gratitude – Page 2

’tis the season to celebrate goals!

December 20, 2013 by Julia Leave a Comment

As another year draws to an end, it naturally becomes a time in our lives for reflection.

Is it just me, or do the years actually speed up every year? I’m sure they do, there must be some logical explanation, like the earth must rotate at increasing speed or something. . . how is it less than 5 days till Christmas already?!

And because the time goes by so quickly, and we lead our lives at such a fast pace, I’m a big fan of taking time out. I put time aside for me, for solitude and some down time. Where I can have peace and quiet, alone, with no distractions, and can sit peacefully with my thoughts for personal reflection.

I mostly do this in my morning meditation, but I also love setting time aside regularly to journal, to think, to dream and to tap back into myself. Today was one of those days. I took my goal book and a pen to the beach, and reflected on the year that was. I now feel proud of what I’ve achieved, and invigorated by the possibilities for the year to come!

So cast your mind back to this time last year. . . How were you feeling? Where were you? What were your goals for 2013?

Reflect on the last 12 months, how has the year been for you?

Ask yourself –

what did I achieve, both personally and professionally?
What were my biggest successes?
my hardest failures?
What’s the most important lesson I learned?
What are you most grateful for in 2013?

Take some time now to write down your answers.

“Take pride in how far you’ve come, and have faith in how far you can go.”

As I think back over the year that’s been, I realise how massive it was for me personally. There have been big highs and lows. But as I sit here today, back home after a long whirl-wind journey across the globe, I am so happy for where I have landed. I feel as though I am exactly where I need to be. That is a wonderful feeling.

I ticked some big goals off my list this past year. But it’s only on reflection that I realise that. Once I achieve a goal, I’m always so eager to get started on the next one! I don’t often take the time to really acknowledge myself, and give myself a pat on the back.

Celebrating our successes is such an integral ingredient to goal setting. Yet one that we often skimp out on (me included).

Well enough of that. Achieving our goals is pretty dam fantastic, and I’m going to celebrate them here with you! Here’s what’s getting a BIG TICK on my goal list:

2013 Goal Crushes

Personal:

travelled south america; trekked to Machu Piccu, adventured through the amazon jungle, and sailed the Galapagos Islands
lived overseas in Canada
saw three more natural wonders – Iguazu Falls, Niagara Falls & the Grand Canyon
celebrated my 30th birthday with my twin sister in North America
did my first U.S.A road trip!

Career:

began my first blog
started my own business
lead Vision & Goal workshops at primary and secondary schools

Health:

attended my first yoga retreat
conquered crow pose (yay!)
started my own meditation & yoga practice
learnt how to snowboard

Wow – it has been a big year! And the best bit? I like who I’m becoming in the pursuit of my goals.

The goals I set for myself this year really pushed me to grow, to develop, and to expand myself.

Reviewing and reflecting (and of course – CELEBRATING!) our goals is an important step in goal setting. It get’s us connected to where we have been, where we are now, and also get’s us clear on where we want to go.

So what are you celebrating for 2013?

Let the confetti reign, and that champagne POP!

You are freakin awesome!

Celebrate your victories, you fought hard to get here.

bush medicine

December 4, 2013 by Julia Leave a Comment

I have just returned home from a lovely little bush getaway. Just me, my best friend, her gorgeous little bubba and the countryside.

We packed the car and hit the road – venturing into Victoria’s beautiful Yarra Valley – full of rolling green hills, vineyards, orchards and fresh country air.

As soon as I left town, and the first glimpse of bush was in sight, I wound down my window and sucked in the eucalyptus filled air. The ultimate hit of refreshment! As the sky got bigger, and the landscape opened up, I felt stress just melt away, my shoulders seemed to soften, and a little smile crept up on the corners of my lips. Ahhh natural beauty, you just can’t beat it.

It was just what I needed.

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed. And to have my senses put in tune once more.” – John Burroughs

We spent the day winding down – treating ourselves to delicious local produce at lunch, wandering through the quaint little shops in the main street, and just slowing down the pace of life. There was nowhere we had to be, or agenda we needed to adhere to. We had complete freedom. Cider in the sun? Why not! Picnic in the park? Hell yes! Dip in the pool? I’m putting on my bikini!

