Living life on a mission of fulfilling one crazy dream at a time is a wonderfully challenging and fulfilling way to live. The more dreams you realize, the more you’ll understand what I mean. In the midst of awesomeness – do you ever pause and think about how amazing your life is?

On the other side, making dreams come true will inevitably and simultaneously lead you into a road of defeat, challenges, obstacles and failures. It’s part of the game! So no matter if you’re on a streak of success or you’re in troubled water – there’s one thing that will always be your friend. Gratitude.

Gratitude is a way of life.

Personally, I’ve found so much encouragement, happiness and love from focusing on what I’m grateful for rather than what I don’t have. I ain’t saying it’s easy. Actually, it’s tough as hell sometimes. But it is possible, and you’ll find great results!

Here’s what I do to keep gratitude fresh:

• Write gratitude tweets like the ones above to help focus on the good stuff
• Take Instagram photos of things, places and people who make life joyful and bright
• Try to shift a setback or challenge into something positive
• Refer to the list of 48 things to be grateful for when nothing else comes to mind (see below)

48 things to be grateful for

Everything is possible

I’ll tell you a little secret, except it’s not secret at all: There are no limitations on how you can live your life. EVERYTHING. IS. POSSIBLE. Now, if that’s not something to be grateful for (every day!), then we need to have a serious talk.

Dreams in the making

Are a girl on a mission? Are you making conscious choices and living the life you want to live? Are you on your way to dream come true? Be grateful for the path you’re on, the joy it gives you and the hope you’re experiencing.

Dreams come true

Even better! Make a list of all the dreams you’ve had that you made come true! This list will be the ultimate inspiration list to achieve even more and bigger goals.

Being able to help others

Be grateful when you find yourself in a position to help others, because it means you are abundant. Think of it this way: You are so plentiful, you are filled to the brim, you have more to give! It’s a wonderful situation to be in, and think about how you are making an impact on someone else’s life.

Family

Familiy is familiy, and no matter if you’re close or not – think about what your family members actually mean to you. It’s well worth your time to take a few moments and appreaciate all the good things about your family. Bonus points if you call your mum and thank her for everything she has ever done for you !

Friends

It’s easy to be grateful for good friends. Do you remember to tell them too? For your own sake, it can be really nice to write a list of all your friends and a little note on what about each one you’re grateful for.

Being thought of

“I’ll think about you,” she said while I was standing on her doorstep, tears flowing down my cheeks. Being thought of, especiall during hard times, really means a lot, and to this day, I am so grateful for those four words she said before I left. Is anyone thinking of you right now? Maybe someone is worried about you? Or just really care? (Or maybe someone is deeply in love and can’t stop thinking about you!?) Time to add it to your list of wonderful things to be grateful for.

Moments with strangers

Sometimes a shared moment with a stranger makes your day really special. It’s when you see something funny and realize the person next to you on the bus saw the same thing and is trying to keep his laughter in. You eyes meet for a second, and suddenly you’re both laughing out loud. He’s getting off at the next stop and you’ll probably never see each other again, but that moment probably made both of your days. That moment – be grateful for it. Just thinking about it will make you smile.

Your strength

You are probably stronger than you think! Being grateful for what you have achieved, endured and lived through can only lead to good things. Take a moment and appreciate what you’re good at, how well you manage. Well done!

Good health

Health is the most imporant thing, and yet we often take our good health for granted. Even if you’re not in perfect health at the moment, it is possible to be grateful for what you have, when you feel better, that it ain’t worse.

Opportunities

It’s easy to be grateful when a wonderful opportunity opens up, but gratitude can also work the other way around. Be grateful for opportunities and look back at the last few days. What kind of opportunities were you given? Does something strike you as a great opportunity now that you didn’t immediately realize then? For example – invites, requests, demands of attention, changes of plans might look more like an opportunity now than it did when you were first presented for it.

The place you were born

Chances are, if you’re reading this right now, that you live in a well-developed and modern country. It’s so easy to take this for granted! Personally, I’m lucky to be living in one of the richest countries in the world (thank you, oil), and I very often take that for granted. Think about all the benefits of living where you do – do you have great health care, universities, media industry or sunshiny warm weather? Do you have the best food tradition, holiday locations or job opportunities? Even if you don’t have it all – appreciate what you’ve got!

