Dare to Blossom Newsletter - September 2013

September 2013
 
In this issue:

Reflections
Inspiring Links

Reflections

This month my reflections do not have a title. I had intended to write about...."Intention"! However, my feeling getting ready to write this was of a little resistance, a thought of "I've just written the weekly card piece, I don't know if I feel I want to write more."

So, I have a big collection of inspiring links for you below, and I am going to continue my practice of 'Self-love' by not forcing myself to write a long piece, instead I am about to go for a walk. A thought has just popped up though, when is it good to not push myself to do something? And when is it good to push on and do it anyway? I will walk and reflect on that.

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Back here, and with no profound insights to report. My feeling is that the answer to my question depends on the circumstances. In this case, those of you who read this regularly often tell me that the pieces that are most genuine and authentic are those you enjoy and find useful for yourselves. So in this example it would not be fulfilling that expectation to push myself too hard. What do you think?

Inspiring Links

The first link to share with you is Mary McConnell's Star Therapies business Facebook page. Mary hosted three of us last week for a magical four days. A time of sharing, talking, seeing a little of the wonderful coast and countryside, laughter, and just a few tears. Mary may be running retreats in the future, do visit her page to find out more if this appeals to you. Thank you so much Mary, it was a joy to spend time with you and with Cynthia and Gretel.

Nick Williams, whose writing and seminars have long been an inspiration to me, has recently launched a new programme. In this link he outlines how to identify your 'miracle brand'. Here is an extract from Nick's website, explaining this:

"I was a little reluctant to embrace the idea of branding to start with, as I saw so much branding as being commercially driven, and being to invent, manipulate and project a self-image. Then in February 2012, I had a breakthrough moment when I was in conversation with my friend Robert Holden. I asked him if we needed another word for branding for spiritual people. “No, I don’t think we do,” he said, “But we do need to give it another purpose beyond making money.”

As well as being able to read more, there are also a series of short videos on the website explaining the concept very clearly, I found them inspiring and helpful.

In perfect synchronicity, Sarah Rosenthuler - whose workshops I have had the privilege to attend, and who has been a valued friend for some years - sent in her last newsletter a link to her interview with Robert Holden, well known for his work on happiness. Here is a quote from Robert:

“We do not become happy because we are successful, we become successful because we are happy”

And finally, something another friend sent on to me, a film of an absolutely jaw-droppingly amazing feat of concentration and balance.

Thank you for reading, please do visit leave any comments or feedback if you feel inspired. Or email me direct if you prefer your remarks to be private, either way it is so good to know that people to read my monthly musings. Another way to link up is to visit the Dare to Blossom Life Coaching Facebook page, and if you feel inspired to 'Like' it while you are there that would be wonderful.

