Saturday, December 29, 2012

What has 2012 been like?


At first I didn’t want to write a post like this to sum up the year, as if drawing the finishing line. But when I came to work in the morning I remembered my very first impressions of this company. I remember I was so excited after the first interview because I knew that I had found the place where I want to work. It was and it is exactly what I had in mind when I moved to Moscow. 
The office is almost empty today, it is the last working day before the long New Year’s holidays (we officially have 10 days off here in Russia). I don’t feel like doing anything work related and I am just sitting here with this feeling of inner happiness and satisfaction.
So what are the most important things I have learned and achieved in 2012:
- quit job and took the whole month off to connect with myself and decide which direction I want to go.
- moved to Moscow and learned that I can do things on my own. I had already changed different places of living, I moved to Los Angeles for a year and St. Petersburg, but in both cases there were people waiting for me and welcoming me to their homes. But here in Moscow I stayed on a friend’s couch for the first 3 weeks, but I had to find my home on my own.
- found my dream job. By myself. Without any connections or people who know people blah-blah-blah… - which is still quite a common belief in Russia that in order to get a good job you need to know the right people.
- travelled quite a lot, both within and outside of Russia.
- I am learning new food and health habits, adding more fruits and veggies to my daily menu, going for walks and swimming.
- I am learning to be myself, which for me means that I learn to speak up, to say my opinion out loud.
- And generally I became happier. I feel happier. Do you remember in the beginning of summer I wrote that I have to cry every 1-3 months, just to let the negative emotions out? Well, I haven’t had this urge to cry since August I think. I don’t have any hidden negative emotions that need to come out through tears. I feel content. I feel happy within.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Give promise

I want again to try and give a public promise. New Year is getting closer and closer and usually the New year's Eve means a loooot of food which is super hard to resist. And already in October when I began learning to eat healthy and started my weight-loss programme - already then I knew that the New Year's Eve will be an exception, I will let myself eat whatever I want. But what I didn't know was that I will have these cravings to eat whatever I want 10 days before the New Year's eve. It's been hard for me to keep up with my healthy routine and I have been eating since and choclate for the last 5 days. And this not good at all. What is good - is that I bought a ministepper, so that even when it is -20 C outside I will still be able to do have a morning walk. But just the walk will not help me stay in shape, I need to control my craving for sweets and chocolate cakes.
I have already promised my food coach Zhenya to try to be a good girl and stick to the right outine, but I fear that it might not be enough. So I give here a public promise to eat healthy starting from Januay 1st. Not 12 am on January first, we will still be celebrating at that time. But stating with January 1st brunch, I promise to behave? to be a good girl and to eat only the good food.
So my advice of the day is: if you are having trouble doing something that you should be doing, try giving a public promise. It doesn't have to be online, you can give a pomise to your friend, your family - to someone other than just you. Or - I just had a wonderful idea - maybe I should make a bet with my sister? Ok, I'll see if I can keep my promise and if it doesn't help me, then next time I will try the bet thing.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Take the steps

I just did a small exercise called TimeQuake suggested by the guys from Radical Undoing. The exercise is very simple - you need to think about the last 10 years of your life and write down the things which you would have done differently. It took about 5 minutes to finish the exercises, I have thought of 9 things, and more than a half of those things are the same/ So this means that I keep making one and the same mistake. What is even more sad - is that this is something that I have been dreaming for a looong time, it is something that I want more than anything else. And I have recently realised this problem, and I have realised what I am afraid of and what lies behind this fear - now I need a lot of courage to overcome this fear. It is like overcoming the fear of heights, you make one small step closer at a time. And after each step you see that it is not as scary as it seemed. Yes it is still pretty scary at the very edge, and I do feel terrified? especially if the edge is way up high, but the important thing is that I am stepping to this edge. So what I should start doing now is learning to make the same small steps in life, in this most important decisions. I need to change this habit of turning my back when I see the edge, only by getting a little closer and closer will I be able to discove if there is or there isn't real danger.
So my advice of the day is: there might be some things that scare you and in order to stop being scared try taking small steps. You might realise that there is actually nothing to be scared about and all that fear is just in your head.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Enjoy music

I had always wanted to have headphones. Not the small earbuds, but the real big headphones. And about a month ago I finally bought them. I saw them and could not resist. They are of a bright yellow and orange colour and are just totally me. But today is actually the first real time that I am using them. I can tell the music here sounds amazing. It is a totally different perception of music when you listen to it through laptop's speakers and through headphones.I feel absorbed by the music and at the same time it turned out to be quite easy to concentrate on other things. And I am also now searching for new music, new artist who inspire me. Music has become a part of my personal identity. I used to turn on a radio and just listen to what they had chosen for me. But as I was discovering myself, letting myself be who I am, my music preferences have also changed. Yes, I do still listen to a radio sometimes, and there are songs on the radio which I like, but I now have a more conscious approach to what I listen to. Music surrounds me every day and it does influence my mood and my outlook on the daily events. That's why I choose to choose music which brightens my days, with the lyrics which inspires me.
So my advice of the day is: create your own playlists with songs which resonate with you. Enjoy music.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Imagine your best year yet

