Making every day count

You know sometimes, there are those moments of chance that you act upon and the simple act alone can change your life dramatically? Those moments that you’re not expecting, and the lesson doesn’t come immediately, but from the act alone. Those moments. 

It happened to me a mere 2 days ago as I was rushing to catch my plane to Bali. I normally always come prepared with soul defyingly good books tucked neatly away in my carry on luggage, but for some reason, this trip I had forgotten. So as I rushed past the newsagent steps from my gate, I took a risk and dived in to the aisles to make a hasty choice on a book I could devour by the pools. 

Best decision ever. 

I picked up a book by a favourite inspiration of mine - Robin Sharma titled "Life Lessons from the monk who sold his Ferrari" thinking it might hopefully be as good as the first book I had read from that series 'the monk who sold his ferrari'. Not only was it 'as good', it exceeded every expectation. 

I am an inspiration junkie. I am attracted to any words, pictures, movies, or seminars where I think I could burn my passion a little brighter or become more connected to something far greater. And this book delivered that. 

There was 101 life lessons - all of which I resonated with deeply. But there was one particular lesson though; lesson 72 - 'See your day as your life' that particularly resonated a little harder than others and made my heart beat a little faster than normal. 

It read; 

"The days come and go like muffled and veiled figures sent from a distant, friendly party, but they say nothing, and if we do not use the gifts they bring, they carry them as silently away', observed Emerson. As you live your days, so you will live your life. It is easy to get caught up in the trap of thinking that this day does not matter much given all the days that lie ahead of you. But a great life is nothing more than a series of great, well lived days strung together like a beautiful necklace of pearls. Every day counts and contributes to the quality of the end result. The past is gone, the future is but a figment, so this day is really all you can own. Invest it wisely. 

It continued to make my heart beat a little faster again with this; 

"Your life is not a dress rehearsal. Lost opportunities rarely come again. Today, vow to increase your passion for living and multiply the commitment you will bring to each of the days that will follow this one. Many people think that it takes months and years to change your life. respectfully, I disagree, You change your life the second you make a decision from the depths of your heart to be a better, more dedicated human being.

Expansive. Soul Swelling. Screaming to the sun 'hells yes'.  Heart beating kind of goodness. It was going in to my concisous somewhere a lot deeper than other words do. It's because the message amongst his words spoke such truth. 

Life is just a series of days. Lived, one after the other after the other, after the other. Neither is any more special than the last, each one containing a sunrise and a sunset, and another 24 hours. And yet there are some days I think - it's ok, I don't have to do better today, or it can't wait for tomorrow, as it's "just another day". But it's so not. 

Every single 24 hours we have the chance to live again. Our hours turn in to days, that turn in to weeks, that turn in to months that turn in to years. But ALL our time passes day by DAY. So that is the trick to this living thing - living each DAY like it is your most special one. Here's the thing as well, you don't know when your time is up so imagine living each day as if it was your last. 

Would you hit snooze 4 or 5 times? No you would be up with ease at sunrise in awe that it might be your last. Would you get agitated in traffic? Nope, you might turn up your favourite tunes a little louder or take the time to call a friend or family member you haven't spoken to in awhile (on blue tooth of course). Would you let self hate or loathing stop you throughout your day - buying that yummy lunch, saying hello to strangers because you want to, writing a big love post on your social media platforms? Nope - because all judgement would go out the window - as that day would be it to do it. 

Every single day you have a new 24 hours laid out in front of you like a gift from the universe/mother nature/God/Science - whoever or whatever you believe in. It's yours to do whatever you like with - so don't waste it. Just remember that life isn't big bold grand gestures and singular days you remember, it's living consciously, day by day making the moments count. It's realising that you have every day to write a new story, to be grateful, to be happy and to make a different in your life and others.

So how can you make your days count or be just as special as those days you feel alive on holiday, at Christmas or on a really good day you have just had on your weekend? Here are just some of my gentle nudges with love...

