Today will be a little bit about the best medicine, natural and totally free - a laughter.  I feel like it's often underestimated and even though we know laughing is good for us, we don't really take it seriously... 

So what is a laughter? Wikipedia describes it as "a physical reaction in humans consisting typically of rhythmical, often audible contractions of the diaphragm and other parts of the respiratory system. It is a response to certain external or internal stimuli. Laughter can arise from such activities as being tickled, or from humorous stories or thoughts'.

On average, humans have this laughter reaction around 17 times a day, and as far as we know, we're one of the only species on the planet that laughs. Some primates do show signs of laughter when they're tickled, but scientists aren't quite sure if this is the same as human laughter.

The best part about all of this is that laughter is actually good for you. Researchers at the University of Maryland in the US have linked laughter to the healthy function of blood vessels - something that can lower your chance of a heart attack. And laughter also boosts heart rate and the production of certain antibodies, which strengthens our immune system. Laughter lower your blood pressure, reduces stress hormone levels, works your abs (I know it's great - when you are laughing, the muscles in your stomach expand and contract, similar to when you intentionally exercise your abs), trigger the release of endorphins and produces general sense of well-being.

Some studies have reported that laughing for at least fifteen minutes can add around 2 days to your overall lifespan. Live long and…laugh!  Not a coffee drinker? That’s okay! Laughing shortly after you wake up can have similar effects to drinking a cup of coffee. Next time you laugh right after getting up, notice how refreshing it feels.

We laugh due to a joke or an intentional action. More often, we laugh at chance happenings or things that were never intended to be funny in the first place.

Laughing can create an instant bond between individuals. When you laugh as a group or with someone else, we feel a natural connection to those people and it can alleviate some of the social stress that being around new people might create.

Laughter really is contagious. Ever wonder why television shows often play a 'laugh track' after a funny moment? Even we don't see where the source of laughter is, simply hearing laughter can be contagious.

So keep laughing, Laughter is an instant holiday. 

'I have not seen anyone dying of laughter, but I know millions who are dying because they are not laughing'                        Dr. Madan Kataria

Have a good laugh :)

Iwona 


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This is one of my favorite sayings. It is with me every single day, and especially during the moments when I doubt myself or I think I can't do something...

You are looking at the person, who 15 years ago couldn't speak a word of English, who dreamed of having an office job, and dreamed of being able to have a fluent conversation in English...  At that time not only these sounded impossible, it actually was impossible...  Without speaking the language how could I work in an office or communicate in English? But impossible doesn't exist --- it was only the time I needed to change the impossible into possible!


I had to start from the bottom - first English classes, I started from the level 1, which was for people who pretty much know no English (All I could say back then was " Hello,and vegetables").   I had classes from 9am-12pm Monday to Friday, and then I would study at home for couple of hours - read magazines, listen to the radio , watch tv , and memorize new words. Six months later I thought I could speak English pretty good, as I could understand what my teacher was saying.... It never occurred to me that the teacher spoke with the turtle's speed and articulated every word so clearly...  

I only realized when I went out to the real world  I pretty much understood 10% or 20% ... Clearly that wasn't enough to get me my to the office job... So I applied for 12 months business course at TAFE. I was the only person in my class, barely speaking and writing. So English-Polish dictionary became my BFF... I put my heart, soul, and many many hours into this course. Writing an assignment was so hard, in term of using the correct Grammar, and of course the context.  12 months later I received my Certificate IV in Business with high marks - majority were distinctions. I couldn't be happier and prouder. It was a great achievement - so I thought, now I'm ready to go in the workforce...

Three months later, approx 100 resumes sent and not a single invitation to the interview.. I was so disappointed and had no plan what to do next.  Some people told me to look for a work in the factory, but  I still believed I could get an office job.... Silly? Maybe..  After four months one company invited me for an interview - it was a Receptionist, Student Support Staff role in a private hospitality College...  I don't even remember the interview very well as I was so nervous... BUT I GOT THE JOB!!!! OMG ... 1.5 years after I moved to Australia with no English I had my first job, and it was an office job!! I have a lot of stories from this job to share but that will be coming in my other posts... All I could tell you today is that I worked there for 3.5 years and I have learnt so much... 

I hope I convince you to take the next step and start working on your dreams.... whether it's a career or your personal goals... 

A famous Henry Ford quote, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right,” emphasizes how much attitude determines success or failure.

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​Iwona

We have an access to the information our grandparents could only dream of, we can read a book on any subject you can think of, travel to the most remote places on Earth, learn languages. Everything is within our reach; yet we are failing terrible in our relationships, we have an enormous amount of people with depression and mental issues, we  raising kids who lack social skills, manners and discipline. 

Where have we gone wrong? With all the resources available we should master our lives and live happily with our eyes closed. 

I feel like we trust everyone else's but ourselves.  We have headache for three days and check google to see if we have cancer; our baby doesn't want to sleep, we hear 100 advises from tall the moms we know, and the confusion reaches the highest point.. So which one is the right one? They all are.. BUT you need to find your right answer. Listen to them all, but learn to filter, and then choose whats' right for you - don't blindly follow what other people are saying,, no matter how convincing they sound.  It is probably something that is working for them ,but it may not  be right for you.

It doesn't take long to feel overwhelmed as we get bombarded from everywhere , and it is very important to stop, think and listen to your inner-self.  You just need to be aware of the difference between fear and intuition.  Work with your intuition , add logic and you will be fine.

It is great to ask for an opinion, and/or do a research on something that we are unsure about, we feel uncertain or not in piece, but don't just follow it, because it work for some people. Remember you are NOT 'some people', you are unique, one off and matchless, therefore something completely opposite may be the best thing for you.

