Category Archives: You Can Quote ME

You Can Quote Me

Posted in grateful, OLW, You Can Quote ME by

Continuing with the One Little Word theme, here’s another thing that helps me hold onto that Serene feeling.

YCQM 4 Feb

So many times I’m guilty of looking over the fence or concentrating on something that is annoying me. I don’t look for the good, yet as soon as I do, the annoying thing slides away into a smaller, manageable portion (yes, even the Screaming SO-Much-Taller-Than-Me-Now Teen). Keeping a gratitude journal helps, so I can totally recommend that to anyone. Look for something that makes you smile – little things like butterflies on flowers, rain for your garden, a pen that is where you left it – these all count. Big  stuff? Of course it counts, but the reason it’s big is because it’s not frequent enough to feed your soul.

Focus on the little stuff. The little good.

BONUS task – we did this for a couple of summers and it spreads the message. I brought a cheap canvas & some Thickers, altho if your penmanship is good use that. I stuck on “Grateful” and “Summer year/year” and EVERYONE who walked through our front door had to write something they were grateful for. Everyone. Kids, adults, couriers, tradesmen. It’s so cool to look back at the things the kids were grateful for (altho I couldn’t agree with some of the music choices!) but everyone got into it. I need to resurrect that. Maybe in my office? Hmmm…

You Can Quote Me

Posted in books, OLW, You Can Quote ME by

More that relates to my OLW, serenity

OLW power

this is a reminder to me that I can walk away. I can chose to un-follow, to un-friend, to correct my behaviour & responses.

I have just finished Unbroken (love it still) and am moving one to Gretchen Rubin’s books, starting with Happier at Home. Not sure what fiction I will read, as M starts back at school next week so it will be a lot of picture flats. Lots of non-fiction recommends running around (feel free to link to my Goodreads and make some suggestions) but I am in a bit of a book coma from these last two being so, so good.

You Can Quote Me – Creativity

Posted in work, You Can Quote ME by

I’m a firm believer that if you’re busy but organised, it’s easy to add things to your pile and get them done. I also believe that creative people get more done. Think of a writer, an artist, a musician, your local butcher – creativity springs out everywhere and if you’re creative, it’s up to you to help populate the ideas in the people around you.

creativity

 

A really easy way is to add something to a workmate’s wall, stick something on the office fridge, leave some new pencils/felts and a colouring book or two on the lunchroom table. Creativity is therapy, and creativity is contagious!

Let me know what you did & what the reaction was! More fun if you can do this secretly 🙂

You Can Quote Me

Posted in music, You Can Quote ME by

Last Thursday we went to B’s school prizegiving. He has worked hard and was rewarded with nomination by all his core teachers for a Diligence award – a big thing given his grades were distinctly average before he was concussed; and he’s had (conservative estimate here) about a third of the remaining year off from school, had (too many to count) migranes and totally kept up with his school work and has multiple Merits and Excellences. He’s not top of the year in anything (oh-so-close in Social Sciences!) but I am very, very proud. He earnt a Kiwi’s jersey – as soon as it arrives I’ll share a photo of my young man.

One of the entertainment pieces was spine tingling. Soft piano and just the one voice – a young girl singing Ed Sheeran’s Photograph. Such beautiful words. My new fav song.

photograph sheeran

I’m posting this from work so I can’t add a YouTube link (stink) but please take the time to listen. It’s awesome.