Inspiration Archives - Alison Canavan

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Spiritual

TODAY WE LOST A TRUE SELF HELP PIONEER LOUISE HAY AT AGE 90

My desk is literally surrounded by Louise Hay books. Even the thought of her puts a smile on my face. When I think of authentic selfcare I think of Louise Hay.

Louise Hay’s compassion and understanding of the human condition enabled her to communicate a message of change and open the hearts of many who felt alone and forgotten.

Her movie You Can Heal Your Life inspired me to take control of my own emotional, spiritual, and professional life. Through her own journey she inspired hope in others.

Today she transitioned at 90 years of ago and according to her Facebook Page she died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

Her light will keep shining bright as Hay House continues to inspire thousands worldwide.

Here is the message to her fans on her Facebook page

“Our beloved friend and founder Louise Hay transitioned this morning, August 30, 2017, of natural causes at age 90. She passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

Louise was an incredible visionary and advocate. Everyone who had the privilege to meet her, either in person, or through her words, felt her passion for serving others.

“Meeting Louise changed the direction of my life,” said Reid Tracy, President and CEO of Hay House, Inc. “Her passion for serving others translated into everything she did. Simply by working alongside her, an analytical accountant like me transformed into someone who became aware of the power of affirmations and self-love. Being able to learn from her has been one of my life’s greatest blessings. The beauty of Louise was that you didn’t have to work alongside her to learn from her, you felt like you were there with her, with every word you read or heard.”

Hay House will carry on Louise’s legacy and continue to publish products and online learning courses that align with her message of self-improvement and self-love.

Louise Hay’s estate, as well as all future royalties, will be donated to The Hay Foundation, a non-profit organization established by Louise that financially supports diverse organizations which supply food, shelter, counseling, hospice care and funds to those in need.

We invite you to share your Louise stories with us in the comments below. Together, we honor her through our memories and the continuing of her unforgettable legacy.

We love you, LuLu.

In the infinity of life where I am, all is perfect, whole, and complete. – Louise L. Hay

Read more at http://www.hayhouse.com/louise-hay-legacy”

We need Louise’s work now more than ever and we trust she will still be working from where she is. RIP to the true pioneer of selfhelp

August 30, 2017/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Happy, Inspiration / Motivation

PRACTICE GRATITUDE IN 3 SIMPLE STEPS

Consciously practicing gratitude has been a huge part of my healing journey.

My journey to discovering gratitude was interesting. I was never ungrateful as such, but I did have a tendency to see all the things that were going wrong in my life quite easily and I could probably have listed 10 things or more in 10 seconds that I perceived to be missing from my life when things weren’t going my way.

Consistent and constant gratitude practice means that I find it difficult to focus on any negatives nowadays but like everything it takes work.

If you would like to begin writing a gratitude journal simply follow these steps and build on them as you become more comfortable with the practice.

NUMBER 1: BUY A GRATITUDE JOURNAL

It’s nice to have a dedicated journal for your daily gratitude list. I also love checking back on how many wonderful things happen to me every day that we can easily forget. Any notepad will do.

NUMBER 2: START

Start each day with gratitude by writing down 3 things you are grateful for. These can be anything so for example:

I’m grateful I can nourish my body with good food
I’m grateful for my beautiful son
I’m grateful it’s a beautiful day
I’m grateful for my job
I’m grateful for all the opportunities I have each day
Download sample page here

THEN

When you are comfortable with that list take it one step further and explore why you are grateful so for example:

I’m grateful for my son because he teaches me to be present and being a parent has taught me about the power and meaning of unconditional love
I’m so thankful for the good food available to me that I can choose to nourish my body with as good food helps to keep me health in both body and mind
I’m grateful for my job because I love what I do and I feel fulfilled and energized after a good days work.
I’m so grateful to wake up in good health everyday and for my family’s health and wellbeing. It is something we all value and cherish.

NUMBER 3 GRATITUDE STONE

Every night before I go to sleep I pick up my gratitude stone (choose a stone from a garden, park or beach that has meaning for you. Mine is from Dzogchen Beara which holds a very special place in my heart) and I think of what I am most grateful for each day. I absolutely love this part of my day and it means I always go to sleep with a positive thought and a smile on my face.

Remember if you are practicing gratitude it is very hard to have negative thoughts. Saying thank you mindlessly and really feeling grateful are two very different things so try and really feel it in your body and sit into that feeling. The more you do this the easier it will become and I promise gratitude makes life easier even on tough days!