Your job

In uncertain times, you can be grateful for your job. Even if you don’t like what you’re doing, or you’re paid next-to-nothing, there are always things to be grateful for: the best boss, co-workers, work-time or the prettiest view from the office. You have wonderful customers or clients, great opportunities or are you just lucky to have a job at all? There are positive sides and lots of gratitude potential in your job!

Your wealth

Food on the table, money to spare, money in the bank, enough to come by, 5 dollars for a magazine, a small side-income, making money doing your thing – rather than focusing on what you’re lacking – focus on what you’ve got.

Great conversations

This is one of my favourites. I really, truly, deeply, appreciate a good and interesting conversation. When was the last time you had one?

Change

Most people fear change. This is where you use gratitude to really help you through. It’s so easy to find ways that change will be bad, but take five minutes and think about what you appreaciate with the changes you’re facing. Can you find room for being grateful for change too?

Health care

I’m really grateful for all the help I’ve ever received (and am still receving) from all the wonderful people who make it their mission to help and care for others. Instead of feeling bad about your illness and hurt, focus on your gratitude. I’m sometimes amazed at how wonderful it is that us human beings take care of each other in this way.

Help from others

Up the same alley, has anyone helped you today? People interact and help each other every day, so chances are that you’ve received help in any way. Look out for help in disguise! People might be trying to help even if you don’t realize it right there and then.

Fresh starts

If you’ve ever been given a second chance, you know what I’m talking about here. Fresh starts, new chances and big life changes are wonderful and easy to appreciate. However, have you ever thought about that every single day is a fresh start? I am grateful for this day.

Good food

Food on the table is a basic human need and if you’ve never starved – easy to take for granted. I’m not saying you have to be grateful for food just because you have it and others don’t (although you should seriously consider it), but how about being grateful for a wonderful and tasty meal? Sometimes I’m so grateful for chocolate it feels like I’m going to explode with joy!

Inspiration

You can always be grateful for inspiration. I’m willing to bet that you find a lot of inspiration around you to be grateful for if you look a little closer! For example, I’m very grateful for really inspiring blogs, books, poetry, and photography that inspires me every day. Which inspiration sources are you grateful for right now?

Smiles

Let’s be grateful for smiles together! Smiles from a stranger, a loved one or in a photo – smiling is contageous! Be greateful for the smiles others gift you with, and be grateful for your own ability to smile and spread love and happiness.

Education

If you’re fortunate enough to receive a good education, this is something you can be grateful for. How about thanking your teachers and professors, your parents if they pay for your college or be grateful for your own intelligence and ability to learn.

Synchronicity

Synchronicity is when you’ve just decided pursue a career and then immediately meet someone who is willing to be your mentor. Synchronicity is when you’ve decided to use the colour green to brand your business and you suddenly is surrounded by green everywhere. Synchronicity is when you think about a friend and then suddenly your friend calls! It’s the most wonderful thing in the world, and if something like this has happened to you lately – be grateful for it because it doesn’t happen all that often!

Shared or aquired wisdom

Sometimes people share their wisdom without even noticing, so be on the lookout for shared wisdom in disguise. In addition, people often deliberately want to share their wisdom because they care about you! It’s a nice thing to be greateful – give thanks – and to look at each little piece of wisdom as a blessing. Aquired wisdom is when you suddenly realize something, make a connection or learn from your mistakes. Be greateful for your own insight, your knowledge and your wisdom!

Painful lessons

Some of life’s lessons are inevitably going to be painful. However, I often find that the harder the lesson – the more potential for growth it represents. Being grateful for life’s hard lessons, for the pain and the suffering – because it will help you grow – is a really nice way to turn something bad into something good.

A great book

Getting lost in a really good novel, or diving into a great non-fiction read is a wonderful feeling. The next time you sit down to read, send a little thought of gratitude to the author of the book, and be grateful for the book itself. Sometimes it amazes me how words on paper can bring me so much joy!

Great music

For the same reasons as above, music has the power to transform your mood and nothing is better than some music to dance to while you do your chores! The next time you enjoy listening to music, send a little thought of thanks to the musicians, the song-writers, the producers and the artist. Appreciating the people who contribute to make magical music will make you feel good as well.

