I watched this video this morning and it gave me the shivers, so I wanted to share it with you!
Love
Donna.x
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
OnTheBeach - The Strategic Approach
What is your life strategy? Do you have every last move planned out – including several escape routes and alternatives in case of change? Do you have no strategy whatsoever and just roll with the punches? Are you looking in the opposite direction so you don’t even see the punches coming? I got a questionnaire from http://www.luckspreader.com/ today, and filling it in made me realise something…I do have a life strategy – and most people would not consider it a strategy. Including me…until I thought about it!
When I asked you about your life strategy, what did you think of? Maybe it was a sporting analogy, or some kind of life map. Maybe the very word ‘strategy’ put you to sleep after all the ‘strategic meetings’ you’ve been forced to sit though at work. Maybe there was a big blank space where thoughts should be! Did you think ‘follow my intuition and reach for joy’? If so, e-mail me immediately and let me know because that’s what I do!
That’s my ‘strategy’ for life. And even if I say so myself, it’s a pretty bloody good strategy! With this particular strategy, it is impossible to lose. The very worst thing that can happen is that I enjoy myself (deary-me what a dreadful possibility!). A strategy is defined as a plan, method, or series of maneuvers or stratagems for obtaining a specific goal or result. What is the specific goal or result that you want for your life?
Most people want to have a ‘good life’ – which I define as a joyful life rather than a life full of stuff. I wonder if you have ever taken the time to state specifically what the goal from your life is? Maybe now’s a good time to do so…and to work out your strategy? Say for example your goal from life is to drive yourself into the ground, then your strategy could be to work 15 hours a day. Or your goal from life might be to be miserable, and your strategy is do stuff you hate that makes you unhappy.
I’m not sure entirely why you would want to do that…but so many people do that there must be a really good reason that I am missing altogether! Perhaps it is just that we do not take the time to think what our goal for life is, and what the strategy is to achieve it. Feel free to copy mine – Goal: To have a joyful life. Strategy: Follow my guidance and enjoy life. It’s working well for me and the clients I have shared it with!
Something to play with
If someone else were to look at your life right now, what might they say the strategy and goal are? Would they say it was to complain incessantly and end up bitter and twisted? To be very driven and to be financially successful? To embrace mayhem and have a barmy life? What is your real goal for your life? What do you want your life to be? And what is your strategy to get there?
When I asked you about your life strategy, what did you think of? Maybe it was a sporting analogy, or some kind of life map. Maybe the very word ‘strategy’ put you to sleep after all the ‘strategic meetings’ you’ve been forced to sit though at work. Maybe there was a big blank space where thoughts should be! Did you think ‘follow my intuition and reach for joy’? If so, e-mail me immediately and let me know because that’s what I do!
That’s my ‘strategy’ for life. And even if I say so myself, it’s a pretty bloody good strategy! With this particular strategy, it is impossible to lose. The very worst thing that can happen is that I enjoy myself (deary-me what a dreadful possibility!). A strategy is defined as a plan, method, or series of maneuvers or stratagems for obtaining a specific goal or result. What is the specific goal or result that you want for your life?
Most people want to have a ‘good life’ – which I define as a joyful life rather than a life full of stuff. I wonder if you have ever taken the time to state specifically what the goal from your life is? Maybe now’s a good time to do so…and to work out your strategy? Say for example your goal from life is to drive yourself into the ground, then your strategy could be to work 15 hours a day. Or your goal from life might be to be miserable, and your strategy is do stuff you hate that makes you unhappy.
I’m not sure entirely why you would want to do that…but so many people do that there must be a really good reason that I am missing altogether! Perhaps it is just that we do not take the time to think what our goal for life is, and what the strategy is to achieve it. Feel free to copy mine – Goal: To have a joyful life. Strategy: Follow my guidance and enjoy life. It’s working well for me and the clients I have shared it with!
Something to play with
If someone else were to look at your life right now, what might they say the strategy and goal are? Would they say it was to complain incessantly and end up bitter and twisted? To be very driven and to be financially successful? To embrace mayhem and have a barmy life? What is your real goal for your life? What do you want your life to be? And what is your strategy to get there?
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
6 Years Old Again
- 6 years old again -
So after my speech about letting out the inner child on Tuesday, a couple of people were wondering…well, how? I make it look so easy (but yes, I did feel like an idiot), but when you're used to acting like a grown up, how do you start being a kid again? Some of the boys at Toastmasters had NO trouble at all…but it's easy enough in a safe space when you've been given permission. How do you bring 'childishness' into your real life??
The good news is, you don't have to throw a tantrum, take drugs or make an utter fool of yourself to do it. You don't have to do it in front of anyone (yet) - you can dance around like a loon to your favourite music, jump up and down with excitement about ice cream, play hopscotch, watch a cartoon (Jungle Book is my favourite!), get some colouring pens and a colouring book (or paint by numbers if you want to pretend to be an adult), read a kids book (Mr Men!), clap excitedly when Heroes is on telly, play dress up, climb a tree, make a daisy chain…all without involving anyone else!!!
If you've got kids it's even easier, because you can play with their toys and get involved in their games and everyone just thinks you are a good parent! But if not, don't despair. Childishness is just around the corner… For example, I was in Sainsburys the other day and I happened to notice in the garden section a bubble gun! YES! A toy gun that you attach bubble mixture to and when you pull the trigger, bubbles come out. BRILLIANT!
