How old are you now? How old do you feel? What do people tell you about age? About what will happen when you turn 13, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and beyond? Does every decade come with a set of rules that people tell you you'll follow? Your body will change. You'll have mood swings. You'll be obsessed with sex. You'll want children. You'll get tired and get fat. You'll lose interest in sex. You'll grow more and more wrinkly, weak, frail, confused and sick. Have you ever seen people that naturally look and act years, even decades younger than their physical age? So you know it IS possible. What makes them different? And what if it were were possible for you too? Like to find out? If so, ask “What if age did not mean what they say?” Then STOP listening to the stories other people like to tell you about what age means and start listening to your body. Do you still feel 5-18 years old inside? Then be it.

Have you ever seen an empty block of land, that's just been cleared for building? When there are no trees, no plants, no apparent life at all? What happens after a few days? Do weeds start to appear? And after a few weeks, do you need another clearing? What about a few months or years? Will the whole place be completely covered again? Te nature of the planet is strong and, like this, tells you that no matter what you do IT WILL SURVIVE with or without you. What is an earthquake? A tsunami? A bushfire? A mudslide? A food? A drought? A plague? A famine? Climate change? What is the planet telling you, that you're not hearing? Would you like to enjoy the planet a little longer? If so, ask “What does the planet require of me?” Take notice of what comes to mind and contribute that, no matter how tiny or insignificant it might seem.

What applies to you today? Pick any and all of these. It's my birthday; I had the most amazing cup of coffee; the sky is clear, blue and has fluffy clouds; I'm feeling fit and healthy; I hung out with fun, fabulous people; someone helped me out of a tight spot; I got what I wanted done at work; I got my study assignment done on time; the traffic opened up like the Red Sea and I got there on time; I had a delicious sleep; I got a mani/pedi/ back rub; my favourite shop was having a sale; I helped someone and they smiled; I saw a rerun of my favourite show; my team scored surprising points; the steak was cooked just right; I had a house full of screaming kids; I didn't have a house full of screaming kids; I laughed; I cried; I felt alive. None of these apply to you? Then ask “What can I celebrate today” and think of ONE fabulous thing that you saw/ did/ experienced today and CELEBRATE your life. 

Do you have someone sick and suffering in your life? Are you surrounded by well meaning family and friends, and highly trained medical professionals all telling you how it's going to get worse and worse? What happens to plants when you direct negative thoughts, words and actions at them? Science shows us they whither and die. Are people any different? What if rather than contributing like this to someone's deterioration by adding your voice to the throng, you asked the person suffering "What contribution I could be to you?" Then listen and honour the person by being that, even if it’s just to hold their hand and smile. You are not expecting a miracle recovery, even if it's possible and could occur. You are honouring the person and offering them energy, space, allowance, and possibility. What difference could you be by contributing that? 

What fixed points of view do you have about who and what you have to be/do/have in life? For example, I have to get married because my mother expects it. I can't take a year off school to travel because my father wouldn't like it. I have to get into that company because otherwise I'll be a failure. I can't be nice because the tough kids will make fun of me. I have to cook dinner every night otherwise I'll be a bad mother. Do you spend all your energy, time and money on this hamster wheel? Is it fun? Does it create the happiness you'd like? If not, ask “What could be possible if I changed my point of view?” What if all your “I have to”s and “I can't”s were just points of view that you could change? What point of view would you start with?

Have you been asking questions but things don't seem to be changing in the way you'd hoped? What sort of questions are you asking? Do they sound like this “What's it going to take for my red BMW sportscar/a young, blond, sexy date to show up?” or “What's it going to take for me to get a job where people recognize my worth?” Are these really questions? Or are they conclusions with question marks attached? In other words, you've decided what you want (red BMW sportscar/young, blond, sexy date) and that without a particular job you have no worth. So if you're not getting the change you'd truly like, check your questions. Ask “Is this a question or a statement with a question mark attached?” Ten ask a real question.

How do you shop for clothes? Are you a bargain hunter? Do you rely on a friend or shop assistant to tell you what to buy? Do you consider what other people will approve (the latest for your friends, what your workplace will accept)? Do you ever ask your body? How does your approach work for you? Is your wardrobe full of clothes you absolutely adore? Are your clothes a joy to wear and make you feel yummy all over? Do they make you smile and strut your stuff? Or do you shuffle through life feeling slightly uncomfortable and dressed not quite-right? For fun, next time you go shopping or open your wardrobe ask “Body, what would you like to wear?” Notice what draws your hand or eyes. Touch it. Notice how your skin feels. You'll know when your body wants to wear something. And if nothing draws you, keep on moving till you fnd something that does.