Art

The next time you appreciate a work of art, focus your gratitude towards what the artwork gives you. Inspiration? Motivation? A sense of belonging? Do you feel anger? Disgust even? Focus on how the work of art makes you feel and focus your gratitude on the artworks ability to move you. Most of all, I feel grateful when I come upon a work of art that calms me down, but I’m working on that sense of gratitude for other kinds of art too.

The small things

The magic really is in the small things. That’s why I tend to focus on these when I do my gratitude tweets. A tasty treat, a cup of tea, sunshine through my window, a small moment of joy – all are really small things that give me tremendous amounts of happiness.

Pets

If are lucky enough to have a pet, you know how much joy and company it brings. I think everyone who has a cat, dog, horse or turtle (oh yes!) feels that their pet is the best one in the world – and it is! So, if you’re feeling low, tired or depressed, just be grateful for the moments when your dog greets you at the door, when your cat sneak up against you to cuddle or when your turtle smiles (apparently they do!).

Connections

Connections are wonderful to include in your gratitude practice. The really strong connections you have with the people closest to you – or a shared smile with a stranger on the bus. All connections are sacred and mean so much to us. Take a moment to think back on the connections you’ve made the last day. Grateful?

Kindness

Most people automatically give thanks when they recognize kindness in other people. So there are two more ways to be grateful for kindness: You can try to recognize it more, which means to actively be on the lookout. Can someone’s action be interpreted in a way that means they are actually trying to be kind? For example, that person who uses ages to order in a coffeeshop might actually be buying coffee to all of his friends. Or your flatmate who never cleans might be the too busy taking care of the people around her.

The other way you can be greateful for kindness is to do it consciously, not automatically. Look at how many times during one day you say “thanks”. How many of those times do you really mean it? How do you think it would make you feel if you managed to do it consciously every time? I’m willing to bet it would give you a lot of smiles and happiness.

Insight and clarity

You know when you look back at something that has been bothering you and suddenly see it in a different light? Or when you manage to make a really good decision in the middle of chaos? Add it to your grateful list and let the happiness you get from it grow!

Perspective

Looking at things in perspective is another one of life’s blessings. And it’s so much easier in hindsight than in the moment! Be greateful when you manage to look at a situation differently, from another persons point of view or you see consequences for different actions. Seeing things from another person’s perspecitve is often painful and hard, and it will often make us grow as human beings. Being able to feel gratitude when looking at a time when you experienced painful growth will double it!

Life

So easy to overlook, but so so fundamental. Be grateful for being alive!

Time

Free time, an open calendar, time off, fun times – be grateful for the time you have to do what you love. Even if you are super-busy, do you have the time of your life? Add it to your grateful list for an instant positive mood-booster.

Beauty

No need to explain this one, I just want to remind you to be grateful for all the beauty in your life. So easy to include in your daily grateful list!

Daylight

If you live in country with only 6 hours (or less) of daylight in the winter (like me), you’ll learn to appreciate the daylight when you have it. What are you grateful for right now that you wish you could have more of?

Memories

If you’re lacking of things in your present to be grateful for (look harder, dear!), look to your past. Focus on those good memories that make you smile!

Good service

… is often taken for granted, as we tend to focus on the times when we receive our coffees from the really grumpy barista, not the nice one who remember your daily order. How about thanking the staff next time you receive good service?

Gifts

No explanation needed here, just want to remind you that gifts come in a lot of different ways.

Creativity

Be thankful for the times when you can’t hold it in, when you just want to create, create, create. God a new creative idea? Add it to your list of things to be grateful for!

Your special talents

Can you remember almost any number combination? Do you write the most sparkly application letters? Or can you balance three grapes on your nose while singing a song? (lucky you!) Be grateful for your special talents, the cherry on top of the cake of you!

A good cup of coffee or tea

Well, I know I included this in the list of the small things, but a good cup of anything hot usually sneaks in on most of my grateful lists. Lavender earl grey latte, coffee with milk, red berry rooibos – I’m bursting with gratefullness for the ease it gives me. How about you?

Love

It’s to the end of the list, but it’s not because it isn’t important! Love in any form – just the thought of it will make you smile. I think there’s nothing in the world that makes me more grateful than the love I’m feeling from the people around me, and the love I’m giving in return. Are you experiencing love? Big life-changing-, deep mother-daughter-, or instant take-out-the-fire-exstinguisher-LOVE: I’m willing to bet that love is part of the solution to the meaning-of-life riddle.

