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. 

 

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.

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

July 2015: Finding my place

Reflections: Finding my place Dare to Blossom Events Other events Reflections: Finding my place It is hard to believe that it is just one month since I ended my full time employment and returned to being self-employed. I would always say I loved my role with Outset Cornwall because every day was different. And it was, different people, different places, variety of activities. However there was always a structure, a plan. I could look in my diary and tell you where i would be months in advance. And now everything is different. I am free to choose, to decide my own structure. People often talk about someone's whole identity being tied up in their job, or at least their career, and the ending of that being a huge blow. I feel I am fortunate in that Dare to Blossom has existed since 2003, and I had been doing what I do for many years before that. So I have some continuity there, it feels like a return, a coming home, rather than a loss. However, there has still been a big adjustment to make, a redrawing of my life. And an intention to do things differently this time, to honour and nourish my own needs as well as those of others; to give myself space and time; to notice when I start slipping into guilt and fear. One of those needs is of course the need to generate some income, bring in some money. Like many of the people I have coached over the years, I too have that issue of asking for money for what I do, of valuing my own contribution. So, the last few weeks, after the much-needed rest, have been a gradual exploration of exactly what that contribution is - not just of course what I can offer, but also if people want and need it enough to be able to offer the payment I need to continue doing what I do. And it is not just about money, I would like the pricing and exchange, whether of money or services, to be right for the person and for me; for there to be a way of establishing a meeting point where those things can all work together. In the course of doing research for this I have been out and about over the last couple of weeks attending 'networking' events of various sorts. It has been an interesting experience: when I worked part-time I used to do quite a lot of this for Dare to Blossom; then with Outset just a little, always with my 'Outset' hat on. I was proud to represent a programme that I believed in and could demonstrate helped people achieve lasting change for themselves. Returning to these sort of events, often reconnecting with people I know in other organisations or in their businesses, has been an interesting experience. At times I have felt totally out of place, even (or perhaps particularly) where I have met ex-colleagues and previous contacts. How do we define our place in the world? We probably all have overlapping 'places' with corresponding ways of being that we operate in each of those. I have just stopped writing to draw myself a doodle-picture of overlapping circles. It is a little like the 'Wheel of Life' exercise (if you aren't familiar with this you can download a printable pdf from my site here **see note below) but a bit different as I have tried to highlight where all of those circles or places overlap. I am in the centre anyway and right at the core of me is the overlap of the circle for each 'place'. I am sure there is a fully developed psychological model of all this which I could look up and download all sorts of details and beautifully prepared diagrams. And I am sure that in reality each circle probably overlaps more or less, rather than equally, leading to many more possible combinations and interpretations. However, I am going to leave all that for another time - and for you to follow up if you would like to. For now, I am going to ask my faithful Inner Critic to close her eyes while I share with you my in-the-moment, wonkyily-drawn, top-of-my-head - or should that be from-the-heart? - picture. In the Wheel of Life it is possible to have a lot more spokes than I could draw circles here, so under 'Spiritual' I am including everything that nourishes me and my creative life: reading, writing, meditating, singing, dancing, gardening, walking - a long list The red dot in the middle could be a heart: that is the 'place' where I would like to spend most of my time. The heart of who I am, what I do, what I stand for. The place where I am in the flow, in alignment. Where everything is balanced wherever I am in my world. I intended to write more, but now that feels a good stopping point. Maybe I will share more of my own journey home to myself, of rediscovering my place, my centred heart, another time. For you: to reflect in your journal or meditations: - where are you right now? - where do you feel 'at home', in your true place? - how can you find your way to bring those two into closer alignment? - explore however works for you: meditation, flow-writing, vision board collage, doodling with circles and labels. ** The Wheel of Life file has been designed to help people prepare for their first coaching session with me, hence the questions at the end. I offer a no-obligation 20 minute consultation if you would like to follow this up for yourself. I will end by sharing a photo of one of my favourite physical places, taken sitting on the rocks at Trevone Bay enjoying the glorious view. Dare to Blossom Events Lots is happening over the next couple of months to tell you about. Please do contact me.if you are interested in more information or in booking. Where possible I will give a discount for you as a loyal newsletter subscriber. I would be very grateful also if you will circulate to any of your networks and contacts where you feel people may be interested. Thank you to those of you who are taking part in the virtual event 'Midsummer Magic Carpet Ride'. If people find it enjoyable and useful I will be running similar groups again in the future which you can access from anywhere in the world either on Facebook or by joining an email group. Magic Carpet Ride to Rediscover Your Inner Wisdom: Glastonbury 21 July Booking page Where: The Miracles Room, High Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9DU Please note: there are stairs to reach this room. When: Tuesday 21 July 2015 from 10:00 to 13:00 How much: £25.00 per person, including materials for creative exercises (bring your own journal or notebook if you wish), and hot and cold drinks during the morning. Price on the day (if places are available): £30.00 Details: This half-day workshop with give you a chance to step aside from daily life and join a group of like-minded people to explore the potential that lies in rediscovering your inner wisdom and coming home to yourself. Using the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery cards as prompts we will enjoy conversation, reflection, creative activities and plenty of laughter. Dare to Blossom Rediscovery at Home Events: time and place of your choosing If you can't get along to Glastonbury, I will be organising workshops in locations in Cornwall, Devon, and possibly elsewhere in the autumn, in the meantime you might like to consider hosting your own event at home? I have included the details in previous newsletters so will just put a link here. Other events Lapidus 11 July Truro Link for more details At the monthly Lapidus Cornwall ("Words for Well-being")meeting I am running a short workshop from 10.30 to 12.00, see the details below. No charge for Lapidus members, £5.00 for non-members. Please contact me to book as we have a small room above the Old Globe Cafe in Truro so I will need to check with the co-ordinator, Jane Moss, how many people have booked to make sure there are places available. Here are the details that have been circulated: On Saturday 11 July Mary Lunnen will lead a workshop using her Dare to Blossom Redisovery cards as prompts; an opportunity to 'Rediscover your Inner wisdom and come home to yourself.' Mary will invite the group to write and reflect, sharing as much or as little as you wish. Over a period of three years, the cards have proved a valuable tool in coaching and inner vision. To quote just one testimonial: "It  has been such a positive experience using the cards in my journaling - affirming, insightful and fruitful." Mind, Body, Spirit Fair 11 am - 4 pm, Saturday 8 August, Lostwithiel Community Centre This is the first time I have booked a show as Dare to Blossom. After years of exhibiting my jewellery as Pydar Crafts, it will be both a return and a new experience for me. Please do come along if you are in the area. Lostwithiel is such an intriguing town, full of history. The August events were not on the Community Centre Website when I looked but by the time you read this they may be. The organiser told me it is the first event of this kind they have held there and she has received a lot of interest, so I am sure it will be an interesting and enjoyable day. Finally this month, here is a workshop I am attending in Glastonbury the day before I run my own event there. Perhaps you'd like to join me and come along to both? Pink Crystal Angel Workshop with Diane Kutz. Booking page I have known Diane for a number of years and have experienced the way she works before, though not at a full day workshop so I am looking forward to spending some time with her and the group of people she will attract. 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. Those you who have been newsletter readers for a while may know I currently have three websites, none of which is quite doing the job I would like it to. So I have finally taken the plunge and begun the process of working with a web designer to have a new structure  built for me. As the first stage is for me to become clear on exactly what I want, this may take a while. And that is all OK, it will all come together at the right time. 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.

