June 2021 Questions

 

June 2021

Welcome to the Dare to Blossom Newsletter

Reflections: Questions
For the last time, from my archives: June titles poem
Last opportunity to book your place for "Weaving Shadow and Light"
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circle on Zoom: Thursday 3rd June (Special) and Saturday 12th June
"Be Powerfully Yourself" one to one coaching programme

 

Reflections: Questions

As always, I find myself wondering what to write about this month. Usually it becomes clear quickly, not so just now.... very interesting. 

I began yesterday, as I often do, by writing in my journal, here are those musings: my critical inner voice says it would be more 'efficient' to sit at my desk and type straight into the newsletter. Maybe so, if I am measuring the time it takes to write a certain number of words. And yet, I never count the words in these reflections for you, why would I?

The measure of 'value' for me here is not the quantity, nor even the 'quality', if that subjective thought could be defined. Rather, I feel that when I read a newsletter or a blog, my response is based on whether there is a nugget of gold within the words. Is that true for you?

A little piece of wisdom that makes me stop, read again, maybe make a note, or highlight the words if I am reading on paper. That little spark of recognition is magical for me. It doesn't appear every time I read something even by a favourite writer, yet often enough for me to know it is worth opening the emails and reading. Sometimes the spark is more like a warm glow, a feeling of companionship.

Many of you are writers as well as readers - how would you describe this? The spark, the warm glow, something else?



That was where I ended yesterday, sitting in the garden. I now see that I was already preparing for this piece, with the subject 'Questions'. Often for me that spark I have just written about comes in the form of a question, of a prompt to journal - maybe literal prompts such as those I include each month for you here. Maybe simply something in the author's words that makes me curious to explore.

For you, for your meditations or journal - to flow-write, doodle, paint, dance, sing - however you wish to express your thoughts and feelings: You may like to follow the questions I wrote above for myself.

• What questions arise for you right now?
• Which will you choose to explore?
• What else is there?
• And, what else?

For the last time, from my archives: June titles poem

A year ago, I began this exercise of revisiting the titles of all the 'Reflections' in these newsletters, back to when I began in 2007, so this is the last. I notice that I may have mixed up the issues last time as that one also began with 'Seeing with new eyes'. And that is fine. And I also repeated that title over the years, revisiting old writing and reflecting anew. It just happens, because of my 'mistake' last month, that the poem, whichever direction it is read, starts and begins with that phrase.

I also notice, I used 'Rest' twice - and that is a perennial theme for me. One of my challenges is simply allowing myself to do that, to rest. Finally, I see that the line 'Subject, unknown' was also from a year when, in this same month, I could not decide on a theme, a little like this time, with 'Questions'.

I wonder what you will notice, from your own experience, as you read this?

Seeing with new eyes
Procrastination
Rest
Asking for help
Keeping the flame alive
Strong and True
Emerging
Endings and Beginnings
Midsummer Magic
Rest
Flow
Subject, unknown
Seeing with new eyes
 
Seeing with new eyes
Subject, unknown
Flow
Rest
Midsummer Magic
Endings and Beginnings
Emerging
Strong and True
Keeping the flame alive
Asking for help
Rest
Procrastination
Seeing with new eyes
 


Last opportunity to book your place for "Weaving Shadow and Light"

Rather than giving you a lot of detail here, this month I am simply linking to the information on the website, for this, and the other offerings below. If you still have any questions after reading there, please reply to this email, or use the contact form on the website.Click here
 

Dare to Blossom Monthly Circle on Zoom: Thursday 3rd June (Special) and Saturday 12th June

Click here for details. of the regular Saturday slot. (Contact me for the link for the special Thursday event)

"Be Powerfully Yourself" one to one coaching programme

Click here for details 

Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions are always welcome.

with love,

Mary

May 2021 Contrary Winds

Reflections: Contrary Winds
New programme in June, tasters in May: "Weaving Shadow and Light"
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circle on Zoom Saturday 8th May
From my archives: May titles poem
 

Reflections: Contrary WInds

April, here in England, has been a month of contrary winds, and little rain. One day recently I wrote this in my little travelling notebook:

Near ‘Crab Ledges’ on the west side of Trevose Head. There is a very strong easterly wind and it has been hard to find any shelter, but now I am tucked down on the rocks, under the low cliff here.

