Soulful Sundays #23: Boundaries.

Welcome to my twenty-third 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

Many of us fall into ‘people pleasing’ mode. We keep quiet when something upsets us, or we decide it’s not worth the hassle to speak up. But voicing how we feel is an honest form of communication. Without boundaries, we risk trying to please everyone at the expense of our own happiness.

So why do so many of us fear voicing the truth? Being honest is often confused with being aggressive, harsh or outspoken. But communicating our truth can be done in a way that is both assertive and loving. It is possible to voice how we feel whilst still respecting others differences and opinions . We each value different things. This doesn’t make us any better or worse than one another. People either respect our wishes or they don’t. Yet through honest, open communication we can begin to surround ourselves with like-minded people and build healthy relationships based upon mutual trust. We can’t please everyone. Nor must we try. The right people will move in and out of our lives when we stay true to ourselves and others.

Today, speak from the heart. Remember that ‘boundaries are a part of self-care. They are healthy, normal and necessary.’

Soul Strolls

This week I have been a little over my head with moving house and working the holiday club with 90 children! Fun, yet exhausting. And without my walks to keep me sane, I may have buckled under the chaos. Finding a little moment of peace in your day, even if only for 5 minutes, is often the only thing that’s required to keep you afloat and above choppy waters. I captured these little pretties whilst walking this week. So delicate,

Soul Food

It’s a cold and rainy day here today in Melbourne. Weather likes this makes me crave comfort food! Which is why I am sharing these guilt-free Chewy, Fudgey, Vegan-Double-Choc Brownie’s. Now please! Yum.

Soul Music

I had the pleasure of watching Sacred Earth live this week in a beautiful chapel. The crystal clear sounds filled the convent and I was lost in 90 minutes of healing, soulful vibes. Such a mesmerising experience. Here I share one of their tracks, Divine Mother.

Soul Sisters

I haven’t had the chance to share much recently as I have barely Today I am sharing New Beginnings by Spiritual Journey 17. A  beautiful reminder for us to stay optimistic in the face of adversity.

In love and light,

Hayley xx

Know Yourself.

How many of us struggle to express what it is that we want? We stumble the moment we are asked to verbalise our deepest wants and wishes.

For many, it’s that we don’t know what we want; we have yet to figure that out. For some, the head and the heart are conflicted, and we spend our lives in a state of doubt and confusion. For others, it is that we are too afraid to express ourselves for fear of what others might think. But as Robert Louis Stevenson reminds us; “To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive.” If we are to claim the life of freedom and fulfillment that is rightfully ours, then we are to trust in our intuition. We must develop a deep, unwavering faith in our ability to know what keeps our soul alive; to know what it is we want from life, and to go after it. It begins with knowing oneself.

To know oneself, we must be willing to become still, to listen to our hearts. To reside in a place of integrity. It is to speak up for what we believe in, to stand up and be counted, regardless of what others may think, and to be true. Today, be true to yourself. Make a promise to get acquainted with all that you are, the multi faceted you who is perfectly whole and complete.
In love and light,
Hayley xx

Free Yourself.

 

There comes a time when we must be free. Free from the binds of the past and the limitations it has imposed upon us.

Have you been feeling trapped or misaligned from your truth? Maybe you relinquished control to another? Did you compromise on your values in order to keep the peace? We may lose our way momentarily and forget who we are, forget all that we stand for – but it is time to let go of all that. It is time to forgive ourselves. For it can happen to the best of us.

As we become attuned to our deepest selves we begin to recognise the ways in which we feel limited or constrained.  In what ways have we handed over our power? In what ways have we sacrificed our own sense of joy and happiness to avoid rocking the boat?

Today make peace with yourself. Make a firm promise to never settle for anything less than your own self-respect and integrity. Now is the time to take back control of your life – to rewrite your story, to step into your truth and reclaim your forgotten sense of freedom. You are entitled to be free. So free yourself. ‘Stand up and walk out of your history.’

In love & light,
Hayley xx

 

Say Yes!

Whatever it is that makes your soul happy, do more of that! The Universe always supports your truest, most authentic dreams and wishes. Say “Yes!” to bliss and watch how the world says “Yes!” right back.