Last night at our little log cabin we sat out on the deck under the night sky watching the stars. Oh so many stars! We spent the evening eating dinner and making our way through a nice bottle of red. I thought to myself – I am in absolute heaven right now. I was so relaxed and content just sitting outside enjoying the beautiful surrounds. More often than not, it’s the simple things that have the most profound impact. Gum trees, fresh air, my best friend and good conversation. Just fabulous, what more could I want?

As the sun set we listened to a symphony of sounds – I couldn’t believe how loud all the insects and creatures were! The cicadas were out in full force, and started so suddenly, like they were all on cue – talk about surround sound! The beautiful bird calls at dusk were glorious – kookaburras, wattle birds, rosellas, galahs, cockatoos and magpies. Then the frogs started croaking down in the dam below us. I put my feet up, closed my eyes, and just listened to all the wonderful sounds going on around us in nature. Not one man-made sound was heard that night (well, other than a crying baby inside our cabin!).

Spending time with a little person always highlights the power of simplicity. Everything is new and so exciting to them! A puddle – well that’s hours of splashing pleasure! A fork at the lunch table – best new toy ever! There are always new sights, sounds, tastes and things to touch. I know where the saying ‘simple pleasures’ comes from.

I took little Aurelia for a sunrise walk in the morning through the bush. We saw moorhens walking around the reeds on the dam, ducks swimming with their little ducklings, kangaroos bounding across the hillside, rabbits jumping around with their little white tails. She splashed in puddles, picked up sticks, squelched in the mud, pointed at different things and just had a ball. You know what, so did I. Watching her simple fascination really opened up my eyes to the magic that was all around us.

“Never neglect to see the exquisite beauty in all living things.” Robin Sharma

While we were at the park yesterday we met another mother and her two gorgeous little girls – Cherry and Honey. I was roped into playing hide & seek, and competing in running races around the trees – so much fun. We discovered that they moved up from Melbourne recently as her husband works at the local food & wine hot spot. She said how she loved living here, and that they no longer needed two cars – she and the girls can walk everywhere in town. They don’t have to commute anywhere. As I watched the girls run around the park, wild white ibis birds walking around the place, giant old trees, a fresh water stream running by – I thought, what a lovely little life they have here in the country.

Me and my girlfriend fantasised about having a country house to escape to one day. It’s already on my vision board.

As I drove back home I vowed to venture into the country more often. To get away and explore new parts of the land.

A country getaway is now going on my monthly goals!

When was the last time you went on a little getaway?

take me to the ocean

November 17, 2013 by Julia 4 Comments

I love the beach.

It’s my refuge. The ocean has an intense healing effect on me.

Living up in the Canadian mountains for the past year has made me realise just how important the ocean is to me. I now have a deeper appreciation for all things sandy and salty.

Yesterday I walked along the beach for two hours, shoes in hand, feet in the shallows, strolling along in the sunshine. I love collecting beach treasures (see below!) and looking out over the endless water on the horizon. It’s one of my favourite things in the world.

I have always been a ‘water baby’. My sister and I grew up coming to the coast most weekends with my family, snorkelling, swimming and exploring the sea shore. I remember my Dad patting sting rays, and coaxing octopus out of their hiding holes to show to us. Then, as soon as I was old enough I started scuba diving. Wow, what an incredible experience that is – to be part of the under water world. Diving needs a whole other post!

The fondest memories of my life revolve around something water based. For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to water by something bigger than myself.

Life is good when my feet are in the sand and salt is in my hair.

I often feel land-locked when I’m away from water for long periods of time. A certain claustraphobia slowly takes its gripp on me – even in the vastest of open country sides. When I return back to the ocean, I feel like I can breathe again.

I have been told by spiritual healers that I have a strong connection with the ocean. They speak of past lives, dolphins, and mermaid energies. So perhaps at one point I was a mermaid, dancing under the ocean waves with the creatures of the sea. It sounds pretty cool to me. I don’t know if it’s true, but what I do know, is that I feel great when I’m at the ocean.

Close your eyes and think of how relaxed you feel surrounded by the ocean, walking barefoot on the sandy shore, the foamy waves lapping at your feet, hearing the rhythm of the crashing waves, and smelling the salty air. . . The stress of everyday life just seems to melt away.