‘Wind waves’ are blowing outwards from the shore, very bizarre. Tomorrow and Saturday real gales are forecast. 

(for some reason MailChimp is not allowing me to upload the photos of those waves I wanted to include here. So this is a random image for no other reason than that I love it, and so do many others as I receive comments every time I share it.)





Contrary winds. The whole month of April has been ‘contrary’ in Cornwall this year – here it is usually a month of showers and sun, this year we have had late frosts, sunshine, and these strong, cold winds. This year, it has been so dry that the fields and gardens need water.

Here in England, our lockdown has been eased a little, so people are able to travel more and stay in self-contained units. Cafes and pubs can serve outdoors – and hardier people than me have been taking advantage of that opportunity.

Sitting here on the rocks it feels more like autumn than spring, a surreal time-shift for a moment, although where some of you are reading this, it is so.

I wonder how seafarers coped in the days of sailing ships, when they could truly be at the mercy of contrary winds. From the little I know about sailing, it makes it much harder at least,  having to beat into a head wind, or take a zigzag path, tacking across the sea.

Sometimes life feels like that, as if I am fighting against a wind that is trying to take me in a different direction. And yet, what if I turned and looked the other way with the wind behind me? Even if it may seem I am turning back, it may be that the scene behind me has changed. Do I see things differently now? What is there that was not there before?

For you, for your meditations or journal - to flow-write, doodle, paint, dance, sing - however you wish to express your thoughts and feelings: You may like to follow the questions I wrote above for myself.

• What if I turned and looked the other way with the wind behind me?
• Do I see things differently now?
• What is there that was not there before?
• What else is there about 'contrary winds' for you?

New programme for June, tasters in May: "Weaving Shadow and Light"

As I mentioned last month, I have been asked to repeat this six week Circle that I first ran last year. We will begin on Monday 7th June and end on Friday 16th July, encompassing the Summer Solstice, or the Winter Solstice, depending on where you are in the world. The live Zoom gatherings will be on Tuesdays at 11.00 am UK time, and potentially with an additional time for people in other time zones, maybe on Monday evenings, when you will see I am offering a taster call.



There will be two taster Circles, the first on Monday 24th May at 7.30 pm UK time, the second the next day, Tuesday 25th, at 11.00 am UK. They are listed as events on Facebook if you would like to connect there, or simply reply to this email and let me know if you would like to join me so I can send you the Zoom link a day or so in advance.

The Dare to Blossom Monthly Circle Saturday 8th May at 11.00 am

For those of you who prefer  a 'light touch' commitment, here is a reminder of the regular monthly Zoom gathering. Payment is on a donation basis. If your circumstances allow, and if you wish, donations are received with gratitude - but not expected. Just contact me after the event to arrange how to make a donation if that is what you decide to do. In any case, you are very welcome, and you will receive a photo of your cards, plus a link to download the recording (just shared with those present live on the call).



Here is the link to book, or simply contact me as always. It lasts between an hour and an hour and a half, depending on how many of us are there, and  is perfect if you just wish to join us occasionally. It can be seen as a replacement for the in-person workshops that a number of you used to attend, with the added advantage of being accessible to you wherever you are in the world, time zones permitting. In case you are wondering, donations are between £0 and £20, occasionally more when someone feels they have received a particularly powerful benefit through the experience.


From my archives: May Titles poem

Seeing with new eyes 
Growing strong roots
Inspiration 
One bulb at a time 
Renewal 
Energy 
Strong and True 
Giving Thanks 
Choices 
Going with the flow 
Unfurling 
Laughter 
Presence 
Curiosity 
 
Curiosity 
Presence 
Laughter 
Unfurling 
Going with the flow 
Choices 
Giving Thanks 
Strong and True 
Energy 
Renewal 
One bulb at a time 
Inspiration 
Growing strong roots 
Seeing with new eyes
 
I began these 'titles poems' in July last year, so next month, June, will be the last. I hope you have enjoyed them. 

Thank you dear friends, 

with love,
Mary

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

Vision + Sanctuary

Hello dear friends, I am writing to you well before the end of the month as there are two taster circles before the end of March. Also a chance to browse my encaustic art ahead of a long-overdue price increase in the new financial year.

