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Whether he did or not, maybe we will never know, but from that potential event came the quote "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." What small step could you take in the coming month, that would be a stepping stone towards a goal, a dream or something you are wanting to change? Even by just making the smallest of steps it can start something, it can start a ball rolling, it can give us a sense of achievement or hope, it could start a conversation, or give us some new info or insights. Can you take that step straight away? What would you need to make it happen? If it seems like you are needing a lot for that step to happen, can it be broken down any further? Author
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World Gratitude Day this month - 21st September. More and more I am hearing about the healing powers of gratitude. I am a firm believer, but recently saw that it was being spoken about at a trauma event. I feel the evidence has become so much that a regular sustained gratitude practice can really have such a positive impact. It has been shown many times to change the neural pathways in our brain. When we think of something enough, or often, it starts to form a pathway in our brain, just like when we take a path through some grass. If we were to regularly walk that exact path, or repeat those beliefs in our mind then we will create a pathway, and this pathway will continue to deepen and be carved out. However with a regular practice, we can start diverging off that original path, and creating another one. One that, thanks to the gratitude, helps us create more positive outlooks, beliefs, patterns, habits. And then the positive ripple starts spreading out, and after a while we know no other way, we are spotting things left, right and centre, that we are grateful for, and the best bit? Gratitude is about keeping it small. What are the small things right now that you are grateful for? Here's ten of mine right away.... My heater Cosy couch My dinner (mine always involves food) Great conversation this afternoon Dried washing Time to relax today Family time Someone remembering how I like my tea Kind words A change to blog. Look around, what are you grateful for? AuthorYou'll know if you are! Lists for the week, the month, the year, life. Lists for holiday, to do for the business, to clean the house, to get started on the project. Don't get me wrong, I love lists, and I will be the first to put my hand up and say they do sometimes get rewritten more ofen than maybe is helpful, and yes I am a pen and paper list person, you just don't get that same satisfaction on a device/app when crossing something off! How do lists work for you? Do you spend a lot of your time rewriting them when actually we could be getting another thing ticked off the list. Do you ever use a list for self-care? For the things you want to do for yourself? Do you ever add me-time, reading a book, going for a walk to your list? I know for me some days, I am far more effective if I just go and do one of those things for me, and then come back to what I am trying to clear/shift/achieve than if I insist on ploughing through. I am so blessed doing what I do, and walking alongside the people I do. I get to hear such wisdom and gems from people, other days I get greatly appreciated reminders. Last week was one of them. This beautiful soul shared she had been out to sit in the sunshine during her lunch break. That stuck with me! The following morning I wrote lunch outside on my list. It wasn't a long time, but it was so beautiful and very effective. Do you need to review your list writing? AuthorSuch a big topic, but feel during times of uncertainty that we are experiencing currently, it is one that comes to the forefront of my mind again. Whatever we are going through or experiencing whatever decision we have to make or junction we are at, we only ever have two choices. Are we going to come from a place of fear, or a place of love? With the second wave of covid, it has brought with it a second wave of fearmongering, headlines, predictions and all sorts. Fear is a natural response to the unknown, but if we remain in that place it can be very uncomfortable, stressful, anxiety producing and more. When we are able to start pausing and responding from a place of love as opposed to reacting from a place of fear, it gives us space and we can start to approach situations/decisions/opportunities, we can be more conscious in our thinking, weighing up our options, pros and cons, or simply responding in a way that is far more aligned with who we really are. As you go through your day, and over these coming days, maybe bring some awareness in to the decisions you are facing. Life can begin to flow a lot easier when we choose to respond from a place of love. AuthorLiz our Life Coach 30th July - International Day of Friendship How much of a friend are you being to yourself right now? We often hear would you speak to a child like that? Would you speak to your best friend the way you have just spoken to yourself? Chances are you probably wouldn't. Sometimes we can feel that we have friends that let us down, partners that criticise, relatives that are quick to add their two cents in, but actually sometimes we are our own worst enemy. What if for a day, okay a morning, even the next hour, could you try