It’s no wonder water has a soothing, calming effect on our bodies and minds: (1) We are made up of water, over two-thirds of our body is water, (2) Even our bones are composed of more than 20% water! (3) Every living thing has water, and we need water to survive. Yup, water is kind of a big deal.

“The beneficial qualities of seawater have been known to mankind for centuries and have been noted as having a great healing effect. Sea water contains many minerals needed by your body to help heal and detoxify.” – Aqua For Balance, water-based wellness.

Not convinced? Check out these natural healing properties of the ocean – 3 more reasons to get your butt to the beach:

sound of ocean waves – researchers have discovered that the sound of waves actually alters the wave patterns in the brain, soothing you into a deeply calm and relaxed state. Relaxing in this way can help revitalise your mind and your body.

salt water – sea water contains about 3.5% by weight of salt (sodium chloride). 83 elements of the periodic table, biologically available, are found in sea water. Ninety nine percent of the mineral salts in sea water are composed of five main elements: chlorine, sodium, sulphur, magnesium, calcium and potassium.

sea air – Sea air is full of healthy negative ions, charged particles which improve our ability to absorb oxygen by neutralising damaging free radicals (positive ions). Negative ions also help balance levels of serotonin, a body chemical associated with mood and stress. That is why a day at the beach leaves you feeling not only more alert and energised, but also deeply relaxed and able to sleep more soundly.

That’s some pretty amazing benefits just from a simple trip to the beach!

I know that when my life gets crazy, and I’m feeling disconnected – that a trip to the ocean is the only prescription I need.

Just me and the water. It’s my favourite form of meditation.

What is your natural healer?

It may be the mountains, the open country side, a peaceful park, or your own garden.

When did you last take the time to heal yourself in nature?

fear of being left behind?

November 13, 2013 by Julia 2 Comments

Today I realised that I can count all my single friends on one hand.

Talk about a wake-up call. Wow, when did that happen?

Slowly but surely, my circle of friends has partnered off, one by one, and are now either engaged or married.

That’s to be expected as you enter your thirties, that’s the way life goes doesn’t it?

It’s been such a beautiful thing to witness and be part of these celebrations. Sharing these special experiences with my friends has been wonderful. I truly am so happy for them. (And I don’t say that with a forced smile, deep down resenting my friends for finding happiness. Not at all, I am genuinely happy for them).

But this has also been a time where fomo (fear of missing out) rears its ugly little head.

This is me being real and vulnerable with you. . .

The worry creeps in now and then, that I am somehow ‘behind’ all of my friends, and that I am missing out. That my life has been put on hold until I find ‘the one’. Sometimes I feel like the person that no one picked for their team, standing alone, looking at everyone else together, and happy.

Even though these thoughts are fleeting, and don’t by any means consume me – they still appear. Yup, fomo can be a real bit*ch!

“Comparison is the thief of joy” – Theodore Roosevelt

Why do I feel like I’m missing out anyway? Like there’s only a certain number of soul-mates, and that when other’s find their partner, that some how, my own chances are diminished? Ridiculous.

I hear people talk about their ‘time running out’, and unfortunately for women of a certain age this is a real fact. We do hear the loud ticking of our biological clocks – as it means either not being able to conceive, or running the risk of pregnancy complications, birth defects and more. Luckily I’m not at that point, but this is real stuff for some women. You can’t chant that away, or positive-phsyc yourself out of that situation. No amount of crystals, or incense is going to change the fact that yes, our eggs do have an expiry date.

Plus there’s the old chestnut of “I don’t want to be 65 years old at my child’s 21st birthday!”. Yup, I can relate to that one. I’ve always wanted to be a young-mum, so that I can relate to my kids, and have the energy to keep up with them! Plus, how cool would it be to be a great-grandma one day? If you had of asked me ten years ago, I would have said by now I would have already have popped out two kids!

It seems like adding insult to injury when you start to see ex-boyfriends get engaged and tie the knot – even the ones that spoke about fear of commitment, and not wanting marriage in their lives. It’s easy to feel like we’re prepping our partners for marriage, doing all the ground-work – only to have someone else reap all the benefits of our hard work! haha yes, I’m LAUGHING as a type this! It’s so ridiculous.

