HAPPY NEW YEAR – New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions – Do they actually work?  Personally I know many people set goals/resolutions for the new year and time and time again they fail. 

I think setting yourself a New Year’s resolution/goal at this time of year is only adding to the stress and pressure the some of you may have already experienced with Christmas.

I try to set goals throughout the year, and this year in particular I will do my best to reach those goals but over the whole year not in one week from the 1^st January.

How do you set out to achieve your goals?  How many do you actually fulfil?  I know a lot of people who set a goal, reach it and then create another goal for themselves.  This is a clever way as to not put too much pressure on yourself and it also enables you to work on one thing at a time. 

Do you base your life on goals and achieving them or do you literally take each day as it comes?  I would love to hear everyone’s opinion on this as I am sure they would be vastly varied.  What sort of goal have you set for yourself for 2011?  Do you make a list or just keep them to yourselves? Without setting goals for ourselves how do we increase our knowledge or improve on ourselves at all?

Many of my goals for 2011 are more wishes than goals I think.  I have a lot of hopes for my family and friends which I think is just as important as setting goals for yourself. 

I want to wish you all the very best for 2011, with or without goals or resolutions.  I would sincerely love to hear from any of you in regards to your views on this.

Together we can make anything happen, Don’t you think?

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !

Regardless of your goals and acheivements 2011 Is going to be the best year ever !!!

Love and care always…….. Girl E Business.

ONE MORE THING FOR 2010

Yes just one more thing! LOL I just wanted to thank everyone who joined Girl E Business and those that have read the blog here on the page this year. I am so grateful for the support and promise to bring some fantastic surprises in 2011. Each and every one of you deserve the most fantastic Christmas ever !!! Love and care ALWAYS..... Girl E Business

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Just in case I don't get here before the big day, I would like to take the opportunity to wish you and your families the most wonderful Christmas ever ! 

A special thank you to all the Girlies that have inspired me this year.  Love to you all and with the knowing that I will always be inspired bring on 2011!!!

Merry Christmas everyone !

Love and care always



Girl E Business

OPRAH IN AUSTRALIA & THE ACT OF GIVING..........

Hi to all the Girlies !!

Well I guess it’s better late than never to say goodbye to Oprah.  Whether you love her or not there is no way anyone who watched her over the past weeks could ever doubt her generosity or addictive, inspiring nature.

Christmas is, as we all know, a time of giving and one thing Oprah is, is the ultimate “GIVER”.  I also noticed she also suffers the Giver’s Disease, which is basically an uncomfortable reluctance to receive. “I don’t like surprises” she said in one interview.  The truth being not many real givers do.  They are much more comfortable in the giving mode rather than the receiving mode.  You see this regularly when surrounded by giving people.  I thought it was so apt for her to be here at this time of year and I loved the fact that they named the Opera house the “Oprah House” for a week. I do tend to love a play on words.

Strip her of the fortune and fame and I still believe that Oprah would be exactly the same.  Maybe the gifts wouldn’t be as exceptional but I have no doubt that she would still be giving. There aren’t too many wealthy people who you can truly say that about.  Her fortune, which I believe is truly deserved, just enables her to help and support others more. 

I didn’t get the chance to see all of the coverage on her visit, but what I did see inspired me no end anyway.  Anything truly is possible and you just need to be open to that very thing whilst pursuing that dream you have held for most of your life.  I think everyone of us has a dream that we have held for a very long time.  It has mostly been hidden under the blanket of  the responsibility of parenthood, financial commitments, family commitments and most times our low self- esteem.    Nothing creates more happiness in the world that doing what you love, yet most of us just don’t. 

We tend to make excuses all the time, like the lack of funds due to financial commitments or the ultimate excuse of all excuses “I’m too busy”. The fear of being thrown into a place we are not familiar with and sometimes the risk of our financial security, enables the excuses.  My ultimate goal for 2011 is to push myself to believe more in this very thing.  I am the first to put my hand up and say I constantly struggle with the fear of the unknown.  One thing that prevents me from moving forward has always been the 2 other little people lives I am playing with.  If it was just me and my decisions were only going to affect me then I think things would be very different.  The fact that I am responsible for the lives of the two others constantly enables excuses that have previously stopped me from moving forward.  2010 has been a great start, but I know and believe that 2011 will be so much more. So please stay with me as I jump of the cliff into the unknown so we can see what happens.  There I have done it. Now I have acknowledged that I can no longer linger in the fear of what might not be and move forward with my dream of what could be.  After all, I can now take comfort in the fact that I have the support of all the Girlies.

