Earth Hour 2008
March 24, 2008 | 1 Comment
Have you heard about Earth Hour 2008?
Last year, for one hour Sydneysiders turned out the lights… including the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Luna Park and other well-lit Sydney icons.
This year, like a virulent bug, it’s spreading worldwide!
That’s a photo of ‘my’ beautiful city - Brisbane. At 8pm on March 29th - yes, that’s next weekend! - all those lights will be turned off for 60 minutes.
Check out the website, sign up if you’re interested in participating - make up your own mind about turning out the lights. The view of and from space is going to be spectacular!
An Irish Wish for a Friend, in Honour of St Patrick’s Day
March 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!
The Importance of Dreams - Author Matthew Kelly’s Wise Words
March 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Here is great way of looking at Dreams - extracted from book review and author interview published at JJL today (details below).
Matthew Kelly explains the importance of dreams:
Taking time to clearly establish and identify our dreams in each of the twelve areas - physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, psychological, professional, material, financial, creative, adventure, legacy, and character - is critical.
We need to take time to dream, then we need to establish a plan to achieve those dreams, and that is where goal setting comes in. But there is no point setting goals, or even achieving goals, if they are the wrong goals. The right goals are those that constantly take us one-step closer to the fulfillment of our dreams… and add value to other people’s lives.
and the power of writing down and sharing your dreams:
Take some time today to sit down and work up a list of your dreams - personally and professionally. Examine your dreams in each of the twelve areas mentioned above. Try to come up with a list of 100 dreams.
Then, begin a conversation with the people in your life about their dreams - your spouse, children, direct reports, colleagues, significant other. Start talking to people about their dreams and have the courage to share some of your dreams with them.
Our natural instinct as human beings is to want to help each other live our dreams. If you tell me your dream is to build your business to five times it size in the next seven years… my instinct is to want to help you with that. If you tell me you want to be in the front row for a U2 concert… my instinct is to want to help make that happen. This does not make me extraordinary, it just makes me human.
When we know the dreams of the people around us, we want to help them live those dreams… and we love the people who helps us identify and accomplish our dreams.
Click here to read the full interview.
This interview was included in the book review written by Andrew Rondeau. The review of Matthew Kelly’s The Dream Manager was Andrew’s contribution to A Love Affair With Books, being held right through the month of March at Joyful, Jubilant Learning - with a new book review every day!
Since we’re talking about dreams this month…
March 11, 2008 | 2 Comments
It does not do to dwell on dreams, Harry, and forget to live.
~Dumbledore from Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone
Ahhh, wise old Dumbledore - everytime I watch these movies with my kids, I see more of his wisdom. (And yes, it must be about time to read the books again…)
While we are talking about the power of dreams this month, let’s not forget Dumbledore’s words - and remember to live!
What dream will you decide to live today?
Quote courtesy of Reel Life Wisdom (what a treasure trove this site is!)
Brilliant Advice
March 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Sometimes the most urgent thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest - Ashleigh Brilliant
Today is International Women’s Day
March 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Each year on March 8, hundreds of International Women’s Day events occur all around the world. IWD events range from small random informal gatherings to large-scale highly organised events. All celebrate women’s advancement and highlight the need for continued vigilance and action to ensure that women’s equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life.
On the website for International Women’s Day, they currently have 589 IWD 2008 events listed from 52 different countries! Go here to find out what is happening near you.
International Women’s Day has been observed since the early 1900’s. IWD is now an official holiday in Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother’s Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.
Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements. While there are many large-scale initiatives, a rich and diverse fabric of local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.
So make a difference, think globally and act locally! Make every day International Women’s Day.
Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.
What are you doing to celebrate International Women’s Day?
Interesting Links for International Women’s Day:
- International Women’s Day 2008: speaking up and standing together for gender equality.
- Statement by Joanne Sandler, International Women’s Day, 8 March 2008
- Join Nicole Kidman and Say No to Violence Against Women
- Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow
Escape to luxury and peace in the beautiful Margaret River
March 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Losari Retreat, Margaret River, Western Australia - www.losariretreat.com.au
We stayed in a spacious, private villa in January this year for 7 days which is a perfect way to explore Margaret River. Central to wineries and other attractions, Losari was a wonderful peaceful base to return to. With all mod cons such as coffee machine, big TV, DVD etc. and the ability to cook, oh I don’t know, say, live marron or venison from farms close by! Or 5 minutes drive to Margaret River and great restaurants if you don’t feel like cooking.
Beauty treatments come to you and there is a horse riding business on the property. Our favourite part of the day was to sit on the huge verandah (with spa and BBQ) at dusk and watch the ducks, wrens, kookaburras and even a little fox overlooking the beautiful man-made lake.
The owners, Jacky and Greg are delightful and unobtrusive. This stay was peaceful and interesting so for us, it was a real winner. Highly recommended!
The future belongs to you
March 6, 2008 | 2 Comments
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
~Eleanor Roosevelt
We’re talking about Dreams
March 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Welcome to The Calm Space. This month we’re talking about Dreams. Each of our contributors has taken the theme and made it their own. I truly love the diversity of real people sharing their own unique perspective on our theme each month. It brings so many wonderful ideas and thoughts to the table, doesn’t it?
Leah’s dreaming of free technology, and I am looking forward to trying out some of her recommendations. Marjorie recommends reading to help your dreams of health, wealth and love. Joanna asks us what our writing dreams are (something close to my own heart); and Chris asks us about sharing our dreams with our beloved. Angela helps us to dream big; and Annie shows us that dreams are meant to come true. For a bit of fun, we look at songs, albums and movies about dreams in The Music Space.
And once you’ve explored our magazine a little this month, don’t forget to take a moment to just breathe and dream at The Breathing Space - it will be there for you all month long!