These thoughts are definitely not my beliefs, yet they still pop up – the preverbal devil on my shoulder – to test my strength and faith. Why do we do this to ourselves? Our minds work in mysterious ways.

We don’t have a say over how many of these things in life will pan out, but here’s what YOU CAN DO –

You can CHOOSE the perspective you take, and the attitude you hold.

I could sit here and whine about “when is it my turn?”, or lament about the fact that I don’t have a big bunch of single girlfriends to go out with anymore – but what good would that do? How would that make me feel? It’s not going to change my situation, not only that, it’s actually going to make me feel worse for it.

I know that my time hasn’t come yet. I have no angst or worry about if, and when, it will come either.

I have my health, a great circle of friends, a loving family – and most importantly, the relationship I have with myself is stellar! Now those are things to be thankful for. Gratitude has an incredible way of tipping the scales in our favour.

I love my life, my independence, and I wouldn’t change one thing about the choices I’ve made. My experiences have made me who I am, and I am forever grateful for having such a rich and full life.

The most important relationship we will ever have, is the one with ourself.

Love begins with us. How pure is the love between two people that barely even love themselves? To stay with someone because your scared of being alone, or to think you won’t find a better partner – these are not reasons to stay in a relationship. Personally, I would rather be alone and happy, than in a relationship and unhappy. Hands down. I have experienced the latter, and will never allow myself to be in that situation again. But that’s just me, and we all choose our own path.

I love myself today far more than I ever have. I am clear about who I am as a person. I have had the time to grow and expand alone, without letting myself be defined by another. I know what I want from a relationship, and what I have to contribute. I know what I deserve, and what I will, and will not compromise on.

I am so clear on what I want to create for my life, and look forward to meeting someone to share it all with. Someone to give love to, to support, to encourage. I want a relationship that makes us better people, that lifts us both up and brings out our best qualities – otherwise, what’s the point?

In the meantime, instead of waiting for my prince charming – I’m going to treasure myself, prioritise my happiness, make time for me – and tell myself ‘I love you’ every day.

Yup I’m starting a love-affair with myself, and it’s going to be hot and steamy!

Mills & Boon, eat your heart out.

“To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.”

– Oscar Wilde

the roller coaster of life

November 7, 2013 by Julia 2 Comments

It’s been so nice to be home. I’ve spent the last few weeks spending time with my family, catching up with old friends (and their new babies!), soaking up the fresh ocean air, practicing yoga and celebrating my best friends wedding.

The excitement of all these things has been juxtaposed with the news that my closest Aunty has lung cancer.

I found this out the day I left Canada. I was checking my emails on the way to the airport and there it was, written in front of me, the three words no one ever wants to hear – I have cancer.

I couldn’t wait to get back home be with her and my family. The news made an already long journey seem extra extra long! I felt like I would never get home, such long flights, delays, sitting in transit at airports. . . But after nearly 2 days of travel, I finally touched down in Australia.

My auntie had been rushed to hospital the week prior with chest pains, thinking it may have been a heart attack, or angina. Thankfully her heart is great. What they did find however, were two growths on her lung. The test results from the biopsy then came back confirming our worst fear.

Like many of you, my family has lost too many people prematurely to this disease. I’ve shared before about how these kinds of events can shake you, and give you a new perspective on life – my post ‘clarity through loss’.

“At every point in the life cycle, we are vulnerable to the impact of unexpected events that tear off our mask, shake us out of our complacency and propel us into some serious thinking about what matters. People who have lived through life-changing events can often be heart to say, Why did it take a crisis to bring us to our sense? We always knew what was important, but we didnt act as if we knew.” Hugh Mackay

I’m in complete admiration at how my Aunty is handling the news. She has the bravery of a soldier, facing this challenge head on with such a great attitude. Sometimes with the Big C, our attitude is half the battle. Our mindset is so very important, and at times like this it becomes even more so. It takes a certain courage and strength of will, to not just fall into an emotional heap. Not her. She is so pragmatic and positive – just getting on with living her life!

