SAVOUR THE MOMENTS MY SOUL

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SAVOUR THE MOMENTS MY SOUL

Life is short - as you get older you realize you're past the halfway mark and the end is approaching faster than you expected. Don't sit there waiting for life to happen to you, choose to create special moments. Engage with others, feel yourself living in the "right now" - not looking backwards, and not worrying about what's to come - just living right where you are and right "when" you are. 

Look at how small children live - they embrace life as it comes, they haven't learned to worry about all the "what if's" yet, so they enjoy life and all it offers. Everything is transient - both pleasure and pain, so don't dwell on what can't be changed, or what hasn't happened yet, just be present in the "Now" and breathe in those lovely quiet moments when they arrive.

Life will happen regardless, so savour the moments.

DO, THINK, AND LOVE MY SOUL

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DO, THINK, AND LOVE MY SOUL

At the end of our lives, we won't be thinking about all the stuff we own, we'll be thinking about the people we love and the legacy we're leaving behind. That legacy is made up of what we invest into the lives of those around us. Kindness, compassion, fairness, support - all qualities we offer others that cost us nothing but create a huge investment long term.

Who are you pouring yourself into? Who are you influencing in a way that will last the test of time? What young minds are you feeding, what friendships are you nurturing, what family bongs are you strengthening? 

Pause for a moment and think about the difference you can make in the world by sharing your soul with others.

SING AND DANCE MY SOUL

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SING AND DANCE MY SOUL

Stop worrying about what others think. They really aren't looking at you as closely as you believe they are. They're more interested in their own lives than in yours. Live freely, let your soul sing. Try new activities that bring out the creative side of your soul. You don't need to do it perfectly, you just need to begin.

Remember that not everything stays in your life, some interests fade with time. It's good to try new things and find those that bring you joy. Add them into your life, let them refresh your soul. Perhaps they'll lead you in a new direction, regardless they'll make your soul happy - and that's what really counts. 

Don't let the fear of failure stop you finding little pieces of sunshine in your day.

LIVE TRUE TO YOURSELF MY SOUL

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LIVE TRUE TO YOURSELF MY SOUL

Never let anyone tell you how to live your life. Don't allow criticism from others to take root in your soul. Know what your heart needs and don't be afraid if it's different to what others are doing. Be true to yourself - find your core values and live them out every day. Sometimes compromise is necessary, but not if it conflicts with what feels true and right in your core.

Live simply, love with all your heart, don't take onboard the world's values. Busy-ness isn't the answer for everyone - some of us need stillness and quiet in our lives. It's a privilege to live your life on your own terms and with the knowledge that you bring warmth and kindess into the world wherever you go.

Life is short - live it on your own terms and make your heart and soul happy.

BE FULLY LOVED MY SOUL

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BE FULLY LOVED MY SOUL

Nothing breaks the soul more than not feeling fully loved. The soul is a tender reed that is so easily crushed when we feel that those we love care less about us than we deserve. Come with me to the walled garden of our soul and rest awhile in the peace. Draw strength there and go back into the world knowing your worth, loving and accepting yourself fully, and being willing to risk your heart with others.

You may not feel fully loved in return - but that doesn't define you..... let's be people who keep loving with our whole hearts, because the world needs more of our type of people. Let's not allow others to hurt our hearts - instead be strong in yourself, fully loved because you know your own worth, wise, and radiating warmth to those around you - so you can flourish in a sometimes barren world....

HAVE COURAGE MY SOUL

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COURAGE FOR THE SOUL

I've finally realized it's time to take responsibility for my soul's happiness - I can't depend on other people to make me happy. It's completely up to me.

I've chosen to make my soul a walled garden - a place of stillness and sanctuary within this chaotic world. Bounded by walls that protect me from the hurt that comes from placing my soul in the hands of others. A place of safety, warmth, and solace.

It takes courage to own your feelings and your responses. I choose to step forward with courage....

7 Quotes About Friendship

Friendship

We all need at least one true friend. Finding those special people who become our "tribe" is what brings us joy. Knowing who to hold tightly, and who to release because they don't have our best interests at heart, is the key to maintaining trust and connection.

Choose your friends wisely.....

7 Quotes About Contentment

Contentment

Contentment comes from living simply, from gratitude for what you have, and from distancing yourself from envy and comparison.

Our world wants us to always be wanting more, instead of grasping and discontent, we need to appreciate all that we already have and give thanks every day for the blessings in our life.

