Sunday Pause 14 September 2014

Welcome to the Sunday Pause .. join me as I wander through some of the inspiring, creative and simply funny stuff that I saw online this week!

A beautiful and heartwarming video for your Sunday morning.

You may not be aware, but I have been away to another world (of sorts) .. an island with palm trees, warm summer days and endless wandering.  Yes, Bali was amazing and I will have a post ready next week with loads to share about our journey, our favourite spots, where to eat and just amazing pictures where even the amateur (me) can capture great shots.

This week though it is back to home (Melbourne) and this is what capture my attention:

* I volunteered at the Seth Godin breakfast event this week, presented by Business Chicks .. definitely an inspiring speaker (check out his blog) and volunteering is a great way to learn and give a helping hand to an event .. and make new friends.

* This is my next event (December in Melbourne) where I am volunteering.

* 15 of the most magnificent trees in the world .. I do love Ireland’s Dark Hedges which were planted in the 18th century.  

* Running the very international Quiet Mind Meditation E-Course .. sometimes I have to work out time zone differences?  

* And this week I have started taking bookings for the upcoming Mental Health Week 2014 which runs from Sunday 5th to Saturday 11th October. The week aims to activate, educate and engage Victorians about mental health. Have you planned an event for your team/office/organisation?  

* I am also sharing the meditation love with the Reflexology Association of Australia Conference (17-19th Oct) putting together a door prize with my Find the Stillness guided meditation CD and a voucher to attend the Quiet Mind Meditation E-Course .. have you tried Reflexology (my first time was in Bali some 10 years ago).

* Having eating remarkably well in Bali as a GF-er .. here is a list of 5 Common Mistakes When Going Gluten Free .. 

* Do you write a blog or have a website?  Then your probably know how difficult it is to get FREE stock photos? .. here is one source from a lovely Aussie couple (and B-Schooler)

* And I have been reading about the growing trend in business to explore storytelling .. while listening to this 'soundscape' ... 



And finally .. my favourite picture of the week (from my Instagram account)  .. a warm welcome back from Melbourne and a road trip with my sister .. hello Portarlington!

I hope you had a magnificent and relaxing weekend .. 

and please tell me your favourite weekend website in the comments below so we can share the love next week ..

Sunday Pause 17 August 2014

Welcome to the Sunday Pause .. join me as I wander through some of the inspiring, creative and simply funny stuff that I saw online this week!

.. this is how I have felt all week .. jumping with pure natural unencumbered joy!

Reason?  I am about to take a two week holiday.  On an island.  With blue sky and warm tropical water. With loads of relaxation, meditation, yoga, beach walks and laughter.

This is a dream come true.

If you would like to join me on my tropical adventures you can best do so on:

Once I get back I hope to have a goodie bag of new meditation offerings .. I have ideas for a little free video course, a new e-book and a new meditation coaching offering.

And with the arrival of Spring (here in Australia) there are new classes started including:

Exploring Meditation
(6 week course)
Location: Black Rock, Melbourne
Time: Wednesdays 6.30-8pm
More Exploring Meditation details here

Quiet Mind Meditation E-Course
31 days of email instruction, tips, articles, guided meditations and loads of support and motivation to get you started with a regular meditation practice.
More details on the E-Course here

And finally .. my favourite picture of the week (from my Instagram account)  .. my best friend after a good healthy afternoon walk in the sunshine

I hope you had a magnificent and relaxing weekend .. and an even more brilliant week ahead .. please excuse me if I do not have a Sunday Pause for you all next week.  Highly likely that wi-fi will be patchy .. but on my return I will have loads of photos and adventures to share.

and please tell me your favourite weekend website in the comments below so we can share the love next week ..

Sunday Pause 10 August 2014

Welcome to the Sunday Pause .. join me as I wander through some of the inspiring, creative and simply funny stuff that I saw online this week!

Loved this video and it definitely spoke to me during the week because I am about to follow the sun .. gorgeous!

