Instant gratification anyone?

Here we are in a world full of 'instant' this and that....

Instant coffee, instant dinners, instant fixes....
whatever you desire, right NOW.
Then why is it that when it comes to instant fixes for ourselves, we often have a problem with it?
Is the 'instant' era actually frowned upon, deep down?
Admit it, do you ever feel even a little ashamed when you find yourselves in a McDonalds queu or with your microwave dinner on show in your basket next to the Stepford wife's trolley load of fresh food waiting to magically evolve into a masterpiece of a meal?

What I mean is...do we believe deep down that what is quick is not so good, and that what takes pain and suffering is really the only way??
 Well, I do agree that we have become very impatient and our time appears to be under more and more demand, but is it the right kind of demand?
Is what you are so desperately chasing actually the best thing for you?

Sometimes a fast food dinner in this convenience world is not necessarily the best thing for you, but maybe at the time and place you where in, it was the best for that! In other words, why utilize the convenience for 'times' sake and then spend the rest of the day beating yourself up for it?
Do we actually stop to analyze our true priorities enough?

If you choose to sacrifice a healthy meal for times sake, does it then make sense to punish yourself for that choice? After all we made the choice consciously, didnt we? (Well, thats a WHOLE other blog! Haha...)

Anyway I digressed slightly, as my point is, I believe that we are all consequences of our actions, in-actions and what we are fed. We are tempted by clever advertisements, bombarding us with the lure of instant gratification but still, engrained deep in our subconscious we hear our ancestors voices whispering to us, 'in our days we had to walk barefoot to school..., bla, bla'...

So which is right?

When it comes to our brain and our thinking. Our habits and our beliefs. Are these something that can be changed in an instant or are they a product of our generations before us engrained in our genes?
If you want to change something about yourself, does this need to be a slow arduous task that takes a long time and even a lot more suffering to achieve?
Or can it be done in a split second, like the flick of a switch.
Take that for example, 'light'.
How did it come about?
Erickson worked long and hard to create the light bulb didnt he?
So am I contradicting myself then?
Well, he worked at it, but that was what he did. He WAS an inventor. He didn't have to work at being it. He was it. Most importantly he was in a good mind frame, and he didn't beat himself up about his decisions. He believed that every thing he did and all the work he was putting in was only moving him closer to his goal.
His philosophy was this.... 'I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.'

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_a_edison.html#AsSoeRTO1xrCico7.99

I believe this is so true. All of our achievements and exactly where you are right now, is a product of everything you do or do not do. Our decisions, our choices, our trials and errors (I prefer to call them learning curves), all our experiences lead us to the now.

So also do our thoughts. Every thought you have and the accumulation of these, has led you to what you are doing right now. like reading this. You chose to, right?
You can also choose to be happy, confident, succesfull, etc etc. It's only up to you.
Experience has shown that we can choose to change our ways and our thinking as quickly and easily as a light bulb. The time you have spent so far has been your practise, now is the moment of the light.

Still unsure it's possible?
Take note of your posture right now. How are you sitting? How does it feel?
Okay now, let me ask you...

Have you ever felt convinced of something, like you could not do it or would never do it only to be later proved wrong? Proved wrong by your own self talk and conviction?
http://dictionary.reverso.net/english-cobuild/self-belief
A voice inside your head that said, 'I can't do that' and then did it. That voice is controlled by you.

How about turning the volume down right now on that voice, right down to zero.
Imagine that voice. Does it have a face, a certain tone to it? Is it someone you know?
Visualise pushing that voice way, way back, far far away and turning that volume down. While your at it, turn the dial for the color also, right down so that is fades to a black and white, soundless little mouth.

NOW imagine how you felt when you surprised even yourself and did something you never thought you would, but that felt soooo good when you did!
Imagine being there now, at this moment, feeling how good it felt. Hear the sounds around you, hear yourself congratulate yourself! Turn up the dial on the color and bring this image up close and all around you.
Immerse yourself in this wonderful feel good state.

