Showing posts with label Nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nature. Show all posts

Monday, January 10, 2011

Happy Days

I have been having some very Happy Days in the last week - new adventures, catching up with friends and finally a day at the beach -yay!!! 

After having a relaxing holiday, plenty of relaxation and sleep I headed up the Coast to visit my great friends who have recently moved to a new home.  For over a year now my friends have had a Vision to live on land and be self-sufficient, growing their own food, water tanks, solar power, remote location, no financial pressure - this has been their dream.  And how great to see them living their Vision.  My Man and I have been planning this trip up the Coast for months and after him hurting his back playing golf, I decided to venture on my own.  I met my friends in their nearest town Wingham - and how great to see them.  After getting our shopping and some local sightseeing, I was happy to drive to their home and wow, I was amazed, they live up a Mountain, right in the middle of over 500 acres of bushland - they call their home Paradise Mountain.  Once we were at the home, I couldn't believe the beautiful views in every direction - truly Paradise.


They have a Rooster called Bruce, chickens and 200 varieties of fruit trees (WOW!!!) and a permaculture garden - lucky for them, the previous owner is a horticulturist and so he has done so much.  There is such diversity in the vegetation - I enjoyed white strawberries and also heard about the unusual fruit and seeds such as an ice cream bean that tastes like ice cream, as well as so many other delights.


I loved spending time with my friends - they are great company and I felt Inspired by their lifestyle - quite incredible - their wood oven heats the water for the shower and washing up and they have beautiful fresh rainwater,  their lights are all solarpowered and they also have water from the freshwater creek for watering their gardens - no water or electricity bills and they are definitely committed to doing their bit for Mother Earth.  I loved that there was no television - silence - I loved the silence - I love silence!

I also loved our trip to Ellenborough Falls - this is one of the largest single-drop waterfalls in the southern hemisphere.  We enjoyed a nice walk down to the bottom of the waterfall - beautiful, breathtaking!!!  


A few members of our group headed down to the rocks and enjoyed the spray from the waterfall.  I would have liked to be spontaneous and adventurous but my common sense and fear of slipping on the rocks won and I stood on the sideline.  However, I was so hot walking back up the stairs, on the return  up the  valley, that I wished I had have taken the chance to go for a swim in one of the rock pools.  It was a big effort walking back up all the stairs - thank goodness for the seats along the way - we took every opportunity to sit down and rest and then gather our strength for the next round of steps.  Once upon a time, what seems like a lifetime ago now, I would have been racing up those stairs.  It was a great day with friends.


I look forward to other adventures in the countryside of my friends' new home, many more Happy Days to be enjoyed - next time we will enjoy the walk to their creek, there is a local vineyard, also a nearby cheese factory, and I am really excited to visit their nearest beach which I have been told has the most beautiful stones (and I have seen some of their collection).

Talking about the beach - another of my very Happy Days this week was when My Man and I went for a nice long walk along our local beach and enjoyed such a great swim at Darook Beach.  I love the ocean.  I love warm sunny days.  I just love being in Nature.  I especially love floating on my back in the water - love it!!!  I didn't take my camera and it was nice being so Present to the day - I love my camera and love taking photos and sometimes it seems that you miss being in the moment, sometimes.  And how great that I found this great picture on the internet - this is Darook - it is a beautiful paradise.


I definitely look forward to many more Happy Days just enjoying our local beach.  It is one of my greatest joys.

And so after a few weeks holiday it was back to work today.  I have really enjoyed having a rest - sleeping in, sometimes even having an afternoon nap - just time to relax - I couldn't believe how tired I have been over the last few weeks.  And yet today, I was happy to get up early so that I could enjoy some "me time", some quiet time, before heading to work.  I was organised in allowing time to snooze my alarm clock twice, enjoyed some quiet time reading inspiration for about 5 minutes and then went Walking to the Bay, one of my favourite places.  I love being outdoors - even when it started pouring rain and I had no umbrella, I felt happy to just be alive and out enjoying the start to the day.  I realise that it would be easy to sleep in, usually this is a much easier option and yet by making a Commitment to get up and get out before work, I can have the best chance of having Happy Days.

On my walk today I was thinking about thoughts and our ability to change our thoughts.  I am usually conscious of not getting caught up in my thoughts when I am out in Nature (as I do not want to miss the beauty that surrounds me), usually only allowing myself a certain part of the walk or a set time to allow thinking, although always open for inspiration.  I was thinking that it would be easy for me to not have a happy day at work, especially since my Team Leading role is separate to my lifework of being a Life Coach - and yet I can choose positive, happy thoughts.

I was reflecting that my thoughts are not me, they are just a perception.  And from my own experience and witnessing this in others, I see how negative thoughts just attracts more negativity - more negative thoughts or negative people - contributing to us feeling lousy, unhappy, powerless.  And I am on a mission to have Happy Days and so I came up with an easy acronym for a process to help put negative thoughts at an arm's length away:
A - Awareness - Being an observer to my thoughts can help me identify if I am being negative or holding thoughts that do not serve me - I may not speak these thoughts but even internally thinking them is keeping my mind busy and not bringing me peace.  Sometimes just an Awareness of my thoughts, "hmm, that's interesting..." can be enough to allow me to move on in a different direction, without any negative thoughts attaching to other thoughts.  The key for me is to not be caught up thinking or overthinking, the Goal for me is to be present in the moment.
R - Reframe - With recurring thoughts that do not serve me, I can Reframe them, look at it from another angle - what is another way I can think about this person, person's behaviour, situation?  I can think of at least 5 other explanations or possibilities?  I can reframe the negative thoughts to have a positive spin - at least for 2-3 new thoughts - by moving to a positive thought - positivity attracts positivity
M - ME - "If it's to be, it's up to ME" - What is in my Power?  What can I change?  I love the Serenity Prayer, "God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference".  I can reflect what is the message for me and what choices do I have to make changes within my sphere of control - this allows me to feel empowered.
- Acceptance - perhaps I can just accept this situation and let this go from my worrying and overthinking
- Alteration - I can choose a pattern breaker to alter my thoughts that are not serving me - for example, every time I have a thought that is not serving me, such as thinking about a past issue that I cannot change, I can image a bright red STOP sign to help me stop thinking these thoughts
- Affirmation - I can say a positive affirmation to strengthen new beliefs 
- Action - perhaps I can speak to someone or change something to make this situation or relationship better
- Attitude - I can choose to look at the positives and as I look at the situation in a new positive light, I will begin to gather evidence that will support these new thoughts, with the Reticular Activating System in my brain activated to support me (a good example of when the RAS is activated is when you may buy a new car - let's say a Ford Focus - your friend suggests this car to you, you buy one, and then you see them so often, much more than you ever noticed them before, it seems that a lot of new people have also just bought this new car - actually your RAS is just activated so that your attention is alerted) - so I can choose to say I enjoy my work and I will begin to see evidence that supports this belief.

