Day 61 - Ending war with our thoughts of love

We celebrated Anzac Day in Australia a couple of days ago, and again it confused me. Every year on this national day of remembrance I wonder about what the day aims to achieve and what I am supposed to do.

I don't remember "remembering" on this day in my childhood. If there were dawn services held in the small town where I grew up, we never went. If anything, this would have just been the day when I thought about war and asked my mother and father about what happened to them.

So I would listen to their stories of the horror they went through as children in WWII.

I'm sure there is so much that they did not tell us and there are only a few examples that come to mind now, as I type and my tears fall. These must be the stories that had the greatest impact on me. And I cry because the hurt, the pain, the suffering they endured, should not have to ever be experienced by a child.

In particular I think of how they came and took my fathers parents away. He was 11 years old and left to fend for himself and three younger siblings. His parents were never seen again. I think of him stealing food in order to simply survive. I think of my mother, 5 years old with no possessions, walking the streets of a destroyed city holding her mothers hand. Her father was also taken off to a concentration camp. I think of the horrific situation that resulted in my mothers crippled hand.

I am Australian
I was born in Australia
My ancestors are German

My attitude towards war is different

to my fellow Australians

whose ancestors were Diggers

I feel so very deeply for my parents and wish that they never had to experience what they went through in war. How would their lives be now if they hadn't? They would be completely different people. Living through that war shaped the rest of their lives and continues to effect them to this day and every day.

In my mother I see how she now cherishes her freedom, lives each day as a gift and I am inspired by her positive outlook. In my father I see a man who has still not come to terms with childhood events, which shaped him to have deep rooted, underlying anger and fear. We all wish that he could find a way to explore and come to terms with his suppressed memories and issues, but he has just blocked it.

Now, on Anzac day I also think of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought at Gallippoli and lost their lives. I think of all subsequent Australian soldiers who have fought for our country, such that I may enjoy my current freedoms. I give thanks to them and I discuss war history with my children and encourage them to remember and give thanks for the liberties we enjoy in this society.

"Lest We Forget"

a phrase used in commonwealth countries to remind people:
1 ) of the supreme sacrifice made by soldiers to protect
the independence we enjoy today
2 ) that if the horror of past wars are forgotten
they are doomed to be repeated

Really? If we forget what happened... it will be repeated... ???

So, if we remember... then it wont happen again... ???

It has been 96 years since the landing at Anzac Cove. We have been remembering the bloodshed for nearly 100 years... yet it's still happening. We still have soldiers overseas fighting other peoples battles. 

Expressing gratitude certainly has it's place, and I honor that, but "Lest we Forget" ... ?

We know that focusing on the past does not equip us to become open to allow for a brighter future. What about a National-Think-About-Future-Peace-Day? Where we come together to think about a future global community with no hatred, greed, anger or war. Where we learn about what each and every one of us can do to contribute to global peace. Much more productive than remembering past atrocities, I reckon.

We currently do not have conscription in Australia. Our armed forces personnel choose that profession. They choose a career where they may be required to go into battle, and then when we have a war casualty, everyone is up in arms over it and sorry for the person and their family and we have grand public funerals.

I don't understand it.

Our government goes though such pomp and ceremony and great financial expense for war and war victims who chose to put themselves in the line of fire.

What if our government (not to mention all the governments of the world) put these financial resources towards the National-Think-About-Future-Peace campaign.
What if no-one in our country chose to join the armed forces. There would be no Australians to send to Afghanistan! Would our Government then introduce compulsory military service?

The Herald Sun asked a 16 year old what Anzac Day meant to him and how he plans to celebrate it. His reply was, "Nothing. It means nothing to me". I read facebook comments where people could not believe this was published. They thought it was disrespectful and said "Shame on them".
I ask, what is so wrong with this? If there is a group within society that does not follow the tradition of the majority, is that such a bad thing? I would expect any newspaper to accurately report on the views of a cross section of our community.
According to the Australian Government's Department of Immigration and Citizenship, at 30 June 2009 one quarter (5.8 million) of our estimated residential population (22 million) were born overseas. Excluding the 1.7 million people from the United Kingdom and New Zealand, we still have 18.6% of our population who may not have a great affinity with the Anzac tradition at all.

So on the afternoon of Anzac day I went out in the garden to clear my mind. The dilemma of understanding where I fit in with this Australian tradition of remembering war heros was doing my head in.

I got the axe and let out my inner turmoil on a golden palm and a flame tree. I certainly cleared some crap out of the front garden bed! It grew dark and I had to stop, but I'm far from finished pruning back that area where the branches are (god-forbid) interfering with the Bigpond cable.

After taking this photo of my cleared garden crap,

I started taking pictures of leaves against the darkened sky

and got lost in the moment.

I marvelled in the effect of lit foliage against a black background.

There is a solution to stop future war

It requires input from every individual on this planet.

YOU can start to bring about the change

that will result in world peace.

YOU have the power

Please read this note my Mike Robinson.

It's a thought provoking article

that can have world changing results.

What if every person on this planet understood the effects of their thoughts, words & actions

and brought forth a life filled with love, compassion, joy and freedom?

Crap Cleared: A whole heap of front garden branches

Observations: My lengthy contemplation and hesitation over this post, describing some of my views on a topic near and dear to many people's hearts, shows I have not fully reconciled my inner need to be looked upon in a good light by others. But to openly state my true thoughts on a somewhat controversial issue and be willing to accept any type of feedback is demonstrating my growing internal conciliation.

