Soulful Sunday #43: Dance To Your Own Rhythm

Welcome to my forty-third 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

Five days ago I submitted my book proposal to Hay House Australia, the worthy winner will be announced on March 2nd 2018 (My Mum’s birthday!) Happy birthday Mum?! 😉

There were many moments during my writing process where I became stuck. Mostly, when I began comparing my book to other books in the same category, or when I compared myself to other people with better credentials, more social media followers and bigger profiles then mine.

Comparison is the thief of joy.

– Theodore Roosevelt

True creation comes from a place of joy, it emerges from the heart. That’s when our creativity begins to flow.

When I stopped comparing myself to others and trusted in my own unique individuality, my words became infused with the love for what I do.

Our creative ideas may not be for everyone, for some it just wont resonate. And that’s ok. Don’t let that stop you. Remember your ‘why’ and trust that someone, somewhere is waiting for that perfect photo, painting, book, dress, interior design, song or melody.

Stop comparing yourself to others and dance to the rhythm of your own drum. Remember to take joy in the dance itself.

When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way.

– Wayne Dyer

Soul Strolls 

This week we’ve been soul ‘dancing’ rather than strolling, and have shaken our hips to the sounds of Alt J, Warpaint, Fat Freddy’s Drop and more! On Thursday, at our first musical event – it bucketed down with rain. But we didn’t let that stop us. There was something refreshing about dancing in the squelching mud as the heavens opened, drenching us with the cleansing waters of Mother Earth.

The sun made her appearance again for The Pleasure Gardens in St Kilda, where we enjoyed the incredible performers, artists and unique individuals who attended this family friendly event. It was the perfect way to let our hair down after exam studies and proposal deadlines.

Soul Food

I looooooove coconut and I love fruit (I still believe I’m made for Hawaii!) So today I am sharing this delicious Quick Coconut Chia Seed Pudding. I bought all of the ingredients today and plan to try out a few different fruit combinations! I’m loving fresh mango at the moment, and can’t wait to try a mango version. What fruit would you add to your Coconut Chia Pudding?

Soul Music

With so much magical music in the air, it’s so hard to choose just one song to share! So today I am sharing two of my favourite songs from this weeks events, Fat Freddy’s Drop’s Roady to get you in the feel goods, and the more deeper sounds of Warpaint’s Love Is To Die. 

Soul Sisters

Today I am sharing Tanya’s post A Storm So Perfect. Tanya wears her heart on her sleeve and in today’s raw, heartfelt peace – through her experiences she reminds us to step beyond our fears and into the life we were meant to live. Head over and say hello, Tanya is a beautiful soul.

Wishing you all a magical melodic Sunday filled with fresh hopes, dreams and  wishes for the week ahead ❤

Today, love, dance, create from your heart – and enjoy each step along the way.

In love & light,

Hayley xx

Soulful Sunday #41: Paint A Picture

Welcome to my forty-first 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

If you could paint a picture and step into it, what would you paint? A beautiful garden with wild flowers abloom? A country cottage by the lake? A family portrait of loved ones past and present? Maybe your painting isn’t a place or person, but a feeling; a depiction of love, sorrow or joy.

Whatever colours and hues suit your mood, don’t hold back. Trust that whatever you’re calling forth in your heart will take form on this glorious canvas of life. The universe is your palette, so what are you waiting for?

Soul Strolls

Yesterday, we enjoyed a stroll along Warrandyte River. Ever since I enjoyed a delicious morning in Warrandyte with two fellow bloggers and friends, I’d wanted to return here with my partner. Warrandyte is such a beautiful place. Surrounded by nature, we managed to secure the last table in the sunshine where we enjoyed some yummy tea and scones! Mmm.

Soul Food

I just love the look of this delicious Super Simple Vegan Lemon Cheesecake by Alice Nicholls infused with DoTerra’s Lemon Essential Oils. I love these pure essential oils, which I have been using for a year with incredible results. Not only do they heal on an emotional and physical level, but they taste amazing too. If you’d like to get your hands on some oils, I am happy to share the oily lurrve!

Soul Music

I am loving these Indian infused electronic beats. I have been craving dance lately, a beloved pastime which I have long neglected. So today, I’d like to invite you to move to Dao by Soham. 

Soul Brothers

It’s Bonfire Night at home in England, yet I have come to realise that bonfires are not a traditional custom here in Australia. Therefore, I thought I’d share Roger Bussey’s post Guy Fawkes: 5th November which explains the history behind why we light bonfires in England on the 5th of November.

Wishing you all a creative Sunday, may your visions burn bright!

