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Information Intake

What You Read and Listen To Matters

One of the most critical areas of tidying up that will help us mentally, physically and spiritually is our information intake. With endless access to digital gadgets, it is easy to fall into the information jungle. The books that we read, the podcasts that we listen to, and the websites we visit have an impact on our lives. If you find yourself trolling Facebook for hours a day or plopping down on the couch each night and mindlessly watching TV until you go to bed, it is most definitely time for some information intake clean-up. I am going to list what I have come to use as my top podcasts and books in 2018 for self-enrichment. The next time you pick up your phone listen to one of these instead of wasting time in the addictive digital jungle.

My Favorite Podcasts for 2018

1. The Mindvalley Podcast
The Mindvalley Podcast is one of the greatest up-and-coming self-help podcasts out there today. With its brilliant host, Vishen Lakhiani, this podcast profoundly pulls together a vast variety of insight and inspiration from the world’s top teachers and thought leaders in personal transformation (such as Tom Chi, Neale Donald Walsch, and John and Missy Butcher).

As perhaps the most well-rounded personal development podcast mentioned here, The Mindvalley Podcast explores juicy ideas throughout a multitude of lifestyle topics — from learning how to learn to access flow states, to running a kick-butt business, to be the best version of yourself possible,

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By Annie|2019-01-09T10:18:59+00:00January 9th, 2019|Categories: Thoughts from the Barn|Tags: information intake, listening, podcasts, reading, websites|0 Comments

Declutter Your Body

In my first blog about tidying up, I gave you many examples of how to declutter your environment. Although that was a good start, we aren’t done with this tidying business. I want to talk to you about your body. How does one clean-up their body? Well, just like in your environment, I invited you to get rid of things that don’t make you feel good or bring you joy. The same goes for your body. Stop using your body as dumping ground for food that might taste good, but makes you feel bad.

A Fine-Tuned Machine

I image my body to be a high performing machine. Something that I need and want to handle with the best of care. Consider this. If you owned a Ferrari would you put cheap gas in it? Would you add sugar to the tank to help it perform better? I am guessing not, because the result would be disastrous. The same goes for your body. I think of food as fuel. I know what foods make me feel and look good and I know which ones don’t. I only consume ‘fuel’ that allows my body to operate and feel it’s best.

It Is Simple But Challenging

Taking excellent care of your body is simple. It comes down to making good choices. Is it easy? No, and therein lies the challenge. There is no magic pill. It takes commitment and discipline. You have to decide how important your body is to you. The trouble is, we

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By Annie|2019-01-08T10:45:45+00:00January 8th, 2019|Categories: Thoughts from the Barn|Tags: body, declutter, focus, health, health and wellness, intentional living, move your body, take care of your body, take care of yourself, tidy, tidying up|0 Comments

Are You Ready To Clean Up Your Act?

It’s Time to Get Tidy

Well, is the confetti from ushering in the New Year out of your hair and carpet yet? If not, this might be a great time to consider doing a little cleaning up in all domains of your life. On New Year’s day, a friend of mine texted me as asked if I had seen the Netflix series one of Marie Kondo’s “Tidying Up.” I hadn’t for two reasons, one, I don’t have Netflix and two, the first day of the launch of the series was that day. Coincidentally, I was making notes to share a series of posts with you, so I did some research on Marie’s series. By the way, she is also the author of the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I don’t think that Marie’s series will make for riveting reality TV, but I do appreciate her concept of letting go of anything in your life that does not bring you joy. I invite you to do your research on tidying up, and in the process, I hope you find a shit-load of joy and happiness.

Here, I offer you my first in a series and brief suggestions on areas of your life that will likely benefit from some clean-up.

Environment

1) Desktop on your computer:

A cluttered desktop can be stressful. Each time you look at it, you can launch yourself straight into overwhelm which is no way to start your day. There are many apps and lifehacks to assist you in managing

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By Annie|2019-01-03T11:57:06+00:00January 3rd, 2019|Categories: Thoughts from the Barn|Tags: clean up, clean up your environment, how you dress, if it doesn't bring you joy get rid of it, let go, now is the time, the refrigerator, tidy, tidying up, your car|0 Comments

The Badass Soul-Seeking Warrior Podcast Series, Episode 8 : Marji Guyler-Alaniz

Marji Guyler-Alaniz, founder of Farmher

It all started with a dream and a camera.

In 2013, Marji Guyler-Alaniz had just left her job in corporate agriculture and started a photo project titled FarmHer, capturing women working on the farm. She wasn’t the only one interested in updating the image of agriculture and others began to follow the movement.

FarmHer quickly grew into a place where stories are shared, and women are not only recognized but feel a sense of inspiration and community. Today the business consists of various entities, all shining a light on women in agriculture.

In this podcast, you will hear Marji talk about:

This is Marji

It was time to change my story

The Super Bowl commercial that changed everything

Family life changed dramatically

I had to be an example to my children

RFD-TV Farmher TV Series

Cynopsis Award

Focus on women in agriculture

Barbara Mazurek

My biggest gift

Managing fear

Book & Blog suggestions

Advice about Creating A Life You Love

Final Thoughts

Show Notes:
Website: www.farmher.com
Super Bowl Commercial: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMpZ0TGjbWE
Book Suggestion: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
Blog Suggestion: The Lost Peacock Creamery www.lostpeacock.com
RFD-TV Stream link: RFDCC.com/farmherfan
Barbara Mazurek Season 1: farmher.com/blogs/farmhers-ranchhers/barbara-mazurek-episode-3-life-and-loss-in-utopia-texas Stay true and be you —

Annie Create a Life You Love
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By Annie|2018-12-17T12:27:00+00:00December 17th, 2018|Categories: Badass Soul-Seeking Warrior Podcast Series|Tags: agriculture, cynopsis award, doing good, farmher, helping others, inspiring young woman, make a difference, photographer, RFD-TV, woman with a mission, women farmers|0 Comments

Habit 11: We Prioritize Time

Prioritize Time

Do you prioritize your time? I had an excellent opportunity to absorb the importance of using our time wisely and for a useful purpose. A dear friend recently passed away and here is what I learned at his funeral.

