Whether it's a beach, bush or city escape, there's nothing quite like venturing off on an adventure and retiring to a world of spontaneity and relaxation. There's something cathartic about releasing household routines and the domestic chains that bind us to our homes.

Taking time to frolic in the sea or skip through long country grass gives us a sense of peace and unlocks a connection to nature that is often times lost in the routine of daily living. A city break all the same can stimulate the senses and reconnect us to community.

These are all good reasons to take a break to somewhere different. New experiences allow us to connect to a deeper part of ourselves that has perhaps been neglected for too long. Our troubles float away, our breathing becomes deeper and somehow we feel more grounded. Our connection to what matters is reignited and we are able to move forward with our lives in a more tranquil state.

If you're not convinced by my ramblings there are plenty of psychology experts and studies that suggest that mini breaks are great for soul and sanity. Some even deliver results that prove that people are happier taking a few mini breaks a year rather than one long holiday each year.

Read up on why you and your loved ones should plunge into the magic of mini breaks today;

http://seattlemamadoc.seattlechildrens.org/plan-a-vacation-stat/

Happy holiday hunting, adventuring and relaxing..ah that's better!

    image courtesy: freeimages.com

© mary cryan : positivity aplenty

There is nothing more precious or unpredictable as life!!

Just as the clouds above drift in and out of our vision, so too does life.

It's formation is different for us all - sometimes light and fluffy and full of joy, other times dark and heavy and full of turbulence.

But despite it's presentation at any given time, it is a gift.
It is always something to be appreciated.

Life lives and breathes in each of us, in the animals and the nature we see around us. And yet, it all comes and goes. After enveloping us in it's miraculous power there comes a time when it simply leaves in its wake, a life-force and a treasured memory of existence.

Memories are precious but existence should be treasured beyond all measure. Take it seriously, embrace it with love, care and attention. Take in it's breath and house it with nurturing. Appreciate not only the life of your own but the life of others...the everlasting mark another living being makes in this world - be it their smile, their style, their charity work, career achievements, their ability to love etc. We all leave our mark.

And when it is sadly only the mark that remains, offer your breath of compassion to others as they mourn the loss of life gone by, a loved one passed on, a pet no longer there. It's times like these, that your existence becomes vitally important, in your ability to breathe loving life force into the nurturing needs of another.

Our ability to love all things throughout life, is surely the greatest thanks we can give for our gift.

Life is learning, life is caring. It is supporting, loving and nurturing. 

It is being mindful and taking the time each day to breathe in all that we appreciate.

Taste it, smell it, feel it, hear it, speak it, SEE it, embrace it.

Reach out to the life forces all around you.

On this, the last day of the working week, take the time to show some kindness in the workplace.

It has been proven time and time again that a little kindness goes a long way.  And luckily, extending the hand of kindness is one of the easiest and most rewarding things we can do for another and ourselves. 

Taking the time to simply say “hello” as we pass someone in the hallway is not only good for others, but good for ourselves. Making someone else feel noticed and appreciated is a positive thing for all involved.

There are plenty of articles to support the theory that acts of kindness generate higher levels of serotonin and oxytocin along with improving immune system function for both the giver and receiver:

http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/act-of-kindness/#axzz34PrmPwJ8

http://drdavidhamilton.com/the-5-side-effects-of-kindness/

So when you enter the workplace today, consider how you might kindle some kindness. 

Here are 10 tips to help spread the "good stuff":

• make a colleague a cup of tea
• ask a colleague how their night was
• hold the lift (if someone is running for it)
• leave a nice note in a colleagues tray
• share some chocolates around your pod
• invite a colleague to after work drinks
• offer to collect someone's paperwork from the printer
• write a thank you note or email
• simply SMILE and say hello (even to strangers)
• pay someone a compliment (and watch them light up)

These simple things help develop a sense of camaraderie and belonging – something that every workplace needs to function happily and productively, especially when times are tough.

So wherever you go, consider your manners. Reach out to those around you and reap the rewards.

So make today a day to spread the love...sprinkle a little joy around your office pod and in your colleague's trays....oh go on...leave some in the lift too!!

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."

    Image courtesy of freeimages.com

The article was about a single dad receiving advice from his mum regarding the raising of his children. But the sentiment of this quote is relevant to many areas of our lives, as adults also. It read:

"My mother told me that the more people a child has who truly love him or her, the happier that child will be. So I work hard to maintain and expand their circles of love."

BAM - isn't it great!!

As a child who was raised with a relatively small circle of love, a lot of things finally made sense to me upon reading those words. 

As as a mother, I was filled with a powerful sense of determination, to create loving circles for my own family.

And as an individual I was suddenly aware of where my life purpose stemmed from.

These powerful words remind us of the importance of connection, whether it be with family, friends, colleagues, community members etc. These connections are all so important and relevant to our ability to feel love, confidence and happiness. 

Sure a lot of it comes down to how we feel on the inside but it made perfect sense to me that if you have a loving circle of people in your life, you somehow DO feel better....happier....healthier.

So friends, let's connect with each other and our wider communities to increase our own circles of love. In the end it must surely contribute to us all forming a global connection of love and peace. And that's got to be a good thing.

If you're stuck for ideas, here are a few tips to expand your circle:

• Invite a new neighbour over for a cuppa, or at least put a welcome note in their letterbox
• Call that friend you haven't spoken to in years and arrange a time to eye ball each other (yes, peeps I know you're all out there)
• Make a cuppa for a work colleague you don't usually liaise with
• Have a spontaneous BBQ with family (no reason required)
• Throw that 40th you never threw for yourself and make it BIG - create a dress-up theme for fun
• Arrange to meet friends at the same time every month for that well deserved catch up.

Happy circling everyone!

Her physicality, intellect and life force were in total contrast to her age.

If you're as lucky as me, you have at least one good friend you can share silly banter with. 

You know....the kind of conversation that has you clutching at your stomach as you roll around on the floor laughing. The kind where you can be completely honest and exposed and know that your friend still thinks you're ok even though she's saying "you're completely bonkers" in a jovial manner....causing you even more side splitting laughter. The kind where innuendos fly and wild sarcasm bounces off the walls around you. The kind that has conversation volleying backwards and forwards across the distance between you. It's clever and witty and insidiously playful and you love every minute of it (well I do).

Your brain is switched on and you're reaching into the creative abyss for the next bit of witty sarcasm to send across the table. It's like writing a comic screen play or directing a black comedy. It's fun, creative, honest and soul baring. And it's often these relationships we trust the most - for that very fact - that all is laid bare. 

Looking for a way to beat stress? 

Try BANTER - here are just a few benefits:

• it sparks your imagination
• has you laughing in hysterics
• allows you to be truly yourself
• lets you get away with outrageous accusations
• and it's just good fun