I think every parent needs to be reminded of this… When I was first flung into the lions den of parenting, I felt like a fish out of water wearing learner plates and training wheels. Sometimes I still do. This was further exasperated by all of the ‘noise’ out there.
My advice? Try not to google everything. Tune out to the world and tune into yourself. Listen only to that which resonates with you and leave all the rest behind.
There is no wrong or right way. Only the right way for you and your family.
‘The more people have studied different methods of bringing up children, the more they have come to the conclusion that what good mothers and fathers instinctively feel like doing for their babies is the best after all.’
Welcome to my fifty-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 dreams and intentions for the week ahead.
My hope is to extend some love outward and to share some simple pleasures with anyone who cares to receivethem.
Soul Reflections
Fear is debilitating. It can literally leave us paralysed with anxiety.
There is a famous quote (and book for that matter) by Susan Jeffers who reminds us:
Feel the fear and do it anyway.
My biggest work over the last few months has been to face my fears around labour, particularly around the ‘normal’ practice of hospitals whose medical interventions often result in unnecessary trauma for both Mum and baby. Don’t get me wrong, in a medical emergency these procedures can save lives; but in a normal, safe, healthy pregnancy and birth, such interventions often cause more harm than good. Is it any wonder then, that we hear so many horror stories about birth?
Once my fears were acknowledged, I could then begin to dissolve them. I turned to natural birthing books and absorbed myself in the thousands of positive birth stories (yes – they exist!!!) each contained. The more I read, the more I began to meet women who had birthed naturally, and with less complications (if any) than those who had birthed at the hands of doctors and drugs.
We also decided on Hypno-birthing classes to prepare ourselves for a calm birth using breath work, relaxations, visualisations, strengthening affirmations and natures own pain relief; oxytocin – all of which helped to deepen our confidence and trust in a natural birth.
Whilst our preparations do not guarantee us a smooth, uninterrupted birth with little to no complication or medical intervention; what they do provide us with are the innate tools to birth in love and trust, rather than shrouded in fear.
Of course, there are always some residue fears of the unknown and lingering What if’s? But since the only way out of my birth is through, I must ‘feel the fear and do it anyway.’
The only way out is through.
– Robert Frost
And through we shall go, in love and trust.
Soul Strolls
With three weeks to go until we meet our baby, strolling has become somewhat of a waddle! The pelvic pressure is real haha And so, after finishing my last week of work last Friday, I decided to put my feet up and rest this pregnant body.
I booked in for a pregnancy massage at Endota Spa (which was the best massage I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot!) and soaked up the healing vibes. I plan to spend the next three weeks resting and nourishing myself and our baby, and enjoying our last few weeks as a ‘two.’
‘Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.’ – Marcel Proust
Soul Recipes
This recipe is an oldy but a goody of mine. I love using my slow cooker, and this dish lends itself perfectly to one. It’s hearty, it’s comforting, it’s delicious and it’s even healthy My Hearty Lentil Curry gets a thumbs up every time. Let me know what you think!
Yummy lentil curry!
Soul Music
On the other side of fear lies freedom and peace. So today I would love to share this delightfully peaceful track by Ashana titled Deep Peace. Put you feet up, take a deep breath in and receive the deep peace flowing to you. Now sigh and release. You are free. You are safe. You are secure and loved.
Soul Sisters
Today I would love to share this beautifully nourishing poem titled Bliss by Aroused. A timely reminder for us to connect with our intuition within and to trust.
Wrapping you all in a warm loving hug on this soulful Sunday.
This week I’ve really felt what it feels like to be moving against the wind; but sometimes our resistance is part of our flow.
Just as the pilot navigates his plane through uncertain weather conditions, I too must trust in a safe landing despite the inner turbulence I’m feeling.
Resistance often indicates a need to let go of control, to completely surrender and trust. Yet resistance, when used in conjunction with intuition, can also be a strong reminder to trust in yourself first and foremost.
If you have a nagging resistance to something, there may be a reason why. Surrender and trust doesn’t mean that we have to agree to, and go along with every situation we are presented with.
If it doesn’t flow, let it go.
– Katrina Zaslavsky
If it’s not aligning with your hearts wishes, listen to what your resistance is trying to tell you, even if others think it unorthodox. Taking off against the wind may seem strange to some, but it’s the surest way to arrive at your destination in one piece.
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 receivethem.
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.
Too often we give our power away; to the doctors and professionals, to other people’s experiences who’ve ‘been there and done that’, to our teachers, superiors and peers who claim they ‘know better’.
But within each of us is a sacred, divine wisdom that knows exactly how to live.
We needn’t seek outside for answers and expert advice. If you take the time to listen to your body, your heart and your intuition, then you will be guided each step of the way. The answers you seek will find YOU. Synchronistic events will begin to show up in your world once you connect with your deepest wishes and intentions – each one leading you to precisely where you need to be.
I have found this experience to be true in my own life. Since making a commitment to a natural, drug free birth and pregnancy, I have discovered women who have walked the path I wish to walk, each one empowering me to take my body, baby and birth into my own hands.
The guidance and wisdom I’ve attracted into my world since making this firm decision has been mind blowing.
Whatever you’re experiencing, if you’re feeling confused by the overwhelm of information ‘out there’ – get still. Tune into yourself. Trust yourself. You know exactly how to live.
Today, on International Women’s Day let us celebrate all that is woman.
You’re Mother, your daughter, your sister, your significant other, your Grandmother, your teacher, YOU!!! Whoever this woman may be, take a moment to acknowledge the woman before you and give thanks for her innate beauty and wisdom.
