A night out with Elizabeth Gilbert

March 3, 2016 · 5 Comments

A night out with Elizabeth Gilbert.

You all know who Elizabeth Gilbert is right?

The best-selling author of Eat Pray Love? It’s been 10 years since that book was published and resonated with women across the globe.

Well I saw she was coming to little old Brisbane and the tickets were only $40. Too good an opportunity to pass up.

Now I am going to preface this article by saying I am not a huge girl fan. I read her book, I watched the movie, I follow her on Facebook, I like her but not in a gushing way, you know? I haven’t read anything else of her work (but after the talk so keen to read her fiction novel!) I don’t subscribe to the theory of finding gurus to direct your life, I like to take snippets of wisdom from a lot of people. I figure I will pick up the bits of info I am meant to learn with any interactions or readings.

Anyway, the event was part of The Brisbane Writer’s Festival and Liz was on stage in a chat situation, interviewed by Mia Freedman. I personally thought this was a really odd pairing and there was a sense of awkwardness throughout the interview, possibly not helped by a crowd member heckling Mia to get back on topic when she started waffling about cosmetic surgery!

In essence, the chat was to be focused on Elizabeth’s new book, Big Magic and all about the creative process. I don’t really think of myself as a creative person or work with the creative process but the information and wisdom shared by Liz was relatable to most aspects of life anyway.

She is a very direct, down to earth person. There is no fluff. There is just telling it like it is. That is pretty refreshing. She also dropped a lot of F-Bombs which made us all laugh.

So I wanted to share with you some gems, some pearls of wisdom, some aha moments that I experienced on the night. I am paraphrasing her here – I didn’t take notes!

♥ If you have time for television and Facebook, you have time to start doing those things that make you happy and that help you reach your goals. Be conscious of where you are spending your time and energy.

♥ You have to learn to be okay with disappointing people. Liz does not do book signings because they are too draining on her energy – she prefers to spend her energy on writing. However she is okay with the fact that people will be upset with her. I think a few of us were a little shaken by this. Women often learn to be people pleasers, don’t we? But in the process we sacrifice ourselves.

♥ When creating something, go for real not perfect. Nobody can replicate something you make, so put your heart and soul into it, without a need for perfection and love it for what it is.

♥ Embrace the fear. Okay, not a new concept but Liz explains it in a cool way. Fear will always be with you, so let it come along for the drive, but it sits in the back seat and doesn’t choose the snacks!

♥ Just do the thing. Negotiating with yourself about whether you are going to exercise or start writing or doing whatever is exhausting. Just do the thing.

♥ The difference between a hobby, a job, a career and a vocation. An interesting way of looking at your life. Read Liz’s Facebook post here.

♥ Inspiration and hard work are a beautiful collaboration. Those little whispers our soul gets – those beautiful moments of brilliance – harness those but don’t forget that you put the work in to make something happen.

If you want to see a video replay of the night, check it out here.

Have you seen Elizabeth Gilbert? Have you read her books? Are you a fan?

What is smudging and how do you do it?

November 3, 2015 · 6 Comments

What is smudging and how do you do it?

♥ What is smudging?

Smudging is an ancient practice of clearing negative energy from yourself or a space using the smoke of burning herbs, usually white sage. It is often associated with Native American rituals but ancient Romans, Greeks and Egyptians also used this type of practice.

♥ When would you smudge yourself or your space?

You can do smudging whenever you like but some of the situations you may want to do it include:

when moving into a new house or leaving an old house
if you feel sad, depressed, angry, anxious or just a bit flat and tired
you want to remove any negative presences or spirits
if you have had an argument with someone or want to remove energy left in your space by other people
before and/or after celebrations or rituals
to cleanse crystals
to mark each season or
just because you feel like you need it

♥ What do you use to smudge?

The easiest way to smudge is to use a smudge stick – this is a bundle of dried herbs (usually white sage for its healing properties) tied together to make a stick. Sometimes lavender or other herbs are added. You can also use a stick of Palo Santo. You can get them from health food stores, new age stores or online. If you are the crafty sort, you can also make your own smudge sticks.

There are ethical considerations in using white sage and Palo Santo, so please make sure you source from a reputable supplier.

♥ How do you smudge?

First of all, think about why you are smudging, the intention and what you want to achieve. Then, holding that intention, light the smudge stick and once it’s burning, gently blow it out so the flame is out but there is smoke curling out from it and it’s smoldering.

To smudge yourself or someone else, swirl the smudge stick gently around the person, from head to toe. This will cleanse their aura.

To smudge your house or office or any space, open the windows and walk through the area with the smudge stick, allowing the smoke to get into all the corners and cupboards.

You can say or think your intention for the smudging while you are doing it. Don’t worry if it feels a bit awkward, it’s the intention that counts.

Some people like to hold a heat proof bowl under the smudge stick to collect the ash (which you can take outside and bury in the earth). You can also do drumming, chanting or fanning the smoke with a large feather too.

