And what do you get when you cross a bumble bee with a bowling ball? Well, this…

Yep, that’s me. And before you ask, yes, I do realise I am a picture of sexiness. I am expecting a call from the Victoria’s Secret scouts any moment now.

For a birthday gift from Chris’ brother and his family, I was given 5 hot laps in a V8 buggy.

Now, I don’t mind a bit of speed (of the velocity sort, not the snort up your nose sort) but when I realised there were barely doors on this thing, my comment to Chris was, “I think I’m gonna poo my pants.” To which he replied, “At least it’ll be a fun poo.” “True,” I thought. I was beginning to understand the need for the overalls.

The poo situation wasn’t helped by the fact that my driver’s offsider felt it appropriate to inform my driver that I’d said he was old and didn’t know how to drive fast. My reaction was, “NO I DIDN’T! I DID NOT SAY THAT! I DIDN’T. I PROMISE. I DID NOT SAY THAT! BEFORE YOU TOUCH THAT ACCELERATOR, ARE…WE…CLEAR? I DID NOT SAY THAT!”

My driver, Rhys, found my panicked response rather amusing. And for the record, he does know how to drive fast.

If you needed any evidence as to the level of fun this was, here it is…

Now all I need to do is save up to buy one of these. Or marry Rhys. I’m sure Chris won’t mind.

Related posts:

• Monday Funny – Public Toilet Prank A quick funny: Nothing like some good old fashioned fart...
• Swim With The Sharks Photo by LA Times I’m currently lounging around on a...
• No Luck of the Irish Here Photo by Siddhartha   My sister Shrimp has recently returned...

Today is Australia Day.

There is a reason it’s Australia Day but as is typical for most of us Aussies, I can’t exactly remember what that reason is. I think it has something to do with the First Fleet arriving on our shores many moons ago to dump off all the convicts from Great Britain (not what you’d call an illustrious start for a country but a start nonetheless)!

If I was any sort of patriot (or professional blogger) I’d find out, but truthfully, I couldn’t be arsed. I know, I know, this is horribly lazy of me. I have no excuse except that I have a cold beverage and a not as cold pool waiting with my name on it…and I’m horribly lazy. We also have friends coming over soon for the obligatory BBQ and I have to clean the gunge from the last gathering off the BBQ plate.

In order to celebrate Australia Day (and add to the rumour that Australians are typically fairly wacko), let me present the Definitive Guide to Being an Aussie (sent to me via email), complete with translations for those of you from other parts.

1. The shorter the nickname, the more an Aussie likes you.
2. Whether it’s the opening of Parliament, or the launch of a new art gallery, there is no Australian event that cannot be improved by a sausage sizzle.
3. If the bloke next to you is swearing like a wharfie (labourer who loads and unloads vessels in a port) he’s probably a media billionaire. Or on the other hand, he may be a wharfie.
4. There is no food that cannot be improved by the application of tomato sauce (ie ketchup).
5. On the beach, all Australians hide their keys and wallets by placing them inside their sandshoes. No thief has ever worked this out.
6. All our best heroes are losers.
7. The alpha male in any group is he who takes the barbecue tongs from the hands of the host and blithely begins turning the snags (ie sausages).
8. It’s not summer until the steering wheel is too hot to hold.
9. It is proper to refer to your best friend as “a total bastard”. By contrast, your worst enemy is “a bit of a bastard”.
10. If it can’t be fixed with pantyhose and fencing wire, it’s not worth fixing.
11. The most popular and widely praised family in any street is the one that has the swimming pool (this is so true. Our pooless neighbours currently have pool envy).
12. The phrase “we’ve got a great lifestyle” means everyone in the family drinks too much.
13. If invited to a party, you should take cheap red wine and then spend all night drinking the host’s beer (don’t worry, he’ll have catered for it).
14. You believe all famous Kiwis (ie New Zealanders) are actually Australian, until they stuff up, at which point they again become Kiwis.
15. You know, despite what the tourist books say, that no one says “cobber” (and despite, Australia, the movie, no one says “shut your damper hole”. And while I’m at it, no one “throws a shrimp on the barbie” either. We barbeque prawns, people! Prawns!)
16. You know what it’s like to swallow a fly, on occasions via your nose.
17. You get choked up with emotion by the first verse of the national anthem and then have trouble remembering the second.
18. The phrase “a simple picnic” is not known. You should take everything you own. If you don’t need to make three trips back to the car, it’s not a real picnic.
19. When you hear that an American ‘roots for his team’ you wonder how often and with whom (ie in Australia, “roots” means…well…something else).
20. On picnics, the Esky (ie cooler/chilly bin) is always too small, creating a food versus grog battle that can only ever be resolved by leaving the salad at home.
21. You understand that the phrase “a group of women wearing black thongs” refers to footwear and may be less alluring than it sounds.
22. You can translate: “Dazza and Shazza played Acca Dacca on the way to Maccas” (ie translation: Darren and Sharon played AC/DC on the way to McDonalds).
23. When on a country holiday, the neon sign advertising the motel’s pool will always be slightly larger than the pool itself.
24. You’ve made a bong out of your garden hose rather than use it for something illegal such as watering the garden (ie you’re not allowed to water the garden due to drought).
25. There comes a time in every Australian’s life when they realise that the Aeroguard (ie famous brand of mosquito spray) is worse than the mozzies (ie mosquitoes).
26. And, finally, the true test for immigration to Australia; Potential new Aussies must pass the following test:

