I Am Blessed

I haven’t written in this Blog space for 5 years - the last Blog I wrote was a month before my 40^th Birthday and now I am turning 45 years in 2 months.  Wow, in so many ways a lot has changed, my life has changed - and yet I am still the same in so many ways - and in other ways I have grown.

In terms of my life, 7 years ago today, I went to my neighbour’s housewarming (who happens to now be my husband), and that night there was a spark, the start of us liking each other.  And now we share our lives with our two beautiful children, my greatest dreams have come true.  I am blessed.  I am ecstatic!  I have always been in search of my true love - and now my search is over.  I absolutely love being a Mum - my children bring me so much joy.  And I love being the home maker and home manager.

As I approach my 45^th Birthday I feel more confident in myself and my mission.  And it is a journey that requires a commitment to continual learning and personal development.  I am blessed - I am happy to be healthy, I am loving my vegetarian cooking (especially , I love making healthy treats for our family, I enjoy getting out walking with my children, I love our home, I love spending time with my family, I am part of a wonderful Church community, I love my friends, I am surrounded by people who inspire me, I love my job and I even like my hair!  I am also really excited to be currently planning to re-establish my Coaching Business.

I am not striving to be perfect or to have a perfect life - life is not perfect and I cannot expect myself to be perfect.  Yet I am committed to being self-reflective, present, inspired, intentional, empowered and proactive.  To me it is about aiming for the 80/20 rule - where 80% of the time I feel happy with myself and different parts of my life.  And it is a journey. 

I still have challenges - some smaller ones, some bigger ones.  Yet I am blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people in my life.  And I am blessed to be self-aware and to have tools within me to support myself.  I am blessed to be in joy, gratitude and hope on a daily basis.

A big change for me has been my enhanced commitment to be active in my faith and my personal relationship with God, where I have named and claimed my Christianity.  This has made a huge impact on my life in terms of feeling at peace and feeling on purpose.  I praise God for my blessings and I know that he is with me and for me every day, every step of the way.  

Knowing my values is really important to me and living my life based on these values is the key for me.  A couple of years ago, with a group of my friends, we studied the book ‘Spiritual Parenting’ which I loved as it was a great opportunity to establish our family values and learn ways to be practical in building faith in our children.  In deciding what was important to us as a family we came up with an acronym for FAMILY which represents - Faith (A Commitment to be Active in our Faith), Attitude (Positive and Gratitude), Memories (Special Moments), Inspired (Life), Love (Ourselves, Others and the Earth), You (Know Ourselves, Our Gifts, Strengths, Uniqueness).    

My goal is to be in a state of presence every day, to be present moment to moment, to allow space to hear guidance from the Holy Spirit, so that I can live an inspired life, where I can make a difference.  I love acronyms and I love the acronym for TRUST - To Rely Upon Spirit Totally.  

I am enthusiastic to teach the meaning of our values to our children.

I am excited that I know myself and I know what is important to me.  And I am still learning about different parts of myself that work for me and other parts of myself that need to evolve.  Setting goals and personal development is still (as it has always been for the last 20+ years) important to me.  

I am happy!  I am grateful!  I am blessed!

I write this Blog to record my journey of self-reflection and self-discovery and my process of transformation.  It is about being authentic and real and sharing myself and my life.  It is about keeping myself accountable to be committed to my purpose, my passion, my vision.  It is not so much about others reading my Blog, although I have decided to be brave in sharing my personal journey with others. Thank you for taking the time to read this post and to get to know me more.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

1 Year

In 1 Year so much has happened, there have been some big changes in my life.

I am most Excited that I am now Married.  Getting Married to My Man was such a wonderful day - the happiest day of my life.  Words cannot really capture the Joy and Excitement and Love of our day on 11 April 2011.  It was such a perfect day.  What made it so perfect was being so happy and in Love - we had the biggest smiles all day.  It was also a perfect day, being surrounded by so many of our closest Family and Friends, those who we Love.  My Nieces were our Flowergirls and they looked so beautiful - it was so special having them be a part of our day.  I love my Nieces so much.  And it was very special for me having my Mum and Dad share our day.  I am so lucky to now have a wonderful Husband - who is my best friend, my everything.  I am very blessed.

And our Honeymoon was FANTASTIC!  It was so great going away together to Fiji, we just loved it!  No computers, no TV, no phones, just beautiful warm weather, relaxing days just the two of us.  Bula, Bula - everyone is so friendly.  The food was incredible, so much food - best fish I have ever tasted.  My Man loved the snorkelling, I saw this totally new side to him - he was so active and excited about going snorkelling and kayaking.  And I loved the swimming pool - as soon as I woke up I was in my swimming costume and just loved swimming in the pool.  I really loved the opportunity to relax in paradise together.  PARADISE is the word!!!

The Turtle is important in Fiji - it means goodluck.  I loved the Turtles on Treasure Island.  My life has been filled with good blessings in the last 1 Year.

And I do believe in making my own goodluck.  I am blessed that My Man came into my life and yet I do know that as soon as I became clear and conscious about what I wanted in a relationship, that I was able to be so confident that My Man was so right for me.  I also did not settle for anything less than the Vision I had for my True Love.  Finally!!! I am happy and in Love.  And the greatest realisation is that neither my Husband or I have to be perfect - we Love each other, we can grow together, we can learn and get to know all the different Parts of each other - and best of all, we are the Creators of our life together.

In the last 1 Year I have also been learning from being in my own Coaching business.  I have been Coaching for 1 Year now and now is the time for self-reflection - to look at what I have learnt and take those learnings to plan for the next 1 Year ahead.