bringing a pause in to whatever you are up to, and just ask yourself, what is the kindest thing I could do for myself right now? What do I really need right now? What is the most nourishing, compassionate activity that would bring me joy, top me up, relax me or energise me? Any chance you can do some of that, or at least look at how you can bring more of whatever it is in to life more. Often, as in almost always, what we actually need doesn't cost a lot if anything, and often doesn't need to take up a huge amount of time. If you were your best friend right now, what would you be giving yourself? AuthorLiz the Life Coach Want to make a difference, but funds are low, here are some ideas that may help... Clean out your pantry at home and donate what you don’t need, use or want anymore. I mean everyone has a random can of something that’s been hiding in the pantry for a while right? Kai Pantries are a great place to drop any excess off or your local food bank. Recycle, as much as possible, set up a recycling system for your home or work, start small and get the hang of it, the planet will be grateful. Thank an Essential Worker, if you see them, say thanks! or email or by way of social media, it only takes a minute to make someone feel appreciated and they’ve been more essential than ever lately. Volunteer in your area, there is something for everyone on a small or large scale and even things that you can do from home. Use your passion, whether it’s animals, kids, people or connection to find the right fit for you. Once a week, once a month, once a year, everything helps. Shop Local, when you are spending - your town, your city, New Zealand, more than ever all of our businesses need us to support them whether your spending $1 or $100. Give Blood. It doesn’t take long and can help so many people and maybe even save a life. Check out nzblood.co.nz to see if you are eligible to donate, where and when. Donate to your local Op Shop, if it doesn’t spark joy anymore, thank it for its service and pass it on for someone else to enjoy and your favourite Op Shop to profit from. Adopt a Pet that needs a home, change their life and yours. Pets find their way into shelters for many reasons, my in-laws just adopted a 7 year old dog before lockdown as the 96 years old owner was going into a rest home and they will all keep in touch - heart swell right there. Adopt a Neighbour. Whether it’s a quick hello over the fence, a wave out the window or having a cuppa, there are many Kiwis that have no family in the area or even in NZ. You’ll get as much out of the relationship as they will. Pass Books and Magazines onto family and friends. You never know what they might find interesting, educational or motivating or donate used books to a local café. Plant a couple of extra seeds in your veggie garden and share the love and produce around when it’s ready. You might have fruit trees in your garden too, a bag of fruit or a few veggies may make a difference to someone’s budget. When Baking at Home double the recipe and share the love with friends and neighbours. It’s a special way to connect and catch up with folks. Show your Happiness for someone else’s success! Offer to help them to continue with their success, we all have different skills that we can share. Welcome In new members to your neighbourhood and community, they will acclimate to the neighbourhood quicker and you’ll make a new friend or three. Leave Messages with your favourite quotes in library books, on café tables, the bus or train. You’ll brighten up someone’s day and maybe start a chain of good vibes. Mentor or Tutor someone you know. You might be an expert in a subject, have a love of teaching or a wealth of knowledge in business that could really help someone with their future plans. Community Garden. Find some like minded gardeners in your area and create a sustainable community garden. Start small and watch how it grows as you meet new people and create a central hub for all those with green fingers. Clean up an Area. It might be the local beach, walking track or park, by taking pride in a communal area you might just inspire others to keep it tidy or to work on tidying a different area. Exercise / walk /run with a friend or neighbour, some folk like the company and motivation to exercise together, help them to get active and you in the process, it’s a win win. Visit Aged Care homes in your community. Call in and talk to the office manager and activities coordinator to see if you can share any of your time and talent - singing (if you can sing that is), reading, music or just company and chatting. Tech Support. Teach the young and old in your community how to use a computer, ipad or mobile phone. It might be the main way they could keep in touch with family and friends out of town or out of the country. You remember how daunting it was with a new device but practice and patience does wonders. Transportation. Escort neighbours, friends or family to the shops when you’re going if they don’t have a car or carpool to work for companionship and to save some dollars on gas. Leave a review. Pleased your local cafe has opened up again, or got a favourite local business that you support, why not leave them a review or contact them to thank them? Jigsaw Puzzles, you either love them or you don’t. If you do love them check with your local Op Shops if they need a puzzle checker. I didn’t know