Can you imagine?

Hi friends Happy Monday! xoxo How was your weekend? Fun I hope :) So I was out walking with a fabulous friend of mine yesterday morning along Elwood Beach... and I asked her a question I actually ask in the first chapter of my book. I asked her, "What would you do if you had unlimited finances and you never had to work again...?"

As we took a few moments and allowed the enormity of the question to soak in, (whilst power walking super-passionately along the Brighton-Elwood coast path of course) we found ourselves launching into the most wonderful conversation. Full of imagination, and without limits, the lid was taken off. We were like excited little girls dreaming of travel, businesses, new creative ideas, blessing people extravagantly, and living in abundance.

Imagination is the key. Walt Disney saw Cinderella's Castle in his mind before building it. Look at this blueprint below, this is what he imagined. Now compare it to the first photo. Imagination brings the dream to life.  

So what about you? Can you imagine? Would you know how to answer this question? What would you do with unlimited finances and resources? We are often quick to shut down our ideas due financial limitations before our minds get a chance to begin to dream. But this week is different. This week... it's time to fly.

Give it a go! Go on... as you start this week afresh, take a moment now to realign your thinking with God's thoughts, and really ask yourself these questions:

1. What does my dream life look like?

2. What did I want to do/be when I was little?

3. What is the main thing stopping me from living your dreams?

4. Again, if I had unlimited finances and resources, what would I do? (Remember... think BIG. As in MASSIVE).

Because do you know what? Even though we are often limited by finances and time and people and resources, God is not. He has all of the above in unlimited supply... and it's fully accessible to us at any time! So, it's up to us to renew our thoughts and think with an "abundance mindset".

My book, "Anything Can Happen" talks lots about this, it's all about abundance and imagining and seeing the dream before it becomes reality. (I am in the process of editing it at the moment and I can't wait to show you!) :)  xo

So friends... this week, as we look forward at this magnificent year ahead of us, let's set aside some time (even if it's just 30 minutes) to DREAM. Whether it be in a cafe, a park, a restaurant or in your bedroom... just like with Walt Disney, things happen when we dream. So let your imagination run absolutely wild... because anything can happen. ;) 

Cheering you on as you imagine and dream this week!

Love Nat xo

xox

Images - via Pinterest

Just enjoy the moment.

Hi friends how are you?! :) After a few weeks travelling along Alaska's Inside Passage visiting Haines, Wrangell and Prince Rupert then through the Rockies, I'm now in Vancouver. Ah I love this city. Well, it does help that it's summer and the weather is stunnnn-ning at the moment :) 

So do you ever find yourself thinking ahead and planning for the next thing, while you're actually still in the middle of something else? Well I do. It's kind of like I'm half enjoying the moment, but then I'm half in the future at the same time. Do you know what I mean? Anyway, last night after a few long travel days, I went for a run along the waterfront. I wanted to make the most of the balmy summer night and it was just so gorgeous. After running for a bit, I sat down on a bench overlooking the marina at Coal Harbour, when suddenly my mind began to tick. 

One second I was running along the water, the wind in my hair, enjoying the moment, and then all of a sudden I was in a spiral of thoughts twirling around and around like a tornado. Thoughts like, "okay tomorrow we're doing this... and then next week I have to arrange this... and then next weekend I'll be getting to New York... and then oh my gosh I have to arrange that..." What the heck?! And all the while I was sitting on a stunning harbour, looking at this view...

Then I heard that still small voice say... Nat, stay in the moment. :)

Oh my gosh! That very second I wanted to slap myself! There I was watching one of the most breathtaking sights of my adventure thus far... and my mind was off with the pixies! So right away I captured my 'slightly-psycho' runaway thoughts and I stopped. As if talking to a child I said to myself, "Natalie, look where you and let's just stay here for now!" Instantly my eyes were drawn to a boat sailing away in the distance. Then to some ducks swimming leaving a ripple behind. Then I spotted some girlfriends walking along laughing. Then along came some kids skipping. I inhaled a big breath... and just sat.

How much more is there for us when we actually stay in the moment? We need to be aware, because tomorrow often tries to rob today of it's joy. But let's not worry about tomorrow, or next week, or next month. 

"Let us not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition, definite requests with thanksgiving, continue to make our requests known to God... 

And his peace shall be yours. That peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  What a promise hey. :)

So let's stay in the moment today. Take a moment to go for a walk... Grab a coffee on your own and just people watch... Put your phone away and look up to the sky (it's amazing how gorgeous the tops of buildings are if you just look!)... Go to a new park at lunchtime and lay on the grass... Spend ten minutes chatting to someone new... Stop and take in the view around you...

