Tag: inspiration

Coulda, Shoulda, Prada – turn around, your mountain is this way and it is never too late

Coulda, Shoulda, Prada – turn around, your mountain is this way and it is never too late

by Dominique ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Day 2 of the Climb That Mountain series. For Day 1 go here.

“What if I prefer oceans?” for the love of Gary, would you just go with the metaphor? I can already hear some smart arse friends getting stuck on the mountain theme. We’re doing the mountain metaphor for your personal journey, ok? Just. Would you please. Gosh.

I’m now shaking my head from getting caught up in an imaginary conversation that would TOTALLY happen. We all have friends like these. We love them but man, they are so cheeky, aren’t they? Where was we.. oh, that’s right.

Let’s do a visualisation exercise.

Imagine two friends having a catch up in a cafe. They’re talking about what they have been doing and one of them is saying “Oh, I should really go back to the gym regularly. But I just lose track of time and before I know it, it’s the weekend. And also I haven’t been eating all that healthy. I shouldn’t have had all that wine the other night, I feel awful. I should really cut down on the sugar and the pastries. I also feel like I should be doing more meditation and I should really get a better paying job, and I should do more with my time and I shouldn’t have wasted all the chances I had in the past to study more, workout when I had the time or the energy. I’ve left things too late to make a change. I feel like I have arthritis, I should have taken better care of myself. I should have managed my finances better, I should take up a sport, I used to play but I didn’t practice enough. I should do something creative, but I never felt like I was any good at it, and I should…”

And finally the other friend leans forward and says, “Hey” and the friend pauses and says “what“, a little surprised. That’s when the other friend says,

“You’ve got a little…. should on your face.”

Have you been…. should-ing all over yourself like that? If not, well congratulations to you! You probably don’t need to read this post although, you might know someone who is should-ing themselves quite a bit. But if you are, well, you need to stop that. Or, more appropriately, you may wish to consider stopping that, so the legend says.1

Let go of “should”, of all the what should have beens, could have beens. Are your circumstances not as marvellous as you would like because of something that happened or that you did in the past? Oftentimes, life happens. Sometimes we make mistakes. We make choices that… meh, shrugs in I been there too.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). The number of times this guy could have said that about my choices. Good times were had! Sometimes, just times!

But that’s life. We live, we learn. We keep living. What happened to you may not have been your fault. But how you move forwards is your responsibility. Maybe you did the best you could at the time and now you know you can do better. From this moment forward, how will you choose to live your life? How are you meant to move forward, onwards and upwards, if you look back and dwell on what should have been, could have been. In the words of the great Anastasia Beaverhausen

Coulda Shoulda Prada honey!

“Bed, Bath and Beyond” Will & Grace, NBC. Karen Walker was a gift! Aka Anastasia Beaverhausen

Don’t cling to an old mistake because you spent a lot of time making it. Let go or be dragged. Cut whatever cords that bind you to what was done. In investments sometimes it dawns on us that whatever this is… turns out not to be a good investment and we need to cut our losses and move on. If you ever play tennis, the point you just lost? Yeah, it’s important but not as important as the next point!

The point being that with whatever has happened you don’t necessarily need to completely throw the whole thing out and start all over. Take a look at what doesn’t make sense to hold on to as you move onwards. Sometimes we hang on to certain situations because we’re afraid of failing whatever endeavour we are thinking about embarking on. Forgive the past and release it. Let go or be dragged.

Also, let’s talk about life EXPERIENCE. Most experience comes from the mistakes we make. And sometimes great adventures come attached. You made it through to the other side of whatever you went through. Well done you!

“Every life experience, no matter how ‘tragic’ contains a hidden lesson. When we discover and acknowledge the hidden lesson that is there, a healing takes place.”

– Dr David R. Hawkins

Whatever happened got you to where you are now. And you are right on time and right where you need to be. You have plenty of time to now take action. Action is not dwelling or regretting. No more of that. Let’s get on with the rest of your life.

MOVING ON! Where’s that mountain? Head that way and look where you’re going.

Your task today: Listen to this song, break free and move on up. Maybe dance a little too. Stop shoulding all over yourself. Friends don’t let friends should themselves in the foot.

Movin’ on up, movin’ on up, movin’ on up
Movin’ on up, movin’ on up, movin’ on up
Movin’ on up, movin’ on up, movin’ on up
Movin’ on up, movin’ on up, movin’ on up
Movin’ on up, you’re movin’ on out
Movin’ on up, nothin’ can stop me
Movin’ on up, you’re movin’ on out
Time to break free, nothing can stop me
Movin’, movin’, movin’, nothin’ can stop me
Movin’, movin’, time to break free, nothin’ can stop me
Songwriters: Mike Pickering / Paul Heard
Moving On Up lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Unison Rights S.L., Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc

  1. The other day I came across a great meme that said, just in case we mess up someone’s life when we give them advice, we should add the words, “so the legend says” so that is my disclaimer from now on in all conversations, which is what this is. Will I also dress like a wizard? Possibly. Picture me dressed as a wizard! Although I am very confident that by not shoulding yourself all the time like this, ruminating on past behaviour and experiences, you will in fact, do very well. ↩︎
“I helped a man climb a mountain and found that I, too, had reached the top.”

