Baby Steps

Mondays have a tendency to be a little overwhelming. Especially Mondays early on in the new year.

It's week 3 for me and the Mondays are not getting any easier, nor are they getting any less overwhelming. Especially this weeks' version of Monday.

Monthly meeting. The first of the year. Goals to achieve? Of course. They are big and they are scary. Overwhelming even, just to fit in with the current 'Monday' vibe.

Fast forward to home time (yes I made it out alive...)

 We had visitors, our dear friends and their 8 month old baby who we absolutely adore and are so blessed to have such a close relationship with. Watching him grow is just magic and having yet another 'mummy' friend is just another gift that could never bear a price tag. I learn so much from watching others parent and the I have come to the conclusion that there is definitely no 'one size fits all' approach to parenting!

Being only 8 months in age, the little man has a lifetime of goals before him, the first one being to learn to crawl, then walk, then run. All while trying to cut teeth.
His mummy is such a great mentor that she has even bought him knee pads in preparation for the big moment she knows will happen soon enough. Objects have been placed out of reach and there are daily activities in place to help him form new habits and master the art of believing in himself, knowing he can achieve something if he keeps at it.

Is that the key to it all? The right preparation, planning and having the confidence to never give up?

Someone once told me - achieving a goal is like breaking down a brick wall,  in the sense that it's more effectively done if you chip away at each brick instead of charging full force at the whole thing. If you try and hit the whole wall in one shot, you're more likely to end up on your ass with a strong feeling of defeat. Remove each brick one by one and you'll have many small achievements to celebrate and  before you know it, that big old wall doesn't seem so hard to knock down...in fact, there's not much hard work left at all.

So that shall be the approach this year....one thing at a time, baby steps if you wish.

Lazy Sunday

There is something so lazy about a Sunday.


It's almost an unwritten law that sleep ins, long hot coffees, cigarettes and the newspaper are indulgences that anyone can be forgiven for - on a Sunday.

The coffee tastes richer, the food is much more comforting, and the chirping of the birds is just that little bit chirpier.

Sitting here at a cafe, feeding the birds and sipping on a hot frothy chai latte, I am the most content I have been all week.

Damn you Sunday, why do you have to end?

Keep calm and TYPE ON!

I just knew that my first 'official' blog would be more of a vent! It takes a lot to make me wear my cranky pants, and this afternoon they are on good and proper.

One of my favourite stationary stores 'Typo' is being asked to removed their 'controversial' products from their stores due to it being deemed offensive.

For those of you unfamiliar with this particular store, let me paint a picture for you.

Quirky, eccentric, bold, vintage, incredibly kitsch, a little erotic, house, home, study - STATIONARY.

Typo made a public statement today explaining that their original marketing strategy was not in any way aimed at 'children', but had the younger adult generation in mind as possible customers. This is very obvious in their stores, the look and feel of their retail outlets is very much more of a mature vibe and there are hardly any products which the average 'child' would find of interest - unlike such other stores as Smiggle, or the stationary sections in OfficeWorks, Target, Newsagents and other obvious stationary stockists who do provide specific products for children.

They also went on to say that although they will continue to produce the majority of their designs, they will remove the items deemed 'controversial' from their shelves.

Well this is what I think of that...

For anyone that walks into any store, at their own free will, and finds anything they don't like or that they feel is offensive, controversial or otherwise - LEAVE and don't shop there. Turn your politically correct self around and walk back out the door that you CHOSE to walk through in the first place. It's as simple as that. Don't get yourself into a fluster, and more so, don't ruin it for everyone else who doesn't have a problem.

If you have concerns your child may enter this same very store and have their 'innocent' little minds corrupted, WAKE UP TO YOURSELF and realise that nudity is normal, there is far worse language spoken in the school yards (yep, even in the most religious or strictest of schools) and you are more likely to find more offensive images by watching the NEWS or MTV.

If we continue to let these fearful muppets censor our art, our style, our STATIONARY, what will they want next?

Get a sense of humour, get a life and GET your ignorant outlooks on life LOST!

Twenty Twelve

So I've decided to do things differently this year; I've decided to let it all out....hence this blog.

I figure that others do it, so why can't I? I mean, I've always had an opinion or a story to tell, it's generally always been different to that of most others' and I'd love the comfort of knowing that there may be others out there who can identify with it.

So here I am :)

Twenty Twelve will be the year for trying new things, stepping outside my (incredibly cosy) comfort zone, for taking some chances and hopefully for some big fat pay offs in return.

Remember not to sweat the small stuff, enjoy every moment for what it is for it is over before you know it.

Stress less, smile more, sing, dance, don't be afraid to let go......and always get a good nights sleep :)

Here are my 5 rules for 2012 - inspired by the website marcandangel.com (if you EVER need some inspiration, motivation or life coaching tips, I'd suggest you jump on for a sticky beak...it's pure brilliance!)......

• Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance. Turn your thoughts into actions, find what works and find what brings you joy.

• Spend more time with the people that make you feel good, happy, safe, accepted, inspired, ALIVE! Don't waste time with those who do nothing than leave you feeling exhausted, confused, drained and frustrated. Life is too   short and isn't meant to be this tiring.

• Be yourself – genuinely & proudly; Stay true to your ideas, thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values & outlooks. Feel good in knowing that they are there and yours to own as you have earned them through life experiences.

• Create your own happiness. No one else can do truly do this for you. Share this happiness with others and be grateful for every moment & every smile.

•  Grow - Stay curious about the world around you; learn new things, embrace diversity & be actively involved. Don't ever get complacent or put things in the 'too hard' basket.