I am happy.  It has been a wonderful 1 Year.  I am also blessed that my Mum is well and happy and healthy and we had a lovely Mother and Daughter day today.  And I always love to see my Dad, it has also been a big 1 Year for him.

It has been a big 1 Year.  Some things are not within my control - and yet I am choosing to focus on what I can control - choosing positive thoughts, letting go of worry, and very importantly taking ACTION towards my Goals - what are my Goals?  Time to set some new Goals - where do I want to be 1 Year from now?  I have learnt from the last 1 Year that I can make a difference, that I can consciously choose - now it is time to Visualise 1 Year from now and also start taking steps in that direction.

This week I plan to make time to reflect on the question on the back of my Business Card -
Ask yourself from the heart, if I could be, do or have anything I would definitely...
... Stay tuned...

Feeling Very Inspired

I am Feeling Very Inspired. I am Feeling Very Inspired for many reasons - Family, Love, Friends, Connection, Community, Service. 

Family - last night my Brother and Sister-In-Law and my three beautiful Nieces (who I call Princess, Gorgeous and Beautiful) came to visit. It was exciting as my Nieces tried on their Flower girl dresses for our Wedding - and they look wonderful - I love them so much. They make me smile. They bring me alive. I love their hugs and their kisses and spending time with them. I feel Inspired to be the best Aunty ever, to be the best person ever, to just be there with the people that I love.

Love - being in love is special and sacred - and I am very Grateful for My Man. He is loving and giving and supportive. I feel Inspired to be the best Wife. I love being at Home together - he is HOME to me. For Valentine’s Day I gave My Man some cubes - H O M E - I told him that it stood for Heart Open Mine Evermore. I also love when My Man buys me flowers - brightens our Home, brightens my day, my week.

 

Friends - today I saw my oldest and dearest Friend. It is hard to capture the words of how much this Friend means to me - my heart feels the fullness of my love for my Friend - a woman I have known for over 30 years, who is an incredible Inspiration to me. I am Inspired being in her Presence. I could write 1000 words about my Friend and tell 1000 stories - and yet the most important Truth is the reality that we have are both living with Joy and Happiness - and I love that my Friend has found her Calling and is so loving her work. And so important to me is that even though it has been a long time since we spent time together, today there was no distance - just closeness. And I walked away Inspired to spend more time with my Friend -with all my Friends. 

Connection Inspires me. 

Community - a big one for me. I am Excited that I have found my Community - another place where I feel at Home. One of my happiest times was when I was a part of my Running Community - I loved Running and what I loved the most was being a Member of a Community. When I attend Church I love that everyone is very warm and friendly, without an agenda, simply just loving people. I love the language of the Pastors and the messages that they share - I feel Inspired and Energised. Today’s message was about Community - encouraging each other, motivating each other, supporting each other, inspiring each other, embracing each other, getting beside each other, united not divided. The Pastor talks about our Community being a place of loving, caring, love, light, joy, light, laugher, a place that is “exciting”. He talks about releasing and refining, letting go so that we may become freer, so that we may become “extraordinary”, “so that we may be all that God has called and created us to be”. I usually get emotional at Church, seeing people caring and loving so deeply about each other. 

Service - I feel very Inspired every week and now I am very Inspired to be of greater Service - “Faith is an active word” were the words today. Now that I am a Life Coach, I am Inspired to Volunteer and be of Service to people in the Community, to my Community. I was also Inspired today to hear about two Members of the Community who have been away for a year building a school and Community in Cambodia - wow - I am Inspired.  This Husband and Wife Team talked about their experience in Cambodia - and he used the words Grateful and Contentment.  Each week when I go to Church I feel Inspired - and I love the Music.  I love these songs from today that speak to me 

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d61LamkXfwk

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WTvUsgGUtU&feature=related

I am Feeling Very Inspired. And now it is time to follow this Inspiration through to Action - and so I am planning to attend a Women's Vision Group this Wednesday and I am also looking at doing a Course. And each day I will ask, I will Pray “Please God show me how I can be of Service today”.

Community

The other day I was with at my Parents' home and we were reminiscing about the days when I was a Runner.  I loved Running.  I was a part of a Running Club and I loved my Community.  I loved being part of this Community.  For a long time Running was a major part of my life - my week days and weekends were dedicated to training and competing.  And I loved it.  I do miss my Running and hope to get back to Running after we have a Family.  And I also love that now I have discovered new Parts of my Self.

I was showing My Man my photos from my Running and I also found a piece of writing from 26 January 2001 - 10 years ago.  Here is what I wrote:

"MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS

My wish is that all people will become actively involved in, and enjoy the benefits of, true Community.

Community is where a group of two or more people, regardless of differences, are able to accept and transcend these differences, enabling them to work effectively towards common Goals.  In a true Community, members support and encourage one another.  It is a place where there is freedom to be oneself, where ideas, opinions, sorrows, joys and Dreams are shared.

I am so fortunate to be part of the Western District Joggers & Harriers Club, which is more than just a Running Club... we are a Community... a Community that makes a difference to people's lives week in and week out.  The Running Club Community which originated in mid 1967 with only a few members now has over 200 Members.  Our Running Club meets every Saturday morning at Lake Gillawarna, Georges Hall at 7:30am.  We are a Family Blub which promotes Health and Fitness, with our Members enjoying the benefits and good feelings associated with being a part of a true Community.