Reflections: Vision + Sanctuary
New programmes April (Early Bird discount ends 31st March), and June
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circle on Zoom Saturday 10th April
From my archives: April titles poem
Dare to Blossom Art: a chance to browse before a price increase

Re the taster circles: If you see this in time, you are warmly invited to join us at a taster circle for "Vision + Sanctuary: Be Powerfully Yourself": They are on Monday 29th March at 7.15 pm UK time, or on Tuesday 30th March at 9.30 am UK time. Again, contact me to receive the Zoom link to join us. You can read more below.

Reflections: Vision + Sanctuary
When I came to look back at the last newsletter, I couldn't believe how much has happened since I wrote at the end of February. Then I wrote about 'Be Powerfully Yourself', and that was also to be the title of my April offering. 
 

During March, I have hosted the short four week Circle, 'Space to Be: Space to Breathe', with a delightfully supportive small group. That experience has given me that space, to be, and to breathe, and to let the ideas for the April programme to grow and expand. 

As that happened I connected my two words of the year for 2021 'Vision' and 'Sanctuary' with the Compass Rose, and with being powerfully myself. I now see Sanctuary as a similar place as Peace, the centre point of the Compass Rose. When I am myself feeling grounded and centred, then I also have a strong sense of peace, and of sanctuary. From that doubly powerful place, I can step out, I can connect with any point, any part of the Compass Rose, whilst staying grounded.


Looking west from Morte Point, North Devon

Vision is brought by all those directions, by Purpose, by Passion, by Power, and by Progress. At the same time all those expand my vision, enable me to see more clearly. To see the unexpected, to look beyond the obvious. Sometimes to see beyond the physical, particularly in my own meditations and magic carpet rides.

I have been using the photograph above while I have been publicising this new programme, even as my thoughts have been developing. I now see how it offers me that feeling of 'looking beyond'. There is something about the bright sunlight on the surface of the sea, and the haziness on the horizon, that brings a magical feel for me.

For you, for your meditations or journal - to flow-write, doodle, paint, dance, sing - however you wish to express your thoughts and feelings:

• What is your first response to the word 'Vision'? What else is there? And, what else?
• What is your first response to the word 'Sanctuary'? What else is there? And, what else?
• What is your first response to the two words together 'Vision + Sanctuary'? What else is there? And, what else?
• What is 'beyond the obvious' for you?

 

New programmes April, and June 

Vision + Sanctuary: Be Powerfully Yourself - six-week deep dive Circle, April

Note: If you are already sure this is for you, take advantage of the Early Bird discount of £10 (reducing the price from £128 to £118). This ends on 31st March, but for newsletter subscribers I will hold it open a little longer if there are spaces left in the Circle. Contact me to enquire and book.

As I have described above, this new six week deep dive circle has evolved since I wrote in March. We will  begin after Easter on 12th April, when the evenings are lighter here in Cornwall so I can offer an evening time slot for the Zoom gatherings, Mondays at 7.30 pm UK time.  There will also be a gathering on Tuesdays at 9.30 am, to suit people in other time zones and with differing commitments.

If you see this in time, you are warmly invited to join us at a taster circle: On Monday 29th March at 7.15 pm UK time, or on Tuesday 30th March at 9.30 am UK time. Again, contact me to receive the Zoom link to join us.

Here are more details: this is an invitation to a deep-dive six week exploration of how to step up. Step into your true power. Be powerfully yourself.

If you are familiar with my work, you will know I have been reflecting on ‘power’ for some years now. Especially as a quiet one, an introvert.

The sort of power I wish to embody, and to help you do the same, is the power of community, of collaboration, of sharing. Power with, rather than power over, others. The power that says ‘together we rise’.

The first title for this new programme was ‘Be Powerfully Yourself’. In my reflections and meditations I realised that is not enough by itself, inspiring as it may be.

How? How do I do that? These questions arose for me, as they may for you.

Then I remembered the two words I have chosen as companions for this year, for 2021: Vision. Sanctuary. (prompted by the My Word Goddess reading I subscribe to each year, from Amy Palko – who now shares most of her work on her Patreon page here).

Exploring in my journal, on the first day this year that I found a warm spot on the cliffs to do this – a celebration in itself - I realised something.

I realised that those two words, Vision and Sanctuary, fit perfectly with the Compass Rose process I use in my six week circles. Sanctuary is another word for the Peace we begin with, and return to. Vision can be explored through the four points of the Compass Rose: Purpose, Passion, Power, Progress.

