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Welcome to the Dare to Blossom Newsletter In this Issue: Reflections: Gone to Seed Events Special offer coaching package Inspirational book: Gifted by Grief Dare to Blossom Art update Reflections: Gone to Seed My reflections this month are inspired by reading Goddesses in Older Women by Jean Shinoda Bolen (thank you to Amy Palko for introducing me to her writing). She discusses how the phrase 'gone to seed' can be used in a derogatory way, and also how it can be a positive concept for the third phase of life (and for me, this applies to men and women).  In the discussion (pages 202/203) Jean comments on how the 'planting the seed' botanical metaphor only goes so far. The wonderful aspect of passing on the seeds of wisdom that have been harvested throughout a life is that: "In the physical and economic world, if I give you something, then I no longer have it. Wisdom and love behave altogether differently: if I give you my love or wisdom, both of us can have it. And even more remarkable, you may pass it on and not only still retain it, but it will grow with each transaction. The more we give away, the more there is and the more we have. Another remarkable quality is that if I give you my wisdom and it rings true in you, what I gave you was really already in you, and you recognised it as your own. The more we bring our wisdom into the world, the more wisdom there will be, and the easier it will be fore other women to find it in themselves." (p. 203) Reflecting on this, it helps me find a path through what I might previously have seen as a contradiction, a dilemma. If my role as a coach and through the Rediscovery Cards, workshops and writing is to help you 'rediscover your inner wisdom', who am I to feel that my experience, my learning, my accumulated wisdom - is relevant or valuable? However, using Jean's words, I can see that if I trust my own inner wisdom and dare to share that, to pass on those seeds to others - then you may "recognise it as your own" This helps me acknowledge my strength, to recognise it as a peaceful, serene, calm inner power and allow that to shine and radiate when I meet people. For you, to reflect on your meditations or journal. This time these are suggestions for flow writing, visualisation, collage-making or art: - explore the word, the idea "Wisdom" - what is it? What does it mean to you? What images does it prompt you to picture in your mind's eye? - where is your Wisdom held? Head, heart, gut? Your ability to listen, or to speak? - follow your thoughts and intuition where it may take you. Events Just after you receive this, on 2 October, I will be attending the Refresh Conference in Cullompton, Devon, organised by Women's Development Unlimited. There are inspiring speakers and workshops and a selection of trade stands - including me So if you are in the area and can come along that day, you can still book a ticket, it would be wonderful to see you there. Another event where I have a trade stand is the St Mellion Business Show, near Saltash. There is free entry to this, so again please to come and say hello if you are visiting the show on Thursday 15 October. Later in October, I am giving a talk at the Leading Women Bodmin group meeting on Tuesday 27 October, from 6.30 - 6.30 pm. The subject will be coaching using the Rediscovery Cards. You can book a place using the link above, and you do not need to be a member to do so. It will be good to see you if you are able to come along. The next Dare to Blossom Magic Carpet Ride workshop is at Hayle, on 21 November, full details here. More on that in the November newsletter. Special Offer Thank you to those of you who sent feedback on the extra bulletin I sent you about the special coaching package. I have incorporated your suggestions and the "better than half price" offer is open up to the end of October. More information and booking details here. If you are not sure - there is always the opportunity to book a 20 minute consultation - a conversation between us for you to find out how it would work for you. There is no expectation from me that you will take up coaching after the free 20 minutes, so please do not hesitate to contact me - it is a joy to connect with you on Skype or the phone.. We can also discuss how to make payment convenient for you. Inspirational Book: Gifted by Grief I have just finished reading an extraordinary book by a coaching friend of mine, Jane Duncan Rogers, Gifted by Grief: A true story of cancer, loss and rebirth. I found moving and eye-opening the way she is able to describe the process she and her husband went through during his illness and death. Most of all it is a story of hope and spiritual reawakening. As Robert Holden says in the introduction: "In sharing her journey with grief, Jane helps us with our journey too..... In witnessing her healing, I am experiencing my own." Jane has compiled some resources on her website Gifted by Grief. I find it hard to describe the spiritual depths and inspiration I found in her book, so if you would like to know more, I suggest you explore there for yourself. I bought the book when it first came out a few weeks ago, and put it aside to read when the time was right. As some of you will know, two weeks ago my much loved feline companion Sparky died. He had gone missing for several days, then returned late one night with a badly broken leg. We took him straight to the vet and spent that night and the following day so happy that he was safe. Then came a call from the vet, first to discuss the surgery he needed, and then, very shortly afterwards, to tell us he had passed away under the anaesthetic