August 2016 - Evolving

Welcome to the Dare to Blossom Newsletter
 This is coming to you early this month, so you will have the chance to look at the Summer Special before all the places are taken.

In this Issue: 
Summer Special Coaching Package
Reflections: Evolving
New writing: working title 'Rediscover your inner wisdom: a companion workbook for the Dare to Blossom Cards'
Events: Dare to Blossom Autumn Magic Carpet Ride Workshops
From 'on-line' to 'in person'
Guest Blog: 'The Willow's Raven'

Summer Special Coaching Package
I have put this at the top of this newsletter to make sure you see it in case it is of interest. You may already be aware of this as I wrote a blog post about it, entitled 'Curiosity'. The key details are below, the offer expires at the end of August, but as long as you book your place by then, you can use the sessions at any time.

“If not now, when?” coaching offer

A one-off package of four 30 minute Skype 1:1 coaching calls, plus tailored exercises and email support

PRICE: £100 (ten places only available, during July/August)

Contact me direct to book, or to arrange to have a Skype chat first so you can decide if this is for you. At the time of writing, two places have already been taken up.

Reflections: Evolving

So much has happened over the last month: I wrote a piece a while ago, to include here, and that has been superseded by events. Things feel as if they are moving too fast for me. In some ways that is great; at times I feel I need to take a step back, to consciously choose to step aside from the fast flow. I feel as if I could lose my footing and be swept away.

One thing I can do for myself is to return to a practice I started in 2013, the year I challenged myself to write a blog about one Dare to Blossom Card each week. It took a whole year to cover the fifty cards. (Those thoughts are still available here if you are interested, you will need to dive down into the archive files as the first entry was on 2 May that year).

The practice of sitting with a card for a longer period of time than just one day proved fruitful. As this is a monthly newsletter, this will be a card for the month. For now at least, I will continue with the daily card postings on the Dare to Blossom Life Coaching Facebook page, it will be interesting to see how these two practices intermesh with each other. And it may be interesting to return to this at the end of the month and write about how I feel about the word then.

So, the word that came out for August 2016 is - Evolving, with a dark green coloured background.

As often with these words, I smiled when this came out - having just been writing above about the pace of change. The Cambridge Dictionary on-line, defines 'Evolve' as:  "to develop gradually, or to cause something or someone to develop gradually." In the context of the evolution of species, of course this is a very gradual process.

In my life at the moment, things seem to be changing very rapidly. At the same time, and rather ironically, when I have a review session with one of my own coaches, I often find myself feeling that I am 'stuck' or repeating words, actions and behaviours, over and over.

And now I find myself wondering as I write, where this is leading me, what use these words will be to you if you read them. Then the thought comes, maybe the key is 'review': when I remember to step back; to pause and observe myself; to see those words, actions and behaviours - that is when I am open to insights for myself. That is when I can see that although some things may not have changed, in fact they have moved on. Upwards in a spiral, where I may be revisiting familiar ground, but I can choose to take a view from another perspective.



I was going to write 'a higher perspective' then, but changed it as I don't want to imply - to myself or to you - that this alternative perspective, later in a time-line, is 'higher' meaning 'better'. As if what I was doing before was 'lower' as in 'worse'. The process of life coaching that I use and practice for myself too, has 'non-judgemental' as one of the core principles. 'Better' or 'worse' are value judgements which may change between people, and for the same person at different times.

Hmmm.... (says my inner critic) .. that was a rather convoluted explanation, though one I hope is helpful. (If not, I know you will simply skip over it, dear reader.)

I will leave you to explore more with the prompts below if you wish.

For you, for your journal or meditation practice:

- What does the word 'evolving' bring to mind for you?
- What else is there? (maybe ask yourself that question more than once)
- Does the colour green have any specific associations for you today?

If you would like to, come back to these questions after a week or several and see if your responses change.

New writing: working title 'Rediscover your inner wisdom: a companion workbook for the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards'



This book is, at last, starting to take shape. As you will know if you are a regular reader, I have always felt I did not wish to write any sort of guide to the interpretation of the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery cards. The principle is that they help you rediscover your own inner wisdom, so it is not for me or anyone else to tell you what to think. As I know from using them daily myself, the meaning I take from any particular card, and from the colour, changes from day to day.

