Be yourself

Often we act in a way that is not our a reflection of our natural self.


We try to be more clever, talk with a better voice, pretend to be somebody that we aren't.

But why do we do this? Are we afraid of who we really are? Do we want to appear to be 'better' than we think that we are?

By trying to appear to be someone 'better', we are undermining our own self worth.

Each of us is special, unique, with our own strengths and weaknesses.

We should be proud of the person that we are, rather than constantly trying to make others think that we are better than we are.

If they don't like the true you, then that is their problem, not yours.

Be true to yourself, be proud of yourself, be yourself.

Take time

There are times when life gets busy. There just seems to be more and more to do each day and there doesn't seem to be enough time to get it all done.

But do we really have to do all of these things? Often we do them through routine, not even remembering why we started to do them in the first place.

It is important to have time out from all of these pressures, to allow your mind to rest from the constant onslaught of screens and information.

Take the time to sit, to relax, to clear your mind. Time spent in this way is not wasted time, it is recharge time.

For some people, this may be a chance to just sit and listen to music, for others, a chance to meditate. Whatever calms your mind is right for you.

So take some time out today. Relax your mind, switch off from the world, even if it is only for a few minutes.

Then you can return to your day feeling relaxed and ready to continue.

I want to feel loved

When we have been in a relationship for a long time, the original love turns to more of a companionship.

We still enjoy each others company, but often we forget to show each other that we do indeed love each other. We take it for granted.

But this can lead to a feeling that we are no longer loved and this can grow into a feeling of resentment.

Therefore it is important in any relationship to show love, to make your partner feel loved.

Simply holding hands, cuddling, kissing and the most important thing: remembering to say 'I love you' all help to keep that feeling of being loved alive.

Make a choice

 Throughout our lives we are faced with a multitude of choices.


These can be simple ones such as which flavour of ice cream to have, or more important ones, such as choosing a partner, job or home.

Our choices control how we move through life, so important ones should be thought through, to ensure that we make the right decision wherever possible.

When faced with a choice, sometimes we make the decision not to choose, to either let somebody else make the choice for us, or to just let things take their course.

But not making a choice is still making a choice, we just have less control about the consequences.

Whichever way you choose to live your life, choose wisely, for the best of reasons and most importantly, be confident and determined to make your choice shape your life into one that you can be proud of.

Chasing success

Many people see others succeeding at things, and think that they are lucky, that the success has come easily to them.


But the truth is that success always needs to be worked at.

To some people success comes easier than to others, but it still has to cultivated.

If you want to succeed, then you must be willing to put in the work, no matter how easy or hard this is.

The harder that you have to work at succeeding, the sweeter the success feels when it finally happens.

If you sit back, hoping that success will somehow land neatly in your lap without having to try, then you will always be disappointed.

But work hard and it won't be far away.

Motivation

Sometimes we get to the point where we want to do something, but we just can't seem to motivate ourselves.


We often encourage and motivate others, but forget to do the same for ourselves.

When we get into this mind set, we need to motivate ourselves to get up and moving.

To do something that needs doing, or just to get off of the sofa and go out for a walk.

Each day we should set a challenge, a goal. It doesn't have to be big. (unless you want it too)

It could be as simple as doing an odd job around the house that has been waiting to be done for ages, or phoning a friend that we haven't spoken to for a long time.

Use each day to push yourself, to learn and develop, motivate yourself to be the best that you can.

Do you need more?

Often the people in this world that have the most are the very people who want more and more material things.


But do we really need all of these things? Do we really need an iphone 6 when our iphone 5 works fine? Do we need a bigger TV, just because we can when the old one works fine?

Instead of obsessing about getting new things, we should look at how much we already have, remember how lucky we are.

There are people in this world that have no phone, have no TV, don't even have a home.

We should look at how blessed we are to have what we have, no matter how much or how little we have.

Having more, the latest thing doesn't bring ultimate happiness, at least not for long. Do you really need more?

Make today count

Every new day is a new chance to make the most of things.


If events didn't happen yesterday the way that you had planned, make today a new chance to try again.

If you have things that you need to do, but never seem to get around to, start them today.

Our lives are short, we only have a finite time on this Earth. We should make each day count. Fill it with meaningful activities, make a difference.

Don't waste time wondering and thinking, worrying about what might or might not happen because this will just lead to more wasted time, which can't be claimed back.

