How do you measure success?

February 15, 2017February 10, 2017 ~ Nicky M ~ 11 Comments

Perception is everything.

How you see yourself and your successes can elevate you or bring you down.

You may feel success means you have to have many things…big house, new car, money in the bank?

However, I believe that success is a unique quality that can only be defined by you, for you based on what is important to you – not what others tell you it should be.

⭐ Love to travel? It could be you see success as earning enough money to visit a new city or country twice a year.

⭐ Striving for happiness? Success could be working at the job of your dreams – whatever the pay!

⭐ Are relationships the thing that keep you going? I wonder if success is hanging out with friends once a week, meeting new people or going to new places?

⭐ Is rest and relaxation important? Success could be ending a busy day in the place you call home with warm food and a few good books.

You get the idea…

Measure your life against your definition to see how successful you truly are…not by comparing it to someone else’s.

Notice your achievements, the things you excel at. The tasks you do really well. The little things that bring you joy.

If you change your perception – there will be many.

That is success.

💋 xoxo

Quote courtesy of lifehacker.com

What is love?

February 14, 2017February 12, 2017 ~ Nicky M ~ 4 Comments

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Is it fresh flowers in my kitchen

and dinner already on the table?

Is it warm puppy dog snuggles

and lazy Sunday mornings?

Is it an afternoon spent reading

and a candlelit bubble bath?

Is it one pudding and two spoons

and a glass of wine on a school night?

Is it spontaneous hugs

and the way you hold my hand?

That look that gives me butterflies deep inside

and smiles that melt my heart?

Is it catching up with friends

and creating new experiences?

Is it the laughter that fills my whole house

when we are all together?

It is.

All of it.

What is your definition of love?

How do you show it? When do you feel it? How do you know that it is real?

How could you encourage it? Share it? Show yourself more?

You don’t need a date on the calendar to prove your love. Don’t buy into the hype.

Do it whenever the feeling takes you.

Spontaneously. Frivolously. Regularly.

💋 xoxo

Monday Motivation #2

February 13, 2017February 7, 2017 ~ Nicky M ~ 7 Comments

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I think stars are pretty amazing!

I love looking up at them. I often wonder if someone else in another country is looking up at the very same stars at the very same time. As a child I wondered if they were placed individually, one at a time or sprinkled like glitter randomly. As an adult, I always feel closest to those I have lost looking at them on a clear night. I have always been fascinated.

We are like stars.

And not just because we are amazing, bright like the sun, layered and complicated.

Did you know that stars are in constant conflict with themselves?

Gravity pulls the star inward but the star pushes against this pressure to stop it collapsing in on itself. If it were to give in, the star would become smaller and smaller over time.

Let’s be like stars.

Push against the pressures placed on you. Don’t become a smaller version of yourself for anyone.

Celebrate your magnificence.

Encourage others to shine.

Be the stars you are.

💋 xoxo

Add a sprinkling of kindness to your day

February 10, 2017February 4, 2017 ~ Nicky M ~ 2 Comments

Virtue.

The generosity of our words.

The motivation behind our actions.

The reliability of our standards.

The integrity of our character.

The quality of our work.

These affirmations of personality are born, cultivated and accomplished with kindness.

Through kindness. With kindness. Experiencing kindness.

Where in your life can you add a little more kindness?

At home?

At work?

Your actions?

Your perceptions?

Your encounters with others?

Your thoughts about yourself?

We can all benefit from a little more kindness in our everyday lives.

Where will you start? Let me know below.

💋 xoxo

Stay Strong and Carry On

February 8, 2017February 7, 2017 ~ Nicky M ~ 5 Comments

Ever had a day where you wonder if it’s all worth it or questioned if you are doing enough or even doing it ‘right’?

If so, then this post is for you.

These quotes are my go-to pick me ups that I return to time and time again when I’m feeling inadequate, unworthy or just like I have no more to give.

You can only do what you can and your job is not to do it all. Nor do you need to save the world or everyone in it. Your job is to do what is requested of you. However, we all know that the list is never ending… so this quote is here to remind you that you have a finite amount of time, energy and resources.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

It really does. Whatever your role. Whether you provide, create, care, heal, inspire, encourage, teach, support or entertain – you have a purpose and it is needed.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

We are so quick to judge ourselves when we don’t know how to do something or if we make a mistake. We have this unrealistic expectation of ourselves that we should act, look and behave perfectly all of the time. Well I’m here to tell you sister to give yourself a break! We should always, always feel driven to improve ourselves and raise our standards. Have high expectations no matter what. But don’t ever put yourself down (or let anyone else for that matter) for doing the best you know how to at this moment in time. Look for the lessons in all that comes your way – there is much to be learned should we put our minds to it.

Stay strong. Keep moving forward. Be fabulous in all that you are. Be authentic and never, ever feel you are not worth it.

You so are.

💋 xoxo