It is that time of the year when we are striking the balance and finalizing the past 12 months and making new plans. So I am doing this as well. Today I did a guided visualisation with Donna (aka The Faiy Goddmother), also called The Serendipity exercise. I did this last year as well. And although not many of the things that I visualised actually came true, still 2012 has been a pretty good year, and I am even calling it my BEST YEAR YET. Today I have written down all the things that popped up in my head during the visualisation and I am super excited for 2013 and can't wait to see all these things coming true.
So my advice of the day is: dream big, imagine 2013 as your best year yet and get ready for it to really be so.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Let yourself fly

In a wold full of people only some want to fly. Isn't that crazy.
Alanis Morissette

Love these words from Alanis Morissettes' song Crazy (or is it a Seal's song?). I think there are so many possibilities for our dreams to come true, and only a few people choose to believe that their dreams are possible, that they can happen. Others just live by the day and notice only the bad things. But the world moves on thanks to the people who believe, people who keep trying to achieve their dream no matter how crazy they may sound. I remember reading in Mastin Kipp's blog (The Daily Love) about this: many people used to believe that people cannot fly and look at today's world - we are flying all over the planet and beyond. There could be lots of people who would say that your dreams are crazy, but please do not believe them. Know that anything is possible and with that truth in you heart it will really be so. Sometimes it is enough just to believe and to desire something, and it will happen. For example, today I thought of making a Chistmas present fo my manager and thought that it would be great if I could give her the sweets "Love Story" (they are super tasty, but they are produced in my hometown Cheboksary and it is hard to find them here in Moscow). But it just happened so that my cousine was driving through Moscow and asked if he could stay for a night at my place. And guess what he brought from Cheboksary?:) So know I have the exact gift which I wanted. You see, I myself did not have to do a thing except for thinking about it. Of course, in many cases just thinking is not enough, but almost always it is a huge part of the whole dream-come-true process.

So the advice of the day is: don't be discoueged by other people who not dare to believe. Let your self dream big, let youself fly.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Don't be afraid to try new things

Just this morning I returned from a short trip to Prague. It's quite a beautiful city, but I do not actually feel that excited about it. For example Madrid, where I also stayed for just 2-3 days, made me feel like I definitely need to come back to the city, whilst here it was "Yeah, I am happy to have visited Prague, it is quite a nice city, but at the end I do not feel inspired by it". But what I DO feel inspired about is oysters. I have tasted them for the first time yesterday, and OMG are they delicious! And so this discovery of oysters also made me feel inspired to not be afraid of trying new stuff. I was a bit of a coward when I was sitting in front of the oysters, my friend made me drink a glass of wine at one gulp to reduce the fear and then I finally got the courage to put this small stringy thingy into my mouth. And once it was in, I wanted to have more and more.
Can you imagine how many things there are out there that we do not know about, and this unknownness makes us scared to even try, to make a first move. It's ok if we try, and do not like it, or we try and we fail, or we try and hate it - the main thing here is to try, to EXPERIENCE the unknown in order to really understand it. I used to say that I don't like oystes, they are stringy and they should probably taste awful, but how could I possibly know, how could I objectively say that I did not like it? The same goes for everything else in our everyday life.
So the advice if the day is: got out there, experience live and do not be afraid to try something new even if it may seem to be scary.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Make presents

Today I saw this little announcement at the coffee corner at work about collecting presents for the senior citizens who live in the houses for the elderly. I saw this but on the way home totally forgot to go to a shop and buy the presents. But then I was talking to my sister and it turned out that she has seen the same announcement over the Internet and also wanted to contribute. So we bought the presents, wrapped the gifts and tomorrow I will take them to work so that soon they could be delivered to the addressees.
We have four presents, four people will smile and feel needed - and it only took us about an hour. So little time, so many people will get happier. You do not need great resources to bring happiness to other people's lives. A present could be your attention, kind words or a note, actually anything that shows that you care, shows that the other person matters, that he is needed.
So the advice of the day: make presents to people you know, people you don't know, to everyone who matters in your life.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Train your brain

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”

 Aghh, I have an exam in microeconomics in a couple of days, so I have been reading up a lot. So I can feel my brain twisting and sweating. It is a lovely feeling, though I cannot say that I fully appreciate it at the moment, because I do not like the exams.But I know what I am going to use it fo as soon as the exams are finished - reading. Reading and thinking about what I have read and making my own conclusions and maybe even writing down a short a summary of the book. I loved doing it last year. And I miss it now. So this exam is a great opportunity to wake up my brain and then start using it for the things I love.
So the advice of the day is: train your brain daily, do not let it fall asleep.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

