You Don't Need a Reason to Help People

If I asked you where you would’ve liked to be born in, you may be thinking – France, 
Italy, Hawaii. But why is it that none of us would say East Timor, Bangladesh or Uganda? 
The truth of the matter is that the country we are born in plays a vital role in how our life 
will turn out.

Take for instance a new born baby in Australia. Before even their first cry they are 
guaranteed an education, freedom of speech, religious expression, countless 
opportunities and the ability to elect their government. They will live for around 82 years 
and will spend approximately $30 000 on shoes.


But in Swaziland, a small country in Africa, a new born baby has a very different life set 
out before them. They will live for approximately 48 ½ years, but that’s only if they 
make to the age of 5 – 80% don’t. They have a 1 in 3 chance of having stunted growth, 
and will live in a country with the highest Each of these babies have neither earnt nor 
chosen the country they are born into, yet it is this country that defines their future – 
their life expectancy, their health and their freedom. We can see clearly from these 
two countries – Australia and Swaziland – that although they’re only a 13 hour plane ride 
away, they seem worlds apart. And that is because huge inequalities exist in our world.



Although we have enough resources to support two times the world's population, 4.8 
billion people live on less than $3 a day. However, what we often forget is that behind 
this staggering statistic are real people.


Imagine you are 9.

You are Sophia.




One day when you were little

You woke to find your mum and dad were gone

They left in the middle of the night

You and your brothers cried for days



Your grandmother tells you that no matter how hard your parents try

They could never make enough money or grow enough food.

Leaving the village to work in the city was their only choice.



Every day is still a struggle

Because you’re hungry.

Sometimes you all share one meal a day.



The school has asked for your exam fees again.

If the 30 taka is not paid soon

You will have to repeat the whole year.

30 taka… that’s 49 cents



School or food… Your family faces choices that no one else has to make.

Sometimes your grandmother chooses not to eat at all.

When your brothers are hungry, they cry all day.


If only there was a way for your parents to grow food and make a living here

Then they could come home and you could be a family again.

You are nine. You are Sofia.



Sofia’s story is one that we can change. By you participating in the 40 hour famine, and 
raising just $10, you are improving the nutrition of 10 children under the age of 2.



If you raise $20, you are feeding two people for a month. And $50, well it can train 50 
people to start their own small business. 


For this 40hf it’s all about you taking a stand against hunger. It’s about each and every 
one of us giving up so others don’t have to go without. Whether it be your phone, your 
bed or food – each of us has the power to use 40 hours of our time to save a life.

  

You can quite easily close this post and not think twice about poverty, but Sofia doesn’t 
have that luxury. So I invite you to be a part of the 40 hour famine movement – to use 
this unbelievable opportunity to take a stand and make a real difference in the fight 
against hunger.



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The Definition of Beautiful


What do you define as true beauty? Is it the gap between your thighs, the colour of your hair, whether or not you have pimples, how tanned you are? To me, beauty isn't any of these - beauty cannot be pinpointed to one particular characteristic or personality trait. If it did could be, then only one person in the world would be beautiful - which of course is not true. 



A lot of people believe that by paying for fake nails, fake tans and plastic surgery, they are making themselves more "beautiful". But shouldn't beauty mean being 100% confident and comfortable in the skin you're in - not having to rely on external "add-ons" to feel good about yourself. In today's society, many girls think it's "normal" to post negative comments about themselves online and to not accept compliments from other people. Why is it that we let others define beauty when it's something every person should define for themselves, without the help of magazines, adverts and social media.
 

Look at yourself through others eyes..

You are your own biggest critic. That pimple that you think looks like Mt Everest, others barely notice until you point it out or that loose piece of hair that seems to defy gravity and sticks out vertically - people really don't see. This is because they see your beauty, whether it's the way your face lights up when you laugh, how you always look out for others or your sense of humour. If ever you find yourself thinking a negative thought about yourself, think of 3 positive ones and say them to yourself as though you are talking to a friend. 




Surround yourself with positivity and good role models

  • Be around those who lift you up, who make you feel good about being yourself
  • Look after your body - move it, nourish it and feed it positive energy every day
  • Don't rely on compliments from other's - yes it feels great when someone compliments you but you should feel confident and secure without them
  • When you look in the mirror, think of something that makes you beautiful internally or externally
  • Accept the way you are, embrace it and don't spend time worrying about things you can't change


In 5 words, I define beauty as..

