A kid’s dream come true – PRICELESS!

WOW! What a great sensation! Pure pleasure! After a good 25 years or so of starting to learn the piano.......I finally had my 1st guitar lesson! The instrument I always wanted to play!!! Hahaha Well I'm glad to say it's never too late to try out your dreams/wishes. As a kid I did a good 10 yrs of piano, but what I really always wanted to learn was the guitar. And it's not like I didn't say I wanted to learn the guitar but my parents were adamant: once you've mastered the piano, you will be able to play the guitar. Well I'm sorry to say but I never mastered the piano......nor do I remember much today. LOL But it's ok, this is not the point of this post. Today I simply wanted to write about not letting go of our dreams, not forgetting them. Make a list and remember: it's NEVER too late to learn or try something new. WE set our own barriers. Don't!

So at last, after coming across a great promotion, 2 for the price of 1 lesson, on www.buyclub.ch I decided to give a shot at one of my life-long dreams: to learn how to play the guitar. I figured worst of all I will have tried and can check it off of my life to-do-list. Ok, it was just one lesson but I loved it! I loved doing something different, setting up a new challenge for myself and I have to say: no words can express the magic music makes you feel.

Today I will make my post short: the only thing I want you to get out if this one is to go after your dreams, no matter how big or small. Make a list of them, from the simplest to the wildest. And then just get started. Whatever you can do to make your dreams happen, do it. Every step counts. Perhaps you won't achieve all of them but at least you will be able to say that you tried. And most importantly, as I just read on "Just Feelin Good's" Facebook page which I shared on Sept. 25 on my wall:

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Beyond your "comfort zone" - Livin' it up in London!

What a dream: last week I got to live the working life in London just for a short time! What an experience! So fun, so new, so different and sooooooooo tiring!! hahaha Wouldn't it be many people's dream to have the chance to work in London, or any big, trendy, metropolitan city for that matter, perhaps if not for a lifetime, at least for a little while?!! Well last week I got to get just a little taste, on one of the trendiest, most central streets in London and it was quite an enchanting experience. From the excitment, the change, the newness, the differences, to the stress, the commute, the tons of people, the many sounds, smells and visuals. So much to take in, such little time and how draining. A mix of greatness and strangeness. But I loved every minute of it and feel so appreciative for the opportunity.

And most important of all, I think there is no better way in life to appreciate what you've got than to get a taste of something different. Yes we keep on telling ourselves that the grass is not greener on the other side, but sometimes it's not about the greenness on the other side. Sometimes it's just about getting out of one's routine, one's comfort zone. Sometimes it's about doing the same things DIFFERENTLY. Most people who know me know just how much I LOVE my life in Switzerland and how much I love my country. But still, there are special, unique things everywhere in the world and that's what makes it so special and wonderful! Here are a few of my favorites that I enjoyed:

Checking out the 1st Victoria's Secret store in central London and outside the US (except for the one by the London Olympic Stadium) which opened not only a month before I was there AND is right across from where I work!!! What sweet reward to go & get this nice hoodie after a long day's work! 

HEAVEN!

A slice of red velvet cake, my favorite flavor, from 
The Hummingbird Bakery. YUMMY! 
http://hummingbirdbakery.com/

Eating my favorite donuts for breakfast almost every day. 
A privilege!

Sometimes in life we are lucky enough to enjoy the simple things - but what matters is to notice it and take advantage of it! I've also learned that it's not about having it available on hand all the time. The fact that it's rare or not easily accessible is what makes it so good.......unfortunately in a way. Ever since Starbucks came to Geneva, I never go anymore. I guess it was not just about their hot white chocolate........but more about having the time to leisure around in there while on vacation.

Get out of your comfort zone, go explore around you and just notice the differences, big AND small. You will come back home refreshed and hopefully see your life and routine with new and different eyes.

Happy searching!

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When too much is REALLY “TOO” much!!!