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Day 56 - 60 - Gotta love how your mind goes blank when on holidays

Happy Easter Everybody


The children and I are currently having a fabulous time on the Gold Coast.

Along with all the rest of the crap we packed to take with us (you would think I would have learnt to travel lightly by now - nope!!!) is one big bag full of work stuff.

My great plan to continue blogging each day simply floated away... like me in the lagoon pool.

My vision to keep up to date via mobile phone just got burnt...
like my skin on the beach.

And my dream to sort through a pile of notes and start working on a business plan, was blown away...
like me after downing all those pina coladas.

　
All I can say is thank God for Kids Clubs.
　
　
Crap Cleared: Any thoughts of my regular routine which just drifted off on that wonderful Surfers onshore afternoon breeze.

Observations: Why don’t we do more of this?

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Day 55 - Goodbye Ex - And take all that Crap with you!

Further to yesterday's post where I described my transformation into a web-junkie,

today I took great pleasure in throwing out this:

It was in the spare room and used occasionally by the children for playing games. I was reminded of my exhusband every time I looked at it. The accessories may still come in handy, but I recognise that there is a great deal of his energy associated with it and that's why that big black box has to go.

It felt so good to remove it from the room.

It was like a confirmation that I have moved on

from what has held me back in the past.

The lounge suite is next on my list. I've been wanting to replace it for a while and now I am convinced that it has to go.

Any item that was a mutual purchase in a relationship, holds the energy of both people. When the people separate, there is no benefit to keeping all the crap from the union. Whether you recognise it or not, the power of the other person resides within the objects they once owned. In order to be truly free from the person's influence, you need to remove their old items from your realm, even if they were mutually owned.

As I become more in tune with our energetic world,

I can sense the energy objects hold.

 I am particularly aware of the old energies

that inhabit things of the past.

When I finally get to clear the crap out of my wardrobe, the task will be much easier now, than when I could not see the spiritual force contained within all things. The clothes I've been holding on to, because they are of good quality, or because they were expensive, or because I like the look of it and may still wear it some day, all hold the vigor of times gone by. If I have moved on from those times, I can easily move on from those clothes. And need to do so, in order to welcome in new times.

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Day 54 - From techno-phobe to web-junkie: a transformation

I huddled on the lounge room floor, weeping uncontrollably for hours, because I could not understand the DVD Recorder instruction booklet. I was a blibbering mess because the IT Dude that was supposed to be there to deal with all things technological in the house had left. My husband should have been there to fix this thing. I didn't know how to do it by myself. I didn't want to learn how to do it. Why me? Why did he have to leave me?

WOW - Am I glad I've left that person behind.

Dealing with any technological equipment used to be a trigger that caused me to breakdown.

Time heals

Therapy helps

Self-awareness is the key

The progress that I have made lately, when dealing with computer and technical related crap, is testament to my healing and improved state of mind. I no longer allow myself to become overwhelmed when something technological needs fixing or if I am introducing something new.

I had even been putting off getting a new phone, because of the hassle of having to work out how to transfer information and contacts from the old to the new. But I did it. And it was a breeze.

Yesterday I opened the box of a brand new lap top that I bought four months ago, and began it's installation. And the funny thing is, I now live on the net. I created a website for my last employer. I have two internet stores. I am blogging daily and starting to monetise with affiliate programs. I'm learning to manage SEO and digital media. And I will soon be writing and publishing ebooks. Gotta love change and moving forward.

Overcoming fear

Loving life

Crap Cleared: Old mobile phones

Observations: For someone who considered herself to be a pretty strong, independent woman, there were times, dealing with separation, when I hit rock bottom. With only a very small support group, a belief that I could handle it on my own, and some difficult identity crap to deal with because of my ex-husbands secret addiction, my recovery was long and hard. Like many who work through life changing trauma, I have now emerged stronger than before.

Does the short scenario at the beginning of this post sound familiar? If there are every-day things causing extreme emotional reactions for you, please know that there are ways to work it through. It will not be like that forever and you can reach the other side of the hole that appears to be never-ending, if you are willing to reach out and ask for help.

You are always welcome to contact me.

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Day 53 - A Full Moon and I go all Crazy!!

What happened yesterday?

The day passed as a blur

Stuck on the computer

Kids on holidays and beating each other up

Thinking it was Tuesday the whole day when it was actually Monday

Viewing a 1.30pm appointment on the calendar and

then COMPLETELY FORGETTING about it

Going to text and calling instead

Unable to focus to write

Can I blame it on the Full Moon?

When I woke today - with renewed clarity I'm pleased to add - I thought about our beautiful moon, our solar system and I let my mind wander back to a family outing about four months ago to the Brisbane Botanical Gardens. We visited the Planetarium and it was there that I had a life-changing experience.

Growing up I considered myself a scientist.

Evolution was king and if it could not be logically proven, then it did not exist.

But I had always struggled with the concept of time and space.

The notion of infinity just blew me away.

How could time be a

never-ending continuum,

stretching forever

into the past

and forever

into

the

future?

 

How could space be a

never-ending continuum,

stretching forever

in this direction

and forever

into

that 

direction?

Standing in awe in the Planetarium, before photographs of inconceivable numbers of constellations expanding into infinity, I was left to consider my minuscule existence.

All my life I had been searching for my purpose; my reason for living. I knew that there was something more but just did not know what it was. And it annoyed the crap out of me. It made me so dissatisfied with my life, and very unhappy. I was so envious of people who knew what they wanted to do in their life and they went out and did it. Yay for them! Why didn't I know what I was supposed to do? What was my purpose?

