Monday's Moment of Wisdom - Pearl Number 62

As 2013 draws to an end I can't help thinking a little about this year, how everything has unfolded and how our plans have panned out...

As usual not everything has gone to plan, some things have been amazing and expectation exceeded and others have been crushing, an absolute heartbreak. 

Now we are racing to finish off this year, Christmas and New Year are always so full of excitement that these last few weeks just seem to fly by don't they? While I'm planning on ending this year on a joyous note full of peace with what has been and anticipation of what to follow, I'm gonna spend the next few weeks reflecting on the journey I have taken to get here and take from it the lesson that need to be learnt, the achievements I made and let go of the things that weren't right...

When you look back on your journey this year, what were the bits that mattered to you? 

Feel Good Friday - Something for the Weekend

Have things just got really busy for you? Well they certainly have for us!

This weekend sees our little family indulging in more Christmas festivities, a few more bits and bobs to buy and a big family get together to switch on LC's Granddad's Christmas lights - the whole village turns up, we have mince pies and mulled cider (we live in Somerset!) and raise money for the local hospice, it's fun and nice way to catch up with everyone! Plus all the usual weekend stuff of laundry, ironing, cleaning and getting read for the coming week, the Other Half has to cram in some study somewhere and I have some baking to do to, phew I'm exhausted just thinking about it all...

But if your having a chilled one this weekend here are some bits that you might enjoy!

Going to a Christmas market this weekend? We are visiting the one in Bath.

This photographers project celebrates women being first...

More on photography as this talented lady gives tips on how to shoot picutre at night, perfect for outdoor festive celebrations like the ones we have this weekend! (Thanks Michelle!)

Although Christmas will soon be here you still have time to give back to those around you and in your community and spread some seasonal love and joy, here is some inspiration to get you started from The Shine Project, Lululemon, Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar
Noticed all the Grace and Gratitude talk from me lately? Here's why it's shinning bright for me right now!

Happy Friday peeps, now it's your turn to tell what your weekend plans are below...

Mondays Moment of Wisdom - Pearl Number 61

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” 

- Marcel Proust

Have you ever thought if I could change my job, my looks, my weight, this or that then I'd feel happier, more content or even everything would then be alright, sound familiar?

One thing I've learnt this year is not that "other things" need to change for me to find a sense of fulfilment but actually I need to change, my thoughts, beliefs and perspectives. Not that what I have or had before was wrong but it just didn't seem to fit for who I wanted to be or the life I wanted to lead.

So slowly and gently I have been challenging my view of life, looking at situations differently and I have stopped telling myself

"Everything will be ok if..." 

Or "I'll be happy when..." 

And even "Only When this happens I'll feel..".

I've gone through a bit journey lately, infact I've only really just started and what I've learnt has been life changing, sounds very dramatic doesn't it?! It's actually quite simple though, I've learnt to feel more relaxed about life, I've learnt to forgive people and situations that upset me or bring about a feeling of negativity, I've decided to view problems with a fresh outlook and hand back a little to see how things pan out and I've been able to stop putting certain things in my life on pedestals. 

Taking a new view on life and how I see myself has been interesting, I didn't know that there was so much good stuff there already and I've realised that if you take a step back and obversed more you can start seeing great things you did't quite catch a glimpse of before it's definitely had a calming effect on me and how I'm living right now.

So this week when things are going pear shaped or your getting frustrated or anxious about something in your life or maybe you come across a problem that needs solving I challenge you to have a look at this through fresh eyes, it may be scary but once you've done it you could find a new way to start doing things or thinking or feeling, now wouldn't that be exciting?

Come and share how it works out for you below....

Feel Good Friday

OK so I know it's not snowed yet but December always invokes images of a winter wonderland don't you think? Anyway now that this month is in full swing I intend to just simply have fun and enjoy the lead up to Christmas with my little family. This month for me is about creating a special time for my little girl, being cosy with my husband with festive PJ's, candles and blankets, enjoying some much needed down time, catching up with friends I haven't had much time to see lately, eating yummy festive food and drinking a lot of warm, spiced mulled wine, enjoying roast dinners at my in-laws and Yule log at my mums house, Christmas Markets, the pantomime, lazy breakfasts with bucks fizz and pancakes and lots of late night celebrations.

