It's March Already!

We are well into March already, and I would love to ask you how you are going with your new years resolutions? Still on track?

Perhaps this week you could take some time out to re assess your plans for 2009. Is what you decided on at the end of 2008 for the New Year still relevant? Is it something that you really wanted or something that you thought you should be doing? Perhaps that is why nothing is happening!

Whilst reassessing your plan, don’t forget to add some time for your self. Block some short 30 minute slots in your day to go for a walk or run, do some drawing, some writing, listen to some music you love or take the time for meditating. Make it the same time each day, when you can just be you and re-energize self. I bet after doing this, you will have more to give to others.


Yes, there are many things that need to get done, but in this moment I have to do nothing.
—Oprah Winfrey

In loving memory of Nick

Thursday 27th saw the passing of a dear soul who felt he could no longer stay on this earth. Nick had struggled and faced many demons since he was around 10 years old and for 10 years he has lived a life that was right for him, and the path he needed to travel.
He will be remembered for his cheeky smile, overflowing amount of energy, charisma, can-do attitude, and his great guitar playing, and music writing.
It is with sadness for everyone who had met Nick, that his beautiful bright light has gone out on this earth plane. I feel that he is at peace in a much greater place on the “other side” where he is happy.
His amazing parents acknowledged that they had Nick for 10 years longer than what they thought they would, and are very grateful for that. Their sobering and beautiful acceptance has allowed us to all cope with this loss a little easier. Their perspective on this tragic loss is one of gratitude and love.

May we all be more aware of our loved ones around us and not take them for granted, and not let them leave the house in the morning without saying goodbye and to make peace with them if needed. Hug your children and tell them you love them, and do it as many times as you can. They are a gift from God and are to be cherished – no matter what. Be grateful for your loved ones every day and image if you dare, what your life would be with them gone! Do you need to change your perspective towards someone you love?

Now send them a message, a blessing and hug them as often.


We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
—Winston Churchill

Giving

The resent bushfires in Victoria and the severe floods effecting Queensland have brought into focus again, the huge generosity of complete strangers throughout Australia and overseas. Huge amounts of money given and donations of food, accommodation, blood, clothing, animal supplies, the services of CFA and other emergency response teams, plus the support from the authorities and the public have been very heart warming.

It has highlighted the great Aussie spirit of pulling up your sleeves and just doing what needs to be done and proving that mate ship is still so very much alive. From high profile people, to young children giving coins from their piggy bank, farming families who are suffering great hardships themselves to the average person, have all been touched and so many have given something. Being able to give is a wonderful and important human act for everyone involved and being able to give is as important as it is to receive.

These natural disasters highlight that we are all human and that tragedy can strike at any time, to any one of us and that the life we know is never a 100% guarantee. Take the time to give to others when you can, without expecting anything in return, or even without anyone knowing. Be it a gold coin to a charity, time spent on a community project, support for a fellow worker, kind words to a neighbor or if you see some one who has lost their smile ~ give them one of yours.

Please take a minute’s silence

This week Victoria, Australia has experienced its worst natural disaster in the country’s history. The enormous bush fire which ravaged our land took not only homes and people’s livelihoods, but claimed over 180 lives with many more missing, expected dead.
How insignificant the economic woes of the world become when one considers the tragedy that's unfolding so close to home. You would be hard pressed to find anyone anywhere in the country complaining about their own financial loss or employment security. It is a time when reality hits hard and we realize what is truly important. It is a time to be grateful for what we have and to acknowledge each day and accept it as a blessing. As we look on at this devastation, it is heart warming to see the tireless fire fighters and volunteers who so selfishly avail themselves to help others.
With Valentines Day on Saturday, be grateful for what you have and for the ones around you and your community, people who are there for you in times of crisis, small or large! Start by loving yourself and allow others to love you. Be aware that this tragedy has allowed you to feel your heart chakra open and remember to live your life with kindness, to yourself first and to then everyone and everything that comes into your life.

Believing You Can

"A young man fell asleep during math class. He woke up as the bell rang, looked at the blackboard, and copied down the two problems that were there. He assumed they were the homework for the night. He went home and labored the rest of the afternoon and into the evening knowing if he didn't complete the work he would surely fail the class.