But right then, in the Planetarium, I realised that my simple human mind would never be able to conceptualise the vastness of this universe. That was when I became one with it. That was when I separated mind from inner being. When I "got it" - The difference between Mind, Body and Soul. That was when I began to discover my purpose. I finally realised that "I" was not my logical mind. "I" was not the roles that I performed in this human life. Thinking largely creates the emotions that you feel and "I" was not my thoughts or my emotions. "I" am the consciousness that is aware of all this and my purpose is to operate from this awareness and everything else will flow forward.

 

That crazy full moon effects our tides, it effects our planet, it effects me... because I am at one with it.

 

Crap Cleared: The belief that I "should" know my purpose.

Observations: When I accepted that I could not ever have all the answers, and  stopped trying to define myself with logical thought, I learnt to trust my heart and found my true self. It created an inner peace and clarity which is where my happiness comes from.

If you have had an "Ahh Haa" moment, like me, standing in the middle of the Universe in the Brisbane Planetarium, when you finally "Got it", I would love to hear about it. Please leave a comment. Writing about it sure brings back the power of the realisation.

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Day 52 - Over 1000 Unread Messages ... HELP!!

The number of unread messages in my email inbox has been steadily building for months. Every time I check my mail I have to sort through the crap to get to the important and meaningful messages. 

It wastes time to sort through the unnecessary facebook notifications, daily horoscope reports, real estate happenings, one-day-deals, survey invites, weekly subscription newsletters... and the list goes on. I obviously do not need all this information constantly coming at me.

The cluttered inbox has been cluttering my mind

Over the last few days I have been steadily deleting

On every visit to my mail box - steadily deleting

Just a few more messages every day

Unsubscribing

Creating new folders to sort incoming messages

Deleting

Moving messages

And more deleting

I had over 1000 Unread Messages and no idea of how many unhighlighted read messages that were just sitting there waiting to be dealt with, when they should have been actioned and saved or deleted when they first arrived.

I'm pleased to say my mailbox is now clear.

This is what I did to manage my email:

• Used the Email Search Function when cleaning up my inbox to save scrolling through every single message.
• Used Email Filtering, and Labels to sort incoming mail into folders before it clutters up my inbox.
• Disabled Email Notifications. I don't need to be interrupted from my current task by a pop up that announces a new message and tempts me to go there.
• Set specific times to check email three times a day
• Made the decision to deal with each message when it arrives so it doesn't stay in my inbox forming a to-do list.
• Unsubscribed to all those unnecessary time wasting daily or weekly updates.

Crap Cleared: Lots and lots and lots of emails from my inbox.

Observations:

I don't want to reinvent the wheel.

I could have gone searching for tips on How To Manage Email and devised my own Email Clearing Method. But that would just be a regurgitation of information already out there, which I see so many people doing.

Or I could have created links to other websites where there are great Tips for Managing your Email.

But that's not what I'm about.

I'm clearing my crap and if others are ready to clear theirs, then they will search to find the decluttering tips that they need.

I am resisting the Professional Organisers pathway and I'm not sure why. But I am sure that my true pathway will continue to unfold as I progress on this challenge.

I'm designing my own wheel.

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Day 51 - My virtual spending spree - Playing The Prosperity Game

I am giving myself the gift of prosperity. I've started spending money every day in a virtual universe, and I'm effecting the energetic frequencies that I radiate outward in the real world. This will shift my attitudes of scarcity, judgement and fear, to a new perspective where I recognise the universe as abundant, we are all inter-connected and where I have the power to shift my current reality.

I'm playing The Prosperity Game with a group of like-minded people on Facebook. Inspired by Abraham-Hicks in their book Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires, each member of this group is given an amount of virtual money to spend every day.

It is designed to be a fun and empowering way to activate your ability to create prosperity from the inside out. And the group energy will amplify the power of the process. In order to receive the full benefits of playing the game, you need to become open to the possibility that there is more to our experience of money than meets the eye.

To enhance my experience in this game and clear out old attitudes towards money and it's acquisition, after posting to my buddies playing the game on facebook, I will also edit this post to add details of what I spend my money on each day. Scroll down to witness my amazing Spending Spree.... Yipeee!!!! (It's best to go right to the bottom of the post to start at the first day, and scroll up the page as the day's go by)

I'm excited by where this will lead...



Crap Cleared: I am shifting my perceptions on receiving and spending money.

Observations: I am willing to let go of everything that I thought I knew about money in order to be open to a new way of experiencing it.

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21 June / Day 71: $71,000
$7,100 to the 10% Fund and the balance on wages for someone to market and administer my new Art Boutique..... now that has taken a load off and freed my time so I can just get busy creating some masterpieces. :)



20 June / Day 70: $70,000
I am blessed to have my uncle staying with me tonight - along with my dad, who has been here on holidays for 4 weeks now! My uncle Ali is my closest relative, outside of my immediate family and today I would like to share my abundance with him and tell him how much I love him and value his support and friendship. Here's a big fat $70,000 for you Ali. ♥



19 June / Day 69: $69,000
Day 69 and $69,000. Habit makes me add to the 10% fund and THEN... I'm gonna get bucket loads of quality paint and HUGE canvases and EXPENSIVE brushes and I will spend days just splashing colour around in a most wonderfully creative and fulfilling way.



