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SING YOUR FLATNESS AWAY

Singing. That was what I found myself doing the other morning whilst I was making our toddlers sandwiches in preparation for the zoo. I hadn't sung or hummed out loud for a while and, when I did it came as a surprise even to me. It made me realise how truly happy and content I was. When you sing its a real joy (no matter how bad you sound).

We all have weeks of flat lining, things don't fall the way we expect them to and certain situations may be negative, but as Frauline Maria expresses in Sound of Music "When you know the notes to sing, you can sing most anything'. I'm secretly inspired by The Voice but don't intend to ever compete, and I'm not taking singing lessons but lately I've been singing out loud around my young family. In the car and in my head. Its a wonderful gift to have a voice no matter how pitchy it may be.

Many years back I remember having a disagreement with my boyfriend (whom is now known as my husband wohoo) and we were arguing. Out of nowhere he started arguing by singing his point of view. We stopped and both laughed, it made us realise how silly we were being.

Patty Mills a well known music guru once said "Singing fortifies health, widens culture, refines the intelligence, enriches the imagination, makes for happiness and endows life with an added zest". If you sing in the shower or sing along with the radio, consider taking this raw vocal kill to new heights.

This week's blog is simply designed to make you SING. If I were a psychologist, doctor, professor or lecturer in mental health I would purely say step one to making yourself feel better is to use your voice. Sing anything; loud, slow, fast or soft. It's great for the soul and it surely makes you smile.

Posted in Lifestyle

VALUE YOUR WEALTH

I had $217 to my name before I stood up on the blocks to dive in. Here I was, vying to make an Olympic team with hardly a cent to my name in 2000. I didn't understand tax, GST or what super was and above all, was too timid to even ask anyone about a financial planner. Why would I? I had no real money, no shares, income and was too embarrassed to speak up at 17 years of age.

This is still a tough and tender point for many older women and it really shouldn't be. The best time to see a financial planner is when you have no money to actually establish your wealth desires, what you want, if you're a risk taker or where to even start. I made so many mistakes, learnt so much and lost a lot. Then I met my husband Thomas and together we sat down and made a plan.

I don't live with regrets but if i could do it again I'd be saying to young women now "Learn about your wealth" however big or however small, understand and embrace it. For married women, don't just rely on your husband; know you bank accounts, know all your assets, your investments, and that your finances are up to date.

Plan a time once a quarter with your partner, or best friend, your parent or an advisor and map where you are and how you're going to get to where you want to go. Be across it all. We are smart, savvy women with intelligence. Be above it all. As super is about to change and increase I'd advise you all to jump onto http://www.superguru.com.au/about/asfa a super simple website that can help you get on track.

Last week a normal twenty five minute routine run Thomas normally does turned into 2 hours. He had stopped by two mates houses to say hello, here I was pacing up and down wondering when I could file a missing person report thinking somewhere on a cold pitch black Sydney street someone had done something to him. Whilst in my whirlwind, over-reacting state I thought about our finances and even though he had showed me all our finances the week before , I started worrying over how I would begin the process. This led me to writing this blog.

Men and women, young boys and ambitious beautiful adolescent ladies, learn about your wealth, value it. Know where it all lies. Its your responsibilty.

Posted in finance

STITCH YOUR OWN LACES

Have you ever been asked the question "If you could be anyone else who would it be?" What was your answer and why? It's a question I've never enjoyed answering because the truth is, God made me who I AM and being who I am is as good as it's going to get. What I choose to do with my tools and resources are up to me but wishing to step into someone else's shoes has never been a desire. There have certainly been points in time where I have thought, today it would be wonderful to be like Oprah and have hair and makeup done every morning, and have such good influential power or have a voice like Celine Dion. These are fantasies but honestly no matter how hard I try, I can't be them. We all live with familiar fears about our bodies, our looks, certain features on us we don't tell too many people. Even celebrities critique themselves; they just try to hide them from the media and us. I'm sure there is no one who says "I'm absolutely perfect" and if they do, wow! I'd love to bottle their confidence and inject women around the world with it.Brands spend millions of dollars a year trying to sell us this promise that acquiring more of their superficial products will make us feel better. In reality it's a quick fix and if you're switched on you know it's just a bandaid. It may or may not surprise you that the world's most beautiful women on the covers of top selling magazines have been air brushed, photo shopped, imaged-distorted and sent for endless edits and approvals. You then see them in real life without make-up and they look like a total different person. I stopped reading these types of magazines long ago because I often found that I would feel somewhat deflated after reading them. The truth is, it isn't the truth. The next time you go to put on your sneakers, appreciate your own laces. Stand proud and walk tall in your own shoes kept together by the fabric of who you are. You have been born for a purpose which neither Oprah, Celine or any other celebrity can achieve. Only YOU, with your own gift, created for greatness can achieve your purpose. Be a first rate you and not a second rate somebody else

Posted in Uncategorized

CAN YOU DO NOTHING?

