2022 has proven itself to be my “annus horribilis” with a number of serious health complications raining down on our family. Thankfully we have reached the other side of it with some sort of normality and life continues – albeit with some changes.
The year has disappeared in a blur of doctors’ appointments, hospital visits and LOTS of stress. We made the very tough decision to sell our dream block of land in Hobart, Tasmania. We will still retire to Tasmania but with a different plan that we have not fully formed yet
Mostly I managed to keep it all together, but at times I have NOT felt I have been living my best life. 🙁
I CAN be grateful that we were able to travel and were able to see our gorgeous grandsons TWICE this year. As much as it is super fun Facetimeing 5&3 year olds, nothing beats “Nana Cuddles”
All in all, I can be thankful for every moment good and bad. I can be intentional in closing off 2022 and be ready to face 2023 with renewed optimism and joy.
My word for 2023 is “SPACE” space for me to…
breathe
relax
connect and just
BE!!
I have planned a number of catchups with friends, weekends away and plenty of “me time” ( how long has it been since I had a massage??)
What are your plans for 2023?
Why not complete the “Life Audit” to see where your life is at right now and give yourself some hints on what to address this year.
Strangely, this question has popped up a few times on my Facebook feed in the past few days.
I admit when I first saw it a week or so ago, my first thought was Italy. I so enjoyed my time there on tour in 2014. Everything about it, the countryside, the language, the people and of course the FOOD and WINE!!!
But then, after contemplation, I know that I am probably looking at Italy through “holiday tinted glasses” I actually have no idea if it would be a great place to live. I have never looked into jobs, taxation or the level of social care we enjoy here in Australia. I love living in Australia, we are a pretty laid back nation of mostly awesome people and (like Italy) great countryside from the reef to the outback, and some amazing food and wine. What is not to love?
My mother lives about 3 hours north of us in a smallish regional town with a population of around 120000 and I have often said I could easily live there if not for the weather. It is far too hot and humid for me and I do not like living 9-10 months of the year NEEDING air conditioning.
We love living where we do. It is an easy drive to visit most of our family members and a short flight to see the others. However, our selfish dream is to move south to Tasmania. We have purchased our block of land and will build on it next year. The house will be tenanted until we retire and move.
Given that Tasmania is a one-hour drive to the airport and then a 3.5hr flight, we will not have the opportunity to visit often 🙁
In the meantime, I am happy with various webcam footage from the area. This one from the top of Mt Wellington/kunanyi is a firm favourite. Today, for instance, it is a fine and sunny winter’s day here in Qld with a temperature of around 20C. Looking at the webcam I can see SNOW!! Our land looks toward the mountain, and I cannot wait to be sitting on our front deck with a hot cuppa, dressed warmly and looking at the snow in person 🙂
So my final answer as to where in the world I most want to live.. It is Hobart, Tasmania.
Day View across the Derwent RiverNight Time view to Hobart
Hint: It’s because you might not be asking for the right thing 🙂
You have read all the books and blog posts. You have made your vision board. You have said your affirmations regularly. All this and …crickets 🙁
“What am I doing WRONG”? “I seem to be manifesting all sorts of other things, just not the $10,000 that I really want.”
I get asked this question often. A client may have done all the work and has set her intention to buy that elusive “thing” but the money does not come 🙁
You might find that you are receiving all sorts of bonuses from the Universe that you have not picked up on. You might get given tickets to a show you were planning on seeing, or you might win a hamper pack of foodie delights or even just one of those weeks at the supermarket where “everything” seems to be on sale and the checkout total is far less than you expected.
When I receive these kinds of things, I voice my gratitude to the Universe and then decided if I can “pay myself” for them.
eg: If I receive tickets to a show that I WAS already planning on going to, the amount that I was planning to spend, will go into a bank account or off a debt.
The foodie hamper might be used as a replacement for a dinner out or regifted, either way, the dollar value of what I would normally spend will be used as the value of the hamper.
The supermarket savings will mean that the budget has some “wiggle room” or we may choose to redirect those savings into the holiday fund or similar.
If you look at all you receive and be grateful, you might find you are closer than you think to the original dollar figure you asked for.
