52 Positive Actions in 52 Weeks

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Going Beyond

I have really enjoyed putting together "52 positive actions in 52 weeks" and out of this I have come to the realisation that this year is about "connecting and supporting" and contributing what I can in a positive way. From this realisation the idea of another complimentary blog, "going beyond " was created and I have since spent quite some time putting it together. The purpose of this blog is to promote and support individuals and businesses who "go beyond" the expected. The vision of Going Byond is to create a world where "giving back" is the norm.

We will be profiling the best of the best - only the most innovative, forward thinking, community spirited and experience focused initiatives will make the cut. This is a space where great hearts and minds combine. This is also your space - your input, your suggestions, stories and ideas are encouraged. Think exceptional service, innovation, creativity, community.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Christchurch Earthquake Fundraisers

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. - C.C. Scott

This week has certainly proved to me how things can change in a matter of minutes and how we must keep in mind that life is a precious gift. This week has also shown that New Zealanders are an amazing bunch of people (although I already knew that!) and absolutely everyone I have interacted with over the last four days has had the people of Christchurch firmly on their minds.

The number of initiatives that are spreading around the world to help Cantabrians and their families is truly remarkable. This week I would like to focus on a few of those fundraising initiatives. I will be updating these on a daily basis as the following are fantastic online auctions running for a matter of days - up to a week.

Please contact me at the following email address if you stumble across any other auctions and initiatives you feel I might be interested in promoting: avesangle@gmail.com

The links directly below the pictures will take you straight through to the live auction. Please check the following auctions out and bid!! :)

20 Superpasses to Rainbows End

Join your friends and family at Rainbows End for the Day! Auction includes full entry & lunch for 20 people!

What better way to have extreme fun with friends and family and also know that all proceeds of this auction will go directly to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

20+ Rides, 20+ Acres and 20+Years of Pure Kiwi Adventures here at Rainbows End.

7 day holiday in Samoa

We're so lucky to have won a Samoan beachfront holiday but we'd much rather share our good fortune with the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal. So were putting this holiday for four up for auction now.

Dig deep, because the more you pay for this priceless holiday in paradise, the more help will go directly to the people of Christchurch through the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal.

You need to complete travel by 31st May 2011.
Heres what youre bidding for:
4 adult return tickets flying Polynesian Blue Airlines departing from Auckland to Samoa,
7 days in a beachfront bungalow at Le Lagoto Resort (an absolutely beautiful resort we might add),
Daily tropical breakfasts,
Free use of water sport kayaks,
$700NZ spending money.

A total value of over $8,000!!!!

Plus there's more!!! If your bid wins this auction, youll also receive a gift basket thanks to Best Foods Mayonnaise.

Best Foods have agreed (since we're donating the funds to Red Cross) to allowing the name change of the tickets to the winner of the auction.

Anika Moa

Variety is fundraising for children affected by the Christchurch earthquake. 100% of funds from this auction item will go to the children in need. (Trade Me has kindly waived all fees).

Ashton Guitar Starter Pack and Lesson with Anika Moa!

This is a priceless gift for a budding musician! In this pack you get a Ashton steel string acoustic Guitar, travel guitar bag, strap, spare strings, picks and DVD. However the best part is the kick-start to your career as a guitarist with an exclusive lesson with Anika Moa.

Anika Moa is a renowned NZ musician, who has dominated the music industry for the last 12 years. She has release several albums and could now is a household name. To have her teach you on your new Guitar is truly a once in a lifetime experience!

Please note Lesson must be in Auckland and is subject to Anika's availability

Sincere thanks to Anika Moa and to Musicworks for providing this awesome auction item.

Loreal Gift Basket worth $1000

VARIETY - THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY:
Variety is fundraising for children affected by the Christchurch earthquake. 100% of funds from this auction item will go to the children in need. (Trade Me has kindly waived all fees).

