Fun, profit and homewares

Have you heard the saying, "I work for fun and profit?"
My new saying is, "I work for fun, profit and homewares".

I've been taking time out from "working" to decide what I really want to do,
realising that life is precious and one must do with one's precious time,
what really matters.

Being in a wonderful situation where I don't "need" to "go to work", I know I want to work on my projects, in my own time and conditions, and make a lovely profit to afford the many goodies life has to offer.

I believe you can have anything you want, and create any situation in your life, including "working" doing something you love to do that is fulfilling and on your terms. (I write "work" in inverted commas, as I work for fun, and profit as the saying goes, not work as in like a chore).

As I've written in a previous post, I haven't always worked for profit. Now I want to. I want to make it worthwhile. I want to help people with the wisdom I have acquired, as well as have the money I need for beautiful homewares, furniture, clothes, jewellery, perfumes and other luxurious goodies.

I've written a book, "Feel Good Now". This is my view on ways to make yourself feel better, and live a fulfilling life. Although I do not have a formal qualification, I have learnt by studying the power of the mind,  and other self-development methods, and of course good old-fashioned personal experience. I have coached many people and helped them, and they don't need me to have a formal qualification, if I help them. And I have. This makes me feel good. They say we teach what we most need to learn. You know how you always know what someone should do, when they tell you their problem? That's coaching. It's always easier when you're on the outside looking in, and not always that easy to fix when it's your own problem. Hence the need for coaches, and sometimes the coach is just there to listen. Sharing the load lessens the problem, sometimes even healing it completely.

Recently, I offloaded to a dear friend and she said all the right things, and made her suggestions. I decided I would talk to the person concerned with my issue, and we'd fix it. I didn't need to do this, as the problem was resolved just by talking about it to someone else. That's what I mean about the healing power of talking to others about our problems. Sometimes we have to do something and talk to the others involved, sometimes it takes care of itself when we decide we want to change it.

Back to the book I've written. One of my BFF's recently asked me what the status of my book was. I answered, "I've written it, and looking into publishing options, thanks for asking." I have had a lot of interest in my book, friends asking to buy a copy.

So....my next project is to create the e-book version first.

I have ideas for many products using my affirmations, such as decals you stick on your mirror, to remind you of your wonderful qualities: "I am beautiful", "I am lovable", etc...

I'll start with getting my message out in my book, stay tuned.

I believe a powerful way to get started on a project is to make the declaration - tell someone you are going to do it, so you'll commit and be accountable.

And I do so love those homewares, off to finish the book.

"My friends are here!"

I love my friends.
I love and appreciate my close friends.
You know the ones, the ones you can rely on no matter what.
The ones you can call if you need a favour, no questions asked.
The ones you can call any time and say, "I need you", and they'll be there.
As I get older, I appeciate my true friends so much more.
I cherish them.
I remember hearing when I was younger,  that you could count your true friends on one hand.
I had a lot of friends as a child, teen and young adult (didn't we all?).
Post 40, not only do I believe this is true, but also that my 3 besties, are the same ones from my childhood, and teen years.
My oldest best friend, JF, is my bestie from year 1. She still holds that special place in my heart, and is always there for me, as I am for her. We have been through all the highs and lows together.
I have re-connected with my other 2 BFF's, we met at 14 years old, in highschool.
They were my bridesmaids, and we too have seen the good and the bad times.
We have spent so much time together, and experienced so many milestones, that (as I said to NG recently),
"I have a lifetime of happy memories of you".
The "bad" times are in the background, the good times prevail.
I realise that no other friendship could endure this time, and the time we have spent apart in recent years,
 has not changed the love and respect I have for these 2 very special girlfriends.
I'll tell you a little story -
When I was a teen, I had a bit too much to drink (I'm not proud of this moment, but it's relevant to the story).
I had been put to bed to sleep it off, by our older more responsible friend, while my friends went on to the outing (the local roller skating rink we frequented on Saturday nights).
My friends arrived afterthe skating, to check on me.
I was wakened and went to the door, and in my delirium and post-drunken state, exclaimed,
"My friends are here!"
I never lived that down, as it was so funny to see my reaction to the girls (I was a very slight, sobering teen experimenting with alcohol).
I felt so happy to see them, and I still feel the same way now, 28 years later.
Since seeing the 2 girls, NG and JC, after a few years break (we were living in different cities, and I have since moved close to their location), I feel great comfort spending time with them.
I still feel as though I can tell them anything, they can trust me with their secrets, and I just love being around them.
In my recent "Feel Good Now" seminars, I talk about being around people who make you feel good.
I feel good around them.
I believe you will naturally "find" your true friends with age and wisdom, and those who are not will "fall away".
I am hosting a sleepover for my 2 BFF's tomorrow night, and excited about getting together for a long awaited catch up, (our gorgeous kids included and also very excited).
We love each other's kids too, I will always be there for them all.
We have so many jokes from our teen years, that we've passed on to our kids, they "get" our humour too.
To NG and JC, thank you for coming back into my life.
We share a special friendship.
Tomorrow night, expect a few of the old, "My friends are here."
Love you long time, Don xxx

The grass is greener on the other side

Oh, this old saying could have been written about me.

I haven't blogged for a while (this is only my third post), but I feel it is time to blog again.

Time for me to get back into a routine, and I will blog, and I will design a lovely page.

I've experienced enough upheaval and change for now. It's what I wanted, it's what I asked for - change!

