Being Content With What You Have

My husband was telling me a story this morning which was the inspiration for this post!

There is nothing wrong in focusing on the things you want in life. A new job, a new house, a boyfriend/girlfriend/life partner perhaps. But sometimes when we focus so much on wanting and getting those things it can have the opposite effect of attracting those things when they turn into a 'lack' mentality - when your attention somehow goes from wanting to 'attract' a new partner into you life into 'not having' a life partner.

Before I met my husband and wanting to meet a decent man in my life, I met guys who didn't treat or respect me for who I was, I ended up with a long list of "don't wants". What do you think ended up happening? I kept attracting all the things I didn't want! So I decided I would focus on what I wanted and made a list of the things I did want in a life partner. One day I was eventually convinced to go speed dating with a friend. Still didn't attract what I wanted...

So I decided I was over men. I had put out to the universe what I wanted but I was no longer going to go looking to 'find the One' and I went back to the life I knew, Being contented with what I already had. My friends, my family and my career and I was much happier!

Then not long after, my husband came along! He wasn't what I imagined but he ticked every box (except for blue eyes and blonde hair 😉) so I knew I got what I asked for and I never knew I could love someone so much - until my baby came along. Now I've realised how much my Love can be expanded!!

I believe that we can put out to the universe what we want. But, go back to being happy with what we already have and appreciate those things - loving life and living in the moment. Sooner or later, what you want will come along :) And guess what? You are actually THAT much Happier! 

It's just Lao Tzu says "The Whole World Belongs To You"

Happy Dayz! 😊

What are you Passionate about?

Have you ever found that when you're TRUELY PASSIONATE about something (or someone?) you're also HAPPY? 

Some people look for 'purpose' in their lives. What's my purpose in life? You might ask yourself. If you're not really sure yet, start with listing all the things you're passionate about, like really passionate about. What makes you smile? What makes you happy? Giving or contributing gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling which can lead to more happiness. What are you grateful for?

I'm currently passionate about being a parent and about my baby, so naturally I live, love and breathe everything "baby/parenting" - at the moment ;) 

Another one of my passions is Being Happy and this Happiness blog. Although my contribution to my blog writing has gone from weekly to monthly(!!) since I had my beautiful baby, I'm still passionate about it - and it makes me Happy knowing that I may be contributing to someone else's life by reminding them about focusing on the things hat make them Happy. I'm also continuously topping up my happiness inspiration since  I am passionate about inspiring others to Be Happy, Happier, Happy Always!

Here is something I found in an email that I thought I would share "31 days to Waking Up Happy for Life": 

http://www.oprah.com/spirit/How-to-Wake-Up-Happy-Happiness-Research

I do contribute pretty much daily to my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/happybeingfelicia

So I suggest you like it :) for regular inspiration!

Happy Dayz.... :)

Your Happiness Requires No Excuses

If you don't already know this, I'm going to let you in on a little secret....Happiness is a CHOICE!

Yesterday, I went to mums n bubs yoga at Dharma Shala. It was amazing. Not only did my baby sleep through most of the class an hour and the class is only and hour 15mins!), which allowed me to have focus, intention and space for myself, I had the whole class just to myself! 

Towards the end of the class, the yoga teacher read a paragraph from a book called, Buddhism for Mothers (I'm so going to read this!!). It totally spoke to me - show compassion towards self so that you can show compassion back into the world 

I know, that when I'm my Best Self, I'm a

better person for everyone else. How about You? Is this true for you too? For the past three months I've been giving myself excuses not to continue with my regular meditation or yoga practice. These excuses didn't exactly lead me be my Ultimate HAPPY self (though the house looks much tidier!). I re-realised something. If it's important enough to me, I was going to make it work, somehow, no matter what. And so after that yoga session I finally saw that I have plenty of opportunities to meditate or do a 30min yoga-at-home session (now that my baby is 'growing up' and doing decent length day naps!). No more excuses. 

What excuses are you giving yourself not to be TRUELY Happy? What's stopping you from doing the things that make you happy? Perhaps you're not making your Happiness as important to you as you thought?

