WARM FUZZY FRIDAY

Today I'm gettin' all wise and philosophical on yo' asses.

I have reflected a little on religion in the past and have talked about how my beliefs and values are strong but my association or affinity with one specific religion is not. I was raised catholic, which I am grateful for in some ways as it allowed me to learn about the values of compassion and love and faith, but also had a lot of teachings and premises that I didn't necessarily agree with. In becoming all grown up and fancy and inquisitive, I've tried to open my mind and look at other religions and practicing faiths around me that resonate with me or that I am drawn to. My conclusion thus far? Ain't one sole religion that I've come across in my readings and research that I've thrown up my hands for and gone all 'praise be to ____'. Nope. Instead though I have uncovered religious teachings and core values that I do feel particularly drawn to and have struck a cord with me in reflecting the way I hope that I, and others, live our lives. 

Many of these 'a-ha!' moments have been had during my readings around Buddhism. Buddhism is, still to this day, a major religion in our world. It began approximately 2500 years ago in India and we are told that Siddhartha Gautama was born an heir to the throne who later renounced his seat as King and became a monk. He devoted his life to the pursuit of enlightenment and, after refusing temptation in all its forms, he achieved the heights of spiritual understanding and enlightenment. He chose five holy men (blokes got all the luck in ole 566BC) to share his teachings, the Dharma, with and this was the beginnings of the religious group. 

If anyone is interested in learning more about this fascinating religion, please please please let me know and I would be happy to dedicate a post in future to the Buddhist history and its teachings. I was honestly sitting there soaking up every word on the page and completely transfixed by the subtext of love and compassion and infinite wisdom that came from the literature. His overarching teachings, from which all Buddhist lessons are derived from, can be broken down into the the Three Universal Truths; the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

So, inspired by all I have learnt and already feeling so warm and fuzzy on account of the beautifully worded and authentically created religious teachings, I would like to share with you some of the quotes and lessons that spoke to me and that I try to live my life by.

Blessings from my 'ohmmm' chantin' and lotus posed self x
All images from today's post were sourced via Tumblr - should you have any issue with the image being featured without extensive reference please let me know immediately and I will take it down. 

WARM FUZZY FRIDAY

I have had such a beautiful, restful, love and exercise filled week. I made a huge and very un-Emily-like decision to take the week off and just be. I have had a few odd bits and pieces that I have wanted to address and get done but mostly I've allowed this week to be entirely and selfishly about me. I've bounced out of bed, inspired by the day ahead and the bounty of possibilities. I have drunk approximately 12 million cups of tea and every single cup has tasted like heaven ... my addiction is getting out of control really. I have run, boxed, walked, yogi'd and planked my way through a great week of movement and sunshine. I have taken such good care of myself with nutritious and colourful meals. I have worked on some research and resourcing for the clinic (my other identity that sometimes takes a back seat when things get crazy!) with some very exciting things on the horizon. I have done some bloggy planning and am absolutely blown away by the support people have shown for this humble little corner of the internet - I created this space as an outlet for my passions and a way of getting 'out of my head' and 'down on paper' all the things that race around in my mind. I was a little over having chronic 'people envy' and wishing I was more healthy, more positive, more inspiring/inspired - so I got off my little derriere, started typing and tried to embody 'Be The Change You Wish To See In The World'. I want to live in a world where people are happy, healthy, positive and kind so how the frick was I to expect that if I didn't try and live that message daily? I haven't looked back and I have felt so incredibly empowered and invigorated because I am living 100% within my passion and as my authentic self. That is freakin' exciting.

Anyway - that was a bit of a brain vomit and these were just ramblings and thoughts coasting through my convoluted and ever churning mind. 

But I know why you came here, I know what yo' ass needs girl, I know what you're cravin' but I don't know why I'm talking like a seedy backstreet boy... You came for a big ole bowl of inspiration soup. So without further ado I share with you a bundle of happy pictures and messages and Friday Fuzzies. 

Today's theme is basic but pertinent. 
+ Trust the process of life. 
+ Look forward to the destination but embrace the journey.
+ Have faith that you are exactly where you're meant to be.
Peace out and enjoy homies.

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Blessings from my happy little nourished soul x

WARM FUZZY FRIDAY

I am SO excited to share today's post with you because it is your weekly dose of pictorial inspiration and depicts values that are so near and dear to my heart. 

When creating my Vision Board for 2013, I focussed less on the things that I wanted and instead focussed on portraying the way I wanted to feel and the values and attitudes that I will strive to embody and share every single dang day! And when I turned inwards and reflected on how the heck I actually did want to feel and what values were important to me, two arose and shouted out "FOCUS ON US, FOCUS ON US, FOCUS ON US!" - Kindness and Compassion.