My wish is that every individual becomes involved and joins a Community - such as a sporting group, a social club, a volunteer organisation, a church group, or a hobby group - any place where you can meet up with other people who may have the same interest (even if the interest is based on a desire to meet new people and enjoy new friendships).  I believe that the benefits for the individual and society of building communities are immeasurable.

My wish is that everyone can be proactive in building Communities within all their day to day relationships - within their Marriages, Families, work environments, social groups, sporting groups, suburbs, cities and countries.

As individuals we can build Communities by:

- Doing what is right;

- Being open and honest in all our interactions;

- Encouraging, celebrating and accepting our Uniqueness and different opinions, thoughts and ideas;

- Listening and being genuinely interested in others;

- Learning from one another's experiences;

- Always doing the best you can, in all you do;

- Being personally committed to continuous improvement;

- Treating others, as you would like to be treated.

God gave us the best Gift of all - the Gift of free will - the ability to choose.  Each day we make Choices.  We can choose how we want to spend our time, who we want to be, our Attitude and how we act and react.

My wish is that today, on Australia Day, 26 January 2001, all individuals make a choice to take personal responsibility and make a Commitment, to being the best they can be, and to build Communities within all their relationships.

It only takes small changes as individuals - but together we can make a big difference in building a better world.

I hope my wish comes true."

I loved reading what I wrote 10 years ago - feeling Inspired and seeing that my Values and Philosophy are still very similar.  And for the last 6 months I have consciously been aware of my feeling of a lack of Community in my life, or rather, the desire for me to regain a sense of Community in my life.  I am Grateful that I have a strong sense of Belonging with my Family and now with My Man, and yet there is a Part of me longing to again be a Member of a broader Community.  The Journey of being a Member came out when I was working with my Coach last year.  And I also know in my Heart, that some of my happiest times was when I was part of my Running Community - it is a time that brought me such great joy. 

And I am Excited that I have found a Community that I am growing to love.  I feel so at home when I go to Church on a Sunday - Kingsway Community http://www.kingsway.org.au/Welcome. There is so much Spirit within this gathering of friends.  I am made to feel so welcome and at the same time given Space so that I am not overwhelmed or rushed to give more than I can.  I have been going on and off for about 2 years and it was only recently that I started going there again more frequently after being away for about 5-6 months.  When I went back to Church I was overwhelmed with this feeling of being at home, overwhelmed with being somewhere so special, so emotional that I was moved to tears - happy tears. 

I love being in Connection each week with new people and I really love the messages each week from the Pastors.  What I love is that the Pastor is able to make the bible readings very relevant for today.  I also love that what the Pastors talk about is very much in line with my work in Coaching.  I love the Kingsway Community Churchs' Mission and Vision - Refuge for Healing, River for Refreshment, Resource for Unity.  Just the other week one of the Pastors was talking about all people being in touch with their Uniqueness  in the divine plan - I loved listening and felt so Inspired after being at Church - especially since this is an area I am so Passionate about in working with my Clients - helping Clients connect to their own sense of Uniqueness and Greatness.  I also loved when one of the Pastors talked about Community as "sharing the joy of Hope".

I loved being at Church on Sunday.  I was actually Excited to be going, as I know I always enjoy the feeling of being in this Community.  This week at Church the Pastors talked about this year being a year of "letting go".  He talked about the verse in the bible from Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)  "since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" and used the metaphor of an Olympic Runner who is trying to run with a whole crate of lead and how he will be slower versus someone who is free.  He gave examples of "Everything that hinders:
    * Unfulfilled and unrealistic expectations
    * Disappointments/hurts/offences
    * Fear and insecurities, self-esteem issues
    * Apathy/laziness
    * Busyness
    * Accumulation/material obsession/worldly goals
    * Self reliance
    * Isolation/individualism
    * Programs
    * Belief systems
    * Health/fitness issues – physical/emotional/spiritual
    * Facades/masks
    * Unhealthy relationships
    * Demarcation
    * Control/pride
    * My agenda
    * Judgemental criticism
    * Disobedience
    * Comfort
    * Bitterness/unforgiveness
    * “Rights”/title/position."
I loved how the Pastor talked about Mindsets, Beliefs and Attitudes that slow us down and trip us up, and the importance of Perseverence.  I just love that the language that is used at the Church is in line with my life and my Beliefs and my Coaching.  I just love these words in one of the Pastor's Blog "The exciting thing in all of this is the goal … which is greater FREEDOM. Imagine for a minute what it would be like to be totally free … free from ‘every weight’ that slows you down, hinders your relationships, distracts your purpose, hampers your development, obstructs your growth and holds you back from being the extraordinary person God wants you to be for Him and His kingdom … NOW. The more we can get rid of these burdens, weights and loads from our life, the better and more effective we will be …  and the more fun we will have together."

I feel very Inspired to become more involved in this Community.  Whenever I go to Church I feel Inspired to Volunteer and now I feel Inspired to offer up my Gift of Coaching.  I am not sure in what form I will be involved - I would be happy to offer some Workshops and Coaching and I am Excited that I spoke with one of the Team Leaders last Sunday and will meet her for a cuppa and see if I can be of Service.  I was also very interested to hear about the Youth Programme the Church is running and may be able to offer Coaching to one of the teenagers.  I was amazed to hear that of the Youth going to a Youth Group on a Friday night, only 20% are from Families who go to the Church, 80% of the Youth are coming on their own, perhaps connecting to a sense of Spirituality for the first time.

I am Excited to have found a Community that I love.

