Grateful. Blessed. Deeply touched. Appreciative – to the max. I’ve been blown away by the comments and emails I’ve received in response to the launch of More Magic, All the Time: 20 Ways to Create Your Best Life Ever and wanted to share some of your love below:
Eep! Have I told you guys lately that I love you? Because, really, I do. Madly.
Thank you so, so much for spreading the word. It means the world to me (and if you haven’t grabbed your copy yet, now’s your chance!)
I’ve got some thanking to do.
Here’s the thing: I’m an independent little kitten. Have been since I was a tiny child and refused to let my parents dress me (there’s long-lost video footage of me running around the house with my pyjama top over my head, obscuring my face, very Beavis and Butthead style, totally “I’ve got this Mum!”).
But like most all of us, I’d be nothing without the people in my world – the teachers, supporters, cheerleaders and everyone in between – and I really want to take a moment today to acknowledge that. The appreciation is served up broadly here, but as I write the words, I’m mentally walking through a sea of faces, so just know that I’m sending love in all directions. Lots of it.
Soul hugs + high fives to:
Ramai. The man whose loves permeates every cell of my very being; the coolest, wisest, most ‘comfortable in his own skin,’ laidback human I know. The guy who sends me I love you’s daily, who silly dances and air guitars his way around the house because he knows it’ll make me laugh – especially when I’m in work-mode. The guy who knows when to sit back and wait and when to front up and be there. My gorgeous, intuitive soul-babe with the comfiest ‘nook’ (neck-chest space) in the world, made just for me. Thank you – always.
My blog babes. There are so many of you that I collectively adore. You’ve all come into my life over the course of the past year – which may not seem long in Real Life terms but feels like the best type of forever in the Online World – and I’m wildly grateful for your unwavering encouragement, the warmth that wraps its way around my soul, all your unharnessed energy + excitement and the belief in what I’m doing and where I’m going. It’s always appreciated, and let me tell you , the sistahood is certainly alive and kicking in the blogosphere and it makes me so proud to be part of this community. SO INSANELY PROUD.
Sian. For designing the bejesus outta my ebook and for not only graciously making every single edit this Woman of Very High Standards requested but for sharing in my excitement for its release. That’s the kind of designer a girl wants on her team. Can anyone say the words ‘over and above?’
My friends. I know that’s a broad one – Look Everybody, I’m thanking All of the Friends – but each plays their own special role, and lately there have definitely been a few sparkly souls that have championed my wins, been there as I’ve exhaled deeply at the end of another busy week, listened to my stories on morning runs and brought me to my favourite state of being – laughing, carefree, content – time and time again. Thank you for your awesomery,
Who do you need to acknowledge? Today is the day, sweet pea. Unleash your appreciation.
Ever sat down and gone “Ok where am I right now? What do I need to be reminded of? What do I think about XYZ at this point in my life?”
I did this week and I created a short “guide” to live by – something I’ve stuck on my wall and written in my Moleskine for inspiration. Simple things that sweeten my life.
An excerpt below:
Dear Rach, this is your guide to better living. Remember…
1 // Health comes first. When that creeping overwhelm becomes a full on GAH-fest, hightail it to somewhere quiet with a green juice or a ginormous salad, lie back/ sit cross-legged, connect to the breath, listen to a guided meditation, do nothing, daydream, read a book. Whatever it takes to end frazzling frazzlement. Get back to centre.
2 // Relationships are muchas importante. When someone is talking, drop everything to listen. Be present.
3 // Do the undress-wash face-shower thing shortly after getting home from work. Much easier that way – especially when you get all sleepy-eyed on the couch and you don’t want anything to get in the way (ESPECIALLY water) of that dazed transition from couch to bed.
4 // Salad. Every day. Essential. Vitamins also – support your body while you’re living life at full-crank.
5 // Take a moment for your one word visualisation each morning to set the tone for the day ahead. Twitter, FB, Instagram, email first is not ideal.
6 // On that note, social media in bed can stop. Not necessary. Make bed a sacred space for love + wisdom (from deep convo’s and the pages of a good book).
That’s just a few of my guiding principles right now. What about you? Do you have any of your own? Thinking about creating some? Let me know if you do!
Last week I spent a few days in Sydney for work and coincidentally, Ramai was down there for work at the same time which made it approximately 17654 times better.
It was an in and out visit but we had a lovely dinner and cocktails on Wednesday night and I even managed to squeeze what should have been a marathon shopping sesh in Pitt St Mall into a quick sprint (35 minutes to be precise).
See the pics for my new wares from Sportsgirl, Zara and Myer. Lots o’ colour!
I’m loving Marianne Williamson’s Miracle Thought by Oprah and have been listening to these at night before bed or in the morning before work. Check them out, I have a feeling you’ll love them too.
As a hardcore nature-nerd, flowers make me immensely happy. I got a surprise delivery of gorgeous tulips from Ramai at work yesterday (aren’t they lovely?) and have a great bunch of natives, shown below, thriving at home. Simple pleasures.
