by aileen on May 10, 2010
I’m still working my way through my 45 challenges, and this is one that means a lot. It means a lot to me, personally, and it means a lot to an 11 year old girl called Madison.
I was challenged to raise enough money ($1,500) to send Madison to Camp Bon Coeur this summer. Camp Bon Coeur is a summer camp for children with heart defects. They get to learn, get to play, get to hang out with friends. Most of all they get to forget they are different for a short time, and remember they are unique.
I’d love you all to meet Madi by watching the video we made together. If you can help her by donating, that would be great, if you can help her by sharing the link that would be great too.
Click here to meet Madison.
All donors will get a photo taken of Madison, while she is at heart camp this summer. If you donate $25 or more you will also get a ‘wishing heart’ handmade by me.
Thank you. A million times thank you.
by aileen on April 21, 2010
This morning I started the day by planting some of the plants we bought from a local flower nursery last night. I swear up and down that I’m all city girl but sometimes I forget the simple pleasures that nature brings.
It was a wonderful time to communicate with nature and myself.
We often think that communication with ourselves isn’t that important. After all, wherever we go, there we are. We talk to ourselves all day.
Taking a few moments each day to sit (or move) quietly with yourself and listen to your thoughts puts you in a much better frame of mind. Meditation comes in many forms.
In September last year when I started my 45 challenges, one of them was to meditate for 45 minutes, 3 times a week. I tried, oh boy I tried. I tried sitting still on cushions, on the bed, on the floor. I tried listening to ‘meditation music’ – sometimes I managed for 15 mins (fifteen long arduous minutes). I had almost written off the challenge as one I couldn’t complete.
This year I attempted it again. Only I did it differently. I spent those 45 mins doing things, simple things like walking, working out, riding my bike, listening to music, drinking tea, having a bath, anything that was being in the moment and allowed me to hear what I was thinking. I treasure those moments now. This morning my meditation was planting, in the early morning cool sunshine I got to think about my day, listen to the birds, and of course, watch the dirt get under my nails.
You have to BE YOU, even in meditation. Think of the result you want and find the best way to achieve it for you.
Namaste
(Namaste, simply translated means ‘the god in me bows to the god in you’)
by aileen on December 16, 2009
Kleinpeter Dairy are a company with a heart. (It’s even their logo) They helped me out earlier in the year when I needed to milk a cow. They have also offered to sponsor the blood drive by matching us one pint of delicious ice cream for every pint of blood we get. Wow – and there’s more. Jeff Kleinpeter sent me this picture this morning of a new born calf.. I think it speaks for itself! 
by aileen on December 15, 2009
On Christmas Eve I’m hosting a blood drive. It’s the first time I have ever done anything like this and I’m leaning how to ask. It’s not very English to ask for things directly – We tend to hint a lot and beat around the bush. We don’t want to offend anyone by putting them in a situation where they feel awkward. So even as a communication coach, I’m wary of asking and exactly how to do it.
A bit of me wants to say: “Give Blood, you have plenty, it doesn’t cost you anything except some time and a bit of put-outwardness. Shall I sign you up?” I want to tug at heartstrings by saying: “It could be your mother, or child that needs this blood.. it will certainly be someones Mum or Dad, someones Son or Daughter”. “I want to tell everyone it’s Christmas – giving is what it’s all about”. I’ve certainly been hinting at that. I’m more comfortable telling them what they get:
A mini-health check
Possibly the coolest blood drive t-shirt ever (designed by Blake Lagneaux)
.. available until they run out.
Food by Jolie’s Bistro
Draw Prizes (including personal training session, gift from Vivian Alexandra, Event Planning Gift Certificates, Golf gift box.. all sorts of amazing things)
If you register online you also get a copy of my first book – and I’ll sign it for you. http://tinyurl.com/myblooddrive
There are also some surprise gifts coming – it’s gonna be fun!
I want to ask people to buy into the dream. To make this the best blood drive ever seen at UBS, Lafayette. I want everyone who comes to feel like they are a hero.. because that’s what they are. To give to a complete stranger. A gift that you will never see them use. A gift that comes when they need it most. That is the best gift of all.
I’m learning to ask, in a very English way. This is important.
So here goes. I need your blood. Sign up here http://tinyurl.com/myblooddrive If you can’t give blood I need a draw prize if you have one. If nothing else, I need you to tell others, get them involved. Call me on 337 255 4283 if you need any more information or need me to pick up a donation.
(thank you)
by aileen on September 22, 2009
Because of the overwhelming response (Thanks guys) I have set up a new website just for The Challenge. Please CLICK HERE to go to the new site and leave your comments.
I look forward to having you involved and having fun
by aileen on September 17, 2009
So this week I turned 45. There it is, a number out there for everyone to see. I promised myself when I was in my 20′s that I would never lie about my age. So far I’ve kept that promise.
I was one of those kids who just presumed I wouldn’t live beyond 30. I imagined people at my (so so sad) funeral talking about all my potential and how successful I could have been. It’s much harder to live up to potential than just ‘have’ it.
Last year I had my memorable wall of sticky notes to guide me though my goals. It gave me a focus (to go surfing) and helped me have lots of fun doing silly little goals.
Although it was a great relief to rip those post it notes down and have a white wall again, I must admit I miss having that visual reminder every day.
Life is too short just to see what happens. You have to create the life you want.
So enough with the pre-amble. I’m 45 and want this year to be packed with fun. I have decided to take on 45 challenges. The first will be to lose 45lbs. As for the others.. I would still love to milk a cow, visit a gospel chuch, and do some really stupid stuff for charity. (can you help me with those?)
Do you have any ideas for other stuff I should do? Things you want to do with me?
So I guess my challenge is to challenge you – come up with some ideas and lets get living!
ps. If you are the kind of person who reads blog posts but doesn’t comment, I challenge you to break that habit now.. Leave a comment – even if it’s just “wow 45 – you don’t look nearly that old” (LOL)
