{life reflections}

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{life reflections}

 Weekly thoughts and rambles. A glimpse into my mind and world. 

These are entries that I might jot down in my Happy Diary; what happens when we put our fingers to the keyboard and allow our thoughts to flow uninhibited. Reflections from the soul. 

Reflections of life.  

I hope to leave you inspired. 

If you want to share your own reflections of the week please leave a link to your "life reflections" entry in the comments for all to find and see.

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It's been an interesting week. Being self-employed means work can come in waves. There are times when you're struggling, and other times when you're so busy you don't know what to do with yourself. Truth is, even when sales are slow, I'm still busy. Maybe I take on too many projects, but it doesn't feel that way, not when these projects are things that I enjoy and live for. And that's what life should be about (aside from the meaning of life, which is to be Happy); chasing your passions. No, wait… not "chasing," Living! Living your passions. Yes, that's right. Okay, so, living your passions is what it's all about, it's what you should be doing, it's how you should be living your life. If you have dreams and aspirations that you've put on hold because of (insert reason here) then maybe it's time to dig those back up and make time to do them again. It's like what I talked about on Thursday about Thriving and not just Surviving; you spend so much time at your job that you Should enjoy it. This brings me to the wisdom I've seen before that if you don't enjoy your job then you're doing something wrong, and that you instead should be doing the job of your dreams instead of making excuses not to be doing so. 

I always wanted to be a writer. That was what I was going to go to University for. I'm glad that I didn't go to University, as it turns out life took me in a few circles anyway before I would get back into writing again. It's not just a hobby for me anymore, it's my way of passing along the lessons that I've learned in life so that I can help others. That was the other thing I wanted to do, was to help people. Both were things I didn't know how to make a career from. They were kind of pushed aside, but not really in a neglecting sort of manner, more of a twists and turns of life sort of manner that simply dropped them from my attention for a while. First I needed to work on myself. You can't do much for others if you're not helping yourself after all. So in my twirling life experiences, I became focussed on health, went vegetarian, went vegan, and wanted to write about it. I started blogging. One thing led to another and this blog has grown and expanded and unravelled into the beautiful place it is today. 

Funny how life does that?

I'm also drawing and writing fiction again, something I dropped when I was about sixteen or seventeen. I love writing. Did I mention that already? I'm not the best writer (although I did receive the Writing 12 award in school when I was a grade below that class), but that's not what I'm about anyways. Like most things in my life, I go with the flow, learn as I practice, and sort of just do my own thing. However that turns out, as long as I'm happy and enjoying myself, then I'm happy with it. I don't understand how people can get so caught up in the technicalities of Everythinggggg. I'm not that sort of person. Never have been. I don't really believe in "one answer" solutions. Life is too complex. Everything is too complex. Maybe that's why I never enjoyed math. 

Do I have a point? Right; Living your Passions. That's what we were talking about right? Or, rather, that I was rambling about. ;) (are smiley faces proper punctuality?) 

So, yes, Live your Passions. Don't get caught up in the hows and whys and technicalities. Focus on your passions and they will lead the way to your dreams one way or another. I always say, go with the flow instead of resisting things. Going with the flow is going with the current and it will bring you to wherever it is that you want to go. I promise. Promise promise. 

Well, that's my ramble for today. My friend got tattooed the other day and it has me desperately wanting to get tattooed again. I would start rambling about that but then you'd never leave my blog and I'm sure you have things to do and people to make smile, so I won't keep you any longer. ;) 

But I will leave you with a few articles I want to write about this week (that I will hopefully get to): Tattoo Standards; and Being Self Employed. Because I get quite a few questions about both these subjects. 

Anyway, let me know if there are other subjects you would love to see me write about (not that I don't already have a bizzilion ideas). And let me know about your lovely week, what you've been up to, your own "life reflections" (you can leave links to your own posts if you'd like, or just leave a rambling comment like me ;)). 

Much Love always always! xoxo

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☺ Dear Life ☺

Dear Life,

You may not always seem kind, 

Because we don't see the beauty you provide.

You send us where we need to be, 

To find the lessons for us to feel free. 

The paths we endure, both high and low,

Take us on a journey through life's shadow. 

You give us smiles, happiness, and light, 

So why only see the darkness, sadness, and fight?

Life, you are beautiful, wonderful, and kind, 

But that is our choice to walk through life blind. 

We could open our eyes, let light shine, 

And embrace the wonders that could be mine.  