+ Wake up earlier. 
+ Make sure you are happy with where you've chosen to be at this stage in life, and if you're not, change it. Without delay. 
+ Spend 5 minutes each morning writing what you're grateful for. 
+ Watch the sunrise or the sunset, at least every day.
+ Practice the art of presence in all that you say and do. 
+ Stop rushing. Stop it. 
+ Be a better listener - remember we have two ears and one mouth, you might be surprised at how much better you connect and how much a deeper connection you have. 
+ Create a beautiful home. I think a home is a reflection of the life you THINK you deserve or what's going on inside your mind. Keep your house spacious, clean, tidy and have things you love in it. 
+ On that note; don't wait to use the good glasses, dinner set, champagne glasses - EVERY day should be celebrated. 
+ Toast more things - I don't have one glass of champagne without toasting to something - good health, good friends, sunsets ... whatever is currently filling me up. 
+ Eat good, healthy food - your body is a temple and one that must be respected daily.
+ Move your body - whether it's a 10 minute walking around the block or an hour in the gym...just move your body. 
+ Don't touch your phone in the morning until you have at least done your gratitudes, kissed and said hello to your loved ones and eaten breakfast. Facebook. Instagram. Emails can wait.
+ Meditate. Daily. Without Fail. 

And lastly;

+ Be more, do less. 

If this was your last 24 hours here on earth how would you be spending it? Wildly in love with your family. Forgiving. Thoughtful. In love. Hungry for fun. Present. Are just some of my guesses - but the beautiful thing is you can have that kind of day everyday, and THAT is what creates a magnificent life. 

So what are YOU going to do today that will create a more magnificent life for yourself? I'd love to hear it even if it's one word in the comments below. 

Images; here and here 

Finding your morning routine

There I was. 

It was just an ordinary day. In fact, it started like every other. 

Off I went on my 5:30am walk, smiling away like a crazy person yelling Good Morning (!!) to every person we (Morgs is my exercise partner in crime of course) came across, followed closely by me energetically entering my work place excited and smiling as always about the day that I had ahead of me, when it came. The question I am getting asked more regularly than not recently.

"Howwww are you soooo happy in the morning? I want to start my day as well as you"

My answer came back without me even thinking and it wasn't an answer at all, it was simply this question....

"Well, what's your morning routine?"

I advocate and believe from the bottom of my soul that starting the day off on a wonderful foot sets me up for the rest of the day. I can smile, laugh, and be ok with bad traffic, my bosses bad moods or shitty work loads because I made time for me that morning and I know my body, mind and spirit is nourished enough to not get caught up in the unnecessary stresses. 

So what IS exactly my morning routine? 

5:20am - Wake up to a new favourite song I've picked for that week instead of a crappy, soul draining alarm. How? I just choose whatever song I'm loving that week from my music library. You can do this through your iphone alarm clock, click on 'Sound' when you are editing your alarm and you can go in to your library of songs! Smile number 1 accomplished.

5:30am - Go for a walk (between 4km - 7km) around our local area with Morgs and stop for a take away coffee at our favourite cafe (antz in your pantz) on the way home. Smile number 2, 3, 4 & sometimes 5 accomplished. And generally some belly laughs too. 

7:00am - Put on our music to get ready to & have my breakfast, which is always a big healthy green smoothie. Smile number 6, and sometimes 7 if a song I really love comes on.

7:10am - Of course this is done as I am listening to my music and drinking my green smoothie (I still love a good multi task after all) but it is one of my most important beauty routines I do, period! ... Dry Brush my whole body. Read about what this is all about here & then smother it in Organic coconut oil (instead of chemical filled moisturizer).

7:45am - I am always ready and I escape to my lady cave (Morgs has generally almost always left by now) where I sit for 20 minutes right before I have to leave for work & gratitude journal.  I do this right before I leave for the reason that by the time I get in the car, I am so brimming with gratitude and joy how could I not start my day excited and happy. I am SO hyper aware whilst driving as well from seeing all the things around me at just how much else I am grateful for that I didn't put in my book.

Of course, on my drive to work as well, I have the music a'going so by the time I am at my work, (or wherever I have to be after my morning routine) I am happy, excited and bringing everything I've got. 