even before the operation had begun. I have been deeply affected by this, it felt like a real, physical body blow to receive this news. Two days later, I woke with a clear vision of Sparky as a shooting star - off across the skies, with - as my husband wrote later that day on his stone in the garden - 'Things to do, places to go, on a mission." He was like a bright flash - the lightning flash that signifies high voltage electricity and is used as a symbol for an electrician, a 'sparky' by trade. He shone brightly in the fourteen months he was with us, bringing love, joy and laughter. So to read Jane's book helped me with a different sort of grief, not lesser, just different. And also to discover the gifts in the impact of Sparky's death on me as in any experience in life. Here he is causing chaos in my study, looking as if he is about to attempt to climb even higher:.....  Dare to Blossom Art update Last month I mentioned that the printed art cards had arrived, they are now available to buy, singly or in a selection of your choice at a discount, from the Dare to Blossom Art FB page. If you prefer eBay, I currently have them listed, I hope this link will take you to the right place! If it does you will see 'The Tree', then to see the other cards you should be able to click on 'See other items' to the right of the page to view the other eight designs. I have ordered a selection of my photographic work too - scenes and flowers, which I hope will arrive very soon. Finally for now, a little later into the autumn I will be having an on-line sale of some of the original artworks mounted ready to frame. More news on that another time. 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. |
Tuesday, 29 September 2015
October 2015 - Gone to Seed
Monday, 31 August 2015
September 2015 - Distilling
Welcome to the Dare to Blossom Newsletter
In this Issue:
Reflections: Distilling
Autumn Magic Carpet Ride
Dare to Blossom Art
Special coaching package offer for readers - advance notice
Inspirational links
Reflections: Distilling
To distil: "to get or show only the most important part of something:"
http://dictionary.cambridge.org
This feels like the process I have been following recently, getting to the most important parts. Reflecting on a wet August day, taking a pause to breathe. Thinking about all the books I have read (and those on my shelves to read in the future); the workshops I have attended; the courses that led to qualifications; the on-line groups that I sign up for and sometimes participate in, and sometimes not; the discussion groups where we share valuable insights.
Thinking about all these resources, all providing valuable information. When do I stop? Or at least pause a little longer than the time it takes to breathe a few deep breaths. What is it that turns information into knowledge? Is it being able to apply it, use it?
And then, how do we define wisdom? For me, it is becoming apparent that true wisdom may be when a person has taken time: time to evaluate, to distil the goodness, the strength, the power, out of all they have learned. Whether through formal education, or in the school of life and 'hard knocks', this can take time. Paradoxically perhaps, very young people often have the ability to see wisely. To truly see as they have not yet acquired all those filters of experience, conditioning, prejudice (meaning to pre-judge, make assumptions).
Part of the urge, the quest to keep on learning is positive, inquisitive and enterprising. For me a big part of my learning over recent years has been remembering to come back to my own inner wisdom, to rediscover my own power within - a unique mix that only I have. Each of us has that unique inner knowledge that we too often dismiss and ignore, preferring to look outside ourselves and not to share the talents we can offer to others. Allowing that knowledge to deepen and mature into wisdom, and then daring to share it with others may bring unforeseen gifts back to you.
Do you have a longing to step back and distil, to focus and reflect? To somehow arrive at those most important parts that may be concealed within?
I chose this photograph of one of my paintings as the pure blue seems to draw the eye into the picture. At the same time there is an outward energy too, an exuberant sharing of a deep joy. The reason I love this medium, the jewel colours of the wax, is that it is a little like seeing pictures in the fire or castles in the clouds - everyone sees something different. And the same picture will reveal different aspects each time you return to it anew. (more on my recent return to creative art later).
For you, to reflect in your journal or meditations:
Pause and centre yourself with some deep, deep breaths, in and out
Pick up your pen and write, or close your eyes and see:
- focus in on the one thing, the one thing that is important now
- if this does not come to you (it often doesn't for me), just start writing: a list; complaints of 'I don't know what to write'; about how your body is feeling right now; the sounds, sights, smells around you. Let your words flow freely onto the paper with no reasoning.
- after ten minutes stop, read what you have written and see if anything stands out.
Whatever has occurred for you, some 'distillation' will have gone on: if you now have an idea, follow that, if not, put it aside, go on with your day, and see what surfaces later.
Autumn Magic Carpet Ride
Some of you took part in the "Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride", and the feedback I have received has been positive. I have just opened up a new group on-line on FaceBook for anyone who is interested in participating again there.
