Crossing The Threshold

Well today was my last day of my job, it is a day of Crossing The Threshold - moving towards a role where I feel I will be of greater Service and working on Purpose.

Today at work, everyone was very lovely, we had a morning tea, the Operations Manager said some nice words about me, that I have "definitely been an asset", and everyone gave me a hug goodbye and wished me well and my Operations Manager once again said that he knew it would all go well for me.

I took some photos - I wanted to capture the people that I work with who have helped me grow in so many ways - and capture this day for me, a day that I will remember as it represents a big change for me, a big decision (that seems easy), the Crossing The Threshold.

It feels a bit strange leaving my job, I don't really know how I am feeling - perhaps sadness... I am not sure of the emotion... although I definitely do not feel relief or huge joy - which is a good sign in a way - I am leaving while the energy is still positive, rather than leaving a job I do not like.  I have worked at this company since 1 March 2010, not that long, and yet I feel that I have settled in and given my best. Whatever the emotion of leaving my job, it is definitely side by side the Excitement of my new Journey I am about to begin. While I have given my best at my job, I know that there is more of me that I can give...and so I am Crossing The Threshold.

I definitely feel that I am responding to the Call of my Soul. And I am definitely leaving the comfortable and known and stepping out into the unknown.

I found these great words about Crossing The Threshold by Alvin Soon "You’ve committed to leaving behind the Ordinary World and stepping into the New World of your Hero’s Journey. And as you do, you’re exposed to new sounds and sights, new learnings, surprises, adventures and experiences you’ve never had before.  As you do so, you might feel out of place. You might feel uncomfortable, inexperienced. You are the proverbial babe in the woods. You ask yourself, ‘What was I thinking to leave my ordinary world behind?’. We’ve all been in situations like this.  But you’re stretching beyond your old self."

This morning when I was driving to work, for my last day, the first words I hear are "Shine a little of my light on the world" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qzqzb9QTLA and I am loving this song and feeling so motivated as I sing along "I'm gonna give myself permission to shine, I'm gonna shine so bright" - loving this song!  And then it was funny, as I'm feeling so Motivated and Excited, and then the news comes on and they tell the news about an armed hold up at Burwood - hmm, great, this is where I will be working.  Although I know there can be crime anywhere and this will not take away my Excitement.  Then a speaker comes on talking about Jesus being with his Disciples in the storm and I felt reassured and reminded that God will be with me everyday.

Ever since I have been young I have wanted to be of Service. For a long time I was planning to be a Teacher and then changed my mind at the last minute before my university preferences needed to be submitted.  And for most of my Career I have worked in corporate companies and I have always tried to find a Purpose in my role to keep me Inspired.  And now I am Crossing The Threshold where I feel that I can Make A Difference everyday - and that is my Commitment.

I feel ready to step out into the world.  I feel Excited that I can be a Life Coach everyday.  My Commitment is to see the Uniqueness and Greatness in every person, and help my Clients be the Creators of their own lives.

I refer to my website www.shinecoaching.com.au 'About Me' and I feel that the very essence of what I offer in Coaching, will be able to be offered in my new role:


* SHINE: Excitement, brightness, glowing, brilliance, excellence, eyes lighting up, a feeling of basking in sunlight, reflecting light to others

* As a Coach it is a Honour to work with people - As a Coach I see the light in people, their uniqueness, their greatness - so that they may SHINE and express their unique gifts in the world

* The Coaching Process involves shining a light on areas in life that are both working and not working, shining a light on the Vision for the future and bringing obstacles into the light to help bring about change

* My belief is that each day is a new day, that we are not defined or restricted by our past, but that with the rising of the sun there is the opportunity to begin again or take new steps towards our desired destination

* My desire is that the Process of Coaching can help more people LOVE SELF and LOVE LIFE

* MY BACKGROUND: I have 5 years experience working in Training and Team Performance and with a Diploma in Transformational Life Coaching I love working with Clients to help them live a life that they love

* I BRING TO COACHING: My strong Presence and offering of Sacred Space, my Passion and Enthusiasm, Positive Attitude, belief in our ability to create a life that Inspires and Excites us, Commitment to my Clients, empathy and compassion

* I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE

* I Am Here to Help People CREATE A NEW STORY FOR THEIR LIVES

* I Am Here to Help People SHINE in Life


And so as I am Crossing The Threshold, I realise that I may be stepping into the unknown, yet I have Confidence and Strength in my own Self and a clear Vision for my Lifework... and so I feel at Peace... Thank You God, Amen

Community

The other day I was with at my Parents' home and we were reminiscing about the days when I was a Runner.  I loved Running.  I was a part of a Running Club and I loved my Community.  I loved being part of this Community.  For a long time Running was a major part of my life - my week days and weekends were dedicated to training and competing.  And I loved it.  I do miss my Running and hope to get back to Running after we have a Family.  And I also love that now I have discovered new Parts of my Self.

