How to Cheer Yourself Up

Ok, this is more about how I just turned my own mood around

OK, so there is a chance that not many people - if any - read this blog. However, I'm going to write it anyway.

The reason is I've just given myself permission to be miserable.

One of the key things in to self esteem is accepting yourself for who you are. And if having an off day (or a week in my case) is part of being yourself - then accept it.

I have a note book where I scribble down some of the most amazing rubbish (and gems of wisdom) when I need to get something out of my system. Today I wrote that it was ok to be miserable. That if I want to indulge in my own self pity, that's ok, because it is mine - for me. I reminded myself that, I'm getting there - even if there are days when I don't know where "there" is.

What really brought me round was my final bit of rambling. I wrote "And once I'm there, is it where I want to be or just a stopping off point to somewhere else?"

It reminded me that my life is a series of adventures - that journeys are for enjoying - destinations are not final, but the starting point for the next quest.

So, next time you feel a bit low, just go with it. Explore it, understand it, come to terms with it. Accept it as part of you. Allow it to do its job - whether that means taking a break, considering your options or signalling that it's time to change course. Then have your strategy for moving on and enjoying the adventure of your life.

The Comfort Zone

Yes, it's definitely one of those days when I feel the call of the comfort zone. You know what I mean - that moment when you stretch your wings a little (or maybe even a lot) and then there's this big urge to fold them back up and keep them tightly by your side.

After all, you've stretched them - no need to do anything else, is there? Well...

I suppose, if we're really brave, we can maybe just have a little lift-off - try taking off and landing back on the same spot. Taking off and heading for the next branch, well, naahh.. that's for other birds - the ones who know how to fly.

Mmmm, well, actually, we're not birds, but the metaphor is becoming increasingly relevant. Especially for me. I encourage people to live outside their comfort zone. Amazing how I can do that from the safety of my own comfortable place. Yet I do try to take off occasionally. And when I do and I start to wobble, I land safely back where I started.

TODAY I AM MAKING A PROMISE TO MYSELF TO START ENJOYING THE WOBBLE!

Leaving your comfort zone isn't easy. The voice inside your head says in a psuedo-supportive way "well, no one can say you didn't try..." and you believe it!

I love the quote from the mythical Jedi Yoda "Do or do not, there is no try." or however it goes.

So, I need to decide - do I do or do I do not?

What woke me up to this was an email I received from an amazing lady called Peggy McColl. She was passing on some information about a book by Sandra Anne Taylor. One of the chapters of Sandra's book talks about being desperate to achieve something and how this can have a negative impact on the thing we are positively trying to achieve.

I'm getting there...so, this call of the comfort zone is linked to Sandra's Law of Paradoxical intent - pushing away something that I really want.

So, relax. Feel the feelings that are aroused as you step outside the comfort zone. Feel those wings stretch a little - how does it feel in your tummy? What's that voice in your head saying? Listen to your body - how is it reacting? I feel a nervous tingle across my skin.

Acknowledge it, accept it and most of all, recognise it for what it is - it's those wings, stretched out from your body screaming to be put away. BUT remember - birds fly - that's what the wings are for!

Find out more about Peggy at www.destinies.com and more information about Sandra's book can be found at www.hayhouse.com

When I grow up, I want to...

Hi - I'm new to blogging, but I reckon I get the hang of this. There's something quite empowering in the notion of unleashing your thoughts and opinions on the whole world! So, my plan is to come in and add to this every few days and see what comes out of my ideas and imaginings.

Most of all, I want people to realise that you are not alone in wondering what we are here for. Isn't there more to life than just the day to day routine. Yes, you may have a good life - but is it the life that you dreamed of when you were young?

So, if you're out there and reading this, please - let me know -what was it you wanted to be when you "grew up." Did you get there? How? Did you change your mind? If you had the chance, would you go back and do it all differently? Did you find something better?

For example, when I was about 15 I was pretty good at art. However, my teachers said some of my work was weird (The Turner Prize wasn't around then...). What I really wanted to do was design Album covers (in the days when everything was vinyl). My mother said that girls don't do that sort of thing...

So, I didn't. I did lots of other great things, but I stopped painting and drawing. And, when you stop doing things like that, you lose that edge of being just a bit better than average. Ok, so maybe I would have changed my mind by the time I reached 16, but I still have regrets. If not about being a graphic artist, about the lack of encouragement I got to chase my dreams.

Now I have an 18 year old son and guess what - he wants to be a graphic artist. He even said that he enjoys designing CD covers!!! Know what I said to him:

GO FOR IT!