it was a thing but it totally is, all puzzles are checked before they go out to sale. Set Up a Driveway, street, neighbourhood whatsapp, facebook messenger group so everyone can communicate easily and help each other out if and when needed. Start a Book or Cooking Club. In person or online, there’s something special about sharing your thoughts on what you’ve just read or made. The ripple effect from a club based around people’s passions can be magical Kombucha mania is sweeping the country, if you’re making it at home ask around and see if anyone is interested in learning how to make it or maybe a local is on the hunt for a scoby. Sport, if sport is your thang see if you can use your skill, talent and time to help a local school or club. It will give you all, all the feels. Phone someone you haven’t spoken to or connected with for a while. It’s always nice to know someone is thinking about you and you sometimes don’t know what people are dealing with so a call for no other reason than to say HI can be real nice. Turn Up to a Community meeting, a party, a club, a book reading. Show up by yourself or take some friends and make that hosts day. You know how it feels when you’re the host and you wonder if anyone is going to be there on the night. Share a Meal with a new friend, an old friend or a neighbour you know is alone. Breaking bread together is a human universal experience, it can be so simple to do but so powerful for you both. Any others you can think of? Do please share them in the comments. AuthorCompiled by Liz the Life Coach. Compiled from a recent post on our Facebook page. Thank you to our followers that contributed. If you know of any others please do comment on this blog for others to benefit from. Insight Timer FREE APP insighttimer.com Learn to meditate on Insight Timer to help calm the mind, reduce anxiety, manage stress, sleep deeply and improve happiness with more than 30,000 guided meditations, 5,000 teachers. KYND wellness FREE APP www.kyndwellness.com Just like you use Xero to manage your finances, you can use KYND to manage your health and wellbeing. The app aks employees a series of questions across the subjects of mental, physical and social health. Smiling Mind FREE APP www.smilingmind.com.au Developed by psychologists and educators to help bring balance to people's lives. It is a 100% not-for-profit organisation that works to make mindfulness meditation accessible to all. Their vision is to help every mind thrive and to provide accessible, life-long tools to support healthy minds. Melon FREE APP www.melonhealth.com Connecting and empowering people to reclaim their health. Health is social, it is easy to see our life’s journey as an individual path, separate from others. As humans we have the ability to connect deeply with each other and change hearts, minds and behaviors for better health. Better together. Daylio FREE TRIAL APP daylio.webflow.io Keep a free private diary and capture your day without writing down a single line. Daylio collects and records moods and activities in the statistics and calendar. This format will help to understand you habits better. Keep track of your activities and create patterns to become more productive. Calm Harm FREE APP calmharm.co.uk Calm Harm has been developed for teenage mental health charity stem4 by Dr Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, using the basic principles of an evidence-based therapy called Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). Calm Harm provides tasks to help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm. You can make it private by setting a password, and personalise the app if you so wish. You will be able to track your progress and notice change. Abide FREE TRIAL APP abide.co Abide is a Christian meditation app to stress less and sleep better. Find deep rest with our bedtime stories, as you listen to stories based off the Bible. ... Daily guided meditations are also available. Deep Sleep Experience Guided Sleep Meditation FREE YouTube https://youtu.be/vPNqKKZktTo For calming peaceful fast sleep, relaxation. If you’d like to fall asleep faster, sleep more deeply, and more easily this is for you. It’s suited to adults, parents, children, students and babies who are looking for help and guidance with achieving a night of deep sound sleep. Mentemia FREE APP www.mentemia.com Rather than being the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff – Mentemia is packed with evidence-based ideas and tools to help you learn how to be well, and stay well. It helps you deal with te most common stressors we experience in the modern connected world today. You’ll discover what things can help you feel more energised, poductive and better equipped for whatever the world throws at you today. Calm Sleep Stories – Jerome Flynn’s ‘Sacred New Zealand” FREE YouTube https://youtu.be/O4x9ssJ0jfM Natural sleep air, in the form of bedtime stories for grown-ups. These sleep-inducing tales mix soothing words, music and sound effects to help you wind down and drift off to dreamland. Rain Rain FREE APP www.rainrainapp.com Ease away into a relaxing night of sleep with Rain Rain. Relax comfortably, meditate calmly, fall asleep quickly, or simply create a peaceful ambiance at home or on the go. AuthorA collaboblog! Contributed to by a group of awesome people on Facebook. |
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