Now how are you sitting? Any difference?

That's the power of your mind and the control you have to change in any moment how you feel.

It only takes a lifetime of experience and a moment to change it (-:

And this is that moment to go and switch on that light bulb, right now!

As Thomas Edison said, 'I never did a day's work in my life. It was all fun.'  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison



To your enlightenment,
Danielle x

Life coach & NLP Practitioner 086-3845299
neurocombatives@gmail.com
www.mindart.ning.com

Looking through rose tinted glasses...

Are our boundary's real, imagined or created by us?

One of my greatest passions is to paint and in so doing bring a canvas to life with my imagination and the help of some wonderful vibrant colors.
Often, I will contemplate over the exact shade for hours and squeeze little tubes of vibrancy unto a palette, mixing and blending until I get it just the way I want it.

Which is what? What color is it exactly? Does everyone see it the same way?And does that color really exist, or is it something that I / we have created or simply given a label too?
And is that 'label'- title, whatever you may want to call it, called something else somewhere else??


Azzuro in Italy, Azul in Spain, Blue in Ireland or if your in Japan they call traffic lights (that we call green) blue! So who is right?

Maybe no one? Maybe everyone!

Here is a wonderful article I read on this subject, very informative and thought provoking.
http://www.empiricalzeal.com/2012/06/05/the-crayola-fication-of-the-world-how-we-gave-colors-names-and-it-messed-with-our-brains-part-i/

Next week, I am heading off to my favorite Irish spot, Dingle Bay. http://www.dingle-peninsula.ie/

It lies on the most South Westerly point and I am always in awe at the sheer rawness and beauty of its landscape. Windy roads, deserted sandy beaches and hedgerows full of dancing fuchsia's.
But what I like most is the light. It is different. At least to me it appears that way.
I think it is because I am on the other side of what I am generally used to (the east coast) so the sun appears different, closer! And the sunsets over the sea watching Fungi soar are mesmerising and unforgettable.

Or is it simply that I am in holiday mode?? 

Bright eyes and bushy tailed and looking at it through 'rose tinted glasses'?

What if I put on those glasses more often, in my every day life?
Would the grass be greener?

Yes, I think so!...

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”
 Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

I am placing these imaginary specs on my nose right now and wow,
when I actually take the time to stop, take a deep breath and look around me
and really observe I can truly see much more beauty in the world that I was unaware of. Right here, right now, under my very nose.

So stop, right NOW and put them on!
See the sheer beauty for what it is,
and appreciate all you have right here and now.

I know I am (-;

Danielle x


For more ideas how to see the world through a new perspective call me on 086-3845299
or email me at neurocombatives@gmail.com

Self Defence for the mind...

So...... what are YOU planning to feast your mind on today??

In today's news; 200,000 people have fled the fighting in the Syrian city of Aleppo. 47 have died in a fire on a train in Southern India and the number of insolvencies in retail is growing by the minute, bla, bla, bla. Plus one of my most revered authors, the lovely Maeve Binchy has just died......

Really cheerful stuff ay?


So, is that really how we are going to help ourselves?
I know I keep harping on about this, but this is truly the key.

If you want to know how to be happy, then....

surround yourself 

with happy thoughts!

I am not suggesting you go and live on a deserted island to avoid hearing the news at all costs!

I am also not saying that knowing some of this stuff is important, and I am definitely not intending any disrespect at the memories of those who have passed away or have suffered.
News is important and keeping updated is useful, 
all I am saying is that maybe it would be wise to limit this information on a daily basis.

Filter it, so to speak. Give yourself a daily allowance!
Like if you take a coffee (yea, I know it is my vice (-: ) but instead of drinking cupfuls everyday, because you know it is bad for you, maybe you limit it to one? Or two at the most!
Maybe, you also balance your little indulgences with some more healthy stuff, like say a massive avocado, tomato and baby spinach salad for lunch. You feel better, right?
So can we do that for our mind also? Of course we can!


