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Reading all entries in category "CEO Kellie's thoughts and musings"
The gift of health
Posted in 'CEO Kellie's thoughts and musings' on January 28, 2011, 2:28 pm
This week I have been thinking how grateful I am for something big..... My health.
Not so long ago I suffered terrible symptoms from thyroid and hormonal problems. More than anything, I found the constant fatigue and aching muscles zapped me of my strength, energy and ability to think clearly.
Fast forward 18 months visiting a naturopath regulary and, although I still have more progress to make, I can get by on MUCH less sleep (when running a business that helps!) and have actually even been able to start jogging a bit, which before resulted in nothing but migraines and seized up muscles.
This week then, I give thanks for my naturopath, Tina, and the many amazing natural therapists that share their knowledge around the world. I am so please to see that natural therapies are becoming more and more 'acceptable' as an increasing number of people realise the benefits of natural ways.
If you'd like to try a natural therapy, a good place to start is the Natural Therapy Pages
Posted in 'CEO Kellie's thoughts and musings' on January 21, 2011, 2:39 pm
I have been reflecting recently on how grateful I am for my education.
With all the kids off to school again soon, this week I have been thinking about my own school years, and realised that I'm grateful for the fact that, unlike many kids, I actually really enjoyed school.
I am grateful to my parents who encouraged me to work hard, always try my best and respect my teachers. I love the fact that they fostered in me a love of learning and appreciation of knowledge, and know that my school years and later life were, and have been, affected in a great way by this thirst for knowledge.
I'm also thankful that I was able to attend good primary and secondary schools, and I am very grateful for the wonderful, caring teachers I had all through my education. Teachers have one of the most important jobs in the world, and are so very under appreciated - I'd just like to say thanks to mine for working so hard and making a positive difference to my life. (Check out the below video about teaching which was posted on Ted.com - I love it!)
I was also so lucky to make amazing friends at school who helped me through so many important years - from a child to teenager and then adult - and I am so appreciative for all their support, friendship and laughter over the years.
I realise that many kids have a horrible time at school, whether that's through being teased, not fitting in, or simply finding that the 'one size fits all' structure of school education was not for them. I know that bad experiences in these formative years can have negative consequences for years to come, so I am so grateful for the fact that my school years were relatively smooth sailing.
If only all kids had the same opportunities and support through these formative years, how different might the world be I wonder?
Ways you can help the animal victims of Queensland's disaster areas
Posted in 'CEO Kellie's thoughts and musings' on January 14, 2011, 2:37 pm
I am lucky enough to be living in a part of SE Queensland (the Sunshine Coast) that managed to avoid devastation from the recent floods. I was so very lucky to not be badly affected by the recent QLD floods - my husband and I are safe, our pets are safe, and our home and online gift business are safe. For this I am incredibly grateful. So many others around the country weren't so lucky, and my thoughts go out to them at this horrible, horrible time.
I must say though that I am also incredibly grateful this week for living in a country that is full of compassionate, caring, hardworking Aussies. So many people around the country have been doing everything they can to help those in need, and I think every Aussie at the moment must be feeling appreciative for the true mateship that is being shown by fellow Aussies.
I think everyone is pretty aware at the moment of how to help people who have lost everything in the floods. While I don't mean to diminish their losses at all, I do think that more awareness needs to be made of the plight of pets, livestock and wildlife in these types of extreme situations. Animal shelters like the RSPCA and others unfortunately will not receive disaster relief from the government, so they must rely entirely on the hearts and wallets of the public in Australia and internationally.
If you would like to help out those animals and carers in need at this tough time, here are some of the ways to do so:
Help to rebuild destroyed animal shelters and save animals in shelters by donating to the RSPCA - http://www.rspcaqld.org.au/
Make a donation to help with running costs; offer foster services to animals in need; or give a 'forever home' to a fantastic pet from shelters such as:
Wildlife organisations will also be needing our help, as we just start to get an idea of the devastation caused to wildlife in flood affected areas. There is a huge loss of habitat for many animals after the floods and many wildlife will need medical care, food and shelter. The best way to help wildlife right now is to donate money that can be used for food drops or medical care as necessary. To help, make a donation at:
If you find injured or displaced wildlife call your local vet and ask for the number of the local wildlife rescue group. Minimise handling of wildlife and place in a dark, quiet room if possible.
