tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32581864499762652382024-03-14T17:56:13.401+10:00Real Life DreamingMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-54565161785755916912011-10-06T22:57:00.000+10:002012-09-09T13:11:26.968+10:00October Sacred Essence<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hello dear women friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This month, with the Goddess conference looming, Jen has handed yours truly the Sacred Essence reigns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s what happened since that momentous decision was taken…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was recalling thoughts of holding a workshop on Abundance after being with some very driven, career-focused women last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then thought to myself, hmmm I wonder if that might be a good theme for our circle!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could use a little extra wealth, health and happiness this coming Summer as much as the next girl!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time, I remembered the fact that with Jen being in the creative flow of Goddess energy we were going to do a night with the Goddesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then She came to me….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvN8pmhCX86BTdP-eiHoqr0zzMxwEDfp-74QqfJpGnidzEQNVvAZJkYf4Rf5epJWySq-T_EXJjDv_TfYV-_xoEyf4d6MRWZk-msOMlL9m_dEb0YPyW9QEnzB3aVMPrtoqI0c2MjIZb52i/s1600/Lakshmi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span>This is Lakshmi!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gorgeous Hindu goddess of abundance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And as I researched further, I discovered THIS is her month, in fact this Monday night is the eve of HER festival!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here is some more about her…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Goddess Lakshmi means Good Luck to Hindus. The word 'Lakshmi' is derived from the Sanskrit word "Laksya", meaning 'aim' or 'goal', and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lakshmi is the household goddess of most Hindu families, and a favourite of women. Although she is worshipped daily, the festive month of October is Lakshmi's special month. Lakshmi Puja is celebrated on the full moon night of Kojagari Purnima (this coming Tuesday 11/10).<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And this from Doreen Virtue…<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Lakshmi is a beautiful and benevolent Hindu goddess who brings abundance to those who call upon her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lakshmi’s connection to lotus flowers, elephants, and water represents her absolute faith in fertility and abundance available to everyone. She’s happy to bring supply to you, whether that means money, time, knowledge, or opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lakshmi works with Ganesh, the elephant headed deity who’s known as the “overcomer of obstacles”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together, they’re an unstoppable team that works to help you release fear and accept abundance.”<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So beautifully and so perfectly then, this month’s LUCKY circle will be titled:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Awakening Our Golden Seams of Abundance!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Could you do with a little extra good fortune in your life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Come along and join us for some good fun and creative flow as we get our very own golden seams gleaming!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sacred Essence Women's Circle</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>This MONDAY, 10<sup>th</sup>October at 7pm til 9pm<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<strong></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Moonlight Prep Room - Silkwood School<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Cost $20 (Come to 3 circles and your 4<sup>th</sup> is FREE)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bring along your yoga mat if you have one and a cushion if you like.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please R.S.V.P. by Monday so we can arrange your materials for the arty festivities.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Looking forward to seeing you all for this lovely gathering!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Many blessings,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Melissa xx<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">P.S. Please forward this on to all your fellow goddess friends!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-28454309479895046502011-08-26T13:48:00.003+10:002012-09-09T13:12:16.931+10:00Up for some singing?
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My Singing and Chanting circle is on tonight 6-7pm at</div>
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Spiritual Soul </div>
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Yoga and Massage Centre</div>
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Hollywell Rd </div>
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Biggera Waters</div>
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Just bring your voice and prepare to be uplifted in harmony!</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-50242604845862013652011-08-18T10:55:00.004+10:002011-08-18T11:14:39.494+10:00New Project in Mindfulness<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>I have had a project glowing inside me like a little hot coal for quite a while now. It is glowing just that bit brighter now and has started to ignite into a beautiful flame. I can't contain it within me any longer and I just have to share it with you.<div>I am about to embark on a new project called <i>Meditation Morning</i> which I am planning on offering to those interested in my little community. During this hour or so, I plan to introduce people to mindfulness techniques which will help to relieve our stress, help us to BREATHE better, take better care of ourselves and learn to live </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div>more fully in the now moment. This gift of presence will bring new quality into our lives by bringing to the forefront, greater personal choice throughout our daily lived experiencing. I truly believe this will enhance not only our own lives but those of our partners, children, friends and relatives as well!</div><div>To add momentum to my decision to get things started, I will be posting regular Mindful Moments with on the go tips and to let you know how we're all going with it!</div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div>Here goes!</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HINIphfB4n3q750ptzZVawQUQVrVJ2qshZL6f-v0zuJDOEZ_ZwKXBP1_9spAFqV5Zv4KLU7McgVTJGo5BCMf-ARIVJSgDWhJOKHpxeOqFP7d1OzgH8TSZ2vEB1ROQhkBNjEZzAiVz6M/s400/mysha-logo-best+for+web-sml.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641998057804249106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 52px; " /></div><div>