Experiencing this challenging time has really made me appreciate what’s important. After all, it’s the low points in life that often make us appreciate the highs.

Without darkness, we cannot know the light.

home sweet home

September 29, 2013 by Julia Leave a Comment

I am Australia bound in T-minus 2 days!

It’s been a year and a half since I’ve seen my loved ones – the longest time I’ve ever been away. It’s certainly been hard at times – home-sickness has definitely reared its uncomfortable head. But for the most part, it’s been fantastic, and I’m extremely proud of how well I’ve adapted to life abroad. But it’s time, it’s time to pay a visit to my roots.

How blessed I am to have a home that makes being away from so tainted. I know how lucky I am.

I will be home for a month, and when I return to Canada I will be relocating to Vancouver to pursue my career goals.

I’m excited to head home, but it also doesn’t yet feel real. I had my final day at work today, and saying my goodbyes to the team felt so surreal. Even as I write this, my place is filled with half-packed boxes & suitcases, but it still doesn’t feel like I’m really leaving. This always happens to me with big changes; it doesn’t sink in until after the fact. I know when my plane takes off on Tuesday afternoon that I will be overwhelmed with emotion, but for now I’m feeling a slight detachment, kind of like I’m watching from the outside in.

I am returning to the motherland to attend my best friend’s wedding. I’m so excited for that, what an incredible celebration it’s going to be! I’m also feeling anxious, as a close relative has just been in hospital for a biopsy and we are awaiting the results. This came as a real shock to us, I guess you can never prepare for these things. It’s so strange to feel two opposing emotions at the same time. But they both stem from love, which I guess makes sense that they can be experienced simultaneously.

I cant wait to be amongst the familiar – people and surroundings. To share home cooked meals with family, to smell the eucalyptus, to see the ocean again, to walk along the beach and feel the sand between my toes. But most of all I cant wait to hug my friends and family so tight – that’s what I’m really going home for.

This trip for me is all about ~

togetherness with loved ones
re-connecting to my roots
celebration
long walks, long chats, and extra long embraces
catching up with old friends
enjoying the moment
gratitude

I know as soon as I arrive home that I will be grounded. Though in these final days before I leave, it’s going to be a struggle to stay present. My mind constantly wanders from such highs to lows – sometimes in the same breath. Excitement and anticipation are juxtaposed with anxiety and worry. It’s been a bizarre experience for me.

I need to ground myself, and make the most of my final days in my beautiful mountain town.

I’m just glad that in a few short days I will be where I need to be right now, home.

Now all I need to do is click my heels together three times . . .

There’s no place like home . . . there’s no place like home . . . there’s no place like home. . .

“Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

who fuels you?

September 17, 2013 by Julia 4 Comments

Do you realise how powerful your words of encouragement are?

Why is it that we hang onto negative comments, or constructive feedback so much tighter than we do positive, kind words?

I can bring to mind within seconds any comments that have been critical, constructive or downright hurtful – yet ask me to list all the wonderful, positive affirmations that I have received over the years and I’d have to really rummage around to find these buried deep in the recesses of my memory bank.

Most people I coach are exactly the same. When asked what they are great at, what they do best in the world – the answers trickle in slowly and cautiously, like pulling teeth. Yet when I ask people to step outside of themselves, and think about what other people would say; what they are often complimented on, what people rely on them for, what their friends or family would say they are great at – it becomes so much easier to rattle off their strengths.

Why do we do this?!

Perhaps it’s a fear of looking full of ourselves, or that we will seem too ego driven.

Or perhaps we are better at acknowledging the greatness in others, ahead of the greatness in ourselves.

So I shared with you previously how a year ago I took the plunge, and moved to the other side of the world. What i didn’t tell you, was the support network that gave me the courage to leap into the unknown.

I am blessed to come from one of the most nurturing families on earth. As the years go by, I am feeling more and more grateful. I have only been met with possibility, love, support and encouragement from all of them, and this was so evident when I made the decision to move overseas. My chosen people, my “sista’s from anotha mista” are also responsible for giving me the strength and belief in myself that made this scary big move possible.

These people really did fuel me on my adventure.

I took three pieces of gold with me onto the plane that day. Three handwritten letters, from my twin sister, and my two best friends.

