Monday, December 27, 2010

All you need is love...

Da da da da da!

I found the following beautiful piece this morning in a gorgeous book I have called Gaia : Body & Soul by Toni Carmine Salerno (a local Melbournite no less!)...the pictures in it are amazing so I had to include that too...enjoy...

What may seem like an undeniable truth to you
may seem false to another.

No one is ever absolutely right or absolutely wrong
there is no single truth that applies universally.

Every statement one makes can be considered both true and false;
this is because a piece of the truth exists in each point of view.

Therefore, there is little that one can say
with absolute certainty.

The only eternal truth is love;
for love accepts all as it is.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

It doesn't have to be done perfectly, it just has to be done

This one sentence revolutionised my world a few weeks ago.

I was listening to Denise Linn on Hayhouse Radio (one of my favourite past-times) and this came through so clearly to me, it was like she was talking directly to me!!

She said to a caller 'It doesn't have to be done perfectly, it just has to be done. And you know what, you need to be willing to do it badly.'

It just makes so much sense!

In the past, I was fabulous at procrastinating because I wanted to 'do it right', or I didn't want to start something until I knew I had the time to do it all at once.

I say in the past, because I've committed to changing my ways! And boy has it made a difference.

This blog in itself is a great example - I had thought about it for a good few weeks, but wanted to have the 'right' look, or start with the right words or photos or whatever.

But you know what, it didn't have to be perfect. I just needed to get started....and look at me go now!

Any time I feel myself delaying on something, I remind myself...it doesn't need to be done perfectly. And it's like it's permission just to take the next step and see where it leads.

So the big question is - what in your life do you need to just do?

It feels so much better just to keep the energy flowing rather than think about how you haven't done something time and time again!

Speaking of which...time to go wrap my Christmas presents...

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Overdoing is fear in disguise...

Oh how very sneaky of you fear!!!

This message came through to me loud and clear yesterday when I pulled the 'Exhaustion - Divine Helpers' card from Sonia Choquette's 'Ask your guides' oracle cards.

I'll get to my love/obsession with oracle cards another day - they even have them as iPhone apps now, ooohhh...

It definitely made sense to me - I've running on overload for the past week. My to-do lists have been a testament to that - I've had to do EVERYTHING and TODAY!!!!

Which of course has been physically impossible! I've had that familiar little anxious feeling creep in any time I either think about my list, write it down or look at it - really, it's been just a fear of either not getting everything done, or what will someone else think if I don't don't do everything I said I would. Interesting!

So what was my message for the day...STOP!!!

Rest for a change! You don't have to be doing something every second of the day!

So instead of reading a book at the hairdresser yesterday (because that would have been an efficient use of my time!) I put my book and highlighter away and I just sat.

That's it. Talked occasionally, but mainly just sat and breathed.

What a novel idea!

And it was just what I needed. Today I'm working out what do I need to do today. And then leaving the rest.

So if you feel you're overdoing it - ask yourself, what am I afraid of? And occasionally - give yourself permission to do nothing.

Another great tip for staying grounded and not running at full-pace all day long came out of a great article called 'Do you know how to relax' by Sonia Choquette (which I came across yesterday as well, yes relaxing truly was a recurring theme!)...


I’ve read that the Dalai Lama is very mindful of the importance of keeping a sensible pace so he can live in the spirit of love everyday. One time a reporter asked him how he remains so calm, so grounded, and so loving when his life can be so stressful and demanding.
He paused, gave the question some serious thought, and then answered, “I leave early for appointments.” 

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Always look on the bright side of life...

Monty Python were definitely onto something there (and sorry Pop if they're not the original lyricists, you'll tell me if that's the case!!!)

Anyway, I thought that after my sad post, that tonight was the perfect night for a double header.

(It's taking all of my willpower not to write out the baseball scene from Ferris Bueller's...ok a little bit won't hurt...sa-wing batter...Kennedy, Kennedy Kennedy...ok I'll stop now!)

