Located in an area of 4 hectares in Flatbush, Auckland, Fo Guang Shan is one of over 200 centres under the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order.  The temple is free to visit (a dress code applies - ladies should not wear tanks or shorts and no jandals).  There is a welcome desk at the Front Shrine and we were invited to light a stick of incense and leave it in front of a statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. We walked around the Chan Gardens and admired the Novice Monks and Stone Lights. We visited the Art Gallery and admired calligraphy and cultural displays.  We looked into the Main Shrine and the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism from just outside (shoes need to be removed to enter the shrine). We'd hoped to visit the popular Water Drop Vege Cafe on our way out but the queue was spilling out the door.  We'll have to return to sample the healthy vegetarian food. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

By now you're probably all aware that the 19th of May is a very special date.  Yup - Prince Harry is to marry Ms. Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor.  They do make a lovely couple and I wish them all the best. But I shall be having secondary celebrations of my own!  I will be celebrating my 40th birthday, hurrah!  According to the Huffington Post , I can look forward to being stronger, more resilient and knowing my own mind.  The Metro  paints a less encouraging picture though - I'm not sure I'm ready to tick the 40+ box on surveys and I don't yet have friends who are grandparents. My friends who have already turned 40 this year have taken their birthdays in their stride.  One is preparing to become a first time mum, another went on the trip of a lifetime to Asia and the Caribbean.  Another is having her third celebration this month, and why not!  We only turn 40 once, and doesn't life begin at 40 anyway!! Photo b...

A few weeks ago I came down with a mystery cough, which didn't want to leave!!  I was feeling completely miserable and needed some cheering up!  Here are 3 things I did to stop feeling sorry for myself!! 1.  Sleep Sometimes you've just got to have a duvet day, so I spent the day in my jim jams in bed.  When I eventually emerged in the early evening I felt a lot brighter for it. Photo Credit - Pixabay 2.  Indulge in a hot chocolate My 'go to' hot drinks are tea and chai but when I'm feeling poorly there's nothing like a hot chocolate.  I curled up under a blanket, reading the  Signature of all things  by Elizabeth  with my hot chocolate in hand. Photo Credit - Pixabay 3.  Watch something funny I don't normally watch a lot of TV but Netflix has been a key part in my recovery!!  I watched the entire season of The Good Place .  It took a while to get into but it was worth it because it just got funnier and...

As autumn starts to set in and the days become shorter, I have been cheering myself up by looking at photos of cherry blossoms on Instagram .  The sakura season is underway in Japan and it is regarded as a symbol of renewal, vitality, and beauty which befits the spring season. Sakura - Japanese cherry blossom Pixabay But I've also been reflecting on the Japanese traditions which focus on finding contentment.   Ikigai is about finding purpose in life.  In his article  for the BBC, Yukari Mitsuhashi says that 'There is no direct English translation, but it’s a term that embodies the idea of happiness in living. Essentially, ikigai is the reason why you get up in the morning.' Chip Richards  expands on this definition explaining that  'ikigai is seen as the convergence of four primary elements - what you love, what the world needs, what you're good at and what you can get paid for.'   There are more centenarians on Okinawa...

Earth Hour is a global movement for greater action on climate change.  It started as a  symbolic lights out event in Sydney in 2007 and has since grown worldwide.  Each year lights are switched off from 8:30 to 9:30pm.  This year Earth Hour falls on 24th March and here are 3 ways to take part. 1. Sign up to take part at the Earth Hour website  and switch off your lights for one hour. 2. Grow some plants.  I'm a beginner gardener and have three small wall planters filled with daisies, spider plants and pansies.  I love succulents and am so proud of my echeveria!  I find gardening, even weeding very therapeutic.  Gardening gives us a deeper connection with our surroundings. Echeveria 3. Reduce plastic waste.  Plastic is so harmful to the environment.  I've spoken before about the harm plastic causes to our oceans  but the main problem with plastic is that it never goes away.    Exposure to t oxic chemi...

I'm trying to live more consciously this month.  These podcasts discuss ideas on ways to live more sustainably. 1. Conscious Chatter Conscious Chatter is a podcast about the potential impact connected to what we wear. In episode 44, the host Kestrel is joined by Andrew Morgan, whose 2015 documentary The True Cost has become a go-to source for eye-opening information about the realities of the global fashion industry. 2. The Slow Home Podcast Brooke McAlary immersed herself in the  Slow Living philosophy a fter being diagnosed with severe post natal depression in 2011.   Over 2 years she decluttered more than 25,000 items. In episode 19, Brooke talks to Rhonda Hetzel,   the author of two books on creating a slower, simpler home. 3. Becoming Your Best Becoming your best is a leadership development podcast.  In this episode Steve interviews Courtney Carver, who created Project 333 , a minimalist challenge where participants dress w...

