the angst. The situation hasn't caused your suffering, your thinking around it has.

It is the same with something we feel is missing...more money, a slimmer waistline, a great job, well behaved children. When we perceive these things to be missing from our lives then we wind up being unhappy- we put ourselves there simply by thinking. If we can do that then we can change our thinking and change our lives.

This can be a huge challenge for people as we constantly fight with reality. No amount of being in other people's business will change that person and the way you perceive they treat you. You can be free simply by changing your thoughts around the situation.

I invite you to take one situation in your life and see what options you can come up with of how your thinking can change to one of angst to one of peace. Start small and go from there.

Ask "What am I thinking about.........and how is this thinking serving me right now?" & "What is missing from my life and when I think about it how does it affect me in everyday life?"

Then ask "What new thinking would I like to have around this situation that would empower me?"

Go on...✍

Angels

2011-10-28T10:12:00.004+13:00

Today's Quote: "We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another." ~ Luciano de Crescenzo

Today's Question: Who or what do you embrace?

How I apply:

Something happened to me very recently that will ensure I never again question the presence of angels. I was always a bit skeptical and this new awareness is very fragile and I am holding it delicately in my hand for fear of crushing it.

When I embrace my intuition and other people, life works out in the most amazing ways. Every day is about embracing someone else with love in your heart. If we could all just reach out to someone in need and soften the harshness that life sometimes throws our way then each of our journeys may be that much richer (((((hugs)))))

Creative Commons photo by bI0ndeeo2

Guest Blog Post

2011-10-26T12:51:00.003+13:00

Today I am doing something a bit different.

I have recently written a blog post for Bludot titled Stress Less for Better Relationships so check it out over there!!

Enjoy!

Yvonne

Paths

2011-10-23T13:49:00.004+13:00

Today's Quote: "There are many paths but only one journey." ~ Naomi Judd

Today's Question: Whose journey are you on?

How I Apply:

We travel many paths in our lifetime. Some are smooth and hassle free, some contain uneven surfaces that cause us to stumble and some are steep and arduous. Some we travel alone and some we share with others. Some lead to darkness and some lead to light. There are many paths in this world and yet only one journey. The journey of your life!

Yet sometimes we are so busy looking at the lives of others. Have you noticed? We tell others what to do and how to be, we comment and dissect, we pick apart and sometimes tear down. Some of us may be doing this out of pure love for the other person. We tend to have people's best interests at heart but we have to admit that sometimes we meddle too much in the lives of others.

I call this being on someone else's journey.

When I find that I am getting into this space, I take a mental step back and ask as the great teacher Byron Katie "Whose business am I in right now?" If the answer isn't "mine" then I stop and close my lips to keep from opening up something that may not be the best way forward.

Whose journey am I on? Only mine and it is wonderful and blessed and fraught and scary and light and dark and full and bright...

Fun or Flat out Friday?

2011-10-21T10:19:00.008+13:00

Today's Quote: "I'm picking and choosing in terms of the stress factor. If it's not fun, I'm not going to do it." ~ Anita Baker

Today's Question: What are you stressing about this Friday?

How I apply:

So many of us carry so much stress and are always on to the next project and the next and the next. Stringing together so many lists of 'to do's' that we are constantly putting ourselves under pressure and feel like we are going flat out.

What would it take for you to shorten your list today? Take a breather? See what comes out of being softer with yourself...

I usually make a Friday a day for me and my business. I still work on stuff that I have to do but I do it with gentleness and ease. I don't beat myself up for taking it slowly. I like to ease into the weekend and I am very aware that this is a luxury as I work for myself.

So what if you are at work and the deadlines are piling up and you feel you are so stressed that it is never going to be all complete by close of business?

You could:

Take 5 minute break by stretching
Walking slowly around the office
Ducking outside for a breath of fresh air
Simply taking some nice calming deep breaths and asking yourself "what could I do to turn this into a bit of a game with myself, to not make it so significant. To lighten my load?"

Deep down you have all the wisdom you need to make good choices for yourself and your health because when it comes down to it- accumulated stress+you= sickness and this in turn could lead to you being forced to take time away from work for an extended period.

NZ folks- enjoy the loooong weekend!!

Creative Commons photo by Swamibu (top)

Creative Commons photo by Toastie 14 (bottom)

Meditation gifts

2011-10-19T10:11:00.003+13:00

Today's Quote: "Mr. Belafonte is 84 years young, but sharper and more awake than most who have been interviewing him. Maybe the world would be a better place if more people took a moment to meditate." ~ Ken Sunshine (Mr Belafonte's rep)

Today's Question: Would your world be a better place if you took some time to meditate?

How I apply:

The benefits of meditation are amazing, simply astounding! These include but are not limited to:

Improved immunity

Reducing anxiety, depression and distress

Increased empathy

Greater use of positive coping skills such as engagement and prioritising

Greater ability to resolve workplace conflicts

Improved sleep

Greater self-awareness

Improved communication

Enhanced Emotional Intelligence- self-perceived ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others, and of groups

It is a brilliant gift to give yourself and it doesn't have to take long. It can be sprinkled throughout your day or carried out in the morning or evening. Whatever works for you.

You can go on many different courses to find a meditation practice that suits you and that you will likely stick with. Have a play with it.

I have been meditating for many years now and find that it grounds me on a daily basis. I can always go to a state of bliss when I feel overwhelmed or in need of nourishment. I sprinkle it throughout the day and that works for me. I completed my teacher training in meditation with the Melbourne Meditation Centre and they promote a mainstream meditation that almost anyone can do and you need no prior meditation experience.

I will be running a beginners meditation group in Wellington in November and am right now finding a nice space to hold it in.

Take a moment right now and simply close your eyes, take 4 deep calming breaths. Feel the breath go right down and through you and take it to any spaces inside which feel tightness. Breathe into that space and sigh the breath back out.

Have a great day♥

Thoughts have you

2011-10-17T11:26:00.003+13:00

Today's Quote: "You don't have thoughts; the thoughts have you." ~ Eckhart Tolle

Today's Question: What thoughts have a hold on you?

How I apply:

I work with my clients to begin to actively become aware to their thoughts. I usually start with 5 minutes a day of simply becoming present to the thoughts you are sitting thinking. Mindfully and with gentleness. No judgement of them, just being a silent observer.

We have 60-80,000 thoughts a day so they will always be there. Most people mistakingly believe that meditation is carried out to quiet the mind- to get rid of thoughts. It is actually to become present to the thoughts and the aim is to grow the length of space between the thoughts. They are always coming- we cannot stop them yet we can become present to them and listen for the spaces between them.

When most people first become aware of the thoughts they have, they can begin to see how these thoughts might limit them from doing something they want to do, be someone they want to be...

The first step and gift is getting quiet with yourself.

Music

2011-10-14T10:51:00.003+13:00

Photo- creative commons- Daniel Paxton

Today's Quote: "You are the music while the music lasts." ~T.S Elliot

Today's Question: What kind of life music are you playing?

How I apply:

The music I talk of here is the music of your soul. I heard Dr Wayne Dyer once say that we should never die with our music still inside us. If you have a knowing that there is something in this life that you are meant to do then begin little by little composing the notes that may bring you the music.

I let my music play by loving, living life to the fullest, acting with kindness and ultimately seeing myself as part of a collective and not separate from anybody.

You could be a great artist and yet have never picked up a pencil or brush, you could be a great writer yet not let one word fall onto a page, you could be a great musician yet your fingers have never touched one instrument, you could be a fantastic actor but have never graced a stage with your presence.

In which ways could you begin the exploration of your unique music?

Spring into Action

2011-10-12T12:31:00.007+13:00

Creative Commons photo by Brian Scott

Today's Quote: "The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one." -Mark Twain

Today's Question: What could you break down into manageable chunks this spring?

How I Apply:

I absolutely love order and clean spaces so although my home never gets all that cluttered, things can pile up into disorder and I know it is becoming a challenge for me when I walk into a room and feel icky!

A lot of my clients talk about the clutter in their home or lives and the best assistance I can give with this is to find out the ways in which the clutter occurs in the first place and then how can it be broken down so that the task is not so overwhelming that nothing gets done about it?

For example, taking one room at a time then one drawer in that room and setting about it. Aim to do that one drawer and do it well. Then move on with the rest- one at a time.

This is manageable and easily accomplished.

This can be applied to many areas of your life too.

Finance spring clean- get honest with yourself about your finances ~ make a budget sheet for you and your family
Home spring clean- get honest about the amount of clutter in your home/garage ~ Make a list of every room in your home and break it down into a task list you can do over time
Relationship spring clean- who do you love spending time with and who completely drains you and your energy ~ use the many social media sites or simply write down the people in your life and what they provide you with and make a plan to spend more time with your cherished friends and family members and perhaps limit time with those who don't nourish you as much
Health spring clean-what kinds of things are you doing for your health and wellbeing ~ Make your health a priority (we only get one body in this life) treat yourself like the precious being you are and clear out the foods in your home which add to unhealthy habits and bring in more clean foods that will nourish you. You could try visiting a health food store and picking one new food a week that you can try

Good luck with the spring clean and enjoy the process of springing into action!!

Small things with love

2011-10-10T12:01:00.003+13:00

Today's Quote: "In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love."~ Mother Teresa

Today's Question: What small things are you doing for others that are filled with love?

How I apply:

As love is my highest value, I live with it in my heart everyday so no matter what I do, I do it with love. Every opportunity that comes my way I can choose to approach it with love and when I do, it always meets my value and therefore I feel more connected to the outcome♡

Light

2011-10-03T10:00:00.005+13:00

Today's Quote/passage:

There is a light that shines beyond all things on Earth,
beyond us all,
beyond the heavens,
beyond the highest,
the very highest heavens.
This is the light that shines in our heart.

~ Chandogya Upanishad 3.13.7

Today's Question: What is the light in your heart saying to you? What would it take to let it shine?

How I Apply:

The light in my heart says to me that everything happens for a reason. This is why I feel open to everything and attached to nothing. Living this way enables me to see the perfection in everything around me without fear (the very thing that stops most of us from shining).

To let it shine I go through life with a curious and open heart learning from everyone around me. This means that what irritates and annoys a lot of people doesn't seem to do the same with me. There are times I have to struggle to see the perfection but more often than not it is simply present in me.