A friend of mine recently pointed out when we were discussing this topic that NO LIABILITY = NO PROFIT.  From a business perspective I can understand that but, I didn’t realise how much that really applies to life in general.  The Liabilities being our hardships, challenges, health problems etc.  The profits being what we learn from our experiences and how we utilise  that which we have learnt, love, happiness, and the assurance in knowing we are following our life’s purpose.  Once big piece of profit I appreciate is the ability to be able to acknowledge just how truly grateful we are for the good in our lives.  Sometimes when things are tough and life is hard, it becomes very difficult to still focus on all the good.  The good is always there though and always will be.  You just have to be remind yourself sometimes

 I think if most of us could feel what it would be like to be doing what we loved, then we truly wouldn’t hesitate.  We would drop everything and go full steam ahead if we were actually assured we would be the happiest we’ve ever been, have financial security, be supported in abundance and be overwhelmingly proud and inspired by what we do.  I gain so much inspiration from the women and men who have literally followed their dream not matter what with the knowing they are doing what they love.

It has got me thinking that whilst I do try to give as much as possible, I still think this year I have missed something or there is something I still have to do.  I seriously wonder sometimes what this world would be like if even for just for one day only; every single human on the planet would do something for someone else.  I wonder if that was possible what the world would be like the very next day?  One of my ultimate dreams and yes I know, a big one, but it doesn’t stop me from wondering “What if?”

Givers come in all shapes and sizes and I am so appreciative of them as I am sure all the receivers are.  There is the lady who sacrifices every one of her Saturdays to visit the old people’s home and just be there to talk to the elderly.  There is the generous guy who forgoes 4 nights of his time to stand on the corner of the street be it rain, hail or shine to ensure that the homeless have a meal for the night.  There is the little child who shares their lunch with the child next to them because that day their parents didn’t supply any.  Givers stem from all generations and this can start from very early on.  I noticed recently an 18 month old picking up and handing one of her friends her toys to play with.  This simple gesture was enough for me to know that we can never say we didn’t know how to offer help or support to others, because it is something that is inbuilt in us from the very beginning.

Have you given to anyone recently?  What have you done this year to help others?  On a personal note I think I could have done a lot more but still I have a few little things up my sleeve.  I would love to hear your stories of what you did but also how you felt because of it.

As it is said “Pay it forward”.  It’s quite simple if you are fortunate to receive help or support in any way, just continue it and do for someone else. I can guarantee the feeling of giving will always far outweigh many of the feelings of receiving you have experienced.

Girlies, I say go forth and GIVE LOL  J

Love and care always,

Girl E Business.

SECRET CHRISTMAS RECIPES

Hi Everyone! and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES....

 I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their SECRET Christmas Recipes this year? I am sure all the "GIRLIES" would love something new to try for Christmas. If you can't comment on the Blog site then by all means email me at girlebusiness@optusnet.com.au. and I will post it for you.......  Can't wait to see what we can all come up with.

THE LAW OF ATTRACTION

Hello Girlies!!! 

I may be stepping outside the box with this for some of you at least, but I know for others involved in Girl E Business it is something you live by and a huge contribution to who you are.  Writing this I wonder how many of you are actually familiar with the Law of Attraction?

I watch and listen to people constantly saying things like “I hate my job!”, “I don’t have enough money”, “Nothing ever goes right for me” “No one cares” “I am so sick and tired” etc etc.  I have noticed this more prominently over the years, with the complete honesty in knowing that I was one of these people.  I now realise how debilitating this was to not only for my self-esteem but also to the people around me.  I was the ultimate VICTIM. I also am the first to admit I am a constant work in progress and will continue to be for all of my days.  I still find myself at times stepping into those thoughts and assumptions so for all of you that do this, know that you are not alone.  I am well aware that perfection does not and cannot exist.  I just truly believe that being aware of your demons, your insecurities and your thoughts is enough to facilitate a change for the better and this is never a bad thing !

For those of you that tap into this little tool called “The Law of Attraction” that is available to all of us I would love to hear your thoughts and some examples of how this has worked for you both now and in the past.

Unfortunately for some us, we have grown up surrounded by fear, dread, doom and gloom, negativity, abuse (in many forms) and sometimes neglect.  Our parents and family may not have had the best upbringing themselves and one thing I have learnt over the years is that you literally can’t pass on what you don’t know.  The only thing you can do is extend your knowledge so you can share your newfound insights with those around you.  Afterall, what you believe has an impact on all around you whether you are aware of it or not. 

