Mindfulness at Breakfast

Recently I've noticed I've been making breakfast at 100mph! It's like I'm trying to win a race-I mean I am competitive afterall-but I feel it's got a little silly now. So I thought to myself, why not slow down a little? Instead of multi-tasking the kettle, the milk and the bread, why not do one of these tasks at a time. The irony was that by slowing down I was able to prepare my breakfast in what seemed like no time at all.

While pouring the milk on to my cereal, I really focused on the milk leaving the bottle and landing on my cereal. I listened to the sound of the milk making contact with my cereal and was aware of the smells around me. Such a small, trivial task was turning in to something really worthwhile. Sounds a bit weird you might think, but why not try it!

The idea of doing a task mindfully not only makes you more aware of what you are doing but enables you to be fully present in the moment which in today's busy world is a hard thing to achieve. I've started applying this principal to other things such as house work, checking emails and walking to the shops and I'm really beginning to notice the benefits. I would love to hear your thoughts about approaching tasks in a mindful way. Why not give it a go tomorrow when you make your breakfast!

PMA Charlie's Book Review

Over the years I’ve read many books to help me stay focused, positive and happy. I thought it would be a nice idea to share some of my favourites with you:

1: ‘Go for it’! by Helen Exley.

 This lovely presented pocket book contains 11 chapters full of positive affirmations and quotes by inspirational people. Here are a few of my favourite quotes:

‘All our dreams can come true-if we have the courage to pursue them’. (Walt Disney)

‘The great danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we achieve it’. (Michaelangelo).

‘If we wait till we’re ready, we never do anything’. (Eleanor Roosevelt).

This is a book I take with me on my travels due to its size. I like to read a chapter as soon as I wake up, It really motivates me for the day ahead!

  

2:  ‘Indestructible self-belief’ by Fiona Harrold

From the author of ‘Be Your Own Life Coach’, ‘Indestructible self-belief' guides you through seven chapters of self-awareness, which will leave you feeling more optimistic and positive towards life. Each chapter begins with a quote, here’s my favourite from chapter 7- ‘Building an identity’:

‘It is not because things are difficult we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult’ (SENECA).

At the end of each chapter there is ‘work section’ where you can answer various questions about yourself and your thoughts. I always find putting pen to paper is a really positive way to express how you are feeling. It’s one thing just to read a book, but when you become interactive with it, you take your thinking to a new level!

I find this book really useful when I suffer from ‘negative self-talk’, and I also like the fact you can dip in and out of the chapters depending on what subject is most relevant to you at the time.

3: You Can Be Happy No Matter What’ by Richard Carlson

The core message in this book is that happiness does not come from external circumstances but instead from inside us. This concept is by no means new but the way Richard Carlson presents this idea is easy to understand and can really improve your mindset.

The book contains 11 chapters. Part I explores five principles in detail; the principle of thought, moods, separate realities, feelings and the present moment. While part II looks at how we apply these principles in every day life.

What I enjoy most about this book is the simplicity in which the ideas are discussed. Although the author goes in to each principle in a lot of detail, the ideas are simple and easy to absorb.

When I read books I find it helpful to underline sentences which resonate with me. Here is one of my favourites from this book:

‘A related formula for success: When you focus your attention in this moment, instead of moments that are over or yet to be, you’ll maximize your productivity, creativity, and ability to accomplish your goals’.

4: ‘Feel The Fear And Beyond’ by Susan Jeffers

The sequel to ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’, Susan Jeffers follows one wonderful book with another that continues the message from the first in more detail and allows the reader to embark on a journey of self-discovery.

After I read ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’, I was hooked on the ideas presented by Susan Jeffers and thus was so excited to buy the sister title and I was not disappointed! Out of all the books I’ve read, this is the one that has helped me grow in confidence more than any other. A book full of exercises and inspirational letters from readers, you can’t help but feel more positive with each page you read! 

My favourite chapter-‘Replace the chatterbox’-focuses on the negative self-talk voice we all have within us, and fun ways in which we can try and replace this voice with a more positive one. The author suggests that we give our ‘chatterbox’ a name and sets us the following goal: ‘Observe when it is there, laugh and say hello, and then tune in to a higher way of thinking’. 

I love the idea of laughing at ourselves and learning not to take our ‘negative voice’ too seriously! Amazing things can happen when you learn to stop responding to your chatterbox. Try it!

I hope you've enjoyed reading my book reviews. Feel free to share your favourite books with me to!

How often do you open the door?

Have you ever found yourself wondering why something that you wanted in life just wasn’t happening? Perhaps you sent an email to someone and you didn’t get a response, or maybe you left a voice message and your call wasn’t returned. What did you do? Did you sit there and feel sorry for yourself or did you consider trying harder, persisting and not giving up!

Perseverance is everything in life and if you really want something then you have to go and get it. Waiting for something to arrive or someone to enter your life will end up frustrating you. If you want to make a success out of something then open your own doors and create your own opportunities. Don’t rely on someone else to do it for you. Take action today!

As the great Winston Churchill said: ''Success always demands a greater effort.''

3 Minute Affirmation Video (Volume 2)

I feel very blessed to be living by the sea and thought it would be a nice idea to record the waves as a back drop to my second installment of positive affirmations. Hope you enjoy the video!

3 Minute Affirmation Video (Volume 2)

Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously!

How many times a week do you say; ‘I haven’t got time to this’ OR ‘I’m too busy to do that’? I’m guessing at least once or twice. We’re all guilty at times of feeling like our lives are too important to make time for other things.

But, the truth is if we took ourselves a little less seriously we would most probably find time to do the things we feel we haven’t got time for!

So next time you catch yourself feeling a little too important for life remind yourself to lighten up!