The power of written word

Yesterday I was looking through my notebook, the one where I used to write my plans for each day. I started doing so - planning every single day - last summer. And it was really helpful for me at that time. But as I got some steadiness in my thoughts it kind of became unnecessary, so lately I have been thinking to go back to this habit, because it helped me to stay focused on my dreams. I rememebr at that time I was phusically aware of how much time is just slipping through my fingers when I am browisng through facebook and just surfing the net. And I could not let that time just go by. And that was when I unsubscribed fom a lot of different groups, I stopped looking through the whole news section and just used social media for communicating with people how live in different cities and countries. But lately I am again spending a lot of time on the Internet doing nothing. So I opened my notebook in order to write down my plans for the weekend and I came across the page where I had listed all the things that I wanted to buy in 2012. I have totally forgotten about this list, and yesterday I was very surprised to see that I know have 90% of those things. Isn't it amazing?
So the advice of the day is: write down your dreams, your goals, your desies and just watch them happen!:)

Friday, December 7, 2012

Find motivation

I think I need to go back to my routine - back to writing posts every day. I have noticed that since I have given up on one thing, the other things followed. For example, I haven't gone for a marning walk for over 3 weeks now. And I remember how I used to love these walks. But now I am finding all the different excuses, like "it's winter, it's normal that I want to sleep more" or "it's probably cold outside, I'd rather stay here in my warm bed". And I do not like that. I want to feel that excited about walking as I did in the beginning. Because it IS good, I DID enjoy it. I need to find some motivation to start doing it again. So I hope that writing here will become my motivation and I will continue benefiting my health.
So the advice of the day is: find motivation. Sometimes you need it even for the things you love to do.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Experience life

I have planned to finnsih the month of experience with this post almost from the very beginning of November.  I saw this video (it is actually and advertisment) and I knew that I had to shae it. The author of the video is Evgeniy Grishkovec. He is a Russian actor and a singer, but a vey unique one. In his songs he doesn't sing, he talks, he speaks about life and people around and his feelings. So this video is an advetisment of a company that makes windows and it is called "To see the life". Here is the video, it is in Russian, so below I am going to write down what he is saying:




There is a picture hanging on my wall, it's a landscape: a river, a hilly river bank, the sun is going down behind the hills, a low sky with clouds, the river and clouds are coloured with sunset. There are a few black dots - these birds flying over the river. They have been flying there for many years. This picture has been moving with me from a house to house, it's a good picture, beautiful landscape, nothing is changing on it. Outside MY window everything was always changing. Districts changed, cities changed, trees grew higher, houses wee built. I myself was growing. Buthow differently did I watch out of the window in different ages. When I was small and my parents would sat me on a window sill, it seemed so high, and outside I could only the things that interested me: dogs, children, birds. A lorry or a fire truck were miracles to me. I remember standing on my tiptoes staing hard at the road and waiting for my Mom to come home from work or for my Dad to come from a long business trip. I remeber looking for inspiration outside the window when I was writing my first romantic poems. How oppressed I was with the sunlight that caome in from the window in the moments of sadness or anticipation. Or how happy I was to see a thunder or a snowstorm or even grey drizzle and wet houses outside my window in the moments of success and happiness. With such different feelings did I open curtains and fling open the window during this last year. How differently did I see the same courtyard, the same city. And on my picture it is always a sunset along a beautiful iver, and the birds keep flying. I am used to this pictures. I can't get used to what I see outside my window, because on the pictue there is a landscape, and in the window there is always a life. 

My tanslation may not be a pefect one, but I think the main message is clear - life is always different. If it was the same every day, it will be just a picture, something still, something that has stopped moving. And you do not want that to happen to your life. Look outside the window, step outside of your apartment and experience life! This is my advice of the day and of this month.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Experience break

I have decided to take a short break from writing the blog. At least from writing it daily. I want it to be an inspiration, a means to express creativeness. But lately I have been feeling that it is a must, that it is some kind of a burden (that is a bit too strong a word, but I don't know how to express it differently). I am not saying that I will stop writing completely. Even right now I steel feel the urge to post something tomorrow. And I loved this feeling of thinking about each day and finding a lesson in each day. But there are now so many things going on that sometimes I feel a little stressed to write. I still haven't made up my mind yet, because when I am putting these words down, I feel that I want to continue, but at the same time there are days when I want just to go to sleep sometimes - but instead I spent another 40-50 minutes writing the blog. So I will jsut see how it goes tomorrow. I will keep writing, maybe on a little less regular basis. You will hear more from me, I am not saying goodbye. The only thing is that if now I go on vacation or I am out of town, I will just take a full break and not feel stressed about keeping this a daily blog.
So the advice of the day is: experience break. Sometimes you need to take a time out and just let it go for while only to see that it is actually exactly what you needed. Sometimes a break is a good start to letting go of the things that hold you back. I don't know yet what my break will be. I will keep you posted:)

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Experience education


“You can never be overdressed or overeducated.”
― Oscar Wilde
  As I have already witten a couple of times, I have entered a University this year. I passed my first exams a couple of weeks ago, and now it is already time to start getting ready for the next examinations. So today I spent a few hours reading and getting information for my course paper. And that is the reason for chooosing the today's topic. I just  want to underline the importance of education. And you do not necessarily need to enter a University o go to school to get educated. Absolutely not, there are so many books and internet resources now, that you can learn whatever you want without even going out of the house. 
So the advice of the day is: experience education. Read a book. Find something to learn about.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Experience movies

