Soulful Sunday #34: Believe, Receive

Welcome to my thirty-fourth 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

There is a natural joy that comes from giving. When we give, we honour our innate desire to love unconditionally. To gift without the expectation of any return is one of the purest acts of kindness we can do for another.

Receiving, however, can be a struggle for many. Preconditioned beliefs from childhood are prevalent; ‘there isn’t enough’, ‘money doesn’t grow on trees’, or worse still, it is ‘greedy’ or ‘wrong’ to want more. Encounters with power hungry or controlling individuals may also leave us feeling afraid or unworthy of receiving. Such limiting beliefs block our ability to receive with ease and grace.

It is time to let go of old misconceptions and be willing to accept all the best life has to offer.

You deserve to be happy. Life was never meant to be a struggle. Next time a gift comes your way, say ‘thank you’ and accept it with grace. Try to refrain from saying ‘you shouldn’t have’ or ‘this is too much.’ Let go of the past. Believe you are worthy of receiving abundance and embrace the life you deserve.

Soul Strolls

Today’s soul stroll took place in Sunbury. We decided to go for a drive and came across this beautiful dog park. I left my phone in the car to avoid interruption and missed a photo opportunity of a beautiful lake nestled in a nook of trees. But I have the memory of that pristine lake captured in my heart.

Sunbury

Soul Food

Today I am sharing this delicious gluten free Zucchini Bread by Chef Shine. Which, if you’re English like me, is basically ‘courgette’ bread. I love bread. In fact, it’s my favourite thing. But unfortunately, bread gives me the bloats so I’m always on the look out for healthier alternatives, such as spelt or rye. I’ll certainly be giving this one a try!

Soul Music

I’d like to share Supertramp’s Give A Little Bit. A magical reminder that the best gifts in life are free; love and kindness.

Soul Brothers

I’d love to share this heartfelt poem by Vishal titled Wild days, heart break and pain. Vishal’s poetry is always vivid with colour and emotion. I felt it more than worthy of a share in today’s Soulful Sunday, since Vishal bares his soul each time he writes.

Wishing you all a beautiful Sunday. May you enjoy the gift of today.

In love & light,

Hayley xx

 

The Body’s Whispers

There are countless scientific studies that prove the mind body connection exists. The mind and body send subtle messages to one another, and when one shows signs of imbalance, the other soon suffers.

This week I was reminded of that truth when I chose to ignore my body’s whispers. What started as a sore throat soon escalated into an infection and a complete loss of my voice. My protests of “…just one more day of work won’t harm…I’ll just go and visit these friends… I’ll be fine…” caused my body to scream. And it worked. I have been silenced into submission. Literally.

For some, however, dismissing the body’s signals results in far worse than a sore throat. Which is why it is vital we listen to it’s subtle cues. Maintaining a healthy mind and body are key to living a wholesome life – you cannot have one without the other. All illness and disease results from resisting the flow of life in some area. Once we recognise this, dis-ease becomes our teacher, pointing the way towards greater healing.

‘When we create peace and harmony and balance in our minds, we will find it in our lives.’
– Louise Hays

In adopting a holistic approach to health and wellness, we begin to heal our lives from the inside out – body, mind and spirit. Where in your life are you experiencing imbalance? Diet? Lifestyle choices? Repetitive thinking and behaviour patterns? What are you holding onto/refusing to let go of?

Today, hear your body’s whispers. It speaks to you of loving truth and wisdom – so listen.

In love & light,

Hayley xx

Soulful Sundays #23: Boundaries.

Welcome to my twenty-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

Many of us fall into ‘people pleasing’ mode. We keep quiet when something upsets us, or we decide it’s not worth the hassle to speak up. But voicing how we feel is an honest form of communication. Without boundaries, we risk trying to please everyone at the expense of our own happiness.

So why do so many of us fear voicing the truth? Being honest is often confused with being aggressive, harsh or outspoken. But communicating our truth can be done in a way that is both assertive and loving. It is possible to voice how we feel whilst still respecting others differences and opinions . We each value different things. This doesn’t make us any better or worse than one another. People either respect our wishes or they don’t. Yet through honest, open communication we can begin to surround ourselves with like-minded people and build healthy relationships based upon mutual trust. We can’t please everyone. Nor must we try. The right people will move in and out of our lives when we stay true to ourselves and others.

Today, speak from the heart. Remember that ‘boundaries are a part of self-care. They are healthy, normal and necessary.’

Soul Strolls

This week I have been a little over my head with moving house and working the holiday club with 90 children! Fun, yet exhausting. And without my walks to keep me sane, I may have buckled under the chaos. Finding a little moment of peace in your day, even if only for 5 minutes, is often the only thing that’s required to keep you afloat and above choppy waters. I captured these little pretties whilst walking this week. So delicate,

Soul Food

It’s a cold and rainy day here today in Melbourne. Weather likes this makes me crave comfort food! Which is why I am sharing these guilt-free Chewy, Fudgey, Vegan-Double-Choc Brownie’s. Now please! Yum.

Soul Music

I had the pleasure of watching Sacred Earth live this week in a beautiful chapel. The crystal clear sounds filled the convent and I was lost in 90 minutes of healing, soulful vibes. Such a mesmerising experience. Here I share one of their tracks, Divine Mother.

Soul Sisters

I haven’t had the chance to share much recently as I have barely Today I am sharing New Beginnings by Spiritual Journey 17. A  beautiful reminder for us to stay optimistic in the face of adversity.

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