"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious - the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science." Albert Einstein
Some things in life are not easily understood. In school we are taught to find the intellectual answer for all things - the science behind life - yet in real life, as many ancient scriptures tell us, not everything can be understood within the limited capacity of the mind.
Life is really about experience - understanding follows experience. You can read all the books in the world, do all the courses that interest you, but until you apply it, you will not totally understand it. Start living each learning, and approach life with a 'suck it and see' philosophy - it's a winning recipe for HAPPINESS.
"If you recognise everything as devine design, the design unfolds devinely." Sky
We so often resist trying new stuff for fear of failure, wanting perfection on the first try. Life isn't like that. We learn more by our mistakes than by our triumphs. If we never had the troughs - how would be recognise the peaks?
We all have UP days, and down days, difficult days and easy days - it's all part of the design; contrast that enables the essential clarity. The trick is to recognise that it is just a day - and this too shall pass. Everything passes and if you can just keep the faith and be patient as it all unfolds for you - mysteriously ;-) you will be amazed by how easy it can be.
In the meantime, grow your good by talking about all the little and BIG things that are good and happening in your life. This is the fastest, safest and most gratifying way to attract more into your life. It's too easy - and almost hypnotic at times - to get stuck focusing on everything that's 'wrong', 'frustrating', 'upsetting', 'difficult' etc., and none of that makes us feel any good at all!
It takes effort to shift perspective, persistent, focused intention and applied effort. Baby steps - one - two - freeeee! :-) Set achievable goals - set yourself up for success each day - not a fall; you don't have to climb the whole mountain in a day! BE nice to yourself...
See it all as a game. Lighten up - look for the gift - life is supposed to be enjoyable - fun even!! Stop taking yourself so seriously and get involved with the BIG F-F-F-FUN stuff. (pwetty pwease?)
"You will have wonderful surges forward. Then there must be a time of consolidating before the next forward surge. Accept this as part of the process and never become downhearted." Eileen Caddy
As a foot note - three of my clients phoned today, to celebrate GREAT triumphs that only months ago seemed daunting, fantastical, impossible even. How quickly you each proved yourselves wrong!! See how easy it is when you let go...and trust?
So CONGRATULATIONS to each of you, and let it inspire the rest of us to begin living a life that we ABSOLUTELY LOVE. It's all so possible...
PS - Congrats and gratitude also to the four coaching session winners from last week. Based on the response, I've decided to offer one free session each week now... soooo first in; BEST DRESSED!!
Have an AMAZING week everyone!
Thanks again for your time and feedback.
Jodie xx
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Imagination..inspiration...across the nation...
"Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant, there is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks." Johann Gottfried Von Herder
Sometimes things just don't seem to flow...the plan isn't coming together, creative juices aren't flowing, inspiration and attention, are waning. You're paddling fast upstream and it all feels like such hard work...STOP!
As I often say, 'If it doesn't flow then it doesn't go.' Why do we try sooo hard to push things uphill? We convince ourselves that reward only comes after serious effort, 'no gain without pain', but seriously - is this what life is really all about? Slogging it out till we're too beat to enjoy it?
Often the best thing you can do - is literally walk away. Change task - have a break - do something completely different.
Whenever there are creative or intuitive issues in my day, I know that I need to reconnect with myself and my own internal space.
"Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character." James Russel Lowell
The best places for me are open green-space, places where I can walk or sit, people-watch or chat to random strangers :-) It’s a great way to get out of your head, and into your heart – where inspiration lives.
Places of inspiration do wonders for the soul - gardens in spring, museums, art gallery's, exhibitions, fashion or even sometimes just home in bed for a ‘duvet day’!
Whatever you need to feel better, more inspired, positive, free-flowing, unstuck - do it. Treat yourself - make it a habit.
Recently I found vital inspiration in so many things:
Browsing books in the big bookshops
Admiring and learning about art in several locations
Stepping into my own catwalk moment at high-end fashion stores - soooo much fun!