Posted in 'CEO Kellie's thoughts and musings' on January 7, 2011, 2:35 pm
This week I am grateful for the fact that, even though I'm sick of the rain in Queensland, I am soooo lucky to be in an area that isn't flooded, or in even risk of flood. My home and my business are safe, unlike the harsh reality that is facing so many other Aussies at the moment, and I feel hugely thankful for that.
My thoughts, and those of everyone at Kindred Gifts, go out to all the flood victims - humans and animals - in Queensland at this time.
For more information on ways to help those affected, please see below.
If you would like to help:
Donations to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal can be made online at www.qld.gov.au/floods.
Donations can also be made in person at any branch of the Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac, ANZ, BOQ, Suncorp, St George Bank or BankSA, or at Coles supermarkets.
It isn't just people affected in this natural disaster though. Please let's also not forget the massive devastation the floods are causing wildlife and pets in affected areas. The media and businesses tend to forget that animals are just as effected and in need as humans - but with much less help available. (How much did we hear about the plight of animals when the Victorian bushfires happened?)
Your help is urgently need now, and there are simple ways to help:
The RSPCA is calling for donations to help send food to animals in need in flooded regions.
To post your donation, send a cheque or money order (payable to RSPCA Queensland Inc) to: RSPCA Queensland Inc, PO Box 6177, Fairfield Gardens Qld 4103, Australia.
Telephone the donation line on (07) 3426 9972 (weekdays 8.30am to 5pm AEST) - have your credit card details ready! US or Canadian residents can call tollfree on 1866 539 6589.
Direct Debit, please call the donation line on (07) 3426 9972 for RSPCA Queensland Inc account details. Please indicate "Flood Appeal" when depositing.
Every little bit helps, so please, help out our fellow Aussies, whether human or animal, today.
Posted in 'CEO Kellie's thoughts and musings' on December 31, 2010, 2:26 pm
This week I have been doing a lot of reading and it made me think back to where my love of books began....
As a child I loved reading and yes, actually got into trouble for reading too much! Yep, geek alert, I know!
I would take a book with me in the car and read on long trips - short ones too - as well as days spent waiting for my brother to finish playing cricket. I'd read each night, I'd read when I was happy, sad, confused....
Even though I may have missed out on some things as a kid by always having my head in a book, I am soooo grateful for the things that have been brought into my life by them.
Books taught me the fundamental language skills that I am so grateful for and got me through an English Literature and Philosophy degree!
Books gave me comfort when I was sad, a distraction when I was nervous or some excitement when I wanted an adventure.
They have, and continue to be, a source of information to quench my constant thirst for knowledge.
Most importantly, the inspirational words and thoughts of others have taught me over the years that anything is possible; that big dreams can come true; and that we can make of this life what we will.
I am grateful to my mum who spent countless hours reading to me as a kid, and my parents for being patient with me always wanting a book in my hand!
And to all those authors out there that have inspired me over the years, I say thank you. I am truly blessed for having had access to your words.
If you're after some good book suggestions, then some of my many favourites over the years include:
Raggedy Anne and the Cookie Snatcher (A Golden Book) by Barbara Shook Hazen - the first book I can remember being read and reading, and still availabe on Amazon believe it or not!
Like most kids, The Magic Faraway Treeby Enid Blyton, as well as so many of her other series such as those about Mr Meddle and Mr Twiddle.
Everything by Roahl Dahl, but especially The Twitsand Matilda.
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe series by C.S. Lewis.
The Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson.
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.
Pretty much every book by marketer Seth Godin, but in particular Free Prize Inside; All Marketers are Liars; Purple Cowand Linchpin.
Delivering Happiness by retail king and Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh.
Made to Stick by marketing gurus Chip and Dan Heath.
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by Room to Read founder Tony Wood.
Peak by Joie de Vivre Hospitality owner and founder Chip Conley.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.
The Ancient Future trilogy by Traci Harding (way more than just an ordinary fantasty series!)