Mow a sloping lawn (at least 20 degree angle) in a pair of thongs (ie flip flops) holding a VB (ie beer) while watching the cricket.

If you can’t pass that, chances are you will never be able to pass yourself off as an Aussie.

Upon reading the list, I realise this doesn’t exactly show us in a good light. Still, it’s not surprising. We are all descendants of convicts after all!

For the Aussies amongst us, may your day be filled with good cheer, great friends and much pondering of what you’re actually celebrating. For everyone else, feel free to have a meat pie and tomato sauce in our honour (or Vegemite on toast if you’re game)!

Happy Australia Day everyone!

Related posts:

• Monday Funny – Aussie Anthem Rock ‘n’ Roll Style A quick funny but first a quick note: For all...
• How Aussies Entertain Poms Down Under Photo by (nutmeg) Today I’m guest posting over at the...
• Australian Road Trip Dream Achieved Ever experienced the feeling of accomplishing a dream? Bob has....

Fellow kick arse chicky blogger, Lori from Jane Be Nimble, is having me over at her place for an ice cold rum and ginger beer today. As well as a few quiet ones, we’ll be having a hearty discussion on all things cardboard sled derby and Machu Picchu (no one said it’d be intelligent conversation).

Lori believes that everyone has a story worth telling so she began a Front Porch Series where she initiates intelligent (usually) conversation with other intelligent (usually) individuals. Today, I’m the intelligent “interesting” individual she’s chosen.

While you’re over there, have a poke around Jane Be Nimble. Lori is one inspirational, lichen lovin, kind-hearted and “effin” funny soul! I’m sure you’ll love her as much as I do.

Related posts:

• A Close Encounter of The 3 Wheel Moped Kind Today the infamous story I alluded to in a recent...
• Swim With The Sharks Photo by LA Times I’m currently lounging around on a...
• Blogroll Photo by greggoconnell There is much awesomeness in the blogosphere....

For the last 30 days, I’ve presented my partner Chris, with a daily gift in the lead up to his 30th birthday. Each gift was designed to show him what he means to me and many represented things he loves, hobbies he has and places he loves to go.

Today is his 30th birthday and this post is his 30th gift…

Chris in a nutshell

Note: he’s not literally in a nutshell. He wouldn’t fit. Just so you know.