Try it for 3 weeks and let me know how you get on. I would love to hear from you

Comment below

Shine Bright,

Ali xxx

June 9, 2017/4 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation

ALWAYS GO WITH YOUR GUT

I had business meeting last week and the person in question felt that life ‘owed them something’ a vile rant of negativity and bitterness. I excused myself from the meeting as I couldn’t be present any longer in such bitterness and venom. How could anyone work with this person or company is beyond me.
But then my integrity was brought into question as I didn’t want to surround myself with people like that. They thought I wouldn’t turn down a deal for minimum effort and a good pay day.
But a life lesson I learned many years ago if you can avoid working with DICKS or NEGATIVE NEDS on a project if you can survive financially without the gig. Then run a mile. The negative energy working against yourself with people who just pour out venom.
So I knew they wouldn’t take my rejection lightly so then it turned into a personal attack on me. I smiled back and just laughed. You see in life certain people can only hide behind their masks before you see the real character unfold before you.
So just think you are halfway through a project and then you are kicked down by people like this. Who you thought had your back but yet they just hid behind their masks.
Wow that got a bit dark but you have to speak the truth. Always go with your gut. Believe in you.
Now all about the blank page.
I had a massive fight with Ali last summer. I was shouting on the phone, telling her if she didn’t write a paragraph on a book that we all knew she had it in her, I wouldn’t speak to her.
I hated doing it but it had to be done. We didn’t speak for a short period of time. Then my phone rang, with an apology and she started to write something every day during the course of 5 days.
Now her book ‘Minding Mum’ has its launch next week in Dublin. I’m so proud of you Ali.
To all the Mothers out there, to all the single mothers and single fathers in the world. I salute you.
Buy ‘Minding Mum’.
But that is Lightning Positivity right there, a blank page, a push in the right direction and when you start to believe in you. Anything is possible.
Happy Tuesday Peeps.
Shine On .

February 25, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

SMILE

Sometimes in life we forget to smile, smile at all the misfortunes, heartache or smile in our success. So do me a favour and just smile right now. Not that awful fake smile for those uncomfortable photos we don’t want to be in but smile like you just can’t stop laughing.

So I’ve lasted two weeks on this fitness & food journey. I’m laughing right now. I’m snacking on almonds and I had asparagus for the first time. I do love no sugar in my teas and coffees now and I’ve cut out my beloved bread.

I just want to state on record how proud I am of anyone who has tried a small change in their life for the better. We all fail throughout different journeys. But when you tried your best and don’t succeed, you know what, you made a difference, a rewiring of thoughts. For that I salute you. You will succeed; just learn from your failures.

My auld buddy the professional footballer, said it best, reward yourself with the bad stuff because what’s the point in not enjoying food.

I was a sugar cereal man, topped with sugar and more sugar, and then wait for it, more sugar in my coffee. Now I’m buzzing off natural yogurt and blueberries. Well for the moment anyway. That’s my journey after two weeks.

Now my play ‘The Unsung Hero’ has its world premiere on March 21^st at the Theatre Upstairs then a nationwide tour. You’ve witnessed this journey. It all started with a vision, that I would write a play that will tour the globe. I was laughed at, rejected, but now, I can’t stop smiling. Lights will guide you home as they say. Right now I’m living Lightning Positivity.

If I can’t give you examples from my own success or failures there is no point in me writing this? My play has been in development for two years and now I’m at the starting line of a marathon, done all the prep, late nights, aching body, sore feet, now I’m smiling getting my groove for the race that is my play, my thoughts to be staged for the world to see & hear.

Now we all have that potential inside us, now I’m not high on sugar as I have my almonds and my water. But I’ll be treating myself to a nice auld pint of stout mid-week but right now I’m just so happy. Why write this article each week?

Well, I hope that one day you’ll have a day of extreme satisfaction from visualising a goal from a blank page when everybody rejected your idea or business plan.

Small steps, big dreams and don’t forget that smile.

Pain and suffering but worth it all in the end.

You all have the potential. Get that blank page and let your imagination run wild.

I believe in you.

Just stop making excuses.

Write me four lines that’s all I want. Just four lines of a vision or a change you want to make.

Shine On

February 9, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

NO POTATOES, BREAD OR SUGAR FOR ME

NO POTATOES, BREAD OR SUGAR FOR ME – BOO HOO

Howaya, don’t worry I’m not one of those fitness fanatics. But one of my friends is getting married in March. He wants to shift some weight for the big day. One of the grooms men is a professional footballer so he’s done up a two month plan of attack to get us in shape for the big day.

So I decided to join in for the craic, that means no bread, sugar in my tea or coffee and NO potatoes. I’m a meat & potato kinda guy. So let’s see if I can still be positive over the next few weeks till I get my potato.

But in life a positive shock to the system in always a good thing. Sometimes we can fall into a pattern of a safety net, which is cool but sometimes we have to get out of our comfort zone.

