Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2009 a year where we all need to redefine

bridgets , congratulations, well done, you have arrived at another year... Can you remember how long ago the "NEW MILLENIUM" was it 7, 8 or 9 years ago? Can you believe it, it was actually 1999 rolling into 2000 which means it was 9 years ago.

I think 2009 is the best year to redefine who you are. I believe with Obama at the US helm, they will be re-defining who is "America" , and I know if there are going to be massive global re'acquaintences with big issues, then it's a great time for us to do the same.

New Year's resolutions (like any "new starting point") is a great mental full stop to things that happened last year. Whether you chose to repeat behaviours, drag along stuff from 2008 , is totally up to you!

Personally I'm going to spend the next 2-3 days mentally clarifying what it is I really want this year, and then I will put pen to paper.

My resolutions will be a mix of goals and affirmations. It's much easier to achieve, more rewarding and gives you a purpose for change.

It's a bit airy-fairy - but it is New Year's Day! HAve fun, drink lots of water and this morning when i woke and saw a transvestite promoting make-up on telly - I knew this year was going to be special. RUN with it team x Bridge

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

New Year's Eve jitters

Bridgets et al,

This may sound strange - but after chatting to my confidant, Sarah AKA Smiley Cyrus (nah- we are still working on her stage name), it became evident that tonight is the first time i have been out-out in ages. Well - that's not totally true - I did go to the John Flynn Ball in November and ended up at the atrium at Juptiers, wondering "what on Earth am I doing here - bed is calling out big time and is probably more fun than this joint".

But where do, mums- fattish- curvaceous- can't-afford-plastic-work-yet, go? That's right, we have bbqs at home with our mates, in the safety of our yards.

So maybe that's why I am a little nervous about heading out tonight. I know already that we are going to the casino (a big thumbs down) - but we will try to get into a place called EAST - promises to be a little like a Mlebourne club - wow, that's pealing back the cob-webs from my memory.
Ok, what is it that I really want in a good night out. And correct, one night stands with strangers is no where on the list... yuk!

I would like a smallish meal, lots of champagne (that doesn't give you a headache), a multitude of interesting people to talk with (gals and guys - I don't care - I just enjoy meeting people), a dance floor where i can swing my arms about like Peter Garrett without running the risk of hitting people (like I was at the Carestaff break-up party)! and a well stocked , easy to access toilet.

Hmm... maybe I will be more happy tonight if i change my expectations...

Maybe if I want cheap champagne, buy some nurofen today, eat a kebab at midnight for substance, stagger over to the Casino (carrying my shoes in my hand), dance in the crowded Prince Albert Bar with scrubbers (no offence scrubbers) - and keep drinking so i don't notice the abnoxious mess in the loos and lack of toilet paper. Then Maybe i will have a "great night mate!"

That's it! Next year I will organise a bbq here for all my mates - we can frock up - I promise I will have rolls and rolls of loo paper, the lounge can be the dance floor and plenty of seats and beds for weary bodies!

Happy New Years and bring it on 2009! It's going to be FUN and exciting and A fantastic year for all - I can feel it in my waters....bye bridget

Monday, December 29, 2008

Motherly moments

Bridgets, I think that One of the best things about being a mum, is the access to free hugs. All the time.. kids can never say "no". Well mine can't yet, even if they wanted to, because they are still small.
It's when you get those sneak-hugs in that you feel a little bit of love flowing back the other way from child to parent. I reckon I will be one of those mums who is still trying to get sneak-hugs when the kids are staying for holidays, and have their own family. cheers Bridget

Saturday, December 27, 2008

The verdict is guilty!

Bridgets the verdict is final - sugar is bad

Poop! The allergy test i got back the other day said i am allergic to bakers yeast, brewers yeast, peanuts, eggs , cranberries and sugar!!! That's seriously 75% of my diet gone - well this is going to be an interesting year.

But the prospects are exciting. For the first time in a very long time, i may be able to get my asthma under control! That would be sensational!

I am putting more and more diets together and will be posting them under the byebyebridget website. I will be putting one together for myself later today (just don't know what to do with the left over, scrump-didley-umpscious fruit mince tarts - freeze them I guess).

I will post my allergy results when i receive them via email. They are the same as the kit for sale in the Hello Shopping. The best investment i have made in my healht in ages!

bridget in health

Friday, December 26, 2008

Chirstmas aftermath

Bridgets

Giddy-up, Santa has come and gone for yet another year.

He was generous, as usual, but not ridiculous, with the kids. They all got a bean bag (despite the fact he had issues filling the bags and spilt the beans all over the lawn - very difficult to explain why snow didn't melt in the heat!!) and the fact that their dad brought them around without the "heads-up-we-are-on-our-way" phone call so santa had only filled one! The other two arrived auspicously 20 mins later after I had "found them accross the road where santa must have dropped them off the sleigh". Good grief!



