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
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
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
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
Thursday, December 28, 2006
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
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
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
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
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
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
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
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
Friday, December 22, 2006
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
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
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
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
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
Monday, December 18, 2006
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
...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
Thursday, December 14, 2006
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
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
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
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
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
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
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
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
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
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
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
Monday, December 04, 2006
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
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
Friday, December 01, 2006
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
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
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