Soulful Sunday #46: Acceptance Ignites Change

Soul Reflections

I have discovered that whenever my life seems stagnant, stuck or uninspiring – I am usually experiencing some form of resistance. Resistance can signify a crave for change, but it can also indicate a non-acceptance of what is.

I like to think of acceptance as a releasing of the pressure cooker. When we bless and accept our circumstances as they are, suddenly the pressure eases, the tension lifts, and we undergo a shift – a softening of the soul. In letting go of the struggle we place our faith in a Higher consciousness.

It is from this healing place of trust that true transformation occurs.

Today, as you move through your day, notice any resistance that arises. Try to accept the present moment as it is; this is my account balance, this is my work situation, this is my house with the messy floors, this is my relationship status, my weight and my rusty car. This is okay. This is real life. And then surrender. Release all control. Trust that life will undergo a change once you embrace the healing power of acceptance.

Soul Strolls

Since returning from our New Zealand trip, we have been experiencing some extreme temperatures here in Melbourne. My English blood has yet to acclimatise to 40 degree heat, and navigating work and home life in such high temperatures has been a call for me to practice acceptance. Sometimes we just need to slow down, keep cool and honour our body’s need for rest.

My partner and I planned to go away on a camping trip for the long weekend, and true to our style we left it a little late only to discover that most of the camping grounds within a 3 hour radius were already fully booked. Rather than remain disappointed, we planned little dates throughout the weekend to keep cool and enjoy this rare time off together.

I learned to accept that ‘Soul Strolls’ don’t always involve getting outside. Sometimes Soul Strolls include belly laughing at the new Jumanji movie (such a funny film!), dancing to live music, breakfasts at the local cafe and ‘doing’ life with my man by my side. This is a true stroll of the soul.

Soul Food

I’ll admit that cooking isn’t high on my agenda when coping with this heat, and salads have been my saviour! So I am sharing an oldy but a goody that I like to prepare (even in the winter if you are on the other side of the hemisphere!) So call it a ‘Winter’ salad or a ‘Summer’ salad – it’s delicious whatever the season! Enjoy.

Soul Music

I’m loving the track Brighter Days by Hybrid Minds, which reminds us to ‘slow down and take a breath.’ It’s a beautiful, soulful track infused with the gentle sounds of liquid drum and base to ignite the soul. Go on – have a listen!

 

Soul Brothers

Today I am sharing a short yet powerful post titled, If Only You Did 1 Thing Today by Charles French. I love this simple, yet potent enquiry of the soul.

Whether you are slowing down or gearing up a notch, I wish you all a soulful Sunday free from resistance and struggle. It is sometimes in our chaos, that we discover the magical dance of life.

Love Always,

Hayley xx

Soulful Sunday # 37: Love The Moment

Welcome to my thirty-seventh instalment of ‘Soulful Sundays’. A weekly share where I post a roundup of soulful reflections, each including recipes, songs, quotes, blogs I have read and/or any other inspirational discoveries to sooth the soul.

For me, Sunday’s have become a day of quiet contemplation and simple pleasures. A time to reflect on the week gone by and to consider my hopes and dreams for the week ahead.

My hope is to extend some love outward and to share some simple pleasures with anyone who cares to receive them.

Soul Reflections

Today, I’m reminded to love the moment I’m in. So often we are pulled this way and that. We race from one thing to another, rarely immersed in the present; already thinking of ‘next.’ To live consciously takes practice – a dedication to catch oneself whenever tempted to drift.

Here I am enjoying my drum lesson with my man, who took a sneaky shot whilst I was playing. We both love music. I love this photo as it captured a moment I was loving, with a person I love with all my heart. How sweet when we love the moment we are in?

Soul Strolls

Later, we took a soul stroll. Following our noses, we came across this beautiful park with a flowing river. Curious, we decided to go off the beaten track and cross the river. As we crossed, we paused for a moment on the rocks to listen to the rhythm and flow of nature.

The river served as a reminder to go with the flow; to trust the direction of life.

Soul Music

I am loving listening to Deuter at the moment. I find his music beautifully enchanting and soulful, full of emotive rifts and melodies. In keeping with the theme of flowing with life, I’d like to share a track called Sound of Invisible Waters. It really is quite stunning. Sometimes the magic of life flows by – invisible, unnoticed. Yet if we tune in to ourselves and our surroundings – we tap into that invisible flow. That is where the magic happens.

Soul Food

I made this delicious chocolate mousse at the weekend, except, I decided to infuse mine with DoTerra’s Wild Orange essential oil instead of peppermint. It went down a treat with my guests, who all agreed it tasty divine.  I love that this recipe combines two of my favourite things; essential oils and chocolate, to pack a punch of yummy goodness into my tum. Health is wealth – you really can have your cake and eat it.

Here’s my chocolate orange version!

Soul Sisters

I’d love to share this post by Girly Christian who shares 10 Ways To Show Kindness. One way we can begin to enter the flow of life is to live mindfully and purposefully. We can do this by spreading love and kindness.

Today, on this soulful Sunday – may we spread seeds of joy, accept life as it is, and love the moment we are in.

In love & light,

Hayley xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soulful Sunday #26: Be You

Welcome to my twenty-sixth instalment of ‘Soulful Sundays’. A weekly share where I post a roundup of soulful reflections, each including recipes, songs, quotes, blogs I have read and/or any other inspirational discoveries to sooth the soul.

For me, Sunday’s have become a day of quiet contemplation and simple pleasures. A time to reflect on the week gone by and to consider my hopes and dreams for the week ahead.