As before, if you prefer to take part in an email group, please send me an email via this link (or just 'reply' to this newsletter email) and I will add your name. We start on 21 September, again the plan is for four weeks together, and maybe that will extend as it did last time. Thank you to everyone who responded to the survey I sent out. This time I will be suggesting a financial contribution, how much will be up to you. There is so much so freely ad generously offered out there on-line that this feels a hard thing to do for me. However, I know through my own experience that we tend not to value what is freely given - rightly or wrongly this is a fact of human nature. There will be plenty of time to think about this before the Magic Carpet Ride begins.
There is also a workshop in Cornwall on Saturday 19th September, in the countryside between Lostwithiel and Bodmin. I have already sent out a bulletin to you about this. There are still some places left so please contact me as soon as possible to book. There are more details here on the Rediscovery Process Page Another date has been booked, in West Cornwall, on 21 November, again 10 - 1 on a Saturday morning. More details to follow next month.
The feel to these events for autumn is, to me, very different. I don't think this is simply due to the season, maybe it is the experience of having now run one event like this. I am not sure - I will be doing my own journalling on this to explore before we begin.
Dare to Blossom Art
I have recently set up a new Facebook page for "Dare to Blossom Art" (I think you will be able to view it even if you are not a Facebook 'native'). I will work out how to share more on my new website that is coming soon (as with all these things my developer seems to be taking longer than I had hoped).
After receiving some very good advice about selling my original pieces too cheaply I am now experimenting with having greetings cards printed. The first image I have chosen to be reproduced is a landscape, which many of you will have already seen. They arrived last week and I am very pleased with the quality, here is one I was about to write and send to a friend. I have ordered cellophane bags for them and will then be selling them individually and in packs - along with some other designs I have ordered.
Special coaching package offer for readers - advance notice
Many of you have been loyal subscribers to this newsletter for years, and I truly appreciate that. I would like to repay you with the opportunity to try out for yourself how a series of on-going coaching sessions can work for you. Of course, many of you are coaches yourselves, or work in similar fields and need no convincing of the value of consistent work of whatever kind.
However, how often do you allow yourself to experience this? Money is often an issue, but what message that does send out to your clients or customers? What message - most importantly - are you giving to yourself? Is it one of valuing yourself, of giving yourself time and space, and yes - investment? Or just the opposite? When I am working with the various coaches I connect with for my own growth and support, I so often find myself saying, usually while laughing rather ruefully: "Yes, I know that, and I say it to people all the time, but how hard it is to put into practise for myself!" This applies here: I am often very 'stingy', mean, with things that could help me move forward, in my business or personal life (often both).
Over the last few weeks, during my 'distilling' process, I have come back to my core self; been able to step back and see where all the life experiences of the sixty two years I have been on this particular path have brought me. The wisdom and insight; the ability to deeply listen, to provide a quiet safe place for you to hear yourself, really hear your own voice. To be heard and be witnessed.
A question for you, how are you feeling, right now?
Let your first answer go. It may well have been 'fine' or 'OK'.
How are you feeling? Do you feel in a tight place? Restricted somehow? Is something in your life not sitting quite right for you?
Are you feeling 'tight in a bud' and ready to blossom into your full glory? The quote that inspired 'Dare to Blossom' (as many of you will know) is this from Anais Nin:
".. and then the
day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk
it took to blossom."
Yesterday I spent all day outdoors in the gorgeous countryside of Cornwall. Walking on the ancient hill fort of Castle an Dinas, connecting with the land. There was no one there except me, just the wind and the sheep. Coming home and sitting in my garden, reading, writing, distilling. Beside me was the Glory Bush (Tibouchina) which is covered in buds, about to burst into flower - big purple, stunning blooms. For now the buds are sitting, waiting, beautiful in themselves.
If things truly are fine or OK, how would it be if they were 'tremendous' or 'amazing'? This is where coaching can work magic: it is not a process to fix anything or provide therapy (that is for counselling and other treatments).
Coaching works to expand and explore; to enable you to grow into the bigger you; to reconnect with the amazing person you really are. Every coach has a particular style, grown - distilled - out of their experience, their training and their core self. Would you like to experience 'Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Coaching', developed over many years?
I am working on a new package, an evolution of the original 'Rediscovery Process'. Still using the tried and tested tools of the Rediscovery Cards, with an added sense of focus to ensure progress and development. I had intended to launch a special offer for you in this newsletter, but it seems that there is more distilling and refining required before it is totally polished and ready to do the very best for you. So look out for a special bulletin in your mail box early in September. The offer will not be available generally until after you have had a chance to ask any questions if you wish.
Inspirational Links
Favourite music: Lucinda Drayton
Writing this I have been listening to one of Lucinda's CDs. Like many of you, I find her music touches me so deeply. One particular track is Pale Green Angel, and begins with the words:
"In your heart you know the right thing to do
In your heart you know the right way to go
And if you don’t have the courage ask for it
If you don’t have the power, pray for it."