Except…it doesn't work. Rubbish. So I got to do the sulky child bit too because I couldn't get it to work properly. Now I have to involve someone else if I want to get the stupid thing working. Anyway, my point is that no one in the shop knew I bought it for me…and if I decide the shame is too much to admit I bought it, no one but you ever needs to know (promise you won't tell - cross your heart?!).
I have to say though, I've found that most people are quite open to a bit of silliness and play. Why do you think we like little kids so much? It's not their scintillating conversation, it's the fact that they are open-hearted, curious, they laugh easily, they make us laugh and we get to play…just to play. When was the last time you played, just to play? Not because you had to, or because someone made you?
Seriously, if you want to behave like a child again, find ways to do it that feel comfortable - don't wait til you have the courage or the confidence or you won't feel like an idiot (that will never happen!) or the moon in Sagitarius - just do it when no one is looking. Soon, you will be involving those people in your life who also have an active inner child…and before you know it, you'll be embarrassing everyone else on holiday by running whooping into the sea!!!! And I'll be right there beside you, bucket and spade in hand.
- Something To Play With -
What did you love to do when you were a little kid? What would you love to do now? If no one was watching, would you go on the swings or slide, would you play musical statues or musical bumps, would you spin round until you were dizzy, would you read The Faraway Tree (I read it again last year - it's ACE!), would you get out the lego…Hmm, if you'll excuse me, I'm sure I have got some lego somewhere… Why are you still sat there? Go and play! Want to share how you are going to play??? E-mail me. I love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails.
- Reccommended Read -
The Torturer's Bible by Donna M Higton - oh WHAT FUN to have the recommended read be something that I have written! "The Torturer's Bible" will show you the most important lesson for a wonderful life...and it's incredibly easy to learn and start implementing. One reader just read 2 pages and took himself out for a run, planned a night out and went from feeling shattered to energised in about 10 minutes! Here's just a little of the wonderful feedback I've got so far...
"Your book is incredible. I have a ton of books...and I'm just blown away by you!" Nina, USA.
"Great job with the EBook!!! I really enjoyed reading it and you gave a lot of practical and useful examples and suggestions" Kevin, USA.
"Love the Torturers Bible! It really put me in a good mood when I read it." Claire, UK.
"The Torturer's Bible is BRILLIANT!" Jody, USA To get your copy, for exactly nought pence, click here. Make sure you read right to the end, because you will have a chance to win a copy of the audio version when it is complete!
Love
Donna.x
So after my speech about letting out the inner child on Tuesday, a couple of people were wondering…well, how? I make it look so easy (but yes, I did feel like an idiot), but when you're used to acting like a grown up, how do you start being a kid again? Some of the boys at Toastmasters had NO trouble at all…but it's easy enough in a safe space when you've been given permission. How do you bring 'childishness' into your real life??
The good news is, you don't have to throw a tantrum, take drugs or make an utter fool of yourself to do it. You don't have to do it in front of anyone (yet) - you can dance around like a loon to your favourite music, jump up and down with excitement about ice cream, play hopscotch, watch a cartoon (Jungle Book is my favourite!), get some colouring pens and a colouring book (or paint by numbers if you want to pretend to be an adult), read a kids book (Mr Men!), clap excitedly when Heroes is on telly, play dress up, climb a tree, make a daisy chain…all without involving anyone else!!!
If you've got kids it's even easier, because you can play with their toys and get involved in their games and everyone just thinks you are a good parent! But if not, don't despair. Childishness is just around the corner… For example, I was in Sainsburys the other day and I happened to notice in the garden section a bubble gun! YES! A toy gun that you attach bubble mixture to and when you pull the trigger, bubbles come out. BRILLIANT!
Except…it doesn't work. Rubbish. So I got to do the sulky child bit too because I couldn't get it to work properly. Now I have to involve someone else if I want to get the stupid thing working. Anyway, my point is that no one in the shop knew I bought it for me…and if I decide the shame is too much to admit I bought it, no one but you ever needs to know (promise you won't tell - cross your heart?!).
I have to say though, I've found that most people are quite open to a bit of silliness and play. Why do you think we like little kids so much? It's not their scintillating conversation, it's the fact that they are open-hearted, curious, they laugh easily, they make us laugh and we get to play…just to play. When was the last time you played, just to play? Not because you had to, or because someone made you?
Seriously, if you want to behave like a child again, find ways to do it that feel comfortable - don't wait til you have the courage or the confidence or you won't feel like an idiot (that will never happen!) or the moon in Sagitarius - just do it when no one is looking. Soon, you will be involving those people in your life who also have an active inner child…and before you know it, you'll be embarrassing everyone else on holiday by running whooping into the sea!!!! And I'll be right there beside you, bucket and spade in hand.
- Something To Play With -
What did you love to do when you were a little kid? What would you love to do now? If no one was watching, would you go on the swings or slide, would you play musical statues or musical bumps, would you spin round until you were dizzy, would you read The Faraway Tree (I read it again last year - it's ACE!), would you get out the lego…Hmm, if you'll excuse me, I'm sure I have got some lego somewhere… Why are you still sat there? Go and play! Want to share how you are going to play??? E-mail me. I love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails.
- Reccommended Read -
The Torturer's Bible by Donna M Higton - oh WHAT FUN to have the recommended read be something that I have written! "The Torturer's Bible" will show you the most important lesson for a wonderful life...and it's incredibly easy to learn and start implementing. One reader just read 2 pages and took himself out for a run, planned a night out and went from feeling shattered to energised in about 10 minutes! Here's just a little of the wonderful feedback I've got so far...
