Tag Archives: gratitude

Reminiscing

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Reminiscing is a curious thing.
A scent, a song, a scrap of paper tucked inside a book, and suddenly whole chapters of life come wandering back in. Some of these chapters are easily navigated, whilst others require a whole lot more attention. These may be filled with drama, heartbreak and lessons to learn. Lately I’ve found myself thinking about the many lives we seem to live within one lifetime.

The years teaching Japanese — chalk dust – yes, chalk dust. In a way I missed the way the colours could be blended, the light and heavy texture in writing Japanese characters. All that went as the curriculum leaned into laptop programs.

Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji charts. Some of which I am rediscovering as I unpack the multitude of boxes from the recent move. I thought that I had given away all my teaching materials and resources prior to the move. But here they are, popping up unexpectedly and triggering the reminiscing.

Memories of those delightful moments when a student suddenly got it. Language lessons were never really just about language. They were about curiosity, confidence, culture, and connection. We made year books, Japanese gardens and hopefully created an interest in Japan for young minds to explore. Long before “play-based learning” became fashionable jargon, there was the quiet understanding that children learn best when imagination is invited to the table. I presented to several conferences about creativity in language programs during my teaching career and if so inclined, you can read my  Conference Notes .

Another chapter was the deep dive into Steiner teacher training. Learning was painted, modelled, sung, and stitched. Tuesday evenings for four years, not an indulgence or a chore like traditional university-based courses. Where I created a pentatonic harp slowly carved out of a plank of Oregon wood, where I sang, where stories mattered. Seasons mattered. Wonder mattered. A place where creativity wasn’t an “extra” but the heartbeat of learning itself. This wonder still lingers today.

Looking back, it’s the people who colour the memories most vividly. Friends who arrived unexpectedly and stayed for decades. Friends who drifted gently out of orbit as life changed shape. And some who left far too soon – motorbike accidents or terminal illnesses. Leaving behind unfinished conversations, shared jokes that still echo, and moments that can still catch unexpectedly at the heart.

There’s a tenderness to reminiscing as we get older. Less urgency somehow. More gratitude. Not every chapter lasted forever. Not every plan unfolded neatly. But each season brought its own gifts, lessons, laughter and companions for the road.

And perhaps that’s the quiet magic of memory —
it reminds us that even fleeting connections leave lasting fingerprints on the soul.

Plot Twist

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Plot Twist: Apparently, I’m Still Here

Just when I thought the last blog post had wrapped things up neatly — Covid retreating, plans gently thawing, the universe having made its point — life cleared its throat and said, “Actually…”

Enter Shingles. Because why stop at one dramatic cameo when you can invite a whole cast of characters? What a plot twist! For those unfamiliar, shingles is what happens when your nervous system decides to re-run an old viral box set you never asked to see again. It arrived quietly, then loudly, then very insistently with pain that interrupted sleep.

building resilienceI made acquaintance with a doctor newly arrived at the most local medical clinic and medication was prescribed pending the results of the skin swab. Everything seemed promising. A new doctor, being listened to, medication to soothe the inflammatory response. Except my immune system read the label and responded with an anaphylactic reaction, which is my body’s way of saying: absolutely not, thank you very much, please take this away immediately. So, there I was, dealing with shingles while also dealing with the aftermath of post Covid fatigue and a medication my body had firmly rejected — there’s a reminder that while I’m open-minded spiritually, biologically I am extremely discerning.

At this point, a friend gently observed that “this year isn’t starting well for you.” I prefer to think of it as life checking in to see if I’m still paying attention and the positive side is that I can always count the Lunar New Year as a new start.

Because here’s the thing: this month also marks 14 years since my cardiac event. Fourteen years since my heart quite literally made itself the centre of attention and forced a total recalibration of how I live, work, rest, and listen — especially to my body.  And it quietly rewired my understanding of resilience. Not the glossy, motivational-poster kind — but the slow, practical version that looks like resting when you’d rather push on, cancelling plans without apology, and learning (over and over) that healing doesn’t run on a timetable.

So yes, this past month has included Covid, shingles, allergic reactions, and the gentle reminder that I am not, in fact, indestructible. But it’s also included perspective. A deep one. I’m still here.

Fourteen years on, I know this much:

  • The body keeps score, but it also keeps wisdom.
  • Delays are sometimes protection in disguise.
  • Resilience isn’t about bouncing back — it’s about staying curious while you’re lying flat.

Plans are still on hold. Some may be revised, some quietly released. Tarot cards are being consulted. The nervous system is being soothed like a skittish horse who’s seen a bit too much action lately. This seems like an apt introduction to the coming Year of the Fire Horse. And despite everything — or maybe because of it — I’m still here.
Still shedding skin – a fitting ending to the Year of the Snake.  Occasionally muttering at the universe… but very much in the game. Onward. Gently. With humour. And possibly fewer plot twists next time.