NB The lyrics of this song are of course copyright, here is the direct link to Lucinda's FB page and here is the main website too.
I remember the first time I heard this, sitting in the front row of one of Lucinda's musical workshop/concerts at the Olive Grove Bistro at Perranarworthal. Those words, and her extraordinary voice struck right to the core of what was going on for me right then. And continues to do that every time I listen to the CD 'You' that is comes from.
New Book: Conscious Writing by Julia McCutchen
Back in May last year I attended Julia's first 'Conscious Writing' retreat, and have followed her progress ever since in writing the book based on the material she shared with the group of us there. The retreat had a big impact on me and I learnt some ways of working, and being, that have stayed with me ever since. So I was delighted to see the other day that the book is being published on 8 September. I have already ordered my copy. There are some bonus videos if you order before the publication date so you may like to look at this link soon.
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.
Friday, 31 July 2015
August 2015 - Learning
In this Issue:
Reflections 1: The Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride
Reflections 2: Learning
Events
Inspirational links
Reflections 1: The Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride - on-line, by email and in Glastonbury
As I sit down to write this for you, I have no idea right now what the topic or theme will be. Usually that is already in my mind well in advance. This month so much has happened that I feel I need to review first.
The Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride groups have been running - on Face Book and as an email group - since 21 June. If you are reading this and have been involved, probably on email as many of the people who like to keep in touch through this newsletter are those of you who prefer not to use Face Book, then some of the news here will already be familiar to you..
The group ends on 31 July - after being extended from the original four weeks into six to encompass the workshop in Glastonbury. It feels to me that it will be good to review that in more detail later, giving some settling time. This being the first time I have run groups such as these, rather than simply participating, it has been an interesting experience. Most people have - as I do in the groups I join - been enthusiastic to start with, then found other priorities taking over; maybe popped in once or twice; and then not at all. I imagine there are things I could have done to keep it more exciting and involving for people - but that is making an assumption, so I will wait until I have been able to ask people for their feedback before jumping to too many conclusions.
For me the experience of 'leading' (though as you see by the inverted commas I hesitate to use that word about myself, interesting...) - of leading the groups by example has been a profound and at times rather challenging one. I have deepened my meditation and visualisation practice considerably. I have always been able to do this visually: 'seeing' as well as being able to write down what I am experiencing in some way. Over the years I have (mostly!) been able to suspend disbelief and self-judgement, though not entirely to silence that very talkative inner critic. And in recent years I have shared some of this writing with some close friends.
Sharing with a group of around forty people has been quite another thing though. Putting the writing out there, even in a secret, private space, has demanded a lot of 'feel the fear and do it anyway' practice. Accepting - allowing - that most people won't comment (and of course may not read it in any case). Accepting that the people who have joined the group are in tune with my way of witnessing, of very often not giving any feedback, and certainly not of the "That's lovely, dear." type, which while well-meant, is actually no support at all in this work. I am hoping - now - that this is making sense to you as I am flow-writing it onto the screen, trying to explain something that is more felt than articulated.
Another fear I have encountered is the "Who am I....?" one. "Will they think I am mad/talking nonsense/trying to show off....." - any number of permutations have been popping up and needing gentle contradiction. At the workshop in Glastonbury these feelings raised their heads again. As I prepared the room to welcome people, I felt greatly supported by the words of one of the email Magic Carpet Ride group who had told me that everyone would be there with me in spirit (catching a lift on my very over-loaded magic carpet, which made me laugh at the picture this painted in my mind). This led to the idea of taking a list of everyone's names to read before the event started, and for people to send me any words they would like attached to their name. Both the two people who had booked (it was a small but perfect group) were delayed in traffic so I did this before they arrived and took some photographs to send the wider group that I will share here with you. Not the best portrait as I had to use the timer on my camera.
The morning workshop was a beautiful experience, I am so grateful to the two people were able to join me for this first experiment, and for their trust in jumping in and playing on our magic carpets. We used the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery cards as a starting point for our introductions. For this I had arranged them face-up as you see in the photograph, so people could choose a word (and/or colour) that appealed to them. We also spoke about the precious items we had brought with us.
It is hard to remember, and even harder to describe, what actually happened during the morning. I had an outline plan, but had trusted (more testing myself!) that the inspiration for the actual order and type of activities would flow as needed. And it did. At various points I used three readings that I had brought together when revisiting my inspiration for Dare to Blossom and the Rediscovery Process. We did two exercises: the first a ten minute flow-writing about a card drawn at random. My word was 'Generosity' and I found myself stuck and having to make myself keep the pen moving on the page.