“I helped a man climb a mountain and found that I, too, had reached the top.”

by Dominique ♥ 1 Comment

I started this blog thingy with the intention to share what helps me live a happier or healthier or sometimes both type of life. In short, I wanted to help by sharing.

Alot of the time perfectionism gets in the way of actually posting something.

Turns out, this is something alot of us do in life. We practice “all or nothing” thinking. You may know it as a fear of failure. We fear that something won’t work, so we end up not doing anything at all. I’m going to go back to the basics and hope that helps you too. One step at a time. That’s it. Let’s start to climb your mountain today by taking one step. I’m with you.

Step one: try something different. Instead of judging or shaming or regretting, try… accepting. Accept yourself. Accept every single version of you that has come to be. Acceptance doesn’t mean “I accept myself so I don’t need to work on improving anything about myself.” It means sitting with who you are now even whilst you acknowledge areas that you would like to work on.

How does that sound? What stops you from practising self-acceptance? Talk about it amongst yourselves.

I wish you a calm and peaceful day. x

I Pulled Something

I Pulled Something

by Dominique ♥ 1 Comment

I was on a call and as we were talking, I pulled some cards. The top was for me and as I continued regarding them, here is what came out.

We can all take something useful from these.

Most importantly, be unapologetic, take a little audacity and delusion and apply it to yourself!

Be audacious about how awesome you believe yourself to be! Be delusional about how successful you will be in realising your dreams!

No more tip toeing. Sashay all the way!

Speaking of useful, I introduced a mum friend to Pinterest this weekend. I said to her “less talky talky and mostly visuals” and she was all, “Fantastic! Gimme!” I haven’t seen her since and I don’t blame her.

Here is my own Pinterest board situation

Whenever I see a comment with the words “I can confidently confirm” I can feel a huge smirk spread over my face. Love it. Especially when the quote contains words such as “idiots”. We’re in for a good time guys.

Do you love uplifting posts filled with inspiration and wisdom? I don’t know where you can go for that BUT if you are into sporadic, irregular, wildly inconsistent material like the above? Well, THAT I can do in which case please feel free to subscribe down below.

Also, I am really into feedback. Only the adoring kind, thank you so much. xox

Psychic or cyber attack? Dealing with bullying like a zen master. (Work in progress)

Psychic or cyber attack? Dealing with bullying like a zen master. (Work in progress)

by Dominique ♥ 1 Comment

I gotta tell you… someone has been trying to bother me. Just between you and me in the privacy of my home and ahem also here… it was not a pleasant experience for me to say the least mainly because it was out of the blue. Quelle surprise!

However, I took the time to reflect on how I wanted to respond outwardly and I decided that my response will be nothing. Message not received. I told myself no I won’t be angry, I’m not drinking this cup of poison over the behaviour of someone else.

I was pretty peeved though… and boy is it tempting to throw down!

You know what I find hard to comprehend and maybe it’s not understandable is how someone could form this type of mal intention to inflict pain and suffering on someone else. Someone that they don’t know and never met. I don’t expect people to just wish me blessings all day long but WHO goes out of their way to try to victimise someone and ruin their peace?! Just bizarre…

WHO do they think they are? And WHO did they think I am?

Various memes floating around on the internet with this theme as you can see.

I love memes so much…

Let’s try to be classy about things before I get carried away! If not classy, then just make good choices!

Don’t throw down Dom…

In an overly simplistic explanation, my mum has a technique of checking feelings. Who does this belong to? Yours? No, not yours. Sometimes she will say yes it is yours. She does it in a flash.

I slept badly anyway after my experience and had a terrible dream. In it I was defending myself but I woke up shaken. It was as if I was under psychic attack. How so? Well, was I feeling at peace? Well, no, I was obviously bothering myself by holding on to thoughts instead of letting them pass me by. This is no longer about that person, this is about my reaction. What is my reaction? I said I won’t react but my mind is chattering away. There is a disconnection going on here.

So again I made an effort to distance myself not just by refraining to respond but to really not receive the message. I choose peace.

Mine? No, not mine.

Return to sender.

May I be conscious.

May you be conscious.

May we all be conscious.

Here is a Zen story I came across a long time ago. 

There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him. 
One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.
Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.
Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?" 
"If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"

John Suler’s Zen Stories to Tell Your Neighbours.

I may not be the great warrior but I can do my best to remain calm and immoveable under pressure.

No, not mine.

May we all be conscious and wake up.

*Just a word now about bullying and being bullied. It’s unacceptable behaviour and is usually never about the person targeted. In a lot of instances we can choose to remain calm and continue to live our lives peacefully and that’s all that needs to be done. You may or may not want to also inform this person that oi, you need to wake up, cut that behaviour out and pull yourself together and have some dignity ffs. Every situation is different. IF YOU ARE IN DANGER YOU NEED TO CONTACT AUTHORITIES, YOU NEED TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT IS HAPPENING AND YOU NEED TO MOVE YOURSELF TO A PLACE OF SAFETY.

