Donna Higton

That's me. Donna Higton.

I was googling an old friend today - had a wierd dream about him and decided to try and find out what he's up to...467 pages of results...he wasn't on the first 2 so I gave up. Not that bothered. So anyway, while I was at it, I googled myself - as I have a more unusual name, there I am right at the top.

However, I was astonished to see that my blog wasn't one of the top search results. So this post is a blatant experiment to see if using my name in the title and text will get my blog in the top 10 results. If you were expecting something profound and interesting...sorry!

(and if you've 10 minutes to spare, google yourself and see what happens - what bizarre folks you share your name with like my old friend...at least, I hope that's not him!!!)

Love

Donna.x

It's why I'm on the earth mate

Steve Irwin. Mad as a bag-full of cut snakes. And a very inspirational guy, even in death. I've just watched a couple of minutes of a program on him...and one thing really caught my soul. In an interview when he said "I'm a conservationist. It's why I'm on the earth mate." That's what he was all about - his life was all about his love for conservationism, and the legacy he has left is millions of people having been made aware of conservation issues, tracts of land that are preserving endangered species, and a great many other effects from just one life.

Imagine that. With 40-odd years of that one life, this guy has done much. Imagine having that enthusiasm, drive and sheer determination to do something important with your life. And here is the tragic thing - all of us have that spark within us to do something amazing. Most of us don't think we are worthy. Bollocks. You don't have to have the entire world crying when you die, you don't have to be famous, or wealthy, or change the lives of millions...but you can.

And if you start doing what you love, finding that thing that you are on this earth for, you will. You may not get fame and fortune from it, but you will change lives - whether it's 1 life or a thousand lives. And trust me, if you do, you won't ever get that 'Monday Morning' feeling again.

Love

Donna.x

Bottoms up to Lazy Days!

Today, I got up late, walked the dog, burnt the toast and went to the pictures in the afternoon - the perfect example of a lazy day. With the evening stretching ahead of me, I had a look at the things I could (should) do...and decided just to do what I want to do. There is an evil myth abroad in the world that you 'should' use your time productively...or what? The housework fairy will tickly you with a feather duster?

To my mind, it is a perfectly productive use of time to watch movies, scoff sweets, burn toast and generally potter about. And do you know what's wierd? I get so much more done when I am not 'trying to do' lots! Although I gotta say, I do feel a little sick...maybe a whole pack of Opal Fruits (okay, starbursts) in 1 and a half hours wasn't such a great idea...I think what I need is a snooze!

Love

Donna.x

Burlesque Faker

Did you see Faking It? A shy welsh cleaner went from thinking she was useless and couldn’t do anything to swinging her tassles on stage faking it as a Burlesque dancer. And her parting shot? “I want to be a burlesque dancer – do it while I’m on a high.” Go Girl! There is something quite wonderful about dancing – to be a good dancer, you must learn to perform, you must relax and you absolutely MUST enjoy yourself. Not just burlesque (which I’ve never tried! Yet.), all dancing.

Ballet dancers, ballroom dancers, belly dancers, street dancers – to be good, you have got to love it, feel it, and let it go. When was the last time you let your inhibitions go? When was the last time you gave yourself fully over to a physical activity without thinking ‘does my bum look big? Do I look stupid? Are they looking at me?’ The advice ‘dance like nobody’s watching’ is FANTASTIC advice. Do it. Get your favourite piece of music on the stereo and dance…have a disco just for you – perform, relax and have FUN!

In fact, when was the last time you fully let go of everything else and gave yourself over to any experience? Last time I did it was at the Muse gig….and it was wonderfully cathartic, fun and set my soul alight. Find something that allows you to do let go – dancing, gigs, film, exercise, whatever…and do it. Get out of your head for a while and lose yourself in something you love.

Love

Donna.x

A new Boxing Day ritual

Ah, the season of goodwill to all men. The season of pressies. The season where 'normal' time disappears and 'christmas time' does wierd things with your days. Hope you've all had a good un? I've loved it - the usual ritual of breakfast, church, 2nd breakfast, pub, lunch, tv. Brilliant. And my usual boxing day ritual of disappearing into the bathroom with all my smellies and emerging an hour or so later accompanied by a riot of scents. Marvellous.

And I decided that I wouldn't keep that ritual for boxing day any longer - I enjoy it so much that I am going to do it way more often...and when I run out of smellies, I shall treat myself to bath bombs and new creams and stuff I never normally use. So, now I feel a new ritual being born - a festive 'stuff I'm going to do more in the new year' list. Since xmas eve, I have been thinking 'in 2007 I'll...' so here's the list:

1. lock myself in the bathroom with arms full of smellies at least once a month
2. Treat myself to something new and fabulous to do with grooming at least once a month
3. Send my family birthday cards...in time for their birthdays
4. Have a monthly 'do nothing' day (whenever I try this, I usually manage a few hours, but always end up doing something constructive - not so on xmas day - it's an inspiration!)
5. Write the cards and do the pressies BEFORE my birthday on 10th December! Deliver them before xmas.
6. Keep that feeling of 'goodwill to all men' for as long as possible into 2007
7. Simplicity is the key to a good Christmas...and a good life - so stop complicating matters!
8. Wear nice, smart clothes for no reason, not just for Christmas!
9. USE all the christmas presents - don't leave them gathering dust
10. Set up an automatic invoicing system so i don't spend 2 hours on Boxing Day doing it!
11. Do what I want to do. Daily.

Now, this is not a new year's resoluation list (don't do them, ever since the one year I didn't resolve to give up smoking was the year I did!), I am not going to be regimented about them, but I did want to record what I was feeling right now, while I still remember what the festive season is really about. Pressies and food. Oh, and feeling good! Would love to hear what you would like to do next year based on your festive experience.

Love

Donna.x

Foggy lessons

In the south and middle of england, we are bogged down with fog. Not the most pleasant of weather, but actually if you haven't got to drive or fly anywhere, it's quite cool. I have been enjoying walking the dog and freaking myself out with wierd shapes that turn out to be trees, hedges and other mundane things!

And today it occured to me that walking on a foggy day is a great metaphor for our life journey - you can only see 100 yards ahead, and it is only by keeping moving you can see what else is for you. In the half light, you can see something that looks like an obstacle, but only when you reach it can you see that the road actually turns sharply left. If you'd stopped, you'd never have known that the obstacle was not insurmountable.

Also, you can scare yourself with half seen things, and made up nightmares...but they're not real. As you keep moving you can see the trees, hedges, cars, and cats (not a banshee, then). It occured to me today that (as long as I don't have to drive in it or try to fly anywhere) I do quite like the fog. There is something wierdly comforting and peaceful about it. And I quite like the adrenaline rush and visual conundrums. I also love that I am in the house sat on the heater!

Love

Donna.x

Bah humbug to cards, up with herds of goats!

Oh, the rampant commercialism of Christmas, all that wasted paper (all those TREES!), all that hassle. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas - I love the pressies, the excuse to shop, the tinsel, the midnight mass, the huge lunch and the sofa snooze. What I don't love is spending hours trying to figure out what the heck to get people who already have everything, and endlessly writing 'To so-and-so, love Donna' with all the joy and inspiration of a wet rag.

This year, I decided I wanted to put a personal message in every card. However, the realities of card writing hit me and I decided to bring my card sending to a bare minimum and instead buy something from World Vision or Oxfam (I got an emergency water kit) rather than send reams of cards...and send a personal e-mail to people. Much better. And in some of them, I put a thank you - for what these people have meant to me this year.

Not everyone got this, some I don't know too well, some I haven't seen this year, but a few have had a massive impact on me this year - and I wanted those people to know it, and know how much I appreciated it. Doing those was an absolute delight...sadly I ran out of enthusiasm again and haven't done all the ones I intended to! (but I was going to send it to everyone I've ever met, which was ambitious...or foolish)

Do you know what's really annoying though? I have about 100 cards stored up - leftovers from years gone by and this year...and there they are, taking up space. Which is good, cos NEXT YEAR, I am going to start in September, and I will put a personal message in each and every card...honest!

Thank you, dear readers, for being with me this year - I look forward to getting to know you more in 2007! Merry Christmas!

Love

Donna.x

What have you always longed for?

Every Monday I get an e-mail from Nik Askew - a film of the week - this week's (http://www.monday9am.tv/archive/intro/43) was simple. Not the usual thought provoking interview with an interesting person, just pictures, music and deep questions. My heart actually felt the yearning...

...and with the picture, my answer was 'Magic' - I have always longed for magical, miraculous, wonderful things. And I forget to notice that they happen every day!

What have you always longed for? And do you have it if you look, really look?

Love

Donna.x

Hibernation

I may have mentioned before that I think I should have been a bear in this life. Winter arrives...hibernation time! However, one of the bitterest ironies of my life is that when I am not having a chronic fatigue spell, I am probably having an insomniac spell! This week has not been funny - I am tired, put out the light...and BING! Wide awake.

