Rehome the Kaimanawa Horses NOW

You've heard of the New Forest ponies of England? Or of the Mustangs of America? Well, we've got our own unique breed of horses here in New Zealand - The Kaimanawa (here's the Wiki low-down) - and they need our help. Once again they're getting in the way of the army, and they're also affecting the landscape, so the Department of Conservation want them out of the area and hundreds of them are due to be culled tomorrow - weather permitting.

Incidentally, did you know that these ponies are reported to be great with children due to their excellent well balanced temperament and health, they're hardy and surefooted, they've got a great reputation as show ponies, and they're incredibly cheap to own because they're breed to survive in harsh conditions? I didn't know this myself till two hours ago, anyway, I digress -

Featuring in a recent Nelson Mail article on this subject, is my friend - the lovely Caitlin Rose. Apart from being a highly successful world famous musician, Caitlin is also a horse whisperer. That's right, she 'gentles' horses. In other words, she trains them so that they're safe to ride and work with for all ages, and she does it using the language of the horse. She owns a herd of just under thirty horses (including Kaimanawa) up on her land in the mountains of Golden Bay and she's been gentling horses with amazing results since she was a young lass in England.

Caitlin's been striving to find a positive solution and re-home as many Kaimanawa Horses as possible lately. While she's not alone in her efforts by any means (these dudes have been working hard to save the horses), I'm wondering why haven't I heard more about this in the media? There must be thousands of horse lovers like me who would like to help save these amazing animals.

So, at this point in time (1.37 pm Friday 29th May 2009), to my knowledge the major goal of saving these horses hasn't yet been achieved. Time is of the essence. I'm going to email the link to this blog to the major papers of New Zealand as well as any other media I can think of. I think this issue is important. Does anyone out there have any positive solutions as to how to save this species and re-home these horses? Anythings possible with a little creativity and thinking outside the square.I know that some people have come forward with offers of great homes for these horses and hopefully they'll take these horses home. Surely something can be done for the future of these wonderful horses. I want to see these amazing animals re-homed to great locations, with strong, healthy futures ahead of them. How about you?

Why Sometimes Taking a Break is the Most Productive Activity You Can Do

Do you ever experience that busy-brain feeling, when there are so many details and tasks to do in your head that you have no idea where to start? Maybe you're wiser than you give yourself credit for and it's actually not the time to start anything, but to take a break and relax. Sometimes doing the most mundane tasks such as doing the dishes, or walking the dog allow our brains to calm down and let go. Meditating is another great way to chill out. I find that even saying to myself 'right, I'm going to focus on my breath for five minutes' allows the 'knots' in my mind to ease. Business woman Linda Feinholz features on the website http://www.self-help.co.nz/ in her article 'The New 80-20 Rule for Business'. She points out that twenty percent of her time is dedicated to "being fit and limber for business" in other words she'll take five to do something easy, like weeding her garden. She says that often while she's doing some of these seemingly less important activities, some of her best ideas will materialise. This rule doesn't have to apply to only business people though, it can apply to anyone. We live in a busy world where people tend to believe that success and happiness come at the tail end of hard work and stressful lifestyles. Thankfully increasing amounts of people are choosing quality of life above all. Now, take five minutes and scrub that floor!

Press Release - Optimists, It's Time to Get Busy

Editor of Good News Website Calls on the Optimists of New Zealand to Get Busy

New Zealand's totally positive news ezine, blog and website – Happyzine - supports the 'Give it a Go, Bro' slogan and campaign.
“Every challenge comes with a number of solutions, and the current financial climate is an opportunity for Kiwis to hone their strengths,” says Happyzine Founder and Editor, Charlotte Squire.
“The Give it a Go, Bro idea about Possum products is spot on. That industry is so untapped and full of potential in terms of export opportunities for the fur, and meat consumption nationally. I've eaten possum meat, it's great, it's lean and flavorsome, it made a tasty pie! I know there are challenges to overcome to monopolize on the possum market, but what have we got to lose? Millions of possums? Life full of challenges. A little creativity is required and we're good at that.”
Squire says that there is a role for the optimists of New Zealand to play right now, given that confidence, or lack of it, is the key ingredient required to boost the economy.
“This is a time to allow the good ideas to flow, and to consider any option. This is a great time to be creative.”
“Good news doesn't have to be cheesy, white picket fence material. It can also be about throwing some great ideas, that would other wise have been passed by, out to the community to stimulate feedback, more ideas and positive change. Good news can inspire people to go for it, and persevere with their dreams, because they see how others before them have. Being positive requires brains and the courage – because it's often about standing out from the crowd.”
Squire, who was a freelance writer focussing on positive environmental news before she started up Happyzine, invites people to submit good news to Happyzine at www.happyzine.co.nz.
“This is about helping each other to remember how lucky we are to live here in New Zealand. Send us in your photos, stories, blogs, video, art, anything to remind Kiwis how to be brave and optimistic. I'll consider anything – good news about the environment, the elderly, youth – if it inspires you and makes you feel good, it'll probably do the same for others. Don't be shy.”
Ends.
Photo of Charlotte Squire availabe at: http://happyzine.co.nz/about-happyzine
Contact
Charlotte Squire
027 404 6373
Charlotte@happyzine.co.nz
http://www.happyzine.co.nz/

