Thankful Thursdays ~ Post Three

Photo Credit: Michelle Séjourné, edited by Angélique Dawn

THREE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR

1) Health Care:
~ I am ecstatically grateful for having health care. My company covers the basics, but also includes dental, paramedical practitioners such as massage, chiropractor, etc. and 90% of prescription costs! I don't like to take a lot of medication. I prefer to supplement with natural alternatives. But I am lucky to have the help to pay for the few scripts I do take on a regular basis that provide me with a better quality of life. It's a great benefit to have health insurance in today's world. Many people don't get treatment for the things they struggle with simply because they do not have the money required to pay obscene prices! Having health insurance that covers most of what would cost me out of my own pocket is a godsend.

2) Air Conditioning:
~ Oh My Goodness is it ever hot out there! And, brace yourselves, because the next few days call for a massive heat wave here in Southern Ontario. My air conditioner is about five years old, and designed for a small room. But I also have a bunch of fans to move the air around. I am very, very thankful to have even a little air conditioner giving me moderate relief from overheating. Since I'm a day sleeper (because I work afternoons & have disordered sleep patterns) the air conditioner and fans save me from having to sleep with my windows open for the breeze. It can get noisy outside during the day. And, the humidity here makes Windsor feel almost tropical... Whoever came up with the idea of heating/cooling, bless their souls!

3) Social Networks:
~ I truly wonder how people coped with the distance and time between contact with other loved ones and others whom they did business with hundreds of years ago. How lucky are we to have all this communication technology in our modern world?! I know it's problematic sometimes, because today's youth (and adults) certainly need limits over how much time they spend scrolling on their devices. But when you look at the big picture here, we are a tremendously rich society to be able to connect to our neighbours so far away. I for one know I don't reach out to my close friends and family members as often as I should. However, with social forums we are able to stay connected and aware of others lives even when we don't get the chance to do it in person.

So, this is week three of Thankful Thursdays. Did you sign up yet to follow along? Have I started you thinking more about what has graced your life instead of focussing on what you've missed out on? The deal is to try and find at least a few somethings every week to be grateful for. Thank the universe. Thank the stars! Thank what or whomever you believe in. Just give thanks for receiving what is good in your life. And more good will certainly come to you.

~ Namaste ~ 

OXO

Angélique

Facelift ~ Blog Updates & Do-Overs...

I decided to remove my old template and start anew. I just really wanted a simpler, plain look. It's time I started letting my work speak for itself. There's no need for pretty borders and colourful quilts in the background. I have enough to say and show, that's what the blog should focus on. It's still hard for me to get used to though. Plus, I have to go back behind the scenes and go back over tutorials to set things up the way I like it. A few little details have created challenges for me. Like my "Link Within" gadget at the bottom. It's supposed to be below the footer, but the code from the tutorial I went back to just doesn't seem to match up. So, until I can get some advice, or simply focus on it without a million other things on my mind, it's gonna have to wait.

It's interesting to note that some of the code I'd learned and input on my own blog crossed over with the template change. However, other specific code didn't. I don't quite understand code, though. I'm just winging it with the tutorials I found by Dana Fox. :)

I thought I could simply update the background and be done with it. I should've known the new template would override some details. But it's okay because the more I play around with my blog the more I understand how it works. Which, will make upgrading to WordPress that much easier one day. There's a big part of me that wants to switch platforms. But the financial commitment is just not right for me at this time. And, like I've said in many posts before. Blogger is very easy to learn, and a user-friendly platform. Also, it's free!

So, I just wanted to pop in and let everyone know that you may notice some changes on the blog from one day to the next. Now that I'm working with a blank background, getting the colours right for everything else is difficult. So, I'll continue to write and publish posts while I'm working on getting the set up of my blog just right. Again. Please, feel free to comment if there's anything in particular you like about the blog. Help me make this experience right for you too.

See you soon!

OXO

Angélique

Thankful Thursdays ~ Post Two

THREE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR

1) My Job:

~ I am forever thankful to my boss for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the company I work for. It's my first office job and I've been working there for almost seven years now. It's busy and hard, but also fun and rewarding. I work with some awesome people and we have potlucks almost every month! lol It's a nice place to work.

