Small Things To Change Your Life Series: Tale #1

For my first STTCYL Tale, I've dug deep into my childhood and found a story which I'm sure many of you have already heard. Aesop's Fables were a favourite of mine whilst growing up and I have found this still applies strongly today. Although Aesop's moral of this story is different to the moral I thought of whilst reading it, I think both are equally important. I also love the fact that I read a different meaning into this fable than the one originally intended. That is the beauty of literature: you can read a story and take from it what you will, even if the author never intended it. It's like a lesson in which the teacher didn't mean to give you, but you take from it more than they would have ever imagined. 

The Lion and the Mouse - An Aesop's Fable

Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days?" The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Some time after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. "Was I not right?" said the little Mouse.

Aesop's Moral: Little friends may prove great friends 

My Moral: Never judge too early

My Other Moral: What goes around comes around

So, although the Lion thought the Mouse was being incredibly funny by claiming he could one day return the favour, he definitely would never regret it. What goes around comes around applies in everyday circumstances. If you treat someone badly, how do you expect them to treat you nicely back? If you forgive someone, they are much more likely to forgive you in the future. Treat those around as you would like to be treated, and soon they'll treat you that way. 

You've all heard the expression "never judge a book by its cover" meaning you should never make assumptions about somebody until you know their story. It's easy to avoid someone, just because you may have heard something about them or just generally assume they wouldn't be someone you'd like. STOP THAT! Take a chance on everybody you meet. The lion assume the mouse could never help him, just because he was mouse.

Lastly, be kind to all. You never know what could happen if you're not. I know sometimes being kind or civil is the last thing on your mind but just step back and think about others for a bit. It is never too late to apologise. It is never too late to forgive. 

I promise you that nothing feels better than making someone smile or laugh. This is one of the smallest things in our world; a two second grin or giggle may not seem too significant but trust me, there is no greater joy than bringing joy to others.

"Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind." 

-Henry James

Have a fabulous Sunday,

Heaps of Love,

Maddy x

My New Year's Resolutions - Appreciating Life A Little More

I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone. It feels that only yesterday I was celebrating the start of 2014 and now it is suddenly almost the end. Last year I didn't set myself resolutions but I wish I had. So, I've set myself some resolutions for 2015 and I intend to keep them.

The first is saying yes. Obviously if somebody asks me to jump off a cliff or punch a policeman, I won't say yes. But this year I've found there have been many occasions when I wish I'd said yes. I've discovered I never truly regret something I have done but I always regret the things I didn't. Whether it's a favour to a friend or a competition or simply a question. Saying yes (at appropriate times) is my main aim for the new year.

The second is trying new things. I am a  worrier, a big big worrier. I'm always picking out the things that could go wrong in a situation which results in me worrying more. Trying new things involves stepping out of one's comfort zone and that is something I am trying to do more of. So this year I want to do new, exciting things and I want to enjoy them. I'm also hoping this will give me a confidence boost or just decrease my worrying. 

Number three on my list is to get healthy. Recently I've been trying to get fit and healthy and obviously over this Christmas holiday I have not stuck to it. So starting tomorrow I'm having another go and I intend to keep it on into the new year. This involves eating right, exercising, sleeping better and becoming much more confident. I'll admit I've never been happy with my body but recently I've started developing a bit of a 'I don't give a f***' attitude towards my body which I am glad about. But I do want to get healthier and fitter. 

Last on my list but definitely an important one is being a bit kinder and aware of others. I know for a fact that when I'm tired or stressed I can be rather bitchy and not mean it. I also know I've recently been pushing some of my closest friends away, which is a stupid mistake and I don't want to push them any further. Friends are such an important part of my life and I'd hate it if I lost one of them. I'm also talking about being kinder to others too. Whether that's picking up a strangers scarf and getting it back to them or helping a younger year. I just want to start helping others more and to stop being quite so self-absorbed. We all are a little and that's alright, sometimes you need to care about yourself, but I want to make the world around me a happier place. So if I can help just one person, then I'll be doing a good job.

I suppose all of these resolutions are about appreciating my life a little more. I recently discovered a family member of mine was in a nasty crash and could be left paralysed. Things like this are a real wake up call and so I want to life every second of this year trying harder than I did last year. We shouldn't need horrible events to push us into reflecting a little more, but sadly we do.

I know the state of our world isn't the most pleasing of things, but what I want you -yes you, the brilliant person reading all this- is to step outside, take a walk, read a book, reflect on your life and start appreciating the beautiful world we live in and the wonderful people that surround us. 

I have all faith that 2015 is going to be a good year, with ups and downs of course, but a good one. 

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." - Oprah Winfrey

Happy New Year my lovelies. May it be filled with good people, happy moments and appreciation.

Maddy x