I love that in Positive Psychology in defining Happiness, for a rich and meaningful life, this will involve a range of different emotions and I love that I have learnt to sit with the depth and darkness of pain and sorrow and be so present to joy in my life.  And I also believe I can be active in having Happy Days, whether that involves a walk in Nature, or simply me choosing how I choose to look at every day.  I don't want to waste my days or life, just feeling that I am in Groundhog Day or "I hate Mondays" or "I hate work" - I intend to Love My Life and be Grateful for all of the Gifts in my life.  A ritual that I love, that I intend to make time for every night, is to name 3-5 things that I am Grateful for from my day and it is important for me to thank God and Spirit - to be Grateful to God and Spirit - to pray, to reflect, to rejoice.

So here's to many and most Happy Days in 2011!!!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

White Butterflies

Has anyone/ everyone noticed that White Butterflies are everywhere right now?   I love Butterflies and I am in delight when I see them prancing and dancing among the flowers.  I especially love when I see two White Butterflies dancing together - seeing Butterflies makes my heart sing.

It is perfect to be seeing and enjoying the beauty of Butterflies - a symbol of change and transformation - timely for me and most probably true for many as we journey towards the end of 2010, towards 2011.

I am very Excited to be finished my Diploma of Transformational Coaching Course.  It has been an amazing, AMAZING Course.  I am very Grateful for my Teachers who have Inspired me and helped me be the best Life Coach that I can be and have taught me the importance of Self-Reflection as an opportunity to keep learning and growing - and Inspired me through their commitment to study. 


And I am also very Grateful that I belong to a Community of wonderful women who have made the experience of becoming a Life Coach so rich and alive and meaningful and real.


Our final weekend for our Course was a chance for Self-Reflection and Honouring, Sharing, Transition and Celebration.  I loved the opportunity to create a Journey Stick, choosing a stick from Nature and decorating it with colour, representing where we have been and where we are going to - our Past and our Future.  And I loved having the symbol of the Butterfly on my Journey Stick. 


I felt like it was the ‘Love Fest’ - so much Love, Heart-Felt Acknowledgement, Warmth, Authenticity, Presence, Connection, Community.  When I talk about Spread The Yellow, this was it - the exchange of Love, Light, Positive Energy, seeing the Light and Spirit in each other - WOW!!!  On the final day of our Course I loved that our Teachers set up a Threshold to represent this time of Transition - Completion of our study and Forward Movement to a new time in our lives. As we were walking down the stairs towards the Threshold, I was looking around at all of the beauty, aliveness, incredible-ness in each of my fellow Soul Sisters and I felt so Excited - Excited at the difference we can make in the world.  May we be the White Butterflies prancing and dancing among the flowers.

With the White Butterfly a symbol of Transformation, this is true in so many ways for me (apart from finishing my Course).  It is interesting as the last two years has highlighted the importance of Balance for me - Balance of Personal and Professional, Doing and Being, Solitude and Intimacy, Activity and Relaxing.  I am Excited that although I love Coaching and love working with people on their Journey - I am also committed to my own Journey, my own life, my own life separate from my lifework.  Two years ago I never would have guessed that I would be here planning my wedding, finally letting go of relationships that did not serve me, and being open to True Love. 

This year sharing Christmas Day together and together with our Families was very special.  Although My Man and I exchanged so many Gifts and there were so much Gift giving with my Nieces - my favourite Gift of all is that of being together - it is what I appreciate the most.  We enjoyed a beautiful, relaxing lunch with My Man's Mum and I was so happy that my Mum and Dad were also guests for lunch.  

 

And after enjoying the relaxing day, we then entered the chaos of time with my Brother, Sister-In-Law and my three beautiful Nieces - and I loved it all!!!  Presents, giggles, hugs, kisses, laughter.  And more food!


And time on the trampoline - the new trampoline that Santa brought my Nieces.  I love My Nieces - they are White Butterflies in my life - dancing and prancing and so in the moment.


For me Love and Family are the most important and I am Grateful that my Coaching Course also helped me come Home to my Self - where I feel relaxed, at peace and HAPPY.  Meditations from our Final Course at College and the experience of creating our Journey Stick, highlighted to me that I was once a person chasing Happiness, so busy being busy, busy chasing Love - now I AM HAPPY, now I AM LOVE.  Now I AM.  Now I AM ME.

It is definitely a time of Change and Transformation - the merging of our two Families and the creating of our own Family.  We are getting married in 12 weeks and there is much to do - and we are also looking forward to having our own baby - now that will be most wonderful!!! 