He couldn't figure out either one but he kept trying for the rest of the week. Finally, he got the answer to one and brought it to class. The teacher was absolutely stunned. The boy feared he had done too little, too late. It turned out the problem he solved was supposedly unsolvable. How did he do it? He was able to do what was thought to be impossible because he believed it was possible. He not only believed it was possible, he believed that if he didn't solve it he would fail the class. Had he known the problem was unsolvable he could never have done it.


Beliefs are the commanders of our brain. When we believe something is true, we literally go into the state of its being true. Handled effectively, beliefs can be the most powerful forces for creating good in our lives.


Beliefs control our destiny: The belief we have in ourselves... the belief we have in our clients.. the belief others have in us. The birth of excellence begins with the awareness that our beliefs are a choice.


Beliefs are the compass and map that guide us to our goals. Believe you can do something -OR- believe you can't and you'll be right every time. "

If you are a tennis fan, you will know the famous words Come On!!. We have been enjoying a wonderful 2 weeks of the Australian Open tennis tournament. One thing that has stood out in so many of the top games that we witnessed, is the amazing stamina of the players during the heat wave Melbourne has been through, and also how crowd support can lift a player to go on to win a match.

In our own day to day life, praise, support and ongoing motivation from family and friends can also have amazing effects. Perhaps it is something that we accept for granted, or something that we do not easily give to others.

If we can see tennis matches turn around by the uplifting support of a crowd of strangers, imagine what can happen with encouraging support from someone close. Go on, give someone a lift this week and notice how you feel and how the recipient reacts. Believe in yourself and share that with others.

December 31st, 2009

Here is a request for you to try. As it is the start of a fresh new year and there are many challenges and goals ahead of you, some may seem achievable and others not quite so easy. I ask you to take a sheet or two of paper and date it December 31, 2009. Now list all of the achievements that you have done throughout 2009. Now add another list of everything that you are grateful for having in your year. Dream a little and don’t make your outcomes too safe, leave some room for miracles to happen. By doing this exercise, you have started your vision to become your reality. Seeing this list written down makes your goals feel very much more achievable.

This also will make you take time to reflect on who you are. Quiet time alone can be the most important time for you to create. Stillness of the mind creates space for ideas to come into your reality and inspiration comes with stillness. Relaxation time allows new thoughts and calm energy to enter your life. If you cannot do this daily, perhaps a few times a week will be more manageable.

Allow 2009 to be a good year with many positive changes and challengers. You only need to believe it, be positive and trust it to happen.

Transitions

With the beginning of a new year, one can find oneself in transition mode, or at least become much more aware of it. As another year has ended and with it go events and memories both good and bad. New years are often the beginning of job changes, location moves, reminder of deep sorrow from the lose of loved ones, new schools for children, finishing school for teenagers and perhaps them even moving away from home. Ending of cycles can be a sad and often uncomfortable time for many people. New cycles, such as the start of a new year, can bring positive changes if we allow it to. While there is life there is change and it is up to us to make the most of each new change, cause change happens whether we like it or not.

Making sense of life’s changes can be a soul searching process. Being able to understand and find positives from each new occurrence can be a rewarding adventure. Finding oneself on their own due to any number of circumstances can be an overwhelming challenge. But as with many things, it is one small step at a time. To be able to work through the discomfort of mapping out a new and different path is well worth the angst. Picture the end result and keep that in mind as you put new changes into your daily routine.

If you are in transition mode try to relax and enjoy any new experiences that come your way. Look for something new to try, perhaps something that you have secretly wanted to try out. Don’t worry about failing; it is not as bad as not giving it a go at all! Rather than writing a list of New Year resolutions, write down what you do not want to be or have or be doing in 10 years from now. From this list you can slowly make the steps you need to prevent the “don’t wants” from happening. Being aware is a powerful tool to have on your side as you focus energy away from “done that mode”, to wow “look what the future I can make for myself mode”.

May you shine in 2009 and allow it to be a year of ending old patterns that no longer serve you and the beginning of self finding and inner happiness.