Pearl of Wisdom No.82 - Digital Detoxing

I'm sure you've read, seen or heard about how smart phones, tablets and even too much TV is turning humanity into unsocial techno zombies who can't live with out there devices by their side right? Did you ever consider that it could also be influencing how you identified yourself with the world and the affect that has on your well being and self esteem ?

Through her looking glass - Jemma Andrew-Adiamah

Today I want to introduce you to a lady who's blog I have totally fallen in love with this year, we share the same passions and are inspired by the same people, her blog is on my must reads list each week and I know you will love her too!

Grace + Gratitude - What I learnt from Sarah Peck

I've been wanting to write this post for ages, not because I've been asked to but because of what happened when I signed up for this course - it became such a powerful time in my life and set off a year of some really significant changes in my life, ones that were truly magical.

Steps to finding your Mojo when it's MIA!

My blogging mojo has seriously been missing lately, I've found it a bit of a struggle getting back in to the swing of planning, creating and writing for the blog, but here I am, second post of the week! (Do check out the first - this weeks Pearl of Wisdom)

With the run up to Christmas upon us and distractions a plenty like shopping, partying and deciding whether its gonna be turkey, ham or a nut loaf (this is a real life discussion in my family!) it's easy to find yourself getting off course with the things that matter to you and anything that takes you away from your passion and dreams, anything that distracts from taking care of you will leave you feeling frustrated, even down right disheartened.

So here are my top tips to getting that mojo back to the party...

A Wednesday Pearl of Wisdom - Pearl Number 74

I know, it's a Wednesday but this post was too good to save until next week and I'm aware of the lack of Pearls on the blog lately so decided to share this with you today...

I was totally spoilt for choice when looking for a quote to match up with today's theme but decided this one from John Holmes was my favourite to use here, simple but powerful.

So I'm going to tell you a little story, a lovely lady who is in my blogging circle of friends had her second baby last year and has spent the following 12 months enjoying every single moment spent at home with her two little ones, her youngest has just turned one years old and the time to return to work has come round quicker than she expected.

We had spoken a few times leading up to this about how she was feeling as her return to the working world was parallel to my exit as my maternity leave started. Becca has been dreading this moment for a while and mentioned how she wished she could remain at home with the kids and have her blog as her main source of work (BTW check her out at Keeping Up with the Joneses this is the cutest lifestyle blog full of family, fashion and beauty!). I always love reading Becca's posts and often ask her advice on beauty products, and have always encouraged her to go for her dreams too as I know it would mean so much to her to spend her days investing in two of the things she is most passionate about, her babies and her blog.

So the dreaded day came for her on Monday and as I checked my Instagram feed that morning I came across a gorgeous picture of her baby boy with a caption about how much she would miss him and how sad she was feeling, I know this feeling well as I have already done it once when I had Miss LC and I sent her a simple message just to cheer her up and hoped it might help her a little.

Photo from Becca Galanopoulos

Later in the evening I returned back to Instagram and found another picture from Becca with the loveliest message for me underneath, Becca had written down my words and taken them with her, she told me it had really helped her to keep things in perspective and reminded her what she was trying to achieve, it had helped her get through that first awful day!

I was really blown away by this, never did I expect that what I had written would make such a big impact and I was thrilled to know that I had made her day a bit easier and lighter, such a simple message but what an amazing difference it went on to have...

I have been reading a lot lately about a certain line of thought and it goes like this, to serve others is the greatest gift you can give to the world and will make the biggest difference to those around you, I believe in this so much and love seeing it in action, knowing that my words had made her day lighter and more bearable was magic!

Now maybe it's just coincidence but I had my own Instagram magic moment this morning where someone has reached out to me and offered their own kindness because of a picture posted there, this only goes to reinforce to me that the vibes you put out there and the energy you want to feel will always come back to you if you support others in the same way.

So this week, how could you make a difference to someone else in need with a simple word or thought? Could you reach out to another to help them over come a hurdle, not for your gain but to simple make their day better? Maybe you have a story you could share here? I would love to read them!

5 Ways to get through Christmas graciously...

So there is no escaping it now, it's December and the month of Christmas is finally here! 