So how can you let your light shine?

Today's picture by Denis Collette (creative commons)

Fishy Friday

2011-09-29T11:59:00.003+13:00

Today's Quote: "The water is your friend.....you don't have to fight with the water, just share the same spirit as the water and it will help you move." ~ Alexander Popov

Today's Question: What are you fighting against in your life and what is going swimmingly?

A Bit About Me:

There are many things that I used to fight against but these days I find myself in a much more allowing phase. I allow things to be rather than use more of my energy fighting!

When we let go and surrender (which can be a scary word for some people) it actually frees us. We allow our attachments to things go and feel way more empowered- I have seen this happen too often not to believe it.

Why live life the hard way when we can allow it to go swimmingly?

I hope you enjoy the video above as much as I did!

Daily Affirmations

2011-09-28T10:22:00.003+13:00

Today's Quote was something I read in a great book that really resonated with me. The book was written by Cheryl Richardson and Louise Hay and you can see it over there ☛ :

When talking about affirmations and new thinking "These thoughts, words and actions produce feelings; and our feelings become the currency with which we purchase our life experiences."

Today's Question: Which thoughts, words and actions are producing great feelings in your life? Which are leaving you feeling flat?

A Bit About Me:

I would say I have (most of my life) been an optimist. I aim to see the good and perfection in everything. Sometimes I struggle with this one. There are days where I fail to see it but I still look and I think that is what I am getting at.

Every thought you have leads to an action and sometimes it can be like Jessica above where you leap out of bed and have a swell day and other times you simply want to pull the covers over your head and stay in bed.

I have started doing more and more affirmations and for me they really do work. They produce feelings I want more of. Life experiences become richer when we look at it with a happy slant!

Startling

2011-09-26T15:17:00.006+13:00

Quote inspired by Dustin Hughes video below. Please support

Creative Commons photo above by Jim Barker

Today's Quote: "To live life so startling it leaves little time for anything else." ~ Emily Dickinson

Today's question: What is startling about your life?

A Bit About Me:

When I googles 'startling' it said Very surprising, astonishing or remarkable. I think that is a great way to live life...don't you?

So as I look over my own life right now I ask myself the same question taking the definition into consideration.

So here is the answer- I surprise myself recently with my comfort with going out and networking. I see it working and so am not so afraid of it anymore. I actually love getting out of the office now and am doing it more and more.

My life is astonishing as many many things keep falling into my lap when I ask for them (I know now, never to question that) it just simply works and now I just have to say I am going to win the lottery (what better way to help my fellow earth dwellers?).

Remarkable- well it is remarkable that when faced with challenges that used to scare me off now have me raring to go! It is remarkable also that I have so far stuck to my 90-day fitness

challenge and am actually loving it....✓

How can you make your life a startling story??

Uninspiring Habits

2011-09-22T11:31:00.004+12:00

Creative Commons- Sebastian Ziebell

Today's Quote: "Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken."~ Warren Buffett

Today's Question: What uninspiring habit would you like to change?

A Bit About Me:

The one habit I can't seem to shake is drinking Coca-Cola Zero. Try as I might I really enjoy a glass or two during the day, especially with some salty snack. Now don't get me wrong I have worked out almost every day since January the first this year and I eat a really balanced Vegetarian diet. The coca-cola thing is so not in line with anything I value so why do it? Well I actually enjoy the feeling of the fizz in my mouth (my insides don't and they can little tolerate the carbonation) I enjoy the taste and I even enjoy the smell.

So I would say that this habit is one worth keeping as it is kind of inspiring to me.

However, if I were berating myself every time I drank a glass, if I was disgusted with myself and really really wanted to give it up then how would I go about that?

I went to a really interesting talk the other night by Jennifer McDonald on Using Neuroscience to overcome 'Bad Habits'. Now as my background is in Nursing I know some cool stuff about the brain but this talk described how our brains are involved in habit formation and in breaking a habit. It's not as simple as stating that we want something to change. Many areas of the brain are used to give up bad habits.

The one I liked the best and is closest to what I take my clients through was Gollwitzer's If-Then model and I'll briefly outline it for you to try at home.

(If situation Y is encountered, then I will initiate behaviour Z in order to reach my goal X!)

I'll use the example Jennifer gave on the night as it is a very common one. So say my goal is to lose 5kg's I must be very specific with the actions such as "If I go to morning tea and someone has brought lovely treats into the office, then I will (put in specific action you will take) in order to reach my goal of losing 5kg's".

This trigger should then interrupt the behaviour. Always have a different choice available to you.

Try it for yourself!!

21st Sep World Peace Day

2011-09-20T15:27:00.005+12:00

Today's Quote: "It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr

Today's Question: How will you promote peace today?

A Bit About Me:

Peace is one of my highest values and I strive to promote it every day. From the littlest way to the hugest way, I bring it into being. Peace with myself starts off my day by the simple act of meditation. This allows me to carry it on into my day by giving my husband a hug with his morning smile, the words I choose to speak, the actions I choose to take, the thoughts I choose to think.

If everyone brought more peace into their day like they will this day, amazing things can be achieved. I encourage you to make your way over here and get involved in promoting peace today!

Happens in a blink

2011-09-19T10:15:00.004+12:00

Today's Quote: "I refuse to allow life's challenges to fuel my excuses, I will instead embrace my adversity, adapt to my circumstances and use this moment as the catalyst for making the lives of others around me better. I will never stop fighting forward." ~ Dustin Hughes

Today's Question: Which of life's challenges are you using to fuel your excuses?

A Bit About Me:

I am writing today's blog post from my bed. I woke up with a really dodgy stomach (something I must have eaten...), In the same vein as Friday's post, this video link was on a newsletter written by one of my favourite authors and coaches and I had to share. Just look at all those quotes!!! I am going to be using some of these in upcoming posts.

Life can challenge us and we have a choice. I choose to embrace my gift and the love junkie in me and even though standing up and talking in front of people was never high up on my list, it is what I will embrace to get the message of conscious communication out there to the world.

Life does happen in a blink but you can impact those around you so that blink is the best it can be!!

Dancing through

2011-09-16T16:55:00.005+12:00

Today's Quote: "If I had not seen how quickly one's life can end, I probably wouldn't have taken the steps to change my life." ~ Ney Melo

Today's Question: Are you dancing through life or are you struggling through?

A Bit About Me:

I guess I am lucky in many ways. Having a blend of nursing, coaching, adult training and business, I have seen many sides to life. I have mentioned before how I have seen people teetering on the brink of death and the words which come out of their mouths isn't "did I work well at my job, was I the best employee" or "didn't I make so much money." No, all they talk about and think about is if they loved well and were loved. Did they do the best by these people, spend enough time in life loving what they did.

So I get to ask you now- are you dancing through life or are you struggling through?

Please think about this question with openness and honesty. 9/11, the Christchurch earthquakes, Japan, illness caused by accumulated stress and recessions brings up change for many people. We seem to struggle with a lot of things and let's now think of the benefits of letting some of those go. Dance through life instead ♡

Spaces Between

2011-09-14T11:41:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote: "Music is the silence between the notes." ~ Claude Debussy

Today's Question: Are you listening to the spaces in your own life?

A Bit About Me:

I do a lot to increase my own self-awareness so I am therefore aware of the spaces in my life. I gain great insight when I am listening to the silences between my thoughts (of which we have 60-80,000 a day). The next time you are getting caught up in your own life and taking everything way to seriously, try remembering this post or right now go and write down on a post-it "Am I listening to the spaces." Place it somewhere you will see it as a reminder to listen every now and then to the silence between your thoughts and find freedom within that space. Give yourself the gift of this practice and watch yourself transform ✿

You're Right

2011-09-12T13:39:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote: “If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.”~ Henry Ford

Today's Question: Have you been observing where your thinking is going? Do you have a can do attitude?

A Bit About Me:

Recently I have been struggling with this. I know a person can do anything they can dream, as long as it is based in realistic terms. Obviously if you dream of being president or prime minister but are in your 50's with absolutely no political experience- things may be rather tough but I am talking about a realistic dream that is in line with your core values.

I know I have the knowledge and smarts to run my own business yet sometimes my thinking can get in the way. It can trip me up and when I think such thoughts as "Nobody will buy my services," then will I stop myself from going out to sell??? Of course I will!!!

Therefore I am right, nobody will buy from me as they won't even know about me!

If I think with a can do attitude and say "I believe in what I have and I am going to tell people about it." It will lead to me being confident to speak about my services and may lead to a sale. I say may because as we all know, we don't get everything we want in life but we can at least go for it and reach towards our dreams and look back and say "At least I gave it my best shot."

Reach out and touch the world with your magic✳

Just Live it

2011-09-09T12:13:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote: "Life is too deep for words. so don’t try to describe it - just live it."~ Unknown

Today's Question: Are you too busy aiming to describe that life is passing you by?

A Bit About Me:

I have been in describing mode for a few weeks now, trying to figure out how I got to be in a place that I wasn't even sure of being in. Trying to describe to my family and friends how I am feeling slightly disconnected from source lately. Slightly unsettled and shaken, like I am an ice cube in a cocktail mixer that is being shaken up and down and round and round and cannot ground myself. I have been doing all the things I usually do to aim to settle but as I am almost finding myself being still it starts again.

Life is indeed too deep for words so why do I feel like I have to explain it to myself these days? I don't have the answer but I do know that just living it even through the shakiness and unsettledness and being present to the mixture of emotions is enough for now- I am living it and I know this too shall pass......this too is spiritual.....

Congestion

2011-09-05T14:36:00.002+12:00

Today's Quote: "Congestion, in terms of overcrowding or overfilling, clutters our life and makes a mess. Life would be simpler without it." ~ Yvonne Anderson

Today's Question: Where do you see congestion in your life?

A Bit About Me:

What I see as congestion is a cluttered desk, home, mind, garden, office. Like a traffic jam with cars nose to tip slows the speed of the traffic stream, congestion in other areas of our life does the same, slows us down.

The piece of paper you need and can't find amid the piles of paper, the room in your house nobody wishes to go in as it is chock full of stuff, the many bits of information piling up in your head and the garden which has seen better days and is overgrown with weeds.

When I get in order and assist my clients to get in order, the changes that can happen are amazingly brilliant. When we get rid of the congestion, we can move on smoothly and only work with the tools we need and get rid of the clutter and the piles which we no longer need.