So do today those things that you have been putting off. End the day knowing that you truly have made it count.

Believe in yourself

When things go wrong or become difficult, it is very easy to think that the fault lies within yourself.

Sometimes this may be true, but often it is because of situations outside of your control.

It is important to believe in yourself, to realize that you are strong and capable.

If you blame yourself for everything that goes wrong in your life, then you will dent your confidence, start to believe that you are not able to able to do things and it is a self fulfilling prophecy, stopping you from achieving your full potential.

So believe in yourself and your abilities. Be strong, see yourself for the wonderful, unique person that you are - believe, grow, live.

Time out

As we rush through our lives, we try to fill each and every moment with things that we need to do.

We sometimes forget what it feels like to de-stress and relax.

But this is important. We should make the space to take some time out.

Take the time to just enjoy your surroundings in a relaxing way.

Maybe a walk outside, in a wood, beside a river or the ocean.

Visit a spa, read a book, have a scented bath.

Whatever makes you feel good, lifts your mood, gives you time away from the usual daily grind.

Your mental well being is important. Without it, the work that you have to do each day becomes harder, drains you faster.

So take this time, recharge your batteries, lift your mood, and return to your work feeling refreshed and invigorated.

 

Total Solar Eclipse

Back on 11th September 1999 I was lucky enough to see a total solar eclipse, which was something that was on my 'Must see' list.

We arranged to go on holiday that week to Cornwall, so that we would get the best view.

It was both the most beautiful and the most eerie thing that I have ever experienced.

We watched through special glasses as the eclipse began. Slowly, slowly, more of the sun was covered, but we were surprised that it didn't really seem to be getting much darker.

And then, the sun winked out of existence and the world blinked into darkness, as though somebody had flipped a light switch.

As darkness fell, the birds took off and flew to their roosting places, thinking that night had fallen prematurely.

The world became silent!

The sudden drop in temperature called forth strange winds which weren't there a minute before.

We watched in awe as the sun's corona flickered and shone like a circle of diamonds in the sky.

Then without warning, a slither of sun reappeared and the light came back to the world.

The birds began to sing again and light and heat came back.

It's an experience that will stay with me for ever.

The betrayal, the end!

She sat on the edge of the bridge, looking down into the swirling water. She didn't understand how this had happened.

She thought back. She had worked so hard, so tirelessly, spurred on by promises, which had evaporated like morning mist.

But here she sat, with nothing! Why did this happen? Why now? She had had such hopes, such dreams.

How could another person be so callous? How could they promise the world and then steal it away from her.

She could see no way out, no life. Everything was gone. She had given her all, there was nothing left.

She jumped!

Down, down she fell, into the dark, cold water. It's icy fingers hit her, like a million sharp needles penetrating her flesh. It closed over her head.

Her lungs took an involuntary breath, rebelling against the sudden cold.

She panicked as her mouth and lungs filled with water, her arms and legs flailing.

Then calmness fell upon her, she fell slowly, slowly downwards into the depths.

The world grew dim, winked out. She was free!

 

Keeping love alive

When we first enter into a new relationship, we are swept up in overwhelming love.


But as months and years go past and the relationship settles into a long term one, this first rush of love fades.

At this point it is very important to work at love, to keep it alive within the relationship.

Otherwise we can begin to take the other person for granted or resent them because we don't feel as though they love us anymore.

Just little things can make all the difference. Saying those 3 magic words 'I love you' or simply saying thank you.

Remember also to make time to be together, make a date. It could just be for a romantic walk, or maybe a visit to the cinema or a meal out.

Keep the romance fresh and the relationship will stay strong. Forget to work at it and you may find yourselves drifting apart.

Stop waiting

How many times have you said that you wanted to do something, but that the time wasn't right?


But is there ever a 'right' time? If we wait until things are perfect, we could be wasting many opportunities to better ourselves and our friends and families.

More often than not, that time of perfection will never come.

Rather than waiting, we should be asking ourselves if the time is good enough right now.

If it is, then we should stop waiting and start doing. We should start living our lives and our dreams today, rather than waiting for that elusive moment of perfection, which rarely arrives.

Find a way

When we are doing something, and reach a point where we can can no further, we feel frustrated and feel like just giving up.


But do you really want to give up? If you do, then all of the work that you have done up to now, all of the effort and time will have been for nothing.

