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34 Ways to Enjoy the Winter Days

January 27th, 2010 | 7 Comments »

Get cozy in front of a fire with a warm blanket and great book.
Awaken your inner child: go sledding!
Get messy in the kitchen: have fun baking and decorating different types of cookies.
Put on your skates and have a blast at an outdoor pond (no frozen outdoor pond – go to an indoor rink).
Try a new creative project (ex. winter themed crafts).
Catch up on your movie list in time for the Oscars.
Join a book club or create your own.
Explore your hidden passions – Julia Child started cooking school in her late 30s!
Organize and finally frame some of those photos you love.
Scope out new music on Pandora.
Go window shopping online.
Challenge yourself to take action on a lingering to-do item – enjoy the bliss that accompanies checking it off of your list!
Visit Decor8. The images can lift your spirits on the bleakest of days!
Fill an oversized mug with hot chocolate and yummy marshmallows. You can even add rainbow sprinkles for a splash of color!
Spruce up a little area of your home – add a new color, a painting, a beautiful candle – let your imagination run wild.
Wear that goofy hat and scarf with pride!
Take a day trip to a local museum or gallery.
Play in the snow. Did I hear snowball fight?
Try different soups. With hundreds of types, go crazy!
Plan a spa day by yourself (serious R & R) or with a group of friends.
Volunteer at your local library. Extra special: read a story with (or to) a child.
Take an online workshop – extra bonus: no cold weather and you can meet new friends (your fellow e-classmates).
Do some soul searching with a life coach. Life coaches keep you on your toes and help you achieve what your heart desires.
Donate clothing. A lighter closet means more room for 2010 finds!
Swap books with a friend. A recommended read at no cost.
Appreciate the crispness of the winter air. Allow yourself to simply… breathe.
Explore the power of a friendship bracelet or handmade jewelry.
Remind yourself of the classics – great poetry, timeless music.
Spend some time journaling or doodling — reflect during the winter quiet.
Host a game night! Board games and family/friends yield a fun night of bonding.
Show someone you appreciate them. A small note via snail-mail or even a simple email.
Use your computer to chat with friends virtually. Check out Spring for inspiration!
Create a list of 10 ways you can enjoy the winter days. You’ll want to skip this step, but it’s the most important!
Make a commitment to do at least one thing per day that adds joy to your life – even during the winter days.

Need more inspiration? 50 Ways to Add Joy to Your Day

What do you enjoy during the winter days?

Posted in: Balanced Life

Are You Enough?

January 20th, 2010 | 4 Comments »

When I gaze at my inspiration board, I often end up focusing on one phrase in particular: “You are enough.” It is one of many powerful phrases on the board that come from an inspiration deck created by my magically inspiring genie, Christine Mason Miller.

You are enough.

Naturally, I began to ponder, “Am I?” And what does “enough” even mean? Unraveling the layers of this deceivingly simple inquiry has led me to reconsider this question and reassess its importance.

So often, our knee-jerk reaction is to think: NO, I’m NOT enough! We are rarely happy with the status quo.

So how do we be “enough”? I believe the first step is to alter how you define, “you”. Who are “you” without labels, habits, restraints, roles… – just your raw identity? Then, from this place – how do you define “enough”? How do you, personally, measure what is enough?

When we empower ourselves to create our own intrinsic barometer of what is “enough”, then life immediately begins to become less of a constant struggle – of course, there are challenges and letdowns, but they don’t alter our essential worth.

Relying on external sources to measure your value leads to a never-ending race that (spoiler alert) you just can’t win.

So, now what? How do you get to this place of empowerment?

Only you have the answer.

Along the course of your journey, remind yourself to remain focused and cherish the wisdom that truly, you are enough.

{image: blissful images}

Posted in: Balanced Life, Personal

Me101: A New Beginning

January 6th, 2010 | 10 Comments »

Morning Cup of Beauty

A few months ago, in the midst of promoting my first book, navigating graduate school, and trying to stay sane, I found myself gravitating towards self-reflection. Within the course of a single day, I was balancing the roles of five different people (maybe more). I expected the time to be exhilarating and fulfilling; however, it was quite the opposite. I hit a wall of exhaustion and felt lost within a sea of identities. And so I began reflecting on my life – who I am, what I want/need. I quickly learned that the answers were not neatly packaged awaiting my arrival. I became frustrated. I was ready to focus on “me,” but the process was not (and is not) simple. That was the hardest realization for me. Yet, I was determined (and remain determined) to continue on this road and begin my hardest class yet, Me101.

With the help of Jenn Lee, I focused on turning the process into a positive, creative, and FUN endeavor! At the beginning of the journey, I wrote a simple note in my journal to kick off the self-growth process. I’ve shared an excerpt below and hope you can connect with it in some way. Moving forward is exciting; however, this excitement often clouds our ability to anticipate hurdles along the way. Anticipating challenges rather than perfect conditions builds inner strength. Living a life you love depends on this strength. During any journey, never underestimate the power of you.