I am inviting you to take me up on this CONGESTION SUGGESTION!!

1. Make a list of everything in your life that you feel is congested (garage clean out, clearing out a closet)

2. Divide this list into tasks you can do over the next few weeks (take old stuff to charity shop, have a garage sale).

3. Start doing one thing a day, even if it is only a spare 5 minutes) and do one task on your list.

4. Enjoy the easier more calmer breathing as YOUR congestion diminishes.....

As your life becomes less congested please write and tell me what new opened up for you. When we clear out the old, we make way for the new and in my experience this has happened too many times to me and my clients for it to be a fluke!!

Enjoy :)

Understand yourself

2011-09-01T23:02:00.002+12:00

Today's Question: What are you doing to understand yourself?

A Bit About Me:

If I am in awareness, then I am able to understand myself and why I do the things I do. What kind of person I am and who I want to be. I do this by meditating, talking, thinking, connecting, journaling and processing deep inside. Sometimes I fail, sometimes I don't understand myself at all and yes in that moment life can be difficult yet I keep coming back to awareness and it is like a life raft on a rocky sea, it keeps me afloat. How can you better understand yourself?

Health and honesty

2011-08-30T14:38:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote: "Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy." ~ Lao Tzu

Today's Questions: What are you doing for good health?

A Bit About Me:

The last couple of days someone close to me has been in hospital and it brings home to me (again) how health is (as Lao Tzu stated over 2,500 years ago) our greatest possession. Without health we can no longer do the things we want or be the person we are. Sometimes it is completely unavoidable but sometimes it is our not looking after ourselves which leads eventually to sickness, of the body and the mind!

So I encourage you to look at your own current level of health and ask yourself "what am I doing to look after my health?" Be honest with yourself and when you receive the answer from your own wisdom, do something to address it.

We only have one body to carry our soul through this lifetime and we would do well to look after it and treat it like the precious thing it actually is.

For my health I got honest this year and realised I needed to lose at least 20kg's, start working out every single day (not just incidental exercise but really hard, red in the face, sweating kind of exercise), reduce my portion size and start eating a vegetarian diet (meat has never really been my friend) and since January I have lost 10kg's. I am halfway there and feel wonderful for the benefits that this has had in my body and indeed my mind.

Now it's your turn to get honest.....

Living your own life

2011-08-26T08:00:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote: "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma—which is living with the results of other people's thinking." ~ Steve Jobs

Today's Question: Are you living someone else's life?

A Bit About Me:

I used to want to be the person other people wanted me to be. That was how I thought I could bring about harmony in the world. By being someone else's version of myself. I know now that this was not the way to harmony- being myself, truly, deeply living from my unshakeable core is the way.

Are you going to take a bite out of the apple of your own life?

Presence

2011-08-24T12:24:00.002+12:00

Today's Quote: "The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Today's Question: Are you being present in your life?

A Bit About Me:

Many of us rush through our day going from meeting to meeting, getting caught up in office politics, going from one task to the next without really being present.

Having brought mindfulness and presence into my day now for the past few years I have a much better handle on what happens during my day. Yes sometimes I can slip on this, it happens, yet I aim to be present more often than not.

It is my gift to others. When we become more present to ourselves and our daily interactions with people and become more mindful of how we are showing up in our lives, we are better equipped to truly be there for others. Try it for yourself by possibly reading a book on mindfulness, taking a course on it or simply spending one day a week for the next few weeks thinking about presence and how you are present in your life.

Others may remark on it or you may begin to notice somethings you never noticed before but give yourself and others this gift and watch how your life changes ♡

Celebrating your own beauty

2011-08-22T13:51:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote is a part of a poem written by Hafiz:

Do you know how beautiful you are?

I think not, my dear

Yet Hafiz could set you upon a stage

And worship you forever

Today's Question: Do you celebrate your own beauty? What do you do to worship yourself?

A Bit About Me:

I started a practice a while back to begin to celebrate my own body. This entailed me thanking a different part of my body each day after my morning shower. I would say to my legs "thank you for holding me up, for being so strong and enabling me to walk through the beauty of this world" and "thank you arms for being strong enough to hold everything that comes my way, for being loving enough to hug my husband every single day." Stuff like that.

I don't do this as much anymore but I do have a practice of telling myself "I love you Yvonne, just the way you are." Look into a mirror and try it sometime, this is in no way an ego thing. This is a loving practice to celebrate you and the essence of you. Louise Hay who has written many books on healing suggests this practice and I think it is an amazing way to see yourself in all of your glory. We always want to be versions of someone else but how about we try being exceptional versions of ourselves?

No Judgement

2011-08-19T15:36:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote: "Judge me, define me, put me in a box and that box will be your coffin." ~ Rumi

Today's Question: Who or what are you judging in your life?

A Bit About Me:

I really don't judge people. I can say this with real conviction. I take everyone as I find them. I don't see myself above or below anyone. I see us all as one, as a collective.

So if someone judges me, although I don't get it, I respect that the person may have a different opinion and set of beliefs and so although I can sometimes feel wounded or lower in vibration, I can still love that person through their judgement of me. I say I don't judge people yet I often harshly judge myself and can sometimes harm myself with these judgements. So I ask of you who or what you are judging and even if it is yourself, ask how you can lessen or let go of the judging and bring more harmony in your life. I am asking right along with you to stop judging myself.....

Peace & Unity

2011-08-16T11:38:00.004+12:00

Today's Quote:“Awareness creates action and action will save lives. Music is one of the key tools we use to raise awareness of Peace Day 21 September.”~ Jeremy Gilley, founder and chairman of Peace One Day

Today's Question: How aware are you? Of yourself? Of the world?

A Bit About Me:

I recently watched Jeremy Gilley's talk at TED which was about Peace. He speaks passionately about uniting and living in a world of peace. Some amazing things have come from this one individual who is aware, has a purpose and is taking action towards it!

It made me think of how aware we are of ourselves and the role we play however small or big we may think it is, in making the idea of unity a possibility.

I have been developing some workshops to deliver into workplaces here in NZ and hopefully further afield but is it enough and will enough people believe in it for change to be possible? I really don't know the answer and sometimes I feel like I am doing too little. Then I got to thinking that however small my part may be in making this a reality at least I am doing something. I am even going to join in on Peace day this September 21st. Check out Peace One Day's site here and get involved and in that way we can all work on this together and give peace a chance.✌

Understanding

2011-08-12T14:36:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote: "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves." ~ Carl Jung

Today's Question: Who is irritating you? What message can you take from it?

A Bit About Me:

We are all one another's mirrors of reflection. When we have a very strong reaction to someone and say "oh so and so is so irritating and so infuriating", we may be seeing something in that person which we haven't fully accepted in ourselves yet. Let me give you an example.

A client of mine was very angry at his manager for always thinking he knew what was best for him. He was constantly being irritated by his boss's approach to his work and how he always had a better way of doing things. I asked him what the quality his manager was displaying was. He said it was controlling and egotistical. I then asked him to close his eyes and look for anytime in his life where he had displayed these qualities. He got quite passionate and said straight away, "never, I would never be like him, I couldn't. I am so not controlling and ego filled." I asked him to really dig deep and see if he had ever in his life displayed those qualities. Again he huffed and puffed and I remained quiet.

Eventually he said "well, I do tell my wife what she should wear sometimes when we go out. I wouldn't call that controlling though. I just like her to look her best when we go to work functions. I like people to see how beautiful my wife is."

I remained quiet. I heard his intake of breath and he said "That is rather controlling huh? And I guess you could even say that I my ego is telling me to promote my wife too."

So you have displayed those qualities in the past. "Yes" came his quiet voice.

So the next time you see your boss displaying those qualities, please will you let me know what happens now you can see that you have that in you too?"

He was still quite resistant but he said he would.

What happens is when we can accept the qualities in someone who irritates us and see them in ourselves then they lose their power to annoy us when we see them displayed before us.

Try it for yourself and please let me know what happened!

Light & Love

2011-08-10T16:29:00.004+12:00

Today's Quote: "In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all, and it often comes with bitter agony. Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You cannot now believe that you will ever feel better. But this is not true. You are sure to be happy again. Knowing this, truly believing it, will make you less miserable now. I have had enough experience to make this statement."

--Abraham Lincoln

Today's Question: Do you know of someone who suffers with depression? If so, how can you contribute to their world and possibly shine much needed light and love in their direction?

A Bit About Me: I have known many people who suffer from this often debilitating condition. It is very common and sadly many people in the medical profession believe that a tablet can help. Whilst I believe it can in some cases, it can get some people to a place wherby they can deal with their depression in a proactive way. Therapy and exercises such as those described in the book Flourish by Martin Seligman (the father of the positive psychology movement) can provide much needed assistance in dealing with this condition.

A tablet can only work when it is being taken. It is like putting a bandaid on a gaping wound (it will hold it together for a short while) but it is not a one-stop shop for dealing with depression. Unless we do something about the underlying depression.

There may be some people out there who will always have a level of depression but can learn to work with it and still lead a productive and fulfilling life.

I have been fortunate in my life to be able to shine some light and love in the direction of fellow humans who have been suffering and now know the things you don't say to someone who is depressed like "snap out of it." "Just think positively."

Simply surround the person with love and that is a start ♥

Parts of you

2011-08-08T17:44:00.005+12:00

Today's Quote:

"My legs not be as thin as they were in my earlier years, yet they know now where they are going." ~ Yvonne Anderson

Today's Question: What part of you do you find older but wiser?

A Bit About Me:

I was thinking today about growing another year older and I was struck by how much I have grown just recently. My body is growing towards a different but better place. A place where I can look at imperfections and not feel disgusted by them and even though I am working out daily and eating well, it is no longer my sole intention to do it for looks. I actually madly love working out, have done since I started doing the Elle McPherson workout when I was a youngster. It is a practice I will continue once I shed the next 10kg's...

I believe that we could all eat well and be healthier humans and in doing so we would have less of an impact on the resources of the world- I am talking healthcare here. Prevention is way better than curative.....

Stay well and work out what parts of you could do with kind words and insight xx

A World of Friends

2011-08-04T11:20:00.004+12:00

Today's Quote: "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."

