Energy - Introversion, Extroversion and Writing

Check out this fabulous blog on Introversion, Extroversion, energy and writing.
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/07/11/podcast-inspiration-for-authors-clare-edwards/

Joanna Penn talks with Clare Edwards from Change-Works

Joan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living.
http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com/
Joan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Being Energized and Feeling Younger Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com/

Family Fun - a Natural Energy Booster

Family Fun and Laughter - Natural Energy Boosters

I recently had a double whammy - a visit from my youngest son and his wife and two small sons, and I visited my middle son and his wife and three beautiful daughters at their home interstate.

Since I hadn't seen the boys for a year, and the girls for two years it was a special time for me. Although I had spoken with them often on the phone, seeing them in person and sharing in their lively energetic fun was something else again.

My son with the daughters had taken time off work, so was able to drive us to the adventure playground, the bike track, and to a dinosaur museum. I played a board game with the whole family - lots of friendly competition and laughs - and we went out for dinner at a family restaurant.

The most energising thing was the laughter. Do you know that children laugh on average 400 times a day? Adults only a fraction of that amount.

I found myself laughing - even giggling - more. Great for the soul, and for the lines on the face too.

What a joy to spend time in the company of young people and to feed the inner child. I hope the opportunity will come again very soon.

Joan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, Visit http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com/
Joan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com/

Steve Irwin, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, and Lady Olave Baden-Powell - 22nd February - Adventure and Energy

Three famous people were born on the 22nd February - Steve Irwin, Lord Robert Baden-Powell, and Lady Olave Baden-Powell.
All three were involved with nature, and with making the world a better place for our future generations.

Steve Irwin's February birth day was in 1962. He is one of our more recent heroes because of his passion for wildlife, notably crocodiles, and his personal contribution to the environment. His work lives on in his wife Terri and his beautiful children Bindy and Bob. (See the poem at the end of this blog.)

Sir Robert Baden-Powell was born on this day in 1857, and after a life of adventure he founded the Boy Scout Movement so that boys could experience the outdoors and gain an appreciation of the wondrous world we live in. He died in 1941. The 22nd February is commemorated by the Scouting and Guiding Movement as 'Thinking Day'.

Lady Olave Baden-Powell, was born on the same day as Sir Robert, but 37 years later in 1889, and so she outlived her husband by 35 years. Although the Scouts thought their hero and founder would lose interest in the movement after his marriage, Olave brought in new energy and vibrancy, and was able to create an exciting program for the girls, who had been dressing as boys so they could be involved in the grand game.

Olave became World Chief Guide in 1930 and impacted the lives of millions of girls across the planet, myself included. With Olave Baden-Powell's vision the Girl Guide Movement became the largest organisation for girls and women ever seen.

I met Lady Baden- Powell at 'Paxwold' in the Western Australian Darling Ranges - an area set aside for guides to camp.

I was selected to participate in the special camp in 1957, the centenary of Sir Robert's birth, to celebrate Lady Baden- Powell’s visit. I was 13, and I wrote in my diary:

It was not very long before a big crowd was assembled. Soon Lady Gairdner arrived, and then Lady Lee Steere.
At about 3.00 Lady B-P arrived and walked down the long line of guides, rangers and brownies lining the road, smiling and saluting. When she reached the guard of honour she shook hands with us all, and also saluted the rangers, making some nice comment in doing so.
We all went around to the back at that stage and joined the others from our camp. I had seen Grandma previously, and now she had a seat.
First of all, Mrs Somebody-or-other got up and told us the history of Paxwold, how it had been given by Mr Johnson and how all the people had done something in the way of donations of money or articles. There were two representatives of Malaya and one of Ceylon. Each gave a present to Paxwold. The Malayans gave a lovely picture, and the Ceylonese, a dish the shape of Ceylon. There were also several telegrams which had been sent for the opening of the building. One was from a new camping site in England called Paxwood.
It was then Lady B-P.'s turn to speak, but before doing so she reorganised the group so that nobody would be looking into the sun. She said, 'I'm not very popular at the moment. Somebody said Lady B-P was a person who came along and messed up all the arrangements.'
After we were all settled and sitting down, Grandma passed over Betty's camera, and while Lady B-P was talking I took several photos of her.
At last the key was presented by a nine-year-old brownie, and Paxwold was opened. Lady B-P. will ‘keep this golden key and will always have it’.
As soon as the ceremony was over, all the camp girls returned to camp to await the arrival of Lady B-P. She was trying to make her way over to the site, but every time she got a little way she was stopped. However, at about 4.30 she eventually arrived.
Cap Hosie, Q.M., First Aider, Cooky and Cap Johnson went to meet her, and after she'd spoken to them she came to us, first posing for photos for us all. She came round and shook hands with everyone, and when she came to me she commented on my pack leader's stripes (as she'd done at the Guard of Honour) then realised that she'd already seen me.
Inspection of tents was next and she began to walk over towards ours. We just about had heart failure. However, she didn't look in. She wanted to know if we had Kookaburras on our site, and did her best to imitate one. She told us that one of the world's most popular songs was 'Kookaburra'.
We all enjoyed her company immensely and when she had gone we unanimously agreed that she is a lovely person.

