Saving the Memories

October 5, 2007 | Leave a Comment

A fresh start can be a wonderful thing (as is being proven by all my fellow contributors to The Calm Space this month)! But would you ever want to start a fresh when it comes to all the precious memories that you have captured on your digital camera.

Digital cameras are the norm in most households, and many businesses, these days. What they provide in convenience they lack in hard copy output. And with digital files so easy to erase, corrupt or just plain loose (ever had that feeling with a document or email you needed?) your digital images are not as secure as your photo prints may once have been.

So what do you do about it?

  1. The most straightforward thing is to just backup your images when you backup your computer (you do backup your computer don’t you?)
  2. Use a utility like Google’s Picasa that will help you organise your images and make them easier to backup (it also makes things easier to find and easier to share)
  3. If you backup to CDs then consider making 2 copies and keeping one of them offsite. The CDs kept in your cupboard will keep you safe if the computer fails, but if the house burns down or floods then the CDs are gone too.
  4. If you don’t want to backup to CDs consider using an online backup service like Carbonite. For a small fee (USD$49 per year is small when you think about starting over) it not only backups your images but your whole computer - you even get sound peace of mind thrown in for nothing.

There’s not a great deal of rocket science to this backup caper. With the above straightforward steps and a little time you will have no excuse for starting over with your digital memories.

Ever wondered what your digital memories are worth to you? For Megan Bowen her memories were worth a great deal.

A Wahroonga mother of five is offering $20,000 for the return of a stolen laptop which stored her family photos. Megan and Peter Bowen’s home was robbed while the family was aleep on the night of August 22 - it was one of several homes to be targeted in Lucinda Avenue that night. Among the valuables stolen was a laptop containing precious memories of all her children, aged 17, 13, 8, 4 and 16 months.
Source: The Village Voice

Are you ready to start afresh or do something now to save your memories?

Posted by leah | Filed Under Digital Space, October07 

Your Breathing Space for October

October 5, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Breathing Space October

“It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts.”

~K.T. Jong

[Link to larger image]
Image copyright and courtesy of Leah Maclean

Posted by karen | Filed Under Breathing Space, October07 

A Fresh Start to Your Relationship

October 2, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Even just coming here to The Calm Space makes me start breathing deeper and feeling better. And when that breathing makes you notice the smell of fresh earth and warm breezes and the flutter of spring blossoms out in the street, it’s a real sensual pleasure! Ah there’s that day-spa for the senses again!

Having breathed myself into a piece of serenity, I thought I’d share with you my plans for this year’s Spring Clean/Fresh Start on my marriage of 33 years! Our Wedding Anniversary is part of Spring so the sights and smells of Spring make us both smile at the thought of our upcoming Anniversary.

Of course, you may ask why, if my relationship is strong and enduring, would I need a Fresh Start? Because just like the washing needs doing, and the cupboards or the car sometimes needs a good clean-out, so too does our/any relationship.

What’s that you wanted to know? How do I get my husband to participate? What do we do?

Well, getting “the old man” on board is about setting the scene right the first time. Since then, suggesting it’s time for a review and revamp has positive and pleasant associations and he readily agrees. (I made sure the first time was some work and lotsa fun!)

As to how, here’s the steps I take.

  1. Propose a time out session for both of us including activities that both will enjoy. (That might be staying at a hotel or going away, but could equally be fresh seafood, champagne and the massage table with warm fragrant oils set up ready to pamper each other at home!)
  2. Be clear that the lovely indulgences are our reward to each other for spending some time talking and reflecting.
  3. Start with something that refreshes us both, e.g. walk along the beach, breakfast at a cafe. During the relaxed conversation that goes with it, deliberately reminisce about our early romance and highlights of our lives together.
  4. Bring out the good tea and coffee, and have pen and paper and whiteboard ready. Review the highlights and lowlights of the year. Key topics are our relationship, work, family, health, friends, spirit, energy, impact of changes etc. (While finances will be part of that, they’re a small part!)
  5. Express our hopes and dreams as well as our fears and visible/predictable obstacles for the coming year.
  6. Map out the major steps to any specific intentions for practical changes, and work out first steps towards those goals and the rewards that go with each step.
  7. Having reflected on how we want our relationship to continue/develop, we write each other a love letter. It has expressions of love and intentions for the next year. (It takes us about 15 minutes and doesn’t have to be long or hard, just loving and positive and talking about how we’ll continue to love each other. It’s always about what each of us expects ourselves to do NOT about any expectations of what the other will do!)
  8. We read our letters aloud to each other in a cosy spot with a glass of wine to celebrate our love. We listen without debate and just let the love, appreciation and intentions soak in.
  9. The it’s time for the fun! But maybe we should fade out at this stage …

Posted by chris | Filed Under October07, Relationship Space 

Reading For A Fresh Start

October 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment

A fresh start needs PASSION!