You don't have to rush ahead. You have permission to stop and enjoy now, because all too soon that moment will be gone. I have four days left leading this tour, but I am not thinking about what's ahead, I'm thinking about now. We are about to head out on a city tour of Vancouver which will be fun. So I am going to stop in each moment, enjoy every new sight and smell... and hang out with some amazing people.

Have an awesome day my friends. Sending you lots of love from Canada :)

Nat xxx

Ps here are some pics from my Alaska and Canada journey so far... 

(more pics on my Instagram - @thewritersink)

Bears eating salmon at AnAn Bear Observatory. (Wrangell, Alaska)

About to jump on a light plane and fly up to the Arctic Circle. (Fairbanks, Alaska)

Real live glacial ice! (Shakes Lake, Wrangell, Alaska)

Mendenhall Glacier. (Juneau, Alaska)

Relaxing by the creek. (Denali, Alaska)

The colours of Dawson. (Dawson City, Canada)

One of my favourite views. (Wrangell, Alaska)

The leaning tower of Dawson. (Dawson City, Canada)

 The stunning Chena River. (Fairbanks, Alaska)

 Cute Pioneer Park. (Fairbanks, Alaska)

 A little friend I found along the way. (Somewhere in Alaska)

 Stikine River jet boat cruise. (Wrangell, Alaska)

The gorgeous Canadian Rockies

A little blurry as this was taken from the train, but this is with NO filter!!

Stay tuned for more fun pics :) xoxo

Images - all Nat Box

Beauty where you least expect it.

Aloha from Alaska my friends!! It's been so so long and I have missed you SO much!! How are you? This is me in Haines the other day... it's such a pretty little town on the top of Alaska's Inside Passage (just north of Sitka, for those who have watched The Proposal... it's totally like that!) Anyway, I hope this blog finds you well, I have been thinking of you guys lots over the past two weeks :):)

It was actually a few weeks ago in Anchorage that I got the inspiration for this little post, so I pray the timing is right for you and that you are encouraged! :) After a gorgeous walk along the coast path in Anchorage (it was sooo sunny and pretty walking along past all the beautiful wildflowers and overlooking the water), I was on my way home and I took a little shortcut. I had been feeling a bit discouraged about a few things that day and I asked The Lord to speak to me, I often do that just to hear what he is saying about things. Then as I walked up an alley way, I saw the back of this old building. 

Pretty ugly and boring right? But then something stood out to me. There amidst the piles of rubbish and weeds growing, stood one lone flower. It was as if it was standing there with such purpose, determined to bring beauty to it's boring surroundings no matter what it took. How pretty is it?!

Immediately as I held this little source of life, surrounded by such an ugly scene, I heard God whisper to me. :) 

"Nat, wrapped up inside every season, every discouragement, 

there is always something beautiful". 

Right away my heart was encouraged and I began to see differently. Do you ever find this happens to you too? Life happens, things are messy, you look at a scene in your life from afar, and all you can see is the rubbish, the junk, and everything just looks ugly. Well, God's promise is that "He has made everything beautiful in it's time", which means in all seasons, good or bad, there is something beautiful to be thankful for. 

It was only after my eyes were opened that I noticed the flower. When we look for it, beauty is always, always waiting to be seen. After I'd admired this pretty little thing, I stood back and looked at the same scene again, but with new eyes. Everything looked so different and this time.

So let me encourage you, always be expecting beauty. Stop and look around you this week because I guarantee wherever you go it's already there, waiting to be found by you.

To see more of my travels feel free to check out my Instagram :) (@thewritersink) 

Just in case you missed my fabulously inspiring Interview with Camille Styles here it is!

Sending love from Alaska... have an awesome week!

Nat xoxo

Images - Natalie Box

Fear is still (and will always, always be) a liar.

Fear is so silly don't you think? Well I mean, when we're affected by it's sneaky discouragement, illusive intimidation and overwhelming anxiety, okay let's be honest it feels more 'in-your-face-dangerous' than 'silly'; but that moment we realise just how pathetic and obviously untruthful it is, bah-bye... fear's power goes right out the window. 

A few days ago fear did it's best to try to take me down. After two amazing weeks in the UK and Paris for my dear friends' wedding  (yes stay tuned for wedding, London and Paris posts to come!) I arrived back in Melbourne, and after sleeping eleven hours, I woke on Monday morning feeling completely discouraged and full of fear. You see, it wasn't just the 'PHB's (aka Post Holiday Blues), it was a million teeny tiny thoughts buzzing through my mind all to do with the leap of faith I am about to take next Friday. 