In love & light,

Hayley xx

Just Bloom

The truth is, there will always be someone else who is perceived as smarter, prettier, taller, slimmer, wittier or more creative than you; just as you will always be perceived as smarter, prettier, taller, slimmer, wittier or more creative than someone else… But non of that even matters. What matters is that you stop comparing yourself to others and recognise your own worth. For you are completely lovable exactly as you are.

Do you believe that the same Divine wisdom that created the birds, the flowers and the trees forgot to create you in the same way? With unique purpose and beauty and love?

You are uniquely YOU. A Divine being. Love every ounce of yourself because there is no other quite like you.

In love and light,

Hayley xx

What the World Needs

What is it that makes you come alive? What causes time to stand still in that moment when nothing else matters? Are you living? Laughing? Loving? Maybe you are creating, teaching, or learning?

Whatever it is that brings you the most joy – do that.

Forget about what you think the world needs. Don’t try to mould yourself to fit into a box of what you believe is expected of you. What the world needs is your joy. Be the joyful, loving soul that you are, and then share yourself with the world.

Today, follow your bliss. Know that we can best serve others when we spend time each day doing the things we love.

In love & light,

Hayley xx

The Three Grand Essentials To Happiness

Happiness is a state of mind; a state which can shift from pure contentment to complete dissatisfaction in any given moment. This change in perspective can be triggered by a number of outside circumstances seemingly out of our control; unexpected news, the loss of something dear, an ill-mannered interaction with a stranger…

At times our discomfort is prolonged and happiness can feel like a distant memory. I remember the overwhelming feeling of complete sorrow in the long months that followed my Dad’s death. I was a sinking ship. Afraid of marring others with my grief, I’d hide my devastation beneath a brave face, but on the inside I was an empty vessel lost at sea. If I knew then what I know now, I would advise my nineteen-year-old self to honour her feelings; to be unafraid of reaching out and asking for help.

If you are feeling bereft, try not to stuff down your emotions. Be kind to yourself and trust that this feeling will pass. It may not go away entirely, but as sure as the tides ebb and flow, so will your state of happiness. Nothing in life is constant. As rocky as the oceans may seem, the tides will settle in time. So don’t lose heart. It’s not your job to control the weather – life is unpredictable. But we can learn to navigate the storms, we can learn to stay afloat instead of drowning.

We can begin with the three essentials to happiness.

Something to do:

This could be as simple as petting your dog; making a start on a long neglected project or planting some vegetables to harvest in winter. Participating in life brings us back to the only moment we have – NOW. It is now that we are free from the binds of the past and worries about the future. For me, writing, walking in nature, and belly laughing with loved ones always brings me back to a state of gratitude for the moment I’m in.

Something to love:

At our core, we are pure, unbounded love. Therefore, not to love is a slow death to the soul. Yet many of us forget that we cannot give away what we don’t have. Love begins first with oneself. Not in a conceited self-righteous way, but in a way that is non-judgemental and self-accepting. When we truly love ourselves, we are able love others unconditionally. Make a promise each day to look in the mirror and say with deep compassion: “I love you.” Watch how that love flows outward to others.

Something to hope for:

Studies have shown that those who practice optimism and gratitude live longer, healthier lives. Hopeful individuals repeatedly show reduced levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Hope instills a sense of faith that everything will work out for our highest good. You don’t have to be religious to have faith in a higher power. You can have faith in yourself; faith in a loving Universe, faith in others, faith in a non-denominational Divine guidance. In short, faith and hope free us from the shackles of limiting beliefs, bringing a sense of peace to even the darkest of days.

Today, take the time to do something you love. Reflect and give thanks for this moment. Trust that everything is precisely as it is meant to be, and keep the faith.

In love & light,

Hayley xx

Soulful Sundays #17: Why Delay?

Welcome to my seventeenth 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

If we stop for a moment and take a look around, we begin to realise just how lucky we are. This life is pretty wonderful. So why do so many of us delay our happiness?

“…I’ll go on holiday once I’ve tended to the house repairs…” “…When I have more money I’ll be able to do the things I want to do…” “…I’ll look for love when I’m not so busy and have more time…” “…When I retire I’ll pursue my creative passions…” No no no people. The time to live is NOW.

There are no ‘perfect moments’ or ‘right times’ to begin living our lives. Life is far too precious to place on hold for one more day. Our aim is to participate in life in ways that are meaningful and fulfilling. It needn’t be something extraordinary, it could be as simple as watching the sun set, stroking your pet, laughing freely with another whilst goofing about. We each value different things, beliefs vary from one person to the next, but at our core we all wish for the same; peace, abundance, connection, joy, love, freedom, passion, purpose and a sense of belonging…

Each moment is precious. Each moment is sacred. Even the most mundane tasks can be accomplished with a sense of grace and gratitude. When we delay our happiness we fall under the false notion that our time here on earth is limitless – that our happiness is ‘out there’ somewhere waiting for us in the future. But as Henry James reminds us: ‘The right time is any time that one is still lucky as to have…LIVE!”