Cooking amazing, experimental meals
Learning new stuff in my weekly webinars
Watching uplifting TV (It does exist!) Tonight I watched an awesome documentary about the Oxhey Choir and the inspiring work of Gareth Malone. Check it out:
http://www.southoxheychoirs.org/
I love that he says, "Clearly you've got to sing the tune correctly but it's equally as important to find the right spirit, passion and drive with which to sing the notes. "
Perfect. That's what it's all about - how you feel. If you feel great - you produce great work - if you feel lousy - guess what?"
I'll leave you with my...ummm...guilty pleasure and inspiration of the week - X Factor!! OK so it’s out there now... I LOVE the ultimately uplifting vibe of this show - that feeling that 'anything is possible'. I also love the opportunity of flushing out the tear ducts once in a while ;-) Always good to let go a little!
Here's a parting shot to inspire you this week - a little 'fearlessness' from Jamie Afro ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvBHzaZZO5o&feature=PlayList&p=iPSWjN5P6Vs
Have a GREAT week - and seek the inspiration you need, to be enjoying your life - rather than enduring it ;-)
Thanks again for tuning in...
Jodie xx
Share the love :-) Much gratitude for those who choose to share this message - available on blogger.com/secretsnippet - Facebook groups “WOW factor” - twitter @_jodie_barrett – and www.day-one.com.au Thanks for your support! xx
Monday, 17 August 2009
The 'BIG C'....'Commitment'!
This week I’m starting with something a little different…
PLEASE WATCH THE FILM FIRST :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdUUx5FdySs&feature=related
It’s 3 years since I first stumbled upon this film - on our beloved 'YouTube'. At the time, it rocked my world. For me, the idea and visual of the Kiwi – a famous flightless bird – going to such lengths to experience what other birds surely must take for granted, (if you allow me to equate that kind of human consciousness to bird-world…hehehee…), was so powerful. The dedication, commitment and passion…almost too much! (Really!)
Around that time, I had this vision of great endeavours in my life. I’d achieved success with my cancer recovery, changing lifestyles whilst exploring so many aspects; diets, fitness, meditation, sooo many books, courses, seminars - influences came and I soaked them up. I subscribed to blogs, did e-courses, quizzes, studied Life Coaching – so that I could begin to understand, and nurture in others, the machinations of life.
Whilst this film, ‘Kiwi’, on the outset appears to be quite sad and almost melancholic, I found it inspiring in so many ways! Tears rolled down my cheeks as I shared Kiwi’s joy, for the experience of flight - unbounded freedom - a dream realised! So powerful was his ‘do or die’ attitude, and the level of dedication required to experience flight - even if only momentarily with the risk of almost certain death, despite it all – he flew! He achieved his longed for dream!
Now THAT’S dedication to life!
As I began to share ‘Kiwi’ with friends, and witnessed similar reactions, I realised we each experienced the same visual – in different framework of our personal perceptions, and for me the strongest was one of commitment – the BIG C!! (As I had long called it).
Since my teenage years, my mantra had been, “Better to die on your feet, than to live on your knees.”, words famously spoken by Emiliano Zapata Salazar (For the Aussies out there – extra points for spotting these words as lyrics from a famous Sydney band of the 80’s!)
‘Kiwi’ gave me a great gift; I realised that I had been living on my knees; not allowing myself to fully experience life. Not committing to life – or indeed myself. Not trusting that if I took the leap – the net would appear. If I wanted to experience life as my dream,I first had to commit to experiencing myself! Fully, wholly, truly, madly and deeply.
My head was full to bursting with intellectual knowledge, but I needed to get ‘out there’, into the world and experience what I came here to live, and learn and become. Exactly how that would play out; the journey - was not my concern, but the feeling of what; the vision – the dream, I knew, was crucial. Martin Luther King’s words rang in my ears, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.”
I stepped out. I leaped!! Many nets appeared…a whole series of nets…one, after the other. Year after year, camouflaged and dressed up in all manner of guises.
Realise, that life is the continuous unfolding of oneself. Like a flower, we open each day, petal by petal, to release our nectar - the juice of life - for the nourishment of all in our world.
"Everyone dies, but not everyone fully lives. Too many people are having a "near-life experience." Author Unknown
Whose life are you living now? How committed are you to living your life fully? To feeling good everyday? To fulfilling your promise – your purpose? To doing whatever is required to shift your life - your dreams, into gear?