I am also very interested in joining in the Community of Coaches that is being led by the Vision of one of my friends from College.  We are meeting in a few weeks and I am looking forward to hearing more about the Vision and Mission of this Community.  My wish is that I can combine my interest in being involved in the Community of Coaches with my desire to be more involved in my local Community.

What I love about my Church Community is that they are Local and offer so many great Programs for the Local Community, and they are also very Conscious and Connected to the Global Community.  And I love the music, I love the music - it is a chance to rejoice and be Grateful.  Here are some of the songs from last Sunday that I loved singing
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MKAzYJcWSY
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UJtuyY8v1g (very Inspired by the words of this song)
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79055I6o-NQ

When I was a Member of my Running Club, I loved seeing friends week in and week out, being caring and supporting each other, being of Service in the Community as Club Captain, and also being of Service for the greater good (as we raised money for different charities).  My wish for my Self is that I become a true Member of a Community again, and I feel I am taking steps in the right direction.

Listen To Your Heart

It has been a busy weekend planning our wedding - tomorrow it will be 7 weeks until our big day.  Planning our wedding has been an interesting exposure to many key learning opportunities for me - one of the main reminders for me is about the importance to Listen To Your Heart. 

In planning a wedding, there are so many decisions to be made - it is actually a great exercise in decision making.  It is interesting that over the course of my life I have always viewed myself as someone who is indecisive, believing that it is a trait of me being of Libra starsign.  I have even completed management courses on decision making and yet for a long time I have struggled with making decisions, even believing that I have made so many bad decisions, wrong decisions, and I have found it humorous that I still make bad decisions after studying the process through courses and reading books.

I have previously thought that one process of decision making was to get out a piece of paper and write down all of the pros and cons, the for and against - and through this process, what seems to be the obvious decision "should" appear (this is the theory).  And yet often this is a process that just involves thinking, not always how we are feeling.  A good example of this process is when in the 'Sex and the City: The Movie' Miranda and Steve separate and Miranda is deciding if she should reconcile the marriage and she spends time writing her list.  It is interesting that this does not reveal the truth to her - it is only when she listens to herself, her heart, her own Truth that she races to meet her Husband on Brooklyn Bridge and they kiss and express how much they love each other.

Through my Coaching Course and over the last two years I have learnt the fail proof way to make decisions, it is such a simple process, a simple Truth, a Truth that I am still practicing and perfecting and a Truth I want to share with My Man, Family, Friends - very much with my Clients.  THE TRUTH - Decision Making 101 - Listen To Your Heart.

I don't know when we stop listening to our own Heart, perhaps when we go to school and we start learning all of these facts and figures and there is so much emphasis on thinking and using our minds.  Or is it when we start high school and we experience peer pressure and "try hard" to fit into the crowd.  Or is it through reading all of the magazines and watching all of these advertisements and we strive for perfection according to what "they" say - always trying to please others.  No wonder we get confused and lose a sense of ourselves.

As you Listen To Your Heart, it is definitely not a process of thinking - it is a process of feeling, listening, sitting in the quietness - what is our gut feel, what is the feeling in our body - and it is in the quietness we can hear the call of our Soul - it is in the spaciousness that we can feel Spirit rising.

One of the main areas of my Coaching work is helping Clients get in touch with their own Truth and to live from this place.  I love my work as a Coach, it is so rewarding.  It is also very important to me that I am an Integral Practitioner, that I live my own Truth and apply what I am learning.

My wedding has been a great opportunity to practice being true to my Self.  When it comes to a wedding, everyone has an opinion of how it "should" be done, what is expected - and there are so many magazines (beautiful images) that draw us in - and it is easy to get caught up with the excitement and wanting the day to be perfect.  And of course there is nothing wrong with wanting it to be perfect in our own way.

Today I had a tough moment with my Mum.  I love my Mum so much, my Mum is my best friend.  I worry about my Mum and I am so Grateful that my Mum is feeling well and that she will be with us to celebrate our special day.  Today my Mum came over to look at my dresses - I have 2 dresses that have been hanging in my cupboard as potential wedding dresses.  There is the cream lace wedding dress that is beautiful and that my Mum loves - and I like.  And there is my very special Yellow gown that I LOVE.  I showed my Mum my Yellow gown with my beautiful brooch and my beautiful shoes that I bought yesterday (I love my shoes - I finally get how Carrie in 'Sex and the City' feels so much love of shoes - it is true they make my dress more beautiful).  As soon as I put on my Yellow dress I felt magical, I felt special, I felt alive, I felt confident, I felt beautiful, I felt ME.  My Mum liked the dress - more than she had the first time she had seen it - and I felt we had turned a corner.  Unfortunately I made the mistake of trying on the other lace dress, after my Mum asked me to try it on - and then I saw the look in my Mum's eyes - she liked the lace dress more - best of all.  For me the lace dress is beautiful and yet I do not feel it is the right dress for me.  I took off the dress, put it in the bag and felt disappointed and upset, very disappointed.  My Mum also looked sad and said that she was just telling me her opinion.  I told my Mum that I loved my Yellow dress, that this was right for me, that this felt right for me.  I told my Mum that she had raised me to be an individual, to be my own person and most of all I wanted my Mum to say that most of all she just wanted me to be happy and to wear the dress that made me happy.

I felt sad that my Mum was upset.  It made me very sad.  And yet I know that wearing the dress I love on our wedding day is just a symbol of my decision to live my own Truth, to follow this sacred principle of Listen To Your Heart.  And I do believe that by listening to my Heart and following my Truth, that this is Inspired by God - forever and always encouraging me to be true to my Self, to be my Self, loving me for my Self.