Endings and Beginnings

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When Endings Are Really New Beginnings

Life has a funny way of playing musical chairs with us. One moment, the music is going, we’re twirling about happily, and then—suddenly—it stops. All of a sudden a chair we thought was ours disappears, a chapter wraps up, and we find ourselves blinking in the silence, wondering, what now?  That pause, though sometimes uncomfortable, isn’t really the end of the game. It’s the invitation to notice: a new round is about to begin. A different chair, a fresh perspective, a surprising possibility is waiting.

Endings and beginnings….

We often hear the phrase, when one door closes, another opens. And it’s true — but what’s rarely mentioned is the hallway in between. That liminal space where the old door has clicked shut but the new one hasn’t swung wide yet. Indeed, it’s here that we’re asked to pause, breathe, and listen deeply. The hallway is where the soul whispers its secrets.

Endings and beginnings….

In the Tarot, The World card carries this energy beautifully. It marks completion, wholeness, and the graceful closing of a cycle. But rather than a final curtain call, The World is a portal. It says, “You’ve danced this dance, and now the stage is clear for the next.” It’s not the end of the story — it’s a graduation into the next chapter of an unfolding journey.

I’m in the process of moving house and still in the stage of sorting 23 years of accumulated “stuff”. Chapters of life that have finished, like University notes, adult children’s kindergarten pictures and books that will never get re-read. I’m grateful for all those chapters. It’s also about setting aside projects or workshops as there’s simply not the energy or the time to fit it all in.  By allowing yourself time off, remember: you’re not losing ground. It’s self care. You’re doing the clearing. Releasing the past as you’re preparing the soil for the next dream to take root.

Endings and beginnings….

And maybe, just maybe, the real magic lies in the pause itself. That quiet moment between the old and the new, where the music hasn’t started up again, think of the space between the notes, and realising the room is alive with possibility.

Meanwhile, it’s time to make a cup of tea, lean into the spaciousness, and ask yourself: If the world has just closed one door for me, what fresh threshold might I be about to cross?

The Healing Power of Creativity

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In the hustle and bustle of our modern lives, it’s very easy to overlook the power of creativity as a potent tool for helping to address mental health issues. Yet, creativity, possesses a transformative ability to soothe the mind, heal emotional wounds, and start the journey towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.

There is a profound connection between creativity and mental wellness. Practices like mindfulness, art therapy, and gratitude are all useful tools in this journey of self-discovery and healing.

 

The Creative Mind: A Sanctuary Amidst the Storm

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Creativity is a core aspect of the human experience. It is the expression of our innermost thoughts, emotions, and experiences in unique and meaningful ways. When faced with mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or stress, tapping into our creative potential can provide a sanctuary amidst the storm.

Engaging in creative activities allows us to channel our energy into something constructive, providing a much-needed respite from negative thought patterns and overwhelming emotions.

 

Mindfulness: Cultivating Present-Moment Awareness

 

Central to the practice of creativity as a tool for mental wellness is mindfulness – the practice of cultivating present-moment awareness without judgment. When immersed in the creative process,  either by painting, drawing or writing, we anchor ourselves in the here and now, letting go of worries about the past or future. This mindful engagement with our creative side not only fosters a sense of calm and tranquility but also enhances our ability to cope with stress and uncertainty.

 

Art Therapy: Healing Through Self-Expression

vision boardArt therapy is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes creative techniques to promote emotional healing and self-expression. It is gaining more recognition for its effectiveness in treating various mental health issues. Through guided exercises, individuals are encouraged to explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive environment. This process often uncovers hidden insights and emotions. Whether it’s painting, drawing, sculpting, or collage-making, the act of creating art can be profoundly cathartic, offering a means of processing complex emotions and experiences that may be difficult to express verbally.

 

Gratitude: Nurturing a Positive Mindset

In addition to creativity and mindfulness, practicing gratitude is another powerful tool for improving mental wellness. Having a mindset of gratitude involves consciously acknowledging and appreciating the big and small things that enrich our lives.

Keeping a gratitude journal, reflecting on moments of joy and beauty, or expressing gratitude to others, this simple yet profound practice has been shown to enhance overall well-being and resilience. By shifting our focus from what we lack to what we have, gratitude enables us to cultivate a more positive outlook on life, even amidst challenges.

 

Embrace Your Creative Journey

In conclusion, the importance of creativity in overcoming mental health issues cannot be overstated. Whether through mindfulness, art therapy, gratitude practices, or other creative pursuits, harnessing our innate creative potential can provide solace, insight, and empowerment on our journey towards mental wellness. So, let us embrace our creativity, nurture our minds and spirits, and unlock the healing power that lies within each of us.