- Anais Nin

Today's Question: What do your friends birth in you?

A Bit About Me:

Having lived in different countries and moved around a lot my friends are scattered across the world. They are all special and all unique and each of them births something different in me. I don't see many of them as much as I would like yet they remain in my heart.

With each new friend comes a new possibility and I have seen this lately more and more. A friend introduces you to someone and you have a shared synergy/energy, whatever you want to call it. New ideas are created and excitement and yes brand new possibilities that you maybe haven't seen before open up like a beautiful flower ✿

Perception

2011-08-01T10:57:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote: "We can control our lives by controling our perceptions." ~ Bruce H. Lipton

Today's Question: What would your life be like if you controlled your perceptions?

A Bit About Me:

I think a lot about perceptions. How I perceive a situation in my life can alter the very course of my life. I can let things bring me down just like the next person but my aim is never to dwell in it. I ask myself, what am I getting out of perceiving the situation this way? What is another way to perceive this situation- a better way, a more gentle and loving way? Often when the answer comes to me the situation is no longer as huge an issue and I can do something more positively about it.

Using your senses, insight and intuition more can be hugely beneficial in dealing with the dramas in your life. Control is something we all try, but we usually aim to use our control when something is simply none of our business. We can only control how we are, not those around us. Be more in the business of you than the business of them.

An remember, if I place a mug in the centre of a round table and ask people sitting round the table to describe it in detail, a few will swear blind that there is no handle yet it can clearly be seen and described from people on the other side.

Stress

2011-07-29T11:37:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote: "Stress is the trash of modern life - we all generate it but if you don't dispose of it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life" ~Danzae Pace

Today's Question: How are you taking care of the trash in your life?

A Bit About Me:

I have been working with people who are stressed all my life. When I started my career out as a nurse, my patients, their relatives, the managers, the orderlies, the reception and yes the other nurses were all stressed.

There is an enormous amount of stress out there and I see it worn on the faces of many people. It took my last job for me to be able to say enough was enough.

It doesn't have to be this way...there are so many ways to recognise this stress in yourself and others around you and do something proactively before the stress does pile up and overtake your life. Are you going to let it?

My passion in life is to partner with people in taking a positive approach to their lives before the stress becomes too much and the body suffers from it. Not only will stress affect you but everyone in your life, your family, your colleagues and even the person who serves you your morning coffee!

What if you sailed through your life safe in the knowledge that you had tools to deal with the stress that so many let overtake them?

Soul Love

2011-07-27T17:40:00.004+12:00

Today I have decided on a poem by Rumi. The 27th of July is a special occasion in our household as I turn another year wiser and another beautiful year with my soulmate is celebrated. To all the lovers out there......

The moment I heard my first love story I began seeking

you, not realizing the search was useless

Lovers don't meet somewhere along the way

They're in one another's souls from the beginning

Today's question: How are you celebrating love? ♥

A Bit About Me

I often have to pinch myself to make sure that the love I have is really real. I feel like from the moment we met, my husband and I shared a history that preceded this life.

Our souls have merged and fused. I live love and I love life with him, we are celebrating this soul connection every single day.

Living Life

2011-07-22T22:43:00.002+12:00

Today's Quote above.

Today's Question: Have you hit the pause button on your life? What one small thing could you do today to have truly LIVED it?

A Bit About Me:

I have hit the pause button more often than I probably should have in my life.

I love this quote as when I was working with people suffering from life threatening illness's it came up a lot. I learnt that when faced with the threat of this being your last day on earth, my patients only wish was to hug their child, hold someone's hand that they loved, work (yes at like, a job) a simple wish and a man the same age as me whose one wish was simply to be out in the waves for one last time. Sadly he never got to surf again. These people touched the very essence of my being in ways I would never have imagined and I must remind myself of their strength and courage every single day.

As I said, I have hit the pause button so many times on myself, my work, my business, on life in general and even though I live in a state of limbo suspended between countries, homes and states of being, I am starting to feel more comfortable in that place and realize that wherever I am I can live each day in hope of seeing the next day blossom with the fruits of my labour yet knowing this is not promised to me ♥

Your Why

2011-07-11T18:26:00.002+12:00

Today's Quote: "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." Friedrich Nietzsche

Today's Question: What is your why? What is your purpose?

A Bit About Me:

I work with people on many levels and finding out a client's purpose comes up often. When we have a purpose we can move through life connected to something that is meaningful rather than floating aimlessly and wandering down a path that could ultimately lead to self destruction.

This doesn't mean that the purpose stays the same forever, it can change and evolve and sometimes we feel pretty directionless and lost. Knowing that this is okay, you can gently begin to ask yourself the right questions to bring you back on track.

I recently went through a horrible bout of homesickness. I went back to the U.K and spent time with family. When I got back I thought I would be all ready to take on the world but I found myself upset easily, dismissive of my own achievements to date and asking myself was I living on purpose. I found I wasn't. My purpose had gone out the window and I felt rather adrift. We can all fall foul to this overcoming sense of loss when away from loved ones and seeing them again had brought it all back.

Working on myself calmly again, asking myself some gentle yet probing questions and allowing myself to go through this difficult time has lessened the discomfort I was feeling and whilst still missing family, I feel I am back on track.

I would love to hear what your why is.....♡

Invincible summer

2011-07-04T17:51:00.002+12:00

Today's Quote:

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." Albert Camus

Today's Question:

How can you find an invincible summer within?

A Bit About Me:

I have recently gone straight from summer and landed with a thud into winter. The cold pushed it's way into me as I moved from my time in the U.K to New Zealand.

I felt myself growing tired of the cold after a mere few hours....then I realized that it's not about what is out there when I have the choice of what goes on within. And I do have the choice, we all do.

Seeing the perfection in all things, we can let go of the need for everything to be a certain way and be peaceful with theta way it actually is. What could be great about not doing something you set out to do, or doing it differently to the original plan? What could be great about missing someone's birthday? What joy can be found in missing a flight?

How can you find the invincible summer in everything?

Walk This Way

2011-06-24T19:00:00.002+12:00

Today's Quote: “Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.” -Henry David Thoreau

Today's Question: Where in your own life can you walk with love and reverence?

A Bit About Me:

I have been thinking a lot lately about respect and the way we treat one another whilst we go about our daily lives. Love is my highest value of all and when I see people being mistreated, it affects me deeply (not in that I get all down) just that I really don't understand it and I feel my body chemistry actually change.

I have also learnt lately something new about myself, I find it very difficult to respect someone if they are saying one thing and doing the complete opposite. Words are said and actions are taken that fail to match and I had to go deep and ask myself if I ever do that. If I can find a way in which I do, then seeing it in myself will allow me to accept it more in others.

I am still pondering this one and I hope you will join me.

I think together we can change the little things to enable the bigger things to grow....♡

Family

2011-06-16T03:32:00.002+12:00

Today's Quote: "Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!" ~Albert Einstein

Today's Question: Are you rejoicing with your own family? What kinds of things could you do to celebrate the family you have?

A Bit About Me:

I am here in the U.K with my family at the moment. I have done some fun things so far. I have been on Concorde at the Museum of Flight in East Fortune, sat out in the garden and read a good book, had lovely dinners out and in with my family, played with my niece and nephew, had a nice night out with my cousin and aunty, been to aqua aerobics with my mum (twice a week), put together a BBQ with my dad, set up my parent's wireless, cooked with my mum, been shopping with my mum, had a few glasses of champagne and cocktails, had a nice lunch with my sister and danced round the lounge with my mum to Lady Gaga!

I haven't seen my family for almost 2 years, you may see yours everyday, cherish them always as they are your family...no matter what has gone on or how annoyed you may be at them at times or how much you may wish to change an aspect of each of them, remind yourself to stay in your business and get out of theirs. It feels much better this way and then you can enjoy the parts of them you enjoy and cherish that....

In the beautiful land of life I have rejoiced with my family. What about you?

Mr Tolle

2011-05-30T15:34:00.002+12:00

Today is a share with you as I have been thinking a lot about the Eckhart Tolle seminar I went to a couple of years back. I will share this blog post (my other blog which I aren't written for in some time) from the time. I hope you enjoy it!

Tolle Seminar

As I sit listening to the beautiful rain outside and a dog's distant bark, I wish to share with you all some thoughts on the recent Eckhart Tolle seminar that I experienced on Tuesday evening.

The moment he walked up to the stage a hush descended on the audience. He took his seat and paused for a few moments before beginning to speak. When he did so I was struck by how calming his presence was in the room. He joined us in laughter, with his infectious giggle which reminded me of youth, he spoke of his own spiritual awakening at age 29, he spoke of stillness and now-ness, of consciousness and suffering.

He spoke of how some of us continuously live in the future (always looking for the next moment) and the past (always looking at past hurt or suffering), how there seems to be no separation from the voice in your mind and you, how each of us carries with us a story by which we define ourselves (how I can relate to that one) and that we live by doing things as a means to an end.
The state of disharmony we feel because we tell ourselves "I'll be content/happy when...." and when the moment comes we go onto the next thing.

Eckhart said that suffering takes you to a place of realisation. Suffering eventually wakes you up!
This rang true for me. For the past 15 years I have carried a story around and did let it define me and direct my life. I have been on a journey in the past couple of years but can honestly now say that I am grateful that the incident happened because it has allowed me to become the person I am today.

He also spoke of feeling good for no apparent reason, how we are not our thoughts rather the space for them, of making the present moment your friend.

How can this all be done?

By looking for fulfillment always, finding solutions in the present moment, giving up your 'story', giving attention to the doing, honoring what comes into the present moment, allowing life to unfold with ease and (the biggest takeaway for me) manifesting a new reality- but first knowing your state of consciousness! Who are you without the mind chatter?

He said that we are already on the spiritual path if we can hear the mind chatter- know it's there.

So how does one begin....?

Well as Mr Tolle stated by finding the small openness in you.....

Namaste ET

The unfamiliar & unknown

2011-05-25T15:51:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote: "A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown."~Denis Waitley

Today's Question: Add a bit more sugar to your life and see what lies beyond your comfort zone...can you?

