After a few years dabbling in this beautiful space, I’ve realised that it is time for my beloved hummingbird to expand her wings and grow – to lean into the wind toward new adventures.
If you have found me in this space, please click here and you will be flown across the virtual winds to land safely in my new online space.
Thank you for taking the time to seek me out and I look forward to meeting you again soon in my new, beautiful way of the hummingbird pages.
Aloha! x
“What was our life like? I almost don’t remember now. Though I remember it, the space of time it occupied. And I remember it fondly.” – Richard Ford
I took a very short trip down memory lane today.
After 20 odd years, I had reason to return to the city that held me through my early to late teenage years. It’s not my childhood home, but it is where much of my seminal growth took place.
And while I walked what were once familiar paths, I felt as though I had stepped into some strange, opaque vacuum. All the places that I had known so well and all the experiences I’d had over time were just there. Only they were veiled by the rampant progression of time and were ever-so-slightly out of reach.
There were familiar facades and buildings, arcades and lane-ways, and while I recognised the bones of these places, I felt at sea and unable to fully remember all I thought I would. I found myself caught in an oh-so-familiar yet terribly alien place. It felt like seeing a ghost.
What strikes me is my assumption that it would still be as it was when I left all those years ago. It seems in moving away, I neatly and carefully wrapped each piece of that place – it’s familiarity, it’s sense of home – and carefully packed it into the archives of my mind. And over time, I forgot about it. Until today.
Like me, this slice of city has aged. It’s a bit worn around the edges, the colours are muted and there are places that seem to have been forgotten about. But despite being weathered, like a favoured pair of jeans the memories I’ve gathered are comfortable. So I will hang on to them and honour their place in my history a little longer.
Because remembering makes me smile. And it reminds me of how far I have come.
“In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans; in one aspect of You are found all the aspects of existence.” – Kahlil Gibran
I’m not a big believer in making New Year’s resolutions. But I do believe in creating change for the better throughout life, particularly if the body is crying out for it.
For me right now, this is about drinking more water.
Herein lies the challenge, love. I’ve never been a good water drinker. Feeling vaguely thirsty all of the time has become so much a part of my inner landscape that I barely notice anymore. However, I am beginning to notice the increase in headaches, joint & muscle pain, fatigue, fuzzy thinking, irritability, digestive “challenges” and dry skin.
What do all of these symptoms have in common? They’re all intrinsically linked with chronic dehydration.
Our body is made up of about 60% of water, so naturally it makes sense to consume enough water to keep the body hydrated, but there are many other powerful reasons to drink enough water each day. It flushes toxins from vital organs, carries nutrients to the body’s cells, in turn giving a boost to energy levels. It helps regulate body temperature (and hormones), improves skin condition, helps in fighting off infection, hydrates joints and muscle tissue, improves digestion, relieves irritability (and constipation, for that matter) … the list goes on.
So, how much water is enough? Studies suggest that at least 8 glasses a day is a good amount, but the truth is that your water needs depend on a number of factors, including your current health, how active you are, where you live and the temperatures you live in. So while there’s no single, magic formula that fits everyone, learning more about your body and listening to it’s needs will help you determine what is right for you. It’s as much about instinct as it is science.
The thing is to make drinking (enough) water a daily habit. And while this has always been a challenge for me, I am determined to begin.
They say it takes 3 weeks to form a habit. With that in mind, welcome to my mini-revolution!
Introducing the 28 Day Water Challenge (I know, it’s a little over 3 weeks, but I’m determined to nail this habit in).
Beginning on the 1st February, I am going to tackle my own water challenge. I think it will change my life. Are you prepared to see if it will change yours too? 8 glasses (or thereabouts) a day. That’s it. Truly.
Begin with a glass of water on waking to help flush any toxins that have built up through the night then just sip on the rest throughout the day. The trick is to hydrate slowly so the body has time to take the water in and use it. Drink too much, too fast and it will pass straight through your body with little benefit. Drink it slowly and with care and your body will soak the water in and be forever grateful. A new you!
Expect an increase in urination and possibly some headaches and skin breakouts as the system detoxifies and flushes. But it will even out and you will start to thrive. I promise.
Try it. Join the Red Jasper Facebook community and report back. Tell us how you feel as a result.
I’d love you to join me in my revolution. 28 days. Health and vitality. I really believe it’s that simple. I do.
Are you in?
“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul”
Unknown
Sunday’s music to nourish the soul on Monday and ease you into your new week. I hope this week brings you all you wish for.
Please click on the above image and enjoy this week’s Red Jasper Sunday Mix … on Monday. Enjoy!
If you like the music and want to find more, do pay a visit to my friends at One World Music and Global Tonic. All that musical goodness needs to be shared!
“Every individual has a unique contribution” – Jack Cornfield, A Path with Heart
I have a friend with whom I collect images of hearts. It’s not a project we set about on purpose; rather it’s an organically grown collection of snaps that we take on our daily travels and share with each other via Instagram.
For me, these are little gifts from the Universe – they are a symbol of love, hope, compassion, bravery, generosity of spirit and foundation. And when I feel doubtful, I acknowledge these as a message that I am on the right path, right where I need to be. Now.
They are also a reminder of the interconnectedness of all beings. Despite living in different cities, through our heart-centred collaboration, I know I have connected and cemented a firm friendship with a kindred spirit. And in collecting and sharing our images, we are connecting with other special beings; a small community of like-minded people is forming, each of us treading gently along our paths, living creative lives with open hearts and minds.