I've lost the ability and the art to do NOTHING. It's really disturbing me. Seriously. "It's alright to do nothing you know". Was it a sign that I turned on the television at that particular moment when the cartoon character voiced this? So I sat, thought and attempted to do nothing. Whilst I sat there I could actually hear all the thoughts inside my mind, that were very full, over active and consuming.I tried again to be still, silent, think of nothing; do nothing. I couldn't. I don't want to take a meditation course or herbal tablets.I don't want to have to fly to a tropical destination to revive this lost art of mine. I want to know I can do nothing whenever I want and be able to shift into that headspace.Thing is, I really can't - Can you? Doing nothing means being a human BEing, just BEING. Not be a human DOing which is what life is fast becoming. The routine, daily disciplines, actions, responsibilities; always something we are DOing. But what about NOTHING? It almost doesn't make sense to 'do [verb = the action] nothing [noun which means... well, nothing!]. The dictionary expresses nothing as: no thing; not anything; naught. As an active person and a woman who loves achieving, I'm not saying lets just stop altogether and do nothing, it's important to STOP, turn off all media, sit, stand, lie whatever it may be. Attempt to shut off your thoughts and re-learn to just BE. If you want a quick re-cap how to do nothing, watch any 4wk-10wk old baby laying down, or resting in someone's arms and be completely content. We do have enough time in this life to accomplish what we want, but there needs to be moments of STOPPING. The most successful television TV series still to this day was a show about NOTHING. Thank you Seinfeld, perhaps I need to watch you again. Series marathon anyone?

Posted in Lifestyle

WHICH PACE?

Whist exercising with a confident and successful woman this week a beautiful sentence came out of her mouth: "Elka, I'm really trying to work out what is the right pace for my life". Working out how fast to navigate through the jungle of daily life was spoken perfectly and all I could do was think about her rhetorical question over and over again. Aren't we all trying to work out what level we can set ourselves to without burning both ends or the scales tipping? How do we work out the right 'pace' for our lives? I believe a key answer is flexibility, being able to adjust to the times, the moments, the periods in your life when you need to lift your game and be there to take it on whatever has been dealt to you. You set your pace on what is happening around you at that moment. Being flexible allows you to change gears. I'm at a jogging pace come the weekends and even Monday but come Tuesday through to Thursday I'm basically sprinting. Agendas need to be fulfilled and so I must shift gears. Are you handling, right now, the pace of life you are in? Better still, is the pace you're in being dictated by you? It should be. After all, they're your running shoes!

Posted in Lifestyle

MOUTHING OFF

So far this year I've counted 3 verbal sentences in hindsight I wish I had taken a moment longer to reconstruct. Nothing serious, just wanting to change my habits of how it’s delivered. I'm asking for a silent "Be quiet Elka" or "No need to answer that one so quickly Elka" in my head and it has been effective. I can be quite direct. My husband says I'm very black and white. I know it’s true and need to find an extra measure of grace to see the grey in-between for life's often complicated circumstances. A wise girlfriend of mine told me: "Elka, you must find an extra measure of grace". It resonated in me. As such, one of my most personal aims (not so personal anymore) this year was to ask myself what needed to change in me to be a better version of who I am right now. It’s tough to actually face that question, as I'm sure all of us do at some point and say: "Hey do I really like myself… Do we like our thoughts, our preconceived ideas, our opinions and the way we react?.” I know there is a lot of changing to do and am ready to face the challenge. I am paying extra attention to what is going on in those thoughts of mine; the 60,000 thoughts we average a day and then what is coming out of my mouth. The easiest example I can share is with my husband. So many times when I'm ready to answer, or justify, I stop, look outside the window where I do the dishes and ask myself: “will saying this achieve anything that can lift him up or brighten the conversation?” In conversations whether they’re with loved ones, friends or colleagues, I believe we don’t truly appreciate that our greatest tool is actually our tongue. Our words are our most powerful weapon. What comes out of our mouths show our character and the person we are. Do you enjoying what’s coming out of your mouth? Something at least to ponder over in the next 172 hours!

Posted in Uncategorized

SIMPLE

The two and a half year old said to the 15-month old "Edi goodnight, you must go to sleep now, but remember you must wake up in the morning". It was a priceless and innocent statement from our daughter but it impacted me; Live SIMPLE! Life starts simple. Remember when it was for you? remember how it felt? Is life easy to explain for you now?. When you leave for holidays what excites you most about packing? Is it just a few costumes and some throw-on summer dresses? Or your favourite books? When we holiday, no matter how close or far from home we travel, we realise we only need very little to survive. Yet when we return home all our possessions and these "must have" fill our lives and rooms. This week's blog is simple: BE SIMPLE. Distinguish what is a NEED and what is a WANT. A need is a necessity such as air,water and love. A want is lavish desire to obtain, to have just to make you feel better. Simplicity is sadly phasing out we see this through how much social media is around us and how the word simple use to be reading a good book or having an intimate conversation with a group of friends without mobile phones buzzing. I still live in an environment where I CHOOSE to have simplicity. I just have to search harder. Remember to wake up and when your feet hit that floor as you arise for the day, choose to live simply and see the difference it pays.