A Bit About Me:I have recently begun to go and dip my toe outside of my comfort zone. A question I like to ask of myself is an old but a goody....What is the worst that could happen?Please do it, it feels great and it feels empowering and you can even make a game out of it so it's not so scary!When doing something that pushes you, it could be the very thing you need to propel something forward....a call you have been meaning to get round to, an email you have been putting off writing, an apology you are not making that may possibly put you in the bad books, challenge yourself with some small action every single day for the next week and see what happens.To be in the unknown can be exciting and you can choose to view it that way.

Heart Space

2011-05-24T10:23:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote: "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart"~ Helen Keller

Today's Question: What are you feeling with your heart?

A Bit About Me:

I feel most things rather than see or touch them. I am a very kinesthetic individual who feels most things and usually from a heart space of love. I have said it before but LOVE is my highest value and this love originates in my heart...... I ❤ you

Forgiveness

2011-05-21T10:55:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote: "Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it."~ Mark Twain

Today's Question: Who or what are you unwilling to forgive? What would it take for you to forgive?

A Bit About Me:

Forgiveness is a tricky subject for many people. If we can't forgive something we term as 'something that has happened to us' and something we see as a 'wrongdoing' on someone else's part, then we get to the stages of wanting revenge and they say that if you are plotting revenge on someone then you may as well dig two graves. Who is in the most pain here?...I think that would be you.

Over the past while I have had trouble with forgiveness that is when I know my work is always being done, my self work. Recently I forgave the people who I perceived had done me wrong. I took back my light and my power and got past the feeling and now I feel even better for it!

It may be yourself you aren't forgiving or someone close to you, it could have been years ago that you decided not to forgive and that is okay. In my coaching work this subjects comes up quite frequently and it is a juicy topic. If you are having trouble with the concept of forgiveness then feel free to drop me a line at yvonne (at) safespacecoaching.com (I am writing it like that so I don't get spam....

Take Care

Safe Space

2011-05-17T09:13:00.004+12:00

Today's Quote: "Intentions count in your actions."~ Abu Bakr

Today's Question: Which intentions are you taking into action?

A Bit About Me:
Recently I have relaunched (released my intention into action) my coaching practice Safe Space Coaching. After many years of work on myself it is very obvious that this is my path, my true purpose, my calling....call it what you will but my soul speaks to me every day of doing this and so I finally listened.
I am not a natural sales person and not a particularly savvy businesswoman but I can learn and I must learn. It may be a slow progress and you know what?....That is just fine with me. I have patience and I am willing to let it unfold as it will. That is reality.

Check out my website here

Nice ❤

2011-05-02T17:21:00.006+12:00

Today's Quote:

"It's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice." ~ John Cassis

Today's Question:

How are you being nice in your life? To yourself and to others?

A Bit About Me:
Most people say I am a nice person and I couldn't think of a 'nicer' compliment. Some people's idea of niceness can be different from others but here are some things I consider to be nice. I smile at people, give to the homeless, look at nice things, eat nice things, love people, am kind and show empathy and compassion....❤
I do nice things and I aim to bring something nice into my life every single day. Awaken the niceness inside of you today...you never know what might happen.....

Transform

2011-05-02T08:32:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote:

"The world is undergoing a profound shift as more and more people realize that all change and transformation is brought about by our thoughts, intentions, and our attention," ~ Deepak Chopra

Today's Question:

What might your profound shift be? What is your intention?

A Bit About Me:
I wrote a mission statement after reading a beautiful book by Deepak Chopra and it could also serve as my daily intention in all that I do.

My mission behind everything I do is to inspire the world and create harmony, peace, independence and do everything with Love & Empathy.

To some this might sound rather airy fairy but for me when I dig deep in my soul, that is what comes forth every time. It is my reason for being and my true passion in life. To live with empathy is of the utmost importance to me and if people don't like the terms then I am okay with that. The people who do will be the people to come into my world and I am okay with that too. ❤

Tao Te Ching

2011-04-26T09:18:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote is the 3rd verse from Lao-tzu's Tao Te Ching:

Putting a value on status
will create contentiousness
If you overvalue possessions.
people begin to steal.
By not displaying what is desirable, you will
cause the people's hearts to remain undisturbed.

The sage governs
by emptying minds and hearts,
by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.

Practice not doing...
When action is pure and selfless,
everything settles into its own perfect place.

Today's Question:
How can your actions today be pure and selfless? How can you serve instead of always getting more?

A Bit About Me:
One minute you can have everything and the next very little. You can choose a path which takes you further from what you have known but in that journey comes the joy of knowing that you never really needed it in the first place.
I was once able to go out and purchase anything I wanted and boy did I accumulate lots. Some of the stuff I purchased lay in unopened bags or boxes for longer than anticipated.
When packing it all up I was ashamed at all the things I had and never used or wore. I vowed never to let myself be this accumulating person again and I have remained true to that to this day almost two years later.
I use everything up before purchasing more, I am pure and selfless by giving away things that have given me contentment and joy with the knowledge that someone else may receive something from them, some gem that may even change the course of their life. Books filled with wisdom and love...make-up that they wear with happiness and pride, clothes they wear with smiles and jewelery that suits them better than it ever suited me......I serve in this way and also by talking to people and helping them out of a stuck situation into a life they are in love with. ❤

Changing Your Path

2011-04-18T09:00:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote:

As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a single pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.
~ Thoreau

Today's Question:
What thoughts are you choosing to listen to? What kinds of thoughts would you like to dominate your life?

A Bit About Me:
I have always chosen to look at the good in my life, keeping gratitude journals and focusing on the positive thoughts. That is not to say that sometimes this is not a challenge. There are times in my life which have beaten me and the negative creeps in and clouds my mind. However, with awareness of your thinking, you can change it. Without awareness, we don't even realise that certain thoughts can be running our lives and possibly even ruining them.
Become present to the thoughts you have and ask yourself the above questions....your mind, body and soul will thank you profusely❥

Looking Past Limits

2011-04-14T10:23:00.002+12:00

Today's Quote: "Being absolutely, truly yourself, is freedom." ~ Caroline Casey

Today's Question: How are you being the very best of yourself?

A Bit About Me:
I started the bit about me when a friendly blogger said she would like to know more....
Lately I have noticed a theme to my blog and it is about change and growth. Two words which land on me like impressions. I can't wait any longer for fear that people won't like what I have to say.
I have a great talk on self care that I have been working on for sometime now. It has changed lots and I am almost 100% happy with it...so exciting!
They may have heard it all before (I thought at first) but you know what? They haven't heard it from me....I draw my energy from people and when I have something I am desperate to share then who will stand in my way...only me and I am not willing to do that anymore. Are you?

Creating Space

2011-04-12T10:41:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote:

"Through space the universe encompasses and swallows me up like an atom; through thought I comprehend the world." ~ Blaise Pascal

Today's Question:

Where are you creating some space in your day, week, month to comprehend something in your world?

A Bit About Me:
I have recently created a whole lot of space in my life and I am so conscious not to waste this time, I have done this before so I get concerned. I have spent the last year and a half working and now I feel I need the space to let some little seeds germinate by feeding them with some nurturing thoughts, giving them space, attending to them regularly and not neglecting them.

I am leading my woman's Sangha group in a meditation tonight about creating space, we do some bodywork followed by a half hour meditation and we each take a turn once a month to do this. I will let my mind flow.....creating a space......x

Never too late

2011-04-08T23:21:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote and Question comes from Laura Vikmanis.....

"I was at a point in my life where I was like, 'What do I really want to do? What's something in my life that makes me happy?'"

A Bit About Me:
I'm with Laura on this one. Whilst I am ten years younger, I was asking myself this question over and over again so I decided that I was not going to wait any longer. Something in my life that makes me happy is coaching people so that is what I am doing.....I am a bit older and a bit wiser and am oozing passion on this one so if Laura can do it well then, so can I.

Enjoy....and apologies about the formatting of this video.....!

Dream

2011-04-06T19:08:00.002+12:00

Today's Quote:

"20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade-winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~Mark Twain

Today's Question:

What will it take for you to make a leap? What things can you do right now so that you won't be disappointed?

A Bit About Me:
I am starting back up my coaching practice. I did it once before but didn't go "all out" or play big, I was still a bit small. I am over the smallness, truly, I am fed up with seeing people (even people I myself have coached) do amazing things and I kept saying to myself that somehow I wasn't ready. I had all the excuses in the world...you know about those huh!
No more!
I have too much music still inside me and I have been catching myself lately walking along the road or lying in bed all comfy and warm hearing the most beautiful poetry and lines of writing in my head, stuff that just bubbles up in my like the finest champagne. I want to taste that. I want other people to taste that.....I love that. I am starting to be quiet so I can experience the greatness inside and you ought to feel how good it is. It's fluid and true and authentic. When you listen for your greatness, it will come and gently sing to you, don't disappoint yourself by not listening!

Thoughts

2011-04-05T07:55:00.002+12:00

Today's Quote:

"Life is not difficult; it’s your thinking that makes it difficult." ~ Byron Katie

Today's Question:

Where is your thinking making life difficult for you and those around you?

A Bit About Me:

I liken some thoughts to a fly getting stuck in some sweet sticky honey. It will beat its wings as fast as a newborn's heart, possibly trying to get unstuck.
We get so entrenched in our own thinking that we believe our thoughts to be so true that it may be keeping us from the very thoughts which would truly set us free from the stuck place.
Every time I try something new I start off like the fly in the honey but after doing the work of Byron Katie, I can usually inquire into my thoughts and now every day is filled with freedom from this limiting thinking. She is so spot on sometimes I wonder where she comes from....then I realise it's the same place we all come from...source. We all have it in us, it just needs to be coaxed out. I love working with my coaching clients to get to this beautiful mind space and live a life they love....

If I should have a daughter

2011-03-23T19:54:00.004+13:00

Today's Quote:

“… always apologise when you’ve done something wrong but don’t you ever apologise for the way your eyes refuse to stop shining. Your voice is small but don’t ever stop singing.” ~ Sarah Kay (Poet) from her 2011 TED talk which you can find here.

Today's Question:

What are you apologising for lately? How can you use your voice to sing and your eyes to shine?