Also this month, a little excitement as we launch two new Spaces…
The Happening Space will bring you hints, tips, resources, ideas and news throughout the month - so don’t forget to pop in regularly or subscribe so you don’t miss out.
The Challenge Space will provide you with small, do-able challenges on a regular basis - our first challenge to you is up and we’d love to see your response!
From me and the team here at The Calm Space, we wish you a happy, dream-filled Easter. It’s a time of rebirth and what better time to dream those huge, outrageous dreams?
May all your fondest dreams come true - you deserve it!
Káren
PS Don’t forget to register to win one of two beautiful Dream journals this month - just perfect for writing and drawing your fondest desires…
Dreams of Joy
Dream as if you’ll live forever.
Live as if you’ll die today.
~James Dean
Do you remember when you were a child and you used to daydream about what your life was going to be like?
I used to like lying on the lawn in the warmth of the sun and watch the clouds drift through the blue sky over my head, wondering what it would be like to be lying up there on one of those clouds. [Take a look at the beautiful photo in The Breathing Space this month...]
My mind used to wander in all sorts of delectable directions - who I would be, how I would be. How I would fill the hours of my life.
I remember imagining myself making music for a living. Now I make music when I have a few spare moments… and those aren’t often enough!
Can you remember your daydreams as a child?
What happened to them?
Dream On.
It doesn’t matter how old you are, or your bank account balance. It doesn’t matter your current state of health. However and whoever you are right now, you can still dream. Your dreams are not limited by your current life circumstances.
Your dreams are full of possibilities and miracles. Your dreams can expand in any direction, totally unlimited by anything except your imagination.
And you can, at any stage, change direction, move, extend, open up, dare… in your dreams.
Dreams give you a power that is all your own.
We all have dreams, but sometimes it’s easy to say - “what’s the use?” - when you see the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
When thoughts like that sneak in, sometimes it’s hard to get out from under them and start dreaming again… like we did when we were young and carefree.
When dreaming is hard is precisely the time we need it the most. Dreaming helps us to lift our eyes up to the heavens, to see a brighter world.
Dreaming raises our spirits, and opens our mind to new possibilities. It increases our inner vibration or level of happiness to such an extent that we start to act like a magnet to attract wonderful things into our life.
Literally, by dreaming your dreams and believing in their power, you can start to make them come true.
Two special ways to help you dream your wonderful dreams, and start turning them into reality:
1. Write them down! There is nothing like getting the mind out of the way, having the pen flow on the page as you open your heart to the endless possibilities awaiting you. There are many stories of people writing lists of things they want to acheive, and putting that list away for a few years. When they come back to it - they discover most of the dreams have come true! Isn’t it worth a try?
2. Develop a dream list or vision board. There has been a lot of discussion around vision boards since The Secret was released. But don’t let that put you off trying it. A dream board can be as simple as a picture attached by a Garfield magnet to the front of your fridge! It doesn’t have to be fancy and beautiful.It can be a brochure for that car you’d love - that you keep by your bed and skim through each night before going to sleep. It can be your list of ‘big things’ you’ve written down in your diary, that you read through while waiting for the kids at the school gate.
It can be a cheque you write yourself - dated in the future - for the achievement of your biggest, wildest, most out-there dream.
It can be a bunch of pictures you turn into a screen saver (easy with Picasa, that Leah talks about over in The Digital Space this month) or a desktop background on your computer.
The more you keep your dreams warm and alive, the happier you will be!
Your dreams can help you, without exception, to transform your life with strength, power, peace, health and abundance.
Announcing The Challenge Space
March 3, 2008 | 4 Comments
Some time ago, before The Calm Space was born, I asked the readership of Sanctuary (the predecessor of Calm Space) what they would like to see in an online magazine… what it was they would find most useful in their quest for a better life.
I got some brilliant answers, and cherished every single of one them. Most were incorporated into the design of The Calm Space, and you’ve been enjoying the fruits of those ideas and thoughtful suggestions for the last five months now.
However, one idea that I loved was held back… not because it didn’t have merit, more because I needed time to devote to it, to give it the attention it deserved. I’d like to say a big thank you to Marina - your feedback and ideas were really wonderful!
Here it is! Welcome to The Challenge Space. A space where we will offer regular challenges (we’re thinking twice a month, but are eager to hear your thoughts on that).
The challenges will consist of little things. Things that probably won’t take up much time, but will make a difference when you do them.
The challenge may fit with the theme of the month, or it may be something else we feel strongly about.
We’re working on allowing you to subscribe by email or RSS feed to The Challenge Space, so that whenever we put up a new challenge you’ll be notified personally and able to take us up on the challenge if the timing is right for you.
Your First Challenge
Your first challenge, should you care to accept it, is to leave a comment below or contact me and let me know the kinds of things you’d like to be challenged on. Big or little. Daunting or fun. Relevant or irreverent. Let me know!
Oh! And go drink a glass of water… go on. Your body will thank you.
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Current Articles
- Stay Tuned to Your Eco Behaviour
- Listening to the melody of life
- Your Breathing Space for August
- Tune In and Turn On … Online
- Relationship Rescue the Low Tech Way
- Sound Space - Brendan Maclean
- Tuning in to our planet and ourselves
- Spiritual Tuning In
- What Is Your Stuff Telling You?
- Are You Tuned In To The Power Of Your Own Words?
- This month we’re tuning in…
Areas of Interest
- Breathing Space
- Challenge Space
- Digital Space
- Happening Space
- Money Space
- Music Space
- Organising Space
- Reading Space
- Relationship Space
- Serenity Space
- Spa Space
- Spiritual Space
- Sustainability Space
- The Space
- Writing Space