1. Kindest human being I know.
2. Has the cutest butt.
3. If you need a top shelf bear hug, he’s your man.
4. Always greets people like a dog – enthusiastically with a lick upside your head. OK, sans the lick.
5. Could light up a room with that smile.
6. Would give you the shirt off his back.
7. Is a great cook (thank you Lord).
8. Can juggle 3 balls.
9. Thoughtful.
10. Goes with the flow.
11. Sexy as hell.
12. Does the best Smeagol/Gollum impersonation you’ll ever hear (apart from the guy who actually does the Smeagol/Gollum voice).
13. Great style (my personal image consultant).
14. Gifted photographer.
15. Well traveled.
16. Compassionate.
17. Has the tolerance of Mother Teresa.
18. And the patience of a Saint.
19. Best radio voice ever.
20. Spirited, passionate, enthusiastic.
21. Shit hot computer fixer upperer (thank you Lord).
22. People instantly like him.
23. Has a huge heart.
24. Open minded.
25. Always thinking of others.
26. Loves movies, the beach, the mountains, exercise, travel and Beef Stroganoff.
27. Patient.
28. Supportive beyond measure.
29. Rarely in a bad mood and when he is, it lasts about a minute.
30. Adventurous.
31. He loves dogs and they love him (always a good sign ladies).
32. Resilient.
33. Kick arse kisser.
34. Athletic…except when it comes to golf…and tennis
35. Takes care of the ones he loves.
36. Quick to laugh.
37. Beautiful blue eyes.
38. Accepting.
39. Great bod.
40. Runs a mean bubble bath.
41. Loads of fun.
42. Connects with others easily.
43. Absolutely loves music.
44. Puts up with my erratic and fussy shopping style.
45. Energetic.
46. Gives and receives a lot of love.
47. Loves the outdoors.
48. And cares for the environment.
49. Doesn’t complain (much) that I hog the bed.
50. All round best partner a girl could have.

Happy Birthday Babe! Love you.

PS. Your present is under the bed.

Related posts:

• The Result of Using Your Gift Photo by monstershaq2000 You know, I strongly believe every single...
• Laughter There’s a reason I post a “Monday Funny” every week....
• A Brilliant Birthday   Photo by Temari 09 Yesterday was my birthday. I...

It’s that time of year when chaos reigns (well for me anyway); Christmas presents to buy. Decorations to put up. Cards to send out. Parties to attend. Food to organise.

For a partially reformed Type A, overachieving perfectionist like me, of course it’s imperative to also spring clean the house, eradicate all weeds from the garden (again!), complete all paperwork and reorganise the paperclips ensuring they are in their allotted colour groups (under no circumstances are the pink paperclips to mingle with the green ones!).

Adding to my tale of woes is the fact that my entire family of 5 (excluding perfect me), have their birthdays between November and early January. Imagine my dismay when Chris and I started dating and I found out his birthday was December 20! The same day as my brother’s for shits sake!

COULD YOU PEOPLE NOT PLAN A LITTLE BETTER?!

It’s enough for even the most overachieving of us to spontaneously combust.

In the interests of going from a partially reformed Type A, overachieving perfectionist, to an almost reformed Type A, overachieving perfectionist, I have devised some guidelines for myself. If you can feel a spontaneous combustion coming on, feel free to poach my ideas.

1. Thou shall remove superfluous projects from Thy’s plate and replace them with rum balls.
2. Thou shall get creative and think of unique gifts to give that don’t require Thee going to the pits of sodom malls where sardines would be more comfortable.
3. Should Thy require impersonating a sardine and venturing to the pits of sodom malls, Thy shall load up on preemptive strike armament in the form of a gift list and sedatives and brave the masses for 1 day. Yep, 1 day only…for ALL gift buying.
4. Thou shall suggest eggs on toast for Christmas lunch or maybe Weet Bix. Thy will bring the sugar.
5. Thou will say, “Bugger it all!” and head to the beach.
6. Thou will also say, “Sorry Australia Post and Martha Stewart.” Thee gets that receiving a card in the mail is nice but think of the trees (and the time). Ecards it is.
7. Thou shall overload on tinsel because you can never have enough sparkly, glitter-type decorations (so you know, I have a thing for anything shiny. I think I was a sequin in a past life).
8. Thou shall banish all Christmas music and insist on glam rock only.
9. Thou shalt not attend every single Christmas gathering and instead only frequent the ones wild horses couldn’t keep Thee from (and the ones with rum balls).
10. Thou shall therefore, practise using the little word, “no” and his cousins “thanks anyway” and “Oh, you’re going to have rum balls?”.
11. Thou shalt not stop exercising. Exercise for Thee is a flame retardant for spontaneous combustion. Thou also needs the exercise to counteract the likely over-consumption of rum balls and rum (without the balls).
12. Thou shall perform impromptu Flashdance routines.
13. Thou shall laugh in the face of combustion and at Dad’s jokes.
14. Thou shall support the family tradition of swapping $2 gifts. Thy feels witnessing Dad receive a pink, bejewelled g-string (ie thong) or ceramic goat, more than warrants such tradition’s existence.
15. Thou shall start a new Christmas carol;