Like everything new, we need to practice those skills. They aren't easy, but after you try few times, you will become better it ,and eventually you will master it.

Don't worry about what others think of you - it is really none of your business. You can't please everyone - you are not the Nuttela jar. 

it's important to do what feel right to you, many will have opinions, only you know what feels best.

Start from today. I'm sure there are things in your life you need an answer for. Look inside - it is there.

Good Luck

​Iwona

​We all want to be liked, accepted, and belong. It is in our nature -humans are social creatures. 

We live in a quick world , where we constantly are fed by social media, tv , influences etc.. It is quite hard to be yourself and stay unique, as we get bombarded pretty much from everywhere, and all the time -  we are told what to wear, where to eat, where do go on holidays, how many kids to have, you name it.  Every aspect of our lives seems to be decided, sadly not by us... 

While you shop for your bread and milk , you can also check out the latest coffin designs (in case you haven't seen go to Costo). Coles  got rid of the plastic bag to 'help environment' and instead introduced plastic collectible toys...  If you shop at Coles or Woolies think before you accept the useless piece of plastic that will soon poison our beaches, and our backyards...  We need to start using our brains on regular bases, and use our own judgments rather than listening to what being said to us.  

Open the news and what do you see? -  Qantas to test non-stop flights to London and New York,  Commuter chaos across Sydney rail network, severe weather warnings, Uber Driver has car stolen at Sydney station, not a single word on the Amazonian rainforest, which is currently burning at the record rate. Earlier this month, Brazil declared a state of emergency over the rising number of fires in the region .On Tuesday, Eric Holthaus, a meteorologist, tweeted data showing smoke from the first covering about half of Brazil.  Effects of damage to the Amazon go far beyond Brazil and its neighbors. The area's rainforest generates more than 20% of the world's oxygen and 10% of the world's known biodiversity. The Amazon is referred to as the "lungs of the planet" and plays a major role in regulating the climate. The world would drastically change if the rainforest were to disappear, impacting everything from farms to drinking water. There is nothing on the news, no media coverage, isn't that shocking? 

Don't fit into the mould, stay authentic and be yourself. Use your common sense, your gut feelings. 

​Do you like everyone at work? Probably not...Then don't expect everyone to like you too. It is actually really unrealistic, especially if you work with a lot of people.  I certainty don't like everyone I work with, and I can tell you I know there are people who aren't my fans... It doesn't bother me and I don't lose my sleep over that.  

Do what feel right for you, it doesn't have be what everyone else is doing, or following... It is ok not to have Netflix,  Spotify or Stan, the latest Iphone ,or newest model of Nike shoes to be cool...  You are cool by being yourself !!

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” .

​Iwona

We are almost at the end of winter and even though I come from a cold European country I prefer warm weather. This winter feels a little long for me  than before -  perhaps because for the past three years I was in Europe, and missed half of it...Either way I can't wait for more sun,longer days, beach time and camping... good times are ahead..

Today will be about happiness.. Something we are all strive for - if you ask people what they want you will hear a lot of . I just want to be happy...  Don't we all? It feel like love and happiness are the top things we want to achieve. And we all want be happy all the time, and all the time... Straight away I think  .. Are we being realistic?.. and is it possible to be happy all the time?  Imagine that you constantly feel happy, you never feel sad, annoyed, angry or frustrated... would the happiness feel the same then? Would it have the same taste? What I'm trying to say is if you never been unhappy, you won't appreciate happiness, if you never been hungry, you won't know how good it feels to be full, if you never been cold you won't know how wonderful it is to feel warm, if you never been sick you will not know how fantastic is to be healthy, etc.

So where do we find this HAPPINESS? Don't even try to look in your drawers, it's not in the bathroom either, sometimes you may find it in the bedroom ... People, who have money will tell you it doesn't have anything to do with that..
The best place to look for it is INSIDE you! Yes, it is that simple. You need to find your happiness within you.  But how? The best start is to get to know yourself better, ask yourself few questions ' Who am I, What do I like, what do I dislike? What is it that bring smile to my face? Do I like my job? Am I happy in my relationship? Do I hang out with people who support me, who accept me the way I am?etc,

If you understand that happiness is something you can feel not all the time( hopefully few times a day).  To be able to experience this feeling everything in your universe must work... So it is not en easy task to achieve... If you satisfied with major parts of your life, then it is not so hard to work and try to change things that don't work.. if there is a lot needing changing, maybe it is a good idea to look for help, there is plenty of support out there, from therapies to psychologists, and more.

I'm a coffee drinker - I buy coffee every morning on the way to work - that simple task bring a smile to my face... I'm fortunate enough that I can afford to spend $4 and have a beautiful flat white, which I enjoy every single morning at my desk... Lately there was discussion at work how much money you can save  if you put aside those $4 a day and what a waste of money it is to buy coffee .. since you can drink Moccona at work for free... I heard someone calculated if you put aside those $4 a day after 12 months you can buy a ticket to Europe... Great !!!! If that's what is going to make your happy do it!!I love my coffee  and I won't give up because the feeling from that liquid feels so much better for me than that ticket to Europe! Full stop. 

Do what brings smile to your face, it doesn't matter what it is - reading, walking, running, shopping, travelling , extreme sports, concerts, dancing, learning new languages, you name it... Find within yourself the things you like or you would like to try and go for it... You have no money now? Put aside this  $4 and do it in 6 months!!!  

There is a lot of things that bring smile to my face - food, family and friend I love spending time with, books, music, nature, travelling - that's just few that comes to my head...  Of course my little Gucio shoes bring a smile to my face every single day - but that's kind of obvious:)

Keep searching for your own Happines... it is there,, keep looking and I can assure you - YOU WILL FIND IT:)

Iwona