To make sure we endure, persevere, and learn, 

You lead us on bridges that we must ourselves burn. 

Laughter is on our tongues, bliss in our hearts, 

For us to grasp and to hold, and let the darkness depart.  

Thank you life for being hard,

And helping us to live and grow through scars, 

Like a mother, you know what's best, 

to help us gain knowledge and love through tests. 

You are not evil, miserable, or unkind, 

These are simply passages to life that we must find.  

Engaging our minds, creating mysteries for us to discern, 

You make life fun, adventurous, challenging for us to learn.

Dear Life, Thank you for all that you give, 

I know now to be grateful, to love and to live.   

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☺ Inspirational: What NOT To Do ☺

I try to focus more time and energy on the Positive Inspirational reminders and talk, and there IS a reason for this--I'll get more into that below. But sometimes a little post like this can be helpful in breaking bad habits. 

Remember, I am no specialist, these are only things that make sense to me and have worked for me. I believe them to work by experience, so maybe you'll find the same. 

We all have those days or moments that we just plain feel down. When we feel like this we tend to make some impulsive choices we may regret or that will only make us feel worse. So, here is the list of what Not to do. 

Eating Ice-Cream, Candy, & other Junk-Food: Whatever your unhealthy food vice may be, don't eat it. Try not reaching for that tub of ice cream. All that sugar will only cause a mood crash and keep you feeling low instead of better. Try drinking fresh juice or eat some fruit, these are still sweet and will give you energy. These healthy snacks may even inspire a change of mood because you're feeding your brain healthy foods instead. 

Cutting Your Hair: Unfortunately, many of us have been there. I know taking out some aggression on your head may sound appealing, but try pointing those scissors to a piece of paper instead--you won't regret that one. Makeovers can be fun, but not when you're in a bad mood. Plus, a makeover won't do you any good if you don't change your attitude. We are all too willing to change our hair, change our look, change where we live, where we work, but most of us are unwilling to change our Selves, our Attitudes. Try to do that consciously instead. 

Stare in the Mirror: I'm not sure why we pick ourselves apart when we stare in the mirror or where the need comes from, most likely an act of self-loath or self-pity. Regardless of whatever drew you to the mirror, do Not stare at yourself and rip yourself apart. Too many of us do this and it's so incredibly negative. Whether we like it or not, everyone has some sort of insecurity, whether its big or small. But everyone is perfect in their imperfections. Everyone is Unique and wonderful. Love Yourself! Try looking in the mirror and saying something nice about yourself instead. Attitude is everything! If you're pessimistic and miserable all the time it will show, and that is the only part of you that will repel others. 

Burying Emotions/Problems: Many of us do it and it's such a big no-no. I was the worst; I would bury every problem that came up and as it lingered I withdrew more and more. Sweeping all those problems under a rug does not get rid of them. They will come back around to bite you, whether you realize it quickly or not. Deal with things as soon as they happen. Find resolve.  

Sobbing & being Anti-Social: You're upset, so you want nothing more than to be by yourself and sob. This anti-social attitude will only make you feel worse. Sobbing will make it worse too if you're wallowing in it and feeling self-pity. I'm not saying don't feel anything. I'm a firm believer in letting emotion flow and then letting them go. But take charge of your attitude, cry it out if you need, and then get back on your feet and socialize. Surrounding yourself with happy people will make you feel wayyy better! 

Miserable Diary: While keeping a diary can be fun, many of us tend to use them as a method to rant and be negative with out really being conscious of it. My old diaries scare me! They were filled with pessimism, frustration, and negativity. I was only re-enforcing that negative mental attitude. Finally, I saw this and turned it around. Now if I don't have anything nice to say, I won't say it at all. If you absolutely need to vent, then go for it; I go into more details about this method in this last post "Turn Your Mood Around with Writing." And if you reaaally need to vent, then write out those frustrations first on a scrap piece of paper and then throw it away when you're done so you can get on to writing something positive. Holding onto that piece of paper is similar to holding onto those negative thoughts in your head. You don't need them, let them go. 

There's no point in writing out little vent if you only feel worse or the same afterwards. Do not keep a diary if all it's going to be is a negative outlet. If you don't find a positive conclusion then all you are doing is re-enforcing a negative mental attitude. Reach a Positive conclusion and a change of attitude. 

Instead, keep a "Happy Diary" and focus your attention on all the Positivity in your life, it'll help change your attitude towards everything! 

