February 2015 Honesty and Barriers

February 2015 Reflections: Honesty, and Barriers Yesterday I walked round my garden looking for little cameo pictures I could photograph to illustrate something in this piece of writing. To illustrate the way plants can overcome a perceived barrier, even a wall, causing it to crumble and decay, gradually fall away. More on that in a moment. It was a joy to walk round seeing in such a way, looking for the unnoticed, spying out those nuggets that I would otherwise have missed. As I went I was suddenly struck by the light shining through some honesty seed heads, struck with such an impact I gasped aloud at their beauty. It was hard to get a clear photo as the light shone off all the different angles of the silvery discs. I love this plant: the beautiful purple flowers, the way it just seems to pop up where it likes. Looking for some information about Honesty, I found this on the BBC Gardening website, and I love how even a down-to-earth (pun intended!) information page couldn't help but wax lyrical: "Common honesty is an old-fashioned dual-purpose plant, grown partly for its fragrant bright flowers in spring and early summer, but also for its unique seed-heads, oval and translucent, gleaming with an eerie silver light and coveted by dried-flower arrangers." At this time of year, the time just before spring, when plants are mostly dormant and awaiting the warmth and light of longer days before daring to sprout new shoots, I feel in a strange limbo state. Like the garden, with the trees stripped back to bare branches almost appearing to be lifeless, I feel dormant, sleepy, lost even. Wanting to achieve clarity, but feeling unable to take even the most simple of steps forward. Could it be that the apparent barrier I feel is not real, simply  case of the time not being now, conditions not yet being right? Maybe that barrier will melt away if I am patient? During a recent session with Amy Palko she described a picture, an image (the one I was trying to represent through a photograph) - of plants overcoming a concrete wall, climbing over, around, and even through it. So I decided to doodle and sketch my own image for this. Here is the result: I drew the plants to represent one of my favourites from our garden, the morning glory. The leaves are almost heart-shaped; the tendrils twist and climb, using anything they can find to support them. The buds grow at the tips, slim and pointed, developing just a blush of colour at first, then that glorious purple flower that I use so often here (and probably won't be able to resist including again!). To start with I tried to draw a flower, but soon realised that I would need to practise to get that anything like a true representation. So I then I sketched a bud, reaching towards the light of the sun. I realised that was perfect for this image, for this time of early buds just beginning to break from dormancy. I feel as if I too, am just beginning to get around or over a barrier, maybe not yet feeling the warmth of the light, yet knowing it is there. Maybe it is not yet time to strive too hard, more still a phase of drawing up strength and support, as the plants draw water and nutrients from the soil, and energy from the lengthening hours of daylight. Taking life all in good time, knowing that things can soon shoot up suddenly when that moment of rightness arrives. My inner critic tells me this is an excuse, procrastination, putting off the hard work of writing my next book; of developing new ideas to spread the word about Dare to Blossom and the Rediscovery Process. But, but.... the winter weather here in Cornwall is bleak and cold, with gales even if we are so far escaping snow. People will be feeling like 'hibernating' a little longer; rebuilding resources - financial ones perhaps depleted by the Christmas celebrations, and personal energy needed to keep warm and get through the normal daily activities. So - I will continue to put out tentative tendrils, sounding out ideas and plans - with you and my other treasured and valued sources of support and guidance. And trust, trust that in the right time things will come together as they always do. I will be surprised by new opportunities and ideas that I could not possibly have anticipated. Planning is important, and sometimes flexibility in planning opens the door for those new opportunities; ideas that could otherwise be stifled by hitting the solid wall of my own preconceived fixed ideas of how things 'should' be. For you: to reflect on in your journal or meditations: Do you feel you need to plan for the future? Some structure can help organise your ideas and enable you to see the next step. Where are your 'plans' proving a restriction? How can you free up your process to allow for unforeseen possibilities, 'chance' encounters, creative new avenues, and for play? What works for you to help you see where you are now 'with new eyes'? Maybe an outing somewhere new, to visit a gallery (see one example below!), see a film, walk in a new area. Or time at home for a different activity, one with no 'purpose' perhaps? Come back to your planning and see it as a map of possibilities that you can choose from. May you dare to blossom like this stunning morning glory, in your own special and unique way, bringing the gift to the world that you - and only you - can bring. Notices: looking for groups booking speakers and venues for Dare to Blossom Rediscovery talks and workshops Do you belong to a group who like to invite speakers? Women's circles, mediation evenings, professional and business networking groups - all of these have enjoyed a tailored talk and demonstration in the past. Please contact me if you would like to discuss and explore possibilities. As well as the 'Dare to Blossom Rediscovery at Home' workshops, I am also planning to book some dates later this year so would welcome your suggestions for venues. I have such wonderful memories of time shared with inspiring groups of people in York, London, Hampshire, Devon, as well as a number of different parts of Cornwall. Inspirational Event: The Genius World Conference 15 May This event organised by Soleira Green and her Visionary Network buddies will be a highlight of the year for me. Find out more here, and I do hope to see you if you can join us in London on 15 May. If you can't be there in person, do read about the presenters as there are so many wonderful amazing people creating positive change all around the world - you are sure to find something to inspire you. One of those attending the conference is the extraordinary artist Fleur Barnfather, there are wonderful examples of her work on her website and also on Facebook here. If you are able to visit Glastonbury, she has an exhibition at The Hundred Monkeys until 8th March. If you would like to explore for yourself how the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Coaching Process and the Cards can help you rediscover your own power, please do contact me to arrange a time for a free twenty minute consultation. Here is a recent testimonial from Kathy Kane: "Hi Mary, I really want you to know how powerful your Rediscovery session is. The drawing of the cards; the questions that peel us down further and further; the colors and how they tie in – it’s a lovely journey. I had fun putting the cards on background paper and photographing them.  I added the word “play” because it felt like play as we worked and the word “play” –rather than meaning frivolous or childish activity– is really a way to continue the thought process and keep us curious where it will lead. I keep the photo as wallpaper on my phone and every time I go into my phone I get to ask the small question of where else might this lead me.  Thanks again! Kathy" Kathy does amazing work in her business Kane Creative Consulting, including creative writing groups, all sorts of workshops and creativity coaching. One day I will visit and share some of our work together. As always, please feel free to comment below with your thoughts and comments.  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 month and sharing my musings. Until next time, with love, Mary

