Learning To Love Yourself Is the Greatest Love Of All

I was so saddened by the news last month that Miss Whitney Houston had died at 48 years old. Whatever her personal struggles in life - drugs, love, alcohol no one can deny the God given talent Whitney possessed, that inspired millions around the world.

At about 13 years old I fell in love with her music. Even the stuff from the 80's! Amazing voice, amazing talent, amazing messages in her music that we could all listen to again and again! I'm pretty sure my wedding night will be mainly a collection of Whitney's greatest hits!

Most of Whitney's songs are about the biggest subject in the world... LOVE! Maybe it was the love she sang so passionately about, as well as that phenomenal voice, that made us all love her music. Kacey is 2 and she's been gripped by all the Whitney songs being played as tribute at the moment. Who doesn't think about... who doesn't want... who doesn't need love?

We've all felt love at some point in our lives.

The love you feel for your parents. When your little and you've had a bad day at school because your best friend fell out with you and un-invited you from their birthday party - that hug and understanding from your mommy is like no other! Falling over and your daddy picking you up, wiping your tears from your eyes and telling off the floor for hitting your head! How safe does a daddy's chest feel? I like to think that old saying... 'you can't choose your parents' is rubbish - I'm sure I chose mine.

The love you feel when you hold your new born baby in your arms is incredible. You would do anything to protect the bundle of joy in your arms, truly nothing else matters. You find that you feel in love with everything, every things perfect, the worlds a beautiful place!

The love you feel the first time you fall in love! Those butterflies, your heart skipping beats when you see them, thinking about them ALL THE TIME, feeling shy when your around them, waiting for AGES for them to call you. Wondering if they love you back - Whitney understood when she released, 'How Will I Know?'

In 1986, the year I was born, Whitney released, 'The Greatest Love Of All' If your not familiar with the words:

'I decided long ago, never to walk in any ones shadow, if I fail, if I succeed, they cant take away my dignity... Because the greatest love of all is easy to achieve, learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.'

I'm not sure if Whitney ever got to that point in her life, maybe that's why she left to start the next one. But I truly believe that without loving yourself, without being happy with yourself everything on the outside can shake you and break you. You may look to outside factors to make you feel better about yourself, to take away your insecurities. No matter what happens in life you need to be able to count on yourself. The person you love can break your heart, the person you trust can stab you in the back and the person you thought would protect you can throw you to the lions. If you have a deep understanding of yourself, a happiness , a love then no matter what others do to you or what life throws at you, you can always rely on yourself to eventually be ok - dare I say even happy!

I heard something interesting the other day, according to Charles J. Orlando author of 'The Problem With Women Is... Men' Whenever we leave a situation or relationship 'badly' or 'in a mess' we will take the issues that brought us to that messy situation in the first place into our next relationship. Basically until you deal with your own issues - no matter how many times you run away from them - they will replay out in your life until you deal with them. How many times have you found yourself in the same bad situation? Maybe there's something life's trying to teach you?

So how do you love yourself? I guess you have to know yourself first, the good, the bad and the ugly. Don't beat yourself up if you fall short of your expectations, or the expectations others have placed on your life. Ask yourself what do you want out of your life? I told someone to meditate the other day because they were stressed out, in fact Ive told loads of people to do this! And I try to do it myself. I don't mean go into a field chanting in bare feet, enter a tent and sit cross legged on the floor for 6 hours saying 'hmmmmmmmmm' before hugging a tree. By meditation I mean, go sit by yourself for 5 minutes, close your eyes and clear your mind. Focus on feeling good. You never know you might find out something important about yourself or a situation that you were too busy to notice before. How do you find out if you're in love with another person? - Spend time with them - so spend some time with yourself. (No I'm not being dirty Emma) If there's something you don't like about yourself then change it - no one else can.

So those of you that know me know I've never had anything really tragic happen to me in life that hasn't worked itself out. I've never lost anyone close to me. Jake's heart stopped when he was 7 weeks old, that's probably the worst thing that's ever happened to me - but luckily I never lost my baby. There are things that have happened to me that are tragic, that I wouldn't like to share with everyone reading my blog

Love is strong not weak, so be strong, know yourself, and love yourself. Your amazing. Honestly there's loads of areas in my life I'm unhappy with and I know it's because I have issues I need to work on. I have loads planned this year, lots of personal goals. I'm going to work on the only person I can improve upon - ME!