Here is the flow for the six weeks:

Week 1: Peace – finding your sanctuary

Week 2: Purpose – what is your vision right now?

Week 3: Passion – what lies behind your vision?

Week 4: Power – how to truly be yourself.

Week 5: Progress – what next?

Week 6: Return to Peace – vision + sanctuary

Read more and book your place on the website here.

June: Weaving Shadow and Light Circle

I have been asked to repeat this six week Circle that I first ran last year. We will begin on Monday 7th June and end on Friday 16th July, encompassing the Summer Solstice, or the Winter Solstice, depending on where you are in the world. The live Zoom gatherings will be on Tuesdays at 11.00 am UK time, and potentially with an additional time if there is enough interest.



Full details will be available soon.

The Dare to Blossom Monthly Circle Saturday 10th April at 11.00 am

For those of you who prefer  a 'light touch' commitment, here is a reminder of the regular monthly Zoom gathering. Last month I decided to change this from 'pay as you go' to a donation basis. If your circumstances allow, and if you wish, donations are received with gratitude - but not expected. Just contact me after the event to arrange how to make a donation if that is what you decide to do. In any case, you will receive a photo of your cards, and a link to download the recording (just shared with those present live on the call).



Here is the link to book, or simply contact me as always. It lasts between an hour and an hour and a half, depending on how many of us are there, and  is perfect if you just wish to join us occasionally. It can be seen as a replacement for the in-person workshops that a number of you used to attend, with the added advantage of being accessible to you wherever you are in the world, time zones permitting. In case you are wondering, donations are between £0 and £20, occasionally more when someone feels they have received a particularly powerful benefit through the experience.


From my archives: April Titles poem

We are who we’re waiting for
Changes
Journeys
Be what you are
On reflection
Emergence
Becoming sure
Changes, and rest
Daring
Coherence and integration
Purpose
Celebration
Waiting
Waiting
Celebration
Purpose
Coherence and integration
Daring
Changes, and rest
Becoming sure
Emergence
On reflection
Be what you are
Journeys
Changes
We are who we’re waiting for
 
Dare to Blossom Art: a chance to browse before a price increase

Many of you will have seen occasional mentions of the encaustic art I love creating. Recently, in conversation with artists more experienced than I in selling their work, I have realised that I have undervalued the pieces I create. Of course 'value' is subjective, and even more so in relation to art, yet I have decided to increase prices from the new financial year in April.

So, you may like to browse and maybe you will see something you would love to hang on your wall, or to give as a gift. Here is the link to the artwork webpage. Most pieces are priced at £40, plus postage and packing to wherever you are in the world. Two paintings sent together usually come in at the same shipping cost, although I need to pack and weigh them to check for you.



Enjoy browsing and seeing what images you see in the swirls of colour.



Thank you dear friends, 

with love,
Mary

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

March 2021 - Be Powerfully Yourself

 

Welcome to the Dare to Blossom Newsletter 
Reflections: Be Powerfully Yourself
2021 programmes, starting with 'Space to Be, Space to Breathe' on 1st March
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circle on Zoom Saturday 6th March
From my archives: March titles poem

Reflections: Be Powerfully Yourself

Just now, as I sit to write for you this month, I notice how I feel. Not particularly powerful. And, - now I am noticing - not really 'myself' either. And, what does that mean, 'be yourself'? People often say that, maybe when I am anxious, perhaps in the past before an interview for a job. Or, more likely in the recent past, before standing up in front of a group of people to speak. How can I, can any of us, not be ourselves?

I know that often I may have felt that wasn't good enough: I didn't want to be the uncertain, wobbly, Mary who couldn't get her words out. The one who was (still is sometimes) told to 'speak up', 'stop mumbling'. The one who would rather have run away and hidden somewhere quiet. 

And yet, in the years since I named my business 'Dare to Blossom' (and way before that actually), I have been doing just that, responding to my own challenge. Daring to blossom, to speak, to press 'send' when I have written a personal piece here that feels so sensitive that it might wither in the glare of other people reading my words.

