Soulful Sunday #47: Treasured Friendships

Welcome to my forty-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

As an introvert with a Scorpio sun-sign born in the year of the Rat, I fiercely value family, loyalty and authentic connection. I rarely surround myself with large numbers of frivolous friendships, choosing instead to keep a close circle of faithful friends, my chosen family, near to my heart.

When one discovers deep connection, then one has found a faithful friend. It doesn’t matter how often you meet, what matters is the love, trust and acceptance you share.

If you can place your heart in another’s hands and trust it is safe, held, and protected – when you’re at your best and when you’re at your worst – then you are blessed with an unbreakable bond that will survive all kinds of weather.

Such kindred spirits can be found in a parent, child, sibling, partner, teacher, friend or pet. It’s that instant recognition, that feeling of coming home, that moment when you know you can be completely yourself, free from fear or judgement.

Cherish those connections as you walk along this journey – because they are the true treasures in life.

Soul Strolls

Soul strolling this weekend took place in Warburton. This quaint country town is just an hours drive from Melbourne and a true treasure to visit. We enjoyed lazing by the river, getting our feet wet and exploring local walks and forestry.

On our way home we stopped for lunch with a treasured friend and fellow blogger, Miriam from Out an About and her husband, Doug. The food was scrumptious and the company was deliciously nourishing! I feel so blessed to have such a beautiful connection here in Melbourne, and what’s even more special is that our friendship was first formed whilst connecting here on WordPress.

If you know local bloggers that you resonate with, I encourage you to reach out and connect! You may just discover a kindred spirit like I did.

Kindred Spirits

Soul Music

Keeping with the theme of treasured friendships, I would like to share this stunning meditative track, Kindred Spirit by Deuter. Go on, I dare you to have a listen and become lost in its peaceful, healing vibes.

Soul Sisters

I would like to share Miriam’s stunning post, Planting Dreams. When Miriam told me of her serendipitous moment over lunch, I literally had goosebumps. The miracles that appear when we open our hearts to the Universe is beyond magic, and that’s what Miriam is tapping into, the magical creative force that emerges when we are in the flow of creativity, abundance and trust.

I hope your Sunday is filled with faith, deep connection and many many miracles.

Love Always,

Hayley xx

Soulful Sunday #42: Birthday Wishes

Welcome to my forty-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

This week I have been like a little hedgehog in hibernation. I am working on my book proposal for the Hay House Writers Workshop Competition and at one point, I became so overwhelmed with the realisation that I’d over commitment myself to friends and family, that I had a little anxious cry. I took a deep breathe and reached out to explain my intentions to complete my submission on time. Sure enough, I was met with nothing but compassion and understanding – and that is exactly why I can safely call my friends ‘friends’. Real friends understand.

Just as time spent with friends and loved ones is crucial for a happy existence, so is time spent alone.

Honouring our alone time is essential for balance and renewal. During these stolen moments of solitude we reconnect with ourselves; our deepest dreams, wishes, hopes and desires.

Taking a break from the world doesn’t mean that we care any less for our friends and family, it simply means that we love them enough to take care of ourselves first. We cannot give away what we don’t have. If we are depleted, out of touch with ourselves, tired and run down – how can we give the best of ourselves to others?

Today, take a guilt free moment of peace.

‘Compassion is not complete if it does not include oneself.’
– Allan Lokos.

Know that in serving YOU first, you can better serve the world. When you take the time to connect with who you are; your truest, essential nature – the love and compassion you show for yourself will ultimately bless those you come into contact with.

Soul Strolls

Last weekend it was my birthday, and what better way to turn 33 than to spend it out in nature with my man. We loaded the car and off we drove to Warburton – a peaceful pocket of peace just 90 minutes from home.

We stayed on a lovely rustic farm surrounded by green acres. It was bliss. And we even made a little friend!

 

We explored rain-forests and revelled in the tranquil outdoors. I loved these luscious green ferns and the way they slowly unravel into their full expansiveness over time… A beautiful unfolding of life right there.

The sound of the rushing waterfalls and the smell of the forest ferns was intoxicating. As Mother Nature enveloped us in her tranquil hug, I couldn’t help but feel at peace.

Soul Food

Last weekend I decided to treat myself since it was my birthday! I enjoyed two puddings because I couldn’t decide between the Coconut Chia and Rasberry pudding and the Peanut Butter and Almond Milk Oats – so I bought both! Yum! I plan to replicate both of these and will share the recipe once I perfect them 🙂

Soul Music & Soul Sisters

On our way back from Warburton, we stopped in to visit my good friend and fellow blogger, Miriam Blaker from Out & About. I had the pleasure of being serenaded buy this sweet soul who’s voice is just simply Divine. What made the moment even more special, was the song that Miriam sang for us was written by another soul sister and fellow blogger of ours, Deb from Once Upon A Hot Flash. 

You can hear Miriam singing Deb’s song on Miriam’s latest post here!

Co-creation at it’s best!

Birthday wishes really do come true. For my birthday, I had wished for a magical weekend of balance and calm, and to be surrounded by nature and those who are nearest and dearest to me – especially since my family live on the other side of the world…

I can honestly say, all of my wishes came true ❤

Here’s to finding balance, to following our dreams, and to heartfelt wishes fulfilled.

In love & light,

Hayley xx

‘No’ is a complete sentence.

The biggest gift we can offer others as we journey towards our own joy and peace, is the gift of independence.

Many light-workers, (those who love to share their healing with others) make great counsellors. And often unpaid counsellors. We counsel our friends, our families, our colleagues, our partners, and even complete strangers!