Until next time,
Lot's of Love,
Naomi Claire
xxx

One Life, Live It! -At What Cost?

Ok so it's been a while, prob in more ways than one for some of you. But it's back! I know how much you've all missed my blog. Andy Jones especially!

A few different recent events have brought the following phrase to mind,
'No man is an island.'

Whenever something happens to someone (good or bad) the affect it has doesn't just effect the person it's happened to and the ripple affect doesn't stop at the people close to them either. We've all 'felt' for people we've never even met before when we hear of something tragic, moving or happy happening to them. And it's a nice trait of human nature to have compassion for others.

I was having a girly catch up last night and we were all sharing about whats happening in our lives at the moment. All of us had something we wanted to 'better.' Better house, better car, better job, better body, better mind set... You get the picture and I'm sure you have a long list yourself.

My message in life is always to live life to the full and go for everything you want 100%!
But what about when it effects others in a bad way? How far should you go to get everything you want?

To get to the top of your game in business you're most likely going to annoy people along the way. Normally though the problem lies with the people getting annoyed. More than likely, jealously that they aren't making their dreams a reality or worse still - they don't have any dreams. I wonder how many of those people will want to know you again when your successful and probably drop you again if you lost it all? I think as long as your not purposely screwing people over in business you should go full throttle to reach your goals.

What about when your not happy in a relationship and you decide it's time to move on? What if your partner doesn't want to move on or change to keep you? Do you move on to please yourself or stay put and hope its gets better, or settle for less than what you really want? I don't have a right answer and everyone's different. My only opinion is that if you don't love someone you should leave them. How cruel to stay with someone you don't really love?

If your family is 'religious' or has strong thoughts about the way you should conduct your life, but deep down in your heart you dont agree, what should you do? Live a lie so as not to offend your family or be true to yourself at the risk of being ostrasised - black sheep syndrome. As a mother I hate to think my children might do something I strongly disagree with, but I can't control them and I'd like to think that whatever path they take in life I wouldn't let it effect me - it certainly wouldn't affect my love for them.

As a mother is it right to stay home and if needs be claim benefits to support your family as long as your at home for your little ones? Or do you go out and work at the risk of your children not 'getting the correct start in life' ? What effect would it have on your partner if you stayed at home or went to work? I guess everyone has an opinion, normally the people that have never been in the situation. In the words of the great philosopher Chimpmunk, 'opinions aren't facts, take them in and let them go.'

How many people should we stop and think about the affects our actions might have on them before we make a decision?

Should people allow themselves to be effected by others?

It's hard to treat people the way we want to be treated if it means we don't get what we really want.

Every time someone wins, does someone else have to loose?

Go for what you want, reach your dreams, become a better person and grow. But be careful, no one wants to spend their life wondering what karma has in store.

'Do what you want and believe in because those who matter support you and those who dont support, you dont matter.'
Amelia Grant

As always I love your feedback so don't hold back!

Until next time
Lots of love
Naomi Claire
Xxx

I Moan, The Name Is No Excuse

I was lucky enough to be invited to a charity event at The Hilton this week to raise money for Tailor Roberts a 4 year old boy from Birmingham battling a brain tumour. He has been through hours of operations and treatments but has kept a smile on his face the whole time.

What an inspiration to us all, especially at Christmas. My name backwards is I moan, and ok I do, I'll admit it I'm queen of strops. But this little 4 year and his courage and happiness puts me to shame.

No one knows what life's going to throw at them, this should be enough to encourage us to live each day as if it was our last, but somehow we don't. Hindsight is a fine thing, imagine if we changed our thinking and actions to avoid the regret.

I encourage you now, even if u don't have the excuse of a name that gives you permission to moan. Grab life by the horns and live every moment, in every situation as if it were your last. What would u have written on your grave stone?

Put a smile on your face, count your blessings, never stop giving love and being there for the people that you love.

If you could see this gorgeous little 4 year old and his family your heart would melt. Absolutely gorgeous and he has every reason to live but his days are numbered. It's a serious lesson to us all. Cherish every moment even when you feel hard done by.

Situations like this HAVE to change us forever or the suffering of innocent people, in this case children is in vain.

Until next time
Lots of love
Naomi claire
Xxx

December Already?!

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE December!! On the 1st of December and I woke up with excited butterflies, from putting up my tree, watching Jake's Christmas performance at Stagecoach to listening to Christmas songs.... I LOVE it!