The mini snooker table/hover hockey/table tennis table is awsome. My girlfriend, Janey, is like Mrs Claus and as usual sent millions of presents which always puts massive smiles on our dials....



We had a relaxing day - yummy food and laughs, air-con and swimming. All the essential ingredients for a happy Christmas Day. Now everyone has gone in all directions. I am left with Maisy and we are going to have some relaxing fun. We have decided to eat out every night (now that is Christmas to my ears) and pretend we are away on holidays - swimming at the beach, mid day naps and i will be entering 21 years of knowledge from my head to the byebye website, not to mention finish a few booklets so they are available on line and I must seal the pool pavers (I have been putting the boy-job off for at least 18 months now).

adios bridget in health

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

"be there" this Christmas

Bridget et al

Merry Christmas one and all.

Even though i am sitting finishing off a few things on byebyebridget.com, and watching a classic: Alandin does Morocco (Can't remember the title) all is good. I actually like a bit of down time - a bit of me time. I can be the "Life of the party" and love people, but having some down time helps keep the balance (and essential).

Do you ever find that you mind can get wound up like a spring when you are always busy, talking, giving advice, energy, racing around buying, being a parent, working etc.... the only times my spring uncoils are when i exercise (which is at least daily) , when i am on my own either outside for 5 minutes at night, or relcining on the couch (which is very rare). When i do have these "unwinding moments" I totally relax. The more you practice the better you become at relaxing.
A great mentor of mine, whom I have only known a short time, is Ronnie Kagan (he has written a book called The Winning Way and worth the read if you are in business). He does yoga, relaxation etc every day. What a great mentor!

Seeing as i make the time to relax, I tell myself "to relax" and tell myself " shutting all thoughts our is the same as a 2 hours sleep".

My body responds well. I usually come out of my relaxed state/trance/meditiation - what ever you want to call it, ready to rock and roll.

So my greatest advice to you, especially if you are a parent, is to be there. Go away first - have a quick walk, 5-10 mins hiding, just power yourself up so you can "be there" when everyone else is around.
This Christmas BE there. The day is here. People are with you because they are lucky (and smart enough) to know and value you you! Honour that and in return "be there" .

I mean - switch off to stress. Don't get anxious. ENJOY. BE there in the moment, evey moment. IF you stray, bring yourself back. Say "I am here and I love this day and moment".

To me this is the greatest gift you will give anyone this Christmas.

Have a beautiful Christmas Day whatever you are doing. You are amazing. Bridget in health

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Twas the night before Christmas....

...and all was mayhem on the Gold Coast....

Today at my local fruit and vege shop:
Mangoes 2 for $5 bucks
cherries a rip off at $25.99 per kg
Watching people trying to park and actually seeing some of the end results (you know who you are - ute driver cnr Markeri and Sunshine Pde) - absolutely PRICELESS!
Bridget in health

Monday, December 22, 2008

The difference good service makes

I remember my old mate, Murray, whom i have referred to before, saying: You will return to a restaurant because the service and the food was good . Bue if the service was bad, regardless of how good or excellent the food was, you will never go back.

So, I have put this to the test and it is ABSOLUTELY true.

None of us like parting with our time or money to a service provider that is "unhappy" about receiving our business.

I like to think that everyone has customers and is in the "service providing" industry, even if you are a courier or bank clerk.

I have noticed Westpac bank clerks now introduce themselves - how civil! I feel great in saying in reply, Hi I am Sam! Now i know the person i am dealing with and they know me. Remember it's these little pieces of fabric that come together like a tapestry to form your quilt that we call LIFE.

I love the fact that i have never had to pay for my smile. I don't have to pay to walk on the beach and don't pay to swim in it. And off the top of my head they are the 3 best things in life. And they are FREE.

Try introducing yourself to more people. I know all my butchers by name, i try to thank the check out "chicks" by name, I thank referees if i play sport and i thank my patients. If you have seen the Secret they talk about being grateful. Saying Thank-you and smiling are 2 free ways to start your own ground swell on gratitude. Try it today!

Thank-you for reading this :) B

Friday, December 19, 2008

today was a very exciting day

i love my life: my kids, friends, patients and acquaintances. i don;t want to become too politically correct and i am sure people know me well enough that if i ever exclude someone or something , or say something a bit strange or offensive - i can guarrantee i don;t mean it.

On the otherhand if you have ever upset one of the above, be warned. i would help out any and all of them if they ever needed me.

My little routine - essentially wake, feed, clean, parent and drop kids to school. Then walk on the beach or something equally as beautiful, go to work, meet the most amazing people, do some other work related activity, pick the kids up and come home. I cook dinner, the kids swim, I round them up into the bath, dish up dinner, feed and orchestrate the busiest point in that amount of space and time, in the world at that point, I am sure!

> my daughter just asked me an economic questions - yikes - "mummy who makes the money that we use and how do they know how much to make" .