<br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-52972031831740143322011-08-04T09:55:00.005+10:002011-08-04T10:07:04.047+10:00Celebrating the close of Winter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwBGIVgHjBAo0tzYB6KcpRJi1_2BhOm8shv4wI-Kcn2MSfi9k9aVnNHVln6qdDIr52cMVkfr9B2-W55sE3P4Pwq9Cpu6Q46BHNknkbLOimXgVqcdjeTtcgndmJYFa09a3i549__vyV5A/s1600/Nadine+FP+-+fast+hands%2521.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwBGIVgHjBAo0tzYB6KcpRJi1_2BhOm8shv4wI-Kcn2MSfi9k9aVnNHVln6qdDIr52cMVkfr9B2-W55sE3P4Pwq9Cpu6Q46BHNknkbLOimXgVqcdjeTtcgndmJYFa09a3i549__vyV5A/s400/Nadine+FP+-+fast+hands%2521.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636784617209547442" /></a><br />It's circle time again over at <a href="http://www.sacredessencecircle.com/">Sacred Essence</a> and we are shaking ourselves out and reaching out towards newness, warmth and colour of the dawning Spring. I'm happy to see the back of this Winter. It hasn't been an easy one with lots of coughs and sniffles. So I'm really pleased to be celebrating with FUN, Food and Felt-Making this circle.<div><br /></div><div>If you can join us we'd love to see you this coming...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Monday 8th August, 7pm til 9pm</div><div style="text-align: center;"> in the Moonlight Prep Room</div><div style="text-align: center;">Silkwood School</div><div style="text-align: center;">Shepherd Hill Lane, Mt Nathan</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And if you can't come along, you can participate in our online task via our blog. Just check in after the event to see what's happening throughout the month. We'd love to have you join us!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-67511648256353614272011-07-14T08:03:00.003+10:002011-07-14T08:49:13.528+10:00Winter Spiral<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpVR6v6jd84MaR7DKyTKHmoLAeJc3lkMLzfip0d4S9s16ShvNACA8H9IhV77ZMsKTgNFo8j9kXcY48HHV5uos_8bVa2ED3rzyxXoFOsh4U341aKy3jp3a9NOIy-_cRixVisfrY66entQ/s1600/DSC_0484.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpVR6v6jd84MaR7DKyTKHmoLAeJc3lkMLzfip0d4S9s16ShvNACA8H9IhV77ZMsKTgNFo8j9kXcY48HHV5uos_8bVa2ED3rzyxXoFOsh4U341aKy3jp3a9NOIy-_cRixVisfrY66entQ/s400/DSC_0484.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628971176950748290" /></a><br />This winter has brought with it lots of circling.<div>I have felt a bit like a buoy in the middle of a turbulent sea. With the force and energy of all that is going on around me, I topple over and go under and then I rebound back somehow ready to take the next surge. It's cold and uncomfortable and it FEELS isolating, despite the incessant company.</div><div>Meeting needs is my rapid concern. Mine are in there too somewhere.</div><div>Winter. </div><div>It's a challenging season for me. Round and around I go on this crazy ocean.... feeling a bit like the calm will never come!</div><div>Yet I know that eventually I will spiral into a fresh season of NEWNESS....when this winter will be done.</div><div>I can't rush it as much as I'd like to wind the clock along a bit some long, stuck days. Rather, I take note, in the moment, of how it all feels and how I am IN it and make a choice about how I would PREFER to be in it..... then do something about that.</div><div><br /></div><div>What works? What feels BETTER?</div><div>How do I get to that better feeling? </div><div><br /></div><div>This is all part of it actually. Writing about it. Drawing about it. Sharing and being witnessed IN it. These are the little saviours for me. A process of inquiring - unfurling and finding meaning in it all.... gaining hope and momentum for possibilities in a way forward and through. I am stronger and a bit more aware as I take the next few steps. That's good :) </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-38071497204992815212011-06-16T19:46:00.009+10:002011-06-19T11:44:24.601+10:00My Spiritual Life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBipLHF1W_hSSvMnRqeY4lyNhlwlWe7onZ_tl8821W6ZcqjgsfK0Orxa58NvO_aEmVpIb-oA3VeAY5t03fSJUxELAqG7loDYb8cDI_SO80lrXRb6xpTW9lUvKnFZyFVvEM4DeBnYlIIg/s1600/DSC_0152.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBipLHF1W_hSSvMnRqeY4lyNhlwlWe7onZ_tl8821W6ZcqjgsfK0Orxa58NvO_aEmVpIb-oA3VeAY5t03fSJUxELAqG7loDYb8cDI_SO80lrXRb6xpTW9lUvKnFZyFVvEM4DeBnYlIIg/s400/DSC_0152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619739784213974754" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It's no surprise that I'm drawn to a spiritual life. I'm the daughter of a scientist/modern day theologian and a stay at home mother of five (can't get much more sacred than a life lived with children). I was raised amidst a large (no, huge) extended Catholic family and attended catholic school and church on weekends until my rebellious teens. Years later, I returned to teach in the primary school which was my own along with other fellow students who also became fellow teachers. I taught alongside some of the teachers that taught my siblings and myself and my Dad continues to play music in the same church I sang at as a young girl. Yet a Catholic I would call myself not. Despite all the familiar faces in all of the schools I taught at, bringing some degree of a sense of connection, I guess my spiritual calling has taken me much farther afield. I would now call my own spiritual journey a colourful and eclectic one. My mind is open, along with my heart. I like to explore and experience. It's not that I'm trying to find that one approach that fits, more that I have come to appreciate a variety of sacred viewpoints. I am learning that for me, it feels right to take what I need and appreciate from a range of sources, practices and ritual. I am learning that I can listen to <i>my</i> Inner voice and be led by that. I am thus in liquid process of an evolving faith. Where I find myself taken on this journey is to places of sacred comfort and unconditional love and kindness. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Inclusiveness has something to do with it too. I am a big believer in the idea that across all faiths and in all the searching hearts of this world, there remains one solid need. I sense one massive beating heart - a pulsing of the whole world's yearning for inner peace and contentment. And in answer to that call exists One, constant and true, pure source of LOVE. I believe that no matter how great our call for love, that there is always enough for us all - if only we can each find it. I think that's why I believe the relationship a mother has with her children is so divine, so spiritual in and of itself. A child's love for her/his mother is probably the closest tangible (in a physical life sense) thing to a relationship with our God/Goddess/Divine/Creator/Source/Spirit/Universe or whomever or whatever we would like to engage with. A child NEEDS this love. We all need it. How it may look and feel like - how it indeed manifests for each of us is unique, but in my mind, we're very much the same in this need for unconditional love.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So <b>love</b> truly <i>felt</i> (in all its lushness, surprise, excitement, fulfillment) and <b>spiritual contentment</b> are for me, one in the same thing. So with this in mind, I'm going to resist the urge to get frustrated at not getting enough "me time" or not being able to achieve something greater than what I can accomplish, and go and enjoy the rest of my weekend - caring for my sick five year old, nurturing my littlest one and lavishing my husband with random acts of kindness and LOVE with as much of myself as I can muster. And I *know* that it comes back to me reflected in the most perfect way. Of course, I also note that I have taken enough time for myself to come and reflect here too on why it is I do what I do; to take a breather; to do what I love; to write and to freely ponder my spiritual life on the go! Don't need church for that.</div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-16657581312722217032011-05-14T20:30:00.005+10:002011-05-14T23:17:12.558+10:00one woman two spirits<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEn5l5uDZsfFrKPv0ODAlsOsG8YxZhWV0g9JA9J75Jv4yq49Wg_oSiTY0Gq9rdWVBJU5knVXm16b4qGeMCOSLp9mdS8Aym-n0F38G-ITcP9bxe6wbT4ZBKuZwoH-CLX1wkD8H12l6Q8w/s1600/IMG_2971.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEn5l5uDZsfFrKPv0ODAlsOsG8YxZhWV0g9JA9J75Jv4yq49Wg_oSiTY0Gq9rdWVBJU5knVXm16b4qGeMCOSLp9mdS8Aym-n0F38G-ITcP9bxe6wbT4ZBKuZwoH-CLX1wkD8H12l6Q8w/s400/IMG_2971.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606552445794806194" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalJU7O-tA5vX1Ux0vALIicZ_z8LVK2TyZQGF99wguRqHcVDpmE2kv3hxSeq05OFQlxOFjzUbDnUkWWip9C_MvTZ9BpBJ6I5YViwh-kgeabZ7NgpYOpHAeseARP9TmEV0_VB5gll7JMg4/s1600/nepal-20030039_r1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalJU7O-tA5vX1Ux0vALIicZ_z8LVK2TyZQGF99wguRqHcVDpmE2kv3hxSeq05OFQlxOFjzUbDnUkWWip9C_MvTZ9BpBJ6I5YViwh-kgeabZ7NgpYOpHAeseARP9TmEV0_VB5gll7JMg4/s400/nepal-20030039_r1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606552435047599858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqmNL8Xhy4sKsJ3OztP67G2vgeGuuoh4JW674w1gluWv3loTDRgSLMscjdajsOhE_3hFJMxXEDiQ66JAW6Q65Y0k86-lHGmNSPKrV_FCEZPwq18GNNy6b1nl8Q8uAxn4Y27YdTTFyR_M/s1600/Mother+%2526+Child+copy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 334px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqmNL8Xhy4sKsJ3OztP67G2vgeGuuoh4JW674w1gluWv3loTDRgSLMscjdajsOhE_3hFJMxXEDiQ66JAW6Q65Y0k86-lHGmNSPKrV_FCEZPwq18GNNy6b1nl8Q8uAxn4Y27YdTTFyR_M/s400/Mother+%2526+Child+copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606540608157344130" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I have been inspired today over at Lavendilly - after reading my beautiful friend Jen's <a href="http://lavendilly.