Deck the halls with only tinsel
Fa la la la la, la la la laaaaaa
Scrap the idea, nothing rhymes with tinsel
Fa la la la la, la la la laaaaaa

  16. Thou shall have a kick arse, stress free Christmas with emphasis on fun and family.

Let me sign off by saying , let the paperclips be free and may your lead up to Christmas have a focus on family and friends and not on unnecessary tradition, tasks and toil.

Related posts:

• Twas a Couple of Nights Before Christmas    Photo by Carrie’sCamera To all my awesome, brilliant, kick...
• Kick Arse Question – Favourite Christmas Tradition Photo by The Ninja Monkey If ever there’s a time...
• Success! Now Download Your Free ebook You’ve successfully subscribed to The Lemming Peal (go ahead and pat...

Whatever happened to the days of big hair, rock power ballads and inordinately tight leather pants? As far as I can tell they’ve been replaced with no hair, rock in the form of bling bling and lots of booty shaking in minuscule pants.

It could be argued that glam rock has done little to promote sensible drinking, monogamy, smart casual wear and short back and sides but there is one lesson I have taken on board thanks to iconic glam rockers, Van Halen. Their song, “Right Now” has resulted in a catch cry Chris and I use which our friends and family now know all too well.

You know those moments when the planets align and you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else?

Or when you’re feeling total exhilaration, your heart kicks into overdrive and you think, “I wouldn’t be dead for quids” (another favourite saying of mine often used while sitting on a beach during a camping trip sipping a rum and ginger beer).

Or the times when you just know that particular moment is top-drawer and one you’ll always remember.

Chris and I call them Right Here, Right Now moments.

You don’t have to be standing on the summit of a mountain or running with the bulls to have them either. They can present themselves just as easily when you’re having a beer with friends, going for a swim at the beach or getting an overly excited (and sloppy) lick upside your head from your pooch.

Right Here, Right Now was said on more than a few occasions during our recent trip to Hawaii. Many such moments weren’t caught on camera (such is the nature of Right Here, Right Now) but following are just a few that were. Yes, yes, this is blatant promotion of all the very cool things we got up to but it also illustrates perfectly our Right Here, Right Now mantra. Besides, I’m entirely too lazy to upload photos on Facebook (sorry Auntie L, this is as good as it gets).

Oh yeah, and you’ll also find a clip of Van Halen’s song ”Right Now” at the end.

In the QANTAS Lounge at Sydney Airport.

The wedding.

A group of us ”tubing” in an irrigation ditch. This shot was taken while in a tunnel.

Swimming at the base of a waterfall.

Cliff jumping.

Wine and cheese on the beach with friends, and a Hawaiian sunset as a backdrop. Doesn’t get any better than that!

Snorkeling with Green Sea Turtles.

Hiking the Na Pali Coast of Kauai…

…and getting to swim here along the way.

Experiencing a Hawaiian Luau (party). Here we’re making anklets of fresh flowers. Yep, even Chris. He was getting in touch with his feminine side.

At the Big Island on a snorkeling trip that we thought was a swimming with the dolphins trip that was actually a snorkeling trip. Doh!

Looking into a volcano from a helicopter. Now THAT was a Right Here, Right Now moment!

Hiking into an inactive (sort of) volcano crater. Inactive in the “no lava” sense but active in the “there’s still a bunch of steam vents” sense.

The infamous Smurfette Mobile (this story to come).

Had any recent Right Here, Right Now moments? What constitutes a Right Here, Right Now moment for you?

Related posts:

• The F Bomb: A Lesson in Authenticity Photo by fotologic I have a confession to make. I...
• Kick Arse Question – The Year That Was Photo by The Ninja Monkey This week’s kick arse question...
• Monday Funny – Aussie Anthem Rock ‘n’ Roll Style A quick funny but first a quick note: For all...