We went to the movies today. I haven't seen an actual movie in a cinema for about 4 months. Which means that I haven't watched any movie for the same time - becaue lately I have found it difficult to watch a whole movie at home. I get too distracted and it seems that I am just wasting time, I'd rather do something more useful. That's why I love going to the movie theaters - I concentrate on the movie only, on the feelings and emotions that arise within me as I watch the story unfold. And also I choose only positive movies, with a happy ending, preferrably comedies. But some dramas can also be positive, for example "The Bucket List" - it is a drama with a not so happy ending. But nontheless this is one of the most positive movies I can think of. It teaches you to live now, to do what you have always wanted to do and not be afaid of doing it. It is so inspiring, it has tought me not to wait for some opportunity to arise, but to start making these opportunities happen.
So the advice of the day is: experience movies. Choose a movie wisely and it will definitely teach you something new.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Experience communication

It has always been difficult for me to use small talk. I could never talk for hours on end even with my closest friends and family. And I still cannot understand how people can talk on the phone for several hours. What do they even talk about?
But now at work I realise that it is useful to know and use this art (yes, I do call it 'an art'). When you go to different events, when you are driving in a car with a colleague with whom you do not have much in common, when you go for a lunch with your co-workers - how do you know what is important for them? Or what do you talk about with a business partner when you are not at an official meeting?
So this post consists mainly of questions, which I am trying to answer right now. And I want to learn the art of small talk, but at the same time to keep it meaningful, and not just talk in order to pass the time.
So the advice of the day is: experience communication, because it is the key to building relations with other people.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Experience search

You know what I love about writing this blog? It is the fact that I am always looking for inspiration, I read a lot of new and inspiring quotations, I listen to new songs, watch new videos. And it is all a part of enriching myself, enriching my knowledge.
And today I have found another new song. Well, it is new for me, but actually it's quite an old song - it was released in 1985 - the year I was born. But nontheless it is still very beautiful and meaningful. And here are a few lyrics from this song (and yes, they are all about experience):

"Experience is only what you make it
You come together when you let yourself go"

"Experience is not imagination
You get what you believe in if you choose"

"Experience, is only what you make it
You live forever but you never know"

And here is the video, please enjoy:

 


So the advice of the day is: experience search. Search for new things, search for old things, search for motivation, search for answers within yourself.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Experience guilt

So today in the moning I was in a bad mood, and still cannot actually understand why. I argued with my colleague for a reason so small that it is not even worth mentioning. And not only did I argue, but I ended up crying in the toilette. It is probably becasue of the diet that I am feeling quite moody. I am used to eating chocolate and cakes, but now I have to restrict myself. But on Sunday I ate a chocolate cupcake, and I guess I still feel guilty about that. I know that I was not supposed to do that, but I just couldn't resist the temptation. So I have to learn to forgive myself, because it is OK to break the diet rules sometimes. It might actually be even good for you, because you don't let your body get used to low-calorie food, you remind it that sometimes it has to work harder in order for it to be able to process any kind of foods. So I am going to learn how to let go of the guilt and forgive myself for these little guilty pleasures that I am sure are going to happen from time to time.
So the advice of the day is: experience guilt and let it go.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Experience failure

“You need to screw up to learn. You need to experience to create greatness.”
Laurie Faria Stolarz, Deadly Little Secret

Yesterday I mentioned that last week has been a week of lazines for me. I only went for the walk 2 times, and than I totally ignored my food routine on Sunday. But because of this little failures Zhenya has shared with me her thoughts on the subconscious power. I have heard and read books and watched videos on the topic, but I forgot to apply this knowledge at my new endeavour. So thanks to those mistakes of mine I got the chance to put my knowledge to use and to experiment with it.

So the advice of the day is: experience failure, but remember not to give up!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Experience subconsciousness

I just finished talking with my food consultant, Zhenya. And today she told me about the power of our subconscious mind. And I love the way she explained it to me. She pictures the subconscious as a little person who sits inside of us. And that little girl (I see that person as a little gil) is totally OK with how things are right now. She doesn't want to change, she doesn't need this change. And she is trying to convince me to agree with her. That's why this week has been a lazy one for me - I haven't gone for the morning walk since Wednesday, and I ate a cupcake yesterday. So that little girl is really good in standing up for herself and telling me that I do not need to change. But Zhenya also said that I should never fight her, that's not going to work. To really succeed with this or any other goal I need to make friends with my little inside girl, to show her how wonderful life will be once the goal is achieved. And once she understands that, she will give you all the power to keep going. And I am so inspired now to make friends with my subconscious girl and can't wait to wake up tomorrow morning and go for a walk. I will keep you updated from time to time on how things are going.