- – - – -

“I am planting a new seed in the ground – a seed that will bloom in a beautiful rose. There will be rain and windy weather, but this seed will bloom regardless of external forces. I will be nurturing and patient. Fresh droplets of water will fill the sprouting bud with strength and perseverance. And it will bloom into a beautiful rose. Growth is a constant…. This time is for me. I must love myself, believe in myself, and trust myself. I am creating my own life book. This is my life. I am going to live it according to my own path and my own expectations – not according to the expectations of others. Today, I am creating a new beginning!”

{image: GabrielleKai}

Tags: Introspection, Jennifer Lee
Posted in: Balanced Life, Personal

Let Yourself Grow

December 23rd, 2009 | 5 Comments »

Let Yourself Grow

I recently came across a magazine clipping while flipping through my inspiration files and must share it with you! I’ve had it for awhile and can’t remember what magazine I found it in. If you know, please contact me! I hope you find it as inspiring as I do :).

Somewhere between the life you have and the life you want lies the quiet seed of potential. With each new thing you do — the friend you make, the garden you plant, the risks you take — it begins to open up. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, a new life of your making starts to sprout, taking root and fanning its damp leaves in the open air. But like all tender young things it requires attention, enough rest, enough sustenance to thrive. This month, give yourself plenty of what you need — maybe even a little bit extra. Get more sleep. Take a chance. Taste a new food. And watch things grow.

Posted in: Balanced Life

It’s Okay

December 16th, 2009 | 9 Comments »

It’s Okay To

… do nothing

… pamper yourself

… be a beginner

… respect yourself

… own your time

… not help

… say no

… say yes

… be messy

… make mistakes

… fail

… have fun

… define your own success

… procrastinate

… let go

… be upset

… browse online aimlessly

… ditch your to-do list

… feel drained

… not want to talk about it

… have quiet “me” time

… breathe

… dream big

… give up

… take a nap

… be imperfect

… be you!

Give yourself permission to live freely. Release the guilt. You are real. It’s okay to remember that.

Exhale.

It’s okay to be you!

image by Everything Lovely

Posted in: Authenticity, Balanced Life

What will you do with your blank canvas?

December 7th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

New week. New ritual.

The New Ritual: Begin each week with a blank canvas.

Last night, I caught myself journaling about all the negatives that occurred over the past week. While helpful for me to release those negative thoughts, I ended the week on a pretty sour note. Feeling overwhelmed and tired, I started to think about how I could turn the start of the week into a new beginning — a fresh start… a blank canvas.

Just switching my mindset and the words I used completely transformed my overall outlook.

Now, what shall we do with our blank canvases?

Tags: Blank Canvas, Fresh Start
Posted in: Balanced Life

A New and Fun Approach to Gift Giving

November 23rd, 2009 | 5 Comments »

While curating a treasury on Etsy, I thought of a fun way to approach one’s holiday gift search. If you aren’t buying gifts for others this year, you can still get in on the fun! The “gift collage” is an activity that allows you to engage your imagination and get creative. Just think of it as a gift for you!

Out with the “gift guide,” and In with the “gift collage!”

Choose an overarching theme for all of your gifts this year (ex. a color palette, a location, or a favorite book — the sky’s the limit).
Determine the necessities (ex. who is on your gift list and your overall budget). These factors will serve as your collage foundation.
Then, it’s time for the fun part! Use your imagination to find gifts that fulfill your needs and align with your theme.

Get creative. You can create your collage by hand or by utilizing an online tool (below are a few suggestions). The goal is to make the process of gift giving more personal and fun. The process of creating the gift collage allows you to think outside the box — while still maintaining structure.

Create a Gift Collage: A Few Online Tools

Below is the collage I created using the Etsy Poster Sketch tool. It’s very easy to use and a lot of fun!

Inspired by a Beautiful Fairy Tale

Links to Etsy items featured in collage. Listed from Left to Right

Row One: GabrielleKai, TwoBrunettes, LittleWhiteDresser, Coquetteanddove

Row Two: prettyrandomobjects, Nadinoo, eraseandrepeat, luckylife

Row Three: LilacAve, ElliBathNBeauty, bijouxteria, WhiteEarthStudio

Row Four: wrenandchicadee, PUREnaturalMinerals, sarahearn, LanaOCrystal

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New features (and many more in the works!)
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Tags: collage, collagr, desktop wallpaper, Etsy, Gift, Giving, kaboodle, Playlist, polyvore, RSS, smilebox, Thinking outside the box, Wists
Posted in: Authenticity, Balanced Life, Creativity, Treasure Chest

50 Ways to Add Joy to Your Day

November 20th, 2009 | 18 Comments »

It’s pretty gloomy in New England this time of year. It feels like darkness has completely overpowered natural sunshine. While I could dwell on the negative aspects of winter, I am shifting my mindset this season. Everyday, I have committed to doing at least one thing that brings me joy. In order for this to actually work, I created a little list to reference when it’s time for my daily dose of joy. It’s simple, fun, and has a tremendous influence on my general wellbeing.

