Welcome to the Dare to Blossom Newsletter
In this Issue:
New logo
Reflections: Coming Home
Events
Inspirational links
New Logo
You may have noticed the new logo - this was designed by the talented graphic designer Cas Smirthwaite of Flying Lizard Design. She has also made new banner designs for me for the forthcoming Cornwall Business Show. I am delighted with the fresh approach and although I remain very attached to my original photograph of the passionflowers, I feel this represents my newly refreshed business as I continue to dare to blossom.
Reflections: Coming Home
Sitting in the garden on a rare (for this winter) sunny day, wondering what the theme will be for my reflections this month. Smiling at myself - wrapped up in layers of warm clothes - and a sun hat. There is a chill wind blowing in the trees around me. It feels like a March wind even though it is still February as I write. Crows cawing; small birds singing; two young cats (no longer really kittens) playing rough and tumble nearby.
I can also hear hammering from work on the conversion of old farm buildings, saving them from decline and ruin and giving them a useful purpose once more. Observing, observing not only the sights and sounds around me - ooh, the flutter of a sparrow's wings almost ruffles my hair as it shoots past low over my head. Observing also my chain of thoughts - that take me next to remembering that despite the conversion of the buildings, we have seen barn owls again recently. And what a glorious full moon has been shining the last few nights.
Not random thoughts, even if the chain that links them seems tenuous or even disconnected. They are, in reality, very much connected. Linked to this place, this physical place, my home for almost forty years now. And connected with my internal home, myself. This past year, in fact the past several years - have been a process of coming home to myself.
Only very recently, as I continue to focus on refreshing and renewing my coaching work under Dare to Blossom, has this seemed to open out into new potential. Into the rediscovery, not only of myself, but of my power within, my sovereignty (to use one of my words for this year).
This has been about recognising and reclaiming many lost or overlooked parts of myself - and about reintegrating them into my life. I was going to say 'my working life', but my intention is to create a life. A life that includes work and that also has a good balance of all the other things that are important to me. Now, for me, (unlike in the past) I feel there is no separation between these essential aspects of me, and my business.
Art, creativity, health, spirituality, family, friends, walking, nature, reading - all these things are part of me - part of the 'myself' I am coming home to at last. Including the work I love to do. I have begun to realise that all my past experience is becoming integrated - many of those experiences have been uncomfortable, even painful at the time. I don't believe that bad experiences are necessary, but they are the way most of us learn what we need to know - in coping, in finding strength within we had no idea we possessed, in coming through.
The more I allow myself to live a life I love, to allow it flow with ease and grace (my other two words for this year) - then the more I have to offer to others.
For you, to reflect in your journal or meditations:
- which missing parts of yourself are you longing to reclaim?
- childhood pastimes
- Art, writing, nature, walking, skipping, collecting stamps.........
- how can you bring some of these back into your life? (you could choose one to start with and then, once you have had a play with that, try another if you wish)
Some of this exercise can be revealing, and yes, maybe a little painful if you are reminded of missed opportunities. Be gentle with yourself and have fun with the activity you choose to begin with. As one of my tag-lines goes 'Live a life you love. Start here, start today - if not now, when?'
As I write this a new programme for 'Dare to Blossom in Business' is evolving - you will see details of this below.
To end these reflections I would like to thank once again all the amazing coaches and supporters I have around me - each of you has offered me something unique and special. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here is the poem, by John O'Donohue, that originally inspired me to think it was even possible to 'come home to myself':
In this Issue:
New logo
Reflections: Coming Home
Events
Inspirational links
New Logo
You may have noticed the new logo - this was designed by the talented graphic designer Cas Smirthwaite of Flying Lizard Design. She has also made new banner designs for me for the forthcoming Cornwall Business Show. I am delighted with the fresh approach and although I remain very attached to my original photograph of the passionflowers, I feel this represents my newly refreshed business as I continue to dare to blossom.
Reflections: Coming Home
Sitting in the garden on a rare (for this winter) sunny day, wondering what the theme will be for my reflections this month. Smiling at myself - wrapped up in layers of warm clothes - and a sun hat. There is a chill wind blowing in the trees around me. It feels like a March wind even though it is still February as I write. Crows cawing; small birds singing; two young cats (no longer really kittens) playing rough and tumble nearby.
I can also hear hammering from work on the conversion of old farm buildings, saving them from decline and ruin and giving them a useful purpose once more. Observing, observing not only the sights and sounds around me - ooh, the flutter of a sparrow's wings almost ruffles my hair as it shoots past low over my head. Observing also my chain of thoughts - that take me next to remembering that despite the conversion of the buildings, we have seen barn owls again recently. And what a glorious full moon has been shining the last few nights.
Not random thoughts, even if the chain that links them seems tenuous or even disconnected. They are, in reality, very much connected. Linked to this place, this physical place, my home for almost forty years now. And connected with my internal home, myself. This past year, in fact the past several years - have been a process of coming home to myself.
Only very recently, as I continue to focus on refreshing and renewing my coaching work under Dare to Blossom, has this seemed to open out into new potential. Into the rediscovery, not only of myself, but of my power within, my sovereignty (to use one of my words for this year).
This has been about recognising and reclaiming many lost or overlooked parts of myself - and about reintegrating them into my life. I was going to say 'my working life', but my intention is to create a life. A life that includes work and that also has a good balance of all the other things that are important to me. Now, for me, (unlike in the past) I feel there is no separation between these essential aspects of me, and my business.