Don't Dwell on Negativities: Most of us fall victim to this attitude because it's easy and almost taught. The Blog focuses so much attention on Positivity for this exact reason! Dwelling on Negativities serves no purpose--at all! If you want a negative life then by all means focus all your attention on what's "wrong" around you; talk about it, write about it, share with everyone how negative everything is. Time to realize that this is only going to make your situation worse. Focus your attention ON the things you Do want, and OFF the things you Don't what. Repel Negativity by being Positive. It IS that simple. Practice this all the time. The next time you want to share something negative on facebook, twitter, tumblr, or whatever social network, or in real life, stop yourself! Focus instead on something positive and write or talk about that. This truly truly works! And practice makes perfect!  

~Peace & Love

xo

~Bianca 

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☺ Inspiration: Turn Your Mood around with Writing! ☺

It's a simple step that most of us don't place the effort in; turning our mood around. Let's face it, we all have moments where life can become overwhelming, when things can get us down or just plain in a bad mood. Turning our mood around is one of those things that requires our immediate attention if we hope to carry on with the rest of our day on a postive note instead of dwelling on negativities and remaining moody. Yet we very rarely actually give ourselves the time to do so. 

Put in the effort to make yourself happy and upbeat! 

I already spoke a bit about dancing and doing something active to boost your mood and return that smile (you can check out my video blog regarding this and be entertained by my sillyness too ~_^). It's a great step, but it can be useless if you can't stop a dillemma or problem from nagging your mind. 

Sort through those problems as soon as they arrive. Focus on a positive outcome. Don't waste your time on negativity, this only re-enforces that bad attitude and makes it harder to recover. And whatever you do, do not play the "poor me" card. These things get you no where but in a negative circle.

Learn to get into the habit of using pen and paper to write down your problems and ordeals, but most importantly, your thoughts into a positive conclusion. Now, this is key so I'm going to say it again; don't dwell on negativities! 

Too often our process of writing and thinking means whining and venting and complaining about what's wrong in our lives. This only continues the negative attitude, worse yet, it further imbeds it into your brain. Such a continual process becomes a habit, one that is not easy to break. And this is the dilemma most of us must face; changing our thought patterns back into something positive after years of negative thinking.

So use that pen and paper as a constructive tool instead of dwelling on pessimism. If you need to let out a little vent, by all means, do so--it is often a necassary part of the process--but keep writing until you reach something positive. Learn to ask questions, to look deeper, to really let your thoughts transfer onto the page. Don't spend time thinking about what you're writing, just let the words flow from your subconscious to your conscious mind right onto paper. The thoughts should be written out just as fast as they strike the mind. All one fluid process. You'll be amazed by the revelations, epiphanies, and realizations you'll have. That is, if you allow yourself to and really get into positive habits. If you begin the process with no intention of a positive or constructive outcome then you won't get one because you'll still be dwelling on the negative. 

Learn to open your mind and let your thoughts flow through your heart. It is another key point in this exercise to ask "what would love do?" Love opens the door to enlightenment and openness, and if you are open then you will be receptive to the wonderful revelations that may come to you by hammering out words onto paper. Let go of grudges, and the blame game, and being right, let it all go and become open to your subconscious mind. 

So, to sum this up in steps and key notes:

☼ Don't waste your time on the Negative.

☼ Keep your mind on the things you do want, and off the things you don't.

☼ Keep writing until you change your attitude into a positive one.

☼ Be open and loving--so that you are Receptive to the revelations that may come.

☼ Let your thoughts transfer instantly as they come from your subconscious to the page.

☼ Set Positive, conclusive Intentions. 

☼ Don't stop writing until you have a positive conclusion and can be at peace with the problem.

☼ Write as soon as trouble surfaces in your mind--don't push it aside and allow it to linger until it reaches a breaking point.

These steps will help you maintain a Positive and Happy Attitude. But always remember to appreciate your life and look at the good in it instead of the bad. There's no point in letting yourself be miserable all the time-- you can turn your own mood around! It is in your hands, give yourself that credit. Make sure you place the effort though. If you do nothing then your bad mood will linger, don't allow it to. You are all powerful and have absolute control of your mood. Practice consistently changing it around and you will be well on your way. It will eventually come naturally and the effort won't be as great. Until you reach that point, practice, practice, practice. Never get discouraged and always be resilient. 

You are an amazing human being!

So dance, write, and do whatever else you may know that works to turn your mood around. Don't waste a second more of your time being negative! Smile, laugh, and enjoy your beautiful life!!!

Peace & Love

~Bianca xo

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