all best wishes

Mary

Self-love

29 August 2013 I drew  this card, as usual, not long after I sent out the last piece on 'Evolving'. As I wrote there, I have had a week's break since then so this card has been my companion for twice as long as usual before writing this for you. Having said that, I feel that all the cards are with me at any time I wish. (You may remember when I started this weekly blog, I mentioned that the cards were photographed outside in the garden and some were 'skew-wiff', well, this one has a speck of pollen or dust on it - in case you wonder, it isn't a mark on your screen.) So, now, back at home after a wonderful time away, is the perfect time to have been thinking about 'self-love'. So closely linked with 'self-care', if I feel able to love myself I care  well for myself too. While away, I have been able to do that, now I have dived back into routine and my 'day job', already that feeling seems to be slipping away. What can I do to make that a permanent part of every-day life? To wrap myself in the soft mauve-purple colour of this card - like a beautiful soft wool blanket? Self-love is: - noticing the way I speak to myself and changing the words and tone I use - giving myself permission to do what I need, to ask for what I need (bearing in mind that others may not be able to give this) - expecting to supply these things for myself - even in a busy day fitting in time for a 'taste' of what helps me feel cared for: ten minutes reading an inspiring book; five minutes of yoga stretches; a healthy and delicious home-made sandwich. - letting go of judgments, doubts, expectations. And many other things too. My feeling is that when I care for, and love myself two things happen: I am able to love others more truly and deeply; and they are able to do the same for me. After all, if I am always putting myself down and never showing that I value myself and my health, why would others feel it is OK to contradict that? Today my friend Maria reminded me of something I had shared with her a little while ago (thank you!) from Oriah's blog The Green Bough for 17 July 2013, where she shares her thoughts on self-love prompted by a piece she had read, in a book called In the Body of the World by Eve Ensler, Oriah is moved by speaking these words to herself in the mirror: "It is a privilege to care for you, and I will do my very best to do so." ------------------------------------------- After I wrote this I received an immediate lesson in self-love. I was inspired (or so I thought) and wrote a long piece straight onto the page here without stopping. Then I thought of a photograph I wanted to include so went to the 'widget' to do that, then................. everything locked up and the only way I could get out of it was to close down the browser. When I went back in, the whole passage had disappeared, despite the system telling me that it 'autosaves every 20 seconds'. Tried everything, no - all gone. (Even requested suggestions from one of my brilliant 'nephews-in-law' in New Zealand, and received an instant reply, thank you Ben). Well, you can imagine what my critical self was saying (or shouting) - 'you stupid person....etc, etc.' However, I was quite quickly able to switch out of that and smile at myself. I am sure the loss of my few words is not a great tragedy for the world, and maybe a blessing. Who knows? I was so much in the flow that I have no memory at all of what I wrote here. In any case, I am not stupid so why make myself feel any worse, it was a shame but I could choose just to move on. .......................... So, to continue with a few thoughts. In common with Oriah, I find speaking the words "It is a privilege to care for you, and I will do my very best to do so." aloud to myself almost prompts tears. Allowing myself to feel that, and to take any steps I can to care for myself is a powerful form of self-love. As is allowing myself to feel 'unreasonably happy' - happy without a reason. To recover that feeling of jumping for joy, simply at seeing the sun shine, a wonderful sunset, or hearing an exciting clap of thunder, or for no reason at all, simply because I can. Allowing a quiet joy too, as I feel when I write to friends such as you and enjoy the companionship of sharing experiences and thoughts. (And I will be writing about the wonderful time of sharing and love I experienced last week on my visit to Glasgow in the September newsletter coming soon). The photograph I wanted to share with you was one I have sent you before, and one I love. The morning glory flower seems to shine with an internal light, as we all do, and especially so when we love and care for ourselves and for others around us. The light of truly being ourselves, of being at home in our hearts. Thank you 'Self-love' card, and even thank you computer for helping me putting into practice a small piece of self-love. If you would like to own a set of cards to explore their power for yourself please visit the dedicated page. Thank you dear friends for visiting with me again this week and sharing my musings. As always, please feel free to comment below with your thoughts and comments. Until next time, with love, Mary

Evolving

14 August 2013 I am not sure how I feel about this card: is the thought of 'evolving' comfortable or painful? Reassuring or challenging? I'm not sure. In terms of the challenge I set myself back in May, to draw a different card each week, and to write about it to share with you - this as a process could be said to be evolving. Though I am not sure if there is any pattern or progression to be discerned. And I am not sure if I would see it if there were such a pattern. Maybe you can tell me? Do you see anything? Ah, but the purpose of these reflections is not to ask others, but rather to ask myself, 'tap into my intuition' in the phrase that tripped off my fingers on the keyboard a little while ago. But what does that mean? Does it mean allowing the doubts when they come up, as they are today? Do I need to 'evolve' if I am already a part of the 'all that is', a part of all that is already whole? Or is 'evolution' in this context another way of saying 'coming home to myself', remembering who I truly am and why I am here? The dictionary definition speaks of gradual change, progressive development, which is helpful. But in my heart this time I need to decide on my own meanings today, and I can feel a picture or image including these words: - involve - being connected, being part of something - revolve - turning around and coming back to again - evolve - moving upwards, building upon, drawing out more of the true essence. After writing this I researched the ancient roots of those words, and found that the 'volve' part of each word comes from the Latin volvere meaning to roll. So involve = roll in or up; revolve = to roll or turn around; and evolve = an unrolling, an opening. I love how my personal interpretation of the words above is pretty close to these roots of the words. And with the organic green of the background colour (which is really lighter than it appears in this photograph), I have a sense that I cannot adequately express in words at all, though I will try. A sense of all being well, of nothing needing to change, that any 'evolution' that is taking place is in my own understanding of universal truths that have always been so - and I smile to myself remembering the 'But I know that!' feeling of recognition I often get (and I know others do too) when reading something that just touches the spot and reawakens my own knowing. At the end of this exploration, which I began with a feeling of trepidation and uncertainty, not knowing where sharing these thoughts typing without thinking, 'speaking aloud on the screen' would take me, at the end of this journey in your company dear friends, I am feeling content and also excited in the potential of what is yet to come in this voyage of rediscovery. And in my head I see again a vision I received during a healing a year or so ago now, of a golden light drawing me up, a light which turned into a flock of golden birds. Birds that took me flying with them, up and away into the heavens, up and over the seas far below. Until in the distance I saw a new shore, a land that was familiar and seemed like home, and I felt full of excitement at arriving there to continue my rediscovery. If you would like to own a set of cards to explore their power for yourself please visit the dedicated page. Next week I am taking a break, so the next edition of this newsletter will be with you towards the end of August. Thank you dear friends for visiting with me again this week and sharing my musings. As always, please feel free to comment below. (and if you have been redirected here from Daring to Blossom. my apologies - I couldn't work out how to edit this to say just 'comment below' on that page!) One day soon (-ish!) I will simplify all these different postings and get it all together in one place Until next time, with love, Mary