Soul Strolls

It’s a wee bit drizzly here in Melbourne today, but I managed to capture these pretty white Jasmine flowers whilst out strolling yesterday. These smell wonderful in the evening, like nature’s pure-fume. Delightful.

Soul Food

With the cooler weather I tend to turn to comforting foods, such as stews and soups. Which is why I made this delicious Chunky Chickpea & Sweet Potato Soup. It’s healthy, healing and tastes delicious! I hope it warms your tum 🙂

Soul Music

I think this song is pretty fitting for today’s post – I hope you’ll all be rocking out to it as much as I just did. Go on – I dare ya! 😉

Soul Sisters

Today I am sharing Nina’s post Life Is Good When There Is Love. She embodies this weeks Soulful Sunday’s post with grace and gratitude. Live. Be in the moment. Love. Find the magic in the simple. Head over and have a read!

Wishing you all a simple yet extraordinary Sunday!

In love & light,

Hayley xx

Stunted By Logic

Vision is a gift we all have yet seldom use. Too often we are stunted by ‘logic’ and the expectation to conform with society’s predetermined regiments: go to school, then college, afterwards, enrol at a recognised University and once graduated, acquire a job with a respectable company, one that offers security and preferably contributes towards a pension. If we are lucky, we may be granted four weeks of holiday each year to pursue our personal passions. Except, rarely do we use this time for ourselves. Instead, logic takes precedence once more as we dedicate our free time to the endless list of ‘To Do’s’ that require our attention: “I must repair that leaky tap; clear out the garage; tend to the garden; get on top of my paperwork; paint the fence; visit my mother-in-law…” Logic tells us we must complete these errands before we are summoned back to the office. Is this life? And if so, according to whose standards?

I am not suggesting we should quit our day job, nor am I discouraging anyone from study – if this is what kindles fulfillment and joy. However, we must ask ourselves this – “Does this path align with the vision I hold for my future? Or is this simply the next logical step?” Yes, it is possible that logic will take us from A to B – allow us to obtain that Master’s degree and secure us a comfortable lifestyle – but let us not forget, that imagination can take us anywhere.

It seems that as we move through the system, the creative vision we once held as children gradually becomes lost: “Yes – it would be great to be an Astronaut, Dear… But what about a real job?” When I was a child, whenever asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I responded confidently; “An Author and an Illustrator!” I adored Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake and wanted to spend my days immersed in the world of fantasy and books. As it goes, my vision of becoming an Author was soon replaced by ‘logic’, the need to get my grades and find a ‘real job’ – just like everyone else. Like many, my dreams soon lay dormant in favour of following the status quo. It wasn’t until my thirties that I allowed myself to tap into that realm of creativity and imagination again. Coincidently, that’s when life, for me, began to flow.

What dreams have you resigned to the logic box? Today I invite you to lift the lid on logic and allow your imagination to run wild and free.

Blank Page

With each New Year, opportunities for change and renewal arise; a time when fresh ideas, hopes and wishes are born. It is true that we can ignite change at any moment in our lives – that we needn’t wait until the first of the month, or Monday, or for the elusive ‘perfect moment’ to begin – but there is something wondrous and welcoming about the start of a New Year; a blank canvas for which our dreams and creativity await form and application.

But when faced with a blank canvas, what should we paint? What hues should we select and what if we run out of colour halfway through? Worse still – what if we stare woefully at the blank page before us, a sense of rising dread as we consider our forgotten finesse for creativity?

In answer to these very real and experienced questions, I invite you to cast your mind back to when you were a child. Rarely, as children, did we ever stop to ponder our ability to create when faced with fresh pots of paint and paper. Instead, with little hesitation, we’d dive in, barely stopping to roll up our sleeves as we repeatedly dipped our brushes, in and out. It didn’t matter if the colours became mixed or the paper became saturated and soaked. Nor did we care if our brush strokes were sloppy and without direction. After splashing a myriad of colour in every which way, we’d pause – and then confidently state our masterpiece, even if it looked nothing of the sort: “Look – a house! A sun! A crocodile!”

Children don’t analyse their visions and dreams, they simply create according to their own unique perspective.

So don’t fret if, as you pen down your wish to lose fifteen pounds or more, you are nibbling away at the left over Christmas chocolates, or dousing your front with fallen crumbs of turkey and cranberry sandwiches.

Today is for creative dreaming, the doing will surely follow.