Dare to Blossom Rediscovery at Home Events

Welcome to a special bulletin - and apology!
 

In the January newsletter I intended to write about the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery at Home events: I even put a heading under 'In this issue' - and then I forgot! Either no one noticed (quite likely), or you were all too polite and tolerant of my (not infrequent) mistakes to mention it, but either way I thought I would take the opportunity to put that right.

Dare to Blossom Rediscovery at Home is a simple idea: you invite interested friends to your house for a morning, from 10.00 to 1.00, provide some refreshments (tea, coffee, water, biscuits, perhaps fruit - what ever you wish). If you can enlist at least four paying guests (currently £25 each), then you will receive a free place.

For the time being the area I can cover is Cornwall and west Devon - but who knows in the future? Maybe I will go 'on tour' and do all sorts of events. There are some details on the dedicated web page with more information. If you would like to talk about booking an event, please email me, then we can arrange a time to talk on the phone.

Questions and Answers here are some of the questions that you may have:

Q. What happens at a Dare to Blossom Rediscovery event?
A. The format is a mini-workshop, with a range of creative and reflective activities, prompted by drawing a Rediscovery Card out of the pack laid out on a table..

Q. What sort of activities?
A. Creative play such as making a greetings card to ourselves using coloured pens, stickers, glue etc; flow-writing exercises; sharing and conversation - with plenty of laughter mixed in.

Q. Do I have to talk about myself or share what I have written?
A. No you don't 'have' to do anything at all - you can simply sit and listen and watch if you wish, though most people can't wait to get playing and making.

Q. What about you, what do you do?
A. I set the scene by sharing some of my own story of how I come to be doing this sort of work, I may read some favourite poems and quotes. I also join the activities as much as I can whilst holding the space for all of you, as I always enjoy myself and gain new insights too.

If you would like to know more, there is a description of a past event in the July 2014 Newsletter, which you can read on my blog here, or on the Daring to Blossom website here. Some people who have attended previous workshops of various sorts with me have kindly shared testimonials.

The joy of working with the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards for me is seeing people rediscover their inner wisdom, find their way home again to themselves, let their light shine more brightly in the world by daring to truly be themselves.

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 reading this extra email.

Until next time,

with love,
Mary