Later we also did a Magic Carpet Ride visualisation and people wrote afterwards and shared as much or little as they wished of their experience and thoughts. This was one time when I did not participate - I felt that my role was to hold the safe, quiet space for people to feel secure in their journeying. At some stage we had a break for hot drinks, and later people made a greetings card for themselves using coloured pens and stickers with whatever message they wished to give to themselves written inside. I took them away with me and posted them later.
At the end we stood in a circle and I read the John O'Donohue piece again before we three women shared a group hug which felt very special to me. Thank you once again dear friends if you are reading this.
Here are the pieces I read during the workshop:
Revisiting sources of inspiration
The quote from Anais Nin that I have had on a card on my cork board by my desk for at least twelve years:
"... and then the day came when the risk to remain right in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
www.anaisnin.com
A poem by John O'Donohue that I read three or four years ago and struck such a deep chord in my heart:
"To come home to yourself.
May all that is unforgiving in you
Be released
May your fears yield their deepest tranquilities
May all that is unlived in you blossom
into a future graced with love."
www.johnodonohue.com
My deepest gratitude to both these writers, and many others, who share their gift of words in such a way that has deep meaning and resonance for so many people.
The third reading was the well-known piece by Marianne Williamson (also quoted by/attributed to Nelson Mandela):
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 doesn’t serve the world.
There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people around you don’t feel insecure.
We are all meant to shine as children do.
We are born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone.
And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically releases others.
During my time in Glastonbury I also had time for walks and reflection in the Chalice Well Gardens, the Abbey and the lovely, and tiny St Margaret's Chapel and Almshouses, as well as spending a day at a workshop run by Diane Kutz, a very good friend who I have only actually met once before - another very special connection.
The Magic Carpet Ride has encompassed the whole month, but thinking back to 1 July, it has been an extraordinary time.The beginning of the month brought extremely high temperatures (especially in London where I just happened to be, where it reached 36 degrees Celsius, phew!), and is ending with forecast night time temperatures this week down as low as 3 degrees, even in Cornwall.
Reflections 2: Learning
Having written most of the piece above I had a time of uncertainty (what I call a 'wobble'!), about whether this was all too much about me, that it wouldn't be of interest to anyone at all, etc, etc. Good old inner critic again, trying to sabotage my fragile confidence.
So I decided today that I would return to the Rediscovery Cards to take me back to my inner wisdom, and help me continuing the next stage - unleashing my inner power - which I feel this current phase of my work is all about. Doing my best to do this myself, authentically and with ease and grace. And by daring to do that, and daring to share some of that process with you here and with other people, maybe providing a model in some way that may help others - not to do what I do, but rather to go out and do what they want to do with their inner power, in their own unique way.
So - shuffle the cards well, cut them a few times, and out comes Learning. And that made me laugh - if nothing else this month has been all about learning for me! The first thought I have is that the purple colour combines the blue of peaceful reflection with the red of action.
For me, the most deep and powerful learning takes place when I allow time, space, and most importantly, take a non-judgemental attitude to my own self-evaluation and reflection. And then, having distilled the best of the learning - I go out and apply it again. For some reason that phrase from shampoo bottles just popped into my head "Rinse and repeat." No idea why really, though I could apply it by saying that 'rinsing' in this context is actually the process of giving myself that space - that safe, quiet space that I aim to provide for others - so that I may be refreshed and revived before moving on to new experiences and further learning. As you will see below in the details of events, I am making that quite a short 'rinse cycle' at the moment - though I am finding the variety of activities that I am giving myself each day has that effect.
For you: for your meditations or journal:
- Is there a recent experience you would like to reflect on, to distill the learning contained within?
- If you have a pack of Rediscovery Cards you may like to draw one (or any other pack, or method, such as opening a dictionary at random, that you like to use to spark new thinking)
- settle yourself in a quiet place with your journal to hand and flow-write about the word, letting go for now of the experience you had in mind and letting your hand and pen lead you where it wishes - whether into lists of 'don't know' and 'I'm stuck' as happened to me in Glastonbury, or off on a journey
- when you have done, take a highlight pen or a different colour and read quickly through highlighting any words or phrases that stand out.
- that may be enough guidance for you, or you may like to work further on a more polished piece of writing
- if writing doesn't appeal to you today, simply use your usual pre-meditation relaxation, settle in on your magic carpet and rest. You may find you stay just where you are or take off on a ride to interesting places.....................
Finish your 'rinse cycle' with a good stretch, a walk in your garden - whatever helps you to reconnect before 'repeating' your next stage of learning.