I am well aware there are souls reading this as well going, hang on a minute though Anna, I am NOT a morning person and that's totally ok, I have some good news for you. You can be. The amazing, almost overwhelmingly exciting news is that it takes 30 days to make or break a habit. JUST 30 days.Which means beautiful, that if you hate getting up any earlier than you have to each morning, even getting up 10 minutes earlier every day to do just ONE thing for yourself will create the new habit within a month. 

Are you ready for the challenge now?

I challenge you to just pick one thing that you love, just one thing initially so it's not overwhelming you give up after a week and do it every single morning before work. It doesn't need to take up your whole morning either, in fact, I encourage you to start at something that will just be 5-10 minutes. That might mean instead of turning the news on (which let's face it is sad news at best), you play your favourite songs...loudly. It might mean that you have been wanting to shift a kg or two so you get up and do 10 minutes of lunges and squats. It could even mean you get up 10 minutes earlier so you can read some positive quotes and start your day off with your mind in a positive place.

Whatever it is though, let it be your thing. 

Once you have your new habit with getting up a little earlier to incorporate you time in to your morning you might find you can get up another 10 minutes earlier again to do it for longer, or find a new nourishing activity. 

Ready to wake up earlier tomorrow and start your own morning routine yet? I hope so. The most important thing to remember with something like this is to not be hard on yourself. If one morning you wake up and simply can't get up, don't beat yourself up, maybe your body is just trying to say sleep & recover a little longer that day. The amazing thing to remember is you always have a new opportunity the very next day to start again. 

I'd love to hear what you are going to try to start doing each morning for you though, so drop me a line in the comments below sharing what you are going to try to start doing. I would love to help keep you accountable too, so flick me an email at lifesshinyprettythings@gmail.com with a header "Morning Routine" and what you're planning on doing & I'll email you in a week or so to check in on you!

With love & light,

Anna xx

Photos found here, & here.

Harness your greatness

 

{Whilst doing some yoga/meditation poolside in St Tropez this - the above - is what came to me. I immediatley went back up & googled who said the famous words - naughty I didn't know - and wanted to share it with you to further ignite some of your own inspiration. Because after all} -

"who are you NOT to be great?" 

 

There I was. On the bus from Cannes to Toulon, quietly minding my own business, blissfully watching the beautiful surroundings outside whizz by me with Emelie Sande blasting in my ears when this song of her's came on..."Read all about it". This trip for me (& Morgs but I don't speak for him) was about more than just seeing the world and soaking up different sights & sounds. It was about growth on the inside. It was about having time to devour books that inspired me. It was about finding ways to really be ok with living authentically. Learning how to be 100% true to myself and not letting any external factors like opinions of others & little thing called ego get in the way of that. I can happily say that I am definetley on the way to finding ways to do that, but it will be road that I constantly have to keep in check.

 

So how does the song come in to this? Well. Simple.

 

Read.those.lyrics - posted below.

 

Every single day, we try to live a certain way. We say certain things, or don't say certain things, we have incredibly limiting beliefs (I'm fat, I'm not good enough, I can't do that it's too hard)...we subconciously or conciously conform to this way of living to fit in. To gain more friends, keep the friends we've got, be accepted by others, feel loved. Whatever it is you chase.

 

But what if you could live 100% authentically. What if you didn't have to worry about what you said because it comes from a place of love. What if you could pursue your dreams with gusto and courage because you believed in yourself 100%?

 

I have been trying to find the music within me on this holiday. Flame it bright & bring it out. I don't want the music to die within me and I'm having an incredibly journey along the way.

 

I'm currently writing a little somethin' somethin' for you, my lovely readers that will be put up that you can download (for free) once it's finished that hopefully helps you do the above.

 

But what about you in the meantime? You have a story, You have beliefs, You have a  song inside of you....so stop biting your tongue. Don't stay in silence for fear of what might occur - if you're doing it from a place of love & authenticity.

