It’s the whole tried and failed thing she was curious about and that would be different this time. She wasn’t trying to give up, she was giving up this time. And if for some reason, tomorrow she found herself lighting up again, it wouldn’t be because she had failed, it would be because she had chosen to start smoking. She would have given up and chosen to start again, she hadn’t tried and failed.
Read MoreI know why I want to dance, the real question is why don't I?
Read MoreWhilst sick, received a friendly advice to "lean in to the healing, take your time to heal deeply."
So for the past few days I have chosen differently. It is a challenge when there are still kids to care for, a business to run and life to live but I have been conscious in my choices, actively leaning in and asking myself what I need to heal. I have been journalling, resting, sitting in the sun quietly and trying to be mindful of what my body, mind and soul are calling for in each moment and I know that because of this extra time and attention this week I will be "well" more often into the future. When someone is unwell now I will encourage them to lean into the healing, to get well deeper and to stay well longer.
Read MoreThe lesson here is to look for ways not to buy the DVDs in the first place but to borrow them from the library or the DVD shop or online, or create a group and share the DVD amongst yourselves or be really selective about the number of movies you watch and choose a game of cards or conversation around the fire instead.
For now, giving the DVDs away puts them back in the system, allows others to benefit from something that otherwise would just sit on my shelf, taking up space and requiring an extra packing box every time we move house and that feels good.
Read MoreThe essence of the lesson I have taken from day 1 of my challenge is the freedom that arises when we shift our sense of self, our history and our place in the world, from the external, to the internal. There is tremendous freedom in detaching my memory of my Grandmother from the ponyskin slippers and into the core of my being. It is a process, and the objects form stepping stones which when made conscious can be let go.
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Like a perfect shower it is the mix of the hot and cold, the in and the out, that brings the aaaahhhh!
Read MoreWhere are you being a snail in your life, dragging around the old and familiar? Anxious not to pop out in case you get hurt, in case someone sees you, in case you actually do find something better on the other side and then don't know how to let go......too risky?
Really????
I am beginning to see that life is a cloth and that Motherhood brings to the table a magnificent array of threads to weave into that fabric. Lessons and gifts that form the very cloth, the being, of who I am and what I bring to the world.....
I feel blessed to have access to so many different threads with which to craft the beautiful cloth of life.
Read MoreBut I have realised that with a shift in my mindset I can rewrite my story going forward to being one where I bloom where I am now planted, mindfully stepping into the present moment, taking the lessons learned and using them to guide my choices going forward so that this new community will bring with it the contentment and peace I desire and most importantly, the ability to dance in the rain.
Read MoreMy spirit was trying to tell me something was amiss but I wasn't listening. I am grateful that I am now conscious of why I have felt so crap and that I can encourage the focus of tomorrow to be on the things that matter - the sharing, the caring, the unconditional love, the enjoyment of the moments not the things. Tomorrow I look forwarding to giving and receiving the gifts of unconditional love and laughter in abundance.
Read MoreA Cherokee elder was teaching his children about life. He said to them, “A terrible fight is going on inside me. It is a fight between two wolves. One is the wolf of joy, love, hope, kindness and compassion. The other is the wolf of fear, anger, cynicism, indifference and greed. The same fight is going on inside of you and every other person too.” The children thought about it for a moment and then one child asked, “Which wolf will win?” The elder replied, “Whichever one you feed.”
This story is valuable for me at present as I try to consciously redirect a conversation I am currently having with a number of individuals regarding a community development issue.
Which wolf are you choosing to feed through your actions?
Read MoreWhat is the element in alcohol that is so attractive to human beings. What is the driving factor that makes Dry July such a challenge for so many people and how can we as individuals develop our connection to our universal selves in a way that removes the need for these artificial crutches.
As always I am left with more questions than answers, keen to hear your thoughts.
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