But when I looked back on the week that was .. surprisingly there is not much in my past week that I feel is interesting enough to share!

Most of my wanderings have been around work focused 'stuff' .. the boring bits of running a business, a family and a life.  So I was keen to go back over my diary .. exactly what did I do this week ..

* I attended a great Smart Company seminar as part of Business Victorian month (the whole of August) - Growing Your Business 

* One of the speakers Dionne Kasian-Lew was inspiring, check her out if your interested in using social media to grow your business.   One of the best presenters I have seen in .. ages!

* I also shared meditation with a inspiring group of educators .. and loved hearing from one participants that I had 'converted him' to meditation. Find out more at Quiet Mind At Work

* MyBestMe let me know that they will be listing some of my upcoming classes under their upcoming new Events page.  This is an excellent and rapidly growing directory of Australia-wide health and wellbeing resources .. check it out here

* I found a great cafe (serving seriously good coffee) that is local, quiet, comfortable and has FREE WI-FI .. try the Groove Train .. can someone explain to my why every cafe (or business trying to attract people) does not have free wi-fi???  I simply don't understand that ..

* I had a really .. really good massage but have to keep her details secret

* I set up and successfully participated in my first Google+ Hangout with my new Mastermind group .. was so great, and productive and fun!

* I sold a box of my 'Find The Stillness' guided meditation CDs .. because I offered a super special 'pre-holiday' deal to my subscribers .. shhh if you want in to the $10 special click here (finishes next week)

And .. I did take a moment to consider this ..given I am heading here in just a week and a bit ..

And finally .. my favourite quote of the week (from my Instagram account .. and a quote from me!)

I hope you had a magnificent and relaxing weekend .. and an even more brilliant week ahead ..

and please tell me your favourite weekend website in the comments below so we can share the love next week ..

Sunday Pause 27 July

Welcome to the Sunday Pause .. join me as I wander through some of the inspiring, creative and simply funny stuff that I saw online this week!

 

There seems to be a run of funny kid video's of late .. this one is a gem.

I almost didn't believe that this was possible - 40 heirloom fruits growing on the same tree .. but the picture was irresistable .. a wonderful story 

Image: Sam Van Aken

As we head towards Spring (Yeah!) some exciting activities and events are coming up within the meditation tribe ..

Gabbie Bernstein in Australia (January 2015 Melb)
The Chopra Centre Global Meditation for Peace (Online August 8)
Mindful Leadership Global Forum (Sydney in September)

and my own little Spring Renewal day retreat (would love to see you there)

This inspired me mid-week - a new take on passwords .. the power of passwords

and this artistic study of .. the power of mindfulness in daily life

Sure it's cold in the mornings here (Melbourne, Australia) but I am sure we will all get some immense benefit from doing this 18 minute yoga sequence (from Blissology) and then if you add a 15 minute meditation = that's just 2% of your day!

And finally .. my favourite quote of the week (from my Instagram account)

I hope you had a magnificent and relaxing weekend .. and an even more brilliant week ahead ..

and please tell me your favourite weekend website in the comments below so we can share the love next week ..

Sunday Pause 20 July

Welcome to the Sunday Pause .. join me as I wander through some of the inspiring, creative and simply funny stuff that I saw online this week!



She says that the ghost did it! so sweet .. so funny .. what a little star in front of the camera!

My online journey this week took me wide and far ...

So, do you really need money to start a business?  Denise Duffield-Thomas is an amazing resource and I love watching her videos and reading her all her stuff .. invaluable!

And on business lines .. some great resources and seminars coming up at Business Victoria Small Business Festival running across August

And one area that I know I want to focus on is my writing so I am diving into a fun 21-Day Blogging Challenge to get me focused .. because when life get's busy I seem to drop my writing

And given the temperature (freezing) I quite like the idea of staying under the covers and spending the day writing .. although we are all eating more too, so I need exercise ..

naughty but nice food or divine and healthy?