June 2015: Endings and Beginnings

Reflections: Endings and Beginnings An interesting time for me: The ending of almost six years as a member of the Outset Cornwall team on 31 May. Six years of delivering intensive business start-up support through training sessions with groups and one-to-one coaching with individuals. Six years of travelling up and down the highways and byways of  Cornwall (and occasionally flying over to the Isles of Scilly). Six years of setting off in all weathers, all conditions; being ready to stand up in front of a group and not only deliver training material professionally and to time, but also deal with whatever people had brought with them. Throughout this time I have worked with wonderful colleagues and hundreds of amazing people. Many have gone on to create successful businesses - in whatever measure of success was right for them. Some have companies employing staff; others work a few hours a week in something that is truly their own. Others decided that being self-employed was not for them; or not right now; or not with the current idea. This too was a big success of Outset Cornwall - helping people clearly see what they might be entering into; evaluate the risks as best they could with the information available; and learn skills useful throughout their lives. For me, I think one of the biggest successes was the camaraderie of the groups and how many people keep in touch, some have making lasting friendships as well as business allies. So that is what has ended, at least for now - news is still awaited of the outcome of the award of new contracts for similar work. If nothing else, Outset Cornwall demonstrated the need for this support and the value of giving support to people in a way that energises and inspires. The legacy lives on in the form of an on-line programme so have a look at the link above if that interests you. Beginnings: yes, what is beginning now? At present I feel in limbo, which is exactly where I need to be. The last few months especially have been draining, both emotionally and physically as we all strove to maintain a fully professional service whilst knowing that things were ending and we would soon be packing everything up and saying goodbye. The first beginning for me is a time of rest, self-care, and play. And what better place to be than Cornwall in June? To follow on when the time is right I have lots of plans and ideas: a new book; workshops; flexible time to offer one-to-one Dare to Blossom Rediscovery sessions in person, on the phone or on Skype. Part of this involves website redesign and rationalisation. When I started looking at this a few weeks ago I realised how confused the message I was sending had become. Simply through trying to do too much in too little time, spread myself too thinly. So I am looking forward to a chance to focus in on what people want and how the Dare to Blossom activities can supply this support. In other words to follow some of the processes I have been encouraging others to work through over the past years. Looking for a photograph to illustrate this piece - I found one taken on my early morning walk in the Kensington Gardens part of Hyde Park when I was there recently. This dramatic and elegant statue represents Isis, the Egyptian goddess of nature - more details here. The feeling I receive from the image is of peaceful repose combined with an underlying strength and readiness to act when the time is right. Endings and beginnings happen all the time, in our lives, and in the natural world all around us. Reflected in the breath: each inhale is a new beginning, the end of each exhale an end. Marking those that feel significant feels right for me: honouring what has ended, and moving on to the new to come.  For you: to reflect on in your meditation practice or journal: - What is ending for you just now? - Are they routine endings? Or something you would like to take time to honour and celebrate before moving on? - Which parts do you wish to keep with you for the new beginnings? - and which parts will you say goodbye to and choose to leave behind? - Now, turning to face the new beginnings: which way will you go? Do you need time to rest and revive before making this choice? It might be good to explore in art or collage as well as words - techniques I intend to play with myself over the next weeks and months. 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.