"Your book is incredible. I have a ton of books...and I'm just blown away by you!" Nina, USA.
"Great job with the EBook!!! I really enjoyed reading it and you gave a lot of practical and useful examples and suggestions" Kevin, USA.
"Love the Torturers Bible! It really put me in a good mood when I read it." Claire, UK.
"The Torturer's Bible is BRILLIANT!" Jody, USA To get your copy, for exactly nought pence, click here. Make sure you read right to the end, because you will have a chance to win a copy of the audio version when it is complete!
Love
Donna.x
Monday, May 19, 2008
OnTheBeach - Your True State of Being
- A note from Donna -
Oh, I was so enjoying that weather, I went out and bought a WICKED sun lounger (white and floral - it's so cheery!) and it's rained ever since. Aaaah, c'est la vie! But you know, whatever the weather is doing - get out and enjoy the outdoors. I was walking the dog today and everything looks so GREEN and gorgeous - because of the rain. Don't let the rain get you down - get your wellies on, jump in some puddles and enjoy the green lusciousness of the country. (if you don't live in England and you have decent weather - just enjoy that!)
- Your True State of Being -
So I was wondering what to write this week, and I was reminded of a message I get a lot (from my intuition, soul self, upstairs, whatever…from somewhere!) - be who you truly are. Do you know who you truly are? Not just your true personality, your true state of being. Most of us touch our true state of being occasionally - big occasions like weddings, births, and incredible experiences bring us close to that purity of feeling.
Sadly, most of the time our true state of being is hidden under a lifetime of worries, irrelevancies and distractions. So what is our true state of being? Love. Peace. Joy. Freedom. Bliss. Notice how you feel when you just say these words. Does one resonate with you more than others? For me, it's joy. The very word tugs at my heart strings, and I KNOW that joy is my birthright.
As is love, peace, freedom and bliss. That is our true nature, our inner being, our soul is pure love, peace, joy, freedom and bliss. Easy to forget when the kids are screaming, the mortgage needs paying and you are stressed to the heavens. But we humans are pure love…just with lots of layers on! Take those layers off often and get in touch with who you truly are - you are an incredible, gifted, wonderful, gorgeous being with an immense capacity for love, joy, freedom, peace and bliss.
- Something To Play With -
I kept the article short this week so you'd have time for this quick meditation - breathe deeply, and as you breathe in imagine you are breathing in love from all around you (from spirit/God if that appeals to you). As you breathe out, imagine you are sending love out to all around you (or Spirit/God). Do this until you feel your heart expand with love…and if you can, keep going for a few more breaths and revel in this love!! Repeat often - you can even do this while staring at your computer screen…and no one will ever know!
Oh, I was so enjoying that weather, I went out and bought a WICKED sun lounger (white and floral - it's so cheery!) and it's rained ever since. Aaaah, c'est la vie! But you know, whatever the weather is doing - get out and enjoy the outdoors. I was walking the dog today and everything looks so GREEN and gorgeous - because of the rain. Don't let the rain get you down - get your wellies on, jump in some puddles and enjoy the green lusciousness of the country. (if you don't live in England and you have decent weather - just enjoy that!)
- Your True State of Being -
So I was wondering what to write this week, and I was reminded of a message I get a lot (from my intuition, soul self, upstairs, whatever…from somewhere!) - be who you truly are. Do you know who you truly are? Not just your true personality, your true state of being. Most of us touch our true state of being occasionally - big occasions like weddings, births, and incredible experiences bring us close to that purity of feeling.
Sadly, most of the time our true state of being is hidden under a lifetime of worries, irrelevancies and distractions. So what is our true state of being? Love. Peace. Joy. Freedom. Bliss. Notice how you feel when you just say these words. Does one resonate with you more than others? For me, it's joy. The very word tugs at my heart strings, and I KNOW that joy is my birthright.
As is love, peace, freedom and bliss. That is our true nature, our inner being, our soul is pure love, peace, joy, freedom and bliss. Easy to forget when the kids are screaming, the mortgage needs paying and you are stressed to the heavens. But we humans are pure love…just with lots of layers on! Take those layers off often and get in touch with who you truly are - you are an incredible, gifted, wonderful, gorgeous being with an immense capacity for love, joy, freedom, peace and bliss.
- Something To Play With -
I kept the article short this week so you'd have time for this quick meditation - breathe deeply, and as you breathe in imagine you are breathing in love from all around you (from spirit/God if that appeals to you). As you breathe out, imagine you are sending love out to all around you (or Spirit/God). Do this until you feel your heart expand with love…and if you can, keep going for a few more breaths and revel in this love!! Repeat often - you can even do this while staring at your computer screen…and no one will ever know!
Monday, April 07, 2008
OnTheBeach - WAKE UP it's a Beautiful Morning
- A note from Donna -
Tick, tock, tick, tock. The countdown is on for the launch of my free ebook "The Torturer's Bible" - intrigued?? I am really excited about this project, and that's why it's taking so darn long to finish - I keep adding to it. What was a 15 page mini book is now nearly twice that. I am so lucky to have such wonderful enthusiasm for my work! Just a few more finishing touches, and it WILL be released! And you guys will be the first to know. Want a sneak peek before anyone else gets it? E-mail me with 'I am in the queue with my sleeping bag and flask of hot coffee' in the subject line, and you will be one of the first to get a copy.
