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Don’t allow trivial matters to aggravate you

if the milk spills, wipe it up and move on to something  which deserves your energy

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Enjoy all you do

this is the only time you will live this moment so make the best of it

Enjoy

Other postings you might like:

You don’t have to save the world

Do you live a quantity or quality life?

Honouring your core values

The benefits of a neutral colour scheme

Oil and sugar scrub for your hands

We use our hands a lot during the day and they often take quite the battering.  They are one of our major gateways to experience the physical world and our usual mode for greeting others with waves, handshakes, hugs etc.

Following on in the theme of a previous post entitled Being productive and mindful – 20 one minute to dos I thought I would share with you this wonderful hand treatment which I learnt about a decade ago from a hand model.  It is very quick and easy and can be done anytime.   It is another great way to use those spare moments in the kitchen when you are waiting for something to boil or for the microwave to go ding.

The task:

1. Get the sugar and oil out; any sort of each will do though for obvious reason sugar lumps are not the way to go  …..and if I have it handy I prefer to use olive oil.

2. Either get a bowl of warm water or start the tap running slowly with water that is just warm [I understand it is important to conserve water but it is really hard to turn the tap on with the oil and sugar grit on your hands]

3. Put a teaspoon of sugar in the palm of one hand then a small blob of oil.

4. Rub together, massaging the mixture in – and don’t forget the cuticle area around the nail.

5. Do this for a minute or so and rinse in your water then dry.

This is a wonderful nurturing treatment for your hands and can also be used on your feet [sitting on the side of the bath is best].  Not only does it make your hands feel silky, it costs very little and is a great mindfully productive habit to get into.

Enjoy

(cc) Photo credit: FranUlloa

A few other posts you might like to peruse:

Delight in all the turns of your life

Simplicity Thursday – 5 things to do whilst boiling the kettle

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

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Scouting around on the internet over the course of a month I often come across some blog posts and sites that I find really interesting or helpful.  So I thought it would be a good idea to do a list of these posts – and hopefully you will find them useful or interesting too.  A lot of the surfing I do is based around things to improve my life but some stuff I just enjoy because it is pretty or funny.  Some post are fairly recent and some a bit older.

My 5 favourite blog posts for this month:

1. The blog of Tim Ferris   5 travel lessons you can use at home

Rolf Potts, who wrote Vagabonding, guest posts on Tim’s blog writing about the five key things learnt whilst travelling can be incorporated in life at home.

2. Wisebread   Simple Living: Overcoming negative inertia

This is a post from oct 2009 but I only found it during the last month.  A few ways to help us stay on track and overcome and recognise some of the stuff that gets in the way.

3. The Satorialist

This is a photography blog on fashion – men’s and women’s.  the pictures are fabulous and I love looking at all the style and maybe getting an idea or two.  Apart from that I just enjoy seeing the pics.

4. Happiness in this world   How to be great

Alex Lickerman writes a weekly blog reflecting on his life as a Buddhist physician.  His posts are always insightful.

5. The rat race trap    12 questions you should be asking yourself

This blog has some great posts and this one I thought was very good if faced with a crossroad in life or if you felt a bit lost and not sure of which way to go.

Enjoy

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Smithsonian Institute Photo credit: The Commons   Smithsonian institution

Other postings you might find helpful:

10 free ways to enhance your life

What is your life saying to you and are you listening?

You don’t have to save the world

In us all there is a great power – a power no one else has.  Whether we feel confident, shy, ambitious, unmotivated etc it resides within.  It is the power of choice.  To focus and choose what we want to do next, what to put our concentration on.  Only we have the power to choose what to put our focus on.  We can choose to focus on what we like about our life or what we don’t.  Whatever choice is made will be expanded on.  What we focus on expands, it’s a universal law, the way the world works.  We aren’t far along the path yet to know why but it does, but it does – this I fully believe.  No matter what is going on in life we can always choose to focus on the positive aspects of the situation.  This we have complete control over, this no one can take from us.  Yes, it can be hard to make these choices especially in the midst of turmoil or feeling cruddy but they are there for us to make. When we concentrate on the good aspects of a situation we say to the universe ‘this is my world’ and the universe will increase it; likewise if we focus on the not so good parts.  So if we focus more on the good in our lives then our concentration will be there and we will start seeing that aspect of our lives increase.

