Dear Motivation

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Dear Motivation,

Sometimes I wonder why you appear to leave me when I need you most. It’s very frustrating. I have many plans I know I can achieve when we work together.

I really like you. You are powerful. Your very being brings positivity to my life. When you are with me and I use you as a foundation to achieve my goals and dreams, they come together. After all, Motivation, your name means

  • a strong reason to accomplish something
  • desire or willingness to do something
  • enthusiasm
  • incentive
  • reason or reasons for acting in a particular way

and without you I am a much lesser person.

Moving forward I promise to focus more on our relationship and pay you the attention you deserve. Together we can change my life however without you I struggle to do anything.

Thank you Motivation for your support

Yours in success

Me

 

Sunshine Blogger Award

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the-sunshine-blogger-award-challengeLast week I was honoured to be nominated by Safar at Blisters, Bunions and Blarney http://safarfiertze.com/blog/ for the Sunshine Blogger Award. This award recognizes blogs that share positivity in the blogging community. I would like to encourage you to stop by her blog which covers many topics as you will surely find something that you can connect with and thank her for her consideration. I love looking on the bright side and look forward to sharing this award with other deserving blogs.

The Rules:

  •  Thank the person/people who nominated you
  • Answer the eleven questions from your nominator(s)
  • Nominate eleven other bloggers and give them eleven questions to answer

Answers to my questions:

1.Voltaire once said that a person should be judged by their questions rather than their answers – what question would you pose?

My question would be simple. It would be an honest “How are you going?

2. Mahatma Gandhi advised us to learn as if were were to live forever.  What did you learn today? 

This weekend through participating in Writing 101 I learnt how to add social media to a blog post. Initially this confused me however with perseverance I was able to do it and I am proud of myself.

3. Marilyn Manson suggests to be yourself and make a difference.  What difference did you make today?

Working in mental health and focusing on positivity I believe I make a difference everyday.

4. Audrey Hepburn believes laughter cures a multitude of ills.  What last made you laugh?

I agree with Audrey Hepburn and laugh everyday—the last time being an hour ago whilst watching comedy on the television over lunch. Humour can be found everywhere and is catchy.

5. Satchel Paige asks, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?”I am in my early fifties and most people if asked to guess would say I was in my late forties. A smile can take a few years off you and I smile a lot.

6. ‘Why?’ is the endless question of a child.  What’s your why?

Unlike a child when I review why something happened I get an answer and make a plan to do it differently next time.

7. Oscar Wilde observed that we each are own devil and that we make this world our hell.  What would you need to do to make this world your heaven?

I am constantly working on making my world better. There is no one thing for me that makes the difference it is a mixture of all my daily choices.

8. The UN declared 30 human rights.  Was anything left out?

Not that I can think of.

9. John Stuart Mill argued that non-conformity and eccentricity is an essential service to society.  Do you agree?

I think that having a unique personality, trusting your ability to follow dreams and not listening to the nay sayers is important as that is how society grows. Most successful people have broken the rules and gone against society to achieve their dream.

10. Woody Allen attributes 80% of success to just turning up.  What might you have succeeded at if you had just turned up?

Giving things a go has taught me a lot over my life. I believe you have to be in it to win it so will give most things a go.

11. Think of a quote and ask yourself the question you would have liked me to ask

“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take” Unknown

This quote helps to motivate me. It reminds me to take risks reap the rewards so that as the years go by I don’t have any regrets. So far it is working.

My nominees are:

https://koolitzable.wordpress.com/

http://bestplacesofinterest.com/

https://flyinggoannas.wordpress.com/

https://fromthestickstothebricksandbackagain.wordpress.com/

https://amommasview.wordpress.com/

https://beanzbeblogging.wordpress.com/about/

http://mumbletymuse.com/

https://purpleslobinrecovery.wordpress.com/

http://acookingpotandtwistedtales.com/

Questions for my nominees:

  1. Where is your favourite place you have lived?
  2. If you could change one thing what would it be?
  3. What is your favourite childhood memory?
  4. What is your dream job?
  5. What was your best subject at school?
  6. Do you prefer to live in the country or the city?
  7. If you were stranded on a desert island which celebrity would you take with you?
  8. Everyone has a song that makes them want to dance, what is yours?
  9. Favourite colour?
  10. Do you prefer camping, caravaning or staying in motels?
  11. How many different careers have you had?

 

Let Go

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“Getting over painful experiences is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward”     C.S.Lewis

Photo Credit: Google Images

When I was young I loved playing on the monkey bars. I stood on the side rungs, arms outstretched, one on the first top rung, the other on the second as I considered my next move. My heart pounded as I felt the anxiety. Was I was brave enough to let go.

Every time without failure I stood frozen feeling the pain. I knew what I had to do, take a deep breath, a leap of faith and away I went.

Getting over the painful experiences life throws our way is the same. We have to stand on the edge, take a deep breath, reach out and let go. The first time is the hardest, however the more we do it, the stronger we get and the easier moving forward is.