Most of you have probably forgotten about me and my blog……a few are perhaps still waiting/expecting for me to post something.......or wondering if I even will again?! Well here I am back for good I hope! ; ) It’s funny: when I first started this blog I read somewhere that the majority of blogs (I think up to 90%!) don’t make it past the 2 months mark…….and of course I was like “well it won’t be my case!” But I guess looking back at my last post dated Feb. 8^th (and my 1^st one dated Dec. 18^th) yep…..I fall well into that statistic! LOL Too bad! Why is it that when you don’t write you have soooooooo many things going through your head, ideas to share, concepts to talk about, tips to give…….and of course when it comes down to write them, they just seem to vanish?! Well never mind. I do miss my blog and I do miss the few readers I’ve had already and the kind few supporters who have actually asked me when I would post again. So this one is for you. ; ) 

Since the last post we’ve gone through Winter, Spring and already close to the end of Summer…….and I’m sure that just like me you wonder “where the hell did all the time go?!” But I have to say, this Summer was the first ever in my life where I just didn’t enjoy myself as much and that it went by way too quickly but not in such a good way. Don’t get me wrong, I had a great time but never before did I feel so “stuck” with things to do, events to attend and feeling like I didn’t enjoy myself as much as I used to. Because during the Summer, I usually always have a blast! But I’m sure you can all relate! So that’s when I say that “too much is REALLY too much”! But how do you make the choice between your best friend’s wedding an hour away by flight + 1hr driving to some place you’ve never heard about before AND your cousin’s last week-end visiting you in Switzerland from L.A.?! HOW????? 

So yeah, I guess I just used the “first come first served rule”, which actually I didn’t really have much of a choice anyways since I bought my plane ticket in March and that my cousin only decided to come to Switzerland for the Summer in May!!! But still, how bummed I was! There are sooooooo many things I still wanted to do with her (despite her being here for the entire Summer – which of course went by way too fast anyways), show her, have her taste and just hang out. It was so much fun but I guess it really taught me “again” (but in a different way this time) to seize the day. Yes, indeed there will ALWAYS be MORE things that you would like to do, more things that we would like to share, taste, experiment, places to see, etc…… but the “unfortunate” truth is that it’s just not possible. Choices are the real challenge of life. So what do I do next year: wait until I get all the invites and info before I make a choice?! Keep up with my “first come first served rule”? Right! It’s not so bad though because seriously, HOW would I even have made a choice between my best friend’s wedding and my cousin visiting from L.A.? I mean seriously, sometimes life just throws such crappy lemons at us how do you even make good lemonade out of them?!  Oh well I guess you try to make the best lemonade you can! ; ) So I did. I did have a really good time at my friend’s wedding. And I just cherish all the fun times I did get to spend with my cousin over the Summer and the wonderful bond it allowed us to build already. And hopefully life will give us other opportunities to hang out and share nice moments. And anyways I know I’m the kind of person who “makes things happen”. But really most importantly I think this Summer has taught me that I JUST CAN’T DO IT ALL!!!! And instead I should just cherish even more what I do get to do, keep the sweet memories of it and finally apply again and again the new rule in my life that I like: “Less is More!”

A bon entendeur! ; ) (as is said in French). Or “to the wise” I guess you would say in English.  

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Make yourself a Happy Life - Declutter your space with just 3 simple habits!

Hi Everybody,

It seems February came so quickly and your New Year’s resolutions are dusty perhaps already?! Well if you read my 2 previous posts (or can do so now) you know that I’ve decided to throw NY’s resolutions through the window and focus more on Achievements! And today I want to share with you a grand achievement I’ve managed to reach after many many years: Decluttering my life! And gosh am I sooooo much happier since!