How can you commit truly, madly and deeply - to your life this week, to your vision and dreams of the life you came here to live? Are you prepared to take the leap?
One of my clients - Holly Budge –takes an enormous leap on August 22nd, in participating in the famous ‘Mongol Derby’; the longest horse race in the world!
http://mongolderby.theadventurists.com/index.php
Whether she wins, or loses, it matters little (Holly might debate that as I know she plans to win!) – for life is a journey – not a destination – and guess what? The journey IS the destination!!
Personally, I’m kicking the ‘BIG C’ into first position next week, when I begin practicing full-time as a Life Coach – leaving the cosy nest of my part-time job. (yikes!) It’s very exciting – exhilarating even! Fears have come and gone, and what remains is a sense of knowing – a deep resonance of rightness. Find your resonance this week – and begin to trust it. Get out of that comfy nest and fly!
And for those who prefer a more ‘Hollywood’ happy ending (ooh-err missus!!) watch this update of ‘Kiwi’!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORDhCi6JQaY&feature=related
And have a FABULOUS week!
Thanks for listening… :-)
Jodie xx
Share the love :-) Much gratitude for those who choose to share this message - available on blogger.com/secretsnippet - Facebook groups “WOW factor” - twitter @_jodie_barrett – and www.day-one.com.au Thanks for your support! xx
PLEASE WATCH THE FILM FIRST :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdUUx5FdySs&feature=related
It’s 3 years since I first stumbled upon this film - on our beloved 'YouTube'. At the time, it rocked my world. For me, the idea and visual of the Kiwi – a famous flightless bird – going to such lengths to experience what other birds surely must take for granted, (if you allow me to equate that kind of human consciousness to bird-world…hehehee…), was so powerful. The dedication, commitment and passion…almost too much! (Really!)
Around that time, I had this vision of great endeavours in my life. I’d achieved success with my cancer recovery, changing lifestyles whilst exploring so many aspects; diets, fitness, meditation, sooo many books, courses, seminars - influences came and I soaked them up. I subscribed to blogs, did e-courses, quizzes, studied Life Coaching – so that I could begin to understand, and nurture in others, the machinations of life.
Whilst this film, ‘Kiwi’, on the outset appears to be quite sad and almost melancholic, I found it inspiring in so many ways! Tears rolled down my cheeks as I shared Kiwi’s joy, for the experience of flight - unbounded freedom - a dream realised! So powerful was his ‘do or die’ attitude, and the level of dedication required to experience flight - even if only momentarily with the risk of almost certain death, despite it all – he flew! He achieved his longed for dream!
Now THAT’S dedication to life!
As I began to share ‘Kiwi’ with friends, and witnessed similar reactions, I realised we each experienced the same visual – in different framework of our personal perceptions, and for me the strongest was one of commitment – the BIG C!! (As I had long called it).
Since my teenage years, my mantra had been, “Better to die on your feet, than to live on your knees.”, words famously spoken by Emiliano Zapata Salazar (For the Aussies out there – extra points for spotting these words as lyrics from a famous Sydney band of the 80’s!)
‘Kiwi’ gave me a great gift; I realised that I had been living on my knees; not allowing myself to fully experience life. Not committing to life – or indeed myself. Not trusting that if I took the leap – the net would appear. If I wanted to experience life as my dream,I first had to commit to experiencing myself! Fully, wholly, truly, madly and deeply.
My head was full to bursting with intellectual knowledge, but I needed to get ‘out there’, into the world and experience what I came here to live, and learn and become. Exactly how that would play out; the journey - was not my concern, but the feeling of what; the vision – the dream, I knew, was crucial. Martin Luther King’s words rang in my ears, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.”
I stepped out. I leaped!! Many nets appeared…a whole series of nets…one, after the other. Year after year, camouflaged and dressed up in all manner of guises.
Realise, that life is the continuous unfolding of oneself. Like a flower, we open each day, petal by petal, to release our nectar - the juice of life - for the nourishment of all in our world.
"Everyone dies, but not everyone fully lives. Too many people are having a "near-life experience." Author Unknown
Whose life are you living now? How committed are you to living your life fully? To feeling good everyday? To fulfilling your promise – your purpose? To doing whatever is required to shift your life - your dreams, into gear?
