What are you really busy with?

How do we Get more done in less time

See if this makes any
sense in Your life?

Dona Anderson

Weekly posts help support our crazy life.

Subscribe to Dona Anderson by Email

How many of us have done this ...

Someone is on their way over and you rush around the house like a crazy person to clean it up.

You're intense, focused and no one gets in your way.

You only have a few minutes and ...

YOU DID IT!

The door bell rings and you're all Smiles. 

So what happens all the other days.

                    

Is this you?

                               It's me many times.

We let our self walk around with no real focus and one thing not finished finds us starting another.

A phone call or thought interrupts you and then you head off off in a different direction.

The sock in the living room may travel around the house and be left behind in yet another room.

Where did the morning go - you haven't even had your 2nd coffee or tea yet.

When I used to work

we had routines, daily and weekly chores, exercise times and to do lists to prepare for things but the holidays and long weekends set me up for not getting done in 3 days what I used to do in 2.

While computers make lots of things easier, they create more things to take your time and sometimes it's like watching TV, it's kind of being there, numb or unresponsive until it's time to eat or go to bed.

It takes us longer to get things done these days when you're on hold for hours or waiting for a call back. You need to do more paperwork for your statements, receipts and make online appointments.

More and more things that you have to do and less and less from the providers. 

You're being swamped with advertising, notifications and another hour goes by.

More things seem to build up and the list of things to do gets longer and longer.

Stress builds up, things get missed and on and on ...

What's going on
and do you need a bit of standing up and dusting off to get back into the World again and find out what makes your Heart Sing.

Where can you find HELP.

Let's make 2021 the year to say Enough and

get our life back - some of it at least.

How will you do it?

I know a lot of people are stressed and struggling with all the things that need to get done these days.

It's Something important to talk about and see what can help,

got any ideas - let us know in the comments.

PS - For the Vinyl Cafe lovers in the audience here's
a Christmas story you'll probably remember

No, it's not the one where Dave cooks the Turkey.

Bye for now, hope you're following by email
and you'll be back next week. 

In the meantime check out these ways to

Rest and Breathe EASY

Love it when the glacier sparkles.

Say the word calm as you breathe in ...

Can you feel calm as you breathe out ...

You be the judge - am I Crazy?

Have a look ...

What does the wind and stress

have in common?

Ok this IS a weird thing to say,

but just wait, think about it - take a moment

Dona Anderson

Subscribe to Dona Anderson by Email

Check the Resources page for how to 

get my guided relaxation CD Free - 
offer expires June 30, 2020

It's TIME again to do that important

self check for Stress.

Here goes ... starting with the wind.

You can feel the air moving from the wind but you can’t see it. 

You can only see and feel how it affects other things. 

You can see if there is a soft gentle breeze or not by looking at the leaves on the trees or by noticing how the clouds are moving.  

The wind can shape our landscape, be the force for windmills, and as it changes in strength it can become the warnings for destruction and danger. 

Yes, you love the soft breeze that brings freshness to the air or the scent of spring flowers, and you love the puff that brings a touch of coolness on a hot summer’s day.

But, it can quickly build up into a windstorm warning, a threatening twister and other intense storms. The destruction, personal danger, loss and property damage can be very extensive.

Can You see Stress. 

Take a Breath & rest a moment with this photo message

What does it look like, what color is it?

If you could buy it, you’d for sure be asking for a refund!

If you have too much, you can probably feel & sense it, and we can see how it affects others.

What worries me is that sometimes others don't recognize it as Stress and just call it their crazy busy life until something happens.

As freeing as the photo is, it also lets us know that our life, world can change at any time. 

The day I took this picture the wind felt good, opened me up and sent positive energy my way. 

It let me know things were always changing on top but below the surface it was quiet.  

Unfortunately Stress lives below and on the surface.

It sometimes sneaks in and other times it rudely barges in at the worst times and digs in to make other things that are not going well even worse. 

It seems to like to pile up on other things, I guess it's lonely.

There is a good side. It's our natural response for danger and it can challenge and encourage us to get busy to do or learn something we need to and other times it can feel like a guiding gentle breeze.

It can teach us more about ourselves and how we react to things, and sometimes it pushes us to use that last bit of courage or strength to win the race or make a change.

