Tag: inspiration

challenges

The Achievement of a Goal

Joanne1 Comment

“Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit”. ~ Conrad Hilton

On the 16th of June, 2010, exactly one month ago today, I wrote an article entitled “Challenging Myself”, in which I announced to the Land of Blog my intention to set myself the task of writing a new blog post, every day, for the next month.

The inspiration to attempt this task came from NaBloPoMo.

I began the month feeling confident that there would never be a shortage of topic content and as my writing has gained momentum throughout the month, I can confirm that my assumption was correct.  In fact, some days I linger momentarily over a blank computer screen, not through lack of ideas, but rather in contemplation of which topic on my list I will write about!

A month ago, I declared that I wished to achieve more of the following ~ Discipline, Consistency and Confidence.

Discipline became easy, after the first couple of days. I am rather a creature of habit by nature and writing a blog post each day has become a regular routine for me each morning, along with eating breakfast, having a shower and making the bed.

Perhaps that is why the idea of discipline didn’t bother me a month ago, when I began this task, I knew that after a couple of days the word discipline would evolve into the new word of habit, which I find far less intimidating.

Consistency was achieved as my writing gained momentum. In fact my next plan of action is to set aside perhaps one day of each week, every week, to write as much as I can for the upcoming days, all on the same day.

Momentum is my reason for the intended marathon writing sessions. Once I’m in my writing mind-set, my only affliction is that my mind moves faster than I can write! One idea leads to the next, then the next, and so on. By writing one lengthy article on any given subject, I can later edit the article, breaking it down into smaller, easier to read posts, for daily submission to my website.

Confidence, I had identified a month ago, as being my Achilles heel. Little did I know back then how consistently supportive my fellow bloggers would be!  It has been with the greatest of delight that I have received so much positive feedback from you all! Thank you for all of the ongoing support each of you has given! 🙂

It becomes more and more apparent to me every day that I am not the only person on earth who needs the occasional confidence boost! I thoroughly enjoy reading the articles that other people have written and when the opportunity is offered to leave a comment I enjoy taking it. I remember how much I appreciate receiving comments myself, and it also becomes a wonderful socially interactive experience. 🙂

Reflecting on the past month, and now having achieved the goal I had set myself of writing and posting an article each day for a month, I can honestly say has turned out to be easier than I had initially expected! My enjoyment of writing, combined with the social interaction, made it an absolute pleasure to achieve, rather than a task.

I’ll see you all again ~ tomorrow! 😀

“You can do anything you wish to do, have anything you wish to have, be anything you wish to be”. ~ Robert Collier

freedom · gratitude · happiness · inspiration

Introducing… “Freedom Space”

Joanne2 Comments

“Today I embark upon a whole new journey. I’m unsure yet as to exactly where my journey will take me, although the destination isn’t important. Perhaps I won’t ever reach a final destination, and that’s okay. Enjoying the journey each step of the way is my aim”.

And so begins a brand new experience in my life, one in which I find myself not only contributing regularly to my own website, right here. Káren Wallace at www.thecalmspace.com has offered me the brilliant opportunity to become a regular contributor to her online magazine. 😀

Each month, Káren introduces a different theme at the Calm Space, this month’s theme being the wonderfully uplifting emotion of “happiness”. You may recall how the theme inspired me to write my own thoughts on happiness, which in turn led to further thoughts of gratitude, showing the contagious nature of the word!

Over the past three months I have contributed to the Calm Space as a guest writer, having my articles included for the topics of “Inspiration”, “Purpose” and “Wonder”. Káren has included links to all three of my guest articles in my latest post, “Happiness is a Road Called Freedom” .

The word “freedom” encompasses a multitude of emotions for me, including not only the physical freedom to choose to go where we please and do as we please, but more so the freedom we have to choose our own thoughts.

With a mind packed full of negative thoughts, we could travel along the journey of our lives feeling as if we are dragging a ball and chain on our ankle and living like a caged bird, metaphorically speaking, or we can choose the alternative…

Positive thoughts and positive choices will allow the caged bird to break out of these self imposed confines, soaring high above the earth, feeling lightweight and free!

Today, I am the soaring bird, experiencing one of the consequences of the choice I was free to make, in choosing to begin writing again. Káren Wallace unknowingly became the catalyst in my choice to “go public” with my blog here at Home Life Online, through her words of encouragement to me, earlier this year. For Káren’s continuing words of praise, along with the opportunity to become a regular contributor at the Calm Space, I will be eternally grateful. Thank you, Káren. 🙂

Follow the link to “Happiness is a Road Called Freedom” and share your own thoughts, either here or at the Calm Space (or both!) knowing that you are amongst friends. 🙂

advice · gratitude · inspiration · music

Be Gentle with Yourself

Joanne7 Comments

The music of the 1970’s was unlike the music of any other preceding decade. And whilst it was a time when heavy metal bands blared out their raucous sounds, men grew their hair longer than women, wore more makeup than women, and everyone was wearing platform shoes, (much to the disgust of the older generations), some surprisingly sensitive songs beamed across the radio airwaves as well.

As an alternative to the Glam Rock, we enjoyed the soothing sounds of David Gates and Bread, Lobo, Carly Simon, James Taylor, The Bee Gees, Olivia Newton John, Chicago, The Hollies, Tele Savalas…Tele who?

What? You don’t recall the top rating television series Kojak, a detective show centred on a bald headed guy, Theo Kojak, played by Tele Savalas?

Don’t worry, I’ve been left out of the loop too, I have never watched an episode of Kojak; all I remember is the beautiful hit “song”, “Desiderata”.

Unless you heard Tele Savalas’s version of “Desiderata” during the 70’s, you will probably have no idea whatsoever what I am talking about here!

Tele Savalas was an actor, not a singer, however he did own a deep toned, smooth-as-silk speaking voice, and he talked his way all the way through a hit song, “Desiderata”.

As a teenager, I worked in a newsagency and bookstore. Wall posters were very “in” at the time and the newsagency carried a huge range, including one containing all of the verses of “Desiderata”. My interest was piqued.

There appears to be some debate as to the origins of Desiderata. The most popular belief seems to be that it was copyrighted in 1927, by Max Ehrmann, although further debate exists as to whether or not this copyright is still valid.

Regardless, it is a beautiful piece of writing, offering inspiration in all aspects of life, the words still as valid today as they were when Desiderata was apparently penned in the early 1900’s.

I would like to share “Desiderata” here with you today. Even if you have read through the words before, read them again now; an overdose of inspiration never hurt anyone. 🙂

Let me know how you feel about “Desiderata”, whether it is your first, or one-hundred-and-first reading. I especially love the words, “Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself”.

And always remember to be gentle with yourself. 🙂

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Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the council of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

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