The Law of Attraction defines in a nutshell “What we think (believe) we create”.  As a child I think we are very much influenced by those around us and it’s not until much later, in life that we realise we really do have a mind of our own and what we can therefore be free to use it.  From the time we are born, even before we can speak, the beliefs, thoughts and feeling of others around us have begun to be absorbed.  We can only know what we know and know what we want individually from there.

For those who were fortunate enough to have a beautiful upbringing surrounded by loving and caring individuals then it simply means you just have a head start with this more so than many others.  What still remains though, is the question of how you utilize what you have learnt from your experiences in your life to propel yourself into your future, and in turn what sort of future that will be.

“If you do not attract what you want to be, you will be what you are, FOREVER”             – Ankur Sancheti

There seems to be many varying opinions as to who was the instigator of this insight, and many well argue that it has always been and is referred to in many scriptures, ancient writings, the bible and many other forms of literature in history regardless of denomination.  I just feel the fact that it is there at all, is the most important thing. We have a tool that we can tap into and utilise everyday if we choose to.  And if you choose not to, then that is OK also. Religious or not, anyone is free to utilise the Law of Attraction.  It literally has no boundaries or no discrimination.  The more you read, either from current writings or historical ones it has always been and always will be.

Personally I don’t believe there is one person on the planet that has a total belief system exactly the same thing as another.  That’s what makes us the individuals that we are.  I also believe that we all have the right to choose our own unique beliefs, inspirations and aspirations that makes us happy and so be it.

It doesn’t take too much to notice the people who aspire to be the best they can be with this little tool in their pockets, so to speak .  Some of these people include Rhonda Byrne, Wayne Dyer, Esther & Jerry Hicks, Earl Nightingale, Oprah, and Ankur Sancheti, (above). and many many others. There are now so many people to mention that it is impossible to list here.  As you can see from the quotes below, it was always there and many people knew it long before us.

Winston Churchill - You create your own universe as you go along.

Buddha - All that we are is the result of what we have thought.

Jesus - It is done unto you as you believe...

Albert Schweitzer  - Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will - his personal responsibility.

Martin Luther King Jr - Take the first step in faith you don't have to see the whole staircase just take the first step.

Gandhi - Be the change you wish to see in the world.

One tremendous offering in regard to this law was undoubtedly  “THE SECRET” which regardless of the controversy  surrounding it, made a huge impact across the world for many men, women and children.  How many of you have seen “THE SECRET” and what were your thoughts?

We are all familiar with the saying “I’ll believe it when I see it”.  This is one saying I know was extremely prominent in my childhood.  I love the fact that Wayne Dyer named his book based on this saying, it is called “I’ll see it when I believe it”. 

For the majority of people their lives are left to fate and they live without any aspiration to change how things are or better their lives.  They take everything as it comes.  Are you one of these people?  If so I would also dearly love to hear your thoughts in regard to this blog.  I would openly love to hear peoples thoughts and opinions, regardless of their beliefs as you can probably tell.

Whilst the “Law of Attraction” is available to all, it is not as simple as it seems.  There maybe a constant fight with your thoughts as many of us have been conditioned to think based on fear, lack and unworthiness.  I feel by just being aware of your thoughts you are making a step in the right direction anyway.  Changing something that has been part of you for most of your life is not easy and can be a constant battle to the end but just by trying, you can ensure you are doing the best for yourself and you can take comfort in that alone. 

I have been witness to many people practising the “Power of positive thinking” which has miraculously helped them through times of illness, despair and heartache.  Some of these people have had a profound impact on my life and will continue to do so.  I am so fortunate to be surrounded by these wonderful people and I am so lucky to be able to witness first hand the remarkable achievements that come with positive thought.  Some of these people I refer to may not believe in the “Law of Attraction” even though they are literally practising it every day without even knowing it.  I love these people and am so inspired by the way they refuse to accept defeat even under the worst of circumstances.  It is truly amazing to know these people as they are the inspiration in my life and definitely the instigators of “Girl E Business” even if unbeknowns to them.

I sincerely hope you make comments this week so we can all have a discussion and share with each other which is the pure intention of Girl E Business.

Love and care always…………….

HELLO!

Hi everyone!

Just a quick hello and hope you are having an absolutely, wonderfully terrific, and very happy day !!!!!!! :)  Are you all ready for the fun and madness Chrissy brings? Shopping done yet?  Have Fun !!!

SPENDING CHRISTMAS ALONE?

This time of year is no doubt stressful for most people and other than the financial pressure, family pressures, there is also for some, the realisation that they will be spending Christmas alone.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being alone at Christmas.  Actually there are so many benefits,  Just look below:

·         You have no place to be and you can literally do anything your little heart desires.

·         There will be no arguments unless you get really cranky with yourself.