Coupled with next door's alsation starting his morning vocal exercises - which consist of howling and barking from stupid o-clock until I can't be bothered to keep ignoring him anymore - I am not getting much sleep right now. Consequently, I am a grouch. And my work is not getting done. Writing, nix. Marketing, nix. Promotion, nix.

No song lyric was ever more appropriate than INSOMNIAC...I must sleep. In that deep and scary sounding voice!

But do you know what is good about being tired? You don't give an arse about what's not being done! You do what must be done, then hit the duvet...and the insomniacs among you will know what happens then.

Love

Donna.x

Clear the way

December's a funny old month isn't it? So much to do, so little time. As regular readers may know, I am a bit of a hermit at times - it's midwinter, we should be hibernating, not dashing around madly going to parties, shopping and being immensely busy and stressed. I am luckier than most because my work party consists of me...I don't have to make excuses not to go anymore. Listen, I don't spend enough time with my friends as it is without going to parties I do not wish to attend!

I am also lucky in that I work for myself and my diary tends to be a little lighter in December (although squeezing all my clients into 3 weeks has proved...interesting!). And I am even luckier that my 'no' muscle is finely honed. All year, I say 'no' on a regular basis...unless I really want to do something, I almost never say 'yes' to things I don't want to do. So, here's a suggestion for you - instead of dashing around like a lunatic for the next 11 days then falling ill on xmas day, say no to everything.

UNLESS you really want to go. And have the time to go. And will have the energy to go. I would like to be in 3 different places on New Year's Eve, but I will be in one place and I am not even going to try to be in more than one place. This does mean I will miss my sister's NYE party which I am not ecstatic about. But I can only do so much. It's my festive season too, and I want to enjoy it!

So, start putting yourself a bit higher on the priority list folks, and with a festive 'ho ho NO' clear the way for you to enjoy xmas.

Love

Donna.x

The world is my responsibility

I was worrying about something today...until I realised that I was behaving as if everything was down to me - the whole world was resting on my shoulders! Of course, that was bollocks! There is only so much you can do in any situation - and the fate of the world does not rest solely on your shoulders (unless you are in charge of that red button of course!).

Where are you taking responsibility for things outside your control? Where are you stressing yourself out over something that isn't just about you? Here's a tip: anything involving anyone else is at least 50/50!

Love

Donna.x

The winds of change

It's been slightly breezy here over the last 24 hours. I was tempted to put my washing out to dry but ended up deciding against it - the vision of chasing my underwear around the neighbourhood put me off. Anyway, this got me thinking about the winds of change. If the winds of change were to blow through your life, what would you like them to bring? More money? A more satisfying career? More joy? Better relationships?

Be specific about what you'd like the winds of change to bring - how much money, what sort of career, what joy, relationships with whom? And then BE YOUR OWN WINDS OF CHANGE. Start to make changes in your life that will make these things you want happen. If you like, you can be a gentle breeze, or you can be the force 10 gale that changes your life beyond all recognition.

Who'd have thought a bit of air movement could be so exciting?!

Love

Donna.x

A special xmas offer for you...

2006 is drawing to a close…has it been the year you hoped for? Is your life going exactly to plan? Or are you wondering where the heck the year went, why you’re still in a job you hate and thinking ‘there must be more to life’? Maybe it’s time to get some support to find your purpose, passion and joy in life?

For December only, I have a very special offer for you – and to find out what it is, e-mail me (trust me, if you’ve been thinking about having coaching – you will want to know about this offer!). To find out more about coaching, go to www.donnaonthebeach.co.uk.

I look forward to hearing from you, and telling you all about this amazing coaching special offer.

Love

Donna.x

Self Expression

Today I had a belly dancing class - the first in a couple of weeks because my dance teacher has been diving in the Maldives. I haven't practiced at all (very naughty of me!), but today I realised just how much I had missed dancing. How much I missed having that chance of self expression, the chance to be a woman with a jangly belt and curves - not just a business woman or a woman whose body never sees a dress!

There are some people who think I'm barmy because I go to belly dancing (and many more people who think I am barmy for many other reasons!). What I say to those people is this - firstly, yes I am barmy...I don't know one sane person. And secondly, don't knock it. Getting out of your comfort zone and doing something very different is liberating, fun, it helps you to grow as a person, and helps you realise that there is a whole 'nother world out there you knew nothing about.

It is too easy to have a very 'narrow' life - of family, home, work, friends...that's fine when you are enjoying it, but the reason that many people are so stressed is that they are bored! Get out of your comfortable little rut, and go do something interesting! Make your Christmas present to yourself something that you have never done but wanted to try, you never know, you might find yourself completely captivated.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to perfect my Egyptian walk.

Love

Donna.x

Aaaah...the relief!

Ok, so without going into details - it was less painful and less embarrassing than I expected. It was also successful in that my digestive system is healthy and happy (if somewhat noisy this afternoon!). Phew. The boiled sweets are in the bin, the last of the jelly has been chucked too, and the choice of food I can now have is bewildering!

Having said that, it's wierd, I don't want much now. I had a sausage and egg sandwich this morning, and a bit of chocolate, but I haven't been my usual snack-aholic self. Have I broken my habit of snacking for the sake of it? Unlikely, but it has been interesting to contemplate that because I am so aware of the choice that I have, I am being quite reserved (instead of the expected opposite that I would eat my way through everything in the house then move on to the next door neighbours fridge!).

I noticed this when I went travelling too - once it wasn't possible to buy lots of tat on a regular basis, even when I could, I didn't want to because I could see I didn't need to. So, how does this relate to purpose, passion and joy? Well, I believe that we aneasthetise ourselves with food, drink, drugs, shopping and a hundred other things. Take a look at what you do on a day to day basis - do you do it out of passion, to give you joy?

Or do you do it from habit, boredom and to take away the pain of a life without passion? No judgement, no blame - the world has spent years creating these anaesthetics, no wonder we partake of them. But when you 'wake up' will you be happy with how you spent the last year? Or will you think 'another year of drudgery gone'. If its' the latter, start bringing passion, purpose and joy into your life, a little bit at a time.

I gotta tell ya, aaaaaaaaah....the relief of a life of purpose, passion and joy.

Love

Donna.x

Thoughts of a hungry girl

I am on a diet of jelly and boiled sweets today. I am going to hospital tomorrow for, let's just say, an investigation of my digestive system. So I can't eat. Up until lunchtime I wasn't too bothered, but now, coming up to tea-time, I am starting to obsess about food. Before this turns into an 'it's a shame for me' fest, let me just say now how much I take food for granted normally, and how much I am appreciating how lucky I am.

Firstly, I am hugely grateful that this 'mini-fast' is a choice, and when I get the all-clear tomorrow, I will not have to do it again for a long, long time. I am immensely grateful that I will be able to open the fridge or cupboard tomorrow and partake of a wide range of foodstuffs. There are many in this world that are not so lucky. There are people out there for whom hunger is a way of life.

I am also grateful for the fact that I can have fizzy pop - I am loaded up with E numbers right now! And trust me, every single mouthful of breakfast, lunch, tea, supper and the various snacks I can have will be appreciated more than it was last week. Far more. In fact, I have never been so excited about the choice of foodstuffs that are available to me! (yesterday I could have things off a list...the choices weren't extensive)

So, here's the message to you - (and it's really driving home the point about giving thanks from last week!) be grateful for the things you take for granted - the food, the heat, the friendships, the money, the job, the masses of 'stuff'. Appreciate just what you have, because when you cannot eat and watch other people with food, you cannot believe just how blase they are about their abundance!

And on a final note, I really don't like boiled sweets!

Love

Donna.x

Everyone Benefits from your self care

Do you need a rest? More sleep? Some time off? It seems like everyone I speak to at the moment has a cold, or is tired and emotional. I've had several versions of the theme 'I haven't got time to rest' spoken to me of late. Here's another perspective...you haven't got time not to. If you keep up this persistent over-working of your body, it will rebel and make you really ill.

Never mind that Sally at the next desk got over the asian flu in 4 1/2 hours, you know your own body and it needs more time, rest, relaxation, tlc. Take it. And if you think the world will fall apart because you are not there, think about this - everyone in your life will benefit from you being fully fit and well - from your family to your friends, from your colleagues to your boss (seriously, imagine if the first person with that virus had stayed home...how much more productive would the rest of the office be?!).

I know that some bosses aren't as enlightened as me, so if you work for one of them, do the best you can - early nights, pampering, tender loving care - honor the cycles of nature - winter is a time for rest and rejuvenation...just because we CAN live 24/7 these days doesn't mean we have to.