But, sometimes I envision Stress as a monster, a fire, and feel the effects of a knife in my back or the hammer in my head.  

Sometimes we get nervous and feel the slippery slope, and other times be exhausted or feel the pressure of everyone else's needs, anger or sadness on top of ours.

A few minute search can create a long list of things that Stress impacts from everyday physical symptoms to emotional and behavioral symptoms and everything in between.

In just a few minutes I had over 60 so I stopped looking for more (link to post here)

Stress creates various types of problems and if left unchecked it can affect our health and lives.  

It often takes root in our daily activities and interactions and then grows to impact something else to where it reaches that place where we get warning signals. (like the wind) 

It reminds me of that small nasty weed.

The one you can’t see growing under a bush until it pops out on top saying Hi, Remember Me, and is ready to burst open and happily spread its seeds everywhere.

We can't change the direction of the Wind but if needed we can help turn that Stress Monster back into a gentle breeze!

Stress is getting worse & Worse and the
more we understand about how it affects us
the more we can control, limit & reduce it.

Have you noticed how the word Stress seems to 

be just part of everyday conversations now. (?)

 2020 has added even more stress -

how are You handling it (?)

Thanks for your visit and for
sharing at the links below. 

Together we're spreading

Wellness around the World

Check out ways to Reduce Stress and more HERE

Another of my photo messages.

 So - am I Crazy?

Wow -  you did good if you made it this far,
sorry for the long post.

Bye for now,
we're back here next week.

Subscribe to Dona Anderson by Email

Quote from Rumi ~ 

"Life is a balance of holding on and letting go"

Are you struggling with letting go of some things or holding on tightly to others - let us know below in the comments. It's a stressful time of wondering, what to do now & what's next.

                                      

You want Me to do WHAT?

I don't want anymore Jobs! 

What happened to the old me,
the quiet shy one.


Dona Anderson

Subscribe to Dona Anderson by Email

Simply take one step then another and another.

Dona's photo message

Life sometimes gets a bit confusing and it's only later when we take the steps or fill in the pieces of the puzzle that it hopefully starts to make some sense.

I often say that I’m doing things I wouldn’t have ever imagined and two of them came to me as I was resting after yoga and were things at the time I really didn’t know anything about.

Reflexology and Reiki.

Reflexology came first.

I was just thinking about another purpose for my yoga room and the word Reflexology came to my mind.  I knew it had something to do with feet but nothing else. 

So I began checking it out - what was it, what do you need and where I could get training. 

Here comes the freaky part - when I looked up for where I could get a trainer for the type I was interested in ...  

She worked in my little town and was the trainer for Western Canada and parts of the US as well.  

Who could have imagined that? 

How do I turn back now?

I booked a session for myself to learn more and, 

before leaving I was signed up for my first training.  

And, I used to hate

anyone touching my feet.

Reiki came to me several years

later in a similar way.

I wasn't thinking about needing to learn another healing practice or use for my yoga room but I was curious when it just popped into my mind loud and clear. 

It just popped into my

mind loud and clear.

I didn't know anything about it so again I looked it up to learn more and find out about training. 

The universe was plotting
against me because ...

A week or so later I saw an advertisement in the paper for a free level one workshop at the Woman's Resource center we had.

It was full so put my name on the waiting list.

But the same lady was teaching a different workshop the day before that I was able to go to.  

I mentioned to her that I had called about the Reiki workshop but it was full.  

Later in the day she came to me and said there was a cancellation for the Reiki workshop, and did I want to take that spot. 

YES, OK Ok ...

That introduction led me wanting to learn more and finding a teacher near by for the rest of training.

I guess it is about putting what you want out there,
and seeing what comes back. 

Both of these practices have been helpful in my own self healing, and I enjoyed introducing them to friends and family. 

I’m sure there will be more reasons come up as to why I was introduced to and then agreed to learn and use these healing practices. 

But for now ...

I think the important part was the one for listening ... without that, none of this would have happened!

Have you had any similar things in your life?

Check the Resources page for how to get

a Free CD - offer expires June 30, 2020

Thanks for you visit today.

Subscribe to Dona Anderson by Email

Don't miss future weekly posts, 

only a couple steps gets you on the list.