When you are finished and if the stick is still smoldering, tamp it out on the earth or some sand.

I find the smudge stick lasts for several uses.

♥ How does it work?

Well, there is some actual science here, it’s not just all woo (but I do love the woo!).

The sage releases negative ions into the space – just like running water, the beach or the forest does.

If you aren’t keen on burning things for space clearing, you could also use sage essential oil in a diffuser.

Do you smudge? Have you noticed the benefits?

20 Practical Tips to Protect your Energy

September 18, 2014 · 14 Comments

20 Practical Tips to Protect your Energy

You know that feeling?

You feel tense, drained, uncomfortable, confused not quite right?

You may have taken on some negative energies. Perhaps you are an empath or a highly sensitive person. Your job might be highly stressful or emotional.

When your energy is balanced, your health is better, you are happier and life is easier.

Check out these 20 practical tips to protect your energy.

1. Crystals. Black Onyx protects our personal energy and can absorb negative energy. Black Tourmaline protects against negativity directed at us. Rose quartz is another that can be used. The high energy of rose quartz gives it the ability to enhance love. It will bring love into your life and any situation, lower stress and soothe. You can wear crystals as jewellery, put them in your pocket or tuck them in your bra.

2. Becoming aware. A crucial part of protecting your energy is becoming aware. What are you feeling? Is it because of a place, a person or a situation? Once you learn to be in tune with your body and emotions, it’s easier to be pro-active and protect yourself.

3. Kashyapa Mudra. This mudra (hand positions) helps to balance and protect against negative energies. Use it when you are in a situation of negativity or visiting a place with dark energy. Find out more here.

4. Salt Bath. Bathing is fabulous for getting rid of any negativity or unwanted energies. You can add sea salt, pink himalayan salt or magnesium chloride flakes to your bath for a lovely cleansing effect.

5. Earthing. Connect with nature. Stand on the grass or beach with barefeet and imagine the energy rising up from the earth and filling your body. Doing this regularly can also make you stronger against negative forces.

6. Meditation. Meditation can bring us back to ourselves and refuel our own energy when it has been depleted. Check out this guided meditation from Helen at The Little Sage that is specifically designed for this purpose.

7. Bubble of Light. This is a very popular and effective technique to use prior to going into situations where you feel your energy might be compromised. Visualize a bubble of light – some people like white, blue or purple coloured light (it’s up to you). Imagine yourself stepping into that bubble and being surrounded by the colour and protected. Another idea from our Facebook community was to send pink healing, loving light to negative or difficult people.

8. Ask the angels. Ask Archangel Michael for protection by simply saying “Archangel Michael, protect me now”. For more information take a look here.

9. Cut cords. “Basically, an energy cord is created between two people where an energetic exchange occurred – usually formed by an exchange of emotions or thought forms.” If this connection becomes toxic, you are able to visualize the cord or bond being cut. For a great explanation of how to do this and more information, visit the website of psychic Amanda Linette Meder.

10. Space clearing mist. This beautiful mist from Australian Bushflower Essences is a blend of aromatherapy oils, botanicals, cleansing herbs and Australian Bush Flower Essences. It encourages a feeling that you are in a sacred and harmonious environment and protects from negative energies.

11. Essential Oils. All essential oils help raise your vibration but for specific protection of your energy, try geranium, sandalwood, myrrh, sage, frankincense and cedar wood. Choose good quality, pure oils for the best benefit.

12. Feng Shui. According to Feng Shui principles, four animals can protect the energy of your home. The Green Dragon, The WhiteTiger, The Black Turtle and The Red Phoenix. Find out more here.

14. Dance, music and moving. All these things can all help clear negative energies and restore balance in your body. Try specialized dance like Wu Tao, Chakra Dance or Nia which are all spiritual based.

15. Learn to say no. Taking on only what you want to do and what you can physically do is one of the best ways to protect your energy and avoid being emotionally and physically drained. Kirri White, life coach tells us how to say no and reclaim our life.

16. Be choosey about what you allow into your consciousness. Avoid gossip, drama and negative talk. Keep away from toxic, draining energy vampires. Stop watching the news. Raise your vibration with things that make you feel good. As Oprah says “Surround yourself only with people who will lift you higher”.

17. Affirmations and Intentions. The power of the sending out your intentions to the universe is amazing. I used to do this when working in retail before each day began. After a spate of negative interactions, I started affirming that “only happy, positive people come into my space today” and it worked! As you leave a negative situation or place you can also say something like “I now release anything which does not serve me”.

18.Smudge. Smudging is used for clearing negative energies. To use, just light the bundle of herbs and blow it out until it is emitting a lovely stream of smoke. Take it around your house or office or just around your aura and set your positive intentions while doing so. The negative ions in the sage will make you feel cleansed and peaceful. Read more about how to smudge here.

19. Use your breath. A simple and quick technique that can be done anywhere. Visualize all the negative energy leaving your body when you exhale. On the inhale, visualize your body being filled with positive energy, happiness or love.