However, many of you have told me that it would be helpful to have some idea where to start, whether with a regular practice, or simply dipping in occasionally. So - deciding that this is the year to make this happen and get the book published, I have enrolled in the '10,000 word challenge' - which is also an on-line course, with Karen Williams starting on 1st August. I have known Karen for a number of years and feel her skills will keep me on track, as will sharing in a private group. In a beautiful piece of synchronicity, I had already been thinking of devoting August to writing in more depth than I do here or on Facebook - and then her offering appeared for me, perfect timing.

A request for you
I would like to invite any of you who have your own pack of cards, or who gain some inspiration from reading my newsletters and/or Facebook posts - to send me in a submission for the book. The vision is to have a quote for each card, just a few words to inspire others. I will be very grateful to any of you who would like to contact me to offer your experiences. Any other suggestions or feedback will be very welcome as always, thank you in advance.

The cards and the book will be sold either together or separately. The book will not be in colour but there will be a description for each card so the book can be used to open at a random page in exactly the same way as choosing a card. Or, as some people do, you may wish to choose a word consciously to work with - and that may be easier with the book. As many people tell me, the cards are easy to carry with you during the day - the book could become an additional resource for deeper reflection, and as a guide when you may be unsure of an approach to take.

Some people told me that being presented with the little pack of words with very little in the way of instruction can be daunting. This has always been my intention - not to be 'daunting' exactly, but to challenge you (and myself) to access your resources within; not to rely on other people, however wise, knowledgable and well-meaning they may be. However, having some examples of how other people have used them, will enable a start to be made if someone is uncertain. In a similar way to how it is easy to forget how difficult it was learning to drive (though I do remember not being able to steer and change gear at the same time...) - those of us who have experience of the use of any sort of prompts, such as these cards, for introspection, may forget our rather wobbly first steps.

Please contact me if you have any thoughts on this at all, or any experiences you would like to share

And finally, I will say that there is still another book that has been germinating for a very long time, and I feel that 'clearing the way' by completing the book for the cards will help that other piece blossom in due course.

Events: Dare to Blossom Autumn Magic Carpet Ride Workshops - Reap your harvest



- Saturday 10 September, at The Clease Hall, Camelford
- Saturday 24 September, at the Heliodor Wellbeing Centre, Hayle

Both will run from 10-1 as usual, Early Bird Price (ending for both on 31 August) is £25 per person, £35 after that.

The details are now available on the website, and bookings starting to come in. If you prefer not to use the PayPal link there, please contact me direct to arrange another method of payment.

I am hoping to add a date in the St Austell area too, probably in October. As I write, I am still exploring potential venues, so if you are in that area and can suggest somewhere, or would like to host a workshop in your home, please get in touch.

Sadly the date previously announced, Saturday 19 November, for a second workshop at the Heliodor Wellbeing Centre, has been cancelled as Val has decided to close the centre for various reasons. Those of you who have joined me there will know what a beautiful place it has been for sharing time together. I am very grateful for the environment Val created and the way she looked after us with so much love and care, I am sure you will join me in wishing her all the best for the future - and I hope, take this last chance to join us again on 24 September. I will of course be looking for other venues in that area.

Here is an extract from the workshop description:

Throughout the year you have been sowing seeds - ideas, projects, dreams, ambitions - and nurturing them as best you can. Throughout your life this has also been happening. As the seasons turn in nature, so do the seasons of our lives - irrespective of your age as measured in years.

Sometimes you may be too busy with the next thing to do your seeds justice; may be some of them, as in nature, were never destined to germinate.

Step back and take some time, now, with us in our group for half a day. Take time to notice - and harvest if you so choose - the fruits all around you, the results of your ideas and your work.

The tried and tested Dare to Blossom Magic Carpet Ride concept has, for over a year now, been sparking the imagination; opening eyes to the new; developing business ideas and creative projects. Read more here on the website...

From 'on-line' to 'in person'

I have recently had the enormous pleasure of meeting two people in person who I first met on-line.

