H.M.C.'s Blog, page 4
July 15, 2013
Sharpen the Saw
We run about all over the place like headless chooks, madly trying to get things done, work, kids, food-shop, tidy-up, wash-up, eating, work-out, sleep! The problem is, in this ‘conveninet age,’ it’s getting worse. Down time is limited. And as soon as we get five minutes, we feel like we need to fill it up with … stuff.
‘Sharpening the Saw’ would have to be one of my favourite Stephen Covey habits.
It means looking after yourself.
Not just eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep, but also taking time-out for ourselves. Many of us function with the idea that there’s not enough TIME and so resting is often the first thing we eliminate.
But at the end of day, is it making us more effective?
Here’s the story Covey used to get the message across:
A man sees a woodcutter furiously trying to cut down a tree with an obviously dull saw. So he asks, “Hey, why don’t you stop for a minute and sharpen your saw? Your work would go much faster!”.
The woodcutter replies, “Stop and sharpen my saw? I don’t have time for that! Look at all these trees I have to cut down!”
MORE HERE
I used to have an amazing collegue. Unfortunately for me, he escaped to work at the Green School in Bali.
He taught me a philosophy which has stuck with me.
Look at what you HAVE to do. Then … do half.
Sounds crazy, right? But what about the other half?
When I started to live by this, I found myself full of energy, I had a zest for life, and I worked smarter. I only aimed to get half done, but somehow, even though I’d had plenty of rest, spent time with my family, caught up with friends and walked along the beach … magically, all was well.
No.
All was wonderful.
Just a little food for thought.
PEACE HMC
HMC on Goodreads CLICK HERE
July 1, 2013
On Growing Up
I always want to be young at heart.
Always.
It’s part of the reason I work with kids. It’s why I love Disney. It’s not just the nostalgia.
When I think of the term, ‘young at heart,’ I think of light-heartedness, being care-free, spontaneity and most of all loving with every fibre of your being. To me, being young at heart means letting go of fear. A child is compelled to do what they want to do, no matter the risk, or what others think. They’re not bound by the fear of others, and it’s only when they start listening to US, they start doubting themselves.
So, I believe, to grow up, means to grow down.
Choose your goals, write them down, do your timelines, flowcharts, be serious, be keen, got to it with determination and the knowledge you can succeed. Ever watched a group of children make mud pie? See the determination on their faces? See the seriousness of the event and the absolute coordination? They choose the leader through ‘einiee meanie minee mo.’
Ever told a child, ’you can’t make mud pie?’ What do they say to that? They say, ‘watch me.’
Or they say nothing, and go ahead and do it anyway.
Go forth with the knowledge you are brilliant and you can achieve your desire. Don’t listen to the people who doubt, who complain, who say, ‘people can’t have everything they want.’ They’ve just forgotten how to believe in the magic that makes worlds.
It seems the longer we live, the more we have to complain about, so let’s drop all that nonsense and get to it.
Who would you prefer to be like? A small child who wakes at four in the morning and is so eager to start the day, they get up and potter around the kitchen looking for their next adventure? Or someone who can’t get their arse out of bed because it’s raining.
Put on your gum boots and go make mud pie.
June 20, 2013
Where’s Your Head At?
‘Think positive!’
‘Focus on the good!’
http://icanbecute.com/too-cute/positive/
These general statements can be REALLY annoying for someone who hasn’t been practicing them. In fact, it can make us want to commit acts of violence towards the bright-eyed, goody-two-shoed types who seem to think it’s so damn easy to focus on rainbows, unicorns and lollipops all the time.
But let’s face it. We all want to be happy.
It’s a major goal. In fact, when the apocalypse comes, isn’t it the most important thing?
“At least, I led a happy life?”
http://www.ttvblog.com/2011/08/h4ppyb1rtthd4y-pi55y.html
Yes, it matters that we reach for more, grow, develop, achieve, love, all of those things. We only do what we do, though, because it will make us happy. Or we THINK we’ll be happy in the achieving of our desires (Abraham Hicks, anyone?)