As we speak, I am sitting not so comfortably in cattle class on a QANTAS Boeing 747 with the tray table embedded firmly in my ribs and the bloke next to me snoring, OR I could have miraculously been upgraded to first class and be sipping champagne and eating caviar in my own little pod bed. Regardless, I’m on my way back from my Hawaiian holiday to Australia and so have my final guest post today.

Please welcome Cheryl from That Girl is Funny! You better leave some very nice comments because you don’t want to mess with Cheryl. She kicks arse and when I say she kicks arse, I mean she literally kicks arse. Cheryl has trained in boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai (kick-boxing). Apart from that though, she knows how to kick arse in the not so foot-to-the-forehead way by choosing happiness and health and filling her life withfun. To see her kick arse in both meanings of the term, go check out That Girl is Funny! Over to you Cheryl…

Intimate Connections Over Tea and Toast

Seems silly really, but Vegemite changing their name has me noticing the lack of control I have over people and events in my world.  I’m reminded of my reactions when something I’ve been taking for granted suddenly changes or disappears without notifying me first – disappointment and a wave of love and appreciation. [Editor's note: for those who don't know, Vegemite is a black, salty Australian spread that 90% of non Aussies think tastes like the pits of sodom and 90% of Aussies can't live without.]

I can’t remember the last time I had Vegemite. But I’m filled with nostalgia for the connection I feel to other people when I think about the “Vegemite or Marmite” debates I’ve participated in.  I can’t imagine having a debate about “Cheesybite or Marmite”.

As of October 7^th, 2009, Vegemite will now be known as Cheesybite. Remember the “New Coke” fiasco? I think Kraft and Company are heading down the same bumpy road.

I get upset when something I’ve gotten used to changes before I’m ready for it to change. What’s so upsetting about changing the name of a funny little product like Vegemite?  According to Shakespeare, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”.

How it feels to me is that an outsider, Kraft, came in and made a decision – about their own product – without regard for the impact on the people who’ve grown up making fun of Vegemite and bonding over loving it or hating it. Those conversations are social capital in the realm of National Identity. You can spot a fellow countryman by his or her reaction to having a Vegemite sandwich for breakfast or with a cuppa at teatime. 

Brand awareness shows up as pride in a shared history of making fun of a unique product. It’s not the name that makes a difference. It’s the shared experience of the name that matters.  Cheesybite will have to build that heart-felt, warm connection from scratch. Why would Kraft want to start over?

Living a Kick Arse Life

The lesson I’m taking from this unexpected re-naming is to take stock of the people, places and things that I have a juicy, intimate connection with. Things that I’ve been taking for granted that I would truly miss if they were suddenly gone.  While I’m at it, I want to make sure that I have lots to choose from. Everything changes. Having multiple places, people and things to love and be loved by keeps me fueled. 

My Plan for Living a Kick Arse life

• Notice where my heart gets juiced and I feel happy. Keep my heart supple and open by exploring and finding new people to connect and bond with.
• Preserve my connections where my heart gets juiced and I feel happy. Keep them watered and blooming like flowers.  Make time to enjoy them!
• As things end or people move on, allow my feelings of disappointment and being “at a loss for words”.  Given enough time, things will return to normal.
• Let go! Don’t hang on to people or things when it’s time to move on.
• Allow something or someone new to fill the gap.
• Trust that my heart is ready and able to receive what’s next.

Intimacy lives in the simple actions we share with others. Next time I have my tea and toast, I know I’ll get a big smile on my face when I think about other people all over the world doing the same thing. That’s living a Kick Arse Life in a gentle way.

About the Author

 Cheryl Ragsdale is a creative writer combining her interests in Martial Arts and having fun to teach lessons in living a healthy, juicy life! Keep up with her adventures on her blog called That Girl is Funny! Email: cheryl [at symbol] thatgirlisfunny [dot] com.

Related posts:

• Kick Arse Story – Chasing a Goal & Getting It You may have noticed a new feature in the side...
• Kick Arse Question – Living Like You Mean It Photo by The Ninja Monkey Hi All, first up, a...
• What’s this blog about, who’s the author & why lemmings? About This Blog Welcome to Life, Laughs & Lemmings, a...

