Today is Your Day

And following on from the song theme, here is a great one from Shania Twain that we have been listening to for days now.  Love the words and find them very inspiring.  Hope you do too.  Sunshine is out, been for a walk and now we are off to a Tupperware Party, so its all go here today!
Regards
Jo

Today Is Your Day – Shania Twain
You got what it takes you can win...

You got what it takes you can win
Today is your day to begin
Don’t give up here, don't you quit
The moment is now, this is it
I know that you can, then you will
Get to the top of the hill
Part of the fun is the climb
You just gotta make up your mind

That today is your day
And nothing can stand in your way
Today is your day
Everything’s goin’ your way

Today, today, today, today

When somebody throws sticks and stones
All they can break are your bones
And life's gonna kick around
Then kick you again when your down

But today is your day
And nothing can stand in your way
Today is your day
Everything’s goin’ your way

Today, today, today, today

Life's goin' to kick you
It's goin' to kick you around
It's goin' to kick you down

Dust yourself off, no regrets
This is as good as it gets
Don't expect more, or less
Just go out and give it your best

Today is your day
And nothing can stand in your way
Today is your day
Everything’s goin’ your way

Today, today, today, today

Today is your day....

Write Your Own Song

I had a lovely conversation with one of my geogeous nieces recently.  We had spent time together at a health retreat and she came home feeling energised and the most "alive" she had been for ages.  It's amazing what healing massages can do.  It is so great to be a part of these sorts of experiences.

But what happened next is even better.  Music is a big part of my niece's life and for now she takes great meaning and understanding from others experiences and there is something very magical about how these sound in well written  lyrics.  I know how healing words can be especially when things aren't going so well or you are experiencing a tradgedy in life.     

One afternoon, I arrived to say hello and she said, "quick quick listen to this."  We sat together and listened to the song (a love of music and words runs in our family) up loud.  And at the end I said "Wow, you could write your own song of life you know".  The conversation went on for some time with her telling me she couldn't and it would be too diffiuclt she would never be able to do it.......

So, we talked about taking the song we had just listened to and keeping the melody and even some of the lines and or parts of lines that made sense and then popping in some new words that make sense.   My niece suddenly said "Yep great, this is so cool, I love it."  I knew this was my cue to leave.

A week or so later I popped in to see how things were going and before I could get in the door, I was met with "I wrote my own song, it was so easy, the words just came out and fitted and it is so cool."

And I said "And now it's time to sing it."

We are back to the heatlh retreat next week, so I cant wait to see what will unfold as a result!
I know I will be inspired.

So the next time you hear a great song that really resonates for you, please remember that we can all write our own songs and sing them.  

Regards
Jo     

A Little Self Discipline Goes a Long Long Way

Have you ever been challenged by a concept that you know should be easy to grasp, but no matter how you look at it it just doesn't make sense?  Well try this one;

Discipline is Freedom

It took my a while to get my head around this and to actually see and then test out how this plays out in my own day, world and life.  Many of you know Stephen R. Covey is one of my great teachers and he wrote;

"the undisciplined are slaves to moods, appetites and passions".

And for me, it makes sense.  Self discipline is about doing according to what you think instead of doing according to how you feel.  Its kind of like when the alarm goes off and you need to get up and exercise as this is the only time in your day where it can happen.  Sure bed is cosy, warm and the place where you want to stay for a little longer, but with discipline you can be exercising in minutes and giving yourself that great sense of wellbeing and day by day satisfaction that you are taking responsibility and contributing to a long and healthy life.  There's alot at stake here.  Self discipline is sometimes about sacrificing the short term, the here and now feeling for what matters most in life.

OK, I know that self discipline is not a strength for everyone and my secret is that right now in my life I need more of it so hence I am researching and writing this post.  And I have discovered that self discipline can be developed.  And here are some ways that you might like to explore to increase your self discipline.  Good Luck.

1. Awareness 

You need to be aware of what you are doing and what you aren't doing ie your behaviour.  You need to know this as without awareness there is no way that you can consciously change your behaviour.  You need to be aware that you are constantly checking your emails to bring in a more disciplined action like checking them each hour.  Its critical to develop your awareness so you can catch yourself before you start an undisciplined behaviour.

2. Courage 

You need courage to pursue, it takes time and energy to discipline yourself.  And it can be extremely difficult to exercise self discipline. You will effectively go against your moods, passions and appetites to exercise true self discipline and this will take alot of courage.  There might even be some pain involved.  Persevere and stick at it and remember to celebrate your wins.