Remember, in the canvas of life, you hold the brush – paint your masterpiece with courage, compassion, and creativity.

Discovery Sessions

A Balanced Life

It is with reluctance that I have to announce that I will no longer be offering the free 30 minute Discovery Session as I am spending more time in delivering workshops. However I am still available for personal growth sessions using a fusion of emotional intelligence coaching, hypnotherapy and Reiki.

If you are still unclear about what therapy or programs you would find best suited to you, we can still have a quick chat – around 10 minutes or so.

You are welcome to join the communities at Balance4Life Programs or the  Gratitude Group.

Subscribing to the Quarterly newsletter will give you information about a new and exciting program that will be coming up in Spring.

Gratitude Group

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A few weeks back, I started up a Gratitude Group on Facebook and you are welcome to join and contribute to it. The more the merrier as the saying goes.

It is growing organically and it is interesting reading what others are grateful for in their lives.

Research shows that having a daily gratitude practice helps to strengthen our immune systems and reduce heart related issues. A quick Google search will give you lots of articles to read – some more scholarly than others. I liked this one – The Neuroscience of Gratitude as it was an easy read plus the opportunity to sign up for a few exercises to help navigate through grief.

Having a Gratitude Journal helps you to record on a daily basis the little things that you are grateful for. You may have joined the previous 30 Days of Gratitude challenge way back in 2019 and developed your own gratitude practice.

I often write about gratitude and you may wonder why. I’ll let you into a little secret…. having this daily practice not only has benefits for you, but it’s free and the rewards are great! If you are having difficulty in getting started, join the Gratitude Group – that’s free as well. I look forward to seeing you there!

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Why is Gratitude important?

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GratitudeGratitude is where you acknowledge the positive things that are in your life and that you appreciate on a regular basis. Why is gratitude important? By acknowledging the things we are grateful for, we are not focusing on anything that we may perceive as lacking in our lives.

Gratitude focuses the mind on the “now” and is a form of mindfulness, especially when we write down on or journal on a daily basis.

As we focus on the positive, endorphins are released and we feel better. A positive mindset is important to wellbeing and especially in today’s pandemic, helpful in maintaining wellness and a more balanced emotional state.

30 days of gratitudeHaving a daily practice that helps you to focus on things that you are grateful for will help you to form a new and more helpful mindset.

In the past I have run a couple of 30 Days of Gratitude, both here and on Facebook. It may be a little difficult to find the posts now as the last 30 day challenge was in 2020.  A little time consuming, but another way to jog the mind to think about what you are grateful for is to write a single sentence in you diary each day about what you were grateful that day. You can go out and buy an expensive journal with the prompts already printed or make your own.

 

Intention

Six Weeks of Intention

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Some weeks ago I wrote a post on goal setting to fit into the six weeks of intention, but given the intensity of the past few weeks and the shut down of life as we have known it, I will save it for later.

The last six weeks have flown by and on my regular trips to the retreat I’ve had one or more of the books by James Redfield with me. These have been on my bookshelf for some time and the last time I read them was many years ago. The first in the series is The Celestine Prophecy, then The Tenth Insight follows on from that. This time I am taking my time to read the books and am finding that I have a new understanding. Various passages in The Tenth Insight stand out as particularly relevant to this time,  even though the book was printed in 1997.

Apart from the intention to read more and to study the Oracle/Tarot cards as part of my own spiritual nurturing, I have moved to online and phone consultations. Over the next few weeks you will notice changes on the website that reflect this.

It was with great amusement that after a long and vigorous shuffle of my Healing With The Angels pack that the first card that popped out was Intention, followed by Study and then Divine Timing.

6 weeks of intention

Intention: Your intentions create your experiences. By drawing this card the angels ask you to take an inventory of your expectations. What do you expect to happen today, tomorrow or the future?

Study: You are engaged in learning and study right now. Your angels guide you to take the time to read, listen and grow. This card validates that this is an important time for you to learn new ideas or skills.

Divine Timing: Pay attention to doors that are opening and shutting for you right now. Walk through the doors that open, and learn from the doors that shut. Look for other doors that do open and walk through them with faith and gratitude.

Mastery

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I do so love teaching Reiki. It doesn’t matter what level it is, each training has its own special insights, both for the student and for me. My current student is learning how to be a teacher and I feel I have learnt as much from him on this journey as I may  have shared with him. Like me, he never set out to be a teacher and was a skeptic at first about distance healing, until he got feedback from clients he was working with.