I've been noticing a lot lately how many people are not over joyed at this prospect and I understand that for many Christmas can be a difficult and emotional time, so if you are feeling more "Bah-Humbug" than "Tis the season to be jolly" here are some ways to put a little bit of grace into the impending festivities...

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” - Plato

• No one of knows truly what others are thinking or feeling this holiday season, although some people might put on a happy face they may be feeling very sad or low inside, showing some kindness, even if you don't agree or understand their ideas, don't like how they behave or what they say, will go along way. If someone you know is having a tough time, give them slack, maybe it's your generosity in love that will make the difference?

“No one has ever become poor by giving.”- Anne Frank

• This doesn't necessarily mean spending loads of money on others, being lavish or breaking the bank, instead let it mean giving of spirit and compassion instead, bringing joy and happiness. Sounds a bit airy fairy I know but at this time of year we focus a lot on what we have to buy and the money side of things, I wonder if we could all think of ways to give that didn't cost a penny? Maybe making something with a personal touch or  take some time to give your services to other, local homeless centre or pet shelter, maybe you could buy a small gift for a child in hospital or at a refuge..?

“No one is more insufferable than he who lacks basic courtesy.”  - Bryant McGill

• OK, OK, I know this is a tough one, especially if you have to spend the day with an in-law you can't stand, your crazy great aunt or suffer the annoying boss at your Christmas party! Remember you get what you give out or another way to put it, treat others the way you would want to be treated. I'm not suggesting you be a door mat and let others speak to you or treat you like dirt, I'm suggesting you practice the art of being the bigger person, if another wants to act in a bitter or negative manner let that be their problem, not yours!

  “All the statistics in the world can't measure the warmth of a smile.” - Chris Hart

• So true, a smile goes along way, you can never underestimate the power of it. At this time of the year everybody gets wrapped up in their busy Christmas plans, rushing about and being caught up in what they are doing, spread some cheer about, smile at someone each day that you wouldn't normally smile at, you never know it could make them want to pass that smile on...

“Though sympathy alone can't alter facts, it can help to make them more bearable." 

- Bram Stoker

•  I have already touch on this above, people have a hard time at this time of year, you may know some one who has lost someone they loved, been made redundant, suffered a trauma or is experiencing depression, reaching out to them may not change how they feel but will help make the situation easier to bear, remember to let others experience Christmas in a way that makes them comfortable.

As a side note I have noticed already there is a lot of negativity about Christmas around, this makes me so sad, it seems that people will always choose to celebrate the season in a different way to others and I wonder if we could try to just be happy for them and the fun they are having, the traditions they keep and the way they do things, even if it is different to our ways, even if we don't agree, because who are we to say that anything is wrong, different strokes for different folks and all that.

This year we have done the decorations on the 1st, the elf thing and the hand drawn Christmas cards by LC, and we are doing these things for us, because it makes our family happy, because we have had a shitty year and by getting a bit crazy and excited for Christmas it helps to be grateful for the things we do have, you know focusing on the positive rather than the negative. We don't do it out of guilt or one up man-ship, we do it because that is what we want for our family, if other people are doing it, great! If they are not, OK! So before I start to pass comment on how another person is or isn't celebrating Christmas I will remind myself to stop, take a moment and be happy for them that they are doing what feels right for them, because I don't know their circumstances and I don't get the whole picture from making assumptions, maybe they have had a shitty year like me too and are celebrating or not celebrating right now because of that. And if they are having an Christmas extravaganza for one up man-ship, to portray an image, because they feel guilty or like they have too then I would like to be gracious enough not to spend too much time dwelling on it and focus on what makes my family happy instead. Why can't people just be happy and accepting for others instead, why all the bad feeling? - Anyway just my thoughts...

Monday's Moments of Wisdom - Pearl Number 58

I came across this quote again at the weekend, it's one of my favourites!

Last week felt like a bit of a start to a journey for me, I can't really tell you why but something in me just clicked, all I can say is that I feel like I a have a bright light inside of me glowing outwards and it feels amazing - for once I feel completely uplifted and full of joy - about everything and anything!

Though people around me are a bit surprised to hear this, after months of battling with my emotions it feels like I'm on top of it all a bit! Some days it's brighter than others but it just feels like a relief to feel good about life, myself and the future...