 

So today, I really challenge you to step outside your comfort zone & do something that challenges you. Something that you always want to do but are too scared of doing it. That might even mean approaching a friend about the way they speak to you or telling your parents you love them if you rarely do as it's just 'not what you do'.

 

We've all got our lives to lead, our stories to be told, our dreams to chase.

 

& hopefully, you don't let the music or song ever die within you.

 

Love & Light.

 

p.s These were the lyrics which inspired this piece - This is my own journey of life changes & living and one that I've been on for awhile now but when I heard this song I hoped sharing it might inspire you too.

You've got the words to change a nation
but you're biting your tongue
You've spent a life time stuck in silence
afraid you'll say something wrong
If no one ever hears it how we gonna learn your song?
So come, on come on
Come on, come on
You've got a heart as loud as lions
So why let your voice be tamed?
Baby we're a little different
there's no need to be ashamed
You've got the light to fight the shadows
so stop hiding it away
Come on, Come on

I wanna sing, I wanna shout
I wanna scream till the words dry out
so put it in all of the papers,
i'm not afraid
they can read all about it
read all about it oh


At night we're waking up the neighbours
while we sing away the blues
making sure that we remember yeah
cause we all matter too
if the truth has been forbidden
then we're breaking all the rules
so come on, come on
come on, come on,
lets get the tv and the radio
to play our tune again
its 'bout time we got some airplay of our version of events

A life with no regret

Sometimes Almost always, if you listen or focus enough, the universe dishes you up the exact thing you need at the exact right time in your life. There are constantly signs all around us that we need to pay very careful attention to. It happened to me late last week whilst travelling on the train between destinations. I stumbled upon the quote I am sharing with you today...

"You know all those things you've always wanted to do? You should DO THEM"

I had read it many times before and never resonated as hard as I did with it this particular moment in time. In fact, I got a little emotional. How profound I thought. How simplistic. How beautiful. How many times have we said we would LOVE to do this, that or the other ... and yet here we are, days, weeks, months, even years later with that thing still unfulfilled. And sure. The goal is written down, you have every intention of doing it, but other things got in the way. Kids, boyfriends, money, depression, careers...stuff. Lots of stuff. But what if you actually honoured your ' those things'. What if you knew you had only a short time to live & all of a sudden those money problems, ex boyfriends & every other excuse you had given yourself over the years ... suddenly seemed insignificant? I'm here to tell you, that right now, as you read this, your 'things' you really want to do - are the important things in your life, - as are the relationships in your life - they're what matter. I personally don't want to live with regrets. I don't want to live 2,5,10 years in the future telling myself I'll "get to them" it's just "the timings not right". I want to live fully, to love hard, to do my things I want to do NOW. 

You want to start yoga? - Call your local council (better yet get on their website) & find your nearest class, you would be surprised how cheap they are & how you will be on the same level as most people there. 

Love to take a dance lesson? - Book in at the nearest dance school & convince your mum or friend to go along. I know if you take the initiative to book it you'll find others willing to join.

Have you been wanting to plan a big trip away? - Write a list of things you'd LOVE to do (swim in a new ocean? Eat some chocolate in Switzerland?), and then plan your perfect itinerary  open a savings bank account & pay yourself FIRST out of every pay to start your travel fund.

Do you hold back telling people that you love them as it's awkward for you? - STOP IT. Right now. My biggest 'thing' in life is having all of my loved ones know just how much I love & adore them. I want to know that if I died, they would know how completely & utterly loved they were by me. There is NOTHING awkward about saying I love you, or how amazing someone is. It is uplifting for you & everyone else so bite the bullet, and start sharing your 'I love you's' more freely. Remember the article I wrote on the top 5 regrets of the dying? This bad boy was up there as Regret #3 ... SO GET SHARING. There is honestly NO excuse for this one.

Dying to go and book a cooking course? - Go & google, right now, cooking classes "insert city, country here". You just need to start the process of looking it up. Once you do you'll be so excited by how many options there are that you'll want to book straight away - & they're not as expensive as you might think!