Back to the point of this post - there are always two sides to the coin, and in the past 4 years in particular, I've learnt the huge benefits of always looking on the bright side of life.

My Mum has laughed at me before, saying 'you love finding a positive in everything don't you?!' and it's true - I really, really do.

Because it makes me feel good!

As I heard on good old Hayhouse Radio the other day - it's not an event that changes people, it's the meaning they attach to it.

Two people can be caught in a traffic jam - one gets angry, the other doesn't let it phase them...I know who I'd rather be!

So why not try to make a positive out of your day? 

See mistakes as opportunities to learn, a change in plan as something better being on it's way. Or in short - just look for the positive aspects of each situation.

I'm a big fan of the  good old 'Attitude to Gratitude' - it's amazing how you can get an instant lift from thinking of all of the things that you're thankful for throughout the day. (My Grandma was definitely onto something when she thanked God for everything!)

I find that once I start, I can get on a real roll with it, and then realise that I've actually had a pretty good day all in all.

They don't have to be earth shattering like winning the lottery or making your first million - it can be as simple as being glad that you got up out of bed, or that you had enough milk for breakfast, that you had comfy clothes on or that you got a great parking spot.

The point is, the more you do it, the better you feel...the better you feel, the more you'll want to do it!

It's a great thing to do before you go to bed, and I highly recommend scribbling 5 or 10 things down - writing always makes it more powerful because you look at it from a different perspective, but it's cool to look back after a couple of days, weeks, months and see how much great stuff you have in your life!

Anyway, how about I start. I'm grateful/thankful/glad/stoked that:

  • I love living
  • I have beautiful, loving and supportive family and friends
  • My husband likes to give me surprises - hello massive bunch of flowers and beautiful purse this week! Love you Mr Clifford!
  • We had a delicious dinner at Star House - and we're now recognised as regulars! The waiter even asked if he'd see us before Christmas!!
  • We found the perfect Christmas presents
  • I had warm sunshine on my back today
  • I saw the big Christmas tree all lit up in Victoria square...oh how I love lights! (see pic below)
  • There was a gorgeous pink sky tonight, so tomorrow will  be a cracker
  • I had a great, relaxing night at yoga - I surprised myself with a few poses!
  • 2010 has been an amazing year! Full of letting go, lessons and love!
  • I wore my awesome green necklace today
  • I've taken the plunge and have gotten my blog up and running
  • I am now so comfortable with sharing my thoughts with my family and friends (and anyone you want to send it on to!)
  • I laughed a lot at work today...and had time for the occasional jig!!
  • I sit by an open window at work
  • My little car got me to and from Adelaide nicely
  • I've got a fabulous weekend of fun and friends ahead of me - then we're on holidays next week, woop woop!
  • I have an iPhone!!!
And I could go on and on, but you get the point.

Anyway try it for yourself and see how you go...



The moments that stop you in your tracks...

A couple of hours ago, I got a text from my brother to let me know that the brother of one of my primary school friend's decided to take his life earlier this month.



So as I sat down to eat tea with Nathan at our favourite restaurant Star House, I had that much whirring in my head that I said 'Sorry I have to be rude for a moment and write something down here' well type it onto my iPhone - same same...



It's such an incredible sadness in itself - particularly considering he was only a 24 year old boy -  compounded even moreso by the fact that their dad did the same only a couple of years ago. 

I couldn't help but just feel overtaken by sadness, the thought of that happening in my family is just...

But doesn't it help put your own life in perspective. 

I'm not saying that my or your own worries or issues are any less valid, but you know what - do they really matter? 

In the grand scheme of things - for me I have to answer no! 

I have a fantastic life and I love living - and I'm so glad that the thought of not wanting to wake up tomorrow has never even entered my mind.

I love my family, I love my friends, I love myself - my magnificent mind, body and soul. 
Perhaps this was the wake up call I needed to stop sweating the small stuff and to get back to enjoying life, not taking it so seriously and to be grateful for everything that I have.