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/re-defining-achievement/">latest post</a> on <i>re-defining achievement</i>. I think this is my all time favourite topic and one that we Mammas can help each other with.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>We modern, well educated girls were brought up with a strong work ethic and a genuine <b>achiever spirit</b> within us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> I have really strong memories of being encouraged to seek the best life has to offer. It was oh so important to achieve your best at school so that you could achieve a great further education....so that you could achieve a great job....so that you could achieve your career ambitions.....so that you could achieve personal and financial rewards..... so that you could one day be able to <i><b>settle down</b></i> and have a family! For me, it certainly was a high flying time, literally. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">As a young, single woman I achieved many of my dreams - among them several academic achievements in film, education, yoga, creative arts and experiential therapies. I've enjoyed a rather colourful musical life in an array of rock bands and melodic, alternative duos and trios and performed solo across London. I travelled widely and experienced some of the most amazing nature power spots in the world from the incredible experience of the highest highs and lowest lows of Egypt to almost touch heaven in the Himalayas to the indescribable majesty of the fjordlands of Norway - to mention a few. I have held a variety of jobs from check-out chick to artist to nannying to singing to early years teaching to now leading singing and chanting circles and co-facilitating our Sacred Essence circles. And as for my spiritual journey, I have been transformed a few times over through the many beckonings of my soul to partake in the ancient arts as well as modern forms of self inquiry and 'inner work'. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">I am proud of my achievements as a young woman and now I feel I have arrived where I really want to be...... because along with this achiever spirit to soar in the world (which never seemed truly satisfied),</span> I also have this beautiful innate mother instinct which longs to retreat to the comfort of a safe and secure home, to nurture my precious babes as best I know how. It's a balancing act this motherhood/womanhood gig.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One eye on our beloved ones and one on our beloved self quest! (As illustrated in the eyes of the mother in my painting above, <i>Woman and Child</i>, 2009.)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>Torn is how I felt just this afternoon trying desperately to plant the limp potted plants into the (now not so new) garden bed while the children got louder inside demanding my attention.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> While my achiever spirit screamed within "<i>I want to create a beautiful garden!"</i>, </span>I looked down at my earth crusted fingers and hands and then into the yearning eyes of my littlest one, dropped the shovel and went about scrubbing my hands with vigour so that I could go to her.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">As modern women and mothers, we embody this dual purpose every day, and it's hard to know how to juggle time between them. It's hard sometimes to be satisfied to be one at a time. For me it's definitely a test of patience. Then I realise, that sometimes deafening cry of the achiever spirit within me, that really doesn't like to be interrupted is actually being called to her greatest quest ever! All of the experiences and acquired skills of my past life as a single woman have been grooming me for my most important role. Like my friend Jen, I make the choice to be present to my children (though sometimes they might need to wait a minute or two).</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal">Ah well.... the garden bed lies fertile......and she waits.</p><p class="MsoNormal">And my children, my truest legacy, and my <b>Mother spirit</b> call me to be better than ever.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Some days I don't know if I measure up to the challenge and I long for <i>one</i> path, but of course my children chose me for who I am... and I am... one woman with two spirits.</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-42524586982621918012011-04-25T15:47:00.015+10:002011-04-26T13:19:19.352+10:00Finding Sacred Essence this holiday<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBVx5gVptLzJsd_cSl8jLVXr6cSTCQipWsFWkuy9AwjRPas2TzpIPWS95TqiF0IkfPm1MKOt3vajnxhAdtr3Ne7aBwiFPJvsCkVNAKfryDZNCrANqYjoENJpmKU2RBgLs3N5LLSNYDM4/s1600/Sacred+EssenceTree.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 292px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599714686996518466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBVx5gVptLzJsd_cSl8jLVXr6cSTCQipWsFWkuy9AwjRPas2TzpIPWS95TqiF0IkfPm1MKOt3vajnxhAdtr3Ne7aBwiFPJvsCkVNAKfryDZNCrANqYjoENJpmKU2RBgLs3N5LLSNYDM4/s400/Sacred+EssenceTree.png" /></a>I'm so loving that our women's circle is up and running again for 2011. We have a new website too which helps keep us all connected throughout the month until we meet again in May. You might like to see what we've been up to <a href="http://www.sacredessencecircle.com/">here</a>.<br /><div><div><div>Our first circle has taken us on the journey inward to reconnect with our Higher Selves.</div><div>We have done so through story, sharing/discussion, meditation, song, sacred ceremony and through creating our own crown - a lovely beaded wire head piece. </div><div>Our journey began with a wonderful story called Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady. Though our focus was on the theme of <em>sovereignty</em> - and specifically connecting to the Higher Self within, each of us took from the story what was just right for us. I'm a huge believer in the beautiful synchronicities that weave their way through our experiences and if we listen carefully enough and take enough notice, there is so much to be gained!<br /></div><div>Over at Sacred Essence, I posted <a href="http://www.sacredessencecircle.com/2011/04/my-crown.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.sacredessencecircle.com/2011/04/my-crown-continued.html">here</a> about my experience after the circle of how I have learnt that it is through our <em>relationships</em> that we tap into a well of opportunity for connecting to our Higher Self voice if we just learn to tune into it. For me as always, it seems, this requires a slowing down and a process of mindfulness on what is happening in the moment, as it unfolds. It's getting easier with practice, but it's definitely something I have to keep plugging away at. In fact, it's literally a matter of plugging into a Greater Source of Divine LOVE (my...OUR Sacred Essence) in order to reconnect/refresh/reframe and re-act in a more harmonious way.<br /></div><div>I've been practising it these past weeks of school holidays. We've been renovating the laundry, trying to keep up with child-centred activities to keep the boredom at bay and having my mother-in-law stay at the same time. It has certainly been an on-the-go, all emergent exercise in the art of mindfulness! Sometimes I have succeeded in keeping connected to my Higher Self (and my preferred way of Being) and at other times I've felt myself lose touch quite suddenly! I am really finding that what is working most for me is choosing JOY. As I choose the emotional high road for myself, everyone around me seems to benefit. I suppose it's living in that higher vibration that joy brings, which is certainly vastly different to the dull, clanging throb that frustration and a frayed temper brews if given half the chance.<br /></div><div>So with that in mind, here are a few JOYOUS moments I have savoured these past few weeks...