Dare to Blossom Newsletter - August 2013

August 2013

Welcome to the Dare to Blossom newsletter

Firstly - an apology to readers of the weekly Rediscovery card posts - something went awry with the formatting this time in the email newsletter and when I copied it over it caused problems.

In this issue:

Reflections: On the 'Genius You' Workshop
Request for your feedback: Dare to Blossom 'Magic Garden Rediscovery Retreats'
Inspiring links

Reflections: On the 'Genius You' Workshop with Soleira Green

Those of you who read the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards weekly newsletter/blog posts will already know that I attended this workshop on 13 July. And that I really didn't know why I wanted to go, just that I would be there. (Here is the link again for anyone who would like to know more, Soleira runs teleclasses as well as events around the world.)

It was a very special day so I wanted to spend a little time reflecting and sharing with you this month.  Everyone else who was there will have their own personal views and memories, which will be different to mine, with such an 'experiential' event it is hard to describe to you. So this will be a series of feelings and impressions (and a word or two from the very brief notes I took, a lot of the time I felt better without my glasses on - which is significant in itself - so I couldn't see to write clearly anyway).

 

Stuck.....! It was about witnessing and seeing for each other, as a group, focusing on one person at a time. Soleira described a process to work through: from seeing the greater person, to seeing the genius within,and then their personal 'genius signature' that they can bring to the world. Finally another step up to seeing what 'genius' wanted to be brought into the world by and through that person, a very special gift that only they can bring to the world at this time.
 

We shared a 'demo' exercise with one person who had not been to one of Soleira's training events before, tuning into her 'signature' genius, and then asking to be shown the great genius just waiting to come through. (my description is not in anyway doing this justice). We then went off into pairs to practice doing this, I was with someone who I first met several years ago, and have seen once or twice since. I can't remember much about how my 'reading' (for want of a better word) for her went, after I offered to go first. I know I had to keep focusing on connection and feeling (getting out of my 'thinking' head and into my heart), otherwise I found myself dwelling on the few things I knew about her. She said that the things that came up were very helpful and accurate when I was able to do this.

 

Then it was my turn and very quickly she said she was feeling/seeing that my signature, essence was like two different sorts of leaves: the first with a beautiful soft downy surface to it, the leaf was still strong underneath but the surface was soft, friendly. This sent a shiver down my spine as she was describing exactly the leaves on our glory bush that my husband and I had been looking at a day or two before and enjoying how beautiful they were. And the other type of leaf was a very glossy shiny one which is also a good description of a bush growing in our garden propagated from some seeds brought back from New Zealand or Australia on our last trip.

When I returned home I took these photos of the two plants in my garden:

 

(I have not yet had any further insights on what this means to me. It is so powerful to be connected to such vibrant images -and feels expansive and illuminating, as if there is more to come. If while you look at these photos any insights come to you, I would be most grateful if you would like to share them by reply to this email or on the blog, thank you).
 

Then she said the phrase 'Magic Garden' came to her, and something about helping people to realise and use all of their senses. She said the word 'Pick' came up, that I have the ability to 'pick' just the right thing to say, the right words, the right moment, etc etc, she kept repeating 'pick' and using it in a way that felt as if it was describing intuition and using it very sparingly, without any pressure, just very naturally. 

 

Then we got together again to talk as group. Soleira mentioned again a phrase she used earlier: we are all living in an enchanted universe, there are ideas out there waiting for us to grow our businesses/activities (what ever we are doing). That we can 'step into the boat of wonderment' and access the feeling of already having what we are about to create, already being there, not needing to ask. 'Stepping beyond vision into limitless possibilities.' 
 

There was lots more sharing of thoughts and visions and 'genius ideas' for each other. Then (after a tasty home-cooked vegetarian lunch - thank you Santari) - we each took 'the stage' in turn for an exercise in 'genius listening'. This being where we could go beyond holding space to helping to 'co-create', to help call genius into the room for each person. But first she had each of us experience various types of listening. We had to stand in the centre of the room and start talking about something, anything (I don't think any of us knew what that would be until we opened our mouths). The rest of us were instructed to first not listen (very hard!), but to notice how flat and uncertain the person's voice was when this was happening (and when it was our turn each of us certainly noticed how difficult it was to speak at all). Then 'listen with our minds', when as speaker I felt I had to justify what I was saying. Then 'listen to the greater self' - much nicer to experience and everyone began to become much more energised and alive as they spoke. Then finally really listening and opening to 'genius' (or source, creation, etc), reaching for the new - and that was amazing to experience on both sides.

 

When it was my turn I started with "I've just realised that I live in a magic garden ..." and Soleira said (as she did to several others) that it was going to be very hard not to listen - I can't remember what I said now - the feeling when people were 'genius listening' was amazing. Feeling heard (and seen) in a supportive and creative way.