I was showing My Man my photos from my Running and I also found a piece of writing from 26 January 2001 - 10 years ago.  Here is what I wrote:

"MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS

My wish is that all people will become actively involved in, and enjoy the benefits of, true Community.

Community is where a group of two or more people, regardless of differences, are able to accept and transcend these differences, enabling them to work effectively towards common Goals.  In a true Community, members support and encourage one another.  It is a place where there is freedom to be oneself, where ideas, opinions, sorrows, joys and Dreams are shared.

I am so fortunate to be part of the Western District Joggers & Harriers Club, which is more than just a Running Club... we are a Community... a Community that makes a difference to people's lives week in and week out.  The Running Club Community which originated in mid 1967 with only a few members now has over 200 Members.  Our Running Club meets every Saturday morning at Lake Gillawarna, Georges Hall at 7:30am.  We are a Family Blub which promotes Health and Fitness, with our Members enjoying the benefits and good feelings associated with being a part of a true Community.

My wish is that every individual becomes involved and joins a Community - such as a sporting group, a social club, a volunteer organisation, a church group, or a hobby group - any place where you can meet up with other people who may have the same interest (even if the interest is based on a desire to meet new people and enjoy new friendships).  I believe that the benefits for the individual and society of building communities are immeasurable.

My wish is that everyone can be proactive in building Communities within all their day to day relationships - within their Marriages, Families, work environments, social groups, sporting groups, suburbs, cities and countries.

As individuals we can build Communities by:

- Doing what is right;

- Being open and honest in all our interactions;

- Encouraging, celebrating and accepting our Uniqueness and different opinions, thoughts and ideas;

- Listening and being genuinely interested in others;

- Learning from one another's experiences;

- Always doing the best you can, in all you do;

- Being personally committed to continuous improvement;

- Treating others, as you would like to be treated.

God gave us the best Gift of all - the Gift of free will - the ability to choose.  Each day we make Choices.  We can choose how we want to spend our time, who we want to be, our Attitude and how we act and react.

My wish is that today, on Australia Day, 26 January 2001, all individuals make a choice to take personal responsibility and make a Commitment, to being the best they can be, and to build Communities within all their relationships.

It only takes small changes as individuals - but together we can make a big difference in building a better world.

I hope my wish comes true."

I loved reading what I wrote 10 years ago - feeling Inspired and seeing that my Values and Philosophy are still very similar.  And for the last 6 months I have consciously been aware of my feeling of a lack of Community in my life, or rather, the desire for me to regain a sense of Community in my life.  I am Grateful that I have a strong sense of Belonging with my Family and now with My Man, and yet there is a Part of me longing to again be a Member of a broader Community.  The Journey of being a Member came out when I was working with my Coach last year.  And I also know in my Heart, that some of my happiest times was when I was part of my Running Community - it is a time that brought me such great joy. 

And I am Excited that I have found a Community that I am growing to love.  I feel so at home when I go to Church on a Sunday - Kingsway Community http://www.kingsway.org.au/Welcome. There is so much Spirit within this gathering of friends.  I am made to feel so welcome and at the same time given Space so that I am not overwhelmed or rushed to give more than I can.  I have been going on and off for about 2 years and it was only recently that I started going there again more frequently after being away for about 5-6 months.  When I went back to Church I was overwhelmed with this feeling of being at home, overwhelmed with being somewhere so special, so emotional that I was moved to tears - happy tears. 

