Soulful Sunday #50: Own Your Power

Welcome to my fiftieth 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

It’s a sad affair but one that unfortunately happens too often; we hand our power over to other people. Why do we do this? Because somehow, somewhere along the line we managed to lose our self-belief and in it’s place, developed a diminished faith in our own abilities.

But it’s time we stood in our strength and took back our power.

There is no doubt that we are highly intuitive individuals who need not rely on others to tell us how to live, especially when their advice feels counter intuitive to what our heart and our gut are telling us.

In this last week alone I have had two people, tell me that it’s highly unlikely I will be able to birth naturally. My response? I simply tossed their words in the ‘waste paper basket’ whilst sending them love.

Listen only to words that inspire, empower and uplift. Listen only to words of love.  Henry Ford had it right when he said:

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”

– Henry Ford

So today, believe you can. Embrace and own your true essence and power. Know that you posses all of the courage and grit required to achieve anything you set you mind to. Now do it.

Soul Strolls

It’s not often I take my camera out walking anymore. I like to keep my body light and free since i’m carrying a little person inside! But as our move to our new home approaches, I’d like to share a few shots I captured last year at my local park.

I stroll through Princes Park each night after work. Walking allows me to let go of the working day and to breathe fresh air into my lungs. My walks invigorate and nourish me. It’s a chance to clear my head and let go of any troubles I may be holding onto. Plus I get to move my body in a way that is gentle yet effective.

Here are just a few photod I’ve captured along my soul strolls to and through my local park. Hmm there seems to be a pink theme I’ve noticed….the colour of love?

 

Soul Food

This isn’t a recipe as such, but a little soul food that I arrived home to today after I woke feeling a little emotional and low on energy.

I went for a walk to restore my energy, only to arrive home to the scrumptious omelette lovingly prepared by my delicious man. He’s a little annoyed that it wasn’t ‘central’ on the plate before I snapped the photo, but as I gently reminded him – nothing is perfect, only perfectly imperfect in every way.

Soul Music

I am so in love with this track by Jai Jagdeesh, You Are Loved. Each words brings such profound comfort and joy. I urge you to listen to it again and again as I have! And as you do, ‘know you are loved.’

Soul Sisters

I usually share the words of a fellow blogger here each week, but this week I feel called to share two beautiful books I have been reading on the topic of natural birth.

Each one has empowered me on my journey towards a natural, drug free birth and has reminded me of my own inner strength and power. If you know anyone who is pregnant and may be feeling fearful about their labour, or has experienced a traumatic labour in the past – purchase one of these books as a gift. They truly are priceless gems of wisdom.

Authors Katrina Zaslavsky and Jenny Blyth have shifted my feelings of helplessness, dis-empowerment and fear about my labour, restoring within me a deep faith and trust in my innate ability to connect to my body, my baby and my birthing experience.

 

On this Soulful Sunday, know that I am wrapping you all in a warm hug, grateful hug. May you remember your strength. May you tune into your intuition. May you reclaim your power and go forth with confidence, ease and trust.

Love always,

Hayley xx

Trust Yourself

Too often we dismiss our gut feelings. We keep quiet or fail to take action through fear of ‘rocking the boat’, getting it ‘wrong’ or looking ‘stupid’. But those still, small voices within are the whispering of our souls – our intuition. And we must learn to trust in it.

Whenever I have gone against my intuition, there have been consequences; I have missed out on an opportunity, a situation has escalated, or I haven’t felt at ease with myself and others. Each time we fail to take authentic action, we are doing ourselves and others a disservice – we have become misaligned from our truth.

We each have an inner guidance system that points the way toward right thought; right words, right deeds and right action. When we become attuned to our hearts whispers and our soul wishes, we will know how to live.

Today, listen to that still voice within, and trust it.

In love & light,

Hayley xx

Keep Going

Never underestimate yourself. For your strength and resilience are far greater than you could ever imagine.

You haven’t survived for as long as you have, nor have you journeyed as far as you’ve come, only to quit now. When you feel like giving up, when your heart is too heavy to carry, your feet to weary to walk, your words too silenced to talk – dig deep and remember who you are.

Remember the lessons you have learnt; the scars that you earned; the joy you outpoured; the grief you’ve endured; the tears that you shed; the love you have bled – remember it all. For this is the fuel that will drive you on with the utmost faith in your heart. Because ‘when you have gone so far that you cannot manage one more step, then you have gone just half the distance you are capable of.’

You are stronger than you know. So keep going.

In love & light,

Hayley xx