LOreal Paris gift basket
RRP$1000

The basket is full of lovely gifts for both him and her including:

Elvive Shampoo & Conditioner, Treatment, Night Repair Cream and Spray
Derma Genesis wipes
Derma Genesis Gel Mouse Skincare and Night Cream
Age RePerfect Day Cream
Age RePerfect De-crinkles Eye and Lip Contours
De-maq expert make up remover and Cleansing Cream
Youth Code Anti Wrinkle Concentrate
Age Re Perfect Radiance Enhancer
X2 Mascaras and Renewal Lash Serum
X2 Color Rich Lipstick (Luminous Scarlet & Light Garnet)
X3 Glam Shine Lip Glosses
X2 Eye Pencils (Blue and Grey)
X4 Eye Shadow Pallets (Brown, Blue, Pinks and Beiges)
X2 Mineral Powders (Glam Bronze and Translucent)
X3 Resist and Shine Nail Polish (Red, Pink and White)
Nutri Summer Moisturizer & Sublime Tanning Gel
Men Expert cleanser, after shave balm and shave cream
X2 Men Expert Moisturizers

His and Her Movie Hoodies

Variety is fundraising for children affected by the Christchurch earthquake. 100% of funds from this auction item will go to the children in need. (Trade Me has kindly waived all fees).

Peter Jackson - Kongs Krew Womans Large Huffer Hoodie and District 9 Mens Large Aurora Hoodie
Mens Size L and Womans Size L. RRP $200.00 each.

Are you couple who are Peter Jackson fans? If so, we have the clothing for you! You will receive a Kongs Krew and a District 9 size Large "zippa upper" hoodies.

Kongs Krew - Designed by Huffer for Woman (Grey)
District 9 - Designed by Aurora for Men(Navy)

Holiday to Samoa

Variety is fundraising for children affected by the Christchurch earthquake. 100% of funds from this auction item will go to the children in need. (Trade Me has kindly waived all fees).

Samoa holiday for two people - valued at $2500.00!!!

Package includes:
-Return economy flights for 2 adults (excluding taxes ) on Polynesian Blue, from Auckland to Samoa, valid for travel until 31 December 2011.

-3 nights accommodation at Lusias Lagoon Resort, Salelologa
Savaii Island Samoa valid until 31 Dec 2011 (terms and conditions apply)

Lisa Hoskin Designer Necklace

Variety is fundraising for children affected by the Christchurch earthquake. 100% of funds from this auction item will go to the children in need. (Trade Me has kindly waived all fees).

Lisa Hoskin Designer Daisy Chain Necklace RRP $485.00. An exquisite and realistic Daisy Chain necklace straight out of childhood memories... Each daisy is threaded through the stem of the adjoining flower and moves organically, as expected.

Proudly New Zealand made and designed. Thanks to Lisa Hoskin Design for providing this awesome auction item.

Cardrona Retreat in Lake Wanaka

100% of all proceeds go to the Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal

Bid on Cardrona Retreat in Lake Wanaka

* You will be bidding on a 2 night stay at this property for sometime during 2011. (Conditions apply)

In the beautiful Cardrona Valley, Cardrona Retreat is a perfect place for Summer and Winter relaxation or activity holidays.

Tastefully furnished and fully equipped; peaceful and quiet yet very central, we are just 35 minutes from Queenstown, 20 minutes from Wanaka.

Movies with Shortland Street Stars

Variety is fundraising for children affected by the Christchurch earthquake. 100% of funds from this auction item will go to the children in need. (Trade Me has kindly waived all fees).

Want to go to the movies with Shortland Street stars? Here is your chance. With this package you get 8 gold class movie tickets to the Film of your liking accompanied with the handsome Ben Mitchell (TK Sammuals) and lovely Shavaughn Ruakere (Roimata Ngatai).

Please note: Recipients must be aged 16 or over. Suitable date to be agreed between auction winner, Ben and Shavaugh within Voucher expiry. (31 December 2011)

John Key Doodle

This is an original Hon John Key doodle drawn for the Kumeu Volunteer Fire Brigade as a fundraiser prior to the Christchurch Earthquake by the Prime Minister.

We have had it framed with photos of the Fire Service and USAR crews working in Christchurch and have donated it to the United Fire Brigades Association Benevolent Fund for firefighters who have lost their homes in Christchurch.

