Gratitude Project - 4th November

Today has been a super grumpy one for me - a bad night's sleep is to blame. I've tried to keep my temper in check, and would have been super successful... if my computer hadn't decided to be a knob!!

I'm still feeling pretty cranky and not really up for any small talk. So if you  don't mind, I think I'll power on through to the things I'm grateful for...

Today's gratitudes:

1. My work wife/gym buddy for making me go to the gym at lunch, and putting up with my grumpiness, especially when I didn't want to put up with me!! Ah, the power of endorphins!

2. Playing in the garden with Mac and Warrie, including some trampoline fun - not 100% sure my pelvic floor would agree with that one though!

3. Cheap bubbles - I love celebrating the end of the working day week with a bottle of sparkling wine, and happily  Jacobs Creek are helping out with $10 bottles of delicious bubbles. Yum!

How are you going? How was your week? Did anything stand out for you today?

Friday Feels - 4th November

It seems that the Mindfulness Meditation course that I attended through work last month has had a bit of an impact on me.

I'm practising the art of being in the moment whenever I remember - which is surprisingly happening more often that I thought! It's not a walk in the park yet, but I am becoming better about being mindful of moments, thoughts and feelings; and to be accepting of them.

With that in mind, I'm throwing myself back into my feeeelz online too... So welcome back to Friday Feels; going through my week one sense at a time.

Hearing:

This is such a beautiful song - lyrically and musically - and it holds a special place in my heart.
It reminds me of someone whose passing profoundly changed me and my outlook, even though we were not much more than acquaintances.

Seeing:

Jacaranda trees!! Here's one I snapped on my run yesterday.
Along with frangipani's, these are my favourite tree - not only are they my harbinger of spring, but the colour of the flowers make my heart so happy. 

One day, when I'm all growed up and have a house of my own, I will have my own jacaranda to bliss out under.... most likely with a gin and tonic in hand :)

Tasting:
I've been exploring my culinary skills for a while, and have discovered a delish dish called Shakshuka... OMG, it is sooo goooood!
The paprika, the chorizo, the eggs.... *wipes away the drool*
I guess I know what I'm making for dinner tonight!

Smelling:
A colleague a work has recently occupied the locker next to mine. She has a lemongrass scented soap that smells exactly like a body spray I used to have as a teenager in the UK.
The added bonus is that it makes my locker less offensive to the nose when I open it up! HAHAHA


Touching:
I'm trying my hand at terrarium growing, which is pretty big for a self-confessed gardening hater and plant killer - I killed a drought resistant plant last year!!

So I've been getting my hands dirty with potting mix... and surprisingly, I've enjoyed the process!

Mr M has been charged with trawling ebay, looking for little figurines for me to put in it; whilst I am keeping my eyes peeled for new jars/bowls/anything to create my next little green oasis.

Let me know some of the things that have tickled your senses this week

Gratitude Project - 3rd November

Around this time of year, I start to flag... it's like I've been happy, cheerful, bubbly and funny (well, I think so at any rate hahaha!) for the last 10 months and I just don't have the energy to maintain the charade any more. It doesn't help that the end of the year is the also one of the busiest times at work.

Anyone else feel this way?

It seems exceptionally unfair that this happens just as I should be full of joy and energy in the lead up to Christmas!

That being said, it's not all doom and gloom! Despite my general world weariness and a desire to be on holiday (only 7 weeks to go!), I'm actually starting to feel a bit excited for the festive season... Mr M is pretty happy, as I am normally a bit "bah, humbug" about the whole Christmas thing. I put it down to the kids - I just want to make the day as magical as I remember it being in my childhood.

Anyhoo - on to my gratitudes for today:

1. A lunchtime run in the glorious sunshine! With summer just around the corner, I'm enjoying the ability to still run in a temperature that won't melt me :)

2. Watching my Boys play t-ball. I'm thrilled to have found a sport that they both enjoy, not to mention are good at! We have training on a Thursday evening, and afterwards Mac and Warrie love to watch the senior team in their training session - they've only been playing for six-weeks, but already they look up to those guys... it's so cute to watch.

3. Etsy; I love the virtual window shopping!! Currently I am indulging myself some cross stitch, and am readying to embark on the thrills of embroidery... that doesn't sound too "old" does it??? hehehe
I can literally spend hours scrolling through kits, patterns and finished products. My favourites are the modern ones - I've finished two Christmas designs, and I am on the search for something new to get my teeth into.
When I think about my lack of interest in anything crafty this time last year and I see how far I've come. Now THAT'S something to be grateful for!

So tell me - what's being going on with you? What has made you grateful today?

xx

Gratitude Project - 2nd November

Today has been hectic, but I survived the stress and interruptions to have a pretty productive day. So yay for me :)

Things I'm grateful for today:

1. Podcasts; I LOVE podcasts! I listen to a pretty eclectic spread, and love the disctraction they offer during my commute - not to mention learning something new everyday.

2. My hard work being recognised. It's been an interesting 8-months at work, and I've done some serious stepping up to the plate in that time. Today, during a random conversation, I was told that it hadn't gone unnoticed... a very nice feeling!

3. Home delivery. On an evening when neither Mr M nor I can be bothered to cook after work, the option of home delivered pizzas seem like a godsend!

What's been going on for you? What little thing made a difference and changed your day today?

Gratitude Project- 1st November

October was Mental Health month in Australia. My workplace offered a number of workshops/events during the month; I signed up for the four-week Mindfullness Meditation.

I got a lot out of it; I love meditating, but just never have the time.... scratch that: I don't make the time for it. Which is pretty silly, given how much I enjoy it!

At the end of the last session, we were taking about gratitude and the documented benefits it has in ones life when practised daily. I should know, it's worked for me too.

So in an effort to reclaim some long term happiness benefits, I've decided to start the Gratitude Project again:

1. I'm grateful for the ability to move my body, and to enjoy a gym class... even (especially??!) if I know I'll be sore tomorrow. 

2. I'm grateful for technology, so I can see pictures of my Mum enjoying her holiday with my brother and his family.

3. I'm grateful for giggling kisses with Mac and Warrie at bedtime - I hope they never grow out of it! (or at least take their time, before deciding that it/I'm uncool!)

I hope you'll join me in my quest for making my own happyness (obvs you'll be making your own, not necessarily adding to mine! Altho' I won't lie: I'd be stoked if you did join in!). Let me know in the comments something that you've been grateful for today

xx