So the advice of the day is: experience the subconsiousness, make friends with your subconscious person, let him/her become your advocate!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Experience music

Today we were talking about music with my friend. And I have realised that music is a huge part of my life, it accompanies my through the good times and the bad times. And I have also noticed that we grow out of music. Well, not the music itself, but seperate songs. For example, now I do not and actually cannot listen to the songs that I listend to a year ago. They are the songs of that time, of that me, the me who no longer exists or who has developed into a slightly different person. When I hear a songs of that time, I start remenscing of the past, of the old days. And even though it might be good to think about your past and the lessons you have learned from it, I do not like to remember the past that often. Because it seems to me that I can get stuck in the past. And I want to live today.
And also you have probably noticed that I quite often post different songs and video clips - so these are the songs, the music that reflects the me of today. It reflects my current state of mind and my thoughts. Sometimes all the right things have already been said and you do not need to make them up yourself. And all this wisdom can be found in music.
So the advice of the day is: experience music.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Experience friendship

A friend of mine came over for a visit. I haven't seen her for over 4 months and it feels wonderful to be able to catch up. It's just such a joy to have people in your life who you can talk to, who understand you and support you. I remember I once saw a phrase on a magnet (or was it a post card) which I agree with, and it said " Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly". I am very grateful for all my friends and people who surround me. 
So the advice of the day is: experience friendship! 

Friday, November 2, 2012

Experience the dance

Today I went to a pefomance - a dance peformance. I have a very dual attitude towads that - on the one hand it was very unexpected, because it just happened that thee wee two extra tickets left, because someone from the management team could not come and a friend at work gave the tickets to me and my coleeage / friend. But at the same time already yesterday I started feeling like I did not want to spend a Friday evening at home, I wanted to go out and it happened. So that's why I believe that our mind is such a powerful tool. It can lead us anywhere we want. Seriously. Trust me and tune up your mind according to your desires.
 Actually that is not what I wanted to wite about today. I wanted to say how beautiful the dance is. We went to a dance peformance which was mostly choeographed by Igor Moiseev. It was a mix of different international dances, mostly of eastern Europe. And it was a wonderful experience. I don't think I would ever go there by myself without the invitation, but yet it was worth seeing. Dance inspires you to keep moving, to stay positive in life.
That is why I want to give the advice of the day: experience the dance.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Month of experience

It is the first day of a new month which means that it is the day to choose a new topic for the next 30 days. This is the month I was born in, it also marks 6 months since I have moved to Moscow. And I couldn't think of a better topic, a better key word for month than "Experience". When you are just born, each day is a new experience. That's what I want at least this month to be - experience. Do the things I have never done, look at the ordinary things with my eyes open and experience them in a new way. And I dare you to do the same. Look fo opportunities to get new experience.
So the advice of the month is: EXPERIENCE!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Learn to love yourself

It's amazing how quickly the time flies. It seems like only yesterday I began the new topic of the month and it's already high time to make conclusions.So what have I learned this month? I was mostly learning economics at the Univesity and also the main concern for me this month was to take care of my body, to learn to eat right, to learn to get enough sleep, to learn to go for a walk in the mornings. And I feel that I have succeeded in all these endeavours. It is now very easy for me not to eat sweets and chocolate. In fact I haven't had a chocolate in te last two weeks. I still have an open bar of chocolate right here on my desk but I just don't want it. And I feel really inspired to go on, to keep following the new habits.
And the main thing that I have learned out of this daily lessons is the importance of loving yourself. It is when you love yourself and want to live a healthy life that this seemingly difficult process becomes very simple. Yes, it was hard for at the beginning, but what made it easier was knowing that it will improve my life.
So the advice of the day is: learn to love yourself. Love yourself for who you are. Learn to love yourself because you make things happen. And make things happen because you love yourself.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Learn to seize the opportunity

“Every day you have the opportunity to learn and experience some-thing and some-one new. Seize the opportunity. Learn and experience everything you can, and use it to change the world.”  Rodney Williams

Unfortunately I don't know (and didn't find much infomation) who Rodney Williams is, but this is still a vey smart and inspiring quote. We come across a lot of opportunities every day but most of the time we are (at least I am) scared to seize the opportunity, to take a chance. For example, you could come up and talk to the person you like, you have the opportunity to do that but most of the time you feel scared or shy. And you miss the chance to get to know a new person, a person who might have changed your life. I do feel like that a lot of the time, feel too scared to make the first move, for example. So I want to learn to step into this fear and uncertainty and stop missing the opprtunities.
And this is my advice of the day for you: learn to seize the opportunity, take every chance to become happy and fulfilled. 