Give thanks for her ability to smile when inside she cries; for the way she holds herself together when her world is falling apart; for the miracle of life she nourishes, nurtures and births forth for this earth.
Give thanks for her wisdom, her courage and unconditional love. For her ability to exude silent strength. For the way she is soft yet fierce in her beliefs and remains grounded in the face of adversity.
Whoever this woman may be – today, acknowledge all that she is. For she is she. A woman. And this woman is enough.
Welcome to my forty-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 receivethem.
Soul Reflections
Too often we dismiss our ideas as ‘silly’ or ‘absurd’. We keep quiet and fail to take action through fear of ‘getting it wrong’ or looking stupid. But as T. Harv Eker reminds us:
One step in the right direction is better than one hundred years thinking about it.
I am your typical procrastinator. Yet I have come to realise that procrastination is one of either two things: perfectionism or fear. The truth is, that there is never a perfect time to begin and there is no time like the present. As for a perfect outcome? That too, is never guaranteed. So make a start and don’t delay. Fear of beginning, failing or even succeeding are some of the biggest roadblocks to living the life we intended to live.
So my advice to you is to simply begin. You don’t need to know how to do it, you just need to know why you are doing it. And it is your WHY that will keep you moving forward, especially when you are faced with setbacks and adversity.
Create for joy. There need be no other reason.
– Kate. M. Foster
Whatever your intuition is urging you to do, trust in that small voice within. Your dreams are real. So go after them.
Soul Strolls
My partner and I are currently looking for a place to live. The rental competition is tough here in Melbourne, and many people arrive at the viewings all with the hope of being chosen. After a number of underwhelming viewings and one uncertain and tentative application which was (thankfully) declined, one property just ‘felt right.’
And that’s when my intuition began to nudge a little louder!
My partner and I noticed two gentlemen fixing the roof in the garage. We stopped to say ‘hello.’ It turned out that one of the gentlemen happened to be the landlord. The landlords make the final decision based on tenant application, yet it’s very rare that they are present at the property during inspection.
We had two more back to back viewings to race to, but knew even as we looked around the other houses that our hearts were still set on the first. Following our gut instincts, we returned to the first property, where we introduced ourselves again to the landlord.
We explained we’d fallen in love with his home and asked what he was looking for in a tenant and to our surprise, he said: “To be honest, I said to my friend that I’d give you both the property as you were both pleasant enough to say ‘hello’ as you looked through.’
Sometimes you just have to trust your instincts, and go that extra mile. After the landlord thanked us for returning to enquire further, we said our goodbye’s. We submitted our application that same evening. I will let you know next week if the stars align!
For now – I will visualise my partner and I walking hand in hand through the door to our new home… Wish us luck!
0ur new home 😉
Soul Food
My friend made a delicious vegan lasagna which tasted incredible. Although, she used pasta sheets, which I love! Although pasta does NOT love me! (Think BLOAT and GAS!) Not pretty. So I discovered this delicious grain free, gluten free, dairy free lasagna from one of my favourite Health and Wellness pals, Alice Nicholls. You could even make this meat free if desired! I will definitely be giving this one a try. Yum!
Soul Music
Today I’d like to share this beautiful meditative track titled Sacred Alignment, by Dean Evenson. It’s gentle melody is the perfect reminder to go ‘inward.’ The answer lies within. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do.
Soul Sisters
I would like to share this stunning post by Deb at Once Upon A Hot Flash. I first met Debs here on WordPress, and we quickly connected and became friends. Deb is a beautiful soul, who connected me with other beautiful souls whilst walking along this WordPress journey. I am so grateful for her presence here.
I am sharing this post as, after an incredible daily run, Debs has decided to share her last Daily Gratitude post. Head on over and share your gratitude, as I truly believe that the best way to become aligned is to be grateful.
Trusting each and every one of you are feeling aligned on this peaceful Sunday, and if you are not – get still and listen. Trust that your heart is whispering guidance to you.
Do you feel anxious? Worried? Confused? Just when you think you have all the answers, does your mind send you reeling frantically with thoughts of “What if?”
Hush now. Be still. For one thing is certain – the solutions are not in your head.
The mind has a funny way of thinking it’s way in circles. It’s main stimulant of doubt, fear and procrastination presents countless roadblocks to inner peace.
Rule your mind or it will rule you.
– Buddha
Recognising that your thoughts create your experience is the ultimate pathway to peace. We are only ever one thought away from living the life we intended to live, a life that truly matters. For authentic guidance, we must rely on a source much greater than our minds; we must learn to trust in our intuition.
Learning to detach from our incessant thinking can be tricky at first. We identify so strongly with the stories we tell ourselves, that we create all kinds of problems and dilemmas in our heads. But with a little practice, patience and perseverance we can develop our awareness and learn to tap into our intuitive power. Try spending time alone in nature, or go deeper with mindfulness practices such as yoga and meditation. Connect with your breath and feel the answers arise from the space between your thoughts; your authentic self.
Divine guidance is always available to you. Your soul’s whispers are just that – whispers. Unless you are willing to get quiet and be still – you wont hear the messages coming to you from your heart.
Remember, you are more than your thoughts. You are bigger than your mind. The same life force that exists in every living thing exists inside of you. You are connected to the same Divine wisdom that created you. Today, tap into that wisdom. Listen to your heart. Wrap yourself in the reassuring hug of Divine Guidance.
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.
pasta sheets, which I love! Although pasta does NOT love me! (Think BLOAT and GAS!) Not pretty. So I discovered this delicious grain free, gluten free, dairy free 
Dear Dad 