It is simply a one of a kind, and was drawn by him.

ARFU Personalised Plate

YES - that's right. ARFU.....Auckland Rugby Football Union!! THE one and only is up for sale!!!
It is THE plate to own for any true Auckland Rugby fan. An investment in something that is absolutely unique and wanted by every true blue - but only one person can have this!

Fabric rose studs

Very cute vintage style fabric rose stud earrings - stainless steel backs and nickel free. Being sold at $5.00 each (half price) and all of the profits from each sale will be benefiting the people of Christchurch.

Following are just a few of the initiatives that have heartened me this week. Please support these fabulous businesses and people in the future:

She Chocolat

Since Tuesday's earthquake in Christchurch the team at She Chocolat have been lifting spirits in the city with hot chocolate, chocolates, lots of hugs and shoulder massages.

‎290 litres of hot chocolate + truffles, chocolate spoons and turtles has gone into the city in the last week..and it's growing.

http://www.clowndoctors.org.nz/

These guys are doing an amazing job of lifting morale and taking minds to a better place, even for a few minutes. There are around 70,000 children in the Christchurch area and they will all be adversely affected by the quake. A bit of light, laughter and distraction from their surroundings has to be a good thing!

From Monday February 28th to Sunday March 6th CUE women's clothing will be donating 100% of all profits from all stores throughout New Zealand to the Christchurch Earthquake Relief. http://www.cue.cc/

Vodafone New Zealand - The Vodafone truck, Optimus Prime, has reached Christchurch and will be providing support outside Hornby Mall. It will offer phone charging, prepay top ups and vouchers purchase, customer service info, free Wifi access and ten phones for the public to make calls.

NZ hearts Chch t-shirt website

All of the proceeds from the sale of these t-shirts will be going to the NZ Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal. Shirts are available in black or white, in men’s and women’s sizes. You can donate either $20, $50 or $100 to receive your shirt.

Caffe L'affare Facebook Page

Well done to Caffe L'affare who donated 100% of last Sunday's profits to the

Christchurch Earthquake Appeal - they raised $18.000!!!!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Positive Connections...

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Mother Teresa

One of my biggest positive actions and goals this year is to make as many meaningful connections as possible. For years now I have been shying away from making the most of connecting with the outside world - whether it be family, friends, colleagues or new acquaintances. This is because I have struggled with my health during this time and I have become extremely self conscious when dealing with people. When I am lacking energy and am not at my best healthwise this certainly hinders my ability to be positive, sociable and to seek out engaging and interesting environments and activities. However, 2011 is going to be different and I have already taken positive steps to achieve this goal.

Last week I organised a luncheon and presentation by one of the top Personal Assistant's in the country (who also happens to be our CEO's Personal Assistant which was handy!), inviting along other Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants from businesses and organisations around the Wellington CBD. Almost all of the attendees invited I had never met before and it was an extremely positive experience. Jenny our presenter delivered an inspiring and encouraging talk, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and getting to know the other women invited and what their roles involved. Straight after the presentation had ended I started receiving emails thanking Jenny for her wonderful presentation, and me for putting the event on. That was very rewarding, and at least half of those who attended sent me a personal thank you which I wasn't expecting. I also now have several new people to meet for coffee on a regular basis to keep in touch with, exchange ideas etc.

Tomorrow I'm off to Auckland for two days to attend a Personal Assistant conference. I know I should be looking forward to the various interesting talks scheduled, however if I'm being totally honest I'm actually looking forward to staying at a very nice hotel and making as many new connections as I can in two days!! As those attending will be from all over the country, at all different levels and stages of their careers and from diverse sectors, I am excited about learning as much as possible about these people and hopefully I'll be able to keep in touch with many of them.

I am also planning to meet up with Philippa from Green Sky (my guest blogger) in the flesh for the very first time. Our connection has been very positive to date and I can't wait to chat away about our ventures and journeys. I think our biggest issue will be trying to fit in everything we want to say in one meeting!