Love

Donna.x

Giving Thanks

American Thanksgiving day - what a wonderful idea to dedicate a day to being thankful (and to eating huge quantities of food, I understand). When I am in 'it's a shame for me' mode, nothing cheers me up more than to consider how much I have to be grateful for - from the roof over my head, to the clients who make my work life such a joy, from the love of my family to the freedom to choose what I do with my one and only life.

There are so many things to be grateful for that we so often take for granted. Today, give thanks for all that you have (whether you believe you have a lot or not, be grateful for what you have) and watch the world become a sunnier place.

Love

Donna.x

Indecisively Yours

Do you ever get days where your answer to everything is 'I dunno'? I have struggled to decide today what to do with myself - what to do, what to write, what to eat. What is interesting is that for the first time, I am not 'making myself' do anything - even this blog, I have let go of having to write something magnificent and am just exploring what's here right now.

Indecision. It reminds me of a great decision making tool - if it isn't an absolute YES, its a no.

Where are you forcing yourself to 'do' something when actually you don't know what you want to do? What if you just allowed yourself to not know what to do with yourself for a while? What if you let it be ok to be indecisive and rubbish? What if you stopped demanding perfection from yourself and accepted that you have 'off' days?

ohmigod, I'm not perfect! Qu'elle surprise. I'm off to be indecisive about my dinner now...

Love

Donna.x

Notes from the universe

If you don't get the daily 'note from the universe' from TUT.com, go now and sign up. Right now. Today's thought contained this:

"Self Improvement for Trees"
It's not very wordy, they like to conserve paper, but its one and only line goes like this, "No matter what else you do with your amazing life and no matter how challenging it may at times seem, never stop 'stretching' yourself as you reach towards the stars."

Beautiful.

Love

Donna.x

Taking the pressure off

Over the next few days I will be very busy, so it is with heavy heart that I decided I will not try to 'make time' to blog - for all you who are awaiting the next instalment with baited breath...unlucky! I am taking the pressure off myself and taking a blogging-holiday!

If you were going to give yourself a 'mini-holiday' from something this weekend, what would it be? Why don't you try it?

Muse this evening...SO EXCITED! Despite the palaver of finding someone to drag along with me - don't you DARE say you would've loved to come. Thanks to my wonderful mate Mand, who is coming under sufference, even though she doesn't like Muse, to see what all the fuss is about. Matt, blow her socks off!

Until next week...live with purpose, passion and joy!

Love

Donna.x

Let the road reveal itself to you

The world is being taken over by planners! You must have a goal, and 200 action steps to get to that goal. Plan, plan, plan. Pah, where's the fun in that?! Yes, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step, and you need to take each step in the right direction and all that blah, but frankly it takes away all spontaneity and joy from the process for me.

Yes, you can liken your goals to a journey that you must plan or you will never reach your destination, but that ignores the immense growth and enjoyment you can get from being lost! It completely negates the wonder and bliss that comes from following your heart and following your intuition to get to where you want to go.

Had I planned every single action step for my business, I would have missed out on loads of really cool stuff that has come up 'unexpectedly' and I would be working on 'achieving goals' (not an unworthy career!) rather than 'living with purpose, passion and joy'. I know which I prefer - and it's all because I am prepared to let the road reveal itself to me, to take roads less travelled and allow my 'goals' to be 'dreams' and 'desires' and fun!

Love

Donna.x

Basking In the Love

Yesterday I went to the christening of my cousin's little girl. Family time for me is often difficult because I do not do a 'standard' job and it can be a trial to try to explain what I do and why I am not 'lazy', I just like sleeping, have chronic fatigue and actually work my jacksie off! This was a flying visit though and there was little time for me to feel awkward, shy and out of place.

But what I did feel was how these people loved me. We are very different people, but I adore them too - and I came home feeling fantastic because they loved me, unconditionally unreservedly and it was a beautiful thing. So thankyou to my family in London for showing and sharing the love...I love you lot too!

Love

Donna.x

Sing when you wanna be swearing

Guess what happened to me on the way to my dance class this morning? I got stuck in traffic...grrr. I was briefly even more cross than last night because the delay was taking time off my class instead of just delaying me getting home...and then I decided to think a better thought QUICKLY this time instead of swearing...

So, i cranked up the stereo and belted out Muse tracks (have I mentioned I am going to see them in 5 days?) - and I gotta tell ya, it's far better for you to make the decision to cheer up quickly (yes, I am back in irritatingly positive mode today). It could have 'ruined my day' if I'd had my drama Queen hat on, but actually it was far more enjoyable to sing loudly than swear loudly.

Love

Donna.x

Think a better thought...or swear your way through

I fully believe that in any moment you can choose to think a better thought - a thought that doesn't make you feel like a moron...or whatever your thoughts are causing you to think. There are times however, when an explosion of bad language is really the only way to bring you to a point when you can think a better thought.

Take this evening, I got stuck in traffic - and I DETEST being stuck in traffic. I don't mind as long as I am moving, but stationary traffic turns me into a monster...especially when it's my own stupid fault for taking a different route which turns out to be the worst decision since Britney and K-Fed. Grrr. I talked to myself gently - think a better thought, and tried to coax myself into better humour.

However, this was one of those times when only f'ing, blinding and generally screaming every swear word I could think of would do. I must say, after my 30 minute tirade of bad language and abuse to myself and anyone else I could see (except the bus driver who let me out in traffic - I love him, very much) I felt MUCH better. And could think many better thoughts.

I wonder if there's a market for a personal development book called 'f*!$ off out of my way, you w£$%^&'?

Love

Donna.x

Own your magnificence

How many times do you look in the mirror and say to yourself 'I am f'ing amazing, me!' How many times a day do you get excited that you get to be you in this whole lifetime? How often do you appreciate just how bloody wonderful you are? How much do you allow that fire of magnificence inside you to burn brightly?

Whatever your answers, I'm pretty sure it's not enough. I mean, look at you! You are amazing! What a superb collection of attributes and qualities. And totally unique - you are the only one of you there is. (I know I have a doppelganger somewhere, but she is not as funny as me ;-) Take a moment now just to appreciate who you are, to wallow in your magnificence, to revel in your marvelousness.

And if this feels like a stretch to you, find someone to work with who will call that forth from you and support you in becoming the most magnificent you that you can be - the world needs 'real' people who fully own how brilliant they are. (not the arrogant, inwardly terrified folks who exclude and terrorise to make themselves look better, the inclusive accepting beautiful folks that we all really are).

Love

Donna.x

Trust

If you trusted, really trusted, that things would work out perfectly for you, what would change in your life?

Now this is not a matter of sticking your head in the sand and pretending nothing's happening. This is a matter of trusting that things will work out for the best for all.

I have enormous fun with this one - when business is 'slow', I find it easy to trust that it will get better, and trust that the inspired actions I take will take me forward more than any 'shoulds' and 'busy-work'. When business is good, I find myself really wanting to worry and stress and 'do more' (which I know full well is counter productive because I get so busy I can't hear the voice of inspiration!). Interesting eh?

So, if I trusted that things would work out perfectly for me, I would finish today despite not having done '101 marketing actions' and feel good about it! How about you?

Love

Donna.x

Answer this question

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" ~ Mary Oliver

What is your answer to this question?

Mine is - have lots of fun, live with passion and help a million people to awaken their purpose, passion and joy and make their world an extraordinary place.

Love

Donna.x

It's all about attitude!

Today, I was sent this link to a news program from the US - it's about 3 minutes long, go watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gykxoreKRl8

First of all, it is a delight to see some inspiring news for a change, but I am not going to get started on that one today! Secondly, something his mom said hit me like a truck "There's nothing you can do I can't do better" - what a fantastic attitude! I love this woman. What if you tried on this attitude for a week or so - instead of thinking 'I can't do that', know that anything they can do, you can do better!

Love

Donna.x
PS this is not about arrogance, this is about confidence. I didn't see that woman as arrogant, i saw her as smart, funny and inspirational - and she's brought up her son to be the same.

A Cold Shock

Wierd isn't it? November 1st, and out come the hats, scarves, gloves and big coats. Personally, I'd be happy to wait a little longer for the cold...perhaps 12 years? I do love the gorgeous blue skies and starry nights, but honestly, I'd rather also be warm!

So I notice that I am whinging about the winter (again!) so I am going to twist around and say what I am grateful for in winter - long nights in front of a roaring fire, pretty frosty mornings, clear skies, bonfire night, christmas, my birthday (10th December - all gifts warmly appreciated!), snuggling under a warm duvet on a cold morning, hibernation, and the stunning shapes the naked trees make.

So, winter ain't so bad, eh?! Now for you - what are you whinging about and what can you be grateful for in that situation?

Love

Donna.x

Be a Great person today

"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

Which are you? The sort who poo-pooh's others dreams and ideas, or the sort who gets excited on their behalf? Which would you like to be? Which would you like to hear your ambitions, dreams and ideas? Being the sort of person who is encouraging, enthusiastic and positive brings more of the same back on you - and you get to hear some really inspiring stuff!

