When you're feeling blue or even a darker shade of grey, take action!!

Waltz into your room, fling open the doors and reach for some wardrobe wonders.

Find the brightest thing you own and don yourself with a SPLASH of colour.

It could be a simple accessory that lifts your mood or an entire outfit of joyful hues.

A personal favourite of mine is a red fluffly scarf - sometimes mistaken for a boa. People always comment and it makes me feel positive everytime I wear it.

Sometimes just the smallest splash of colour can elevate your mood.

Take a chance...splash out in colour today!

Speaking of colour, check out this month's cover and photo shoot for "Real Living" magazine - I LOVE IT - my favourite colour...green!!! Now that's inspiring! I feel calm already!

http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/realliving/wereloving/292050/luxe-looks.slideshow

Do you skip down the hallway on the way to the shower?
Do you roll down hills with your children, squealing with delight as you collide with each other?

These are great ways to embrace your inner child. Yet not enough of us truly let loose and explore the benefits such silliness offers.

Embracing your inner child is a great way to ease stress and enjoy the fun things in life.
It allows us to relax, think outside the box, show our love for others and laugh out loud.
It's the simple things, after all, that really matter.

So next time you want to relieve a little stress, take a deep breath, feel the freedom and launch yourself into a world of silliness.

If you're stuck for ideas, here are 10 ways to embrace your inner child:
1. Buy some water pistols and have a water fight in the backyard.
2. Invent and sing a silly song when washing up.
3. Skip to the letterbox.
4. Go to a playground and swing, swing, swing, as high as you can go.
5. Play your favourite song from the 80s and dance around the lounge room.
6. Make and eat fairy bread.
7. Run around like a 4 year old under a sprinkler in the backyard.
8. Make a snow angel (or "grass angel" as my daughter calls them) - that's right, lie down in the grass and flap your arms and legs about in a star shape.
9. Open the fridge and drink from the milk carton - go on, just this once.
10. Pull a silly face when stuck at the traffic lights.

And one more for good luck:
11. Buy tassels for your bicycle's handle bars and ride around the block with a big grin on your face.

Have fun. Play, laugh, sing, dance, create, imagine, be silly. Make funny faces and embrace the little being inside you that's just screaming to get out every now and again.

Thanks to one of my closest, funniest, silliest, most fun loving friends, I was reminded recently of how important it is to "embrace your inner child".

Go on pull that silly face, I dare you!

Do you struggle to make decisions? Do you get confused from time to time? Who doesn't.

Life is a series of complex challenges and change is inevitable.

There are many times during our lives when we may find ourselves stuck at a crossroad with no idea of which path to choose.

But guess what? - I have a tip to assist us all with the decision making process. And it's all about values. If we take the time to discover what matters to us and write a list of the things we truly value, decision making becomes easier.

When faced with a decision, having a list of values allows us to recognise if the choices we have either align or detract from our priorities. The best decision is obviously one that aligns with what matters most to us at any given time.

For example if you were seeking employment and you'd taken the time to discover that "work life balance" was high on your list of values, you wouldn't choose a 60 hour a week job. Making such a choice would obviously "detract" from what truly mattered to you at that particular time in your life.

So take the time to think about what really matters to YOU. And remember we're all different - we all have different needs and desires. We shouldn't compare ourselves to others, for no two people are alike. What matters to some, may not register highly on our own list of values. 

Write your very own list of values and keep it safe. Revisit it often to see if your priorities have changed and then when you are faced with your next set of challenges, pull it out and use it as a tool to discover which decision best suits YOU.

When facing a decision you may also like to write a list of choices. Think about each chioice and ask yourself, "does this option detract and align with my values?"  

Having a list of values really is a powerful way to ease the stress of decision making. And creating the list is a fun way to learn more about ourselves. 

With a clear list of values we are armed with decision making power.

With Christmas behind us we can relax and relish the memories of precious time spent with friends and family.

There is after all, no greater gift than the gift of time. 

A dedication of time shows we genuinely care for a person or a project.

Giving or receiving the gift of time allows us to form connections, generate trust and self confidence. Whether giving to a person or project, we are often presented with an opportunity to learn more about ourselves.

If only we could carry into the new year, the Christmas tradition of making time for ourselves and others.