When There's A Will, There's  a Way!

How surreal that when we TRUELY desire answers, the Universe will provide it for you. You just need to ask :)

Accepting Who YOU Truly Are

I have often found it to be true my True Happiness comes from and is a reflection of my Inner Happiness. 

When we try to look outside ourselves for Happiness, have you ever found it to be short-lived? Perhaps it's a material thing, like a shiny new object, a something-or-other, retail therapy sound familiar? How about 'When I find the perfect life partner, then I'll be happy?' 

What you might find, is the moment you do a little self-work on yourself, your confidence increases, your well-being and generally just expressing some self-love will instantly attract more of that. You are telling the universe, I'm HAPPY! And the universe will provide more happiness no matter what form it comes in :)

Are you TRUELY accepting who you really are? 

What's your Life's Mission?

As a fan of Oprah, I began to see and hear the words of Maya Angelou. A true legend of her own, I found her words very wise and inspiring!

Here is one of my favourite quotes. Are you a person who lives to just survive? Or do you thrive in what you do, see, learn and live your life? What do you think would make you happier?

Why not THRIVE in your life? After all, you are your own unique Being! So nothing should be stopping you from living the life you so desire...

When you thrive, you probably do so with passion - what are you passionate about in your life? Do you find wherever you show passion, you're probably your most happiest too? And life couldn't be better with being compassionate - I feel it is what makes us human, what makes us relate and understand to each other even more. 

Every now and again I like to reflect on my life, sometimes I may reassess and let go of what's not working for me (you'll know what that is for you - just ask how happy are you?!). It's good then to fill that void of what you've let go of that's not working for you with something you want to make happen, or what you would prefer to have your life look like. 

Try It! Let me know if you just became happier :) Like a little weight lifted off your shoulders the moment you bring your unconsciousness into your conscious mind, your reality. 

Happy Dayz!

Just Let Go - peeling off another layer

In one's life, just as we think we had it sorted, we discover there's another 'layer on the onion' that we need to peel off which allows us to relearn a lesson we once learnt. 

Have you ever found that to be true for any part of your life?

I feel like I'm constantly learning to 'let go' or perhaps it's just a gentle reminder that life is much better once I let go of whatever might be holding me back so that I can be happy again - or just happier!

My baby 9 weeks old (yep 4weeks since my last post) and I know I haven't kept up with my blogging! I have had every intention to continue to write weekly and when I haven't since I had my son, I was getting a little stressed out, like I was letting someone (myself?) down, putting extra pressure on myself and then feeling overwhelmed! Just imagine how happy I was feeling while I was going through the motions of these thoughts. Not very.

After talking to a friend, she made me realise I was being too hard in myself - taking care of a newborn AND learning a new skill/job being a parent is more than a full-time job, it's a 24/7 thing! Couldn't I be kinder to myself, show me a little more

Self-Love?

I just had to LET GO of all the ideas of what I thought life would be like once I had a baby, let go of what I thought I might be able to do/achieve in one day! Once that happened, it's like a weight was lifted off my shoulders! What a relief, hello HAPPINESS! 

How about you? What can you let go of in your life? What thoughts can you let go of? Not sure? Perhaps think of something that has been really bothering you. Then ask yourself, does it matter? Or how much does it matter? Next, give yourself permission to choose to LET GO - or you can choose to still hold on to the baggage! If you choose to hold on to any baggage and thoughts that come with, just check in to see what it's doing to your Heath, your Relationship with others - is that how you want to live? A life full of grudges and downhill spiral of thoughts? Are you FEELING ALIVE or sad/angry/upset/disappointed?

JUST LET GO! And a new layer of HAPPINESS begins!

Making Room for Your Present & Future

Five weeks ago, I became a mother of a beautiful baby boy! This little human being - this amazing creation - has taught me so much about this quote I found.