How lovely it is to be creating connections in all corners of the world through the images we collect and curate. In this time of fast-paced living and even faster-paced technology, we are able to tap into each other – our lives, our cultures, our foundations, our hearts. We are creating a community unbounded by distance or geography. We can see the world through another’s eyes; experience another’s perspective, challenge the boundaries of our own bubble of perception.
This exchange of energy is uplifting and inspiring; a reminder that as a band of compassionate and open-hearted people, we can develop a wider vision of the world and cultivate meaningful exchanges encouraging hope, compassion, bravery and social harmony.
Immerse yourself in a community that inspires and uplifts you; walk your path with gentle compassion and an open mind; notice the messages of hope and encouragement that will guide you along the way. Trust your foundation. Know you are where you are meant to be. Right here, right now. Welcome fellow travellers!
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. That is to have succeeded”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image from the talented Sheridan Nilsson, who photographed our wedding under this beautiful sky in Spring last year.
“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul”
Unknown
Music to nourish the soul. To accompany you through your Sunday. To remind you that sitting still for a while is soothing for the spirit and healing for the heart. It is a kindness you deserve to give yourself.
Please click on the above image and enjoy this week’s Red Jasper Sunday Mix.
If you enjoy what you hear, do visit my friends at One World Music and
Global Tonic. All that musical goodness deserves to be shared!
“Deer … so gentle and loving you are. The flower of kindness and embrace from afar” from Medicine Cards, Jamie Sams & David Carson
There is a legend the tribal healers of Native America tell about a fawn and her journey up Sacred Mountain to see Great Spirit. It goes like this:
“One day, Fawn heard Great Spirit calling to her from the top of Sacred Mountain. Fawn immediately started up the trail, unaware a terrible demon guarded the way. The demon was trying to keep all beings from connecting with Great Spirit. He wanted all creatures to feel that Great Spirit did not want to be disturbed. Causing creatures to be fearful made the demon feel powerful.
Fawn was not at all frightened when she came upon the demon. This made him curious and angry, so he blew fire and smoke and made sounds that would usually cause creatures to flee or die of fright on the spot.
Fawn, unperturbed said gently to the demon, “Please let me pass. I am on the way to see Great Spirit”. Fawn’s eyes were full of love and compassion for this oversized demon and the demon was astounded by Fawn’s lack of fear. No matter how hard he tried, he could not frighten Fawn, because her love and compassion had penetrated his hardened heart. Demon’s heart began to soften and his body shrank to the size of a walnut.
Due to her gentleness and compassion. Fawn had cleared the way for all to reach Sacred Mountain and Great Spirit, without the demons of fear blocking the way”.
The medicine of Fawn teaches us that gentleness of spirit heals all wounds. That fear, when viewed through the eyes of love and gentle compassion can’t continue to exist, opening the way forward toward a place of stillness for those seeking peace.
Where can you apply gentle, loving kindness in your life today?
Deer Medicine Card, with thanks to Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams & David Carson
The re-invention of my life was heralded by the barefaced arrival of death – the death of my remarkable Mother and soon after, the death of a career I had invested some 15 years in.
My beautiful Mother lost her scrimmage with breast cancer exactly one month before my son’s 3rd birthday. At the time, I was working thankless hours in a high pressure job that I had frankly lost my passion for. Not being allowed the time or grace to mourn her loss made me wonder what the hell I was still doing there. I was there in the pursuit of gold. I was well paid and as a single parent, I needed the money. I felt trapped. And I was choking, because I wasn’t able to express what I was feeling, churning deep inside my body. The insanity of my world then didn’t allow the time for such inklings.
Some months later, providence came to the rescue. My role was made redundant. I cried with relief. My heart skipped a beat. I. WAS. FREE. And then I cried for my loss. Finally. I. WAS. FREE.
I called my (now) husband, collected my son from childcare and spent the subsequent glorious, summer months on the beach, getting re-acquainted with my little boy and myself. And I knew, beyond doubt, that this was The Opportunity. My shining, once-in-a-lifetime-don’t-ignore-it golden opportunity to re-invent my life. To make my life work for me. To allow the person I had always been to come forward and take a leap of faith.
So with the enduring love, support and wisdom of my husband and the unfailing encouragement of my inner circle, I took a deep breath & enrolled in college. I learned a whole new set of skills and opened myself wide to the learning experiences that have bought me to this point. Right now. Welcome!
From this vantage point, looking back, what I feel is a sense of the phoenix rising. From the devastation of profound loss has come a path so vividly green and exuberant with new life. In her passing, Mum gave me some of the most precious gifts. She gave me the wisdom to look through a new door. She gave me the courage to go through it and not look back. She showed me that I can leap into new pastures with confidence, grace and an open heart. I think she’d be proud.
Above all else, the message for me is about keeping faith and moving forward. It’s about trusting one’s inherent ability to rise. To pick up the pieces of life that have broken away and to keenly examine them before deciding whether they still fit in with the greater picture. And if they don’t, to have the courage to throw them away and fashion a new shape. A shape that fits more truly. It doesn’t matter how slowly we go forward, more that we simply move in that direction a little bit each day, one foot after the other.
This coming Sunday (Mother’s Day in Australia) I will continue to hold Mum in my heart and mind. I am full of eternal gratitude for her love. her faith in me and the spiritual gifts she left me with.
Onwards!
“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul”
Unknown
Music to nourish the soul. To accompany you through your Sunday. To remind you that sitting still for a while is soothing for the spirit and healing for the heart. It is a kindness you deserve to give yourself.
Please click on the above image and enjoy the first ever Red Jasper Sunday Mix.