Giving the kids their advent calendars and seeing their happy little faces light up as they opened the first door to see what was hiding behind it was priceless.

The year has flown by, as always, and for me December is the time to reflect back over the last year. Anything that's been negative or hard to go through can be left behind. All the amazing moments and things that have happened can be remembered and cherished. It's also a time to look forward to the next year. Decide what goals you want to aim for, and look forward to events that you already have planned. December is a time to create good times with family and friends, eat loads and be so so thankful that we've made it through another year and are blessed!

I love Christmas shopping with all the decorations, Christmas music and festive spirit!

Check out my tree this year!

And Lucy trying to camp in it!

Some of the closest people in my life have their Birthdays in December. My Mom and Grandad on the same day, Ollie's little brother Charlie, Rosie, my auntie and of course Kacey Dew on the 30th! So its a time for birthday parties as well as Christmas parties!

The German market in town! Everybody loves the Christmas market. Last year Ollie and I went with our close friends Ally and Josh and it ended up being a really good random night out! Really looking forward to all the German beer and sausage this year. Although I'm sure the way they wash the glasses there is illegal.

I try to teach my children is that Christmas is a time for being thankful, cherishing loved ones and most importantly not just the receiving of presents but the giving to others.

One of my favourite episodes of Friends is when Phoebe tries to do a selfless act that doesn't make her feel good, so that it can be truly selfless. She struggles to find anything to do for someone else that doesn't make her happy. The lesson here is that when we give to others we will definitely feel good ourselves!

I don't mind saying I'm fairly money motivated. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't do anything for money like back stab or sell my kids (they are only available to rent!) but to me money is definitely an incentive for most of my ideas. But this December, this Christmas, I want to remember that some of the greatest gifts cost nothing. So everyday I'm going to 'give' to someone to help me remember what Christmas is really about for me.

2011 has been a year of change for me. A new house, an amazing holiday, and a change of career! I've watched my kids grow and change. Two of my closet friends have had babies. Friends have been moving house, reaching out for their dreams and settling down. Life is what you make it and this years been good. I know next years going to be even better. If you have hopes and dream for 2012 write them down, think on them and make them happen. Wish upon them and believe.

Let me know your thoughts about December and Christmas and the things you've been grateful for this year. What does December mean to you? Other than getting up 5 mins early to defrost the car in the morning!

Merry Christmas everyone :-)

Until next time,
lot's of love
Naomi Claire
xxx

What's the Point In Disappointment?

This week has been a bit disappointing for me and a few different people close to me. We may be down but we're certainly not out! The saying goes, 'when one door closes, another door opens.' 

As I've mentioned before I have ten million plans and ideas a week for success.

Success in achieving the perfect body
Success as the perfect mom
Success as the perfect daughter, sister, friend
Success as the perfect partner
Success in my career
A successful balance when I look at my bank account!

As I get wound up and stressed about all these areas in my life they seem to get worse not better! Enter my enemy 'disappointment'! 


Who the hell is disappointment and who invited him? Whether you've been disappointed by someone, something or whether you've disappointed yourself it hurts and it seems to knock us back ten steps!

Sometimes I look at peoples' situations, when they are waiting for something to happen - they're really excited and think to myself, 'that's not going to happen for you,' or 'you're setting yourself up for disappointment.' Now unless I'm asked I'm not going to express my thoughts and to be honest I could be wrong so I don't give my 50 cent worth of opinions! But whats interesting is that after the disappointment the person that was waiting on something admits, 'I had a feeling that wasn't going to happen!' Hmmmm I guess we do need to 'be quiet' at times in life and listen to our gut instinct before making any decisions.

I'm not saying we can always forecast being disappointed, but we should at the very least check with ourselves before making an important decision, or one that could leave us feeling terrible if it failed to turn out successfully.

So what can we do with disappointment to kick it's butt into touch?
I guess, learn from it?!

One saying my mother in law taught me is, 'learn from other peoples mistakes.'
Can I just say here I'm not saying you shouldn't try something if its failed for someone else, but at least make sure your standing on the shoulders of giants - building on other people success, and not repeating the steps they took to fail. We can all learn something from other peoples mistakes.

When we feel like we've hit rock bottom it can give us the kick up the bum we need to stay motivated on our path to success. In life we can get complacent when things go our way and let our dreams lapse. Don't let disappointment win! One of my favourite stories from Dragons Den is of a man who got rejected by all of the Dragons, so this gave him even more determination to be successful and prove them wrong. He is now worth millions and when interviewed said to the Dragons, 'keep those chairs warm for me!'