I’m trying to rewire my own programming with a new mind-set to stay focused on my own journey. Reminding myself in the morning that I am talented, that I can achieve the goals I’ve set out and I congratulate myself every day. I’ve noticed a difference and I can personally feel the change in me.

I’m more focused than I have ever been. Try it out; you’ve got nothing to lose unless you are saying it to yourself in the car while stuck in traffic and both cars either side of you are thinking who is this crazy coconut.

Ah don’t mind people who slag off your Positive attitude, or what books you read. I’ve had enough negative Neds tell me so. And you know what? I don’t care and I never will if people get me or don’t. My life, my choices, my belief. I believe in the power of Lightning Positivity.

Now I just hope I don’t dream of sugar and my beloved potatoes this week as I have to wait two weeks before I can bite one.

Happy Friday Peeps

Shine On

January 29, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Quotes

BE THE TYPE OF PERSON YOU WANT TO MEET

January 3, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter, Yourself

THE TOP 5 THINGS TO DUMP IN 2016

NEGATIVE SELF-TALK

If there’s one thing you do in 2016 give up beating your self up about everything big and small. I spent most of my life doing this and let me tell you its painful, a waste of time and gets you no where so take it easy on yourself and always think: Would I talk to someone I love this way? You’ll probably find that the answer is no so please don’t do it to yourself.

RUNNING AWAY FROM YOUR PROBLEMS

Another one of my many talents! I worked hard at running away and became very good at it. I also had an awesome job as a model that helped make it even easier. The day I stopped running was the day I started really living though. The longer you run the harder it will be to catch up with yourself but it’s never to late to stop. Dealing with your problems can be really hard but in the end its so worth it to breathe easy and live freely.

PLACING YOUR HAPPINESS IN THE FUTURE

If you are not happy with what you have right now you will never be happy with what you want in the future. Right now is all there is. So for 2016 quit being a “when I get..” or “When That happens..” I’ll be happy person. Be happy with and grateful for what you have right now. Stop focusing on the end game all the time!

PROCRASTINATING

If you constantly think about what you have to do and get anxiety because of it 2016 is the year you need to just get up and get things done. Procrastinating does nothing but cause unnecessary worry and fear. So stop thinking and start doing!!

LETTING YOUR PAST DEFINE WHO YOU ARE

Make forgiveness a part of 2016. Start using the ‘F’ word for yourself and start healing! Your past does not define who you are today or in the future. Don’t listen to people who tell you that you can’t change. The ability to change for the better is within us all. Be the best You that you can be and live your truth.

So just do the best that you can do every day and have fun along the way. What are the top things you’re letting go of for 2016? Leave your comment below!

Shine Bright,

Ali xxxx

January 1, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

THE YEAR OF THE BANTER

Hope all my readers are having a very festive Christmas! I always love this time of year and season.

Now I recently went to town with my Mother for lunch on Christmas Eve. Walking the streets of Dublin brought her back fond memories when she would meet my Father in The Westbury Hotel for midweek dates.

She asked me a question that I couldn’t answer. Out of all my various career paths, what would I wish for to happen to me in 2016? What would I love to happen?

I didn’t know! That question has sat with me since Christmas Eve. I knew I’d be writing this article today and still the answer hasn’t come to me yet.

First things first, I have a draft 1 deadline for a new play by January 15th with my dramaturg (a dramaturg is a professional position within a theatre or opera company that deals mainly with research and development of plays or operas.)

But I’m going to take out my cork board and plan my goals and wishes and what I want because right now, I don’t know. Am I fazed? Nope I’m actually quite happy. So all I can say is right now all I want is to have the banter and laugh, smile throughout 2016. But for now I’m just thinking, reflecting on the year ahead.

But next week I’ll share my goals and wish list when the light will shine and the penny will drop.

Now don’t forget there will be people around your circle in life who will tell you different, that you can’t achieve this or wish for that or plan this goal.

Always remember those “Coffee & kicks” I always talk about and the negative Ned’s who suck the life & energy out of you.

I was told I’d never make it as a professional actor, box ticked. Ah you’ll never make it as an actor in the west end, box ticked. Ah you want to make plays leave that to the professionals, box ticked.

Be butchered in the reviews, nope 5 Star Reviews. Ah he’s only an Irishplaywright, your work won’t travel, London, America, box ticked. Who’d produce or translate your work, box ticked, translated in three languages and produced in three different countries. Ah he only had one play in him; anyone can do that, one trick pony, “My Bedsit Window” my most successful play to date. Ah sure he won’t get commissioned, box ticked. This joker wants to be a screenwriter, joker, box ticked. This joker wants to sell films scripts, Walter Mitty, box ticked.

What’s the pattern? Have you noticed I’ve had people put me down, laugh at me, stab in the front and the back? Every hurdle I jump, every road block, I smash on through. Every achievement, belittled.