Anyone play guitar or cello?

My Yoga room sometimes turns
into a part time music room.

The words I hear in my head now are

 Practice Practice more Practice.

Thanks for sharing at the links below.

Together we continue to spread Wellness

around the World every day. 

Thank You.

We never know what will get our attention

and get us to say YES.

I hope you'll say Yes and

be an email subscriber

for these weekly posts.

No cost - no hassle

Subscribe to Dona Anderson by Email

New posts every Tuesday.

How to get up from the floor (after a fall) - MacGyver style!

You never know when you

might need this ...

Dona Anderson

Subscribe to Dona Anderson by Email

I came across this video and thought it would be a good one to share with you.

Falls can be very serious and can happen anytime. 

And often they can be life changers ...

I've fallen lots of times and last fall all of a sudden I went down hard on hands & knees (??) not sure why but it had to do with just normal things like a dog, a chair, the table and the back door.

A few days later I found out 2 others I know had fallen around the same time.

I know others who have fallen and broke their hip or hurt their leg. Some go to hospital, and some can't be on their own or live at home if there are stairs for months.

There's lots of sad stories.

This video reminded me stop and think again more about what I'd do and use in the various rooms of the house or outside. (one of my falls was in the back yard at night and I had to crawl back to the house)

You may even want to get someone to watch this with you and to talk about some of the ideas/techniques.

See which ones would work for you, as well as helpers you can call, and what you need to have near by to use if ever needed.

Please Stay Safe
Falls can cause serious injury.
There's lots of info online
you can check out for
tips & prevention.

The more we know, the more it helps 💚

This Video is for general information purposes only to

 assist in our quest for health & wellness. 

Please always consult your medical providers for help regarding
your care and recovery. 

thank you.

Links for sharing below.

I'm always looking for ways to help

and support our lives. So each week you

never know what you'll get in your inbox.

Try it out and see.

Subscribe to Dona Anderson by Email

Benjamin Manea’s ‘Beyond Sourdough’ lecture.

Celebrating the Giving & Thanks

together this time of Year.

Dona Anderson

Thanks to the gardens and gardeners
the crops and the farmers
the Bakers, markets and more ...

in this video I want to introduce you to a Baker.

I mean a real Baker - who learned the art and science of bread and more that feeds the soul.

Benjamin Manea  March 9, 1957 to June 15 2019.

New business owners, those not sure yet what to do, those you want to make a difference, just starting out or whatever your Dream is - you will find some words of inspiration.  

Even if you're not building a business or not looking for a reason to watch this, you may find something that lights a tiny spark in your Soul.

The video tells his story of becoming a baker and not just any baker as you'll hear and learn about.

You can watch the video on You Tube and click on the Show More for a link to more information and photos on Facebook. (warning they may make you Hungry)

We had the privilege to go to his bakery/cafe many times when we visited Penticton and fell in love with his food and Jewish rye bread. 

He had a list of special dishes for his lunch menu and my husband went for the pastrami sandwich that had little dishes of things to go with it, and borscht soup which were the best he ever had. 

Unfortunately he later learned he couldn't have both at one lunch.

I loved the quiche and the Greek salad.  Not only for the wonderful ingredients but also the artistry that was in every dish he served.

Best Part - there was NO take out - you sat, relaxed and waited until it was ready - your order made just for you and presented perfectly.  

Delicious food to soothe your Heart & Soul. 

Food made as it should be, &

  sprinkled 

  with Love 

Many Thanks to you Ben 💚

You reminded us about how the right ingredients
 still needs the right amount of time
to become perfect.


Links for sharing below.  
Take Care  &
Thanks for your visit. 


Subscribe to Dona Anderson by Email


Here's a link to an earlier post of Thanks.

I'd also like to add this one in here.  I'm sure it will remind you of a past memory of someone.

It's Never too late to Write MOM a Letter?

It's been so long

and 

much to Say

Dona Anderson
Subscribe to Dona Anderson by Email

I never know what will inspire me to write each of these posts.

It can be a word, a picture, a smell and this one was hearing a man on TV saying he wrote a letter to his Mom some 30 years after her death ... it touched a place in my heart to do the same.   