Would you love to finally get the courage to belt out some karaoke in a bar? - This one might take a little more courage but find a small bar first, where there are rooms or booths you can hire - Minq at Burswood in Perth do this & start small. Also - going there remembering you don't know anyone at the bar, they're all there to have fun & karaoke is meant to be FUN - hopefully will make you  ust do it!!! Once you get up on that stage & the first word comes out of your mouth, I bet you my last dollar you'll own that stage & song like no other.

Is it on your heart to start a book? Do you have a story that is dying to get out? Good for you number one, this is really exciting!!! My best advice? Just start. Find what get's you inspired (it might be running, listening to loud music, sitting in your favourite chair) & just start. Over thinking isn't good for anybody. Put that pen to paper. The exciting news is other people want to help you too - there is a book proposal kit you can buy here that helps you get started & really is kick ass. 

Have you not been cutting the fat from your life (i.e. bad friends, a shit boyfriend) because you're scared of the unknown? Breathe. Breathe some more & JUST DO IT. Write a plan if you have to. Enlist the help of family or other friends. Admit to yourself that you KNOW you'll be better off without them. It's YOUR time. Life is too short for shit friends, lame boyfriends .. and  bad coffee whilst we're at it. Realise you're stronger than you realise  & that when you do cut the fat from your life, the universe will reward you with friends that actually love you & boyfriends that adore you. STOP EXPECTING ANYTHING LESS.

Have you been wanting to travel more, get home at a better hour, or earn more? I.e get a better job? This deserves it's own post - which I'll get too. But what's holding you back? Yourself is what. The life you're living for everybody else but yourself. The fact you can say what kind of job title you have, the company you work for or that you are working your way up to a high management position mean NOTHING..no-thing if it keeps you away from your real passions. How amazing if you could have a job that got you home earlier to have a coffee in the afternoon sun & do some yoga if that's your thing. Or cook a healthy dinner whilst sharing a wine with your loved one. Or better yet - work that let you put money in the bank then travel (don't tell me there aren't jobs like this as it's how I'm doing what I'm doing).

You want to have kids or get married but you keep putting it off to please families or budgets? Repeat after me. There is no such thing as perfect. There is no such thing as the right time. You can't always make everybody happy. Phew. Now. Remind yourself what is most important in your life - like marriage & starting a family if that's your thing and start making plans. 

Do you have a burning desire to book a one way ticket with just a backpack? Sure, This takes some more planning but this is exactly my point to it. START PLANNING. Get yourself a vision board. Buy a journal to write all your steps down starting at 1- 50 if need be to how you're going to do this. Get a job that pays you more. Hell, get your mum to control your money for 6 months, do WHATEVER it takes to get you to this point of saying goodbye to family & friends at the airport with an exciting adventure ahead of you. 

Have you always wanted to learn to play the piano? First of all, work out exactly just why you haven't committed to this earlier than this moment right now considering it is SO easy to organise - harder to learn, sure, but what a FUN & fabulous challenge. Is it because you're worried you won't pick it up? You don't have the time? You are too old? It's going to be too hard? Now say all of those excuses aloud & realise just how ridiculous they are. Imagine yourself playing your first song, start to finish, flawlessly, you hear the beautiful song flowing out from beneath your fingers..and it's all YOU! .. Now. Go & make that call & book your lesson.

WELL YOU SHOULD DO THEM.... Today, RIGHT NOW. No more excuses, no more 'tomorrows'. I have just listed the simplest, quickest ways to start 'your things'. I know there are tonnes of excuses, mainly money. But remember you are the only person getting in the way of living the life you dream of. I dare you to go, right now, and look up a few ways you can do even just ONE of 'your things' as soon as possible. No dream or goal or 'thing' in this case, is realised without action - so today, is about action. 

I want to honour the gift of life. My health. My dreams. My desires - my 'things' - & from here on in.. my 'things' (like getting a flexible job when I'm home, visiting more farmers markets, connecting with mother nature on a daily basis, doing exercise at home vs the gym) will be honoured & I'll be doing them...

NOW. 

I really hope you do too. 