MY EBOOK WILL BE OUT TOMORROW!
Sorry for the shouty caps, but I’m so freaking excited to share this with you all and I’m hanging to hear what you think of it. Be ready, my loves, it’s a-coming!
Over to you:
Going back to my question at the top, who do you need to acknowledge? Why not give them a shout out in the comments today? Pull your energy in for a minute, let a wave of appreciation flow through you and load up on love – for the people in your life and the blessings of the past week. Go for it.
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Manifesto: Striking Truths
A shimmering site
Every once in a while, I stumble across a blog that really speaks to me. Stars align, things make sense, words leap off the screen and into my psyche and I know that amongst the 300 or so other sites that sit in my Google Reader, this one will shine.
That’s how I felt when I discovered The Wellness Warrior.
Writer/ holistic health coach/ all-round superstar Jessica Ainscough’s personal journey through the murky waters of a cancer diagnosis formed the blueprint for The Wellness Warrior, and daily, Jess empowers people to take control of their health in a bid to improve their quality of life – on a physical level and a mental level.
A bold + brilliant book
Being a passionate supporter of all the gifts this luminous, ridiculously inspiring soul sends out into the world, I was thrilled when Jess approached me recently to read through her latest book Make Peace With Your Plate (designed by my girl Sian, who seriously knocked it out of the park!)
I read it in one sitting. And then read it again the next day. It’s that good.
Personally, this book couldn’t have come into my sphere at a more perfect time as living the healthiest/ shiniest/ most energetic version of me is most certainly on my mind at the moment (hello, wedding, hello serious energy requirements!)
In speaking with a lot of you about your goals and intentions for 2012, I know you’re also looking to make subtle (or major) shifts in your lifestyle this year so I thought I’d give you a bit of a rundown on Make Peace With Your Plate to help you on your way to mega-health and glowing… everything.
The official spiel
Make Peace With Your Plate is not a diet book. It’s not a book that preaches a certain dietary dogma. Whether someone is vegan, vegetarian, a meat eater, raw vegan, or Paleo is not of concern in the slightest. The gist of this book is real, whole, natural foods.
It’s a book that has been craved, for its potential to free people from their tortured relationship with food and covers: the simple truths that put an end to the torturous relationship we have with food; what foods our body wants us to put in, and which ones it does not even consider to be foods; which foods are contributing to weight gain, bad skin, and bitchy emotions, and which ones will lead to a body that is gorgeous and healthy and a mind that is clear and happy.
A few reasons why I loved the book and why I think it’s necessary + super important + a total game-changer:
1 // The big one here is the obvious. Staring down the barrel of a life-altering cancer diagnosis, Jess completely transformed her life to save her life (and her arm, which doctors said would need to be amputated). I don’t know about you, but to me that kinda screams “I know what I’m on about here, people!”
2 // Infused with Jess’ signature ‘advice-from-trenches’ style, by the time you get through the first section you’ll realise Jess has poured everything she’s learnt on her wellness journey into this baby. She doesn’t hold anything back and the result is a super informative resource that I know I’ll continue to refer back to as I make changes to my diet – both for motivation and reassurance that I’m on the right track.
3 // While Jess speaks from firsthand experience, the book is backed up with a plethora of research and expert advice.
4 // Coffee enemas. Fascinating stuff. Read the book to see what I mean. It’ll pique your curiosity.
5 // pH balance in our bodies is crucial to health and I loved the information on why our bodies need to stay slightly alkalised to function optimally.
6 // After years of reading countless books on nutrition, I’ll admit to feeling more than a little confuzzled so I’ve made a commitment to myself to listen to my instincts first and foremost, and roll with the information that really resonates with me. There were a few key things in this book that had me saying a silent ‘YES’ because they were explained better than I’ve ever heard them explained before. Eliminating/ lowering dairy intake is one that really jumped out – I know my body doesn’t deal well with dairy and hearing the facts was a real eye-opener.
7 // Chemicals, chemicals, chemicals. Artificial sweeteners and sugars are toxic, and will make us fat, moody or worse still, very sick. I needed the reminder (like a big slap on the face!)
8 // Lots o’ recipes and shopping lists. Because we all love it when it’s easy.
9 // Beyond the plate – Jess talks about meditation, sunlight, movement and self-love and why they are intrinsic to our overall wellbeing.
10 // The over-arching message: eat for enjoyment. End the vicious cycle of deprivation, indulgence and guilt and instead eat to feel amazing. Eat what your body runs best on. Ultimately, it’s about making peace with your mind. body AND your plate.
Head over to the The Wellness Warrior to grab your copy of Make Peace With Your Plate today!
* In the spirit of full disclosure, I’m an affiliate for this product, which means that I may get a commission if you decide to purchase it. I think you know me well enough to know I only recommend products that I use and love myself, so I have no hesitations at all giving this one a huge thumbs up. As I mentioned before, total game-changer. Enjoy!