Today we leave the Big Island of Hawaii, on route to Honolulu just in time for some shopping before heading back home to Australia. While I’m feverishly using the plastic fantastic (read: credit card) to such a degree that it’s likey to spontaneously combust, I have guest posting today, John from HiLife2B.com.

John has a desire to help people and judging from his blog, he’s already achieving that! It’s packed full of great tips on personal development and growth, living your dreams and even ways to survive college! If you want to live the high life, then head on over to HiLife2B.com but before you do, check out John’s kick arse ass guest post…

3 Steps to Using Passion for a Kick Ass Life

“The more intensely we feel about an idea or a goal, the more assuredly the idea, buried deep in our subconscious, will direct us along the path to its fulfillment.”- Earl Nightingale

I am like the rest of you. I want to live the kick-ass lifestyle that we all are yearning for. I want to live on an island, sip some ice-cold lemonade on the beach, and have time to spend with family and friends. I want to not have to worry about money all the time. I don’t want to live with the fear of getting laid off. I want this seemingly untouchable life that only a few actually have.

I want this. I desire this. And I’ll do anything (morally, of course) to get it.

Yet it still seems like a pipe dream.

So to remedy this feeling of impossibility, we read other peoples’ success stories to affirm the reality of this “kick-ass lifestyle”. We think that the more we read, the more inspired we will get in order to one day pursue a life of adventure. Because these stories exist, so too does our chances of living the exact same life.

But then, something happens after we finish reading. We do nothing.

We think that because the ‘chosen few’ got lucky or because they had a great passion which made their new lives possible, we ourselves aren’t that special.

Well, I’m here to tell you that you are that special. In fact, your passion is probably so unique, no one else has one that even comes close to yours.

Of course, there’s one small catch… you may not know what it is yet. That’s okay, most of us don’t.

So, how do we create our passion and use it to obtain the kick ass lifestyle? Follow these three steps:

1. First, you must find your passion

Discover something that you’re so passionate about, that if everything else was provided for you, you would do it anyway. And it has to be a productive action. If you’re passionate about buying CDs of famous bands, you’re only consuming. You’re not giving anything of real value back (except your paycheck). But if you are passionate about critiquing and reviewing said CDs, you’re on the right track.

2. Fuel your passion through a medium

To really add fire to your desire, you must express your passion. Luckily for you, there are plenty of ways to express yourself. Books, online video, blogging, music, art – you name it, you can use it. You can’t keep your passion in your brain. You have to be able to produce something that makes you happy doing it over and over again. Let it evolve. Force it to grow. Only then will the last step be entirely reachable, which is to…

3. Make your passion profitable

I don’t care what they say – you can make your passion worth something. There are countless individuals who make money doing what they love. Gary Vaynerchuk, Chris Guillebeau, Jonathan Mead, Sonia Simone, Brian Clark and many others: the list goes on and on. They are the ones who’ve asked “Why not?” and now spend most of their lives working and playing at the same time. Because when you make money from your passion, it doesn’t feel like work or play – it’s just this euphoric feeling that you simply can’t describe.

Now I challenge you to follow these steps and keep moving forward towards your passion. I’m doing this myself. I may not be making any money now, but I’m certain that in time I’ll get the life I desire.

Write down your passion (or some possible ones) in the comments section.

Let’s get this show on the road. See you guys on the other side soon…

About the Author

John is a 19-year-old college student who runs a blog called HiLife2B. There he gives advice on personal development, college tips, and more. If you would like to check out some of his articles, visit him at HiLife2B or connect with him on Twitter: @cjanyasor.

Related posts:

• Passion vs Profit: Am I Kidding Myself? Photo by It’s Holly Lisis from Quest for Balance recently...
• Random Acts of Kick Arse – Passion RAOKA logo by Melissa at Operation NICE Dani from Positively Present...
• Kick Arse Question – Passionate Pursuits Photo by The Ninja Monkey A short but sweet (and...