</div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599702122664102306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPyOGrNTkCvDrXJALCUj7wPoQa5EeT6KUpnE02FVlQNEUvhqigAEEviEAyo1niB7R-R1XmqgsE2QV8_AcqhR_Guv3HD8nUygQX-rWHciIQUqkOA7JDNz50humZ53FiJpgFZAT5vj8S78/s400/IMG_0542.JPG" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599702140565951170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgen-Fj7rzlupFGoAYYu7EjQwBgdR9Aked5QBVSs2vsI1DMGrogH2rZrmm3voW_skgQS2vAT_nX0BNdqL3JHK-pe_xc7cxu3MMSdDUSHawIy3jug9WOwHYSIbK61YA2F-ZPp59TQ_Txtxw/s400/IMG_0550.JPG" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599702111683013426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVRJUKJiz9WISMz9scUZrU00kO_xah3zdkLTwNpKFlWeGpJ2MB0R4icqJ6QRBMwSyMKWgPQrhrwePYKxlsYA71n-YpvJ6i5YF6CPb0LjRCJJv4830FVOJ_ik-DdoG7SY21N5hAaf-b2w/s400/IMG_0516.JPG" />I hope your Easter holidays has brought with it some Sacred Essence too!!</div></div><br /><br /><!--?xml:namespace prefix = ahref="http /--><ahref="http:www.sacredessencecircle.com><ahref="http:www.sacredessencecircle.com></ahref="http:www.sacredessencecircle.com></ahref="http:www.sacredessencecircle.com></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-92025966643653010022011-03-08T20:31:00.005+10:002011-03-08T21:31:29.832+10:00growing my heart<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYYRbJrJvyCpQy4HBQfqWocrz3DbU5iBYOXNdpMUBqBPbSJ8ZqIZ76MLFcAhdt4qu5rzJgeqwFE8qrjz2kSqjeGzJfuSwxwnzArDlD33Wx1GdPAv8Rln9s3W-pZOeo2eFNb4MbYIsSj8/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581663589021484770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYYRbJrJvyCpQy4HBQfqWocrz3DbU5iBYOXNdpMUBqBPbSJ8ZqIZ76MLFcAhdt4qu5rzJgeqwFE8qrjz2kSqjeGzJfuSwxwnzArDlD33Wx1GdPAv8Rln9s3W-pZOeo2eFNb4MbYIsSj8/s400/IMG_0306.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I'm back! .... finally!</div><br /><div>I'm finding myself a new woman this year and life is abuzz with possibilities.</div><br /><div>Largest in my life and most wonderful is my new role as <em>mother of two</em>. It wasn't until I read this in print very recently that I embodied this truth more <span style="font-size:130%;">mindfully</span>. "Hmm" I thought, "Yes, that's definitely me now." After just shy of five years as a Mamma of one I got used to being a certain way. There seemed to be a lot more struggle in that somehow. Not sure why. It just seems now that with my second little one that my motherhood is now not only in full swing with a beautiful baby to love and nurture again, but also that I, the mother am now more confident, more connected and more relaxed in this privileged place. Why did I put it off for so long?! I guess part of me wondered if I could really do it - spread myself evenly between two precious souls, ....share my heart with another! But it's amazing how my heart has <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">grown</span>!</span> And with this big, open, gleamingly happy heart, I embrace my place in this world right now more than ever. For once in my life I feel really really SATISFIED!</div><br /><div></div><div>It doesn't matter that my new baby's birth wasn't what I had hoped it would be. It doesn't matter that I'm a bit pudgy still. It doesn't matter to me that I'm not getting to all my jobs in a day. It doesn't matter that the bathroom is still old and the kitchen is falling apart (okay well yes that annoys me sometimes), but what has been whispering to me each day isn't the usual obsession about how things<em> should</em> be, rather it's a quietness breathing within me... simply <span style="font-size:180%;">being.</span> I'm realising that life is really all good. There are so many opportunities every single day for me to simply be in the moment with my girls. To enjoy their absolutely blissful smiles. They both have dimples afterall! Little exclamation marks of cheer on their soft little cheeks. Makes you just want to kiss them all day! </div><div></div><br /><div>One of the benefits of having waited all this time for our second is that our first big girl is now at school! I'm so proud of the person she is becoming. We've had our obstacles and some separation anxiety but she is surprising me in ways that make me smile every day. And as I watch her grow up so fast, I'm so glad to have a new baby in my life again. I really feel as if this little one wants me all to herself through the day, just like her big sister did for those early years. </div><br /><p>So with this newfound centredness I feel very grateful and somehow much more open to life's opportunities to<em> love</em>.</p>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-49439733642267456382010-09-27T08:53:00.003+10:002010-09-27T09:12:00.025+10:00New LifeI am in awe of life right now....<br />My heart is so open and absolutely bursting with love....<br /><br /><br />Here's why..........<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521360367199013170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFc7fKFJ-266n21NTjTn8kkB6bVlzvtfmx1_7MB4VUzAhS5FBeM0tkgJUqpsM5UCCa4V4Tn-DKAl5YhtIY7kmmQ8Z1NYdLYQ93PQH9SIEwsOKKspLYYiOVoKUHPLj68nTLNno-Af7LHo/s320/IMG_10017.JPG" /><br /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521360363570099378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0jgZjKbwHJ-_eIgVAVaOet-aAA3AkB8_M77mmv5KCNSeJ-5PZ4lQN-4z_P1-XOdDuFBtKquyHRHQAUq9j4sg8unpIsaR2-BNpndnfMfTaRXHxbgQOswmowdK1ltRA3NvF2JgwKD0RPo/s320/IMG_10009.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521360355166390450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeIOhK3Ra01ErUDW-rwR_fFhKjc_SolmSCYKxe7jIi8SDawZ0VBWoKaq2f2cXQCpcEVpIG7WlyJ8UKSOR5DbgxUs0Re8fNVotSPlUFEqYjgPMFLwVlKdTG8eO8Le18FfuwG1p3wOMb54/s320/IMG_10001.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-46051661212752646682010-08-16T21:49:00.004+10:002010-08-16T22:11:41.129+10:00Nesting before the Spring<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67JGPAxB7FVgaHMPe_eGIJ5zZ_Us2ucoyB6SRvJJ5o-GJhXl0veO1RFORgjwnPGjDYcHPon5CDx-PldGe6_6CZ7QCmwUJPmfZgPEmzBCRkRpmwoi7T6-zCuI8Pz00Aia6T0eRBFM5W5Q/s1600/P1000576.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505978250895250834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67JGPAxB7FVgaHMPe_eGIJ5zZ_Us2ucoyB6SRvJJ5o-GJhXl0veO1RFORgjwnPGjDYcHPon5CDx-PldGe6_6CZ7QCmwUJPmfZgPEmzBCRkRpmwoi7T6-zCuI8Pz00Aia6T0eRBFM5W5Q/s320/P1000576.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I think most of you know I'm having our second baby very soon. It's a really wonderful time to be expecting the birth of our own child with the season of spring dawning just around the corner. And along with the gorgeous array of birds in our neck of the woods, we too are nesting!! Big time!</div><br /><div>Nothing better than a new bubba to inspire some good old hard work and some pretty little projects too. I can't believe the energy I have mustered (in spirts) to finally get to those grubby fingerprints and smears on walls! Yes i've been cleaning the walls and skirting and windows and screens and washing and re-washing.... and on it goes.</div><br /><div>And did you know this stuff is contagious??? Well my wonderful hubby has also been chirning out the projects and we're really starting to see some big changes around here. A new play room, a freshly painted guest room, new window dressings, even a new fence! Stuff we've been meaning to get to for so long has simply been <em>done</em>! It's great! I'm one happy Mamma!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Although I think after a month or two of this and I'm really running out of steam now. My little one and I were out in the garden today and I felt like I was trying to pull up the giant turnip as I attempted to stand up after some planting. Honest to goodness I feel like I'm carrying one of those really huge watermelons around with me everywhere. Having said that, it really doesn't take much to turn to the promise of Spring in our freshened up little garden and remind myself of the fruits of our labour soon to blossom! Can't wait!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>And here is a photo of the first little gift for our bubba.... thanks again to the Silkwood craft group for the kit for this gorgeous spring mother bird with baby.</div><br /><div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-59503730787148775172010-08-16T21:24:00.004+10:002010-08-16T21:45:23.550+10:00Homemade gifts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU2dIIUk_uxLCJasmIQc6pDh_pn-36QJtIGc2ykP_nQyLpzl_46z2KncqZKtenpB83umgBP-0uJizorrlITznnLi3DBl0kiRJBc0uPiqGoEoA7x75JzSyjcIyb8FwerN6qqukRxVtPYk/s1600/IMG_9858.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505972141039307682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU2dIIUk_uxLCJasmIQc6pDh_pn-36QJtIGc2ykP_nQyLpzl_46z2KncqZKtenpB83umgBP-0uJizorrlITznnLi3DBl0kiRJBc0uPiqGoEoA7x75JzSyjcIyb8FwerN6qqukRxVtPYk/s320/IMG_9858.