WHO IS YOUR REAL ENEMY?

March 4, 2018March 4, 2018Leave a comment

This might seem to be a question that you think you know the answer to. If anyone popped up in your mind when reading the question they surely would not make it to a list of people you would rely on.

Life is an interesting adventure. Some call it a game. Others think this life is a punishment. Whatever is your take on life, life is best lived. Life challenges make us grow stronger wings. And flying is the ultimate of gifts which we don’t seem to be mastering without an engine. At least not yet.

So, who really is your ultimate enemy?

Enemy, who wakes you up in sweat in the middle of the night. Enemy, whose voice is so difficult to hear. The one who seems to know you so well. The one who doesn’t let you go anywhere on your own. You are never alone. They are watching every step, every breath you take.

WHO is it?

See if you can relate: Your INTERNAL critic! The voice that we hear every day, almost in every moment of our waking time.
Criticizing our past decisions, actions, future endeavours, ideas…and in the process, creating insecurities and anxieties.

Now, if you don’t have one of these internal voices, you are a very fortunate being.

However, for those of you, who can relate to the above here are some personal tips and well known strategies.

How to deal with your enemy with some extraordinary strategies

Accept it as part of your personal journey.
Recall who in your past could have the same kind of voice.
Learn to change the tonality in which their voice speaks to you.
Bring some fun into their existence (e.g. in your mind’s eye, imagine it as a movie character with a husky voice).
Turn an imaginary knob and tune out the sound of this voice and replace it by some harmonious sounds.
Appreciate that its primary function was to preserve your safety.
Kindly explain to the voice (only in your head preferably) that you will be fine even without his suggestions.
As the saying goes: “Feel the fear and do it anyway!”
Become aware of when the voice takes over your moments.
Learn to love the ‘enemy’.

THE SECRET FOR NEVER ENDING SUCCESS AND EVER LASTING HAPPINESS

February 15, 2018Leave a comment

Have you been wondering what a key for success is?

Did you ever think “When I get xy …It will make me happy?”

Whether we look at our activities, our relationships, our finances or our personal achievement there is one common denominator.

We first need to define what we consider to be SUCCESS and even what does HAPPY mean to us. My personal definition of success is not so much what I GET, but rather who I AM and more still WHO I BECOME in the process of doing something. The becoming is the most important part. And what does happy mean? Happiness for me is e.g. a leisurely walk on the beach, in a great company. The fresh sea air, pleasant water temperature and no jellyfish or stone-fish in sight.

I would like to point out some common misconceptions relating to mistakes we can make about our striving for success and happiness.

AVOID COMMON MISTAKES

Often times we happen to get our eyes on an object (be it a material item of any kind, or a person) and we then start to feel that we will only be successful/happy if we achieve the acquisition of this object.

Now let me share something with you. What I understood from the variety of teachings from personal development, spirituality, therapy and healing modalities that I have researched over the years…is this.

There is NOT a material thing, nor a person out there, who would bring us the never ending happiness and forever lasting success.

Please understand. There are many people who cross our life paths, some of whom we might believe can make us forever happy. And many items, that we cherish and value and which can be useful and even just pleasant to have. However, what I am talking about is the feeling of success and happiness that are NEVER ENDING = LASTING. Is that possible at all?

I will give you an example.

Say you finally found the person you fall in love with. You are both in love with each other and feel at the top of the world. When one day later on, in the life of you two, there comes difference of opinions about something that may seem rather fundamental. Is your love strong enough to withstand the difference of ideas and opinions? Or are your mental observations so important that you would rather trow in the towel into the ring of the relationship?

At that time, where is the level of your happiness and success that you so very much felt at the beginning of the relationship?

Here is another illustrative example:

For a very long time you dream about having something. Let’s say it’s a certain car. You have been putting it out there into the Universe, asking to be the new owner of that car. You dream about having this car and how happy you would be when you own that car. Then the day actually comes, when you do have the opportunity to get this car. You are over the moon and so happy that you realized that dream. You want to share your happiness with everyone.