A bit about me:
Do you ever think about what people would say when you expect them to apologise....
" I'm sorry I didn't get it exactly the way you wanted me to" , "I'm sorry it wasn't fast enough" , "I'm sorry for the way I looked at you, maybe I was sad that day or had something in my eye", "I'm sorry I didn't make that deadline, I have just been told I have cancer". "I'm sorry I let the abuse continue and stayed where I was...small and weak. "I am sorry, I'll be better, I'll be perfect and when you seek out my faults with your cynical eyes and show me my weaknesses' by shining a flashlight on them, I will finally see you for the first time as the instigator in my world of sadness and step out the door with my head held high.....
Gosh, think Sarah inspired me......
Anyway, I am stopping apologising for who I am and instead get about the business of being authentically me. I am allowing my eyes to shine in wonder at the beauty of this universe and singing my song to the world...xx Yvonne

Burst Out

2011-03-03T11:46:00.002+13:00

Today's Quote:

"Even if it is seldom allowed to see the light of day, you know that this smile is somewhere inside you, ready to burst out." ~ Byron Katie

Today's Question:

What step can you take today to let that smile burst out?

A Bit About Me:
I have been feeling lots of changes lately. I wanted to let go of my role and was recently given the option and freedom to make that choice. I decided to let it go. This was a hard decision as I love my patients but I need some reconnection time for me and I am planning a trip back to the UK in June to see my family and friends.
Over the next couple of months I will mainly be doing yoga, meditation, reconnection with my needs and desires and then using the time of travelling to the UK to discover what is next for me.
I am lucky and feel so blessed that I have the ability to do this and lucky that my husband is oh so supportive of whatever my wish is. I have recently started coaching again and realised just how much I enjoy seeing people grow and change into better versions of themselves. That is after all, one joy I get from life. Self awareness is so important.
I have learnt so much from the role I have been in for the past year and I have lovely memories of patients who have sadly passed and many who have touched my heart in the craziest of ways.....new memories are in the making now...........ready to burst forth x

Inferior or Superior

2011-02-14T15:31:00.003+13:00

Today's Quote:

"While one person hesitates because he feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior." ~ Henry C. Link

Today's Question:

Where in life are you hesitating? What would it take to make a leap?

A Bit About Me:
There is something I am holding back on.....a little nudge and I could have exactly what I have always dreamed of. I love this quote as it reminds me to leap. There have been so many more things in life I have made mistakes with and they have led to much greater things....what am I waiting for??

Happyman

2011-02-06T21:25:00.003+13:00

The other day I came home from a 3 day trip up in Gisborne. I arrived in Wellington and hopped into a taxi. The driver grinned at me and asked where we were off to today. I told him where and he started up the engine. We started chatting and he asked me to guess where he was from...I said Egypt, he said close, Jordan.
We started an easy banter and as I looked down to find out this lovely man's name I saw the name HAPPYMAN on his ID card. I said is that your real name? He said no but it is who I am.
I liked this so much that we started chatting about happiness and positivity and how important they are for a good life. He used to be a foreign diplomat and had travelled extensively, now he says he gets up when he wants and drives his cab during the day on his terms and that makes him happy. He said something that I have long thought to be utterly true.

Today's Quote:
"People wait until they one day acquire something so they can be happy. I'll be happy when.....when they should have inner happiness all the time."

Today's Question:
What are you doing today to find your inner happiness?

A Bit About Me:
Sometimes, I'll admit, I do think to myself.....well I will feel so amazing once I have lost these kilo's I have put on whilst being here in New Zealand. I know that I can choose to feel that happiness now, after all I am doing something everyday towards my goal of losing this weight. Yes, it will be nice when I can fit into my clothes better (without having to buy a whole new wardrobe) but will it make me any happier than I could be right now, this minute....?
To find my inner happiness I meditate, do yoga, cuddle my husband, read a good book, get excited about my body changing every day little by little and be content with having this moment- the only one I have.

P.S, I got HAPPYMAN"S number so I can experience his infectious joy every time I have to get in a taxi here in Wellington...I would like to have him as a dinner guest too. I bet he has all kinds of travel tales.

Poverty

2011-01-28T17:22:00.002+13:00

I watched a really interesting documentary last night called How the Other Half live. It was a U.K show and basically they take a family who are poverty stricken and a wealthy family and get the wealthy ones to help out. It was humbling to watch.
Something the little girl of the wealthy family said into the camera made me really tear up.

Today's Quote is that line:

"I asked my dad what poverty actually meant as I hadn't heard that word before."

Today's Question:

How can you help someone who is in need this week?

A Bit About Me:
Sometimes I feel like because I work in a Not-For-Profit and I help people everyday, that I really don't need to help anymore but I just can't help myself. It is as much a part of me as my eyes and over the years I have come to realise that I do need to say no gracefully sometimes as then I end up being a doormat and that is no fun.
In the past I have helped old ladies cross busy streets, cuddled strangers, smiled at people in the street, given someone (who was just about to put money into the parking meter) my ticket which had time left and much much more. I don't tell people about the good deeds I do but they make me feel so great I wanted to share with you.

P.S The picture above has nothing at all to do with the post but I think it's pretty....

Worthy of LOVE

2011-01-24T22:16:00.005+13:00

Today's Quote:

You can search the whole universe

and not find a single being more worthy of love than yourself. - Buddha

Today's Question:

How do you show love to yourself?

A Bit about Me:
I show love to myself by buying myself fresh flowers as I love looking at them in my home. I slip into my PJ's whenever I know I will be in for the day (my husband says he has never seen anyone change so fast). I now tell myself nice things about not only my physical appearance but how my personality helps others. I exercise every single day therefore showing love for my body and I also treat it with nourishing food, which it thanks me for.
Most of all I show love by being myself everyday.....

Now tell me a bit about you...

My Yoga teacher

2011-01-22T21:59:00.003+13:00

My yoga teacher sent me a Hafiz poem as part of my 30 Day yoga challenge...

Today's Quote/poem:

"Your Mother and My Mother" -- Hafiz

Fear is the cheapest room in the house.
I would like to see you living in better conditions,
For your mother and my mother were friends.

I know the innkeeper in this part of the Universe,
Get some rest tonight,
come to my verse tomorrow,
We'll go speak to the Friend together.

I should not make any promises, but I know that if you pray
Somewhere in this world -- something good will happen
God wants to see more love and playfulness in your eyes
For that is your greatest witness to Him
Your soul and my soul once sat together in the Beloved's womb
playing footsie.

Your heart and my heart
are very, very old friends.

Today's Question:

What can you do to bring some Love and Playfulness in your eyes?

A bit about me:
I do many things to bring love and playfulness into my eyes. I smile at strangers, put words into feelings with my patients, give love to anyone who will receive it and smile in wonder at sunsets and how small we seem here in comparison to the world surrounding us.

I bring love into my eyes whenever I gaze at my husband. We have been married for 10 years in July and if it is possible I feel we have shared the same gaze forever in many different forms and who knows maybe even played footsie with one another's souls......

Loss

2011-01-11T22:00:00.008+13:00

Today's Quote:

"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.~ Eskimo Proverb

Today's Question:

How do you deal with loss?

A bit about me:
Sadly one of the patients I supported passed away at the weekend. I found out today. I am deeply saddened by his passing, he was far too young with a beautiful family and gorgeous soul mate who will miss him dearly.
I find these situations difficult to deal with. I am a feelings kind of girl (it's why I do the job I do) but gosh it can be challenging.
I did what I always do and had a huge cry for his sad passing and sent him peaceful thoughts and his family love and I picked myself back up and did some yoga,check it out at here.
It gave me quiet time to bliss out.

RIP G

Listen to the whispers of your soul

2011-01-09T16:14:00.003+13:00

Something a bit different today...I am branching out and being slightly creative. This is for my husband......❤

Hear it
That is my heart telling your heart that it loves you
That is my heart opening wide enough for the whole world
I love everyone
I love you

My skin breathes you in and out
My thoughts go to you endlessly
Can you hear?

I dream you
I wish I could stay inside you like you do
I wish I could curl away inside you and watch the world from there

I swim in the ocean that is your love for me
Freely with no cares

I love you
I always will

All smiles

2011-01-05T20:44:00.003+13:00

Today's Quote:

"Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day." ~Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr

Today's Question:
What happens to you when a stranger smiles at you? When might you be going through your day oblivious to those around you who may need one?

A bit about me:
I smile a lot. It is in my nature. In fact, the picture above, that's me....smiling away. I love when people smile at me.
Sometimes when I have a sad day at work which can be rather too often, I forget to smile but you know what....I am reminding myself to smile at something every day, even if it's the tiniest thing because I don't know how long I have left in this world and neither do the people I talk to everyday who live with blood cancers but they still find things to smile about and I learn something from them daily....their smiles bring warmth to my very essence and that is something to smile about....

Decisions Decisions

2011-01-05T16:39:00.005+13:00

Today's Quote:

"Why don't you be the artist and make me out of clay, why don't you be the writer and decide the words I say." ~ Ellie Goulding (Lyrics from The Writer from Album Lights)

Today's Question:

Where are you letting other people decide for you?

A bit about me:
I am a bit weird with this. When I am about to make a decision I turn to my husband (if he's not there I phone him) and I ask what he thinks I should do. He always tell me to do what I think... This can be about smallish and big decisions. Mostly small though. He told me the other day that I really should just decided on something then do it and not garner the opinion of people around me. I recently made a decision I am very happy about...in fact no, make that quite a few decisions.

I chose to change our apartment (when he was in Perth) and this has turned out to be the best decision I think I've made whilst in NZ. Picture above is the view from our balcony.
I chose to book a little trip back to Melbourne on this break which was awesome.
I chose a new chair for our lounge which is the comfiest thing I think I have ever sat on.

I made all of these decisions and didn't want anyone to decide for me and you know what?

IT FELT GREAT!!!!

Risks

2011-01-04T21:12:00.003+13:00

Today's Quote:

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life." ~ Muhammed Ali

Today's Question:

Where are you taking risks?

A bit about me:
I take them, I have moved country twice now, yet I play safe with other areas of life once I move. I dabble in risk taking, you could say. My intention is to take more risks in parts of my life like my career.....

Your turn.

Non Judgement

2011-01-04T13:13:00.003+13:00

Today's Quote:

" Non Judgement creates silence of the mind" ~ Deepak Chopra

Today's Question:

What other practices have you found that creates silence in your mind?