Indeed those who know me will be able to vouch just how much clutter I have been able to accumulate throughout the years! I love to collect many different things, have trouble getting rid of broken things or just keep things I don’t use/need anymore because I “just might some day”! Sound familiar?! ; ) Luckily I discovered 2 books which changed my life! Don’t worry, one of your achievements is NOT to read these books! (Although if you are a big clutter-maker, I would recommend them strongly.) But here I am summarizing it for you in just 3 simple life-changing habits from Rita Emmett’s books “The Procrastinator’s Handbook” and “The Clutter-Busting Handbook” (see Recommended Readings ).

Indeed, if there are only 3 things you do this year to handle the clutter around you, make it these!

1 – Live by the moto “A place for everything & everything in its place.” If you don’t have a place for something in your home, it creates clutter. Ever since I read this sentence, many times I walk around my apartment and just hear it being played in my head. And it makes me just pick up what’s on my path that doesn’t seem to have a place and I work on finding one for it and then it never bothers me again. It’s like the classical story of the lost keys! Ever waste time looking for your keys? If you have a place close to your front door where to set your keys and you make it a habit to leave them there when you get home, you will not lose so much time looking for them every time you have to leave the house! Plus it’s nice to know where your Summer and Winter gear is and to just know that it’s not in your way and won’t bother you until you need to use it in the correct season!

2 – “If it takes less than one minute, do it now.” Anything! Putting away mail, a shirt, a jacket, a pair of shoes, a plate in the dishwasher. Nothing is a chore when you just grab it and go! You will barely realize it. I use this one the most and it’s actually almost fun now!

3 – "Sort through your things one area or type of item at a time." And don’t worry if to do the whole house it takes you a year! Don’t be discouraged. Every little bit will make you feel so much better and make your life so much easier. One day sort your bags, another your shoes, another your towels, another your dishware, and yet another your books. Whatever it is, every once in a while just decide to sort through something. Don’t think of the mountain to climb, just think of the end of the path to reach. Trust me, I’ve tested and proved it. Been there, done that and every time I did one section of my home, sorted through one type of item, it didn’t just make my day, it made at least my entire week and I enjoy the rewards on a regular basis now. It was fun and afterwards even if I hadn’t thrown away much (and I can tell you that happened too! LOL) at least I knew that what was left was what I actually want to have and keep. And it also reminded me of what I have! Sometimes we just forget when it sits in the back of a closet. And therefore it made me start using it again, which brought me great pleasure as if I had made myself a gift but I didn’t have to spend money on it! And whatever you don’t keep, DONATE! It will make you feel even better and make someone else’s day too.

I hope you will enjoy these 3 tips and even if you pick just one, I will have accomplished my goal.

Happy clutter busting!

Kim

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Achievements in action!

Dear All,

The other day I posted about Rita Emmett and her different outlook on New Year's resolutions by looking at achievements instead of all the things that you didn’t do or should have done…..boohoo.

Here are some of mine. What are yours?

Achievements of 2011:

- Got my motor boat license at last after 15 years! It's never too late!

- Took indoors rock climbing courses

- Attended my oriental dance class regularly (versus once in a

  blue moon!) and actually made some progress! DUH! ; )

- Found a new power plate coach and kept up with it twice a

  week for 8 months in a row!

- Declutterred hand bags, shoes, clothes, towels and bed sheets

- Paid off an old dentist debt

- Learned to let go

- Attended a one-week personal growth course in Boston

- Attended the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics’s Annual

  Meeting in San Diego

- Started my blog

- Read the Secret by Rhonda Byrne

- Spent some quality time with my friends in Boston and my family in L.A.

- Started a Gratitude Journal - love it!

Goals & Objectives for 2012:

- Start my own book club (first meeting already next week!)

- Get my blog to grow and have a positive impact on people's lives even if tiny!

- Get my motorbike license

- Keep up with my power plate classes and add yoga at least

  once a week (doing good so far!) plus reintegrate pilates into

  my fitness routine

- Attend the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics’s Annual Meeting

  in Philadelphia in the Fall

- Have more faith in life and worry less! ; )

- Surround myself with happy, positive and enthusiastic people

- Stretch out of my comfort zone starting off with a trek in

  Patagonia and by taking a right at every intersection possible

  (see picture)

What are your goals and objectives for 2012? Whatever you decide to do, I wish you to take a right at the intersection in your life whenever possible. And if too scary at first, try at least one. Rome wasn’t built in a day. You can start over your life every day, one day at a time, one small step at a time.

