Monday morning motivation

I’m not always good at taking my own advice, and I'm still learning, but it's vital that you make respecting yourself a priority! Love this pic and it's message!

Love list - (his & her) ways to show love in a relationship

This list that I stumbled upon (source: Self Improvement Saga) the other day is so great I just have to share it with you! Here are some great, inexpensive ways to express your love to your partner, in order to keep the spark of your relationship alive.  So c'mon; start showing some love now :-)

1. A kiss on the forehead 

2. Uninterrupted quality time 

3. A note under the pillow 

4. Tell him when he looks masculine, sexy, or hot 

5. Turn a regular day into an 'All-About-You' day just for your love 

6. Breakfast served in bed 

7. A romantic picnic indoors 

8. An unexpected dinner cruise 

9. Tell her she’s beautiful 

10. Pour on the chivalry {open doors, pull her chair out}

11. A bubble bath with rose petals and her favourite scented candles 

12. Verbalise what your relationship means to you 

13. Surprise her with her favourite flowers and chocolates 

14. An “I love you because…” list 

15. PDA {public displays of affection}

16. Heart shaped pancakes or cookies 

17. A walk in the park together {without the iPhone}

18. Hold your beloved a little tighter and longer than usual 

19. Do some of his/her chores 

20. A handwritten card sprayed with your fave scent 

21. Spoil each other 

22. Renew your marriage vows 

23. Be first to say “I’m sorry” after an argument 

24. Personalise {i.e. engrave} gifts 

25. Place an “I love you” flyer under the car’s windshield wiper 

26. Send a surprise gift to his/her workplace 

27. Support each other’s dreams 

28. Run his bath water 

29. Give your partner space when needed 

30. Put a love note in her purse 

31. Hold hands 

32. Take showers together and wash each other’s back {or whole body}

33. Look deeply into your lover’s eyes 

34. Always kiss goodbye and goodnight 

35. Boast about your mate and your relationship to mutual friends 

36. Arrange for a babysitter so you can have an unexpected date night 

37. Say how much you love each other even if you think it’s known 

38. Remember to say thank you {often}

39. Excuse each other’s mistakes 

40. Meditate together 

41. Sleep in his t-shirt 

42. Wash her hair 

43. Step outside of traditional gender roles to help each other {Cook dinner for her; take the garbage out for him}

44. Verbally reassure your lover 

45. Take photographs as a couple 

46. Give up the last piece of food on your plate 

47. Listen more intently 

48. Flirt with each other 

49. Sing your significant other a love song 

50. Get up early to help him/her get ready for work 

The Mexican boatman

Below is a story that I want to share with you lot.  I first heard if from Bear back in 2007 when we met. He told me that it had quite an impact on him regarding the idea of work-life balance and your personal priorities. It's a beautiful story that really makes you think:

 

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.

Inside the small boat were several large yellow-fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, "Only a little while."

The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish? 

The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs

The American then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life."

The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats.

Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery.

You would control the product, processing and distribution

You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise."

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"

To which the American replied, "15-20 years."

"But what then?"

The American laughed and said that's the best part. "When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions."

"Millions. Then what?"

The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, Maria, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."

Emotional freedom

 The Maldives, October 2011

"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. 

I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, 

tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, 

and I’m going to be happy in it." 

- Groucho Marx

Happy Valentine's

To my joy, my husband, my eternal Valentine that is, is working from home today ♥

Here are some words of wisdom that I came across the other day - real food for thought, on a day  like today:

The first to apologise is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. The first to move forward is the happiest. Be brave. Be strong. Be happy.

Happy Valentine's Day! 

A humble & heartfelt Thank You!

WOW! So many comments, you have no idea how touching it is to see all your kind words and well wishes -   I sincerely thank each and everyone of you!

I have returned from the hospital in one piece. Well almost... It was one of the toughest ordeals I have had to go through, mentally and physically very draining.

One of the tests I took is called Lumbar Puncture (to diagnose brain and spinal cord disorders), and  unfortunately for some, (me included), the effect of taking fluid from your spine means you can get a severe headache for nearly 2 weeks afterwards That is exactly what I am experiencing now and the only way to get through this is by laying down, barely able to raise my head or it feels like it's exploding :-(

As you can imagine with a very active 3 year old at home, this is not the easiest of tasks. Therefore my Mum has flown in from Sweden, like a modern day Florence Nightingale  to help out. My gratitude to her is endless as she is cooking, cleaning, dropping Sean off and picking him up at nursery, grocery shopping and last but not least practising one of her many skills, reflexology, on me.

 The good news is that we have eliminated many illnesses including MS and other serious neurological disorders. 
We are still waiting for more test results to come back, but as of right now, my doctor has narrowed my symptoms down to a muscle disorder which we are trying to cure with different medicine, and my cocktail of drugs each night contains of nearly 15 pills. However, I don't mind taking meds as long as I never have to be separated from my family again!

Here are a few things I've learnt as an in patient at the hospital:

 - Basic health is something most of us take for granted - we should never do so!!

- Nothing can replace the love and support of family and friends

- Humour is the best medicine

 - Last but not least; whenever you feel that your life is not good - remember there are so many worse        off

Our Doctors and nurses are doing a fantastic job in difficult circumstances and often long hours (my thanks to the wonderful team at the National Hospital of Neurology)

This large scanner (MRI) used magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a very detailed image of the inside of my body, incl my spine, neck and brain