Love

Donna.x

Opportunity everywhere

Do you see the opportunities which present themselves to you on a daily basis? Do you believe the world is full of opportunity just waiting to find you? Or do you think opportunities are like needles in haystacks?

Believe it or not, what you believe will be true for you. So why not try on the belief that the world is full of opportunity? By switching on this light-bulb, you will suddenly see opportunity in every day.

See opportunity as 'a chance to do something' - and be inundated with opportunity.

Love

Donna.x

SO EXCITED!

Today, Muse won the Q award for 'best live band' - GUESS who is going to see them in 2 weeks, 2 days time?!?!?!?

Yes, ME!

I can't wait. I am SO looking forward to this.

Do you have something AT LEAST once a month that you can get this excited about? If not, why not?!

Woo hoo!

Love

Donna.x

Advice for life

I got this as part of an e-mail today:

"kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly "

Great advice for life, eh?

Love

Donna.x

Permission to be rubbish

Ever sat down to do something and had no inspiration at all? That's how I feel this evening - I have been sat here for AGES (well, 10 minutes!), started 3 entries and can't be bothered to complete any of them. On another day, they would be flashes of brilliance...today I haven't a clue what I wish to say.

I could blame not feeling well, a busy day, the weather, the moon in Sagitarius, but I won't...today, I'm just going to be rubbish - and let that be ok!

If you gave yourself permission to be rubbish now and again, what would change for you. (hint: it's less stressful!)

Love

Donna.x

You are here to...

“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here to enable the world to love more amply, with greater vision, and with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world. You impoverish yourself if you forget this errand.” ~ Woodrow Wilson

What a GREAT quote! If you knew that you were truly here to enrich the world, what would change for you today? What would you do? Would it make a difference to how you treat yourself?

Love

Donna.x

You could be so much more

We spend so much time telling ourselves (and each other) what we can't do that our ambitions shrink, our confidence dies and we no longer try to be more.

Well, I am here to tell you that YOU COULD BE SO MUCH MORE. Yes, YOU. And you know it too, don't you? You know that you are more capable than your current place. So how do you move forward? Here's 2 tips for you for this week:

1. Acknowledge how f'ing amazing, wonderful, gifted and talented you are.
2. Do your very best at what you do. Not to get praise from the boss, or the wife, or the teacher, but to build up your confidence in you. Behave with integrity, and do your best. Show yourself (and the world) that you are bigger than your current place, that you are worth MORE, that you are capable of so much. And just see what happens...

By the way, I include myself in this too. When I'm perfect I shall take over God's job ;-). Seriously, we can ALWAYS be better, be more, live more - not by working ourselves into the ground but by being the best we can be (and that includes being the best friend to yourself you can be - 1000% self care and love).

Love

Donna.x

One week left (for coaches)

Calling all coaches! The next Your Natural Way to Get Clients teleclass starts Wednesday 1st November - and is the ABSOLUTE BARGAIN price of £75 for the whole thing - for more information and to sign up, go to www.yournaturalway.com.

Love

Donna.x

Maybe you have other plans

With thanks to Jenn who brought this to my attention:

MAYBE YOU HAVE OTHER PLANS:
I woke up early today excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight.I have responsibilities to fulfill today.My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.
Today I can complain because the weather is rainy,
OR--- I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered.
Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money,
OR--- I can be glad my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.
Today I can grumble about my health,
OR--- I can rejoice that I am alive.
Today I can lament over all my parents didn't give me when I was growing up,
OR--- I can be grateful they allowed me to be born.
Today I can mourn my lack of friends,
OR-- I can embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.
Today I can whine because I have to go to work,
OR--- I can shout for joy because I have a job to go to.
Today I can complain because I have to go to school,
OR-- I can eagerly open my mind and fill it with new knowledge.
Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have housework to do,
OR--- I can feel honored because the Lord has provided a shelter for me to live in.

Today stretches ahead of me waiting to be shaped. And, here I am the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have.

Have a great day my friend,OR--- maybe you have other plans.

Love

Donna.x

Come alive

Howard Thurman said "Don't ask so much what the world needs. Go out and do what makes you come alive, because what the world needs most are more people who have come alive."

What makes you 'come alive'? Go and do it.

Love

Donna.x

What does it cost?

I came across a great question today - how much does it cost you to make this money? It is aimed at entrepreneurs to check that they are being 'cost effective', but I think it applies to all of us. ESPECIALLY those who work for a wage and hate their job.

What is it costing you to make this money?

I know people whose work has cost them their health, their joyous view of life (seriously, work in a boring job with nothing to do and watch your joy disappear!), their dreams. Worth it? You make the decision. With your one and only life, what is it costing you to make money? And is it worth the cost? Or is it time for a change?

Love

Donna.x

What are you master of?

Parker J Parmer wrote "Each of us is a master at something, and part of becoming fully alive is to discover and develop our birthright competence."

What is your 'birthright competence'? What do you bring to the world? Even if you don't know today, be assured that you are bringing something special to the world. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find it and bring it forth with passion and confidence.

Can't wait to see you shining brightly in the world.

Love

Donna.x

Creative Avoidance

If you don't want to be doing what you are doing, firstly why are you? How long are you going to keep doing thiings you don't want to do? Why would you do that with your one and only life?

And secondly, check out http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/sheep/; - shooting sheep with a tranquiliser is a great way to waste a few minutes!

Love

Donna.x

A good reason to be positive

I saw this quote in an e-mail today:

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."

Damn right! Positive people are far less irritating when you are one of them.

Love

Donna.x

Something to live for

The other night I was driving home down a dark country road, and was reminded of another such night several years ago when I was also driving home down a dark country road, with my foot hard on the accelerator and a vague thought in my head that it would solve a lot of problems if me and the car met oblivion in the shape of a big tree at high speed on that road. I remember realising with some horror what I was contemplating and deliberately easing off the accelerator.

I also remember my shock that such a thought had crossed my mind, and the fear that life wouldn’t get better and that thought would come back, stronger and more insistent. I was 25, and until then had a very strong grip on life…suddenly I felt like I didn’t want to hold on any longer. Fortunately my fear that I would become obsessed with crashing my car into a tree proved unfounded, and I started to do something about the life I was so miserable in.

When I remembered this the other night, the thought crossed my mind again, and this time the answer was a crisp ‘don’t be ridiculous, you have far too much to do’. Not as in my to-do list, but as in much to live for. It’s been 8 years since that night, and I can honestly say that I have absolutely no intention of leaving this world for a good 70 years yet (depending on medical developments and toyboys, maybe 80).

The difference? Well, now I have something to life for. I have purpose. I have passion. I have joy. I am part of something magnificent – life. There is so much beauty, genius and wonder in the world that I plan to stay and be a part of that. AND there is so much wasted talent, so many gifts going unused, so much joy not being felt that I plan to stay and CHANGE that. Now that is something to live for.

Love

Donna.x

Caught up in the story

How caught up in your story are you? How much of what you accept is 'true' and 'real' is actually just the tapestry you have woven?

For example, this week I have been very caught up in my story which goes something like this 'I haven't got enough...so I have to ...but if I ...I'll lose...and stop...and I can't ...because...so I can't...and so I'm stuffed'. It's a great story - a weepy, and I am the heroic victim. But actually I have made most of it up. I don't really have to do anything or lose anything.

So why have I made up such an elaborate story? At heart it's very simple, I don't want to do what I thought I had to. So I've come up with a million reasons that 'I can't' which are utter bullshit. If that really was the only option, I'd work it out. At core, the problem is simple - and there are several solutions once i get my head out of my backside and get creative!

So, what story are you caught up in?
What is the core?
What could you do differently if you got creative?

Love

Donna.x

A Quote to keep you Going

I found this quote today by Theodore Roosevelt:

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

Most inspiring.

Love

Donna.x

Reality versus illusion

Albert Einstein: "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."

I love this quote. Think about it. What if your reality was an illusion? What have you 'made up' about your life and the world you live in? What if you could 'make up' another reality? Would you choose the same one? Or would you choose a reality in which anything was possible, where you lived with purpose, passion and joy?

Let me give you a small example of this - I was shopping today and I had decided that I lived in a reality where you could never find exactly the thing you wanted in the shops. I noticed this slightly limiting (and up until that point, true) reality and changed it to a place in which I found exactly what I wanted - the very next shop I visited had exactly what I wanted, on sale no less. Coincidence? Maybe...but it was a reality I much preferred to live in.

If it's true that we create our own experience of the world, why do we work so hard at making it rubbish?

Love

Donna.x

Do it Your Way

Last night I met a very interesting lady - Sarah Tremellen of Bravissimo. I have to confess that I had certain expectations of a woman who had masterminded a multi million pound bra business, and I was happy to see that I was wrong on almost all counts. There was no power suit, she was warm, funny, witty, eminently likeable and extremely inspiring. (the last was the one I was right about!)