Love this picture of her 

My Mom passed the month I turned 29.

She was 66.

The year before we had just returned from living in Europe for 5 years and a month later she was sick with Brain cancer.

It's hard when you don't live in the same place and my 2 older sisters and I all lived an 8-10 hour drive away, all worked full time with families.

We felt lost and sad that our Dad was all alone but he kept us up to date and we all made it to where they operated to hold her hand, give out kisses and support our Dad.  I don't know what she knew as she couldn't talk and didn't seem to know what was going on.

In her recovery she had to relearn to talk again and other basic needs. My sisters and I all took turns going home to visit, talk to her and support Dad until her passing about a year later.

I remember my Dad saying the first time you return home after the passing was awful.  You're all alone after years of being married. He said it was the worst feeling ever.

I had a tough time with it all and grieved badly for many years. I missed her and instead of focusing on celebrating her life like I should have, I held on to all the wrong things.

The month she passed, who am I going to talk to, my kids want their grandmother, you have more to tell me and on and on.

All those selfish things, the me and I's

Although I still miss her all these years later, I know that grief changes over time and I finally got comfortable with all the wonderful things I did receive.

And, all these years later I've had friends in their 60's & 70's who still had their Mom so I reminded them how lucky they were.

I guess it's never to late to Write your Mom a Letter.

Some of what I'd say

Mom never got 
a chance to see ...

Mom never got a chance to see her little Grandchildren grow up into amazing & successful adults and become wonderful Parents to all her beautiful great Grandchildren.

She didn't know how my Sisters and I grew in life as unique individuals that keep passing on many of her talents and wonderful qualities in our own way.

Learning Life Skills

the old fashioned way...

Looking back I realize that even though our time was Short she gave us many life skills that prepared us for life at the time, and that I used later.

As a child I watched her for hours cutting out material for our clothes and having to have all the fabric placed right, all the patterns match up, and then sewing it all so the darts, seams, buttons and zippers were all straight and perfect.

I remember getting her to help me with a sewing project I had to do for school, a nightgown. I had to tell and remind her it can't be perfect as I was suppose to be the maker.  She agreed but still got 85% on it.

My Mom loved Christmas, bowling and playing bridge. I watched her cooking our meals every day, baking and making cakes and pies to go with our family Sunday Supper and other celebrations.

It was different times way back then.

We didn't have today's modern conveniences, so growing up we had to help with lunch & supper dishes everyday, with the meals, help with laundry, do our ironing (which in the earlier days was pretty much everything we wore and that required dampening first, no wash & go from the old wringer washer).  Later on the automatic ones helped a bit.

Oh, and yes We also had to have our house cleaning,  yard chores and homework done or we couldn't go out. Later on, I had lots of don't complain examples to share with my kids.

And from a young age I remember having to go out to get groceries with the list, and walk around town to pay the utility bills so I knew what things cost and the places where money went every month.

All this later became 

valuable gifts ...

In my Heart, MOM already knows and sees all of what the letter to her would say and since I've been crying every time I've been working on this over the last several months, the letter will have to be for another time.

The letter will have to be for another time...

Love you MOM.

Mom's name was Lydia

and 

Happy Mother's Day 

to all Moms here

and in Heaven!

New posts weekly

Subscribe to Dona Anderson by Email

Does Heaven receive mail like the North Pole does for Santa Claus?

Sharing a blog post by Louise Hay.

When did your life get started?

 Dona Anderson

Subscribe to Dona Anderson by Email

I love this post I read this morning by Louise Hay

so I'm sharing it with you! 

Her post really spoke to me and I saw similarities between what she wrote and how my life and activities have changed from years ago to now.

I've heard lots of wonderful people say their life really started and even got better at certain ages and for me, I sometimes think of it as when the turtle is finally ready to stick his head out a bit further from his shell to see all there is and finds out there is still so much more!

Yes, it can be scary...

And it can take us out of our comfort zone.

It can take us a while to find what it is you do like and want in your life, and if we look back we'd see that through our lives we've always been changing, practicing and gaining experience in everything we have learned and done. 

This post encourages us to not stop as we age. 

It's about loving life, still getting out there, investing in our self and continuing to make our life richer and fuller. 

Here's the link.