I love being in Connection each week with new people and I really love the messages each week from the Pastors.  What I love is that the Pastor is able to make the bible readings very relevant for today.  I also love that what the Pastors talk about is very much in line with my work in Coaching.  I love the Kingsway Community Churchs' Mission and Vision - Refuge for Healing, River for Refreshment, Resource for Unity.  Just the other week one of the Pastors was talking about all people being in touch with their Uniqueness  in the divine plan - I loved listening and felt so Inspired after being at Church - especially since this is an area I am so Passionate about in working with my Clients - helping Clients connect to their own sense of Uniqueness and Greatness.  I also loved when one of the Pastors talked about Community as "sharing the joy of Hope".

I loved being at Church on Sunday.  I was actually Excited to be going, as I know I always enjoy the feeling of being in this Community.  This week at Church the Pastors talked about this year being a year of "letting go".  He talked about the verse in the bible from Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)  "since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" and used the metaphor of an Olympic Runner who is trying to run with a whole crate of lead and how he will be slower versus someone who is free.  He gave examples of "Everything that hinders:
    * Unfulfilled and unrealistic expectations
    * Disappointments/hurts/offences
    * Fear and insecurities, self-esteem issues
    * Apathy/laziness
    * Busyness
    * Accumulation/material obsession/worldly goals
    * Self reliance
    * Isolation/individualism
    * Programs
    * Belief systems
    * Health/fitness issues – physical/emotional/spiritual
    * Facades/masks
    * Unhealthy relationships
    * Demarcation
    * Control/pride
    * My agenda
    * Judgemental criticism
    * Disobedience
    * Comfort
    * Bitterness/unforgiveness
    * “Rights”/title/position."
I loved how the Pastor talked about Mindsets, Beliefs and Attitudes that slow us down and trip us up, and the importance of Perseverence.  I just love that the language that is used at the Church is in line with my life and my Beliefs and my Coaching.  I just love these words in one of the Pastor's Blog "The exciting thing in all of this is the goal … which is greater FREEDOM. Imagine for a minute what it would be like to be totally free … free from ‘every weight’ that slows you down, hinders your relationships, distracts your purpose, hampers your development, obstructs your growth and holds you back from being the extraordinary person God wants you to be for Him and His kingdom … NOW. The more we can get rid of these burdens, weights and loads from our life, the better and more effective we will be …  and the more fun we will have together."

I feel very Inspired to become more involved in this Community.  Whenever I go to Church I feel Inspired to Volunteer and now I feel Inspired to offer up my Gift of Coaching.  I am not sure in what form I will be involved - I would be happy to offer some Workshops and Coaching and I am Excited that I spoke with one of the Team Leaders last Sunday and will meet her for a cuppa and see if I can be of Service.  I was also very interested to hear about the Youth Programme the Church is running and may be able to offer Coaching to one of the teenagers.  I was amazed to hear that of the Youth going to a Youth Group on a Friday night, only 20% are from Families who go to the Church, 80% of the Youth are coming on their own, perhaps connecting to a sense of Spirituality for the first time.

I am Excited to have found a Community that I love.

I am also very interested in joining in the Community of Coaches that is being led by the Vision of one of my friends from College.  We are meeting in a few weeks and I am looking forward to hearing more about the Vision and Mission of this Community.  My wish is that I can combine my interest in being involved in the Community of Coaches with my desire to be more involved in my local Community.

What I love about my Church Community is that they are Local and offer so many great Programs for the Local Community, and they are also very Conscious and Connected to the Global Community.  And I love the music, I love the music - it is a chance to rejoice and be Grateful.  Here are some of the songs from last Sunday that I loved singing
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MKAzYJcWSY
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UJtuyY8v1g (very Inspired by the words of this song)
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79055I6o-NQ

When I was a Member of my Running Club, I loved seeing friends week in and week out, being caring and supporting each other, being of Service in the Community as Club Captain, and also being of Service for the greater good (as we raised money for different charities).  My wish for my Self is that I become a true Member of a Community again, and I feel I am taking steps in the right direction.

Happy Days

I have been having some very Happy Days in the last week - new adventures, catching up with friends and finally a day at the beach -yay!!! 

After having a relaxing holiday, plenty of relaxation and sleep I headed up the Coast to visit my great friends who have recently moved to a new home.  For over a year now my friends have had a Vision to live on land and be self-sufficient, growing their own food, water tanks, solar power, remote location, no financial pressure - this has been their dream.  And how great to see them living their Vision.  My Man and I have been planning this trip up the Coast for months and after him hurting his back playing golf, I decided to venture on my own.  I met my friends in their nearest town Wingham - and how great to see them.  After getting our shopping and some local sightseeing, I was happy to drive to their home and wow, I was amazed, they live up a Mountain, right in the middle of over 500 acres of bushland - they call their home Paradise Mountain.  Once we were at the home, I couldn't believe the beautiful views in every direction - truly Paradise.