Have you thought about what you're grateful for today?

5 Quotes About Forgiveness

Forgiveness

Forgiveness clears the heart and the head - it gives us the permission we need to move forward with our lives - despite what may have happened, or who may have hurt us.

Forgiveness is a choice, and the power lies within us to choose peace over resentment and bitterness.

Choose Wisely....

What Does Abundance Mean To You?

What Does Abundance Really Mean?

It seems that in today's world we're all looking for an abundant life. I was thinking about what a rich and meaningful word "abundance" is......and then I got to thinking how the meaning of "abundance" changes depending on your world view and what you consider to be important in life. For some it's all about earning a big salary and being rich, for others it's about living a full and fruitful life, and that ties in with how you define "full and fruitful" - because some people seem to need more than others to feel a sense of contentment with what they have.

Three Thoughts On Living Contentedly

What Are The Basics for Living Contentedly?

As I learn to embrace the second half of life, I find the secret to being truly content often involves coming back to the basics. I think we complicate our world far too much and we need to redefine what is important so that we can find contentment in where we are today, rather than always looking for what's coming next that will finally make us happy.

These three choices are intrinsic to finding contentment in Midlife:

The Beauty Of Authenticity And Integrity

Finding The Gift Of Self-Acceptance

Accepting the changes that come with age is a challenge for a lot of women. As I move through the second half of life I hear women around me bemoaning the demise of their youthful looks, the advent of "laugh lines", and the relentless onslaught of menopause with all its associated issues.

What I've come to realize is that you can put a lot of time and effort into fighting the ageing process and trying to pretend you're still thirty, or you can redefine beauty. I don't find a botox-ed, primped, preened and makeup laden older woman particularly beautiful. Yet, when I see a vibrant woman living in her own identity and investing in the lives of those around her, I am always brought up short in admiration, and I'm often a little envious.

Sometimes You Just Need A Pajama Day

 

When Your Get Up And Go Has Gone

Most of the time I'm an "up and at 'em" kind of gal. I go to work when I need to, I don't take sick days unless I'm on my death bed, I turn up when I say I will and I don't mind any of it. Then there is the occasional day when I reach the point where I've had enough and I'm tired of being little Mary Sunshine. My usual approach to that sort of mood would be to push through and put on my "happy face" and often we have to do that because we have responsibilities and no choice.

Life Isn't Always Perfect or Pretty

The Journey of Life Isn't Always Comfortable

I read an Anthony Bourdain quote that was referring to travel and it said:

Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.

Never Apologize For Being You

Do You Feel Pressure to Fit In?

The world today is full of people who are different to us and have different expectations of us. If you spend your life trying to please everyone, making yourself smaller, or quieter, or less in some way then you limit yourself and your potential.

Have You Asked Yourself "What If?" Lately?

Asking Ourselves The Big Questions

Sometimes we need to ask the big questions of ourselves and many of them start with "What If?" But are we looking in the right direction when we ask those questions? Are we asking the right "What Ifs?" or should we be considering them from a different angle. Here's a few to start with....

It's Time To Stop Hiding Your Authentic Self

Casting Aside Our Fictitious Selves

Do you ever feel like you're hiding your true self from the world? Are you frightened that people may not like the woman you are behind the perfect mask? I saw a quote recently that woke me up to the fact that we need to stop playing the roles that no longer suit us or serve us. It's time to be courageous and own up to our authentic selves. It's hard but it's worth it.

How Do We Become More Courageous?

Natural Courage

Being brave comes easily for some people and I admire those who have the courage to grab life with both hands and leap at new opportunities that come their way. They never seem to suffer from self-doubt, they have an innate sense of self-confidence that allows them to tackle any new challenge that comes along.

How Do You Speak About Your Spouse?

Are You Investing In Your Marriage?

When you've been married for a long time you come to realize how important it is to invest in the person who you have made a lifelong vow to. It's so easy to take each other for granted and to not show appreciation. It's also easy to make "funny" comments about the other person that can be hurtful or unhelpful.

How To Create Great Friendships

What Makes A Great Friend?

I'm sure we've all had "that friend" who turned out to be not quite as great as we'd hoped they would be, and we ask ourselves what went wrong? To have a good friend let you down, or betray your trust, or just not be there when you expected them to be, is one of life's biggest disappointments. When we invest time and emotion into creating a friendship, only to have it go pear shaped, it kills us a little bit inside.