- Wake up it's a Beautiful Morning -
What do you wake up to? Do you wake up to the news telling you that it's a depressing day in a depressing world? Do you wake up to some irritating idiot who thinks he's funny? Do you wake up to a jarring beep-beep-beep-beep? Or do you wake up to something that fills you with joy, laughter, happiness, excitement for the day and energy? If you do the latter - congratulations!
What better way to start the day than being woken up by something joyful? Whether it's children, cats, dogs, sunlight, music or the voice of a loved one it's a wonderful thing to start the day feeling good. Now, I say this from the perspective of someone who has NEVER been a morning person! 7am is the middle of the night as far as I am concerned, and I have hated getting up ever since I was in school.
However, in recent years I've got better and better. I'm still a grouch in the morning - just don't speak to me, and I'll be fine - but I've found that much of my hatred of getting up is a matter of attitude…AND what I wake up to. I admit, it does help that I work a lot of the time from home, and I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn, but even then, the insistent, jarring beep-beep-beep-beep would jolt me out of sleep with a racing heart and murder on my mind!
Some time ago I got a CD player alarm clock, so I could wake up to my choice of music every morning…much better! For weeks, I woke up to Antmusic by Adam and the Ants, and just recently I have been waking up to a CD by Abraham Hicks - very inspiring way to start the day! And then yesterday, I had an epiphany - create a CD of morning music. So here's my playlist so far:
Lovely Day by Bill Withers (nice and mellow to begin with)
Feeling Good by Muse (more mellowness)
Beautiful Day by U2 (yep, time to wake up!)
Wake up Boo by the Boo Radleys
Pump It by Black Eyed Peas
What's the story (morning Glory) by Oasis
Any ideas on what to add to this CD? (Just in case I am STILL lying in bed after half an hour of music…which is quite likely!) If you have some ideas, please e-mail me. You know, every morning you wake up alive, full of possibility and promise, IS a beautiful morning.
- Something To Play With -
What do you wake up to? Is it inspiring? Does it fill you with joy? If so, tomorrow morning, revel in that feeling of joy and wonder for 30 seconds before you get up. If not, what can you change today to make tomorrow morning a more beautiful morning? Want to share how this article affects you? E-mail me. I love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails.
To sign up for Donna's weekly newsletter, go to www.donnaonthebeach.co.uk/newsletters
Tick, tock, tick, tock. The countdown is on for the launch of my free ebook "The Torturer's Bible" - intrigued?? I am really excited about this project, and that's why it's taking so darn long to finish - I keep adding to it. What was a 15 page mini book is now nearly twice that. I am so lucky to have such wonderful enthusiasm for my work! Just a few more finishing touches, and it WILL be released! And you guys will be the first to know. Want a sneak peek before anyone else gets it? E-mail me with 'I am in the queue with my sleeping bag and flask of hot coffee' in the subject line, and you will be one of the first to get a copy.
- Wake up it's a Beautiful Morning -
What do you wake up to? Do you wake up to the news telling you that it's a depressing day in a depressing world? Do you wake up to some irritating idiot who thinks he's funny? Do you wake up to a jarring beep-beep-beep-beep? Or do you wake up to something that fills you with joy, laughter, happiness, excitement for the day and energy? If you do the latter - congratulations!
What better way to start the day than being woken up by something joyful? Whether it's children, cats, dogs, sunlight, music or the voice of a loved one it's a wonderful thing to start the day feeling good. Now, I say this from the perspective of someone who has NEVER been a morning person! 7am is the middle of the night as far as I am concerned, and I have hated getting up ever since I was in school.
However, in recent years I've got better and better. I'm still a grouch in the morning - just don't speak to me, and I'll be fine - but I've found that much of my hatred of getting up is a matter of attitude…AND what I wake up to. I admit, it does help that I work a lot of the time from home, and I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn, but even then, the insistent, jarring beep-beep-beep-beep would jolt me out of sleep with a racing heart and murder on my mind!
Some time ago I got a CD player alarm clock, so I could wake up to my choice of music every morning…much better! For weeks, I woke up to Antmusic by Adam and the Ants, and just recently I have been waking up to a CD by Abraham Hicks - very inspiring way to start the day! And then yesterday, I had an epiphany - create a CD of morning music. So here's my playlist so far:
Lovely Day by Bill Withers (nice and mellow to begin with)
Feeling Good by Muse (more mellowness)
Beautiful Day by U2 (yep, time to wake up!)
Wake up Boo by the Boo Radleys
Pump It by Black Eyed Peas
What's the story (morning Glory) by Oasis
Any ideas on what to add to this CD? (Just in case I am STILL lying in bed after half an hour of music…which is quite likely!) If you have some ideas, please e-mail me. You know, every morning you wake up alive, full of possibility and promise, IS a beautiful morning.
- Something To Play With -
What do you wake up to? Is it inspiring? Does it fill you with joy? If so, tomorrow morning, revel in that feeling of joy and wonder for 30 seconds before you get up. If not, what can you change today to make tomorrow morning a more beautiful morning? Want to share how this article affects you? E-mail me. I love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails.
To sign up for Donna's weekly newsletter, go to www.donnaonthebeach.co.uk/newsletters
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Follow Your Heart
If you could be doing anything in the world right now, what would you love to do?
What makes your heart sing?
What do the stirrings of your heart whisper for you to do with your life?
Could you start to follow your heart right now?