Love & Light xx

My plan is set, the goal is made

{source}

Do you ever have those moments where it doesn't matter how little sleep you've had, or if you know you'vegot a huge & horrible day ahead of you at work, or you know that not everything is perfect, in fact, far from it, and yet, you're still just....Happy? I'm talking soul deep, jump out of your skin, face hurts from smiling kind of happy.

No? Maybe? You're not sure?

I had thought I knew happiness like that, I had felt like in my pursuit of balance - which I have since realised doesn't exist - I had known the feeling of pure contentment. But I hadn't. Not until travelling half way around the world and taking long hard looks at my goals, passions, lifestyle, but most importantly...Myself. Once I peeled off all the layers of sureness & confidence, there it was. Vulnerability. A vulnerability I hadn't allowed out before or admitted I even had. It involved long walks along winding rivers in unknown beautiful cities crying my heart out to Morgan admitting my greatest fears, hopes, dreams....admitting my true self, and I have never felt so free. Free enough to even admit that. 

There is SO much to life. So much to me, you, to every single one of us as individuals. We are complicated, intricate, emotional beings whether we care to admit it or not, or if we embrace it wholeheartedly. 

Through seeing the world, meeting people from all walks of life, each person has had their own unique and completley different but interesting story, one thing has become incredibly apparent to me...

Everybody IS in fact the same - we are all in pursuit of happiness. In all that we do, or say or hope for. In all our actions, reactions, goals, friendships, love stories...Everything.

Happiness can be and is different for everybody. It could be the feeling of excitement, importance, affulence, freedom, love from many..but it all has the end goal. To make us happy. 

I have never felt more on the right path than I'm currently on and am crediting travelling for a large part of that.

I am gathering momentum & soul inspiration as I go along - but have a VERY exciting plan brewing that I hope will inspire hundreds & thousands of girls nationally & worldwide. 

Imagine if you could plan your perfect day and live it, achieve all your goals you set, pursue jobs that you actually loved & not just what paid the bills and more. Imagine if you got to be genuinely happy - in all that you do. 

I want to inspire you to find your true passion, set some fabulous goals, follow your calling that is deep inside your belly & find what makes YOU happy.

The plan is set, the goal is made.

You will have to stay tuned over the coming months but this is my declaration to the universe that it's on it's way....

& I'm EXCITED! 

Love & Light xx

Psst - here are a few more pics of us following & finding our Joie De Vivre ...

1. Watching some beautiful hot air balloons float really low over us at coffee in Austria.

2. Our new favourite addition to our traditional cappuchino's - whipped cream.

3. High tea at an incredibly beautiful restaurant in Budapest ... most delicious apple pie I've ever had.

4. Some stunning views on our first morning in Prague.

5. Learning about the history of the restaurant we were dining at in Budapest - it was 100 years old.

6. Being lame tourists in Budapest on a red tourist bus. 

7. Scouring a 2nd hand book store for an old vintage book.

8. Drinking traditional Hungarian wine in Budapest.

Monday is your day

I saw this on a friend's facebook wall last week & immediately knew it needed to be shared. We all suffer through Monday-itis every single week, but seeing this, learning that "Mon" actually meant "my day" gave me an idea - turning it from my least favourite day of the week, in to one of my favourite day's of the week. How could I not? The word Monday means 'My day', which, by any definition, means I should be celebrating it, not dreading it. 

So here's the thing. I want you to remember this from this day forward. That every Monday, you have permission to love it, it's my day, your day, OUR day...relish in it. Do something you love - take a bath, 10 minutes sitting in the sun, eat some cake, read a gossip magazine, light some candles around the house ... do whatever it is every Monday to make YOUR day special. 

Today, I am in Prague currently falling harder & harder in love with this beautiful city. For 'my day' I have plans to climb up Petrin hill & visit the highest point of the whole city, lounge around in the sun with my loved one on a comfy patch of grass, then stroll back down in to Old town to divulge in some coffee & cake. 

So Thank you Universe - for giving us all 'our day' Monday.

What are YOU up to on your beautiful Monday?

