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~ Igniting the power and passion in others…

talktodiana

Tag Archives: Necessities of Life

We Can’t Do It All… What!

21 Sunday Jun 2015

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, My Stories

≈ 47 Comments

Tags

200 words, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, God, happy, health, integrity, joy, life, living in the moment, My Tribe, Necessities of Life, priorities, Purpose

Art_Nature (2)

“Common sense is instinct. Enough of it is genius.” – George Bernard Shaw

GOD  TRIBE  NECESSITIES  PURPOSE  HEALTH

It’s time for spring cleaning. It’s time to de-clutter.

And I’m not talking about my domicile.

There’s been some changes of late.

Things I’m excited about.

And other things that weigh on my heart – that with a little fixing – I may yet, be excited about.

And it strikes me that when I have a lot going on, whether it’s good or bad, the first things that get thrown by the wayside are the things that give me energy and life; the things that spiritually feed and sustain me.

So I’ve come back to the (above) five priorities I set for myself back in January 2014. Although the definitions under each have changed a little since then, these priorities are still a grounding force for me.

Common sense tells me I can’t keep doing everything I did before I started my wonderful new job and thus it’s time for spring cleaning so that I can focus on the things that are important to me.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

What are your priorities? How do you create space to stay focused on them?

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Good Night, Sleep Tight

08 Sunday Mar 2015

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, In My Opinion, My Stories

≈ 59 Comments

Tags

200 words, dream, energy, exercise, food, happy, health, immune system, life, Necessities of Life, sleep

 Curl up with your pillows and your blankie. Close your eyes and dream so soft and hazy. – Pooh

images2When Michaela was little, I read Winnie the Pooh stories to her before bed. Sometimes she’d fall asleep while I read.

And when she slept she looked so angelic.

Sleep is important for all ages. So much happens while we sleep.

Sleeping promotes a healthy immune system.

Tissue growth and repair occur.

And levels of the hormone cortisol dip at bed time and promote alertness in the morning.

Years ago when I decided to embrace a healthier life-style, I found eating right and exercise alone made little difference in my efforts to get fit. It wasn’t until I made up my mind to get a good eight hours of sleep each night, that I began to see results.

One-third of our lives are spent sleeping, and sleep plays a direct role in how successful the other two-thirds of our lives can be.

So curl up with your pillows and your blankie. Close your eyes and dream so soft and hazy.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Do you get enough sleep? How did Daylight Savings Time affect your sleep last night?

Happy New Year! Moving Forward in 2015.

31 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles, In My Opinion, My Stories

≈ 55 Comments

Tags

believe, courage, Diana Schwenk, family, God, happy, health, Hump Day Chronicles, integrity, living in the moment, My Tribe, Necessities of Life, Purpose

untitled4Last year I chose the word tenacity for 2014 and it sure came in handy, let me tell ya!

There were times I just wanted to give up on The Other Bottom Line, but I stuck it out even though it seemed crazy to do so.

I also chose 5 priorities in 2014: God, Tribe, Necessities, Purpose and Health – priorities that I will again carry into the new year.

Tenacity and courage and boldness and freedom are natural words for me to choose and truly there’s nothing wrong with those words – they’re good attributes!

Yesterday I wrote this post about my word for 2015 on my other blog.

It’s a very short read but in case you don’t want to head over there, the word I chose is service.

Let me tell you how I ended up landing on the word service.

As you may recall, in 2014 I wrote a few rants, some of which can be found here, here and here  – these posts were mostly jabs at the government.

The other night, I was flying off the handle again about our provincial and federal governments with my BFF. When she stopped me in my tracks by saying:

Look Di, it doesn’t matter which leader or party is in power. They’re all gonna have this sense of entitlement. They’re all going to eventually look after their own interests.

The rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer. 

They’re selfish.

I’m selfish.

You’re selfish.

It’s human nature.

The only person’s actions that you can control, are your own. Stop asking what the government is going to do. What are you going to do?

We both sat silent for a moment. A heavy feeling of hopelessness and sadness came over us.

Having sat with the heaviness of this for a few moments, we started to talk about what this can mean for us. We didn’t have complete agreement, but here were a few of my thoughts:

What right do I have to complain about the government for not doing something about the issues right in front of them, if I am not doing something about the issues right in front of me?

Sure, I’ve been involved with non-profits. And yes, I believe I’ve made a difference many times over. It was my job to do so. I was paid to do it and of course I’ve been passionate about it and have striven to do my best.

But there are so many people who feel alone, who are hurting, who are desperate for just one person to care enough to help them through right here in my neighbourhood, in my family, in my realm and ability to make a difference.

To be fair, I have done so on several occasions, yet there have also been times when I’ve looked away and kept going about my business; isn’t that what I’ve been accusing the government of doing?