After my Mum left I played one of my favourite songs - 'Who Are You Listening To' Ginny Owens
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqEbOaD3Qa8
I love these words -
"This is your life,
And yet somehow,
They decide,
What you're about,
You learn your lines,
And take your cues,
But who are you listening to?

You change your clothes,
And how you speak,
You place your hope,
In what they think,
Before you know
There's no more you,
Who are you listening to-
Have you noticed how much you fear,
All the voices you choose to hear

Who are you listening to?
Who tells you what to do?
Who rules your thoughts at night?
Whose rules define your life?
Oh, you know it's up to you,
So who are you listening to

This is your life,
You have no choice,
You will rely
On someone's voice,
And it's all right
To question who,
Who are you listening to?
Do the words that you believe
Set your soul and spirit free

There's a quiet voice,
Whispering in your heart,
It's been there all along,
It believes in you,
It will tell the truth,
Can't you hear it call?" 

I love this song.

About 10 minutes after my Mum left, I received a call from my Mum.  My Mum told me that she liked my Yellow dress - I was overcome with emotion hearing my Mum's voice and don't really remember the exact words.  I told my Mum that I loved her and my Mum said "I love you and that's why I want you (don't think it was that exact word) to wear the dress that makes you happy".  I could hear my Mum was emotional and was crying ((unlike my Mum (not very unlike me, I am often getting emotional, including now as I watch'Australia')).

Our wedding is 7 weeks away tomorrow and there are still decisions to be made and I am committed to listening to my Heart and loving My Man as we work together to create our special day - and that's another lesson for me - in relationship, the importance of staying true to my Self AND also listening to, and honouring, what makes My Man happy.  It is true that in the planning of our wedding, I am learning so much, and practicing skills that will serve us forever and always in our relationship.

It is now 12.01am Monday - now it is today - 7 weeks away will be our day.

Sad Realities

It is so devastating what is happening in Queensland with the Flood Crisis.  Yesterday I was writing about Happy Days, and today is very much about Sad Realities.  My whole blog from yesterday seems so unimportant.  Yesterday seems a world away, especially for the people of Queensland,  and for all of us, our fellow Australians, our Brothers and Sisters.  Tragedy happens every day, the news is full of Sad Realities and I often find myself moved to tears - and when it is so close to home, it becomes even more real (sadly) since there is widespread sorrow.  There is coverage on all the main channels as we watch with horror and hopeful anticipation that there will be a miracle as they look at the weather forecasts in the next few days.

Watching the footage brings tears to my eyes.  As I sit here comfortable in my lounge room, after having a nice meal with My Man and now making myself a cup of tea, it is hard to believe what is happening so close to home.  It is tragic.  Words cannot capture the enormity of what is happening.  The footage does not seem real - and as it is so real, I find myself choked with emotion. 

The statistics are rising - 10 people dead, with 5 children among the dead, 78 people missing, 75% of Queensland a disaster zone, 1,500 Queenslanders evacuated.  There are 32 new suburbs at risk with 6,500-9,000 properties in Brisbane expected to be flooded (15,000 people), a power shut down in Brisbane.  The Brisbane flood will be worse than the 1974 flood.  Statistics are terrifying and hearing the story of a 4 year old boy swept away is devastating - my Nieces age  - a beautiful child lost and taken from loved ones.  I also can't even imagine the fear being experienced with people waiting to be evacuated and others waiting to hear that their loved ones are safe.  It is unbelievable.

Julia Gillard says "Stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Queensland" and it is impressive seeing people helping each other, supporting one another.  How wonderful to see all of the charities and volunteers doing what they can - the beautiful spirit of people shines through in the darkness.  They are setting up accommodation in safe and dry environments and providing hot meals.  

It does make me think what can I do - as we sit here in NSW.  I am motivated to donate money and it is encouraging to see how much money is being raised to help support Queenslanders.  And although I am glad to be far away and safe, I feel helpless, I would be happy to be working in the evacuation centres making sandwiches or offering support to people in trauma - just to sit with people and be there in understanding.

And I can pray.

It is a reminder of how fragile life can be - despite our planning and our setting Goals for our future, life and death and tragedy can present itself to us when we least expect it.  Today I also found out that another member of our Family, a young member of our Family has cancer.  And I can pray.

Dear God,

Please be with the people in Queensland and give people strength to face this terrible tragedy.  Please keep your Sons and Daughters safe.  Please perform a miracle and ease the rain so that healing and restoration can begin.  Please inspire our local and global communities to support those affected and give what they can.  

Dear God, please offer healing to my Mum and my Cousin, that they may be 100% healthy and live a long and happy life.  Thank you God for your blessings.  Amen

It may be easy during these times of tragedy and uncertainty and sadness to question our faith and God - this would have been my energy years ago - and while I do not have the answers and I don't understand and I wish things were different - I will continue to pray and have faith. 

And as I hear that 3000 homes will be flooded in Ipswich, it is reassuring to see Kevin Rudd in Queensland - may his strength offer support to the local people.  Kevin Rudd also encourages Australians who are of "prayful mind" to offer prayers to the Queensland people.

And it is one year on from the Haiti Earthquake - devastating as they struggle to rebuild and recover.

How can we possibly imagine or totally understand as these Sad Realities tear at our heart.

Here is a song that really speaks to me - 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWUimGv_xrU&feature=related

2011!!!

