Day 75

My apologies for this being late! I was having some technical difficulties! Now I’ve gotten so sleepy figuring out the difficulties I can hardly focus on what I was going to write about!

I have decided tonight to stop and reflect on this blog so far. For me it has been an amazing journey and one that has been fun to share. But what has pleasantly surprised and honored me is the response that I have had from it. People have shared with me the impact that it has had on their life, the changes they have made, or even acknowledging similar situations within their own lives.

It’s truly beautiful to be able help people whilst also helping myself! And please keep sharing the positive change that you have been making, I love hearing the successes and the challenges that you face.

I realized today that the simple act of sharing my ‘ah ha’ moments and my journey has enabled me to get back in touch with who I really am. And now that I have refound that, I will not loose sight of it again! In summary so far I have learnt the importance of meditation, how to use your time wisely so there is no reason to be too “busy”, to make sure you schedule time in for the important stuff.. and most importantly SMILE, LAUGH and HAVE FUN while you work solidly and successfully toward your dreams! J

…Until Tomorrow xox

Day 74

Today I had the biggest day I have had since my accident. I had three hours on a return to work program at my 'day' job as a disability worker - where they have set me the task of sorting through the filing system, then a little bit of dog training, plus a few appointments! I think Buddy (my dog) was most upset, it's the longest he's been left too!

Starting back at my 'day' job has been interesting. I have only done 3 hours monday and wednesday, but sheesh - I felt like I had worked a full 14hour shift..! When the return to work guy was talking about slowly getting me back into it, I thought "pfft - I can easily do a whole day". But after three hours, I was tired, sore and mentally exhausted! (and may or may not of needed a nana nap!!) It's so easy to get frustrated at what you CAN'T do…you know "I used to be able to walk the dog, pack the car, have a dog training client, make a phone call, do a 10km run…" just before breakfast! So to be tired after only three hours of office work…well … that's an insult! 

I put this in here, because dogs are not the only ones that believe foolish things. The more foolish things you tell yourself and the more often, the more you will believe them. Tell yourself beautiful things :) 

So I have been focussing this week on identifying, acknowledging and being proud of what I've accomplished so far! I sat down with my pen and paper and started writing. What can I do today, that yesterday, last week, last month I couldn't do? The list kept growing and it made me realise that to compare myself to when I was at peak health, fitness and mental clarity (as I was before my accident) to when you are recovery from a trauma, have ongoing injury and fatigue easily - is preposterous! 

I spoke earlier in the week about only comparing yourself to yesterday. But golly it's difficult! I think to appreciate each day as a separate and wonderful thing is an amazing skill to have. We always focus so heavily on what we don't have, rather than what we do. How is your grateful diary going? Been a bit neglected? So pick it back up, dust it off and write 5 gratefuls for today! 

…Until Tomorrow xox

Day 73

I have spoken about accepting compliments before, but accepting compliments and truly hearing and acknowledging them are two different things. 

Isn't it interesting how you notice what people say to you when you are feeling good about yourself, and feel like you are on the right track? You really take on board when someone says to you - "Wow you look amazing!", and walk around with your head help high, chest puffed out…"yep I do don't I??!!" But then when you aren't feeling great or are self-conscious about one thing or another, the same comment will have you dismissing it and focusing on the fact that there is something underlying that they're not saying. 

How fascinating. Another point to mention is how when you are calm and focussed on your internal mental health (i.e. meditating) - you can be physically sick, but have the most compliments in the world! People do not see you purely for your physical attributes. Majority of people will notice your demeanour, your attitude, the ability to smile, or be relaxed, or even acknowledgment. 

By loving ourselves, letting the world see what they want to see and not controlling the little things, we can be happier with ourselves. And most importantly attract more compliments and reinforcers to many us feel amazing!! :) 

How do we do that? "don't sweat the small stuff", be okay with who you are in this present moment and focus on what you CAN do! :) Because at the end of the day, your looks, your physical abilities will deteriorate or change but your internal light or spark will always be with you! Get in touch with your spark and focus on that when things are feeling a little low! 

…Until Tomorrow xox

Day 72 realistic vs negativity?

What I thought I would talk about tonight, it the difference between a 'realist' and someone being negative. A lot of people have crossed my path recently that when I have said something (nicely of course) about their negativity they have commented that they are a 'realist' and aren't in fact negative. 

