Sunday, May 9, 2010

To each a season...a time for everything

“Change starts when someone sees the next step.” William Drayton

I have come to realise that change needs to be viewed as a positive step. One needs to choose to see life's changes as part of the process of growing and living. With growth, comes the ability to contribute to others, to life.

Growing up, I was scared of change. I felt fearful when things changed. When friendships changed, I felt guilty for letting go of them. I played by the rules and took few risks. I was deeply ensconced in my comfort zone. I was also, unbeknownst to me, not living.

Over time, once I started taking risks and living in the present rather than the past or future, I came to the realisation that life is rhythmic, it has seasons. I learnt that beginnings and endings are an integral part of life. For new beginnings, one must experience endings. Feel the pain of loss and look forward to the joy of new experiences.

As a result, I started to "let go". However, I very quickly realised that this way of living is not commonplace. I found myself joyful in myself, more settled than ever before, but still wondering what is it others were not "getting" that I had? How could I share what I had learnt with those around me, if I didn't understand it fully myself.

I still don't fully understand the change that took place in my way of viewing life, but I did learn some tools I would like to share. It has occurred to me recently that the reason I don't have words to express my learning, cos I felt the change...I lived it...this is something I have to share in action...not just in words.

Firstly, feeling the loss initially is good, it's cathartic, as long as it remains truthful. To truly feel the pain, the fear, the loss of what is no longer in your present, is all part of the healing and life process. For me, this has meant that I truly recentre myself. I get back in touch with me. It is also important to note that the minute one feels oneself wallowing in the negativity, one needs to stop. Be still and breathe...I have found that in times where I have teetered on the brink, grounding myself and realising where and who I am in that present moment is invaluable. And then I allow myself to dive over the cliff, take the risk and feel the vibrancy that is life.

Secondly, it is important to see life as a whole, as an abundant creation filled with the beauty that comes with each season. Winter, with it's bundling up against the cold and evenings next to the fire; Spring, filled with new life, blossoming new possibilities; Summer and sunshine, laughter, vibrant colours and activities and finally Autumn, filled with the warm colours of red, orange and yellow, a time to slow down. Each season brings with it change and each one is special in itself, as are the seasons of our lives.

All things are connected and symbiotically form, what is life. We are in the opportunist place to make choices without limitations. Those choices then impact the next season of our life. The second tool I use is to view the impending season, with optimism and remind myself that life is FULL of beauty and is a gift, to be enjoyed.

How then can "bad" things have a negative effect on your life? They can't...there IS always good that comes from every challenging situation, every ending, every change, every choice, every experience.

I believe every new day should be greeted with open arms and expectancy. You WILL learn new things each day, if you approach the day positively. You will be ready for the changes that are part of every day.

For me, a reknowned non-morning person...this has been a constant challenge. I learnt recently, that we actually decide what time we are getting up, when we are in our best place...at night. HOW I get up, well THAT is the morning decision. I choose now to get up smiling...I listen to the birds in the park or the rain, quietly drip dripping against the window pane...I slowly allow my body to awaken to the new day, from the tips of my toes to the top of my head... and I sing!!

What an epiphany this was for me. I am no longer, a grumpy snooze-queen...I am actually quite a cheery, sunny morning person now. Each day is an awesome gift, full of opportunities and it too is a new beginning, overnight things changed, time literally changed. The awesome wonder of a new day lies ahead.

I choose to wake up determined to be curious, to play, to laugh and smile often, to go out on a limb, trying something new, doing something ordinary in a more extraordinary way and most importantly, to keep learning and growing.

Over the past year, I have lost two of the most significant women in my life. Both were strong, beautiful, vibrant women. One of the most helpful comments made to me was: "It is now your turn to share what they taught you with others. They shared it with you, believing you are capable of carrying on their legacy." Wow!!! THAT was inspiring...and so true. Both women lived through massive changes, but both remained positive. Both retained their love of life and one of the lessons I now need to share with others is, how to appreciate every moment, how to love people deeply, the life truth that change is normal and it is good.

