Why would you want to simply survive when you can choose to thrive?
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer 9 years ago, I was definitely in survival mode. Going through the motions, racking up achievements. Ticking boxes. All good.
So how come, in the midst of a major health scare, it didn’t seem all good anymore?
I realised I had been simply allowing my life to unfold, one foot in front of the other. Which is so, sooooo normal, especially when ‘technically’ you’re a big success. Familiar?
Two of my favourite things - Byron Bay & Sunset
Do you ever wake up and feel doomed to have a bad day? Maybe it starts with too many ‘snoozes’, so you’re running late. Then it’s raining and as you run for the bus you splash mud on your pants. You miss the (expletive) bus and feel it in your bones. Today sucks. It’s going to be awful and you might as well accept the fact.
Except then it dawns on you that it’s Friday. OMG, it’s Friday! Who cares if you have mud on your pants and you arrive a little late. Everyone knows that happens in wet weather. Plus it’s FRIDAY!!
Hang on, what just happened? Nothing happened. I mean the facts remained the same. You still have mud on your pants, are late for work, and are waiting for another bus. Yet everything happened. You changed your mindset.
MINDSET IS EVERYTHING
You can go from having a bad day, to a good one almost regardless of the circumstances. You get to choose your thoughts (see you just did, reminder it’s FRIYAY!). Your thoughts lead to your feelings (woop). You are in the command seat of your mood.
Today started off pretty frustrating in my world. It rained so hard all night (in Sydney) that I had a crappy sleep. It was noisy! My running ‘date’ this morning was cancelled. I was relieved and instead of going to yoga, I curled up on the couch with my dog. My mood went down hill as I considered the day ahead. Too many balls in the air. Not enough time. Overwhelm.
Well screw that!
Every moment is an opportunity to choose better. To think, feel and act from a place of our highest good. I don’t have to stay in a crappy mood today and neither do you. Here’s what life has taught me is the absolute best way from woe to woohoo.
GRATITUDE turns what we have into enough
Next time you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, here’s my advice for breaking the cycle. Take out a note pad (I mean journal!) and write a list of all the things you have to be grateful for. Begin this process by focussing on the people in your life, that you love whole heartedly. From there it’s an easier step to getting you clear on the realities at play.
Today I’m grateful for my beautiful family who love me unconditionally. For my friends, old and new who are my greatest cheerleaders. I’m also grateful that I have a bed. A friend who shared my don’t wanna get out of vibes today. A gorgeous puppy for cuddles. A business that I’m building block by block that brings me fulfilment, that’s fun and serves others. That I have so many balls in the air!
Next stop is my meditation cushion to reset my entire nervous system for the day.
What are you grateful for?
As you know from my last post, I've started using and sharing doTERRA essential oils. I'm sure you could sense my enthusiasm and excitement for these products. But I have to say, two weeks later I'm here to report I've hit a new high - a high called joy.
It's been a while since I felt this 'lit up' it kind of reminds me of falling in love. How cool is that?! I use the oils all day (diffusing, flavoring, rubbing into my feet, my face, my entire body to be honest). Which is actually what this picture is of. Three of my favorite oils and some fractionated coconut oil (FCO). Every day now, I emerge from the shower, mix up a few drops of these oils with FCO and literally smooth over my entire body. It feels and smells like heaven. This week, a friend grabbed me by the arm and pulled back saying 'what is going on with your arms, they are so soft!'. Alerted to this fact, I can now tell you, oh my word, my skin has literally NEVER been softer.
This pic was taken on October 1st, 2017. I'm loving the contrast of the white toe nails, black slides and reflecting blue Sydney waters. None of this is relevant to to this post though - except for the date. Why? On this date, I began Sober October - otherwise known as Ocsober. Which means 31 days, alcohol free.
I come from a long line of drinkers and a family where alcohol is part of the fabric. My father is a living example of the horrific ugliness of extreme alcoholism. Despite this, none of us kids have chosen to rebel with healthier behavior. Least of all me. In fact, the challenge of 31 days alcohol free is very steep indeed. I know, this is hardly what you'd expect of a qualified health coach and yoga teacher. It's the honest truth though. So there you have it.
Grief is a tough part of life and one that we all experience at some point. Although if you flip it, not experiencing grief would surely mean you've had nothing to lose. Which is worse right? Anyway, back to grief. I've been there.
Six and a half months ago I waved goodbye to New York City after calling it home for five years. In retrospect I now realise living there was more than a dream, it was a love affair. Filled with excitement, liberation, intense joy, and that heady feeling that just makes you smile. Yes I have completely romanticized it and there were disappointments at times too. Not many though!
Work (I mean career) has been on my mind a lot of late and has been finding its way into this blog, as a result. Which is kind of strange given that the sentiment is more about making sure you have a life filled with joy and working is not something that generally evokes that emotion.
Which has me thinking about why. Last week I was chatting to someone about this matter and I came out with this statement. "I'm enjoying my career right now, I'm doing work I'm proud of and getting a ton of positive reinforcement" and he responded with, "well yes that's how it's supposed to be". And isn't that rather telling. It is just so damn simple.
We all have those days, weeks and sometimes even months. Whether you’ve recently been through something traumatic, it’s a hormone issue or you are just in a funk. I’m talking about times in your life when bounding out of bed with a smile on your face feels as achievable as walking on the moon. (Note - if you are possibly clinically depressed don’t read this, go to the Doctor).
I believe being your happiest self is one of the most important jobs you have in life. I call it a job for a reason. It doesn't come automatically, it requires work. I'm all about finding those behaviours, character traits, beliefs and thoughts that position me for happiness. Sure I get off track at times (guilty of being human) but the key is getting myself back on again. My mantra of embracing the good stuff helps me stay the course. I think adopting something of a mantra yourself is a good way to stay focussed.
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