But I let the anger go, I focused on my positive, my career goals for me and only for me. I want you to know before you start your journey for today and throughout 2016 there will always be one plonker Rodney, but don’t waste any time on them. Smile & laugh for you and only you.

Lightning Positivity helps me push on through. Can we be positive 24/7 not at all? I always say embrace those horrible, murky grey duvet days and admit that ya know what? Today was awful but tomorrow will be beautiful.

I just want you to push on through. I love people, helping people but I don’t know what I want for 2016 but all I know is that I hope its The Year of the Banter for all of my readers.

I’ll always be open & honest with you guys.

I stated that from my first article.

Don’t let negative Ned’s decide your future.

Being struck by lightning thought me the most valuable life lesson, the GIFT of being alive for another day.

Shine On

DG

December 29, 2015/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Yourself

DO YOU WANT TO BE HAPPIER? CREATE A JAR OF GOALS FOR 2016

This #MindfulMonday I wanted to tell you about my Jar of Goals. 2015 has been a truly transformational year for me. This time last year I had so many hopes and dreams. I wanted to write a book, rebrand my website, finally kick my addictions and so much more.

That is not just any old list and it’s a pretty big ask but in the years building up to 2015 I had already been making small changes which helped me to turn corners this year.

Years ago I used to say things like ah feck it I can party like a rockstar and treat myself really poorly, eat shit food, sit on the couch and feel depressed because after Christmas I’m going to turn my life around. That my friend’s is a load of bullshit and you know it!!

“Living a healthy and happier lifestyle is something you do 365 days a year and not just for January.”

Waking up January 1^st, joining the gym, cutting out all tasty food and eating bland boring seemingly healthy food (healthy food is not boring!!) will make even the toughest and most determined amongst us miserable.

The 1^st thing you need to work on is your mindset. We all want to be happier but that doesn’t come from sacrificing the things that you perceive to bring you joy. It comes from changing your habits and understanding that some of the things we have been told about being healthy are lies like:

You will be boring
Life will be less exciting
Food will be horrible
You’ll have to torture yourself with exercise you hate

This list is endless but you get my point. Simply stop doing things you don’t enjoy because you think you have too!! Find an exercise you like, get creative with food, try new things and step outside your comfort zone.

So instead of trying to overhaul your life in January try a different approach:

Write down 12 goals on small pieces of paper
Fold them up and put them in a small jar
Plan on working on just one a month
Open the jar at the end of 2016 to see what you have done

I opened my jar and although I didn’t do them all I did pretty well. I wrote a book, started a new website, gave up drinking and started being nicer to myself. The things I didn’t get to are going back in the jar with new exciting ones for 2016.

So give yourself a break this New Year and don’t be so hard on yourself. Don’t overestimate what you can do in January and underestimate what you can achieve in a year!

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK FOR DAILY INSPIRATIONS

Ali xx

December 28, 2015/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

THE BEST GIFTS ARE ALWAYS FREE

This Christmas all I ask of my readers is to reach out to friends or family who will be lonely. It costs nothing and can be the most rewarding gift of all.

I worked in the meals & wheels and I’ve seen how the elderly can be left on their own. I was their only point of contact. Made it my business to have the chat with them all and it was the best gift I could ever give and I’m still left with fond memories.

Now don’t get me wrong some of them would test your bloody patience. We all have the Bahumbug friend who hates you & Christmas but don’t give up on them and offer them a hand or just let them rant to someone. Your good deed for the festive holiday.

So before Christmas day find an hour for you. Grab a hot or cold drink and think about visualising your goals for January. We talk about it, think about it but do we actually commit fully to visualising in such detail we believe in the picture we’ve created.

Think about one great moment this year, one achievement, one happy memory that’s three great feelings in one year. Let’s not think or dwell on the negatives and the dark days. Let those happy memories take over your body for now. Fill you with joy of something you achieved.

My own goal is about visualisation and all of us achieving small goals together in whatever career path or life journey.

I just feel something magical right now. There’s something within the energy in the air right now. I want you to tap into that (Ah no he’s talking crazy right now, what’s he on now!!). But there really is a positive energy in the air right now.

Love to all my readers on living another year. That’s another achievement.

Don’t let anyone put you down, laugh at your visons and goals. I believe in you.

Simple exercise, certain people can drain your energy. So I imagine a block of white energy passing through my body with warm colours of blue to protect me. Always helps me visualising colours and forces of energy.

Now you may think this is a lot of hot air and you could be right but it works for me.

Merry Christmas to all of my readers.

Pain will always end, so hold on.

Love always

Shine On

DG

December 22, 2015/0 Comments/by Alison

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