And I want to be like the White Butterflies - just enjoying the flowers, the sunshine, the freedom of being alive, the joy of being me, the joy of being in relationship.  We have a poster in our living area that speaks to my heart and is a great reminder of what to bring into each and every day "Live - Laugh - Love".

The ironic thing tonight is that as I am about to publish this Blog about White Butterflies, there are two small moths flying around our home, flying close to me.  I have never been a fan of moths and yet they are so similar to Butterflies (and very different) - as I am reminded by My Man.  It is interesting, Google tells me that Butterflies fly during the day and moths fly during the night - and without doubt this is symbolic of one of my other greatest learnings of the last two years - that there is Light and Dark, day and night, sunshine and rain - and I can be with all - I can be with the Paradox - I can be with Joy, I can be with Pain.  Perhaps it is true that I most delight when I am in the Light and see the Butterfly - I have a natural tendency to move towards the Positive and the sunshine - this is my nature and my strength as a Life Coach.  And I have learnt to be in Sacred Space with sorrow - I can be still and calm (rather than panic) when I am in the Dark or feel the movement of the moth.  

I am now Home in my Self - and I can take that with me wherever I Am - I have all of my Strengths and Resources - when I am at Home in my Self I am in My Yellow Heart - I Am Love, Light, Truth and Peace - this is my Soul's Home, in the quietness I feel the rising of Spirit, I am in Connection with God.  When I am Home in my Self I can see that I am the Butterfly, I am the Moth, I am All.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

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.


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Music Moves Me

Balance is important to me.  Sometimes I like silence.   I especially love silence when I am out walking - I don't like listening to music while I am outdoors in Nature - I just love the silence and the Space.  And I love when I can enjoy silence at home, silence in the car - just time to have Space.   I am so fortunate that this year I have been able to enjoy more Space in my life.

And at other times I love listening to Music.  I love Music.  I love when I am cooking and I remember to put on one of my favourite CDs and I dance and sing around the kitchen.  Or it is after dinner and I put on a song and My Man and I dance around the loungeroom.  And I love when I dance around with my three beautiful Nieces, we hold hands and spin around - it is a joyful time.  I recently found hundreds of CDs in my garage and I have been meaning to gather some of my favourite CDs and bring them into our home to enjoy.

When I am driving to work I also love listening to songs that make me feel Inspired - I love when Music Moves Me.  I love when a great song comes on the radio or on one of my CDs and I turn up the volume and feel Energised.

Two of my favourite songs that I listen to when I am driving to meet with my Coaching Clients are by Shannon Noll - 'Lift' and 'Shine'. 

I love 'Lift' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gUWbPzDGuo

The words of this piece of Music Moves Me:
- "I know you're hurting"
- "Seems like forever
That you've been falling"
- "Your life is calling, yeah"
- "This was never meant to be the end
Close the book and start again
"
- "Cos I know how hard it can get"
- "I know you're stronger"
- "You've got to lift yourself up above all
the hurt - Don't give in
"


I also love the song 'Shine' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_9id4I0pCw

I love the song since my Business is called 'SHINE Coaching' and I love the words and passion of this song - I definitely feel Excited and Inspired. 

I love these words:
- "Today's the day you hold the world with your song
Go now, go now, go now, help escalate
Angels come down, help with this parade
To hear your voice ring out
Come on and shout it
Let your song be heard


- "This is the time
This is the day that we've been waiting for
All the world will stop to watch you shine
This is the time
This is the day that we've been waiting for
All the world believes that you will shine
"

These songs help me feel positive and uplifted.  Music definitely has the power to make me feel wonderful.  And yet today when I was looking on 'youtube' I came across a short clip with Music and images that touched me with a deep sadness.  This song and clip is definitely not uplifting - instead it makes you very much stop and just sit with hard realities  

I love to be positive and uplifted and yet this clip is also a reminder of the tragedy and pain in the world that affects individuals, families, communities, countries.  And as I sit and watch the images I almost watch in disbelief and the world stops around me, as I sit with the horror and tragedy of the world events.  I am humbled and I feel compassion and empathy for my fellow brothers and sisters.  

Watching this clip reminds me that there are so many things that we cannot control - and yet we can choose to love others and Spread The Yellow - offering Connection and Acknowledgement - sitting and sharing Sacred Space with another in good times and in times of pain.  We can choose to offer a smile, a kind word, a hug.  We can see the light in another and help them see the light in themselves and the light in their world.

And we can hold the Paradox - Gratitude for the Joy and Light in our own lives and also holding the realities of darkness and sadness.  And I definitely feel Inspired after watching this clip to be active, to help others and work in Community, to Make A Difference, and to take a Stand for human rights and what is right.

I am so Grateful for the Light in my life.  I would like to share one last clip (not to take away  from, or forget, the sadness of the previous clip).  This is a great song that I heard the other day.  My Man and I are  currently planning our wedding - and I am feeling Excited.  We are planning to have this as our wedding song - it is fun and I love the words "you take me the way I am"
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBKAPazypwc&feature=related

This clip and the words make us laugh  and we are blessed to have found True Love with each other.  In True Love we can share the happiness and the sadness, the joy and the pain - we can embrace life together.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Gifts Of Today

Today I enjoyed a nice sleep until 7.15am - it was not a sleep in, yet what was different about this morning was that somehow I forgot to set my alarm, and so it was nice to just naturally wake up, without the buzzing of my alarm.  Yes I am definitely adding this to my Gifts Of Today List - my Gratitude List.


I love to get outside in the morning and I was Grateful that there was still time to take a 30 minute walk.

I am Grateful that I didn't get caught up in my mind, overthinking - instead I felt very Present - and in such a brief period of time I was able to enjoy such Beauty - more points to add to the Gifts Of Today List.