You don't have to do something huge and scary to follow your heart, you can just do something small, every day that follows the stirrings of your heart.
Before you know it, you have a happy life, a joyful life, the life your heart desired.
Start today.
Right now.
Love
Donna.x
What makes your heart sing?
What do the stirrings of your heart whisper for you to do with your life?
Could you start to follow your heart right now?
You don't have to do something huge and scary to follow your heart, you can just do something small, every day that follows the stirrings of your heart.
Before you know it, you have a happy life, a joyful life, the life your heart desired.
Start today.
Right now.
Love
Donna.x
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Strong Misery Muscles
How much time do you spend making life better? How much time do you spend appreciating how good you have it? How much time do you spend laughing, getting excited, being happy? Is it enough? Conversely, how much time do you spend making life worse? How much time do you spend bemoaning how bad you have it? How much time do you spend crying, getting stressed, being miserable? Is that enough?
Have you had enough of being dissatisfied with your lot? Do you want to see your life get better? Would you believe it's your choice? Will I ever stop asking questions? Yes? I'm guessing that if you spend a lot of time on how terrible life is, you won't have much time left for laughter, play, fun, joy, love, freedom, excitement, appreciation, gratitude, and wonder.
And that is your choice. I was chatting to a friend yesterday, and saying that I have stopped (largely) getting stressed out about money and such. How? By withdrawing my attention from worrying and stressing. It's a choice. I made this choice because over the last 35 years, worrying has NEVER helped me to get more money or deal with a situation. Complaining has NEVER made a situation better. Fear NEVER helps me to find a creative solution.
I haven't yet had to live on the street, so I'm doing ok! It's all good. So, I'm putting my time and effort into being grateful, having fun, enjoying life. As is so often the case, this is a simple concept that isn't always easy to put into practice. So to start with, it's enough just to notice that you are choosing to spend more time in worry than in laughter (by the way, laughter costs nothing, whereas worry costs your health).
Pretty soon, you will make a new choice. And this gets easier and easier with practice. Our worry, stress, misery muscles are well developed and fed with the steroid of misery news, so it's really easy to use them. But maybe your laughter, joy and fun muscles are flabby from lack of use?! The answer is simple: choose to tone them up. Make the effort to have some fun this week - trust me, life looks a lot better when you're bouncing on a trampoline or standing on your hands. :p
- Something To Play With -
What ratio of time do you spend on misery:joy? Eg 90% misery, 10% joy. Are you ok with that ratio? Notice this week how many times you choose the dark side over the light. Want to share how this article affects you? E-mail meI love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails. Or why not join Donna's monthly group coaching to explore this concept some more?
- The Personal Bit -
When you read this, I will be covered from head to foot in chocolate and probably feeling very sick! I foolishly gave up chocolate for Lent - I was going to give up coffee, but as I don't drink it, decided that was cheating! It hasn't bothered me up until the last two weeks, and I am now drooling like Homer Simpson at the very thought. But Easter Sunday cometh…Hoorah! I have my Easter Eggs at the ready, steady…CHOCOLATE! Happy Easter!
Have you had enough of being dissatisfied with your lot? Do you want to see your life get better? Would you believe it's your choice? Will I ever stop asking questions? Yes? I'm guessing that if you spend a lot of time on how terrible life is, you won't have much time left for laughter, play, fun, joy, love, freedom, excitement, appreciation, gratitude, and wonder.
And that is your choice. I was chatting to a friend yesterday, and saying that I have stopped (largely) getting stressed out about money and such. How? By withdrawing my attention from worrying and stressing. It's a choice. I made this choice because over the last 35 years, worrying has NEVER helped me to get more money or deal with a situation. Complaining has NEVER made a situation better. Fear NEVER helps me to find a creative solution.
I haven't yet had to live on the street, so I'm doing ok! It's all good. So, I'm putting my time and effort into being grateful, having fun, enjoying life. As is so often the case, this is a simple concept that isn't always easy to put into practice. So to start with, it's enough just to notice that you are choosing to spend more time in worry than in laughter (by the way, laughter costs nothing, whereas worry costs your health).
Pretty soon, you will make a new choice. And this gets easier and easier with practice. Our worry, stress, misery muscles are well developed and fed with the steroid of misery news, so it's really easy to use them. But maybe your laughter, joy and fun muscles are flabby from lack of use?! The answer is simple: choose to tone them up. Make the effort to have some fun this week - trust me, life looks a lot better when you're bouncing on a trampoline or standing on your hands. :p
- Something To Play With -
What ratio of time do you spend on misery:joy? Eg 90% misery, 10% joy. Are you ok with that ratio? Notice this week how many times you choose the dark side over the light. Want to share how this article affects you? E-mail meI love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails. Or why not join Donna's monthly group coaching to explore this concept some more?
- The Personal Bit -
When you read this, I will be covered from head to foot in chocolate and probably feeling very sick! I foolishly gave up chocolate for Lent - I was going to give up coffee, but as I don't drink it, decided that was cheating! It hasn't bothered me up until the last two weeks, and I am now drooling like Homer Simpson at the very thought. But Easter Sunday cometh…Hoorah! I have my Easter Eggs at the ready, steady…CHOCOLATE! Happy Easter!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
What does life want from me?
Most of us ask what we want from life...with varying success! Sometimes this perspective brings great joy, and sometimes it brings great disatisfaction. What if 'what do I want from life' was the wrong question?
