8 Ways to Live Your Best Life

8 Ways to Live Your Best Life

8 Ways to Live Your Best Life

Be Kind – Kindness is perhaps the greatest gift you can give yourself and others. It can be shared freely and will never diminish in supply by use. In fact, sharing kindness only magnifies its abundance. Whether it’s a smile to a stranger or reaching out with a helping hand to someone in need, kindness connects our souls and makes us richer for the experience.  Just today, a bicyclist rode by me as I was standing by my car. He smiled a genuine smile and waved. Something about him was so intriguing that I watched as he rode past. On the back of his seat post was a make-shift cardboard sign that read, “You’re Perfect.”

 

Be Courageous – Live outside your comfort zone. That’s where the growth comes; that’s where the magic happens. Don’t let your fears hold you back from pushing limits and taking risks. The things in life that are worthwhile require you to get off the sidelines and take a leap. Just as important, let your voice speak out to your convictions. In other words, speak your truth, even if your voice shakes.

 

Be Adventurous – There is a huge world out there. Where will you go? What will you see? Whatwill you do? The answers will shape who you become. The more you engage in the world around you, the more you will broaden your perspective, stimulate your curiosity and connect to opportunities, people and possibilities. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

 

Give Back – We are at our best, when we are helping others. How can you serve, how can you contribute, and how can you make a difference. It can be in little ways every day or through a worthy obsession…or both.  It can be as simple and profound as being a good parent or as bold as saving the rain forest. Whatever it is, do it with enthusiasm and reap the benefits of good karma.

 

Be Grateful – Gratitude changes everything. Embracing gratitude will change your focus to the positive. No matter how bad things can get, there are always things to appreciate. Being in a gratitude mindset unlocks the fullness of life and allows us to have enough, and more, than what you need. 

 

Be Mindful – Live in the moment. Be present. Life is too precious and short not to be fully engaged and living in the now. Eckhart Tolle writes in The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, “As soon as you honor the present moment, all unhappiness and struggle dissolve, and life begins to flow with joy and ease. When you act out the present-moment awareness, whatever you do becomes imbued with a sense of quality, care and love – even the most simple action.”

 

Imagine. In a recent survey of CEOs, they noted the most important attribute that they hire for is innovation. Sometimes, our ability to see all the possibilities has been lost by becoming a “grown-up.” Capture and hold on to the imagination of a young child, filled with hope and wonder. Bring that sense of curiosity to your world and use it to explore opportunities, push boundaries, and make new discoveries. Most of us don’t realize the magic that we have inside our minds that is just waiting to be let out.

 

Don’t Wait  Some people wait their whole lives to start living. Waiting for the kids to graduate or move out, waiting for the perfect job, waiting to get that degree. Waiting for the right time is only missing out on what you could be experiencing, doing and creating. You have all that you need right now. Remember, “You’re Perfect.”

Spiritual Maturity

Spiritual Maturity

Spiritual Maturity

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL MATURITY?

1. It's when you stop trying to change others and focus on changing ourselves.

2. It is when we accept people as they are.

3. It is when we understand that everyone is correct according to their own perspective.

4. It is when you learn to "let go".

5. It is when you are able to not have "expectations" in a relationship, and give of yourself for the pleasure of giving.

6. It is when we understand that what we do, we do for our own peace.

7. It's when you stop showing the world how smart you are.

8. It's when we stop seeking approval from others.

9. It's when we stop comparing ourselves to others.

10. It is when you are at peace with yourself.

11. Spiritual maturity is when we are able to distinguish between "need" and "want" and are able to let go of that want...

Last and most important! *

12. Spiritual maturity is gained when we stop attaching "happiness" to material things!

 

Author Unknown

Read This When You Feel Like Giving Up

Read This When You Feel Like Giving Up

Read This When You Feel Like Giving Up

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP, READ THIS:

1. This is a Phase.

Tough times are just a phase.
They don't last forever.
Life is a cycle of highs and lows.

Remember, this too shall pass.
You're in the middle of the storm now, but clear skies are ahead. Hold on.

2. You Are Stronger Than You Think.

Never underestimate your resilience.

- You've survived 100% of your bad days.
- Inside you, there is an inner strength.
- Your potential is greater than any problem.

Remember, you're stronger and more capable than you believe.

3. Small Steps Count.

Progress isn't always a leap forward.

Sometimes it's tiny, almost imperceptible steps.

Each step, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goal.

Celebrate every bit of progress. Slow and steady can still win the race. Keep moving forward.

4. Remember Your 'Why'.

Think back to the reasons why you started.

Reconnect with your motivation and your goals.

5. Failure is a Stepping Stone.

It's okay to fall but it's important to rise again.

Every setback brings learning opportunities.

Remember, every great success story involves overcoming obstacles.