I don’t know how my word will play out in 2015 – I’m a tad nervous about it. I’m not sure how I will balance my needs with the needs of others. But I do know that when I meet my Maker and give account for my choices, he’s not going to ask me who I voted for, or how I held my government, or anyone else for that matter, accountable.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

And that is how I came to choose the word service for 2015. Did you choose a word for the new year? If so, what’s your word?

Choose Your Life!

02 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, In My Opinion, My Stories

≈ 35 Comments

Tags

200 words, choose, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, God, health, life, My Tribe, Necessities of Life, Purpose, vision

flight-of-freedom-bald-eagle-alaska-pictures1

Trust in what you love, continue to do it, and it will take you where you need to go. ~ Natalie Goldberg

If you’ve been following my blog for some time, you know that I’ve been going through a process to actualize my vision for my life: IGNITING THE POWER AND PASSION IN OTHERS…

You also know that part of that vision includes The Other Bottom Line.

But if that was the only thing I was working on, it would be insufficient. (My opinion anyway)

That’s why I’ve taken a hard look at my whole life and identified 5 major priorities that I intentionally think about every day in all that I do. These priorities are: God, My Tribe, My Needs, My purpose, and My Health.

This journey I’ve been taking is exciting and life-giving!

It is also scary and risky and some days I wonder what the hell I’m been thinking!

But I want you to know that I would not go back and change a thing.

What do you love?

If you could fill your days doing the things that give you life, what would that look like?

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

What’s stopping you?

When is Enough, Enough?

02 Sunday Feb 2014

Posted by dianasschwenk in Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, In My Opinion

≈ 40 Comments

Tags

200 words, abundance, contentment, desires, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, enough, greed, joy, Necessities of Life

“Enough is abundance to the wise.” – Euripides

Photo credit: nbmaa.wordpress.com

Photo credit: nbmaa.wordpress.com

Have you ever thought to yourself, “If only I could get _____________, that would be enough.”  

Have you ever then attained that which you desired?

Was it enough?

Or having grown accustomed to this new level of possession, have you wanted more?

Do you think if you get more, it will be enough? Or will you want even more?

~

When I got my first apartment, my parents allowed me to take my bedroom furniture. I leaned a mattress against the living room wall and threw myself into it when I needed a couch. I built a bookshelf with bricks and planks of wood. My end table was a plastic crate. I never expected to have what my parents had at the time, what they’d worked hard to have. I knew I’d have to work for that. I was so happy in my little apartment. Life is so good when you have enough.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Do you define abundance by the measure of your possessions?

Or do you define abundance by the measure of your satisfaction with the wealth you already have?

What Makes Your Top 5? Part 2

01 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by dianasschwenk in Hump Day Chronicles

≈ 37 Comments

Tags

community, daughters, Diana Schwenk, family, God, happy, health, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, love, mission, My Tribe, Necessities of Life, Purpose, vision

to5

A week and a half ago, I invited you to see your life with all the pressures and to-do’s in it, imagine it all gone, and then bring back your top 5.

The purpose of this exercise was to ensure that we include our priorities into our schedules. I enjoyed your comments and lists very much. As promised, here’s my list.

5. My Mission/Purpose

I mean The Other Bottom Line of course, but it’s bigger than that. I need to ignite the power and passion in others and relate with, promote, and speak community wherever I am, whatever I’m doing. That’s the great thing about having a vision and mission statement; it reflects who you are, what you do and how you do it. It also serves as a ‘measuring stick’  when making decisions.

4. My Health

I’m intentional about the food I eat. I try to exercise and get a good 8 hours of sleep. I could do better and I’m going to be more diligent about keeping health on my list of priorities.

3. Necessities of Life

I don’t need a lot to be happy. Some of the best things in life are totally free. I do need certain basics though: I need food. Shelter. Clothing. To love and be loved. To feel safe and secure. I will work hard to do what needs to be done in order to provide the necessities of life for myself.

2. My Tribe

I love the word Tribe. It saves me from long run-on sentences like: I really appreciate my family, friends, co-workers, blogging community, mailman, acquaintances, mechanic, grocer, doctor, internet provider, dancing partners, hair dresser, dentist, contacts…all those who knowingly and unknowingly contribute to my sense of belonging and joy – and hopefully, I contribute to theirs. My tribe is more important than any inanimate  thing.

1. My God

My Creator. He who knew and loved me before I was formed in my mother’s womb. I will see Him in the wonder of snowflakes, the beauty of sunsets and in every loving act. And I will be grateful for all my blessings.

I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions. It makes sense to me though, to give these 5 priorities a prominent place in my life before I even attempt to schedule in all the other things that would demand my attention.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. ~ Stephen Covey

Talk to Diana


"I RELATE WITH, PROMOTE AND SPEAK COMMUNITY WHEREVER I AM..."

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