Bro! Check out Happyzine!

The Happyzine community are giving it a go. We've been actively providing uplifting, inspiring, positive news for our subscribers for a year and now it's time to take things to the next level - with a Totally Positive News Competition. The Happyzine website is about to undergo a nice wee upgrade, and once the changes are up live online, people can send in their good news - in written word, photograph, video, audio, art form, what ever - the point is it's time for us all to remind each other just how lucky we are here in New Zealand. This is really not the time to get bogged down in all that negative thinking bollicks that the media are using for news fodder.

It's time to get radical and bring out the inner optimist, because, like it or not - as a nation: the more we focus on it, the more it's going to happen. So let's get back to taking a good look at the good stuff in life. Here are some ideas about the many forms of good news:

* Ingenious thinking in the face of challenge
* Refusal to give up on dreams
* Love
* Intelligent and creative approaches to new and old challenges
* Reasons why life is good
* Stuff that's funny (and kind)
* Random acts of kindness
* Totally intended acts of kindness
* Happy endings
* Sporting achievements
* Business victories (little and not so little) that benefit Aotearoa
* Happy old people
* Groups who are defying their negative stereo types by succeeding
* Art that shouts: enjoy life!
* Innovation where we thought we'd run out of ideas
* Stories of positive environmental change eg a swamp reclaimed, a recycling system saved, the revival of a species, a river cleaned up, innovative business ideas, native forests saved

It takes guts to be an optimist in this funny world where the cynics have heaps to say on Stuff. But by gum it's time for the optimists to stand up and say 'I'm happy and I'm proud!'

In the mean time, send us in your good news if you're keen to get started, I'm always open to nice surprises in my inbox.

Also, if you have any ideas, or would like to contribute prizes to entice the nation to send in the good news, please drop us a line.

Subscribe to Happyzine for free today for updates on the great Totally Positive News Competition which is currently under development. Send us in your words of encouragement and your suggestions too please, because kind words go a long, long way, even for grown ups.

Life in my car-less world

Yes. The car object has been missing from my world for the past month. I've had to walk from A to B. Or car pool with a koha thrown in. Or simply make do with what I've got and spend more time at home. It's amazing how I've become quite happy to live without a car. My world has contracted - I've found new and ingenious ways of exercising my dog in nearby parks (for example: throw the stick in the bushes and let her determinedly sniff it out whilst I watch on proudly). I've learned to ask people to pick me up things I need when they go out. I've gotten really good at doing one big grocery shop (via car pooling) and using up what ever's at home rather than nipping down to the supermarket for something extra. I've become more house proud - seeing I'm stuck here. Voxy.co.nz and Cityhop published a comment on the book How to Live Well Without a Car. It's a timely book. The irony is, just when I relaxed about my car less state, my mother left the country and her car in my driveway. Oh well, at least I'll appreciate it far more now.

Love x 10

I must use this word dozens of times each day, and within many different contexts. I love this chocolate. I love my dog. I love living here. I love my son. This is a great little blog detailing ten different ways to love. It's a great reminder of the good in life.

Total babes don't come in one dress size

Check these gorgeous women out. In many parts of the Western influenced world it's challenging to avoid feeling the pressure to look a certain way, regardless of our natural shapes. I've had the pleasure of living in some parts of the world where the outside appearance isn't as important as what's coming from within. This is a very relaxing experience. And then, I've moved into some of NZ's cities where culturally things are quite the opposite and I felt like scuttling for cover because my relaxed attire wasn't quite up to the standard. Ah well, here I am sitting in the comfort of the Happyzine living room, also known as 'home', safe in the knowledge that here anything goes. This list goes some way towards celebrating the lush and fuller figured woman. Actually, I think these ladies look gorgeous and well, pretty normal. Normal in the sense that nature doesn't design anyone the same (thank goodness) and these girls are working very well with what they've got!