Change your thoughts and you change your world ~ Norman Vincent Peale

Enjoy

image credit: Editor B

Other posts in the logos coaching blog:

10 free ways to enhance your life

Our choices make our life

Take at least a small step each day

~ ~ 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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All the moments of our day are there to be lived.  By being mindful of the small as well as the big periods of time in the day our awareness increases and we become more conscious of what we are doing and how we are living.  Often it is in the little bits of ‘spare’ time we have where we can be productive – micro productivity.  Those moments which easily pass by and are not thought of can add up to a large part of the day.  In any twelve hour period, say 8am and 8pm, if we spend 5 minutes each hour not being mindful of what we are doing this adds up to an hour a day!

5 things to do whilst you boil the kettle (or waiting for the toast to pop etc, etc) :

1. Go through the utensil drawer and get rid of anything that you never use

Pick just one thing and throw it out, if you aren’t using it then no one else will probably either.  Throw out anything that you can’t remember what you bought it for – the butter curler, avocado de pipper, citrus zester or at least the pair of tongs which works the least.

2. Wipe the bit in the fridge where the milk sits

It usually needs it

3. Take one thing that doesn’t belong in the kitchen and put it away

4. Find a home in a cupboard for something that usually sits on the counter

Having clutter free benches in the kitchen makes life easier.  It gives more room when preparing food and makes for easier and quicker cleaning

5. Just be

Spend those few moments being still, letting all that has happened during the day or will happen wash over you.  Realign yourself.  Often this can be the most productive way to spend a few minutes.

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image by Wendy Piersall

Enjoy

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Other posts you might like reading:

Life is in the doing not the having

Why living the life of your dreams is not being selfish

Our choices make our life

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As so many of us use computers for work and play these days it is a side of life which sometimes becomes neglected in our simplifying efforts.  Usually because all our computer files and online life is stored in a neat little laptop or a rather spiffy looking white Mac; a calm exterior which often belies the jumble of old and irrelevant files, draft typings, a bookmark column that stretches on forever and a desktop resembling a holding pattern in the skies around Heathrow Airport.

Sound familiar?

As it is very easy to go off on tangents when being online or working on the computer many things get stored without giving too much thought to whether it will be actually used.  With it being so easy to duplicate files it’s possible to end up with many drafts of different projects.

Organising computer files, especially if they have gotten a bit confusing, can take a while and whilst it is possible to do it all in one go it can be tiring and is easy to get distracted.  It’s best to do it in increments of 10-15 minutes a day starting just before you start your computer time.

Here are three suggestions to help you on your way:

Clear your desktop ~ Spending time looking for a file because you ‘know it’s on the desktop’ is not the most efficient use of your time and seeing a vast array of icons doesn’t make for a calm or organised computer experience when you first turn on your computer.

~ Have a ‘to delete’ file on your desktop.  As you download things to print off or temporary things that you do not need to keep, you can place them in this folder and empty it every month or so.

~ Remove everything from your desktop that doesn’t absolutely need to be there.  The desktop is a gateway not a repository.

Get rid of unwanted or non useful files ~ although computer space is not usually a problem now, it still makes for an easier life if there is not a bunch of things on your computer that are no longer relevant.

1. start a ‘to read’ folder.  Anything you come across you saved in order to read but never got around to it save into this, if you think you will definitely read it otherwise delete immediately.  When next downloading something you think you would like to read – this is the place to store it
2. start a ‘to delete’ folder.  It’s easier to just drag unwanted files into it rather than deleting one by one.  Also if you are feeling a pull at deleting things it can give you a grace period before actually deleting
   what to get rid of -
3. Delete any old drafts you created that you have finished versions of
4. Delete all those folders you opened but never put anything in
5. Anything that is no longer useful should be deleted
6. Sort out any duplicate files and delete as necessary
7. If you have files or folders which you feel you must keep for personal, tax or legal reasons then make a special folder for them and either store it on the computer or put in on a memory stick

Organise your computer files like you organise your paper files ~ that way your thought processes are similar and it will be easier to find what you are looking for.

Enjoy

image credit Katie@!

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Other posts you might like:

Work is life and life is work: it’s all balance

Look for the oneness in others today

The external journey is so passe

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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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