Generosity

Look out for generosity and be grateful for the people who are! Generosity comes in a number of ways, people can for example be generous with their time, attention, help, advice or money. It’s easy to remember to be grateful when money and things are involved, but remember to keep an eye out for other kinds of generosity too.

Having something to look forward to

Last, but not least (as this list is not in any order), be grateful for the things you are looking forward to in your life right now. Are you planning a journey, starting something new or are you just looking forward to your friends birthday party? Thinking about something great that will happen in the future is an instant way to feeling good right now. Think about it this way; being grateful for something in the future now will double the fun!

What are you grateful for right now?

Have you ever done anything truly impulsive? Something big, like ordered plane tickets,
quit your job or decided to move countries?

I’m willing to bet you probably haven’t.

I’m here to tell you it’s the most incredibly liberating, exciting and totally crazy thing to do ever. (surprise!)
And for me, it’s my most fail-proof approach at making dreams come true.

Now, don’t go and do something stupid. Let me tell you the whole story first.

I’m a very responsible person. I honor my commitments, I pay my bills and my credit
cards, I show up for work and I (usually) don’t call in sick. In most cases, think through
every choice, every change, every decision very closely. I weigh the pro’s and con’s. Ask
for advice. This is all very good when you’re making regular decisions in your daily life.

When it comes to following dreams, however, this is absolutely not the way you want to
go. Because you already know what you want to do. You already know where your heart
is. You may think you, don’t but you do. If your mind is telling you otherwise, it’s probably
out of fear.

Let’s say you want to move abroad. There may be a thousand reasons why you shouldn’t
do it. Now isn’t the best time, you don’t have the money, you don’t know anyone there, you
probably won’t get a job… And still you want to do it, which means that underneath all the
fear you have a dream. You can think this through for years, keep asking other people for
advice, keep dreaming. But this approach probably won’t get you anywhere.

Just doing it will.

Most of the dreams I’ve fulfilled are the results of moments of temporary insanity. Like
when I ordered tickets for a 9 week long backpacking trip and maxed out my credit card
in the process. 6 months later, I was drinking fresh coconut milk on a beach in Malaysia.
Because when you take the first step, the rest will always work itself out.

When I moved to London and took a gap year from my law studies to study photography,
I made the decision in May. Sent in the application on a whim, got accepted, and moved
within 4 months of the initial, impulsive decision. It probably wasn’t the smartest thing to
do. And If I had thought it through, I might have stayed at home. And yet, here I am now,
so so so happy I lived my dream and studied abroad for a year!

5 ways to implement more impulsivity and temporary, empowering craziness into
your life:

• If you have a dream you want to follow, ignore all the good reasons, all the advice, all the
questioning, and just take the first step. Start with identifying the first step and then just
take it.

• Take safe, baby steps in the beginning. Take a few steps while still keeping your options
open. For example, when I sent the application for photography in London, I didn’t
commit to any changes right away.

• Practice by being more impulsive in your daily life: feel like drinking champagne for
breakfast? Do it. Feel like eating out on a decadent restaurant? Do it. Feel like taking a
day off? Do it!

• Apply the impulsive approach to all creative work. Whenever you get an idea – jump on it
right away and finish it as soon as you can. Otherwise, most great ideas tend to end up
in the «I’ll do it someday»-folder, and you’ll give yourself too much time to reject the idea.

• If you’re not ready to commit fully to living your dream, consider to do it as an
experiment, and do it now! For example, can you take 1-6 months of unpaid leave from
work and experiment with being an entrepreneur? Can you take a semester off your
studies to work in your dream job? Can you experiment with being location-independent
by bringing your work when you’re going on holiday? The key point is to make it into
something you can set in motion sooner rather than later.

What is the most impulsive dream you have put into action?

♦ Women, Food and God – Geneen Roth

If you’ve ever struggled with food (like me), this book is for you. I read it in one day (!) and I learnt A LOT about how I used food to regulate my emotions. Even if you’ve never struggled yourself, I truly recommend this book if you would like to gain a wider understanding of food issues and emotional eating. I think it would be perfect to read this book together with a good friend – and then discuss (and open up).

