Soulful Sunday #36: Divine Connections

Welcome to my thirty-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 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.

Connected by the power of words. At the beginning of the week I was blessed enough to spend my day with two incredible women, writers and adventurers, Miriam (Out an About) and Di (Matters for the Heart.)

We connected through our shared love of blogging and writing, and here we are sharing ‘life’ over some delicious food and a cuppa.

Friendships are formed in the most unexpected of places, but when hearts collide, invisible bonds weave their way into the tapestry of our lives enriching our hearts with the cherished gift of true friendship…

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.

– Anais Nin

Soul Strolls

Today I went for a soul stroll with two friends and colleagues, Marisa and Lian. We enjoyed a lovely coastal walk along Sorento Back Beach, Melbourne. The clouds were slightly overcast and there was a fresh, brisk breeze brushing against our cheeks. Despite the cooler weather, it felt refreshing to be outside in the cooler elements. Like all my worries were being swept away.

Soul Food

I’d love to try this Fermented Cashew Cheese recipe by Alice at The Whole Daily. My wish is to improve my health with better nutrition during September, since self care is my focus for the month. It starts with how I fuel my body. A healthy body really does support a healthy mind, and this recipe looks delicious. What’s your go to dish to nourish your body, mind and soul?

Soul Music

I have had moments of true connection this week, and moments when I have felt completely disconnected, mostly from myself. Connect, disconnect, connect, disconnect. It can sometimes seem like we elude ourselves in our quest for deeper meaning and connection.

Reconnecting with like-minded people this week and putting the vibe out for my tribe has meant that I have been held when I’ve felt close to falling; connected when I’ve felt like I was losing myself. So for that, I would like to share this beautiful, meditative track titled Kindred Spirit, by Deuter.

Soul Sisters

I felt touched to read this honest blog by Truth Troubles titled, They Thought I Was Intense…When I Was Actually Autistic. A timely reminder of the importance of human connection. Not many of us feel like we ‘belong’ or fit in. Today, may we remember our uniqueness and individuality, trusting that the right people will show up and enrich our lives for the better when we embrace our authentic selves.

Here’s to connections and friendships old and new.

In love and light,

Hayley xx

Trust In Yourself

Self-doubt. We all experience it. We’ve all succumbed to that nagging voice of, “I’m not good enough, worthy enough, deserving enough… Who am I to shine? Why would anyone listen to me? I’ll just play small rather than make a fool of myself….”

But as Marianne Williamson reminds us:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?’

– Marianne Williamson

Last week I threw caution to the wind and created a video entry for the Writers Workshop Sydney competition, where I’ll have the opportunity to submit a book proposal if I receive enough votes to attend. I waited two weeks before uploading a video. I was stunted by self-doubt. Some of the thoughts that ran through my head were:

“There are some entries who already have 500 votes…I don’t even have 500 followers! How will I ever obtain that many votes?”

“I entered the competition last year online and my book wasn’t selected then, why would it be selected this time?”

“You’re going to look very silly, Hayley…just leave it up to those who can do it well…”

“I’ve entered far too late anyway, the competition has been running for two weeks, I should have done it at the start…Too late. Why bother?”

I had to dig deep. I had to silence that nagging voice of self-doubt. I had to trust in myself. Every ounce of my being tells me: “Hayley, you came here to teach, and to write. And if it doesn’t happen this time, it will happen at the right time. Keep the faith.”

Our dreams come from the same Divine energy that created us. Our dreams are real. We must trust in ourselves, and go after them. Whatever your wish, whatever you feel called upon to do – throw caution to the wind and go for it. It’s ok to be vulnerable. It’s ok to fail. But don’t let fear of failure or judgement get in the way of your dreams.

Here’s to believing in yourself and going after your dreams. Trust in yourself and know that when you do, ‘you are trusting in the same wisdom that created you.’ – Wayne Dyer.

In love & light,

Hayley xx

If you would like to vote for my video entry and support me on my writing journey, click on the link here. You can click on the word ‘VOTE’, find my video (Hayley) and click on the heart below my video to place your vote. Your support means the world to me xx 

 

 

Self Hate

I came across this talented writer today and felt compelled to share her breathtakingly beautiful poem. It speaks to the heart and reinforces the power and unique beauty of each and every one of us. A beauty that sadly, so many of us forget.

With so much media and airbrushing and ‘ideals’ – Dainty M’s poem reminds us of the importance of loving ourselves; accepting ourselves. For we are all children of God and created perfectly in His vision.

Thank you Dainty M for this wonderful piece written from the heart.

xx

Dainty M.

I hate my body, she said, 

And my heart sank

Because clearly she didn’t think I did a good job creating her 

She began to pull chunks of flesh that I had so intricately formed 

She pointed at spots that I had used to punctuate her perfect skin 

 

I hate my body, he said 

As he used his skin as a canvass for artwork 

Soon enough it was hard to tell his skin tone 

As all I could see were tattoos carved on the skin I had taken so much time to form 

 

I hate my body she said 

As she cut herself up 

Absorbing all the drugs she could 

Just to take her mind off her hurt and insecurities 

 

I hate how I look! He yelled 

Abusing substance more than one could imagine 

Getting so high 

Surely he was about to fall 

 

Why did you…

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