One thing every successful person I admire has in common, is that they went through years of disappointment on their way to the top. Maybe disappointment is part of success?

Whether or not you believe in Karma, truth is truth! We should do everything in our power not to disappoint others. Even when we can't be bothered or want to do something else, we should make every effort to treat others the way we want to be treated.

A situation I made a decision about this week not only let me down but other people too. I've spent all week feeling really bad about it. I'm still waiting to see the reason for my failure! I have no idea why what happened came to pass, but at least I won't make the same mistake twice. If anything the situation (along with a few other disappointments this week) has left me with more determination!

When I'm disappointed I love the way it makes me appreciate what I have got already. Ollie's going to kill me for writing this, but when we have a set back in life we actually come together and work harder on being nice to each other! I think it really makes us cherish each other and our kids. One of my friends that was disappointed this week, has used the disappointment to concentrate more on the things already important to him. So we can use disappointment to drive us in other areas.

When we do strike gold maybe we will appreciate it more because we worked so hard to find it.

I wish there wasn't any disappointment in life, but when there is, I've decided I'm going to use it to my advantage. I'm going to truly let it go, not dwell on it and move on - WISER. I hope you do the same too!

Until next time,
Lots of Love
Naomi Claire
xxx

Truly Blessed

Im sitting here reading 'Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway!'

The first part of this book is the same as most, two pages of acknowledgments... I cant ignore the fact that I have so many amazing people in my life. My acknowledgements page would be a book in itself! I just suddenly felt compelled to speak about them. I cannot mention them all because to be honest everyone I choose to have in my life is of course in my opinion AMAZING! 

Firstly, it's an unwritten law that you shouldn't get on with your mothers in law (monsters in law) but I do! I consider myself to have three, not because I have loads of partners, but because each one of them is too precious to ever let go! Each one of them, a strong woman in her own right.

One has never had anything handed to her on a plate, she works hard for everything she has, and never moans she just keeps on giving (sometimes too much) but for someone that could have written me and my family off years ago, she is ever loyal and I've shared with and turned to her in some of the most testing times in my life so far. I love you.

Onto the next mother in law. I met you before I met Ollie, and you instantly struck a cord with me. GLAMOROUS doesn't even do you justice. You are one of the people that I love to spend time with. Your wisdom and advice have steered a direction into my life. You are linked to my third mother in law (not just because you have both loved the same man!) because you both tell stories that hold my attention, make me laugh, cry and dream. The wisdom between you both is never ending. You both have a drive and passion within you that encourages me to do better and keep going no matter what anyone thinks. If I want an opinion I can guarantee I will seek both of yours. I love you both.

My past employers. I know I must have annoyed you at times because I was still finding my way, but I really grew as a person in the couple of years I worked with you. You both shared with me separately, and in part, your life stories. Both of you have worked for everything you have from scratch. I'd love to share with everyone what you have shared with me, but to sum it up, no matter where you come from, the tragedies you may face, the people you have to come up against - believe in your dream and yourself and you will be successful. If you need any sort of beauty treatment make sure you go to these guys, www.omarosabeauty.co.uk. My old boss was the FIRST and ORIGINAL beautician to make threading popular in this country - FACT!

One of my gorgeous friends that picks a goal and before you know it she's completed it! I am one of the worlds biggest procrastinators. Im gonna do this and that and the other, ask anyone, I have ideas as much as I have dreams each night, which is great but out of everything I declare about 20% gets done. I have one friend who has gone out and got everything she's ever declared she's going to have. Honestly from owning her own house to whacking a beautiful conservatory (on a shoe string budget) onto the back of it, to changing her car for a bigger, better one in the space of a week, this girl doesn't procrastinate , she just wants, dreams and does.

To my buddy, she finishes my sentence before I've figured out the right words to complete it! We were born on the same wave length and she's always adored me. Her dream was (and is) far beyond 'normal' people's desires. She's been far from what she wants and up against harsh critics in her personal life. She has been left on her own at times when she needed people the most. But from a power deep within she is well on the way to achieving her dreams. And if you see 100 people on stage performing, she'll be the one wearing the biggest smile. Im your biggest fan.