Love & Light xx

Becoming a happier you

{source}

I watched an incredibly powerful movie on the train on the way to our next destination today (Budapest to Salzburg)...one that might take you by surprise. One that you probably never suspected.

The Lorax.

Yup. Dr suess has done it again with it's gorgeous story and insanely powerful lessons throughout and I honestly was laughing and emotional throughout. Most may have already watched it, or if you haven't most will be familar with the story, but what I took away from it most was the lesson right at the end....

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”  - The Lorax

He was just a boy, who cared and who changed his world and others. And yes, I know it's just a movie and sure, I know it's fiction, but I'm not buying for a second that it's not relative to your world & mine. You see. I'm just a girl. With a background that I could use to blame my future on. I'm just a girl, with my own projects & goals that I care about. And if I believed that I was just a girl, then I would always just be a girl wouldn't I? Here's what else I know however. Society, un helpful beliefs, families, friends & strangers tell you that are also just a girl, or a just guy, or just a single mother, or a just sister and so on. 

But you're not. You're so much more than that. 

You're a dreamer, a goal setter, an adventurer, an amazing friend, a beautiful sister, an inspiring individual, the best mum in the whole world, you care - you're a superhero. We're all just someone or another, right? Wrong. If we care, about a cause or a person or the world, then who's to say we can't effect change & inspire others to do bigger & better. Believing in yourself, loving yourself, and respecting yourself is step number 1. Finding out what you love and pursuing that for ultimate happiness is Step number 2. And if you have both of those on the way to working, then step number 3 can come naturally which is giving, or caring if we look at it from another angle and that's what the end goal is after all.

Life is here to be lived. I know I say that over and over but here it is again. 

Life is here to be lived. Life is here to be shared. Life is here to find yourself, to follow your dreams, to feel good - all the time. To travel, to settle, to have kids - to do whatever it is you wish to do with it. Every single day we get, is another gift that we're rewarded with. We get to wake up, to pursue a passion, to smile over an email from a friend, to eat our favourite food, to get a hug from our most treasured loved ones - and that overwhelms me. 

Maybe you're reading this at home in the quiet of your office, or maybe you're reading it as your rush through your day at work - but wherever you're reading it from. Stop. Just for a minute. And realise that you really are here for a reason. Maybe that's to be the best person to your friends or kids, maybe it's to invent the cure for cancer, or maybe it's to be as significant as being the best listener the world has ever seen. I urge you to pursue it though. 

You're not JUST anything. You're everything. Every-thing. 

Believe it, most others in your life would tell you that anyway so why NOT believe it? 

I want you to do whatever you have to do to believe with all your cells that you are amazing. Extraordinary infact, so start treating yourself as the extraoridnary person that you are. My quest when I get home is to keep loving & respecting my mind, body & soul as I have on this trip and one way I'm going to do that is the same advice I'm giving you today. 

Doing one thing EVERY DAY no matter how big or small that I love. That makes me happy. The feeling, the action, the elation. I'll be pursuing that every single day (I'm already doing that now). I challenge you to do the same. They said Steve Jobs woke up every morning and asked himself if today was the day he died, would he be happy doing what he was doing. If his answer was no. He'd change it. Do you love loud music? Yoga? Cooking? Eating something sweet? Hugging your kids? Laughing loudly? Reading a fantastic book? Drawing? Writing? The sunshine? Whatever is your snap crackle pop aka joy deriving activity then DO IT. Even if you only have 10 minutes in your super busy day - that we always blame for us not pursuing our own happiness - then do it for 10 minutes. There is always time. Always. Wake up earlier to do 20 minutes of yoga. Turn off the tv 30 minutes earlier at night to read a funny book, blog, draw. Find a job that gets you home at a better hour so you can cook a great dinner. Indulge in some delicious sweets every day - remember always in moderation! But just do it. No more excuses. We need to start taking better care of ourselves. Loving ourselves, and respecting our own happiness - caring about yourself will mean you can pass on that love & care to the world. We need to start caring more. About ourselves, our happiness, our paths in life. Because as Dr Seuss says - “It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become." So no more excuses, about not enough time, money, opportunities...we can all find one thing we love a day doing and build from there and we can all work a little harder at our own happiness. 