However, the happiness doesn’t last forever. After a while the so new attributes of this car become everyday use and even ordinary. You start to crave something new, which now seems to be just the perfect thing to make you happy… Can you start to see the pattern?

Even if you believe that this is the final missing part, it never is that way!

WHAT IS THE SECRET DOOR TO HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS?

Is there such a ‘thing’ as never ending happiness and ever-lasting success?

You may have answered ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the above question. I would like to suggest that there indeed is a way.

What I would suggest is that we start from within. Before we set our eyes on something ‘that would surely make us happy’, we first find the best possible feeling of happiness inside. Let’s start from the point of being happy, and then look at things with fresh perspective. Not as something we NEED to get in life to BECOME happy or a success.

In case that you are struggling with the idea of being happy in the first place, try this out.

THE HAPPINESS INDULGENCE

Sit in a quiet place, or put on a meditative music or a calm piano music and close your eyes.

Think back to the time when you were really happy… First event like that that comes to mind.

In your memories, return to the place where you were back then and think about what was happening at the time around you.

Recall as much detail as possible. What were you doing, was anyone else there, what was the weather like, what environment was surrounding you.

How do you feel?

Now, in this moment, you might be very close to feeling the same feeling like back then…and if so, the same chemical reaction is happening in your body.

This happiness evoking is what we might call ‘The Happiness Indulgence’.

Do this exercise as often as you like. You might start to feel better straight away, or perhaps after the second time you try this. That is all fine. Give it a go and be happy as often as you can recall.

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And if you still seek the never ending success and ever-lasting happiness, start with the above exercise. After you already FEEL HAPPY consider it to be the one great success to start with.

From an empowered and uplifted mind, life will be easier.

10 Things to Celebrate About Crochet

February 11, 2018February 11, 2018Leave a comment

Crochet might be sometimes misjudged as a bit of a “craft from the past”, thought to be perpetuated mainly by keen Grandmothers. This has been mainly due to lack of knowledge and understanding.

Crochet has a capacity to bring joy and happiness, as well as warmth, to those involved in making it and the receiver of the item.

The misconception about the age of crocheters is also being slowly shattered, especially in crochet communities which are now being visited by the younger generation of crochet enthusiasts.

While overseas there is still the need for heavy warm woolen garments, especially in the midst of freezing winter blizzard, here in Australia we don’t need such items in most places. There might not be many occasions to use rich woolen garments. However, there are still plenty of useful everyday items and toys, which are being masterfully designed and created out of the variety of available yarn.

If it was receiving a fair judgment, crochet would be acknowledged as much as paintings or other forms of art and craft.

Before we can bring forth a change in the views of the majority about crochet, we need to be able to celebrate our own little wins and achievements.

Little Big Wins and Achievements

The ever growing body of evidence shows that when we appreciate and celebrate something we already do have, we will get even more of it. This applies even to crochet. Below are a few suggestions, which can help to bring your focus on the many things to celebrate about crochet.

The list is not exhausted, and if you are keen crochet enthusiast you might come up with more suggestions.

10 things to celebrate, when it comes to crochet:

You have a dedicated place where you crochet
2. The yarn you have bought was sufficient for the whole item
3. You only made a few invisible mistakes in your project, so there is no need to frog it
4. You already own more yarn than you could ever use
5. Sale in your yarn store
6. You have a few ergonomic hooks
7. You happen to get your crochet, with a cutter on a plane, without trouble
8. Going away you packed just enough yarn you happen to need
9. There is the option to buy yarn online and have it delivered to your home
10. Your family is tolerating your craft supplies and ever growing stash

If you already experienced any of the above, please raise a glass of your favorite non-alcoholic beverage. In case that you experienced ALL of the above, take it a bit further and call upon your friends, and invite them to celebrate with you. Share the love and spread the word.

Crochet is a form of meditation, helping to keep me sane in this world, while I love its creative flow. So while sometimes it could be looked down at by others, there are still many reasons to value it as a modern day craft, and even as a form of craft therapy.

If you are keen on crochet and happen to be in Brisbane (Australia) here is our great Facebook group ‘Brisbane Crochet’. https://www.facebook.com/BrisbaneCrochet

Happy hooking!