They have a Rooster called Bruce, chickens and 200 varieties of fruit trees (WOW!!!) and a permaculture garden - lucky for them, the previous owner is a horticulturist and so he has done so much.  There is such diversity in the vegetation - I enjoyed white strawberries and also heard about the unusual fruit and seeds such as an ice cream bean that tastes like ice cream, as well as so many other delights.

I loved spending time with my friends - they are great company and I felt Inspired by their lifestyle - quite incredible - their wood oven heats the water for the shower and washing up and they have beautiful fresh rainwater,  their lights are all solarpowered and they also have water from the freshwater creek for watering their gardens - no water or electricity bills and they are definitely committed to doing their bit for Mother Earth.  I loved that there was no television - silence - I loved the silence - I love silence!

I also loved our trip to Ellenborough Falls - this is one of the largest single-drop waterfalls in the southern hemisphere.  We enjoyed a nice walk down to the bottom of the waterfall - beautiful, breathtaking!!!  

A few members of our group headed down to the rocks and enjoyed the spray from the waterfall.  I would have liked to be spontaneous and adventurous but my common sense and fear of slipping on the rocks won and I stood on the sideline.  However, I was so hot walking back up the stairs, on the return  up the  valley, that I wished I had have taken the chance to go for a swim in one of the rock pools.  It was a big effort walking back up all the stairs - thank goodness for the seats along the way - we took every opportunity to sit down and rest and then gather our strength for the next round of steps.  Once upon a time, what seems like a lifetime ago now, I would have been racing up those stairs.  It was a great day with friends.

I look forward to other adventures in the countryside of my friends' new home, many more Happy Days to be enjoyed - next time we will enjoy the walk to their creek, there is a local vineyard, also a nearby cheese factory, and I am really excited to visit their nearest beach which I have been told has the most beautiful stones (and I have seen some of their collection).

Talking about the beach - another of my very Happy Days this week was when My Man and I went for a nice long walk along our local beach and enjoyed such a great swim at Darook Beach.  I love the ocean.  I love warm sunny days.  I just love being in Nature.  I especially love floating on my back in the water - love it!!!  I didn't take my camera and it was nice being so Present to the day - I love my camera and love taking photos and sometimes it seems that you miss being in the moment, sometimes.  And how great that I found this great picture on the internet - this is Darook - it is a beautiful paradise.

I definitely look forward to many more Happy Days just enjoying our local beach.  It is one of my greatest joys.

And so after a few weeks holiday it was back to work today.  I have really enjoyed having a rest - sleeping in, sometimes even having an afternoon nap - just time to relax - I couldn't believe how tired I have been over the last few weeks.  And yet today, I was happy to get up early so that I could enjoy some "me time", some quiet time, before heading to work.  I was organised in allowing time to snooze my alarm clock twice, enjoyed some quiet time reading inspiration for about 5 minutes and then went Walking to the Bay, one of my favourite places.  I love being outdoors - even when it started pouring rain and I had no umbrella, I felt happy to just be alive and out enjoying the start to the day.  I realise that it would be easy to sleep in, usually this is a much easier option and yet by making a Commitment to get up and get out before work, I can have the best chance of having Happy Days.

On my walk today I was thinking about thoughts and our ability to change our thoughts.  I am usually conscious of not getting caught up in my thoughts when I am out in Nature (as I do not want to miss the beauty that surrounds me), usually only allowing myself a certain part of the walk or a set time to allow thinking, although always open for inspiration.  I was thinking that it would be easy for me to not have a happy day at work, especially since my Team Leading role is separate to my lifework of being a Life Coach - and yet I can choose positive, happy thoughts.

I was reflecting that my thoughts are not me, they are just a perception.  And from my own experience and witnessing this in others, I see how negative thoughts just attracts more negativity - more negative thoughts or negative people - contributing to us feeling lousy, unhappy, powerless.  And I am on a mission to have Happy Days and so I came up with an easy acronym for a process to help put negative thoughts at an arm's length away:

A - Awareness - Being an observer to my thoughts can help me identify if I am being negative or holding thoughts that do not serve me - I may not speak these thoughts but even internally thinking them is keeping my mind busy and not bringing me peace.  Sometimes just an Awareness of my thoughts, "hmm, that's interesting..." can be enough to allow me to move on in a different direction, without any negative thoughts attaching to other thoughts.  The key for me is to not be caught up thinking or overthinking, the Goal for me is to be present in the moment.

