This is a book my daughter and I are currently reading at the moment. It is a timeless tale of optimism and triumph of the human spirit. There are a number of reviews here and here. We are really enjoying it so far. Please be aware; it is not a story for the faint hearted. The first chapter talks about  2 young boys, who are the main characters losing their parents. Their Mum passed away and their Dad was taken away by the “gendarmes” (French Police). The children become homeless ……and then these boys are rescued by a series of fortunate events……..and their life turns around in a positive way. This bestselling French Classic by Countess de Ségur and translated by Stephanie Smee was written in the 1800’s and well worth a read. ★★★★☆

Compassion has been a big theme in my life, right from a young child. However, lately the UNIVERSE has kept showing me time and time again the theme of Self-Compassion. To have compassion for one’s self is a theme I have never really looked at before. You hear people say you must truly love yourself before you can love others. For me, this theme is becoming more and more evident in my own life. Kristin Neff is one of the leading experts in Self-Compassion……..and what’s more, it has scientifically based research that may benefit our health….

I am a firm believer in “what happens, happens for a reason”. We are all on a journey and a couple of days ago the universe led me to this amazing website. www.wakeupsydney.com.au/free-gifts.aspx I discovered this clip on random acts of kindness, just like the movie “pay it forward”. I received my”kindness cards in the mail today. I was so excited ~ I can’t wait to make a difference in someone else’s day………As Wake Up Sydney say’s   see[d] a new dream.

Tara Brach has honestly helped me transform my life……..I have been on a journey my whole life and I feel like I have never seen clearer than I do right now. Tara offers free podcast’s to download on most electronic devices, whether that be, ipod, iphone, ipad, computer and android devices. Her podcasts cover a huge array of different topics, I’m sure there will be one for you. Transform your mind. She has wrtiten an amazing book called TRUE REFUGE. 

This has moved me to tears. I found this link a couple of days ago. Wow ~ Extremely moving. What a talented man.

For the last couple of months my girls and I have been posting gratitude notes in our letterbox. The idea is, we have to think of three things each day to be grateful for. We write our name on it, date and then post it in the letterbox. Every week we each pull one out like a lucky dip and then do a random act of kindness for that person. I hope you enjoy the idea.

As you may be aware, someone in my family has been personally touched by Leukemia and needed a Bone Marrow Transplant. For some very complicated reasons his Transplant failed and he requires another Full Bone Marrow Transplant starting from scratch. The reason I write this post is to bring awareness to this cause. My brother-in-law has Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). He is now 35 with three young children under 8 years old. I feel completely helpless in this journey and at this point there is not a lot I can do….except raise awareness of the importance of donating. Whether that be blood, bone marrow, platelets or money to research. My own Mum passed away from Leukemia. You too may know someone who has been effected by cancer or a blood cancer, such as Leukemia. Are you on the Australian Bone Marrow Register? You could possibly save a life. There are 2 ways you can donate your Bone Marrow and it is entirely your choice, which way you go. Please help save someones life…..  Please click to find out more about the process of donating your Bone Marrow.

http://www.abmdr.org.au

Every year Australians are diagnosed with leukaemia and other fatal blood disorders. For some people the only chance of remission or a cure is a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant. These transplants are ONLY made possible by the generosity of donors. Did you know if you are between the age of 18 and 40 years old and in good health you can possibly help give someone  a second chance to live.

My 34 year old brother-in-law was diagnosed with leukaemia in January and none of his three siblings are a match. They went to the Australian register, but he was not successful. They have since found a match on the International register. This hi-lights the fact we need more donors in Australia. Please think about donation, as it may one day help give someone you know more time with their loved ones ♥♥♥♥

If you want to learn more, please visit this link or visit the website for more info.http://www.abmdr.org.au

http://www.abmdr.org.au/pdf/dynamic_pages/3/82514915_donorbrochure_08.pdf

http://blog.jilliantamaki.com/2011/03/penguin-threads-deluxe-classics/#

This is such a divine front cover. Jillian Tamaki is a very gifted and talented lady.