As we come into a New Year I hope we can forge a new way forward and not accept the status quo. It is time to challenge our very way of life. It is easy to deflect responsibility onto our politicians and leaders, but we all have the power to make choices that are better for our planet. It is easy to give in to a sense of powerlessness, but when we stand together for the country and planet we love we can be very powerful.

This has been evident in the response of communities, indviduals and organisations to this catastrophe.
Like many of us, I feel deep grief and a sense of anger at this terrible unfolding of events. These unrelenting bushfires that are wiping out billions of animals, an unfathomable amount of land, peoples live and homes. I feel paralysed. However, I will not give up. It has inspired me to consider the choices I make even more carefully. 
I have written a piece about this, hopefully there is something in there to inspire you too.
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Our planet does not need us, it has never needed us.
It is us that so desperately needs our planet, 
depending on her for our survival.
Yet recklessly, selfishly, we destroy her.
Our planet has survived for billions of years, 
slowly spinning through space and time.
Through infinite cycles of birth, life and death.
Our lives have been a whisper of time, a heart beat.
Yet we roar.
Desperate to make our mark, marvelling at our cleverness.
Yet not too clever, 
we haven’t learned the greatest lesson of all.
To respect our planet, our home.
To work with her, not against her.
To share the many fruits she provides.
Like tiny spoilt children, "I want, it is mine, give me more".
Endless desires, placing our needs above all
in an attempt to fill the void. The emptiness. 
When we recognise that we are one, 
one with all that is, each of us an expression of the infinite, 
there is a shift.
Where we were hollow, we are filled. 
There is a comfort.
We are not alone, we are all connected.
Connected to each other and to all that is.
Our oneness is our enduring strength, our power.
The great power of drawing together as community.
We are large, not small. 
As one our actions become a reflection of love, kindness and hope. 
And we can roar, loud and clear,
to pave a way for a better future.

In ancient yogic philosophy we find tools that are very relevant in today's world. The Yamas are considered to guidelines for living and the first Yama is Ahimsa.

Ahimsa translates as non-violence. It is the practice of kindness and compassion to oneself and others. When we think of kindness in relation to how we treat ourselves and others we rarely think of our thoughts. However, many of us have a tendancy towards automatic negative thoughts.  Our words or thoughts can impact how we feel about ourselves and other people. What you think is what you project. 

Watch your thoughts, your thoughts become your words.
Watch your words your words become your actions,
Watch your actions your actions become your habits
Watch your habits, your habits become your character
Watch your character, your character becomes your destiny
 ~ proverb, author unknown.

In yoga we use a  "Sankalpa" in our practice or a positive statement or resolution made with conviction, usually an "I am" statement. Such as "I am worthy", "I am calm". You let your inner voice be your guide and allow it to help you take a step towards the person you are. Honour what is true to you and what you need in this moment.

So we must be mindful of our thoughts. In order for me to be the best version of me I honour myself, respect myself and love myself. By doing so I feel more abundant and more energised.

Feeling more abundant allows you to give more generously to others. Be compassionate to yourself first. Treat yourself with loving kindness, then watch it spread to those around you.

It is important to be mindful of the information we are bringing to our awareness on a daily basis.  We are constantly swamped by media, much of it negative, however there is a wealth of positive information out there. The type of information we allow into your lives affects our outlook and as such try to fuel up on positive, healthy information.
This is just one simple way that we can transform our lives.
Let me know if there are any sites or books that you have read that enrich your life by commenting below.

This breathing technique, also known as alternate nostril breathing, helps to balance our central nervous system and is very centering and calming. It is great preparation for meditation.

• Sit in a comfortable position
• Extend your right arm, with your palm up, close your index and middle finger and then bring your hand up to your nose placing the thumb lightly without too much pressure over your right nostril and your ring finger lightly over the left nostril. You can hold your elbow for support.
• Exhale through both nostrils to start.
• Then cover right and slowly and evenly exhale through the left nostril. Inhale through the left nostril, then cover left, exhale through the right.
• Inhale through the right, cover right, exhale left.
• Inhale left, cover left, exhale right.

When you get into the rhythm you can begin to count the length of your exhalation and inhalation, taking a moment to pause briefly at the top of your inhale and the end of your exhale. Complete a few rounds in your own time continuing to focus on the breath. Then allow your breath to return to its natural rhythm.

This technique is great to begin your day, even before you get out of bed.  The right side is more energizing and the left is calming.  So you could try breathing more on the left side when you need calming or on the right side if you need a pick me up. 

We live in a world that has forgotten how to breathe. You can weeks without food, days without water but only minutes without air.

Breath provides energy. Air is more than just oxygen. When we breathe we are providing life giving energy to every cell in the body.

By beginning to breathe more fully you can help your body to heal, increase the clarity of the mind, become more energetic and connect to the present moment.

When you practice unconscious shallow breathing patterns your nervous system goes into flight or fight mode. This makes it difficult to find peace within.  Your breath is directly related to the creation of balance in your body and mind.

When you slow down and deepen your breathing patterns, it triggers the relaxation response in your nervous system and helps you to slow your thought patterns.

5-10 minutes of breathing practice everyday will help you to learn to unwind and give you a better appreciation of just how perfect this moment is.

• Take time to be silent and be with your breath everyday

• Deep breathing will help to cleanse your body, increase your health, raise your energy and connect you to the spirit of life.
• When you consciously connect to this life giving energy you naturally feel a deeper sense of appreciation for the preciousness of life, which can increase your levels of happiness.