I believe you can't have one without the other. I believe you can't step a foot wrong if all your words and actions are driven by these babies. I believe that by adding a little more kindness and compassion to your world, you will drastically change the lives around you and will consequently make a monumental difference to your own happiness.

This is so incredibly and beautifully broad! Kindness and compassion can be reflected in the way we treat ourselves, our friends, our families, acquaintances and strangers. Try doing a 'flip around' if you catch yourself thinking or saying something not so kind or compassionate - 'Did she even look in the mirror before she went out? Girlfriend looks like she dressed in the dark' and flip it around with 'Wow, I would never have thought of teaming orange with zebra print and a russian hat. Good on her for being so unique and dressing to make herself happy'. Replace negativity with love and watch out for the happiness and positivity to roll on in.

Challenge yourself today and make a list of 5 thoughts you have, words you speak and actions you take that come from a place of kindness and compassion.

Other ideas to exercise your kindness and compassion mojo? 

+ Skip today's latte and pop the $5 into a donation box/tin. 

+ Smile. At anyone and everyone you encounter.

+ Message or call someone who you know might be struggling at the moment and offer them a hand, a shoulder to cry on or simply an ear to listen.

+ Go big and volunteer for a local not-for-profit project.

+ Treat someone and surprise them with a small gift to brighten their day. A bunch of flowers, a card filled with heartfelt words, a cuddle!

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Blessings from an inspired kind and compassionate heart x

FEATURE FRIDAY

Bonus post - I have already posted below so you've had your Friday fill and a big ol' bowl of written chicken noodle soup for your soul but I'm sitting here brainstorming and scheming and I've had a sudden realisation...

I use this blog as an outlet to share all the things, big and small, that light my fire. My passions, interests, prerogatives and heart felt pursuits. But somehow I have missed an integral aspect of what I'm about - the random tidbits and things that I come across that grab my heart and tear me up and inspire me greatly.

Hence a new little segment on the blog - Feature Friday (an addition, not replacement to the Warm Fuzzy module my loves). I want to use this forum to share other messages and initiatives that have caught my eye during my day to day workings.

Maybe McQueen - A blog created and maintained by the Vashti Whitfield - wife of Andy Whitfield, an amazing actor who lost his battle with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2011. This beautiful, uplifting and incredibly soulful blog is her legacy to her beloved partner and is an absolute treasure trove of love and light. Do yourself a favour and spend five minutes looking over this site in your lunch break and smile. Vashti will encourage you to live your most grateful, meaningful and stunning life.

UNICEF - We all know a bit about this charitable organisation - advocates for child rights and targeting progress and awareness in the areas of education, child survival and development, child protection, HIV/AIDS, water and santitation, emergency response, sport for development and governance and policy. I've always known about this incredible organisation and kind of knew of the work they were doing but that's sadly where it ended. I never looked seriously into ongoing donations or offering my time or volunteer support. Well this morning that all changed. As I scoured the internet for my first lenten donation, UNICEF popped up and I spent a good chunk of the morning looking through their appeals and I knew I'd uncovered some amazing initiatives. Click here to see UNICEF's list of appeals that rely on one-off donations from its valued supporters. One that caught my eye was the Neonatal Health Appeal that 'had me at hello' with its astonishing and devastating headline - "Every year 4 million children die in the first 28 days of life due to largely preventable diseases such as measles and diarrhoea". Such an important message and initiative. Will keep you posted as I have a feeling my involvement with these guys may skyrocket because I've experienced a bit of an epiphanic wake up call! Check it out and spread the love.

Edgars Mission - I was stuck in a rut on the valentine's front and had no idea what to get David, since we had an unspoken agreement that we don't really do gifts AND that we would be apart for the day anyway due to the dreaded FIFO roster. But I wanted to get him a little somethin' somethin' (not at all intended to sound erotic...) that showed him a) I love him, b) he was my Valentine and c) I'd thought long and hard about something I thought he would like and appreciate. I came across Edgar's Mission through a post from the Wellness Warrior and fell.in.love. Ermagerd berby ernimals! I oo-ed and ahh-ed for close to an hour at all the animals and poured over countless images of the rescued critters. I decided that I'd sign my love up for the Best Buddy program, where the donation would be dedicated to the care and nourishment of one of the animals at the sanctuary. Have a looksie at this beautiful animal sanctuary located in Victoria, Australia. They welcome visitors and volunteers year round, you can sponsor a widdle piggy or you just peruse their pages and have a read about the kind work they are doing. And I thought I'd finish with this - the little cutie patootie I chose for David - Hansel the Cow.

Blessings from a super special, love filled, bonus post x