Posted in Lifestyle

HUMBLED

She dropped effortlessly and did the splits. Not short of breath she spoke the entire sixty minutes of our class explaining what routine we would do next. I was sweating, my legs burned, and I constantly had to remind myself to keep my shoulders down and stomach muscles pulled in. My technique was hideous. I was counting down the minutes to the conclusion of class. Here I was thinking how super fit and strong I was, while the teacher put my core strength to shame. My stomach shook uncontrollably when doing reversible crunches. As the session came to a close I noticed she was wearing three bras and just below, was sporting a sizeable belly. Eight weeks left to go she told me until her first baby arrived. I was in awe, inspired, and humbled in every way. ‘Me fit?’ Perhaps in an aerobic sense, perhaps in a swimming pool or running around a park, I thought as I drove home. Put me in a new arena and I'm like a fish learning to navigate on land. I left class just amazed at how pregnant this woman was, I’m sure she will literally cough her baby out. The next morning on my debut on Channel 7’s Sunrise, I was humbled to meet two prominent women editors from two of Australias major print publications. I have followed their work and was excited to sit alongside such inspiring women. One of the women told me she had up to 1000 emails a day. The other had two young boys and worked 70 hour weeks. Again I was flat-lined. Utterly humbled. Women's capacities are extraordinary and endless. It’s been an eye opening, heart filling and soul-fuelling week of feeling humbled. The act of humbleness is "to be meek or modest in spirit". Each day I seek to find those who balance inspiration with humbleness. It makes me see differently. Like a lens being put over my eyes and the veil of ones pride being lifted I appreciate greatness. Every day, all around us there are individuals who exemplify just how incredible the human race is. We are often caught up in our own world to recognize every day tremendous feats. Just how often do you allow yourself to be truly humbled by appreciating someone else’s achievements.

Posted in Exercise

It's OK To Siesta

Last weekend when we put our two toddlers to bed we both knew it was only a matter of moments before we gave ourselves a siesta. We hadn't done so in a long time. Normally we clean the house, do computer work, read the papers or entertain.

The sleep lasted for just under 3 hours and it was sensational. I awoke to see the time say 4.15pm and it was strange, the house was completely silent (something I'm not that use to anymore).

I laid in bed and thought of al the times I've placed my head down during times of the year when the weeks have been full. Whether it be a 20min power nap, a short 5 min refresher as my husband can easily do, or a deep long 90min snooze. I rest when I need to and I'm not ashamed to say so.

I'm a morning person without an alarm I'm happily awake anytime between 5.40am-6.20am and when I'm up, out the doors I go undertaking some form of exercise. A siesta helps me fuel the second part of the day. Not only as mother but as productive woman who is working in media,

and also working behind the scenes to build a company. Resting replenishes me and I've learnt not to feel guilty. I am more productive and equally happier as I've listened to my body. You can be a woman of capacity with siestas.

In 2010 a study was done on women between the ages of 22-50 who have naps more than twice a week . The results showed the 2 biggest differences were increased memory and a surge in creativity.

We must try to fit them in when you need to and when your body tells you so. Your body is your engine. Treat it the best you can. You'll never get another one.

Posted in Lifestyle

Miranda Kerr: No Nonsense

Assume I'm a watch. You need both a big hand and the little one to tell the time. My husband is my big hand. Without him I don't function to my full capacity, I also don't ‘tick’ too well. I love him but we do not spend every "second" together; the little hand is representative of all of those seconds which make up the parts of me as an individual. I have been disappointed and frustrated by the recent the media attention of Miranda Kerr’s 'supposed' marriage breakdown. Whenever Miranda is seen alone and without her husband a new headline appears questioning her marriage. I follow some of these journalists and wonder if they have been short of a story. Like most people, I read the news. I'm not into the current trends or gossip section but stories and news items which impact on our lives. Miranda’s often solitude outings without Orlando have been making NEWS headlines. This week, at the Golden Globes, she posted 2 pictures of her and hubby Orlando happily together. Yesterday she said: We are really enjoying our time with Flynn at the moment. He’s such a ball of love and he’s so wonderful. And we are both so busy that I think it’s nice to have that time together and not rush any other babies for now. The pair was apart for extended periods of time last year because of conflicting work schedules which prompted rumours their marriage was on the rocks. Miranda quashed rumours of a split, saying 'communication and honesty is the key to their happy marriage’. I do not know Miranda personally at all but from all I've seen she is one well-rounded young mother who happens to be simply stunning and graces the catwalk. Husband and wives, girlfriends and boyfriends and

couples DO spend time apart. It is a key ingredient to a successful relationship that the individuals do also have their own personal identities and are honest and trusting enough to enjoy that. To the journos out there who are scrambling for a story: Try something else!