  • Laughter
  • Happiness
  • Generosity 
  • Love
  • Honesty


What is your definition of beauty?
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How to Simplify Your Life

It's a Monday night, my room looks like I have mistaken my clothes for confetti and my desk cannot be seen due to the piles of books and papers scattered everywhere. But that's not the only thing that is currently a mess - my wardrobe, school bag and computer files are a complete pigsty. I find it really difficult to do any homework, let alone think in this sort of untidiness so I have decided to declutter!


Step 1: Declutter your closet
Put some music on and get sorting. Give away clothes which don't fit you anymore or that you just don't wear. You may even find some outfits you completely forgot about at the back of the wardrobe (this always happens to me!) 


Step 2: Declutter your computer and phone
Give all of those "doc 1's" a name, put files into clearly labelled folders and delete anything you don't need any more to free up some space, such as old emails or apps you never use.


Step 3: Declutter your workspace
This one is one of the most important as a clear workspace = clear mind = more work getting completed! Keep your work space simple, put objects that you don't need as often in drawers or cupboards.


Step 4: Simplify your mind
Grab a pen and write down everything that you need to remember to do, anything that's bothering you and what needs to be done that day. Now spend some time focusing on your breathing or meditating. Acknowledge any negative thoughts or worries that come into your mind, and with each breath, allow them to come out. 


Feeling better? I guess because this allows you to enjoy the little things in life instead of getting caught up in materialistic possessions. Today I suggest you try even one of the steps above and see what happens...

Much love,
x G

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Gratitude

"If you aren't happy with what you have now, what makes you think you'll be happier with more?" Gratitude is being happy with what you have, it's about being thankful towards people in your life who have helped you or are always there to support you.


Adding daily gratitude into your routine will shift your energy to become more positive and make you and everyone around you happier. 

We as humans tend to always complain about what we don't have and overlook everything that we do have. Imagine if people were grateful for what they have and found happiness in the little things. We have so much to be grateful for - from the fact that our heart allows us to experience life, our brain which allows us to think, family and friends which love you for being you, a stranger for holding the door open for you or the fact that you have access to clean running water. 


Being grateful is super simple. It could look like:
  • saying thank you to a bus driver
  • giving a friend a hug
  • complimenting a stranger
  • putting someone else before you
  • whenever a negative thought comes into your head, thinking of 3 positive ones. 


Click here to print out your very own gratitude list from the MNB website which you can fill out each day!


Much love,

Georgia 
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25 Ways To Make The World a Kinder Place

It doesn't take a lot of time or effort to turn your own or someone else's day around. When you think of those days where everything seems to be going wrong, imagine what a compliment or a smile from a stranger can do. What I love about being kind is that it can have the biggest impact on someone else's day (and even your own!) I've complied a list of my top 25 ways that you can help make the world a kinder, happier place. Hopefully you can incorporate some of these into your day today!
 

1. Smile at people - I have started doing this each day when I walk home from school and it's amazing what a good mood I am in when I get home

2. Give someone a compliment - you could make someone's day from just a few words 
3.Say thank you when you get off the bus or leave a store - show people that you are grateful for their service 
4.Start a conversation with someone you don't know very well - ask them what they are doing on the weekend, what they are doing in the holidays or how they are going - listen to what they say and ask questions (don't keep flipping the conversation back to yourself) 
5.Hold the door open for the next person 
6. Do something for someone in your family - make their bed, wash the dishes, fold the washing 
7. Clean out your wardrobe, donate outgrown clothing to charity 
8.Give up your seat for someone, not just an elderly person
9. Pick up some rubbish and put it in the bin, even though it isn't yours 
10. Talk to a homeless person and have a normal conversation. 
11. Treat a friend to a movie for no reason 
12. Let someone in front of you in a queue  
13. Bake for your friends, family or colleagues 
14. Donate old textbooks 
15. Talk to the shy person who’s sitting by themselves 
16. Let others get onto the bus or train before you 
17. Put sticky notes with positive messages on the mirrors in bathrooms 
18. Say thank you to a janitor/ cleaner 
19. Help someone struggling with heavy bags 
20. Volunteer for one of your local charities
21. Help your elderly neighbour take out the trash or mow their lawn
22. Put your phone away and talk to the people you are with 
23. Cook a meal for someone going through a difficult time 
24. Give a loved one a hug 

25. When you hear that negative, discouraging voice in your head, remember to be kind to yourself
Love you all and I hope you have a wonderful week,
Georgia 
 
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