Before my son, I had set up some daily rituals that would set me up for my day when I awoke - meditation for my mind, a cup of lemon juice + warm water to alkalise my body and I would write in my gratitude journal for my soul. When he came imto our lives, my once morning 'healthy habits' were thrown out the window! :) As a new mum to a newborn baby, your body goes into a bit of a shock - having to wake up several times a night to feed this precious being and becoming so sleep deprived that you never know what day it is! Particularly in the early weeks...they say your life will never be the same - and that advice is not wrong! ;)

At first, I certainly wasn't used to it all and I was craving for (besides sleep!) some meditation time or to have my warm lemon water first in the morning. I was basically trying to hang on to what I know, rather than discover what could be and embrace what is.

I soon had one of those lightbulb moments! My new son was dependant on me and all he wanted was LOVE! I am his life force (for the moment!) for food, care and cuddles. All I needed to concentrate on was to feed, change nappies and most importantly BOND with my baby - learning to be a mother! It sounds so obvious and simple, but when you're used to being independent and doing everything and achieving everything yourself, it takes a little time to adjust and acknowledge that life had to change - my UNCONSCIOUSNESS had to get it. I had to become more present, more conscious of what new things were happening for me. I've now got a greater awareness of his presence and love every moment even more :)

Ever happened to you? Don't you just love it when things just "click"! You know, when you have that lightbulb moment or Ah-Ha moment?

Once you get that you need to sometimes LET GO of your past or just letting go of what you've always known (ie, re-reading the last chapter/s of your life), you can go on to living the next chapter, full of discovery and adventure! EMBRACE the new chapters ahead and continue living presently - it may be scary but usually exciting as well! :)

The Gift of Sleep and Rest

How this is so true at times! Do you agree?

I had one of these days yesterday - I didn't have the best sleep the night before and I can honestly tell you, I felt very unproductive... I was feeling a bit sluggish all day, I wasn't really comprehending what was going on, everything just felt a bit slower....and before I knew it the end of the day was nearing, not much got done and all I could think of was sleep! 

Of course, I know I'm also in my last few weeks of pregnancy, so its the hormones and its easy enough to point it at "baby brain"! Albeit there be some truth in that but it made me realise how we just sometimes need to listen to our bodies and do what it needs.

When I decided to have an afternoon nap - I know we don't all have the luxury of that (ok, so I'm a lady of leisure at the moment but I am also growing a little human being!) - I suddenly became much more alert when I awoke. There was a shift that went on inside and I also felt my moods change.. Has that ever happen to you? How about on the weekend, after you've had a massive work-week and then a million things to do and catch up with on the weekend, you can feel exhausted, right? Then you choose to have nanna-nap just before getting ready to go out that night and you suddenly have this new burst of energy!!

Have you ever thought that perhaps getting enough sleep or rest might just be what you need to change your mood, perspective and life in general? That your present moment could change and you could feel a whole lot HAPPIER!? Do you sometimes catch yourself and feel proud that you've ticked everything on your to-do list and you were able to so because you had all this energy?! Amazing isn't it? Amazing what a little sleep, rest or relaxation can do, to help you move forward and UPwards! :)

Why not give yourself the gift of sleep this weekend?

International Day of Happiness

There really are so many beautiful reasons to be HAPPY! What is it for you that makes you Happy? 

Today is International Day of Happiness - why not take a moment to reflect and decide what makes you HAPPY? What makes you happy in this moment might be different in another moment - and that's ok!

What about the influence of music? The music you listen to, choose to listen to, have playing in the background - feeding your unconsiousness?  I never really thought about it until a friend of mine, Deb King, who has a passion for music, made me mindful of this one day. And now, I've never been more mindful about this, particularly, as I'm learning how (at this stage in the womb) my baby can be influenced by my state of being and the association of the sounds/music I'm listening to at the time - fascinating stuff!

Have you ever noticed the unconscious influence of the music you might listen to? Either the beat or the lyrics? How it can change your mood and/or put you in a different state of Being?

A chart topper song at the moment "HAPPY" by Pharrell Williams (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGJX9tutZEA) is just one of those songs that's influential and makes me just bop along and all of a sudden, I'm in a much happier state!

Or how about the lyrics of Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror"?

"I'm gonna make a change

For once in my life

It's gonna feel real good

Gonna make a difference...."

