Friday 25 January 2013

Chilled!

Are you chilled in the chill?

Well, since I last blogged winter has hit with a vengeance! Spring seems a long way off!

I've become aware that I've been very tense when driving in the snow. It's good to be wary and drive safely, but I find my shoulders tensing because I'm gripping the wheel - and that's really not helping me drive better!

In the last few years I've become a lot more aware of my reactions and have become much better at dealing with them quicker - is it appropriate or am I snowballing my thoughts - I could end up in an avalanche of thoughts!

I now acknowledge my thoughts and my body's reaction to them and can deal with them before they start to spiral in the wrong direction. It's called the law of attraction, you attract what you focus on.

If like me you're sometimes a bit cynical, you might think that it's not as easy as just thinking positively. But it is. You just have to acknowledge your negativity and say "I choose to feel good today".

You have 17 seconds to change the direction of your thoughts, which is actually quite a long time! So instead of trying to stop your thoughts, acknowledge them, see what they are trying to do,  and choose whether to do something about them. When I say say see what they are trying to do, there is always a reason for them, they are usually trying to keep you safe, protect you or stop you looking like an idiot. The problem is that most of the time they end up achieving what they're trying to prevent.

Start to ask what you really want. Ask others. Never be afraid to ask. I love the saying "If you ask a question you look a fool for five minutes, if you don't ask you look a fool forever". I usually find someone else wants to ask the same question but is too scared! Fear stops us doing so many things!

So, make sure you take notice, breathe, smile and do something different!

Friday 11 January 2013

January jewels!

Have you noticed some plants are blooming?

I go for a walk every day unless it's raining, and I love take notice of nature. I've noticed some shrubs in flower - daphnes, roses and a forsythia. And lots of new shoots coming up.

I love sensing spring in the air. It's turned colder but those shoots are always there!

I'm planning to go and see the snowdrops at Walsingham next month, they are stunning - a carpet of white blooms! And in May go to Blickling Great Wood to see thousands of bluebells. Last spring we went to Hoveton Hall at the peak of the daffodils - so cheery! And there's always something at High Ash Farm opposite the roman camp at Caistor St Edmund. There are huge teasels there now.  There are thousands of sunflowers and other wildflowers in the summer. in 2011 it was like visiting France (not that I've been!) with all the sunflowers and a row of poplars in the distance. I've ordered 2 canvases of photos we took of the sunflowers and the bluebells at Blickling. These will go on my lounge wall and remind me what a beautiful county we live in.

Take time to find the beauty - it's there if you look!

Thursday 3 January 2013

Keep taking time out!

Christmas and the New Year is are a great time to relax, but it's all to easy to get caught up in a rush of activity - especially if you're trying to burn off all that food!

Make sure you take time every day to reflect, relax and be grateful for all you have. Remember, if you don't appreciate what you already have, why would you want more of it. This is especially true of money.


Did you know that apparently Monday 28th January will be the most depressing day of the year?According to Wikipedia, “the date is calculated by using many factors, including: weather conditions, debt level, time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action.”


A lot of people suffer from depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder which is heightened at this time of year, so be kind to yourself, and get out in the mild air - it's stopped raining!


I think we all have the power to take action and change whatever is no longer serving us. Lots of people make New Year's Resolutions, but you need to make sure they are achievable and have a date on them. I've also noticed that lots of people say they don't bother. I think it's great to have goals and something to work towards, the focus should be on moving towards not away from, although make sure you learn from your mistakes - although I try to view everything as a lesson not a mistake! (This is easier said than done!!)


Make this year all about balance of quiet time and action, making sure it's positive action.


2013 will be lucky!