I have also decided to join the Association of Administrative Professionals New Zealand who hold monthly meetings and excursions, and I have 'liked' a dozen "positive" facebook pages, posting a quick blurb about my blog and asking for feeback and ideas.

So those are the first steps. Watch this space, there's a great deal more connecting to follow and I'll be reporting back on how making those connections contribute positively to my year!

"When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen". Ernest Hemingway

Monday, February 14, 2011

Do you invest more in your car than your character?

Last week I introduced you to guest blogger Philippa of Green Sky. Green Sky is is a new approach to hiring and being hired. It allows job seekers, contractors and self employed service providers to promote themselves in their own words. Green Sky is New Zealand's only free recruitment service. For further information about Green Sky please visit http://www.greensky.co.nz/

Today I have the pleasure of publishing the next installment in Philippa's series of blogs titled "Three lessons death taught me about life".

Philippa Weaver

This is the second in a series of three Blogs subtitled “Three lessons death taught me about life”.

If there is one thing we all have in common, it’s that we are self-referencing. We are wired so that everything is ‘all about us’. So at my beautiful friend Rosie’s funeral a few weeks ago, I found myself wondering – Will I fill a whole cathedral? What will people say about me at my funeral? And yes sadly, I hope they choose a flattering photo (as if I’ll care!)

Funerals are the ultimate exercise in summarising. The hundreds of thousands of hours of our lives are summarised in a few speeches. A few adjectives. A few memories. Sobering isn’t it. The good thing is that we all get to choose the essence of this summary. The small choices we make every day about how we treat other people is what will be magnified at the end.

I believe we all have high aspirations about the type of person we wish to be. And yet, we live our lives immersed in the petty stuff. The stuff that ironically, we care very little about… at the end of the day. If I weighed how I have spent my time, thoughts, energy and focus on a set of scales, the irrelevancies would out-weigh the important by 1000 to 1. At least. How big my bum looked in that. Who said what to whom. I hope it all works out OK. I’m worried that… Why don’t they just… I wish I hadn’t…

I’ve never heard anyone say in a eulogy “I loved him because he drove a fabulous car”. Why people like us, why they love us, why they want to be in our lives, why they will weep at our funerals, is determined by one thing. How we make them feel. Did we show them that we cared about them? Did we see their beauty? Did we share ourselves? Did we make them laugh? Did we listen? Did we celebrate with them? Did we share what we had learned? Did we show up? Did we make them feel great about themselves?
Rosie was a very close friend. She was with me at the birth of my youngest daughter, Honey. She was also a colleague. And at her funeral were many people who had worked with her over the years. No one mentioned her job title. Or how much she earned. Or whether she had been promoted or not. They talked about how she made them feel.

We live in a world where money dictates so many of our decisions. Particularly, how we spend our time. And how we spend our time is determined by what we value. If you value your friendships, you will make time for them even though a busy week at work has blown your gaskets. If you value your children, you will turn your phone off and create time to hang out with them without distractions.

When you are confronted by how short life is, you’re forced to re-evaluate why we choose to spend so much of our lives working. So that we can drive a nice car? So that we can have a bigger TV? So we can get that promotion, so we can work more hours? When I was working in corporate, I had gotten that big promotion and I was driving that car. But I was at the office insane hours and I only saw my daughter Ginger early in the morning, at bath & bed time and on the weekends. I was missing out on what is the most important part of my life.

I am passionate about our need to figure out what we want our lives to be about and then tailoring our work and income generation around that. This is the heart of Green Sky – creating a way of working which respects us as individuals and allows us to manage work in a way that serves our lives.

I am really challenged by the correlation between how I choose to spend my time and how I choose to spend my money and what these choices reveal about my values. Three years ago, at the end of my corporate career, I was earning a great salary. And I spent all of that salary on… actually I don’t really know what I spent it on. On stuff. On what I thought I needed. Or wanted. Most of my choices were mindless. Not reckless, just with little attention to what I was really choosing. I guess it’s how we all live when we are on drift. When we haven’t sorted out what we value most. What we want our lives to be about. Who we want to become. How we want to be remembered.

