Reflections: Create
Final 2023 Compass Rose Programme: "Coming Home to Yourself" Advance NoticeDare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom
One to One Coaching
Book news: Your Compass Rose Speaks audiobook progressing
Reflections: Create
So many aspects to creating for me. Writing, painting, sewing, cooking a meal. And then, creating my experience, often unconsciously.
If you would like to join me in reflection, ask yourself the questions here and write in your journal. Or, if you prefer, read on and come back later.
- What is your first response? To the word? To the colour?
- What else is there?
- And, what else?
- What does Create add to Presence? How do the colours add to each other? What do all the words so far bring for you?
So, after my first response, what else is there? People have been asking me what I am writing next. Just now the answer is this newsletter, plus materials for the online programmes, and my daily posts. There are some new ideas bubbling up, jottings and doodles in various notebooks, often when I am out on the cliffs - although it may not be warm enough to sit and write for much longer now that the seasons are changing towards winter here.
As well as writing I create in other ways, cooking meals, often using home-grown produce; painting; colouring in my recently acquired first-ever adult colouring book. (Color for Clarity by Kristal Norton). I often do this while in a regular Zoom group where most people are knitters so while they busy themselves with that while listening as each of us shares, I have been doing this. Here is one with an appropriate message;
I am now inspired to create some ink drawings myself to colour in - maybe I will experiment with that soon.
And, what else?
In my first response above, I wrote about creating my experience, often unconsciously. After all my years of life, I do my best to respond, to insert a 'gap' between my first reaction to something, and the words I say. When I don't do this my reactions can be angry, negative, even hurtful. Often these words are only spoken to myself, being overly self-critical, or jumping ahead in my mind to a possible scenario where things go wrong. Sometimes I do speak words aloud to someone else and if that comes from a snap reaction those words can sound harsh and counter-productive.
And yet, where does the line come between adapting my reactions to become reasoned responses, and showing my true feelings in the moment? If I am always 'moderating' myself, how will others know when I am upset or worried? How can I find a middle way so I can be sensitive to the feelings of others, yet also true to myself?
I don't have any easy answers, sometimes it feels like walking a tightrope trying to balance - yet I believe there are lessons, and rewards, in the continued practice of finding that moderate way. What is your experience? I would love to hear from you if you would like to reply to this email.
What does Create add to Presence? How do the colours add to each other? What do all the words so far bring for you?
My first thought here is that being fully present (as much as I am able) brings conscious intent into the things and experiences I create. The colours are both deep and flowing, seagreen and dark blue. As for all these words together, they simply bring wonder at the power of these little cards.
Final 2023 Compass Rose Programme: "Coming Home to Yourself" Advance Notice
While considering the theme for the final turn around the Compass Rose of 2023, I sat on the cliffs the other day with my little travelling notebook. It was just about warm enough to sit and write for a short while. After watching the sea, and the birds, and the sky, and then flow-writing, I decided on 'Coming Home to Yourself'.
This is the title of a chapter in Your Compass Rose Speaks, the last one in the Return to Peace section, before readers go on to visit the Travellers' Tales Circle. It feels appropriate at the end of what has been for me a year of ups and downs, highs and lows, losing myself, and coming home to myself again. Maybe this is true for you?
Many regular readers will be familiar with this painting, one I created years ago at a workshop. If you have been on a Zoom call with me you will have seen it hanging on the wall behind me here in my home in Cornwall.
I chose it for this programme as it is a reminder for me that in coming home to myself, I have truly never left, my light has always been here, shining within to guide me, even when I sometimes lose the connection.
More details of the programme will be shared on the website very soon. For now, here are the dates for your diary:
Taster 1 Friday 27 October at 2.30 pm UK time
Taster 2 Wednesday 1 November at 11.00 am UK time
(if you are in a different time zone, please be aware that here in the UK the clocks go back one hour at 2.00 am on 29 October so when the programme begins the calls may be a different time for you.)
The programme will run from the week beginning Monday 6 November (with the private group opening on 4 November) through to Friday 15 December.
The fee for the full six weeks will be £155, with a discount for those who have attended previous programmes. Payment link will be on the website very soon along with more details.
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom
The drop-in circles have not been so regular of late for various reasons, but I hope that you may be interested in joining me on Saturday 14 October at 11.00 am, and/or Monday 30 October at 7.30 pm, UK times.
You will be find the events on Facebook, or simply reply to this email and ask me for the Zoom link. It is always a pleasure to welcome those of you who prefer not to connect via social media, all you need to join us is the Zoom link that I send to you in advance of the time.
Payment is by donation, depending on your circumstances. People offer from zero to £60. I host the circles with no expectation, simply deep gratitude for your presence.
The full schedule of dates for 2023 is on the website.
One to One Coaching
For many people, the deeper connection of one to one sessions is perfect for them once in a while, either for a short block of six, or an on-going arrangement as and when required.
Either way, I would love to have a Zoom chat with you if you would like to explore the option of one to one coaching with me. There is no pressure, simply an opportunity to find out what would be useful for you, and if my approach would be good for you.
If you click on the 'Book Now' Passionflower, it will take you straight to my calendar to book a twenty minute complimentary call. If you prefer, to read more about the Rediscovery Coaching process click here, Current pricing is £45 for thirty minutes and £90 for a one hour session.
“I have found my sessions with Mary to be a good balance of ideas for the practical things I can do, and the bigger picture reminder of what I want to achieve. This has helped clarify the direction I want to take and also sparked ideas of how to get there. Mary helps as a reminder to stay true to my experiences and has allowed me to be comfortable with who I am and having balance in life and my work.”
You can read more testimonials here on my website.
Book news: Your Compass Rose Speaks audiobook progressing
As you may have read in earlier newsletters, after the print and Kindle books, work is underway on an Audible version for those who enjoy listening. As I reported last month, I have completed recording, and the files are now with my publisher . I will let you know when I have a launch date - I know that Alice from the Golden Dragonfly Press has a steady queue of titles waiting to be transformed into wonderful publications so it may be a while. If you would like to browse her books, pop over to her website here. I have quite a collection of her titles already.
Whether you buy Your Compass Rose Speaks: Rediscover Your Inner Wisdom, direct from me or online, print or electronic versions, I would be very grateful if you would like to write a review. I know from my own experience that I often intend to do this, and then never get around to it - yet I do my best and I know that is all I can ask of you, and thank you in advance if you do find the time. It will be very much appreciated.
If you do write a review, please will you send me a link when it is online? You can do that simply by replying to this email, or through the contact form here. Alternatively, rather than posting on Amazon, or on Facebook, you can email it to me with your permission to share it - and how you would like to be acknowledged.
If you would like to buy a signed and dedicated print copy, I still have plenty of stock, although not quite such a large pile as in this photo.
I send wishes for health and happiness for you and all you love.
Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions are always welcome.
Mary