Monday, October 29, 2012

Learn to have fun

On Saturday we (my new Univesity friends and myself) decided to celebrate Halloween. And yes I know that it is only on Wednesday, but clubs here in Moscow started to have parties already on Friday. At first I was a bit hesitant if I should or should not go, becasue of all the workout and new eating habits that I am working on right now. But than I thought that the most important thing was that I was feeling good. And I would feel much happier if I went out and had fun than if I stayed at home and ate salad and felt alone. And I am so happy that I did it. I haven't actually been to a club for about 2 yeas, and I forgot how great it feels just to dance and laugh and sing songs out loud. And I also got to know the people I am studying with. And also I feel very inspired and just genuinely happy. I even was singing loudly to my ipod IN THE STREET. And it is huge fo me, because earlier I wanted to do that but felt too shy.
Laughing, singing, dancing, talking to your friends - these are all pretty simple things, but they give you a lot of inspiration. They lift you up and make you feel alive. It is really easy, believe me. Start with laughing for at least a couple of minutes a day. Just laugh for no reason. I do that  while I am walking every morning (well, I do skip Sundays, because that's my sleep-in-late day). It does make you feel better and happier. Try it for yourself and share your results. I'd be happy to hear your thoughts.
So the advice of the day is: learn to have fun and to see fun around you! 

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Learn to dream

The song "I have a dream" by Amanda Seifrid (originally by ABBAof course, but I like the movie version more) is one of my most favourite songs. I watched the movie in 2008, but I discovered the song and especially its lyrics only last year. And since than it has been a great motivation for me. It helps me to reminf myself about the importance of having a dream. When you know what you want, what your goal (and dream) is, you will find the way to get it. But if you agree for anyhting, it is the anything that you will get.

 I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream - I have a dream


 So the advice of the day is: learn to dream!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Learn to live fully

This song represents everything that I am now learning to do: enjoy each day as if it is your last day. I know it is not the best thing to think about, but when you keep this thought in mind it definitely helps you to make better choices. It helps me to not get offended when a freind does something differenly than I had expected. It teaches me to appreciate each day and be greatful for all the wonderful things I have in my life.
The song "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw

He said, “I was in my early forties  
With a lot of life before me  
When a moment came that stopped me on a dime”
”I spent most of the next days, looking at the x-rays  
Talking ‘bout the options and talking ‘bout sweet times”
 

I asked him when it sank in  
That this might really be the real end 
”How's it hit 'cha when you get that kind of news?  
Man, what'd ya do?” 
 He said
 

”I went skydiving 
I went rocky mountain climbing 
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu  
And I loved deeper  
And I spoke sweeter  
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denyin'”
And he said, “Someday I hope you get the chance  
To live like you were dyin'”
 
He said, “I was finally the husband  

That most the time I wasn't  
And I became a friend, a friend would like to have”
 

”And all of a sudden goin' fishin'  
Wasn't such an imposition  
And I went three times that year I lost my dad  
Well I, I finally read the good book 
And I took a good long hard look 
At what I'd do if I could do it all again And then”
 
”I went skydiving

I went rocky mountain climbing  
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu 
And I loved deeper  
And I spoke sweeter 
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denyin'”
And he said, 
“Someday I hope you get the chance  
To live like you were dyin'”

Like tomorrow was a gift  

And ya got eternity to think about what to do with it  
What did you do with it?  
What did I do with it?  
What would I do with it?
 
Skydiving

I went rocky mountain climbing  
I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu 
And I loved deeper  
And I spoke sweeter
And I watched an eagle as it was flyin'
And he said, 
“Someday I hope you get the chance  
To live like you were dyin'”


So the advice of the day is: live each day to the fullest!!  

 


Friday, October 26, 2012

Learn to trust yourself

These couple of dyas will be song posts. These are the songs that really inspire me and motivate me to keep going.
One of these songs is "Defying gravity" from the musical 'Wicked'. I saw this musical over 4 years ago in Los Angeles and I still remember that excitment with which I went out of the Pantages Theater. The show was amazing and I downloaded all the songs the very next day. This one - "Defying gravity" - is one of my favourite. I love all of it, and especially this part:

Something has changed within me 

Something is not the same  
I'm through with playing by the rules  
Of someone else's game  
Too late for second-guessing  
Too late to go back to sleep 
It's time to trust my instincts  
Close my eyes: and leap!
So the advice of the day is: Learn to trust yourself, trust your instincts and make the leap when you feel that the time has come. Don't wait for someone's approval or advice.Just take the action, just leap!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Learn to be sad

Today is a wonderful day and I am happy inside and very greatful for everything I have. But at the same time I feel sad and feel like crying. It is quite common for me, every now and than (usually once a month or two) I need to let the tears out. It has been over 2 months since I last shed a tear, so it is that time of the season again:) I smile as I am writing this, though I'm still feeling a bit down. And I think that it's normal. it is human nature to experience all the different kinds of mood. A person cannot be cheerful and smiling and talkative 100% of the time. Everyone needs some time to recharge, to think, to reflect on what he/she is going through. Now I have learned to take this emotions and tears for granted, the tears are a part of my body, letting them out is a part of a natural process.
So the advice of the day is: learn to be sad and to deal with sadness. Do not feel frustrated when you are a bit down. Live the emotion. Let yourself be sad for a few hours or a day and remember: this too shall pass.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Learn to get enough sleep