What if the question was 'what does life want from me'?
What might change?
I was pondering this, and I realised that life wants me to live joyfully, not sit at my desk 'forcing myself' to work. Just realising this freed me up to enjoy my procrastination!
Love
Donna.x
PS This question came from Eckhart Tolle
What if the question was 'what does life want from me'?
What might change?
I was pondering this, and I realised that life wants me to live joyfully, not sit at my desk 'forcing myself' to work. Just realising this freed me up to enjoy my procrastination!
Love
Donna.x
PS This question came from Eckhart Tolle
Monday, March 10, 2008
OnTheBeach - The Dutiful One
I was talking to a friend last week about going to the inquest into my uncle's death - which I don't want to do. So why are you going then, she asked? Excellent question…and the answer is that I don't know. Actually, I am now not going to go, because as Claire most excellently reminded me, I don't want to! Why was I going to go? Simply put: Duty. I felt it was my duty to my family to go.
It was quite amusing to me to realise what I was doing, because I will rarely do anything I don't want to do…unless I feel it is my duty to do so! I am obviously a very well brought up girl. What are you doing that you don't want to do out of duty? Attending the Christmas work party every year even though you never want to go and have better things to do? Going to the 80th birthday party of Great Aunt Maude, who you haven't seen since you were 5? Doing the usual 'Friday nighter' even though you are shattered and skint?
What about your duty to yourself? To your health and happiness? Robert Louis Stevenson said "There is no duty we so underrate as the duty of being happy. By being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world." To do the particular duty of going to this inquest, I would be actively making myself unhappy. In order to 'do right' by my family! It's insane, and incidentally, they are not bothered that I don't want to go. Maybe your duties aren't quite so horrible, but check with yourself why you are doing them.
Is it because you feel you must or you will be rejected in some way? Or is it because you genuinely want to do it? If you're anything like me, part of the reason you don't want to do it is because you feel you have to! Pure contrariness. Or we make up that 'so and so would be unhappy' if we didn't do something. For my part, I would rather my friends and family said no to me, rather than do something for me just because they think they have to!
I'm a big girl, I can take a 'no' - after all, I say it often enough. It may be too much to simply say 'no' to a duty you've already agreed to, but once you realise that you do not want to do something, you can change things around so that you can also do your duty to yourself. I'm still traveling to London with my Mom for the inquest, but while they are at the hearing, I will be either spending time with my cousin, or being a tourist in London. I'm sure my uncle won't mind I'm not making a misery of myself on his account.
- Something To Play With -
What duties do you have to your work, your family, your friends? What do you do 'out of duty' (maybe even automatically)? Do you really want to do this? If your only duty was to your own health and happiness, what would change for you? Want to share how this article affects you? E-mail meI love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails. Or why not join Donna's monthly group coaching to explore this concept some more?
- The Personal Bit -
I've had a very productive week this week - for the last year I've been playing with ideas of books and courses I could create to help those who do not want one to one coaching. And I am finally making some progress! It's amazing how much you can get done when you set a timer and leave your e-mail/internet alone for a few hours. My free ebook will be finished by the end of this month…and you guys will be the first to get a copy - it's the biggest secret in happiness…and after that teaser, you will just have to wait…
It was quite amusing to me to realise what I was doing, because I will rarely do anything I don't want to do…unless I feel it is my duty to do so! I am obviously a very well brought up girl. What are you doing that you don't want to do out of duty? Attending the Christmas work party every year even though you never want to go and have better things to do? Going to the 80th birthday party of Great Aunt Maude, who you haven't seen since you were 5? Doing the usual 'Friday nighter' even though you are shattered and skint?
What about your duty to yourself? To your health and happiness? Robert Louis Stevenson said "There is no duty we so underrate as the duty of being happy. By being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world." To do the particular duty of going to this inquest, I would be actively making myself unhappy. In order to 'do right' by my family! It's insane, and incidentally, they are not bothered that I don't want to go. Maybe your duties aren't quite so horrible, but check with yourself why you are doing them.
Is it because you feel you must or you will be rejected in some way? Or is it because you genuinely want to do it? If you're anything like me, part of the reason you don't want to do it is because you feel you have to! Pure contrariness. Or we make up that 'so and so would be unhappy' if we didn't do something. For my part, I would rather my friends and family said no to me, rather than do something for me just because they think they have to!
I'm a big girl, I can take a 'no' - after all, I say it often enough. It may be too much to simply say 'no' to a duty you've already agreed to, but once you realise that you do not want to do something, you can change things around so that you can also do your duty to yourself. I'm still traveling to London with my Mom for the inquest, but while they are at the hearing, I will be either spending time with my cousin, or being a tourist in London. I'm sure my uncle won't mind I'm not making a misery of myself on his account.
- Something To Play With -
What duties do you have to your work, your family, your friends? What do you do 'out of duty' (maybe even automatically)? Do you really want to do this? If your only duty was to your own health and happiness, what would change for you? Want to share how this article affects you? E-mail meI love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails. Or why not join Donna's monthly group coaching to explore this concept some more?
- The Personal Bit -
I've had a very productive week this week - for the last year I've been playing with ideas of books and courses I could create to help those who do not want one to one coaching. And I am finally making some progress! It's amazing how much you can get done when you set a timer and leave your e-mail/internet alone for a few hours. My free ebook will be finished by the end of this month…and you guys will be the first to get a copy - it's the biggest secret in happiness…and after that teaser, you will just have to wait…
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Enough about me, what did you think of me?
