Name: Kylie Cornock
Sites associated with: www.upbeatdownstream.com, @upbeatdownstream on Instagram, Upbeat Downstream Magazine on Facebook
Sites associated with: www.upbeatdownstream.com, @upbeatdownstream on Instagram, Upbeat Downstream Magazine on Facebook
What is your life mantra?
Go gently.
What are some ways you show yourself love and respect?
By paying close attention to how I’m feeling. When I’m well rested and my energy is high, I use those times to work more, socialise more, go running, and get some extra jobs done. On the other side of that, I notice when I’m low on energy, stressed, or overwhelmed and I’m gentler with myself. These times call for quiet days, extra reading, candlelight, early nights, dropping a few “shoulds”, doing yoga, and spending time with the people who are important to me.
Where do you find happiness?
I am fortunate enough to live in an incredibly picturesque area of Australia where ancient mountains and forests are at my doorstep and perfect beaches are just a short drive away. My home town is banana, mango, and pineapple growing territory and it feels like paradise to me. It is very much my happy place. The natural environment here thrills, inspires, and relaxes me all at once – the perfect medicine!
I know it sounds a bit cheeseball but life has become far less about acquiring “stuff” and more about true meaning and simple pleasures. Up until fairly recently, I thought that I needed to have a big, important career in order to be considered a valuable human. I do understand that for many people, this is what brings meaning to their lives but for me, I now see that slowing down, laughter, sensory experiences, being with great people, believing in good, doing good, reading, learning, gentleness, and creativity, all served with minimum drama, is what gives my life purpose and happiness.
Besides the gorgeous natural world around me, I love bonfires in the winter, mandalas, following the work of activists, the night sky, bees, homegrown bananas, old tea cups and old books, hysterical laughter, a good stretch, dogs, cats, and blue things.
I know it sounds a bit cheeseball but life has become far less about acquiring “stuff” and more about true meaning and simple pleasures. Up until fairly recently, I thought that I needed to have a big, important career in order to be considered a valuable human. I do understand that for many people, this is what brings meaning to their lives but for me, I now see that slowing down, laughter, sensory experiences, being with great people, believing in good, doing good, reading, learning, gentleness, and creativity, all served with minimum drama, is what gives my life purpose and happiness.
Besides the gorgeous natural world around me, I love bonfires in the winter, mandalas, following the work of activists, the night sky, bees, homegrown bananas, old tea cups and old books, hysterical laughter, a good stretch, dogs, cats, and blue things.
How do you show the world love, squadling?
I love to surprise people as a way of showing that I was thinking of them, even if it’s something as simple as a call or text message out of the blue. I like to send mail, give flowers, and share home grown goodies when I can (my hubby grows incredible food!). I show the world love by taking the responsibility of motherhood seriously. Guiding my kids toward empathy and understanding is a fundamental way that I can help to make a positive impact.
Simply because I can. Thankfully, at least for now, I have great health and, aside from the odd bad day/week, I have relatively little stress in my life so I have every chance to use my days to make the world a better place in the small ways that I can personally manage – it would be a waste not to! Life has been good to me so it’s now my time to give back.
By acknowledging my ridiculous good fortune in living in a time, place, and circumstance that has set me up to have so many choices and making these choices as wisely as I can. We have unlimited information these days so I believe it’s important to read widely and learn about how we can personally make positive changes, however small, in our own lives.
A big part of making the world around me a better place is remembering not to be a jerk around the fact that not everyone thinks the same as me and being at peace with that (like, really, not everyone loves Guns n Roses - what the WHAT..!? I fail to understand that...but it’s okay).
Again, through taking my parenting responsibility seriously. Free thinking, kind hearted people are what the world needs and I’m doing my best to ensure that there are two more of those walking around.
Finally, through my little publication, Upbeat Downstream eMagazine. I want to help shine a light on how awesome people really are and I am constantly awestruck by the infinite ways that people live with beautiful, creative, and positive intent. What a privilege to have people trusting me with their gorgeous stories and allowing me to share them. (Pinch me!)
Simply because I can. Thankfully, at least for now, I have great health and, aside from the odd bad day/week, I have relatively little stress in my life so I have every chance to use my days to make the world a better place in the small ways that I can personally manage – it would be a waste not to! Life has been good to me so it’s now my time to give back.
By acknowledging my ridiculous good fortune in living in a time, place, and circumstance that has set me up to have so many choices and making these choices as wisely as I can. We have unlimited information these days so I believe it’s important to read widely and learn about how we can personally make positive changes, however small, in our own lives.
A big part of making the world around me a better place is remembering not to be a jerk around the fact that not everyone thinks the same as me and being at peace with that (like, really, not everyone loves Guns n Roses - what the WHAT..!? I fail to understand that...but it’s okay).
Again, through taking my parenting responsibility seriously. Free thinking, kind hearted people are what the world needs and I’m doing my best to ensure that there are two more of those walking around.
Finally, through my little publication, Upbeat Downstream eMagazine. I want to help shine a light on how awesome people really are and I am constantly awestruck by the infinite ways that people live with beautiful, creative, and positive intent. What a privilege to have people trusting me with their gorgeous stories and allowing me to share them. (Pinch me!)
What advice do you have for your fellow squadlings?
Please stop caring about the opinions of others (a secret: I’m still working on this one myself). When I slip into those moments where I worry about being judged by how I look or something I’ve said or a choice I’ve made I try to remember to get out of my head and into my body to clear the energy. I highly recommend getting offline, exercising, cuddling your pets, grounding in nature, and connecting with your favourite people to recalibrate and get back to your centre.
Let's talk more about what makes you happy.
TV: Game of Thrones, True Blood, Black Sails, The IT Crowd, Friday Night Dinner
Words: absurd, luminous, hilarity, interloper, gallop, Tahiti, galaxy, archipelago, release
Collections: vintage kitchen ware, old books, feathers, granny square blankets
Words: absurd, luminous, hilarity, interloper, gallop, Tahiti, galaxy, archipelago, release
Collections: vintage kitchen ware, old books, feathers, granny square blankets
And, of course, the question we've all been waiting for...your favorite cookie!
Chocolate chip macadamia (it will need to be gluten free, I’m afraid)