These general statements do nothing for one who has made negative thinking a habit. ‘Be positive,’ means nothing when you’re feeling like crap. What I realised (or remembered), however, was that these trains of thoughts really are just habits.
And a habit can be changed.
Apparently we need to practise something around 18 times before it becomes a habit. Really … that’s not many. But, when you’re in the middle of a bad time, you can’t change your thoughts to fluffy bunnies. It’s not possible. What I’ve found is: all you need to do is become aware.
Don’t practice changing bad thoughts to happy thoughts.
Don’t practise pushing away your anger or sadness.
These things are hard!
Just practise being AWARE.
That’s it. Just observe. Sit back and listen, without judgement.
I was driving on the way to work and decided to observe my thoughts. Not to change them, but to just sit back and ‘listen’ to my inner dialogue. I was absolutely amazed at the BS that was running through my head, and so I stopped to take an actual LOOK around me.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glass_House_Mountains.jpg
There was a big beautiful mountain, with houses scattered across, in the distance. It reminded me of Italy. It’s amazing how I live in such a beautiful landscape, yet I think I have to go all the way overseas to see such beauty. We become so accustomed to what we see that we no longer see it. I often try to take a moment to observe what’s around me, but not enough! I could’ve driven all the way to work, not really seeing anything.
I did the same thing at recess that day. I stopped and observed my thoughts. They were worrisome thoughts. I was holding on to things and not trusting that life would take care of me. So instead, I turned my attention to what was happening around me.
I took a photo of where I get to be on duty as a teacher.
Gold Coast
Check it out. This is what I get to look at!
Then, I watched a group of grade two students playing Lord of the Rings. HILARIOUS. I could’ve missed all of it.
On the way home, I did it one more time. Once again, I was in a dream state, thinking of what had to get done when I got home. I looked around me and saw nothing but barbed wire fences, nothing beautiful or inspiring. So, instead, I focused my attention onto the excitement I felt about going to pick up my daughter. I may have only seen her a few hours ago, but I couldn’t wait to get her.
When I OBSERVED my thoughts, they naturally gravitated towards something more positive.
What kinds of thoughts do you have about yourself, your life, your body, your children? I’m not saying try to ‘listen’ all day, that would be impossible. Just once or twice, and see what comes up for you.
I’d love to know if this works for anyone else.
Peace
HMC
Check out HMC’s new thriller, White Walls. CLICK HERE
June 15, 2013
Aaron’s Gluten-Free Fitness Journey
I’ve been following Aaron for a while now, and he has been an inspiration to my health journey.
Wheat and dairy are a huge part of our diets nowadays. I got pretty sick on my trip to Italy, and I found out I had a small gluten intolerance (how can you say no to bread in Italy?). My daughter, Charlotte, also had an intolerance for dairy when she was born. It got me to thinking, how many of us out there could correlate the way we feel to the amount of gluten or Casein that we put in our bodies? (Casein has a wide variety of uses, from being a major component of cheese, to use as a food additive, to a binder for safety matches).
Some of us can stomach it, some of us can’t, and at the end of the day, how good is it for us?
What inspired you to go gluten free?
A few years ago I started getting unexplained digestion issues and skin rashes which initially I brushed off as a side effect of a bad diet. Eventually it really started to bother me so I began going to multiple doctors and dermatologist but no one could tell me what was wrong. After about a year and a half I gave up and thought I would have to live with these issues forever. It was suggested to me in passing that I try a naturopathic physician so I made an appointment. She ran a few allergy tests and that same appointment told me to cut gluten out of my diet. Since then I have been trying to avoid gluten and feel wonderful. (as you can see in the photos my skin is a little irritated, had some toast this week)
What difference has it made to how you feel?
Since cutting gluten out of my diet my digestion has improved immensely and my skin irritations have stopped. When I do occasionally have gluten now I get stomach aches and horrible rashes on my skin that itch like crazy. They itch so much at times that I bleed from scratching so much. Going gluten free has been super for my healthy lifestyle change because gluten happens to be in almost all processed and boxed foods so it’s easy for me to say no to quick junk foods.
