Smiles All Round

Babies can start 'happy-smiling' (from emotion) when they are 4-6 weeks old. Thought to be a reflex or a trait learned socially, either way this small gesture can mean the world from the right person. Next time you see your mum smile, notice her heart warm through her eyes and when your friend laughs until she cries, notice in that moment she has forgotten everything except joy. Or the couple in a coffee shop who smile only for each other. Feel your own cheeks ache when around those you love. And remember that when your day is difficult or dull, someone, somewhere is having the best day of their lives. And that these days forget no one. The only cure for the evils of this world is compassion, laughter, love and smiles :)

a.g.f

The Silent Treatment

I used to avoid silence, I felt uncomfortable in it. Maybe because it meant I was alone for that moment or because it allowed my own thoughts to be louder- which almost always meant I criticized every part of my life! Now though, I often crave silence throughout my day and seek it when I can. Usually through quiet lunches or dog walks in the woods, I'm really beginning to explore my introverted side which I used to try and ignore. Enjoying silence or my own company doesn't mean I don't enjoy the company of others and I certainly could not cope without the companionship of my friends and family!! But it means I can recover and recharge during busy, stressful days and hear my quiet, happy thoughts that get lost in the bustle of the day. I don't know how this change happened, but it was gradual. The more I experienced silence, the more I used it - to train my mind to focus on what was around me at that moment or what I could be grateful for right there. I think sometimes we confuse silence and just sitting as procrastination but now I think it actually helps me to be more productive.
a.g.f

A Welcome Back to Myself

This blog has been very neglected recently. In fact, i haven't written anything this year at all. It's safe to say I have been lacking in motivation in all aspects of my life if I'm honest... It might be that the dark, cold winter mornings and nights have left me with no energy, or I'm just in a bit of a funk. However, something I saw last week has had my mind-a-racing and I think it may have given me back some much needed mojo! "He Named Me Malala" is the film biography of Malala Yousafzai- terror attack survivor, defender of women globally, the youngest receiver of the Nobel Peace Prize, oh and my absoloute herione! Get to know more here: https://www.malala.org/malalas-story

The film took me out of my own life for a while and got me thinking of bigger things. Her bravery and kindness has left such good in the world, and so I am inspired. In this year of change for me, I have decided to be brave. Whether I am sure of what I am doing or not (I'm not) I will grab it with both hands and kick it's ass!

I would like to thank Malala for being a constant inspiration and motivation, and a light in a sometimes dull world.
a.g.f

Be More Dog

Animals inspire me- they live simply and without judgement. There is no dwelling on the past and no worrying over the future. They may have to think about where there next meal is or if they are the next meal! But all in all it is natural. I feel as humans we have moved so far away from natural, everything has been made for speed, ease, comfort and pleasure yet our lives are far from easy or comfortable... We live by money and time yet seem to never have enough of either. 
However my dog doesn't know what time or money is, he doesn't need to. He doesn't care what other dogs think of him, and other dogs don't judge him; they just sniff his butt and move on! But I care about what most people think of me, what I do and even what they think of my weird little dog and I have to own up and be honest; sometimes I do make snap judgement on people for no reason.
I worry and regret which I know is unhelpful and a waste of energy but alas; I am human... So basically in the words of O2 I want to 'be more dog' and just have a blast, maybe without the butt sniffing though!
a.g.f

(My little Border Terrier Deano)

Water is Life

I don't donate to charities half as much as I would like to so I will never preach or judge anyone on donating! Last month though, I stumbled across a YouTube page called 'water is life' which is an organisation that provides clean water to the most dehydrated places on our planet. In particular two of their short videos hit me hard! So hard in fact, that it made me write this post.
I will link them at the bottom and even if you don't donate just watching will give views and raise awareness and in turn raise money anyway! It highlights how fortunate we are in the Western world and brought me back to Earth with a splash *pun intended*.
 -on a serious note though after oxygen, water is the very essence of our survival and knowing that millions of people struggle everyday to source it is painful. 
I post this on a rainy day that I can be thankful for.

This first one uses irony and it really does humble you: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxyhfiCO_XQ

The second one made me cry with a mixture of happiness and sadness, very beautiful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYf82F3CHYo

OR head straight to their website to learn more:
http://waterislife.com/

Thank you x

Dying for Fashion

Sometimes when I am shopping I think about where my clothes are being produced but then 'how cute is this jumper?! And it's £30, love it!' I used to think sweatshops were a thing of the past, there's no way that with Government policies and public attitudes they could still be used right? Wrong. 

After just scratching the surface with research, I am dis-heartened to find that the only highstreet brand to use ethical manufacturing is the debt riddled American Apparal. From the -it's so cheap, it's obviously sweatshop- Primark to the -this tie is £50- Hugo Boss, all brands use some form of exploitation of developing/3rd world countries. Zara I thought was safe and was so glad because I could happily get my whole wardrobe from here! Reasonably priced, good quality, beautiful garments that are produced in Europe; Turkey to be precise. Turkey is a developed country and a popular tourist destination so I thought it would definitely meet similar wages and conditions as Britain. So why are people working 60 hours per week in the factory and taking second jobs to make ends meet? HOWEVER Inditex (the company behind Zara) is beginning plans to increase wages alongside mum's favourite M&S so I will continue to support these brands.

But some household brands are really doing nothing to help out their struggling employees: Tesco, Next, Matalan, Nike, even Gucci and Hugo Boss use cheap labour in unsafe work environments. Case after case of factories collapsing or burning down in Bangaladesh and China have been recorded. Isn't the thought of someone dying for a pair of jeans or a jumper absoloutely insane?? But it happens, a lot... look at:

https://www.cleanclothes.org

Now it isn't our fault, we are being exploited too with grossly overpriced products of poor quality being sold to us! So what do we do? The organisation mentioned below has way more information than me and also states **don't stop shopping on the highstreet** for one that is impossible unless you are a seamstress and secondly the people in these countries need the tiny amount of money they earn. The very least and first is awareness, check out this amazing organisation fighting for the rights of workers all over the world:

http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/ 

Maybe even take 2 minutes to sign a petition @ http://www.cleanclothes.org/livingwage/sign or if you're feeling a little flushed, a small donation to either will go a long way! 

This was long winded I know but I've barely touched on this absolutely enormous topic! Knowledge is power, thank you so much for reading! 
a.g.f

Write Off Days

I try to stay as positive as I can day to day but there are times I just cannot shake a mood! On these days even doing things I love like seeing friends, lunching and dancing do not help so sometimes it is better to admit defeat and give up. If I'm working or at college I will finish my shift, cancel my plans and go straight home for bed and a cup of tea (maybe stopping for a bar of chocolate).

This downtime is so important because if we trudge on without allowing the odd lazy day/evening then the deflated, tired mood can fester and be harder to lose. Being completely unproductive can actually be the best thing to do! Allow it to happen without beating yourself up and try to start tomorrow refreshed :) 

Happy sleeping!