Sunday 31 August 2014

100 Happy Days - Day 63

Today's happiness comes in the form of a two hour yoga session, an early birthday present from my closest friend.

I am a huge fan of yoga and believe strongly in its wonderful benefits for your mind, body and soul.  To date the yoga I have practiced has always been of the more gentle and relaxing nature known as Hatha and these sessions usually last for about an hour.

I have always wanted to try the more vigorous forms of yoga such as Bikram or Vinyasa and tonight I was lucky enough to do so.  The session was also complimented with a live musician who created some wonderful energy and vibrations allowing participants to really "get lost" in their poses and feel everything they needed to feel.

I have to admit I was a little concerned as to whether or not I could last two hours, but I did.  In fact when we finished, both my friend and I couldn't actually believe that it had been two hours.  

I finished the session feeling relaxed, exhausted (the good kind), well and truly stretched and totally reconnected with my "sun salutation".



Thursday 28 August 2014

100 Happy Days - Days 58, 59, 60,61 & 62


Day 58
Another great sunny day and a fantastic run.

Day 59
A neighbours pretty garden.  I went for a quick walk today after work.  We have recently moved and I was walking down a street I had not been in before.  I came across a pretty garden full of colourful flowers and sweet smelling roses, it was a lovely way to finish off my walk.

Day 60
A crisp morning.  This morning it was really fresh, however, the sky was blue.  I particularly love these types of mornings.  The crispness in the air fills your lungs and lets you know you are alive and that beautiful blue sky lets you know its going to be fantastic day.

Day 61
A bbq for tea.  Today the weather was beautiful and sunny.  Tonight for tea we decided to have a bbq.  The food was great and the atmosphere was relaxed.  Bliss!

Day 62
"Good morning" cuddles.  I love them and they are a perfect way to greet the day.

Saturday 23 August 2014

100 Happy Days - Days 55 - 57

Day 55
Lunch with work friends, outside in the fresh air.

Day 56
This week I ended my busy working week with a quick run with my closest friend.  It was a beautiful, calm and sunny end to the day.  Running along our foreshore, taking in the magnificent views of the ocean and spending quality time with my friend truly is happiness.

Day 57
Watching the breeze move through our trees.  Today there was a bit of wind around, I love watching it weave its magic as it makes it way through our trees.  If you've read my other posts, then you will know that I am a huge tree lover.  I find it very relaxing to take a few minutes, be calm and watch as the breeze pushes branches and leaves to and from as well as to listen to the rustle and whisper that the breeze makes when doing this.  In life it's the small things that count.  Stop, relax and take time to notice and enjoy your environment.

Wednesday 20 August 2014

100 Happy Days - Day 50 - 54

Day 50
Today I am happy because it's Day 50 and I'm half way through the challenge.  When I first started the 100 Happy Days Challenge I remembered thinking to myself that 100 days was a lot and I doubted whether or not I would stick to the challenge and make it through the whole 100 days.  Although 50 days is still a distance from the finish line, I am happy that I have made it this far and still going strong.

Day 51
A wonderful compliment made my day.  I have been on the good old "weight loss" journey.  I'm in no hurry and am taking my time, losing bit by bit, nice and steady.  Losing weight is hard and sometimes you can get stuck in a rut and get a little slack.  I have just come off one of those times and have kick started myself back into gear.  Today I received a compliment on how good I was looking.  This compliment was totally unexpected, absolutely lovely and helpful in keeping me positive and focused on my goal.

Day 52
Sharing in a friends good news.  Happiness shared is happiness doubled.

Day 53
A walk in the sunshine and a play at the park with my children.  After a busy day at work, nothing beats fun and happiness with your kids.

Day 54
Tonight whilst standing in my backyard a beautiful parrot flew past.  I actually heard it's loud chirping as it whirred past my head and looked up to see bright red outstretched wings and a blue body swoosh past me.  I love birds, I love their sense of freedom as they soar high up in the sky.  Tonight I stopped and took notice of the parrot and it made me instantly feel relaxed and happy.

Friday 15 August 2014

100 Happy Days - Day 49

Walking along on my way to work this morning I stumbled across a lovely little patch of strawberry clover in bloom.  The grass was glistening in the morning sun, covered with a light smattering of morning dew and the strawberry clover looked soft and pretty.  How easy is it to walk on by, rushing to get to work and not take notice of a sweet little spot of nature.  Today I am happy that I took the time to notice.

Thursday 14 August 2014

100 Happy Days - Days 44 - 48

Day 44
Oh Sunday how I love you.  The second day of the weekend - happiness!

Day 45
A caring and thoughtful mother-in-law (Nan).  Today was day one of moving into our new home.  My wonderful mother-in-law, knowing that I would be busy with the move made plans to cook tea for us tomorrow night and also cooked tea for us tonight.

Day 46
Our first meal in our new home, made by Nan and shared around our new dining table.

Day 47
Organising the new house.  It's so much fun getting things in place, decorating and making your new house feel like a home.

Day 48
A huge good morning hug from a work colleague was a fantastic way to start my day.  As I was walking along the corridor to my office, my work colleague Julie was making her way along, she looked up and smiled at me, opened her arms wide and said "come here and start your day with a hug".  It was fantastic! We stopped and chatted for a few moments and then finished off with another hug.....I love hugs, so two in the morning before I'd even started work for the day was bliss, it was also nice to share a peaceful and caring moment with someone I like. I think sometimes we forget to do this.

Saturday 9 August 2014

100 Happy Days - Days 30 - 33

Day 30
I have to confess that today was a bit of a challenge in the 100 Happy Days.  Today was flat out with lots to get done, always racing the clock and worrying that it might not be achieved.  Happiness today was the moment when I lay in bed, stretch, relaxed and let out a sigh of relief.  The day was finishing and yes I had got it all done.

Day 31
A quick afternoon Tea with some work colleagues.  Work has been crazy lately so it was nice to take time out and relax with other staff members as well as have a few laughs.

Day 32
Visiting our new house for final inspection.  It's nearly moving time.

Day 33
A Saturday morning sleep-in!  

Our house has been on the market for nearly 2 months.  Open houses have been early Saturday mornings and boy have I missed one of my most favourite things.....a sleep in.   This morning I woke up early, remembered I had the morning off and rolled over, snuggled my doona and fell back to sleep.....ah bliss!!

Sunday 3 August 2014

100 Happy Days - Day 27

A 5km Fun Run for charity. I haven't run much this year due to a niggling injury, so I was quite nervous leading up to this run.  I used to run longer distances than this, but for the past few months have felt very out of practice.

So what better way to dust off the cobwebs than a run for charity.  The Leila Rose Foundation provides assistance to families affected by rare childhood cancers.   The community spirit was soaring high this morning and it felt wonderful to take part in something so special as well as stretch out the old body.

Saturday 2 August 2014

100 Happy Days - Day 26

Fantastic weather today, the sun was out and what better way to celebrate it than a walk along the beach promenade with my bestie, her cheeky dog (my favourite dog in the world) and my son.

100 Happy Days - Day 25

This morning I woke to the sound of rain.  We have had really horrible weather lately, lots of cold icy wind and so much rain.  Normally after a lot of bad weather, waking to the sound of rain can be a little depressing, thoughts of "oh not another terrible day" can run through your head.  

This morning as I lay in bed listening to the rain, my thoughts weren't negative.  I lay there, I breathed and I relaxed.  It was lovely and peaceful laying there listening to the rain and taking a few moments to just be calm.  

What a great way to start the day!