When I arrived at Gunnamatta Bay it was such a treat to see the baby Pelicans - I love seeing baby Birds.   I love  Birds.  I also enjoyed seeing the Galahs - everyone knows I love Yellow - and yet there is something special about the pink and grey colour of Galahs.  As I was enjoying the Beauty of the Birds, down came the rain - it was not heavy - just a light drizzle and I felt happy being out in the rain - feeling very alive.  I loved seeing a new red rosebud, waiting to bloom - and loved seeing the richness of red in the bottlebrush and a rosella happily sitting on a branch.  And I just love the smell of Jasmine at this time of year. 

And then today when I was walking in my breaks at work I just loved feeling the warmth of the sun.

I definitely feel myself in my Nature Child Archetype - feeling free and in love with Nature.  I would love to just sit and watch and Connect with Nature all day - even the Beauty of the snail caught my attention this morning.


These are the Gifts Of Today - Gifts that are free.  These are the Gifts that bring me Joy, as I take a brief moment to savour the Beauty of Nature.  I often reflect that it would be great to have my camera handy to capture these moments - and I do love taking photos - and yet I often find that this can distract me from being totally Present in the Now.  

I have been reading about 'Positive Psychology' http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/PositivePsychology.pdf - I am very interested in this area.  It "seeks to understand positive emotions such as Joy, Optimism and Contentment".  I love that "Positive Psychology is interested in the conditions that allow individuals, groups and organisations to flourish."  In reading about 'Practical strategies to increase your level of happiness' I read about "Savouring: Savouring is the awareness of pleasure and of giving deliberate conscious attention to the experience of pleasure".  This morning I was definitely in practice of Absorption which is defined as "Allow yourself to become totally immersed and try not to think, just sense."  I also enjoy taking a mental photograph of these moments.

And now tonight rather than putting on the tv - I enjoy listening to Pink and I light all my beautiful candles and I love making a pumpkin and asparagus risotto and it is nice to just sit down and enjoy time with My Man and then we have a dance  As I enjoy these moments they flood the experience of my day with Joy and Positive energy (rather than an alternative choice of just acting as if today was just another day at work).


"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

I am very Grateful - Thank You God for your Blessings and Miracles.


Monday, September 27, 2010

Opportunity For Self-Reflection

Over the last couple of months, I have been enjoying the Opportunity For Self-Reflection.  This has been a recommendation as part of my Life Coaching Professional Training and it has been life changing for me.  I feel that I have learnt so much about my Self and that I am now so in touch with my Inner Strengths and Resources.  I have found Peace.  My Journey is only just beginning and I am Excited. 

MY YELLOW HEART
Initially my Self-Reflection was about observing where I spend my time - in my Mind, Feelings or Body.  I quickly realised that I was spending a lot of time thinking, a lot of time overthinking.  In my Mind I was thinking about the Past and the Future, thinking about things I couldn't change, thinking about what I did and didn't like about work - just thinking, thinking, thinking.  NOW I am excited that I am able to bring myself into the NOW - to be fully Present - I am not in thinking mode, or feeling mode, I am in a neutral, relaxed position.  My Touchstone, my symbol of this Presence, is My Yellow Heart.  I have a sense that My Yellow Heart is my Soul's Home.  It is a place of Love, Light, Peace and Truth.  It is a resting place.  I feel myself totally relaxed in my Body, totally Present.  When I am sitting with my Clients I am in My Yellow Heart - totally Present, creating a Sacred Space.


When I reflect on my Coaching Business logo, and what my work is about for my Clients, I feel that I am able to experience the essence of my logo - where I am sitting in a relaxed place, in My Yellow Heart, and then from this place I will naturally bring my Yin and Yang into the Coaching Space.


I find that I am no longer wasting energy thinking about my Past or what is not within my control.  I find that I am more at Peace.  I find that I have an Inner Strength that supports me.  If I find myself going back into an old pattern of worrying or thinking, I imagine a STOP sign and with the image of My Yellow Heart, I am able to come back to the Present moment.


Or if I am drawn back to the Past, I bring in the image of boxes all packed up and come back to the NOW.  I bring in the images of the boxes if I start thinking about my Past, wasting mental energy - in this way I am able to see that these memories are in the Past, the boxes are closed and stacked away.


And if I look at my Past from a Spiritual perspective, I am able to see that all of my experiences are part of who I am and my Journey.  My Past experiences have motivated me to become a Coach and a Healer.  From this perspective, when I do turn to my Past, I feel that all my stories and life experiences are like books in a bookshelf.  As books in the bookshelf I am able to open and close them and certainly refer to the lessons to help me in my life.  My life experience also gives me an incredible sense of Compassion for my Clients.

 
In My Yellow Heart I feel Love and Light, I am Presence, I am in the NOW.  In this place I am able to hear the whisper of my Soul's longing and feel the rising of Spirit in my Self and my Life.

Being in Presence has been very important to me, especially with all of the ups and downs and swings and roundabouts in my life.  When I am Present, I also have a sense of Trust that all will be okay, that I have the Strength within me.


MY ARCHETYPES
I have also loved the Opportunity For Self-Reflection to get to know my Archetypes - I have loved this Opportunity.  I have found that there is so much Power and Strength in knowing all of these Parts of me and choosing how they show up in my life and when to bring them on the Stage in my life.


I have also found, that these different Parts of me, naturally emerge when I am in my Presence, totally Present in My Yellow Heart, when I am living in the Now.

I have enjoyed Art Therapy, sketching and colouring with my crayons and pencils.  I have enjoyed walks in Nature.  I have enjoyed being a Client and working with my Coach.  I have enjoyed Meditation.  I especially loved the 'Gathering of the Whole' Meditation where I was able to be a witness and interact with my Archetypes.  I have also enjoyed reading about the different Archetypes and selecting images that resonate for me.  While I have been researching the Archetypes, I am not sitting in a place of trying to understand the theory - instead, I am really sitting into the truth of what this is for me, and with a curiosity of what is possible from this Part of my Self.