Can you share a yummy recipe?
Of course, one of my favorite recipes is one that my wonderful spouse Hannah has created, gluten free vegan waffles. They are DELICIOUS, we have served them to friends and family that aren’t gluten free with always positive feedback.
How do you stay motivated to work out?
I stay motivated by having such a great fitness community both online and at the gym. Hearing that people actually want to read about my progress pushes me in my workouts to have something to share with readers. It’s also big motivator that I post progress pictures of myself in my underwear almost weekly hahaha. The people at my gym are incredible every time I go to workout there is someone asking me about my progress, pushing me to further in my workouts, and noticing when changes happen. Fitness instructors and fellow gym members alike, without them I wouldn’t be where I am today or possibly going to the gym at all. Fit Stop 24 in Olympia is the friendliest, most encouraging, and community oriented gym I’ve ever been to, I can’t say enough good things.
What do you do when you face a food obstacle, like Christmas or Easter?
Food obstacles/ celebrations that involve food are bit of a careful dance for me. I try not to be mad at myself for indulging in treats occasionally but I always have to stop myself from going overboard. Not to say that I don’t slip up sometimes, I DO! I just tell myself that I am committed to a healthy lifestyle and not a short term diet. In my opinion it’s much more harmful to let an indulgence make you say, hey I ruined all my handwork why should I keep going.
Follow Aaron on his journey to a healthy lifestyle. CLICK HERE
Visit HMC’s official website. CLICK HERE
Thanks for taking the time to share with us, Aaron.
June 3, 2013
Why I left my publisher …
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. ~ Mark Twain
How can an emotionally-charged, artistically-inclined, freedom-loving woman do business?
It would seem impossible.
But, it isn’t.
I’ve just had a good teacher: my partner in crime, Keith.
Here he is. Handsome fella, huh? I didn’t really need to post this photo of him, but why miss such an incredible opportunity?
The first lesson he ever taught me was that if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Before meeting him, I was terrified to ask for more than what I was offered. If a price tag said $100, that’s how much the clerk would be handed, no questions asked. Now, however, he’s got me negotiating EVERYTHING and he doesn’t even have to remind me. I love it!
Now, back to the point.
So, when my publisher didn’t deliver, I had the guts to ask for more.
They budged with nothing.
Not.
A.
Thing.
The quality was not up to scratch, either. It just wasn’t.
And I knew in my heart, I had to cut them loose.
Which brings me to the next business lesson I’ve learned so far: going with your gut. Intuition is a funny thing, one minute we are so sure, the next, we falter. I’ve learned that when it comes to making an important business decision, you HAVE to sleep on it. When you wake up, there is no emotional brain fog, messing with your decision-making processes and it’s with that first morning coffee when I’ll know what step to take.
I was shaking in my boots at the thought of leaving my publisher, but I did it anyway. And … it ended up being easy, because I READ THE CONTRACT. Not once, not twice, but countless times. I went over that baby with a fine-tooth comb before signing, because there was no way that I was going to be stuck in any business relationship with someone I didn’t want to be stuck with, no matter how fluffy and soft they seemed at the start.
Don’t be fooled writers! Are you signing up to something you can’t get out of for five to ten?
Be careful.
They didn’t even care so much that I was leaving, which was a huge relief, and totally affirmed my decision.
The last thing I’ve been taught is when to stop talking. Such an important lesson! Especially when you’re like me, and wear your heart on your sleeve … I tend to harp on and on. Now, I ask for what I want, and then wait. Patience is key in the money-making world. The creative side in me no longer loathes the business side of being a writer. In fact, I’m even enjoying it.
So, in the end, I left my publisher, because I knew I could find myself a better deal.
Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations. Steve Jobs
See HMC’s official site >>CLICK HERE<<
May 29, 2013
Interview with HMC
Through the magic of the internet, connecting us instantly across the world, I had the opportunity to interview HMC, author of the upcoming book, White Walls, coming June 20, 2013.
HMC is a freelance writer, teacher and artist who resides on the Gold Coast, Australia. She has a degree in psychology, writes a column for an online magazine and blogs about global issues.