In Love & Light,

Hayley xx

Soul Whispers

Too often we dismiss our ideas as ‘silly’ or ‘absurd’. We keep quiet or fail to take action for fear of getting it ‘wrong’ or looking stupid. However, those still voices of intuition are the whispers of our souls.

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

In Love and Light

Hayley xx

Soul Sundays #4: The Fear of God

Peace be with you on this rainy Melbourne evening. 

Welcome to my fourth 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

I watched Martin Sheen in an interview last month, and this sentence that he said in the above quote struck a chord. Many people shy away at the mention of God. I know, because I used to be one of those people myself. And with messages such as this featured on the building below, which I snapped whilst out walking the other day, is it any wonder that people fear and reject God?

And whilst I have nothing against anyone’s personal beliefs, I do believe that it is possible to believe in God without being tethered to Christianity or religion. For me, God is Love. God is the life force that runs through every thing and every one, connecting us all to our true essence. The Oneness that is our very nature. I have no image of Him. I only feel His presence.

Soul Food

Since the Northern hemisphere are moving into colder weather, and Melbourne is experiencing a lot of rain this evening, I thought I’d share one of my favourite winter salads. This is great as a side dish or served on it’s own. It’s full of flavour and a perfect way to start your week feeling good.

Soul Sounds

Fleetwood Mac came on in the car whilst I was driving the other day. I’d forgotten how much I love this song. So I thought I’d remind you all of what a great track Everywhere is.

Soulful Strolls

I caught this beauty whilst walking at sunset the other day. Beauty really does surround us everywhere if we simply pay attention. I don’t no where I’d be without my nature walks.

Soul Sisters

In keeping with the theme of God, I wanted to share this post from Nina over at The Happy Life 101. Nina never fails to spread a little happiness to others, and this post that she shared reminded me of what God IS. He does not judge, He simply wants for His children to be happy and at peace. I will include the video that Nina shared below, and I urge you to visit her blog for a slice of joy!

Finding My (Self)

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Last week I identified my early disconnection from God, tracing it back to my childhood. I wasn’t raised a Christian, and even now – with a deep and profound knowing of Gods existence – if asked if I am religious, I would admit that I am not.

For me, God is non-denominational. Whilst I am respectful and accepting of everyone’s individual faith, my personal pathway to God takes place in daily communion with the soul; in my interactions with others; during prayer and meditation; when facing adversity and personal growth lessons; whilst walking in nature – God is everywhere, and I know that I can make conscious contact with Him any time, any place.

That’s not to say that I don’t take great comfort in God’s scriptures, because I do (especially the one above, which reminds me that the pathway to God is through peaceful awareness.) I own a beautiful Bible in my favourite shade of jade green and often find passages that speak to my soul. Yet, for me personally, God is not defined by religion and churches and rules, but instead, through connection. God is not a separate entity with judgements and commandments, rather, God is the Source of all being. I am God. You are God. We are all God. Therefore, to reject God is to reject a part of ourselves. How should we ever become whole and complete if we are rejecting our very essence? Our true nature?

At a yoga class, recently, an inquisitive girl who I’d just met asked me; Are you searching for something? I paused for a moment, then replied;
I used to be. I searched for a long time, years even. But then I realised – all I was searching for is already within me. 

And so today, after my walk – after pondering how to follow up my previous post about losing myself – I decided I would write a poem. For years I doubted the existence of God, I saw myself as separate, disconnected. If ever I doubt the existence of God – I need only Be Still And Know That I Am God. 

Be Still And Know That I Am God

When tears of lost dreams stream down your face,
When you are out of sorts and feel misplaced,
When all is forgotten, shamed or disgraced,
Be still and know that I Am God.

If ever you doubt the existence of me,
Cast your gaze to the gentle, sturdy tree,
Who sways His dance to the promising breeze;
Be still and know that I Am God.

When you feel as though I have let you down,
When all that was once yours cannot be found,
When tortured cries of empty souls resound,
Be still and know that I Am God.

Be still and know that I love you my Dear,
All that seems to be lost is truly here,
For you are never alone when I am near,
Be still and know that I Am God.