I loved getting to know my Yin and Yang and now I am loving getting to know my Archetypes which have both Yin and Yang in them.  I feel that when I am in tune with my Yin Intuition, my 'gut feel', I am able to get my Yang to speak and act for the Highest Good.  I am still learning about these Parts of me and I am enjoying getting to know My Sage, Nature Child, Innocent Child, Caretaker, Regular Gal, Wanderer, Warrior, Jester, Destroyer, Organiser, Creator, Magician, Visionary, Lover, Healer.    



My Sage
I have a strong sense of My Sage - My Wise Self.  In my 'Gathering of the Whole' Meditation I imagined meeting My Sage.  My Sage stood right next to me, the Observer part of me.  My Sage is glowing and full of Light.  I feel energised in her Presence.  My Sage tells me "I am here, I am always here".  My Sage is connected to the Love and Light of the Universe.  I am Grateful to find this Part of me to be so Resourceful and Helpful.  I draw on My Sage to Guide me.  My Intent is to draw on the Wisdom of My Sage and speak and act more often from this Part of me. 


There is the question of what is the new belief that is true for me?  Looking at the Shadow of The Sage, perhaps the belief in me was that I had to know everything, or find the answer outside of my Self - however, now I am learning that My Sage is connected to God, Inspired by Spirit and I can draw on Universal Wisdom.  From this place, I can Trust my Self, rather than searching for the answers outside of my Self.   


My Caregiver
In the last few months I have spent a lot of time in My Caregiver Archetype.  I am learning a lot about My Caregiver Part of my Self.  I naturally move into a Caregiver with my Nieces and my Parents and My Man and my Brother.  There are many positives of My Caregiver in that I am loving and caring and helpful and want to take away the pain of my Family.  In terms of images, I felt that this was My Caregiver - a traditional image of a Mother and Child.  What I am learning is that this Caregiver image can best serve me and encourage me to look after my own vulnerable child within - making sure I make Self-Care a Priority.  My Caregiver is learning to balance Self-Care with Care for others.


And in my Self-Reflection I am realising that I need to also evolve the essence of My Caregiver - moving away from coming across as the Parent of my Nieces, Brother, Parents or My Man.  And so I am Consciously shifting My Caregiver Part of me.  By being a Witness to my Self, I am learning that I need to be there for my Family and offer help and yet I need to remember the words "I am I, You are You".  With my Family, especially my Brother and my Parents I need to communicate from a place of Sacred Space and Trust my Family - not try to be the Parent.  I need to Trust that we are all on our own separate Journey and allow us each the Space to walk our Path.  I need to Consciously tune into My Sage to help me with My Caregiver Role as it can be challenging when I have Parents who are not well and I am wanting my Brother to be different in his Caregiver role - and of course this is outside my control - and I need to respect Boundaries.  In particular I believe that My Sage and My Caretaker can work together for the Greatest Good.   


I also sense that in My Caregiver Part of me I can offer the sense of holding hands with those I love and looking out in the same direction - looking at shared objectives and facing the future together.  This is one of my most challenging parts of my Journey right now - and I am Consciously trying to move away from the belief that "I need to be in the boat with you and I give my advice because I care" to "I am here for you and I respect your choices".  I feel that I can Consciously bring My Healer energy into my personal relationships to join together with My Caregiver.


When I feel drawn to work with children and communities living in poverty, I also feel a Call to My Caregiver Part of me.  I am not sure where this Call will lead me, although I know that one day I would love to visit and work with these communities.  For now, I am glad that we sponsor a little girl in Laos.  I am also committed to donate $5 every Coaching Session to Plan Australia, who is committed to helping empower children and communities to create a positive future.  I am drawn to images of Princess Diana and her charity work.


The other night I was watching a segment on ABC about the disaster in Pakistan, it breaks my heart seeing these people who have lost everything, babies are sick and families are hungry.  It is heartbreaking seeing a mother losing her baby.  We live in a world of consumerism, people wanting bigger TVs and jewellery and fancy clothes and cars and these children don't have food.   What is going on with this world?  Time to donate money.  My Man and I donated money to help bring food and relief to families in Pakistan.  I would like to do more.  There is something that is definitely resonating for me.  It was interesting when I reviewed my Family of Origin and Family Tree last year as part of my Counselling Certificate where I found that there was a Christian Missionary in my Family.  If I was younger now and not so keen to start my own Family, I would definitely be travelling to work in third world countries.  And for now I will continue to be aware and do what I can in terms of contribution.  


My Healer
I love My Healer Archetype - a Part of me that I have discovered since becoming a Coach.  In My Healer I can hold a Sacred Space with another, totally in my Presence.  I feel a Connection Heart to Heart.  When I was reading 'The Four-Fold Way' by Angeles Arrien, I loved reading about the Healer "Effective Healers from any culture are those who extend the arms of love: acknowledgement, acceptance, recognition, validation and gratitude."  One of my favourite parts of being a Coach is acknowledging my Client's Beauty and Strengths, acknowledging the Light within my Client, seeing my Client's Uniqueness and Greatness.  I ask God and the Universe that I can Love and Serve by being a Channel for Divine Energy - in my Coaching, I call on the Power of Spirit and my Angels to help me in my work as a Healer.  I feel the message of My Healer is "I Am Here to Heal with My Heart".


Similar to My Sage, it is exciting to move away from a belief that I have to know everything or have everything prepared and organised - instead, I can Trust that I am here to Serve and I can relax in the mystery and spaciousness and Trust I will be filled with Spirit.  My Healer energy also moves me away from having to be in my mind and always thinking, or self-conscious of having to get the right words, to a place of genuine, Heart to Heart Connection.