Change is a natural, organic process...not to be feared or viewed as "bad", but rather it should be celebrated.

I have grown from fearing change, the unknown or unlearnt lessons, to rather availing myself to the undefined, to new, good and exciting adventures.

“The key to change... is to let go of fear.” Rosanne Cash

Life needn't happen to you...you can take charge of it and make your choices, taking risks, step into the new undetermined territory. The most amazing thing about life is that we don't know the future, it's exciting to live in the present, consciously aware that change and new seasons lie ahead. I have chosen to take risks and actively look for opportunities to learn new lessons and to grow as a person and contribute what I know to be true with those around me, to live a joyful life.

Monday, May 3, 2010

True Siren Feeling...

"You need to stop thinking"...heard it before? Well I have. I heard it, but didn't understand it. How, I wondered were you supposed to do that? How would things get done? How would you sort things out without thinking about them?

Over the past few months I have had many "lightbulb" moments. I have realised the power of thought, the power of the mind. I have read the Law of Attraction. I KNOW instinctively, that when we think positively, positive things happen.

So how then do I reconcile myself with stopping my over-thinking. I found myself longing to. And then I had an "epiphany". It's all about feelings.

For a long time, my whole life, I have felt love and a deep appreciation for the world around me. I love life and all that it has to offer. I have an intense love for people. This has gotten me into lots of bother, both friendship and relationship-wise. I have always had, what I believe to be a gift, to see people for who they truly are. I could feel it. I found myself in places where I had seen this beauty, encouraged it, nurtured it, and then found that I was so caught up, I had lost myself.

As a very little girl, I would stand alongside my friends and walk their walk with them. I would share my faith and love with everyone. I remember feeling 100% happy with life and felt a deep sense of fulfilment in being that person. I look back on those times with great sadness now. How on earth did I go from being that loving, free-spirited little girl to the over-analysing adult that I have become? My thinking, has gotten me stuck with that question for years.

In my teens, without going into too much detail, at some point, I put my feelings aside and started thinking things through. I thought through how to talk to people, how to support them in their life quests. That became the pattern. And I have realised I have become less and less effective.

The only times, I have truly felt in alignment with my life-purpose of showing true love and unconditional love, has been when I have spoken from my heart-experience. But somewhere along the line, I had begun to neglect my feelings in everyday life. I could feel that I had lost me. But had no idea how to get me back or where I had lost myself. I have felt numb and as if I was living life on auto-pilot. (Not all the time...but in times where I knew I SHOULD be happy or sad or angry...I thought it, but couldn't feel it).

About three years ago, I realised, I actually had neglected my feelings to such an extent, I had completely lost me. I could no loner distinguish how how was feeling, who I was or why I was here. Simple tasks confused me. I had come to a crossroads where I had to face the fact. I had given all of me and there was nothing left.

I have made HUGE headway with getting the simple feelings back, with getting my zest for life back. But something was still missing.

“Thoughts are the shadows of our feelings - always darker, emptier and simpler.” Nietzsche

I have been very blessed over the past year, to have experienced an amazing shift in my life. I have re-realised my true calling in life and I believe THAT has brought me to the place I now find myself. I have felt love in a new way, I could hardly believe was possible. A non-restrictive love that has allowed me to grow into the woman I know I was always meant to be: feminine, with all the frilly bits...the playful, sensual and nurturing woman that I love being. I have walked a path, where I have been free to explore, experiment, experience, engage with, express myself and expand my world, life in it's raw beauty. I feel so grateful for this.

“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.” Elisabeth Foley

I have been exploring my femininity. It has been an interesting path and I have finally come to this amazing realisation, that all the world needs from a woman, is her heart.

I believe that woman, have the ability to feel the world around them in a very special way. Woman notice the physical world around them and tend to comment on it more. I have always loved nature:Sunsets and sunrises; the mountains, the sea; the animals. I have a deep love for the African bush. I feel calm and peaceful and whole when I am appreciating it.

