Feeling Thankful

~ Nicky M ~ 9 Comments

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Regardless of whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, we all have room in our lives for a little gratitude.

Saying thanks for what you have helps you hunt for the positives, focus your mind on the present moment, aids contentment.

Start small and see how quickly you can change your frame of mind. Think of 3 things you are grateful for or glad you experienced today before you fall asleep.

Give a whispered thankyou for the potential of a brand new day right before you get up in the morning.

The more you look for, the more you will find.

Here’s my list of 10 things I am grateful for today…

⭐️ Warm doggy noses in my ear

⭐️ A hubby who makes me a cup of tea when I come home after a long day

⭐️ Facebook videos and jokes that make me laugh

⭐️ Kids that ask “How was your day?”

⭐️ My happy household

⭐️ Loved ones

⭐️ My journey so far

⭐️ My love of books

⭐️ The little things that make me smile

⭐️ The weekend lie-ins

Moaning is easy. Whining is an everyday affair. Negativity permeates every corner of our day.

True strength lies in believing in better; compassion over conflict; sprinkling positivity over all you come into contact with and smiling from the depths of your soul.

Be grateful for this precious moment.

What’s got you feeling all thankful this weekend? Let me know below.

xo

What inspires you to continue to write, when it’s all been said before?

~ Nicky M ~ 14 Comments

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Someone asked me this question recently, and it made me wonder.

Wonder where my inspiration comes from?

Wonder if I will eventually run out of ideas?

Wonder if my readers truly like what I write?

Wonder if my readers would stick around if I ever decided to write about something new?

Wonder why am I still writing when some days it’s hard to juggle a blog with a full time job?

After a moment of wondering, I realised a couple of things…

The thing is, it has all been written before – but not in my style, in my voice, my way. 

I find inspiration to write in what I see, what I encounter and how I feel about these experiences.

I am inspired by many, many things…

💛 a beautiful dress 💛 a rainbow 💛 an evening cuddling on the sofa 💛 a story 💛 a beautiful picture 💛 a walk 💛 a conversation 💛 laughter 💛 a kind gesture 💛 smiles 💛 beautifully wrapped gifts 💛 someone else’s blog 💛 a quote 💛 a thought provoking article 💛 meditation 💛 reflection time 💛 exercise 💛 my children 💛 the children I work with 💛 people who get up every morning and face the world 💛 kindness 💛

The thing is, I enjoy writing and need to find ways to continually be inspired.

Pause

Take stock. Relish the moment.

Consume the beauty.

Let it sink and settle deep in your soul.

Find inspiration in all things.

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Better still – how about you be the inspiration?

Live your life, your way.

Show up, tell your story.

Be present. Be aware. Be there.

What inspires you to write? Why do you write? How do you choose what you write about?

Let me know below

xo

A letter for when you are struggling…

~ Nicky M ~ 22 Comments

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Dear You,

I know you’re having one of those days.

The one where you seem to be feeling your way through the fog, stumbling in the darknesss, going through the motions.

You feel like crawling back under the safety of the duvet, hibernating like a bear or wrapping yourself, cocoon-like away from the world.

Talking is an effort. Making a decision is complicated and positivity flew out of the window like a butterfly on a breeze a while back.

I know you can’t pull yourself out of the funk. You’re unsure how or why you got here – you just know here is where you are and you’re pretty sure you’ll be staying a while.

I’m here to tell you, it’s okay.

Okay to feel like this – it will pass.

Okay to need to retreat – that’s where the healing happens.

Okay to be quiet – that’s when you will hear what your body wants to say.

Okay to feel that no one understands – they probably don’t.

Just remember that your thoughts don’t have to dominate you. And it’s okay to ask for help, a hug, a night off. You have permission to take some time to figure out the next right step. Just be kind to yourself in the process.

You are you.

All of you. The good, the bad and the ugly. The beautiful, unique and struggling. The strong, the loving and the tired.

Struggles come and struggles go. They hang around longer than we wish and always seem to appear like an unwelcome guest when we have the least time or energy.