Light-workers (whether you know you are one or not) will often hear statements such as; ‘You give great advice…’, or, ‘I’d like your opinion on something…’ In the beginning, this feels good. We love to help and be of service to others. We are healing others and healing ourselves in the process. That is what light-workers do. Our hearts are open and we are usually always willing to listen and assist. However, this often comes at a price.

Before we know it, we are inundated with people wanting our ‘help’ with something. And because of our kind natures, we often find it difficult to say ‘no.’ But unfortunately, if we do not learn that ‘no’ is a complete sentence and requires no explanation or justification, then we risk becoming exploited by certain people. You know the ones. Those who offload all of their latest baggage onto you, rarely pausing for breath until the moment you about to part, and then finally remember (and usually as an after thought) to ask: “And how are you?!”
“I’m good!” we lie. 
We should do this again!” they say. “I feel so much better…”

And I am not talking about the friends who are just having a bad day. I am talking about the ones who are always having a bad day. The ones who love to spatter us with paint balls of problems. And rather than the pretty hues that colour our lives, we are pummelled with dark, muddy, greys and blacks that leave throbbing red marks for hours, sometimes days afterwards! Julia Cameron likes to call these people the ‘crazy-makers’. We all know a crazy-maker or two. They are the ones who never pick up on (or choose to ignore) our subtle hints of; “I’ve got a lot on at the moment…” or “I’m working on something dear to me…”
“Oh – this will only take a moment!” they reply. Or; “So when can I call/see you then?” they persistently ask. “You work too hard – relax! Come and let your hair down!”
Yeah right, like ‘relax’ is ever on the agenda when in their company. Before we know it, we have become resentful. Our willingness to help has cost us our own joy and wellbeing.

It is then that we realise the best gift we can offer another human being is their independence. To teach them, not to rely on our broader perspective, but to tap into their own inner guidance.  It is our job to teach people how to become their own counsellors. And we can do this with love.

This week, after being inundated with message after message of drama after drama, I finally realised that the person in question didn’t need genuine guidance after all – they simply wanted to feel justified. And so, feeling weary, exhausted and noticing the effects my involvement with this person was beginning to have on my own life and relationship, I responded with love; “Choose the path that brings you the most peace. Follow your heart, your inner compass. If you listen to your heart, it will always lead you back to love and joy. But you didn’t need me to tell you that … you got this!  😉 ” And sure enough, they figured it out for themselves. Rather than give the gift of continuous guidance, I gave the gift of independence.

Who, in your circle, is dependant on you for advice? Next time you meet, or speak – send them love. But be firm. Send them the gift of independence, and then politely send them on their way. You will both feel much lighter as a result. And hopefully, your friendship (if genuine) will flourish as a result of your new found heart space.

As light-workers, we cannot heal the masses if we are spending all of our valuable time and resources on a handful of needy crazy-makers.

In love and light,

Hayley xx

Fancy a Brew?

Writing 101, Day 11: Update your readers over a cup of coffee

If we were having coffee right now, my heart would be racing. And as my body trembles and shakes, my hands would become clammy and my temperature would soar. You may wonder why I have come over all funny in your presence – it’s not you, well, not entirely – it’s just my extreme sensitivity to caffeine.

If we were having coffee right now, depending on how comfortable I feel in your presence, I will either endure my heart spasm inducing coffee blend fix and hope that you don’t notice; or blurt out how totally off my chops that cup of coffee just made me feel! (Then order a hot chocolate or a herbal tea instead.)

If we were having coffee right now, it is because you are an open and honest soul, who isn’t afraid to expose your inner weirdness. You are a good talker as well as a good listener, and you refrain from judgment or rudeness to others. If you are shallow, narrow minded, self absorbed or materialistic, then we wouldn’t be having coffee right now.

If we were having coffee right now, I would ask you what you’d like to drink and insist that I pay. If you object, I will say you can pay next time (and the next time we meet, I will finally allow you to pay after putting up a good fight!)

If we were having coffee right now, you would be laughing at my lack of coffee knowledge as I proceed to order you a ‘mo-CHA’, instead of the correct pronunciation of ‘mocka!’ (yes – this actually happened.) If we were having coffee right now, the geek within me would say or do something ridiculous before you leave my company. There is no point in my attempting to avoid this – in doing so, I shall do nothing BUT make a fool of myself in my endeavors to come across as ‘normal’. So I decide to just run with my weirdness and stick some marshmallows up my nose instead.

If we were having coffee right now, I would ask you how you are. I will be ready to listen to all of your joys and all of your troubles with sincerity. If you are excited, I will be excited with you! If you are feeling woeful or confused, I will refrain from interrupting you so that you may arrive at your own conclusion. Once you have finished talking, I will offer you some gentle and honest advice that does not persuade or influence your decision. I will encourage you to listen to your own inner compass; to your heart, and advise you to follow the path which brings you the most peace.

If we were having coffee right now, you will ask how I am in return. I will freeze a little inside, not wanting to burden you with my demons, and tell you ‘I’m fine.’ I may go as far as admitting how overwhelmed I feel with my fast approaching emigration, before changing the subject to more light-hearted matters. It is not that I don’t trust you or that I am secretive, I just have a genuine problem off loading onto others. If we were having coffee right now, the last thing I’d want to do is mar you with my psychic debris – and besides, this woven web is mine to untangle.

If we were having coffee right now, we would look at the clock with genuine surprise and wonder how time got away from us. Neither you, nor I, would be in a hurry to leave, however, we’d both feel conscious of taking up too much of each others time. If we were having coffee right now, we would say ‘we should do this again.’ And we will.

If we were having coffee right now, we would hug as we say our goodbyes. Afterwards, I’d say something daft to make you laugh and send you on your way with a smile.

And as I part your company, I too would smile, and with a sigh I’d walk on, taking with me the weight of the world on my shoulders.