But …guess what? The Universe rarely gives money for money’s sake. Let’s face it… money is just pieces of paper and metal that we as humans have designated a value to. If you feel you are being given “things” other than the money you think you want, take a step back and reassess.
What is it that you really want? If you are trying to manifest $10,000, what is your plan for that money? Are you actually asking for a new car or a holiday or a new kitchen renovation?
Get specific, you may be surprised just what might be coming.
Here are 3 simple steps to help you manifest what you really want.
Step 1: Get REALLY clear on what you are trying to achieve. It is a Kitchen Renovation? Start a Pinterest Board full of ideas for your ideal kitchen. Visit Kitchen displays to be clear on the pricing of your ideal kitchen. When you are in your current kitchen, imagine what it will feel like when your dream becomes reality.
Step 2: Change your mindset. Don’t dismiss the bonuses that are coming your way. Be grateful and look for ways that these smaller things can be used as value toward your goal.
Step 3: Take ACTIONS that lead to your goal. Get detailed quotes from a builder so you know exactly what you need. Keep an eye out for sales or bonus buys that mean you can either reduce the cost of your new kitchen or upgrade to higher quality for the same price. (I have a friend who ended up with FABULOUS marble splashback feature tiles because they were leftover from a high-end build and listed on Facebook at less than the plain white tiles she was looking at.)
I recently watched an interview with Martha Beck in which she was discussing her new book, “The Way of Integrity: Finding the path to your true self.”
If you have not heard of Martha Beck, she is an American life coach (most famous as being Oprah Winfrey’s coach), sociologist and author. In this book, she explains why “integrity” – being in harmony with ourselves–is the key to a meaningful and joyful life.
In one part of the interview, she mentions that, in many of her studies, when people are asked what they want, they reply with the typical…Nice House, Fancy Car, More time with the kids, Win the Lottery etc.
She then goes on to ask them…“In the quiet of the night, what do you yearn for?”
Over many years she has distilled this down to determine that all of us yearn for just four things – Peace, Freedom, Joy, and Love. (Take your time and let that sink in a bit… Peace, Freedom, Joy, and Love.)
It was with this revelation, I realised that, I too yearn for these and it is my constant work to reach these. For me Freedom is my number one driver. This has shown itself in my desire to have my own business from an early age and “be the boss” Not having to answer to higher management has meant that, while I may have worked equally as hard as my employees, I have had the freedom to choose what hours suit me and my family.
The Love component has been helped by knowing my Love Language and that of the people close to me.
If you have not read the book “The 5 Love Languages” by Dr Gary Chapman – do yourself a favour. The linked website has a quiz to do to determine your Love Languages.
The Joy and Peace factors are achieved in my life by being mindful of clutter around me. I do not cope with dis-order and find myself getting stressed and anxious around clutter.
I am not about to say that my life is perfect – far from it. But using this framework of striving for Peace, Freedom, Joy, and Love is a powerful method.
How do you create Peace, Freedom, Joy and Love in your life? Let me know in the comments.
PS. My “Rise to Rich” course can help you to create the Peace, Freedom, Joy and Love you yearn for by helping you to determine what those qualities look like in YOUR 10/10 ideal life. Find out more here..
Any travel through this CoVid time is a challenge, but we had decided that we did need a break but we would need to stay within our home state of Queensland. At Easter we usually are able to take the Thursday before and the Tuesday after Easter to create a nice 6 day break.
For this trip we chose Rockhampton as it had been a long time since either of us had been in the area. A quick “Google” showed lots to do and see, but on further investigation I could not find any suitable accommodation.
I knew Yeppoon is the beachside locale of Rockhampton so decided to look there… Still not a lot available but I knew Easter would be a very busy time. I finally found “Salt Yeppoon Apartments“, a newish resort right on the oceanfront. It promised that every room has an ocean view. A few clicks and we were booked in a 1 bedroom apartment for 5 nights.
You can read all about our holiday on my travel blog here…
Many of us have been raised with the idea of "saving for a rainy day", so we diligently squirrel away savings for a disastrous event.
While it is important to have a safety net backup, "Sunshine Cash" is the complete opposite :) It is the money to have FUN with, money to burn, money to enjoy, and money to LIVE.
It is the formula that has seen me "Rise to Rich" and I can help you do the same.
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Hint: It’s because you might not be asking for the right thing 🙂
