June Challenge

It's the FIRST of JUNE tomorrow.

I just want to give you a moment to let that sink in

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.

.

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Because if you're anything like me, you're probably still wondering what happened to April; let alone May.

But this post isn't about time - whether fast or slow. 

It's about me setting a challenge for myself. And the beginning of a new month and the start of a new season seems an apt time to give it a shot.

Let me start with saying - I don't think this will be easy by any means. But I am going to see how it goes.

If it works - Good for me!

If it doesn't quite happen - well, that's OK too.

The Challenge??

No new purchases for a month.

I know it's not a new idea. Infact, there's a website dedicated to the concept.

http://www.buynothingnew.com.au/home/

But it's new for me.

I once came across a blogger who did this for a YEAR.

To her I say - Congratulations!

But to you, I say - For me that would be absolutely IMPOSSIBLE.

So the time frame is a month.

The first rule of Fight Club is : You do not talk about Fight Club

Not only is this true.. But it's amusing to me too since I work in advertising...!!!

But the light bulb moment for me was looking in my beautiful bowl from Brown Button Trading and noticing that it had somehow become a place for my receipts to live.

And my, were there a lot of receipts in that bowl!

Keeping your receipts : Good idea or fodder for that post-shopping spree guilt?!

So at the end of June this bowl should be empty and my bank account should look happier.

Oh, and just incase you're wondering - Food is not included in my challenge. 

(Hey - it's my challenge, so I get to make the rules!)

By purchases I purely mean "stuff I could live without" and food just doesn't make that list.

I suppose it's lucky that I bought a new winter blanket last week huh?!

Wish me luck or play along at home!

xx

Choosing Happy

When you choose your happiness, you become 

infinitely more productive, useful, and magnetic

to those around you. You enable yourself to

truely be of service.

xx

Blogging, French and Yoga

It's been a long while between blogs.

This morning on my walk with Emmy I tried to come up with reasons why I haven't blogged recently that didn't include "I've been busy".

I think that's a lame excuse. It's lazy. Everyone's busy. 

Sometimes busy doing nothing.

My thinking of late has very much been - 

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you will find an excuse"

It's not that I have been making excuses for not blogging.. It's just that it hasn't been a high priority for me.

Am I uninspired?

No.. not really.

But as I have witnessed in the wider blogging community, other social media (think Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram) allow me to share things with others so my need to blog decreases slightly..

But today I had a legitimate "That's going on the Blog" moment.

Let me first explain that I have always wanted to go to Paris; And at the beginning of the year, I told a friend in casual conversation that I would like to learn French this year.

Well... Let's just say that it's May and this ambition is still very much in my distant future.

So far, I haven't actively made any attempts to pursue this dream.

Until now.

It's a little step. But it's a step.

I have 'liked' a French Word A Day on Facebook.

And I found the first word kind of appropriate.

Along with my yoga practice, I am learning that self control comes in many forms. My teacher often speaks of discipline and truthfulness.

Self control is relative to the mind, body and soul.

I am trying to be more mindful of this concept.

So there it is. A new blog post. Because I wanted to. Because I control my life. Because I have self control.

Relating blogging, French and yoga - It's a tenuous link. But it's there.

That's just how my brain works sometimes ;)

xx

An Elephant Mind

I am a multi-tasker.

I like to think this makes me super productive; but studies have shown that the opposite might infact be closer to the truth.

"People who multitask are actually less productive than people who focus on one thing at a time"  

 - -  University of Utah

Hmph!

I am terrible at doing one thing at a time.. 

Likely Scenario #1

Watching TV and playing on Pinterest on my laptop and texting someone or scrolling through Instagram on my iPhone;

Or

Likely Scenario #2

Preparing lunch, cooking dinner and baking a tray of cookies with the stereo blasting (which implies kitchen dancing) and checking Facebook on my iPhone.

So when my yoga instructor was explaining the concept of an 'Elephant Mind' to me in class this week, it resonated with me particularly because I am terrible at turning off the brain chatter because I am never concentrating on one thing only.

I even listen to music when going to sleep. 

My house is very rarely silent.

My brain doesn't understand the concept of noiselessness.

Stop it Brain

Anyway, back to the Elephant Mind - 

Explained to me as a herd of elephant stampeding through the mind.

Hardly a vision of serenity or meditation.

As Yogis we are supposed to quiet the brain chatter, calm the elephant mind, and simply be.

We are encouraged to be alert throughout the day, rather than moving through tasks and processes on auto-pilot.

"When was the last time you went for a walk and enjoyed your surroundings?" the instructor asked.

Ummm... probably never. My morning walks are full of constant mental reminders for the day ahead and plans for the weekend, thoughts of breakfast, or lunch, and probably dinner.. recapping conversations with friends, thinking about the latest family drama and wondering what's going to come next.

Chatter chatter chatter..

Sure, if there's a pretty view or a gorgeous sunset I'll probably notice it. 

And I'll have whipped out my phone and snapped a photo before you can say 'Instagram'!!

Mind Full, or Mindful?

It's hardly mindful.

This is a foreign concept to me. Something I need to work on. And that I can see will be a constant battle.

Wish me luck.

xx