Carpe Diem! (=seize the day!)

Kim

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No New Year's resolutions! Only achievements!

Dear All,

I hope you enjoyed wonderful Holidays and started off the New Year on the right foot. A big part of the holidays is reminiscing about what we did in the past year, what we want to do better, improve or do differently and making New Year’s resolutions. Personally, I don’t like resolutions because they have a negative connotation often focusing on deprivation rather than achievements. I think it is much nicer to think of all the good things we did and just look forward to doing more. I like what Alicia Keys wrote on her facebook wall: “To me, the Best part of the New Year is making the choice to keep the good things and let go of the rest!” Now that’s what I’m talking about. And to help you in that direction I am posting below a tip sheet from Rita Emmett, a woman whose book The Procrastinator's Handbook (see my Recommended Readings) truly changed my life. I hope you will enjoy it:

Happy New Year
At this time of year, we tend to think of new year's resolutions, new starts, and sometimes regrets. The regrets are often about those things we never got around to doing.

Sometimes we set impossibly high goals and sometimes year after year we make the same resolutions that we know we won't keep, then we start to think of ourselves as failures, losers or worthless worms. That frame of mind doesn't lead to ANTICRASTINATION; it more likely causes us to NOT try new things or to simply give up trying anything.

Let's kick off 2012 on a more positive, productive note. Instead of setting goals, look at the past year and focus on all the good things you did that you can be proud of. Write them down. None of this has to be huge. Just think of the things that make your life good, the way you want to be living it. For example:

• Took part in a new project at work
• Had fun building a snowman for the first time in ages
• Read The Procrastinator's Handbook
• Donated blood
• Had some good times with friends and family
• Volunteered for a community fund-raiser
• Went dancing
• Began a recycling habit
• Paid off a debt or invested some money
• Learned something new on the computer
• Re-connected with an old friend
• Spent time on a hobby
• Went to church
• Exercised
• Took a wonderful drive with the family to enjoy the fall colors
• Learned to relax
• Counted your blessings
• Read The Clutter-Busting Handbook, cleaned out a closet & donated lots of clothes to a worthy cause

These are just a few random examples with hopes this list might trigger some ideas for you. Take your time, write down everything you can think of that you are happy to have done, leave the paper out for several days, post it on a wall or a mirror and enjoy adding to it. As you list your positive achievements of 2011, let yourself wallow in feeling good about yourself, your life, and your accomplishments.

Doesn't that sound like more fun than making up a ton of resolutions? Don't forget that old saying: "Success breeds success". As you wallow in feeling good about your achievements, you just might find the energy and desire to move forward on something you've been putting off for a while (or a lifetime).

If that should happen, here's a question you can also write out and stick up on a wall or mirror (It's one of my favorite questions to ask at the beginning of a new year).

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

May 2012 be the very best year of your life.
Happy New Year.
Rita

Rita Emmett
www.ritaemmett.com
REmmett412@aol.com

Up next I will tell you how I went about this and hope you will share with me too!

Have a great week-end!

Kim

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Last day of the year - a perfect day to be grateful!

Dear All,

well as I told you in my last post, this time I want to talk about Gratitude. I'm sure you've all heard in the past that we should be grateful for what we have in life. Well it can seem hard at times when things are really not going well in our lives. Be grateful, be grateful ok and then so what?! I think I've learned one hard way these past years that being grateful is really important. And the important lesson I learned about it is that it's even better and more effective to be grateful when things are actually tough. I mean seriously, think about it: what's the challenge in being grateful when all is going well and you have everything you want huh?! I mean yes it's still important to appreciate all you have when life is really good, and we mustn't forget to do so. Being happy seems to be quite a challenge for many of us in our modern society. But for me, I found the real meaning of being grateful when things really sucked!