"I'm starting with the man in the mirror

I'm asking him to change his ways

And no message could have been any clearer

If you want to make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself, and then make a change"

Making a difference in the world might be what makes you Happy! Change all starts with you - so why not choose to change your state of being to a happier one and see what happens for you? Your much Happier you might just be INFECTIOUS! The conscious influence of music.....

Happy Dayz :)

Change starts with YOU!

I love Gandi's quote - and love being reminded of it!

Whenever I catch myself of my thoughts in a situation or my reaction to a situation or person (you know, when you're being mindful...) - it's good to be reminded of this little quote. Usually if we're feeling a bit frustrated at something or feel that 'wish' that person would change - well guess what?  The only person who can change is YOU!

You've heard of the saying "you can bring a horse to water, but you can't make it drink" - well that applies pretty much all the time if you're wanting someone else to change to suit you - you're probably the one who needs to drink the water! haha...  

All that needs to happen is that you have to acknowledge that YOU have a CHOICE and that choice might be change! Whether that be changing your perspective, being more compassionate, seeing a different angle, showing kindness, being even more grateful than you already are!  

Ever heard of a Chain Reaction? These little shifts is what will start your own chain reaction IN you. One little small step, change or shift is all that you probably need and pretty soon, you're onwards to a happier, healthier You. Pretty soon, others will soon notice the change IN you without you having the need to be noticed.  

All you need to do is just BE who you want to be - wholesome, loving, kind, compassionate, broadminded, appreciate etc. and the rest will follow.  You'll soon see a change in yourself and wondered why you didn't see the goodness in the first place! :)

Be the Change You wish to see in the world.... 

Day 30: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 30: Today I am grateful for everyone who got involved with the gratitude challenge - in their own way

No matter how or what, if you managed to take a little time each day, just a few minutes a day or wrote in a gratitude journal or contributed to the page with your gratitude - I just wanted to say Thanks for being a part of it!

I hope that you've discovered new things about you, about your life, have created and cultivated more love, peace, positivity and gratitude in your life and hope that you'll continue to carry on a daily gratitude practice in your own way x

Day 29: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 29: Today I am grateful I have my pearly whites! Why not?!?

I was inspired by this quote as I never really thought about being grateful for having my original teeth :)

They chomp on my food so that I can feed my belly and because I was lucky enough to have braces when I was younger, they're lovely and straight for any photographic moment ;)

Have you been grateful for you teeth ever? Probably just took them for granted, right!?

Happy Dayz! :)

Day 28: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 28: Today I am grateful for finishing work earlier than expected!

So we're almost at the end of the 30 Gratitude Challenge - or as I've been thinking about it differently -30 Day of Gratitude.  If you said you wanted to join in on the Gratitude Challenge and at first it's easy to start, but the moment we skip a day, those days we miss end up being more frequent than you like - perhaps start asking yourself "How can I make time to contribute daily to my gratitude practice?".

If you have been enjoying the process of the Gratitude Challenge, but haven't been that committed to it, perhaps ask yourself if a daily gratitude practice matters to you?

For me, I have started and I have stopped my gratitude journal and then I have started and again have stopped... but what it came down to was that I soon realised, I was a better person for doing it, so for me - IT MATTERED! It was important to enough to me, contributing to my general overall BEING and made me a better person more than less, that it became important enough to no longer make excuses.  It wasn't about 'having' time, it became about 'making' time.

Perhaps you've heard the saying - How you do one thing in a part of your life, is a reflection of how you do everything... So if you're making excuses for one thing (that could  be more important to you), what else are you making excuses for?

Day 27: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 27: Today I am grateful for my mum, for everything she's done for me in ally years of my life

The baby hasn't arrived yet, but with all the antenatal classes I've been attending, I've been learning how to cope with labour, what to do when the little human gets here, how to change a nappy, when, how and how often you might feed the munchkin etc etc. 