As you probably know, I have been waking up pretty early lately. And I have to thank myself for being very consistent with it for over 3 weeks! That's big for me, because there have been plenty of times that I would start doing something - like going for a run - and than in a week, max. 2, I would forget about it. So this time I am doing a very good job. The only thing is that I now need to learn to go to bed a little earlier. Sufficient amount of sleep is super important. I have realized it today. Yesterday I came home after 11 pm because of my University, so I went to sleep after midnight and was up up today at 5:55. So 5 hours of sleep is definitely not enough. I felt so tired and worn-out the whole day today that it has been difficult for me to be useful at work. Also I had to make myself get up in the morning which usually doesn't happen - I get up quite easily. And during the day I didn't feel like talking and socializing. So I did not enjoy feeling that tired. And I also talked with my food coach tonight and she said that sufficient amount of sleep is crucial for the weight-loss process.
So the advice of the day is: learn to get enough sleep. And I am going to bed right now:)

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Learn to love the world

Today is rather a short post, I will let Jon bon Jovi speak instead of me:




I have run from the truth
Since the days of my misspent youth
I was hungry for kindness
I was lost in life's blindness

When you're born without wings
All you dream of, all you want
Is that feeling of flying
Of rising and climbing

Halle, halle,
We're one breath away
Halle, halle,
From our judgement day
You leave it all on the table
If you lose or you win
You've got to learn to love the world you're living in

Always thought I'd die young
In these hands I held the gun
But it's too late for dying
Now there's nothing worth hiding

I've lost love, lived with shame
I was humbled by my fall from grace
On the steps of decision
It's revenge or forgiveness

Halle, halle,
We're one breath away
Halle, halle,
From our judgement day
Leave it all on the table
If you lose or you win
You got to learn to love the world you're living in

Halle, halle (2x)

Halle, halle,
We're one breath away
Halle, halle,
From our judgement day
Leave it all on the table
If you lose all you win
You've got to learn to love the world you're living in

Halle, halle, and that's how it is
You've got to learn to love the world you're living in

Halle, halle

So the advice of the day is: learn to love the world you are living in!

Monday, October 22, 2012

Learn to ask for more

Today's post is inspired by the Coca Cola commercials, and to be more exact their "And" series. I loved how such a small word can actually mean so much. Saying the "and" means that you want more, that you know that you are worthy of something more, that you value yourself. And when you know what you truely want, than you will definitely get it. And it is also good not only to ask other people for more, but to ask yourself - and what could you do? how else could you help? what else do you want to achieve?
Also 'and' makes you think. You do not find just one solution for example, by saying 'and' you'll have to think of something more. This will broaden your thinking and your mind. After this commercials, I think that 'and' is such a powerful word, I would definitely use it more often.
So the advice of the day is: learn to ask for more.
happythankyoumoreplease

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Learn to read

Well, I am sure you can read - but how often do you read? What was the last book that you have read? When did you finish it?
This is actually a reminder for myself - because for the last 4 months, I guess, I haven't read a single book. I was reading some blogs, I read a few magazines, I am reading a lot of the University books - but these are not actual books. I used to love reading and when I was a schoolgirl library was my favourite place. Last year I read many self-development books and I had a special system on how I worked with them. At first I would just read the book from cover to cover. If it appealed to me I would read it again and underline the parts and words that were the most important to me. And the third step would be to go through the book again (now mainly through the underlined parts) and wite down a short summary of it in my special notebook.
I miss reading. Reading not only self-development books, but some classic literature.I should make it my habit again. So the davice of the day is: learn to read!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Learn to take care of your body

Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live.
– Jim Rohn

It's been almost three weeks now that I have started my diet and I feel amazing. In the beginning of September I also decided to reduce my coffee drinking. And even though my eating coach has allowed my to drink a cup of coffee a day, I don't reaaly want the coffee anymore. During the last 4 weeks I only had 1.5 cups and it feels great. And the early wake-ups make me feel upbeat for the enitre day. I usually do not feel sleep during the day even though I get up at 6 am. And eating at on and the same time almost every day helps me eat less. I love taking care of my body and noticing how it responds. I haven't had a headache during this month - but usually my head starts aching if I oversleep. Even a little over 8 hours is too much for me. And usually coffee used to help or I had to take a medicine. Now when I wake up early, I automatically do not oversleep, which greatly contributes to the entire mood of the day.
So the advice of the day is: learn to take care of your body!

Friday, October 19, 2012

Learn to find time for your friends

It has been 7 months yesterday since I left St. Petersburg. It feels like a lot because I have visited St. Pete only once during these 7 months, but at the same time it feels as if I just started my new job a week ago. And today I finally skyped with my friend from St. Pete, with whom I haven't talked for more than 3 months. I feel so upbeat and happy after our talk. She is always so positive and funny and makes me laugh. And after we finished talking I thought to myself: "Why don't we do this more often?" Well, yeas of course we both might be busy and have a lot of things to do, but it doesn't have to be an hour and a half all the time. You can (well, I can) always find 10-15 minutes to catch up with a dear friend. They do give us a lot of inspiration and motivation. Next week my oldest friend is coming to town (I don't mean that she is old, I mean that I have been friends with her the longest - it's been 10 years this September). And then in 2 weeks I will have another guest. Can't wait to see them all!
So the advice of the day is: learn to find time for your friends!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Learn to live without limits

A few days ago I accidently bumped into this video on a beatuiful song called "Something more".