My Regular Gal
In my Regular Gal Archetype I feel that I can easily relax in this Part of me - there is no pressure to play a Role or perform, or try to fit in.  It is where I am just one of the Staff at work, or among Friends or Family.  In this Part of me I can enjoy a sense of belonging to the group, by being relaxed in my Self.  In this place I can stand in a belief that we are all the same - that we are all human, that we are not perfect, that we all have triumphs and we all have pain.  This Part of me believes that everyone is of value and deserves to be valued.  And I can hold the Paradox that we are all the same and that we all have our own Uniqueness and Greatness.  My Regular Gal, My Healer and My Sage can work together with a desire for Connection for the Highest Good.    



My Organiser
It has been great for me to Consciously bring My Organiser into the Stage of my life.  I have found that I often create clutter in my study and kitchen.  I can get enthusiastic and excited and so I bring in paperwork and my "things" and find that I don't always have places for all my "stuff".  My Man and I have moved in together and so between us we have combined our "stuff" in a combined Space - and yet this is not a reason or excuse.  I also find myself getting stuck sometimes, I organise for a while and then lose momentum.  In working with the different Parts of me I found a Sub-Personality that was almost keeping me stuck in the Past, it was the Part of me that was always searching and looking for my Path which would mean that I would continually have paperwork and moving from Project to Project.  And then My Sage comes in and guides me to see that I have found my lifework and I can therefore simplify my life and my home.  I have been working with My Organiser and I feel that there is so much potential for this Part of me to find a place for everything.  I also want to bring in My Organiser to help me with my time management and organising my Priorities - although I definitely want to ensure that there is Space for Spontaneity - just to follow my Heart and go with the flow.


I also feel that My Organiser is very hands on and physically active in getting things "done".  I definitely need to bring in the essence of both of these as I organise my study, my superannuation, my Spring clean and my garage sale - projects that are important to me.



In terms of My Organiser I feel that I am moving away from a belief of "I can't" to a new belief of "I can".  I always believed that it was my personality type that does create clutter in my home and study - now I am choosing a new belief of "I can choose to get organised and create systems, to create space and simplify".  It can be overwhelming as I have a lot to clear and organise - this is when I bring in my Sub-Personality of My Cheerleader.  My Cheerleader has been an essential part of me - encouraging and cheering me on - helping me to be motivated and focused for my Goals.




My Destroyer
I feel that My Destroyer has been fairly active in the last 2 years - cutting out of my life what is no longer working for me and no longer serving me.  I believe that the energy of My Destroyer will be important in working with My Organiser in some Spring cleaning Projects.  My Destroyer can be very Passionate, working with My Warrior and standing up for what is right and what is no longer relevant or outdated.  I also ask My Destroyer energy in, when I am looking at maintaining a healthy lifestyle, helping me cut out sugar and chocolate, where I would rather be eating healthy all the time (although not wanting the Perfectionist to rule my world).

 


My Lover
I have been getting to know My Lover Archetype at different levels - Love of Self, Love of My Man, Love of what I do, Love of All.  A few months ago I asked My Sage for some guidance in my relationship.  In my Meditation I could see my Future with My Man, a wonderful Future of Love and Ease and Laughter and Dreams coming true.  In the Meditation I was also shown an alternate Future, a life shared with a man from the past - in this Future, I saw myself walking through mud, being in hardship, feeling unloved and me trying to get love from him.  In this Meditation I also saw that I had stayed in that bad relationship for so long since it brought out my Lover and Goddess Archetype, which had not been Present in me for a long time.  I had been so focused on running and living the life of an athlete, and training my Body to be lean and fast, and was strict on myself, that this did not bring out the freedom and joy of being in my Goddess.  And so when I rediscovered this Part of Self, I did not want to let this go - and so I continued in a loveless relationship.  And then I cut this Part of Self off again, perhaps cutting my hair was an act of letting this go within Self.  I am now bringing this Part back in me again.

My Lover loves music and dancing and loves My Man.  My Lover is also discovering the joy of doing what I love, doing what has heart and meaning for me (a new belief) - rather than me trying to do something to attract or please others (which is where I spent years living in the Shadow of the Lover).  I love Shania Twain's music and she reminds me of My Lover Part of me.  In my 'Gathering of the Whole' Meditation, My Lover states "I Am Free, I Am Love".  Yes, I love the idea of freedom.  I definitely felt My Lover emerge when in a moment we decided to go skinny dipping late one night - I felt so free and it was wonderful to just embrace the moment.


And My Lover definitely loves turning off the tv, putting on music and dancing in the living area - life is to be enjoyed, moment to moment.  I am enjoying My Lover being present in my life, this is an energetic and enthusiastic part of me.



My Warrior
I look at the Exceptions, when I have been in My Warrior energy.  One of the recent examples was last year when I stood up for my Self and ended a relationship that was no longer serving me.  I remember feeling so in my Power, feeling so empowered.  There was also another time, when I met with a doctor recently to talk about my Coaching Business, and I also felt in My Warrior - communicating with Passion about my Coaching Business. When I am in My Warrior I feel that I communicate with Clarity and Strength.  I still have more to learn about My Warrior and yet I believe this energy and Part of me is an excellent Resource for my Journey.