Wow I feel like I've been punched in the face and want to burst into tears (and I did have a few tears behind my glasses!But at the same time I want to take this moment and use it.

It's so funny because I was only talking to my workmate Lisa today about how there is always someone worse off than you - something my Nanna used to always say, right to the end of her life, and it's inspired me ever since. 

And if this isn't proof of exactly that I don't know what is.

Life is precious.

Live. Love. Laugh. Be happy.


And may you now rest in peace James. My heart goes out to your beautiful sister and mum especially, as well as everyone that knew you and is left to pick up the pieces. I hope they're able to celebrate all the good times while they mourn and try to adjust to not having you here anymore.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

What a pain in the neck!

Ow!

That was my first thought this morning when I woke up to find that I'd slept like a minda and I now can't turn my neck to the left more than 45 degrees!

And then my next thought of course was...hmmm what thoughts have created this?

Being a big believer in the mind-body connection, I always go straight for the jugular...baha excuse the pun!

What I mean is, trying to find out instantly why it is this has occurred, and as I said, what thoughts created it.

So my little head went off into a whirlwind which went a little bit like this...

Neck...stiff neck...left...

Well I know that neck is about flexibility and seeing both sides of an issue. Obviously I can't look to the left, and the left-hand side is the feminine side, and also represents intuition and creativity...

Then there's stiffness, so have I been rigid in my thinking?

All of this comes from Louise Hay's Heal your Body, which has essentially been my mind-body bible for the past 4 years!

Then I've got another great book from Inna Segal, an Australian Medical Intuitive called 'The Secret Language of your Body' which is a cracker, and goes into a bit more depth for each ailment.

Anyway I was reading through Neck and the bit that stood out was "Spending too much time thinking and trying to work things out and not enough time being aware of your feelings and tuning into your intuition"

To which I went aaaahhhh, that definitely makes sense! It's kind of my thing though - I love delving into the whys and wherefores...but perhaps a little too much lately, and not letting things just happen enough!!!!!!!!!!

It feels like a block of concrete on my left-hand side, aka my intuitive side...perhaps I've been building a bit of a brick wall in front of my intuition!

The other thing to look at here - this could be specific thought patterns rising to the surface because they're out of whack...or because of something I'm working on which has flushed them out! As Louise puts it "sometimes when we try to release a pattern, the whole situation seems to get worse for a while. This is not a bad thing. It is a sign that the situation is beginning to move. Our affirmations are working and we need to keep going."

I think it might be a little from column a & a little from column b - either way it's a good thing because it's not hiding!!

I've definitely been working on being more flexible in my thinking and being willing to go with the flow. Not holding on to ideas I've had, because things do change! While I may have thought something was a good idea yesterday, or last month, or last year - today I've got new knowledge and experience, so it's ok. And I've also been working a lot on listening to and trusting my intuition...which has been a lot of fun! I'll get onto more of that at a later date though, and introuduce to another one of my favourites Sonia Choquette.

So what now?

Let my body do it's job of healing that's what! Inflammation is an immune response, so it's great that it's already started and that my body knows what to do to heal itself.

The important thing is that get my mind out of the way of that!

I'm focussing on relaxing, and imagining my head turning from side to side with ease.

The other image I've got is of little workers in hard hats and green overalls, deconstructing the brick wall on the left side of my neck one-by-one, putting them in wheelbarrows and carting them away into a rainbow coloured fire!!!!!

And of course, there's affirmations...I think of them like mental vitamins to take!

So I've got 'I am flexible in my thinking and see all sides of an issue with ease. There are endless ways of seeing things and doing things. I release all stiffness, limitation, stuckness and rigidity from my thinking. I allow my body to heal itself'

The most important thing for me today - stay positive and keep the faith that all of this is happening for a reason, and that I don't need to know what this is!

It's happened and it's not about blaming myself for thinking 'wrong thoughts' (although believe me, my ego gave that a crack this morning!)

So I thought this picture of me at the tram stop this morning was perfect!

