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~ To A Life Worth Living xo

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Tag Archives: moment

Don’t Miss This Moment

07 Sunday Oct 2018

Posted by Irene Ephraim in Life, Thoughts in motion

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Future, lifestyle, memories, moment, Motivate, New week, Now, past, power, Present, relax, Sunday

Don’t you just love Sunday’s? I love them because I get to really relax, and the pace always seems slower so I enjoy things even more. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy, speaking of which, how are you enjoying your Sunday?

A lot of us spend way too much time looking forward to what’s next, forgetting that this present moment, we had once wished for it.

We’re wanting more, bigger, better, and whilst it’s good to have aspirations, we run the risk of not appreciating the now.

I remember being a university student and how I couldn’t wait to graduate, as I was not enjoying the experience. Flash forward a few years, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve reflected on those moments, and wished I had done it a little differently or that I could go back and do it again.

This has taught me that I don’t want to ignore my present in favour an already lived past or a imagined future. I want to relish my now irrespective of what may be happening, because there are always things to be grateful for, always.

So as you hopefully enjoy this beautiful day and you plan your week ahead, always remember #MyNow has treasures in and it matters just as much as the next moment.

Xo

Relish the moment before it’s too late.

25 Friday Nov 2016

Posted by Irene Ephraim in Life, More Action, Thoughts in motion

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Cherish, experience, Gift, Live, moment, Now, Present

I’m really trying to slide back into your dm’s but having fallen out of the routine, it’s a bit of a struggle to begin posting regularly again. Huff.

Anyway, I attended a one day course called ‘Building Resilience’, which was brilliant! I gained a lot, but my biggest take away was learning how crucial it is to be in the present moment.  

My problem is that I am never here. My mind, my presence is almost always somewhere else: I need to be at the next place, doing something else, being somewhere else, creating something and hardly ever giving great attention to what it is I am currently doing-This is not a way to exist.

So in a bid to be in the now, I have decided to make the moment big-GER! You make the moment bigger by expanding it. Break down what’s happening into little bits, more specifically bits of things to be thankful for.

  • Think about the things you have now but once wished and prayed for.
  • Think about the things you are learning and what this current period is preparing you for.
  • Think about what you have achieved already that once seemed impossible
  • Think about all the wonderful things happening around you, live in that moment and give it ALL of your attention, lest (I like this archaic word ‘lest’) you find yourself in the future reminiscing about this stage right here or even worse having not prepared for the future you want!

From doing this over past couple of days, I have experienced a new level of peace and certainty that I don’t usually have because I spend most of my time worrying about everything. It’s definitely refreshing to have that peace of mind.

Join me in resolving to relish the moment, be more compassionate towards yourself, and occasionally pat yourself on the back for how far you have come irrespective of the circumstances, as truth be told not everyone made it through to today…

XO  

Ps The featured picture is my friend (the celebrant) and I at her birthday.

Pps My birthday is coming up soon…eek!

‘I Wish I Was A Little Bit Taller, I Wish I Was Baller’

19 Monday Oct 2015

Posted by Irene Ephraim in Dreams, Experiences, Life

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achieve, appreciate, buddha, growth, inspire, moment, Now, Time

I’m usually inspired by the people I meet and the conversations that I have. This particular dialogue is one that I have had with myself a lot. It’s the ‘I wish I could have’ one. My friend was talking about how he wishes he was a certain age again and what he would do differently-haven’t we all been there? Wishing we could go back in time and have that passion, that opportunity, that loved one, that money, but the truth is, we can’t go back, so what’s the point? Why hang onto ‘what used to be’ instead of relishing ‘what is and can be’.

Whenever that subject matter comes to mind, I actively think “stop holding onto the past, let it go, move on and be better”. Yes, you may not have the same drive, that chance or that relationship any more but what you do have is this moment right now. This moment to make things how you would want it to be, so that in a few years time, you can be happy and proud of the choices you’ve made and the way you have lived your life.

I have a friend I call ‘Mrs good times’ because she’s fond of looking back and saying those were good times yet I always say to her ‘but you didn’t think so at the time’. We are all guilty of doing that, wanting to rush into the next phase of our lives because the one we have right now just isn’t good enough and for many of us, it never will be. Our perception and consequently our attitude will determine how we feel about ourselves, and ultimately what we do.

2012 was an incredibly trying year for me. I was unemployed for most of it, to say that I was depressed would be using the word lightly. I had bills to take care of that superseded the amount of money I had at any given time.  I was working practically for free under duress; otherwise the meagre remuneration I was paid every two weeks would get cut off. After enduring a particularly difficult time, on my 25th birthday that year (which is mid December) I spent it crying my eyes out and I hate crying! I had well and truly reached my breaking point. Things eventually did get better. When I reflect on that period, there is one thing I had failed to realise, I did not appreciate the amount of time I had to myself.