You'll also find me taking a minute to reflect back over this year, wave good bye the things that, well, didn't turn out as I hoped but also embracing the the little bits that I learnt, about me, my life and how I want to live. As well as planning for the new, ringing in change, getting excited about the future and waiting, anticipating how all the adventures of the next year will unfold, this is what December is all about for me this year!

So, what does this new month mean to you? Share you thoughts bellow...

5 Ways to get through Christmas graciously...

So there is no escaping it now, it's December and the month of Christmas is finally here! 

I've been noticing a lot lately how many people are not over joyed at this prospect and I understand that for many Christmas can be a difficult and emotional time, so if you are feeling more "Bah-Humbug" than "Tis the season to be jolly" here are some ways to put a little bit of grace into the impending festivities...

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” - Plato

• No one of knows truly what others are thinking or feeling this holiday season, although some people might put on a happy face they may be feeling very sad or low inside, showing some kindness, even if you don't agree or understand their ideas, don't like how they behave or what they say, will go along way. If someone you know is having a tough time, give them slack, maybe it's your generosity in love that will make the difference?

“No one has ever become poor by giving.”- Anne Frank

• This doesn't necessarily mean spending loads of money on others, being lavish or breaking the bank, instead let it mean giving of spirit and compassion instead, bringing joy and happiness. Sounds a bit airy fairy I know but at this time of year we focus a lot on what we have to buy and the money side of things, I wonder if we could all think of ways to give that didn't cost a penny? Maybe making something with a personal touch or  take some time to give your services to other, local homeless centre or pet shelter, maybe you could buy a small gift for a child in hospital or at a refuge..?

“No one is more insufferable than he who lacks basic courtesy.”  - Bryant McGill

• OK, OK, I know this is a tough one, especially if you have to spend the day with an in-law you can't stand, your crazy great aunt or suffer the annoying boss at your Christmas party! Remember you get what you give out or another way to put it, treat others the way you would want to be treated. I'm not suggesting you be a door mat and let others speak to you or treat you like dirt, I'm suggesting you practice the art of being the bigger person, if another wants to act in a bitter or negative manner let that be their problem, not yours!

  “All the statistics in the world can't measure the warmth of a smile.” - Chris Hart

• So true, a smile goes along way, you can never underestimate the power of it. At this time of the year everybody gets wrapped up in their busy Christmas plans, rushing about and being caught up in what they are doing, spread some cheer about, smile at someone each day that you wouldn't normally smile at, you never know it could make them want to pass that smile on...

“Though sympathy alone can't alter facts, it can help to make them more bearable." 

- Bram Stoker

•  I have already touch on this above, people have a hard time at this time of year, you may know some one who has lost someone they loved, been made redundant, suffered a trauma or is experiencing depression, reaching out to them may not change how they feel but will help make the situation easier to bear, remember to let others experience Christmas in a way that makes them comfortable.

As a side note I have noticed already there is a lot of negativity about Christmas around, this makes me so sad, it seems that people will always choose to celebrate the season in a different way to others and I wonder if we could try to just be happy for them and the fun they are having, the traditions they keep and the way they do things, even if it is different to our ways, even if we don't agree, because who are we to say that anything is wrong, different strokes for different folks and all that.

This year we have done the decorations on the 1st, the elf thing and the hand drawn Christmas cards by LC, and we are doing these things for us, because it makes our family happy, because we have had a shitty year and by getting a bit crazy and excited for Christmas it helps to be grateful for the things we do have, you know focusing on the positive rather than the negative. We don't do it out of guilt or one up man-ship, we do it because that is what we want for our family, if other people are doing it, great! If they are not, OK! So before I start to pass comment on how another person is or isn't celebrating Christmas I will remind myself to stop, take a moment and be happy for them that they are doing what feels right for them, because I don't know their circumstances and I don't get the whole picture from making assumptions, maybe they have had a shitty year like me too and are celebrating or not celebrating right now because of that. And if they are having an Christmas extravaganza for one up man-ship, to portray an image, because they feel guilty or like they have too then I would like to be gracious enough not to spend too much time dwelling on it and focus on what makes my family happy instead. Why can't people just be happy and accepting for others instead, why all the bad feeling? - Anyway just my thoughts...