May 2015 - Choices

Reflections: Choices

Recently I have been developing a new regular practice of choosing a card each day, and, as often as I can, writing about it on the Dare to Blossom Life Coaching Facebook page. Such an interesting experience, quite different to the year I spent writing the weekly blog on each card. And different again to writing these monthly newsletters.

This card came out today after shuffling well and cutting the cards: Choices. One of the choices I am facing is about this: Do I continue writing and sending this out every month? What do you think? The 'open rate' is, at roughly one third on average, very good - so I am told by people who know about these things. That means that two thirds of you do not open the emails - and I know well myself that I do the same. I remain subscribed to a number of newsletters, very rarely open and read them - but when I do always find something of value to me in that moment. And even when I don't read them, it is somehow reassuring to see them there, awaiting my moment if I should need them.

What do you think? Do you enjoy reading; appreciate them arriving in your email? Or are they becoming irrelevant, or worse - an irritation (if so please do unsubscribe!) I would be very pleased to receive any comments - which you can send by replying to this, by posting on the blog page or on Facebook.



One of my forthcoming choices is how to use my time when my full time contract ends on 31 May. One of the projects I am starting is a total revamp of my websites - my 'main' Dare to Blossom one - which extremely old and creaky, decrepit even, due to being very hard to update and maintain. And the two experimental websites I have been playing with, Daring to Blossom and The Rediscovery Process, using some free software and standard templates. Challenging and more than a little scary at the same time.

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Pausing - I see how self-focussed that last piece was. Should I delete, or retain that to send to you? More choices.

Choosing some photographs to include here - another choice to be made. Every moment, everywhere I look - choices. Do you ever feel overwhelmed, paralysed by choice? Or do you feel that you have no choice at all? Duty calls, needs must - those phrases draw us back into... into what? Fear, lack, scarcity thinking?

This week, here in Cornwall the bounty and plenty of nature has been all around. In spite of the bitingly cold winds and threat of frost the trees and flowers have been sprouting leaf and opening buds into flowers. Blossom is everywhere. The view from my window changes daily, hourly even, it seems at times. Today the horse chestnut tree whose leaves seemed to be just opening last week and the flower buds just forming a day or so ago - this tree is now boldly displaying the wonderful candles of blossom.



For you, to explore in your meditations or journal:
- What choices face you at the moment? It can be productive to list them.
- If they are clear, and easy to make - tick them off, they are already made.
- If they are more complicated, can you at least choose how to approach them?
- A suggestion: give yourself time and decide to let go of conscious thinking.

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Another pause for me. Feeling this is not very helpful. How can I write about helping you make choices when the ethos of my approach is coming home to yourself and rediscovering your own inner wisdom? Or is that evading the point? The point being ....??

As you can see, I am in a time of flux and change; endings and new beginnings; uncertainty, and - yes - choices. At this point I will decide to surrender to 'not knowing' - and invite you to do the same at times when you feel this way. Soften with grace into the unknown, allowing that to just be. Knowing that the mists will clear, guidance will emerge, you will see the path ahead - all in good time.



If you would like to explore for yourself how the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Coaching Process and the Cards can help you rediscover your own power, please do contact me to arrange a time for a free twenty minute consultation.


Inspirational Links

Amy Palko is launching a new programme on 11 May "The Goddess Self" - have a look if you are intrigued.

The Genius World Conference is fast approaching on 15 May in London - I am so much looking forward to an amazing day reconnecting with old friends and meeting new people. If you are free do ask if there are places left - and if you are not there is a wealth of inspiration on the conference website with links for all the presenters.

As always, please feel free to comment below, or find 'Dare to Blossom Life Coaching' on Facebook. And you can always send comments by replying to this email. 

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