This little list of 50 items includes some of my personal “joy” favorites. EnJOY!

1. Smile.

2. Write a thank-you note to yourself (on your best stationery, of course).

3. Venture outside for a five-minute walk.

4. Indulge in a delicious piece of chocolate (or hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows!).

5. Find a piece of jewelry you haven’t worn in awhile – feels just like vintage shopping!

6. Pick fresh flowers or send yourself a little bouquet of favorite flowers.

7. Laugh – Visit a funny blog, watch a movie, or spend time with someone who makes you laugh.

8. Find serenity at a favorite local spot (ex. a park, a lake, a coffee shop, a little nook in your house or office).

9. Take one action towards a goal or dream.

10. Hit the pause button and spend five-minutes alone – allow your mind to become quiet.

11. Bake a favorite treat with a family member or friend — or bake alone and surprise someone special with yummy treats.

12. Discover an uplifting and fun song – something new.

13. Slow down and enjoy a long brunch.

14. Try a new fitness class.

15. Indulge in watching tv or reading a magazine – guilt free!

16. Declare a vacation day – write it BIG on your calendar so you get to anticipate this upcoming personal time (a vacation day can fall on the weekend).

17. Do a good deed — help someone else find joy.

18. Treat yourself to a favorite cup of coffee or tea – enjoy the flavors and activate your senses.

19. Be goofy! Dance around your room to your favorite music.

20. Explore the inspirational and joyful blog, Kind Over Matter.

21. Draw for fun.

22. Get rid of two items in your physical environment that make you feel negative.

23. Bite into a piece of fresh fruit.

24. Wear a color that makes you feel confident and joyful!

25. Write down three things that you are grateful for.

26. Call a supportive friend – or reconnect with someone you haven’t spoken to in awhile.

27. Watch the sunset from a beautiful location.

28. Discover something new.

29. Start a book that you’ve been meaning to read.

30. Begin a fun DIY project.

31. Frame a photo of a favorite memory.

32. Take five deep breaths and stretch.

33. Browse books at your local book store (may I suggest one book in particular, Perseverance).

34. Interview yourself (sounds foolish, but can be oh so fun!).

35. Try a new recipe.

36. Learn something new (ex. a new hobby or craft).

37. Redesign (use what you already own to redesign your space) an area of your office or home.

38. Write a thoughtful comment on a personal blog you read (comments mean the world to me – hint hint!).

39. Create a list of 10 things you love about your significant other – surprise him/her with the list.

40. Look on the bright side.

41. Take a short, relaxing nap. Wake up rejuvenated.

42. Ask for support from those you trust with a problem – solving a problem definitely adds joy to the day.

43. Disconnect for lunch – close your door, turn off the computer and blackberry, and simply enjoy a peaceful lunch break.

44. Search for a hidden treasure on Ebay or Etsy.

45. Write a hope note and leave it for someone to find.

46. Connect with your fellow tweeters. Send a tweet with a joyful message.

47. Donate one item (or your time) to a local charity.

48. Create a collage (or browse the outstanding galleries) on Polyvore.

49. Create a list of 10 things that make you happy – your own personal “joy” list.

50. Make a commitment to do at least one thing per day that adds joy to your life.

Tags: DIY, Ebay, Etsy, Joy, Kind Over Matter, Perseverance, polyvore, recipe, redesign, Twitter
Posted in: Balanced Life, Top Posts

We Are What We Do

November 16th, 2009 | 4 Comments »

Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Louis Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein.

- H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Giving Sometimes, a simple reminder and a few inspiring examples can create a beautiful ripple effect. Thanks to my primary roles, I am fortunate to be reminded every day to take simple actions that will create positive change for others. I can’t imagine my life without these actions, especially knowing that I am contributing actively to improving the lives of others.

We are very talented at making excuses to rationalize our inability to help improve our world. We are over scheduled and are looking to drop, not add items to our calendar, especially a recurring item (Yikes!). If you fall into this category, you are probably about ready to stop reading this article. But wait! This post is not meant to make anyone feel negative; instead, I want to inspire you and simplify this so-called process of “giving.”

Before reading further, jot down five actions that you would like to take at least once a week. Keep that list close as we engage in a short and simple, yet awe-inspiring exploration of a few sites on the World Wide Web. But be careful, this little journey may leave you with a new spark of passion.

Below are four examples that will serve as your primary destinations on this journey of inspiration.