I have many more stories about the time I spent as a Girl Guide, and the way it helped me grow in confidence, leadership skills, an appreciation of our wonderful world and the need to always 'do my best'.


Today, on Thinking Day, I will remember Lady Baden-Powell, Lord Baden-Powell, and Steve Irwin, three great spirits who, with their energy, enthusiasm and determination to contribute to the world, have inspired many to do the same. (See the poem about Steve Irwin below)

Live with Energy
Joan

Joan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, Visit http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com/Joan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com/

Croc and Brock’s Farewell

Mourners stood inside the garden in Australia Zoo that day
The most beautiful of gardens where the crocodiles all play.
They had come in many thousands, looking on with tears in eye.
As the heroes of the moment both descended from the sky.

In the clouds they saw the image of Steve Irwin with his croc.
And beside him in his race car was a youthful Peter Brock.
Dressed in racing gear resplendent, Peter Perfect to a T.
And they heard Steve blurt out ‘Crikey, have you come to visit me?’

‘I remember, I was swimming with the fish upon the reef.
My surroundings were amazing, such a scene defied belief.
We had cameras and were filming for my gorgeous Bindi child.
For her show she wanted images of creatures swimming wild.’

‘Then a sting ray flew towards me with his wings outspread and wide.
I was mesmerized with magic as I came up to his side.
Then I swam above him slowly, just to get a better view.
But he must have been quite startled, for that was the last I knew.’

‘Though I am the brave Croc Hunter, I am jelly fish inside.
I am Bob and Bindy’s daddy, and the day I died I cried.
For the parting took more courage than my wrestling with the crocs,
Catching snakes and spiders hiding in the crevasses and rocks.’

‘Now I’m here with Peter Perfect, not with Terri and the kids,
And I sure will miss them badly – they’re the greatest ‘billy lids’.
I will stay beside them always, and they’ll feel that I am there.
As they grow up and they prosper they will know that I still care.’

‘I was born near Brocky’s birthday - it was February 22,
Just four days before his birthday – a coincidence it’s true,
As I died four days before him in a freak of fate quite strange.
If I’d wanted a companion no-one better I’d arrange.’

‘For he’s been a national hero - always striving for the best,
He was called “King of the Mountain” - he was faster than the rest.
With ten victories at Bathurst, his “Brock Special” was his brand,
And his name will be remembered through our great Australian land.’

‘Like me, the King was playing on the day he left the earth,
At a rally in his coupe somewhere not too far from Perth,
When he slid across the wet road, and he slammed into a tree,
I was watching from my cloud and saw him drifting up to me.’

‘Oh Crikey Brock, and welcome. It is not so bad up here.
You’ll be pleased we won’t be aging, and I’ve brought some Aussie beer.
We can keep an eye on family, so they do just what they ought,
Looking after all the animals and racing motor sport.’

‘It was time to draw our numbers on September 4 and 8.
Now St Peter is awaiting at the shining pearly gate.
And I bet we’re both admitted to the heavenly realm above,
As there’s thousands in Australia who are showing us their love.’

© Joan Small Sept 2006
http://www.joansmall.com/joansmallpoetry.htm

Natural Energy Boosters and Competition

November in Australia, particularly this year, is a time for races. We had the Melbourne Cup with the amazing win from back in the field of 'Efficient'.

Quote of the month would have to go to assistant trainer John Sadler, on how Efficient celebrated after his Melbourne Cup win.

'Last night we went down to give him a pat, he just snarled at us and said 'piss off and let me eat. He has got an attitude, he thinks he's good.'

I suppose he could be excused for having 'attitude' after coming first in the five million dollar race.

Prime Minister, John Howard, could well take heart from the Melbourne Cup, seeing as he is currently in the back of the field also. While Rudd and Howard battle it out for Australia's top job in the electorate, on the airwaves, and on the Internet, ordinary Australians go about their daily work. Will they consider carefully when they vote, will they pick the person who has the best image at the time, or will they choose the one who appears to promise the most for them personally - the WIFM concept - What's In It For Me?

What has all this to do with energy?

My wise mother used to say, 'Comparisons are odious'. (http://www.theenergybook.com/energy_tips_from_mother.htm)

But does this also mean that 'Competition is odious'? Or does competition create energy?
In this political competition, we can see that each party is having to sharpen their pencils and come up with better and stronger policies to get ahead in the race. Whether or not the policies are implemented remains to be seen, but the democratic system is at work when opposition creates better government.