On White Walls, and being a writer (soon to be author)
May 23, 2013
The Perks of Teaching
Those who know me, know how much I love being a teacher. Some days you leave a 
classroom thinking, ‘wow that day was spawned from hell,’ but there are many days when you’re lifted up so high, that you think you’ll never come down again. I adore working with children. They’re inquisitive, now-focussed, generally happy and most of all FUNNY.
In fact, their humour is one of the greatest perks of the job.
A friend recently reminded me, with her son’s homework (that included the answer: elephant shit) just how funny kids can be. Mostly, it reminded me of all the times I’ve had to keep a straight face, in the classroom, and almost failed.
Here are some examples … could you keep a straight face?
(I’ve changed the names out of respect for the children)
A Flipping Good Time
The children had just settled in for a story after lunch, when master 6 raised his hand.
‘Miss Hayley, Luke pissed in the bushes.’
‘You mean weed? Or urinated?’ I corrected.
‘Yes, he weed!’
‘Luke? Is that true?’
‘Yes, Miss Hayley.’
‘Why do you think that might be inappropriate?’
‘Because I flipped out my willy and went WoooooHoooooooo?’
Black Is Back
I had been to the hair dresser the day before and miss 8 was in the middle of an enthralling story. She stopped, quite abruptly, looked at me confused, and said, ‘Miss Hayley, did you dilate your hair black?’
Rules are Made to be Broken
When working with small children, it’s important to go over the rules. Even better, to have them remind you of the rules. When sitting in a circle, one of the children brought up the rule on swearing.
Just as my teacher aide (a wonderful woman who I adore, and who probably remembers this) walks into the room, in order to take over for morning tea time, miss 6 bellows, ‘my dad says f**k isn’t a swear word!’
I nearly lost it. But she, skilfully and straight-faced, replied, ‘Hmmmm. I think it might be, darling’.
Duty is Never Dull
On duty in the playground, miss 7 ran up to me, flabbergasted and said, ‘Miss Hayley, when I do this (screams the most blood-curdling, horrendous scream you’ve ever heard in your life) … my throat hurts!’
‘HAHA really? I can’t, for the life of me, understand why.’
So, this is part of the reason I love my job. Most of all though; it’s the look in the eyes that children get, when they’ve learned something new. It’s the excitement they feel for an activity they enjoy. It’s their exuberance, energy, and thirst for life. They teach me the same lesson, everyday: DON’T TAKE LIFE SO SERIOUSLY.
Those are the perks of being a teacher.
PEACE
H.M.C
Why not visit my official site? CLICK HERE
May 16, 2013
You Live in a World Where …
DISCLAIMER: This rant is from a fictional character, from a fictional story.
Meet George.
‘You live in a world where it’s more important to look like you’re starving to death, than it is to be healthy.
You live in a world where everyone is stuck in the past or the future – and spends most of their day there, never actually looking at what’s going on around them
You’re more afraid of a tattooed, out-spoken woman than you are of a man who runs your country and tells you what to think.
You’re afraid of speaking to your adolescent children and connecting with other humans, because you fear what they might think of you.
You have no idea how to love yourself.
You gage success upon how much paper you stack, and that’s all it is … paper.
You need other peoples’ permission to be who you are.
You’re so afraid of yourself that you can’t even look in the mirror without criticising.
Why? Because that’s what you were taught to do and that’s what you teach your children.
You live in a world where you could feed the entire population and live sustainably, yet people are dying of starvation.
You’re more afraid of standing still and quiet, than you are of rush hour traffic.
You put poison in your body and ask why you’re sick.
But do you know what the funniest thing of ALL is?
You call ME crazy.’
George Barter (Narcissist)
Visit HMC: CLICK HERE
May 7, 2013
‘Why Sarcoidosis Lyme Australia?’
My chosen charity Sarcoidosis Lyme Australia, is very personal and close to my heart http://www.sarcoidosisaustralia.com/
Coleen Coates
There is not enough known about either diseases, here in Australia – and that’s the problem. Today I interview a very important person, my mum, Coleen. Mum is currently winning the fight against Lyme Disease, although some days it’s a battle for her to get out of bed.