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdxnA_3SaJCiWhGU9aPeU3ogATuqtZu09pj5QKce0hpyB90TH0kJmykuEVr8M7m9BnsmqT4dqmvb2udnbMLoqJVbOUwl36zdTZLkL2WdQmbtO5NoBq8MmiCwgRoQQPIfyknHw3oaTgtM/s1600/IMG_9853.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505972134808076818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPdxnA_3SaJCiWhGU9aPeU3ogATuqtZu09pj5QKce0hpyB90TH0kJmykuEVr8M7m9BnsmqT4dqmvb2udnbMLoqJVbOUwl36zdTZLkL2WdQmbtO5NoBq8MmiCwgRoQQPIfyknHw3oaTgtM/s320/IMG_9853.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>I just love making and giving these little Steiner inspired gifts to my little one's friends. There's a special joy in learning how from clever creative people (thank you Nikki, Mia, Dionne and team at Heart & Hands Craft Group at Silkwood).... and then getting creative at home and producing gifts for the special little people in our daughter's life. Not to mention how lovely it is to see the smiles on their faces when they <em>know </em>you've given something greater than another 'something' to play with. I really do think that despite the huge commercial pressures of media inspired "stuff" out there in consumer land, that children do sense the love in a homemade gift. </div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-3221699378157829302010-03-24T11:11:00.003+10:002016-05-30T22:12:25.628+10:00Singing Circle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVsZYGRyoCuwK6A6p-RhwmWHv7d5etoEYbPT82SsaO7xwICzSkbiTge-x7ACYhsozRJU14na8EQx6esPBUbRS48-G7hXBsR45tOW6DLaxh_LVqDm8JEywJNhd4pm59R_xlhW6DyjU3hA/s1600-h/about_04.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452005205017914786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVsZYGRyoCuwK6A6p-RhwmWHv7d5etoEYbPT82SsaO7xwICzSkbiTge-x7ACYhsozRJU14na8EQx6esPBUbRS48-G7hXBsR45tOW6DLaxh_LVqDm8JEywJNhd4pm59R_xlhW6DyjU3hA/s320/about_04.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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This Friday night I am taking my tunes to a lovely new venue at Biggera Waters on the Gold Coast called <em><strong><span style="color: #ff6666;">Spiritual Soul</span></strong></em>.</div>
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It will be an evening of purely original live music, listening, joining in, sitting, being.... interspersed with moments of silence and awash with bliss. We open with meditation and allow the sound to overtake our bodies, hearts and minds in a beautiful uplifting vibration of oneness and peace!</div>
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If you'd like to be a part of our opening night.</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-13759094174029619562010-02-03T12:32:00.004+10:002010-02-03T12:53:48.271+10:00Plans and schedules<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaXIHRSdFfQFaCgl8ILUaFnM4ENRjA1psb7vxG8x5m4WRRxqx0YEQtv0bzEQPtwBcPDGsFmhKXI3tBjcdZdNt1WoHg-WXJeYz99E7cEXWsg0OX9r5jaEPgMpRvkPGZrQLEL59GlQWorc/s1600-h/IMG_9779.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433843919307208274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaXIHRSdFfQFaCgl8ILUaFnM4ENRjA1psb7vxG8x5m4WRRxqx0YEQtv0bzEQPtwBcPDGsFmhKXI3tBjcdZdNt1WoHg-WXJeYz99E7cEXWsg0OX9r5jaEPgMpRvkPGZrQLEL59GlQWorc/s320/IMG_9779.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Today I received a very well intentioned email from my sister about all the upcoming events our "big" family has on the agenda.... all the way into October!</div><br /><div>I'm sorry, but I am so disgruntled I had to write a post in protest!</div><br /><div>What is it with PLANS?!!</div><br /><div>When I was a school teacher the one single thing I really didn't like was being pushed around by the BELL! My day was fragmented and boxed up into gridlines on a page telling me what I had to do and where I had to be at every moment. </div><br /><div>When I became a mum, I threw all this out the window and seized my new life of spontaneous present moment living and demand feeding with both ...hands... and well...all of myself really.</div><br /><div>I have to admit, I do look back on those early couple of years and wonder if more routine wasn't called for, particularly with regards to my little one's eating, waking and sleeping rhythm. </div><br /><div>But rhythm is a separate issue entirely to filling one's calendar. Are you surrounded by people who fill their days, weeks and months? I can't keep up.</div><br /><div></div><div>I know it's nice to have things to look forward to and to know when big events are coming up, but GEE, I like my spontaneity.... I love blank spaces on my calendar, just LOVE them!</div><br /><div>In fact, I have a blank space on my calendar for this afternoon (until pick-up time), so I'm off to do whatever I fancy! Might go rest in the hammock and listen.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Ahhhhhhhhh!</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-23448904717565178672010-01-12T08:15:00.005+10:002010-01-12T09:10:38.516+10:00Essence<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYUhFrEhyJVD_jJgt9w4O06Idm5CU4qIDF2L-Hljshwj9DwO2VmMSACYQiZhTnU8hEKVLkR2fkRT7GK7lMXYPz_GkD7jV-jRjYhVjOD9n0ll__WpAS-380d-Dbt4TzLExtUVAdmwUAYo/s1600-h/P1000204.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425621716260790786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYUhFrEhyJVD_jJgt9w4O06Idm5CU4qIDF2L-Hljshwj9DwO2VmMSACYQiZhTnU8hEKVLkR2fkRT7GK7lMXYPz_GkD7jV-jRjYhVjOD9n0ll__WpAS-380d-Dbt4TzLExtUVAdmwUAYo/s320/P1000204.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Last night we held another of our sacred women's circles.</div><br /><div>It was a chance for us to explore a lovely story by Jane Ray called <em>The Apple Pip Princess</em> (Orchard Books). It is a story about three princesses in their pursuit to become the next monarch of an ailing kingdom by doing something special to please their father, the old king. One princess chooses to build a grand tower, from which she can almost reach the moon.... the second tries to better her sister's efforts by building a more beautiful tower from all the shining metal in the kingdom. The third princess, Serenity in all her feelings of inadequacy plants a tiny apple pip. Using contents from a magical box which she inherited from her queen mother, she day by day, took a special essence or elemental, earthy ingredient to add to her budding garden. In her quest to plant, dig and nourish the barren land, she is joined by all the folk from their tumbledown cottages and by the end of the seventh day, her father chooses her to rule the kingdom, for her tiny buds had magically been transformed into a blossoming sanctuary filled with trees and birdsong for the whole kingdom to share in and enjoy.</div><br /><div>After our story we tuned in to ourselves and moved and stretched in some gentle yoga. With our focus on the life energy coursing through our bodies, we were able to visualise through meditation, an essence which fills and nourishes ourselves personally. For one it was the lightness of a feather, for another, the calm energy of the forest, another participant chose the nightingale's song, another the sunlit ocean with wind in her sails, and another, pink love-filled light. </div><br /><div>Later we had an opportunity to talk about our chosen essence while we sculpted some clay into a vessel..... It was enlightening to explore through conversation with eachother, what was unfolding for us in the clay and in our attunement to ourselves and to eachother. This is what companioning through creative arts therapy is all about. It is the chance to grow our ability to be present in a way which we don't always ask of ourselves...... to learn more about ourselves..... through our creative expression and through the responses and experiences we share with eachother. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'd like to share with you the song which came to me for this circle which we sang at our circle's closing last night.... enjoy.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center"><strong>Essence</strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><em>There's a place inside my heart</em></div><div align="center"><em>Where glows a sacred light</em></div><div align="center"><em>Through my lens of love</em></div><div align="center"><em>It grows and fills my sight</em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Here understanding blossoms</em></div><div align="center"><em>Wisdom pools and overflows</em></div><div align="center"><em>My knowingness is openness</em></div><div align="center"><em>My struggle fades and goes</em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Essence of my nurture</em></div><div align="center"><em>My prayer is to be steeped</em></div><div align="center"><em>Infuse me with all that I need</em></div><div align="center"><em>To walk the path of Peace.