This is why I have chosen Jamie Durie’s ‘Inspired’. The man oozes it as he talks about his! Whether you’re starting on a fresh garden or another chapter in your life you need passion…

Jamie Durie InspiringThis hard cover coffee table book traces the inspirations and influences behind Jamie Durie’s award–winning garden landscape designs. From his travels through Asia, Africa and the Middle East, to nature, wellbeing and the environment, it shows how he translates these inspirations into remarkable spaces for outdoor living.

Featuring over 20 new garden designs – from small and intimate courtyards to community–use spaces, Jamie Durie Inspired is a stunning addition to the Jamie Durie design collection.

A fresh start needs MOTIVATION!

And what better than spiritual – start on the inside and you’ll be laughing, literally! 

Tolle - A New EarthEckhart Tolle’s first full length book in eight years will be a cornerstone for personal spirituality and self-improvement for years to come. Taking off from the introspective work he began with ‘The Power of Now’, the number one bestseller that has sold millions of copies worldwide, Tolle provides the spiritual framework for people to move beyond themselves in order to make this world a better, more spiritually evolved place to live.

Shattering modern ideas of ego and entitlement, self and society, Tolle lifts the veil of fear that has hung over humanity during this new millennium, and shines an illuminating light that leads to happiness and health that every reader can follow. Eckhart Tolle is one of the bestselling spiritual teachers of our time.

The simple message in his international bestseller ‘The Power of Now’, that of living in the present, of enjoying the journey rather than always looking to the next goal, has spread fast. A wise counsellor in this ever changing, chaotic and often violent world, Tolle draws on essential spiritual teachings of all ages and traditions to reveal a fresh evolutionary model of spiritual life for the 21st Century.

A fresh start needs Creativity!

Start the creative juices flowing - wrap some of the gifts that you have to give…

Gift WrappingThink contemporary, upscale and sophisticated - Gift Wrapping will teach you how to make a wrapping as memorable as the wrapping itself. Gift Wrapping has become big business, as busy people flock to the gift-wrapping departments of their favourite stores or to high-end personal gift wrappers. Now you can replicate the techniques and secrets of expert wrappers at home! This book is for anyone with a fine eye for detail, who always insists on the finishing flourish.

Through step-by-step projects, author Christine Fritsch demonstrates how to wrap regular and oddly-shaped gifts beautifully and creatively. In Fritsch’s world, no gift is too large, too long, or too round to be wrapped in a unique and imaginative way. The author also includes an assortment of styling tips, techniques and advice on materials, including neat paper folding, making bows and finishing edges which will take your gift wrapping skills to new levels.

All these elegant and clever ideas are shown through beautiful photographs of finished wraps and detailed, dynamic, step-by-step illustrations.

Posted by marjorie | Filed Under October07, Reading Space 

A Fresh Start

October 1, 2007 | 3 Comments

This month, we’re making a fresh start – a bold new beginning.

A fresh start brings to mind thoughts of newness, of turning over a new leaf, creating a new habit or a new way of living. Making new friends, escaping, renovating, or simply looking at something from a different angle.

And that is what we have done here with A Calm Space.

We have renovated, tossed the clutter, changed our name and from the ashes of the old (Sanctuary) comes something bright, beautiful and very, very special to us.

Each month, we’ll welcome you with a special theme – something that inspires us and drives us to share with you.

Our first topic of the month is A Fresh Start.

A change of season, especially the change from winter to spring, makes us think about fresh starts, doesn’t it?

Spring is my favourite time of year. It’s like the whole world wakes up and starts to move again. We shake off the heaviness of winter – not only the heavy clothes, but the general feeling of needing warmth and comfort – and put on a lighter outlook. Fresher somehow to match the season. It’s like our blood starts to flow faster, easier – giving us a surge of energy and enthusiasm for life.

As the weather warms, we throw open the windows and invite the breeze into our homes to freshen, liven, and renew the space in which we live.

As we throw our quilts on the clothesline to air, we are also throwing the doors to our heart open to the newness that surrounds us.

What does ‘a fresh start’ mean to you?

A fresh start can mean that huge, life changing decision. The sea change, the start or end of a relationship, the resignation, or the creation of a new business. Yes, these changes are definitely in the ‘fresh start’ category.

I found out this week that dear friends of ours are selling up everything and taking off for a round the world motorbike tour – their bikes are on order and due to arrive before Christmas. They may never return. Now, that is a fresh start!

If it is something you have been dreaming of for so long, then maybe the time is right. Leave the hustle and bustle of the city and take over that vineyard in the Margaret River; that bed & breakfast in Tuscany or that charter boat business in the Whitsunday Islands.

But sometimes, while the dreams are there in your heart, you are content for them to stay dreams just a while longer (say, until the kids have finished school). Sure, you’ll dream, you’ll plan, you’ll collect information. But you’re not quite ready for the dramatic change just at this moment.

Spring madness hasn’t got you that far in its grip.

There are many smaller ways of making a fresh start. Ways that won’t completely disrupt our whole life. Ways that are certainly easier on the wallet and our stress levels.

Spring is a great time to start new habits. There is something in the air – that freshness and enthusiasm – that helps us keep at something new until it becomes a habit.