18 June / Day 68: $68,000
Greetings everyone and happy financial prosperity to you all !!!!!
Day 68 and after stashing away 10%!!!!, I will meet up with Kellie Stewart- Keen to return her great big hug, and then join her at her Childhood Dis-ease Charity event.
Today's gloriously gifted $$$ will fund my attendance of her event and the balance will be donated.

17 June / Day 32 - 67: $67,000  +  $1,715,000

Day 67. I stopped posting when I was saving up a deposit for an investment property (Remember, that complex with a house and 5 units on the one block). I wanted $300,000 for my 10% deposit. Well, while I've been busy doing other things, I've still been asking for the money and it has been depositing daily into my bank account. With the $1,715,000 that I am so grateful to receive, I now own 2/3 of my investment.

It was a mistake for me to stop spending my money every day. As soon as I started "saving" my money and thinking about future financial security by investing, I lost the sense of fun that I had with this game. I guess that attitude of wanting to secure the future goes against the idea that there will always be money provided and available when you want it.

I know that I need to work on my financial attitude. I would like to increase my vibration and develop a mentality for allowing it to happen. I need to listen to more Abraham tapes!!

I want to get to the point where I am totallly comfortable with the large sum that I am expecting to receive every day for the rest of my life.
So, I'm here and having another go.....

$67,000 to spend today: $6,700 in the 10% fund (now I even question the validity of that philosophy - 10% of what you earn is yours to keep. If the universe is going to provide financially every day, then I don't need to put this 10% away???).
And the balance is on a complete brand new wardrobe....Yes, I can easily spend $60,300 to totallly outfit myself.
I spent yesterday cleaning out my wardrobe, decluttering, washing, tidying and the state of my apparel situation is quite sad reallly.
How glorious to have a whole wardrobe, from knickers & socks to winter jackets, corporate and swim wear, all high quality and brand new.
Can I have the money now please?

26 May: an update...

Hello Oh Wealthy Ones!!!

Please forgive me, for I have not posted in The Prosperity Game for 14 days. As I have been here since the page stared on April 12, today is day 45 for me.

I stopped posting because I know I needed 10 days to save the deposit on my first investment property (a 5 unit and 1 house complex), and then lost the momentum to post here every day. But I will now give it another go to recommence my financial mojo.

Before spending the wonderful amount of cash that I have gratefully accumulated over the last two weeks, I would like to share my spending summary with you.

In my first 31 days of this game (total $495,000), I have distributed nearly half a mil in the following manner:

Donations: $96,800
Holidays: $38,400
Home Maintenance: $155,000
Personal Spending: $2,840
Professional Development: $8,100
Wages: $16,860
Business: $30,000
Community: $30,000
Investment - Property Portfolio: $84,900
Children's Education Fund: $12,700
10% Fund: $18,400

It was a great exercise to go through and categorise my expenditure. Now I have a little book where I can keep track of things, Particularly as I grow my community projects and investment strategy.

Love and financial prosperity to you all.
♥ $ ♥

12 May / Day 31: $31,000

Today it was so damn cold! I went out and spent $2,000 on thermal under garmets and wooly jumpers & pants. Remembered the 10% Fund and the balance for my investment property deposit. Pleeeaase be warmer tomorrow.

10 & 11 May / Day 29 & 30: $59,000
Yesterday and today: $29,000 & $30,000.... It's going under the matress... for 10 days. I know what I want and I know that it will only take me ONLY 10 days 'til I will be in a position to make it happen. This is soooo AWESOME!!!!

Here's a pic of the 5 brand new units and right next door, is the original home that was on this land. It's a 3 bedroom, one level, cavity brick 3 bedroom house that has been fully renovated. It's in the suburb next to my house and we will be moving into it in 10 days - if all goes well with my contract negotiations. I just have to escape from here for a little while. All these renovations in my home are driving me crazy. Workmen everywhere (that's not such a bad thing sometimes, lol). But when they start on the retaining walls - all the things that I've spent money on lately, I just have to get outa here for a while. Hopefully only 6 weeks or so, and then I'll move home and lease the house along with the 5 units.

06 - 09 May / Day 25 - 28: $106,000

I have not posted for 4 days (days 25 - 28) so I will happily spend $106,000.

$$$ Firstly, $10,600 goes to The 10% Fund.

$$$ Then I will commence work on two new projects:
1. My Inspiration & Action Centre. I will be redeveloping the front 1/3 of my property, which is approx 550m2, to enhance my lifestyle and provide a venue to further my entrepreuneurial endeavours.
In a nutshell, this will involve converting the current garage and loft into a guest house, building a new garage, and construction of a new building to house offices/reception, a training room/art/dance studio and consultation rooms, along with the associated landscaping and driveway work.
Today I allocate an initial $30,000 for Architect and other planning fees.
2. The Single Mothers Resource Centre. I was inspired at the single mothers breakfast held by Kylie Stretton on Mothers Day and developed the concept for this initiative which will be an amazingly supportive one-stop-shop for single mothers to provide a hold host of services.
Today I allocate an initial $30,000 to this Centre.

$$$ In this abundantly creative world that is The Prosperity Game, I have met my ideal partner, so $2,400 will go to a romantic weekend get-away with Mr X. Yeah Baby... bring on the lloouuurve♥♥♥

$$$ With the remaining $33,000 I will copy the wonderful sentiment of Michael Buttgereit and donate Jumping Castles to the child care centres that have so expertly cared for my children in the past.