LIGHTBULB MOMENT:
I love life. I love people. I am fascinated with how people think, how animals communicate. I feel sad when I see others not appreciating and valuing the world around them. I feel a deep sense of loss when people don't value themselves. When they feel lost or confused by their own actions. I feel deep pangs of pain when I can see beauty and others can't.

I feel the world around me, the gentle rhythm of life. For me, it is like floating on the sea...feeling the undulations of life, have a calming effect on me and I feel centred. Even the HUGE waves of life, though scary, they have their place in life. I know that there will be calm after the storm, just as there was before it.

Now I have THOUGHT this for a long time. I have known it deep down. The difference now is, I am feeling it.

With that feeling, there is an added dimension. I feel vulnerable. And it is scary. At times, I feel frightened by the wave that is about to crash over me. It IS scary...it is dangerous, it could potentially finish me off.

But I know I have the gift to "swim". I have that gift, because I know why I am here. Feeling, is a gift in itself. I know this, because I know how lost I felt, as a woman, when I couldn't feel, when I felt numb to life. I also know and feel hopeful, that at some point, I will be able to use this experience, when sharing with others.

“Feelings are not supposed to be logical. Dangerous is the man who has rationalized his emotions.” Borenstein

For years, I have advised others, as I learnt myself, that trying to avoid or go over or around an obstacle, is not the way forward. It will only turn up later in your path in a different form. Obstacles need to be acknowledged and faced. You need to experience them, feel them and that way...you can move forward. So my added realisation about obstacles is...that when experiencing them, as a woman, one MUST feel them. Get vulnerable...be honest, be positive, but FEEL.

This is one of the hardest lessons I have had to learn. But I am feeling elated, that at last, I truly "get" why I have made mistakes in friendships, my choice of friends. I truly "get" why relationships have had the same pattern. I finally understand why that self same obstacle kept turning up in my life. I had experienced it, but not felt it.

Finally, I believe that women have this gift to share with the world. Our intuitive feelings are the marvellous and awesome way in which we contribute to the world around us. Thinking is for the physical, man-made world, for our jobs, for solving problems. But with our feelings, we can CHANGE the world around us.

I desire to be THAT woman, who people look to for seeing the beauty of the world that IS and that has always been. The stunning, inspiring, sensitive, perfectly aligned world and life that we have been fortunate enough to be gifted.

“I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love.”
Mahatma Gandhi

Monday, April 26, 2010

Life scripts

So I was thinking about the scripts that we write for ourselves.
A friend said to me, just today, that we write our own scripts for our lives and live it regardless of what reality is.
It got me thinking, what script have I written for my life?
Life is a gift and every day holds many gifts, if only we are willing to see them!! I believe that life is for living, I take risks and sometimes they work out, sometimes they don't, but there is ALWAYS something good to take from every situation.
Just recently a "bump" in my life tested my resolve, tested my life script...and yes, I really AM that person...I REALLY DO believe every cloud has a silver lining. I am of course blessed to have MANY good friends...even ones I didn't know were watching...are in fact paying attention and loving me through one of life's knocks.
I believe our friends reflect who we really are...and my friends are amazing!!! I can't think of one who I don't value right now.
So back to scripts...how do we come to write them? Is it our experiences only that shape it or do we add things from what we see around us?
I believe that my script is one that was written for me. I am really grateful for the script I have. I KNOW why I am here on earth and I feel valued and loved. Life is good and full of beauty and should be appreciated for the wonderful gift it is.
My script is partly written from my experiences, partly from what I have read and partly from people I have met...but ultimately...my script is mine...I take full responsibility for what it says in it...and I am and WILL continue to make sure that my script reflects what I believe is my purpose here on earth...for good things...to teach, to love and to share the beauty of life with EVERYONE I meet.
So I leave you with this thought...what is YOUR script that you have written for yourself? What are the stories YOU tell yourself? Do they reflect the person you believe you are meant to be?
I have had the most incredible gift of having stupendously fab people around me, who support who I am and what I am here on earth to do.
Live an extraordinary life...THAT is my mantra...go on...no really...go on...LIVE it!!! :-)

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Inner voice

I have long been a believer in listenign to one's inner voice, gut instinct, conscience or whatever you may call it.