</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">By Melissa Joss 9/1/10</span></em></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-84285365991501383852010-01-10T13:15:00.007+10:002010-01-10T21:29:47.292+10:00Networks of grace<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zG8XAI4fuPhgkhEgk0SoHo-MTw50U5oushqk14kK5TMrleDoxrDPyQ9zJY7ZT4n5TqnUTdiADcMULf-er716ERWGL-QXfhHzMketbySO_-XcLG6uSQ5qropwYdGENA4yle7ANj_VJFA/s1600-h/P1000174.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424962122475864050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zG8XAI4fuPhgkhEgk0SoHo-MTw50U5oushqk14kK5TMrleDoxrDPyQ9zJY7ZT4n5TqnUTdiADcMULf-er716ERWGL-QXfhHzMketbySO_-XcLG6uSQ5qropwYdGENA4yle7ANj_VJFA/s320/P1000174.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Recently I received an email through a subscription that I must have signed up for at some point from a man called Andrew Harvey. He has written a book called <em>The Hope A Guide To</em> <em>Sacred Activism (</em>Hay House). It was a book that I felt compelled to buy and read, but didn't.... cos I was in the middle of another email subscription lead .... but that's another post.</div><br /><div>Anyway, this email has sent me on a journey over the internet researching into Harvey and I found his recent talk in Copenhagen. His passion and emergency in his speech is overwhelming. <a href="http://yourclimate.tv/index.php?option=com_jvideo&view=watch&id=81">Click here to view the speech</a>. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here are <a href="http://blog.p2pfoundation.net/andrew-harvey-launches-networks-of-grace/2009/11/28">two excerpts</a> from his book which were cited at P2P Foundation </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This work is positively INSPIRING!!!!!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I know that so many of you out there are conscious beings, with a heart felt concern about the shape our planet is in... and our future....</div><br /><div>But what are we really all doing about it? In our own way, perhaps we are all trying to do little bits.... raising our children to be stewards of the earth, to care for each other, making homemade goodies, recycling, reusing, watching our consumption and keeping our footprint a little lighter each day.... the list goes on. But are we really doing as much as we can? Is there stuff we can do <strong>together</strong> that would make a significantly greater difference than trying to do lots of little bits on our own?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Harvey's vision for success for our future, is activated at the grass roots level.... in small community groups who support eachother in our conscious efforts. I do feel since moving here on the coast that the amazing people in our community are doing this already in so many ways. Maybe though it's time to shift up a gear and grow our sacred activism....so that we may live towards a better world for us all. Maybe 2010 is our year to initiate a more fully conscious, creative network of grace! </div><br /><div>Like to join me? If you do, please email me! or leave a comment here and I'll get back to you.</div><br /><div>melissa(at)myshatherapy(dot)com</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-45430975024570322732009-12-31T14:19:00.007+10:002009-12-31T21:51:16.571+10:00Now 4!<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421363835729276418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghb5FMiz1BnGQV6xdwWbFDLFCNUP5UZ5Q788XVMBqX9XlM45vXL8YYLHi8x90wqUDsfp8ODhG1XkHWrheOoEITlkwMHVuzAMRGMkkAhdKJ0bqYSbia6YEoctEF-f6GPOTnbC7Vqwx_wsw/s320/P1000021.JPG" /><br /><div align="center"> Our little one is now four!</div><div align="center">I can hardly believe how much she has grown. <br /></div><div align="center">We spent part of our day celebrating with little friends in the back yard.... playing traditional games and enjoying the summer with a swim...</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">And we ate the (back up) cake after the icecream cake had a bit of a landslide the night before.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFm1NjK_wzu3nnRf29neCKUon42uk4K_qmpD1Wdb6dxYn-ICGCRQJLY1a3eYFajRrHtuZqBwkM_sADghDwYsMnlcXXrEud5GJiAgWkjGB89db1NCB-irvV-MTOHaFqaaiB04jwyAENn4/s1600-h/IMG_9746.JPG"></a><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421363845585144786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmqBPL2LZ5L9VlHuYqXuvQeR6wtd1Haceme52cqw5HTIbb0XWg2JTrIJbQvTsWaIre-RbysJTkfwsk1rvsS9uV6ZEFwIvVwQVxOMGfrQ8-y7s5Byu9qfKfdt0uzOgKlPmRD28eCotJq4/s320/P1000058.JPG" /><br />But all was a success.... along with the mushroom house.... her birthday gift from Mama.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4n-c1yQwspyEOFflfdRlgGUAFwO3eHWviqgc-H49fNkuIPFKnp_vlT-CXqEq-goY64scxRO1kl5lAFLWyTbdlwDoO5a1URd4Nkes7alnNbApoeg8sKUo943lQBfvR7vGcT3m4rGDO48/s1600-h/IMG_9751.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421251526767795474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4n-c1yQwspyEOFflfdRlgGUAFwO3eHWviqgc-H49fNkuIPFKnp_vlT-CXqEq-goY64scxRO1kl5lAFLWyTbdlwDoO5a1URd4Nkes7alnNbApoeg8sKUo943lQBfvR7vGcT3m4rGDO48/s320/IMG_9751.JPG" /></a><br /><br />complete with dolls of course...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zgEYLN29wFVIndzyj8sFl2uY68NL6EplFJKhtN_aHI8zj-m3AlSR4soY1Tk60g1LbnQVGCxRsPinGUVFns6gLMq7XxtBasE_9Imod-kbbzL5263WNAohAZj_3DVbMHHr-rU8gGPOKKk/s1600-h/IMG_9755.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421251518768437746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zgEYLN29wFVIndzyj8sFl2uY68NL6EplFJKhtN_aHI8zj-m3AlSR4soY1Tk60g1LbnQVGCxRsPinGUVFns6gLMq7XxtBasE_9Imod-kbbzL5263WNAohAZj_3DVbMHHr-rU8gGPOKKk/s320/IMG_9755.JPG" /></a><br /><div>We shared the evening with extended family...for more celebrating.... and somehow we managed to fit in some reminiscing...looking back over photos and little video snippets of her life so far. It was a lovely day... albeit a tad tiring for us all so close to Christmas.</div><div> </div><div>Now I can take a breather!.... and smile widely over the (many) photos and the memories.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-59710207425652339502009-12-26T21:01:00.003+10:002009-12-26T21:17:39.218+10:00CelebratingIsn't the best thing about Christmas that brilliant sleepy eyed smile at ten past five in the morning??!!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2bXyTPYVzIFCHhZ8NbFCgHm9M2G2pGi-ZoZ923kUAu36siX0B0Iy53iixCLr7C0R0dt__yIl6e0TRS-Iib96FXgd1zQWRFLvFDUj5tNzDVJ2BL4RU7R_SRfQssoO-Czj5T99gVpe9ms/s1600-h/IMG_9755.JPG"></a><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1CxlSZ9wNdU8Db-e9_sC8RLLeranKif6V-VD_fXvsHpODNtgFKAp9GNwJVtFJqnVzfTnrs-VFpF610ypZDMeahIXjWNDBYxOVgvW-WhzAGZ4WVsS307yjtjjffW1TP0T1O9oHRMFvGk/s1600-h/IMG_9762.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419500244910496402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1CxlSZ9wNdU8Db-e9_sC8RLLeranKif6V-VD_fXvsHpODNtgFKAp9GNwJVtFJqnVzfTnrs-VFpF610ypZDMeahIXjWNDBYxOVgvW-WhzAGZ4WVsS307yjtjjffW1TP0T1O9oHRMFvGk/s320/IMG_9762.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILiPi-U1UGdHdHCyUESmbePuhliTbbUfk_PsUjk9-38OAtLp74jRFF3mHI-GR0BcEWd_jMLDlCOA97K_Y2DOOG62pQtcu5h0eawBH5LUeyEcgx5Rle77MIQi8nrQs3qvo2YY5eV7nwMI/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419500238015394450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILiPi-U1UGdHdHCyUESmbePuhliTbbUfk_PsUjk9-38OAtLp74jRFF3mHI-GR0BcEWd_jMLDlCOA97K_Y2DOOG62pQtcu5h0eawBH5LUeyEcgx5Rle77MIQi8nrQs3qvo2YY5eV7nwMI/s320/001.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkcQYA03iVAh7V6bztkD-OmZdBnM5-mEBKYdR1yQnmNR25-IhEpkE_TUDbB4rseWLQb_cTJGJJ3NRdBapRdX_DetsubNr9wqRK6whW1eYOaDiDe3S61VKhSiuXcQ8FCt3H0V3eWn8UzU/s1600-h/IMG_9764.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419500229245878194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkcQYA03iVAh7V6bztkD-OmZdBnM5-mEBKYdR1yQnmNR25-IhEpkE_TUDbB4rseWLQb_cTJGJJ3NRdBapRdX_DetsubNr9wqRK6whW1eYOaDiDe3S61VKhSiuXcQ8FCt3H0V3eWn8UzU/s320/IMG_9764.JPG" /></a><br />....and the relief you feel when all those hours <em>making</em> turn out to be rewarded in the best possible way!</div><div> </div><div>And just so you aren't in suspense about dolly's name..... it just so happens to be....