In the article I posted on my Facebook page this week about Gratitude - 5 ways Gratitude is good for your health (http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/5-ways-gratitude-good-your-health), they pointed out the following reasons:
1 - Gratitude can boost your level of life satisfaction.
2 - Gratitude can strengthen your relationship.
3 - Gratitude can improve your mental health and vitality.
4 - Expressing Gratitude can help you sleep better.
5 - Gratitude can help you stick with your workout routine.
Well I've tested all of these, in particular the sleep one!, and definitely found this article to be quite on the dot. So if you need a boost to find reasons to be grateful, read it!

Now how do I apply Gratitude in my life? I mean do you have to think about it all the time, should you tell people about it? Well sometimes I do. One thing I love to do is to write a little note, in an e-mail or actually sending an old fashioned card, to a friend or family member, simply telling them I am thinking of them and that I am grateful to have them in my life and for all the support and joy they bring me. This usually brings a smile to my face and just knowing it will bring one to theirs too makes me happy. ; ) But the method that has really helped me in this past year and that was taught to me by a good mentor is to keep a Gratitude and Achievements Diary! I know I know!!!! I'm sure you're thinking "oh gosh! ANOTHER diary?!!!!! More homework?!!!! Don't we have enough to do in our already REALLY busy lives?!!!!!" Well yes and no. I think one thing we probably all struggle with in life is finding the balance between all the things we HAVE to do and all the things we really WANT to do and that actually make us happy. So here is how I found my balance about having a Gratitude and Achievements diary. I DON'T write in it every day!!!!!!!!!! ; ) This is not the type of diary I had as a kid where I wrote everything I was doing. hahaha
There are 2 questions I answer in it every time:
1 - the things I am proud I have accomplished
2 - the things I am grateful for
And I write in it whenever I want!!! Usually I try at least once a week. But sometimes less and sometimes more. It depends also how much I have to pour out. What matters is that when I write in it I make sure I write ALL the things I am proud of having done including the tiniest thing. And then this easily helps me transition into all the things I am grateful for because most times it clearly points out how or who helped me achieve those things. But most importantly I will tell you: I really try to write when I am having a bad day.......This is more of a challenge but a real helper.
Because when we are having a bad day is when it's easy to forget all that we've done to come so far and all the wonderful things we are lucky to have. And yes, I'm sure many of you are thinking? But do I really HAVE to write about it? Can't I just THINK about it? Well no you can't. Because your brain just doesn't function that way. When we put our thoughts down on paper (or on the web if you want!) it helps us sort through them, gives us a clearer view, and helps us get rid of all the fuzzyness in our head. Which we probably have even more of when we are going through a bad day. So WRITE IT DOWN!!!!!!! You may find it boring at first but give a shot just a few times. I am sure it will change your life in a month. It changed mine for sure. And of course it's a good excuse to go and buy yourself that cute book you saw in the store recently! ; ) Or even better, to use one that a friend gave you as a present and with which you didn't really know what to do with because it only had blank pages and you don't draw. That's what I did. And it makes me even more grateful because every time I write in it, I think about that dear friend of mine who offered it to me. So thank you Isabelle. Here I can thank her for her kindness and sweet thought for me too.

So I am not about Resolutions for the New Year as you will see in my next blog post. But I am about bringing positive changes in our lives, things that can make us happier, healthier, stress relievers, so with the New Year really just around the corner, perhaps you may want to give this a try in 2012 and I sincerely hope that it will just bring a little extra happiness in your life. Today I am thankful for my family, my friends, my apartment, my life, my good health, having a job, and all the beautiful snow that keeps on falling for the past 2 weeks at last and that just makes my country that much more beautiful and magical.

Best wishes to all of you for a Happy New Year's Celebration and I will be back real soon this time! ; )
Kim

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