2011!!!  I love the beginning of a New Year - it is such a great chance to set a Vision for the New Year - it is always a great chance for reflection and a great opportunity for excitement. 

It has been great being on holidays this week - just a chance to relax and recharge and get ready for NOW, the New Year, 2011!!!  One of my favourite things this week has been going to the Moonlight Cinema - I love being outdoors and I love movies and so it is a perfect enjoying this setting with My Man.  We watched 'Life As We Know It' - a love story with a baby, loved it, love love stories, love babies.

This week I have also loved the chance to read a novel - wow - a story - fiction.  I have always loved  reading non-fiction, self-development books - and since becoming a Coach I now read personal development books with a broader agenda, which means I am always thinking how I can apply this knowledge for myself and to help my Clients.  And so WOW - how great it feels to not think and just read a story.  I read 'The Forgotten Garden' by Kate Morton - loved it - loved it so much that I just wanted to keep reading every chance I got - and what a great way to relax.

Another highlight this week has been planning our wedding - still a lot to do - and yet we got started.  It is exciting and there is so much to do - and I feel relaxed trusting it will all come together. 

New Year's Eve was great!!!  We went to our favourite restaurant - an intimate Japanese restaurant - great food - just the two of us.  We had been invited to a party with friends and yet we also like to enjoy a quiet night together as a great way to begin the New Year.

I loved the chance to reflect on our highlights of 2010 over dinner - so many highlights - getting engaged, starting to try for our own baby, my Mum feeling healthy, my Dad bouncing back after heart surgery, starting my own Coaching Business, My Man getting a new job (his dream job), My Man's Mum enjoying a nice holiday, time with my Nieces, time with our Families, day trips, dinners out, birthday celebrations, holiday away to Nelson Bay.  For us there have been big things - and there has been much simplicity and small things being the big things.

After a lovely dinner, we enjoyed taking a walk along the beach  I really love where we live.  And then at home I loved watching a love story and watching the fireworks.  It was nice to be at home when we enjoyed the 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 Happy New Year 2011!!!  It is great to feel so at home in our home, feeling so at home in my Self, feeling so at home with another.  How many New Year's Eve nights, how many nights was I wishing I would kiss My True Love - I have always been looking for Love - and now I can stop searching - YAHOO!!!

So here we are - 2011!!!  We enjoyed a nice lunch with Family and then a nice relaxing afternoon - a perfect start to the New Year.  And how do I want this year to be for me - where do I want to be when I am sitting here on the first day of 2012 - how will I know it has been a great year?  This time next year I will be a happy wife, a Mum, we will be living in a new home, my main work will be my lifework working one on one with my Coaching Clients and also running Workshops and Group Coaching and I will be writing books.  What will not change - the most important thing to me is time with everyone I Love - Love will always be most important to me.

I love that I have my Vision Board for my Life Design in our bedroom - it is great seeing this when I wake up everyday - it is simple and it is clear - everything that is important to me.

And I love that I am in touch with my Passions and my Values.  I have these on a board that I will also post up next to my bed - so that everyday I will remember what makes me feel alive - here I am 2011!!!

This is what it reads -

What are my PASSIONS?  What Brings Me Alive?
How would I wish to spend my last day on earth? 
Actually this is how  I want to LIVE EVERY DAY OF MY LIFE...
”And these are a few of my favourite things...”

Love - Partner, Family, Friends, Clients, Love to All - I also can’t wait to be a Mum and have our own beautiful baby

God  -  Living InSpirit - Open to Inspiration, Space for the Rising of Spirit, Belief that we are all here for a Divine Purpose - I Am Here to Love and Serve

Connection - One-on-one sharing of Sacred Space, PRESENCE with another - Seeing, Honouring, Acknowledging the Light and Gifts in another - Loving and Encouraging Uniqueness and Greatness  (Unity in Diversity, Joy of Differences and Similarities, Moment-to-Moment we can Rejoice in ‘X-Factor’ in each other - one of my favourite parts of College has been enjoying and being a Witness to the AMAZING Gifts and Uniqueness in each of us - WOW,  AND Connection even when it is hard - Conscious Acceptance and  Love of What Is...)

Coaching - I am very Passionate about Coaching  and the opportunity to help Clients feel Self-Love, learn to be true to Self and feel Empowered to Create a life that Inspires and Excites them

Nature - Birds, trees, flowers, walking through the bush, floating in the ocean

Personal Development - Learning, Reading, Studying, Self-Reflection, Growth

Balance - Being/ Doing, Life/ Work, Personal/Professional, Solitude/ Intimacy - Allowing Space in my life for new interests to emerge - looking forward to enjoy time for sewing, writing, cooking, creating

Health - Self-Care Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, Spiritually

Gratitude - Daily Reflection of all the beauty, wonders, miracles and Gifts in my life

Community - Feeling of Home and Belonging - Desire to Contribute - Feeling a sense of Love and Connection with others - Passionate about Encouraging Community to be Inclusive rather than Exclusive - Passionate about Contributing and being of Service Locally and Globally

Being Present - Mindfulness, Living in the Moment, Being Spontaneous and EMBRACING NOW,  Enjoying Now, Trusting the Flow.

And I find that by Being Present in 2011 I am able to enjoy the Gifts of every day.  Today when I am glancing out the window I am so Grateful for the Frangipani Tree that I can see - the flowers are beautiful - a Gift from God, and I have such great thanks.

And now I am so Grateful that I can make a nice cup of peppermint tea and relax with my Man.

