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Best Wishes,

Azaria

The Importance of Positivity

Be positive. These simple two words have haunted me for the majority of my existence. Now I have to admit, being positive did not come naturally to me. I have learned how to have a positive mindset and boy did it take time. For the longest time I had such a negative view on almost everything I did. I did not realize what a major affect it was having on my life and the things I accomplished. The negative thoughts I was having established its own energy that seemed to penetrate all aspects of my life. I soon realized that these negative thoughts were an extremely bad habit, so I consciously decided to change the way I looked at things.

My new found positivity brought all of this excitement and joy that at first scared me. I was practicing the first rule in the law of attraction (what you put out into the universe will come back to you) without even realizing it; and I was reaping the happiness benefits.

For a person who has a negative outlook on anything, being positive may seem like the hardest thing to do. Let me tell you, I have been there and yes it is hard, but one positive thought has the power to spark several more. I firmly believe that negativity is a habit, and like any habit with consistency and determination it can be broken. Genuine happiness can not be found in a storm of bad vibes and gloom. It is up to you to stop and say "NO, I will no longer thing this way!"

I am still struggling to stay positive on a regular basis, but by taking my own advise, believing in myself and having a sprinkle of faith I am slowly making my way to consistent positivity. You too can become your own ball of sunshine, the first step beings by making a conscious decision to change your mind. Believe in yourself and forget all the sour puss' around you. 

Best Wishes,

Azaria

The Summertime Rut

When you're on vacation, whether from work or school, the summertime rut is bound to happen. Trust me, you know exactly what I'm talking about. That period when you binge watch netflix, eat junk food and don't leave the house for days on end. Yes, that rut.

My rut came very soon after my Unit 1 CAPE examinations. After celebrating the end of what I considered the worst two months of my life, I quickly found myself locked in my room refreshing my netflix browser 60 times a day. Yikes.

There were many attempts to actually get up and get moving, but those eventually failed after the first couple episodes of America's Next Top Model. I needed to find something to do, and I needed to find it fast. I had become so complacent and lazy that even the thought of venturing outside scared me. This was my wake up call.

I began researching and reading many articles about ruts and ways to over come them. My favorite and most helpful article has to be from Lifehack, which gave simple yet effective advice that anyone can follow. Below I have summarized the main points that I think we're the most helpful to me.

8 ways to get out of a rut:
1. Work on small task. Begin easy by cleaning your room, responding to emails or even organizing your closet. A clear space is a clear mind.
2. Take a break from your work desk. Or in my case, from my bedroom. Take a short walk around the neighborhood or have a coffee break on the patio.
3.Upgrade yourself. Read self-help books or attend a cooking class. Try to do something that will make you feel better about yourself.
4. Talk to a friend. Getting valuable advise, and a little girl time, can help you on your way to overcoming your rut.
5. Paint a vision to work towards. Or in lamer terms, set goals. Goal setting can help you see where you want to go in the near future and spark a new excitement for life.
6. Read a book or blog. Reading can take your mind off of your current situation and can even provide some inspiration.
7. Go exercise. By getting up and moving you will release wonderful endorphins and you will feel ten times better.
8. Take a looong break. Taking a weekend trip or a mini vacation within your vacation can help revitalize your dull mood.

You can view the full article here:
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/12-useful-ways-to-get-out-of-ruts.html

Best Wishes,
Azaria

Chameleon Ways

I'm starting off this chameleon theme with a bang! And no, I do not actually believe that I am a tiny lizard like creature found in the jungles of Madagascar, just in case you were wondering. A chameleon can change the color of its skin depending on mood, surroundings or simply body temperature. I like to believe that I have chameleon ways. In a sense, I can change and blend to fit the mood of my surroundings.

Coming from a childhood where I moved around quite a bit I consistently had to learn new areas and people, and I learned to adapt quickly. This made me very aware of my environment and the role I played in it. From a very young age I was always conscious of what I said or did. I was present, but I tried not to stand out too much. I would adapt to fit the criteria of a room, whether it be a formal dinning setting or a relaxed family affair, as well as adapt to the people around me. I was most comfortable blending because then I was able to take in life and fully experience moments. I am aware of the fact that adults thought I was "too big for my age", but that did not stop this chameleon. My ways helped me relate to adults much older than myself as well as kids my own age, and from that I learned important life lessons.

It is important for me to not lose who I am, even though I can adapt. I always try to stay centered and grounded in my core values and beliefs. Once I have my rock, I can transform and experience the world as it comes; all its colors, textures, sounds and movements. There is a famous quote that says "Why blend in when you were born to stand out", but by blending I can, in a way, stand out. When I know my surroundings I can relate on a deeper level and develop stronger bonds and connections. After understanding, I can therefore be understood. To all my chameleons, continue to blend and take in everything life has to offer, just remember to stay true to you.

Best Wishes,
Azaria