All these things are great to know and a kickstart on how to be a good mother -  lessons I know I'm going to just have to work out along the way...but it's made me appreciate everything my mum had to go through when birthing me, bringing me up in this big world and the guidance and life lessons she's tried to teach me along the way. Of course she still likes to tell me how it's done or how I should do things...but then that's up to me whether or not I decide to take it on board or make my own decisions about it!

As we get older and we from our own lives with our own personalities and form our own beliefs, we may not agree to everything our mother or parents said but it's important to be grateful and appreciative for all that they've done and try to do. 

We don't need to follow everything they say, but we probably need to be a little more understanding and know they have just come from a place of their own life lessons, beliefs, upbringing and ideas on 'life'. 

Our mums (like soon-to-be-me!) aren't perfect, but they are good or great in so many ways! 

How are you grateful for your mum?

Day 26: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 26: Today I am grateful for all my life's learnings, for it has brought me to where I am today

We're all life-students, really! Everyday we learn something new and we don't necessarily need to be in education or going to school. 

Every time I read something new in one of those pregnancy books I'm learning something to prepare me for my unknown life ahead! Going to the prenatal hospital classes, even if I've heard it before, I'll still learn something new that just might not have stuck, the first time. 

Embrace being a Life-Student and see what learnings you gain for your future self or reflect on what you have already learnt or 'stumbled upon' that had prepared you for what and who you are now.... 

Day 25: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 25: Today I am grateful for all the little things my husband did for me today

Ok, so I'm getting further along in my pregnancy, which does lead me to have to restrain from doing EVERY thing I might have liked, needed to or wanted to - there was a small moment, where i felt a little helpless today...  But, I know I just had to let it go, accept where I am in my life and ask for help.

My amazing husband, well I just appreciate all the little things he has done for me today - like, coming home in between games (he plays "football") to help me with the fridge debacle (which turned out to just be the light bulb, but these days moving a big fridge is not really ideal at this moment of my life!).

Wanna know what other amazing things I appreciated him for? He did a little housework - and I know you think that he should be helping me with it anyway, but given the fact he's been working a lot of long hours at work, coming home to work more on the laptop, being dragged to parenting classes at the hospital, mustering up the energy to play his usual amounts of football etc etc. and he's done all this housework for me (because I asked for help) with his whole heart when he probably needed a rest, more than anything.

I simply, am HAPPY for having him in my life, that we met and all that mushy stuff ;)

A BIG THANK YOU for being you goes out to my lovely husband! :) xxx

- and I know he appreciates me for carrying this little munchkin I'm growing inside me! ;)

Day 24: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 24: Today I am grateful for the feedback which I received from a friend and follower on my 30 Day Gratitude Challenge

If we're not doing things for ourselves, then who are we doing them for? 

I started this 30 Day Gratitude Challenge for myself, but wanted to share it with family, friends, followers - EVERYONE! When I started blogging, I had no idea, this is where it would lead me - having this new found passion for inspiring others and reminding not only myself but others to see things different (get a different perspective) and perhaps filter in a change in people to BE more positive and happy.

For me, the gratitude challenge part is easy - I have a gratitude journal which I write in every morning - what's been challenging is the actual blogging everyday!  But I have completely embraced it and enjoying the process.

I certainly have a much better appreciation for the little things as well as those who are writers full-time, where writing is their number one passion!

How has your world changed since you took on the Gratitude Challenge?  I'd love more feedback!

Day 23: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 23: Today I am grateful for the lovely compliment I received from my client. 

How we carry ourselves is reflection of how we might be feeling or projecting in that moment. It can also affect others without us realising (even though we are not really responsible for their own feelings!).

I had the nicest compliment today from my client who told me she was glad I was a part of her special day because I was nice and calm and in control and that kept her calm too. 

It gave me that fuzzy feeling of satisfaction that I had done a job well done. Again this gave me an awareness on how our own energy can have a profound effect on others. 

How are you carrying your energy? Are you uplifting others or bringing them down? 

Day 22: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 22: Today I am grateful for a friend checking in with me

Isn't it nice to have someone check in with you now and again? How good does it feel? Out of the blue and it also allows you to check in with yourself. 

