Hi hi!
There have been a number of new subscribers since I last posted, so a warm welcome to you.
Life update
It’s been a while since I posted, as life has felt busier than usual. We’ve had rounds of mild bugs that *touch wood* I have skipped but have knocked my partner around and meant the kids have had time off school too. Nothing serious, but boy, does it take its toll on my schedule. And, on top of doing everything for sickly people and being Santa (a role I feel a tad Grinchy about each year), I have been deep diving into my purpose.
To get to this point, I’ve asked myself some weird questions:
What do I want people to say about me after I die? (The thought of death is a marvellous way to contemplate how we can add value to our existence.)
What can I do to leave the world a better place? (The world is pretty *fucked in many ways, but I can’t leave it to my kids that way without knowing that I did everything in my power to work on the things that need improvement.) *I’m being slightly tongue-in-cheek with this statement. I do have at least a little bit of hope for the world. But on the premise that we all must start making positive changes in the way we live.
What are my values? (This is a good personal values quiz)
If I could do only one thing for the rest of my life, what would it be? (I don’t want to do only one thing, nor do we have to, but this is a useful way to drill down deep).
What am I afraid of? (Fear can reveal so much about ourselves. Part of the reason I became a writer was to write things without having to speak up and say them. Even hitting ‘publish’ requires a vulnerability that makes me shudder. Sharing knowledge and teaching people through the spoken and written word scares me (I mean, there are a lot of trolls out there, right?), yet writing gives me so much satisfaction. I don’t want to go through life not doing the things that scare me. As the author, Susan Jeffers says, ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’.
All this contemplation has fostered a direction change.
I will still be copywriting and marketing my book, The Little Tiger with the Big Temper, but I am also training to become a Neuro-Change Master and a Positive Psychology Practitioner. (I couldn’t decide, so I chose both. LOL)
This reminds me:
It’s the strangest notion that teenagers are expected to choose their career path. I mean, who truly, deeply knew themselves as a teenager when many are busier trying desperately to fit in than stand out in their own unique glory? And who doesn’t grow and change over the years? Can we really be expected to decipher our true purpose as teenagers riddled with hormonal angst and insecurities?
The more I have dived into my soul over the years, the more I felt my purpose is to help people navigate their minds. Mindfulness is a big part of that, but I always craved to go further than observing our thoughts towards re-framing and re-directing them. My mindfulness children’s book goes some way towards fulfilling that desire, but I wanted to do more.
Do you know what your purpose is? Is it a part of your career, or is it a hobby?
Now for some recommendations…
A fun way to get to know the people in your life: Quiz: The 36 Questions That Lead to Love
Years ago, while holidaying in Bali (the lazy, hazy, crazy pre-kid days!), I did this quiz with my partner, The 36 Questions That Lead to Love. It’s something different to do over the summer holidays or on road trips perhaps? One of the questions is, ‘If you could choose a superpower, what would it be? (How good is that question? Do tell me what yours is in the comments!). ‘36 Questions’ is a fun quiz that invites deep, engaging conversation, which I LOVE.
An app I am using: One Sec App
So simple and it works. This app helps you to break free from social media distractions. You set an automation in your phone to the One Sec App, so that whenever you open a social media app, it forces you to take a deep breath and then after a few seconds, you can tap a button if you wish to proceed to the site. It’s added friction and reminds me to be conscious of my social media use. Now, I mindfully pause to ask myself, ‘Why am I opening this app?’ ‘How will I benefit from being here?’ As soon as I ask myself those questions, I can answer them truthfully, ‘Because I’m bored.’ and ‘I won’t.’ There is almost always a better use of my time than scrolling social media. You can opt for one app for the free version or more if you go pro.
A doco I loved: Stutz by Jonah Hill on Netflix
A friend recommended this to me, and I am glad she did. Jonah Hill’s documentary focuses on his psychotherapist Phil Stutz, a man that he says changed his life. Many therapists simply sit back and listen, which has its place, but in my opinion, never goes far enough. Taking action helps us to see things differently. Stutz’s methods are simple but powerful and are outlined at this link on the Netflix website. But if this sort of psychological deep dive interests you, watch it first and then take a look.
A podcast I am fascinated by: The Long Time Academy by Headspace
This podcast is fantastic and well worthy of the Radio Academy Gold Aria that it won this year. This beautifully produced six-part podcast series hosted by Ella Saltmarshe, dives into the history of how we understand and use time and how to become a better ancestor. There are interviews with scientists, politicians, economists, artists, philosophers, lawyers and indigenous wisdom-holders. At numerous times I paused it to ponder what I had learned and found myself nodding in agreement throughout. It’s brimming with really interesting information about capitalism, the industrial revolution and how, together with ‘time’, they have shaped the modern workplace and workday. Each episode has a meditation to help you better understand your ‘self’ in space and time too.
Books, books, books… I keep dipping into numerous books at the moment but not completing them. I am struggling to ‘connect’, which may be the result of my own distractions, such as feeling that reading time should now be study time. Feel free to drop a comment about what you are reading and enjoying at the moment.
In other news… I wrote an article for Tots to Teens: Is your child an empath?
Hope everyone is happy and healthy, and ready for a summer break. I sure am. I don’t mind the cooler temps, but these storms are starting to get a little annoying!