There are no grey flowers in nature (as far as I know)

So why lead a grey life? 

the End.

Is it possible to hibernate and still get stuff done?

Even my computer has a hibernate button. ;-)

For the past week I’ve just wanted to hibernate. Snuggle down, get cosy, watch the weather and drink lashings of hot chocolate.

It hasn't been possible for me to completely switch off as I am guiding a wonderful group through the ReNew You 2014 course at the moment. This is such a joy and a pleasure that I wouldn't want it any other way. They are amazing! 

I am also in the midst of planning the next Connect 2 Nature:Connect 2 Self course with the lovely Jaimie MacDonald which starts on the 01 March.  Something I’m very much looking forward to.

So, like a squirrel who stores her nuts, I’m storing up energy.

I’m listening to my body and resting when I need to and yes drinking hot chocolate when I need to! I’m being more selective about what needs to be done and when and making the most of those moments when I do have an energy burst. 

I've accepted this is important and relaxed knowing everything will get done.  I've also factored in more *sitting in my favourite chair and watching the weather moments* I LOVE the colours of the light at this time of year. There is just something so magical about it.

I’m slowing down. not stopping completely, just stepping back a bit and enjoying the feeling of hibernating.

In fact on a course I took last year run by Martin Aylward one of the things he said really stood out in particular– “if you want more time, slow down.” So I've been putting that in to practice this week. And it works.

How about you? Would you benefit for some hibernation time? 

So what does living Exuberantly actually mean?

Having chosen my word for 2014 (I have no idea where this actually originated – anyone know? I started hearing more about this approach last year so though I would try it for myself.

So I chose the word Exuberant and as a supporting word Abundant.

But what do these words ACTUALLY mean? What do they mean to me?

Here’s the dictionary definitions. I love a dictionary definition:

I also found it really interesting how the usage of the word Abundant has actually been in decline since the 1900s. Fascinating. There is a slight lift starting though in 2010...

I also noticed that the two words I'd chosen are more closely linked than I realised -  with exuberant being described as ‘abundantly fruitful.’

So that led me to think about exuberance and what that means to me and how I could invite more into my life. 

I wrote a list. I just jotted down the very first things that came to mind – so these are my perceptions:

Exuberant Woman...

• Wear bright colours
• Wear red lipstick
• Are open
• Are expensive!! 
• Have gravitas
• Enjoy cocktails* This gave me an idea – so contacted GoldBrick house to ask what their most exuberant cocktail is. One with their own stout reduction apparently so I have a date to go there and have one made for me!
• Wear beautiful and sexy underwear for themselves
• Love luxury
• Dance
• Attract Attention
• Have tattoos
• Are lean and strong
• Know what they want
• Have lots of friends
• Are honest
• Are stylish
• Would wear a ballgown out shopping
• Look after themselves
• Are independent
• Speak their mind (is that the same as being honest?)
• Love adventures.

Then I took to social media to see what other peoples perceptions of this word were. I did this not to gain approval for my list but out of curiosity, as I love how unique people are and how everyone has a slightly different view of things.

Here’s just a few of the fabulous comments:

"Are fully alive and appreciate every moment, even the shit bits."
 
"Have very definite interests, are very talkative and like to share their interests with others/pass them on. They can be the life of the party or wear everyone out."

"Dance like firecrackers and pour joy out of the top of their head. They beam at strangers and give the best hugs in the world."

"Embrace life, the world and everyone in it." 

Hmmm this feels GOOD I thought!

So with this information in mind – what have I done so far?

• Set up a Pinterest board for on going inspiration which I add to on a regular basis
• Worn red lipstick even when wearing comfy jogging bottoms 
• Had some earrings custom made for me by jeweller Kathryn Riechert. I LOVE them. I wanted something simple I could wear to remind me of my words. 

Discovered my 2014 vision board had just the right place to put the beautifully packaged box as I opened it!

• Discovered I do indeed own some diamonds. One of my sisters gave me some Kit Heath earrings for my 30th Birthday. I’m sad to say that I’d not really worn them much at all so they had become tarnished. So I cleaned them up like new and have been wearing them! It’s actually my sisters birthday today – So Happy Birthday Deena! x
• Also cleaned some other silver jewellery that had become tarnished
• Dressed up ‘just for myself’ even though I wasn't going out anywhere. Took the puppy out for a walk dressed up. Just put on my wellies! Felt liberating and naughty!
• Daily reading from Simple Abundance – A Daybook of Comfort & Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach. I’ve dipped in and out of this book since I bought it from a charity shop a few years back. This year though I’m committed to reading from it each day. 
• Restarted a gratitude diary
• As I write this my head is wrapped in a hot towel. I brought some henna back with me when I went to Morocco last November. Today seemed a good day to give my hair a bit of red. ;-)

I’m already feeling more exuberant AND abundant and it’s only 17 January! 

Have you chosen a word for 2014? How has it impacted on your life so far? Would love to hear.
xx

Happy New Year!

And now let us welcome the New Year

Full of things that have never been

- Rainer Maria Rilke

For the first time I've created a painting on the first day of a New Year and have filled it with my words and colours for 2014. Gold for Exuberant and Green for Abundant. I also wrote a 2013 review - which you can read here. It's rather long so you might want to get yourself a drink first!!