And I guess the motto for today - if you're body's trying to tell you something, take a moment to stop, listen and see what the message is!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

If you don't like it - change it!

This seems to be my lesson for today!

If you don't like something, there's no point in sitting there thinking about what you don't want because you'll only bring more of that into your life. Let it go!

I was listening to Wayne Dyer on Hayhouse Radio this morning (if you haven't tuned in yet, do yourself a favour!) and he said to a caller words to the effect of 'Your challenge in the next 2 weeks is to change your thinking on this subject"

So I'm taking that challenge - in the next 2 weeks it's all about out with the old, in with the new.
As I've read before - wanting something different in your life and not taking any action to get there is like standing in one room and pointing to another saying I want to be there...but then not taking any steps!

Bring it on!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Keep on passing until the music stops...

Let me just start by saying - I love Louise Hay! (You'll here more about this love I can assure you!!)

She all but revolutionised my whole way of thinking about 4 years ago with the simplest of statements - you can choose your thoughts.

Why was that so important?

Well at the time, I was desperately looking for the next step to take in my recovery from the cranking anxiety that had peaked a couple of years prior.

Thanks to Mum, I'd found Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and had gone part the way to unravelling my thought patterns, but I needed something more.

And voila, the universe brought me my fabulous Naturopath/Spiritual Guide Di Goulding (thank you mum again!) and in turn led me to picking up Louise Hay in her waiting room.

Anyway back to anxiety... in my experience, the defining feature is automatic thinking - not to mention circular thinking.

The thoughts just go around and around and around and around and seem to have a mind of their own - you feel powerless to do anything about them, and just hope like hell that they'll stop and take the fear and whole host of other symptoms with it.

So for someone to tell me I could control that, well it was nothing short of life saving.

Anyway, I'll get onto more of that at a later date.

The point of my story here though is that she mentions in her book "You can heal your life" is that any time you find a new habit or dis-ease to deal with - treat it like a gift.

Well it dawned on me last week, that essentially it's like playing pass the parcel.

Each of the 'gifts' that I've been given in my life...be it the anxiety, my 'minda elbow' or the old beliefs I've held onto since childhood that don't actually serve me...haven't occurred in separate locations or have been external to myself - they're all part of me!

So instead of viewing them as separate things, I've decided to look at it as playing pass the parcel. Which, just quietly, is still one of my favourite games!!!

I've said so many times that since I started on this journey of self-discovery, my life has been all about peeling back the layers.

So you'll understand why this was a big kerplunk moment for me!

Because each time the music stops, and I unwrap another layer (usually beautifully decorated with outdated beliefs or old thought patterns I didn't even know I had!) there is an absolute gem of a present waiting for me.

And I add it to the collection and become that little bit wiser, stronger, healthier and happier.

Oh, and the other benefit of unwrapping the layers - you get that little bit closer to your true self.

I love it!

Every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step...


Well here it is – my very first blog post!
It’s a really interesting thing for me doing this – part of me is so excited about the thought of sharing my experiences, lessons and finds…then there’s the other part that’s saying ‘nah, don’t worry about it’ and is happy to let it slide past as a good idea that never came to fruition.
Fortunately I’m choosing to listen to the first part!
Why is it called ‘so meanwhile‘? 
Well for those who I speak to or email will hear/read this a lot!
I love my tangents, and it’s usually prefaced with ‘so meanwhile, did I tell you about…’ 
And that’s essentially the basis of this blog.
The way I see it – my journey of healing and discovery has just been a whole bunch of connecting the dots and sychronistic moments.
I love those aha moments you get when you put 2 pieces of the puzzle together, or get on to a new book, healer or even just a conversation that just fits perfectly with what you need to learn, do, know.
And this is what I want to share, in the hope that it can be of use to someone else…or a friend of theirs.
Because my mission in life as I see it…
“To help others heal from the inside out”
So let’s see how I go!


I realise that this post doesn't make a world of sense, but I know this will quickly take shape.
And like I said…every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step…