A Sailor’s Life For Me

Becoming a mother shook me to my core. I resonated with Mayim Bialik when she said: “I came to parenting the way most of us do — knowing nothing and trying to learn everything.” I soon discovered there was so much conflicting information ‘out there’ that I began to doubt what I instinctively felt was right.

I was, and still am, learning; but the biggest lesson I’ve learnt is that there are no rules to parenting. No one way fits all.

As soon as I began to tune out to the world and tune into my baby; everything just sort of fell into place.

The stress and anxiety and self-doubt subsided and I finally feel like I’m not such a rookie at this parenting business after all. The joyful moments now outweigh the ‘oh f*ck!’ moments and I can safely say “I love being a Mum.” It’s the most natural instinctive feeling in the world. Heart explosions occur as often as poop explosions (and believe me, that’s a lot!) As cliche as it sounds, the love and protection you feel for your child is overwhelmingly profound and no other feeling comes close.

Motherhood is by far the most challenging, magical and wonky journey I have ever voyaged; but if I am to remain cast away at sea without a sail amidst the turbulent adventure that is parenting, then a sailors life is for me.

Love always,

Hayley xx

Timeless

3 months… 12 weeks… 84 days… 288 hours… 17280 minutes… 1036800 seconds… However this precious time spent with you is to be counted, I choose to see it as eternal and forever imprinted in our hearts… 👣❤️

Here’s to sleepless nights and poonami explosions, milky voms and ‘stinky ear’ cuddles, cherished memories and forgotten dishes, endless rocking and dribbly kisses, tantrums, tears and toothless grins and a whole bunch of love, weirdness and belly laughter in between 💝

I’d do it all again for you in a heartbeat baby Kole 💙

Love always xx

What are you focusing on?

Sometimes we can’t see the solution because we’re staring too hard at the problem.

Napoleon Hill was right when he said: ‘Energy flows where attention goes.’

So what are you focused on?

Notice if you’re focusing on what you DON’T want instead of what you DO want.

Maybe you’re complaining about lack of, instead of counting your blessings? Or could you be trying to control people or situations with how you think they SHOULD be, instead of accepting how they really are?

It’s hard to admit that sometimes WE are the ones closing all the doors and building walls in our way…but sometimes we do this by default without even realising.

Today, open the blinds and gaze out of the window. Allow the light to flow in.

It takes a simple shift in perspective to appreciate all that you see. There is ALWAYS another way.

Love always,

Hayley xx

Roses and Thorns

Life is full of duality; love – hate; light – dark, peace – war; up – down; good – evil; life – death…

Life is a bed of roses when everything is going smoothly and all we feel is love, peace, harmony and joy. But when life’s contrasts show up, which inevitably they do, they are often met with some resistance.

But the ‘thorns’ of life form a necessary part of our existence. Without them, how would we know and come to appreciate their opposite?

For example, how can we be fully alive without the knowledge that one day we will meet death? How can we feel warmth without having first experienced cold? How can we know the fullness of true love if we’ve yet to meet with heartache and pain?

Instead of viewing life’s contrasts as something ‘bad’ to be avoided, we can begin to appreciate the learning and growth we gain from such moments.

We needn’t LOVE the thorns as such, but we do need to respect them; for every rose in life bares thorns of wisdom🌹

Love always,

Hayley xx

Sacred Home

Pregnancy has certainly brought with it many physical and emotional challenges; some which have been easier to embrace than others! It’s been a constant journey of reconnecting with myself and the life-force within to fully appreciate and accept all the changes my body must undergo to create and birth this precious new life.

I can’t stress enough the importance of caring for our emotional and physical wellbeing during this delicate transition. This is something I’ve had to remind myself daily.

There have been days and weeks when my health has been at it’s optimal, and days when I’ve opted to skip my self-care practice and nourishment to reach for that comforting treat.

The key here is to monitor your self-talk and remember to be BE KIND. Be mindful of how you talk to yourself. Your body listens!!!! So no berating or self-judgment please ladies…

But just as your body listens, your body talks.

Are you listening to your body and what it needs? Rest, fresh air, movement, nourishment, gentle caresses and positive-self-talk?

There is no better time than the present to love and care for your body, your sacred home 🙏🏻 So what are you waiting for?

Love always,

Hayley xx

Beautiful Pulsating Life

This week my partner flew to New Zealand to be by his Uncles side as he transitioned from this lifetime.

Losing loved ones is never easy, and being so close to death certainly gives cause for reflection of the important things in life; family, relationships, connection…

Today, take a moment to give thanks for those simple blessings we often take for granted – those things that money can’t buy; air in your lungs to breathe, limbs to move freely, laughter in your heart, the earth beneath your feet, someone to love and to hold…LIFE beautiful pulsating life.

