Archive for August, 2009

Feeling a little Overwhelmed?
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

It seems overwhelm is either in the air or the water.

Most people want some help with finding the strength to be able to overcome overwhelm as if it were a monster that needed to be subdued. In every case I’ve come across there is feeling of inadequacy for not being strong and capable enough to crunch through and get it all nailed.

Contrary to what may seem intuitively the way to go - I suggest a rational, assessing, deep look at everything.

1. Put the lot on post it notes and stick them on a window.

2. Then re-arrange them according to which are parts of each other.

3. Follow that with an assessment of which project will give you the most bang for the least effort. (Call it number 1).

4. Look for number 2 & 3.

5. Arrange them on the window to reflect this ordering system.

6. Select times in your diary when you can get a good clean go at these projects - but only the first 3.

7. Nail them with some concentrated effort and get them off the list because they are finished.

Be very careful about letting anything get onto the list while all of the above is taking place.

Filed under: Uncategorized — Shelley Weitenberg @ 8:44 pm
Secret Men’s business
Friday, August 14th, 2009

Speaking with my good friend Paul Blackburn last week, we were discussing a man’s need to “Do stuff”, to have the time while they are busy with their hands to process their feelings. Unlike us Women, it’s often not necessary to “talk out” their feelings to gain clarity, but rather, much can be resolved in being productive.

My husband discovered an incredible Community group today who has put together a “Men’s Shed”. As a member contributing just $20 per year, a Man now has somewhere to hangout, be with other men and make/build/design stuff. I think it’s the best idea for a community group I’ve ever heard, and the good that will come from this group may never be able to be measured.

Till now, the only place a man could go to hang out with other Men was the Pub, and although I don’t have a problem with the occasional beer, as an only option for a Man to get away on a regular basis, it can cause more harm than good…

From a travelling family & a woman who knows her husband needs a shed to play in, THANKYOU to the creators of the Yass Men’s Shed.

Filed under: Uncategorized — Shelley Weitenberg @ 9:20 pm
Overcoming Your Negative Self
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

My recent post on “Overcoming Negative People” seemed to hit a spot and raise another - maybe more important one. How do I overcome myself when I’m negative?

Whilst we all function differently and have a wide variety of sparks that induce within us negative feelings, that can last from a moment to a year, it’s also probably true to say that we can all benefit from some generalized knowledge about what makes us tick.

Specifically what the mind will and won’t do.

Researchers are telling us that an explosive anger attack will last no longer than 90 seconds if measured by indicators such as adrenalin in the blood stream. What this means is that we are wonderfully adapted to handling stress and will process the many stress induced chemicals involved, out of our system ultra quickly.


This means that we must actually go over an event in our mind every minute
or so to keep feeling the way we do about it. If we fail to provide ourselves
with this constant re-run - the feeling will just dissipate.

So how do you stay negative for more than a few moments?

We ruminate, meaning that we go over and over and over something. We think that if we can figure out why someone said what they did - we’ll feel differently.

We won’t.

We’ll just know why - which changes nothing.

What should I do now is a much BETTER question.

Move onto another subject would be an EXCELLENT answer.

Filed under: Tips for Success — Shelley Weitenberg @ 9:27 pm
Cycling around Australia
Monday, August 10th, 2009

Filed under: Inspirational Stuff — Shelley Weitenberg @ 2:39 pm
New Pushbike Skill
Sunday, August 9th, 2009

Here’s some proof;

Filed under: Family Life — Shelley Weitenberg @ 9:32 pm
I witnessed a tragic loss of life yesterday
Saturday, August 8th, 2009

Staying at a Caravan park this week, I awoke yesterday to the sound of someone yelling at 5am.

We opened our curtains at 7am to have breakfast, and discovered two police cars near our bus. I was really keen to find out what had gone on, as having 3young kids, I’m always very aware of danger.

10:30am saw a body being carried to an awaiting van out front. Loved ones lined the driveway with tears and sobs of grief. It was a sobering site.

I heard a bit more detail later in the day, and was somewhat relieved to hear that it was actually a “natural” death, and there was no suspected foul play as far as the police were concerned.

Personally I don’t believe that this death was “natural”. Let me explain. Although this person died in their sleep, they had been working really long hours, 7days a week for most of their life, and were only in their late 50’s. The reason I heard the cry’s at 5am is because that’s when the family were getting up to go to work, and realized that one of them wasn’t waking.

I’ve heard (and believe) that one of the keys to health is to live with Passion. I think it’s a tragedy when I hear of someone who works their life away year after year and misses out on the quality time with their family, or enjoying the activities which they are passionate about.

It may be as simple as reading your child a bedtime story or having an eye to eye moment with your loved one…

What are you doing today which is worth it?

Filed under: Shelley's Thoughts — Shelley Weitenberg @ 2:39 pm
I wish I could do that!
Thursday, August 6th, 2009

When telling new people I meet about our current situation we’ve chosen for ourselves, the most common statements are;

I could never do that, I need my house!

I wish I could do that!

I’m sure you don’t have to think for long to know which category you fit into, in fact it could evoke quite a strong emotion in you.

It’s interesting, because those people who respond with “I wish I could do that” are actually positioning themselves as victims of their circumstance. Whether that be financial based, career based or other, they are saying they want one thing yet continuing in the opposite direction.

Now the truth is, it’s neither wrong nor right that they stay in their current employment and don’t take up the opportunity for travel right now. In fact, it is true that the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself about once a fortnight.

I believe it actually comes down to values. If I value something strong enough, I need to abandon all else and pursue that thing or I am living in-conflict with my values which will create an internal battle, and if you live your life with that kind of incongruence it’s only a matter of time before you either burn out or just plain get sick.

Take some time to consider if where you spend your time is actually on the things you value the most.

When you get to a ripe old age, will you look back and be content with how you lived your life.

The relationships you built, the causes you supported, the way you took care of yourself?

Filed under: Shelley's Thoughts, Tips for Success — Shelley Weitenberg @ 1:51 pm