A lot of people start a new exercise routine – going for a walk each day is certainly a lot more pleasurable now than it was in the dark cold of a winter’s morn. Sure, there is also the panic about getting into a swimsuit as summer lurks just around the corner… but that is not what we are talking about.

We’re talking about something deeper – something that is more about who you are than about how you look.

Who you are reflects your whole life. And what better time is there than Right Now to take a fresh peek at who you are and who you are becoming each day.

Making a fresh start can be as simple as seeing yourself from a distance and recognising that there are little tweaks to be made to how you perceive yourself and how you think.

One useful way of doing this is to sit quietly somewhere and become a movie director for a short while.

Pick a few different scenes in the movie called – Your Life. Those scenes that represent the many roles you play. Rerun the movie of your day at work, your time with the kids yesterday afternoon, how you were with your partner last night, and how you are when you’re alone. Run each movie separately, and watch yourself with dispassionate eyes – like you are watching a movie on your television set.

Who do you see? Is it the same person in each scene? Or are you putting on a different hat and a different attitude as you move from take to take? Do you like the lead character?

Who does that lead character in your movie need to be, in order for you to like them and be really proud of them?

Who do you need to be to add that sparkle of ‘star quality’?

What action can you take today to give yourself a fresh start?

“There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom” ~Anaïs Nin

Posted by karen | Filed Under October07, The Space 

Setting the Spiritual Space

October 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment

I am delighted to share in the wonderful experience of The Calm Space created by my dear friend Karen. Let me set the scene for this column by clarifying what I mean by ‘Spiritual’ as distinct from ‘Religious’. The following distinctions are based on those collected by Robert E Coté.

Religions are based on other people’s ideas and conform to the letter of established law
Spirituality is guided from our internal ‘knowings’ – mind, heart and intuition

Religions teach their followers that they can connect to God only by joining the church and by following the church’s rules
Spirituality acknowledges that every human being has his or her own direct connection to God

Religion is afraid of challenges — challenges threaten its existence
Spirituality welcomes challenges — challenges are food for growth and tools with which to become stronger

Religion follows the beliefs of long-dead ancestors
Spirituality is reborn moment-by-moment right-here right-now. It is born out of knowing that every person is a soul having a human experience, not the other way around

Religion teaches that the path to God is arduous and painful and that only the chosen ones will ever get to heaven
Spirituality teaches that there is no one path to God. We are already aspects of God. We simply have to remember who and what we are

Religion is a group experience
Spirituality is a personal experience

While both focus on God, I see Religion as a sub-set of Spirituality. My monthly offering will therefore focus on Spirituality, perhaps drawing on examples from theology and other sources, but having no religious flavour. I will also use God, Higher Power, Source and The Universe interchangeably. To understand the word ‘bliss’, imagine feeling love, peace and wisdom all at the same time!

You may believe that you are far too busy to fit Spiritual pursuits into your day. It is however, a magical gift for you and no-one else, so no matter how many ‘hats’ you wear or who shares your home and work environment, this is a little piece of bliss just for you. By making time for it (like daily exercise!), you will not only feel happier and healthier, but exercising it will also become easier. Best of all, it will steal unexpectedly into more and more of your day!

Perhaps you would like to think about your beliefs around Spirituality until next time. As always I reckon, take what works for you and enjoy the journey.

Love, Peace and Wisdom. 

Posted by annie | Filed Under October07, Spiritual Space 

Where Do I Start?

October 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment

As a Professional Organiser, that’s a question I hear a lot. And usually it comes from people who feel out of control, stressed and overwhelmed. And when they hear the answer there is an audible sigh of relief. The truth is there’s no one right answer. It’s simple. Start anywhere, anytime. Here are a few suggestions–

  • Start big – with the room that bugs you the most.
  • Start small – with just one messy drawer.
  • Start with your purse or handbag – this is great because you can do it while waiting around.
  • Start with one room and a basket – walk around the room collecting anything that doesn’t belong. When you’ve done that, take the items to their rightful home.
  • Start with 5 minutes.
  • Start with the bathroom – it’s small and compact and there’ll be lots you can ditch. Empty containers and out-of-date products.
  • Start with a bookshelf – evaluate what you really want to read again. Donate books you won’t read again to friends, nursing homes, schools or charity shops.
  • Start with your recipe collection – keep the recipes that suit your style and dietary requirements and say goodbye to the rest.
  • Start with a stack of magazines in front of the TV – tear out and keep an article only if you need it. Stories get recycled year after year, styles change. Ask yourself if you’ll bother rereading those tips if you have to hunt for them.
  • Start with a friend to help you make decisions – someone who won’t judge you but won’t let you slack off either.

And here are some tips –

  • Just start.
  • Make an appointment to tackle your project.
  • Don’t get distracted.
  • Set a timer and keep going till it rings.
  • Keep your goal in mind and stay motivated.
  • Play your favourite music.
  • Get help when you need it.
  • Reward yourself for a job well done.
  • Enjoy the space you’ve created.

Posted by angela | Filed Under October07, Organising Space