The Stephanie Plum series, starting with One for the Money, by Janet Evanovich.
And I can't forget my favourite, The Time Traveller's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger.
So what were your favourite books as a child? What books have you inspired you as an adult?
Posted in 'CEO Kellie's thoughts and musings' on December 24, 2010, 2:31 pm
This week, believe it or not, I realised that I really like Christmas!
Yep, that's right, you read correctly - Christmas.
There. I said it.
I know, I know, it's a stressful time of year. People get snappy; we end up spending more money than we'd like; it's impossible to get a park anywhere near the shops; there's pressure to buy the right gifts; lots of traffic on the roads and so on and so on.
BUT there's also the great stuff that I am thankful for:
The perfect excuse to watch feel good Christmas movies that make us feel all warm and fuzzy and remind us that Christmas is a great time to appreciate our loved ones. (For me, the movie is Christmas Vacation, with Chevvy Chase. Seen it a hundred times but it still makes me cry with laughter!)
What other time in the year do we ever think it's ok to put on flimsy paper hats and read out lousy jokes that we pretend to find funny?
At Christmas we can eat until our we burst but it's ok, it's Christmas, and we're allowed. No really, we're allowed!
Christmas brings us all those sugary sweet, cliched carols that you can't really help but hum for the next 3 days (unless you work in a retail store and have to listen to the same carols get played over and over again for a month. Then, not so good).
The burst of excitement I felt as a kid when I woke up and remembered it was Christmas morning and now, as an adult, watching that same excitement and anticipation show on kids in the family on Christmas morning.
I am grateful for how lucky I am all through the year, and I'm grateful that Christmas reminds me of that.
Merry Christmas to everyone, and may your Christmas be filled with love, peace and happiness.
And here's to a fabulous 2011 just around the corner!
Posted in 'CEO Kellie's thoughts and musings' on December 17, 2010, 2:04 pm
Kookaburras are cool, ok?
Yep, I'm talking about those warbling, laughing, noisy birds.
I was standing in the rain yesterday (yes, more rain) and throwing the ball to the dogs to try to give them something fun to do that day, when some kookaburras started singing nearby.
As I was standing in a park in the rain listening to them I suddenly felt very humbled by their existence.
There I was, feeling grumpy about getting wet and eaten alive by mozzies, when they reminded me of the true beauty of nature, and the amazing variety of beautiful species that we share our 'home' with on earth.
There is something so happy and pure about the Kookaburra's song that I have always loved. It never ceases to make me smile, and for that, I am very thankful.
Now I just wish I could get this song out of my head: 'A kookaburra sits in the old gum tree-ee......'
What's your favourite native animal? When was the last time you sat and watched or really listened to one of these creatures go about its day?
Posted in 'CEO Kellie's thoughts and musings' on December 10, 2010, 1:59 pm
This week I'd like to thank....
the Sun for showing up again!
After weeks of dark, grey skies and lots of rain, I am very thankful to finally see the sun.
Living on the scenic Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, it has been very strange starting off summer with weeks of rain and gloomy weather, so I have been very relieved to finally see some sun come around.
Although we are all very conscious of limiting our exposure to the sun these days, many people don't realise that our bodies actually need some regular sun exposure in order to keep our Vitamin D levels up.
In fact, Vitamin D defiency can be associated with problems such as osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, 'stroke', heart disease, depression, body muscle mass wasting, gum disease, & certain forms of cancer. While sunbaking without protection for too long during the hottest times of the day - usually 10am to 2pm - is not advised, we should all be conscious of getting enough sunshine on our face and body on a regular basis. (Just how much is enough is dependent on various factors including skin type).
Working at a desk for eight or more hours every day isn't the best way to do this, so personally I am working towards having a couple of 'mini work breaks' every day outside to get a little bit of sunshine in my life. I find that throwing the ball with the two dogs is a perfect way to have a break, get some sun and make the two doggies happy campers as well! A win for everyone!
For more information on Vitamin D defiency and sun exposure, you can do some reading:
The Vitamin D Solution: a 3-step strategy to cure our most common health problem by Michael F. Holick
The Vitamin D Revolution: how the power of this amazing vitamin can change your life by Khalsa Soram
Why I love my job: how being in the business of eco friendly and charitable gifts gives me the 'warm and fuzzys'!