♦ The Creative Habit – Twyla Tharp

A must-read for all creative spirits out there. This book is both truly inspirational (as in you just want to go out there an CREATE when you read it) and educational. I learned a lot about my own creative process (the book has assignments and workbook pages) and I picked up a lot of great tips.

♦ Crazy, Sexy Diet – Kris Carr

Not really a diet in the normal sense of the word – Crazy, Sexy is a way of life! This book is one of the best books I’v read in all my life (and that says a lot!) and it is definitely the best (and only) nutrition book you’ll ever need. I need to warn you, though, this book will change how you think about food. It will also change how you look and feel + it is written in a really sassy, funny and understandable language. All girls (and boys too) should read this in school!

♦ The 4-hour Workweek – Tim Ferriss

This book. If you haven’t read this book already, it’s about time. This is another one of those books that will leave you changed, that’s for sure. I read this on the the Tokyo Metro and had to laugh out loud several times. It’s wonderfully written, full of inspiration and if you don’t close this book with several life-changing ideas – something is wrong with you. ;)

 The Spark Kit – Danielle LaPorte

If you’re only buying one book on this list – make it this one. The book is every entrepreneurs dream, and it’s the only guide you’ll need if you have a small business – or dream of having one. Even if that’s not where you are right now – most of the principles in this book can be used on other areas of life too! This interactive book comes with a workbook, videos + lots of links. Seriously, I’m lost for words on how good this book really is. It’s a little pricey, but I promise you it’s worth every single dollar. And if you cannot afford the whole deal – at least make sure you pick up the best chapter: TRUE STRENGTHS + THE METRICS OF EASE (it’s only $20 – a total bargain!)

Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live – Martha Beck

I love how this book covers everything from emotional health to change cycles. The chapter on synchronicity is a must-read! Really, if you’re stuck, making changes, following your dream or want to learn more about yourself, this book is for you!

Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha – Tara Brach

This book is a great read if you want to learn more about self-love, acceptance and living life in peace with yourself. This is another book I think I finished in one day, and I even had to read with a pencil underlining everything I needed to remember. If you’re only reading one book on self-love: make it this one!

The Artist’s Way - Julia Cameron

This one’s for all the artists, creatives and writers (everyone, really) who have ever been stuck, lacked inspiration or who’ve just wanted to develop ourselves. Ever heard of “morning pages? The concept of writing a few pages first thing in the morning – it’s from this book! Written as a 12-week program, this book will help you create and craft. This is one of the books I read again and again.

What are your favourite non-fiction books?

 I’m going to make this amazingly simple diy bracelet

You have to see this cool budget hotel in Berlin

This post on worth made me tear up

This cabin design is so clever, I want one!

Susannah Conway interviewed Danielle Laporte: This is how I write

Speaking of Danielle – Read this post on book writing!

Before the holiday, read this post by Rachel W Cole

Later today, I’m going to put this DIY tassel garland tutorial to good use

I’m also going to make this DIY clothes rack

My birthday is on Saturday, and I’m baking this cake (above)

I’m absolutely in love with Lavender Latte, but this must be even awesomer!

Several people have requested a book post, so here is the first post on great books to read this holiday. First up is 8 of the Best Novels, followed by 8 of the Best Non-fiction Books and last 8 of the best Visual Inspiration Books. Hope you enjoy!

♦ Stardust – Neil Gaiman

This fantasy novel is beautifully written and you’ll absolutely love it, even if you don’t normally read fantasy novels. If you like fairy tales – you’ll love this novel!

♦ Life of Pi – Yann Martel

This is a remarkable story about a boy who survives when a ship sinks in the pacific ocean. I don’t want to tell you too much about the plot, because it’s so amazing you have to figure it out by yourself.

♦ Siddharta – Herman Hesse

-If you’re into buddhism, I think you’ll like this book. It’s faily short (but good) and I think I read it in two days. Beautiful story and beautiful language.

♦ Hunting and Gathering – Anna Gavalda

This one’s huge, but I still read it so fast – always a good sign for a novel. It’s about a group of friends who end up living together in Paris. The characters in this novel are so unique and intriguing, you’ll wish they were real!

♦ Just Kids – Patti Smith

Technically, this is a memoir, not fiction. However, the story is so interesting and Patti’s past is so full of amazing people and events – it might as well have been a fictional story. Even though you’re not into her music, you’ll love this book about being an artist in New York City.