Events
Mind, Body, Spirit Fair at Lostwithiel Community Centre on Saturday 8 August 11 am - 4 pm
I am attending my first ever show as Dare to Blossom (rather than Pydar Crafts which was my business for many years when I made copper enamel jewellery). I will be talking about coaching and the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Process.To add to my display of my books and the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards I have gone back to producing greetings cards and pictures using the technique of wax painting. My skills are a little rusty but I am loving it so much - playing with colours and textures.
Here is a piece that is not yet mounted in a greetings card. I lovely the depth of these blues, I think I will try out a larger piece to frame as a picture.
Autumn Magic Carpet Ride to Rediscover your Inner Wisdom - dates and venues to be confirmed
Building on the success of the Glastonbury workshop I am currently planning Autumn Magic Carpet Ride workshops here in Cornwall The first near Lostwithiel (see more below), and one in the west. If anyone can offer a location for a workshop in west Cornwall do get in touch.There will also be an autumn on-line and email group if there is enough interest from people, more on that soon.
Autumn Magic Carpet Ride Workshop East Cornwall: provisional date Saturday 19 September 10 am to 1 pm, location between Bodmin and Lostwithiel. Numbers will be limited at this lovely location in a private house. I will be confirming the details after I visit there on Tuesday 4 August. To register your interest - no obligation at this stage - and get 'first refusal' on places, please email me now via this link and I will add names to a list to contact you as soon as the details are finalised next week. Price £25 including tea and coffee, plus materials for creative activities - bring your journal and pen and be prepared to fly!
Dare to Blossom Rediscovery at Home Workshops
A reminder that you can book a workshop in your home and receive a free place for yourself in return for inviting at least four paying guests and providing teas, coffees etc. More details are currently to be found here on the Daring to Blossom site (though that will soon be amalgamated, along with the Rediscovery Process pages, into the new website that is currently being developed for me, a task long overdue). Please contact me to discuss dates and further details if this appeals to you. (Sorry friends and relatives in other parts of the world, I haven't invented my time machine just yet ;-) )
Inspirational Links
Harvest Time - Writing the Mellow Fruitfulness of Autumn.
Here is a workshop I am very much looking forward to as part of my own 'rinse' - or maybe relax and refresh is a better expression here - with fellow writer Jenny Alexander on 17th October:
Gourmet Ladies on Tour (Face Book group here ) I joined this group for lunch for the first time recently. They meet on the last Wednesday of each month at different places around Cornwall for lunch and conversation. The subject of what we all do in our businesses is discussed, in a beautifully collaborative and helpful way. I loved reconnecting with old friends and meeting new people. Do join us one month if you are based in Cornwall.
Meet a 93 year-old Park Ranger - this is a fascinating article, I hope the link connects you OK.
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
Reflections 1: The Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride
Reflections 2: Learning
Events
Inspirational links
Reflections 1: The Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride - on-line, by email and in Glastonbury
As I sit down to write this for you, I have no idea right now what the topic or theme will be. Usually that is already in my mind well in advance. This month so much has happened that I feel I need to review first.
The Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride groups have been running - on Face Book and as an email group - since 21 June. If you are reading this and have been involved, probably on email as many of the people who like to keep in touch through this newsletter are those of you who prefer not to use Face Book, then some of the news here will already be familiar to you..
The group ends on 31 July - after being extended from the original four weeks into six to encompass the workshop in Glastonbury. It feels to me that it will be good to review that in more detail later, giving some settling time. This being the first time I have run groups such as these, rather than simply participating, it has been an interesting experience. Most people have - as I do in the groups I join - been enthusiastic to start with, then found other priorities taking over; maybe popped in once or twice; and then not at all. I imagine there are things I could have done to keep it more exciting and involving for people - but that is making an assumption, so I will wait until I have been able to ask people for their feedback before jumping to too many conclusions.
For me the experience of 'leading' (though as you see by the inverted commas I hesitate to use that word about myself, interesting...) - of leading the groups by example has been a profound and at times rather challenging one. I have deepened my meditation and visualisation practice considerably. I have always been able to do this visually: 'seeing' as well as being able to write down what I am experiencing in some way. Over the years I have (mostly!) been able to suspend disbelief and self-judgement, though not entirely to silence that very talkative inner critic. And in recent years I have shared some of this writing with some close friends.