I love reading about the Warrior Archetype in 'The Four-Fold Way' by Angeles Arrien and would like to build and strengthen and access the Universal Powers of "Power of Presence, Power of Communication and Power of Position".  I feel Excited that I am now very Present in the NOW.  In terms of Power of Communication, this is an area that I would like to develop further in my life - "Skillful communication means we have aligned content, timing and context".  "Communication that empowers and inspires us is communication that is delivered at the appropriate time and place for the person involved to hear and receive it."  I would like to communicate with more clarity and be succinct, fewer words and making every word count.  It's funny I have always thought that I was an Extravert and yet now I feel that I am enjoying a more inner, Introvert world - where I am feeling less need for words and I am enjoying more silence.  I find that this is allowing My Warrior to emerge when there are important words to be shared with another.  In terms of Power of Position, "The Warrior demonstrates the willingness to take a stand.  This is the capacity to let others know where we stand, where we don't stand, what we stand for, and how we stand up for ourselves." 

I am still working with this Archetype, wanting to be conscious of not bringing in a Shadow part that may speak from a place of anger or that may challenge another and creates conflict - especially with my Brother or in a difficult work situation.  Instead in My Warrior, I want to be able to be assertive and calm in clearly expressing my Truth and allowing others to respond with their Truth.  



My Nature Child
I love that My Nature Child Part of me is out in the Light.  I have been enjoying this Part of me all year.  My Nature Child just loves being out in Nature - I love Walking in the morning, being outdoors, feeling the breeze, listening to the Birds singing, loving the beauty of the flowers, enjoying Connection with Trees.  In my 'Gathering of the Whole' Mediation, when this Part of me comes forth, I notice a quietness and I have a sense that this Part of me has a strong Connection with all.  My Nature Child loves to come out everyday - the problem is, once My Nature Child is out in the world, My Nature Child does not want to go to work in an office.



My new belief in terms of Nature is that I am in Connection with all, and being in Nature is so important to my well-being, it is not just something that I want to do sometimes - being in Nature daily is vital to me.  I am also learning that as I say to God "I am here to serve you today, show me the way", that I am definitely being asked to step up, to show that I am true and authentic.  Just last week, as I am starting out for my Nature walk, very excited that I had an hour to enjoy the outdoors, I see a possum being attacked by a crow.  There were some workers from the school next door and we thought the possum might be dead.  Automatically I went into "save the possum" mode and we worked together as a team to get the possum safely in a box, and ensured the possum was taken to a local vet.  I realised that I never quite know where I will be called to service, and I was glad that it came naturally for me, to help rescue the possum.



My Wanderer
I am enjoying My Wanderer Part of me.  I feel My Wanderer is closely aligned with My Nature Child, enjoying a sense of wonder and freedom.  I love going for my Nature walks in the morning and My Wanderer would be happy to explore all day long.  I have a sense of setting off into the world, like a backpacker on a Journey.


And as I am in the NOW of my Journey I feel that there is so much joy, as if I am in a field of Sunflowers.


In My Wanderer I have a sense that I am on this Journey to discover my own individuality.  I am no longer the Executive or Manager working in a Corporate office.  I am here to live my Purpose to Spread The Yellow.  I am here to Connect Heart to Heart through my Coaching.  I am inviting My Wanderer more into my life where I can trust my Yin, my Intuition and allow my Yang ACTION to take me forward as I express my Individuality and Uniqueness, and help others to also connect to their own Light and Greatness.  I love this image of the Sunflower in the Field of Lavender which captures the essence of my Journey to stand in the sunlight and SHINE as ME.


I am changing my belief, where I would normally need to have the entire plan worked out.  I now have a sense that I need to relax and REALLY enjoy My Wanderer more often, allow my Self to enjoy the freedom, where I am no longer restricted by a corporate career and I CAN just relax more, walk more, be in My Wanderer more and just listen for the whispers of my Soul.  I can celebrate that I have the opportunity to be in My Wanderer.  When I find my Self going into an old pattern of busy, busy, busy, work, work, work, plan, plan, plan - I bring in the opportunity for more space in my day and my life - to allow my Self to be in My Wanderer.  The Shadow of this Part of me also believes that I have to keep searching, searching, searching, looking, looking, looking - and yet in the true essence of My Wanderer, I can just enjoy each day and Trust that as I follow my Intuition, this will lead to the Greatest Good for my Self and all.


I know that My Wanderer, My Visionary, My Creator and My Magician can all work together.



My Visionary
When I am out Walking, when I am not caught up in my thinking, I am conscious of allowing Space for My Visionary.  A long time ago I possibly believed that I had to think about my Future and think up ideas - now I believe that Vision is not of the mind, that it is of Spirit.  Just the other day, when I was out Walking, I had a Vision, the same Vision I have had a few times.  It is a Vision that feels so real, where I am lighting candles, one-by-one, and then those people go and light other candles, and then those people go and light candles, and so many people enjoy Light.  I look back on my very first Art Therapy from the first year of my Coaching Course and this is the image that I also created on paper.  In January this year, in a Meditation, I also had a Vision of me being in a Village, living and working among the community, where I am handing out Yellow pieces of paper.  I was also Gifted with the words 'Spread The Yellow' and I have a knowing that this is definitely my Purpose.  I feel My Visionary Archetype is around me and I would like to be more in touch with her Inspiration.  Most important is to get My Visionary working with My Creator, My Organiser and My Magician.




My Creator
In my Self-Reflection, I am realising that I would like My Creator to be more active in my life.  I feel that My Creator is the key to putting my Dreams into ACTION.  The essence of My Creator is colour, energy, enthusiasm, Light and bright and active.  My Creator is flowing and graceful. 


In my Coaching I am here to help my Clients Create A New Story for their lives.  And so it is important for me that I am active in Creating My Own Story.  I feel that I have the Power within me to write my own Story, not just journaling about the Past or Present - but putting my Vision and Goals down on paper.  I want to write an Exciting Story and make this come true for me.


As well as painting the picture, My Creator is also active in putting all of the pieces together to Create the extraordinary artwork of my life, and bring projects alive.