(drum roll)</div><div> </div><div align="center"><em>Snow White Katelyn Honey-Bun</em></div><em></em></div><em></em></div><em></em><br /><p>(at least for now anyway...)</p><p><em> </p><div align="center"><br /><br /></em><br /><br /></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-56678353214710932102009-12-06T20:17:00.002+10:002009-12-06T21:13:30.588+10:00Retreating in the Glasshouse Mountains<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412072337546351042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-3JWDp2DM2u_gAls8RRQDAIUOMCDxDN5zKHDN0VhQkQmEOJsg3ChYFBdTmQGXBUBl4Sd6dssPKFc9e2doUBiq5re5foYsBg3aFtC8PVoni3Fp7gzLqu1BsqiURfg6hyphenhyphenUOZUQ_hGSZZs/s320/IMG_9654.JPG" /> </div><p align="center">I have just returned from an absolutely beautiful yoga retreat in the Glasshouse Mountains.<br />Once again I feel so blessed to have been in the presence of like minded and inspiring women and in such a gorgeous natural setting!<br />In the MYSHA session I ran, we meditated on our roles in life<br />Self at work, Self at home, Self at leisure or Self in Spirit<br />We created action self portraits and later wrote our own <em>Ode to Self</em>.<br />It was a creative unfolding journey inward.... and a process coloured with flow and some obstacles too.... and in all of our experiencing we cultivated <em>mindful awareness</em> and <em>gentleness</em> with our Selves.<br /><br />We honoured our Selves in sacred ceremony, sharing our inner work and play, we sang our hearts wide open and we basked in the collective glow of auras building their brilliance.<br />And best of all, we grew the living flame of the sacred feminine for <em>all women</em>, everywhere!<br /><br />Here are some photos for you...<br /><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412072342299188194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgpCf1_OI0PBII2gODG-2xH_nE3UlKofsrb2Rp0xrDUJudMj8BQM0cWXEz3ADozh3c9TLIA5vSK45aVFyUtuyaa0kqpRNwoVSRYxRDlk9ncGlcSt7zaOS31fsw3JXdkmH-fUlpWBl9eA/s320/IMG_9614.JPG" /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZL4Oe3o_fP5TkBkh9WA-iLyZvgviwtnAC3mA8N1HYz1SxJjkPdwTvkGP9bbiHWuSjR9J6zcm45RGHG9agLDuHhaUnzT_K_d1Z0j5qKk5wU5kX5I2CfnZEkRWdlh70bZeh4Pb9a4akX3c/s1600-h/IMG_9647.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412072329200943314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZL4Oe3o_fP5TkBkh9WA-iLyZvgviwtnAC3mA8N1HYz1SxJjkPdwTvkGP9bbiHWuSjR9J6zcm45RGHG9agLDuHhaUnzT_K_d1Z0j5qKk5wU5kX5I2CfnZEkRWdlh70bZeh4Pb9a4akX3c/s320/IMG_9647.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4Q1Ja4k5yKc_Sg1N0j0k38t734pwlhAvGbfs4I2qJyseqwfQqjxoHErP5wkLYvoiToPPxvUBShWkU8MpyN3h9us6qKwVC-GpkNHnAIlV9zOsWZF-h7SxSUGPUMv7pt6bzldmOrdSMuc/s1600-h/IMG_9649.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412072321524156434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4Q1Ja4k5yKc_Sg1N0j0k38t734pwlhAvGbfs4I2qJyseqwfQqjxoHErP5wkLYvoiToPPxvUBShWkU8MpyN3h9us6qKwVC-GpkNHnAIlV9zOsWZF-h7SxSUGPUMv7pt6bzldmOrdSMuc/s320/IMG_9649.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQ9jT1hOsJLYCbipiYUlw2-KAFornwt-VClTGlvo5LuAl-ZvMy9N46NvA22KSYQS4hukmO-jvWGY1GiL8DvFLBiGAmkebsa8HRZC1-d3ykgXUAjPWhYxsPikPw_OGGCw2g1rrQtzy9nE/s1600-h/IMG_9593.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412072317586296594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQ9jT1hOsJLYCbipiYUlw2-KAFornwt-VClTGlvo5LuAl-ZvMy9N46NvA22KSYQS4hukmO-jvWGY1GiL8DvFLBiGAmkebsa8HRZC1-d3ykgXUAjPWhYxsPikPw_OGGCw2g1rrQtzy9nE/s320/IMG_9593.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30aVwjKdAjp0itbwg9HCQfXmcUSlQnZEge0JbRlXHyje59goF3BFJi9HWIcJAUIp0vjj0-JcEJXEP6XvycBqgXDXqBoF-fmC9Oc-Fji4195mykITrD77G8qkz8M0J6JmwklhZyFWn_SU/s1600-h/IMG_9650.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412071686075716626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30aVwjKdAjp0itbwg9HCQfXmcUSlQnZEge0JbRlXHyje59goF3BFJi9HWIcJAUIp0vjj0-JcEJXEP6XvycBqgXDXqBoF-fmC9Oc-Fji4195mykITrD77G8qkz8M0J6JmwklhZyFWn_SU/s320/IMG_9650.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRQQpZ9uHLsq6m1xu_AoLOt_fUpbIOQCKsWVnWbG8e_o4wH7gOvDw5dtTDBLDGXySE4QH9USamzHpGcwfydKJdw9iZaHe1DCkPfoEtTCv_IuiNXBcsJFHMTBOLSRXzgkrXq2pEuoqVNg/s1600-h/IMG_9653.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412071682613110354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRQQpZ9uHLsq6m1xu_AoLOt_fUpbIOQCKsWVnWbG8e_o4wH7gOvDw5dtTDBLDGXySE4QH9USamzHpGcwfydKJdw9iZaHe1DCkPfoEtTCv_IuiNXBcsJFHMTBOLSRXzgkrXq2pEuoqVNg/s320/IMG_9653.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTq5mHcNZRPjx_Z5PNkRYJGEIbYQmbbdQ6DDzYh_PnRIkFUCLjM4wxCashyphenhyphenPjnTGJB6A0458-YRkhjCNfUisizPKo_wJ10QuJLbpxZumB1F41FyPMgxvpDO4OxD8NKXqupIuuKP5ZM3LI/s1600-h/IMG_9644.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412071680340248034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTq5mHcNZRPjx_Z5PNkRYJGEIbYQmbbdQ6DDzYh_PnRIkFUCLjM4wxCashyphenhyphenPjnTGJB6A0458-YRkhjCNfUisizPKo_wJ10QuJLbpxZumB1F41FyPMgxvpDO4OxD8NKXqupIuuKP5ZM3LI/s320/IMG_9644.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5JP-wP_ll6y1lQIDgSp18Z59to3pgt-DdAZ38r9JCf7WnlkILntFYdbefBf10P1brT7HBVwjUV-POcSTu7XTHhIaotNLV7LHHH-IlrZv9Bek2rdS2wy4KmzK2MnS7Ttpu0Ry1bQKrNg/s1600-h/IMG_9628.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412071672600949634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5JP-wP_ll6y1lQIDgSp18Z59to3pgt-DdAZ38r9JCf7WnlkILntFYdbefBf10P1brT7HBVwjUV-POcSTu7XTHhIaotNLV7LHHH-IlrZv9Bek2rdS2wy4KmzK2MnS7Ttpu0Ry1bQKrNg/s320/IMG_9628.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXMF_BZqfiCklSNQnKbC2RKdeAljp4RxM4a9dfexdhg9dCHLHbaLU-5MKUilVPK31kaJaYkqjUVkteJuwW0bEg88QRGigBU8ciZL2_BCeYKKOVmOMJRMCwOppLzZ_EzbRpPTtmfkw5Zc/s1600-h/IMG_9660.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412071664775603506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXMF_BZqfiCklSNQnKbC2RKdeAljp4RxM4a9dfexdhg9dCHLHbaLU-5MKUilVPK31kaJaYkqjUVkteJuwW0bEg88QRGigBU8ciZL2_BCeYKKOVmOMJRMCwOppLzZ_EzbRpPTtmfkw5Zc/s320/IMG_9660.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-44464373679389577682009-11-11T13:27:00.004+10:002009-11-11T19:08:21.120+10:00Ego and Soul<em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yp_TmmEVtTUIpI8nryDzFGzeIxeJq1J27-guCodfWgt2ldKJ043UvlRigjwcHT0sqYyWE3JSjgcn0oKjAVL51eamkdoZ_8kdL3N84RmViPoGn6JJyBMGuwC8BOtdx_n6P2N4SUotjgw/s1600-h/nepal-20030014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402769899224734514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yp_TmmEVtTUIpI8nryDzFGzeIxeJq1J27-guCodfWgt2ldKJ043UvlRigjwcHT0sqYyWE3JSjgcn0oKjAVL51eamkdoZ_8kdL3N84RmViPoGn6JJyBMGuwC8BOtdx_n6P2N4SUotjgw/s400/nepal-20030014.JPG" /></a><br /><div>After our last women's circle, I am left in awe once again of the experience and of the company I am blessed with ..........<em>the beautiful watery theme of our evening, the impeccably told story, the accompaniment of soulful songs and candlelight, creative exploration through silk painting and the shared sacredness of brave, beautiful women bearing their Inner Truths....together.</em> </div><br /><br /><div>Without going into detail of the night's events, I would just like to honour one moment, one experience which stays with me still. It resonates with me. It holds significance to me. Gratitude fills my soul as I allow one of our beloved women's sharing to penetrate my human Being. I'd like to share with you my reflection...</div><div></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><em>The ego depicted... </em></div><div align="center"><em>striking painted lines of direction</em></div><div align="center"><em>like driven arrows, </em></div><div align="center"><em>ascending way up,</em></div><div align="center"><em>as high as a mountain.</em><br /></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Reminding me </em><br /></div><div align="center"><em>of all my little struggles. </em><br /></div><div align="center"><em>How tired I am !</em><br /></div><div align="center"><em>of climbing</em><br /></div><div align="center"><em>the ladder towards perfection.</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"><em>Can I for a moment </em></div><div align="center"><em>find a new perspective?</em></div><div align="center"><em>Allow the warmth, </em></div><div align="center"><em>the sun of my soul</em></div><div align="center"><em>to shine on me </em></div><div align="center"><em>....<strong>wherever I am</strong>?