Power

7 August 2013 When I drew this card, my first reaction was...... what? I suppose I could describe it as 'ambivalent', not sure, uncertain.Is power something I want, or something I am afraid of? The dark purple background feels 'powerful' in a number of ways.'Imperial purple' the colour that only emperors were allowed to wear; and the spiritual association  with the third eye and crown chakras. When I am meditating, or giving or receiving healing, I often see a very intense vibrant purple colour. Returning to the word, I go to the online dictionary.  When I read all the definitions below I am not surprised I feel uncertain - such a lot of meaning in a short word. And some of the meanings such as number 1:"The ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something" - to me are positive. Yes, I would like to feel I have this sort of personal power, to accomplish something. Some of the other definitions, speaking of 'possession'; 'control'; 'force' - are much less comfortable for me.  1. ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something. 2. political or national strength: the balance of power in Europe. 3. great or marked ability to do or act; strength; might; force. 4. the possession of control or command over others; authority;ascendancy:  power over men's minds. 5. political ascendancy or control in the government of a country,state, etc.:  They attained power by overthrowing the legal government. Maybe all these different meanings of one word 'Power' explain why many of us hesitate to claim our personal power, to admit, even to ourselves, that we have power. During this week of deliberation on 'Power' - I received this from Tara Mohr, with wonderful synchronicity (thank you Tara!) The Quiet Power I walked backwards, against time and that’s where I caught the moon, singing at me. I steeped downwards, into my seat and that’s where I caught freedom, waiting for me, like a lilac. I ended thought, and I ended story. I stopped designing, and arguing, and sculpting a happy life. I didn’t die. I didn’t turn to dust. Instead I chopped vegetables, and made a calm lake in me where the water was clear and sourced and still. And when the ones I loved came to it, I had something to give them, and it offered them a soft road out of pain. I became beloved. And I came to know that this was it. The quiet power. I could give something mighty, lasting, that stopped the wheel of chaos, by tending to the river inside, keeping the water rich and deep, keeping a bench for you to visit. And thank you Tara for your permission to quote and link to your blog. One of the wonders of this online world is the magic of the connections it can make possible. I am now linked with people all over the world (as well as with my family who are so close to my heart), in a very real way. Not the 'quick click' of 'friend' or 'like' - (not that there is anything intrinsically wrong with those). Rather a way of corresponding as the letter writers and pen-friends of old used to, exchanging views and experiences, gradually getting to know each other, and perhaps meeting face to face as well. In Tara's words - in this way we can perhaps feel too "And I came to know that this was it. The quiet power................. keeping a bench for you to visit." Thank you dear friends for visiting with me again this week and sharing my musings. As always, please feel free to comment below, I would love to hear your thoughts. Until next time, with love, Mary