When I checked in with myself today, I noticed how much my energy had shifted and I was feeling amazing! I felt much better rested and noticed that it was just some rest which is what I needed to make a shift and change my attitude, my behavior, my actions etc.

It's important to check in with yourself on a daily basis. Ask yourself what is it that you need? Sometimes it might be the opposite of rest! Perhaps you are needing to do some exercise? Perhaps you just need to catch up with a friend to feel like you're being heard, perhaps you just need a hug.

Whatever it may be, allow yourself to have that and to fulfill your needs. It's much easier to help someone else when, you, yourself have had your own needs fulfilled :)

Day 21: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 21: Today I am grateful for the rain

I usually love, love, LOVE the sunshine because for me, it brightens up my day, it makes me happy and I associate it with growth.  But you can't have one without the other - if we only had sunshine, how will things grow without a little rain?

Today I am grateful for this beautiful rainy day - it didn't start off that way, but it's been raining for a few hours now and it's rather refreshing on this humid day.  It waters the dry land, my herbs and garden, it cools down the warm air. Today, there was a moment, where I found it peaceful, calming and soothing - the light pitter-patter of rain drops.  Almost meditative...

How do you view the rain?  And what about the ups and downs in life?  We know HAPPINESS because we've experience sadness... the two compliment each other! It allows us to appreciate the good times, the happy times and the UP moments in our lives :)

Day 20: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 20: Today I am grateful for the afternoon snooze I had

Sometimes we just need a nanna nap! Listen to your body and ask it what it needs. For me, I've been needing a little extra rest so today I decided that a nap was more important than any other 'domestic' thing I might have had to do when I got home from work today. 

We may not be having the best day, but if we can find a special reflective moment of when it wasn't bad, then at least we had a good moment in our day! And that's gotta good right?!? :)

Day 19: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 19: Today I am grateful for my meditation awareness this morning - to be made aware of my energy and what I may be projecting

In the last couple of days, my awareness has shifted to a different level - I did things differently...

I listened to my night time visualisation meditation lying down with my feet up against the wall - for me, I did this because I was trying to also do two things at once, I wanted to start practising putting my legs up the wall to relieve my swollen legs (joys of pregnancy!) and at the same time it was keeping me awake enough (whilst lying down) so that I didn't fall asleep during my night time meditation! It was AMAZING - I was able to listen to the whole visualisation meditation all the way to the end and I had a different awareness.

This morning, my mind was quite focused again and again I was able to listen to each word at the beginning of the meditation and had some new awareness and learnings - I am so grateful for this as it brought a different energy to my day.

Have you ever had an awareness around your energy?  What did it do for you?

Day 18: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 18: Today I'm grateful for my friend's happiness

This afternoon I caught up with a friend who came down to visit and I am so very happy for her how her life has turned around and she's happy where she is in her life right now, who she's attracted into her life and how she's loving her new situation/life, space, love and the people she's surrounded with. 

Sometimes we find happiness in seeing other people BEING HAPPY. 

Who are you happy for today? Sometimes we just need to give out love in order to feel the LOVE ;)

Day 17: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 17: I am grateful to finally get home and crash on the couch after a long day of busy-ness.

After a busy day of appointments and on the go all day long, it was nice to finally come home to do nothing and just relax. It's great to have a place to call 'home', to come back to, a place that's like my sanctuary where I can unwind, relax and find a space to 'detox' from the day.

Today I'm making up for the day I missed yesterday on my entry for my 30 Day Gratitude Challenge - I was absolutely exhausted and although I know I am dedicated to this challenge, I realised this morning that I had forgotten to post - but you know what? I'm just real. Sometimes we miss something we are committed to and that's ok, if it's important enough to us, we'll make up for lost time, so to speak - as long as your self-talk doesn't put yourself down.

What might you be saying to yourself?  Does your self-talk pick you up or is it bringing you down?

Day 16: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 16: Today I am grateful for my peppermint chocolate frog from Haigh's!

So it happens to be Valentine's Day today and I am grateful for having someone to share this day with. My small little gift is such a simple little thing to receive but it's one of my favourites - who doesn't like chocolate after all?! 