20. Self examination. If negative energy, places and situations keep cropping up in your life, you may want to ask yourself why you are attracting this. Is it a life lesson to learn? Why does it serve you?

You might also like to read:

What is smudging and how do you do it?

How to cleanse your crystals

I would love to know how you protect your energy!

Does any of this resonate with you?

Resources for Raising Natural New Age Kids

February 26, 2014 · 14 Comments

Resources for Raising Natural New Age Kids

So, you are all into the natural, new age thing but your kids are not?

One of the best ways to teach is by example. Let them watch you doing things like eating a healthy snack, recycling some paper or taking time out of your day to relax with yoga.

They see. They learn.

I have also found some awesome resources that explore this concept a little further if you need some inspiration.

Kelly Burstow at Be A Fun Mum has a printable list of 100 things you can do with your child to learn how to live in the moment. Enjoying and appreciating the small things is a valuable life lesson.

Caroline at Gardening 4 Kids has some fabulous ideas on how to teach children to connect with nature. She says (and I agree wholeheartedly) that encouraging younger generations to think and act in a more environmentally sustainable manner has to be a good thing.

The beautiful people at Embrace Virtues have an amazing blog post about how to teach children to access their inner joyfulness, even when they are feeling sad. Actually, I want to give this technique a go – it’s sounds just blissful!

Kirri White at Kirri White Coaching shares her tips on teaching meditation to children. I love the ideas of imagining bubbles or taking imaginary trips. All very easy and age appropriate.

Kelly Burch at Transformations with Kelly Burch has some great tips on how to help children with problems, using energy work. Kids can easily learn EFT (tapping) to help them deal with emotions.

Debra Dane at Home Life Simplifed has 30 ways to teach children about kindness and gratitude at her blog.

Author Jennifer Cohen Harper has a beautiful book, Little Flower Yoga for Kids. The book aims at teaching children to pay attention, increase focus, and balance their emotions-all while building physical strength and flexibility.

Do you have any other resources you like for teaching your kids natural, new age stuff?

Click here to check out the Superfoods for Kids range.

Five Favourite Things – July

July 30, 2012 · 8 Comments

July. Winter. Snuggling. Comfort food. Hibernating. Trying to find the sun.

Here are some things that I have been in love with this month. ♥

Wendy Blume’s amazing “Breakfast on the go biscuits” recipe from the Vegie Smugglers 2 cookbook. This recipe has two ingredients – cereal and egg white (I don’t use the sugar). It is super quick and easy to make and it doubles as a great kid’s snacks or breakfast in the car for those mental mornings! I use Freedom Foods Ancient Grains Super Muesli gluten-free cereal and organic eggs. Seriously yummy.

Be Gorgeous rosehip oil from Naturlea. Rosehip oil has become my new best friend. It is nature’s best kept beauty secret! I have been using rosehip oil for some time and then got the opportunity to try this brand after winning it in a Facebook competition! I adore it. Jacqui from Naturlea has combined beautiful rose geranium essential oil with the organic rosehip oil so it smells heavenly (and not earthy like plain rosehip oil). Rosehip oil is good for promoting collagen, reducing scarring and stretch marks, fighting skin ageing, lightening pigmentation and rehydrating. If you are over 30, you need to get into this stuff – it has made my skin glow!

Natural Calm Drink. The lovely ladies at Natural Vitality sent me some of this to try out. It is a great way to make sure you are getting enough magnesium and calcium in your diet, in the right combination. Did you know that magnesium deficiency can cause stress, fatigue, insomnia, anxiousness, irritability, muscle cramps, headaches, PMS and hormonal imbalance? I pretty much had all of those things! Together with taking regular epsom salts baths, my symptoms have eased right off. If you think you might be magnesium deficient, get it checked out with your medical practitioner or naturopath!

source

Kundalini Yoga Fire Breath. We have been doing lots of the fire breath in my yoga class. It feels a bit weird to do at first, but I love how it makes me feel. It is so energizing and really gets your blood pumping with all the extra oxygen. Some of the benefits include releasing anxiety, nervousness and emotions, flushing toxins out of the blood stream, massaging internal organs and expanding your lung capacity! It’s a great remedy for those mid-afternoon energy slumps. Don’t do the fire breath if you are pregnant or menstruating though! See how to do it here. Give it a go and tell me what you think.

My husband (aka Natural New Age Dad). I actually love him every month of the year! However, this month we have been really focusing on our relationship. Life, kids, work and ill-health can all get in the way of making our marriage a priority. We have had some hiccups. As our kids head into teen years though, we find things are changing. We finally have more time for ourselves, my son is old enough to babysit his sister and we have been hanging out together a lot! Date nights, yoga classes, romantic walks, dinner, movies, holding hands ….. it’s been blissful. I feel like I am falling in love with my husband all over again. I highly recommend it. ♥

So, that is my favourite five, what are some things you have been loving this month?

You might like to read some of my other favourite things.