Girls and boys, when was the last time you checked yourself out in the mirror and said 'What a gorgeous babe I am!'? I tried it this morning, it was quite a refreshing experience. I challenge you to try it and let me know how it feels!

Heaven for me ....

Is a cool autumn evening on a stony beach. Sky meeting water with exactly the same hue of grey-blue. Dog jumping through waves eagerly anticipating yet another stick. Small child heading with wet feet heading back to the ocean. Sausages sizzling. Fire blazing. Marsh mellow sticks sharpened and at the ready. A full bottle of apple Fresh Up beckoning. Old friends nearby. Family at my side. Belly full and warm.

What about you?

Mummy's Day doesn't have to be about spending money

I've been thinking about Mother's Day. As a new mother myself, the key ingredient of this day, for me, is feeling appreciated. We were musing about what to get our mother this Sunday. I said out loud 'what would be the best present we could give to Mum?' and someone very perceptively replied 'go to church with her'. Now the church issue has long been a colourful one on our family. Mum's a born-again Christian and my father was a staunch atheist (what ever that means these days). Being closer to my father I was raised to be an atheist too. So as soon as this innocent suggestion was made I felt my old defences rise and I automatically began to shun the idea. On second thoughts though, I realised what it would mean to Mum, and how easy and possibly quite interesting it could be for me. There was even the chance, I realised, that I might even come away feeling quite inspired. So, my little sister and I are accompanying Mum to church this Sunday. We've already announced our intentions and my mother was suitably impressed. She was lost-for-words impressed, and excited - holding her breath with anticipation excited. Just goes to show, when we really think about what would make our loved one's happy, even the simplest actions, acts that don't mean much to us, can mean the world to them. And they don't need to cost us a cent.

Good News Being Broadcasted Across Ten Community Radio Stations

Good news for Happyzine - the top three good news stories of each week are now going to be broadcasted across ten community radio stations within New Zealand. Gradually, the good news is seeping through the nation ... hee hee hee. There's just one small detail - we need a major sponsor. So if you have any suggestions or ideas please drop us an email: info@happyzine.co.nz

When Happyzine is playing on Fresh FM

Would you like to absorb the good news in audio form as well? If you're in the top of the South Island you can now tune into Happyzine on Fresh FM on Mondays at 7.10 pm, Wednesdays at 10.10 am and Saturday at 4.10 pm. Happyzine will also soon feature on nine other community radio stations around Aotearoa!!! Ahhhh happy happy joy joy.

Check out Erin Cole-Baker

I'm just listening to Erin Cole-Baker on the National Programme (NZ) and she's got the most beautiful melodic voice and this amazing attitude to becoming a successful musician. She's a Kiwi with ties to Nashville, US. She's toured and performed heaps in the States and here in Aotearoa. It's not often I get excited about new musicians, I'm pretty fussy. But this woman is fresh, unique and going places. You've just got to listen to her.

How to be Happy - Three Easy Ways

a) Ask yourself what feeds your soul and brings you happiness and observe the first thought that flashes into your mind - don't judge it, just pay attention. It may be something you're already doing, something you know you could be doing, or something you've hardly given any thought to for ages. It may be a few things. Don't be afraid of what ever comes to mind. Your subconsciousness is powerful, and what ever flashed into your mind is worth contemplating. If you're not already doing at least one of these things, take small steps to begin, today.

b) Ask yourself which foods fill you with energy - are you eating them? Can you eat more of these foods? Organise a great kai (food) date for yourself, put it in your diary, organise it, make it happen, enjoy it and pay attention to how you feel afterwards. If it makes you feel good, you deserve it as often as possible.

c) Think physical - how can do you get the most enjoyment out of that amazing human body you're living in? What makes it feel fantastic? Is this activity a part of your general lifestyle? What's an activity that makes your body thrive, that you absolutely can incorporate into your weekly schedule? Become your own personal trainer and make it happen.

Happy as Larry

An introduction to Happy as Larry from Larry Cat:

Happy as Larry is a 'no catch' word of mouth project promoting random acts of giving, generosity and good karma!Larry is a cat and his own philosophy is "You get what you give".There are at least 10 giveaways each month, which have either been randomly donated to Larry, or stuff that Larry has himself has scored Robin Hood style. Its free to join just visit http://www.happyaslarry.co.nz/

Regards

Larry Cat