R - Reframe - With recurring thoughts that do not serve me, I can Reframe them, look at it from another angle - what is another way I can think about this person, person's behaviour, situation?  I can think of at least 5 other explanations or possibilities?  I can reframe the negative thoughts to have a positive spin - at least for 2-3 new thoughts - by moving to a positive thought - positivity attracts positivity

M - ME - "If it's to be, it's up to ME" - What is in my Power?  What can I change?  I love the Serenity Prayer, "God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference".  I can reflect what is the message for me and what choices do I have to make changes within my sphere of control - this allows me to feel empowered.

- Acceptance - perhaps I can just accept this situation and let this go from my worrying and overthinking
- Alteration - I can choose a pattern breaker to alter my thoughts that are not serving me - for example, every time I have a thought that is not serving me, such as thinking about a past issue that I cannot change, I can image a bright red STOP sign to help me stop thinking these thoughts

- Affirmation - I can say a positive affirmation to strengthen new beliefs 

- Action - perhaps I can speak to someone or change something to make this situation or relationship better
- Attitude - I can choose to look at the positives and as I look at the situation in a new positive light, I will begin to gather evidence that will support these new thoughts, with the Reticular Activating System in my brain activated to support me (a good example of when the RAS is activated is when you may buy a new car - let's say a Ford Focus - your friend suggests this car to you, you buy one, and then you see them so often, much more than you ever noticed them before, it seems that a lot of new people have also just bought this new car - actually your RAS is just activated so that your attention is alerted) - so I can choose to say I enjoy my work and I will begin to see evidence that supports this belief.

I love that in Positive Psychology in defining Happiness, for a rich and meaningful life, this will involve a range of different emotions and I love that I have learnt to sit with the depth and darkness of pain and sorrow and be so present to joy in my life.  And I also believe I can be active in having Happy Days, whether that involves a walk in Nature, or simply me choosing how I choose to look at every day.  I don't want to waste my days or life, just feeling that I am in Groundhog Day or "I hate Mondays" or "I hate work" - I intend to Love My Life and be Grateful for all of the Gifts in my life.  A ritual that I love, that I intend to make time for every night, is to name 3-5 things that I am Grateful for from my day and it is important for me to thank God and Spirit - to be Grateful to God and Spirit - to pray, to reflect, to rejoice.

So here's to many and most Happy Days in 2011!!!

I Choose To Be Happy

Happiness is a Choice for me.  I Choose To Be Happy.  It is the Intention I Choose for My day.

I may not have control over my day or what the day may bring - and yet I can Choose my Attitude and Perspective.  Day by day, moment by moment - there is Choice.  I agree with this saying "Happiness depends upon ourselves." Aristotle

Yesterday I woke up tired and even though I enjoy my part-time work (that I am Choosing to do while I build up my Coaching business) it would be nice to stay home and Blog or work on my Coaching business - or just stay home and rest and catch up on some sleep.  I park the car and in the 5 minutes I walk to the office, it is so obvious to me that I have a Choice, right here, right now - I can be tired, or negative or wishing I was somewhere else, or wishing I didn't have to go to work - or I can Choose To Be Happy, to be positive, to enjoy my day.  Of course, I Choose To Be Happy - this is my usual default Choice - and in those moments of Choosing I feel brighter and lighter and less tired.

While 5 minutes is a quick walk to work - I can Choose my mindset and I can Choose to see the beauty and enjoy the Gifts moment to moment.  I enjoy seeing a lone cockatoo hanging from a branch, just having a lovely time.  And then I enjoy a friendly exchange of hello with a guy who is also just arriving at work in a nearby workplace - he is armed with coffees for his workmates and he has a beautiful dog that goes to work with him.  I then walk around the corner and exchange smiles and hellos with another lady.  Yes, I Choose To Be Happy!

I bounce into work with "Goodmorning" and Choose to be positive and get into my day.  We swap seats and desks most days, depending on the Project and our Team for the day.  I love that on my desk there is this cartoon that makes me laugh.