Teaching is not for everyone and often it takes another person to see the talents and inner qualities that we don’t acknowledge in ourselves. For me is was waiting until the children were older and for this student, it was a chance comment by his long time friends that brought him to realize that he has so much more to offer by becoming a Reiki Teacher.

Revisiting each Reiki level brings new insights and each training brings about wonderful changes for all involved. It is as if a little bit more information is being revealed each time. Reiki helps both teacher and students to slow down and relax. The preparation for lessons and sessions is a special time. Meditation and setting the intent to work with Masters present and passed and Guides is a time to create peace both within the room, for students and myself.

Reiki energy is always gentle and will go to where it is most needed. I find that once you get yourself or ego “out of the way”, the energy flows with ease. A participant in a Reiki share commented that as she had only done Level 1 and the other participants were all Master Level or Teachers, that she was worried that her energy wasn’t as much. It took some convincing to let her know that the Reiki energy is the same for all of us regardless of what level we have studied to and that it is not our personal energy, but universal energy that we facilitate for the client. A healing session with someone who has taken Level 1 can be profound as the energy doesn’t discriminate.

Dreams or Visions?

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“All we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.”  Edgar Allen Poe

A sojourn at the retreat a short time ago had me revisiting a vision book that I began at the start of the quest to find the property that I saw in a dream.  I was showing it to some long time friends.  Not surprisingly, if you subscribe to the effectiveness of manifesting through vision books, I realised that many of the things that I had written or drawn down had come to fruition.

Creating a vision board, or as in my case – a vision book – is not difficult. All it requires is some time and a few simple steps.

I like to work on my vision books at two specific times. Yes, I have a couple – one is specifically for the retreat and the other is more personal but includes the retreat.

The New Moon and the Full Moon are my favoured times, but any time that you are comfortable with will suffice.  Some pages are for the month and some are for several months and may resemble a business planning document. I use a variety of goal setting techniques in formulating what goes onto the page. My favourite at the moment is the GROW model.

Goals

Realistic/Reachable

Obstacles/Opportunities and

Way Forward

 

Most importantly I put the date on the page. I may divide the page up into various topics or headings and these may be small sketches or pictures or words cut out from a magazine that has taken my fancy. I then set aside some time to meditate before starting. I set the intent that what comes out on the page is just right. During the course of the session, it becomes apparent that there is a synergy between many of the things that appear on the page.  Arrows, links, pictures and words appear.

For instance in January I had as one of my things on the page was health. I applied the GROW model to this and added in the “R” section a date that I wanted to achieve my goal. Having spent the last few months of 2016 with pneumonia and finding that I was recovering slowly from it, this was a priority, not only from the business point of view, but a vision of improving my health and longevity by focussing on it. I asked myself “What is my Why?” and reflected on what came out of that meditation. Two months later, I revisited the page and realized that I was “on track” for most of what I had written.  The areas that I still need to achieve are transferred to the next page and I find that by setting down my thoughts and goals, that I become more accountable to myself.

The pages are a mixture of goal setting and dreaming…… for  with the retreat there needs to be a certain amount of dreaming and it is in the dreams that I feel that anything can be possible.

Some of the actions that I am taking as a result of these will only ever be a dream for me, but may be a future generation’s reality.  On these pages I dream of planting trees. In fact on the last visit I planted 3 more. These were grown from seeds of a gum tree that were no bigger than a pin head, yet the parent tree was a magnificent 40 metre high specimen with a trunk that had a girth too big to encircle with my arms.

Other trees that I have planted are Oak trees, grown from gathered acorns and nurtured to young seedlings. Yet I will never see these trees in their full majesty – they will remain for me, just a vision of what might become, just as willing gardeners planted the stately oaks in the main streets of the nearby country towns.

I may draw other things on the page… it becomes a de facto “To Do” list. Again I find another page that has more to do with trees…. on February’s page was a section on finding a spot for the Casuarina or She Oaks saplings that I have also grown from seed…. They have yet to be planted as I’m searching for the right spot for them and reading about their physical needs as well as the metaphysical significance of them, just as I did when I was searching for the right spot to construct the first labyrinth.

Pages in my vision book may include a word picture of an ideal client and I am always pleasantly surprised when the phone rings and he or she introduces themselves and makes an appointment!

The reward for keeping these vision books is in going back over them and putting a big tick next to those great big audacious dreams that have been achieved – perhaps they should have a gold star!

It is interesting that some of the things put down that weren’t achieved were in fact “pipe dreams” … dreams that if they had been fulfilled would have taken me further away from where I am now and in retrospect, I’m pleased that they haven’t come into fruition.

It is also interesting to read back over vision  books from years gone by and see that there is a common thread running through all of them…. and to be grateful for the things that have manifested.