So Often Forgotten

Nov 21, 2012


As my American friends, family + blogging "family"
approach Thanksgiving, I thought I would share some gratitude
quotes from some my favorite writers




Trade your expectation for appreciation
and the world changes instantly
(Tony Robbins)





For me, every hour is grace. And I feel gratitude in my
heart each time I can meet someone and look at his or her smile
(Elie Wiesel-Holocaust survivor)





When you practise gratefulness, there is a sense of 
respect towards others
(The Dalai Lama)




No small gesture is too small when done with gratitude
(Oprah)





Showing gratitude is one of the simplest
yet most powerful things humans can do for each other
(Randy Pausch)






The miracle of gratitude is that is shifts your perception to
such an extent that it changes the world you see
(Dr. Robert Holden)

Makes me cry every time I see this image



We think we have to do something to be grateful
or something has to be done in order for us to be grateful,
when gratitude is really a state of mind
(Iyanla Vanzant)






If the only prayer you said in your whole life was
"thank you", that would suffice
(M.Eckhart)



Apart from the obvious such as family, health etc, what are you
grateful for today (however small I would love to hear)?




Happy Thanksgiving America
x




p.s the lovely Michelle Barbary from http:// whateveryousay.wordpress.com 
won our subscribers October draw. See her with her prize here
So don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter (top right of this page) and be entered into November's monthly draw 

Could You Live Without It?

Nov 11, 2012

It started as an experiment when I left Spain in the
summer to live back in the UK



It started as a dare from Hubs who said it could never happen




Yes, I am talking about living without a mobile phone.
It's now been 3 months, and I can't tell you how liberating
and wonderful it has been "sans" a mobile



It's been liberating not feeling obliged  to check
e.mails just because I have my phone with me.



It's been wonderful reading a book on the underground,
whilst waiting for someone, whilst waiting for an appointment
without feeling I "should" be replying to someone's message




It's been funny watching people's reactions when they ask for
my mobile and I reply I don't have one. Looking at their
expression you would think I had just told them I had drowned
a family of puppies!




I never realised quite how stressful it was having a mobile; the need to
answer e.mails, your mind constantly churning over responses
to questions, speaking on the phone (usually at the most
inopportune time)  instead  just enjoying the silence.


I still use my laptop, BUT
I've decided to limit time on social media
I only answer e.mails once a day (in the afternoon)
I schedule time for blogs and Pinterest





And do you know what? It's been wonderful.

I am feeling really "switched on to being switched off".

Would you dare go without  a mobile for 1 day
..........1 week......... 1 month?



Flowers outside my favorite London store

I promise it gets easier the longer the duration.


And all those emergencies we say we need our phone for
...............they very rarely happen ;-)


What do you think?
Would you dare?




p.s the lovely Michelle Barbary from http:// whateveryousay.wordpress.com won our subscribers
October draw. 
So don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter (top right of this page) and be entered into November's monthly draw 

Saddle Up Girlfriend

Nov 4, 2012


Sometimes it's easy to feel when you have to
start over and over again on the same goal,
that it's just not meant to be


But then I have to remind myself that
anyone who has done anything amazing or worthwhile,
has always had to get back up and start again
(sometimes many, many times)




I have to remind myself
those people made mistakes too, slipped up,
and got lazy and distracted 






You see, here's the thing. I have never believed in
the overnight success stories. Apart from
some rare exceptions, 
if you just dig a little deeper you will
find it was never over- night.





Sometimes successful people or
people you admire have been
plugging away for years in the background;
we just haven't seen them.





So gorgeous girl, if you find yourself
re-starting a project........ starting something
over for the umpteenth time





Congratulate yourself! Congratulate yourself
for having the courage it takes to move forward
after stumbling.........maybe even falling.




It really is an act of bravery to not throw in
the towel at the first or second or even twentieth
hurdle and  to recognise
what you did/didn't do..............



and to take the necessary action- however small and
after however many coffees ;-)




image from A Brit Greek via Pinterest


It will make a difference and you will
subsequently make a difference to someone
with the dreams and goals you have in mind.

Not only that, when you finally
reach the finishing line, success
will be all the more sweeter

Saddle up girlfriend. It's time to 
get back on that damn horse ;-)


As always would love to hear your thoughts
on my random ramblings ;-)


p.s the lovely Michelle Barbary from http:// whateveryousay.wordpress.com won our subscribers
October draw. Her "sparkly" gift is winging it's way to her.

So don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter (top right of this page) and be entered into November's monthly draw 


p.s all images from Pinterest