Soulful Sunday #36: Divine Connections

Welcome to my thirty-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.

Connected by the power of words. At the beginning of the week I was blessed enough to spend my day with two incredible women, writers and adventurers, Miriam (Out an About) and Di (Matters for the Heart.)

We connected through our shared love of blogging and writing, and here we are sharing ‘life’ over some delicious food and a cuppa.

Friendships are formed in the most unexpected of places, but when hearts collide, invisible bonds weave their way into the tapestry of our lives enriching our hearts with the cherished gift of true friendship…

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.

– Anais Nin

Soul Strolls

Today I went for a soul stroll with two friends and colleagues, Marisa and Lian. We enjoyed a lovely coastal walk along Sorento Back Beach, Melbourne. The clouds were slightly overcast and there was a fresh, brisk breeze brushing against our cheeks. Despite the cooler weather, it felt refreshing to be outside in the cooler elements. Like all my worries were being swept away.

Soul Food

I’d love to try this Fermented Cashew Cheese recipe by Alice at The Whole Daily. My wish is to improve my health with better nutrition during September, since self care is my focus for the month. It starts with how I fuel my body. A healthy body really does support a healthy mind, and this recipe looks delicious. What’s your go to dish to nourish your body, mind and soul?

Soul Music

I have had moments of true connection this week, and moments when I have felt completely disconnected, mostly from myself. Connect, disconnect, connect, disconnect. It can sometimes seem like we elude ourselves in our quest for deeper meaning and connection.

Reconnecting with like-minded people this week and putting the vibe out for my tribe has meant that I have been held when I’ve felt close to falling; connected when I’ve felt like I was losing myself. So for that, I would like to share this beautiful, meditative track titled Kindred Spirit, by Deuter.

Soul Sisters

I felt touched to read this honest blog by Truth Troubles titled, They Thought I Was Intense…When I Was Actually Autistic. A timely reminder of the importance of human connection. Not many of us feel like we ‘belong’ or fit in. Today, may we remember our uniqueness and individuality, trusting that the right people will show up and enrich our lives for the better when we embrace our authentic selves.

Here’s to connections and friendships old and new.

In love and light,

Hayley xx

Soulful Sunday #28: Love Is Stronger Than Hate

Welcome to my twenty-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

Heaven knows we need love now more than ever. In a world pervasive in deep depression and anxiety; stress and disease, separation, hostility and confusion – it is time we listened to our hearts, time for us to acknowledge the deeper yearnings and whisperings of our soul. It is time we became whole again.

With the recent terror attack claiming 22 lives in my home city of Manchester, I can’t help but feel our world can, at times, feel so fragmented. So senseless an act which claimed those innocent lives. So much sorrow those family’s affected will surely endure. Yet in spite of this, I refuse to believe we live in a hostile Universe. Manchester has shown much love during hostile times. And this is what I choose to focus on – the love, not the hate.

I believe that, if we all discovered authentic love and connection that the world would not only survive, but thrive.

‘The universities of the future will do one thing we do not do today. They will teach the art of self-discovery. There is nothing more fundamental in life.’

– Ben Okri

As a Teacher of Mindfulness and Yoga for children, I visit multiple schools each term across Victoria, Melbourne. Throughout my teaching career, I have recognized the student’s parents and teachers crave simplicity and stability as much as their young ones, often (apologetically) participating in my sessions to surrender their busy lives to a moment of pure peace.

‘If every eight year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation.’

– Dalai Lama

Only with full hearts, can we bestow our loving gifts upon the world and shine our light upon those we love. I wish to bring more love and light to the world. Please support my journey towards spreading more love and connection; heaven knows we need it during these times of upheaval.

It is my wish to give something positive back to Manchester.

There is an opportunity to learn from the pioneers of spiritual healing by attending the Hay House Writers workshop in Sydney, where I’d have the incredible opportunity to submit a book proposal – a beautiful meditative Daybook of soul connection and hope in times of struggle. It teaches women to live by their own light, and by extension, their young ones and families. However, I cannot do this alone. I need YOUR help.

I have three days to try and push my votes above 565. I am currently sitting at 35 votes… So please VOTE, share, and spread the light. Thank you to those who have already supported me on this journey. My heart is so full of gratitude for each and every one of you. I am completely overwhelmed by the kindness shown from friends old and new and the connections I have made here in our online community of like-minded individuals and writers.

Your support means the world to me.

Let’s do this for Manchester. Let’s do this for my beautiful city. Let’s do this because the world needs more hope, more connection and more LOVE. You can vote here! Just click on ‘vote’, find my video (Hayley) and click on the love heart underneath! Thank you in advance ❤

Soul Strolls

Nature heals. This weekend I felt I needed just that, some time spent in Mother Nature and some energy healing. So we drove two hours out of Melbourne to join up friends who were camping at Cathedral Ranges. We enjoyed a beautiful climb up the mountain and some yummy food around the camp fire. 

The view from a rock we stopped to perch on halfway up

Soul Food

It’s a rather cold and wet day here in Melbourne, so I thought I’d share my Chunky Chickpea & Sweet Potato Soup for those who may have missed it. It will warm your tum on a chilly day like today. Enjoy!

Soul Music

I am sharing Don’t Look Back In Anger by Manchester’s legendary rock and rollers, Oasis. Crowds sung this song recently for those lives that were taken too soon, and so I’d like to share the song here today as a reminder for us to avoid looking back in anger; love is stronger than hate.