My first thought was that you can be realistic but not in a negative way. Because negative emotions cause all sorts of havoc in us…make us sick, attract negative people and affect our motivation and work productivity. So being realistic would mean that you understand what is happening and don't add idealistic styles to the situation. Then I thought…mmm perhaps I'm wrong? Perhaps all realistic people are negative? So I set sail to do some research and here's what I found…

Realist definition - a person who tends to view or represent things as they really are. 

Negative character definition - characterized by the absence of distinguishing or markedqualities or features; lacking positive attributes.

It's been a really interesting journey to find out what the difference between optimism, pessimism and realism. And there are so many debates about all of the different types!! But from all of the readings I did, one thing came through quite strongly. That was that despite the differences (all have the good and not so good qualities) between them, positivity around your life, decisions and outlook on situation was the most beneficial quality. 

So it is possible to be a positive realist - look at a situation and see it for what it is with a positive take. It doesn't matter what category you are in, or the need to even fit into one for that matter. It's the ability to remain in a positive frame of mind and look for those opportunities that you can turn into something positive.

…Until Tomorrow xox

Day 71

Wow!! Today I started at the gym. I had that internal battle, where the little negative side was saying "you're not as good as you used to be" and the positive side saying "You've made a lot of improvements and at least you'll continue to get better and improve". So while they were battling it out I did what I could the best I could. 

Then…(drumroll please…) I drove to Traralgon..1.5hour drive - the longest I have driven myself since my accident!! Whoop!! So proud of myself! And I had a positive reinforcement at the end - lunch with 2 of my longest known friends! Beautiful! We had lunch / dinner / afternoon tea at a tapas restaurant! Was awesome! We had a course every hour!! :) Yummo!! 

Isn't it funny how we focus so much on what we aren't or can't be doing that we loose sight of what we do have?? Today made me realise that you're never going to completely stop the internal arguments that you have, but you can let them battle it out and continue to do what feels right. And eventually your choice will be rewarded. 

I think balance is the key. Comparing yourself to how you use to be can be a good motivator, but if you focus too much, can become a negative focus. So use your comparisons wisely and perhaps look from yesterday to today, rather than 3 months ago to today. 

…Until Tomorrow xox

P.S. Make sure you laugh and smile often!! 

Day 70

Today I was told that I need to practice what I preach!! Heheh! But how true is it? We can write or say many things, but it is the doing that speaks volumes. And that sometimes we need a little help to do those things, even if we feel we already are!! I was sent this quote the other day, it's along the same tune as my favourite joke…

Hehe! It's hilarious isn't it? I love it!! And sometimes we need to take quotes like these that make us giggle to turn our mood around and help us to stop taking life so seriously! I think the ability to take the pressure off yourself and realise that your dreams happen with work and dedication, but that you also need to be gentle with yourself. Good things are worth working for, but we can't let the 'what ifs' get in he way and cloud our judgement.

Getting caught up in worrying about what may or may not happen in the future is actually taking away time, energy and our positivity towards achieving our dreams. So next time you start worry about the 'what ifs' just take a few moments to regroup, imagine achieving your goals and dreams then get stuck back into it!

And the best piece of advice…

 …Until Tomorrow xox

Day 69

Have you ever had one of those days that you feel you have been doing things non-stop, but then you get to the end of the day and feel like you didn't accomplish anything? Yep I had one of those days! I felt like I was running to and fro and doing this and that, and am here writing my blog trying to fathom what happened today?!?

I guess thats the big positive of writing my blog, it gives me a chance to reflect on the day! I have been told, when you have days like these you should write a retrospective to do list so you can physically cross off what you have done. Sounds like a good plan (and one I think I have recommended to others before!) but when you are having one of these days you feel like there isn't time to or its really hard to identify what to write on the list. Does getting out of bed count?!!

Ah yes, lets sit with the fact hat today hasn't gone to 'plan'. Not push it away, or pretend it's not happening. But say "Oh ok, it's been a bit of an eclectic day today" and leave it at that. Not try to justify it, nor figure out why, just let it be. So that's what I'm going to do, for the final few minutes of today. 

Stop, cuddle Buddy, and think that tomorrows will have a clearer direction and things will be a little less !! :) 

…Until Tomorrow xox