Stay true and be you —

Annie Create a Life You Love
Participate in the Online Edition of Lines In The Sand Join Us Now

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By Annie|2019-01-03T12:03:14+00:00December 9th, 2018|Categories: Thoughts from the Barn|Tags: family, generous, prioritize time, use time wisely|0 Comments

Habit 10: We Are Thankful

We Are Thankful

Gratitude and being thankful is talked about a lot, but I wonder how many people spend focused time each day in gratitude? It can be easy to get caught up in the dynamics of a day. One can get sucked into the chaos so quickly and then if we are not careful we can spiral into overwhelm and stress. Think about it. The mere fact that we wake up each morning with a beating heart, breathing in and out without thinking, with a roof over our head, and electricity and running water. That’s just a start. There is so much. Be present enough to notice and then be thankful. Allow your brief time on this planet to be filled with goodness, share that goodness, and no matter what, be thankful. Stay true and be you —

Annie Create a Life You Love
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By Annie|2019-01-03T11:03:34+00:00December 5th, 2018|Categories: Thoughts from the Barn|Tags: appreciate, blessed, grateful, thankful|0 Comments

Habit 9: We Talk To God

Talk To God

Habit 8: We Talk To God. Yes, this is one of the habits of highly joyful, successful, and content people. This requires you to spend some quiet time each day. And, appreciate instead of expecting. Say thank you. Ask God what His will is for you. Don’t pray only when you ‘need’ something. Talk to God for guidance, and support, and knowledge. Ask how you can serve. Be willing to be your best self. Stay true and be you —

Annie Create a Life You Love
Participate in the Online Edition of Lines In The Sand Join Us Now

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By Annie|2018-12-15T14:38:36+00:00December 3rd, 2018|Categories: Thoughts from the Barn, Uncategorized|Tags: believe, conversation, faith, God, talk to God, Trust|0 Comments

Habit 8: Set Your Intentions For The Day

Intentional Living

Habit 8 of Joyful, Successful, and Content People: We are intentional in our living. We set intentions for how we want our day to go, our desired outcome of meetings and phone calls. Our desire for our health and wellness. Start setting some intentions and see what happens. I do this during my ‘quiet time’ each morning and right before lights out at night. If you are interested in learning more about the “Be”-Attitudes Kit/Cards go here: www.beattitudeskit.com
Start living with intention! Stay true and be you —

Annie Create a Life You Love
Participate in the Online Edition of Lines In The Sand Join Us Now

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By Annie|2018-12-15T14:14:50+00:00December 1st, 2018|Categories: Thoughts from the Barn|Tags: create your day, focus, intention, intentional living, make it so, quiet time, set the tone for your day|0 Comments

Habit 7: Surround Yourself With Positive People

Surround Yourself With Positive People

Here are some thoughts by Shawn Lim regarding this habit

Jim Rohn was right when he famously said:

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

We simply become like the people we surround ourselves with most of the time.

Think about it, if you want to start saving by cutting down your expenses, but if you mix with people who are not thrifty and who simply spend on things, highly likely, you will not reach your goal.

For instance, when you decided to cut down your expenses on coffees, and when you go out with a bunch of friends, and all of them wanted to go to Starbucks for a drink and a cake, what will you do?

Of course, you follow. And will you just sit in Starbucks and ordered nothing? Will you just sit there watching your friends eating and drinking and all you do is talking to them?

Not likely. Chances are, you’re going to buy yourself a cup of coffee too. So that you look “fit in”, right?

Please understand that this is just an example of how the people you surround with can influence your thinking and decision.

What if everyone you surround yourself with is using the latest smartphone? What if they are all smokers?

Can you see how this can influence and impact your life?

Therefore, if you want to be successful and always stay positive, surround yourself with people who are positive and successful.

Here are

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By Annie|2018-12-15T14:39:16+00:00December 1st, 2018|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: positive, positive people, surround yourself with positive people, top 5 people|0 Comments

Habit 6: Failure Is Part Of Success

Habit 6 of Joyful, Successful, and Content People:

We know that failure is part of our success. If you are not willing to fail, then you likely won’t experience success to any significant degree. There is absolutely nothing wrong or shameful about failing. It is a key element to success. Oh, and by the way, show me someone who hasn’t made a mistake in their life or failed at something…I wouldn’t want to be them!

A Failure Lab

A friend of mine has suggested the idea of a failure lab. What does that mean? Well, here is an example. If all the scientist working on curing disease would gather together and share all of their failures, it would speed up the process because others would not be repeating experiments that have previously failed. We have become conditioned that failure is a bad thing when in reality it is all the failures in our lives that ultimately lead to our success.

Embrace Failure

Let’s agree to embrace failure. If this is where our winning comes from, why not celebrate each ‘so-called’ failure as a stepping stone to our success? I have never learned as much when things are going well in my life as when there are some struggle and a few fails.

Have a look at my Facebook post on failure!

https://www.facebook.com/annie.fonte/videos/10161364149725529/ Stay true and be you —

Annie Create a Life You Love
Participate in the

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By Annie|2018-12-11T08:43:47+00:00November 20th, 2018|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: expect to fail, failure, failure is a good thing, It's OK, success, the failure lab, what so bad about failing?|0 Comments