I recently felt My Creator in action when I designed a competition for my Coaching Business, which has been wonderful in connecting with new Clients.  I followed my Yin Intuition and my Yang made it happen.  In My Creator I definitely want to be maximising the Power of my Yin and Yang to bring my Ideal Life into reality.  Every morning I look at my Vision Board that I have Created and yet I also know that I have to take ACTION and allow My Creator to be active in my life.  In My Creator Archetype I believe that ALL IS POSSIBLE!!!  I have the Power to make my Dreams come true!




My Magician
In my 'Gathering of the Whole' Meditation I am moved to go down a flight of stairs, where I enter a deeper Meditation and through the forest I can see a Light.


I have a sense of My Magician - this is another Part of me that I am inviting to play a bigger part in my life.  I have a sense of my Magician sending out Yellow bubbles of my Dreams and Intent and trusting that these will Manifest for me.  I feel that My Magician is the Part that can become more active in my life - where I am able to activate the power of the 'Law Of Attraction', where I can clarify what I want, and I can send this wish out to the Universe, asking for God and my Angels to help me.


I was very touched recently when a Friend of mine called me 'Magic Girl' and referred a Client to me for Coaching and said that I bring Magic into people's lives.  Hearing these words made my heart sing.  I definitely want to be more in my Magic.


I am enjoying reading 'Everyday Grace' by Marianne Williamson and I am Inspired by her words "Each of us carries, in the depths of our consciousness, a boxful of mystical tools.  And central to our tool kit is the magic wand.  A wand is not just stillness from children's literature.  Fairy tales are rife with Archetypal truths that teach not only children, but open-minded adults as well, deep and fundamental truths about the nature of our reality.  A wand is a medium of power, not just for wizards, but also for you and me.  A wand is essentially a principle, an intention, a focused thought.  When focused thought is negative, it creates ill.  And when focused thought is loving and enlightened, it creates miraculous breakthroughs."


My Jester
My Jester Part of me loves to laugh and have fun.  My Jester likes to play, make jokes and be funny.  I feel My Jester come out at work and at home, living in the moment and lightening the mood for Family, Friends and colleagues.  My Jester loves shaking things up and seeing everyone laughing.


I welcome in My Jester to be more Present in my life.  I love that Humor is one of the Coaching Competencies and I am really Excited that my Jester has just started coming forth in my Coaching, very naturally, and creating lightness and brightness during a Session.  


My Innocent Child
Today in Meditation I found the energy of My Child - the Innocent part of me.  I have read that the Innocent Archetype is a Call for the "desire for purity, goodness and simplicity".  As I bring in all My Archetypes I definitely don't want to lose a sense of My Innocence.

 
I sometimes feel that there is so much to do and so many books to read and so much to do and so many books to read.  And then I stop and remember that all of the answers are inside me, that I can just Trust my Self.  And then this sounds all so serious - and so I remember to lighten up, be less serious, be playful and have fun.  My Innocent Child takes away the Part of me that makes life complicated - and gets me back to simplicity.  In the past My Innocent Child may have walked alone - now My Innocent has the backing and protection of all of the other Archetypes - where I am realising to walk only in one Archetype does not serve me or others.


FEELING INSPIRED
I have learnt that each Archetype has a way of being, a posture, a way of moving.  I am also conscious that each Archetype has a Shadow Sub-Personality with beliefs that do not serve.  Some of my Archetypes have come out of the Shadow and into the Light, and in the Light they have a different way of being, with Empowering  beliefs.  When they are in the Light I can choose the way they "show up" for me.  Now that all of these Parts of me are in the Light, I am wanting them to work together as a Team and help me live a life of Love, Light, Peace, Truth, Service.  Every morning I look at my Vision Board and I believe that the Strength and Teamwork of my Archetypes is the key to my Present and my Future.  


This experience has been so beneficial to me.  It has been so wonderful in helping me learn about the depth of our Being, the Energy and Power that is within us all - that can help us to be Empowered in our lives.  I know I have so many Choices in terms of my Internal Focus for Change - I can choose and design my inner experiences and my life.  I have found my Strengths and Resources.  I can choose what Archetypes to bring on the Stage in my life and I especially love that My Archetypes naturally emerge when I am in my Presence of Love and Light.  I have found my Self.  I feel Excited and Inspired. 

I will continue to enjoy the Opportunity For Self-Reflection on a daily basis, to be a Witness to my Self, as I commit myself to living a life of Love and Service in my Professional and Personal Life.

This is my Journey and I CHOOSE TO LIVE!!!  AND LOVE!!!  I CHOOSE FREEDOM TO BE TRUE TO MY SOUL'S JOURNEY.

I am VERY Excited that I can now help my Clients at a deeper level - I can help them get in touch with their own Archetypes, accessing their own Lifetools to Serve them on their own Journeys and bring their own Dreams into reality.   I am especially Excited about helping Clients access their Sage, learning to access and Trust their own Inner Knowing.  And I love helping my Clients get in touch with their own Creator, allowing them to see their own potential to Create A New Story for their lives.  And of course I see that my own experience with My Caregiver, and the huge lessons that I am learning, will allow me to be empathetic and understanding of my Clients and also helpful in looking at the possibilities and opportunities for change.  And as I bring in My Magician more and more in my own life, I am hoping this will increase my own confidence in helping activate this Archetype in others. 

I have been busy putting together my Toolbox with all of my Coaching Tools, and there are so many Coaching Tools available on so many different areas.  Although, I enjoy having all of these Resources available for my Clients, I definitely have a sense that the greatest Resource for me as a Coach is being in My Presence, being in My Yellow Heart and feeling a Heart to Heart Connection with my Clients.  And from this  Sacred Space of Love and Light, I Trust that My Archetypes (My Inner Toolbox) will naturally emerge in my Role as a Coach.


As a Coach I am Honoured and Passionate about helping my Clients Love Self and Love Life.