Sharing with a group of around forty people has been quite another thing though. Putting the writing out there, even in a secret, private space, has demanded a lot of 'feel the fear and do it anyway' practice. Accepting - allowing - that most people won't comment (and of course may not read it in any case). Accepting that the people who have joined the group are in tune with my way of witnessing, of very often not giving any feedback, and certainly not of the "That's lovely, dear." type, which while well-meant, is actually no support at all in this work. I am hoping - now - that this is making sense to you as I am flow-writing it onto the screen, trying to explain something that is more felt than articulated.
Another fear I have encountered is the "Who am I....?" one. "Will they think I am mad/talking nonsense/trying to show off....." - any number of permutations have been popping up and needing gentle contradiction. At the workshop in Glastonbury these feelings raised their heads again. As I prepared the room to welcome people, I felt greatly supported by the words of one of the email Magic Carpet Ride group who had told me that everyone would be there with me in spirit (catching a lift on my very over-loaded magic carpet, which made me laugh at the picture this painted in my mind). This led to the idea of taking a list of everyone's names to read before the event started, and for people to send me any words they would like attached to their name. Both the two people who had booked (it was a small but perfect group) were delayed in traffic so I did this before they arrived and took some photographs to send the wider group that I will share here with you. Not the best portrait as I had to use the timer on my camera.
The morning workshop was a beautiful experience, I am so grateful to the two people were able to join me for this first experiment, and for their trust in jumping in and playing on our magic carpets. We used the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery cards as a starting point for our introductions. For this I had arranged them face-up as you see in the photograph, so people could choose a word (and/or colour) that appealed to them. We also spoke about the precious items we had brought with us.
It is hard to remember, and even harder to describe, what actually happened during the morning. I had an outline plan, but had trusted (more testing myself!) that the inspiration for the actual order and type of activities would flow as needed. And it did. At various points I used three readings that I had brought together when revisiting my inspiration for Dare to Blossom and the Rediscovery Process. We did two exercises: the first a ten minute flow-writing about a card drawn at random. My word was 'Generosity' and I found myself stuck and having to make myself keep the pen moving on the page.
Later we also did a Magic Carpet Ride visualisation and people wrote afterwards and shared as much or little as they wished of their experience and thoughts. This was one time when I did not participate - I felt that my role was to hold the safe, quiet space for people to feel secure in their journeying. At some stage we had a break for hot drinks, and later people made a greetings card for themselves using coloured pens and stickers with whatever message they wished to give to themselves written inside. I took them away with me and posted them later.
At the end we stood in a circle and I read the John O'Donohue piece again before we three women shared a group hug which felt very special to me. Thank you once again dear friends if you are reading this.
Here are the pieces I read during the workshop:
Revisiting sources of inspiration
The quote from Anais Nin that I have had on a card on my cork board by my desk for at least twelve years:
"... and then the day came when the risk to remain right in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
www.anaisnin.com
A poem by John O'Donohue that I read three or four years ago and struck such a deep chord in my heart:
"To come home to yourself.
May all that is unforgiving in you
Be released
May your fears yield their deepest tranquilities
May all that is unlived in you blossom
into a future graced with love."
www.johnodonohue.com
My deepest gratitude to both these writers, and many others, who share their gift of words in such a way that has deep meaning and resonance for so many people.
The third reading was the well-known piece by Marianne Williamson (also quoted by/attributed to Nelson Mandela):
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 doesn’t serve the world.
There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people around you don’t feel insecure.
We are all meant to shine as children do.
We are born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone.
And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically releases others.
During my time in Glastonbury I also had time for walks and reflection in the Chalice Well Gardens, the Abbey and the lovely, and tiny St Margaret's Chapel and Almshouses, as well as spending a day at a workshop run by Diane Kutz, a very good friend who I have only actually met once before - another very special connection.
The Magic Carpet Ride has encompassed the whole month, but thinking back to 1 July, it has been an extraordinary time.The beginning of the month brought extremely high temperatures (especially in London where I just happened to be, where it reached 36 degrees Celsius, phew!), and is ending with forecast night time temperatures this week down as low as 3 degrees, even in Cornwall.
Reflections 2: Learning
Having written most of the piece above I had a time of uncertainty (what I call a 'wobble'!), about whether this was all too much about me, that it wouldn't be of interest to anyone at all, etc, etc. Good old inner critic again, trying to sabotage my fragile confidence.
So I decided today that I would return to the Rediscovery Cards to take me back to my inner wisdom, and help me continuing the next stage - unleashing my inner power - which I feel this current phase of my work is all about. Doing my best to do this myself, authentically and with ease and grace. And by daring to do that, and daring to share some of that process with you here and with other people, maybe providing a model in some way that may help others - not to do what I do, but rather to go out and do what they want to do with their inner power, in their own unique way.