Today we’re heading to the Big Island of Hawaii, so named, because it’s, well, the big island of Hawaii. Keep your fingers crossed for me, for it is here I plan to tick off number 20 on my Daisy List; Look Into a Volcano (and an active one at that). How cool will that be?! I hope I don’t lose my eyebrows in the process.

Holding the fort today whilst I’m busily chasing lava is Melissa Gorzelanczyk from Peace & Projects. Melissa is a editor, columnist and author of Peace & Projects, a blog about life, love and getting stuff done! She obviously doesn’t mind the written word and it shows in her writing. Oh yeah, and she loves rock concerts and wine so she’s a woman after my own heart! Please welcome to the stage…Melissa!

If You Only Do One Thing Today, Let it be This

Monday got me thinking.

I woke up groggier than usual thanks to the late weekend nights I’d spent sipping wine and watching reruns of Sex and the City.

Like every Monday, I fought the reality of life: I had to get up, get ready for work, and leave my warm, fluffy bed – without any help from wine or advice from Carrie Bradshaw.

In cliché Monday form, I never wanted to face the first workday of the week.

Which got me thinking… Maybe it was time to change.

Tuesdays didn’t feel so sad. Instead, I had hope on Tuesdays; I had passion and commitment. What if I started treating every day like that?

What if everyday could be a day to do this: something that matters.

Something that matters is pretty relative, but it’s essential. It’s what separates surviving from thriving. Here are a few things you can do to change Monday from mundane to a day that truly matters:

Connect with loved ones. My Monday hangovers didn’t only affect me – they affected my kids and Mr. Right, too. Rather than wallowing in my crappy case of the Mondays, I spent some time with the kids. The key is to interact with someone – a sister, buddy, colleague. Hear them, connect, laugh – forget what day it is, together.

Eat real food and exercise. I did devour a bowl of kettle-cooked potato chips, but I also had an apple (real), banana (real), sunflower sprouts (real) and a serving of Cocoa Roos cereal (not real, but real good). Then, I went for a walk at the gym.

Take a break. Mondays are tiring. Omit needless tasks. Say no. Put up your feet. Get back into that fluffy bed, even for a few minutes.

Help someone. Take five minutes to phone a relative and let them vent about their own Monday. Roll up your sleeves and tackle the dishes as a team. Turn your focus to helping someone else feel good.

Give yourself a little treat.Like a bowl of kettle-cooked potato chips or Cocoa Roos.

Work on a blog. Or needlepoint, or oil painting, or novel – something that makes work feel like play, but gives you a sense of purpose. This is your life – your masterpiece. Let it be filled with moments that turn an ordinary day into something extraordinary.

About the Author

Peace & Projects is Melissa Gorzelanczyk, a step mom, wife, editor, columnist and laundry fairy who decided to focus on amazing work this year by starting an independent blog. She enjoys pinot grigio, organizing, interior design, fitness and simple systems. You can visit Melissa at her blog – Peace & Projects – and become a fan of it on Facebook.

Related posts:

• Intimate Connections Over Tea and Toast Photo by preetamrai As we speak, I am sitting not...
• The Daisy List: #1. Machu Picchu (Part 1)   Well, given we were flying between mountain peaks on...
• 3 Steps to Using Passion for a Kick Ass Life Photo by denniskatinas  Today we leave the Big Island of Hawaii,...

So I’m still in the land of hibiscus flowers, palm trees and leis (of the flower kind, not the, well, other kind), Hawaii. Today is the day after our friends’ wedding, which means I’m probably nursing a sore head. Just as well I teed up a guest post eh?

Today we have Dani from Positively Present visiting us in the land of the lemmings. Dani is living proof that you can not only change your attitude but change your life as well. In her own words, Dani is “a former Eeyore learning to live positively in the present moment”. I think it’s safe to say, she’s no longer an Eeyore and would now give Tigger a run for his money! She’s an inspiration to many (me included). The popularity of her blog Positively Present (plus sister blog, Hope Springs Internal) and the strong community around both is testament to that.

Over to you Dani…

Making a Positive Mindset Your Favorite Accessory

“Sometimes you need the right accessory,” she said.
And I said, “I know…
Sometimes it takes me an hour to pick the right head.”
And she just ignored me.