Aahhh, that felt good. ♥

05 May / Day 24: $24,000

Today I graciously receive $24,000. First and foremost $2,400 goes to My 10% Fund. I've decided to join Jacleen Allen and other friends and go to Date with Destiny in August: $5,500 + $2,600 for accommodation and luxury meals and entertainment while there for 6 days. I realise that I will need child care during this event, and some other amazing ventures that my plentiful and growing wealth is bringing my way, so I've decided to hire a permanent nanny/housekeeper. Today I'll allocate the remaining $13,500 as 20% of the annual wages. My financial abundance is allowing me to participate in events and social interaction that I could not do prior.

04 May / Day 23: $23,000

Since my world started changing when the universe began providing me with this awesome financial abundance, I have neglected one of my fundamental financial control rules: 10% of what you earn is yours to keep - adopted after reading The Richest Man In Babylon many years ago. I loved the simplicity of this book and the writing style: fabulously colourful. As the cover page says: "The most inspiring book on wealth ever written".

So today I opened a new bank account, purely to hold 10% of my earnings and I deposited $2,300.

$8,000 was allocated to all the extra trimmings in my kitchen renovation, as advised yesterday. This leaves 12,700 gloriously divine dollars which formed the deposit in another new bank account, that is to be used as an education fund for the children. I'm looking forward to watching the balances grow.

03 May / Day 22: $22,000

On my way to the sports store this afternoon to buy my son some new soccer boots, I popped into The Kitchen Connection, which was right next door. I just wanted to get an idea of how much it would cost to replace my tired old late 70's kitchen with whizz bang shiny new cupboards, benchtops and appliances. And you know what, with my $22,000 today I will be able to do it with my own specifications. I will borrow $8,000 from my earnings tomorrow (that I know will be there because I AM A MEGGA MONEY MAGNET and can be confident that the money I need will be there for what I want, when I want it) because I'd like to get a couple of extra features, including tiles and paint two walls and all the doors, which will have to be changed to match, of course.
I love how lighter coloured cupboards will lift the room and make my cooking and eating space brighter.

02 May / Day 21: $21,000
I just sat back, stretched and looked up at the ceiling, elbows up with fingers clasped behind my head (you know the pose!) and thought about the $21,000 I am so fortunate to be able to spend today.
I actually feel a little void of thought, or wants. Could it be that there isn't anything that I really need right now.
As I come to terms with my ever increasing financial freedom I realise a level of responsibility that comes with it. I'm still working on securing my own financial stability, and when totally comfortable with that, I will work on building the way in which I will give back, to spread my good fortune.
That will come, but for today, I will gift some cash to my immediate family.
$3K each to Mum, Dad, Rosie, Peter, Debbie, Chris & $3K for the 4 girls to share.
 

27 April - 01 May / Day 16 - 20: $90,000

I have been saving up to replace the retaining walls on my property, which are rotting away and ruined by termites in areas. It's a big job as I have approx 50m on the Eastern slope and approx 60m on the Western side. I am astounded and utterly grateful to know that in only 5 days (Apr27 - May01 : $16K - $20K) I have more than enough cash to make it happen.
It will cost $55K for materials, labour & equipment to replace the old sleepers with interlocking bricks. I'll spend $5K to re-turf the lawn that will get churned up in the process, and just do the whole lawn while at it. And a further $10K on landscaping, re-planting and accessories. $10K will replace the Eastern fence.
I am left with $10K, from my 5 days of saving, which I will donate to the children's school for landscaping and maintenance work.
I feel so blessed that I am able to do this. I am making all the broken and old things surrounding me all shiny and new. It's so wonderful.

25 & 26 April / Day 14 & 15: $29,000
Well I've still been in holiday mode for the last two days, before the children return to school tomorrow from the Easter break, and I haven't needed to spend a cent. So today I will donate $29,000 ($14K for yesterday and $15K today) to Diabetes Australia to help with their research.

24 April / Day 13: $13,000
Today I will spend $13,000 on setting up an appointment for Jacleen’s daughter with a modelling agency in NYC. She’ll get a tour of one of the top agencies, an interview and a photo shoot to set up a photographic model portfolio. Oh, the wonderful opportunities that are more open to you when you can splash a bit of cash.

23 April / Day 12: $12,000
I’m on holidays at the moment and being reminded of just how easily the cash can disappear if you truly want to experience everything the destination has to offer. I’m setting aside today’s $12,000 for that New York trip. Honestly, I really think we’re gonna need it.  
Today my home gets a make-over:

22 April / Day 11: $11,000
Following on from to my last post, I require $11,000 for my New York Trip with Jacleen. That should just about cover it. But I’m sure if something unexpected pops up (Like that very last pair of shoes and gorgeous NYC outfit that I can no longer fit in the suitcase for the return trip home) then I’ll have the cash at the time to pay for an extra suitcase and excess baggage charges.

21 April / Day 10: $10,000
Today I am booking my trip to New York with my friend Jacleen and her daughter. I will put a $10,000 deposit down..... I will need more spending money - that will come. I'll also be paying for my parents to come to Qld from Tas to have a holiday and care for my kids while I'm away. Gotta love this life.

