This is coming to you a little later than usual - for a very good reason. The 29th November was the launch of Susie Mackie's book Women of Spirit. I am proud to be one of the contributors to what is not simply a book full of moving and inspiring stories, but the start of a movement. More details below.
December! Still time to buy Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards - a perfect gift that will be enjoyed every day of the year. If you feel time is running away with you - why not ask me to gift wrap them, include a personal greeting from you, and send them direct? Just ask me when ordering (please make sure it is before the last posting date wherever you wish them to travel in the world.)
Reflections: Questions
Events: summary and links
What else is there?
Women of Spirit launch event
My Silver Tent Radio Show
Reflections: Questions
As we move into December, I intended to have a full programme of offerings for you. As I write this piece now, on 27th November, some are already in place, and at the same time others are still floating out there somewhere in the creative soup. Not ready to be pinned down just yet. 'More questions than answers' as the saying goes.
What is out there in the distance? Beyond that cloud obscuring part of the blue sky and the landscape beyond?
I do not yet know. And so, what can I share now, today? What is ready to be told? What else is there that needs to be given more time? Time to germinate; to grow a strong root system; to produce green shoots that will withstand the buffeting of the weather in the outside world; and to produce buds, flower and form fruit.
Maybe in the same way that it is possible to change the conditions so that seeds germinate more quickly, here are some projects I can speed up. But only to a certain degree, once I reach that point I find that once again I am faced with questions. Questions I cannot yet see the answers for clearly. Sometimes the natural order, whether for seeds or for our own creative projects, just cannot be hurried. Certain things need to slot into place before others can come clearly into focus.
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For you, to reflect upon in your journal, your meditations, your art work:
- What does this word - "questions" bring for you? What questions arise?
- Reflecting on 'questions about questions' has proved a challenge for me - instead of using words, maybe you'd like to try doodling, drawing, painting, using collage work instead?
- Or putting on your favourite music and dancing.
- Or getting outdoors and walking, running, swimming - whatever works best for you to access your creative mind and allow the questions time to germinate.
Events: Summary and links
Stepping into Your Power 2018 Programme Scorrier Cornwall The first workshop, is on 20th January, usual time 10-1, with a big discount for 'frequent flyers' who would like to book the year-long programme of six.
London 24th February Stepping into Your Power Following on the success of the event in August, another full day to dive in and explore together in a small group.
What else is there?
These are events already planned - over the next few weeks I will have more to share once the answers to those questions become clear.
Some of you have shared with me a deep and powerful experience in the first Dare to Blossom Point of Focus Mastermind Group during November - I can only speak for myself just now but as we draw that to a close it has been far more, far more in every way than I could possibly have envisaged.
This beautiful candle-holder - there was one on each table in The Mexican where my husband and I enjoyed a meal recently - this image illustrates how I feel at the end of this group. (Not that it will end, we are connected in our circle as long as we wish to be).
Once we have all had time to reflect and I have drawn everything I have learned into a coherent plan, then the 2018 programme will be announced. At present I see that beginning in February, and I may well be in touch before Christmas with news for those of you who like to plan ahead. If you would like to be among the first to receive an invitation to consider joining us in what may be called the Dare to Blossom Power Circle during 2018, contact me here to join the priority list.
Another trial of deep significance for me was the Dare to Blossom Quest Day that Sheryl Andrews chose to book on 4 November. Cornwall in the autumn at her wild and wonderful best.
I am so grateful for the chance to really experience for myself how powerful the Power Flower process is when someone works through it, literally stepping into their power as we step through the ancient and dramatic landscape of this special place.
A note here: No apologies for the repeated use of that word 'Power'. Feminine power, gentle power, power of community - all these ways of looking at a word that for so long, for many of us, has had connotations of fear, control, domination - this has brought me so many conversations this year. With men as well as women. People who care deeply about the future for us all, for our children and grandchildren and all living things we share this earth with - all these people are joining in moving into a different way of being.
So, to return to the magical day that Sheryl and I shared. The wind was strong and we had to keep the cards from flying away as Sheryl drew them for each point on the flower as we moved location during the day.
Sheryl has offered to share some reflections with us in the next newsletter, thank you in advance and for the whole experience. I am very grateful also to Mark who took the photographs and held the space so perfectly for the magic to happen during the day.
So, if you are feeling you'd like to join me here in north Cornwall for a Dare to Blossom Quest Day in 2018, look out for future announcements, or contact me direct
Women of Spirit launch event
So, what can I say about such an amazing event? The launch took place at Barton Court, at Colwall, near Malvern. (A stunning wedding and celebration venue if you are looking for one). A group of people gathered, first to support those speaking to practice their words; and to make lunch and share; to prepare for the guests arriving in the evening. All flowed beautifully - many hands achieving what needed to be done.
As we gathered later, in our party outfits, welcoming people as they arrived, hugging old friends and new; joining in conversations and then listening to the so powerful stories - my overwhelming feeling was of the power of community. Most of us had only met on-line before then, if at all. The feeling of each of us using our experiences to celebrate the resilience of the human spirit and to help others know they are not alone in whatever it is they are going through - that is the power that can make the world a better place. To borrow Susie's words - we are all like pebbles in a pool: we set the ripples in motion through our actions and who knows where they will reach. Click on the link to buy the book from Amazon UK, or use your favourite bookseller (my preference is for Abe Books).
You may notice that this book is Volume One - if you would like to be included in future volumes, link up with the Women of Spirit website or Facebook group.
My Silver Tent Radio Show
The Silver Tent is a conscious, creative and collaborative community supportig women over fifty. In just over twelve months the Facebook community has gown to 3422 members (by the time you read this there will be more) - and already extraordinary things are happening. In a breath-takingly short time we have between us created a calendar for 2018 and set up Silver Tent Radio - you can find a wide selection of shows here.
As always, please feel free to comment below with your thoughts and comments.
If you would like to own a set of Dare to Blossom Rediscovery 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
