Soulful Sundays #17: Why Delay?

Welcome to my seventeenth 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

If we stop for a moment and take a look around, we begin to realise just how lucky we are. This life is pretty wonderful. So why do so many of us delay our happiness?

“…I’ll go on holiday once I’ve tended to the house repairs…” “…When I have more money I’ll be able to do the things I want to do…” “…I’ll look for love when I’m not so busy and have more time…” “…When I retire I’ll pursue my creative passions…” No no no people. The time to live is NOW.

There are no ‘perfect moments’ or ‘right times’ to begin living our lives. Life is far too precious to place on hold for one more day. Our aim is to participate in life in ways that are meaningful and fulfilling. It needn’t be something extraordinary, it could be as simple as watching the sun set, stroking your pet, laughing freely with another whilst goofing about. We each value different things, beliefs vary from one person to the next, but at our core we all wish for the same; peace, abundance, connection, joy, love, freedom, passion, purpose and a sense of belonging…

Each moment is precious. Each moment is sacred. Even the most mundane tasks can be accomplished with a sense of grace and gratitude. When we delay our happiness we fall under the false notion that our time here on earth is limitless – that our happiness is ‘out there’ somewhere waiting for us in the future. But as Henry James reminds us: ‘The right time is any time that one is still lucky as to have…LIVE!”

Soul Strolls

It’s a wee bit drizzly here in Melbourne today, but I managed to capture these pretty white Jasmine flowers whilst out strolling yesterday. These smell wonderful in the evening, like nature’s pure-fume. Delightful.

Soul Food

With the cooler weather I tend to turn to comforting foods, such as stews and soups. Which is why I made this delicious Chunky Chickpea & Sweet Potato Soup. It’s healthy, healing and tastes delicious! I hope it warms your tum 🙂

Soul Music

I think this song is pretty fitting for today’s post – I hope you’ll all be rocking out to it as much as I just did. Go on – I dare ya! 😉

Soul Sisters

Today I am sharing Nina’s post Life Is Good When There Is Love. She embodies this weeks Soulful Sunday’s post with grace and gratitude. Live. Be in the moment. Love. Find the magic in the simple. Head over and have a read!

Wishing you all a simple yet extraordinary Sunday!

In love & light,

Hayley xx

Soulful Sundays #9: Creativity & Connection

Welcome to my ninth 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 in Melbourne it’s the Untitled Literary Festival; five libraries, nineteen events and seven days of guest Authors, speakers, and creatives. A dream for anyone who loves the written word. As you can imagine, my diary is pretty booked out this week!

Surrounded by so much inspiration and talent, it got me pondering what it is that I love so much about the literary world and creative expression, in any form really.  For me, it always falls back to the same four fundamental components: connection, exploration, inspiration and imagination. I realise that not everyone may write or create for the same reasons, but for me, these four elements embody my love of creativity and writing.

Connection: Through my writing journey, I have found great connection with countless souls, many whom I consider great mentors and friends. And yes! That includes YOU! Most importantly, I have found connection with my Self. That inner voice of truth that often becomes buried beneath the mental chatter and confusion.

Exploration: Writing is an exploration of the soul. An excavation process, if you will. And the treasures we uncover provide the inspiration for creativity. Through our creative journey, we explore our inner and outer worlds with a sense of newness and wonder.

Inspiration: Inspiration can arrive in many forms, a verbal queue, a fleeting moment, the quiet whispers of our souls, a glaringly obvious recognition, a song, an image, a scene…inspiration is everywhere. We must simply be open to receiving it.

Imagination: Once inspired – or as Wayne Dyer would say; ‘In spirit‘ our boundless imaginations are set free.  Imagination is creativity’s playground.

Whenever I feel creatively blocked, I know it is because I have lost connection in some way, with myself or with others. Once I reconnect – exploration, imagination and inspiration just seem to flow. What are your reason’s for writing/expressing your creativity? What are the core pillars that keep you connected to your truth?

Soul Strolls

Here are a couple of snaps taken on my daily walks this week. Summer is arriving here in Melbourne, and my what a beautiful summer it is. Longer evenings, warmer weather and glorious flowers in full bloom.

Soul Food

Anyone who knows me will know that I am slightly (very) obsessed with peanut butter. I recommend natural, whole-food peanut butters over conventional peanut butters, which usually contain added sugars! So when I found this healthy (yes healthy) vegan peanut butter ice-cream recipe, I had to share. Did someone say peanut butter ice-cream? Yep – she sure did! Nom nom nom.

Soul Sounds

This week I am sharing a piano track for focus named Sleeping Lotus by Joep Beving. I love the sound of the piano, this track is beautiful to listen to whilst in the bath, house cleaning, or simply relaxing and of course, whilst being creative.
**for some reason I cannot embed the track at the moment, so if you use the link for now, I will attempt to embed the video again tomorrow.

Soul Brothers

Today I am sharing A Wish For Writers by Charles French over at Charles French Words Reading and Writing. A simple yet inspiring message of hope for us to persevere with our creativity.

May you all be blessed on this creatively inspired Sunday,

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

Good Reads

Day 19: Feature a guest or post a round up of good reads.

I haven’t been around on WordPress a lot lately, so reading others posts is something I need to catch up on. However, in my brief return I have come across some motivational posts which I would like to share.

Here are some of my great reads that I have read recently:

I discovered these wonderful quotes compiled by Ronovan Wester over at ronovanwrites. I am sure you will find a quote which resonates with you. Ronovan has also inspired me to create my own a post of favourite quotes! (watch this space) Head over because Ronovan has some great content including 10 Tips To Make Blogging Enjoyable.

I was totally moved by When Zoe Met Harry, which shares the experience a young girl’s wish (granted by Make A Wish Foundation) as she meets her TV hero, Dr. Harry. The video had me smiling from ear to ear at this very special interaction, which is sure to warm your heart. Retro Girl & The Chemo Kid is a memoir of a young soul who, even in her passing, continues to touch the lives of many. Through her mothers wonderfully written accounts of Zoe’s life and the lessons she continues to teach, we are taken on a journey through loss, love and acceptance.

Another post worthy of a mention for the shear honesty and bravery of this exceptional writer is The Good Side Effects of Cancer. Not only does she write with eloquence and grace, but Lets Talk Cancer reveals real and relevant insight into a topic most people are too frightened to stare in the face. This inspiring young woman empowers others to take stock of their own life as she journey’s towards recovery and reclaims her health. A true warrior.

I hope you enjoy these posts as much as I did!

Hayley xx