Sometimes it's the simple things in life which are often the most beautiful ;)

Day 15: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 15: Today I am grateful for staying committed and taking myself to the pre-natal yoga class I had intended to go to all day.

It's so easy for us to give ourselves excuses to not do something we know will make us feel SO much better once we've done it - it's like there is a liiiittle obstacle in our way and perhaps the worst thing we might do for ourselves is to not do it. And if we don't, other 'stuff' might come up, like guilt or feeling worse than we did beforehand.

This afternoon, I felt I had already been pretty active today since I went for a swim at the pool, so I almost decided not to go to pre-natal yoga which is what I promised myself I would do since I didn't go the evening before. Setting intentions at the beginning of the day, can set us up for how we might choose to live our day.

I said to myself "Now I made the commitment and I'm going to stick with it" - also knowing deep down inside I would probably feel much better about myself and of course it's good for the baby, which is such a motivation driver for me at the moment!

Do you find yourself giving excuses and putting off something you know will do you good?  If we keep doing the same thing and giving us the same excuses but expecting a different result - well that's just the definition of insanity! LOL.  Make the shift, make the change, stick to your guns and your commitment to yourself.  You will have EVERYTHING to GAIN!

"Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you HAPPY" - quote from the movie, Legally Blonde

Day 14: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 14: Today I grateful for where we have chosen to life at present

I absolutely love where we live - in Bondi. We're close to the beach, close to nice dining areas, close to a lot of things - did I mention the beach??!?

There's something so magical and calming about going for a morning stroll along the beach and breathing in the ocean air - and even better, watching the sun rise.  Ahhhhh.... and I love that we're so close - within walking distance!  We're so lucky and I'm so grateful we have the ocean so accessible to us.... BLISS :)

How are you grateful for your surroundings?  Maybe you live in a city, but you LOVE the city?  What do you love about it that you can be grateful for? Being grateful for it, has it changed your perspective in any way?

Day 13: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 13: Today I'm grateful for the change in weather

There are plenty of things we can't control and things we cannot change - we just need to accept whatever is, be.  So stop resisting and refocus your energy on what's actually working for you or what can be changed.  Much easier flow, right?

For example, the weather - we have absolutely no control over that, do we? What else can't you change?  Once we acknowledge that we can't change those things, it makes it easier for us to let that go and make a shift towards changing what we can focus on that is working for us instead.  

Today, I was grateful that the weather had dropped slightly and changed from yesterday - I found it much easier to breathe. But the weather is never consistent! The sun came out later and although I was grateful to see the sun shine, I too am grateful I went to the cinema with a friend in the afternoon to get out of the heat and into some air conditioning to be cooled down and to feel relaxed :)

Just...Let go.... :)

Day 12: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 12: Today I am grateful for my dad popping over and randomly helping me with the housework - more specifically the vacuuming!

Each day, there is always something you can be thankful for - especially other people.  

My dad popped over to drop something off and pick something up and little did I know or he knew for that matter, that he would end up helping me with the housework (ok, so I had the intention to vacuum my house, but I didn't realise today I would be feeling tired, out of breath, a sore back and a baby stretching out so much in my tummy making it difficult to move around today - Hello third trimester pregnancy!).

I am so thankful for the visit for a number of reasons, particularly the little thing of housework!  Who doesn't like help with housework! :)  It's the little thing that counts and my dad is the best!

Take a moment to think about some of the members in your family - why might you be grateful for having them be a part of your life? What might they have done for you today or in the past that you might not have given a second thought on?  Perhaps just let them know you're thinking of them and you're grateful for them :)

Having an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE is a wonderful thing! 

Happy Dayz!

Day 11: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 11: Today I am grateful for meeting some amazing girls at a retreat in Bali. They are all lovely with their unique talents and big hearts :)

The other day I got to catch up with some beautiful girls who I met in Bali last year. We have kept in touch over Facebook and I'm grateful as they are some of the loveliest people I have met who, with their unique talents and personalities, add total value to my life. It's amazing how this can be when I have not known them for years and years as many of my other friends. But here's to new friendships I say!

