Ahh 2012 …. don’t you all just love a new year?

Of course all moments are a new beginning but there is something essentially symbolic about starting a new number when we write the date.  Plus I love … let me rephrase … I LOVE starting a new diary with all the fresh pages and filling in all the reminders.  Small things delight me, what can I say…

After all the excesses of the last week or two I’m definitely ready to get back into living a more economical life again.  All those mulled wine, chocolate filled and yes I will have another slice days are over and to be perfectly honest I say good riddance  … I don’t know about you but I get a bit bored with it all after Christmas Day.  My thoughts turn to newness and activity around the 27^th Dec and I like to go into prep mode.  Unfortunately I still carry on eating all the bits whilst prepping so by the time the new year actually begins I am not only ready mentally to move on but my body is as well!

Each year I like to set an intention or two for the year; not a goal but more of an underpinning for all my choices.  This year my main one is to have greater awareness & understanding about the wider effects my decisions have [especially with what I choose to purchase] my second one is to be a whole lot more proactive when it comes to getting things done – basically to be a bit more gutsy/ballsy.  All up I’m excited about the year ahead … it’s going to be a great one! 

What are your intentions for 2012?

Some previous postings you might like to read:

•  Delight in all the turns of your life
• Simplicity Thursday – 5 things to do whilst boiling the kettle
• 20 ways to make life harder

Well, helloooo to all   It has been quite the while since I graced the virtual pages of this blog and I am glad to be returning.  I am giving my typing fingers a try out today to pen a few lines in an effort to reacquaint myself with things and for you all to reacquaint with me.

Much has happened to me – both externally and most certainly internally – since I was greeting you all weekly.  My inner journey is beginning to mellow slightly now though, my ascent is not as steep and I am getting back this week into doing many of the things which I did prior to my sojourn.  However, as with many things that happen to us in life and this most certainly is the case with inner growth, I feel I carry a new attitude with me this time as I go back to things that were once so familiar.  Possibly, not so much an attitude but a deeper understanding of my own place within this world along with a redistribution of the hierarchy of what is and is not important in life. 

2010 thus far, has really been quite the humdinger for me and in all I have learnt a lot about myself – from experiences, from revisiting my teenage brain and from people telling me their impressions of me from years ago – all very enlightening.  Whilst some of the external happenings have been upsetting and unexpected, they were none the less all part of a journey.  A journey, which for the most part, I was a mere bystander to; not the ‘main attraction’. 

Although my role was crucial it was also to be secondary.  It is, I feel, about understanding that sometimes when we give of ourselves we do so, so others can fully receive.  That it is in our acceptance of not being the centre and asking for nothing in return that we are gifted with both the knowledge of another’s depth as well as an insight into our own.

I am looking forward to getting back into blogging as well as catching up with some of my Twitter friends and inspirers who I have greatly neglected of late.  I have been toying with some new plans for on here so I will keep you all posted and we shall see together what road we/I/the blog takes. 

Enjoy

photo courtesy of Scott*eric via Flickr [cc]

A few of my previous blogs you might like to check out:

Life is in the doing not the having 

Delight in all the turns of your life

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Is there something you carry around within yourself that weighs you down? That has become a burden  because you feel you cannot ‘let it out’?  Is there something you wish you would have said to another or not said?

This post is for release. Release from what ever it is you no longer wish to carry the full weight of within.  It may help to unburden you a lot or just a little.  You may think it will not help at all but decide to release it in a comment below anyway.

‘A burden shared is a burden halved’ as the old saying goes

By placing your comment below, the energy of those thoughts or feelings you hold within are moved.  A part of them shifts from within you into something else.

Tell a something you no longer wish to carry the full burden of, whether big or small.   Something you hold the regret of not doing or saying to another or your self, something you haven’t been, felt or accomplished.  What ever you feel is holding you back from being all you can be, forgive yourself for it.

You are more than welcome to comment anonymously, use a nom de plume or your real name; what ever you feel comfortable with.  An email address is not required to comment.   I will accept your comment in the spirit in which it is written then let it go; the energy of which now free to flow elsewhere.  In the process  sending good energies back to you and trust you will send good energies to those whose comments resonate with you.