If your working in an office .. this fruit delivery service might keep you a little healthier (wish it was around in my day instead of the cake shop downstairs!)

And look at how your body lights up depending on your emotion "When a team of scientists in Finland asked people to map out where they felt different emotions on their bodies, they found that the results were surprisingly consistent, even across cultures".

I found out this week that the saying 'we only use 10% of our brain' is actually a myth

thats about it for this week .. I did more work and less cyber-surfing (probably a really good thing).

And finally .. my favourite quote of the week (from my Instagram account)

I hope you had a magnificent and relaxing weekend .. and an even more brilliant week ahead ..

and please tell me your favourite weekend website in the comments below so we can share the love next week ..

Sunday Pause 6 July 2014

Welcome to the Sunday Pause .. join me as I wander through some of the inspiring, creative and simply funny stuff that I saw online this week!

 

This was indeed a proud moment .. all Australia was jumping up and down .. and one shot that we are going to see year after year is in the video above!

My online journey this week took me wide and far ...

I have become addicted to this new SC Facebook page which has seen me prepare three new slow cooker recipes this past week .. did you know you can make cakes in the slow cooker? (or the correct lingo is 'SC')

Not in the SC but another few recipes for the cooler days ahead include .. the best ever sweet potato hot chips) .. although I have been to three stores already and cannot find the gluten free panko .. 

and even better the Baked Apple Cinnamon Chips yum

This week I also found the answer to my weeping salt crystal lamp .. does yours get wet sometimes?

One trend I have seen over recent weeks has been the huge number of fun/comical quiz's online .. this week I participated in the Free Numerology Chart (that is spooky spot on) and What Tarot Soul Card Are You (I liked the result of this one too).

This looks like it might be the new trend with meditation .. although personally I am not sure, but it is a lovely video presentation 

And if you need some 'research' in your meditation .. then this is a brilliant article '20 Scientific Reasons to Start Meditating Today' from Psychology Today.

And of course .. improved creativity is just one of the cited benefits of a regular meditation practice .. I wonder if these girls meditate?

And finally .. my favourite quote of the week

I hope you had a magnificent and relaxing weekend .. and an even more brilliant week ahead ..

and please tell me your favourite weekend website in the comments below so we can share the love next week ..

Sunday Pause 15 June 2014

Welcome to the Sunday Pause .. join me as I wander through some of the inspiring, creative and simply funny stuff that I saw online this week!

Many of you will know that I have been working feverishly away at B-School these past few months .. and I was so excited to see one of my B-Schooler colleagues presenting at Brisbane Writers Festival Inspire Happiness event .. introducing Toni Powell - and an excellent, funny and engaging presentation!

This week was a real mixed bag .. my online wandering led me astray more than once .. hence why this article on the History of the To Do List and How to Make One that Actually Works was timely .. 

I am definitely a list-writer but find that I end up with multiple lists, one many different bits of paper and back of envelopes and inside journals .. not productive at all!

Which is why I liked this freebie that my sister sent me Busy Blogger's Day Planner .. which you might like to download and use ..

and I revisited this very popular technique for getting things done 

and along the same lines from Oprah .. an insight into the importance of daily rituals for setting the 'tone' of our day so that we become more mindful and more motivated to get things done .. from Super Soul Sunday 

Here is a list that I could relate to (and I got a few ticks for doing some of these already ..my favourite being the solution to falling jean zippers) here is Sarah Wilson's list of 'things to do to make a difference' .. that's a positive difference to the planet

and a list would probably have helped me become a millionnaire before I hit 30yo .. alas that time has passed.

Ooooh .. I loved this latest offering from Gabby Bernstein .. in fact I really really want to do a similar video but she is way too sassy and good at this .. so I want to share her take on 'You Don't Have Time to Meditate?'