Rosemary, who lives in Australia, has been a subscriber for many years. She also has given me thoughtful feedback and suggestions over those years, which has been a great support to me. So when the opportunity came to meet up while she was touring in the UK, I was so delighted. We shared good conversation over coffee (and cake) at one of my favourite cafes in Padstow (Greens, owned by Sharon (and her husband) who I again met on-line, and who has since become a dear friend). Followed by a walk around the old streets of Padstow (and more talk, naturally).



Then, even more recently, I was contacted by Ellouise, a fellow contributor to '365 Moments of Grace', who was on holiday in Cornwall, and we met for lunch in Truro. Again, a contact that originated on-line, brought into the greater reality by meeting up and sharing hugs.



Guest blog: 'The Willow's Raven'

By my friend in the USA, Sheila Howe If anyone reading would like me to feature your blog, do let me know and send a link for me.

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

Find 'Dare to Blossom Life Coaching' on Facebook, @daretoblossom on Twitter

July 2016 - the balance of black and white

In this Issue:  Reflections: the balance of dark and light New writing: a collaboration and a prose poem Forthcoming Events: autumn 2016 Dare to Blossom workshops Inspiration: featured blog Reflections: the balance of dark and light Everywhere in life there are opposites: hot/cold, night/day, summer/winter, sweet/sour, wet/dry, up/down, north/south, east/west, and black (or dark) and light. Some of these are observable, many are subjective: one person's 'hot' is another's 'cold' (or cool at least). As human beings trying to make sense of our lives the tendency is to make judgements based on past experience. This can mean that what is happening to me now, in this instant, the only moment that is actually 'real' - this instant is seen through a filter of assumptions. These may, or may not serve me well. Some have been acquired through my own physical experiences, and others learned from those around me. If all those people who influenced me as I was growing up as a young child believed that a certain thing was 'good' and another thing 'bad' - it can be very hard for me to un-learn those prejudices - in the sense of 'pre-judgements. (I find it interesting that I have to explain that - am I 'prejudiced' against the word 'prejudice'? And, I feel I need to say, I am very purposefully writing in the first person today to do my best not to assume that anyone else makes the same 'pre-judgements' as I do).  What I can be doing is making assumptions that one thing is 'right' and therefore the other, the opposite, must be 'wrong'. I come to see more clearly now that usually I benefit from some of each quality. This is necessary to enjoy the temperate maritime climate here in Cornwall  - I love the sunshine, and I know that rain is needed to enable the land to remain as green and fertile as it is, so I wouldn't say rain is 'bad'. So, when it comes to black and white or dark and light, as in the title of these reflections today, there are so many centuries of culture, tradition, superstition, story-telling behind me, that it is an interesting exercise to tease out some of what I feel about those terms. The picture shows our 'yin yang' garden just after it was freshly laid last year. This definition, found on Google, illustrates the point I am trying to make: "In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang (also yin-yang or yin yang, 陰陽 yīnyáng "dark—bright") describes how opposite or contrary forces are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another." Coming back to complete these reflections after a gap of twenty-four hours, I have had the phrase 'from black and white to colour' running through my mind. It is the title of a book by Richard Wilkins (he is very active on Facebook, and his website is here.) I met Richard sometime in the 1990s, and he was, and has been ever since, a great inspiration. This little book is a collection of his poems and sayings drawn from his own experience of getting to rock bottom and finding the only way was up. I think the thought I am stumbling towards is this: life truly is never black and white. There many shades of grey between those extremes. And, if I am able to choose to see life this way, there is an infinite variety of glorious colours too. Science shows many more that my human eyes cannot detect. ................................................................................ As often happens for me, sharing my flow writing, my personal process, with you is beginning to feel exposed and a little scary. I have lost the thread of the point I was making here, starting off to talk about black and white. Or is it necessary to have a 'point' at all? To answer myself, yes, sometimes, absolutely - if I need to convince someone or explain something clearly. And also, no - not here, not today. I feel no need to be 'right'; no impulse to show that someone else may be 'wrong'. Those "contrary forces" that "are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent" contain gifts in their interdependence. Maybe venturing into the dark, the shadow, within me will allow me to see things that the sunshine of the light obscures in dazzling brightness? ..................................................................... Another break. A walk on the cliffs this morning. Some extraordinary insights - which will need me to spend some time with in meditation before I write anything I feel able to share about them. The images I saw were about going deep within - inside the earth, or inside myself - into the dark. Emerging changed by the dark, and by treasures - the