Category: Happiness

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London 2012 – Looking Forward to an Olympic Summer!

London 2012 is… finally here! With less than 24 hours to go before the opening ceremony, I am really excited and  have lots of plans to make the most of living in this amazing city, while The Olympics are on. I haven’t really ever been much of a sports-fan, but as I get older, I realise how much more there is to sporting competitions and tournaments like this, than just a pure love of a sport. Over the last few weeks, and particularly this week, the atmosphere has changed, I think, with more and more Londoners getting into the spirit. I have had an amazing week, which started with watching the technical rehearsal of the Olympic opening ceremony on Monday. It was just incredible! Tomorrow the whole world will be able to watch it on their screens, and I can’t wait to see it televised. I am planning to watch the opening ceremony concert on the big screens in Victoria Park, with a picnic dinner, before the main event at 9.00pm BST.

The Action for Happiness Campaign says: 

 Looking forward to things is great way to motivate yourself

…and so I thought I would share some of the ways I have enjoyed the run-up to The Olympics, in my home city of London, and the other Olympic-related activities I am looking forward to.

Yesterday the Olympic Torch Relay came to my neck of the woods, and I went to see it. I was amazed at the numbers of people who had come along, and it was great to soak up the party atmosphere. The torch bearer I saw must have run past very quickly, because I couldn’t get a photo!

The person in my house who does love sport is my husband, and as soon as he had the chance to, he signed up to be an Olympic volunteer. Here is his uniform, all ready for the next two weeks.

The Games Maker uniform

The photos below were taken just before I went into the Olympic Stadium for the rehearsal of the opening ceremony…

The Orbit Tower shining in the evening sun

The Olympic Stadium, as I arrived

Once inside the Olympic Stadium, I expected to have our cameras taken away, or at least for us to be requested not to take photos, but I was pleasantly surprised. Everyone was taking photos, and even video, but we were just asked to #savethesurprise. It was clever to invent such a hashtag (which started trending on Twitter staight away). Because of the way the words were phrased, most people have respected the wishes of the organisers and kept the surprise – which is why I haven’t posted any photos of the ceremony here!

This is how the stadium looked after I left…

After the opening ceremony rehearsal

I am really looking forward to spending a day at the Olympic Park during the Paralympic Games (In August), as well as attending a few different paralympic events.

Here are a few more photos from my evening there:

Looking up the Orbit Tower

The Aquatics Centre, Olympic Park

Beaming after the showAnd finally I am doing my little bit, by bringing the spirit of the Games to little people in Enfield, with my Relax Kids Olympic-themed classes. You can find out more about enrolling your child in my classes here.

Relax Kids Olympic Adventures

What are you looking forward to? Drop me a line, or leave me a comment. I read them all and always respond!

 

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Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

Today’s post is written by a guest blogger, Ree Ree Rockette of Rockalily Cuts. It continues the theme of creating your own happiness. Enjoy!

Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone and Leaving

What You Know for What You Love

Teaching was definitely deep within my comfort zone; being in control, a cause I felt passionate about, a respectable career path, a clear path to promotion. But yet, it wasn’t quite enough for me. I liked it, but the idea of doing it for the next ten years caused a wave of panic through my veins!

I was good at teaching, and really wasn’t sure what else I could ever be good at. I’d never been creative, never been particularly practical with my hands, or had any talents with an obvious value.

Ree Ree is now a blogger and business woman

I think I started with a brainstorming session. My blog had been gaining its own legs, so I started by thinking about whether my blog could become anything else. Could any of my new experiences in my part time job (stage managing burlesque shows) or my blogging lead me to any new career paths?

It was pretty obvious that I didn’t really want to work for someone else, although of course I knew I’d need a part time job while I started something of my own. What would I love doing, if it wasn’t teaching?!

Rather than the scary task of flicking through career books, I started by dreaming of my dream day. Did I want to start early or late? Did I want to work solo or with a team? Did I like deadlines? Did I want an office or a job I could do at home? I then moved on to considering what my actual talents and skills were. What transferrable skills had I developed?

Another perk of running your own business: the salon dog, Ellington makes himself at home

I also asked people who knew me, what they thought I’d be good at. The answers sometimes surprised me, but they always made me reflect on what I wanted my life to become.

Eventually the path led to creating my own lipstick brand, and recently to opening my own hair salon in London. Part of my soul will always be a teacher, but this is definitely what I love. I get to challenge my brain, stretch my personal abilities, and measure my success by concrete achievements. I have loved learning about business, branding and marketing, and I also get to pass on some of my experiences with the business group I set up, called Wonderful Women: Minding Our Own Business.