If you have been here for a while you may have seen some of that blossoming, that daring. You may have read The Powerful Voice of the Quiet Ones; you may have been to some of my workshops, or more recently, Zoom gatherings; you may have taken part in daring to blossom yourself during one of my longer programmes. Over the last year, 2020, during that strangest of times, I have been privileged with the company of many of you in all the different Circles I have hosted. My last in-person workshop at the Blue Lotus Therapy Centre was on 25th January, since then everything has been on Zoom.

I feel so fortunate that I was already familiar with the technology, with the challenges, and with the huge gifts of being able to share real time conversations with people from all over the world. Following the first group programme this year, 'Your Powerful Voice', which has just ended, and the about to start 'Space to Be: Space to Breathe' four week circle (which I wrote about last week - still time to join us, see more below) - the new six week trip around the Compass Rose will be on the theme of 'Be Powerfully Yourself'.

I will be using the space of the month of March to write the detailed programme, which will begin on 12th April. As I sit now to write to you in the end days of February, with a good Cornish gale blowing outside, I can see the flow. I can see how another process I explored with a group last year (and still do in the open Facebook group), weaving shadow and light, how that is now helping me in stepping forward to be powerfully myself.

(I chose this photo of the power of the ocean. It was taken on my first walk for a while after what seems like weeks of wind and rain. The wind had dropped, the sun was shining, and as you see a huge swell was running. It was even warm enough to sit on a bench for a while and just enjoy. Just being there, being with the power of nature all around me.)

Constantine Bay February 2021

And, yet, sitting here now, again I bump up against that fear, that reticence, about claiming 'power'. I have been delving into this for a number of years now, for myself, with my one-to-one clients, and in groups - how we can choose 'power' when it is so often associated with fear and control. How to allow myself to choose a different power, one that I truly wish to embody, a power of collaboration, of love, of 'together we rise'?

This is my focus for a while, maybe you will choose to join me? Maybe come to one of the events, or simply join me as you journal, following your own reflections. 

For you, for your meditations or journal - to flow-write, doodle, paint, dance, sing - however you wish to express your thoughts and feelings:

• What is your first response to the words 'Be Powerfully Yourself'?
• What else is there?
• And, what else?
• You may like to look at the separate parts of the phrase: 'Be', 'Yourself', 'Be Yourself', 'Powerfully', 'Powerfully Yourself'

PS I decided to change the portrait photo here the other day.(in the email newsletter it appears in the sidebar) It was taken nearly two years ago, at the awards ceremony for the Venus Awards, when I reached the final three in the 'Lifetime Achievement' category. I was not the one chosen for that award, and I had not prepared a speech, although I was ready to speak from the heart if it had been me. After that, I travelled around the world to New Zealand, I spoke at a conference there, and in various other places. In spite of almost a year of lockdown now, I still 'speak' regularly in my own groups and those of other people, and in interviews. I am notice I am writing that, not to remind you - but to acknowledge to myself how much I have done, and continue to do. And, most importantly, that it is OK to wobble, to feel vulnerable, every so often. Maybe even to retreat for a while and offer myself some tender loving care before stepping out once more. Maybe that is truly being powerfully myself?
 

2021 programmes, starting with 'Space to Be, Space to Breathe' on 1st March

Space to Be, Space to Breathe Four Week Circle, March

I have already written about this in detail in the February newsletter, this simple Circle will begin on Monday 1st March, with calls on Tuesdays at 9.30 am, and maybe also Thursdays at 2.30 pm (UK times), ending on Friday 26th March. The price is £88, with instalments available if that is helpful for you, and a £10 discount for Stay Connected members. Details here, or simply reply to this email with any questions or to book your place. If you prefer not to be on Facebook, I can email you all the prompts and the Zoom gatherings are the place where we meet and share, and in that way they are the centre point of the process.

The Dare to Blossom Monthly Circle Saturday 6th March at 11.00 am

For those of you who prefer  a 'light touch' commitment, here is a reminder of the regular monthly Zoom gathering. The price is £20, and you will receive a photo of your cards, and a link to download the recording (just shared with those present live on the call).



Here is the link to book, or simply contact me as always. It lasts between an hour and an hour and a half, depending on how many of us are there, and  is perfect if you just wish to join us occasionally. It can be seen as a replacement for the in-person workshops that a number of you used to attend, with the added advantage of being accessible to you wherever you are in the world, time zones permitting.