And what I really loved about her story is that she created this wonderful business (that many of my friends consider a life-saving shop!) her own way. Not the way it 'should' be done - and largely because she did not have the limitations that things 'aren't done that way'. Beautiful. So, if you knew that things would work out beautifully done YOUR way, what would change in your life.

For me, I wouldn't worry about 'doing it right', I'd think about 'doing what I want'. And that doesn't include the last quarter business plan I said I was going to do. But it does include having some fun with what I'd love to happen this quarter...so that's a marvellous replacement.

A far more freeing option.

Love

Donna.x

Take pleasure where you can

One of the most wonderful things in life is a beautiful sunny warm day in October, especially when the previous day was rain, rain and more rain.

A sign of a happy, contented person is their ability to take pleasure where they find it, and to fully enjoy the moment. In the spirit of that, I changed my plans today to take in a walk in the fields in the sunshine. It's far more important than chores, meetings, and work. Enjoy the last days of the summer while you can.

Love

Donna.x

Time to get tough about your time

In these days of 'too much to do' it consistently amazes me that we insist on filling up our time with things we don't love doing. We accept every invitation as if we are obligated to do so, then complain that we have no time left to do things we want to do because we're too busy with 'duty calls'. Mental.

My favourite way of cutting out the chaff is to use the rule of thumb 'if it is not a definite yes, it's a no.' No ifs, buts or maybes, if you don't immediately think 'YES! I'd love to do that', then say no. You can scream NOOOOO if you want, or you could say 'no, I'm afraid I am busy'. Saying no doesn't have to be a horrible thing. After all, don't you just hate it when a friend comes with you to something they clearly don't want to attend? Instead of enjoying yourself, you find yourself babysitting them and going home early. Bah.

If it ain't a definite yes, it's a no. Try it.

Love

Donna.x

Money, money, money

I've been balancing the books today and I noticed that I was tense about my money...so I've been contemplating this question:

Why do I believe I have to be tense about money?

The answers were interesting - because if I get complacent I'll get poor, because if I am relaxed I'll forget things and get in a mess, because I want more and tension will remind me to work hard.

Are any of these true?

No, they are all utter bollocks. What is actually true is that my tension DOES NOT help in any way shape or form.

Time to relax methinks.

Love

Donna.x

Going boss-eyed

For the past few days, I have been back at my project of optimising my website - www.donnaonthebeach.co.uk - this is a project that over the last 6 months I have alternately found enthusiasm for and lost all interest in. My previous life was in IT, and I have an interest in technology - which goes as far as 'ooh, you can do that, cool...how do I?' And because my interest is in no way deep enough to send me on a course or to spend 24 hours surfing for information, I get bored easily and stuck quickly!

Just goes to show that I was never meant to be an IT bod. In the meantime, I carry on getting enthusiastic then bored, finding some fabulously useful information and just as quickly finding the opposite opinion elsewhere! It's a very frustrating thing, this SEO stuff - and I am very grateful that when I am enormously wealthy (as I plan to be, just as soon as I can), I will be able to get someone else who knows and gives a shit about SEO to do it for me. Then I can irritate them by thinking I know something about it and asking stupid questions! HAZAH. Can't wait.

What's in this for you? Nothing. If I have to be mind-numbingly bored by this stuff, so do you!

Love

Donna.x
PS If you were fabulously wealthy (like you're planning to be, just as soon as you can) what will you get someone else to do for you?

Is Your Life Too Small for You?

A characteristic of many people who seek me out to work with is that they feel their life is too small. They feel stifled, hemmed in, trapped by a life that is unsatisfying (despite the 'good job, nice house, lovely partner and family' they seem to have). Have you ever felt this way? Like your life is something you've grown out of? Much like that favourity fairy dress or batman outfit from childhood.

Perhaps this is true...and it doesn't make your current life 'bad' - just as it didn't make the fairy dress 'bad' - imagine if you were still trying to wear said fairy dress today - might that be a little restricting, constricting and frankly, odd!? Have you outgrown your life? Are you too big for the 2.4 average life that others are 'happy' in? (And are they really, truly happy?)

If you're feeling restricted and dis-satisfied by your life, it's time for you to play a bigger game - what do you need to do to start 'playing big'?

And for me, this feeling of restriction is a positive thing...becasue it shows growth. You can only get bigger as a person by growing as a person - how wonderful that we are ready to move on to a new phase. The timing couldn't be better to get a bigger part in a bigger play on a bigger stage!

Love

Donna.x

See Yourself, Celebrate What You See

My friend and fellow your natural way leader and coach, Joseph Seiler (www.yournaturaledge.com) has a lovely saying - 'see yourself, celebrate what you see'. Beautiful isn't it?

Go on, I urge you. See yourself, really see yourself - and celebrate what you see - celebrate ALL of who you are, not just the bits you think are acceptable - ALL of you.

With pure self acceptance and joy like this, your life is wonderful.

Love

Donna.x

What I do...

It occurs to me that although I know exactly what I do, there are those who might not.

I work with people one on one and in groups to help them to find their purpose, passion and joy in life. How? By coaching, teaching techniques, ideas and concepts, showing, telling stories - whatever works! One to one I will work with people to find out what gives them joy and how they will access more of that joy - it is different for everyone as we are all unique. In groups I work on the telephone and in workshops (where I stand at the front and talk and coach as a leader) to do exactly the same thing.

What do people get from this? More confidence, greater clarity on why they are here and what they want from life, more joy, more passion, more self love, a sense that they are responsible for their lives, a chance to make their lives amazing and their world a better place.

Who do I work with? Fun, creative, energetic, joyful, passionate people...or people who want to be these things! Contrary to popular belief, coaching is not for 'broken' people - it is for whole people who want to access the magnificence that they are at heart. And each one of us is truly magnificent and unique.

Who do you know who would like more confidence, joy, clarity, passion, fun, responsiblity for their own lives? Maybe they would benefit from coaching? I have room in my coaching practice right now for 6 new clients - get in touch now to be one of them!

Love

Donna.x
PS do those around you know exactly what you do and how they can help you?

A readership!

One of the very strange things about writing a blog is that you often have no idea how many people (if any) are reading what you write. You imagine that someone, somewhere might be flicking a careless eye over your words...but you don't know. 3 weeks ago I had myself almost convinced that there was not a soul out there reading this blog. Then a few people got in touch to say they'd read and enjoyed my blog, and even better, I was berated by friends that they found out about Copenhagen and Chronic Fatigue from reading this!

So now I know there is a readership, and I am delighted that you are learning about me and enjoying what I have to say. HAZAH! (and slightly wierded out that people I don't know are reading too...it's a very random world we now live in) It just goes to prove that 'unseen impact' - just cos I don't know you're reading, doesn't mean I have no impact. Ye gods, this is like one of those 'if a tree falls over in the woods and nobody's there' questions isn't it?

And it strikes me that everyone should have a blog, so that in the press of life these days, their friends can catch up with what's going on for them! (of course, much better to spend time with them in person...but if they live in Australia and you don't, that's difficult!)

Anyway, thank you for reading. Thank you for being there. Thank you for getting in touch. Thank you for being you. Love ya.

Donna.x

Perpetually 6 years old!

Last night I performed a belly dance routine in public for the first time - with 8 other dancers. Oh, what fun! I was utterly terrified, and finally perfected the art of shimmying - just be so frightened that your knees shake and your shimmies will be wonderful! Also at the Hafla were some very experienced and quite wonderful dancers - I spent the evening 'wow'ing all over the place. And the dancer who belly danced to Muse was magnificent - I'm going to see them in November and intend to belly dance my way through super massive black hole. ;-)

I also spent a lot of time going 'I wanna be dancing' 'I want a veil' 'I want to dance with a sword' 'I wanna learn to do THAT' 'I want a drum' 'I want a bright red coin belt' 'i wanna dance with a tall handsome man'...ooh so exciting! When it comes to new, exciting, funky and slightly bizarre things, I am forever 6 years old - clapping my hands and bouncing up and down. And I love that.

What would change for you today if you had the joy and excitement of a 6 year old? Go on, try it! Most of us spend far too much time being sensible and old - see the world through the eyes of the magical child.

Love

Donna.x

What are you hiding?

I realised yesterday that I had been keeping a 'dirty little secret' from my friends - I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Because I present the image of being bouncy, lively, high and happy, people assume I am like that all the time. The truth is that sometimes I 'disappear' because I am too exhausted to speak to people and too wiped out to work!

I had not deliberately 'lied' or misrepresented myself - but by hiding away the fact that I've been poorly I denied people the chance to help me. My loss.

What are you hiding that people could help you with if only you'd let them know?

Love

Donna.x

Just because...