˙·٠•●♥Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥●•٠·˙

20 April / Day 9: $9000Today (in real life) I threw out an old computer that reminded me of my exhusband every time I looked at it. It felt so good to remove it from that room. It was like a confirmation that I have moved on from what held me back in the past. So then (virtually) I got rid of the lounge suite, for the same reason, and bought a brand new, modular design, cream leather lounge that has a lovely big chaise and ottoman that cost $5000. I then spent a further $3000 on the outdoor furniture that I have been wanting to get for a long time to spruce up the back verandah and make it a much more comfortable place to relax. I topped it off with some amazing outdoor decor pieces worth $1000 - some great big ceramic tubs and exotic looking plants, wall art and a seagrass woven rug. It feels so nice sitting out here, where I give thanks for all the abundance in my life.


19 April / Day 8: $8000

The living space in my double brick home has a huge cathedral ceiling. It is extremely hard to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. The $3500 split system air conditioning unit installed about 7 years ago never does a satisfactory job. I will spend $8000 today to upgrade to a more efficient system.
It feels so satisfying to finally be completing jobs I've been thinking about for a long while. I have an abundance of wealth and life just keeps on getting better. :)

18 April / Day 7: $7000

Clean roof 600; clean gutters 350; clean house exterior 400; roof gutters & exterior of garage 500; seal eaves of garage 1250; gurney driveway & paths 450; clean skylights 150; 5 x glass sliding doors and 9 x windows 400; dust/clean all interior walls, floors & carpet 1000; new front door & side panel - maple with 5 glass panes 950; security screen for front and back doors 800; new letter box & installation 150.
Lovely - $7000 worth and all I did was make a few phone calls. Now I just have to make sure I'm not around to be bothered by all the people coming here to work on sprucing up the place. Must remember to book a little getaway tomorrow.
Ah, what a life. This is great! :)

17 April / Day 6: $6000
Today I'm getting the tree-loper to visit my back yard. He can remove the dangerous gumtree that overhangs the washing line and trampoline and the trees/branches from neighbouring properties that are potential hazards. $6,000 will do it - yes, they are BIG trees.

16 April / Day 5: $5000

Today I will spend $5000 to renovate my main bathroom and toilet. Out with the retro 70's red fittings and in with some elegant modern style. Out with the shoddy stinky plumbing and in with professionals to handle every detail. Out with penny-pinching and in with prosperity.

15 April / Day 4: $4000

11 days of school holidays to go and $4000 to spend today. I'll pay $480/day for a nanny with spending money to keep my children happily and wholesomely engaged for 7 days, and have $640 extra spending money for our 4 day holiday on the Gold Coast.

14 April / Day 3: $3000

Today I planned another visit to beautiful Gaia on Byron Bay's hinterland. I was there nearly two years ago for one of the most relaxing retreats ever. I bought a three day accommodation package for $1,995 and will fit in 4 visits to the Day Spa for a Deluxe Detox $360, Indian Marma Head Massage $60, Acupuncture session $195 and Four Hands Massage $180. I'll spend my remaining $210 on a yoga outfit and crystals or books from the gift store.

Aaahhh... feeling better already. ♥

13 April / Day 2: $2000

With my $2000 today I will pay the accountant that I am going to see tomorrow. It's satisfying to know that I can easily afford his fee and will no longer hesitate to contact and pay a professional to do work that I attempt to do myself. I am happy knowing that I can focus my efforts on what I enjoy doing and can leave all the other jobs to those that are best at them.
With the remaining money I will buy some lovely new skin care products. I will take pleasure in using these to make my (previously badly neglected) skin blemish free and look radiant. :)

12 April / Day 1: $1000

Hello Everyone... Nice to be here. I will give $400 as a present to Jacleen Allen for inviting me to this group; $400 as a present to Anne Aleckson for starting this group (which I'm looking forward to being involved with and having fun with) and $200 on a present for me... um... I've been going without a coffee plunger for a while - I'll get a whiz bang new coffee machine. :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The concept of The Prosperity Game

 was introduced by Abraham-Hicks in their book,

 Ask and it is Given:

Buy it here:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day 45 - 50 - Procrastination is king: a crappy update

I would love to sit here and tell you about the great progress I'm making with one of my BIGGEST CRAP Clearing jobs set so far on this 100 Day Challenge to Clear the CRAP.


I would love to tell you that I have cleared that HUGE job described on Day 44.


I would be so gratified if I did not spend the last 5 days finding every single job under the sun to do OTHER than THE most important task at hand.


I would love it if there were no Easter Bonnets to make, School Cross Country races to attend, Taxi Services to provide to Gymnastics, Tennis, & Soccer, School Banking Implementation tasks to complete, Housework and Yard Duty to Attend to.


I would love it if I was not addicted to Facebook... well not really... I love being addicted to Facebook.


BUT these things have taken over.


I now have only two days left before my appointment with the Accountant.


Now I HAVE TO get it finished.

 

My life

will soon

be

taxation

obligation

free

I

will

soon

be

free

Day 44 - I did it! I finally did it!

I am too embarrassed to tell you exactly how behind I am in sorting out my financial affairs. Let’s just say that I have quite a number of BAS statements to complete.

I have been putting off this very important job for way too long now. I knew I’d get to it during this Clear the Crap Challenge. And today’s the day - I made an appointment with the accountant. Woo Hooooo. I never imagined that I would be dancing around the house after a simple call to the ‘tax man’.

I haven’t done any of the required paperwork yet, but already I feel 100% better about it. When this is done, it will definitely be time to PARTY!!!

But for now...... I go into hibernation mode. I REALLY have to buckle down over the next few days to get this crappy paperwork sorted.

Taxation Crap to sort out... with the help of GG the Cat

Crap Cleared: Taxation paperwork. Well, I’ve made a start - this will take me a while to complete!