Every day i think how lucky i am to be in the health industry. People trust me and i respect that and I honor that respect above anything else. So thank-you if your eyes should ever stumble accross this.

I am one of those very fortunate people whom can say I don't work, as i am doing something I love.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Sugar Master

B et al, Forget sugar daddy, as sweet as sugar - try Sugar Master that needs to be banished by Sugar Slayer!

I am certain the 1-2 glasses of wine that we drink each night is just as much about the sugar fix, as it is the habit or the desire to be slightly numb or relaxed.

Just as the last 15 years saw a massive rise in Australians with Diabetes (according the Aus Diabestity report - commissioned by the then Health Minister, Michael Woodridge, in 2000) with sickening statistics like :

- 1 in 4 Australians over the age of 25, have an impaired glucose intolerance problem
- other amazingly poor stats that i will look up at work first before i quote them.....

So I believe that many of us are plain and simply hooked on sugar (which is the main reason we develop an impaired glucose problem - saturating ourselves and faces with sugar rich foods and refined carbohydrates!

The understanding of diabetes and metabolic issues in the current medical paradigm is that it only encompasses diabetes type 1 and 2, and gestational diabetes. I am sure in the next 5 years it will be recognised that PCOS (poly cystic ovarian symdrome) , and regular alcohol drinkers, chocoholics, high soft drink consumers and bakery-addicts all have the same problem. An addiction to sugar!

Treating it is tricky as most people get a slight feeling of euphoria shortly after eating or drinking wine or beer , as their blood sugar starts to rise.

Then after a short time, this short-lived elation leads to irritability, anxiousness, binge behaviours and yelling or tiredness.

The way to releave these negative effects is another fix (fix of sugar that is).

So off we go to the cupboard or fridge and have some more. We can repeat the cycle many times until we go, enough, and go to bed. Not before consuming 30-200% more in calories than we needed for that day.... then the weight creeps on and you know the rest....

I will present some solutions and suggestions for tackling the sugar addictions next.

B

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Don't buy into all things Christmas - especially stress

Well I am not a perfect dodger nor non-fabricator of stress. Hell, I can create a stress hurricane along with the best of them. However (probably due to rebellion and non-conformity rather than anything zen) I don't part-take in Silly Season stress.

Yesterday I completed my entire Christmas shopping. Uh-huh - oh-yeah- it only took me 30 mins (plus another 30 mins the other night at Robina). So what did i do.....

1. Plan whom i was going to buy for. Keeping it to an absolute minimum.

2. work out how much i wanted to spend (just like renovating - double it!!)

3. brain storm some ideas

4. some market research and surveillance on the web for prices etc.. (others would prefer to let their legs do the walking and call this "shopping" - yuk).

5. Go during the day - work hours great, no kids, unaccompanied, well fed and rested and off you go.

6. Bang, bang, bang. One shop, 3 purchases - next...tick tick tick....plough your way through your list calmly, methodically, committedly... breath deep and viola - all done.

7. proceed home, wrap, lay under tree and relax.

Now how to replicate the same priniciples to other area's of stress and life!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Choosing a professional, tradesman, accountant anyone

Lately I seem to be having to "choose and decide " on people and what they offer in terms of their expertise.
Since June, I have been regrouping financially and paying off debts and relaxing again.
Now, however, i am ready to go through a period of expansion.

Byebyebridget.com is nearly ready to go live and my book is nearly ready for print.

Aside from the website and book, i am also personally ready to trust people again after being stung severely early in the year with a unit, drop in interest rates and decrease in trade and a quieter year in my business (A combo of me still having a baby and a down turned market/economy).

So expansion is exciting and scary and i recognise the need to surround myself with ethical, committed and talented staff/sub contractors.

I have learned much of Richard Branson and between him and a few other business mentors (Gerry Robert, Ronnie Kagan, Don Power and Craig Trinder) I am starting to truely harness their advice and am very excited about business in the future and the role i can and will play in it.

So at the moment, I am sorting out whom to go with financially, work, printers for bbb and book, merchandise, staff, IT, patents. All those decisions and things going on at once and many of them made last week and a few more to decide on this week.

The thing i really miss is someone in my life to bounce things off. A close alliance or partner. I often find by putting my thoughts into words, that the ideas and decisions kind of fall into a logical sequence. So, maybe i need to learn to talk out loud - or does that mean i am turning into a nut.

Hmm. I think i will get a business coach instead.

Adios

Thursday, December 11, 2008

you are turning into your father!

Do you know what.... i think we do actually turn into those around us, especially our mentors and parents. I have noticed this because my sister and i lived with our grandparents for a few years growing up and we both have similar traits. I really noticed it in my sister when i stayed with her in London - now i notice it in myself. Keeping scraps of paper to use for note taking, having hourdes of paper and "things" in draws, the list goes on.
So if you don't want to evolve into your parents , don't hang out with them.