Art, creativity, health, spirituality, family, friends, walking, nature, reading - all these things are part of me - part of the 'myself' I am coming home to at last. Including the work I love to do. I have begun to realise that all my past experience is becoming integrated - many of those experiences have been uncomfortable, even painful at the time. I don't believe that bad experiences are necessary, but they are the way most of us learn what we need to know - in coping, in finding strength within we had no idea we possessed, in coming through.
The more I allow myself to live a life I love, to allow it flow with ease and grace (my other two words for this year) - then the more I have to offer to others.
For you, to reflect in your journal or meditations:
- which missing parts of yourself are you longing to reclaim?
- childhood pastimes
- Art, writing, nature, walking, skipping, collecting stamps.........
- how can you bring some of these back into your life? (you could choose one to start with and then, once you have had a play with that, try another if you wish)
Some of this exercise can be revealing, and yes, maybe a little painful if you are reminded of missed opportunities. Be gentle with yourself and have fun with the activity you choose to begin with. As one of my tag-lines goes 'Live a life you love. Start here, start today - if not now, when?'
As I write this a new programme for 'Dare to Blossom in Business' is evolving - you will see details of this below.
To end these reflections I would like to thank once again all the amazing coaches and supporters I have around me - each of you has offered me something unique and special. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here is the poem, by John O'Donohue, that originally inspired me to think it was even possible to 'come home to myself':
"To come
home to yourself.
May all that is unforgiving in you
Be released
May your fears yield their deepest tranquilities
May all that is unlived in you blossom
into a future graced with love."
www.johnodonohue.com
May all that is unforgiving in you
Be released
May your fears yield their deepest tranquilities
May all that is unlived in you blossom
into a future graced with love."
www.johnodonohue.com
Events
My diary is looking very interesting now, I love how this year of 2016 is developing and flowing with new connections and opportunities. Here are some of those in case they are of interest to you. Most are local to me here in Cornwall, so my apologies if you are not within traveling distance - though you may have friends who are and may be interested.
3 March TME Networking Lunch (12-2 pm) at Lakeview, near Bodmin. Beautifully facilitated by Gemma Massey of The Main Event Management Company, these gatherings are friendly as well as professional. Personally, I have found them very productive. Gemma's coaching style prompts each of us to think deeply about what is needed right now for your business. I will be the guest speaker at various locations for TME over future months: 21 March at Siblyback Lake, 7 April at Lakeview, and 10 May at Roadford Lake. As you see, Gemma chooses unusual and beautiful locations.
8 March LifeTalks at the Victoria Inn, Threemilestone near Truro, (7-9 pm) . A new group for me, though many of the members are old friends. The speaker is Sarah Turner on Solution focused Hypnotherapy. On 12 April, I am speaking on Life Coaching – Practical Tools to Rediscover your spark, and focus.
17 March Cornwall Business Show at the Royal Cornwall Showground near Wadebridge. Free to visit, and if you pre-register via their website you are entered into a draw to win a package of business support worth over £6000 (which happens to include a five-session coaching programme from Dare to Blossom). My stand is in the 'Health and Wellbeing Zone', No. 83 (though I am informed that the stand numbers may change). I will be offering a chance to enter my own draw to win a coaching package. While you are there, you can pick a 'word for the day' from the Rediscovery Cards and experience for yourself how they work. There will also be a chance to ask questions about the Dare to Blossom in Business Programme (see more below) before the Early Bird rate which closes on the following day, 18th March.
19 March The Vibrant Living Show at Heartlands, Pool, Cornwall, from 10 am - 4 pm. Here I will be exhibiting my original artworks, greetings cards, books, and of course the Rediscovery Cards. I am also giving a talk from 11.15-11.45 entitled 'Will you Dare to Blossom?'
And finally (phew!), here are details of the forthcoming workshops:
A Magic Carpet Ride: Moving forward with Ease and Grace
16 April 10-1 Hayle, 21 May 10-4 Glastonbury. Full details of each event can be found on my website by following the links.
Dare to Blossom in Business: Refresh and Refocus Business
Development Programme
This new programme begins on Friday 22 April 10-4, at the Paddock Room, Hawksfield, near Wadebridge, and has three levels of coaching support included, depending on which package you choose. There is a £50 discount for bookings made before 18 March, bringing the price for Early Bird bookings for the 'Silver' package to £95 which includes a one hour follow-up Skype or telephone coaching session to enable you to consolidate and continue the progress made on the day. (Value: £90). Full details are to be found here.
If you feel you cannot spare time for a whole day away from your business or prefer to work one-to-one, contact me so we can discuss a tailored programme for you. I can also provide in-house workshops and coaching programmes to refresh and inspire you and your team together.
Inspirational Links
Three wonderful retreats, I have not attended them all, but I know each of the organisers personally and you can be sure of a very special time if the particular event appeals to you:
Mindfulness, Reiki and Sound Retreat run by Jane Edwards and Ruth Lerew, at Blackadon Barn Farm on Dartmoor, from 13th to 16th May.
Simple Sanctuary Retreat in Tuscany with Mary McConnell of Star Therapies and colleague Carol from 28th May to 4th June.
Conscious Writing Retreat with Julia McCutcheon in Glastonbury from 10th to 13th June. I loved this retreat when I participated two years ago, if you want to know more about Julia's approach I can recommend her book Conscious Writing.
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
* find 'Dare to Blossom Life Coaching' on Facebook.