As I keep saying...'We are that on what we feast our minds',
so here are a few ideas to start with.......

When waking- Actually this is 'as' waking - 

We do this day after day, through most of our working lives, so why do many of us keep torturing ourselves?? Buy one of those super cool alarm clocks, that wake you up as though the dawn was breaking around you and listen to the birds sing! 
Well worth the investment and believe me I am not attempting to sell anything, 
I just know the health implications! 
http://www.amazon.com/BioBrite-Sunrise-Clock-Advanced-Model/dp/B00196LFGW 
Soooo much better then starting your day off to a loud, sudden buzzing, yuck!!

Stretch in the bed for a minute and smile (even if you don't feel like it). Your brain wont know the difference and I guarantee after you do it, it will stay on naturally, just like a cheshire cat.

Look at yourself in the mirror and say Hello (nicely!) and say to yourself how GOOD you look today. Just do it!

Have a HEALTHY breakfast with some nice healthy treats (I like fresh blueberry's on my Muesli) yummm!

Listen to some inspiring and invirogating music in the car while driving to work. 
This is a favorite of mine.....  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RM7cQCC4sU 
Not the news, unless its absolutely necessary (like your job or something).

Say OUT LOUD in the car, 'Today is going to be a GREAT day!' 
Again, it does not matter if you believe it or not, what matters is that you say it.
Your brain (or rather your unconscious) will catch on quick enough (-:
Plus you will feel really stupid, so you will giggle anyway!

Take regular breaks at work. Every half hour, stop for 30 seconds (minimum) and just breathe.
In through your nose, hold it for 5 seconds and out through your mouth for five. 
Keep your shoulders relaxed and let your breath expand in your tummy.

Sit up straight, no slouching! I know you are catching on quick to this by now (-:
Your unconscious wont know the difference. It will read the signals from your body, in others words, shoulders back, head tall etc, and will think you are feeling good, and so it will set off lots off positive endorphins! 

Think of a famous person or loved one that you admire and take on the characteristics of that person. Act like you think they would. I don't mean mimic ridiculously, just inwardly project the emotion you know they would give. For example, you may adore and look up to Sean Connery and his smooth, confident persona or Catherine Zeta Jones effortless sensuality, then just simply imagine stepping into them and behaving the way they do.
You will find people start commenting very quickly and saying that you appear different in some way, more confident, self assured etc etc. It works!

Keep an inspiring or funny book with you, for your break.

Spend time in the company of LOTS of diverse people. 
Spend LOTS of time with positive, happy people.
Think of ways to bring LOTS of joy and happyness into those who do not seem as happy.

Set yourself  little goals every day. Such as 'Today, I will get to know that serious looking guy and get him to smile.' Or 'today I am going to do ten little nice things for others'.
You will see very quickly how good you start to feel.


When you think a negative thought, thats okay.... 
Acknowledge you have had it, just don't judge it. Don't beat yourself up further for having it. That's just reinforcing the downward spiral!
Instead congratulate yourself for having noticed it. 
When you do this, you will notice the negative thoughts disappearing very quickly and popping up much less often.


Watch a funny comedy film or show and laugh out loud.
This is one of my favorite, totally hilarious, and a suitably apt title too!

Pin up positive messages around the house.


Write down a list of the Top 100 Things you are grateful for.
Don't think about it, just start and don't stop until you are finished.
Write everything and anything, from your grateful for your job to being able to read this.

I guarantee by the time you are finished all the above, you will be laughing out loud!

Are you laughing yet??

Well, do you really WANT to be happy?
So go on then....start feeding your mind on all the good stuff that's out there!

To all your fun and giggles,

Danielle x

If you would like some more ideas to help you laugh out loud,
call me on 0863845299 or email me at neurocombatives@gmail.com