Most of us have amazing people in our lives. They shape the person you are, they are there through the best times, and the worst. Normally the ones you love the most are the ones that annoy you the most. If you didn't love and value them, you wouldn't care enough for them to irritate you. I don't really like feminists (sorry!) In my house the kitchens mine and ollie you best do that garden! But I do have amazing, strong, fabulous women in my life. I haven't even mentioned half of them, but I know I'm truly blessed.

Who are the people in your life that have shaped you?

Last mention is to my girl who gave birth this week after a LONG LONG labour. You once never thought it possible to hold your own child in your arms, but you have him now and deserve every minute of being a mother. Congratulations and well done.

Never give up on your dreams and draw your strength from the amazing people God put around you.

Until next time,
Lot's of love
Naomi Claire xxx

   

Completely Sidetracked

One of the many things that being a mother has taught me is that in life you have to be prepared to change your plans. I have hundreds of goals and plans each week and even each day! However if something comes up with my children - sickness, school project, stagecoach performance (you get the picture) I have to be flexible.

I started this blog to map my 'career journey' in life, as this is the most important thing to me at the moment other than my family and friends. BUT as I've had SO many request from people for a mention and different  ideas from people about what I should include I'm going to have to put myself out there and publish my life as well as my career! I can't let my fans down can I?!

I'm a massive believer in the power of the mind. I believe it is the starting point for everything in your life. From who your friends and family are to your bank balance and dress size. Whether we are conscious of this or not. Everything is created firstly from a thought.

Whats interesting to me is that whenever I feel my life going in a particular direction things around me  start falling into place that help me along the way. The people around me, the books that seem to 'fall' under my attention, adverts I see and even the lyrics to songs catch my attention. Its a part of synchronicity (google that!) and when it happens it feels really strange (freaky music) but I love it. It also confirms whether what I'm doing is right or wrong for me.

I don't want my life to be hard, dull, boring and I definitely don't want to be skint! So I try as much as I can to focus my mind on all the things I DO want in life. Below i want to share a bit about me, the things in my life that make me happy and the things I want.

I'm a scorpio and I think the characteristics sum me up quite well lol!

I love my Grandad's house where I live with my beautiful family

My family and friends mean the most to me. I have some amazing nights out (and in) with my friends and family.

 Me and Amelia

 http://www.InfinityStudios.co.uk

Recent Charity Night
Pictures by Andy Eames at Infinity Studios http://www.facebook.com/InfinityStudiosUK

My health is very important

Money is important!

Part of me would actually like to be famous - What can I say, I'm an attention seeker.

My mind is most focused on and excited about my business. I love the fact that my job is fun and doesn't seem like work.

I'm including something I don't like here... Xbox, Call of Duty and Fifa. Just like to throw some hints out there because I know ollie will read this!

I try to meditate as much as I can to keep me fairly normal!

People I admire - Beyonce, Deepak Chopra, Vicki Gunvalson, Bethanny Frankle and Louise Presley Turner.

Books I love, The Secret, The Duel, Paul McKenna - Change Your Life In Seven Days. I should read more books just for fun but I'm always drawn to books that make me grow as a person and add value to my life.

My favourite car that I will own one day soon

For now my Peugeot 206 will do (it was my dream car when I was about 17 - 20)

I love my smelly cats!

I have a Jewellery Business, soon to be revived, I always have stock so if you need fashion jewellery check me out!

ROK-KSY Jewellery

I love holidays and although when Im older I'd like to travel to different places and experience different cultures, at the moment ideal holidays for me involve sunbathing, being with the family, going out at night and really enjoying being somewhere hot. I also enjoy the odd weekend away to another city for a night out and a bit of time away from home. I plan to do a long weekend away in New York at Christmas time, the classic shopping and partying trip. Although my friend has an even better idea - 'shopping round Bloomingdales with Champers in our hands!' FABULOUS!

I have to include my favourite food here but there's just too many to choose from. Kacey clearly gets her love of food from me because other than baked beans I love all food. I'm the kind of girl who plans lunch and dinner whilst I'm eating my breakfast!

With all this food i love to eat and dream about I have to give the gym a visit at least three times a week, I love spin and pilates. I used to only attend classes because I get self conscious going round the gym, but I don't agree with letting insecurities hold you back so I have a few good routines in the main gym now and I enjoy it.

Above all it's important to live this life to the max and be happy!

What are the pictures in your life?

What makes you happy?

Until the next time!
Lots of love
Naomi Claire
xxx