So it recently occurred to me that I’ve been indulging in rather a bit too much negative self-talk lately. I’ve been cross with myself about all kinds of things from eating too much junk food to making errors at work – and that critic inside my head has been having a field day.

Well, I’ve decided to put a stop to this, and I’ll be dedicating this particular blog post to some of the techniques I’ve been using to stop emotionally beating myself up.

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Some people find it easier to take a step back and refocus more than others. For these people, they can find that special thing within themselves wherever they are. It could be influenced by personality and/or upbringing, or it could be the result of long years of practice.

For some, going away on dedicated retreats is the best way to find focus amidst a busy life. And even those who are more centred than others can benefit from going on a retreat. After all, being away from one’s hectic routine and simply taking the time to reflect and meditate is beneficial to anyone.

Whether you are based in Australia or you’re there for a trip, visiting an Australian retreat centre is one of the best gifts that you can give yourself. The good news is that there are many retreat centres around the country, so the chances are that you will find one that is easy to get to.

Here are some reputable Australian retreat centres which you can consider to help you find that focus. And, even if you are not a resident, and you do not have your own means of getting around, there is no need to worry. You can ask local contacts to drive you, or you can always check sites which allow you to compare car rental deals so you don’t have to deal with additional stress.

Bodhi Tree Retreat Centre
This retreat is located at 78 Bentley Road, Tullera, NSW. It follows the Theravada tradition and runs retreats nine months in a year. The accommodations are very basic, following the dormitory style. All meals are vegetarian, and the kitchen is shared. They do not charge fixed fees, but you are encouraged to donate as much as you want.

Julatten Mountain Spa Retreat
The Julatten Mountain Spa Retreat is a non-faith based retreat location found in 27 English Road, Julatten, QLD. The setting is a lush rainforest, which will certainly soothe your soul. Accommodations are private eco-friendly cabins.

Mangrove Yoga Ashram
This ashram will probably require you to get a car of your own as it is one of the more remote centres. About 90 minutes from Sydney, you will find Mangrove Yoga Ashram at 300 Mangrove Creek Road, Mangrove Creek, NSW. The ashram holds the distinction of being the oldest and largest residential yoga centre south of the hemisphere, and people really do go to great lengths to visit. One distinctive feature of the ashram is that it welcomes families and children as well.

Tarkira Tree Rainforest Retreat and Healing Therapies
Adjacent to the Tarra Bulga National Park, the Tarkira Tree Rainforest Retreat offers highly personalised retreats for individuals or couples. More than specific programs to help you focus and re-energise, you can also simply take in what nature has to offer. The retreat is found at 1990 Tarra Valley Rd, Tarra Valley, VIC.

Image via premasagar

Previously in this blog I’ve written about the fact that I’m not a natural optimist and that I have to work hard to maintain a positive outlook in life. Well, it so happens that I’m also not much of a morning person. It’s a pretty rare day when I leap out of bed, full of enthusiasm.

So this month I’ve decided to try and change this, by making a resolution to always start my day on a good note. And so far the changes I’ve been making have been making a real difference to my state of mind, leaving me feeling happier and more upbeat. I thought I’d share them with you now.

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Homeowners, when given the chance to remodel their homes should consider doing it in relation to green living.  Remodeling entails cost but it would be worth it if the home can be improved in such a way that there is an expected return in investment in terms of comfort, future savings, and responsibility to the environment.  Contrary to the common belief that it is hard to achieve a green home, there are actually very simple modifications that may be done in a home to achieve the purpose.

Having a green home is not merely going with a trend.  It involves a comprehensive overhaul of homeowner’s views so that they can easily adapt and incorporate green living concepts in everyday living.  It is about making a home a healthier place to live in, and making the home more comfortable and energy-efficient.  Select home remodeling efforts can result to better indoor air quality, energy and resource conservation, less wastage of materials, and opting for products that are considered beneficial to people and the environment.

Based on the recommendations of green advocates, a green home is founded on choosing the green option in all aspects including the use of non-toxic paints and sealants, programmable thermostats, energy-efficient appliances, natural flooring, energy-efficient lighting, tank-less water heaters, local building materials, native plants for landscaping, and many other specific ways that may be applicable to a home.

Living in an ideal home is essentially about being free from the worries of exorbitant energy costs, harmful construction elements, and wastage of anything that can be put to better use.  Not many homeowners are aware that those seemingly minor inconveniences spotted in a home can actually pose a threat to the health of the occupants and the integrity of the home structure, not to mention hard on the pockets.

Molds and other allergens may be conveniently living in homes due to water intrusion, excess moisture, or condensation.  An HVAC system that is not efficiently functioning can result to annoying random spots in the house which can either be too hot or too cold.  Proper and sufficient insulation is really a must if a homeowner is to achieve  an energy-efficient home.  PA Electricity Companies provide some tips in their website for the information of the public.

Any modification from the smallest to the biggest effort will contribute greatly to the attainment of a truly green home.  Once the difference between houses which have not benefited from any green-living modification and those that have been remodeled to comply with green living is experienced, homeowners will never want to go back to non-green living.

About the Author

Shirley discovered that a green home is actually attainable after having some minor modifications done in her home.

Image: ecoinstitution.com

We all go through times in life when our confidence takes a hit. Something goes a bit wrong in your work or personal life and suddenly your self-esteem feels a bit shaky. This sort of confidence crisis can be difficult to recover from, which is why I thought for this blog post I would take a look at some ways to give your confidence a boost.
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