I was so impressed by this guy, Nick Vujicic. I head tears in my eyes when I was watching this. But then I thought "why do I cry". He is doing so great. He is inspiring so many people. He is enjoying life to the fullest going skating and swimming and travelling the world. He is not limited by his body. I'm sure he has a happy life and he has learned how to be happy without arms and legs.  His life is a great example of how there are no limitations for you to be happy. Happiness is not how you look, not how you dress. Happiness is how you feel. How you make others feel.
So the advice of the day is: Learn to live without limits!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Learn to use your brain

Remember how I wrote recently about my studies at the University and how I understood that it is important  to be authentic? Well today I want to continue a bit about that. I had 2 more tasks to do for this subject. And as I had promised I did them all by myself. And I was so proud to get 'A's and to be able to say that these marks are well deserved. And now at the Microeconomics lessons we are doing different sums and I can literally feel my brain working. And it is a wonderful feeling to realize that you actually start to think. That you use your brain according to its intended purpose. And the brain responds. I thought I had forgotten Mathematics completely. I haven't been using it for about 10 years now. But I was mistaken. The brain actually remembers it. It just needs a small reminder sometimes, but it has it all in there. It was such an amazing discovery for me. I love to discover all these possibilities of my mind, my brain and my body. Try it yourself, try to solve some task from school. You will see that it is not as hard as it seems to be. Discover the awesomeness of your own mind.
So the advice of the day is: learn to use your brain!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Learn to take cold showers


This month there are a lot of new things that I am beginning to learn and implement. First of all there is the actually learning as in reading books, doing homework, preparing for seminars and writing essays. Then there are the new eating habits, the habit of getting up early, the habit of taking 1- hour walks in the morning. And now there is the habit of taking cold showers. Well to be precise it is a usual shower that ends with a bucket of cold water being poured all over you - I'm sure there is a certain word for that in English, I just don't know it yet. Actually this is the first habit of all the listed above - tomorrow will be 3 weeks that I have started doing so. My mom used to take such showers when I was 11-11 years old. In winter she would also go out in the evenings to walk barefoot on snow and she would take us with her. And I remember that we were always healthy. There was only one time when I had a fever at school and I was 9 years old at that time. And so for the rest 6 years at school I didn't get sick. So I hope that this new habit will strengthen my immune system and also will help me heel my knee, which is still aching when I bent it. Because they say that water heels everything. 
So the advice of the day is: learn to take cold showers!

Monday, October 15, 2012

Learn to fight for your rights

I have this colleague at work, who I have become very close with. We started at about the same time and work very closely with each other. She is a great professional in her field and besides that she has a wonderful personality. What I love most - she is not afraid to speak up for herself. She always ahs an opinion and is not afraid to say it out loud even if differs from everyone else's. And she also can stand up for her rights and doesn't matter who she is talking with - be it a receptionist, or a CEO. If she knows that she is right, she will fight for it. And she is also a doer. Yes she can procrastinate some times (like most of us), but when the work needs to be done, she doesn't look for someone else who is responsible for the project, she just sits down and starts working on it. I admire that and I am happy and thankful to be working around such great people. When I think about what would she do, I myself start doing things. I am less afraid of the new responsibilities. I am getting better every single day. I hope that you also have someone who inspires you to go beyond the limitations of your mind. Someone who inspires you to stop being scared and start fighting for yourself.
So the advice of the day is: learn to fight for yourself.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Learn to be imperfect (sometimes:)

Just yesterday I wrote that I have been waking up at 6 am every day and today I didn't. I did hear my alarm ringing, I stopped it and wanted to get up in a couple of minutes, but instead slept all the way till 9 o'clock. And I don't actually feel bad about that. I realize that it is ok to sometimes not be 100% perfect and ideal. We are all people and we cannot be programmed to do things the exact same way day after day. So I let myself sleep. And then had breakfast. And then went for a walk in the park and played table tennis. And even though early walks make me feel great, being imperfect today and sleeping late let me rest. And I feel even better and more inspired to get up early morning tomorrow.
So the advice od the day is: learn to be imperfect.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Learn to wake up early

As you know I have started to implement a new, more healthy daily routine. It has been an old dream of mine to get up early. And I am actually doing it. I get up at 6 a.m. on week days, and on weekends it is a little later - on Saturday I have to go to the University so I should get up somewhere between 6:30 and 7:00, and on Sundays I try to make it 7:00 - 7:30. And today I woke up at 6:30 and was thinking "Oh, I don't have to get up this early, I can sleep till 7". But my body did not want to. I closed my eyes but could not fall asleep. So I got up and went for the walk. It feels so great to get up early, to know that I can do it, to realize that I have the will power to stick to this routine. I have a big goal - I want to lose a little over 20 kg, and with every morning walk I am a bit closer to the goal. And knowing this helps me get up so early.
So the advice of the day is: learn to get up early and get energized!