Reflections: Presence
'Be You and Shine' - the first Compass Rose Programme of 2025Other ways to connect: two monthly Circles, and one to one
My Substack space: 'Dare to Blossom with Mary Lunnen'
Reflections: Presence
Last month I mentioned that I noticed that the card for January, Harmony, was facing 'backwards', as if looking back into the past... I decided not to change it then. And now, seeing the spread for 2025 with the next card turned over, that makes sense.
January takes its name from Janus, the Roman god who looked both ways. The god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, choices, duality, doorways, passages, and endings (Wikipedia). And now Presence reminds me to be, simply be here,now, in this moment. In Ease and Rest, with Harmony. The deep blue feels calm and peaceful today.
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 each word? To the colours?
- What else is there?
- And, what else?
- What is your response to the three words together: Ease, Rest, Harmony? How do all the colours connect together?
- Maybe you would like to join me in January reflections on looking back and looking forward?
What else is there?
I am sometimes tempted to wish I was elsewhere when events in my life don't turn out just how I would like. Nothing dramatic most of the time, simply feeling resentful at spending time doing housework perhaps. And yet can I choose to be present in myself, with myself, in whatever I am doing?
And, what else?
The 'what else?' for me today is to return to Ease and Rest, to be present with those core needs of my own, at the same time as devoting myself to those of others.
'Be You and Shine' - the first Compass Rose Programme of 2025
If you had a moment to read the 'extra bulletin' in January, you will have already seen that I had a rethink and decided on a new theme to start 2025.
The inspiration for this new theme arose, in a roundabout way from a walk I took around Christmas on a very rare dry day. Walking back along the track leading from the cliffs, I noticed something I must have passed by in the other direction earlier.
Two small white feathers stuck in the mud in an unusual arrangement, almost looking like wings. I took some photos and shared them on my Facebook feed with the comment "I met an angel on my walk today....'' and received a heartwarming response. Then I used this thought as the starting point for our jointly created story one week in Resa Ferreira's Story Circle - and that led me to those words: Be You and Shine. (Resa is a talented and experienced story-teller and has a podcast: Being Storied, click the link to listen.)
When I shared the new title with a few of the regular participants in the Compass Rose programmes, their response was very positive, along the lines of 'ooh, yes please!'
And so here we are, and we will begin with the opening of the private Facebook group on 1st or 2nd February, with the first weekly prompts shared on Sunday 2nd, and the daily flow beginning on Monday 3rd.
The fee is £175 for the six weeks, with a discount for previous attendees. As well as the weekly Zoom gatherings (with a recording in case you miss one or would like to listen again to the conversations and insights), you will be invited to a private Facebook group where I share weekly and daily prompts. (If you prefer not to take part on FB, I can send these by email to you). All the details are here, along with a PayPal payment link. If you are in the UK and able to pay by bank transfer, that helps me, so just ask for the details.
When any six week programme ends you continue to have access to all the materials in the group to review whenever you wish. You will also be eligible to join the Stay Connected Group where we share a monthly Zoom catch-up call and you will be offered a discount on all future programmes.
You can pay in two instalments if you wish. Contact me to arrange this or to arrange a one to one Zoom chat so you can consider if this may be for you. I occasionally offer a concessionary rate place so if you are drawn to this programme, but money is an issue please do ask for a conversation about this.
Other ways to connect: monthly Circles, and one to one
The next monthly circle is on Saturday 1st February at 11.00 am. Contact me to receive the Zoom link if you would like to join us for a peaceful hour together. The March event will be on 1st at the same time and I will share the rest of the dates for 2025 soon on the website page, and decide whether to restart the Monday evening gatherings when the light returns.
And, you are always very welcome to contact me to arrange a one to one chat on Zoom to discuss working with me as your coach or to find out more about any of my events or programmes.
My Substack space: 'Dare to Blossom with Mary Lunnen'
After deliberating last month I decided against moving this newsletter to Substack straight away, but I did take the opportunity to 'just do it' rather than dithering over how to approach developing a Substack presence So I have begun using it as a place to share a 'messy first draft' of a potential Companion Guide to the Wisdom of Wild Cornwall Cards.
It felt, and still feels, a little scary to put these pieces out there just in their 'raw' state, but they have attracted a few subscribers - some who are old friends, others completely new to my work.
Currently it is all free, I may add extras for paid subscribers at some point, and I have included the option of a one-off donation for anyone who would like to support what I do. I would love it if you feel like taking a moment to visit there - and if you choose to subscribe (for free) that would be wonderful. Here is the link.
Oh, and I am finding an element of memoir is creeping in, with a sub-title emerging: Connections and Memories.
I send wishes for health and happiness for you and all you love in 2025 and beyond
Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions are always welcome.
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