To 2011 - to making every day a great day living a Passionate life.  To making dreams come true.  To being Me.  And so important is to Love and Serve - to live my life on Purpose - to Spread The Yellow.

2011!!!  I am ready.

Love

For me, Love is the most important of all - spending time and being Present with those that I Love in my life.

I remember years ago when my life was so busy and I was always worrying or thinking about work or about relationships that weren't working out, or thinking about the past or worrying about what was out of my control.  And now, right NOW, I feel very relaxed, my mind is clear - I can be totally Present in the NOW.  It is so great to have a quiet mind - I feel that there is space - time to breathe.

I Love that I can enjoy time with My Man - enjoying time out, time at home, time together.  I loved celebrating My Man's birthday recently, it was so great being at a beautiful restaurant together, enjoying a long lunch - I am so happy that I have found Love.  To Love and Be Loved is the greatest gift - my greatest dream come true. 

And I Love spending time with my Mum and Dad.  I am blessed that they have always filled my life with Love.  Just the other day we were shopping and I was ordering lunch for Mum and Dad and I took a few moments to just look over at my Mum and I waved to my Mum - in that moment I just looked over and saw such beauty in my Mum - my Mum waved back - this was a moment of just feeling such Love for my Mum.  I captured this moment in my heart.  Since my Mum has been unwell I have been so conscious of just enjoying time with my Mum, telling my Mum how much I love her and telling my Mum she is beautiful.

And today was a wonderful day - time with the Family, enjoying my Niece's dancing concert.  I Love my Nieces - they bring such Joy and Love into my life.  It was great to just enjoy the day, without thinking about anything else, just being totally Present and also feeling the warmth of Love from being with my Family and my Nieces.   I especially loved seeing my Niece Ashley up on stage smiling and dancing and having a great time - what a great feeling to feel such Love in my heart as I watched Ashley performing her ballet and jazz.  And I Love the hugs from my Nieces and I loved when my Niece Olivia sat on my lap and relaxed into me, so comfortable, so relaxed, moments filled with Love.  Here are some of my favourite photos from today.

 

I Love taking photos and I also Love just capturing moments in my mind's eye.  Today I was sitting next to my Mum and my Niece Olivia who had been sitting on my lap most of the day came over and climbed onto my Mum's lap, her Nana - and it was a beautiful moment, Olivia cuddled into my Mum and I just enjoyed feeling this moment of Love.

For a long time I was searching for My True Love and during this search I was so Grateful to be surrounded in the Love of my Family.  And now I have so much Love in my life - so much Love that I Value above all else - this is Life's Greatest Treasure for me.

I remember at College we enjoyed a Meditation about our Purpose - it was a Meditation based on when your Soul is about to become human form, at the time of conception - and we were asked the question - what will be your Purpose in this lifetime?  The word that came up for me was... Love - so simple - so true for me.  

And with Love as the main Priority in my life, this guides me in my Life Design.  I now choose a job and a career that allows me to enjoy work-life Balance with plenty of time dedicated to the key relationships in my life.  I also ensure that I have time for Self, enjoying one of my favourite books, relaxing in the bath, a walk out in Nature - Self-Love.

My Commitment is to Love - Love of Self, Love of My Man, Love of My Family and Friends, Love of ALL - LOVE.

I Love Nature

Today I woke up to the view of a cockatoo sitting quietly on the corner of the roof of our unit block.  I am used to the loud screeching noise of the cockatoos, where there is one, there is many to be seen and heard.  And yet today this single cockatoo was just happily outside my window.  I felt that it was calling me outside for a Nature Walk.

I love being outside.  I Love Nature.  I've been enjoying some sleep ins in the last week, especially since I have been having restless nights and waking through the night.  And yet today it is an obvious choice to go outside for Exercise.

I head to one of my favourite places, Gunnamatta Park, a natural park by the ocean.

I just love the Trees.  Today I was thinking that I would love to be an artist to capture the beauty and energy of the Trees.  I would love to be an artist.  I love when my Soul Sisters from College showcase the art that they have created.  I love when I enjoy Art Therapy myself - just getting out my crayons and pencils, colours to capture my feelings and experience.  While to date, it does not appear that I am a natural artist when it comes to a canvas, I am open to Spirit to show me the type of art or colour that I can create, in my unique way.

I also know that I can be creative in other ways.  I would love to get back into photography.  I would love to take photos of the Trees, although I would love to be able to capture the energy on paper - hmmm... perhaps a photo and collage combination.  I also can't wait until I sew again (once I make some space in our home).  I also love writing.  For me it can be about the process and not the end result - and so I will also continue to get out my colours and play.

I love being at the Park.  It is quiet and peaceful.  I feel like I am in my Nature Goddess - Love and Connection with Nature.

I walk to one of my favourite Trees and I ask if there is any wisdom - it is interesting, I get a sense of the words "The answer is not in the Tree, it is in me" - perhaps just for today, as I do believe that there is much wisdom in Trees, in Nature.  I also feel that I do not have any questions - I do not have any questions where I am desperately seeking answers - I feel that I have so many answers - that my life is now simple.

There are two questions that have been entering my mind lately:
1. What would I do if this was my last day on Earth?
2. What would I do if money was not an issue?

Walking In Nature would be an answer to both of these questions.  I find myself loving being in Nature this morning and I hate when I see the time and know that I have to turn back and make my way home to get ready for work.  I could spend hours and hours in Nature, I Love Nature.  I would love to do Coaching out in the Park - perhaps Group Coaching - Sunrise and Sunset Sessions and Groups to Celebrate the Seasons.