Are you ready? Then, let’s begin!

1. We Are What We Do
Motto: small actions X lots of people = BIG Change
At time of posting, individuals have completed 4,731,696 actions – yes, that is almost FIVE MILLION actions!

From the project’s website: “Our small, simple actions. Do them everyday and you might just change the world.”

Twitter: @WeAreWhatWeDo

2. The Beckoning of Lovely (An Inspiring Film Project)
This project and its introduction film will give you goose bumps. I’ve watched it multiple times and it never ceases to amaze me!

Watch the video on YouTube.

From the project’s blog – describing the project:
WHAT’S THE WHOLE POINT?
Make. The. Most. Of. Your. Time. Here.

Twitter: @MissAmyKR

3. Hope Notes

From the project’s website:

Start a hope revolution!
You don’t need much more than pen and paper and the power of hope-FULL words. Or, if you want to get fancy, get out the colored markers, construction paper or glitter. It’s up to you. Add your messages of hope, and on the back or bottom of the note, include the URL hoperevo.com!

Twitter: @HOPErevo

4. 100 Book Project

Below is an excerpt from the full project description. Check out the project link above or this story for more information!

Imagine you are going about your day, minding your own business, doing what you normally do here, there and far away. Imagine noticing something out of the corner of your eye, a package in a brown paper bag with the words “This is a gift for YOU” written on it. Would you know that the YOU in that message was YOU? Would you dare accept a gift from a total stranger left on the windshield of your car, in your bicycle basket or on a bus bench?

This is my experiment, an exploration of gratitude, of sharing a gift in every sense of the word.

Twitter: @swirlygirl18

- – -

Now take a moment and review your list of weekly actions again. Is there something you would like to add? I would love for you to share your thoughts in the comments section!

You can change the world. Yes, YOU!

Tags: 100 Book Project, Hope Notes, The Beckoning of Lovely, We Are What We Do
Posted in: Authenticity, Balanced Life, Creativity, Inspiration

Live with Your Eyes Wide Open

July 8th, 2009 | 6 Comments »

The aspects of things that are most important to us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity.
-Ludwig Wittgenstein

Boy Using Telescope

On June 19th, I wrote a daily tip called “Be Perceptive.” That “daily tip” happens to be much more than just a hint; it is a reaction to what I’ve noticed recently relative to how I view life. In short, I have begun to apply my research-oriented analytical eye to my daily life. While this can be somewhat annoying, it is opening my eyes to the details—the little things—that I never noticed or took time to consider. I want to share this experience here and would love to read your personal reactions to the exercise. It will be interesting to see how something so simple can be assessed from so many different perspectives.

Be Perceptive

Stephen Covey ends his foreword for The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People with a powerful personal note to readers. Covey writes:

I have personally found living the 7 Habits a constant struggle – primarily because the better you get, the very nature of the challenge changes, just like skiing, playing golf, tennis, or any sport does. Because I sincerely work and struggle every day at living these principle-embodied habits, I warmly join you in this adventure.

The blurb on the cover of Covey’s book contains a similarly powerful message. Of note is that there is only one blurb on the book’s cover. Covey’s work contains six pages of the most beautifully crafted praises—the kinds of reviews most authors only dream of receiving. Read below the blurb chosen for the cover.

“A wonderful book that could change your life.” That one was written by Tom Peters, bestselling author of In Search of Excellence.

Now, focus on the quote above by Tom Peters. Why is it powerful? Why is it different than most cover blurbs that adorn self-improvement books? The answer can be seen in just one word. This one word, coupled with the note at the end of the foreword, highlight the most important element associated with personal change. Personal change can never be guaranteed by anyone or anything; only you hold that guarantee.

Reflect

We typically move at an incredibly fast pace, one that limits what we can actually digest. We lose a great deal of what the “little things” have to offer us. In essence, we are skimming life the same way we skim words in a book. Because of this, we lose a great deal of the meaning.

Take Home Message

Be perceptive before you encounter that climatic cliffhanger. Start noticing more than just what appears on the surface of life.

It’s Your Turn

It is now your chance to set your own example. Here, the message is simply too important for you to skim. Prove to yourself that you will change your life. It’s certainly a struggle to accomplish this, but that struggle—to live with your eyes wide open—is worth everything.

You decide: what is the one word answer?
You could change your life.

Remember, you are the only person who can guarantee that change. You must become your own best example.

Tags: Daily Tips, Perception, Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Posted in: Balanced Life, Inspiration

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Archive for the ‘Balanced Life’ Category

34 Ways to Enjoy the Winter Days

Are You Enough?

Me101: A New Beginning

Let Yourself Grow

It’s Okay

What will you do with your blank canvas?

A New and Fun Approach to Gift Giving

50 Ways to Add Joy to Your Day

We Are What We Do

Live with Your Eyes Wide Open

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