And for the record, no real negative change (all things I wanted); moving to a new city, moving into new schools and communities, then moving again into a bigger house in my favourite suburb, just to name a few highlights.

"I love change", "I want what she's having", "I want to go over there", that's been me. Up until now.

Now I want to be here. In this moment, in this city, in this home.

Isn't true happiness here, in the now?

I present seminars and teach others how to live their best life, and make changes to be happy and healthy.

Of course, this doesn't mean I always take my own advice!

Yes, I know all the philosophical theories; you can travel the world seeking something, and only find the "answer" in yourself. You need to be happy with yourself, as you are now, where you are now, to be happy.

Sure, you can still go about making changes for improvement, but it all begins with being happy and content now.

Aaah, that's the answer.

Ok, so you may read into this that I've had some challenges lately, and most of my life I do feel as though I have been looking for something.

I have a loving family; a loving husband, 2 beautiful and healthy sons, and a loving extended family and amazing friends. I am healthy, and have many great qualities.

What else do you want, you would ask.

So, my declaration in this blog, is that I choose to be happy now, as things are now, and they are wonderful!

We have some issues, (who doesn't?), but they can be fixed and they are only small.

You know when you have a "bad day", then you hear of something so terrible that someone else has endured, and then you realise how blessed you really are?

I want to feel blessed all the time, all day, and not need to be reminded about it.

I've realised I feel good when I have a creative outlet outside of my family (although my family is my best and most favourite "creation"). I'm sure you understand this.

I will save my story about getting the work/family balance together in another post.

Goes something like this - I have worked and not worked (currently not doing any work outside the home and mum duties), and I love working on a creative project, (such as a seminar), that I can do in my own time, when the kids are at school.

For the record, my "work" is not always profitable, and that doesn't drive me. I spent a lot of time and energy (for no fee), organising my own highschool reunion, for example. I am driven by the event - organising something and promoting it, getting people to go and have fun!

It gives me a sense of achievement, that I think I am ultimately seeking with my "work".

Another key factor in my quest for helping people be happy, is to know your ideal outcome; how do you want to feel?

This really helps to feel happy, to know what you are "seeking". For me, it has been acclaim in my career.

I want the attention when I present, but ultimately I want to help people, while I'm also helping myself. Whenever I coach someone, it inspires me to do the same:-)

My wish for you is also to be happy, content and know what will bring this for you.

So this is my new thinking: My grass is green, it's lush and I love it, and I am going to go and water it. xx

What's in a name?

I chose the name "Prima Donna" many years ago, another one of those great ideas that just "popped into my head", like all the good ones do.
I love great ideas, it's like they've been stored in your mind for years, and then something inspires them to turn up.
I have done a lot of study on the power of the mind, it's one of my favourite subjects, so I love wondering why? Why do I do that, why do I feel that, and why did I choose that name?
However, I do suggest to clients (any myself) that sometimes you don't need to ask why, and just let it all be.
So back to the name, Prima Donna. The dictionary definition is, "1. a female operatic star; diva

2. Informal a temperamental person, conceited person.

I'm happy with those definitions, I can be a diva and I can be conceited, certainly temperamental.

Plus my first name is Donna, and I love my christian name as it means "woman" in italian. Thank you mum and dad.

I am into names, and what you call yourself, as it is so defining.

My name was Donna Hanks for 35 years. Then after I was married at age 35, I was then Donna Underwood.

I was happy to make the change ("take my husband's name" sounds so archaic), but it never felt right leaving Donna Hanks behind. I love people calling me Donna Hanks, or "Hanksie". A dear friend once enthused that Donna Hanks was a brand, not just my name. So true.

Now that I am blogging about finding your life's purpose, and helping people in my seminars and coaching to find the TRUE YOU, it is only fitting to call myself Donna Hanks Underwood, aka "Hanksie" and "Prima Donna".

 

Finding your true purpose in life

Do you know your purpose in life?
If you are already living it, you most likely feel fulfilled, peaceful, content.
If you don't feel good most of the time, and you feel something is 'missing', maybe you need to ask yourself, "What can I change to have a more fulfilling life?"
My purpose is to help you find your purpose.
This is my professional role, my "work", although I love it and so doesn't feel like "work." I want to help more people do what they love for a living. I truly believe that you can live your life doing what you love to do every day, be paid well for it, and live your ideal lifestyle.
I have other beliefs not shared by the majority of people, but I am happy and content most of the time, and living my ideal life. If I don't like something, I change it to feel better. My ultimate aim is to feel good, and I believe that when I feel good, I attract more good.
I look after myself and do what I can to be happy. I believe I need to be happy to be the best for my family and friends.
Your purpose also relates to your personal life, including your relationships with others, your family, your friends, and how you feel about yourself.
I like to start with YOU. How you feel about yourself.
I want you to LOVE YOURSELF. If you don't, I offer ways to think and act differently so that you do.
Then you can go on to the next steps, including How To Know What You Want and How To Change. With clarity comes the vision and opportunities.
I have had many professional roles, and once I was "on purpose", writing and presenting my "Feel Good Now" program, I could see what appealed to me in previous jobs, and what I was searching for the whole time.  I explain this in more detail in my books and live seminars. 
If you want to find out what your life purpose is, and how to live a happier, healthier life, please join me at a live seminar, or enquire about personal coaching.
Find out more about Feel Good Now seminars and coaching at http://www.aastre.com/