Posted in 'CEO Kellie's thoughts and musings' on December 2, 2010, 1:58 pm
Why I love to offer customers green and socially conscious gifts that make the world a better place....
This week I got to thinking about how lucky I am to do what I do. While I'm terribly grateful for so many things in my life, lately I've been realising how much I'm grateful for OPPORTUNITY.
I'm so thankful for the fact that I get the opportunity, each and every week, to interact with inspirational people all around the world who are doing fantastic, innovative things with their time, their creativity and their money, to make the world a better place. I'm thankful for the opportunity to discover gifts and companies and organisations that I otherwise would not have been aware of, as well as coming across some absolutely heart warming stories that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. (Check out some of the stories behind the brands we sell and you'll see why!)
I speak regularly to designers and artisans and non-profits who bring much needed innnovation, luxury and style to the world of gift giving. And let's not forget PASSION. Because these people have it in spades.
Speaking to committed designers who have poured their heart and soul into their unique products gives me fuel every week to keep going on the hard days. The days when my computer freezes or loses my emails or shuts down all by itself (and yes, ok, that could have something to do with the 30 or so websites that I keep open at any one time, but let's just move on from that for now....) Their sincerity and their committment spurs me on to deliver the best possible shopping experience for our customers.
I'm very proud to help promote some of these amazing artisans from around the world, and to bring more awareness to the unique, ethical and downright interesting gifts that are available these days. I look forward to sharing all the stories of these clever people with you, and hope you will join me on this fun shopping expedition.
I had (or made) the opportunity to create a business that will make the world a better place, and I took it.
Posted in 'CEO Kellie's thoughts and musings' on November 25, 2010, 1:52 pm
Happy Thanksgiving!
With this great American holiday happening today, it got me to thinking about the simple (yet often underused) task of giving thanks.
While the celebration of Halloween has been the American holiday that's really starting to take off in Australia these days, I wonder if celebrating a day of thanks would actually make for a much better sentiment then eating vast amounts of sugar and dressing up as Dracula?
Don't get me wrong, I love chocolate and lollies and dressing up as much as any 5 year old, but perhaps a yearly reminder of what's great in our lives would lead to a happier, healthier planet. In fact, more and more, research is suggesting that maintaining an 'attitude of gratitude' can improve psychological, emotional and even physical well-being.
Indeed, research just out from Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., has shown that giving thanks is, quite simply, good for your health. The study found that adults who regulary feel grateful have more happiness, more optimism, more energy and more social connections than those who do not. They're also less likely to suffer from depression, feel envious, be greedy or become alcoholics. They sleep better, exercise more regularly, have greater resistance to infections and even earn more money!
And it's not just great for the adults either. Researchers are finding that feelings of gratitude bring similar benefits to children and adolescents. Studies show that grateful children tend to be less materialistic, get better grades, set higher goals and complain of fewer headaches and stomach aches. They also feel more satisfied with their friends, families and schools than those who don't.
With the holidays almost upon us, it might be time then to give gratitude a go in order to get through the 'silly season'. Focusing on positive thoughts, expressing thanks aloud and looking for something to be grateful for in those around you (especially loved ones!) can make a big difference to coping with stress around Christmas. New York psychiatrist Drew Ramsey says this is an essential tool for surviving the holidays. "Giving thanks for them helps you deal with the craziness that is part of every family," he says.
So next time the family starts to drive you crazy, sit back, take a deep breath and be thankful for the fact that, even though they may send you up the wall, they certainly help you know you're alive!
To celebrate the idea of gratitude, I've put together a list (a reminder really) of all I have to be grateful for at the moment.
This week the top things I'm thankful for are:
- being able to work every day in a job I love
- creating a business that has a positive impact on the world
- my family and friends, for all their constant love and support
- my two cute dogs for making me laugh every day
- living in 'The Lucky Country' where freedom and abundance are just a way of life
What are you thankful this day, week, month or year? Take some time to stop and ask yourself this question - you might just be happier than you realise!
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