I was sent this today by a friend:

Just because no one has been fortunate enough to realise what a goldmine you are, doesn't mean you shine any less.
Just because no one has been smart enough to figure out that you can't be topped, doesn't stop you from being the best.
Just because no one has come along to share your life, doesn't mean that day isn't coming.
Just because no one has made this race worthwhile, doesn't give you permission to stop running.
Just because no one has realised how much of a woman you are, doesn't mean they affect your femininity.
Just because no one has come along to take the loneliness away, doesn't mean you have to settle for a lower quality of life.
Just because no one has shown up who can love you on your level, doesn't mean you have to sink to theirs.
Just because you deserve the very best there is, doesn't mean that life is always fair.
Just because God is still preparing your king, doesn't mean that you are not already a queen.
Just because your situation doesn't seem to be progressing right now, doesn't mean you need to change a thing.
Keep shining.
Keep running.
Keep hoping.
Keep praying.
Keep being exactly what you are already ....COMPLETE.

Beautiful

Love

Donna.x

A true, if slightly random, story

Last night I was walking my dog around the lanes, when we came across a farmer moving his cattle. My dog is skittish and was spooked by the proximity of the cow, which in turn was spooked...and butted me into the hedge and the stinging nettles. I was stung about a thousand times on my elbow and behind, which both swelled up, forcing me to take anti-histamine.

I'm still slightly dozy from the anti histamine, the stings are still prickling my skin, and I have a rather large bruise on my behind. What a way to start the week!

Love

Donna.x

The most wasted day

I love the quote "the most wasted day is that in which one has not laughed". Mostly I agree...but today, the most wasted day is the hungover day. There are so many things I could be doing - the sun is shining, there are chores galore to do, magazines to be read, interesting and thought provoking blog entries to be written ;-).

Instead, I have wandered around the house like a little lost soul, picking up water, painkillers and sugary food by turn, unable to concentrate or even make a decision on what to do with myself. I don't drink much because it makes me ill, miserable, depressed and grumpy, and it is a rare day that I have drunk so much to be actually hungover (despite spending most of my twenties in that state!). When I do, I regret the choice of more booze - the craic is never worth the utter waste of a day.

Although I haven't done this since I was a wage slave, I think the time has come to renounce this day and start again tomorrow!

Love

Donna.x
PS I am very grateful for the lessons beer has taught me over the years - most pressingly today, that last drink is NEVER a good idea!

Howling at the Moon

Ever since I started reading Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, I have found the wild woman within me being stirred by nature more than ever. Where previously, at the time of a full moon, I have had a brief thought at howling at it and dismissed it, now the impulse is stronger, and even if I haven't given in to the impulse YET (don't want to scare the neighbours you see), I am listening more to that wildish nature.

Try it - get out in that full moon and just let her see you. Why? I have no idea...but for some wild womanly reason, I feel very connected to the universe this evening. I shall be falling asleep tonight again with the light of the moon on my face...and somehow that feels very right.

Love

Donna.x

The unseen effect

It never fails to amaze me how the universe will conspire to give you help and inspiration when you need it - if you are willing to listen. I have been putting off blogging all day because I didn't know what to write...and putting off a few other things too for that matter. As I am a Master at pissing about, I have occupied my time well - booking tickets, shopping, e-mailing, writing anything but my blog.

Just as I was about to give up for the day, I had an e-mail from Celia just saying 'thank you' for what I'm doing. The effect of this has been electrifying on me! I noticed straight away that THIS is what I want to write about today - the effect that you have on people just by doing what you do. I had an effect on Celia that prompted her to e-mail me, Celia had the effect of inspiring me and totally cheering me up on a grey wednesday nowhere near the beach!

As you read this, you are having an impact on someone else's life - make it like mine and Celia's - one that makes others grateful! Now I can get on with the other things I need to do with a big smile on my face.

Love

Donna.x
If you're liking the blog, sign up for the newsletter at www.donnaonthebeach.co.uk

Do you think you are up to it?

In your life, you have learned to walk, talk, read, write, drive, use money, argue, use your bodily functions, dance, run, catch, whistle (I still can't do that!), sing, laugh, smile, and hundreds of other wonderful things. Never think you are an underachiever - you achieved much by the time you were 3!

Your toddler self laughed when she landed on her bum, was curious and determined and never took herself too seriously. You are still that curious and determined child at your very core - peel back the layers to find you again, and once again become the adventurer you were.

Love

Donna.x

Laughter is infectious

Laughter is infectious
You catch it like the flu
I saw a laughing yogi today
And I started laughing too
Want to laugh yourself today?
Then here's the link for you!

Laughing Yogi

Happy laughing!

Love

Donna.x

Happy September!

Can you believe it is September already? I say this every month - each new month always seems to creep up on me with increasing rapidity. Sometimes this stresses me out because I think time is 'running away' or i am 'running out' of time. I read in a book recently that time is just how everything doesn't happen at once - an interesting, if slightly mind-blowing concept.

My favourite belief/saying about time is that 'everything is happening in the perfect time and space - all is as it should be'. Perhaps more of us should adapt that kind of thinking?

Wishing you a great time in September!

Love

Donna.x

Reasons to be grateful...

You may have heard of the 'attitude of gratitude' - do you know why gratitude is a good thing? Firstly, by focusing on what you HAVE, you are happier - did you ever get happy dwelling on loneliness, fear, lack and poverty? Gratitude helps you to dwell on the good stuff - on how lucky you are. Simply, it makes you feel better! I get an absolute rush whenever I think how grateful I am to be alive - there's a line in a song by Matchbox 20 which sums it up perfectly - "you're laughing out loud just at the thought of being alive". YES!

Secondly, if you believe in the laws of attraction (and even if you don't!), like attracts like so when you are grateful you attract more opportunities to be grateful. If you can take this a step further and be grateful for things that aren't here yet, you will bring them to you faster! (and make them real) For example I was grateful for my successful business long before I had one.

It also gives other people permission to be grateful. Ever been in a room where everyone is moaning and you feel as if you need to join in, rather than say 'I feel great - I am lucky to be alive!' Most people I know have been in that position - help them out - be grateful.

Today I am very grateful that my dad is well - he had a colonoscopy and he is healthy - THANKYOU! I am grateful that I can go for a walk with my mom and my dog in the sunshine - THANKYOU! I am grateful for my successful business - THANKYOU! And I am grateful for my sunny disposition - THANKYOU!

Love

Donna.x
PS to take it a step further, start a gratitude journal and list every day what you have to be grateful for - I started by 'forcing' myself to list 5 things - now I can have 30 things easily EVERY DAY. I am grateful that I have so much to be grateful for! THANKYOU.

Advice to live by

Today I came across this idea, which apparently came from a convent:

"Every morning make sure to say 'YES!' and every evening make sure to say 'WOW!'

What a philosophy to live by!

Love

Donna.x

Where is your focus?

Do you focus on what you want or what you do not want?

For example, do you say 'I want to be wealthy' or 'I wish I wasn't skint'.

Your focus will determine how successful you are - we are constantly creating our lives from day to day - are you happy with what you are creating? If not, perhaps you need to change your focus?

To check, try this little sentence "I created the condition of ... by focusing on ..." You may be surprised by the results - i know I was! So now, I am creating the condition of wealth by focusing on being wealthy - it's far more fun!

Love

Donna.x

Become who you were born to be

In Lord of the Rings part 3 - Return of the King, the Lord Elrond says to Aragorn "It is time to put aside the ranger and become who you were born to be."

Who do you have to put aside to become who you were born to be?

Me? I must put aside the shy child who doesn't wish to call attention to herself. (while still loving her very much!)

Love

Donna.x

What I want...

What I now want is a business which allows me to help people tap into their joy and passion and make their world extraordinary. I want to be able to experience that perfect moment of excitement when someone realizes their purpose, their gifts and their passion – when they realise their life is precious, valuable, unique. When they realise what a wonderful contribution they have to make to the world. I want to be able to experience that moment again and again on a daily basis.

I want to be part of the catalyst that brings people up to their purpose – that cheerleads from the sides as they step into the magnificent beings they are. I want to feel significant, to feel I am contributing in a very real and large way to making the world an extraordinary place, to feel that I am part of a higher work, that I am really making a difference individually and globally. Whew. It felt kind of scary to open that out to globally – and yet that is what I want for the people I work with – for them to be a global influencer in whatever way they are gifted.

I already feel that I make an impact, and that the lives of the people I work with are better for having worked with me, and those people I have done purpose work with, I felt the world tremble with excitement at their ‘awakening’. Ooh, getting freaked again! There is a ‘little old me?’, ‘could I possibly’, ‘who the heck am I’ thought going on. In answer, I cannot not do this – whether I impact 1 person or a million, I will do this – why not have a bigger game to play?

Is that fear or is it excitement? If I was doing this – if I was feeling this, is this how it would feel? I think so…with a little more emphasis on that feeling of observing someone ‘get’ their purpose and see them go through what I just did…ending with a resounding ‘yes, I can do this…and I must’.”