A bit about me:
I have been away for a while. It was a tough year last year with many changes and giving more day to day than I ever have of myself. I felt I just simply couldn't give any more, even to write a blog such as this.
However, I did so miss the blogging community and when I logged back in I felt rather joyous.
I am back and I am not saying I am going to give a quote daily...I will aim for that but I know myself and I don't want to disappoint you or me with false promises.

Please enjoy today's quote and question and use it as a tool to grow like I do....

Much love,

Yvonne

P.S Today's photo is of the Pōhutukawa tree.
(Taken from Wikipedia.....)

Renowned for its vibrant colour and its ability to survive even perched on rocky, precarious cliffs, it has found an important place in New Zealand's culture, both of the European settlers and Maori - being venerated for spirituality, strength and beauty, and considered one of the "chiefly trees", the rakaurangatira.

A hundred years from now...

2010-05-18T16:39:00.008+12:00

Today's Quote:

"A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the soft of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove..but the world maybe different because I was important in the life of a child."

~ Forest E. Witcraft American Scholar, Teacher and Scout Leader (1894-1967)

Today's question:

How are you being important to a child?

About me:
There are many children in my life that are not my own. I have never had the maternal gene. However, I do enjoy being in the life of my niece and nephew, my godson....
I live many miles from my family and a few miles away from my godson yet I feel I can make a difference by being a spiritual being.
I love the fact that the children in my life (and their children, grandchildren) may take away some lessons from something I have done or will do someday.
I cherish them all ❤

Miracles

2010-05-10T19:52:00.004+12:00

Today's Quote:

"Miracles happen every day. Not just in remote country villages or holy sites halfway across the globe, but here, in our own lives." Deepak Chopra in his book Synchrodestiny

Today's question:

What miracles are unfolding in your life? Are you watching out for them?

About me:
There are miracles there to be found in any given moment. The miracle of a glance from someone who loves you unconditionally, the touch of a hand from someone who has gone through so much yet is overwhelmed by the simple things you do, the blade of grass which acts as a stable place for an insect to sit....It's all about how you choose to look at the everyday things that can be mini miracles when you really pay attention.
I am choosing a new response and noticing with heartfelt clarity where I am going ❤

Links

2010-02-08T20:59:00.002+13:00

Today's Quote:

"In the universe there is an immeasurable, indescribable force which shamans call intent and absolutely everything that exists in the entire cosmos is attached to intently by a connecting link."
~ Carlos Castaneda

Today's question is really a thought:

If everything is linked, what are you doing to strengthen that link?

About Me:
I have always loved everything and everyone around me but lately I have been damaging not strengthening links. I was on a slight derailment and I was taking myself down a dark path with no light in sight. It was a sad place and I had to put it right. I listened to a 45 min meditation on being safe by Louise Hay and I felt myself being pulled in a different direction, the better path, a more nurturing route. I feel more at peace than I have in a long time.....

Oh the places you'll go!

2009-12-31T18:02:00.004+13:00

I have used the same picture over at my Safe Space blog (have a visit as I have just posted). I took it this Christmas and it gives me joy looking at it.

Today's Quote:

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own, and you know what you know.
And you are the one who'll decide where you'll go.
Oh the places you'll go.
~Dr Seuss

Today's Question:

You are the only one who can decide where you will go. Where are your feet taking you?

About me:
My feet take me to wonderful places. I am very happy being me. I can steer it anyway I want. I don't have much but hey what I have got I use wisely now.
My feet will be taking me many places in 2010. I hope yours will too.

True Peace

2009-12-20T14:47:00.007+13:00

Today's Quote:

"True peace is not just freedom from fear, but freedom from want." ~ Barack Obama (at his Nobel Peace Price acceptance speech)

Today's Questions:

In what ways are you keeping peace?

How can you be free from want?

About me:
I am keeping peace by going inside and truly knowing myself. This is a daily undertaking and one that is sometimes challenging. I want many things for myself and my family yet I know that we are all so very lucky and I am grateful for that. It would be icing on the cake but that's not to say that the cake tastes bad without it.....

A Love Like That

2009-12-11T21:16:00.003+13:00

Today I am sharing a really nice little poem (or whatever you want to call it) which I love....

Even after all this time
The sun never says to the earth,
"You owe Me."

Look what happens with
A love like that,
It lights the Whole Sky.

~ Hafiz

Today's Question:

Where in your life are you feeling owed in some way?

&

Like the brilliant Wayne Dyer says....How can you want something more for someone else than you want it for yourself?

About me:
I feel like I am owed respect by people around me but sadly this isn't always the case and sometimes doesn't work out the way I would like. This is something I need to look at and stop expecting from external sources. I like Wayne's question as it makes me stop in my tracks and think from a different perspective. Try it for yourself....

New Phase

2009-12-02T19:15:00.003+13:00

Today's quote:

“When what you’ve always done stops working, it’s simply an indication that a shift is about to occur. A new phase of your life is trying to emerge. Let it be born.” Unknown (by me anyway)

Today's Question:

What can you do in order to let the new phase begin?

About me:

I have recently let go of my coaching business. I thought this would be way harder to do than it actually was. One day I really wanted to do it and then just as quickly I realised that I was running a business to make a living and stressed myself out about it. I realised there were more productive ways of earning a living than constantly striving for your own thing.

My ego and need to be wealthy has diminished enough to enable me to let it go without feeling a real loss. As soon as I did let it go I had quite a few inquires about coaching and those I may take on (but only if they are really keen to make massive changes or ready to do the work it takes).

I started my new position with a great Not-For-Profit (NFP) on the 30th November and I am loving it so far. I can now feel at ease and enjoy giving back to my clients on many levels.

I am going to write an article and post on my Safe Space blog re leaving the old you behind but first I am enjoying learning my new role. Thank you for all of your support.

Solve

2009-11-24T10:11:00.004+13:00

Today's Quote:

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." Albert Einstein

Today's Question:

What problems or challenges are you aiming to solve?
How can you see them in a fresh perspective with new thinking?

About me:
I solved a challenge I had with new thinking. As some of you may have read recently, I decided to kind of let go of my coaching practice. I really wanted to work for a not-for-profit here in New Zealand. I got a position with The Leukaemia & Blood Foundation which I am extremely pleased about! It is for a great cause, I can bring all of my skills to the job and experience new ones, I have control over my day and will be giving back. It ticks all of my boxes and really resonates with me. I may still do some coaching work on the fringes but it will no longer be the only thing. My destiny lies elsewhere. I am coming from a totally different space now and I have never felt more aligned.

note: the beautiful pink tree (above) sits in a friends garden and I have fallen in love with it. I do not know what type it is so if anyone knows could you tell me as I forgot to ask.....x

Scissors

2009-11-10T16:41:00.004+13:00

Today's post was taken directly from Today's Gift Daily Meditations for Families by Hazelden Meditation Series

Today's Quote:

We like someone because, we love someone although. ~ Henri de Montherlant

"Families are like scissors. They are joined in the middle but often spread wide apart, moving away from each other. When we're not feeling close to other family members- when it's hard to even like them- it seems like we'll never come together again.
But pity the scrap of paper that comes between our scissor blades! The scissors works together again and slices the trouble clean. When trouble threatens our family, we can slice it through if we move together in love and acceptance.
No matter our small differences, we are part of the same living organism, in a way. The family we live in has been together for many generations and we are just the most recent members. When we look at one another, we see the products of centuries of love."

Today's Question:

When I feel distant from my family, can I locate where we are still joined together?

What you could

2009-11-03T14:06:00.002+13:00

Today's Quote:

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today's Question:

What would it take for you to be content with your day's achievements?

About me:
I have recently decided to go and work in a Not-for-profit organisation which enhances the lives of people. I have actually made it to a third interview with such an organisation here in New Zealand. I may then do weekend coaching for a few select clients whom I feel I can assist in living a more authentic life.
I have spent today preparing for this third interview but at the end of the day I got this far by being myself and if the role is meant for me then it will be.
I am happy with my achievements today so far...I have done what I could...have you?

Best Thinking

2009-10-14T12:26:00.004+13:00

Today's Quote:

Now I heard this on a Hay House radio show and cannot recall who said it. Therefore, it's not an exact quote but the essence is there.

"If your best thinking got you were you are today and life isn't working, it's time to get thinking from some place else."

Today's question:

Where has your best thinking got you? Are you fulfilled in this place? Does what you do nourish you?

About me:
My best thinking took me to owning my own coaching practice. I enjoyed it for quite some time and loved being my own boss. However, for some time now I have had a strong desire to make more of a difference in the world. Give back more.
My husband gave me an amazing gift a while back. He was given the opportunity (from his university) to download 3 career guides for any industry. He got me the 'Save The World' one. He knew that I wanted to make a difference and he thought this might shed some light on working for Not For Profit's or Non Goverment Organisations. His best thinking often blows me away with its clarity. He knew what I wanted even before I did. He knew that being my own boss was no longer nourishing me. I am a people person people and I know that I would so love to work with others!
I am beginning to pick apart the industry and am loving what I am finding. It's exciting!!!! Everyone working towards a common goal and not just for the money or the "just a job", "just paying the bills" kind of way. Actually being of service to the community. Wanting something more for others than you want for yourself.
I would love to continue with my coaching practice but perhaps on a part time basis and most definitely in a new way (more on this in future posts).

Difficulties

2009-10-10T19:37:00.004+13:00

Today's Quote:

"The seeds of wisdom, peace and wholeness are within each of our difficulties." Jack Kornfield

Question:

What could some of your difficulties be teaching you?

About me: I have faced many difficulties recently. I have changed so much as a person and continue to change every day. It's good change and it wasn't until I began reading A Path With Heart by Jack K that I realised that my spiritual practice is growing as a result of these difficulties, changes and the questioning of everything in my life. It is actually great to be pushed into new places and seek out new paths. I am in a place of contemplation and meditation of what may be coming into my life next.
Unsure and not even thinking of sharing with the world my ideas of what may happen is a theme I have to get comfortable with. One of the main parts of me before was sharing too early. Only to have people be confused. Not that I am living my life for other people but people can become wary if a person changes too much right in front of them. One thing I will say....I am excited about my future. I am growing every day in this beautiful life.

Storms

2009-10-07T14:41:00.003+13:00

Today's quote:

"Nature doesn't create a storm that never ends."~ Dr Wayne Dyer

Today's question:

What is going on in your life that you believe will never end?