March brings a new month, new intentions and new blessings. Calendar and a quote to inspire you.

March brings a new month, new intentions and new blessings. Calendar and a quote to inspire you.

by Dominique

March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life’s path.

Khalil Gibran

It’s been an interesting beginning to March. I came across an expression that is very comforting: “When March comes in like a lion, it leaves like a lamb.” Another comfort to me is my yoga practice, so much so that I found it really difficult to decline teaching requests as if the more yoga we get out into the atmosphere the more peaceful moments we’ll have. I’ve come to my yoga mat upset or angry many times, but I have never left it the same way. Not once!

This sunset came after a very stormy and stressful day, a real tonic for the spirits. The next day the clouds cleared and I could see as far as the mountains.

This is a quiet week which is why I am finally uploading the calendar, and I’ll also use this chance to finish editing at least two yoga videos – one is for depression and one is for backbending. My main intention for the month will be to continue working on myself and all the ways yoga can serve as a tool for self help. And I will ask myself how I can stay focused and resilient, no matter what?

I hope that this month brings you blessings and strength.

February, Intentions and a Calendar

February, Intentions and a Calendar

by Dominique

Phew! January went fast and looking back now on my January intentions I got through most of it but three quarters of the way through my intention to walk a good distance everyday faltered. I tried my best to do little bursts of walking and those days I felt markedly better than on days I didn’t.

I’m off to a good start though with the calendar for February ready earlier hehe.

What are your intentions for this month?

I’m going to stick to my walking and switching out coffee for tea. A few other work things as well but these are the main ones for me.

January Intentions and 2023 Calendar

January Intentions and 2023 Calendar

by Dominique ♥ 1 Comment

Edit: it is now TWO WEEKS LATER AHHH but let me just post this and you can tell me has January flown past you as well having fun or is it dragging along for you.

To be perfectly frank, I have been STRUGGLING to wake up at my usual 5.30 or 6 am time. More amazingly my alarm clock i.e. my 5 year old has not been waking me!

Not newsworthy for some but everyday is a slow news day in this household thank goodness hehe.

But with waking up late at 8 or 9 has left me without the extra hour in the morning I usually rely on. It makes a difference for me even if it is a weekend. I have been meaning to finish up designing a few things (including a calendar) and without those morning hours I have struggled. And in a chicken and the egg kind of story I felt like I could not plan out things I wanted to work on in January (it’s almost a third of the way through the month) and January is just flashing past. You would think it would wait for me but nope hehe.

This morning in an astounding (I told you this is a slow news household) turn of events, we are up at 7. Oh my goshness, what a thrill. Made coffees for Mum and I, brought it over to her she was in the middle of a web meditation event (I didn’t realise she was so quiet, understandably as she was meditating), prepared food for little one in case it felt hungry (fruit salad left from yesterday and a babycino, took seconds) and got on with the calendar designing.

espresso machine

I’ve decided on a minimalist design, well, minimalist for me… featuring things I saw that stopped me in my tracks on my walks. There is a space on the side to record intentions for the month.

There is a moving version of it and the variations of light and colours was lovely. I’m looking forward to looking back at the end of the month where I got to with my intentions.

Wishing you a lovely January!

Last Minute Christmas Sweets Platter

Last Minute Christmas Sweets Platter

by Dominique

Hello! What a rush the last few weeks have been. I’m back in Sydney and we need to head over to a cousin’s house for Christmas lunch. It’s a potluck lunch and I thought lawd… what can I make that will travel well and be you know, nice to look at? Luckily I’m doing dessert which is easier than say, a whopping great big turkey which is certainly impressive but you probably want to make that inhouse.

A cake would be nice although, by the time you eat a huge meal, how much cake does one need? More pleasant might be a small nibble with a coffee.

I’ve been seeing these very fanciful platters but until now I have always felt timid and unsure how to do one. For my kid’s birthday I had my friend make one. She’s veryyyyyy good at it. We both wept a little that we didn’t take photos of that one haha.

She’s not here with me in Sydney so I’m on my own. Here is what I came up with. I had to go to the supermarket but you might have things in your cupboard you can use?

from this
to this
and just go from there

If you have anything last minute coming up give it a go. Even if all you have is a box of chocolates, with some fruit sprinkled around, it’s pretty to look at whilst you sit around having a chat (or putting your feet up). Also I’ll paste my recipe for egg nog. If I remember rightly, it’s vegan… it’s one of my most popular posts (?!?!!!!) but here it is again in case you would enjoy ithttps://ourzenaissance.com/2016/12/24/nog-vegan-egg-nog-in-less-time-than-it-takes-to-say-bah-humbug-a-christmas-miracle-recipe/

If you have some remember to drink loads of water! Hehe… and I wish you a beautiful day everyday xox