Day 44 observations:

• I’m ready to tackle the big crap-clearing job that I’ve been avoiding.

___________________________________________________________

Day 43 - Sometimes grown-ups need reward charts as well

It’s time to start working on clearing the crap

from inside my body.

I’m talkin’ toxins!!

It's making me feel sluggish

and causing pimples!

　

Now, I’m not ready for a full-on detox. I’m going to have to slowly ween myself off the late night chip munching, preservative filled goodies and daily chocolate fixes. But I’m prepared to make a start toward a quest for healthier eating habits.

And I’ll start with drinking more water.

I’ve made this resolution before. "I really need to drink more water" We’ve all said it. But have you really meant it and followed through?

So, in an attempt to keep track of how I’m going, and to keep myself on track, I wrote up a chart and stuck it on the wall. Simply 7 days with 5 columns. I want to drink 5 glasses of water every day for the next week. When ever I drink a glass, I give myself a tick.

Yep... the same way I get the kids to do what they need to do. It’s going well so far - only just after 10am and I have three ticks.

Crap Cleared: Toxins from my body... Well, I’ve made a start anyway.

Day 37 observations:

• Sometimes it’s just the little helpful tips and strategies that can be so beneficial to get us where we need to go.

_______________________________________________________________

Day 36 - 42 Thirty One Emotions: A week in review

 Seven days of ups and downs. I’ve let a bit of time go by without physically throwing out any crap, but it has been one AMAZING week and this is what I felt:

　

Excited

When I started the week with mega-enthusiasm. I achieved a lot in the day. I was on track and looking forward to a productive week ahead. Monday: My day to get things done.

　

Relieved

When I finally took myself off to the physio to get some treatment for my right forearm which has been paining me for over 8 weeks.

　

Joyous

When I watched my daughter open her early birthday presents that were delivered my mail.

　

Irritated

When removing the extreme packaging that encases children’s toys nowadays. It can take over half an hour to extract a Puppy-in-a-Pocket Hospital from the cardboard, plastic and tape that surrounds it.

　

Angry

When my son’s father arrived late to watch his tennis practice. He had chosen not to see his kids very often and now only has supervised visitation, so when I invite him to an event to be with his children, you would think he could arrive on time to make the most of it!

　

Disappointed

When my daughter’s father did not want to go for a walk with her to the toilet block and back or go out to play bounce and catch the tennis ball. Rather, he just sat in his car for the whole duration of the tennis lesson.

　

Disturbed

When I did not conduct a strong enough protection technique to stop my ex-husband from draining all my energy and rendering me sad, confused and out of sorts for the next 48 hours after our interaction.

　

Delighted

When I finally caught up with an old friend for dinner. We had a great time and connected on a different level than ever before when discussing our latest activities involving emotional healing and transforming consciousness.

　

Technical

When I conquered more HTML code and managed to put a contact form on my website. Woo hooo!!

　

Playful

When enabling a magical journey in the Bush Fairy Garden for 10 little fairies at the Lyell Deer Farm. It was my daughter’s 5^th Birthday Party.

Intrigued

When finding out about the Campfire Healing & Meditation Circles, Drumming and Drum-Making Sessions held in the  Kupidabin Wilderness.

　

Overwhelmed

When attempting to find the best way to market my business and myself by researching on the web. The plethora of information keeps me reading and learning until the wee hours of the morning.

　

Fatigued

When my head hit the pillow and I turned off the light at 2am in the morning on way too many nights this week.

　

Inspired

When subscribing to Ashley Ambirdge’s 97 in ’11 project. She is from The Middle Finger Project and was the prompt for the format of this post.

　

Appreciative

When my children attended a Keep Safe Program organised by their school which taught all about their private body parts, keeping safe and the importance of telling people your news. My daughter continues to share details of what she remembers - it’s great.

　

Contented

When I had a slight sleep in one morning and Mr 7yo completed every task on his job list and helped Ms 5yo to have her breakfast and get dressed before I emerged from my bedroom. What amazing kids! He got tuck shop that day.

　

Enlightened

When remembering a recent meditation. I had a vision of standing in my special spot and I saw myself as pure light. It was a pivotal moment in my awakening and it provided an understanding of unconditional love.

　

Annoyed

When I attempted to create my first video, standing in this special spot, the place where I feel most connected with the universal energy, and all I got was a photo before the battery ran out. This spot is just an area of my back yard where I conduct a lot of my centering and energetic healing techniques.

　

Astonished
Totally frickin blown away

When I uploaded the photo and it showed me bathed in light. Yes, I am no expert photographer and the sun was simply shining into the camera lens, but this photo holds such significance for me. It’s like a divine confirmation that I am on the right path.

　

Glossy

When the weather turned cool and I was back in jeans, topped off with a cool scarf and a funky jacket thrown over.

Proud

When I heard one of the soccer dads refer to my son as "the enforcer". His game has improved so much. This week her really showed guts, getting in there and going for the ball.

　

Glorious

When my daughter was awarded "Gymnast of the Month". Her confidence and skill has improved so much over the last few weeks. What a treasure! Poor thing is really tired right now as she nears the end of her first term of full time school.

　

Satisfied

When I finally finished the construction of an ag-pipe drainage system in my back yard. This was needed in response to the huge rains received this summer that caused the devastating Brisbane flood in January.

　

Delighted

When I caught up with my best friend for a morning coffee.

　

Over-committed

When I volunteered to be the school banking coordinator.