As I said, the cool thing is that we get to choose how we are remembered, because we get to choose how we live our lives. Here’s what I’m going to do this week. Imagine my own funeral. Imagine the speeches. Imagine the adjectives. Imagine the memories. And then figure out how to make sure my life is focused on becoming the person I want to be remembered as.

Next Blog will be about that. Living your life backwards.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Deliciously Different - and the theme is...

Okay, so I'm not sure that I really 'buy into' Valentines Day, however I feel that in the last few years the retail sector has really needed a boost and days such as these are the key to great sales. My feeling is that it shouldn't be one day a year we celebrate love, and that it shouldn't just be our partner, lover or interest that we acknowledge. I would like to encourage the celebration of love to extend to our closest friends and family - especially to those who may not otherwise receive something 'special' this coming week.

So, for Deliciously Different this month I've found some 'unique' and 'different' goodies and gifts that can be given to loved ones at any time of the year. There's something for everyone in this edition of Deliciously Different. Enjoy!

Vintage Heart and Roses Gift Flask

This romantic vintage heart and roses print 6 ounce flask is a perfect accessory for the special girl in your life. Great for Valentines, birthday, graduation, or bridal party gifts.

The new 6 ounce stainless steel flask is covered in a romantic vintage heart and roses print and sealed with an acrylic water resistant acrylic sealant for extra protection and durability.

This flask fits perfectly in your pocket or purse!

Flask measures:

4 1/2" x 3 5/8"

It is ready for gift giving, arriving in its own gift box. Click on the link below to order this gorgeous flask.

Click here to go through to "Flask for Her" on etsy

I have to be honest and say that this is my favourite 'celebrating love' idea that I have come across. It might be because I have an iphone myself that I can't be without, or it might be just the creative genius that is behind this 'display of affection'. Whatever the reason, if I was given these I'd be very impressed. Ironically I can't eat dairy or wheat so I wouldn't actually be able to eat them, however I don't think I could anyway. This really is a piece of art!

Iphone Chocolates

Click here for more information about iphone chocolates - great geek gift

Check out the following printable freebies for some gorgeous diy gifts and gift ideas. These are perfect for those who have run out of time and need a last minute helping hand!

Freebie downloadable print outs

Click here to go through to Freebie print outs

And last but not least, how about some beautiful recipes sure to impress - everything from sweet treats to special dinners, perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!

Chocolate strawberries with a twist

Apple cranberry stuffed pork

Click here for gorgeous recipe ideas

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Greener Pastures...

This week I have the pleasure of introducing a guest blogger to aves angle - Philippa Weaver, the founder and brains behind Green Sky. I really hope you gain as much from her first blog as I did. We will be featuring Philippa's second and third blog entry over the coming weeks.

Green Sky is is a new approach to hiring and being hired. It allows job seekers, contractors and self employed service providers to promote themselves in their own words. Green Sky is New Zealand's only free recruitment service. For further information about Green Sky please visit http://www.greensky.co.nz/

Philippa Weaver

Three Lessons Death Taught Me About Life - #1 Entitlement vs Gratitude

This was not exactly the theme I intended to launch the Green Sky Blog on. But then again, I wasn’t expecting my very close friend Rosie to die suddenly.

Green Sky is not just about finding work & creating income. It’s about you as an individual. The way you see the world affects not just your work, but all areas of your life, so in these Blogs, I’m going to challenge your thinking across many themes. In my first three Blogs, I’m going to share what I learned about life while confronting my beautiful friend’s death.

When someone we love dies, we instinctively do two things. We cling tightly to the people in our lives that we still have. And we imagine our own death. They are two of the most powerful and profound things we can ever do.

Conventional thinking tells us that death is loss. Loss of life, loss of love and friendship, loss of the future and often loss of faith in the ‘fairness’ of the world. We feel robbed because we believed we were entitled to what we had. I want to challenge this notion of entitlement.