This month I am focussing on how I can live more consciously.  Living consciously means actively evaluating our decisions and options, and thus creating a life that we  want.  I would like to be more conscious of how my decisions affect others.  I believe that making small changes every day can have a bigger impact. So to start with, I am looking at what I consume.  Everyone knows that I love chai Friday .  If I'm honest when I asked my hubby to buy me a KeepCup for  Christmas it was because I liked the cute cup, I wasn't actually considering the environment at all.  In my research for this post I've found out that  because of the polyethylene plastic lining in paper cups, they can't be recycled in New Zealand.  Which means that for someone having 5 coffees a week, 14kg of waste  will end up in landfill each year!   March Resolution #1 - Carry my KeepCup with me every day! More reading - WASTE – What should we do wi...

The bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in the house.  Most modern bathrooms are fitted with ways to save water with half-flush toilet settings and low-flow shower heads and taps.  But there are other ways to be more eco-conscious in the bathroom, here are three suggestions: 1.  Tree Free TP smartass  is made from   a combination of sugarcane and fast growing bamboo that can be grown year on year with little wear and tear on soil quality.  It  is also free of bleach, inks, dyes and perfume.  Every day we flush the equivalent of 27,000 trees down the toilet.   Trees play a critical role in absorbing the greenhouse gases and contribute to the water cycle by returning water vapour back into the atmosphere. Without trees, millions of species will lose their habitat and global carbon emissions will rise by 15-20%.   smartass offer different subscriptions for cartons of 48 rolls, as well as one-time purchases...

International Women's Day falls on March 8 2018.  This year's theme is #pressforprogress  and we're all invited to commit to one of the following areas: maintain a gender parity mindset challenge stereotypes and bias forge positive visibility of women influence others' beliefs/actions celebrate women's achievements Under influence others' beliefs/actions  it says to be a role model for equality.  I would like to celebrate a lady who has been a role model for an often forgotten group of women. Jody Day founded  Gateway Women , a global friendship and support network for childless women, whether they be childless by choice or circumstance. In her 2017 TEDx Talk, The Lost Tribe of Childless Women ,  Jody highlights that 1 in 5 women in the UK over 45 don't have children.  Around 80-90% of childless women are not by choice.  This number is a lot bigger than people realise and as Jody says this is the 'biggest diversity issue HR hasn'...

In New Zealand, many people choose to walk around barefoot.  At first this surprised me but then I learned about 'grounding' or 'earthing'.  This wellness practice is based on the ideas that the electrical charge in our bodies is neutralised when we get in touch with the planet.  By grounding we're accessing the planet's natural supply of antioxidants. While more research needs to be done, studies have found that grounding can improve sleep, reduce stress and pain, and speed healing.  Here are three ways to earth yourself. 1.  Lose your shoes Find a patch of grass and walk barefoot.  Who doesn't love the feel of grass underfoot? 2.  Beach is best Take a walk on the beach or go for a swim in the ocean. 3.  Sit in hot water Take a hot bath with some Epsom salts mixed into the water.  

In my blog post  The best self-care over the holidays-sleep , I talked about how sleep is an absolute must for self-care.  Here are some great podcasts about sleep. 1.  What will be your spiritual wake up call? Oprah speaks to Arianna Huffington about her change of perception of success and having a meaningful life. 2.   The brain benefits of deep sleep--and how to get more of it Daniel Gartenberg  is a sleep doctor and is interested in how to accurately track people’s sleep quality and alertness.  3.   Freakonomics – The Economics of Sleep This two part discussion of sleep explores a number of questions around our slumber.  Could a lack of sleep help explain why some people get much sicker than others?  Do people who sleep better earn more money? Part 1 Part 2   Did you know that koalas sleep up to 23 hours per day?

As the end of January draws nearer, motivation levels start to wane and New Year's Resolutions seem a distant memory.  Here are three poems to help perk us up and get us going in February. 1.  Desiderata Max Ehrmann was an American writer of German descent.  Desiderata is a wonderful poem about being kind to yourself. 'With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.   Strive to be happy.' Max Ehrmann 2.  If Best known for The Jungle Book , Rudyard Kipling won the 1907 Nobel Prize in Literature.  If  is a poem of fatherly advice. 'If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;    If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;' Rudyard Kipling  3. Still I Rise Maya Angelou was an American poet, writer and activist.   Still I Rise is an inspirational empowering poem all about the struggle to overcome prejudice and injustice. 'You may ...

Happy 2018!  New year, new goals!  I've updated my Bucketlist  and created my #18for2018 .  Self-care is a priority for 2018, and I plan to slow down and meditate more often. Most excitingly, tomorrow I start in a new role.  I've worked within a similar environment for over 10 years.  I've met wonderful people and learned amazing things.  But the opportunity came up to try something different and I felt that it was the right time to 'disrupt' myself. Inspired by Whitney Johnson, author of Disrupt Yourself: Putting the Power of Disruptive Innovation to Work  and her Disrupt Yourself Podcast  where she interviews a variety of people who have disrupted their lives in some way, I reflected on where I was on my career s-curve. What is the s-curve?  In their article U nderstanding Your Career Path ,  Maybusch define it as ' a map – like those floor plan directories in shopping malls with a big orange dot marked, “You are here”.'...