jewels, the crystals - of light I found there. For you, for your journal or meditation practice: - if any phrase or word resonates with you from this piece, choose to flow write or meditate on those words - what emerges for you? - what gifts can you find within? - do you wish to paint, draw, collage - express this visually in some way? If you would like to comment or share (either in the on-line blog forum, on Facebook or privately) please feel free. New writing: a collaboration and a prose poem Collaboration: "365 Moments of Grace" This book is a collaboration of 250 writers, all brought together by Jodi Chapman and Dan Teck. I have posted a special piece on my website blog to tie in with the 'blog tour' for the publication. You may have already read that if not, you can find it here. For UK readers, there is a link here - which I hope will take you to my author page (I have found it technically challenging setting it all up), and if not, simply search for my name or the book title. If you are outside the UK, this will take you to my affiliate page with Jodi where you can see details of all her and Dan's offerings. Just been interrupted to sign for the delivery of my copy of the book, what great timing. No one around to take a 'good' photo for me, so here is a selfie with me looking rather astounded. Prose poem: Coming Home At my recent Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride workshop, with the title 'Rediscovering your Inner Wisdom', I decided to read a piece I had written myself, amongst the words of other writers that I also share. This felt a big step for me, and my inner critic popped up very loudly proclaiming the usual 'stuff' - 'Who do you think you are?!' etc. In the words of Marianne Williamson (and I always read the whole piece during workshops) 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' (read the rest here)  The piece below has not been edited since it was written during my meditation/visualisation practice, some time in June - and I had not even read it through before sharing it at the workshop. I am sure it could be polished and honed, at present it is a raw, unpolished flow of feeling from the heart. Coming Home Breath In, breath out Breathe in, breathe out. Connect with my body, feel, settle Connect with the earth... ...fertile, strong, mud, rock. Connect with nature:  Abundant:    Seeds waiting, germinating    - green shoots becoming strong    - green shoots becoming trunks, branches    Buds forming, slowly breaking    - flowers blossoming    - flowers fruiting    Fruit falls, fruit scatters    Seeds waiting  Abundant. Connect with the air, all it signifies:    Breath of life, winds that blow the seeds.    The Universe around me    The world of the unseen, unknown,    - alongside    - guiding me if I listen. Abundant. Breath in, breath out Breathe in, breathe out.    I am home Abundance embodied Abundant. Coming home. Forthcoming Events: autumn 2016 Dare to Blossom workshops With the busy time of summer arriving here in Cornwall, my next workshops are planned for the autumn and full details will be available on the website soon, and to you here n a future newsletter. I am currently working on ideas. I am finding that participating, as well as facilitating, the current 'Global On-line Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride to Rediscover your Inner Wisdom' is proving very fruitful for me in that. It is making sure I take my own time out, to meditate and write, away from the computer, to share with the group, and some interesting insights have been arising. I think the title of 'Magic Carpet Ride' will stay - people connect with that as it awakens a child-like playfulness. Do let me know if you have any feelings on this: do you like that idea? Does it not not a chord for you? Even when thinking about what we may feel 'should' be serious subjects such as business or career, this approach can yield unexpected gifts. As to the next seasonal theme - watch this space. The dates in Cornwall at present are: - Saturday 10 September, at The Clease Hall, Camelford - Saturday 24 September, at the Heliodor Wellbeing Centre, Hayle - Saturday 19 November, at the Heliodor Wellbeing Centre, Hayle Each workshop will run from 10 am - 1pm, there will be Early Bird and 'frequent flyer' or (magic carpet rider :-) ) rates once the price per person has been set. (I will keep them to £25 for Early Bird bookings if I possibly can). If the first event in Camelford is a success I may well choose that as a regular location as I have been looking for somewhere in north Cornwall for some time. Dare to Blossom at Home workshops can be booked at any time: if you are in Cornwall or west Devon and are interested in exploring the option to host a group of friends in your own home, have a look at the website here and contact me so we can arrange a chat to discuss what you would like. Inspiration: featured blog I have so many friends writing amazing inspirational blogs that I have decided to feature one of them here each month: Here is Diana Frajman with The Crone's Apprentice. As always, please feel free to comment below with your thoughts.  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 Find 'Dare to Blossom Life Coaching' on Facebook, @daretoblossom on Twitter

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 Williamson, A 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

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

April 2016 - Daring

Welcome to the Dare to Blossom Newsletter
 
Reflections: Daring

Choosing the title of 'Daring' for these reflections, has grown out of a piece I wrote on 26th March in one of my daily Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Card posts on my business Facebook page.