But they don’t have to define you, nor does it make you a bad person. But they are a part of life – like it or not.

I wish I was there to hold you, walk with you, listen to what you have to say.

But I’m not.

However, I know you got this.

You have been here before and survived.

You know what you need to soothe your soul, to make you feel a little better. Just a little better.

Do it. Go on, right now.

Do that thing that makes you smile. Makes you feel a warm glow inside. Makes you understand you can get through this.

Do something that will help you get through today. Just today, for now.

You can do it. I believe in you.

From one who knows,

Nicky xo

 

Who Doesn’t Love a Good Mystery?

~ Nicky M ~ 14 Comments

What is the mystery blogger award?

“Mystery Blogger Award” is an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging; and they do it with so much love and passion.

– Okoto Enigma

Thankyou to Sasha, from Sasha’s Writings and Katelyn from Doe Eyes for both nominating me for the same award! This was an awesome honour – especially when I read the quote above from the creator of this award Okoto Enigma.

Rules…

Add the award image to your blog

List the rules

Thank whoever nominated you AND the creator and provide links to their sites

Tell your readers 3 random facts about yourself

Answer the questions you’ve been asked

Nominate 10 – 20 people and notify them by commenting on their blogs

Ask your nominees 5 question, with 1 weird or funny question

Share a link to your favourite post

Three random facts…

⭐️ I have tiny size 3 feet

⭐️ Hubby and I have been together for 28 years!

⭐️ I love falling asleep to the sound of the rain

Things you need to know about me…

As I was nominated by 2 different people, there are 2 sets of questions…phew!

1. WHY DID YOU START BLOGGING?

I started blogging because I’ve always been a fan of words and I felt I had a story to share.

2.WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO ON YOUR DOWNTIME?

I love to read, journal, spend time planning surprises for people. But in reality, all my spare time is spent here on The Shimmer Within Her!

3. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC?

Ooooh, I’ve written about this many times. I have an eclectic taste in music: jazz, heavy metal, 90s pop, 80s hair metal, classical – it depends where I am and what mood I am in!

4. WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE 3 LEGS OR 3 ARMS? (WEIRD/FUNNY)

Probably 3 arms as I would be able to give great hugs and get loads more done around the house!

5. WHAT IS SOMETHING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

I don’t have a bucket list as such – but I have recently written a post about why. You’ll have to wait and see…

1.How many times a day do you look at yourself in the mirror?

Not that many!

2. What is your greatest strength and weakness?

My greatest strength is that I always look for the best in people and my greatest weaknesses are my children – although you could turn both of those answers around!

3. If your were the opposite sex for one day, what would you look like and what would you do?(wierd question)

Tough question! I would look pretty normal I guess, and spend my day trying to understand what it was like being a guy. Not a very interesting answer!

4. Name three things in nature you find most beautiful!

Oh, only 3! The night sky, flowers and a deserted beach.

5. What’s your profession and why did you choose this ? Did you choose this on your own or you have to by fate?

I am a Therapeutic Play Worker in a primary school by day. I have always loved helping others and this way I get to help children’s day s become a little brighter. My role evolved into this with the training that I did. By night I am a blogger whose passions lie in helping others find their smiles too (although I currently make zero money from this!).

Things I need to know about you…

1. If you were an animal, what would you be? (Weird question)

2. What is the nicest thing anyone has ever commented on your blog?

3. If I were to meet you for the first time, what is the first thing I would notice about you?

4. Name 1 thing people do that really gets under your skin and how do you let it go?

5. Name your favourite way to show love towards those closest to you?

I nominate these awesome people…

Katie Kuo

Untamed Wildfire

Comically Quirky

Born Again Minimalist

You’re What You Think All Day Long

Untangled

These awards are both a bit of fun and a way to get to know each other a little better – but more importantly they are a way to promote each other and share the love.

So nominate blogs you love and think we will love too. Help us find those amazing posts you are reading and expand our tribe.

Let’s take the mystery out of blogging!