Welcome to the Dare to Blossom Newsletter
Happy New Year - starting soon in New Zealand and making it's way around the globe
In this issue:
Reflections: on 2013 and looking ahead
New Year Special: a one hour Skype or telephone Rediscovery Session
Book review: "The Night Circus"
Reflections: on 2013
This has been an interesting piece to write. I sat down before Christmas thinking I would make a start and be ahead of things. But ...... this just didn't want to be written then. It wasn't working at all. There is a right time for everything, and when I find that time the writing just flows. If I try to force the words out onto the page it can feel almost literally painful. If I write anything at all, it probably won't ring true.
This picture (taken in my garden on Christmas Day) - illustrates how I feel sometimes. I could be the little ladybird in a big world. I think the ladybirds are hibernating as we find many of them in among the leaves, this one is on an echium plant. At this time of year, particularly for those of us in the Northern hemisphere, Christmas is a time for snuggling in, for shutting out the world.
When I am able to open my eyes and look back at the last year just ending and forward to the months ahead in 2014 - then I can prepare myself to spread my wings and fly - as the ladybird can any time it wishes. In my personal review of 2013, I would like to thank everyone who I have had contact with; every one of you has brought something special and unique. We have shared laughs and heartaches; sorrows and giggles; ice-creams on the beach in November; windy walks. Even if we have not physically been together this year, we have shared love and conversations; jokes and presents; insights and irritations; triumphs and trials.
Last year at this time I wrote about 'not-knowing' and uncertainty and I included these words:
"At this moment, on 31st December 2012, I do not know what form this work will take. If you choose to keep reading these monthly missives I will treasure your company along the way to find out 'what happens next'."
One of my most personally satisfying and significant achievements has been continuing to write these newsletters, and the weekly Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Card reflections. Writing every week has been a challenge, as has finding the courage to press the 'Send' button at times. I know now that I have set out on a path that I will be following for some time. I will be writing the piece for the last card, number 50, sometime in May or early June 2014. After that I will be using my in-depth experience of the process to be your companion on your own journey if you so wish.
Between Christmas and New Year I had a coaching session with Soleira Green. It was perfect timing, Soleira encouraged me to recognise my achievements over the two years and to look forward to what I could create in the next year. My view is that everyone working with people (whether you call it 'coaching' or not) benefits from this type of support. I can't see myself clearly without a mirror and someone to ask the questions that lead me beyond what I already know into future possibilities. If I try to control and plan too tightly I may be limiting myself, restricting my creativity, stifling what could emerge if I have the trust to follow.
My word for this year is 'Clarity' and I started the session with Soleira with that thought. I mentioned my idea of adding value and depth to the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards process by developing an on-line course. During our conversation and sharing of insights, this emerged as something I can now see much more clearly. An in-depth course that would last 50 weeks, one for each card, building on my experiences of using them in that way. There would be support from me as your companion along the way in your exploration of your own inner wisdom and that journey of coming home to yourself. This might be through email, and also regular (perhaps weekly) one-to-one coaching on the phone or Skype. Possibly some workshops or retreats during the year as well. I know through work with my own support team (of coaches, healers, wise friends) - and through the breakthroughs that my clients make - how crucial that one-to-one time can be in acting as the catalyst in helping thoughts crystallise and come to life.
There is a lot more to emerge as yet, and many questions: would everyone on the course be told which card was the topic each week? Or would you draw your own card from your pack and then access the appropriate prompts from the on-line course? What do you think would suit you if you were to do this? Please email me if you have any thoughts of suggestions, I will look forward to hearing from you.
Recently someone asked me how I describe what I do, and I wrote: "My work is in supporting people to find meaning in their lives and be at peace with where they are. Then to explore how they can change and develop if they wish."
Reflecting now, I would expand on that: through the Rediscovery Process I come home to myself and recognise I am whole and have everything I need within me. Then, if I choose, I link into the source within that connects every living thing and move into the next level of my being, acknowledging and using my true power. So the next stage in rediscovery is connecting with your source, to the "Power Within", exploring how you can enjoy and embody that in your life and your world, creating the new from the currently unknown potential within - "Sourceful Living". This the journey I am embarking on now and will be sharing with you as the months pass next year, developing another programme to build on the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Process. as I said this time last year: watch this space to follow what happens next!
For you: some suggestions for your journal or meditation reflections:
- What is your word for this New Year and the twelve months to follow?
- You may wish to pick several and then sit with them for a while or use flow-writing to explore the messages they bring.
- Are there any themes emerging?
- Do you want to draw, paint or create a collage to mark this New Year process?
If you would like to try out Rediscovery Coaching for yourself, I have a limited number of slots available at the special price of £45 for a one hour Skype or telephone session, if booked before 31 January 2014. Just email me and suggest some times that would suit you and we can book your time to start your own voyage of rediscovery. This may take you anywhere: planning actions to take you forward tomorrow; looking ahead into the future; exploring past and present relationships; diving into your future potential - it is up to you and your source within.
Here is part of a testimonial following a recent Rediscovery call:
"I love the simplicity and the depth of the Rediscovery journey. For me, it is no longer about looking 'out there' for wisdom, guidance or insight, but instead digging deep and mining the rich seams of my own self, so that I can come more fully into the wholeness of my being. Mary, with her focused attention and presence, holds the space for whatever needs to emerge from deep within myself, and bears witness to that in way that is both potent, and powerful."
To read more of this account and some other experiences, click here. If you do not yet have your own set of Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards, there is a further discount (£10 plus postage instead of £12) for January if you purchase a pack at the same time as booking a Rediscovery Session. And during your session, if you do not have the cards I can draw them for you from a brand new pack - then you can either buy that special pack afterwards, or I will take photos and send them to you.
Book Review: "The Night Circus"
Christmas is one of the times I have the luxury of curling up with a good novel and reading for hours at a time. This year I bought The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern from Cygnus Books, and I have just loved reading it. She creates a world of mystery and magic; strange characters and love stories. There are very few books that I could literally just go back to the beginning and read again immediately -and this is one. It joins my all time favourites alongside classics such as The Secret Garden, The Hobbit and The Little White Horse.
Thank you - for being my companion this year, for your support and comments, for sharing your suggestions and thoughts. Wishing you a joyful and fulfilling year in 2014. Here is a beautiful rendition of 'Auld Lang Syne' to mark the start of 2014.
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As always, please feel free to comment below with your thoughts.
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 week and sharing my musings.
Until next time,
with love,
Mary
*if you have any difficulty accessing the 'blogspot' service, you can also read here on the Daring to Blossom website, or find 'Dare to Blossom Life Coaching' on Facebook.
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