Keep going. Your story is being written.

6. Practice Self-Care.

Self-care is essential, especially during tough times.

- Eat nutritious food
- Exercise regularly
- Get adequate sleep
- Connect with loved ones
- Engage in activities that bring joy.

It’s not selfish, it's survival. Your well-being matters.

7. It's Okay to Ask for Help.

Remember, you're not alone in this journey.

- Reach out to friends, family, or professionals
- Open up about your struggles
- Seek support when you need it

Strength isn't just about enduring in silence. It's also knowing when to ask for help.

To my friends and readers,

Fight for yourself. No matter how difficult it becomes, never let yourself give in.

After some time, your spark will eventually return.

You will come out happier, healthier, and wiser.

 

Life Advice from Holly Butcher

Life Advice from Holly Butcher

Life Advice from Holly Butcher

Holly Butcher posted her advice to the world, 24 hours before she died of cancer. This was her message...
A bit of life advice from Hol:
“It’s a strange thing to realise and accept your mortality at 26 years young. It’s just one of those things you ignore. The days tick by and you just expect they will keep on coming; Until the unexpected happens. I always imagined myself growing old, wrinkled and grey- most likely caused by the beautiful family (lots of kiddies) I planned on building with the love of my life. I want that so bad it hurts.
That’s the thing about life; It is fragile, precious and unpredictable and each day is a gift, not a given right.
I’m 27 now. I don’t want to go. I love my life. I am happy.. I owe that to my loved ones. But the control is out of my hands.
I haven’t started this ‘note before I die’ so that death is feared – I like the fact that we are mostly ignorant to it’s inevitability.. Except when I want to talk about it and it is treated like a ‘taboo’ topic that will never happen to any of us.. That’s been a bit tough. I just want people to stop worrying so much about the small, meaningless stresses in life and try to remember that we all have the same fate after it all so do what you can to make your time feel worthy and great, minus the bullshit.
I have dropped lots of my thoughts below as I have had a lot of time to ponder life these last few months. Of course it’s the middle of the night when these random things pop in my head most!
1) Those times you are whinging about ridiculous things (something I have noticed so much these past few months), just think about someone who is really facing a problem. Be grateful for your minor issue and get over it. It’s okay to acknowledge that something is annoying but try not to carry on about it and negatively effect other people’s days.
2) Once you do that, get out there and take a freaking big breath of that fresh Aussie air deep in your lungs, look at how blue the sky is and how green the trees are; It is so beautiful. Think how lucky you are to be able to do just that – breathe.
3) You might have got caught in bad traffic today, or had a bad sleep because your beautiful babies kept you awake, or your hairdresser cut your hair too short. Your new fake nails might have got a chip, your boobs are too small, or you have cellulite on your arse and your belly is wobbling.
Let all that shit go.. I swear you will not be thinking of those things when it is your turn to go. It is all SO insignificant when you look at life as a whole. I’m watching my body waste away right before my eyes with nothing I can do about it and all I wish for now is that I could have just one more Birthday or Christmas with my family, or just one more day with my partner and dog. Just one more.
4) I hear people complaining about how terrible work is or about how hard it is to exercise – Be grateful you are physically able to. Work and exercise may seem like such trivial things … until your body doesn’t allow you to do either of them.
I tried to live a healthy life, in fact, that was probably my major passion. Appreciate your good health and functioning body- even if it isn’t your ideal size. Look after it and embrace how amazing it is. Move it and nourish it with fresh food. Don’t obsess over it.
5) Remember there are more aspects to good health than the physical body.. work just as hard on finding your mental, emotional and spiritual happiness too. That way you might realise just how insignificant and unimportant having this stupidly portrayed perfect social media body really is.. While on this topic, delete any account that pops up on your news feeds that gives you any sense of feeling shit about yourself. Friend or not.. Be ruthless for your own well-being.
6) Be grateful for each day you don’t have pain and even the days where you are unwell with man flu, a sore back or a sprained ankle, accept it is shit but be thankful it isn’t life threatening and will go away.
7) Whinge less, people! .. And help each other more.
8) Give, give, give. It is true that you gain more happiness doing things for others than doing them for yourself. I wish I did this more. Since I have been sick, I have met the most incredibly giving and kind people and been the receiver of the most thoughtful and loving words and support from my family, friends and strangers; More than I could I ever give in return. I will never forget this and will be forever grateful to all of these people.
9) It is a weird thing having money to spend at the end.. when you’re dying. It’s not a time you go out and buy material things that you usually would, like a new dress. It makes you think how silly it is that we think it is worth spending so much money on new clothes and ‘things’ in our lives.
Buy your friend something kind instead of another dress, beauty product or jewellery for that next wedding. 1. No-one cares if you wear the same thing twice 2. It feels good. Take them out for a meal, or better yet, cook them a meal. Shout their coffee. Give/ buy them a plant, a massage or a candle and tell them you love them when you give it to them.
10) Value other people’s time. Don’t keep them waiting because you are shit at being on time. Get ready earlier if you are one of those people and appreciate that your friends want to share their time with you, not sit by themselves, waiting on a mate. You will gain respect too! Amen sister.
11) This year, our family agreed to do no presents and despite the tree looking rather sad and empty (I nearly cracked Christmas Eve!), it was so nice because people didn’t have the pressure of shopping and the effort went into writing a nice card for each other. Plus imagine my family trying to buy me a present knowing they would probably end up with it themselves.. strange! It might seem lame but those cards mean more to me than any impulse purchase could. Mind you, it was also easier to do in our house because we had no little kiddies there. Anyway, moral of the story- presents are not needed for a meaningful Christmas. Moving on.
12) Use your money on experiences.. Or at least don’t miss out on experiences because you spent all your money on material shit.
13) Put in the effort to do that day trip to the beach you keep putting off. Dip your feet in the water and dig your toes in the sand. Wet your face with salt water.
14) Get amongst nature.
15) Try just enjoying and being in moments rather than capturing them through the screen of your phone. Life isn’t meant to be lived through a screen nor is it about getting the perfect photo.. enjoy the bloody moment, people! Stop trying to capture it for everyone else.
Random rhetorical question. Are those several hours you spend doing your hair and make up each day or to go out for one night really worth it? I’ve never understood this about females.
16) Get up early sometimes and listen to the birds while you watch the beautiful colours the sun makes as it rises.
17) Listen to music.. really listen. Music is therapy. Old is best.
18) Cuddle your dog. Far out, I will miss that.
19) Talk to your friends. Put down your phone. Are they doing okay?
20) Travel if it’s your desire, don’t if it’s not.
21) Work to live, don’t live to work.
Seriously, do what makes your heart feel happy.
22) Eat the cake. Zero guilt.
23) Say no to things you really don’t want to do.
24) Don’t feel pressured to do what other people might think is a fulfilling life.. you might want a mediocre life and that is so okay.
25) Tell your loved ones you love them every time you get the chance and love them with everything you have.
26) Also, remember if something is making you miserable, you do have the power to change it – in work or love or whatever it may be. Have the guts to change. You don’t know how much time you’ve got on this earth so don’t waste it being miserable. I know that is said all the time but it couldn’t be more true.
Anyway, that’s just this one young gals life advice. Take it or leave it, I don’t mind!
Oh and one last thing, if you can, do a good deed for humanity (and myself) and start regularly donating blood. It will make you feel good with the added bonus of saving lives. I feel like it is something that is so overlooked considering every donation can save 3 lives! That is a massive impact each person can have and the process really is so simple.
Blood donation (more bags than I could keep up with counting) helped keep me alive for an extra year - a year I will be forever grateful  that I got to spend it here on Earth with my family, friends and dog. A year I had some of the greatest times of my life.
..’Til we meet again.
Hol
XO