2) My Apartment:

~ I am lucky to live in such a charming and quiet apartment that is well maintained and worth every penny! Read This Post for a longer story of how cozy my home is! I really enjoy my independence and living in this wonderful neighbourhood lets me be free and relaxed too. Home is a feeling. And my place feels like home!

3) My Friends:

~ I've heard that if you can count the amount of friends you have on one hand then you're a rich person. I must be blessed with great fortune, because I have old friends, close friends and new friends and I'm very thankful for all of them. No matter how lonely I may sometimes feel I always have a few good friends I can count on.


What are you thankful for? Do you take the time to write down your blessings? I know I should write more, which is why I decided to add a theme of gratitude to the blog.

Let's focus on appreciating what we have here and now rather than wasting energy complaining about what we don't have. So, take your time. And write it down for yourself as often as you can think of something new. It might surprise you how big your list turns out to be.

I'm going to try to publish a Thankful Thursdays post every week. I want to share my reasons for being grateful no matter how big or small they might be. I hope you follow along and leave comments about the things you're thankful for too!

~ Namaste ~

OXO

Angélique

Mantra Mondays ~ Post Two

Welcome To Mantra Mondays!

These are the words I use to comfort myself when I'm feeling disconnected. Check out more about why mantras are infinitely useful, in my first post, where I discuss the purpose of mantras and how they work. Make sure to sign up and follow along for a new mantra every month!

Mantras are basically a form of thoughtful meditation. Most of the time with meditation, you're told to empty your mind. Clear your thoughts and be aware of only your breath. This, can be quite difficult for some people. Consider a gal like me, whose mind is scattered... Finding a place of nothingness in my noggin is virtually impossible. Every corner of my imagination is constantly lit up!

In my twenties I became familiar with mantras. There were a few that I said to myself daily. Though I usually simply repeat them in my head. Encompassing and directing thoughts steers me away from my anxious, frantic heart.

Something magical happens when you repeat a mantra several times. Your breath begins to fill deeper and more easily. This allows you to stretch your lungs and relax your upper body. Once your breathing feels less forced, a shaky exhale finally steadies. Which rhythmically detoxifies your mind. In between breaths, you'll notice a gentle pause before you naturally inhale again. That is okay. Your breath is patiently shifting to the cadence of the words. Along with the rhythm of your breath you may notice that the mantra you are repeating starts to ebb and flow as well. This is because your body, your breath and your consciousness are all in order. Just let everything go!

Start with one long deep breath, close your eyes and visualize each word. As you read over the letters, feel their meaning. Breath. Repeat. And breath some more.

"Life is Easy. Life is Good. Life is Fair. I am filled with Abundance. Many Good things come to me every day. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You!"

I believe the start of this mantra was inspired by some lines I read in the book The Secret. The part about life being easy and good. The Secret is one of the few books I've read almost straight through without putting it down. It is a book I definitely recommend. And, if I hadn't loaned it out and misplaced it in a sea of old friends, it would still be on my nightstand. The Secret defines the concept of The Law of Attraction. Rhonda Byrne captures your attention and keeps it for the duration of her story. Her story being that of a wide group of believers she discovered who used the powers of The Law of Attraction throughout history.

This mantra in particular is partly what inspired the name Easy Goodness and this blog! The idea of a good & easy life is all I strive for. I absolutely believe that life is meant to be simple and painless. Because it is all a state of mind.

Any negative situation is merely that of an upset in the balance of one's body/mind/spirit connection. I use this mantra to remind myself that my existence is not only about me. Life is about peace, love and kindness. And receiving what you deserve. It's not about getting what you want or think you want. Life is about giving and gratitude. And, this mantra is about trusting that everything I could possibly need is and will be provided for me. Thankfully!

When struggles occur and life seems out of control, the universe is reminding you to check your thoughts. It really is that simple friends... If your thoughts are intentional, positive and hopeful, then you are more likely to manifest a fulfilling life.

Cheers!

OXO

Angélique