Daily Post Archives - INSPIRING MAX

F.I.R.S.T.

January 5, 2015 inspiringmax

Tell us about your first day at something — your first day of school, first day of work, first day living on your own, first day blogging, first day as a parent, whatever.

There is always a first time to do something. The problem is, often none of these are as simple as they seem. Starting a new job, having a baby or beginning blogging, they all need a strategy.

To help us with this mission, I have made an acronym of FIRST.

F: Fear

I: Inspiration

R: Resolve

S: Stategy

T: Test

All new things have a fear attached to them. Use this fear to develop inspiration as to why you want to overcome this fear. Then resolve to make a strategy to ensure your success and finally test it out.

Don’t let fear get the better of you. Make a plan to overcome it and make lots of firsts. They keep your life exciting.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/first/

Weekly Photo Challenge: New

January 4, 2015 inspiringmax

Possibility. Opportunity. Potential. As another year gets underway, let’s celebrate the new.

Today we had our serious day of winter weather. The first day of real snow in our 5 weeks in Canada. Whilst on the odd occasion it has snowed before never was it like this. When we left our motel this morning the streets were clear. By the time we returned home there was 15 cm of snow. It was awesome. Fine powdery snow that was fun to walk in, although I am sure I found muscles I didn’t know I had. I have never not seen the streets not cleared before, so it was difficult at times to tell where the footpath ended and the road started.

Winter Fun in Ottawa

I am hoping it continues to snow tomorrow as the prospect of freezing rain, another new experience actually doesn’t excitement me. But que sera sera, whatever will be will be. It’s all part of understanding what it is like to live in Canada, which is why we traveled from Australia in the first place.

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

Weekly Photo Challenge: Sydney 2000 Flame

December 7, 2014December 7, 2014 inspiringmax

Show us something that is lost, but not forgotten.

Cauldron From Sydney Olympics

The Sydney Olympics ended 14 years ago, however the Australian Olympic spirit lives on. This cauldron once adorned the stadium. It has been mounted on legs and now forms a beautiful sculpture in Cathy Freeman Park.

Every four years during the Olympics, our flame is re-lit. I love watching it. These photos were taken during the 2012 London Olympics. It still has the water attached, which is turned on periodically during hot summer days as a place for the children to cool off.

Sydney 2000 has gone but is definitely not forgotten.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/gone-but-not-forgotten/

Daily Prompt: Yoda

November 7, 2014 inspiringmax

Someone or something you can’t communicate with through writing (a baby, a pet, an object) can understand every single word you write today, for one day only. What do you tell them?

Yoda we loved you—although I am sure that today is not the only we have been able to communicate with you. You can into our life after the tragic loss of your first owner. You settle in and seemed to know the rules very quickly— as if they were unsaid.

Your original name was Black Kid, but that was too hard for us simple folk so we changed it to Blackie—not for long. You were always so wise and there when we needed you. You had a way about you that was welcoming and even non-cat people liked you. Not long after joining our family, one of the children decided you looked like a wise old man, so your name was instantly changed to Yoda. You answered immediately and your personality developed more.

My daughter loved you so much she thought you were her baby and together with my husband, they bought you a high chair to eat off on special occasions. Being a loving cat, you played the game—which made your mummy very happy. You never tried to eat off any other table as if you knew this one was special for you.

As the least cat friendly person in the house you snuggled up to me and entered my heart without me even realising. It would annoy the others that if I sat in my chair, you would come, sit on me and stay for hours in the one position—leaving me to read and them to do the housework. Thank you. After all, the rule was that they wouldn’t move the settled cat because he looked so cute. They were very jealous that you never sat on them—I loved our special snuggles.

The one thing I wasn’t so keen on was you trying to help me write by sitting on my lap while I was on the computer. I tried to work with you but it didn’t work. I loved the fact that you wanted to help me and that you wanted to be a part of the family and were always around not hiding.

Thank you coming and sharing our life. Unfortunately when you came to us you were an older cat so your time with us was short. We miss you every day but we love to continue to seek your guidance in from your special place in the front garden watching over your friends in the street.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/literate-today/

Happy Birthday Toastmasters

October 31, 2014 inspiringmax

Today you can write about anything, in whatever genre or form, but your post must mention a dark night, your fridge, and tears (of joy or sadness; your call).

This month sees Toastmasters International celebrate its 90th birthday. Founded in 1924 by Ralph C. Smedley, it began as a single club in Santa Ana, California to help young men learn the art of public speaking. 90 years later there are 14,650 clubs in 126 countries and Toastmasters is continuing to grow.

Today, Toastmasters International’s membership is over 300,000 and it uses the tagline “Where Leaders are Made.” Emphasising the connection between public speaking and leadership in modern career paths.

I joined Toastmasters International in 2010 and have enjoyed my journey to becoming a competent speaker. I completed my first speaking manual —Competenat Communicator twice to develop my confidence writing and speaking, before I began the my Advanced Manuals, which I am now half way through.

The skills that I have learnt and honed at Toastmasters have definitely helped in both writing my book and commencing blogging. They help me think on my feet and this year in the impromptu speaking competition—Table Topics—I was runner-up at Area, something I am very proud of and a personal best.

My favourite part of Toastmasters, especially as a sponsor of a new club is seeing people make their first speech to the club called the Ice Breaker—for obvious reasons. This a particularly stressful time for many new members due to fear, anxiety and lack of confidence. However, mentorship and support from club members gets them through. After presenting their first speech, it is not uncommon for members to cry tears of joy as they realise that they really did do it —the planning, preparation and practice paid off.