.. and this week I did finally get my 10 minute beachside meditation up onto YouTube (thanks to my daughter who did the editing and graphics) .. I filmed this over Summer and I love watching it again and again as a reminder of those carefree, sunny days of wandering .. check it out if you need a little escape (just visuals and nature sounds) 

.. and one day I would love to host some meditation gatherings under one of these .. in a field somewhere near the water, perhaps at a festival, with children and adults, nature and magic ..

One thing you may not know .. is that in a past life I worked in the corporate world and sometimes I still run Interview Coaching workshops .. and during my online travels this week I found a great site to share .. for those interested in Psychometric testing or worried about what they might entail ..

And this evening I am again spellbound by the beautiful Agnes Obel .. having just received her new video 'Words Are Dead' .. 

Wishing you a magnificent and relaxing weekend .. 

and please tell me your favourite weekend website in the comments below so we can share the love next week..

Sunday Pause 8 June 2014

Welcome to the Sunday Pause .. join me as I wander through some of the inspiring, creative and simply funny stuff that I saw online this week!

I saw this video not online but IN PERSON with Dr Jane Goodall at the 80th Birthday presentation at Melbourne Town Hall. What an amazing woman .. 

Dr Jane Goodall DBE, British primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist and United Nations Messenger of Peace, considered to be the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees, conservation and animal welfare issues. She is the founder of the worldwide organisation, the Jane Goodall Institute and the Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Program.  A woman of immense calm and presence no doubt cultivated from hours/week/years spent in the jungle sitting and observing the chimps .. 

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Jane Goodall

It's a great time here in Melbourne (Australia) to start attending events/seminars/festivals that are inside .. warm and cosy as we have just tipped into brrrr Winter .. being a bit of a beach babe I spent some time this week gazing at this

Heard about Mercury Retrograde? well we are now immersed in it .. up to the eyeballs as they say .. from June 7 to July 1 .. but it is also a brilliant time to re-think, research, dream, and prepare for when the energy moves forward again in July" .. read more here

and since this is a great time for getting rid of the 'stuff' that is holding you down in life .. explore the joy of less with three rules for editing your life

Did you read about what 95 British MPs and politicians were caught doing recently!

and even children in Year 1 and 2 are doing it

and finally, here is my temporary tattoo from last week which I wore as a reminder ... a trigger .. of my intention (and it worked)

and following on the tattoo theme .. but these are kinda cool

Wishing you a magnificent and relaxing weekend .. 

and please tell me your favourite weekend website in the comments below so we can share the love next week..

Sunday Pause 1 June

Welcome to the Sunday Pause .. join me as I wander through some of the inspiring, creative and simply funny stuff that I saw online this week!

Astounding times .. hearing that Google had been exploring ways to support their team through a healthy eating program .. which led to an introduction to Thich Nhat Hanh who agreed to meet with the Google team if they agreed to a half day Mindfulness program. 

"Many of us are here to deepen our ability to be fully present. To be in that stream of that profound, simple yet elusive condition of awareness that results from Mindfulness" Olivia Wu, Executive Chef Google. A company mindful of getting 'to the root of the stress problem'.

I was totally inspired by Dr Libby at Wanderlust this year .. and really enjoyed her take today in this excellent article 'Rushing Woman's Syndrome' which I know many of us will totally relate to.  

Which points out (again) that it is vital we all find the wellness tool's that we need to release stress and find balance.  

Balance is an elusive quality (especially for women) and I think it is even more stressful to believe you are doing something wrong if you don't feel 'balanced'.

I prefer to talk about maintaining and building a healthy Well-ness Account (and meditation is key for me) .. having enough 'spare' for those challenging rainy days in life.

Which reminds me of the power of laughing .. a powerful wellbeing tool that we perhaps forget to bring into our lives enough.   

But this week I was laughing and crying at the same time .. I don't watch a lot of commercial television (although I seem to have become completely addicted to The Good Wife and MasterChef) but even more so since I found out you could watch missed episodes online - IN BED - whenever you want to! Enlightenment! and I have never laughed so hard as watching this episode of Offspring!