Love

Donna.x

Time to take action

Yesterday I got to tipping point about my weight - since losing 2 stone on Weight watchers, I have been steadily putting it back on again...it's very easy to see why - I got back to having take-aways regularly, sausage and egg sandwiches for breakfast, more crips, sweets and chocolate than is strictly necessary!

So, yesterday I decided, I am back on the diet for a while. Before I reach the weight I was when I first started. I no longer wish to be a skinny wretch - I did it for a while, and although I loved having cheekbones, it was hard to maintain...and I lost my curves. So, I am back at weight watchers tonight, and we'll see...

To be honest, I'm only going to the meeting to get the sweets! I need something to distract me from the munchies. Perhaps I'll set a new and more manageable goal...something I might actually be able to stick to, then I won't have to go and spend a fiver every week just to get weighed!

Anyway, what's your tipping point for your top issue right now? At what point will you decide enough is enough and go do something about it?

Love

Donna.x

One of those days

Today is one of those days when I feel as if I 'should' be doing 'something' and yet I am not in the mood for doing anything I feel like I should be doing!!! I don't feel like writing, I don't feel like doing my search engine optimisation stuff, I don't feel like marketing, I don't feel like talking to anyone! It's not that I'm particularly in a bad mood, I'm just feeling a little 'in limbo'.

I have already got a lot done today - I've got my accounts to almost ready to send to the revenue, cleared my e-mail, crossed 8 important things off my to do list, taken the dog for a walk, washed my bedding, the list goes on and on. So, why do I feel such a destinct lack of achievement? there's nothing that really needs doing today...plenty I could do, if I wanted to!

I have a saying on my wall which says 'Accept what is', and I guess I'll just have to accept that I'm not feeling particularly productive and just be proud and grateful for what I have achieved today. Hmm...I feel better already!

Love

Donna.x

Strength of purpose and clarity of vision

I came across this phrase in a book recently - Strength of purpose and clarity of vision. For some reason it has stuck with me and evokes something deep within me.

If I have strength of purpose and clarity of vision, I am unstoppable.

Do you have strength of purpose and clarity of vision? If not, I reccommend that you start thinking about it. I am about 70% there now...it's just the clarity of vision I am still getting towards. Seems like a good way to spend your life to me - strength of purpose and clarity of vision.

Love

Donna.x

An Exhibitionist in the making

Today I was at my belly dancing class, practicing the dance we are going to be doing for an audience in September...YIKES! And I realised that actually I am really enthusiastic about it - I have learned the steps (pretty much) and now I'm practicing the techniques. I am just a beginner...and I can feel myself getting really into this dancing.

My teacher, Di Cox, is a magnificent dancer and an inspiration to us...I wish I could do what she is able to with her body...it's quite something! Maybe one day...in the meantime let's hope my enthusiasm stays with me when I am actually dancing in front of an audience!!

I hope it will bring out the exhibitionist in me...and not send me running red-faced to the back of the pack!

Love

Donna.x

The patience of a Saint...not

Hi there folks!

How's it hanging? Hope you are having a happy Wednesday. I am patiently waiting for 5.15 to arrive, when I can phone the garage and (hopefully) pick up my lovely car which is having a service and MOT as we speak. As I haven't had any phone calls to say 'you need a new and expensive part' I am assuming all is going well!

My trouble is, I am not good at waiting. Not good at all. There are a hundred things I 'could' be getting on with in the next half an hour. However. I have a little internal switch that says 'no point starting that now'...so instead of being productive, I am pottering around the internet and basically wasting time!

I know I am planning to live a long time, but spending hours doing nothing but waiting seems an awful waste. What if it was perfect that I did that? Well actually while pottering, I signed up to an affiliate program for the science of getting rich - something I am studying at the moment to help get me wealthy! (see details below if you're interested) And as well as pottering, I also had a bit of a tidy round & I can see my desk again! AND I have just written this entry.

So perhaps it is perfect that I am 'just pottering' - perhaps without even realising it, I am getting a lot done!

Love

Donna.x

Today an article I wrote went out to the 'Your Natural Way' mailing list. I'd forgotten I'd written it, and I was extremely excited to see it again this morning - so I wanted to share it with you!

Your Natural Way Nugget No 37

With all the effort that must have gone into creating someone as wonderful as you, it seems a terrible shame to be wasting even a part of the finished product. I imagine myself being created by a magician (like Merlin) who is dancing around a gold cauldron with silver steam, talking to himself “a pinch of passion, a dash of humour…oops my hand slipped… lots of humour! Okay, I’ll leave out any sensibility – there’s no room with all that fun. Now, a spoon of genius, a handful of enthusiasm…”

What ingredients went into the creation of you? What was the unique combination of characteristics that made you? Who created you – was it a mad magician, an all powerful God, an all seeing Universe? Picture how you were created – see how much love and joy went into that creation of you. And just in case your Creator forgot to tell you…welcome to the world – we’ve been waiting for you.

Your natural way? It’s what you were created for.

Love the team at

Your Natural Way

Love

Donna.x

Take a hint!

I've been out of sorts for the past few days - tired, don't feel too well, have little inspiration and even less motivation. I've been sat at my desk today 'trying to figure out what to do' to get my mojo for life back.

Let's take the symptoms one by one:
Tired - perhaps more rest?
Don't feel too well - perhaps more rest?
Have little inspiration - perhaps more rest?
Even less motivation - then why 'do' anything?! REST!

So, I'm going to take an early mark today...and rest.

What 'subtle' hints is your body, mind and soul giving you that you are ignoring?!

Love

Donna.x

Do you let them help you?

A random act of kindness today - a nice young man carried my bags to the car after a very tiring day. Thanks to Nicky, who convinced me to allow him to help - I was busy being independant and strong and self sufficient. As I always am.

And as we walked to my car (not a million miles away!) I thought 'how lovely, to let someone help me', and how rare it is that I allow it!

So, thank you to that nice young man (make myself sound ancient don't I?!), and thank you to the universe for every bit of help I recieve from the world around me. I'm going to get better at letting it in. Honest.

Love

Donna.x

Random Acts of Kindness

Ever since I read Danny Wallace's book 'Join Me', I have associated Fridays with Random Acts of Kindness.

So, I'm going to do something randomly kind today...join me?

Love

Donna.x

Life's a Gift

I was reminded this morning of a quote from Gandhi, when asked what his message was to the people he said "my life is my message".

If your life was your message, what would your message be? What would you like it to be?

I would like my message to be "Life's a gift. Every day is precious. And you are both a gift and precious to this life."

Love

Donna.x

Appreciation for those closest to you

How do you think about your partner, family, friends and colleagues? Is it a largely negative view of what they don't do - those things that if they loved you, they'd just know. How infuriating they are when they leave dishes in the sink, wake you up at a ridiculous hour, ask stupid questions, don't do what you ask them to do, haven't called you in weeks.

OR do you think of them with appreciation and love? Do you dwell on how wonderful they are? Do you think about their gifts? Do you thank your lucky stars every day that these incredible people are in your life?

If it's the second approach, you are a rare bird! And probably a happier one than the majority of us who spend an awful lot of time complaining that other people are not psychic, or good enough at housework, or as perfect as we are ;-). Seriously, check how much time you spend criticising the people in your life (in your head as well as aloud) - is it more or less time than you spend appreciating them?

I am experimenting at the moment with appreciating people more than I criticise (especially in my head). It was brought home to me today by my dad. Who had to kill a rabbit - it had no eyes and was obviously really sick - he hated doing it, but 'when things have to be done, you do 'em', he said. I couldn't have done that - I'm a true girlie! But he was able to put the poor animal out of it's misery, even though it hurt him to do so.

It sounds like an odd thing to be proud of my dad for - and he has many more gifts and talents. But today, I am really proud of him for that - for compassionate decisive action. I am a lucky girl to have such a wunnerful dad. Do you realise how lucky you are to have the people in your life that you do?

Love

Donna.x

Get your house in order

What is the government not doing? What are our world leader's not doing? What is your local government not doing? What would you do if you had the power to change something locally, nationally, internationally?

I've noticed over the last week how easy it is for people to get into a rant about those in power - whether it be over council tax, global warming or the war(s) in the middle east. The curious thing to me is how we sit in our glass houses and throw stones! It is very easy to criticise other people for what they are doing wrong, or not doing - how about if we all stopped talking about it, and did something instead?

I have a slightly different view of government - I believe they are a collective of people who are doing their best to do what they think is best - against a tide of criticism, beurocracy (if anyone knows how to spell that by the way, let me know - reminded me of the irony of how you look up a word you don't know how to spell!!), apathy and tradition. This doesn't mean that what they think is best actually is best, or that they succeed. Or that there isn't corruption, bad management and power-hungry maniacs in power.

