Soul Sundays #5: Now or Never

Welcome to my fifth 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 has been a little tough. I have felt overwhelmed. Pulled in different directions. I have been frustrated and blocked creatively.

So easily our vision is pulled from the Now. We are interrupted, or become distracted; and not always by another well meaning person, often it can be our own self-sabotaging thoughts that intrude on our peace and sacred space. Despite our best efforts and intentions, if we listen to the voice of procrastination for too long, doubt begins to set in. Or we lose focus entirely, abandoning our project on the grounds that ‘now is not a good time to be creative.’ But Now is the only time.

Who are we kidding when we tell ourselves that we’ll work on it ‘later’ or ‘tomorrow’ or when we have ‘more time’ and the ‘conditions are ripe’?

Every time we tell our selves this – we are ‘cock-blocking’ creativity. And as vulgar as that may sound to some, that is the reality of how vulgar, intrusive and pervasive our self-sabotaging thoughts can be. The endless cycle of perfectionism and procrastination kills creativity and stops it in it’s tracks before it even has chance to gain some forward momentum.

So my advice is to simply begin. Regardless of the conditions, take action. Because worse than a blocked creator, is a frustrated one. And the only way to become unblocked is to oil the instrument and put it in motion.   It doesn’t matter if it’s not great, at least it is something. And so last night, as the rain poured, I penned this little poem. And today, the sun made her appearance.

Rain kisses earth,
Cleansing dense energy.
As energy outside shifts,
Souls inside create their lists.

Sun embraces land,
Birthing new ideas.
As inspiration takes form,
Hearts grow warm; their souls reborn.

Soul Food

Another simple yet tasty dish to share today. When I feel overwhelmed, it’s important I prepare foods that are healthy and simple and quick to prepare. Otherwise, I find myself reaching for ‘quick fixes’ and foods that inflame my body. So here’s a quick Chickpea & Tepenade Salad that is both filling and delicious.

Soul Sounds

I play this meditation track to the children I teach during their relaxation. It is soothing and speaks to the soul. A breath of stillness is certainly what I have needed this week, and so I though I would send a Breath of Stillness your way to soothe your Sunday.

Soulful Strolls

When the sun made an appearance this afternoon, I took advantage and went for a stroll. It was just what I needed to let go of some of the frustrations and blockages that have been holding me back. I captured these beautiful roses in full bloom.

Soul Sisters

Today I am sharing Michelle’s post from Two Are Better Than One, titled You Can’t Hide. Since I often go walking to clear my head and meet with the ‘hopeful whispers’ of encouragement, I resonated a lot. Mosey on over and have a read! I’m sure you’ll find some inspiration on Michelle’s blog too!

In love and presence,

Hayley xx

Progress Not Perfection

Perfectionism. We’ve all been there. Striving for an elusive paradigm that, thankfully, does not exist.

One of the best pieces of advice I was ever given was: Progress, not perfection. As a child who was so preoccupied with the neatness of her handwriting and the symmetry of her drawings that she rarely completed a piece of work; and as young woman who would shovel an entire 500ml tub of cookie and cream Hagan Daaz into her gob because she’d succumbed to a biscuit that day at work; this simple revelation truly set me free.

No longer do I beat myself up for ‘falling off the bandwagon’. Nor do I spiral out of control if I step one foot away from my (sometimes ridiculously high) standards.  And yes – I now complete work that before, I was too afraid to even begin.  I hit ‘publish’ on posts that are far from perfect and most likely have typos and incorrect grammar! But who’s judging? I finally realised that my biggest judge had always been me. That I was my biggest critic. No-one else. Me. Once I realised this, I could relax. Breathe. I could simply allow myself to be. To be unapologetically me, with all of my flaws and imperfections.

It feels good to have cracks, to have flaws, to be human just like everybody else. Because as Leonardo Cohen reminds us:

There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.

-Leonardo Cohen

Progress, not perfection. As long as we are making progress, learning from our mistakes, remembering to be kind towards ourselves and others whenever those blessed mistakes do appear; then I promise you – those cracks will allow the light to flood your very essence with love and acceptance for all, including yourself.

In love and light,

Hayley xx