If you are looking for a supportive way to achieve personal growth and develop at your own pace I would recommend you consider joining a Toastmaster Club near you. They are a proven way to enrich your life for 90 years.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/trio-no-three/

Double Take

October 28, 2014 inspiringmax

You step into an acquaintance’s house for the first time, and discover that everything — from the furniture, to the books, to the art on the wall — is identical to your home. What happens next?

“My, what great taste you have,” I said. My new friend looked at me with confusion written all over her face.

“Thank you” she said sheepishly, wondering what I would say next.

“Do you realise that this house and everything in it, is exactly the same as my house?” I replied.

“Your kidding. I’ve been collecting my things for thirty years and I don’t even know where you live,” she said.

“I believe you because many of them tell their own story. They would take a lot of effort to purchase today—they belong to the 80’s.” I replied.

We spent the next hour discussing our experiences with our belongings— where we had bought them and the story behind them. Although many of our stories were similar, some were vastly different. My miniature bottle collection was started as a 21st birthday present by a friend, whereas my new friend commenced hers after travelling overseas and bringing her free in flight alcohol bottles home.

A small selection

The more we talked—the more we realised we had in common. Then, an idea hit me.

“We seem to be similar people, with similar ways of thinking. Let’s write a series of books together. We could get them done in half the time but with double the resources. What do you think?” I asked.

“Yes I would love to. Sounds great.” she said, as she grabbed her ideas folder from the coffee table. And, with that our new writing career began—here are a few of our titles.

Double Take
Double Trouble
Double Jeopardy
Double Life

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/doppelganger-alert/

A Ray of Hope

October 27, 2014 inspiringmax

Imagine we lived in a world that’s all of a sudden devoid of color, but where you’re given the option to have just one object keep its original hue. Which object (and which color) would that be?

I love colour. It brightens my day and lifts my mood. I would struggle living in a monotone world of black and white initially—although after time I would adapt. The problem isn’t in the black and white—they are stark contrasts and have their own sharpness because of it—the problem is all the shades of grey in between.

To contrast the lack of colour, I would choose to keep the rainbow. I see the rainbow as a symbol of hope. Hope—that after the storm, there can be a beautiful ending. It would remind me of the colours that can come and brighten our world again. Even if colours never do return to our world—the rainbow would inspire hope that they are going to.

All my life when I see a rainbow—I instantly dream about the pot of gold at the end of it. The one, I heard about in so many childhood stories. I now use rainbows to remember to dream, smile and make plans for my future.

Rainbows need both water and sunlight to be created, so by ensuring a supply of rainbows, I am ensuring a supply of both of these natural elements— necessary for life.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/local-color/

Masks Off

October 26, 2014 inspiringmax

We’re less than a week away from Halloween! If you had to design a costume that channeled your true, innermost self, what would that costume look like? Would you dare to wear it?

Although Halloween celebrations are not big in Australia, I do enjoy dressing up in fancy dress costume. Wearing masks however—are not my thing. I find them restrictive and controlling. Neither which fit my personality. I chose my costume to be something that works for the occasion—with my open face plus or minus makeup.

On a day to day basis, I believe I channel my true self—in person as well as in my writing. Being genuine to who I am is important to me and constancy is the key. I am an honest, considerate person who loves teaching, nurturing and supporting others to grow. I also believe that it is important for me to do this for myself—to lead by example. I am aware of my limitations, but am happy to push myself beyond my comfort zone. If necessary, my personality allows deal with difficult situations to achieve the best outcomes.

Depending on how make-up is applied, it can be a mask, hiding someones real personality. Not all heavily applied make-up is a mask but, for some people it is. At times, this can be a very effective tool. However, used all the time masks can stunt your personal growth, as they stop you and others from connecting to the real you. Naturally applied make-up can be our friend. It isn’t a mask and doesn’t stop our personality coming through—hides our worse and highlights our best features—making us shine.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/masks-off/

Out Of Breath

October 25, 2014 inspiringmax

The busier my day is—the more I need to focus on my breathing. It energises and anchors me. I take time to—stop and just breath.

I stand still

Take a deep breath in

Create a circle with my arms

And breath out deeply and slowly

Moving my body helps me to organise my headspace and thinking. If I don’t do it, things get crazy and my desk or work area reflects the chaos in my world. However by stopping, taking control and replacing my breath—I can change my world by centering it.

My busy day isn’t taken away by this activity—I am just put in the present moment and able to make a plan. Yes, by a plan—I do mean a list—naming all the priorities to be addressed today. If I need any extra strength, after my deep breath—I will stand in a power pose for two minutes to increase my testosterone levels—it is simple yet very effective skill.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/out-of-breath/

Beer Please?

October 24, 2014 inspiringmax

We arrived at the cafe in our hotel after an exhausting 22 hours in transit from Sydney, Australia to Zhenzhou, China. She was the first person we met and looked younger than her years. Her Chinese hospitality uniform stole any individuality she had. She was humble and worked hard trying to communicate with us despite her very broken English.

“Hello” she said. Handing us a menu.

“Hi” replied my husband, asking if she had any dark beer. She looked confused and began pointing at pictures understanding the word beer.

“This one?” she asked

“No” replied my husband.

“This one?”

“No.”

“I get help” she said and slowly walked to get her friend. She returned with her friend who appeared eager to help and looked at my husband.

“Do you have dark beer?” he asked.

“Yes, I think this one” she said as she pointed to a German dark beer written in Chinese.

“Yes” he said. Both girls looked at each other and smiled broadly, proud that together they had met the needs of this Australian traveller.

“I get for you” replied our first waitress and she returned with the beer and a free bowl of beer nuts. My husband loved it.

This interaction began the nightly ritual of our stay in Zhenzhou. During the day every time we walked passed the cafe our new friends would smile and wave if they were working and saw us.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/ready-set-done-5/