I later discovered that one of them, Nicole, writes a blog: www.healthyhappymind.blogspot.com.au

Which I wanted to share with you. I find it inspirational and perhaps you might too!

It's so important to surround yourself with HAPPY people. People who INSPIRE you. SUPPORT you and UPLIFT you - this is what feeds your "well" BEING! 

Day 10: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 10: Today I am grateful for being given even more baby stuff from our friends!

As we're starting out with hour first baby, we're slowly discovering all he things we need to get for it's arrival! Like a cot, change table etc. and we're lucky and grateful that so many of our friend have been so generous and have given a lot of they're old stuff! Not only had it been saving us money, but also we get to have some things we probably didn't think of getting (yet!). 

What gifts might you be grateful for receiving?

Day 9: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 9: today I am grateful our schedules finally falling into place so that we were able to have a family dinner

It's always nice to spend time with the family and have a laugh, but with anything, nothing is perfect, there's the good times and the times you might 'fight' with your siblings when you were younger ;) but it's always good to remember the good times and to have fun together. To gather with the people you've known your whole life who love you unconditionally and support you in their own way, the way they know how. 

Love your family and love your friends. Your friends are your family you choose for yourself after all :)

Day 8: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 8: Today I'm grateful for being appreciated. 

Often, we might go about our day, without stopping to think what we might have to offer to the world, our community or our friends and family or even our work colleagues. We just go about our day 'same old, same old' and with no awareness how we might have an effect on others.

Today, I felt appreciated by the talent and it felt really good! Sure, I feel confident in what I do, but it's such a compliment when you find out from the talent themselves that they were so glad to see me on this job as it gave them the confidence in themselves too :)

Do you have an awareness of how important you are? How important you might be to someone else or of part of a team?

We are all important in one way or other for whatever reason. It's another reason why I consistently like to check-in and create more awareness of myself, my well BEING, my state of mind, my health and my mindset. For I know that when I am the best person I can be, I'm an even better version of myself to/for someone else.

How about you?

Day 7: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 7: Today I am grateful for for finding this little gem of inspiration!

Of all the places to find inspiration, I certainly didn't expect it to be on the ANZ banking website!

Everyday there is something out there waiting to be noticed - but have you found that you didn't notice something that has always been there and then suddenly you see it?

It's because we didn't have an awareness of it before and now that we are ready to notice it - it comes into your life or your attention :)

What are you needing to notice?  Just put it out there to the universe and when you're ready, the universe will present it to you :)  Sometimes we just need to come into the present moment to notice that little gem!

Day 6: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 6: Today I'm grateful I went to PT and for doing some exercise - and that a good friend introduced me to my current trainer! I'm also grateful for the friend who have me this book as a birthday gift one year - always great for a reminder!

Exercise is so worth it, no matter what you think at the time. It gives you energy you didn't think you have and you will generally feel good and happy once all those endorphins are released!

What's extra special for me is that going to personal training with Mel, is always fun, even if I'm not 100% up for it - like today. I was feeling a bit...tired? (For use of a better word). It could have been the weather or the pregnancy that I was finding it a tiny bit of a struggle with my breathing today. But we always have a laugh and it's never boring as every week she's set up something different! She's always so encouraging and at a particular session she minded me of this very book above (I was telling her a story from the weekend). Don't Sweat The Small Stuff! And she's so right. Sweating the small stuff can alter your mood dramatically. It leads to bigger stuff and that bigger stuff didn't need to happen but it did because I didn't let go of the little thing!

So let go of the small stuff, incorporate some exercise into your week and overall you're that little bit happier ;)

Day 5: "30 Day Gratitude Challenge"

Day 5: Today I'm grateful for having the opportunity to work with and collaborate with such a great creative team

I think it's important to do what makes you happy because in return you end up loving what you're doing - you enjoy going to work each day, or you love turning up to that yoga class or going for that swim or waking up early just to see the sunrise. 

Do you love what you do? Does it make you happy?

If you're not in the most ideal situation, what could you be doing right now, in this moment to change your situation - either short term or for the future?