·         You get to have all the food and drinks to yourself.

·         You don’t have to be at 10 places at once.

·         You don’t have to spend a fortune on buying a ton a Christmas presents that you aren’t certain the person you are buying for will like.

·         There will be that peace and solitude that you’ve been wanting all year.

·         It’s the only time of the year you get to do absolutely nothing if you want to.

·         There is no worrying about driving through horrible, frantic, frustrating traffic.

·         There is just you and everything you are. Once you realise this you can make this the best Christmas Day ever, just for yourself, with absolutely no pressure, or commitments if that is what you want.

I myself have spent Christmas alone and I certainly made sure I wasn’t going to sit around feeling sorry for myself and doing the “Woe is me” scenario.  Hopefully some of you may be fortunate enough to be invited by friends or neighbours to share Christmas with them.  If not, then here are some options, with the unique Girl E Business twist that you may like to consider on the days and the weeks leading up Christmas:

PREPARATION

1.     Make sure you have bought all the comfort food you can handle.  All those naughty things you say no to all year, I hereby give you permission to buy these things and to eat them by the bucket load. LOL (Except of course if it is against Doctor’s orders)

2.    If you don’t plan on cooking or volunteering, book into a restaurant for Christmas Lunch.  Yes a table for one! You never know what can happen. Gone are the days that you would be looked upon as desperate or strange.  To your surprise you may find other “Table for ones” there also.

3.    Put up decorations.  Even if it’s just a few around the house, make sure you can feel a little of the Christmas Spirit.  Even better – make your own.  Come to think of it the last time I actually did, other than helping the kids, was probably around Grade 3.  Do you remember cutting up all those bits of coloured paper and making the ring chains to hang around the house? I remember the glue we used would run and I ended up having more colour on my hands than in the rings themselves.

4.    In the weeks leading up to Christmas go to the shops, get on EBAY whatever you have to do and buy something for yourself.  Yes just for you!  Something special too! Something that you wouldn’t normally let yourself indulge in. You deserve it!!  You have to promise me though that you will wrap it and NOT open it until Christmas Day.  Who said you can’t be your own Santa.

5.    Volunteer – Nominate yourself.  This is probably one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself and others at Christmas.  There are many organisations in your area that provide meals for the homeless, elderly etc. on Christmas Day.  One thought that comes to mind would be to contact the Age homes or Services like Bluecare in your area. You may just benefit from spending an hour or so with a couple of people who, not unlike yourself, are alone at Christmas. This is probably the best Christmas Present ever, for yourself and them also.

YOUR BIG CHRISTMAS DAY

6.    Have a Sleep in.!  Yes a sleep in. Unbeknown to some women out there, this is actually a possibility and it is still practised in some households.  I know it maybe a rare occurrence and a dying art but trust me it does still exist for some people.  Even if you wake at your normal time, just stay in bed for that extra ½ hour, just because you can.

7.    Open your PRESENT!!!!  Laugh and pretend you have absolutely no idea what is in there.   LOLOL J

8.    Check the “Girl E Business” Blog page or Facebook page for inspiring Christmas Messages. Make your own comments on what you have planned for yourself today.

9.    Plan a pamper morning.  Make sure you have a nice relaxing bath, bubbles or bath bombs essential here.  Play some nice relaxing music, light the candles and put on your favourite perfume.  Yes I know, you think no one will smell it except you. But that’s the point! 

10.  If you are able, get out and about today.  Don’t put any pressure on yourself whatsoever though. Even if it’s just a short walk, a trip to the park, the beach, just go out for a while, even if it’s only so someone walking past you can smell that perfume you put on.

11.  Cook something!  -  I am the first to admit I didn’t inherit the cooking gene in my family, nor the ironing one, and I am definitely not an avid recipe book reader, but if that’s what floats your boat, so to speak, then I’m all for it !!! Put some music on and put it on “Loud”.  This is the only day of the year the neighbours can’t complain about the noise.  With all that noise and the aromas of that wonderful cooking emanating from your home, it will give the impression that something is happening at your place (which it is). You might even get a visitor or two to see what’s going on LOLOL.  If you plan a fabulous creation for lunch and or dessert, then you certainly can take pleasure and comfort in the fact that you made it yourself.  Also remember to take the time to enjoy every single bit of it.

12.  Watch a “New Release”. Personally I prefer not to select a “Christmas DVD” as there is enough to watch on the television and hiring one really defeats the purpose of what you are trying to do today.  Choose something that will take you away for a while. A really nice “Chick Flick” or just one of your favourites that will warm your heart today especially.