Be Powerfully Yourself - six-week deep dive Circle, April

The details are now on the website link below, and I will be scheduling two tasters, on Monday 22nd March and Monday 29th March, both at 7.30 pm UK time.

The theme is how to step more fully into the true you, to be powerfully yourself. And doing this regardless of the doubts and wobbles and occasional setbacks. We will  begin after Easter on 12th April, when the evenings are lighter here in Cornwall so I can offer an evening time slot for the Zoom gatherings, Mondays at 7.30 pm UK time.  There may also be another time for gatherings, depending on where people are in the world. Full details are on the website here.

However you choose to connect, thank you for being here and choosing to dance in the flow of life with me, together we rise, together we are strong, together we are powerful.



From my archives: March titles poem

Changing your mind
Missed connections and reconnections
Free gifts
Driving into Fog
Falling
Allowing
Fresh start
Coming home
Life shifts
Growth
Visibility
The winds of change
 
The winds of change
Visibility
Growth
Life shifts
Coming home
Fresh start
Allowing
Falling
Driving into Fog
Free gifts
Missed connections and reconnections
Changing your mind

Thank you dear friends, 

with love,
Mary

February 2021: Space to Be

 

Reflections: Space to Be

Dare to Blossom Monthly Circle on Zoom Saturday 6th February
From my archives: February titles poem
Taster Circles and 2021 programmes, starting with 'Space to Be, Space to Breathe'

Reflections: Space to Be

'Space to Be', 'Breathing Space' - what do these phrases spark for you? They came into my head as I began writing new ideas for later this spring. In April I will be offering a new six week deep-dive Circle, "Be Powerfully Yourself". I am hugely grateful to Nick Williams for the coaching session where his 'gently challenging' questions helped me appreciate what people receive when they connect with the way I work. I have to say, 'gently challenging' is powerful. As I watched the recording to gain further insights, I could see myself squirming in my seat as my six-year-old self may have done when asked a difficult question by the teacher.

Nick is a hugely experienced, skilled and intuitive coach (I encourage you to connect with him if you would like to know more, his books have inspired me right from the first to the latest, something like 17 now, forgive me if I have forgotten some). One of the reasons I was watching the recording was to hear for myself the words he heard me say: "Be Powerfully Yourself". I didn't remember saying that. and yes, I did, in connection with what I help people do for themselves. That experience shows for me, once again, how magical the coaching process is: having someone truly listening, and reflecting back my own words, my own wisdom, to me. Something I often say to others when I am explaining how coaching works.

Following on from that, I am giving myself the gift of some space to be, simply be. To reflect. To continue my slow-speed sorting and decluttering - a process that is bringing me so many gifts from the past. Messages from myself. Cards from friends with beautiful words within that mean even more now, if that is possible. I am loving working with a small group in the current run of the "Your Powerful Voice" Circle, and having time and space to use that for myself too. Using my own processes is one of the gifts I often forget I can access any time. 

From all this is emerging the idea of a very simple Circle, to run for four weeks during March. We will have a private Facebook group where we can interact if we wish. There will be few, if any, prompts and activities to follow. Each of us will be encouraged to spend time with our journals, or art, or in nature, or all of these. And especially to just be, to connect with your inner guidance. This means that even if you are not on Facebook, you will gain much from participating. There will be a choice of two Zoom call times each week, to help you access the magic of a 'space to be' in real time. More details are below for you to find out more if you are interested, or simply click here..

Returning to my own reflections on a space to be: what does that mean to me? Space: space to stretch. A chance to take up my deserved amount of space. I have often felt, I sometimes still do, that I need to make myself smaller to accommodate others. Sometimes literally, physically. Sometimes metaphorically. I remember as a child, being bullied for coming top of the class in tests. I don't think I went as far as to stop trying, I do remember later, as a teenager, hiding that I was a 'clever girl'. Especially as I entered the world of boyfriends and dating. I think, I hope, that is changing for young people, especially girls, now. Sometimes this is another aspect of being a 'quiet one'. The feeling of not having space to think before sharing my thoughts.