My hope is to extend some love outward and to share some simple pleasures with anyone who cares to receive them.

Soul Reflections

When I contemplate the friendships I have remained closest to over the years, the ones that have been a constant presence in my life – I have discovered they each possess a quality rarely found in everyone we meet. Besides love and trust, what is the special glue that binds two souls together?  The vital ingredient that allows you to feel at ease in another’s company? Acceptance. Acceptance says; “It is safe for you to be vulnerable in my presence. It is safe for you to be you.”

Those friendships of mine have stood the test of time because they have accepted me for who I am, nothing more and nothing less. Nothing is expected of me, and nothing is taken for granted. Their only wish is that I be myself, in all my wonky glory. We have laughed together until our bellies hurt and our eyebrows feel like they’re about to merge into our hairlines! We have cried rivers of tears in front of each other, have listened without judgement to one another’s deepest despairs, and have shared our most personal dreams and wishes. Our love, trust and acceptance afforded us the ability to say: “Your heart is safe with me.”

Just be yourself. Let people see the real, imperfect, flawed, quirky, weird, beautiful and magical person that you are.

– Mandy Hale

We each have our irks and quirks. That is what makes life so colourful. It’s what prevents life from becoming too uniformed, too grey, too dull. So what if your ears stick out, if your bum jiggles when you walk or you snort like a pig when you laugh?! Life is tough enough without having to conform to the ideals of how others say we should be, think, speak and act. Go easy on yourself. Allow yourself the freedom to be you. As long as you aren’t causing hurt or upset to anyone; be the unapologetic, unequivocally amazing person that you are!

Soul Strolls

Since moving house, I am truly missing having a good park in walking distance to where I live. I have taken to the neighbourhood and have been walking up and down the quieter streets, and today I went in search of a local park. I found one about 25 minutes from my house, which was mostly a cemetery beside an oval. Within moments, a man in his fifties asked me if I’d go on a date with him! Taken aback, I told him I already have a boyfriend, to which he replied “I’ll kiss you!” I left promptly afterwards. The search for a good park continues! hehe I did manage to capture this pretty wee thing on the way home!

Soul Food

I have been under the weather for the best part of two weeks. What started as a sore throat soon escalated into a chest infection when I refused to listen to my body and continued to work despite needing obvious rest! My friend and fellow blogger Miriam who blogs at Out an’ About suggested I eat bone broth! Thankfully, I’m already on the mend – but next time I am ill I will be sure to try one. I managed to find a good bone broth recipe on my favourite health and wellness websites here. (Just in case you get a case of the sniffles!)

Soul Music

I would like to share So True by The Black Seeds today. It’s a lovely track which shows that when we are true, and trust in others, we get and give the best of ourselves.

Soul Sisters

Today, I am sharing a post titled ‘Change Your Attitude’ by Bernice at SpiritualJourney17. It reminds me of a lesson I taught to my children about replacing the ANTS (Automatic Negaive Talk) in our heads with PETS (Positive Eotional Talk). Head over for a read!

Wishing you a Sunday where you are free to be you, in all of your wonky glory!

In love & light,

Hayley xx

Soulful Sundays #22: Just One Word.

Welcome to my twenty-second instalment of ‘Soulful Sundays’. A weekly share where I post a roundup of soulful reflections, each including recipes, songs, quotes, blogs I have read and/or any other inspirational discoveries to sooth the soul.

For me, Sunday’s have become a day of quiet contemplation and simple pleasures. A time to reflect on the week gone by and to consider my hopes and dreams for the week ahead.

My hope is to extend some love outward and to share some simple pleasures with anyone who cares to receive them.

Soul Reflections

I just handed an apology card to someone special that, upon reflection, could have contained one simple word in order to bring peace – ‘sorry.’

At times the urge to explain causes our message to become lost in translation. We appear to justify, defend, over-analyse, or excuse – when in actual fact, our attempts to shed light on the situation are genuine, heartfelt and true. But quite often, one simple word that brings peace is all that’s required.

There are too many adjectives in the dictionary to describe how things are; too many verbs to explain how and why we do the things we do; too many nouns to identify the world in which we live – so today, keep it simple. Think of one word that brings you peace. Forgiveness? Love? Gratitude? Relax? Surrender? Sorry? Acceptance? Kindness? Hugs? Tea?! Whatever that word may be, feel the peace that comes with it. Invite peace in, because life is rarely perfect. And neither are we. But we CAN feel at peace with our perfectly imperfect selves. We CAN embrace life’s flaws and the teachings they bring.

Soul Strolls

I haven’t been taking my daily walks lately, and have really noticed the difference. I simply haven’t been myself. This week I will make a conscious effort to walk each day again, as it really does bring balance to my life. I did manage to get out mid week however, and took a photo of these pretty pink flowers along the way.

Soul Food 

I’m trying to add 9 cups of veggies a day into my diet, and am looking for tasty ways to incorporate them. Green juice and smoothies help, as well as simple dishes like this Crispy No Fuss Cauliflower. How do you add more veggies to your diet? Do you have any favorite recipes to ensure you get a healthy dose of the good stuff?

Soul Music

Hawaii has been on my bucket list for a long time. And since I am contemplating peace, I thought I’d share this track by Ziggy Marley. I’d love to be on a beach in Hawaii…bliss.

It’s getting late here in Melbourne, and I have much catching up on reading others posts to do. I shall do so tomorrow and the come back to add a recommended read to this Sunday feature. This week, the word I will focus on that will bring me peace is, balance.

Warm wishes to you all,

In love & blight,

Hayley xx