~~ If no one comments that is okay.  Often it can be hard to let go of internal burdens which we have gotten used to carrying; any comment left is a step closer to a more enlightened life, but each walks that journey at their own pace.  Be well.

Enjoy

(cc) photo credit: alancleaver_2000

Other posting you might like:

Our choices make our life

Take at least a small step each day

Where is the energy taking you?

Happiness, fulfilment – what’s stopping you?

Benefits of a neutral colour scheme

Grey, taupe, ivory, creams and white can all be seen as part of a neutral colour scheme.  Sticking to one makes life very simple.

Grey is a bit more formal than the others with taupe being a slightly warmer shade of grey.  With white all colours are present, it offers purity but if you think it is a bit ‘too pure’ or sterile some of the shades of ivory or cream have a slightly more subdued feel to them.  Whilst we often think of these muted tones as being the neutrals, black also can be included.  It is the absence of all colours, thus goes with everything and can add an element of drama.

The Benefits:

1. Neutral colour schemes are often more relaxing as there is less busyness for the eye to comprehend

2. Neutral tones have been ‘fashionable’ for ages so won’t look dated as quickly

3. They are easy to change the look of with little or no cost

4. They are very flexible.

5. If you have a mish mash of different furniture styles it can all be co ordinated by painting them in a neutral shade like white / pale cream.

6. Possessions like books, pictures, photos or collections look great against a pale back drop – think art galleries

7. White paint is always the least expensive

8. You don’t have to worry about the colours not going together

9. Neutral schemes are easily changed with the season or when you fancy a different look/mood

10. Coloured household accessories can easily be moved to a different room to create a new look for no cost

11. If alot of your stuff is in muted neutral tones things never look as messy!

12. Neutral adapts to any style you favour- modern, french provincial, shabby chic, minimalist, etc

13. It is a great basis to let you creative juices flow from

14. You can make it warm looking in the winter, fresh looking in the spring.

By keeping the basic colour scheme of a room neutral you open it up to a multitide of options.  Imagine adding  a cushion or throw, a vase of flowers, coloured picture or even a large bowl of fruit into the scenes below.  It would change the look of the room and highlight whatever you put into it – including yourself .

photo credit: (cc) philaLAB

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photo credit: (cc) Gatsby’sList

Enjoy

Other posts you may like:

Simplicity tip #7

Simplicity tip #1

Top 3 habits to simplify your life

It’s true, things come and go.  We do, possessions do and so do other people and experiences; it’s all part of life.  The part of our life that resides in the physical world.  Grasping onto something or someone in the hope that it will always be the same can cause much sadness and upset.  Yet, at the same time understanding that things come and go also offers relief in the realisation that something we do not enjoy going through will eventually pass.

The essence of who we truly are is at the centre of all that goes on around us but is not governed by time or form.  It doesn’t come and go, it just is – eternally.  When we understand that this is who we really are and that everything is interconnected we realise we can never really have or loose anything, because it is already part of us.

All our physical bodies go through, whether we feel it is good or bad, pleasurable or not will ultimately pass.  Another possession or experience will come and take its place and the sequence will begin all over again.  It may not be the same as the one before or even similar but it will be replaced none the less.  This is the case because life in the formed world is always evolving, changing.

Heraclitus said ‘you can never step in the same river twice’

No two moments are the same even if we are standing still in an empty room and certainly not if we are experiencing life.  Sometimes it is hard for us to be at ease with change, especially big change.  As humans, we must feel a certain sense of control within our life/situation or stress levels can rise.  However, by coming to terms with how the world and events are continually changing we can ‘roll with the punches’ or ‘go with the flow’ more easily.  That doesn’t mean we don’t grieve or feel happy at things it just means we get that it is an external process.

Realising that everything is always in a state of movement ironically helps us deal with it.  Helps us understand that when something happens (especially stuff we don’t feel the best about) we can look at it from a much larger perspective.  From a point bigger than our physical self and see that we are part of something much larger.  That we don’t ‘take it personally’ for it is …..the way it is.

