☺ Get Motivated for Spring/Summer! Woot woot! ☺

Whereeee have I beeen??? 

Busy as always. But I shall spare you some drivel of excuses as to why my absence of blogging has transpired lately. 

What I DO want to blog about are two exciting opportunities for self-development, happiness, inspiration, and motivation! 

I'm a  huge believer in Actively Participating in Your Own Happiness (I am going to write another extended post about this soon). What this means is, well, exactly what is says: Actively Participating in Your Own Happiness! Happiness, true, can take work, especially while rewiring the brain and creating new thought habits, which is why actively doing things that will increase that happiness and help rewire the brain are so important. Sometimes it's easier to just sit on the couch, grumble, and complain about life. BUT, you could instead jump up off the couch, do a little happy dance, and do something that will increase the level of happy bouncing around your head. Active Participation. Motivation may not always be on your side, and that's when things can get tricky, hence forth: Motivation to Get Your Happy… Read on! 

First up…

100 Happy Days

You may remember me writing about the #365grateful project, yes? No? Well, this is a similar idea, but perhaps a little more manageable and a little less daunting. Very simply put, 100 Happy Days is to focus and post about something that makes you happy for 100 days straight. As they say on their site, most people don't have the time for this. How absurd, how crazy? How guilty am I of this? Equally guilty as the next, which is why I decided to commit to this challenge and actively participate in my own happiness. 

Honestly, I'm going to spare all the details because that's exactly what the blissfully colourful buoyant website is for (clickity click)--don't worry it is short, to the point, and the site is so fun that I'm sure it will immediately make you say "I want to do That!"

You can check out my participation in the challenge on instagram--let me know where I can find you! Or tag #relovehappydays so I can find you :)

Sign up for the challenge here: http://100happydays.com

Next up!

David Suzuki's 30x30 Nature Challenge

You may remember this challenge from last year, if you don't, here's what it's about:

For the month of May (that means starting tomorrow) spend at least 30 minutes a day outside in nature. 30 Minutes for 30 Days!

Simple, awesome, why not commit to it?

This challenge was a lot of fun last year and certainly gave me the motivation to get outside on even the dreary days or the days I felt like not really doing much other than laying in bed and watch cartoons--just kidding, I'm too busy to do that ;). Anyyyyways, it's a fun challenge, and nothing makes you feel more alive and blissful and happy (proven fact ;)) than getting outside. You know, grounding your feet in the earth, allowing the energy to flow through you, feeling that beautiful sun on your face and feed your body vitamin D, and, well, just reconnecting with nature, the way life was intended to be lived. 

You can check out my participation in this one on Instagram as well, and keep in touch with the tag #30x30relove . I don't expect to be posting photos every day, but I would love to see what you are up to out in nature as well! 

Sign up for the challenge here: http://30x30.davidsuzuki.org

So! I hope you are motivated! And I hope you are ready to Get Happy and to Actively Participate in Your Own Happiness! After all, things don't change unless you choose it, unless you take a stand and do something for Yourself. Make a change, feel great, hop hop to it! 

Have a wonderfully blissful happy happy day! And don't forget to smile. ;) 

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♥ Wednesday Favorites: Gifts that Give Back ♥

In light of the holiday season approaching, I have been pondering christmas presents--of course, because advertising has you thinking about Christmas so darn early ;p 

Last year, the hubby and I didn't really do Christmas Presents. Why? Because we aren't all for the "spend tons of money" consumerism side of the Holidays. We would rather do something special and appreciate the time spent with each other and loved ones. Isn't that was holidays should be about? 

Well, I am still buying Christmas presents for some people because not everyone has the same views that I have and it would be awefully rude to not get people presents. But it got me thinking, what can I buy but still keep to my views and not be so consumer based? Two answers: One, which is Buy Locally and Handmade--but I will be doing that wednesday favorites next week ;). This week; Gifts that give Back! ^_^ 

☃ WWF Adoptions: You know by now how much I love WorldWildLife Fund, and I know I have mentioned this one before, but it is such a great gift idea! I mean, what better gift than to "adopt" a species?! There are over 100 species to choose from and each comes with a soft plush version of your adopted animal wrapped in a cloth WWF gift bag, a formal adoption certificate, a color photo of your species, and more, including a personalized letter to your lucky gift recipient. ^_^ What your adoption does is support WWF's global efforts to protect animals and their habitats and helps protect the future of nature. 

☃ Adopt-A-Farm Animal Project: Farm Sanctuary is amazing! They work to protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassionate vegan living. Their Adopt-A-Farm Animal Project is a way that you can get involved and help out. "Farm Sanctuary's shelter animals are in need of loving "parents" to sponsor their monthly feed, shelter and veterinary care costs. By participating in the Adopt-A-Farm Animal Project, you help provide the necessary support to care for a rescued farm animal and defend all farm animals against cruelty." 

Much better idea than "things" for the holidays, right? ^_^ 

☃ David Suzuki's Wish List: Over at the David Suzuki Foundation there is yet another great way to give back this holiday season AND be creative while doing so! There are several neat ideas and projects to choose from, including a "lump of coal", except this one isn't a "naughty friend" idea anymore, it support a brighter energy future that uses clean, renewable power instead of fossil fuels like coal. Or there's things like the "Critter Passport", "Green Key", "Planet Prescription", and more. 

"David Suzuki’s Wish List helps to protect nature in Canada. These symbolic gifts are unique, meaningful, and help us protect the diversity of nature and our quality of life on Earth, now and for the future. Donate to a project in honour of your loved one, and send an e-card saying the gift will support what really matters: a healthy, happy environment. It’s a present that lasts the whole year long!"

There are plenty of ways you can give back to the earth this holiday season so keep that in mind. And don't forget to wrap presents in reusable bags or newspaper or other creative recycling ideas! ~_^ 

Got any Christmas gift ideas that You might choose this Holiday season that give back? Do share with the rest of us! ♥

Peace & Love

xo

~Bianca 

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Wednesday Favorites: "The Legacy" by David Suzuki

This Book is a MUST-READ for anyone and everyone!

It is so good that Cory, my sister, and myself all had it read in two to three days. You simply can't put it down! Cory (my husband) never reads, he prides himself that this is actually the first book he's ever Bought himself (lol), so that's saying something! 

David Suzuki is brilliant for so many reasons. His style of writing makes for an easy read, all while being incredibly informative, precise, and to the point. He pulls readers in with the urgent information he has to share and the realization we need to face regarding the tragedies we are inflicting on our home, Planet Earth. The information he provides is vital to our existence. He is upfront and honest. He is smart and wise. And he knows how to get his points across efficiently and effectively. 

"In his own lifetime, David Suzuki has witnessed an explosion of scientific knowledge as well as a huge change in our relationship with the planet — a tripling of the world's population, a greatly increased ecological footprint through the global economy, and a huge growth in technological capacity. These changes have had a dire effect on Earth's ecosystems and consequently on our own well-being.

To deal with this crisis, we must realize that the laws of nature have priority over the forces of economics and that the planet simply cannot sustain unfettered growth. We must also recognize the limits of scientific reductionism and the need to adopt a more holistic point of view. Perhaps most importantly, we must join together as a single species to respond to the problems we face. Suzuki ends by saying that change begins with each of us; all it takes is imagination and a faith in the inherent generosity of Mother Earth."

"The Legacy" is incredibly inspiring. If you must only read one book in your lifetime, this should be it. After reading it, you will WANT to help the Earth and will be given an insightful look on our society, our life, and our home (Earth).

Open your eyes. Read "The Legacy" and you will understand. 

Peace & Love,

xo

~Bianca

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.