In just over a week I am jumping on a plane to lead a team of twenty wonderful new friends around Canada and Alaska for four weeks. Now this isn't the thing that made me nervous (although the thought of that might scare some people) but not me! No no no... I am 'super-duper-beside-myself-squealing-with-excitement' thrilled about this adventure I am blessed to go on. So what is it that might be trying so hard to intimidate me you ask? Well, it's what I'm doing after the tour that's causing quite a few butterflies to be fluttering around in my tummy...

At the end of August I am going to New York for two months to finish writing my book. Yep, I am doing it. Six chapters of "Anything Can Happen" are written, with five to go, (plus editing) and I have been dreaming of this, talking about this, praying about this, imagining doing this, for months now. And now the time has actually come. But on Monday morning, I wasn't so excited. Those evil thoughts that mask themselves as friends, (but actually just want to bring you down) you know the ones... What the heck are you doing? How are you going to make this work? Are you crazy? No one else is doing this! What if you fail?... Well they came at me with their best shot, they tried their hardest to score the winning goal, but in the end... they lost. Sor-reeee. The moment that fear came in, I prayed. The moment I prayed, God stepped in. And God always wins.

Nothing can stop God's plans for our life. Our Dad in heaven placed things in our hearts long before we were even born (Psalm 139:16). And along with every dream he gave us the courage, boldness and power we need to run after it. 

"I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind"

There is no fear in love. And we are sooooo loved by him. Do you know how much you are loved?! All of heaven is applauding you right now. You are precious and special and you have amazing gifts and abilities. I believe that every one of you reading these very words, whether it's the 24th of July 2014 or many years down the track, you my friend have something amazing in you and I am cheering you on as you journey to see it released!

This life is short friends. We only get one shot at it. What have we got to lose? We have to just go for it! My passion is to stir people to dream and be released and flourishing in everything they have been created to be. THAT is why I am going to New York to finish the remaining 5 chapters of "Anything Can Happen", because I truly, truly believe it's going to encourage lots people. So hand in hand with my God, off I go.

Back in 2012 I posted this blog... it was true then, and it's still true now...

So today is the day for YOU to take a risk. What's it going to be? Something you have been thinking about for a while maybe? Just go for it! What have you got to lose?!

Love you guys lots... always cheering you on.

Nat xoxo

Images 1, 2 + 4 - Nat Box 
Images 3 + 5 - Pinterest

5 Minute Vacation :: The Grand Del Mar ~ San Diego

Hello my loverlies... happy Tuesday to you! How was your weekend? Did you get up to anything exciting? Well "5 Minute Vacation" is back (by popular demand!) so I thought this would be fun. Have you been travelling anywhere fun lately? If so share your travel ideas with us!! I am getting just a teeeeny bit excited because in less than 6 weeks three friends and I are getting on a plane and heading to England for our beautiful friend's wedding! Very exciting! I got the invitation in the mail today (squeallll!!!) 
If you are not travelling anywhere soon, never fear... because guess what? Today, we are heading somewhere fabulous. And it's not just 'anywhere". No sirrrrreeeee... we are going staying at gorgeously divine Grand Del Mar San Diego. Hello. Just look at this place. Wowee. So off you go... pack your bags and I'll meet you at the airport. ;) Here she is everyone... xx

Now on arrival, you'll enter in through the lobby...

You'll head straight to your suite... That's right peeps, your suite.

Here's your private lounge area...

And second lounge area here in case the first one wasn't large enough... ;)

You've got perfect views of the gardens...

From every angle the view is spectacular...

Before dinner you'll have a quick drink on the balcony...

Followed by a sunset stroll...

Then head to the dining room for dinner...

Where you'll of course have your own private dining room...

In the morning you'll have breakfast on the terrace...

Then lounge by the pool allllllllll day...

Then in the afternoon you'll have a massage at the day spa...

Then you'll repeat these activities every day for two weeks!

So what do you think? Is The Grand Del Mar your cup of tea?

Let me know if you're in and I'll make the reservation! He he... Imagine if we could all go there together... ahhh! We could hire it out and all go there for a creative-inspirational-retreat! Hey... annnnnnything can happen guys. ;)

Well, you, dear friend, have an awesome day whatever you are up you... hey, do something nice for someone just to bless them. 

Love ya lots and lots!

Nat xo

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Images - Pinterest