Enjoy

Photo by : CmdrGravy

Other postings you might like to read:

Find your common denominator

Some of life’s rhythms

Pick your thoughts like you pick your apples

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~ ~ My contribution is on page 12

Enjoy

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Other postings you may like to read:

Simplify your wardrobe

Do you have a theme for 2010?

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Sometimes, no matter what we do or want in life the universe seems to tell us to go in a different direction.  Often it is somewhere we have already decided to go or be or do but have put it off for different reasons or self limiting beliefs.

Frequently these signs are tiny little whispers which, unless we are paying attention and being mindful, are easy to miss.  They could be a gentle feeling within or a series of small external happenings which seem to be occurring regularly.  Sometimes, it is like it is really important that we acknowledge a particular message and the universe will present us with it over and over again until we start paying attention.

It can feel like no matter what we try things keep moving us along a certain path, like a security guard at a concert when we try to deviate or duck off to the side to get a better look at what is going on back stage etc.

This type of guiding usually happens over a length of time so it feels gentle and without urgency.  However, sometimes it’s like the universe has given up waiting for the penny to drop for us and is contemplating picking up a lump of wood to knock us over the head and really get our attention because the optimum time for it all is fast approaching.

First we are sent a whisper, a gentle hint to help us work it out for ourselves.  If we don’t notice the whisper a problem arises that will offer us the learning instead.  If we still don’t get it then we are confronted with a crisis which will hopefully make us stand up and take notice that we are straying too far from our intended life path.  When all else fails a disaster occurs which will be impossible to ignore and must be dealt with so the learning can occur.

By living mindfully and being aware of what is going on around us, as well as how our own bodies are behaving, we can often pick up on these guides at the whisper or problem before it gets to the latter stages.

~ Be mindful.  Take time to listen to what is going on in your life; to what your life is saying to you.  It speaks to you all the time, guiding you in the direction you were born for.  Be at one with it.

Enjoy

(image by Tom T)

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Other postings you might like to read:

Our choices make our life

Do you have a theme for 2010?

Nov Simplicity  tip #7

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The changing of the seasons is always a good time to take a look at our wardrobes and see what is and is not worth storing for another six months or so.  Deciding to streamline your clothes is often a great way of not only adding a fresh look to clothes you already have but to get rid of things which are taking up space and energy in your life and not enhancing it.

A day or so before tackling your wardrobe:

Before sorting out your wardrobe go through magazines or catalogues and pull out some pictures of how you would like to dress.  Or go online and download some pictures from fashion sites or people whose style you admire.  Create a montage of the pictures to give you an overall feel for the look you would like to achieve.

Also pick three words to describe how you wish to look/ present yourself/feel eg: tailored, classy, polished or funky, arty, fashionable or modern, professional, comfortable etc.  You can add these words to your montage or put them on another piece of paper in big letters.

On the day of simplification:

1. Stick your ideas montage and words up in full view of the mirror you will try stuff on in front of.

2. Set up 3 piles and 1 large bag

Pile 1 Clothes to keep ~ clothes that make you feel and look the way you want

Pile 2 Clothes to keep that need attention ~ ones needing to be mended, altered or washed

Bag Charity shop ~ if it isn’t good enough to give to a friend it isn’t good enough to give to a charity shop (you are not helping them by giving them items that are not fit for sale)

Pile 3 Recycling ~ anything that is not good enough for the charity shop

3. Take everything out of your wardrobe including all clothes, shoes, bags, accessories etc and place them on your bed, a rail or even on the floor if you have to

Start trying on clothes

4. Anything that doesn’t fit anymore = charity bag or recycling pile

If it doesn’t fit now it’s no good to you.  If you loose weight to fit into it, you probably will want something new anyway so release it from taking up energy and space in your life.

5. Anything that is ratty or has had it’s day = recycling pile

You may have loved it, you may still love it but if it doesn’t fit in with how you wish to portray yourself from now on it is best to get rid of it.  If it’s not good enough to give to a friend then it isn’t good enough for you to wear!

6. Anything that doesn’t make you feel your three words = release it…just let it go

If a piece of clothing is not making you feel how you want to then you are allowing into your life something which detracts from how you want to live.  It is taking away from your life not adding to it.

