Moving On

When I first started this blog, it was called Lost in a Good Story. I started a recipe blog called Lost in the Kitchen at the same time. I thought this was very clever and had visions of book deals and fame. This is very indicative of where I was in my life at that time – I felt lost, without purpose, I wasn't sure what I wanted my life to look like, and I needed to feel important. The blog(s) gave me a huge sense of purpose and a huge sense of accomplishment. Just watching my list of books grow gave my pleasure.

I eventually gave up on the recipe blog and became comfortable at my book blog. I renamed it It's All About Me, because it symbolised what I was doing for myself, something that was only mine.

The blogging experience DID make me feel important, though not in the way I thought I wanted. No one offered me a book deal, but I learned that my voice mattered and that people were interested in what I had to say. This was a crucial discovery and I can honestly say that I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't started blogging.

Lately, as whoever still reads this must have noticed, I haven't been blogging any more. This is because I haven't been sure what I wanted to say. Blogging about books wasn't doing it for me anymore, but I didn't want to leave the book blogging community. I felt that my blog should have a focus but I couldn't decide what that should be.

In real life, I decided to leave the communication field I have been working in for over ten years and to move into learning, development, training and coaching. My blogging will follow this path.

This blog has now served its purpose and it is time for me to move on. I am thankful for everything that it brought me and I am thankful to all of you who visited and commented.

I will continue blogging - about all sorts of topics, books included - at my new home, Create Your World. 

I hope that at least some of you will follow me there.

Thoughts on going back to work

Yep, that's right, today is my first day back at work following 6 weeks off due to burn out. How does it feel? Well, I'd rather be cycling in the park or reading a book on my couch, but it isn't so bad. What makes it good, even, is that I'm sure that this is the slow start of the next phase of my working life. Somewhere near is the job that is perfect for me at this point in time and I know that we are slowly moving towards each other. It's going to be great, whatever it is!

I haven't been doing much blogging while I was off, mostly because I wanted to limit my time at the computer, I spend enough time in front of a screen when I'm working. But I have been reading and will hopefully post thoughts on these books over the next days and weeks.

I started a new book today - Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. I didn't get very far though because the achingly descriptive part about foot binding made me cry and actually made me feel faint and nauseous. Talk about a strong reaction! I'll give the book another shot later, I really do want to read it!

Happiness is your birth right

This was the message on my Yogi tea this morning and it got me thinking.

Happiness is your birth right.

Isn't it a wonderful sentiment? And isn't it true? Certainly in my belief system, we are here because we want to be here, to grow and to learn, to become the best people we can be. Our souls, our true selves, believe that we can become the best people we can be during this lifetime. Surely that includes happiness.

Happiness is your birth right.

Why is happiness so hard? Why is it so hard to hold on to? Why do so many of us question whether we deserve it, even after we've experienced it? I admit to these thoughts myself and I'm sure I'm not the only one who sometimes wonders exactly how happy I'll be allowed to be before it's taken away or before things go wrong.

Who is allowing me to be happy though? Who has the power to take happiness away?

Happiness is your birth right.

You're the only one who controls your own happiness. With your words, with your attitudes, with your actions. We are the ones who are creating our lives, either happy ones or less so.

So let's all decide to be happy, let's choose happiness and see if it follows.

Remember,

Happiness is your birth right.

I hope this positive message brightens someone's day, like it did mine.

P.S. I LOVE Yogi tea! I drink so much more of it since I discovered that each tea bag comes with a message! :-)