I knew it was going to be one of those ugly cry moments when I finally read them. As I sat on the plane on the third leg of my epic flight, I finally felt ready to open them. At the risk of sounding like I’m tooting my own horn, I want to share some excerpts from these letters with you. In doing so I hope to highlight how important our relationships are with each other, and the power that we all have in supporting those we love:

“If there were to be anyone taking a trip like this with such an open mind, heart and determination to explore the world – it would be you. With your passion for adventure, optimistic attitude and zest for life, only time will tell what magical knowledge, experience, and people you will meet along the way . . . you are a gift to this world and it is waiting for you to experience it all.”
“Wishing you the most fun filled, adventurous and life changing trip! Smile, dance, sing and enjoy every single day of your amazing adventure! I’ll be there with you in spirit!! I’ll miss you madly and be thinking of you constantly.”
“You have such a power Jules, a spiritual energy that not many people posses, and I hope you harness that super power in every situation going forward because your unique instincts will only propel you to your amazing fate.”

I still get choked up when I think of the love, the encouragement and the unwavering belief in me they had.

They believed in my vision more than I did – that’s an incredible thing to feel. Their inspiring words empowered me and reinforced why I was on this journey. My head space went from one of anxiety and fear of the unknown, to one of quiet confidence and a deep belief that everything would be ok, because I was strong, capable and deserving.

I cannot tell you what that support meant to me sitting on an airplane headed to a foreign land. Their love gave me the courage to leap into the new chapter of my life.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to acknowledge other people. Never underestimate the role this encouragement plays in shaping those around us. It fuels, gives strength, lights fire and fosters belief.

“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

We assume that others know the greatness that lies within them, but we all need constant reminders. Often it’s as simple as holding up a mirror just so others can see how wonderful they truly are.

We are not islands.

We all need to relate to others, to feel connected, and most of all – to feel LOVED.

Thank you to all my energy sources, you know who you are.

Who can you fuel today?

you are someone’s everything

September 6, 2013 by Julia 1 Comment

I recently minded my girlfriends animals for her while her and her husband holidayed in France.

I haven’t experienced anything or anyone being so dependant on me before. Hank and Charlie relied on me for their food, water, walks and love. I was their everything. They were all alone while I was off at work, and just me walking up the stairs at night brought them so much joy! Such simple pleasures.

They slept in my bed, sat on my yoga mat (see below!), curled up in my lap while I was on the computer and watched every single move I made. They slept when I slept, and woke when I woke (fortunately!).

I haven’t yet experienced motherhood, so for me this was the closest thing.

It got me thinking, who are the people in my life that are my everything? Those people that shape who I am as a person. The ones I rely on and build my life around. Maybe I don’t rely on them to put food in my dish everyday, but never the less, they are my life support.

“To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” – Bill Wilson

I am lucky enough to have a whole network of these people. It starts with my ‘core people’, my family – both blood and chosen. Then like a sunbeam radiates out to my friends, co-workers and colleagues.

My support network feels like a glowing sun fuelled by a burning dense core.

My core people support me, listen to me, encourage me, inspire me, challenge me and most importantly give me unconditional love. It’s this love that is the real life support. I can feed myself, but I can’t always love myself as much as they love me.

It’s this love that gives me the confidence to go out into the world and live big every day.

You are someone’s everything.

Who are you choosing to be for those people?

How are you supporting them?

What one thing could you do that would strengthen that bond the most? That would make the biggest impact on them and/or your relationship?

Make sure you go and do it today.

finding my true north – Wanderlust

August 1, 2013 by Julia 4 Comments

Isn’t it wonderful when something completely out of the ordinary happens?

I just won a ticket to Wanderlust!!

For those that aren’t aware the Wanderlust events are:

“A one-of-a-kind festival bringing together the world’s leading yoga teachers, top musical acts and DJs, renowned speakers, top chefs and wine makers, and much, much more — all in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty.”

Check out this wicked little video package of last years Wanderlust here in Whistler. It certainly wet my appetite for what’s to come!

I couldn’t believe my eyes when i opened up the email, I thought have they got this right? I hadn’t even entered a competition! No it was right. Just another example of why I work for the best company in the world – lululemon athletica. Surprising and delighting with a beautiful gift, expecting nothing in return. (Turns out some of my colleagues got a free pass too which makes it even sweeter to share the experience with my beautiful team! yay!).