I was once involved in politics, and I found it stimulating at the time, until I perceived the full truth of the dirty tricks that go on behind the scenes. But I 'won't go there' as the saying goes.

Sport and games are all about competition and many find these very energizing.
The anatomy of a game is:

• Goals


• Barriers


• Purposes (LRH)

Without any of these there is no game, and that means without obstacles there isn't a game either. Challenges, problems - whatever you want to call them - are the stuff from which growth and greatness are made. It is rewarding to overcome an obstacle and get to the next level, personally, in business, work or life.

Of course the other type of competition is against oneself. We can always try to do our best at everything - and often we are our own worst critics. The yardstick by which we measure ourselves often derives from others in our past, or the imagined expectations of others.
What is the answer? How can we use competition - the 'race' of life to be energized.
A few simple things:

As Don Miguel Ruiz says in 'The Four Agreements': Always Do Your Best - and this is going to change from moment to moment.

• Be true to yourself and compete only when you choose to. Don't allow others to coerce or force you into a competition that you don't wish to be part of.


• Recognise that it is a game, and enjoy playing it


• If you cease to have fun - leave the game. Life is to be enjoyed, not endured.

By the time I write the next post, we may know who has won the race to be Australia's next Prime Minister - and I pray it will be for the good of the country.
I wish you joy in your personal race, and pleasure in the game of life every day.

Joan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, Visit http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com/

Joan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com/

Natural Energy Boosters - John McDouall Stuart and Polly

What is your story?

Do you have a burning desire, a dream, something you wish to achieve in this lifetime?
What is your purpose? Is it 'to be happy' as the Dalai Llama says, or is it a particular goal, like the explorers of the world. Do you wish to forge a path that someone else can follow. Would you even die to achieve your goal?

Having a purpose, a strong desire, is perhaps one of the greatest Natural Energy Boosters.
It may be something small, or much larger. It may be something that can only be achieved in small steps, but by remaining focussed, and persisting no matter what we reach it in the end.

Some goals are so great that they will energise despite emotional and physical hardship.

Last night I presented a talk at my Toastmasters Club on the great Australian Explorer John McDouall Stuart - a man so focussed on a dream that he persisted against great odds.
I called the talk 'John and Polly'.

Between 1858 and 1862 John, with Polly his gallant little grey mare pony, battled for four weary years over six journeys and a total of ten thousand miles to explore from the south to the north of this great land.

With little resources or government backing, he led his small groups of men and horses across the Australian inland. Stuart forged his way through stony deserts, swam flooding rivers, climbed mountain ranges, battled thorny lancewood scrub and faced fierce aborigines - up and back six times from Adelaide until at last he reached the Indian Ocean at the north of the continent on 24th July 1862.

On all his journeys through the most severe conditions he never lost a man and rarely a horse.

Polly was with him on every journey, and he cared for her as his favourite, though she suffered much. In the dreaded 'steel-shod desert' of the gibber plains horse-shoes were torn from her feet, and her hooves were cut to shreds. She floundered through bogs, swam rivers and was once stolen by one of Stuart's party and staked in the fetlock.

When Polly gave birth to a foal near what is now Alice Springs, Stuart rested the party until she could go on, and he called this waterhole Polly Springs.

Before his last journey, John had been kicked in the temple, and his right hand was nearly ripped off by a rope. He rode in agony all 3400 miles to the north and then the same distance back again. His eyesight failed, his right hand was rendered useless, and he was so sick he had to be carried on a makeshift bed slung between two horses the last 950 miles, an indication of his men's devotion.

Was it worth it?

Though he died back in England in 1866 at only fifty years of age he had achieved his dream.

Because of John McDouall Stuart, the colonies were able to build the Overland Telegraph Line from south to north and to connect the continent with the outside world - a revolution in communications, and to build a railway line from Adelaide to Alice Springs (now all the way to Darwin).

Perhaps Stuart's greatest memorial is not the statue erected to him in Adelaide in 1904, but the wide black ribbon of the 'Stuart Highway' that stretches from south to north - the longest highway in Australia bearing one name. If you ever travel this road, give a thought to those that made it possible, and especially to John and his trusty pony, Polly.

Not all of us are prepared to give away our health and our lives for a dream. It is a high price to pay.

But what we can learn from Stuart that 'all things are possible to him who believes'.

Whether your goal, or your purpose be large of small, having a dream is a Natural Energy Booster that will make your life meaningful and worth living day by day.