You should be left with clothes that fit you and make you feel your three words or tie in with the pictures you picked out

7. Try on a few combinations of outfits and accessories – experiment

8. Anything which is only used once you should seriously consider if  it really deserves the space in your life

What to do with the piles

Keep Pile

Place all items back in your wardrobe keeping items of similar length together, shirts, trousers and so on, further sorting into colours within each length.  When replacing them put all the hangers facing the hook inwards; as you wear each item turn it the other way.  At the end of the month you can see just how many pieces you have actually been wearing and can reassess which items are really worth the space in your life.

Keep and fix Pile

Place items into the wash or take them to the dressmakers (or do it yourself if you are handy) – do this as soon as possible.  If they are not tended to within 2 weeks then they are not that important to you or your wardrobe and should be let go of.

Recycle Pile

Sit down and cut up any old clothes suitable for cleaning cloths or rags and cut off the buttons for your button jar.  Throw out the leftovers or use as one use cleaning cloths for dirty jobs.

*Button jars are handy if you need to find a spare button to sew on a garment.  They are also handy for children old enough to play with them – threading onto wool, sorting into colours etc (hours of free enjoyment!)

Give Bag

Take your bag of clothes and donate to a charity shop.  Do this as soon as possible to remove this now unwanted energy from your home.

This is a great habit to get into at the change of seasons: spring and autumn.  Each season when you reassess your clothing you streamline your wardrobe possessions.   After a few times of doing this you will end up with a wardrobe that works and is totally flexible and wearable.  It is amazing when you work out a good sized wardrobe it seems so much easier to find something to wear each day.  Less choice often means what you do have is used to a much greater extent.

Enjoy

(image source: Darwin Bell)

Other posts you might like:

Simplicity tip #2

Simplicity tip #3

Life is in the doing not the having

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Sometimes it’s easy to get dismayed or bogged down in the everydayness of our lives, especially when it all doesn’t seem as exciting as before or when things aren’t going as well as we had planned.  Sometimes we sit down and just think ‘what is the whole point of it all?’  ‘I don’t seem to be going anywhere’ or ‘If this is life, I don’t think much of it’.  What we must realise during these times is that they will pass and like all things in life as well as in nature (of which we are a part), it is transitory.

Life changing is the one and only constant in life.

Whilst we may like to think that something we enjoy will always be there just as we enjoy it, the case is that it will not.   If a thing is not growing, it is dying.  All things must evolve and therefore they must change.  Sometimes change seems for the better and sometimes we feel it has changed for the worse.  As with all happenings we must except that they are occurring exactly as they should in the big scheme of things.  Once we understand and accept this we can begin to enjoy the moments that we have, no matter our initial feeling about them.  For they are all we have, they are part of our own evolution along the path we must take.  They are our journey.

The universe is transformation; our life is what our thoughts make it ~ Marcus Aurelius

Enjoy

(image source: Rafa.Garces)

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Other postings you might like reading:

• • Are you are participant in your life or a bystander?

• • Are you living your true self 24 hours a day?

• • Honouring your core values

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Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death ~ Anais Nin

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives ~ Annie Dillard

Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are ~ Bernice Johnson Reagon

There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year’s course. Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word ‘happy’ would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness ~ Carl Jung

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How many possessions do we really need?

I had three pieces of limestone on my desk but I was terrified to find that they required to be dusted daily, when the furniture of my mind was all undusted still, and I threw them out the window in disgust.

~ Henry David Thoreau, Walden, p 25

Yes, it is nice to have nice, interesting or beautiful things around us.   However, at what amount/number do the nice things stop enhancing your life?  At what level does their taking of space and your time (to move, clean, tidy and mend them) start hindering the pay off you get by having something which is lovely or meaningful in your possession?

Life is contained in the doing not in the having.  The less you have that isn’t of the highest importance to you; the more time and space you have to do and be what is important to you.

Enjoy

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Other posting you might like:

Our choices make our life

Take at least a small step each day

Where is the energy taking you?

Simplicity can be simple

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