　

Decisive

When I found out that 100% of people who responded with "No" to my Question: "Are you offended by the word CRAP?". I love the multitude of uses of this generic term and realised that if it was to be offensive to any one, then that is a person who I would not be able to reach out to and help any way. I am practical and down-to-earth. I’ve had it with presenting false positive images to the world. While I am designing a life devoted to inner direction and spiritual growth, I am also realistic. I deal with crap. And I can help others who have crap to deal with. If you don’t like that, then you’re either not yet ready to be open to the universal truth, or I am not the right person to guide you in that direction.

　

Grateful

When I found Jo Dunning on You-Tube.

　

Connected

When I was selected for an interview to become a collaborator on The Difference™ film project. This extraordinary film will touch your heart and soul, whilst generating growth within your mind as to the endless possibilities for your life. The Difference™, due for release in 2012, will be filmed in Australia, internationally and in conjunction with a global team of 6,000 Collaborators.

　

　

　

　

Crap Cleared: Not a lot - but I had a damn exciting and happy week

　
Day 36 observations:

• My kids are my world
• Connections.................

____________________________________________________________

Day 35 - Self-sacrifice to protect my kids

When I started rummaging around in the blue laundry cupboard, looking for children’s birthday party stuff, I had no idea that I’d end up crying for the loss that my children have in their lives. Such is the beauty of Clearing the Crap.

I found the box of party poppers, balloons, streamers and crappy toys to put in kid’s party bags and decided to clear out that blue laundry cupboard. Surprisingly, it was really easy to throw away items that I was not using any more. I’m not sure whether it was the nature of the crap stored in that cupboard, or whether now, after a month of crap clearing, I’ve just become good at it!

 

Initially no thoughts were coming to me while sorting and cleaning. Perhaps I was just too distracted by the craziness going on in the back yard. Periodically I had to moderate the children’s use of the hose and trampoline (not a good combination). So I set them to work cleaning a plastic tarp I still had lying around from constructing a drain... which they promptly turned into one of those plastic-water-slippery-dip-thingies and were having a wow of a time.

Back to clearing crap from my laundry cupboard and I started thinking about next weekend.

I was trying to work out how to manage activities next Saturday. I would like to continue having a stall at our local monthly country market, but the soccer season has now started and that takes up a couple of hours on a Saturday morning.

Due to the early morning start at the market, I could ask if any soccer parents could have my son for a sleep over the night before, and look after him for half the day, save dropping him off at 5am on the way to the market. But I feel like it’s such an imposition on the two families, who I am very close with and rely on at other times to help care for my kids, and I don’t know the other soccer families well enough.

What to do??

I had received an email from my ex-husband saying; "We're probably due for another afternoon of games & movies here. Does next Saturday suit?" I thought:

 

We are NOT "due" for a visit -

there is no regular visitation schedule.

And visits must still be supervised.

Games and movies is NOT my preferred activity

for them for hours and hours on end,

which is what always happens when they are there.

　
　

Then I thought about my dilemma with juggling the market and soccer. They can go to their Dad....

 

How nice would that be?

How easy would that make my life?

I could possibly even HAVE A LIFE,

if they were to spend time with their father.

 

But that would be sacrificing my integrity and the safety of the children.

I’ll just have to give the market a miss.

My business & income earning potential, my leisure activities, MY LIFE will just have to remain on hold. I continue to sacrifice myself in honour of the doubt I still hold over the capacity of the children’s father to care appropriately for them, based on his behavioural history (Now that’s a big one that I will most likely not tackle here).

It rips my heart open every day knowing that my children do not have a dad who is there for them. This is NOT what I wanted for them. This is NOT what I wanted for me. This has shattered every dream for the future that I ever held for my family and myself.

I have struggled with this for over four years and just when I think I have cleared all the emotional crap associated with the pain of this situation, interaction with him can reignite anger, resentment, fear, worry, sadness....

What I do acknowledge, is how quickly I am now able to process these destructive emotions and relieve the pain they cause. I simply follow various strategies that I have in my healing repertoire.

I have finally found the answer to that old cliche: "Things happen for a reason" with regard to the end of my marriage. (See Thank you for leaving me, it led me to discover who I really am.) But I wonder about the reason for this happening to the children.

I have learnt that our souls choose the life path that lies before them, in order to learn or reinforce a certain lesson. I wonder what lesson my children will come away with from this. When they do the work to process and release all the emotions associated with how they are treated by their father, then they will know, and only they can discover that lesson.

If you are

• dealing with separation
• have concerns over the safety of your children
• struggle with managing what you have to get through in your day
• basically, have a lot of CRAP to deal with

Please know that there are ways to get through it. I have strategies to help you find the right answers within yourself, as you have an inherent knowing of the best way to move forward. I can help you to learn to trust your internal guidance system.

So... Bring out the party poppers and balloons... it’s time to celebrate:

Celebrate

    The sacrifices we make for our children

Celebrate

    The joy of slip-sliding around on a wet plastic mat

Celebrate

    The challenges we face in life and the lessons we learn from it

Celebrate

    Knowing we have the answers within - be brave enough to go searching for them
Celebrate

    And the amazing revelations you find inside blue laundry cupboards!

Crap Cleared: Pile of crap from the laundry

Day 35 observations:

• It’s getting easier to de-clutter my home, but I feel I may be repeating the identification of emotional issues. If so, I need to do more work on clearing those big issues.
• I will not sacrifice my integrity and the safety of the children