How can you commit truly, madly and deeply - to your life this week, to your vision and dreams of the life you came here to live? Are you prepared to take the leap?
One of my clients - Holly Budge –takes an enormous leap on August 22nd, in participating in the famous ‘Mongol Derby’; the longest horse race in the world!
http://mongolderby.theadventurists.com/index.php
Whether she wins, or loses, it matters little (Holly might debate that as I know she plans to win!) – for life is a journey – not a destination – and guess what? The journey IS the destination!!
Personally, I’m kicking the ‘BIG C’ into first position next week, when I begin practicing full-time as a Life Coach – leaving the cosy nest of my part-time job. (yikes!) It’s very exciting – exhilarating even! Fears have come and gone, and what remains is a sense of knowing – a deep resonance of rightness. Find your resonance this week – and begin to trust it. Get out of that comfy nest and fly!
And for those who prefer a more ‘Hollywood’ happy ending (ooh-err missus!!) watch this update of ‘Kiwi’!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORDhCi6JQaY&feature=related
And have a FABULOUS week!
Thanks for listening… :-)
Jodie xx
Share the love :-) Much gratitude for those who choose to share this message - available on blogger.com/secretsnippet - Facebook groups “WOW factor” - twitter @_jodie_barrett – and www.day-one.com.au Thanks for your support! xx
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Sugar and spice and all things nice :-)
Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true. Robert Brault
It's easy to react when someone is rude or angry towards us, however if we can refrain from taking it personally, and focus instead on maintaining our own balance and integrity, we might see the 'badly wrapped gift'! The gift, may come wrapped as anger, rudeness, whatever, but it is always a gift. You are looking at your mirror :-), the mirror of your 'inside' world reflected in your 'outside' world - consciousness.
This is easier to take when we are encountering 'likeable' and 'pleasant' behaviour, when we notice character traits that we admire, however tip the other end of the scale and rejection, resentment - are an instantaneous response. We take it personally from the ego's perspective 'How could they do this to me?', 'how rude' 'arrogant' or whatever judgement seems to fit. The point of power for you in this situation - and the greatest challenge for most people - is to simply let it go, and find a way to 'love' that part in you. Anger/fear/anxiety/frustration - whatever you see when you acknowledge the mirror. At this point - make a commitment to shift YOUR consciousness - by choosing to feel better. You only ever have the choice to feel better - or feel worse, so why would you choose to feel worse?
Treat people with kindness, even - and ALWAYS those who are rude to you, not because they are nice, but because you are. ;-) You get what you give, and I always say that those who are hardest to love, need it the most. Is someone being 'rude', annoying or whatever, really worth ruining your day for? No-one 'acts out' for no reason, other than for pain, disillusionment, disconnection. When you love another; you love yourself - it's that simple! You open the valve, so to speak ;-) for receiving love.
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. Dalai Lama
According to the Buddhist faith, 'Compassion is that which makes the heart of the good move at the pain of others. It crushes and destroys the pain of others; thus, it is called compassion. It is called compassion because it shelters and embraces the distressed.
Kindness, like a boomerang, comes back. We also say 'What goes around; comes around, 'You get what you give', 'As you sow, so shall you reap', and this relates not only to giving to others, but also in giving to ourselves. We literally lay the mantel for how we are to be treated by others. When we treat ourselves with love and respect, we attract and allow it from others, visa-versa. Watch for the mirrors...and take ownership ;-)
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people. Abraham Joshua Heschel
When we give (and I'm not just talking about the 3D variety), it is a gift that gives twice; we feel great, we feel validated, we feel the sense of contribution, the all important 'being of service' which grows your good - your happiness. The combination of these things contributes greatly toward well-being and vitality. Stress is significantly reduced by the effect of kindness.
A compelling study of altruism was performed by Allan Luks and documented in his book; The Healing Power of Doing Good: The Health and Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others. Luks is the former executive director of the Institute for the Advancement of Health and executive director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New York City.