3. Knowledge

Ahhh, this should really be Number 1, this means acting, behaving, doing according to what you have decided despite your feelings or how you feel when you are in the moment.  I was at an afternoon tea recently and had made a commitment to self to eat 2 things from the shared table.  Ohhh this was diffcult, so many beautiful home made treats staring up at me where ever I looked and if this wasn't bad enough people were taking the food around and offering and saying eat up there is lots here! Ahh this is a great test as you have to decide what behaviour best reflects your vision or goals and then stick to this as closely as you can.  The self in self discipline is self explanatory!!

4. Commitment 

Write up your goals and make a commitment to them.  This is powerful and I love writing things down to cement them in my thinging.  However, it is essential that you make an internal commitment as well.  This means making a pact with yourself that you are going to follow through, ie you are going to do what you say you are going to do.  You are going to be true to yourself.  And this feels great when it happens. 

5. Positive Self Talk

And the best is last.  Self talk is a great tool if it is within your control.  Positive self talk is a wonderful supporter and acts almost like your own very peronal cheer squad.  They have to be loud enough for you to hear them and positive enough for you to take notice. I often talk to myself - give myself positive feedback, reassure myself and when struggling with self discipline encourage myself to keep going. 

And here is a great quote to finish on

"The price of discipline is always less than the pain of regret."                                         

Regards
Jo     
  

7 Daily Habits

I have been working with a number of clients recently who are wishing to apply more self discipline in their lives.  They want to achieve more, feel better about each day every day, do more with the time they have and importantly they want to create an ease and flow around their day and themselves. So here is the idea, develop 7 daily habits.  These are things that you want to do wvery single day that you know if you do them will make a difference.  Once you have decided on your 7 daily habits, decide what time of the day and for how long you wish to to each one.  And then the only thing left to do is to get started. 

Here are some ideas;

1. Wake Early.
There is alot you can do before you head off to work, start your day etc.  Gain an extra half hour by setting your alarm and starting your day 30 minutes earlier.

2. Write a "To Do" List.
Write it in your diary, on a message board or on a piece of paper.  There is something magical about writing down what you want to do.  Somehow it brings it all the more closer and makes the task easier and before you know it you are ticking off activities and tasks.  And wow does this make you feel good.

3. Feel the Sunshine or Connect With Nature
Spend 5 - 10 minutes outside.  Take a break and move on out.  Hopefully it is sunny and if not do it anyway.  Look at the farden, flowers, trees etc.  There is something very refreshing about being close to nature.  You will return inside refreshed and ready to embark on the next part of your day.

4. Be Social 
Even in this busy world of ours it is so easy to feel isolated and alone.  Take time each day to connect with a friend.  Send an email, text or pickup the phone and say hello.

5. Review Your Day 
The day just keeps on going if you let it.  So take time to review each day.  Identify the highlights and celebrate your achievements no matter how big or small.  Its great to record these in a journal.

6. Share the Love 
Say "I love you" to those that matter to you. Sure they know you love them but why not tell them too.  Everytime someone hears these words it makes them feel warm and special and this is a lovely gift to share.

7. Think Positive
Turn on your "think positive" button and leave it on.  Positive thinking leads to a positive day.  Think, be and say positive things.  Always choose the sunny side!

So, over to you, think through and write up your 7 daily habits.  And then build them in to each and every day!  With thought and commitment these actions will quickly become habits and you will gain a greater ease and flow in your days.     

                         

Change Your Space - Lift Your Spirit

Sometimes I hit a low or get into a rut.  I know I'm there because I lose my zest, eat too much and find myself out of sync with the way I want to be.

For me there is a direct link between my surroundings - work or home and my spirit and how I feel.  And so, when at a low point or in a rut, it's my environment (and changing it) that can really have an impact.  So I change it!

A big clean up,  a de-clutter, a throw out followed by a bon fire or a trip to the rubbish tip does wonders.  And if this resonates with you, here are some tips;

Release
Look around and look for anything that you really don't need.  Things you haven't used for ages and things that you have multiples of.  You don't have to throw them out, just release them.  So give them away, donate them to charity..... just let them go.  And instantly, having less seems to release some sort of emotional baggage.

Move
Now you have some estra space and you and your surroundings feel and look lighter, its time to change things around.  Have a look at how you can change / move the furniture.  And get cracking.  Don't rush.  A change is as good as a holiday.  It's amazing how you can re-fresh a room by changing the position of key pieces of furniture.  I love doing this in my office and work space at home.

Create
Now things are on the move, take time to consider the look and practicaility of what you are creating.  I recently put a writing desk in the corner of our kitchen and love it.  I write there everyday and it lifts my spirits every time.  Create a new space that looks good, has a purpose and lifts your spirit.  Painting and pictures on the walls help too.  It's important to create the mood!!

I really encourage you, next time you are feeling a little low or are in a rut, to change your suroundings - a special space at home or at work - and reap the rewards.

Regards
Jo