Life can be ever so fleeting. Let us not waste it longing for what we do not have, when we can give thanks for all that is already ours.

Love always,

Hayley xx

Soulful Sunday #39: The Best In Life

Welcome to my thirty-ninth 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

As we reflect on the week passed and embark on the new week ahead, I invite you to slow down. How easy it is for us to become overwhelmed with the many tasks we must accomplish each day. But as we move through our week, let us remember to recognise those timeless values we often take for granted; a new day; song birds, a warm mug of tea; a smile from a stranger, a hug from a loved one; laughter; a shared meal; fresh linen; the first bite of an apple; the aroma of coffee; cuddles with our animal friends; an unexpected gift…

Remember to savour the best in life, those timeless moments that, if we stop to appreciate and notice them, remain with us for lifetimes.

Soul Strolls

Today, as I sat by the river and tuned into my Higher Self, I watched as the water flowed by. I was able to let go of the details, and simply allow the experience to flow.

The river weaved its way through the many twists and turns. Occasionally, the water would become stalled in a hole, it’s path blocked by the rocks. It would linger and bob for a while, until fresh water flowed through, guiding it ever onward – eventually coming to rest where still waters lay.

Let us be like the river; trusting, allowing, and always moving with the flow of life.

Soul Food

I hosted my first DoTerra Essential oils class this weekend. I have been using these beautiful gifts of the earth for a year and feel called to share the many ways Pure Essential Oils can enrich our lives and support our emotional and physical well-being.

I provided some Wild Orange infused dark chocolate for my guests. It was divine! The recipe was very simple. I melted 400grams of dark chocolate and added 2-3 drops of DoTerra’s Wild Orange essential oil. (You could experiment with other flavours too; Peppermint, Ginger, Lime!) I then sprinkled some sesame seeds on top and left to set in the fridge! Simple, soulful and delicious.

 

Soul Music

I have shared Sons of Zion’s Life before, however, it feel so fitting with today’s post. This stunning, yet simple track reminds us to cherish each moment and live for today.

Soul Sisters

Today I would love to share a simple yet powerful post by SpiritualJourney17, 9 Intentions That Will Transform Your Life. Head over to Bernice’s page for a healthy dose of intentional wisdom.

May your week be full of gratitude and the best in life,

In love & light,

Hayley xx

Love the Moment

Whether you are standing in line at the check out, or reading your favourite novel; curled on the sofa with a loved one, or cleaning the dirty dishes – pause… Smile. And love the moment you are in.

Nothing is more powerful than gratitude – nothing far greater than love. When we embrace each moment with joy and appreciation, we breathe energy and life into the present. This stimulates higher frequencies of pure peace to move into our field of energy. Mindfulness is an art, and one we must practice each day if we are to become good at it.

Bless, love and accept each moment, regardless of your circumstances. In doing so, you will surpass all boundaries and limitations.

Today, breathe and smile. Love the moment you are in and trust that all is precisely how it is supposed to be.

In love & light,

Hayley xx

Ready To Receive

Impatience, frustration, discontent, sorrow; we’ve all experienced such crushing emotions to some degree or another. As much as we’d like to deny their existence, it serves us not to stuff down our feelings, to pretend they don’t exist. When we acknowledge our discomforts and allow them to move through us, we honour our emotions in ways that can inspire change. The key is to avoid remaining stuck in the feeling of discomfort for too long.

Without life’s contrasts and adversities, we could never come to know what our true desires are, nor would we appreciate them when they arrive. The best way to become aligned with our desired results is through deep appreciation and gratitude. Like attracts like. If you wish to have more things to be grateful for – be grateful for the blessings you already have. Smile, and be ready to receive what is coming to you with an open and grateful heart.

In love & light,

Hayley xx

The Gift of Sight

When I said goodbye to Dad for the last time, there’s one lesson I learnt – life is fleeting.

With the recent terrorist attacks in Manchester and London, along with the many other lives lost each day around the globe, we are reminded to hug our loved ones.

Forgive quickly, love passionately, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Life is too precious, too fragile, too fleeting to hold grudges, to love cautiously and to squander our days dreaming instead of doing.

Be willing to let go. Don’t be afraid to say “I love you…” you never know when it will be your last. See life for what it is, a gift. Live courageously. Laugh often (and loudly!) Spread joy. Be the untethered force of light that you are. There’s no need to live every day like it is your last… Choose instead, to live every day like it is your first… With a sense of childlike wonder, rapture and appreciation. Give thanks for the two gifts that you opened today – your eyes.

For today is another day you get to live.

In love & light,

Hayley xx