♦ A Moveable Feast – Ernest Hemingway

This is a classic, and a must-read if you’re at all into Paris and everything French! Also, if you’re a writer – this is the book for you! It’s a quick read perfect for a lazy holiday.

♦ 1Q84 – Haruki Murakami

I haven’t actually finished this yet, but I’m including it nonetheless. I’m reading this book slowly, and every word feels like dark chocolate in my mouth. A-ma-zing so far!

♦ The Secret History – Donna Tarrt

I really enjoyed reading this book, full of interesting twists. It’s about a group of college students who try to conceal a murder. Still, I wouldn’t call this crime, as it is not written as a crime novel. If you like a novel full of interesting psychological twists – read this one!

What are you reading at the moment?

Ps. I’ve previously written a list on 10 of the best books I’ve ever read – check it out here!

All picture sources can be found here

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I’m writing this post by the fireplace. I’m wearing white wool over-knees and I’m drinking Chai tea with milk. …aaand I have candles lit and I’m burning Christmas incense. I know, it might sound a little cliché on paper. I am, after all, listening to Sufjan Stevens’ Christmas album. It’s so cozy it’s to die for! But I live by the mantra of “magic is something you make”, and you know what!? It just started SNOWING for the first time this year!!

Watch movies

Watch some of the classical films like Bambi or Love, Actually. Curl up on the sofa with wool blankets and hot chocolate. Make it a day! My personal favourites are The Holiday and The Grinch. Why don’t your share your favourite christmas movie in the comments?

Dress up in glitter

Winter is the perfect time for some sparkly sequins and glitter nailpolish! Sparkle up your day with the perfect nailpolish from Deborah Lippman or OPI. If you’re in a bold mood, dress up in a sequin dress, or wear a sequin blazer over your dress. Glitter isn’t limited to your outfit, why don’t you add a little glam to your home with garlands or some sparkly christmas decorations? Oh, and don’t forget confetti for your party!
 

Bake

This one is a little self-explanatory. Christmas season is the time for baking! Make a classical gingerbread house, or try the cake batter fudge above. Gingerbread dough is my personal favourite, and I bet you already have your own bake traditions for Christmas. In case you don’t, remember that anything containing spices and/or chocolate will do!
 

Drink hot chocolate

Hot chocolate is the perfect winter drink. Or, you could go for eggnog if you prefer. Or Gløgg, if you’re Norwegian like me. Aaaanyways, something sweet, warm and comforting – you know what I mean. Preferably combine it with fire in the fireplace and Sufjan Stevens on the radio.
 

Go ice skating

Ice skating is something I fondly remember from my childhood. Oh, how I wanted to fly over the ice like a princess in a while tulle skirt! Personally, I was more like Bambi on the ice, but I wouldn’t let that stop me! In December, I suggest a trip to your local ice skating place. Make it a date, to have the most romantic night ever!
 

Make paper snowflakes

Cut out paper snowflakes and hang them in your window. Use different types of paper to make them interesting. I recommend using pages from old books! If you really want to make some really impressing ones, but you’re not the creative type? Try searching for some printout patterns on google.
 

Listen to some whimsical Christmas music

Sufjan Stevens is a classic, but don’t forget albums like The Hotel Café Presents Winter Songs, or Coldplay’s hit from last year above. She & Him has a Christmas album out this year too! And you always have the old classics… Mix the old get-in-the-mood classics with some new indie songs and some modern versions by your favourite artists.
 

Write and send postcards

Buy some beautiful cards, or make your own! Send them around to everyone you’ve connected with the last year. It’s the perfect way to thank everyone who have helped you this year, tell people you love them, and to spread the wish of a peaceful holiday. Write long, handwritten letters to those dearest of you who lives the furthest away. Or write just a short, little note of thanks. Send your cards by regular old mail in good time before Christmas.
 

 

Take a winter walk

Enjoy the winter wonderland and make the most of what makes winter unique. I’m talking about the crisp air, the cosy indoors and the blue and white light! If you’re like mee, snow is best enjoyed from a safe distance inside, but if not, then I recommend a ski trip or a day or two in the slopes!
 

 

Go stargazing

Stars are best enjoyed on a clear and crisp winter night in the woods. Bring a few logs to make a fire and some hot chocolate to enjoy together with a friend. Watch clearly, maybe you’ll see a shooting star?
 