Story People

I love accessories, so of course, when I read this quote it grabbed my attention immediately. And when I got to the part about choosing the right head, I sat back in my chair and stared at the words.

Picking the right head every morning, like an accessory, is an interesting concept. What if we had an assortment of mindsets, or “heads,” laid out before us every morning? What if we had the option to choose what head we would wear for the day? I’m pretty sure if that were the case, most of us wouldn’t be reaching for the angry or unhappy mindsets, thinking, “Oh, today I think I’d love to be really angry. I’m going to put on this angry head today.”

No, I think if all of our various mindsets were laid out before us, we’d probably go for a happy mind, a peaceful mind, or an easy-going mind. I’m pretty sure most people would go for a positive mindset if given a choice to slip it on as if it were an accessory.

Do you want to know the truth? We can wear different heads, different minds, just like accessories. Just like heading to your closet for a pair of shoes or a colorful scarf, we can reach into our minds and pull out the mindset that sets the tone for our day.

I remember, as a child, loving the movie Annie. Though I can’t say I remember all that much of it now, I do recall a scene when Annie sings, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” As I grew older, I recall thinking that was the cheesiest thing I’d ever heard. You’re never fully dressed without a smile? Puh-leeze. Back then, in my mind you weren’t fully dressed without the best labels and the latest trends. Smiles were meaningless to me.

But not anymore. Now I realize that a good attitude – a happy head – is the best accessory you can put on when you start your day. Annie was right; no matter what you’re wearing, you’re never fully dressed without a smile.

That being said, it’s not always easy to wake up and start your day with a positive attitude. Sometimes we have good reasons for being angry or unhappy. Sometimes we just plain don’t feel like waking up. Whatever the reason might be, starting off the day by screwing on the right head might not be easy, but it is important.

Just like choosing the right accessory can significantly impact an outfit (in a good or bad way), so can your attitude significantly impact your day.

Overall, I think changing your attitude is the best thing you can do for your life, but looking at it as an overall lifestyle change can be really overwhelming at times. For that reason, I think it’s often a good idea to focus on changing your attitude on a day-to-day basis. Don’t think about changing your attitude forever. Think about changing it today.

Think of it as an accessory – something you can put on now but take off later if you hate it. I guarantee that if you choose a happy mindset, you’ll see such great changes in your day that you’ll want to put on that happy head again the next day. Before you know it, your happy mindset will become your favorite accessory, like a comfy pair of tennis shoes (or trainers?) or a cozy pair of mittens. Before you know it, you won’t want to take your happy head off, no matter what’s going on with the rest of your life.

You’ll find a way – just like people often do with their favorite accessories – to wear your happy mindset with everything, to repair it when it gets worn down, to lend it to a friend in need. It will, in time, become your favorite thing and you will not be able to imagine what you ever wore before.

Getting used to a new, positive mindset can be tricky sometimes so take it one day at a time. Wake up every morning and remind yourself that you’re going to choose to have a happy head. Get out of bed every day and tell yourself that, even if it’s just for today, you’re going to accessorize with happiness.

Without even realizing it, if you choose happiness every day, your life’s wardrobe will become saturated with positivity and it will no longer feel like something you have to choose. Just like when you have a pair of shoes that you always go for because they are the most comfortable, your positive attitude will be so comfortable that you’ll grab it off the shelf without even thinking about it.

So, go on, take a look in that closet of yours and choose happiness. Starting today, look in the mirror, and make the decision to beautify your life with positivity. If you make the choice every single day to put on your happy head, soon that positive mindset will be as comfortable and as familiar as your favorite accessory.

About the Author

Positively Present is Dani, a twenty-something who, after years of living under a dark cloud of woe-is-me, has decided this will be the year she focuses on the positive. This will be the year she lives in the present, turning all of her attention toward making her life more positively aware. You can visit Dani on either of her two blogs—Positively Present and Hope Springs Internal—or follow her on Twitter @positivepresent.

Related posts:

• Ten Favourites Photo by striatic Recently, Jeanne from Dream A Happy Life...
• You’ve Just Gotta Show Up It’s an exciting day in the land of lemmings because...
• Intimate Connections Over Tea and Toast Photo by preetamrai As we speak, I am sitting not...