That was prompted by two cards: 'Beginnings' and 'Self-love'. Here is that piece for those of you who may not have seen it:

"Beginnings, with the deep green, is of course perfect for the spring here in the northern hemisphere, and for Easter with the themes of death and rebirth. Re-emergence after the winter, new buds, green shoots.

Self-love, soft purple colour. Today, this relates closely for me to reflections prompted by the book I have just finished reading: 'Daring Greatly' by Brene Brown. Like many of you, I have watched some of her TED talks, but this is the first book of hers I have read.

The sub-title is "How the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, love, parent and lead." In the book Brene describes her research and shares interview stories, with her own experiences included. I found myself nodding and recognising so much of what she writes about. The way many of us are subjected (and subject ourselves) to shame when all we need to recognise is guilt. She defines the difference as shame being 'I am bad.'; guilt being 'I did something bad.' (substitute any word - wrong, stupid, etc.....) The first is about you as a person, the second about one particular action, which may have been a mistake but can be learned from.

Admitting and sharing vulnerability is a way to connect with others and heal the wounds these things cause, and learn how to give and receive feedback in ways that avoid the damage occurring in the future.

This time of new beginnings, since I returned to running Dare to Blossom as a full time business, has for me brought back many of the feelings of vulnerability and memories of past experiences that rocked my confidence severely.

One of these happened over six years ago now, and whether the people who took the actions they did intended it or not, I felt I was 'not good enough'. The emotions that this experience raises for me even now, tell me how much this impacted on me.
On page 188, Brene writes about this in the world of work: "Shame breeds fear. It crushes our tolerance for vulnerability, thereby killing engagement, innovation, creativity, productivity, and trust. And worst of all, if we don't know what we are looking for, shame can ravage our organisations before we see one outward sign of a problem."

Someone said to me, over a year after that initial crushing experience, 'Where did Mary go?" I have learned over the years since, and reading this book as brought clearly into focus, that Mary was hiding, afraid to come out and be her true self.

'The courage to be vulnerable' as Brene puts it is often not comfortable, and she talks of making discomfort normal, of showing people that growth sometimes stretches us so much it is painful, and that is OK. If parents, employers, teachers can model being vulnerable themselves and support others in doing the same, then everyone benefits.

As you know, I don't usually write such a long piece, [referring to my Facebook posts] and it feels a little scary to share here, a little vulnerable. By doing so I hope it may help some of you to reflect, as reading this book has done for me. Brene Brown has written two books before this one, both of which I hope to read ('The Gifts of Imperfection', and 'I thought it was just me (but it isn't)'), and one later work 'Rising Strong' - which was the one that first attracted me. Here is her website http://brenebrown.com, where you can also find links to her TED talks and other videos.

Returning to my two words - Self-love feels like a necessary preparation and companion for new beginnings."

Since I wrote that, I have been reflecting some more. Everything I have been doing over recent months seems to have been challenging me to own my vulnerability and have the courage to go forward anyway. Recently I 'dared' to try something new, which so far has not had the results I had hoped (more about this below under 'Events'). Debating with myself what to do about this, reading Brene's words and hearing her speak, has reminded me that if I have to refocus, rearrange or cancel something new I am trying out, it is not because 'I'm no good at this.' It is for all sorts of reasons, some of which I maybe could have influenced by doing things differently, and some I could not.

Later I decided to do some painting to free up my thinking, and to simply play. I had fun with some coloured pens and made a border with the wax medium.



A challenge to myself, as the name of my business has always been. The answer is yes - and also that sometimes I ask for support. Sometimes I withdraw for some reflection and self-care. Sometimes I dare to shine like this tulip is shining - using the fleeting highlight of a ray of sunshine to glow even more gloriously. (Apologies for the photo quality - I had to take it through the window on the iPad, and very quickly - not to mention being 'helped' by Edie, one of our little cats.)