Soul Sisters

Today, I’d like to share a post titled Releasing The Little Person Within by Di over at Matters For The Heart. A beautiful, poignant reminder for us to make peace with our inner child. I urge you to head over for a read of Di’s blog where she shares beautiful matters of the heart which resonate at a soul level.

I wish you all a peaceful Sunday.

In love and light,

Hayley xx

Soulful Sunday #27: Can You Help?

Welcome to my twenty-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

So this week I decided to submit an entry to the Hay House Writers Workshop Competition in Sydney. Last year I attended the workshop online and was able to submit a book proposal as part of my participation in the course. Sadly, my book was not selected – however, three very deserving writers were chosen for their beautiful books to be published.

When I saw the opportunity to attend the Sydney Writers Workshop in July by submitting a short video describing my idea for a book, I decided to have another try. If you have enjoyed my inspirational posts, and feel inspired by my daybook, which would be of a similar nature – then please take the time to vote for my video below! And if you have the time, maybe you could even share my link with your audience with a link back to my WordPress site.

So far, I only have 8 votes, and I have just ten days to obtain close to 500! So any way in which you can help would be greatly appreciated (and of course I will send you a signed copy of my book when it’s selected for publication!) 😉 I would very much appreciate your support.

I must say, the moment I submitted my entry, I suddenly thought: “Cringe! I’m not good enough, I rambled too much, I wavered off topic..” I silenced the negative self talk and tried to find the truth – we are all deserving. Each and every one of us. Sometimes we take life far too seriously, so why not present ourselves as we are? In my case, that’s a little bit silly at times, but with a big wish to uplift and inspire the masses.

You can vote for me here! Just click on ‘VOTE’ and then find my entry (Hayley) which should be close to the top! Thank you ❤

Soul Gifts

I wanted to share these beautiful roses bought for me by someone very special. He showed up at my door with these unexpected flowers on the anniversary of my Dad’s passing on the tenth of May.

‘What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?’

– George Eliot

Soul Food

I would like to share an old favourite of mine, my Chocolate Chia Pudding recipe. It tastes delicious and is also nourishing! Which is an added bonus. No nasty refined sugars in this desert – just Mother Nature’s goodness! Enjoy.

Soul Music

Today I am sharing Say Hello To Heaven by Chris Cornell to honour his life. We have lost a beautiful, gifted soul far too soon, yet his words and music will forever remain in our hearts.  May your soul rest in peace.

Soul Brothers

I am sharing these beautiful quotes on strength compiled by Charles French at Words, Reading and Writing. A beautiful way to end the week and a timely reminder to remain centred in our inner strength for the week ahead.

In love and light,

Hayley xx

 

Soulful Sunday #12: Slow Down

Welcome to my twelfth 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

Finding the balance between Doing and Being is something I wish to focus my attention towards more in 2017. That, as well as CONNECTION, which I blogged about on my website in my recent post: 3 Tips To Get Clear About The New Year.

But why do we often feel guilty when taking time out from our busy schedules? Why, as a nation, are we so addicted to Doing? I’m not immune to it myself, but I will be making space to find more balance this year. I want to be CONNECTED to Life. To feel and connect with each moment, each breath, every experience good and bad. And I know that the only way to achieve this is through my mindfulness practice. Part of which involves spending time in nature.

So wherever you are on this sacred Sunday, slow down. Breathe. Take a guilt free moment to simply Be. Whilst it is important to ‘get stuff done’; it is equally important to embrace the art of leaving things ‘undone.’

Soul Strolls

This week saw my partner and I take a camping trip to Yanakie by Wilsons Prom. My blogger friend and favourite travel writer, Miriam Blaker at Out an’ About  inspired me to travel there after seeing her beautiful images and camping trip documented here.

As I walked along the beech, I thought of Miriam and how wonderful it was to be walking the same shoreline she walked, taking photos of the same skyline she admired, and sharing my dreams and wishes to the same vast ocean she undoubtedly spoke to from her heart. I have connected with Miriam within this colourful community of beautiful online bloggers, but walking in Miriam’s footsteps felt both whimsical and magical, as though connected by nature itself. I know one day we shall share a red wine and some great food somewhere in the great outdoors. In the meantime, I will be traversing her footsteps across time and space as I continue to be inspired by the beautiful places she has travelled within Melbourne; the perfect travel brochure for an English rookie like me!

Here are just a handful of the wonderful sunset pictures we captured at Yanakie.

Yanakie shoreline

Beautiful sunset at Yanakie

My little Jellyfish friend xx

Writing my dreams in the sand for the ocean to envelope

Mark admiring the sunset

Trying to get my sandals back on hehe

Soul Food

We have been experiencing some extreme heat in Melbourne, and the other week it was extremely muggy and hot with rain breaking through here and there. With the humidity I needed something easy and quick to prepare so I made this Rainbow Chili Couscous in under fifteen minutes. It was delicious!

Soul Sounds

This week I am sharing a meditation track called ‘I Know The Trees’ so that you can drift off to the sounds of nature. You can find it on Spotify by clicking on this link here.

Soul Sisters

Today I am sharing Deb’s gratitude post from  Once Upon A Hot Flash. I just love Deb, she is such a shining ray of sunshine and if you haven’t come across her Daily Gratitude posts yet, then head over to her blog. Gratitude is something we can all foster in 2017, and Deb is the perfect lady to remind you to express gratitude for the simple pleasures in life!

And on that note I wish to say thank you to my blogger friends, to connections old and new, and to embracing the art of ‘Being’.

In love and light

Hayley xx