It wasn’t obvious at the start what I loved, and I definitely liked teaching a lot, but in the end (and I’m only at the beginning really!) I found the right path for me. And I love it.

Ree Ree Rockette’s website is Rockalily.com. You can find her salon Rockalily Cuts at 205a, Kingsland Road, London, E2 8AN.

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How Your Friends Affect Your Happiness

In my last post I spoke about Spending Time Wisely and this post is almost a continuation of that theme. How often have you spent time with someone, then left and felt dragged down by the encounter? If, like me, you only have limited amounts of time in which to socialise, it’s important that you choose to spend your time with positive people who help you feel good. I read recently that you are the sum total of the five people you spend the most time with – so choose wisely! Not everyone is naturally positive or able to spread their joy, and some people are full of pain or sadness. In that case, you can be the one to bring the positivity to the party. It is amazing the affect you can have on others – even a little drip drip of positive language or reframing of words can make an impact over time.

There is a pre-supposition in NLP which says ‘we cannot not influence each other’ – because we are all connected and are part of a living system.* So if you believe that…

Why not choose to be with others who contribute to your overall happiness?

Top Tips for Choosing ‘Positive Friends’

  • Think about which people in your life make you feel your happiest, most alive and energised self. Make arrangements to see them more.
  • Find like-minded people and people with similar interests. If you don’t know anyone with your interests, find them through groups like Meet-up.
  • Spend time with people who you find exciting.
  • Get involved in events which bring people together.
  • When confronted by negativity, gently re-phrase what the person says. Chances are they are so used to their way of thinking; it might be a refreshing change.
  • Try to reduce the encounters you have with anyone who drags you down.
  • If the people who think in a negative way can’t be avoided, gently challenge their way of thinking by turning their thoughts into more positive ones. Over time, this will have some degree of impact.

If you are giving your time to others and are not happy with how you feel afterwards, there may be deeper issues at play. Examine what is causing the bad feelings and try to isolate them. This may need to change or be eliminated somehow. Drop me a line to find out how coaching could help.

*You can read more about social network theory in the book Connected by Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler which you can find in the shop. 


As always, if you like what you have read, use the buttons to share it with others, or leave me a comment or question below 🙂

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Budget Christmas Adventures

This year I decided to put up my decorations early, buy all of my gifts, write my cards and generally get myself into the Christmas spirit well before I usually do – mainly because of my moving home situation being a bit up in the air and also because I am trying to limit my budget this year. By starting early I gave myself more time to plan and have less chance of over-spending.

It feels now as thought the recession is truly beginning to bite – I keep hearing more bad news about job losses from friends and neighbours and I have noticed prices going up all over the place. One way of distracting myself from all of this doom and gloom has been to enjoy more of the simple pleasures in life – making my house look sparkly and inviting, trying out new recipes and becoming addicted to this year’s ‘I’m a Celebrity’. Thankfully my t.v. addiction for this year is now over, so I can get on with the real spirit of Christmas and visit friends and family and have them over too.

I started buying gifts early this year to take advantage of sales and special offers and have made my own tags from old Christmas cards instead of buying (for example) 6 for £1.00! A really simple thing I also did was a set a budget for each gift and stick to it (this is usually where I go wrong). I have also put aside my cards to hand to people when I see them and only post cards to those who I definitely won’t see. (I have toyed with the idea of sending an online card, which would be free(!), but haven’t done that yet. Maybe next year!)

I’d love to hear what changes, if any, you have made to fit with budget constraints. 

Anyway, here are some sparkly pictures I wanted to share with you to brighten your day.

Our first Christmas card of the year. This cat is the spitting image of Puffin!

Vintage card which reminds me the style of illustration when I was a child

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am also planning lots of free/low cost activities:

I visited the Dickens Christmas Market in Rochester (Kent) on the weekend, which was free to enter and was festive fun. The only money I spent was on things to eat (I was in the vicinity already).

I am hoping to pop in to The Enfieldian Vintage Fair this weekend where my friend Miss Honey Bare will be getting creative with vintage hair and make-up. Visit Heyday Honey to find out more about the aptly named ‘Make Do Christmas’ event.

I am also attending a free walk on the grounds of Trent Park, my old haunt to find out more about its history on the ‘History and Mystery Tour‘.