Wanderlust has been something I’ve viewed from a far in awe. It’s not yet in Australia, and I would see videos, images, and hear amazing stories from this far away festival, it all sounded too good to be true. I can only imagine the sense of community formed by so many people gathering together all just wanting to connect, to love, to grow and to practice together.

It has been a crazy busy couple of weeks for me, lots of travelling to the city for work, late nights, early starts, long journeys. I’m looking forward to stopping to pause. Stopping the busy-ness to re-connect to nature, to my breath, and to my spirit which always shines brighter after practicing.

My formula is pretty simple:

NATURE + YOGA = BLISS : )

It’s time to hit the re-boot button and refresh my soul.

I have signed up to three of the most renowned international yogis – Seane Corn, Ryan Leier and Eoin Finn. What a blissful day it will be. I have had the pleasure of meeting Ryan and Eoin previously, they are two of the most beautiful human beings I’ve come across. If they are a small taste of the clientele this weekend, it’s going to be an incredible festival.

I am full of gratitude for this opportunity.

I look forward to filling you in on my wonderful Wanderlust experience.

If anyone needs me tomorrow, I’ll be on my mat.

namaste.

acknowledgement party!

July 26, 2013 by Julia 2 Comments

Our words have more power than you will ever know.

There have been two specific acknowledgement exercises in my life that I will never forget – one of which happened today.

They both involve expressing gratitude and celebrating each other for who we are. I have found them so powerful and inspiring, the effects have been profound.

Both exercises have been with my wonderful teams at lululemon athletica. I wanted to share them with you in the hope that you can experience the deep sense of gratitude that comes from them. You could get together with your colleagues, friends, family or community group.

2 WAYS TO ROCK OUT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

1) The ‘Love Note’ Exercise

Create a small card for each person with the heading “I like (person X) because . . . “. Write down the reasons why you like that person (*tip – make sure it’s authentic to you!). Pass the note around the group so that everyone has input on each individual card. It can be a word or a sentence, anything that springs to mind when you think of why you like that person – big or small. Present the card to the recipient & voila! Stand back and watch the look on their face, it’s absolutely priceless.

Below is the love note I received today, something I will cherish forever –

2) The ‘Acknowledgement Circle’

Gather into small groups of 3-5 people. Pick someone to begin with, and start by going around the group and saying the following “(Person X), who you are for me is . . . ” ie/ “Dave, who you are for me is an inspiring cheerleader who always supports my growth.” Then follow this with the statement “What I wish for you is . . .”. Look into their eyes as you tell them, and share generously from your own experience of them. Once everyone has said their part, move onto the next person until everyone in the group has been acknowledged.

Now these exercises aren’t difficult, or timely, or expensive – but the result? It’s huge –

The biggest sense of sincere gratitude, love and genuine celebration of who were are.

As Mother Teresa once said –

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the beautiful words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime.

There is such power in sharing our appreciation and gratitude for others. Maybe because it’s such a rare occurrence. We often think positive things about others, but rarely communicate it. Whether you are hesitant to be vulnerable, or worried about what the other person may think of you, or simply just forget to – there’s something that holds us back.

My experience has been, if I am thinking it – I should say it. Don’t be stingy with expressing your feelings for others, be a generous giver that shares without hesitation.

We are our harshest critics, and we often focus on the things we would like to change about ourselves, the parts of our personality we are dissatisfied with, we beat ourselves up over ‘bad’ decisions, our physical looks, we compare ourselves to others – when in all honesty, those around us only ever see our truest beauty.

These exercises made that so abundantly clear to me.

The people closest to us are the best witness to our soul, and it’s so important to get that outside perspective on ourselves once in a while.

This only reinforces what I am such an advocate for – TO JUST BE YOURSELF!

live your passions they have more power than you know.

Embrace your uniqueness – because trying to be anything other than the magical being you are is just futile. We all have a unique gift to offer this world, what is yours?

So accept the praise and the acknowledgement you will receive with these exercises – take the upgrade!

It’s time to celebrate who you are.

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