 

In the discussion afterwards, several people commented on how I could use the blossoming and growing metaphors even more in what I do, and also about how there is no division between my work for my job and my own work. Soleira said I work with 'people in transition', helping them to blossom. And also I could run weekend events or retreats themed around the Magic Garden. (See more on this below)
 

Someone said I was 'blooming magnificent', which made everyone laugh. another person that she could see a trellis with sweet peas, an old tin watering can waiting to be used (I like that as a metaphor for encouraging people to grow into their highest potential), I also wrote down 'Magic Life Gardener'. Soleira had the feeling there is something big still to come, to blossom fully into the world.

 

Another person, who has a very quiet and thoughtful presence, said she couldn't describe what she saw, it was like a huge wave powered with love moving people. (Writing now, I've just remembered and seen in my mind the way a wave works out in the ocean, the water itself doesn't move forward (not until it breaks on the shore) but the energy moves by each water particle rising and falling in unison as the energy of the wave passes through..... something to develop there I feel.)

 

I have been have been applying one of Soleira's suggestions - to use 'genius listening' in all areas of my life, at work and in 'everyday' life. If nothing else it helps me stay centred and more in the moment, which feels good. It is another way of saying 'active listening' and I like the way it ties in with the feedback I have had so far on people's experiences of a Rediscovery Session.

(Note: I haven't included any names in my account as it would have taken a while to go round and ask permission from each person. If any of you are reading this and would like me to mention your amazing Genius-led businesses and projects in the next newsletter - please let me know and send me a link to your websites).
 

For you: some suggestions for your journal or meditation reflections - or maybe to share with a close friend on your journey of discovering your 'Genius You':

• What is your Genius signature, what is it that you, and you alone, can bring to the world? This need not feel 'serious' or 'worthy' - in fact the more child-like and fun the better sometimes. For example, are you great at building sandcastles or 'mud pies'? How could that help 'grown-ups' remember how to play again? Sometimes the most simple activities have the greatest impact for change for people.
• What does Genius want you to bring into being right now? If you do not have anyone to co-create with in this exercise, simply ask Genius-out-there to inspire your Genius-in-you, get your 'mind' out of the way, put pen to paper, finger to keyboard or brush to canvas - and go! (And see what happens.)

Now, a few weeks after the workshop, a clearer picture is emerging of why I felt drawn to be there. Soleira's approach is another way of looking at rediscovering and returning home to myself; of illuminating for me some ideas; of pulling together things I already 'know' and helping them blossom into bigger and more glorious blooms.and, as I write, I am also seeing an image of the quieter growth that builds a strong plant, the roots reaching beneath the ground to take up water and nutrients and to anchor the plant securely; the leaves doing their part in feeding the plant (and as a by-product producing oxygen for us). Genius is not always loud and showy, sometimes it is gloriously so, at others quietly calm and strong.

I think i can speak for all of us there, when I say there were so many nods of recognition when people shared their insights for another person; a feeling that they too were experiencing what I did - nothing I didn't know already but perhaps seeing it in a new way and 'joining the dots'.

Request for your feedback: Dare to Blossom "Magic Garden Rediscovery Retreats" 

So, an idea is germinating:- a weekend from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime, where you could meet with other like-minded people in a beautiful garden setting. Where you could explore your steps to rediscovery, to finding your way home to your self. Where you could share the experiences with others if you wished and where you could witness each other's revelations and breakthroughs to blossoming into even more of who you truly are.

If this idea appeals to you, please do send me your thoughts and feelings. And even if it doesn't resonate for you at the moment, do you know any places that could fill this bill: a small hotel, guest-house or retreat centre where a small group can have exclusive use of facilities. With rooms, good healthy meals provided; with a garden and space to walk? I have a few places in mind in Cornwall and Devon - where would suit you best? Would you be happy to travel? Do you have your own property that could host an event such as this?

I will look forward to hearing from you, please do email me or comment on the blog.

Inspiring Links

1. An article by William Bloom on 'Embracing our Shadow'.
2. I met Zeeba Ansari through Lapidus (the 'words for wellbeing' organisation), and she has just published her first collection of poetry: Love's Labours.
2. A final word from Soleira, written for all of us. My thanks to an amazing visionary person - I am honoured and grateful to have met you and to have you as part of my world.

"You are an extraordinary being with wonderful contribution to make.  You don't need to be fixed, processed, healed or changed. You already have within you your own special genius just waiting to be gifted to the world!"

If you would like to explore the Rediscovery Process for yourself - to order a pack of Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards, or to book a Rediscovery Session - please contact me or visit the dedicated web-page here. You will find some testimonials there from people who have enjoyed a Rediscovery Session.

Once again, thank you for reading, please do visit leave any comments or feedback below if you feel inspired. Or email me direct if you prefer your remarks to be private, either way it is so good to know that people read my monthly musings.

With love and blessings,

Mary