All posts in category Life

PMA

PMA = positive mental attitude.

The idea that if you think positively you will have the attitude to make things happen and go out there and make it happen. The universe will listen and throw good things your way. You won’t give up and you lead yourself to success.

Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity successful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon it becomes a reality. Act, look, feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly, and you will be amazed at the positive results.
William James

I think that sending good vibes out is a great step in the right direction and being positive means you’re more likely to focus on the end goal and put in the time and effort instead of feeling negative, thinking “I’ll never do this” and giving up so you can bury your head under your duvet with a tub of ice cream.

But it’s not always easy to stay in an upbeat frame of mind. Especially when you’re faced with obstacles, rejection and other road blocks on your way. I told my Facebook friends this week that I wished I could have some fairy dust to sprinkle to give things that extra special chance of sparkling. But unfortunately there was none to be had so I’m stuck with the old-fashioned route of using PMA instead. Sigh.

I’m going to keep trying for it – who’s with me?

Victoria

xoxo

45 Comments

by Victoria-writes on March 8, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in inspiration, Life, Musings, Writing

Tagged inspiration, life, musings, staying positive, writing

Posted by Victoria-writes on March 8, 2012

http://victoria-writes.com/2012/03/08/pma/

Shine

Sometimes in life you have to deal with difficult people. People who make you stressed or upset, unhappy or miserable. People that try to put you down, make you feel small or blame you for things that aren’t your fault. People who take pleasure in putting other people down. People who have no clue how to treat others.

They may make for great characters in books but not so much in real life. Yet sometimes we keep them in our life. We moan we can’t change things, we feel powerless, we feel stuck and have no idea what to do. I think sometimes you have to walk away from them. You have to take the higher road. You can’t change them but you can change the situation. You can remove yourself. You can realise you deserve better.

You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like i’m made of glass
Like i’m made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper

(Demi Lovato)

It’s them, not you.

Don’t let them bring you down.

Let yourself shine.

Victoria

xoxo

28 Comments

by Victoria-writes on February 24, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in inspiration, Life, Musings

Tagged inpsiration, life, musings

Posted by Victoria-writes on February 24, 2012

http://victoria-writes.com/2012/02/24/shine/

Be happy

I think we all have days when life gets us down and we get caught up in our to-do lists or the stress of our jobs or families. Or we keep running for our goals and forget to think about the here and now. We need to stop letting that happen and make sure we smile at least once a day.

Because happiness shouldn’t be a goal, it should be a state of mind.

So to help, here are 5 tips on how to stop yourself getting down and instead let yourself be happy.

1. Love who you are

We all have moments when we feel really crappy about ourselves and think we not good enough / clever enough / pretty enough. But sometimes you’ve just got to push all that aside. If you don’t love yourself, no one else will! Having some confidence in who you are, will make you happier every time you look in the mirror.

2. Indulge your inner child

One of the best ways to put a smile on yourself, is to jump back to your childhood self – the person without all the stress and hang ups. Just be silly, let yourself laugh and just have some fun.

3. Become a daydreamer

As a writer, I get pretty excited by the fact I can daydream and let my imagination flow freely because that’s how stories are written. But even if you don’t write, it can be so freeing to just let your mind wander and let yourself dream.

4. Take a moment for you

One of the best ways to bring back the happiest spark, is to step away from the hamster wheel and take a moment out to relax and just be with yourself. My favourite is to have a long bath, pamper myself and listen to my favourite music. And, of course, curling up with a good book is never a bad idea. Find something that helps you and set aside time to indulge.

5. Rock out your guilty pleasure

We should all find something that we enjoy even if it’s silly and something others will laugh at you for enjoying (as long as it’s legal guys!). Sometimes things can be so bad, they’re good and taking some time with your guilty pleasure should make you smile. I either feed my celebrity gossip affliction, stick on the Kardashians or sing really badly along to my favourite music!

What’s your best happiness tip?

Victoria

xoxo

40 Comments

by Victoria-writes on January 26, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Life, Musings

Tagged inspiration, life, musings, tips on how to be happy

Posted by Victoria-writes on January 26, 2012

http://victoria-writes.com/2012/01/26/be-happy/

Giving it my all

One of my Facebook friends uploaded that statement and I shared it on my wall / timeline, whichever you prefer to call it.

The words instantly spoke to me.

They are particularly apt for me right now. Not only do I have to make sure I don’t give up or give in when it comes to my publishing journey but I’m also taking a huge gamble and leap of faith to give writing my all. And that means saying goodbye to my current full time job in human resources.

I spent a lot of time over Christmas thinking about the direction I want my life to go in. And that soul searching along with debates with family and friends led to me to hand in my notice when I returned to work in the New Year. I love writing. It really is my passion and I want to give it my all. I don’t want to look back and wonder what might have been. And I can’t give it my all working full time with a three hour commute attached to it. It’s stressful and not conducive to quality work.