13.  Read a little.  Grab a nice cup or coffee or tea and read something.  Anything really as long as you are relaxed and comfortable when you do.

14.  Now for LUNCH!  If you have volunteered you will no doubt be indulging in a beautiful roast meal and Christmas pudding with all the trimmings and sharing some wonderful stories with some very wonderful people.  But if you haven’t then you might have thought to book into a local restaurant to treat yourself a meal.  Yes all by yourself.  “Table for 1 please”.  You never know there might just be someone else there who also booked that table for “1”.  You might even be lucky enough to be invited by other patrons to join them. The possibilities are endless.  Now, if you haven’t done either of the above, I certainly hope you have made the best effort in following my point no 1 and bought as much comfort food as you can handle.  No one minds if you have chocolate and an a couple of iced donuts for lunch as long as you are happy. J

15.  Get on the “Girl E Business” Blog page or Facebook page again to check on comments and see what everyone else has been up to today.

16.   I hereby also give you permission to sleep the afternoon away if you like.  Have an afternoon “Nanna Nap”.  This is also a dying art but how long has it been since you’ve actually done it?

17.  Make a list of things you have been grateful for this year. Think of as many things as possible.  Start with being grateful for the Lunch you had today, that beautiful perfume you are wearing and the present you received this morning. J 

18.  Write a list of goals and aspirations you have for the upcoming years ahead.  Don’t label them “New Year’s Resolutions” as I feel that this always put too much pressure on people.  Just a plan of things you might like to happen for you, things you might like to do, and ways you might like to help others.  With most people giving is always much easier than receiving as we know, but you must understand one thing this year, and that is that you deserve it.  You are loved and are an inspiration to many so make sure you don’t limit yourself to what you can achieve. 

19.   Get on the Girl E Business Blog Page/Facebook, surf the net, play some games etc. etc.  Let your inner child play today, just like you did when you were younger.  If the kids are away, be it with the other parent, grandparents etc. then steal their PlayStation or Wii and go for it.  If you completely annihilate their highest scores, just act dumb when they come home. The last thing they would think is that you, of all people, would have been playing their games LOLOL.  Maybe you could say SANTA did it?

20.  Get on the “Girl E Business” Blog page or Facebook page again write everything you would like to share about your day.

21.   And last of all. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!  Enjoy your day and know that you aren’t alone and are lovingly thought of by all the “Girlies” involved with Girl E Business.

There are a number of websites that offer suggestions to people being alone at Christmas.  Whilst they may be vastly different to the “Girl E Business” suggestions LOL, you may like to check out a few of these links that I would like to share with you.

1.     http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Christmas_can_be_stressful

2.    http://www.ehow.com/how_4683282_enjoy-christmas-alone.html

3.    http://powertochange.com/culture/homealone/

4.    http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071212231014AAJPAb1

Love and care always………… Girl E Business

LOOKING AFTER "YOU"

Always remember to look after yourself and your needs. You will be a better Mum, Wife, Daughter or Friend just for doing so....... Be free of guilt and love and care for yourself as much as you love and care for others.

Personally this is the BIG LESSON for me. What about you? Do you always seem to put yourself last?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

14 Years on and this is still the image I remember when I think of you.  Happy Birthday to one of my Pride and Joys.  I love you ! :)

Do any other mothers out there feel like I do on your child's birthdays?  You relive the birth, the trials and tribulations that motherhood has brought to you, and you hope that you have instilled all the right values and morals into them to help and guide them in their lives ahead. 

Whilst I celebrate this day, I also feel a little pit in my stomach for I know that times slips away so fast.  Just a reminder I guess, to value every day and make the most of our time with our children. 

This morning I looked at this boy now growing into a wonderful man in front of me and was amazed that still today,  I can see the face in this photo above.  Memories are one of the most valuable things we have, and can keep, that no one can ever take from us.  With everyday memories are made and valued most times albeit much later.   To all the mothers out there, know you are doing a fantastic job.  You are the influence in your child's life that is neverending and irreplaceable.  No matter how difficult it gets at times take comfort in the fact that you've loved them as much as you possibly can and know that with each year that passes they really do love you more also.  Even though sometimes it may not feel like it. 

To all the Mum's out there I have just one thing to say "You Rock!!!" LOLOL  Alone you may feel overwhelmed, stressed, tired and sad at times, but together we can do this.  The opportunity to discuss issues and receive advice from people in the same position as you are is immeasurable.  So anyone reading this please be assured you are no longer alone and you have all the support of all the "Girlies" involved with GIRL E BUSINESS.  Hope you are all having a fantastic day!  :)

Love and care   GIRL E BUSINESS