Meditation: It's Not What You Think

Meditation is an ancient practice that is becoming increasingly popular.

 

Here I answer the “Who, What, Why’s” of meditating for those who may be considering beginning a practice, and those who simply want a reminder as to the value of their existing meditation practice.

Brave New World {+ Why Women are the Best}

On My Way To Work For The First Time In Eight Years.

Hello There You Guys.

It's been a while, no?

It's been a bit tricky to give much (okay, any) time to this space for the last little (okay, long) while because I have gone back to work.

Space

Did you know that roughly 60% of the human body is water?

Obviously this depends on many things mainly pertaining to lean tissue versus fatty tissue since fat contains less water. So things like fitness, weight, age and gender can all effect the percentage of water making up your body.  But roughly speaking we are all around 60% water.

{Happy} New Year

It's the first morning of 2016.

2015 has been a bit of a weird one for me.  I won't say it was a disaster.  Not completely catastrophic.

Because I like to keep things in perspective.

Photo Albums

What do you do with your photos?

We're old school at our place, we still print them out and put them in albums.

Christmas, Consumerism & Chadstone Shopping Centre

Too Much?

I reckon we do a pretty minimalist Christmas.  But it's all perspective and context I guess.

Like when I think about how many toys my kids have, on one hand I don't think they have an excessive amount.

Could You Ever Eat A Turtle?

Sometimes it's hard to admit the weird shit that goes on in my brain.  But here goes. Stay with me, 'kay?

Taking Stock: August

First Day of Spring in Melbourne

So there's a little thing that Pip Lincolne does over at Meet Me at Mikes and it's called Taking Stock. And you know what? It's a pretty super thing to do. I like reading them, because they give a nice little insight. But what's even better is doing them. Because despite that it may seem like a simple little question-answer type deal, it actually calls for a little introspection.

August Smile Makers

Smile!

I've needed a lift this month. I've had internal and external factors bombarding me, getting me down.  So it's great to take part in the Bear Loves Dove Smile Inducer Link Up just to help me focus on the good things in life, the things that fill me up, make me smile, make me happy.  Yes, it's good to do that.  We need to do that.  Don't you think?

School Yard Days

My first year of school my Teacher's name was Mrs Smith.  She was old.  I've no idea how old she actually was, but from my five year old perspective "old" pretty much summed it up.

Mindful In May - The (Nearly) Halfway Mark

The gorgeous Mindful in May Challenge is at Day 11 and I thought it was time to take stock a little.  To have a look at what I've achieved, what I've struggled with and what I've learned so far on the path.

Nine and a Half Hours

Nine and a half hours.  That's how much freedom I got.  Freedom from the voice inside my head telling me I couldn't, I shouldn't, I won't.

Giving In

Last week a friend and favourite blogger of mine wrote about the chaos of her kids bedtime routine.

I really liked this post by The Mother Load Australia, because I related.  Hells yes.

Perfection

Many, many years ago a very good friend of mine asked me if I thought I was a perfectionist.

I think she was doing some therapy sessions of her own at the time and the topic had come up.  I know she was reading The Road Less Travelled by M. Scott Peck.  I remember because she gave me a copy.

Swallow The Toad

There is a popular phrase used as a remedy for procrastination, "Swallow the Frog".

My Luxurious Complaints

So my daughter is earning pocket money now.  She's five, starting school next year so I thought it was time.  Time for her to learn about money, it's worth and the effort it takes to earn it.  Also the pleasure in working hard and saving for something you want and buying it with your own money.

Going Back

The gorgeous grounds at Maitripa Contemplative Centre

This week I've returned from my second silent meditation retreat.

I am still processing everything that I got out of the retreat but for now let me share with you the details of the retreat, where it is, how it works.  Because if you can, you must.  

Practicing Gratitude Part 2

Last week I wrote about cultivating gratitude.

The idea of cultivation being that it takes work, it takes energy, it seems sometimes counter to instinct.

But I fear I wasn't frank enough.  I was clear that it's an effort, right?

Practicing Gratitude

Sometimes gratitude does not come easily.  There's a lot to be grateful for and yet sometimes the complaints come way more readliy.

Sometimes it's an effort to shake off the negative perspective and seek out the positive.

And sometimes that effort seems mammoth.

To Three Or Not To Three

I have two kids.  Two incredible, bright, funny, healthy, gorgeous kids.

And I love being their Mum.  Being their Mum is the most rewarding and challenging thing I have ever done.  And sometimes I think I'm doing a pretty good job.  Then there are other days when I think I'm doing a totally crap job and I'm raising two little brats.