Look out for free events on the internet (try your council website) and local papers. Feel free to share any budgetting tips of your own and have fun whatever you’re up to this Christmas!

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Early Christmas Countdown

Hand-made advent calendar made by Charlotte

This year the Christmas break is going to be a bit different for me as things are a bit up in the air with regards to moving home. So I decided that I am going to get prepared with gifts and put up my decorations super early, which explains this post. It is probably (and hopefully) my last Christmas in this house, so I am going to make the most of it. Pictures to come soon!

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Life is in the Details

 I am currently looking to move house in the near future and although I am excited at the prospect of a new abode, I will be sad to leave. So in order to enjoy every last moment here, I have been paying more attention to the details in this little place that I have called home. 

Collection of random things in my kitchen including the mask I made for a party last Christmas

A Mucha print, picked up from Columbia Road market for a fiver

 

 

Bathroom mermaid

Retro phone and photos of Amsterdam

Seahorse mirror mosaic My home is a complete haven for me and it is a place where I can express my creatvity and enjoy the beauty in the little details around me.

Dansette record palyer

Collection of mini boxes in display table

How have you created a space for yourself in your home? Does it reflect who you are?

I’d love to hear your thoughts about this – please leave me a comment below or through the contact form – or connect on Facebook or Twitter 🙂

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Time is the Greatest Healer

Yesterday was the tenth anniversary of the first time I got married. When I look back over those years I realise how much I have changed and developed. The last five years in particular have been a massive time of growth for me and I feel proud of the woman I have become today. So rather than look back and feel sorrow, resentment or anger, I am grateful for the lessons I have learnt and the second chance I’ve had to create happy relationships in my life.

This life is not a dress rehearsal; this is it.

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Customer Service and Personal Touches

I received my gorgeous Moon Tyger Tea in the post this morning and I was genuinely impressed to find a hand-written note inside my package. It made it so much more personal, and makes me want to go back to this company again. Sometimes we forget the little touches which can make such a difference to our products and services, which keep the customers happy and coming back.

Which companies have impressed you with their personal service? If you run a business, how have you tried to make your service personal? Please comment and share! 🙂

I bought Lemon Verbena tea, Tyger Moon (Chrysanthemum, green and white tea leaves) and Jasmine pearls

The tiny pearls of Jasmine flower slowly unfurl in your cup, releasing the delicate flavour

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Self-Coaching Tip – Take Action for Your Own Happiness

Sometimes we need to remember we can all positively affect our own happiness.As you may have read in my blog I did a charity walk yesterday for Cancer Research UK. As well as gaining a sense of achievement for myself, I really felt good knowing that I was part of something bigger, and that the money I raised through sponsorship would go towards the fund for finding new treatments and ultimately cures for different cancers. So why do we feel good when we give our time or money to charity?

The Action For Happiness website says:

“When we give to others it activates the areas of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection and trust. Altruistic behaviour releases endorphins in the brain and boosts happiness for us as well as the people we help.”

I have been following the Action For Happiness Campaign founded by Richard Layard, Geoff Mulgan and Anthony Seldon with interest ever since its launch. This inspiring campaign looks at how we can increase levels of happiness in our society. The website itself is interactive and engaging, and I become hooked every time I visit it.

I love their three fundamental values:

 

1. We can each affect our happiness and the happiness of those around us

2. We need to prioritise the things that cause happiness

3. Helping others is essential for a happier society

 

“We make a living by what we get, but we making a life by what we give.” ~ Winston Churchill

 

 

 

 

 

 

    You can join the Action for Happiness campaign today, pledging to help yourself and those around you feel happier. On the website you will find tons of advice and ways to get involved in your local area.

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Race for Life for Cancer Research UK

This morning I did my first 5K walk for Cancer Research UK. I have done a 7K walk for Kidney Research UK before, but although that was longer, I took it at a more leisurely pace. This time I was determined to do it as quickly possible and I only stopped when I wanted to video an amazing display going on as part of another event. I am very pleased with my time as I walked the 5K in an hour and 3 minutes. My dream would be to jog it eventually, but for now, I am pleased. Next year I would like to try and walk 10K. I am sure that would be much more of a challenge, and one I plan to pursue! If you would like to get involved yourself, why not sign up for one of the many walks all sround the country? Go to www.raceforlife.org

Walking along with women of ages, shapes and sizes  We were in the gorgeous location of Regent’s Park

I finished in an hour and 3 minutes

Remembering lost loved ones and those fighter cancer today