The ‘Race That Stops the Nation’ has just been run, and thousands of us will have had a lot of fun betting money on a potential winner and enjoying the fairy tale wound into this year’s outcome. The Melbourne Cup is one of those iconic Aussie traditions many of us indulge in, regardless of whether we live in Melbourne or not! Whether …
Where you look determines how you feel
It was a crazily bright Winter morning. The sky was intensely blue and the sun shining, though the air was admittedly cool. Not far into my walk a guy strode towards me wearing a coat and beanie. He was under a canopy of big trees, therefore in the shade. As he passed he nodded and muttered, “Mighty chilly day!” His …
Please say please
Recently my kids were at a theme park set to go on one of the thrill rides. It was late in the afternoon, and the attendant came past to check the safety rail was locked in place. As she did so, my kids said a quick thank you. The woman nodded and continued on. But when she’d finished checking the row, she …
Set your sail for success
Aah Summer, I can feel it creeping closer. The temperature is rising, the days are getting longer. It won’t be long before we’re all tempted to hit the beach again – if we haven’t already! I have several nieces and nephews who’ve been down at their surf lifesaving club for months training… The focus for today’s post is a bit …
The balancing realities of life
Have you noticed there are balancing realities in all parts of our lives? Some days it’s sunny and others its stormy. There are times life is so good you feel like you’re walking on a cloud. The next month or year everything’s so hard you’re over it. This is true whether you’re thinking about work, family, relationships or anything else. My …
Five reasons to smile
Although we can’t be permanently happy, a lot of us spend far too long with a frown on our faces. It’s not helping you and it’s not doing much for the rest of us either. Today if you’re feeling a bit flat, I’ve got five reasons to smile for you to ponder: It lowers stress In our crazy, fast paced …
New and old friends
I had a number birthday quite recently, if you know what I mean. One of the things I was conscious of was how many good, new and old friends I have in my life. People connections contribute a great deal to our sense of life being good, in fact research of all kinds is showing that: “Social connection is a …
How to learn anything in 20 hours
For a long time now I’ve been really interested in learning; how we do it, what motivates us to learn and what works. In my work and my coaching I’ve tried to find the best combinations and methods to help others get ideas and skills on board fast. One of the beliefs that’s been around a while now is that …
Share your smile today
I found this quote when I was a teenager and I liked it so much I made a cross stitch thing from it. (I know, you didn’t expect that of me, did you?) A few years ago I found it hiding in a dark corner of my sewing stuff (another surprise!) and pulled it out. Now it sits on our …
What’s good about Dads
Fathers. They come in almost as many variations as there are men. Dark and hairy or small and skinny; loud and physical or quiet and serious. Older. Younger. Gruff and reserved. Or very affectionate. Since we celebrate Father’s Day next Sunday, I thought it would be good to post something on the importance of Dads. Then I started thinking about …
Remember to Breathe
Many of us have been suffering from bad weather lately; sometimes from the sky and sometimes from other people. It’s kind of easy to feel depressed when that happens, and dull our living down to avoid the intensity of emotions raised. But then we’re sad without feeling the pain. If that’s you, the best thing to do is take a deep breath …
Seven reasons to walk
Late yesterday afternoon I stepped out of my house to go for a walk. I was tired and had a lot in my head and a full evening ahead of me. I was just around the first corner when a gentleman with a fierce look on his face crossed the road and stepped onto the path right in front of …
On the subject of manners
Last year one of my girlfriends had a ‘mummy at kindy’ day. As she watched her son, another child came up and roughly wrestled the toy he was playing with away. Since she was standing next to the mother of said child, she waited for her to correct her son rather than stepping in. Nothing happened. At pack up time …
5 fun, fringe-ish physical activities for all
This post is inspired by two things. First is the fact that my Fitbit tells me I hardly moved for three days last week (it was freezing!). The second is the number of conversations I’m having with friends all round Australia about how cold/wet/windy the weather is. Yes, Winter has really hit us harder this year. Exercise is an important aspect of …
Inside Out in an emotional world
Inside Out has been a big hit over the school holidays. For those of you who aren’t loaded with young ones (we borrowed some friends as our way of justifying seeing the film!) or weren’t young enough at heart to go alone, Inside Out is a film by Disney/Pixar directed by the same person who created Up. The film is …