Here’s her story.
Tell us about your journey from falling ill, to being diagnosed with Lyme disease.
It was around April 2010 that I knew I had to see a doctor. I was feeling sicker and sicker. Doctor after doctor and test after test revealed nothing. They had no idea what was wrong with me. A Naturopath suggested Chronic Fatigue and put me on medication.
I knew it wasn’t that.
Finally, in my attempt to figure it all out, I came across an article on Lyme disease. I knew I had it. I had all the symptoms.
It was difficult to find anyone who knew about Lyme disease, especially testing, and I had to travel to Coffs Harbour. Australian Biologics came back with my answer.
I tested positive for Lyme.
I finally knew what was wrong. It was, in some way, a relief.
It took a long time to get to that point, though – far longer than it should have.
Why don’t doctors know about Lyme, here? 
A small study in the nineties showed that no ticks in Australia carry Lyme disease. The government then concluded that no Lyme lives here. It’s been that way ever since.
What are your symptoms?
- Sore throat and mouth
- Chronic Fatigue
- Uncomfortable fuzziness in the limbs. I have to walk around a lot, especially at night. This later turns into immobility.
- Severe weakness
- Loss of balance
- Neurological – brain fog, memory difficulties, difficulties reading and writing
- Feeling like you’ve been poisoned
- Without treatment, Lyme disease is fatal. I am lucky I researched and caught it. Others have not been so lucky, here in Australia. It’s an absolute tragedy, because there is medication for this disease. This disease is treatable.
What does it take, to get proper medication?
First you have to travel to one of the three places that test for Lyme; either Coffs Harbour, the Sunshine Coast, or Sydney. The medication can be bought from the chemist but it’s extremely expensive.
If you suffer from Leprosy or Tuberculosis, you get a big discount. Lyme suffers don’t.
What message to do you have for those who read this?
The Government and health professionals of Australia need to be educated about this disease, and stop ignoring it.
If you are bitten by a tick, Lyme disease can be cured in the first two weeks of contracting it. After that, it gets into your body and is very difficult to eradicate.
Just be aware. This is a good Q and A site. http://www.lymedisease.org.au/faq/
Thanks for reading and please take the time to SHARE and BE AWARE.
Three generations: Coleen. Hayley and Del.
For the release of my novel, White Walls, I have chosen Sarcoidosis Lyme Australia as my charity. $2 from every book sale will go to them. I’m not sure what we will achieve, but just knowing about LYME is the answer.
Join the online event HERE, have some fun and win prizes. http://www.hmcwriter.com/white-walls-launch-party/
WORLD PROTEST ON LYME
This is a great article about LYME AWARENESS this May.
http://worldwidelymeprotestaustralia.weebly.com/australian-landmarks-lighting-up-for-lyme.html
Very exciting news for us!
‘The Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Baggoley, has established a Clinical Advisory Committee on Lyme disease to provide him with advice on the evidence for Lyme disease in Australia, diagnostic testing, treatment and research requirements. The Committee will also provide advice on the most appropriate ways to disseminate information to health professionals and the general public.’
Check it out: http://bellgeorge.com/australian-government-moves-on-lyme-disease/
PEACE
H.M.C
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April 30, 2013
Common Insanity
We often hold a distorted view of ourselves.
Whether it be to do with our intellect, our looks, our physical capabilities.
Through our reality, and experiences, we plot out a schema of who we are.
Others can poke and prod.
But at the end of the day, we have to make a choice.
There is only one person who allows certain restraints to debilitate us.
What we choose to believe about ourselves affects our daily interactions, the way we hold ourselves, our bodies, self-talk, our relationships and so, basically everything important to us.
This Dove campaign is pretty awesome. Not because I like the soap, but because it shows evidence of the common insanity that lives within us … the lurking undercurrent, waiting to pull us under. One, that should be observed, and checked, as often as one remembers to do so.
Follow HMC and join her in the launch of her debut novel, White Walls. Click HERE