I admire anyone who becomes a politician (at least in the UK - I have a very different view on other governments of the world) - why would you want to put yourself in such a position? Money? You couldn't pay me enough! Power? Arguably the commercial giants have more power! The desire to change things? Maybe that's it...and that's why I admire them. I don't necessarily agree with them though.

And here's where individual power comes in. If you disagree with what is going on in your company, suburb, city, country, continent, world - what are you doing about it? I know there is more I can do about the environment - I do a bit, but it's nowhere near enough. Ok, I can't change local policy about council tax ...or can I? I don't know enough about it to say that - maybe I could speak to someone about it? I could definitely get my finances in order so I don't need to worry about it.

As for the war - ok, I can't stop it alone. But I can be peaceful and loving toward the world. Might sound like a minor thing, but imagine if millions did it? Imagine if billions of people were peaceful and loving? There would be no war! Idealistic? Simplistic? Well, my friend, the world I am working towards is an idealistic kind of place - would you prefer that I picked up a kalishnikov?

So, what can you do? Today? Right now? Look at the things you get angry and animated about and make sure that you are doing everything within your power to sort it out. Who knows...you might even be the catalyst for it catching on - imagine being the inspiration for millions, nay, billions...

Love

Donna.x

Sherwood Forest

Just in case you were wondering if the sun did come out in Sherwood Forest...

We set off for a walk…then it started raining…and we lost the path…well, not quite, we just started following robin hood way (a walk across Nottinghamshire I think!)…when we were 4 miles into the 3 mile circular walk and at a crossroads, I rang the visitors centre and said ‘where the hell are we and should we go back on ourselves?’ The park ranger chuckled and said ‘I would’. The rain had now been fairly steadily p'ing down for a couple of hours so by the time we got back to the car we were DRENCHED! Not only that but we were muddy cos we’d been walking in the woods, I hadn’t taken a change of trousers (didn’t think I’d need them – I was only staying overnight). Katie put a wash on, and I dried my jeans…while she realized that our mucky clothes had made the rest of her washing dirty so put them on again. The following morning I realized I’d dried her jeans, not mine…and my shoes were still wet.

This is the second outing with a friend recently that involved me being comprehensively soaked by some weather...it bodes ill for an outdoor performance of Romeo and Juliet tonight!

Love

Donna.x

Awakening joy and passion

If your job for today was to awaken the joy and passion in the person you love the most in the world, what would you do?

Can you do that for yourself?

Love

Donna.x
PS my answer to the question is to believe in them unconditionally and encourage them to do what they love from a place of knowing how incredible they are...can I do this for myself? Well yes! I can. And I will.

Making yourself wrong

This week I have had conversations with (so far) 7 people in which they made themselves wrong. How do you do that? Well, you find something that you have done or not done, and make a judgement that it was the 'wrong' thing to do. You ever do that?

What if it was exactly the right thing to do under the circumstances? Because, usually it is.

Love

Donna.x

Getting away from it all

There are times when all you need is to get away from it all.

Today for me is one of those days - I have booked a day out to go walking in Sherwood Forest. Sadly the weather is not yet co-operating with my fantasy of a walk in the shady woods on a sunny day, but I am an optimist...the sun will come out later!

I am really looking forward to getting away from everything - much as I love my life, a day away from it all is very appealing! It is something that so many of us do only on holiday...and then wonder why we are so tired we can't enjoy the holiday and why we feel such fatigue at coming back to 'real' life. If we took time out more often to get away and rest our weary minds, perhaps we would have more energy for everyday life and to enjoy the holidays when they come?

So, when was the last time that you got away from it all? And when is the next time? Can you get away sooner?

Love

Donna.x

Making the most of you and them

Are you inspired by people who are hiding their gifts or people who are out there living their passion? Do you want to be like someone who hates their life or loves it?

What if by making the most of yourself, you paved the way for the other geniuses you know to make the most of themselves too?

When you make the most of yourself, of course you benefit (a good thing!) and others benefit too, from the inspiration you give to them.

Are you making the most of yourself today, and every day?

By the way, this does not mean stressing yourself into an early grave - making the most of yourself is about happiness, ease, joy, passion, fun, love.

So, I ask again, are you making the most of yourself today, and every day?

Love

Donna.x

Inspirational people

Today I just want to say thank you to 2 inspirational people who enter my inbox on a regular basis - Mike Dooley, creator of 'Notes from the Universe' - www.tut.com, who today sent me this:

"The mightiest works, Donna, start with the smallest steps. Like the skipper who simply hoisted the sails for the yacht to circumnavigate the globe. Like the farmer who simply planted the seeds that grew into an abundant harvest. And like the little angel who simply imagined the day... they'd become all that you now are.
You're on a roll.
But how in the world are you going to top "Donna Higton", Donna?
High Five - The Universe
www.tut.com
No. "More chocolate" is not an answer. I know, Donna! You can help others who dream that one day they might achieve as you have already achieved. "

Sniff - he made me laugh, cry and feel adored all in the space of a few sentences...imagine having that kind of impact on someone every day. Then imagine having that kind of impact on thousands of someones every day. He is an amazing guy - sign up for his daily thoughts from the universe, it will improve your life.

The other is a success coach called Michael Neill, who sent me a link this morning to a short film he 'starred' in at www.Monday9am.tv - this was another inspiring moment (or 7 minutes!) in an otherwise pretty ordinary day.

I don't know either of these guys - but they are both part of the team of people who keep me inspired and keep me laughing. So I want to say a big THANK YOU to both of them for that. Sometimes you will never know what kind of impact you have had on someone's day - today Mike Dooley and Michael Neill were the difference that had me beaming rather than crying. Will they ever know how profoundly they impacted me? And the others who have been similarly impacted?

What they can know is that what they are sending out into the world has the intention of inspiration, love, laughter and joy. What is the intention behind what you are sending out into the world?

Love

Donna.x

Time to forgive yourself

A friend of mine mentioned the element of forgiveness in my last entry - that it's ok to be who you are as long as you are doing your best. I hadn't thought of it in those terms - I was too caught up in the love and compassion. And she was right, there is this element of forgiveness...and therefore freedom. Freedom to be you. Because you are perfect just as you are.

When you are genuinely doing your best, acting for the highest good of all concerned, who you are is always enough. But we spend so much time not forgiving ourselves for real and imagined failures that we cannot tap into our joy and passion. What would it take for you to forgive yourself? What would it take for you to believe that you are enough? That YOU have something wonderful to give this planet and you already possess the means to do so?

Yeah, I know, it's easy for me to say, right?! I have struggled with this for years - and am only now coming to understand that what I have in me is more powerful, more wonderful than anything I have sought 'outside' me. And of course there are still moments when I think 'who the hell am i?' At these times I remember the words of Marianne Williamson:

"Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

So, when you know that your hiding your light in a bushel is not helping anyone, what changes?

Love

Donna.x

A spooky experience

Last year I had a spooky experience - I was on the train into birmingham and daydreaming about having a car crash (great day dream, huh!). I was dying, and felt a presence come for me. "I'm not ready", I cried, "I still have things to do!" "Like what," asked the presence. I proceeded to list all the things I hadn't done - married, had kids, been in love for more than a year... The presence told me that there were better things than that waiting for me.

Then I said "But I can serve here - I can do so much good here - I can give so much and help many people, please let me stay." The presence showed me a vision of what was possible for me - a vision which had me speaking in front of a huge crowd of people in New York City - and said "you can only stay if you do your best to live up to what you are capable of. Otherwise, you must come with me now." There was no sense of judgement from the presence, and it was made clear that whatever I did would be accepted.

A bolt of fear shot through me - could I live up to that vision? Little old me? The presence once again made it clear that the mission was to 'do my best' - if I never reached my potential, it would be ok...as long as I did my best. The decision was made - I decided, regretfully because the sense of love from the presence was compelling, to stay. Then I 'came to' and found myself still on a train to Birmingham.

Odd. Spooky. Wierd. Freaky. I hadn't fallen asleep as I'd been aware on some level of the journey, and I don't generally daydream with such vivid feelings and emotions. Was this a spiritual experience? Truthfully, I have no idea. I think it probably was...and I keep an open mind. Now, I wish everyone could have that experience, perhaps on a significant birthday, so that they could realise that they are loved, deeply loved, that they have a contribution to make to this earth, and that it is ok not to be the very best you could have been as long as you did your best.

Knowing that, feeling that has helped me to accept that I have purpose in life, that I can contribue, that I am capable, and that I am supported.

If you knew that you had purpose, could contribute, were capable and supported, what could you achieve in your life?

Love

Donna.x

Welcome to DonnaOnTheBeach blog!

Hi folks and welcome to the brand new DonnaOnTheBeach blog - I've created this blog to explore tapping into your joy and passion, and making the world an extraordinary place.

Looking forward to meeting you on the journey!

Love

Donna.x