 

Make a wish

This one is obvious. Wish for beautiful christmas presents, a peaceful holiday, wish for dreams come true or world peace. Write a little note with your wishes for the new year and save it for next year’s December. Just don’t forget to put in the work to make your wishes come true.
 

 

 Spend time with the people that matter

Holidays are family times, the season to party with friends and snuggle with your dearest. This is a little reminder to don’t get too caught up in preparations and stressful shopping. Also, don’t forget to take good care of yourself. I recommend scheduling a little me-time and spend some time alone. Reflect on your gratitude, have a little inspiration-boosting blog-reading session or make your own little home spa in your bathroom.
 
Hope you have a whimsical Christmas!
 

Ps. what are your most whimsical and cozy Christmas traditions?

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;

From If by Rudyard Kipling

I first read this poem a couple of days ago, and the line that really struck me was this:  “If you can dream – and not make dreams your master“. It struck me because I was thinking about that fine line of balance between using a dream as a source for fuel, and being burnt out by it. To be pulled or to push. How many times haven’t I found myself thinking “If only … then …”. THEN I’d be happy. Then I’d be satisfied. Fulfilled.

And by doing that I’m pushing that dream before me like a shield against the world. Pushing, pushing, pushing. Effectively making sure the dream will never come true, because I’m not ready to receive its greatness. But why?

Because I fear success? Maybe.

Because I fear failure? Maybe.

Because I fear sharing the dream? Maybe.

Because I fear that I’ll succeed and still don’t feel good? Maybe.

Because it is safer to avoid all of the above? Definitely.

It is a message I’ve been sharing for such a long time. and yet – the world keeps reminding me to tell it again and again. Because making dreams come true is a practice, not a one-time deal. So I’m telling it again, to remind you and myself: When you make your dreams your master, you’ll never succeed. And you’ll probably never fail. But you’re also running like a hamster in a wheel, wearing yourself out without getting anywhere.

So don’t make that special, magical dream a chest full of gold at the end of the rainbow. (Remember, that rainbow is constantly moving.) Take a close look at your thinking habits and check if you’re running around thinking “If only [insert wonderful dream here] THEN I will be [insert dream emotional state here]“.

Own the dream – don’t let it own you.

Don’t postpone [happiness/fulfilment/joy/excitement/other dream emotional state]. Go live. Now.

I’m a glass-half-empty kind of person.

My first instinct in an unpleasant situation is to jump to the worst possible conclusion, then work backwards to a less crazy, more balanced reaction.  This steels me against negative fallout by preparing me to receive the worst but expect the best (or at least that’s how it works in my head).  By focusing on the bad, I’m pleasantly surprised when things are good.

This preference for disaster naturally leads me to being a compulsive to-do-list-maker, outlining every task for easy obsessing.  But because I lean towards pessimism instead of optimism, the only thing I see is what I haven’t done.  Anything without a line through it makes me antsy – all I can think about is how to be more efficient, more productive, more hard-working.

At the end of the day, when the glass is half-empty and I’m panicking about everything I haven’t finished, my TA DA! list helps fill me back up.

The TA DA! list is a counter-measure to the tyranny of the to-do list.  Instead of feeling guilty over every little thing that’s left unchecked-off, you get to acknowledge and celebrate the things you have done.  Sounds good, right?

Here’s my example from Monday:  Writing and meditating practices, a short nap, run unofficial Motivation Monday, wrote a Mercury retrograde survival guide, did the Emmit chat, ransacked my personal blog’s archives for safekeeping, backed up my sites and computer, wrote a site review, did the dishes, cooked dinner.  TA DA!

My to-do list, on the other hand, looked something like this:  Writing, meditation, Motivation Monday, Emmit, call back apartment with extra information, do laundry, work some extra hours at the day job, send Very Important Emails, site review, beta-test responses, make dinner.

Some of the items match up; some of them don’t.  But the simple act of making the TA DA! list automatically takes focus from what didn’t get done and puts it squarely on what you did do.

While I never do get through everything on my to-do list, using the TA DA! list to track what I am doing with my time and energy is soothing and rewarding.  Having it all written out shows me precisely where I’m spending my time and energy, reminding me that I am, in fact, doing something with my life.

Which I’m immensely grateful for.

