Tuesday 31 May 2016

June 2016 - Midsummer Magic

In this Issue: 

Reflections: Midsummer Magic
Dare to Blossom Events
Inspirational links


Reflections: Midsummer Magic

It is almost nine o'clock in the evening, and here in Cornwall, at the end of May, still three weeks until the longest day - it is still light. Today has been a perfect early summer day, warm with a cool breeze. As the sun sets there is sea mist in the air, creeping in from the coast just a few miles from here.

The garden is producing well, and we are surrounded by luxuriant greenery and flowers. The bird feeders are visited by small birds such as chaffinches, blue tits, sparrows and great tits, as well as the dramatically coloured great spotted woodpeckers.



Writing now on 31 May..... tomorrow I will be celebrating a full twelve months running Dare to Blossom full time. After setting up the business in 2003, I had always worked within organisations, at first with a local college part-time, that contract ended and the post was made redundant. Then I found work with a new business start-up support programme and worked there for nearly six years - coaching and training dozens of people. That again ended when the funding disappeared and all the staff made redundant.

After those experiences - in spite of my first thoughts of diving into activity, my first need was for a rest. Gradually I got back into a flow, beginning with the on-line Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride last June. Since then I have run workshops around Cornwall, and in Glastonbury; attended numerous business networking events, and had the opportunity to be a guest speaker at a few of those too. Exhibited at a business show in March. Spoken to many people on-line and in person about coaching and worked with some of them through one-to-one work to help them rediscover their inner wisdom and move forward in their lives.


"I used to feel like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders which turned out to be my own thoughts dragging me down." Tash Read more

It is a joy and a privilege to do this work, thank you to each of you who has trusted me to support you in this journey that each of us is on. During the year I have also devoted considerable time, and money, to my own support and personal and professional development through one-to-one coaching with fellow coaches, on-line programmes, workshops, books - a whole range of tools.

I have taken part in groups on Facebook where I have met wonderful people, all committed to doing business in the way I wish to go forward - in a spirit of support and collaboration rather than ruthless competition. Yes, some of us are technically competitors, but probably not looking to work with the same people, or at least, not at the same time. I am finding that by getting to know everyone I can working in my field, offering services like mine - then I can not only find the best support for myself at different times, I can also refer people who come to me to the best possible help for them.



And - I have had time for walks, photography, art, reading, spending time with friends, gardening, (and simply sitting there, in my garden,with a good book). Through all of this, I feel much more secure in who I am and what I have to offer people through one-to-one work, workshops, and all the rest.

What next? More of the same, and most importantly with more emphasis and ..... what is the word I am looking for? Oh yes! Daring - daring to blossom, daring to be me, daring to stand up and say to you "Try this, talk to me, I can help you change your life."


"After a hard 18 months or so I can now say that I am ready to move on and the ideas that keep springing into my mind since the Magic Carpet Ride are phenomenal...." Ruth Read more

It truly feels as if midsummer magic is in the air - fresh potential, new ideas, moving forward even more surely and confidently. If you would like to find out for yourself how I work now, please contact me for your complimentary twenty minute consultation. Even, or maybe, especially, if we have worked together before. People tell me, and when I pause to reflect I can see for myself, that I have personally learned and grown so much over recent years, and especially the last twelve months, that you will feel a big impact for you too if you are drawn to find out more.

Contact me by replying to this email if you are a subscriber, or via this link if you have seen this on-line or received it from a friend. Let's talk soon and see where that leads.

The card I drew this morning for my daily meditation was Serenity - this has taken me through a busy day, with a great conversation with a new contact, and lots of tasks to be done. Now, connecting with you here, and drawing a card for us, today - whenever you are reading this - here is: Beginnings. Ha! No, I didn't 'fix' it - this is how it works, more magic, the words that emerge always have some link to the sub-conscious, inner wisdom, higher self - which ever term you prefer. And if the link is not initially clear, it will become so.




For you, for your journal or meditation:

You may like to review the past year, or even the past five months of 2016:
- what have you achieved?
- looking back at where you were, and where you are now, what hurdles have you overcome?
- who have you made new connections with?
- how have you changed?
- how do you feel?
- and, what are your aspirations for the year ahead? How would you like to feel in another five months or another year?

If you would like a sounding board, a mirror (for those are my roles as a coach) to help you through those questions, and more that you may have, feel free to
contact me for a conversation. There is no obligation at all, no pressure, simply sharing thoughts and getting to know each other a little better.

I invite you to celebrate with me the journey we have all been on together, however we are linked. Whether we know each other well or not - you somehow come to be reading these words. Thank you, thank you for being the wonderful person you are and for being here.

This quote is one I always read aloud at my workshops and one that always inspires me:


“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
― 
Marianne WilliamsonA Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles

May we all shine together and generate magic to change the world as we each dare to blossom in our own special and unique way.

Dare to Blossom Events

Global On-line: Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride to Rediscover your Inner Wisdom
We take off for the first time on Monday 20 June and end - though you may well continue flying - on Friday 15 July. Price £29, or £99 with two thirty minute Skype coaching sessions with me. Includes a new audio guided visualisation for each of the four weeks, materials and prompts, 1:1 support via email and a private FB group to interact with fellow magic carpet adventurers. Full details here.