Of course, whilst I’m still pursuing the publishing route I will need to make money so I will be getting part-time / consultant work but my focus is going to be on writing. I’m going to give it a year and see what happens. I’m going to work hard and keep believing in myself. I will face those inevitable rejections and moments of self-doubt head on and turn one into a yes.

And hopefully, I’ll do it all with you guys behind me all the way.

Because if I don’t go for my dreams no one else will.

Victoria

xoxo

40 Comments

by Victoria-writes on January 18, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Life, Personal, Work, Writing

Tagged life, Personal, work, writing

Posted by Victoria-writes on January 18, 2012

http://victoria-writes.com/2012/01/18/giving-it-my-all/

Rolling with the changes

I set out in 2012 with some inspiring words as my guide. I spent much of Christmas considering what 2012 would hold for me and I’ve decided it will be change. I’m not usually good with change, I tend to be indecisive and keep the status quo but I know that I need to make some changes if I want my dreams to come true. I can’t be scared to try, I don’t want to look back in years to come and regret not seizing an opportunity. I need to do what I want to do and believe that I can do it.

I will explain more as things pan out but my focus for 2012 will be on writing and there will need to be changes to accommodate that. I have support and encouragement. I have willpower and hopefully some talent. Most of all, I’ve found my passion and I plan to follow it where it leads.

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. ~Anatole France

What have you found hard to change?

Vix

38 Comments

by Victoria-writes on January 3, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Life, Musings, Personal, Writing

Tagged change, life, musings, Personal, writing

Posted by Victoria-writes on January 3, 2012

http://victoria-writes.com/2012/01/03/rolling-with-the-changes/

Inspiration for 2012

It’s customary to make resolutions as we approach a new year but I always fail to do so. Probably because they’d end up being trival or forgettable and I’d look back in a year’s time and feel like a failure for ignoring them.

I looked around my room today and realised the inspiring messages around me would suit me far better as I move into 2012.

When its dark, look for stars

I know they’ll be times when things get tough, when I’m uncertain or insecure about what lies ahead but I know I will need to keep moving forward and counting my blessings. There should always be a positive to be found, some light at the end of the tunnel and I need to remind myself of that if I’m struggling. The stars are shinning for me, I just need to pay better attention to them.

Keep calm and carry on

I’m writer so I over-analyse things. I am hard on myself sometimes. I get stressed. I get demotivated. I need to keep an eye on my goals. I need to remember to breathe. I need to take a moment to be calm. And I need to keep track of where I’m going and not let anything stand in my way, especially myself.

Live, laugh, love

Sometimes it’s easy to forget the basics in life. Sometimes it’s easy to get side tracked. I need to focus on my dreams but also try to be happy in the moment. The the L’s are important to us all.

Dream with all your heart

I’ve always been a dreamer but I need to be a constructive one. I need to focus on my writing dream and trust and follow my heart to take me there. It won’t be easy but I’ll always regret it if I don’t keep trying to make my dream come true.

When it rains, look for rainbows

It’s a similar message to the one about stars but this one reminds me nto to forget or miss the magic in life becuase even though there are moments I can’t wait to forget, there are beautiful and happy times that should be grasped and locked in my heart forever.

Believe

This is probably the one I need to remember most in 2012. I need to live by it. I need to breathe it. I need believe in myself and follow my heart and my dreams. I won’t be able to forget this one either as it’s literally etched into my skin!

I hope you all have a happy New Year and 2012 is a wonderful one for us all!

If you have any more inspiring words for me to live by next year, please add to your comment

Vix

43 Comments

by Victoria-writes on December 30, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Life, Musings

Tagged inspiration, life, musings

Posted by Victoria-writes on December 30, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/12/30/inspiration-for-2012/

The magic of childhood

Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows.
John Betjeman

When I was little, I used to think the sun and moon were the same thing and just looked different depending on the night or day. I suppose because when it’s light you can hardly see the moon and at night you can’t see the sun. That was my childhood logic at work – a time when everything seems magical and wonderous and you can’t explain the world around you.

Now I know that the sun and moon are different things and if I look hard enough I can see them both on a clear day. Things can be explained now. I have knowledge and logic. My point is the world looks completely different to you depending on how old you are and what point of life you’re at. As you grow up, your sense of magic and wonder will always fade because you know why things are the way they are.

Taylor Swift’s “The Best Day“:

I don’t know why all the trees change in the fall
But I know you’re not scared of anything at all
Don’t know if Snow White’s house is near or far away
But I know I had the best day with you today

There is a video I found from back when I was three
You set up a paint set in the kitchen and you’re talking to me
It’s the age of princesses and pirate ships and the seven dwarfs
And Daddy’s smart and you’re the prettiest lady in the whole wide world

I think that’s why I love to write. I can go back to that childhood state of imagination and magic and conjure up people and places without being bogged down by knowledge or logic. I can hold on to the magic of childhood.