Do you have to let go of any pain at present to move forward? If so, I hope this powerful quote from C.S.Lewis can motivate you in you time of need.

Write

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Writing was not a skill that came naturally to me. However, the more I wrote the easier it became. And the more I loved it. When I began my book in 2009, my style was very formal. “It doesn’t sound like you and that’s what works” was the feedback I was given. I considered this statement briefly and knew it was correct. I had to find my voice. Editing my book helped me do this and I have carried this voice onto my blog.

For me, writing begins in my head. I think about the topic I want to write about and make a plan as I go about my daily business, which sparks an angle for me to come from. Then I take my plan and write my thoughts out by hand. To make this easier I always carry paper in my handbag in case inspiration strikes.

These days I mostly write at my desk. However, I can and have written anywhere and everywhere—3/4 of my book was written on the train during my daily commute. The big problem of writing everyday is lack of ideas. I am looking for inspiration and to make sure I am giving you my reader what you want I would like your ideas. Please take a moment to complete the attached poll–I thank you for your opinion.


Weekly Photo Challenge: Monochromatic

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The following two monochromatic photos of a wild goanna we found at Minyon Falls are interesting. Taken from slightly different angles they truly show how his camouflage works. It was fascinating to see him in the wild from a distance of course.

 

IMG_2400

IMG_2401

 

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/monochromatic/

Home

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What is home?

For many people it is where they live, however as this is regularly changing I believe the consistent factor is yourself. For me, home is a place of security and I am the only person who can be responsible for my security. I create my security in me, which is why I agree with the following quote on Twitter. Home is myself.

When I think about the factors that make home myself—I think of my personal values.

Harmony

Open-mindedness

Mindful motivation

Expressiveness

As home is myself when life gets tough I  take a few moments, recentre myself wherever I am around the world and recharge. I hold the power and can go home, wherever and whenever, I choose. It’s a powerful skill—going home for me doesn’t need to wait for my physical return to my residential address in Australia.

Things I’ve Learnt

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Have you ever considered what you have learnt? The following list reflects my first thoughts after pondering this topic.

  •  I can do anything I want by breaking my goal down into small practical steps
  • Adequate sleep is essential for my mental health
  • Connecting with people brings me joy–in person and in the blogging community
  • Acknowledging my feelings takes away their power over me
  • I can do anything I really set my mind to by seeking the right help and guidance
  • Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but one of strength
  • My choices need to reflect my priorities to achieve my goals
  • Mindfulness colouring-in books are great for stress relief
  • We teach others how to treat us by how we treat ourselves
  • Colour lifts my mood
  • Positive thinking is powerful
  • When life is difficult I work out what I can practically do in the moment—the rest can wait till later
  • Drinking water makes my body work better
  • Spending ME time daily is important
  • Spending time visiting others blogs is an important part of the joy of blogging
  • If I just do things instead of procrastinating about them I save time
  • When one door closes a window with a better view usually opens
  • Getting back to nature grounds me
  • Get the facts then make decisions—don’t assume
  • If in doubt—Google

Weekly Photo Challenge: Stanley The Emu

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This week, photograph a stationary subject from three different angles.

Stanley the Emu is an 18 metre high sculpture which stands guard over the Castlereagh Highway, 10 kilometres south of Lightning Ridge. The inspiration for Stanley came to artist John Murray when he was at Birdsville. His thinking was a bird for Birdsville, however as Birdsville is in Outback Queensland 1337 kilometres from Lightning Ridge transporting the very large sculpture became impossible.

Instead due to the overwhelming support from the people of Lightning Ridge who gave their time to create him and help to source the recycled steel and VW’s from which he is made, the decision was made to place him on the ridge after which Lightning Ridge was named and looking west towards Birdsville.

The making of Stanley to me signifies the Australian spirit and can do attitude that I am proud of. Photographing him from several different perspectives helps to realise the love and thought that went into his design and creation.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/from-every-angle/

Chances

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What’s the biggest chance you ever took? Did it work out? Do tell!

Change

I think for me the scariest chance I have taken was last year when I started Inspiring Max.  I had considered it for many years before finally plucking up the courage to find my online voice. It is a decision I don’t regret taking and I write about the lessons I have learnt from the experience in my first blogiversary post, which can be found at  https://www.inspiringmax.com/first-blogiversary/

When it comes to chances I agree with my childhood hero, Mary Tyler Moore that we grow from our mistakes. I love this quote and find it powerful when I need extra motivation to do something like the first time I pressed publish on a blog post. The next scary chance for me to take when I am ready is to send my book to the editor, hopefully sometime in the next few months. Thanks for joining me as I continue to change my life, take more chances and see where they take me.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/take-a-chance-on-me/

Weekly Photo Challenge: Today Was A Good Day

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In a Mesh gallery, show us what makes you happy. Share your ideal day, recount a memorable day in the past, or share your favorite things.

A few years ago I went for a walk with my father around the hidden places of Sydney Olympic Park.We made fascinating discoveries and really enjoyed the peace and serenity.

 

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/today-was-a-good-day/