Sometimes, when things get stuck, the easiest thing is to walk away. But instead of walking away never to return, think of it more as a way to regroup, to allow your mind to think it through.

Think about alternative routes around your blockage, see if there is another way.

Often the answer to the problem comes out of the blue, like the proverbial light bulb moment.

So, if you really want something to happen, want to succeed hard enough, find a way.

Happy Mother's Day

Today in the UK it is Mothers Day.

It's a day to celebrate our Mothers and all of the wonderful times that we have spent together over the years.

Today, and everyday, we should treasure our Mothers, remembering the memories that we have forged and  the good times that we have had together.

Mothers are wonderful.  They selflessly care and protect us, even if that means missing out so that we can have what we need.

They are there for us when we are ill, making us our favourite food to temp our tastebuds.

They are there when we achieve, sharing our joy.

They listen when we need to talk, quietly giving advice, guidance and comfort.

So take the time today to remember your Mother, visit, talk take a small gift.

If your Mother has passed away, take the time to cherish the memories that you built during your time together.

And if you are a Mother yourself, I hope that your children treat you in the manner that you deserve.

Happy Mothers Day.

Accept interruptions

 Often when we are engrossed in a task, we get interrupted and we may feel angry because it has interfered with our flow of thought.


But these sort of interruptions are going to happen, no matter what we do.

Instead of getting angry and frustrated, we should try to accept that they are going to happen, despite our best plans and adapt to them.

Sometimes they may actually aid us, by giving us important information or by making our day more interesting.

We should look upon them as opportunities, rather than inconveniences.

If our lives had no interruptions, imagine how boring they would be.

Accept and use these interruptions as a way of adding to the richness of your life.

In hot water!

I was lying in a hot bath earlier and it made me think about just how much I take hot water for granted. I expect to turn on the tap and there it is.

But it wasn't always that way. When I was little, we had an immersion heater for hot water, but it was expensive to run, so it only got switched on for Sunday bath night.

And even then, it was only good for one hot bath, so I had to share with my siblings. We had a big cast iron bath and we all piled in together.

If we needed hot water for anything during the week, then we had to boil the kettle on the stove.

How things have changed. We now have constant hot water whenever we need it and we take it totally for granted - until something goes wrong with the boiler.

A life full of experiences

This world is full of experiences, full of things to see and do.

To not see or do some of them during our life would be missing out on something amazing.

These things bring excitement, teach us about ourselves and gives us a passion for life.

They make us live life rather than just meandering through it.

There are many things that I would love to do before I die, such as seeing the Northern Lights, swimming with dolphins, visiting the Great Barrier Reef amongst others.

Some things I have already ticked off of my list, such as climbing a mountain and taking a balloon flight.

Even many years later, the memories of these things bring back those feelings of excitement and achievement.

So what would you like to achieve? Whether it be something big, or small, start taking the steps to make your dreams a reality today.

Strive for better

When life is bad and things are going wrong, it is easy to slip into a negative mindset and start to accept the way things are for us, thinking that they will never change.


But if we never strive to make things better, then things can never improve.

In order to make our lives better, we have to try to make them better.

Instead of just accepting a run of bad luck, learn from it, so that you can improve in the future.

Don't just sit and think that what you have is what you deserve.

We must all continue to strive for better throughout our lives, so that we can get the life that we truly deserve.

Don't be afraid to ask

If we do not ask questions, how can we learn.


If we say 'Yes, I understand' when we really don't, who are we fooling?

Not understanding is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign that we are willing to learn.

Our lives are short, we need to continue to learn throughout them. For in this way, we not only learn about the world around us, but we also learn much about ourselves.

So if you don't know, instead of pretending that you do, be honest. You will gain more respect from saying so.

The reply of 'I don't know, but I will try and find out.' is far better than simply shrugging your shoulders and walking away or pretending that you know when you don't.
 
So don't be afraid to ask, don't be afraid to admit that you don't know. Don't be afraid to learn and grow.

The evolution of best friends

When I was little, my best friends were the other children in my class at school. We would meet up at each others house to play, chat and eat.

We vowed that we would be best friends for ever, and nothing would ever pull us apart.

But as we got older, took up different interests and went to different schools, our friendships inevitably faded and died.

When I took my first job, I made new best friends, but again, as we found new jobs, we grew apart, lost contact.