The TA DA! list practice is particularly powerful at the end of the day – celebrating achievement instead of moaning over defeat just before bed is a great way to off those sleepless nights.  And, rather than saying “nothing” when someone asks what I did today (the task equivalent of saying “fine” when asked how you are), I can tell them precisely what I did.  Impressive, conversational, and therapeutic.

So.  What did you do today?

[Psst!  Want a cool little TA DA! list worksheet?  Head over to The Headologist to find one, along with other great freebies.  You can also join the tribe on Facebook or Twitter, where we do our TA DA! list sharing every weeknight!]

Ellie Di is a headologist, spiritual nomad, compulsive scribbler, compassionate critical thinker, and master of the delicious mess.  She spends her days working towards her next level of awesomeness, writing like a motherfucker, and plotting the next Big Thing.  You can stalk her on her site, The Headologist, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Pinterest.

The art of conversation

The art of conversation
is to hear ideas
like you would eat
chocolate:
anticipate sweetness,
devour,
savour.

I’m absolutely mesmerized by the poems on Bentlily (above)

I really want to try these sugar free breakfast balls (with chocolate!)

How to survive NaNoWriMo (or any other daunting project)

Wishlist alert! I want one of these for christmas

Pinterest inspires me every single day – check out my “Quotes” board!

Make nine goals for the last nine weeks of 2011

I just love these images from the MT Tape Expo!

Danielle Laporte writes about why your should give up hope

How to get calm in a world full of crazy

A beautiful post about saying no from Alexandra Franzen

Through the years I’ve known my share of broken hearted fools,
And those who couldn’t choose a path worth takin’.
There’s nothin’ in the world so sad as talkin’ to a man.
Never knew his life was his for making

Ain’t it a-bout time you realize? It’s not worth keepin’ score.
You win some, you lose some, you let it go.
What’s the use of stacking on every failure another stone,
Until you find you’ve spent your whole life buildin’ walls.
Lonely and old before your time.

It took so long to see
that truth was all around me.

From “Old before your time” by Ray Lamontagne

What are you inspired by?

All image sources can be found on Pinterest

Perfect is the reason why nothing is created.

Perfection, or rather perfectionism, is the reason why I haven’t written anything the last couple of days. Not even that, a powerful desire to be perfect is the reason. I don’t consider myself a perfectionist – nothing I ever do is perfect.

Here are a list of things I didn’t do the last couple of days

• I didn’t start writing that ebook I want to write. And so, it will probably never get written
• I didn’t change the layout, content and look of the sidebar on the blog
• I didn’t write any guest posts and send them to other bloggers
• I didn’t do anything crafty and creative with my colourful art supplies
• I didn’t put up those inspiration boards over my desk
• I didn’t wear that new cardigan I bought last week
• I didn’t write any poetry or fiction
• I didn’t take any photographs
• (I didn’t take care of myself)

All because I have this fear. I fear that if it isn’t perfect, it isn’t worth doing.

(The sad thing is that that translates to my own view on myself. If I’m not perfect, I’m not worth being.)

Perfection is why projects are never born, books are never written and people are never happy. Perfection is why safe is the new sorry.

So please, please, bear with me. My posts aren’t perfect. My writing has grammatical errors and I sometimes forget to drink my tea. I’m so so so bad at keeping a regular schedule, at living from the heart, and I’m just terrible at showing up.

I’m going to try to be just a little less perfect, and a little more me. Which means there will be high ambitions, perfectionistic even. And I’m probably not going to finish what I start.

But I’m pretty good at inspiring people. Helping people. Light a little spark.

So please, please, let down your perfectionistic guard with me.

If you’re studying for your exams right now, please take a few hours off
and let that desire to write a perfect A rest a little.

If you’re working right now, please cut the edges, forget to spell-check
and trust that your clients or bosses love you for being you.

If you’re an artist right now, please forget the why’s and the how’s
and just create from the heart like you used to do.

If you’re a writer right now, please forget about comma rules and how to engage your readers
and just pour the words onto the page.

If you’re relating to other people right now, please say no, disagree,  forget to do all the right things
and just laugh, smile, love.

If you’re a human being, please forget about diets and make-up, hair-removal and white teeth
and let yourself flow with your breath into the ocean that is your heart.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. Good even.

Make it true. Make it transparent. Make it heartfelt. Soulful. You.