Many wonderful things happen when you’re a child but also when you grow up, and the key is not to forget about them but to hold them in your heart and they will shape the person you are, have always been and will always be.

Everything I write comes from my childhood in one way or another. I am forever drawing on the sense of mystery and wonder and possibility that pervaded that time of my life.
Kate DiCamillo

What do you remember believing as a child?

Vix

30 Comments

by Victoria-writes on December 6, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Life, Musings, Personal, Writing

Tagged childhood, life, musings, Personal, writing

Posted by Victoria-writes on December 6, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/12/06/the-magic-of-childhood/

Losing your mojo baby

I was on the train yesterday and I was thinking about what to write about today. I wasn’t in a great mood. In fact, I thought I might be losing my mojo. Today, I read a post from Lisa on the exact same topic . And I knew it was true. Like Lisa, I’ve lost my mojo

I think there are a few reasons why I’ve hit a slump. I feel a bit in limbo at the moment, not sure what direction I should be going in. I haven’t been able to work on my WIP due to a lack of motivation. I don’t feel inspired. Even the date today doesn’t help with days to wait until I hit the Xmas break but wanting it to come now.

It’s hard to define your mojo or why you’ve lost it or how you can get it back. It’s a feeling and a state of being. I’m determind to get mine back because no one wants a grummy boots at Xmas.

So I need your help guys – how do you get your mojo back when it’s disappeared?

Vix

37 Comments

by Victoria-writes on December 1, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Life, Musings, Personal

Tagged life, musings, Personal

Posted by Victoria-writes on December 1, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/12/01/losing-your-mojo-baby/

Rewriting the past

There is no great writing, only great rewriting.
Justice Brandeis

As a writer, we constantly hear that rewriting is key to getting things right. I don’t think any book on the shelf has ever got there as a first draft. All writers rewrite. We get to go over scenes and dialogue, tighten up the plot and pacing and, of course, make sure the spelling and grammar is as accurate as it can be. As a writer, we are God to our work – we get to make our characters do and say whatever we want, we make things happen to them and ultimately we decide whether they get a happy ending or not.

In life, however, there is no opportunity for rewriting. You get one shot and that’s it. You can’t rewrite your past no matter how much you want to. It’s pretty frustrating when you’ve been in a situation and not said that fabulous come back that you only thought of hours later or missed the opportunity to tell someone exactly what you thought of them before they left your life for good.

However, I think what works in writing can’t work in real life. We need to experience those mistakes and failures and tough times to make us who we are and help us create the future we want.

I think we all wish we could erase some dark times in our lives. But all of life’s experiences, bad and good, make you who you are. Erasing any of life’s experiences would be a great mistake.
Luis Miguel

Rewriting is really giving yourself a second chance at things. You need to do this in writing to help you grow and develop into a better writer, just as in life you need to those tough moments so you learn and grow as a person. If you had the opportunity, to go back and change them then you wouldn’t be the person you are now.

There are still lots of moments in my past I’d love to erase or rewrite. I’d love to go back to me then and tell her what to do but I can’t and I think that’s a good thing. She probably wouldn’t have listened to me anyway!

Do you think it’s good you can’t rewrite your life or is there something you wish you could change?

Vix

36 Comments

by Victoria-writes on November 23, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Life, Musings, Writing

Tagged life, musings, writing

Posted by Victoria-writes on November 23, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/11/23/rewriting-the-past/

Wonderful Women

Looking at my book and music collection, the majority of works are by women. Throughout my life I have been drawn more to the female voice and been inspired by strong women who have made it on their own and in their own way. That’s not to say I haven’t even been inspired by a man but I feel more drawn to female role models and seem to feel more inspired by them.

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else” – Judy Garland

I think as women we have a unique take on life and have often had to work harder for our success. The journey of women in the arts has been a long struggle for their voice to be recognised so when one breaks through, it feels empowering for the rest of us. Couples with the fact women have to balance so much in life, it feels so inspiring when one of them achieves something amazing. Plus it can spur you on to realise your own dreams in life.

“I am neither a man nor a woman but an author” – Charlotte Bronte, Novelist [in a letter to William Smith Williams]

If I think about a fantasy dinner table, I’d want all women to be on there. I’d want to hear from my icons both living and past about how they reached their goals and did it with style and pick their brains for any advice they would throw my way. The invites for who they might be change regularly but the sentiment behind them doesn’t. In life, I want to meet and learn from strong women who can inspire me – not just in the arts but in life in general. Mostly, I want to use this inspiration to be the best version of myself that I can be.

“Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one” – Eleanor Roosevelt

I like the fact that hearing about the success of other women spurs me on to achieve more. I want to emulate their success in my own way. I think I’ll always lean on the voices of women to support me through my life and use their strengh to build my own confidence and character. And above all, continue to be inspired in wonderful ways by them.

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default” ― J.K. Rowling