I have a great day at work, I enjoy a few laughs and I show Commitment and rise to the Challenge to do well on the Project.  Yes, I could have sat there tired, wishing I was somewhere else, being negative that the job was difficult - and yet I was really Happy to be at work and loved talking to people on the phone, and focused on my work - and I met my Target - YAHOO!!!  I overheard one of the other girls talking (she is also a bright, Happy person) and she was talking about her own Attitude - and I loved what she said - "Happy Thoughts Equals Happy Results" - great saying.

Of course I am not always going to be Happy and there are times that it would be near impossible to Choose To Be Happy such as when my Mum is not well.  And in those moments I can also set an Intention, I can Choose - I can have a loving, open heart.  I can always Choose.  And I am not perfect - like today, when I get upset with my Brother - yet I can learn and I can reset my own mindset and I can let go.

I have had such a wonderful, Happy two days.  Last night, my Man and I went to see Shannon Noll in Concert - I love his music.  We had such a great night - such a GREAT NIGHT.  The support act was a beautiful, young woman called Alyse Barnhill - she is a brilliant singer, writes her own lyrics and Alyse has a bright, Happy personality.  I loved listening to her singing - I can't wait to get her CD.  After her performance we chat and laugh and dance to Shannon Noll singing 'Shine' - the song I love with my Business Name called SHINE Coaching.  I was really Happy to get a photo with Alyse and her first ever signature.  Alyse is on her way to being a star.  I was also Happy to get a photo with Shannon Noll and get his signature.

Today has also been wonderful - once again I set the Intention of I Choose To Be Happy.  Yes I have been to the chiro and also the dentist - yet I have loved that today there has just been space to enjoy Conversations and also enjoy exploration and see where my Intuition leads me.  I loved putting my Flyers in the office of my chiro - wow - it is real I am starting my business.  And I feel so ready to start Coaching - I just love people, love listening to people's stories.  This morning I loved hearing the story of an 83 year old man as we crossed the street at the lights and he was telling me that from the age of 17 he spent 11 years on the ocean and that he has written two books with all his stories for his Children, Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren.  And then at the dentist I loved listening to the story of the dental nurse who has just had a baby and I loved seeing her eyes so excited and I loved seeing the photos of her baby.  I just love the moments of Connection.  I love that in life, if you are out and about, you never know who you will meet that day - the people that will come and go in your life - the people that Make A Difference in your day - where there are opportunities for Spread The Yellow, simply through the gift of listening.

While I am getting fillings at the dentist, I just try to relax and go into Meditation.  And in those few minutes I see a beautiful image of me just wandering and in moment to moment Connection I am handing out Yellow flowers.  I love this visual - so in line with my Purpose of Spread The Yellow.

After the dentist I feel drawn to walk around Penshurt - I don't know why - my Yin guides me.  And I listen to my Yin as I feel a pull to go into the travel agent and ask about flights to Thailand.  I look on this big wall world map and have a sense of the bigness of the world.  I feel drawn to Thailand - to honour this Calling to Make A Difference.  I find out some prices and details about the flights and will just see where the energy around this Project flows.

I loved going to Cronulla this afternoon, where I just enjoyed walking through the mall, with no set 'to do list' - just a wander.   And it was wonderful to talk to some great girls who work in 'Tree of Life' and they suggested I put some flyers in the Woman's Community Centre - great idea - this resonates with the Yin part of me.  I must get my Yang writing a list and delivering my Flyers tomorrow.

And I loved that I listened to my Yin, my intution, when I was guided into a shoe shop and then when I was walking out, my Yin guided me to go back down the corridor - and then I found a great pair of black shoes, so perfect, reduced from $49.95 to $13.30.

And as I kept wandering down the mall I saw a stall selling beautiful crafts and clothes and I bought the cutest doll with a Yellow hat, Yellow top and skirt and best of all she is holding a baby.  I love this doll.  I have three beautiful Nieces - and yet I buy this for me.

I am HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!!! 

Best of all, as I am driving home, I see an old friend who has just had a baby.  I had just been thinking of her, just a few minutes before and then in my rear vision mirror I see her pushing a stroller (Law Of Attraction in force).  I pull over, cross the road to see her - and we hug and I see her beautiful 6 week old baby.  Life is such a gift...