So - shuffle the cards well, cut them a few times, and out comes Learning. And that made me laugh - if nothing else this month has been all about learning for me! The first thought I have is that the purple colour combines the blue of peaceful reflection with the red of action.
For me, the most deep and powerful learning takes place when I allow time, space, and most importantly, take a non-judgemental attitude to my own self-evaluation and reflection. And then, having distilled the best of the learning - I go out and apply it again. For some reason that phrase from shampoo bottles just popped into my head "Rinse and repeat." No idea why really, though I could apply it by saying that 'rinsing' in this context is actually the process of giving myself that space - that safe, quiet space that I aim to provide for others - so that I may be refreshed and revived before moving on to new experiences and further learning. As you will see below in the details of events, I am making that quite a short 'rinse cycle' at the moment - though I am finding the variety of activities that I am giving myself each day has that effect.
For you: for your meditations or journal:
- Is there a recent experience you would like to reflect on, to distill the learning contained within?
- If you have a pack of Rediscovery Cards you may like to draw one (or any other pack, or method, such as opening a dictionary at random, that you like to use to spark new thinking)
- settle yourself in a quiet place with your journal to hand and flow-write about the word, letting go for now of the experience you had in mind and letting your hand and pen lead you where it wishes - whether into lists of 'don't know' and 'I'm stuck' as happened to me in Glastonbury, or off on a journey
- when you have done, take a highlight pen or a different colour and read quickly through highlighting any words or phrases that stand out.
- that may be enough guidance for you, or you may like to work further on a more polished piece of writing
- if writing doesn't appeal to you today, simply use your usual pre-meditation relaxation, settle in on your magic carpet and rest. You may find you stay just where you are or take off on a ride to interesting places.....................
Finish your 'rinse cycle' with a good stretch, a walk in your garden - whatever helps you to reconnect before 'repeating' your next stage of learning.
Events
Mind, Body, Spirit Fair at Lostwithiel Community Centre on Saturday 8 August 11 am - 4 pm
I am attending my first ever show as Dare to Blossom (rather than Pydar Crafts which was my business for many years when I made copper enamel jewellery). I will be talking about coaching and the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Process.To add to my display of my books and the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards I have gone back to producing greetings cards and pictures using the technique of wax painting. My skills are a little rusty but I am loving it so much - playing with colours and textures.
Here is a piece that is not yet mounted in a greetings card. I lovely the depth of these blues, I think I will try out a larger piece to frame as a picture.
Autumn Magic Carpet Ride to Rediscover your Inner Wisdom - dates and venues to be confirmed
Building on the success of the Glastonbury workshop I am currently planning Autumn Magic Carpet Ride workshops here in Cornwall The first near Lostwithiel (see more below), and one in the west. If anyone can offer a location for a workshop in west Cornwall do get in touch.There will also be an autumn on-line and email group if there is enough interest from people, more on that soon.
Autumn Magic Carpet Ride Workshop East Cornwall: provisional date Saturday 19 September 10 am to 1 pm, location between Bodmin and Lostwithiel. Numbers will be limited at this lovely location in a private house. I will be confirming the details after I visit there on Tuesday 4 August. To register your interest - no obligation at this stage - and get 'first refusal' on places, please email me now via this link and I will add names to a list to contact you as soon as the details are finalised next week. Price £25 including tea and coffee, plus materials for creative activities - bring your journal and pen and be prepared to fly!
Dare to Blossom Rediscovery at Home Workshops
A reminder that you can book a workshop in your home and receive a free place for yourself in return for inviting at least four paying guests and providing teas, coffees etc. More details are currently to be found here on the Daring to Blossom site (though that will soon be amalgamated, along with the Rediscovery Process pages, into the new website that is currently being developed for me, a task long overdue). Please contact me to discuss dates and further details if this appeals to you. (Sorry friends and relatives in other parts of the world, I haven't invented my time machine just yet ;-) )
Inspirational Links
Harvest Time - Writing the Mellow Fruitfulness of Autumn.
Here is a workshop I am very much looking forward to as part of my own 'rinse' - or maybe relax and refresh is a better expression here - with fellow writer Jenny Alexander on 17th October:
Gourmet Ladies on Tour (Face Book group here ) I joined this group for lunch for the first time recently. They meet on the last Wednesday of each month at different places around Cornwall for lunch and conversation. The subject of what we all do in our businesses is discussed, in a beautifully collaborative and helpful way. I loved reconnecting with old friends and meeting new people. Do join us one month if you are based in Cornwall.
Meet a 93 year-old Park Ranger - this is a fascinating article, I hope the link connects you OK.
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
Monday, 29 June 2015
July 2015: Finding my place
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