All The Updates You Can Handle In One Easy Post

What I share with you here at Serene Journey are tips, tricks and philosophies that I’ve learned and applied to my own life. As we all know life is ever changing so the things we learn and subsequently apply to an area of our life change and evolve as well. Since writing some of my earlier posts I’ve continued learning and applying and I thought I’d do a bit of an update and share with you as well.

A Legend For Mind Maps – Keeping It Short And Sweet

Update: Gwynn recently came across XMind, an open source (free) mind mapping program. It’s really easy to use and allows for team brainstorming as well as personal mind mapping. The post I wrote earlier was part of the Keeping it Short and Sweet series I was doing here so it is very high level and brief. If you are looking for more information Marelisa of Abuncance Blog at Marelisa Online has recently written an article on mind mapping and goes into great detail, definitely worth checking out.

Move.

Update: Lately I’ve really tried to be consistent with the amount of moving I’m doing and it’s working wonders. I really don’t enjoy working out but I do like aerobics, yoga and pilates. So in addition to a couple of classes each week that incorporate all of those, I also have been routinely doing things during the day to help get me through. I dance or run around with my kids for at least 15 mins in the morning, I take them for a 45 min walk each morning just before lunch.  I’m happier, healthier and I’m building such a cool relationship with my kids. I’ve yet to see the downside here. Give it a try if you like.

Who Me? Worry? You Bet! – Part 2

Update: I am happy to report that my tips for reducing worry actually work! Three weeks ago when we got the call about our sons surgery I normally would have jumped into panic mode, worried myself sick (literally) and fully played through the worst possible outcome…several times. Instead, I kept talking myself through it, reminding myself that while this is certainly not routine for us it is a fairly routine surgery for cardiologists. I tried to feel and truly believe that everything would work out okay and that everything would go smoothly.

Despite a few unexpected things it did all work out in the end. Our son is back to normal, running around and playing as he did before. I came out of this experience a lot calmer and had a better understanding of what went on and what will happen next. This is usually clouded by worry and the storm of thoughts that whirl around in your head. Maintaining perspective, repeating a mantra, talking about what was going on with family, friends and doctors, and trusting that the doctors knew what they were doing all helped me in truly and honestly worrying less.

Keeping It Short And Sweet: Making Temporary Decisions

Update: Temporary decisions are still working well for us. Prior to having kids, I used to be very particular about how I did things and how stuff was arranged in our home etc. It’s safe to say that is far behind me now, my kids have mellowed me out somewhat. I am a lot more open minded and that means accepting that things don’t have to be perfect they really just need to be okay for now. Just like setting goals, if structure and order works for you then that’s great! If it doesn’t consider an alternative to setting goals. Life truly is about progress not perfection.

Other Bits and Pieces

1. I’ve recently started writing reviews for products that I feel you (my readers) will benefit from and get value from. I’ve looked at several products that I’ve considered promoting here on Serene Journey and so far only two e-books have made it through; Reclaim Your Dreams and The Essential Motivation Handbook. There are a few other products (books and services) that I’m currently looking at so stay tuned for more reviews.
2. Today, Lin from Telling It Like It Is has been kind enough to post a guest article from me called: Lessons In Frugality. There are many things I wish to teach my kids before they leave home and an important one for me is on being frugal. So head on over there and check it out.

Photo courtesy of: Łukasz Strachanowski