I can't guarentee them or myself how long this will last, a while I hope, it doesn't feel like it's going away anytime soon. I think it has come from months of really working hard on how I feel and what I can do to keep myself lifted and moving forward, I wasn't sure I was making progress but in the last week I've had a chance to really reflect on the last year and I've realised how far I've come in the last 12 months despite A LOT of adversity and now I see that those dark and negative experiences can only make myself and my life better and more richer in the long run.

It's helped to have a few good people around me, supporting me and believing that at some point I would find this place, so this week I have made a step, quite a big step actually in really loving who I am and my world around me and I am so excited to see what this new journey has in store for me...

Taking steps to start a new journey can be hard, what helps to make this possible? What hurdles need to be overcome and what expectations are there? Knowing what drives you really helps I think! 

Make this Autumn a great one...

So it's safe to say we are well in to the new season! Halloween has passed, so has Bonfire night, Christmas may be on your mind now (maybe not?) and it's definitely time to brake out the winter woollies!

It's also a time when the winter blues can set in a bit, the festive season sometimes keeps our spirit up until January but if you are bah humbug about it all then you may already be feeling you mood dropping along with the temperatures...

So here I have put together some ideas about how to keep those spirits lifted through this season and in to the next!

Eat for Mind, Body and Soul

Last week we were carving pumpkins like everyone else and I was determined not to waste anything!

So we roasted seed by removing most of the flesh and blotting with paper towel, set them out on a baking try with a sprinkle of salt and cinnamon and put them in the oven for about 15 minutes, until they were a golden brown, let me tell you they were delicious, what a great snack too! I have a great Flapjack recipe here which I used pumpkin seeds in, it's a family favourite.

With the flesh I boiled it up in a big sauce pan with some carrots and a bit of vegetable stock, then I blended adding some tomato paste and creme freche for taste, eat with some crusty bread - a perfect autumnal lunch to warm and comfort you.

These next few months brings us many great seasonal goodies to try, learn a new recipe and experiment with, munching on as much fruit and veg as you can get your hand on will keep away the winter bugs too!

Do something different

The change in weather may see you becoming more of a home body, hibernating from the cold air and the dark evenings, this can lead to you being stuck on the sofa eating left over Halloween candy or mince pies and not feeling great about your life and a bit stagnated, so why don't you mix things up a little?

This week I came across a great idea from a lady who felt a bit bored with her life but knew she couldn't just drop it all due to the normal responsibilities and pressure of every day life so instead she decided to do one new thing a month and boy did she do some amazing things! Get inspired and read more about her adventures on her blog Mrs Ayla's Adventures.

So even though the year is nearly out you can still start planning some new things for the autumn/winter months, is there anything new you'd like to try or place you want to visit? Maybe there is class you have always wanted to take or event you want to go to? Is it your dream to fly to Lapland at Christmas or attend a lavish New Years ball in a stunning floor length gown? Ok well maybe they are  on my list of new things to do but you get the picture right?

Cosy up together! 

You may have seen me write this before but one of my favourite things about the darker evenings is cosying up with my little family and having some down time together and we have been making late Sunday afternoons movie time! LC is old enough now to sit down and really understand and enjoy films and we have been watching some good ones, we get snugly under blankets and indulge in a few treats its nice to just slow down and enjoy being together.

Having a family ritual is really exciting and fun to do, you may have young or older children and start something new with them, anything you can do as a family, feeding the ducks on a Saturday morning  for instance. You may be single or a couple and start a weekend ritual with your parents like meeting at the pub for a pint and a roast dinner or you could plan to meet up with your siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews at the cinema or start a family bowling league, even hot chocolate and skating at the ice rink, what ever you fancy! Go on start a new family tradition this weekend!

Minding yourself

One of my latest discoveries is mindfulness, it's been helping me to manage these last couple of months of ups and downs and allowed me to discover so much about myself, how I think and what really matters to me, I am definitely feeling more present in my life now. Learning to be in the moment instead of worrying about the past or present can really help balance out your mood and general wellbeing.

A great website that I have discovered lately is bemindful.co.uk - go and see what you think!
Another great website is Head Space - they have a great meditation app that I love using too!

I'd love to know more about what you're getting up to this season, how do you plan to get through the chilly and damp months ahead? Any great ideas or tips to share? Do leave me a comment below!