Talking about bed and online entertainment .. after a particularly lovely meditation class the other night I decided an early night was needed.  But I have developed a rather nasty habit of viewing my little device before sleep .. and was completely woken up when I found one of my all time favourite artists was finally (finally!) coming to play in Melbourne .. so excited ... November at Elisabeth Murdoch Hall .. and I spent an hour telling friends and family and gathering a group together to book tickets!  

I have been keeping an ear to the ground for interesting events locally through two great online event guides: The Bharani Effect "Inspiration to live in harmony with the earth, each other & ourselves through a weekly conscious city guide + profiles of people, places and products from around the globe" 

AND .. Laneway Learning who offer 'cheap, fun classes in anything and everything' (and I might have some fun news soon about laneway meditation)

This site made me (and my daughter) laugh although I don't think it would be in the least bit funny if it happened to you (and yes, I have one!) .. and thank goodness it didn't end up like these.  

Another inspirational link from my teenager - "The way we communicate with each other has been revolutionized by the mobile, but one thing that has been lost is the art of touch" .. new thinking for a new world the BOND-Touch

Wishing you a magnificent and relaxing weekend .. 

and please tell me your favourite weekend website in the comments below so we can share the love next week..

Sunday Pause May 25

Welcome to the Sunday Pause .. join me as I wander through some of the inspiring, creative and simply funny stuff that I saw online this week!

Let's always remember .. that we are AWESOME .. and a great way to remind yourself is to watch the above video  -- a hilarious, inspirational spoken word video by Sekou Andrews.

Other things that crossed my desk this week included the giggle-worthy (but apparently quite popular) service for those who can't get to a cafe to work -check out Coffitivity

and another productivity tool that I recently found is the Tick Tock Timer described as 'your one stop shop for kicking serious ass' .. just set it and get working

Currently I am redesigning my website .. yes the whole enchillada .. I am having to learn about Wordpress and plug-ins and opt-ins .. and so I am spending quite a bit of time looking at lovely websites for inspiration.  So I was super excited to find this little helper - you simply enter the URL of the website you like and it will get the colours for you (with HEX color codes) .. so love this little tool

And if you run your own business (especially from home .. like I am silly enough to do) then you have probably had some serious discussions with yourself about work productivity!  and just realising this is a common enough situation .. and listening to this great little song 'Get Back to Work Girl' just gave me some of my mojo back!

Heard all the juicy stuff about Danielle La Porte (aka The Desire Map)? well right now is Danielle's once a year Pay What You Can .. this weekend only go HERE (til Sunday midnight)

and I have always been a bit worried about deodorant .. so here is a natural 'quick & easy natural deodorant' recipe .. and I am going to give it a go!

Wishing you a magnificent and relaxing weekend .. 

and please tell me your favourite weekend website in the comments below so we can share the love next week..

Sunday Pause April 27

Welcome to the Sunday Pause .. join me as I wander through some of the inspiring, creative and simply funny stuff that I saw online this week!

And here is where my week started .. with a timely reminder of the majesty of the Universe and the lessons we need to learn .. a short film sharing an Indigenous Native American Prophecy that links all of life and the future of our planet. 

Sunday Pause

Welcome to the Sunday Pause .. join me as I wander through some of the inspiring, creative and simply funny stuff that I saw online this week!

Firstly, the music that has started my morning each week .. definitely one to get you moving and energized ...

 

A Sunday Pause

Welcome to Sunday and the Sunday Pause .. a wander through some of the inspiring, creative and simply funny stuff that I saw online this week!

Firstly I fell in love all over again with one of my favourite musicians when I found out she has a new album

A Sunday Pause ..

Welcome to my fun new project .. the Sunday Pause.

Actually everything I do on this site is fun .. but I was inspired by one of my new favourite newsletters to share some of the amazing 'stuff' that I find myself reading, digesting and sharing online.