Attitude of Gratitude and the Apple Man....

Last week I purchased a usb modem from Optus. What should have been a simple procedure to install turned into over an hour long phone call last Friday night with Optus tech support (who says I don't have a raging social life?), which ended in them telling me they couldn't do anything and I would need to take it to an apple store. So today I went into the Apple store at Bondi Junction where I got to spend another hour of my life trying to sort this out. Eventually we rang Optus tech support from the apple store to discover that whoever I spoke to last week had not asked a particular question which should have come at the start of the conversation and, as such, had done one simple step incorrectly. Evidently, I could have had my internet working a week ago, didn't need to spend an hour on the phone to them last Friday night and definitely hadn't needed to go to an Apple store at all today on my precious day off.

Ordinarily my frustration and anger levels would have sky rocketed at this point and all of my focus would have been on the wasted hours of my life and huge inconvenience I had experienced with this process. However, I have been practicing an "Attitude of Gratitude" recently and this changed my whole reaction. My focus shifted to what I was grateful for in this situation. And that, primarily, was the interaction I had with the guy who served me at the Apple store (which would never have occurred has Optus not sent me on a wild goose chase). From the minute I walked into the store, this guy (whose name I sadly cannot remember) was so friendly, helpful and understanding. Seriously, the poor guy sat with me for over an hour for no real reason. We chatted about how great it is to work in places where we love going to work in the morning, he emptied the trash can on my computer, he got me the stores phone to call Optus on and said 'no problem whatsoever' that he had essentially been hanging out with me for an hour for something that really had nothing to do with my apple computer after all. So instead of leaving angry and bothered, I could laugh at how crazy the whole thing was and be grateful to have experienced the kindness of a stranger on this beautiful day. On the flip side, the Apple guy had a pleasant morning with me instead of one where he could have ended up bearing the brunt of my frustration and annoyance. So next time you are in a challenging situation, think "Attitude of Gratitude" and see what happens......

Today I am Grateful For....

Having the time to get some 'life admin' done.

Doing an extremely sweaty Power Yoga class.

Getting some hot new lululemon gear.

Receiving the cutest gifts from a friend who has just returned from a trip to Japan.

Inspiring conversations with people on my team and different guests at work.

Having 1 sleep to go before my Little Man's 2nd Birthday!

A Great Day.....

Despite a very early start to the day, it was such a great one for me. Productive and motivating staff meetings with my team, Australia wide lululemon conference calls, a lovely interview with a potential employee, a quick visit to Manly beach, my first Power Yoga class at Power Living Manly (which I really enjoyed). All followed by dinner, ice-cream and laughs with my buddy Chels. Can't ask for anything more really.....

Be Thankful for What You Have...

This weekend I have caught myself worrying about things I do not or may not have in my life. I have a feeling that this is stemming from the fact that a great many changes are occurring in my personal life, and I am about to embark on a path that, up until recently I had never really seen myself heading down. Whilst I am so much more optimistic and strong in my ability to face whatever comes my way and to create my own future, than I ever have been before, I would be lying if I said there was no fear. Of course there is (as well as feelings of sadness, doubt, grief etc). But I'm happy to say that as soon as these feelings come up I acknowledge that they are there but then I turn my focus to how amazing my life is and all the wonderful things that I do have. An amazingly beautiful, cheeky and funny little man; supportive friends and an abundance of loving family members; a job where I get to inspire others and develop myself and connect with people; my health and a roof over my head to name just a few. And for all of those things I say "Thank you".

P.S. Happy Birthday to my favourite niece in the whole wide world. I am so lucky to have had you as part of my life for the past 2 years and I can't wait to share many, many more with you. Love and hugs forever, Aunty Bel. x

P.P.S I am now off to continue reading "The Girl Who Played With Fire" by Stieg Larson. All I can say is that I am totally hooked - cannot put it down!

I Am Grateful For....

• A surprise dinner at Otto on Tuesday night with my fellow lululemon managers courtesy of our very generous CEO.
• Amazing ferry rides on Sydney Harbour yesterday.
• Champagne and chats last night with a very special friend.
• Dennis at brew cafe who always starts my morning in a great way (ie lovely greeting and a much needed coffee).
• Sugared blueberry bagels (I think I'm addicted).
• Having the privilege of running an amazing group interview at lululemon this morning (such great people!).
• Walks around Officeworks with a friend who love stationery as much as I do.

Gratitude.....

Today I am grateful for amazing friends who are full of compassion and love; fellow lulu's who wear crazy outfits and tell crazy stories (You know who you are Miss Chan!); self belief; authenticity; coffee and chats with a beautiful soul; and precious time with my little man (especially his tickles!).

Great things about today....

My Little Boo Boo giving me 'huggles' this morning (even though it was 5am...!).

Having great energy at work today.

A fun staff meeting at work re-merching the store.

An afternoon of tea, chats and chocolate in the Chinese Gardens with a lovely friend.

BBQ pork buns for dinner with Boo Boo.

Awesome Day....

What an awesome day. It started with a coffee and a walk in Centennial Park with a friend and our little ones. Then I walked to work and did some admin stuff at the store. At midday two of my lulu peeps and I hit V Club for a Zumba class (we did our first one of these last week and are hooked!). We then had lunch and did more work in my favourite book store, followed by a Hatha Yoga class with one of our lululemon ambassadors, Kelli Prieur. Kelli's class was challenging but fun (the headstands and handstands were cool). She also really brought my focus back to what is important when she discussed gratitude at the end of the class. I definitely need more gratitude in my life right now. Time to crack open that gratitude journal again I think.....

P.S Isn't my Boo Boo sooooo cute. I just had to show these photos off!

Gratitude...........

Yesterday was a great day because...

1. My little sister came home from Germany and we all met her at the airport at 6am.
2. The little man had an hour and a half sleep after we got home from the airport.
3. We had yum cha with my family as this is what my sister had missed the most!
4. The little man was full of personality today - so funny and affectionate.
5. The little man had a second daytime nap when we got home from yum cha (this is very, very rare let me tell you).
6. My Mum called from Indonesia (they don't get many phone privileges on the boat so this was special).
7. I got to spend some time being creative last night.