Here are my three words together: as often happens when people are working with them in coaching sessions, the combination of the words and the colours brings an expanded message for me.



For you: in your reflections in your journal or meditations:

- Do these words, either individually or together, prompt any thoughts for you?
- Note your first responses and then ask yourself: 'What else is there?'
- Explore the words using this question as long as you wish.

Events

The most effective way to tell you about the continuing series of 'Magic Carpet Ride' Workshops is to share the words of Ruth, who attended one of the 'Rediscover your Spark and Focus' events earlier this year:

"Dear Mary
What a wonderful 3 hours spent with you and the others on the Magic Carpet Ride: Rediscovering Your Spark and Focus. I didn't know what to expect and I certainly didn't expect the transformation I felt during my time with you all!. I would never have imagined that I could feel so different, so focused in such a short time and I can definitely say that as a result I have 'Rediscovered my Spark and Focus'. 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. Thank you so much and I would highly recommend that anyone who has lost their direction in any aspect on their life's journey join you at one of your workshops."

Hayle: Magic Carpet Ride Workshops - there are three more events planned here this year, and maybe another will be added in November, currently the dates are Saturday 16th April (more details below), Saturday 25 June, and Saturday 24 September, all gathering at 9.30 am for a 10.00 am start and running through to 1.00 pm. Each event, while based around the magic carpet ride guided visualisation process, has a different theme and people are finding that they wish to return to subsequent workshops after attending one. Thank you to those of you doing that, it is affirming and supportive for me. The theme for the next one emerges over time - and I will soon explore what may be coming up later in the year and give you some more information.
 

A Magic Carpet Ride: Moving forward with Ease and Grace - Hayle 16th April

This event is nearly fully booked, so please if possible contact me direct to book rather than via the PayPal link. If you are inspired to be there I am sure there will be a place for you. Click on the picture to visit the website for more details. The price given on the website after the Early Bird Price ended on 31 March is £28 per person, as a regular newsletter reader I can offer you a place at £25. Again, contact me direct to book. Also, if you attend one workshop, every one you come along to this year will be £20 for you as a thank you.



 

Glastonbury: A Magic Carpet Ride: Moving forward with Ease and Grace - full day workshop 21 May

On Saturday 21 May we will be sharing a full day magic carpet riding at the beautiful Miracles Room in Glastonbury. When I ran the workshop there last year it was a half day during the week. The feedback I received was that people would prefer a full day, and for it to be on a Saturday. So that is what we are doing this time, gathering at 9.30 am for 10.00 am start, and ending at 4.00 pm. This will allow a more in-depth exploration of the themes and the insights arising, plus time to share conversation over a leisurely lunch at the cafe in the Courtyard. If you are staying close to Glastonbury, or do not have too far to travel home, you may also wish to spend some time in the town visiting one of the many special places there. Click on the photo for full details.



The cost per person is £60, with a special price for newsletter subscribers so please email via this link to ask questions and to book. There is the option to pay a deposit of £20, and also some places at concessionary rates.
 

Wadebridge: Dare to Blossom in Business "Refresh and Refocus your Business" - full day workshop Friday 22 April

This new programme begins on Friday 22 April 10-4, at the Paddock Room, Hawksfield, near Wadebridge. This is the part mentioned in my reflections piece, that I have had to review. Yesterday I took the step of asking for support, asking for help  and feedback. Thank you so much to the people who responded so positively, your help led smoothly to the decision to restructure the pricing.

You now have a choice: you can book the workshop alone for £55 per person. If you would like one or more follow-up coaching sessions on Skype or phone, then you can book up to three at £40 each for the full 60 minutes. Full details are to be found here.

If you have any questions please just contact me by replying to this email. Everyone has the opportunity to book a complementary 20 minute consultation to find out if Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Coaching will suit your requirements from coaching support.

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.

Dare to Blossom at Home events

These are held in your own home and tailored to you and your guests. I am delighted to be working with two people at present who have booked dates. One person has asked me to help promote for her (you can choose if you would like me to do this, or to simply invite your own circle of friends and family) - this one is on Saturday 14 May, in a very special spot on Bodmin Moor. Contact me if you are interested in this and I will send you more details once they are finalised. In the meantime click on the photo for general information.



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