Hayle, Cornwall: Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride to Rediscover your Inner Wisdom
Saturday 25 June, 10-1, a half-day to share creative visualisations, creative play, laughter and conversation. £25 per person. Full details here

Future dates: Hayle: 24 September and 19 November. Dates in East Cornwall to be announced.

Dare to Blossom at Home events - details here, contact me to discuss.


Inspirational Links

Here are links to some of the people who have been my companions along my journey this year, my apologies to those of you not mentioned here - there are bound to be some as my connections have been so rich and varied, thank you.
 Email me if you would like your business mentioned in a future newsletter.

Amy Palko
"Words to guide you home."
Victoria Smith of The Mojo Lab
Kathy Kane of Kane Creative Consulting
Lucy Pearce of Womancraft Publishing

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

Sunday 1 May 2016

May 2016 - Going with the Flow


In this Issue: 
Reflections: Going with the Flow
Forthcoming events in Cornwall, Glastonbury, and online
Inspirational links: Books and talks


Reflections: Going with the flow

'Going with the flow' - has been emerging as a repeating theme just recently. On reflection I recall that years ago someone suggested this image to me: often I cling on to the banks, to overhanging trees, rocks - anything; breaking my fingernails, bruising my fingers; clinging on desperately to where I am, where I think I should be. So, what if I just let go, let the flow take me down the river? Not struggling, certainly not drowning, just being carried along with no effort. At that time I was in one of those 'hamster wheel' situations where I thought I could not possibly stop clinging on - a lot has changed since then. And yet...... the image arising now is equally powerful.



Where am I going? Am I going with the flow?  And if I am, what does that mean? Is it giving in, or is it just letting life carry me along for a while? Will I pause to consult the wisdom of the ancient trees along the banks? (Such as the one in the photo above, taken on the River Fowey near Respryn Bridge a year or so ago).

Do you know, I thought I would be writing a long piece about this, but I now find I have no words today. I feel I need to allow myself to be with the flow instead of trying to 'do' it.  And I will leave you to do the same with a few prompts for your journal or meditation as usual:


- Are you clinging on too tightly to the banks of your river?
- What would it feel like to let go?
- What would it be like to drift very gently downstream, safe in a little boat, able to look around you?


As you will see in the events notices below, Cas has chosen a theme for the workshop she is hosting very much in line with my thoughts - whether it is coincidence or synchronicity, who can say?

Forthcoming events in Cornwall, Glastonbury, and online

Near Bodmin on Saturday 14 May: A Dare to Blossom at Home event - sponsored by Flying Lizard Design. There are just a few spaces still left, so please contact Cas or me to book.

  

Glastonbury on Saturday 21 May: A Magic Carpet Ride: Moving Forward with Ease and Grace" 
I have mentioned details of this in earlier newsletters, so a brief summary here, and full details are on the website link. The time is 10-4, at the Miracles Room. New for this month is the 'Bring a Friend' offer - book for the two of you for £90, a price of £45, saving £15 each. Any questions please do contact me with by replying to this if you are reading it in your email, or via the website. If you have already booked, you can still claim a place for a friend and take advantage of the discount.



The workshop on this theme at Hayle on 16 April was a very special morning, with some profound insights emerging for those present. With the luxury of a full day I have some extra activities and suggestions to share that will deepen the experience for those of you who can join us.

Online 20 June - 15 July: A Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride to Rediscover your Inner Wisdom
For those of you who would like to explore even more and those who cannot reach Cornwall or Glastonbury to attend in person - a chance to join a secret Facebook or email group to share a month of magic carpet riding. Full details are here.



The Early Bird price is £19 for bookings before 21 May, £29 once that date has passed. Here is the outline programme, more details will be added to the website and the Facebook event page as time goes on.
The group will begin gathering as soon as you sign up, once the decision is made the process begins for you. A week beforehand I will begin inviting you to start tuning in and preparing and add you to the private group on Facebook (or an email group if you prefer, just contact me to sign up for that).
Week One 20 June: Find your spark
Week Two 27 June: Move forward with ease and grace
Week Three 4 July: Go with the flow - find your hidden river
Week Four 11 July: Coming home to yourself
Hayle on Saturday 25 June: A Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride to Rediscover your Inner Wisdom
We will be back at the beautiful Heliodor Wellbeing Centre again for a morning of midsummer magic carpet riding.



More details on the website here. Several people have already booked for this event, and you may like to take up the Early Bird offer too - and that ends on 31 May. If you have attended a workshop with me in the past at the Heliodor Wellbeing Centre in Hayle there is a very special price for you of £20.

We will be back in Hayle again on 24 September.

Inspirational Links: Books and talks

I have a great 'reading pile' this month.

Just finished The Other Side of the River by Eila Carrico, published by Womancraft Publishing I wrote a review on Amazon here.  Still to read from the same publisher, The Heart of the Labyrinth by Nicole Schwab.

Others in my 'yet to read' heap are Rhyme and Reason - The Poetry of Leadership by Sam Chittenden, who I met at a conference workshop a few years ago. And from Brene Brown Rising Strong. Looking forward to the weather warming up at last so I can sit in the garden and read.

Two TED talks this month, both recommended by
Amy Palko and I heartily agree

Thandi Newton on
"Embracing otherness, embracing myself"

Barbara Sher on "Isolation is the dream-killer, not attitude"

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, @daretoblossom on Twitter