I care. About you, about me, about our universe - and I'm ready to start making my own small changes.

Love & Light xx

6 weeks in to the adventure & gratitude

As another beautiful sunny morning greeted us in Greece and we excitedly ran to be by the pristine pool for almost 12 days running I realised something. Morgs & I are huge water people. As in, we love the water and most things related to it. I have realised that I am at my most peaceful and happiest by the water. Walking by the river, visiting the beach, lounging by the pool - life stops for me - which ordinarily is very rare. I don't think about all the things I've got to do and time ceases. This is something that we're loving about travelling though, the clarity that it is bringing us and the things that we're realising we actually love & want, vs things that we were hanging on to believing we thought we wanted & loved.

We are on our way to Budapest after spending 10 days in Croatia and I am quietly reflecting on the 14 hour train ride. Both Morgs & I have been finding so much out about ourselves and each other on this trip even after being together for 5 years, it's been incredible. I have been in a state of gratefulness the past few weeks however & in the spirit of not admitting I miss anyone or anything back home, I instead wanted to compile a list of things I'm so grateful for in my life - which has been amplified whilst travelling. 

• Drinking a hot cup of Cappuccino & just good coffee in general. There is nothing better than taking that first sip of coffee and realising just how delicious it really is. 
• The Seasons - Summer, Winter, Autumn, Spring. It wasn't until I was overseas that I love how in Australia we have clear & defined seasons. I can rely on Summer being hot, Winter being cold & rainy & Autumn & Summer being saucy minx's with their in between weather. Although if I had to live somewhere where Summer was all year round I don't know I'd object either.
• My family .. I've always known this but being on the other side of the world to them makes me realise just how much I'm madly in love with them all. I am SO proud of my family.
• Eating breakfast. Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day and I love spending it with a good cup of jo, a loved one and some delicious food. It sets me off for the best day ever.
• Yoga. My god do I love yoga. I didn't realise just how much I loved it until I was over here not doing it anymore and it solidified just how much my mind, body & spirit love yoga. 
• Reading inspiring books, affirmations and amazing quotes and fuelling my mind with endless possibilities, excitement & love of all things.
• My home city - Perth. It's not until you go away that you appreciate just how much you can love a place and this is particularly relevant for me at this moment. I adore Perth. LOVE it. Love it's parks, the city, it's gorgeous little cafe's, it's amazing small bars, it's beaches - oh gosh it's beaches. I have a new found love & appreciation for the city that I live in and I have no qualms about my return date as I know that I get to live in a city I adore so much - with some of the best coffee in the world!

So thank you Universe - for letting me travel your big far reaching world with experiences I'll treasure forever...but especially for all that makes me so rich in life already.. including the above.

Photos below are all snapped from my current Europe adventure & were experienced as follows:

p.s you can follow me on instagram for all my holiday snaps at lifesshinyprettythings

1. Arriving in Santorini the first night & watching the sunset with this view.

2. Having the time of my LIFE on Sail Croatia - jumping off the top roof of the boat in to Crystal clear water

3. Morgan capturing an emotional moment for me. I had never felt more happy or content in that photo. Watching the most amazing sunset of my life, in beautiful Santorini. It was the moment I had realised I had followed & found my Joie De Vivre.

4. I had gone for a walk by myself to have my own time & sat on a big hill as the sun was setting...I was lucky enough to have a gorgeous old local man walk past me with his heard of donkeys. It was such a cool moment that I was lucky enough to snap.

5. Another stunning sunset in beautiful Santorini. The best way I can describe them is that they don't seem real, you don't seem like you're in that moment as it's THAT beautiful.

6. Our amazing, peaceful, deep pool in Mykonos that we spent 4 solid days by.

7. Sharing a little kiss with Morgs, or him sharing one with me in Croatia.

8. A gorgeous little spot we came by whilst in Mykonos right by the water. Fell in love with it immediately