If it was my last day on Earth and certainly if money was not an issue, I would spend a lot of my time outdoors, out in Nature, being out in Nature with my Loved ones.  I know that as My  Man and I look forward to having our own Family, spending time out in Nature is very important to me for our Lifestyle.

If it was my last day on Earth I would definitely spend all my time with My Man and My Family.  I am Grateful that this is the Priority in my life. When it comes down to it, Love is the most important to me.  And being in Nature.

If money was not an issue I certainly wouldn't be working my Monday to Wednesday job - this is just a job - this is not a Passion.  And yet I am Grateful for the people at work who are warm and friendly - I feel I am a part of the Community.  I am Grateful that I have found my Lifework in Coaching, I love Coaching.  I am open to the Universe sending me more Clients.  I Welcome new Clients.  I am ready for more Clients.

If money was not an issue, I would spend time in Nature, I would be Coaching, I would be spending time in Creation, I would be involved and raising money for children and communities living in poverty.  I would also be writing, I love writing.  I have some ideas for a book – I feel Inspired to write a book – I am following my Intuition.  I also feel guided to develop products that Inspire others to Spread The Yellow.

As I walk back home I love that I find two small branches of Yellow Wattle.  I love Wattle Trees.  I have a rule of not breaking off branches or flowers – however if I find a piece of Nature on the ground, I accept it as a Gift from the Universe.  I take one of the small branches of Yellow Wattle to work today – bringing the outdoors indoors – bringing Nature to my desk.

I love to get outdoors and have a walk during my Breaks.  Although I am in the suburbs and in an industrial area, I am Grateful for the small delights of Nature, the beauty in the Trees and plants that line the roads.  Driving home tonight I am also in awe of the beautiful sky – an amazing colour of deep pink and then turning to blue and Yellow.

Time for bed soon as I definitely want to get up and enjoy time in  Nature in the morning.  There is often the temptation to sleep a few more minutes and definitely press the snooze button one or two more times - and yet by having my Values and Vision Board posted on the wall in our bedroom, these bring my Spirit alive.

Life Changing Days

It has been a crazy and busy week.  It has been a week of Life Changing Days.

Last Wednesday we found out that my Dad had experienced a heart attack 2 weeks ago and so he was rushed to hospital.  My Dad is okay - THANK YOU GOD.  It is a miracle that he is alive.  To our surprise we found out that the 3 main areas to the heart (I do not know all the technical names) were 80-90% blocked.  My Dad had emergency bypass surgery on Friday.  My Mum and I waited all day and the whole time I trusted that my Dad would be okay.  I recently read that we all have four Angels that are with us all the time.  I asked my own Angels to go and stay with my Dad and I sensed the words "he is loved and protected".  Speaking to my Mum on the Friday, she was telling me about the time about 12-13 years ago that my Dad had a serious car accident, where he had to dig part of the ground to breathe, and the car rolled onto him.  Once again it was a miracle that he was still alive.  My Mum said that she had a knowing, almost heard the whisper of the words "we got him out for you".

We saw my Dad tonight and the doctor said that he is doing as well as expected, and my Dad said that he is not in pain.  It has been Life Changing Days, sitting with my Dad when he is less than 100%.  I am Grateful that I do not have to rush anywhere and I have just been able to sit and be with my Dad.  My Dad will continue to get stronger and hopefully he will feel a lot better by Friday, which is his 80th Birthday.  

Being with my Dad ,and being at the hospital, once again reminds me of the importance of Love and Family.  Life can be so complicated and sometimes people can make life even more complicated for themselves and other people.  I hear people at work complaining about other people and being negative, and I wonder why people make life harder, when there are many things of which we have no control.  We never quite know when we may experience Life Changing Days.  

When I am in My Yellow Heart, in a state of Presence, I feel Strong and Centred.  I am in Love and Light.  I feel Peace.   I am Grounded for Life Changing Days.

I am glad that I have simplified my Life and so it is easy to just spend all day in the hospital with my Dad.  For me life is so simple, at the core is LOVE.   

Speaking about LOVE - THE GREAT AND MOST EXCITING NEWS - definitely at the top of my Life Changing Days - is that yesterday WE GOT ENGAGED!!!  It was our 1 year Anniversary and My Man took me out to a beautiful restaurant, SummerSalt at Cronulla.  We had a wonderful lunch, wining and dining - great food and wine and great company.  And it felt so nice to be dressed up and celebrating our special occasion. 

  

It was very exciting when we saw a rainbow over the beach, it was beautiful.  I find the rainbow a symbol of our week, where we had been experiencing the rain all week, and now here comes the sun and Light.

I had been thinking the last day or two that Gareth is a Blue energy, Peaceful and Relaxed, and I am a Yellow energy, and so together, when our energies merge, we are Green - and Green energy is about Growth and Life.  I like that in the colours of the rainbow, flows Yellow, Green and Blue.

After lunch we went outdoors to a park overlooking the Beach and My Man asked me to marry him.  It felt so natural and relaxed and very right.  I said 'yes'!!! Of course!!!  I am in Love and Happy!

My Man wants me to choose my own engagement ring and so he gave me a token ring - a Yellow Heart ring - I loved it!!! He knows me well!

  

It has been a week of Life Changing Days.  Life is not quite the same, similar and different.  Life is precious.  Love is precious.  I am Grateful that my Dad is on the road to recovery.  And I am so very Grateful to be in Love and Loved by my Man.  To Love and Be Loved is my Greatest Wish and so yesterday is my Dream Come True.