Luks' study involved surveying 3,000 plus volunteers of all ages, from 20 or so organizations across the states. A 17-question survey asked these volunteers how they felt when they did a kind act. A total of 3,296 surveys were returned to Luks, and after a computerized analysis, he saw a clear cause-and-effect relationship between helping and good health. Luks' survey concluded, "Helping contributes to the maintenance of good health, and it can diminish the effect of diseases and disorders both serious and minor, psychological and physical."
Here's a closing note from Bill Gates:
"Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one."
Go forth - be nice - sugar and spice - and all THAT! Pwetty-pweeeease...?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRBSHSAKdAc&feature=fvst
Have a great week!
Mucho amore...
Jodie xx
Share the love :-) Much gratitude for those who choose to share this message. My blog is available on blogger.com/secretsnippet Facebook groups “WOW factor” - twitter @_jodie_barrett – and www.day-one.com.au Thanks for your support! :-)
It's easy to react when someone is rude or angry towards us, however if we can refrain from taking it personally, and focus instead on maintaining our own balance and integrity, we might see the 'badly wrapped gift'! The gift, may come wrapped as anger, rudeness, whatever, but it is always a gift. You are looking at your mirror :-), the mirror of your 'inside' world reflected in your 'outside' world - consciousness.
This is easier to take when we are encountering 'likeable' and 'pleasant' behaviour, when we notice character traits that we admire, however tip the other end of the scale and rejection, resentment - are an instantaneous response. We take it personally from the ego's perspective 'How could they do this to me?', 'how rude' 'arrogant' or whatever judgement seems to fit. The point of power for you in this situation - and the greatest challenge for most people - is to simply let it go, and find a way to 'love' that part in you. Anger/fear/anxiety/frustration - whatever you see when you acknowledge the mirror. At this point - make a commitment to shift YOUR consciousness - by choosing to feel better. You only ever have the choice to feel better - or feel worse, so why would you choose to feel worse?
Treat people with kindness, even - and ALWAYS those who are rude to you, not because they are nice, but because you are. ;-) You get what you give, and I always say that those who are hardest to love, need it the most. Is someone being 'rude', annoying or whatever, really worth ruining your day for? No-one 'acts out' for no reason, other than for pain, disillusionment, disconnection. When you love another; you love yourself - it's that simple! You open the valve, so to speak ;-) for receiving love.
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. Dalai Lama
According to the Buddhist faith, 'Compassion is that which makes the heart of the good move at the pain of others. It crushes and destroys the pain of others; thus, it is called compassion. It is called compassion because it shelters and embraces the distressed.
Kindness, like a boomerang, comes back. We also say 'What goes around; comes around, 'You get what you give', 'As you sow, so shall you reap', and this relates not only to giving to others, but also in giving to ourselves. We literally lay the mantel for how we are to be treated by others. When we treat ourselves with love and respect, we attract and allow it from others, visa-versa. Watch for the mirrors...and take ownership ;-)
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people. Abraham Joshua Heschel
When we give (and I'm not just talking about the 3D variety), it is a gift that gives twice; we feel great, we feel validated, we feel the sense of contribution, the all important 'being of service' which grows your good - your happiness. The combination of these things contributes greatly toward well-being and vitality. Stress is significantly reduced by the effect of kindness.
A compelling study of altruism was performed by Allan Luks and documented in his book; The Healing Power of Doing Good: The Health and Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others. Luks is the former executive director of the Institute for the Advancement of Health and executive director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New York City.
Luks' study involved surveying 3,000 plus volunteers of all ages, from 20 or so organizations across the states. A 17-question survey asked these volunteers how they felt when they did a kind act. A total of 3,296 surveys were returned to Luks, and after a computerized analysis, he saw a clear cause-and-effect relationship between helping and good health. Luks' survey concluded, "Helping contributes to the maintenance of good health, and it can diminish the effect of diseases and disorders both serious and minor, psychological and physical."
Here's a closing note from Bill Gates:
"Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one."
Go forth - be nice - sugar and spice - and all THAT! Pwetty-pweeeease...?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRBSHSAKdAc&feature=fvst
Have a great week!
Mucho amore...
Jodie xx
Share the love :-) Much gratitude for those who choose to share this message. My blog is available on blogger.com/secretsnippet Facebook groups “WOW factor” - twitter @_jodie_barrett – and www.day-one.com.au Thanks for your support! :-)
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