Most of our grief is a story in our head about what is not fair. Our loss becomes an elaborate script about why this person should not have been taken away from us. Dealing with Rosie’s death, I have tried to turn this notion of loss on its head, and appreciate that life and love are gifts, not entitlements.

We were never promised eternal life. We were never promised happily-ever-after. We all know that change is the only certainty. And yet we bring an attitude of entitlement to all areas of our lives. I’m challenging myself to view my children, my friendships, my health, my work and my income – as gifts – not entitlements.
Whatever your employment experience, I challenge you to stop thinking you are entitled to a job. In this country we believe that employment is right not a privilege. If you’d asked me a few weeks ago, I probably would have agreed. But I want to ask – “how does that attitude help us”? I don’t believe it does. Try shifting your focus and seeing employment as a privilege, and see what happens.

If you are working, try looking at your company owner in a new light. See them as someone who has taken a huge risk (all business owners do) and created a company that employs people. Someone who has given you an opportunity to contribute, be part of their team, to learn new skills and add to your experience. See them as someone who values you enough to have you represent their company in the world. Instead of complaining about all the things they don’t do for you, start looking around for the signs that they care about you. God forbid, you might even want to thank them for the fact that they employ you. You might even challenge the next colleague who complains that the perks aren’t perky enough.

And if you are job-seeking, instead of feeling that every company you apply to ‘owes you’ a personal response or acknowledgement of your application, try ditching the spirit of entitlement and replace it with gratitude that this company is creating an opportunity – the gift of a job – for some lucky person (perhaps you?).

When I felt the loss of my friend Rosie overwhelm me, I needed to dig deep to find grace and gratitude; to appreciate what I had rather than what I lost, but this subtle shift has entirely changed my process of grieving. It doesn’t take away the shock and the sadness, but it changes the ‘It’s so unfair’ into ‘I was so lucky’ and that makes all the difference.

In my next Blog, I’m going to invite you to your own funeral. Cheerful thought….

Saturday, January 29, 2011

The Creative Mind...

“Every day is an opportunity to be creative – the canvas is your mind, the brushes and colours are your thoughts and feelings, the panorama is your story, the complete picture is a work of art called, ‘my life’. Be careful what you put on the canvas of your mind today – it matters.” Innerspace

I have many very talented friends and during this week I had an idea - how about featuring the work for sale of some of these friends in a 'gallery' on my blog. We have so many talented people around us and I am constantly amazed by the creativity that emerges from these individuals. The artists profiled today are in the Wellington/Wairarapa areas, however most of these pieces can be couriered/posted, so if you are interested in purchasing any of the following, please contact me: avesangle@gmail.com and I will put you in touch with the appropriate person. Alternatively, I have added links to their facebook pages at the end of this blog entry :)

"The Bodice 2" by Kalayana, Collective Concepts NZ$250.00

61 x 45.5cm

"Beauty all around" by Mel, Collective Concepts (mixed media), NZ$120.00

Size 45cm x 35cm

'Peaceful Night' by Katie Marshall (acrylic), NZ$120.00

Assorted booties by "Lolabugs" NZ$15.00 a pair

'Our Favourite Gummies' by Mel Marshall, Collective Concepts (acrylic on canvas), NZ$320.00

76cm x 38cm

Red white and black on chain with large red foil bead front and centre by Shelley Steer, NZ$45.00

"Growth and New Life" by Kalayana, Collective Concepts, NZ$600.00

70 x 90cm

'New Beginning' by Katie Marshall (acrylic) NZ$200.00

Necklace by Shelley Steer

"Good Luck Tiki" by Melanie Marshall, Collective Concepts (mixed media) NZ$120.00

22.5 x 30.5cm

Tea Cosys by "Lolabugs"

Olive Green with deep purples & swarovski crystals on chain by Shelley Steer, NZ$35.00

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lolabugs/131321193549425

Click on image above to go to "Collective Concepts" facebook page

"Click on image above to go to "Shelley Steer's Bead House" facebook page

“An artist paints, dances, draws, writes, designs, or acts at the expanding edge of consciousness. We press into the unknown rather than the known. This makes life lovely and lively.” — Julia Cameron