I had a beautiful message yesterday, from someone I sent my (soon to be ready for public consumption!) free ebook to. She basically said she thought I was amazing, filled me with confidence and joy that something I wrote had such an impact. And her encouragement had a wonderful impact on me. I am keeping that message, and I am going to watch it often.
Putting myself down and telling myself I am rubbish comes easily, but building myself up in the way this message did is a little harder - especially if I'm having a bad day! I wonder if you realise the impact of a compliment on someone else? Here, let's try this one - I can see that you are an intelligent person with impeccable taste, because you are reading my blog!
Feel good? Seriously, compliments can change the course of a person's life. Next time you feel that someone is wonderful, say it. I promise that the good stuff will come back to you tenfold!
Love
Donna.x
Putting myself down and telling myself I am rubbish comes easily, but building myself up in the way this message did is a little harder - especially if I'm having a bad day! I wonder if you realise the impact of a compliment on someone else? Here, let's try this one - I can see that you are an intelligent person with impeccable taste, because you are reading my blog!
Feel good? Seriously, compliments can change the course of a person's life. Next time you feel that someone is wonderful, say it. I promise that the good stuff will come back to you tenfold!
Love
Donna.x
Monday, March 03, 2008
OnTheBeach: Hell is Other People
An online community I am part of had a discussion subject this week about negative people – here’s my reply…
This subject made me smile - I used to avoid negative people because they brought me down. Now, I welcome them...because their negativity doesn't mean anything to me. If someone is standing next to you wearing green, do you have to wear green? No! I know that is so easy to say once you've learnt to deal with them...and yes, sometimes a negative person will press on a bruise and 'get me'...but that's great too because they show me where I am not living in positivity!
Here's how I've 'dealt with' them:
1. Avoid them (out of sight, out of mind!!! It's a plaster rather than a fix)
2. Notice how they affect you and work out why - where do they show you where you are being negative? (The Work by Byron Katie is brilliant with this)
3. Remember that the world is a mirror FOR you - what are they bringing you that's positive? Eg a chance to reinforce your positivity, a lesson on how not to do it, a reminder to protect yourself from negative energy
4. Remember the law of attraction - are you focusing on their negative aspects? Focus on the kind of person you want in your life, focus on the positive things about the 'negative' people in your life.
5. Learn to love, not fear a negative person. if it's true that fear creates negativity, they're just scared. Awwwww. Bless them. And yourself when you are scared and negative.
6. Enjoy watching them, because they show you how far you've come!!!
7. Never, ever try to convince them that positivity is good by words, do it by living that way. When I was negative and cynical, it drove me mad that people told me to be positive! But people who just did it, and didn't join my pity party...wow, I still thank them for showing me the way!
8. Be compassionate with them and yourself. The more you learn, the less these people show up. Honest!
It’s interesting, when we start to be more positive ourselves, other people become less negative around us – once we get past the idea that the whole world has to be positive with us! Sometimes I still believe the Jean-Paul Sartre quote that ‘hell is other people’ , but most of the time I know that when other people are winding me up, it’s all about me, not them.
Something to play with
When negative people get you down this week, try some of the ideas above. Experiment and have fun with the idea that you can be surrounded by negative people, and still be a shiny, positive light! (If nothing else, it will irritate them immensely!) Want to share what’s going on for you? E-mail me.
The Personal Bit
Wow! What a week. I have been right at the very edge of my learning curve this week. It’s been months since I last felt this saturated with information. It’s all good stuff, but I really feel in need of a rest! Feels like that earthquake here in the UK did more than just wake me up petrified in the middle of the night. It’s shaken all sorts of things loose.
This subject made me smile - I used to avoid negative people because they brought me down. Now, I welcome them...because their negativity doesn't mean anything to me. If someone is standing next to you wearing green, do you have to wear green? No! I know that is so easy to say once you've learnt to deal with them...and yes, sometimes a negative person will press on a bruise and 'get me'...but that's great too because they show me where I am not living in positivity!
Here's how I've 'dealt with' them:
1. Avoid them (out of sight, out of mind!!! It's a plaster rather than a fix)
2. Notice how they affect you and work out why - where do they show you where you are being negative? (The Work by Byron Katie is brilliant with this)
3. Remember that the world is a mirror FOR you - what are they bringing you that's positive? Eg a chance to reinforce your positivity, a lesson on how not to do it, a reminder to protect yourself from negative energy
4. Remember the law of attraction - are you focusing on their negative aspects? Focus on the kind of person you want in your life, focus on the positive things about the 'negative' people in your life.
5. Learn to love, not fear a negative person. if it's true that fear creates negativity, they're just scared. Awwwww. Bless them. And yourself when you are scared and negative.
6. Enjoy watching them, because they show you how far you've come!!!
7. Never, ever try to convince them that positivity is good by words, do it by living that way. When I was negative and cynical, it drove me mad that people told me to be positive! But people who just did it, and didn't join my pity party...wow, I still thank them for showing me the way!
8. Be compassionate with them and yourself. The more you learn, the less these people show up. Honest!
It’s interesting, when we start to be more positive ourselves, other people become less negative around us – once we get past the idea that the whole world has to be positive with us! Sometimes I still believe the Jean-Paul Sartre quote that ‘hell is other people’ , but most of the time I know that when other people are winding me up, it’s all about me, not them.