Too many times to mention, I have been made aware of impending situations long before they have happened. It is a "feeling", a sense of knowing something, outside of any real situation having arisen.

These experiences have ranged from: being aware of my nieces birth before being told my sister was in labour (I experienced "labour" pains...and that has carried over to all my nephew and nieces births in fact). It has also been things like, thoughts coming into my head randomly or from somehing I have read and then out of the blue it becomes reality. Such as an experience I had just the other evening. I had been looking on my banks website whether they mentioned anything about the delays to passengers abroad during the volcanic disruptions. It was not a conscious thought, just a random one I decided to look for while I was checking out my finances. Later that day, a friend of mine wrote that she had received information from her bank that they were willing to compensate her for some of her costs, while in a similar situation to what I am in. As I was replying to her and asking how she had found out about it, I received a message from my bank offering their support and giving a number to call.

Freaky coincidence??? Law of attraction? Well whatever you call it, I love that our minds can pick up thinsg that are not yet on the conscious plane.

Now I have done a lot of reading on deja vu, understanding dreams and have listened to MANY stories about people who have gotten out of extreme situations merely by listening to their inner voices to do something.

I have learnt that the power of thought is strong. In many cases I have read, it has changed reality. Recently I watched a documentary detailing how men with chronic old age symptoms (arthritus, etc), had taken part in an experiement, where they were required to go to live in a home, which would bring back memories of their experiences earlier in life. ThHe whole accommodation and way they were treated was in keeping with how they would have been treated in their twenties and thirties. Remarkably, ALL these men made miraculous medical, IQ and attitude improvements. For me, this only served to make me even more curious about the other part of our brain that we don't use.

It has been said it is anywhere between using only 1% - 15% of our brain during our lives.

So what about the other 85%? Surely it can be argued that the little we use, can't fathom that which we don't. I believe that we as humans, still know so little about the wonder of our bodies.

It is my mission to continue growing my knowledge about my brain, about my body and ensuring that I continue to listen to the voice within. Even if, at times it has been a little off (VERY rarely I hasten to add), I believe that at those times other factors have come into play and my gut was merely cautioning me to being aware of something. AT those times, I call to mind my loved ones and pray for their safety, well being and clear minds to be aware of all that they see, hear and do.

Listening is such an imporatant tool in life. It is one we neglect to do first with ourselves though. To fully appreciate life, I believe we must acquire the good practice to listen to ourselves. Listen to what thoughts you are thinking and then and only then are we ready to listen to others. And I mean REALLY listen to others. With our own boundaries firmly set, we are in a good place to listen to others and ensure that our boundaries remain intact.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Positivity

Well after a fab day enjoying the Joie de Livre, I have come to realise AGAIN the power of positive thinking and indeed BEING.

Recently I read The Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks. Now I don't believe that our existence is entirely based on ourselves or merely our thoughts. What I believe is, that we have the power to be positive in our outlook on life.

Personally I have always gravitated towards those who are more positive and optimistic in life. I have at times (quite often actually) been dubbed Pollyanna....always seeing the positive in everything. Which I like, if I am honest. The antithesis of this kind of person would NOT be pleasurable, nor pleasant to be around. So Pollyanna has stuck.

That is not to say that I haven't at times, been a mucky mess of negativity and self doubt, cos I have. Only recently, I was hit by a curve ball. Yes I had seen it coming, but it made contact and hurt, nevertheless. The good thing is, as I had seen it coming, I had already prepared how I was going to hit that ball out of the ball park. Needless to say, I hit it very poorly and have limped round, base by base back to home. But home I am!!!

I believe life is a learning path and for THIS reason, I choose to see ALL my trials as great learning tools.

So here is the tool I have relearnt:
When you feel like the world is getting all too much and you'd rather go and hide somewhere safe, quiet and dark til it all goes away, remember you can. And most definitely SHOULD. Once there, in your safe place, in the quiet, you will be able to take stock and remember who you are.

Being still (literally) allows space for breathing and for change.