So, I am claiming space to be, to give myself permission to take up the right amount of space in the world for me, at any one moment in time. And especially, space to breathe. Recently, on a rare sunny day in a stretch of dull wet weather, I took a long walk on one of my favourite cliff paths, near Trevone. There was a good swell coming in, booming on the rocks below. Even though there was ice on the ground, the sun felt quite warm on my face. There was a breeze coming in from the ocean. I stood and took some really deep breaths of that sea air. It almost felt as if I had not breathed properly for some time. When under stress, I know I breathe more shallowly, as most of us probably do. Almost as if I am afraid to breathe in fully, in case of danger - and currently that is all too real with Covid 19 being an airborne disease. Yet I know that breathing deeply helps my body physically in bringing more oxygen to circulate throughout my cells, and emotionally too, in relaxing me into a more meditative state

For your reflections, journal, meditation, art or doodles:
- What images or words does the phrase 'space to be' conjure for you?
- How can you bring more of that sense of space into your daily life?
- How will you offer yourself 'space to breathe'?

Enjoy reflecting and exploring and go gently with yourselves and all around you dear friends.

February Dare to Blossom Monthly Circle on Zoom: Saturday 5th at 11.00 am



This time we are meeting on a Saturday as a number of people have said that is a better day for them. In case this is new to you, the monthly gathering is simply a meet up on Zoom, an invitation to a 'pay as you go'  circle at 11.00 am UK time. The fee is £20. As well as taking part, you will receive a photo of the cards I draw for you, and a recording of the call (only sent to those  who are present live). Full details and booking are here, Or simply contact me by replying to this email if you prefer. You can book in advance, or choose to receive an invoice after the event, I will leave that up to you, and trust that if you enjoy the experience you will be happy to offer the fee in exchange for the love and energy I put into creating the Circle for you.

The provisional monthly dates for 2021 are here, still given as Fridays just now. After the February gathering I will decide whether to continue holding them on a Saturday each month if that suits people better.

This is a chance to gather, as if sitting chatting around a table, and simply share some time together. We will use the processes that are familiar to many of you, the Compass Rose Speaks opening and closing meditation, the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards and the Magic Carpet Ride guided visualisation, to explore whatever is arising for us on that day. If you are thinking 'I am not familiar with those...' and would like to know more, please contact me. We can always chat on Zoom over a cuppa - and that is a chance to set up that service if it is new to you. Even though I describe this as 'light touch', the insights and experiences are no less powerful for that, for the fact we do not interact in a group between the monthly circles. In fact, people who enjoy being in the deep-dive programmes would probably tell you that the Zoom gatherings are the essential part of the whole process.

From my archives: February titles poem

Gratitude
Reasons to be cheerful
Repeating patterns, Cycles and Surprises
Feline Meditations
Reflections on the first Daring to Blossom workshop 
Rediscovery
Return of the Light
Honesty, and Barriers
Grace and Ease
Harmony and coherence
Peace
Mystery
Clearing and changes
 
Clearing and changes
Mystery
Peace
Harmony and coherence
Grace and Ease
Honesty, and Barriers
Return of the Light
Rediscovery
Reflections on the first Daring to Blossom workshop 
Feline Meditations
Repeating patterns, Cycles and Surprises
Reasons to be cheerful
Gratitude
 
Two free Taster Circles and the new 2021 programmes
The next taster circles will be on Thursday 18th February at 2.30 pm UK time, and Tuesday 23rd February at 9.30 am. I may be able to fit in another before then - if you are on Facebook you will find the details, when confirmed, on the Dare to Blossom page there, if you are not, just contact me if you are interested.

Space to Be, Space to Breathe Four Week Circle
I have already written about this above, this simple Circle will begin on Monday 1st March, with calls on Tuesdays at 9.30 am, and Thursdays at 2.30 pm (UK times), ending on Friday 26th March. The price is £88, with instalments available if that is helpful for you. Details here, or simply reply to this email with any questions or to book your place.

Being Powerfully Yourself - six-week deep dive Circle
The details are not fully formed just yet, the theme is how to step more fully into the true you, to be powerfully yourself. And doing this regardless of the doubts and wobbles and occasional setbacks. We will  begin after Easter on 12th April, when the evenings are lighter here in Cornwall so I can offer an evening time slot for the Zoom gatherings, Mondays at 7.30 pm UK time.  Full details will be available on the website here soon, and in the March Newsletter - and there will also be some taster circles where you can experience the magic and find out more.

Thank you dear friends for visiting with me again this month and sharing my musings.

Until next time,

with love,
Mary

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