Spring Cleanse Your Body

Spring Cleanse Your Body

Spring Cleanse Your Body

As a rule, you should try to avoid as much as possible industrial )processed) food and beverages
 
 
1) The classical : lemon/cucumber:
Mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water + 1 cucumber and a lemon, thinly sliced + 1/4 cup fresh finely chopped basil leaf + 1/3 of finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
 
 
2) The granite : Strawberry/Lime or Raspberry/Lime
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 6 strawberries / 0r Raspberries and one thinly sliced lime + 12 finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
 
 
3) The digestive : Fennel/citrus
First: infuse 1 to 3 grams of dried and crushed fennel in 150 ml of boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Allow to cool.
Mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water + lemon juice (put the leftover lemon in the mix) + a small thinly sliced orange + 12 fresh chopped mint leaves + the infusion of fennel seeds. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.
 
 
4) The antiOX : Blackberry/Sage
Note that a part from the berries, sage leafs is the herb that has the highest antioxidant content.
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of blackberries that have been very slightly crushed + 3-4 sage leaves. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.
 
 
5) WATERmelon : watermelon/Rosemary
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of watermelon cut into cubes + 2 rosemary stems. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.
 
 
6) The exotic : Pineapple/Mint
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of pineapple cut into cubes + 12 fresh mint leaves finely chopped. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
 
 
7) The traditional : Apple/cinnamon
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of apple cut into cubes + 2 cinnamon sticks + 2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
 
 
8) The zingibir : Ginger/tea
In advance: heat 1 teaspoon of ginger in two cups of tea, let it cool down.
Mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water with two cups of the ginger tea + 4-5 pieces of fresh ginger cut into cubes. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.