This tool of putting space into your life situations, as well as in conversations you find uncomfortable. Literally lean back, and take stock of the little things around you. Appreciate what is, then you can get back to dealing with the little niggle.

Sounds simple? Well it is, as long as you remember to do it. When you find yourself free-falling, or catch yourself thinking and re-thinking, use this tool, it works!!!

An appreciation of the small things, allows you to appreciate the big things.

Personally, I find focussing on nature and the world around me de-stresses me. (sometimes that means focussing on using past "negative" experiences to support others, it puts your own life in perspective and brings the added bonus of personal growth as you realise where you have come from. And the contribution aspect is the positive reward.)

So then I leave you with the SPACE tool and the challenge to view the world for all the beauty and awesomeness that it has.

Appreciate the small things, so that you can fully enjoy the big things.

Sunshine

It's a funny thing sunshine. When I think of the sun all kinds of thoughts pop into my head: warmth, life-giving, happiness, music, illumination, my upbringing in South Africa, tanning, laughter.

Having lived in the UK for over thirteen years now, I value the sun more than ever. (Especially after the VERY long winter we have experienced this year!!!) Maybe it's cos my life has changed so dramatically over the past year or three, but my need for vitamin D (the sun) has increased a bazillion-fold. I found the amazing fake sunshine in a bottle and it did wonders for me. I have shared this secret with many and it seems to have done the trick for all of them too. And no, I don't get a commission for plugging vitamin D tablets...but they work and should be a staple dietry requirement for everyone who lacks daily natural sunshine methinks...:-)

Recently, I did a course where I had to discover what I believe my life purpose is and the outcomes were extraordinary. One of which was, that I am truly a sun person. I love the warmth, the inspiration, the life-giving properties of it and am newly amazed at the awesomeness of our solar system and indeed Creator.

As I have pondered and navigated the challenges of the past few weeks, I have once again been pointed to the fact that the dis-ease I was feeling was partially due to the lack of sunshine in my life, both physically as well as spiritually.

I have been shown again, how to centre my thoughts and indeed myself to the positive attributes of the sun. I am blessed to have lots of sunshiney sirens and even sunshiney alpha males in my life. They each remind me daily of the importance of staying centred and that my focus must be upwards and not forwards.

For me to deal with life as I know it, I need to remain in a state of awe of the creation I have been gifted. So that is my endeavour from here on in (til I need reminding again that is...:-))

I am aware that the sun has destructive qualities too and that everything should be enjoyed in moderation...but I am convinced that staying upwards looking, I will avoid the pitfalls I seem to fall into from time to time.

My Siren statement:
I am the sunlight that lights up your eyes, who allows others to sing in their voice; to feel the sunlight and warmth radiating healing and warmth. By being in my presence, you are illuminated to be the very best you can be.

I guess it's more like a mission statement really. If I can shine some light and love into your life, I am happy to do it. Bringing a smile to your face is a fab start...so here it is...:-)

Please pass it on...

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Freedom

So today I have been thinking about the concept of true freedom.


And this is what I think:
True freedom is being aligned with your true purpose for being on earth. With that come the questions naturally. Can I really be free when I am strapped for cash? Can I be free while being in a relationship? Can I truly be free when there are rules to follow in the work place and indeed society?

A new site that I was introduced to today lists many similes for what freedom is. All of which are inspiring and have taken me down various paths of thoughts.

http://thesaurus.com/browse/free

This is what I believe to be true.

We all have a reason for having been born, no matter our religious or spiritual persuasion. We all know that there is more to life than going to school, university or college; then getting a job, earning money; finding a significant other and having children; retiring and dying. There is so much more to life and I believe that deep in the core of each of us, we are all aware of this.

So what IS it? What is that thing that will fill the gaping hole in our existence?

For me, it is knowing and living my purpose for being on earth. For each of us, we must find this key purpose to find ultimate happiness and fulfillment.

Freedom then must be: the place where we find ourselves truly aligned to our true purpose, in a place of serenity, joy and unrestrained by negativity and those things which are personal barriers to your own feeling of liberty to be the true you.