Life’s Essentials

Whether a thought, a bad habit, a painful relationship or situation; ‘if it doesn’t nourish your soul – let it go.’ As part of September’s self-care, it’s important we take time to Spring clean our lives. For those of you in the Northern hemisphere, as the Autumn leaves begin to turn, you too, can turn over a new leaf.

Begin by asking a few simple questions; What am I lacking? What do I have ‘too much’ of? In what areas of my life do I feel an imbalance? Once we address our needs and the needs of those we love; we can begin to cultivate more peace, love, balance and joy in our lives.

I find it’s best to approach one aspect of our lives at a time. Whenever I’ve tried to overhaul my entire life in one go, I’ve become overwhelmed and created new imbalances as a result. A great place to start is through the process of letting go.

The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.

– Lin Yutang

Maybe you bring your work home with you? Or have a tendency to gossip too much? Do you drink or eat in excess when stressed? If it’s old, worn out beliefs, thought patterns and behaviours, or an accumulation of ‘things’ and relationships that no longer nourish your soul; as you say goodbye to the old and make space for the new, trust that in letting go, you can cultivate a loving, compassionate environment for all involved.

In love & light,

Hayley xx

 

 

Soulful Sunday #35: Honour Yourself

Welcome to my thirty-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

There are days when our hearts are so over-joyed we feel we could walk on air we’re so high… And then there are days when we want to punch pillows and hide under duvets in a darkened room. Life’s contrasts are real. But we needn’t hide or run from them. We just need to live them. And be kind to ourselves in the process.

Whether you are high on life today, or having a duvet day (like me) because your lady cramps are in full force and the sight of puppies causes you to cry into your rice crispies – whatever your mood may be, honour yourself. Do what makes your soul happy (or at least do what makes you feel sane!) Take yourself off for a walk. Watch back to back episodes of Friends and laugh untill your belly hurts. Create a delicious, nourishing meal that heals, or devour some crumpets with drippings and drippings of butter!

Whatever you decide to do, do it with complete love for yourself. Honour your feelings, and trust that everything will be just fine.

Soul Strolls

I have the honour of house sitting for my friends again, taking care of their beautiful cat, Bella, whilst they are away on holiday. Their home is ten minutes from Princes Park, so I have been lucky enough to enjoy some daily soul strolls again this week. There is nothing like a walk to wash away your woes. I took this photo on the first day of Spring here in Melbourne, Australia.

Since ancient times, the first of September has been viewed as a time for reflection and renewal. As the seasons gently give way to one another, may we be gentle on ourselves. The seasonal transition is synonymous with our own growth and regeneration, so let us be kind as we reflect, blossom and bloom into all that we were meant to be.

Beautiful white flowers captured in Princes Park on the first day of Spring

Soul Food

Tomorrow, I’ve decided to make my Amaranth & Seed Superfood slices, it’s been a while since I’ve made them. They are such a delicious little snack to keep on hand for those moments when you need a little pick me up without the added nasties that can sometimes be hidden in so called pre-packaged ‘health’ bars. What’s your favourite little go-to snack?

Soul Music

I’d like to share a meditation track today titled, Love Song From The Mountains by Deuter. It is truly mesmerising, the perfect song to honour yourself with in a moment of tranquil bliss. Take a moment to close your eyes and become lost in it’s heavenly sounds.

Soul Sisters

Today I would like to share the post How To Recognise An Incredible Woman.

I discovered it on My Own Private Idaho. Head on over for a read! I’m sure we can all identify with the woman in this beautiful, honest piece.

Wishing you all a peaceful Sunday of love and self-honouring my friends.

In love & light,

Hayley xx

Hayley In Wonderland

What a beautiful, sumptuous evening here in Melbourne Australia. Fragrant, alive, vibrant. The sweet aroma of Mother Nature’s ‘pure’-fume intoxicating and delighting my senses. The hottest day I’ve felt since Winter passed, welcoming Spring in all her colour and beauty. Spring is now surely making way for Summer.

Although unplanned, I took a spontaneous walk, which turned out to be Divinely timed. The Sun was lowering herself in the warm dusky sky, lingering long enough that I may enjoy a colourful sky lit walk. A walk which I can only describe as alive. If only I had captured pictures to share with you. But I’m equally happy I could drink the beauty with my own eyes, free from the lens of my camera phone.

I cannot describe the scents so well that I can do them justice. Only that with each few steps, I was captivated by yet another alluring aroma so vividly intense, that I felt I was wandering the isles of a duty free fragrant section in the airport lounge. Except, instead of the sickly, synthetic smells that overpower and repulse, each long inhale provided me with a healing hit of pleasurable plant ‘pure’-fume.  And all of this whilst listening to a steady orchestra of birds, crickets and life… Monarchs resting in lazy fashion, opening and closing their wings like clam shells; dogs chasing frisbees and footballs; children collecting baskets of flowers to take home to Mum…

I arrived home as the Sun was dipping, bidding her final farewell for the evening…

I felt like Alice In Wonderland.

May you be blessed with the presence of Now. However fleeting and brief those moments may be, may they delight in all of your senses. Here’s to living a life of wonder.

In Love and Light

Hayley xx

Fade Away

While we’re living
The dreams we have as children.
Fade away

-Oasis

Yesterday I embarked on my first workout of Spring. The sun was high and the birds were chirping merrily. I decided to play an old Oasis album, since I was thinking of my family back home in Manchester. As I sang along to Fade Away, it got me wondering – How many of us have allowed our dreams to simply fade away? The song’s opening verse sings:

When I was young
I thought I had my own key
I knew exactly what I wanted to be
Now I’m sure
You’ve boarded up every door

What childhood dreams have you disowned as a result of ‘life’ getting in the way? I must repair that leaky tap; clear out the garage; tend to the garden; get on top of my paperwork; paint the fence; take the kids to after school club, visit my mother-in-law… The list is endless.

It seems that as we move through the system, the creative vision we once held as children gradually becomes lost: Yes – it would be great to be an astronaut, dear… But what about a real job? When I was a child, whenever asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I responded without hesitation; an author and an illustrator. I adored Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake and wanted to spend my days immersed in the world of books. As it goes, my vision of becoming an author was soon replaced by logic and the need to get my grades and find a ‘real job’, just like everyone else. Like many, my childhood dreams soon lay dormant in favour of following the status quo. It wasn’t until my thirties that I allowed myself to tap into that realm of imagination and creativity again. Coincidentally, that’s when life, for me, began to flow.

What dreams have you boarded up behind closed doors? Today I invite you to dust off the key, open up those doors and allow your dreams to run wild and free.

The Changing of The Seasons

The first day of September, the beginning of a new season. And with every new season there comes change.

If you are in the Northern hemisphere, Autumn is upon you. A time when the trees begin to shed their outgrown leaves. A time when, you too, can turn over a new leaf. Despite this shedding of the past, the ground is decorated in rich reds, yellows, oranges and greens. The path before you is colourful. So take a walk. Breath in the crisp Autumn air as you step into this season of release. A season for laying new foundations.

If you are in the Southern hemisphere, today marks the first day of Spring. Spring is a time for growth and renewal, as you emerge from the season of hibernation. The days are becoming longer; flowers bloom and burst with colour; fresh pinks and yellows and blues. Consider the freshness of Spring. What life do you wish to breathe into this season of growth?  A season for new beginnings and expansion.

As sure as the tides ebb and flow, with every season there comes change.