If you would like to receive the free ebook 'The Journals of John McDouall Stuart' go to my webpage, http://www.joansmall.com/joansmall_Australian_BushPoetry_books.htm

Live with Energy

Joan

Joan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, Visit http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com/Joan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com/

Your story, a Natural Energy Booster

WHAT IS YOUR STORY?

Last week I was staying with friends, Basil and Molly near Bundaberg (Queensland, Australia) while I wrote down their story.

Not the whole story - just the bit between 1952 and 1967 when Basil was in the police force in Australia's Northern Territory.

He had met and married Molly when she was nursing in Alice Springs and they have been married for more than 50 years.

Their story is one of adventure with a pioneering spirit on remote police stations in the most trying of conditions. It is also a story of living with aborigines and hunting for criminals in the killer heat of Australian desert, or battlling flooded rivers and torrential rains.

What comes out of Basil and Moly's story is the love and devotion, the lasting friendships made and the caring for others. Above all else is the attitude of taking life as it comes and making the best of everything. All of these are natural energy boosters.

Basil and Molly, now well into their 70's and with various bodily ailments, still have that loving attitude towards each other and their friends, and an open house where all are welcome. This keeps them young in spirit, heart and mind.

What is your life story?

If you wrote it down, what would be the theme?

Would you discover the Natural Energy Boosters that have provided you with joy, happiness and energy throughout your life, or at certain times when you needed it most?

Not all of us have a story that is as dramatic as Basil and Molly's, but we all have a story.

If you are still alive - and you must be if you are reading this - then you will have utilised the natural resilience of the Mind, Body and Spirit to regenerate, and you will have called upon it not once, but many times.

Why not find a quiet place, now, and reflect on your life story. See if you can discover your life's theme. What is it that gave you the strength to carry on when things became tough?

What gave you joy and happiness? What were the Magic Moments that still give you a warm feeling when you think back on them?

How can you create more magic moments in the present?

You too, will find you are able to build a life story from now on that more closely reflects your Ideal Life. All you need to do is tap into the Natural Energy Boosters that are right for you.

I would love your comments - and your feedback on what you discovered. Please tell me what you found out about your life story.

Live with Energy

Joan

Live with EnergyJoanJoan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, Visit http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com

Joan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com

Natural Energy Boosters , Prosumers and Arthur's Carbecue

What are prosumers, and how are they related to Natural Energy Boosters?

Prosuming is another word for 'doing things for others for no money'.

According to Alvin and Heidi Toffler ('Future Shock' and 'Revolutionary Wealth') who coined the phrase, prosumers are people who produce something for others to consume for no money.

Prosuming is contributing

If you are contributing to anyone or anything by any means without being paid for your service or product, then you are a prosumer.

Simple acts like babysitting, or mowing someone's lawn are prosuming - and whole organisations such as Rotary International and the Red Cross are dedicated to the prosuming principle of helping others for no money. I belong to, and 'work' for International Toastmasters - we train people in public speaking - and the Gold Coast Writers Association, where people learn to be better writers.

Natural Disasters

When natural disasters occur prosuming increases. I was part of the emergency relief effort for Cyclone Tracy which hit Darwin on Christmas Eve 1974, and when the Tsunami devastated Indonesian islands in 2004, people from all nations rallied to provide their services.

The world runs on the voluntary support of millions, but what often goes unrecognised is that the volunteering, or 'prosuming' is not always through charitable organisations or groups.

Arthur's Carbecue

For instance, a neighbour called Arthur owned an old car that he was always fixing. But he didn't fix it by himself - he invited his friends around to spend the afternoon working on the car, and then he and his wife would turn on a barbecue. We used to call these occasions "Arthur's Carbecues".

Arthur's friends were prosumers and so were Arthur and his wife. No money was exchanged and the car was repaired.

Another friend, Gillian, was putting her house on the market, so she asked her friends to help her paint, garden and clean. Her prosumer friends put the house in order, and partied afterwards.

Being a prosumer is energizing because most of us like to be of service to others. Helping is a strong motivator and we enjoy being appreciated and needed. If our special talents are recognized, then it makes us even happier.

Energy from prosuming

Have you experienced a special lift when someone consults you, or asks for your assistance in something? We may even give away something we usually charge money for, just to gain the appreciation and good feeling.

Like me. I design websites, and get paid for it. But every now and then a 'worthy' cause comes along; some-one who doesn't have the money to pay, and I feel moved to help them out by becoming a prosumer.

Prosuming makes the world go around

According to the Tofflers, prosuming make the world go around - or at least economies of countries. If all the free services provided by individuals and groups were factored into economic calculations it would blow them out by billions.

Be proud of yourself if you are a prosumer, and allow yourself to be energized with the wonderful natural energy booster of contributing in this way.

Live with Energy
Joan

Joan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living.
Visit http://www.theenergybook.com/
Joan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com/