About me:
I have been going through so many storms lately. Internal storms that bring with them strange and new feelings that are not always welcomed. Changes are occurring rapidly and they push and coax me into new places of utter exploration. I am detaching from things I once held so dear and close. The port in my storms is the love my husband continually throws my way. I am so very grateful for this every day.
I so needed the time away with my family but gosh it's hard to leave them. I lived without the very person I cherish for 2 and a half weeks. It was hard but it has brought us even closer, something which I didn't believe could happen. Thank God for LOVE. x

Apology

2009-08-24T19:55:00.002+12:00

Today's quote:
"An apology is a good way to have the last word." ~Author Unknown

Today's question:

What do you have to apologise for?

About me:
I apologise to you dear fellow bloggers. I have not been myself lately. I have had a heap of change to swim through recently....I will be away from computers until the end of September and so will reconnect with you all then. Keep positive & invite all of your emotions in to come play with you....xo

Tension

2009-08-16T19:30:00.005+12:00

Today's Quote:

“Some tension is necessary for the soul to grow, and we can put that tension to good use. We can look for every opportunity to give and receive love, to appreciate nature, to heal our wounds and the wounds of others, to forgive, and to serve.” ~ Joan Borysenko

Today's Questions:

Are you putting your tension to good use?

What opportunities can you find?

About me:
Tension can create angst and angst can create more angst....After reading this quote, I realised that some tension can be healthy if viewed in a different way. If put to good use. I have not been putting my tension to good use lately yet I can find opportunities if I begin to look (of that I am sure). So join me in doing just that....Lets go on a journey together!

Contains Many Quotes....

2009-08-12T14:18:00.002+12:00

Watch

2009-08-09T20:21:00.003+12:00

Today's quote:

"You can observe a lot by just watching." Yogi Berra

Today's question:

What are you watching? What can you observe in your life? What might be the gift of that?

About me:
I have been watching lots lately. I have been very observant of my thoughts and where they take me. It is quite a good thing to do from time to time...otherwise they will run away with you....

What I might be

2009-08-07T12:12:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote:

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”
~ Lao Tzu

Today's Question:

What might you be if you let go/give up something that is no longer working for you?

About me:
I am thinking about letting something go. I am still thinking so I won't share here but I do love the above quote. Many times, when I have let go of something in my life that is no longer making me happy or content, something new and better comes in. Try it and see, only if you feel ready to do so.

Your art form

2009-08-05T20:23:00.004+12:00

Today's quote:

"If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera." ~Lewis Hine

Today's question:

How do you tell your story? What is your art form? Your form of expression?
If you do not have one that you can think of...what might you come up with when asking yourself?

About me:
I guess I express myself in the written word...my journal, my blogs, writing my novel at the moment too. I have a goal of finishing it by the beginning of next year but I am not rushing it. There is no need, it's marinading.
I am thinking of new ways. I once painted with oils and really enjoyed it...perhaps I will take it up again....HHHmmmmm

Looking in the mirror

2009-08-01T13:29:00.012+12:00

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Note: This post may require you to look at aspects of yourself that you may not want to see. Look away now if you feel this is too much to ask of yourself.

Today's Quote:

"It is not always a pretty picture we see before us. Staring at the uglier wrinkles in your soul, you'll realize that some hard work with fresh crayons is called for, because the map of the world that you've lived by is going to need to be redrawn." Suzanne Clothier

Today's Question:

Peering at the uglier wrinkles in your soul....which piece or pieces of your map could be redrawn?
s in your soul....which piece or p

About me:
I have been reading Suzanne's book recently. I have never had a dog and now I live with one, I wished to know more about these fascinating animals. My mother-in-law gave me many books and highly recommended Suzanne's book. I find her to be an amazing writer.
Bruno is 19 months old. He behaves very well....at times. I have been taking him out for the past 3 days on my walks. I have completely fallen in love with this beautiful natured dog and love spending time playing with him. My intention for reading the book is to gain a deeper insight into doggy behaviour. One thing I am coming to realize is that we must look at ourselves when training a dog. People ponder over the reason why dogs do certain things, why they misbehave and why they just don't do as they are told yet they rarely look at their own behaviours and motivations for doing something. Having a dog to learn and grow with may just be the best thing for my spiritual growth.

Educating into light

2009-07-28T15:57:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote:

"Education is the movement from darkness to light." Allan Bloom

Today's question:

What might you desire to educate yourself on?
What would benefit not just you but people in your life?

About me:
Personal development is so very important to my life. I am continually educating myself so that I may be of greater service to my clients and those around me. Reading, absorbing, grasping and sharing learning can allow me to celebrate life in all it's glory.
We can take a step out of the darkness into the light when we are giving ourselves the right tools....

Greatness

2009-07-24T12:36:00.002+12:00

I was given today's quote from Marie over at Art From My Heart. Thank you Marie! Please readers, share your favourites with me....

Today's Quote:

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."
Mark Twain

Today's Questions:

Can you identify the people in your life that drain you? What are they saying to you? How are they acting? How might you accept them as they are instead of allowing yourself to be brought down by them (you do have a choice here)?

About me:
You… as an individual…can choose to surround yourself with whomever you wish. Moving about countries has it's challenges for me but also many gifts. I find new friends all the time and can choose to surround myself with people who bring out the best in me and I in them. I may limit the time I spend with people who I feel drain me but I don’t have to let them leave my life completely. Be with people who nurture you and bring out the positive person inside. Allow your greatness to SHINE****

Never fly away

2009-07-21T19:02:00.003+12:00

I have a proposition....

Give me your favourite quotes and I will formulate a question and tell you about me. Regular readers- I am sure you have many....

For now I am going to borrow from my book LOVE and share with you a quote which really resonated with me.

Love me without fear
Trust me without questioning
Need me without demanding
Want me without restrictions
Accept me without change
Desire me without inhibitions
For a love so free.......
Will never fly away.

- Dick Sutphen, writer

I know I have one or two to work on in my relationship which has been 10 years this year and yet feels brand new as it's still so enthralling....

Now it's your turn to share

Inner Wisdom

2009-07-20T14:25:00.005+12:00

Apologies for the lateness of this post.

I have been resting away from the computer for many days now due to a neck stiffness (an old injury). I was thinking that I sometimes may repeat myself in certain posts and although the quotes are different and I ask questions relating to them, the essence may be the same. Questions may be asked in a different way over and again, yet I believe that people continue to do the same things day in and day out and repetition may be required. Therefore I do hope that you continue to gain something from reading this blog regularly!

Today's Quote:

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." ~E.E. Cummings

Questions for today:

Reaching down into the very depths of your inner wisdom.....do you know who you really are? What you are truly capable of? Where you are on this wonderful journey? Where you are in relation to what you want?

About me:
At each point in this journey of life, we can change the focus, change our thoughts, change and grow to accommodate new things in our lives. After all, the beliefs we have are just a thought we keep thinking. We bang on and on about not having enough of anything and take the attention away from what we want enough of... I am prone to doing this myself at times. In my journey, I am all to aware that your thoughts create your actions and where will I be if I continue to think in an old belief system? Everyday in every way I am changing the belief and sometimes I write about how I have it all together yet I am a being who can have her off days too and usually I can coach myself to a better place. What then for the people who are still asleep out there? Who have no idea of anything greater than what they have in their lives...It can start simply enough with asking the questions above.....

Contemplation of things

2009-07-15T09:49:00.005+12:00

Today's Quote:

"The Wright brothers didn’t contemplate the staying on the ground of things. Alexander Graham Bell didn’t contemplate the noncommunication of things. Thomas Edison didn’t contemplate the darkness of things. In order to float an idea into your reality, you must be willing to do a somersault into the unconceivable and land on your feet, contemplating what you want instead of what you don’t have."

~ Wayne Dyer, 21st Century Spiritual Teacher from The Power of Intention

Today's Questions:

What are you willing to do to to get what you want?

How can you cultivate that willingness?

About me:

I am all about the creation of new things. I once heard Geena Davis say "If a person can do it, I can do it." This stuck with me and I remembered it again when writing this post. What if a person hadn't done it though? Could you be the one?

I am creating and contemplating daily on what light I can bring out of the darkness!

Important Relationship

2009-07-12T15:38:00.003+12:00

Today's Quote:

"The most important relationship you have in your life, is the relationship you have with yourself." Diane Von Furstenberg

Today's question:

What kind of relationship do you have with yourself?

About me:

I have a nice relationship with myself. After many years spent beating myself up, I have come to love who I am and am more confident about myself. I can spend time alone quite comfortably and look at myself with fresh new eyes every single day. I now spend each day after my shower (whilst I moisturise every part) giving thanks to my body for what it deals with on a daily basis.
I thank it also by nourishing it with exercise, good food and lots of cuddles with husband.....
When you can truly love yourself then you can truly love others. Inner peace is the ultimate joy (in my opinion).....
If you do not have a great relationship with your own self, I invite you to start noticing where you might begin....jot it down and get going....

History

2009-07-09T17:26:00.004+12:00

Today's Quote:

"People say that history repeats itself but no we repeat history." Unknown

Today's question:

Where are you repeating habits that no longer serve you?

About me:

There are many habits which were no longer serving me. I chose to let them go. They were unsupportive behaviours, which were taking me in the opposite direction to where I could see myself going and flourishing.
Choosing one at a time and working on that is a small step towards empowerment.
How can we change something unless we know it's there...right?
We can begin to become more aware of our choices and actions. We can become mindful in every moment and choose to go a different way, a way which will honour that which we claim to honour and value.
On a larger scale, together we could change the world, so that we no longer repeat history....We've been there and done that and just look at the state of the world. There is so much potential to do so much good and yet people continue to harm and destroy our planet. The place we can call home....

Spiritual Journey

2009-07-09T17:12:00.002+12:00

As the last post, I cannot recall who said this...and there is another coming tomorrow....

"We are not human beings on a spiritual journey but spiritual beings on a human journey."

No question today....

About me:
I believe that life has meaning and purpose and someone recently challenged me to think about what beliefs I hold in relation to the word spirituality. I googled it and came up with Secular Spiritualist- the adherence to a spiritual ideology without the advocation of a religious framework. I have been on a spiritual path for a few years so I'm not even sure this is the right term...but then I don't believe in boxing yourself into a certain frameowrk either.