When my children were born, I made best friends with other Mums, but as our children grew up, our friendships grew apart.

But now, most of my best friends are people that I have never met. They are cyber best friends that I have met through social networking and forums.

Some I have gone on to meet, but many I have not. But does that make them any less of a best friend?

We still discuss our lives, hopes and wishes, we are still there for one another when something goes wrong.

So yes, I would count my online friends as true best friends. Do you?

Keep up!

When I was young, there were no mobiles phones, no computers, no games consoles, no Facebook or Twitter.


How things have changed in just a few short years. Technology and life in general moves so fast that sometimes it is difficult to keep up.

Self service tills, mobile wallets, online banking, smart televisions, things change, things evolve.

I remember taking appointments in an office and writing them in a book, because there wasn't a computer.

To do my weekly food shop, I had to pull a loaded trolley back up the hill from the shops. Now I shop online and get it delivered to my door.

But, if the computer system breaks down, everything grinds to a halt because we have become so reliant on technology.

Although we often yearn for the simpler life, before modern technology, if we do not keep up, then we will be at a real disadvantage.

We must embrace these new things in order for life to run smoothly, no matter how much we would like not to at times.

So the next time you go shopping, give that self service till a try, it may be easier than you think.

Keep up, keep living, keep learning.

Just do it!

You have a project, or an idea, you've thought it through, worked out that you can do it, but that's as far as you have got.


What it stopping you?

There is always the fear that you could fail, but if you don't try, you will never succeed.

Are you worried about it wasting time and energy?

By doing the task, you will learn about yourself and grow towards your full potential.

Often the hardest thing about a project is starting. Once you have done so, things flow, progress - it just takes that first step.

So why are you still thinking things through? Just do it!

The power of a smile

A smile is a simple thing, but it is also a very powerful thing.


It has the ability to make us feel cared for, loved, uplifted and happy.

Smiling is also infectious. Who can not smile back when a baby smiles at us.

Smiling makes us feel good. It releases happy hormones in our body.

When we smile at others, it makes them feel that we care about them and about what they do.

When somebody is ill or afraid, a smile can make all of the difference. Both reassuring them and making them feel happier in themselves.

So don't be afraid to use this most powerful of tools.

Smile at the world, and the world will smile right back at you.

Be at peace with yourself

Our lives are busy, our lives are full of problems, frustrations and challenge.

These things can prey on our mind, make us anxious, make us feel on edge.

But we can let go of the negative feelings associated with these things.

That doesn't mean that we let go of the problems and past events that have troubled us, but that we become at peace with them, cease to let them rule us.

We should aim to see them from a different perspective, as an outsider if you like.

This way we become less encumbered by negative emotions, we release ourselves and become at peace within our own mind, we free ourselves from that inner turmoil.

In this was we can become more efficient problem solvers, we stop fighting against ourselves.

We will still care, will still love, but we will be in a better position in which to give our best.

Be Happy

Whether we go through our lives being happy and enjoying things or whether we go through life being a grump is mostly down to us.

We can choose to be happy, even when life throws difficulties in our path.

Sometimes there is nothing that we can do about the bad stuff, it's going to happen no matter what.

But we can choose how we deal with it. We can shake our head, shrug our shoulders, smile and get on with it, or we can be unhappy about it and moan and groan.

Staying as happy as possible somehow makes the tough stuff seem easier.

Trying to stay happy also effects those around us if we are grumpy and miserable, then people are less likely to want to talk to us and help us.

But if we choose to be happy, then they will be happy with us and be more likely to help us and be friendly back.

There are those days when only grumpy will fit! Nobody is perfect and bad days happen. But if we do our best to become happy again as soon as we can, then all will be well in the long run.

 

Let go of pain

How often have you been on the sharp end of somebody elses anger. How often have you been blamed for something that isn't your fault. How often has somebody spread untruths about you.


It is easy to feel hurt and betrayed in these circumstances, but the problem lies not with you, but with the person who has caused this pain.

Instead of holding onto the pain, it is wise to try to rise above it, not to be pulled down by anger, upset and pain, not to retaliate.

If you are not in the wrong, allow yourself to move on, rather than letting a small sore fester into a large, open wound, destroying your feelings of self worth along the way.

Hold your head up high, walk tall and show the world what a wonderful person that you really are.