But these days life is busy. We endlessly rush around chasing chore after chore, complaining that there just isn't enough time in the day. But time is time - there is no more and no less from yesterday to today. What matters is how we manage and prioritise our time, how we choose to spend it.

For example, if there is something we really want to achieve, by dedicating time to it we will see boundless growth, in both ourselves and our project. By giving our passions the gift of time we will be well rewarded. There is much enjoyment to be gained from spending time doing something we love.

And of course the same can be said for people. We will certainly find joy spending time with people we care about, dedicating a moment to say hi, write a message, send a gift, have a cuppa - whatever it might be. And in return, the recipient of our time will feel appreciated and loved. 

Recently it was my birthday and I was overwhelmed by the generosity of messages and visits I received on that day. The smallest gift of a message or phone call goes a long way to letting someone know they are appreciated. All those little moments of time add up to something BIG.

There really is no better gift for two people.

So next time uncertainty arises about what gift to buy that special someone, consider just taking the time to phone, message or visit. It's amazing how wonderful such a simple gesture can make a person feel. And taking time out for ourselves is just as important - it allows us to relax, reflect and learn a little more about ourselves.

When thinking about the year ahead and what New Year's Resolutions we might make, it is well worth considering how powerful the gift of time can be for ourselves and others. There is nothing more sacred - it's a reflection of love, care and commitment.

It's a gift that reaps great rewards for all involved, regardless of the time of year.

Christmas is the time of year to give, share, spend time with our families, create memories and reflect on the year that's past.

It's the time of year for hope....hope that the upcoming year provides opportunities, good health, luck, love, whatever we desire.

But for many, hope feels out of reach. Unfortunately for some, Christmas can be a stressful and depressing time. It can be a time of isolation and financial distress and can highlight a lack of achievement for the year just past.
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Christmas_can_be_stressful

As sad as it is, I'm sure we've all known someone who has suffered at Christmas.

So this year when you think about hope, consider what really matters, not only to you, but to others. We can all hope for a brighter future for everyone.


It is my hope for 2013 that all those in need find shelter, food, clothing, warmth, friendship, acceptance, peace, confidence, employment and countless opportunities for a life well lived.

I hope that those who've lost loved ones find support and peace in the months to come; that those who's families have broken down find the strength and support to carry on.

I hope that new mums struggling with the enormity of motherhood find some respite, someone to talk to and some well deserved time to relax and recharge.

I hope that the lonely find strong and lasting connections with people who truly care.

And there is more, so much more each and every one of us can hope for in our immediate and wider communities.

Better yet, take action - volunteer! Offer your time and support to a friend or organisation in need.

Be the voice of hope for someone this season.

Here's to Hope!
May everyone find it and share this Christmas.

For those interested, here is a link to the Salvation Army's Hope Christmas Appeal:
http://salvos.org.au/christmas/

There is something sublime about Cloud Watching. Just you try it!

From the minute you lie on your back and stare up into the wondrous sky above you will feel an immense sense of peace. It's true!

I was amazed to discover the instant state of calm that enveloped me once I laid my head on an over-sized beach towel and ogled at the blue and white mass above.


The overhanging trees waved in the breeze and the soft fluffy clouds above floated, expanded, merged and dissipated all in a slow dance that left my mind and soul numb with awe. I was transported into a deep state of relaxation within seconds and found myself wanting to lie there all day, watching this beautiful transformation. And to think, it goes on all day, every day, right above our busy lives.

Words are very powerful - whether spoken or written! They can help us clarify our own thoughts as well as reach out to others.

A positive phrase delivered to another person can lift their mood and enhance our own sense of generosity. When we offer words of encouragement and receive a beaming smile in return we feel good.

And the same can be said when we are on the receiving end of comforting words of support. Can you think of a time recently when someone said something to you that changed your whole perspective or mood? How good did it make you feel?

Another powerful way to use words is to write down problems and goals. Writing things down helps us to clarify and focus on what really matters. Seeing a problem or goal written down can often spur us into action - help us make a decision and move on with life. Writing things down gives us time to reflect, brainstorm and find solutions.

There's no time like the present. Offer up words of support or put pen to paper today and see what evolves.