A new year approaches.  Time to make (and break) New Year's resolutions.  Time to start planning that January gym fitness regime after the festive season spread.  And time for new beginnings.   Here are 5 great books to inspire your journey into 2018. Big Magic Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love) uses wonderful storytelling to spark our creativity.  I loved Eat, Pray, Love when I first read it back in 2010.  Big Magic was released in 2015 and is an inspiring read if you're trying to nurture your creative self.  Elizabeth's podcast,  Magic Lessons ,  also provides ongoing support for making creative magic. The Alchemist "When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person realise his dream". Paolo Coelho's world renowned fable of a shepherd searching for his treasure is a must-read for anyone searching for their own "Personal Legend". The Happiness Project Spend ...

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of attending a talk by Dame Jenny Shipley, the first female New Zealand Prime Minister.  Dame Jenny shared tips about how she managed her work/life balance while in office, and how women can succeed in the modern workplace.  She also emphasised how important e motional and cultural intelligence are in the workplace.   Dame Jenny   is a very captivating speaker, and a theme that stuck with me was, find your who .    It's no longer about what you can do but about who you are and how you do it.  Dame Jenny challenged us to construct an elevator pitch (a 30 second summary of your background) around 'What's your who?' I've been thinking about this recently as I try to formulate my who .  I stumbled upon an online quiz based on p sychologist Carl Jung's archetypes.  Jung defined 12 primary types to symbolize basic human motivations, each of which has its own personality traits.  Most people have several ...

Since collapsing from sleep deprivation and exhaustion in 2007, Arianna Huffington has become an advocate for sleep.  Arianna was the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post  which she ran for 11 years.  She launched Thrive Global in 2016.  "Thrive Global’s mission is to end the stress and burnout epidemic by offering companies and individuals sustainable, science-based solutions to enhance well-being, performance, and purpose, and create a healthier relationship with technology."  While Margaret Thatcher is famously said to have slept for four hours a night, most adults need 7-9 hours per night.  Not getting enough sleep can impact on emotional wellbeing and over time can lead to medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. The holidays can be a stressful time, here are 5 sleep tips to help: Try a relaxing bedtime ritual, such as having a bath or reading a book to wind down from the busyness of the day. Avoid caffeine for...

Last month I talked about building a gratitude practise into everyday life.  Here are 3 great podcasts all about giving thanks. 1. The Gratitude Podcast A weekly podcast which reminds us to be grateful, no matter what our situation is, by appreciating what we already have. 2.  The KickAss Life The Secret to Happiness with David Steindl-Rast.  Brother David is a  Benedictine Monk.  At 91-years-old, he has inspired generations with his powerful message about finding gratitude in every moment of one's life. Read  more about him or watch his TED Talk . 3.  Freakonomics Why is my life so hard?  How can we avoid feeling this way and feel more grateful?  Join Stephen Dubner as he speaks with Tom Gilovich and Shai Davidai who wrote the  “The headwinds/tailwinds asymmetry: An availability bias in assessments of barriers and blessings.”

As the year draws to a close, that familiar nostalgic feeling I get every year creeps up on me.  Where did the time go to?  The days definitely seem to fly by faster as I get older.  In mid 2014, after a rocky start to the year, I came upon  The Happiness Project   by Gretchen Rubin.  Her chronicle about her year in search of happiness struck a chord with me, and I embarked on a Happiness Project of my own. While reading the book, one line that really stuck with me is,  “The days are long but the years are short.”  Gretchen calls this one of her Secrets of Adulthood .   When I'm having a really long, hard day I remind myself of this.  Sunrise, sunset.  Don't miss the moments in between.   Photo Credit: Jen Mistry O'Neills Bay, Auckland

Friday 1 December is World AIDS Day.  Founded in 1988, the day is ' an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness .' says the National AIDS Trust .  In the UK it is estimated that over 100,000 people are living with HIV.  In New Zealand that estimate is around 3500.  This is a stark contrast to Sub-Saharan Africa where more than 70 percent of the 37 million people worldwide living with HIV reside.  Since the disease was first identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS. According to the Gates Foundation , 'the global incidence of HIV has declined by nearly 40 percent since 2001, and 17 million people worldwide are receiving antiretroviral treatment.'  But so much more can be done to raise awareness and prevent new infections.  In Zimbabwe, for example, there were 40,000 new H...

School's out, sun's shining!  We all look forward to the summer holidays.   It's a time for sun, sea and sand!   In New Zealand, summer falls between December and February with daytime temperatures between 20-25'C.  Schools close just before Christmas and only reopen in early February.  There's a general feeling of laid back happiness throughout the period. But if we don't think about what we want to do in the summer and plan in advance, it can just pass by and leave a feeling of unfulfilment in the autumn. In the Happier podcast by Gretchen Rubin, she invites us to 'Design Your Summer'.  The idea is that by being intentional with our time we can choose how to spend our summer.  Planning activities and thinking of goals can take a bit of effort but the reward is a heightened sense of anticipation and excitement.   Let's face it, even relaxing can require some forethought. Here's what I have on my list so far! - a trip to th...