My very first post on this blog was inspired by that season titled “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of” a quote by Benjamin Franklin. I actually wrote that piece for a writing competition and decided to use it as my very first introduction to this blog site. I was completely blinded by my need to be self sufficient and pursue my aspirations that I could not see that the copious amount of time I had, could have been converted into creating work that required no one but me and my commitment. I started writing a novel in 2011 that I barely looked at in 2012. I was fixated on earning money, and seeking out others to give me an opportunity when there was one that I had in my hand. It was only after I began working again did I acknowledge the gem that I had been given.

Sometimes we go through things that we don’t fully understand all aspects of or value until much after the fact.

My rationale is this, no matter where you are at this present time, find the gift in it. Good or bad, there is always something to learn, develop and use to your greater advantage.

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”-Buddha

 

Don’t you dare give up!

04 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by Irene Ephraim in Motivation, Self-Development

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

change, defining, develop, drive, friends, good, Happy, life, moment, woman

My weekend was nothing short of amazing!

It has been a breath of fresh air to say the least, not because I did anything particularly out of the ordinary, but more so because I spent it doing the most simplest of things with great people.

Sometimes, we over complicate things and in the process, miss out on many defining moments.

I had a defining moment this weekend and it was so minute I might just have overlooked it. Aside from being with good friends and enjoying myself wholly, I attended a special occasion and was moved by the people I was with. More than anything, it spoke of how far I had come from what I used to be and reiterated that you truly can achieve whatever it is that you want to.

Angry, resentful, destructive to friendly, charming and fun, imagine that. If I say it was easy I would be lying, it has been trying but extremely rewarding.

So I implore you today, whatever it is you want to achieve no matter how big or small it is, work at it now and be consistent. Consistency is key and must be exercised in order to see the kind of results that you want. If  you only give 50% once in a while, you’ll get once in a while results, if you give 50% frequently then the rate of return is higher and quicker…Capisce?

Don’t be consumed with the technicalities of doing things as that will very quickly become a deterrent for you.

It is important to not focus on the ‘how’ so much as it is more about the now. The ‘how’ will come to you as you continue to be proactive in pursuit of your goal.

Whatever it is you want to do, just begin it immediately and execute it in whichever way you know even if it turns out to be ineffective. If that does happen then guess what? You are still closer to getting it right because you have taken action. What you have actually done, is a process of elimination of how not to do it and additionally discovering how you can refine whatever it is you are doing. It’s a much better way to see it than to deem yourself as a failure. That word holds such a strong negative connotation.

The moment you procrastinate, the harder it becomes and the more you’ll end up talking yourself out of doing a great thing. It’s remarkable how once you have an idea that you almost instantaneously become extremely creative with all the reasons why it cannot be done -_-.  Humans are funny! You begin to back up your case study and draw out exhibit A-Z in support of your case. After you have done all that, my thoughts is this “and??!” just do it anyway!

I like to refer to it as telling yourself lies. We have all consistently said to ourselves “I can’t do it” “the reason I don’t feel like it can happen is” or the big one “I don’t have any money”…the lie detector determined that was a lie! If you desire it strongly enough you WILL commit to it, regardless of the circumstances.

Think of me as your sergeant “Just do it, do it, do it, DO IT, DO IT NOW!…DROP AND GIVE ME TE…” Ok I enjoyed that a little bit too much…*mumbles a sorry*

Any effort made towards your intended destination is progress, never mind how small it may be, as 20% from 0% is still a 20% increase and improvement from before-keep going!

One more thing is to not be so hard on yourself! Sometimes we are the most critical to ourselves and show ourselves no compassion whatsoever!  I used to think that if I berated myself, it would provoke me to act and do better-WRONG! It actually had the adverse effect and all it served to do is to keep me in the exact same spot. Speaking badly of yourself is not healthy and decreases self esteem. Positive affirmation leads to positive actions, speak well of yourself even if you mess up.

So, the three things I want you to remember this week is this:

  • Be consistent
  • Doing something is still better than having done nothing at all
  • Don’t berate yourself if you don’t meet a personal target, just keep going.

I bid you farewell till next time and have a fantastic week ahead!

Signed LBC

Ps Below is two of many pics taken over the weekend with a great friend. Oh and I’m the itty bitty one 🙂 I have no idea what we were laughing about but it must have been funny…Caption it.

photo (1)

Why Didn’t You Warn Me?!

Why Didn't You Warn Me?!

Why Didn't You Warn Me?! is a podcast speaking on the things you should know, but don't. The things you typically find out after the fact, and it's sometimes too late. Fear not, Why Didn't You Warn Me?! with Irene aka Lipstick, will give you the 411 through story-telling, conversations, and refreshing perspectives.

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