In love and light,

Hayley xx

 

Soulful Sundays #9: Creativity & Connection

Welcome to my 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

This week in Melbourne it’s the Untitled Literary Festival; five libraries, nineteen events and seven days of guest Authors, speakers, and creatives. A dream for anyone who loves the written word. As you can imagine, my diary is pretty booked out this week!

Surrounded by so much inspiration and talent, it got me pondering what it is that I love so much about the literary world and creative expression, in any form really.  For me, it always falls back to the same four fundamental components: connection, exploration, inspiration and imagination. I realise that not everyone may write or create for the same reasons, but for me, these four elements embody my love of creativity and writing.

Connection: Through my writing journey, I have found great connection with countless souls, many whom I consider great mentors and friends. And yes! That includes YOU! Most importantly, I have found connection with my Self. That inner voice of truth that often becomes buried beneath the mental chatter and confusion.

Exploration: Writing is an exploration of the soul. An excavation process, if you will. And the treasures we uncover provide the inspiration for creativity. Through our creative journey, we explore our inner and outer worlds with a sense of newness and wonder.

Inspiration: Inspiration can arrive in many forms, a verbal queue, a fleeting moment, the quiet whispers of our souls, a glaringly obvious recognition, a song, an image, a scene…inspiration is everywhere. We must simply be open to receiving it.

Imagination: Once inspired – or as Wayne Dyer would say; ‘In spirit‘ our boundless imaginations are set free.  Imagination is creativity’s playground.

Whenever I feel creatively blocked, I know it is because I have lost connection in some way, with myself or with others. Once I reconnect – exploration, imagination and inspiration just seem to flow. What are your reason’s for writing/expressing your creativity? What are the core pillars that keep you connected to your truth?

Soul Strolls

Here are a couple of snaps taken on my daily walks this week. Summer is arriving here in Melbourne, and my what a beautiful summer it is. Longer evenings, warmer weather and glorious flowers in full bloom.

Soul Food

Anyone who knows me will know that I am slightly (very) obsessed with peanut butter. I recommend natural, whole-food peanut butters over conventional peanut butters, which usually contain added sugars! So when I found this healthy (yes healthy) vegan peanut butter ice-cream recipe, I had to share. Did someone say peanut butter ice-cream? Yep – she sure did! Nom nom nom.

Soul Sounds

This week I am sharing a piano track for focus named Sleeping Lotus by Joep Beving. I love the sound of the piano, this track is beautiful to listen to whilst in the bath, house cleaning, or simply relaxing and of course, whilst being creative.
**for some reason I cannot embed the track at the moment, so if you use the link for now, I will attempt to embed the video again tomorrow.

Soul Brothers

Today I am sharing A Wish For Writers by Charles French over at Charles French Words Reading and Writing. A simple yet inspiring message of hope for us to persevere with our creativity.

May you all be blessed on this creatively inspired Sunday,

In love and light,

Hayley xx

Soulful Sundays #8: The Dash

Welcome to my eighth 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

Happy Sunday to you all. Today I thought I would share this thought-provoking poem, The Dash Poem, which I heard read aloud recently at my local Toastmasters club. It was such a simple and moving truth that I wanted to share it with you in case you have yet to hear it. For copyright purposes, the Author Linda Ellis asks that the poem not be copied or reproduced, rather, a link shared back to her site. So if you’d like to read the poem (and I encourage you to do so), then just click here! It certainly made me think of how I would like to spend the remaining ‘dash’ in my years.

Soul Strolls

Along my soulful strolling this week I snapped this Chinese Cherry Blossom. So beautiful to see so many colourful flowers in bloom. Spring is officially my favourite time of year…

Soul Food

Today I am sharing these Raw Caramel Slice Bites by Becomingness. They look delightful, plus I’m all about treats that don’t necessarily result in a ‘cheat’. I’ll certainly be trying these – will you?

Soul Sounds

Today I am sharing The Writer by Sleeping at Last. I am sharing this track which I have listened to daily, because it has uplifted me whilst preparing for my book proposal, the submission date of which is due on Christmas Eve. As part of a Writers Workshop that I purchased last year, there is an magical opportunity to enter a competition to win a book publishing contract with the one and only leaders in the self-help genre, Hay House.  Yes – I know! Excited much? So when the stars align, you could be one of the first to hear of me fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming an author! You have to believe it before you see it, right? 😉 And since you too are all passionate writers, I thought I’d share the love with this inspirational track!

Soul Sisters

And whilst on the subject of writing, I though I’d share a fellow writers book launch over at Watching The Daisies. This looks like a wonderful memoir, and not dissimilar to the message I portray in my daybook of living in the present moment. I believe that the message of slowing down and mindful living is one that can truly transform our lives, so the more people who can remind us of this, the better! So please do head over to Brigid P. Gallagher’s blog and support her in her inspiring work!

In love and light,

Hayley xx