An ode to the Internet!

OK so this is a little off topic, but when I go to bed and try to sleep, I have the most crazy words and stories running through my head, I have to get up and write them down before I can sleep (Thank you Ever note!) Which leads me nicely onto this blog topic!

And ode to the Internet.

My first experience of you was aged about 16, crammed into my best friends spare room, which was just that, spare and full of junk. A tiny box room, with a single bed, a huge computer screen and a modem... what ever the f*ck that was... balanced on a rickety Argos computer desk. One of those desks that would become commonplace in every household of the 90's. 

I remember the screech and the alien sound of you in your infancy. Waiting an age to get into a 'chat room'; (my friend was so excited, I really couldn't have cared less,) only to be kicked off because my friends mum wanted to use the land line. (yeah! for real - you couldn't use the land line and the Internet at the same time, and yes, people used the land line religiously!) 

I couldn't wait to get back outside and 'see' people. The thought of chatting to some weirdo in a faraway place scared the pants off me and felt, well, weird! 

My next memory was at sixth form, I remember being huddled round a screen with some boys watching a foot ball clip. I stepped back and wondered what all the fuss was about. What was this Internet thing? Surely it will never take off. Thank f*ck cos I hated typing.

Truth is, I just wasn't that into you, I couldn't see how you could make my life any better, and to be honest - you scared me.

Now I carry you round in my pocket. My three year old daughter knows more about downloads and you tube and the pitfalls of having no WiFi.

Now you connect me to women and girls all around the world. I'm able to connect with people who I would never in a lifetime meet.  I'm able to make friendships and even make a living out of you. 

You connect me to people, information, facts, the world. You allow me to reach out and help. You allow me to share my gifts with potentially - the world. 

You allow my best friends daughter and my daughter be virtual best friends, even though they live 1000's of miles apart and have only met once. You allow me and my two best friends keep in contact even though we live in different continents, counties and time zones. We can still communicate like we did when we lived together - whats-apping 'what do you think' pictures from changing rooms and the like.

And although sometimes life is much more simpler with out you. I thank you. Thank you for making my life so rich and abundant. For keeping me in touch with loved ones. For connecting me with souls I need to be connected with. For giving me the information. 

Thank you, thank you thank you!

Gratitude; are you giving yours and reaping the benefits?

Hello lovely people! Questions for you...

How do you end your day? 
Do you ever notice or praise yourself for your daily achievements? 

Do you ever sit down (like really sit down and actually think and write down) and give gratitude or thanks? 

Sometimes? No? Never?

Me neither, until about 6 months ago.

My mentor and trainer Sally Canning introduced me to gratitude at the start of 2014 and it was ace... I'd never even heard of the concept at that point and I found it facinating to learn about how the body reacts when we feel grateful and all the benefits which come from this emotion. I came accross am amazing transcript of a speach by R. L. Huntington which quotes:

"Dr. Emmons and his colleagues found scientific proof that people who practice gratitude through activities such as keeping a gratitude journal are more loving, forgiving, and optimistic about the future. They exercise more frequently, report fewer illnesses, and generally feel better about their lives."

You can read the full transcript here: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/ray-l-huntington_a-grateful-heart/

So, because of those reasons and other influences in my life, and with a need to be more positive, (see why in this blog) I started a full gratitude journal at the start of the 2015. (Bit late on the uptake really! Before this I used to write them in my phone, or on scraps of paper, haphazardly and sporadically)

Dedicating a day to a page of my gorgous journal which I keep by my bed. It's been amazing, helping me keep positive, reminding me to notice and realise the little things in life that I'm grateful for ... EACH day!  (Even when I really don't feel like it!)

I even notice things during my day and make a mental note to write them down ... this makes me thankful in that moment, making me more mindful, more present in my life - there and then. Being thankful for the little things lifts your spirits and it's been proven to reduce stress, worry and anxiety. Please read the transcript I reference above! 

At this point, I have to share this quote which I adore from Kung Fu Panda. I was reminded of it when I completed my Art of Living Happiness Programme in January 2015. (Thank you Ravi!)

"You are too concerned about what was and what will be. The past is history, the future is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

 ~ Oogway, the wise old monkey.

I also recently worked with a lovely young lady who has been on a transformational journey of her own. After suffering massive panic attacks and coming close to serious depression following traumatic events beyond her control, she now stands on the edge of her future. She's needed a lot of support and help, however she seems to have embraced every possible suggestion and wholeheartedly committed to her own journey to get herself better.

One thing that she attributes to helping her is what she calls a mood diary. 

Each day she would reflect briefly her main challenges and how they made her feel. She notes any big shifts in behaviour and any problems. She also then makes a point of listing a (or a few) positives. Things that day that she achieved, that she was proud of. Similar to me; things she was grateful for. 

The young lady showed me her mood diary and it was amazing to see her development tracked out on paper. It's so inspiring.

Are you stuck in a crappy or negative place? Or starting to suffer with feelings of anxiety, worry, painic?

I challenge, encourage, ask you to:

~ Journal (just write out your thoughts) or keep a mood diary or simply just to write a list of 3-5 things you're grateful for each day.

~ Use "thank you" more in your vocabulary. Does someone mean a lot to you, but you don't often show it? Say it, tell them. Thank them. 

~ Can't face speaking face to face? Get some funky post it's (cos for me it's all about stationery!) And leave little thank you notes all round the house, around the office or even in the supermarket, for your loved ones or strangers to find.

Commit to doing just one thing differently for a month, 30 days, and see the effects....

I can't recommend it highly enough. Just spending 5 mins giving thanks or praising yourself each evening is transformational. (And of course... it's a perfect excuse to get new pens and a pretty pad!)

*Did I mention I LOVE stationery!?

Loads of love and light :)

Kathy