Something to play with
When negative people get you down this week, try some of the ideas above. Experiment and have fun with the idea that you can be surrounded by negative people, and still be a shiny, positive light! (If nothing else, it will irritate them immensely!) Want to share what’s going on for you? E-mail me.
The Personal Bit
Wow! What a week. I have been right at the very edge of my learning curve this week. It’s been months since I last felt this saturated with information. It’s all good stuff, but I really feel in need of a rest! Feels like that earthquake here in the UK did more than just wake me up petrified in the middle of the night. It’s shaken all sorts of things loose.
Monday, February 25, 2008
OnTheBeach - Your Full Potential
- Group Coaching -
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! I have now launched a twice monthly group coaching call - so if you've been thinking about having coaching and would like to know more about this concept, click here.
- Your Full Potential -
Living to your full potential. What does this phrase mean to you? Are you living to your full potential? Does trying to live to your full potential mean working harder, trying harder, getting more money, stuff, qualifications, kudos? Does it make you tired just thinking about it? Does it stress you out? Do you know what image springs to mind when I think about living to my full potential? Something similar to the image on the right here ->
Someone who is jumping for joy, enjoying their life, and LIVING to their full potential. Whenever people talk about living to their full potential, they are most often talking about DOING to their full potential. All well and good, but your ability to 'do' is restricted by the time, energy and drive you have…and all too often we exhaust ourselves trying to 'do' too much. What if living to your full potential meant BEING. Fully being.
Being what? Being happy, loving, joyful, fun, Being You. See, no one else can be you in the same way that you can. No one else can be you to your full potential. Your full potential of enjoyment, joy, love is HUGE. And moving towards the full achievement of your potential to be is WONDERFUL. Deconstruct that word - wonder full. It's not hard to 'be', it's not stressful (unless you wish to be stressed!), it's not tiring.
If you were to rate your level of enjoyment of your life right now, what would it be on a scale of 1-10 (1 is life sucks, and 10 is I LOVE MY LIFE!). If it's not 10 or getting there, where are you making 'doing stuff to make me happy' more important than 'being happy'? See, most of us have it backwards - we 'do' stuff to make us 'be' happy. Only half the time the 'doing' just leads to more 'doing'. An example: I'm going to work really hard to get the money to get some stuff and then I'll be happy. How many years have you been following this insane thought? Is it working for you?
I'm heavily simplifying here, but trust me, scratch the surface of most desires to 'do' and 'be happy' is the underlying idea. Why not be happy first? Or even while you're busy doing. It is absolutely possible to be happy when your life is not perfect…and if it's perfection you're waiting for, you'd better start enjoying your misery! Living to your full potential means just that - LIVING to your full potential. By all means, work toward your goals, but make sure that you are enjoying yourself on the way - otherwise you will miss your potential for joy in the here and now.
- Something To Play With -
Where are you on that scale of enjoyment? If your happiness was your only concern this week, what could you do to bump your score up one point? Want to share how this article affects you? E-mail me I love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails. Or why not join Donna's monthly group coaching to explore this concept some more?
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! I have now launched a twice monthly group coaching call - so if you've been thinking about having coaching and would like to know more about this concept, click here.
- Your Full Potential -
Living to your full potential. What does this phrase mean to you? Are you living to your full potential? Does trying to live to your full potential mean working harder, trying harder, getting more money, stuff, qualifications, kudos? Does it make you tired just thinking about it? Does it stress you out? Do you know what image springs to mind when I think about living to my full potential? Something similar to the image on the right here ->
Someone who is jumping for joy, enjoying their life, and LIVING to their full potential. Whenever people talk about living to their full potential, they are most often talking about DOING to their full potential. All well and good, but your ability to 'do' is restricted by the time, energy and drive you have…and all too often we exhaust ourselves trying to 'do' too much. What if living to your full potential meant BEING. Fully being.
Being what? Being happy, loving, joyful, fun, Being You. See, no one else can be you in the same way that you can. No one else can be you to your full potential. Your full potential of enjoyment, joy, love is HUGE. And moving towards the full achievement of your potential to be is WONDERFUL. Deconstruct that word - wonder full. It's not hard to 'be', it's not stressful (unless you wish to be stressed!), it's not tiring.
If you were to rate your level of enjoyment of your life right now, what would it be on a scale of 1-10 (1 is life sucks, and 10 is I LOVE MY LIFE!). If it's not 10 or getting there, where are you making 'doing stuff to make me happy' more important than 'being happy'? See, most of us have it backwards - we 'do' stuff to make us 'be' happy. Only half the time the 'doing' just leads to more 'doing'. An example: I'm going to work really hard to get the money to get some stuff and then I'll be happy. How many years have you been following this insane thought? Is it working for you?
I'm heavily simplifying here, but trust me, scratch the surface of most desires to 'do' and 'be happy' is the underlying idea. Why not be happy first? Or even while you're busy doing. It is absolutely possible to be happy when your life is not perfect…and if it's perfection you're waiting for, you'd better start enjoying your misery! Living to your full potential means just that - LIVING to your full potential. By all means, work toward your goals, but make sure that you are enjoying yourself on the way - otherwise you will miss your potential for joy in the here and now.
- Something To Play With -
Where are you on that scale of enjoyment? If your happiness was your only concern this week, what could you do to bump your score up one point? Want to share how this article affects you? E-mail me I love to hear from readers, and will respond to all e-mails. Or why not join Donna's monthly group coaching to explore this concept some more?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