</em></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-87718873539221809112009-10-08T20:43:00.005+10:002009-10-10T20:32:22.062+10:00Celebrating Our Way<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mndN1IJIEPsn0ZY0t3EpwfYUt0YalkPTiy4vga4KH4EcLTYCpvcuyZW-XB5uAq0lgH3Z6xJQvwKhFZ9c4bQFDPC3DmeEFQL5t1K9E24PAkFhEqAuwDq4XjvHcrN4pC_usMcO8cZSmcs/s1600-h/IMG_9466.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390182738695714962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mndN1IJIEPsn0ZY0t3EpwfYUt0YalkPTiy4vga4KH4EcLTYCpvcuyZW-XB5uAq0lgH3Z6xJQvwKhFZ9c4bQFDPC3DmeEFQL5t1K9E24PAkFhEqAuwDq4XjvHcrN4pC_usMcO8cZSmcs/s400/IMG_9466.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>It's a bit of a tradition in our home.... when we celebrate a special day, to make this decadent chocolate cheesecake! This time it's the special man in our family who is turning a year older and wiser and our little one was very eager to "help". She did a great job of breaking the chocolate (yes a whole block in this recipe) into squares for melting.... and we only lost <em>half</em> a cup of brown rice flour on the kitchen floor this time! So good was the mix that the beaters didn't even make it off the mix master this time!<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390181376922612626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KRdXVBYswm7iQeuepUURrUN376p9Nuv6nUgCK-mpsKSPcFIMMhClLIkW6JtOFsNeuTXCiJSHuvvPRckc35DnguGzCCaa5LGQcmKqeYw5RtBllxRz0SES_zmVo6Gl_96QRj-DLAnHMQQ/s400/IMG_9465.JPG" /></p><br /><p>Want the recipe? Here it is. But first please let me warn you, depite the gluten free bit, there is nothing healthy about this one!... except how good it makes you feel eating it!</p><br /><p><strong>Gluten Free Chocolate Cheesecake</strong></p><br /><p>Base is a chocolate slice recipe:</p><br /><p>1 cup all purpose plain gluten free flour (I used Orgram's brand from the health food section) </p><br /><p>1/2 cup brown rice flour</p><br /><p>3 tspns gluten free baking powder</p><br /><p>1-2 tblspns cocoa</p><br /><p>1/4 cup coconut</p><br /><p>1/2 cup castor (Less is fine)</p><br /><p>6 good tblspns butter (melted)</p><br /><p>1 egg</p><br /><p>Throw the whole lot into a bowl and mix well. Press into a springform tin, lining the base and sides. Bake at 165-170 degrees (fanforced) until it starts to crisp at the edges. Set aside to cool.</p><br /><p>(This makes a great choc slice on it's own if pressed into a regular biscuit tray. Keep it thin if you like it crunchy or thick for a softer texture. You might also have a bit of mix left over for a couple of little cookies - delicious with the whipped cream we'll be preparing too!)</p><br /><p>Cheesecake filling:</p><br /><p>2 x 250g blocks of Phily cheese</p><br /><p>1/2 cup castor sugar (again less is fine)</p><br /><p>about 200g of melted chocolate (more is fine)</p><br /><p>11/2 cups thickened cream</p><br /><p>Beat cream cheese. Add sugar and melted chocolate. Whip the cream and stir in til mixed through well. Pour over cooled base. Refrigerate. </p><br /><p>Insert celebration candles, sing, shout hooray, clap and enjoy! Serve with extra whipped cream. </p><br /><p>[Variation: If you're not worried about the gluten free bit, you can make your crust the traditional and easier way by crushing a packet of choc biscuits and adding enough melted butter to hold the mix together when pressed into your springform tin. Refrigerate.]</p><br /><p>Hope your family loves this one as much as ours does!</p><br /><p>xx</p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-42523717446753832782009-10-04T15:56:00.005+10:002009-10-04T17:33:24.114+10:00A Brilliant Sewer!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsFZaAMK03Lsq_D2Caf-3qzM_Z828HNLz-YMsFdlbvUTzcIy1upkCwXUYFv0Q3Gq7hv8VJgM7fMhRR9349MtXfPPwNCO4hf1o84Fnra9FyQ0-LMRBPfFyIbMmAaaQjjOmfo87PXIIvZA/s1600-h/IMG_9448.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388643349842222562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsFZaAMK03Lsq_D2Caf-3qzM_Z828HNLz-YMsFdlbvUTzcIy1upkCwXUYFv0Q3Gq7hv8VJgM7fMhRR9349MtXfPPwNCO4hf1o84Fnra9FyQ0-LMRBPfFyIbMmAaaQjjOmfo87PXIIvZA/s400/IMG_9448.JPG" /></a> My little one sat beside me as I finished off a dress project I started for her a few weeks ago now. It was one of those projects that sat, draped over my machine between spurts of progress. I started out with this cute print that I got for a bargain - $3 per metre I think it was.... And I only bought a metre of each colour. I tried hunting for a pattern but that's another story...and another day with my little companion.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoWbPJa9pQNW4_55cx0jNQz5syNQzKyngAMK64wKH_HBHXYbMg8cwqv51SRuNLyfaYNdHrCy_TxP9AZwiTyVKmrPImInJT8xe5kQkdTrpUV9coWIyZYUyk3nTu4KB62mGRjacvqm4lfs/s1600-h/IMG_9449.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388643340855470626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIoWbPJa9pQNW4_55cx0jNQz5syNQzKyngAMK64wKH_HBHXYbMg8cwqv51SRuNLyfaYNdHrCy_TxP9AZwiTyVKmrPImInJT8xe5kQkdTrpUV9coWIyZYUyk3nTu4KB62mGRjacvqm4lfs/s400/IMG_9449.JPG" /></a> So now finally, a patternless project is complete.... but I must share the whisperings of my fellow little sewer as she worked....</div><div> </div><div>"<em>I'm a brilliant sewer Mummy..... I'm a brilliant cook AND a brilliant sewer!<br />...You just put this pin in here and then poke it through there....see Mummy!<br />.....I'm a bit fussy with putting on things with pins though.... cos I don't like it how they spike you.... that hurts!"</em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5D8R_AD3JjiPaXOjwKr9NmWGVMk6QjAzkAHbFQb7PNEPC2_Lc8LpLzSi_CPXRsSeTCTt9HeJ6Wj9u8D_pjMTDbcY-0k9Vb117lAZeorF6qoZ69kcuAdLlltfD7FwEq8ZNpcTQRjplYY/s1600-h/IMG_9451.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388643330575655218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5D8R_AD3JjiPaXOjwKr9NmWGVMk6QjAzkAHbFQb7PNEPC2_Lc8LpLzSi_CPXRsSeTCTt9HeJ6Wj9u8D_pjMTDbcY-0k9Vb117lAZeorF6qoZ69kcuAdLlltfD7FwEq8ZNpcTQRjplYY/s400/IMG_9451.JPG" /></a> And I have to say, this clumsy Mama sewer needs lots of pins.... and my handy work leaves much room for improvement... =) But it still looks cute on the brilliant sewer! Don't you think?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_9lzd-esAuHke5gP5gE4kuDtivOyGFYy5SSHYtvmjodBQbz9P16hZZa0v1oPNFvdN7der8SO_OMgmWaBDWnO_FMsanYQ4er__K9cZonCBl_BOx74z1Iri6XtTl9Z5mOLjumu8IR9B2A/s1600-h/IMG_9460.JPG"></a><div> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388643314817688578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWtf7L3b-4KWdw0WGrKSK0eibMsh_ahKh-8iDo5GLdjzDFp43v2qJWJooiQ5Og1IAO21gUB5YLk5Vi3w6i75mCJu7-yXqQgf5nJ-QwVW5-6aqUiSRQnDPl3qqbbtQ9FH3HtNIF324ItA/s400/IMG_9460.JPG" /></div></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-7463226508021254582009-09-22T19:40:00.006+10:002016-05-30T22:12:09.988+10:00A New Circle<div align="center">
The next MYSHA Women's Circle will be held monthly in Nerang. </div>
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Commencing Monday 12th October.</div>
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Leading this new circle with me, from <span style="font-family: "arial";">Lavendilly House</span> is </div>
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<em><strong>Jennifer McCormack</strong></em>. </div>
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Jen is an extremely gifted mama, teacher, artist, and celebrant! Jen will bring her passion for storytelling, sacred ceremony and ritual pampering expertise which will meld with our Meditation Yoga and Self Healing Arts magnificently!</div>
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At her new blog <a href="http://www.lavendilly.wordpress.com/">http://www.lavendilly.wordpress.com/</a> Jennifer writes:<br />
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<em><span style="color: #990000;">I am very excited about our circle – there will be singing, ritual pampering, storytelling and an exploration of a variety of artistic modes through which we will process our experience of the story.<br />There will be peace, healing, shared wisdoms and creativity to take back home with us into our daily lives until the next circle. </span></em></div>
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If you'd like one of the candles in the circle to be yours this time, email us to reserve your spot! </div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-86953414444467937412009-09-07T19:48:00.010+10:002009-09-13T13:02:13.748+10:00MYSHA Women's Circle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUR6StzP_uDi91MwZjqyblbaLDUrxSBI_Wsf6w-OVx4poabOTON09_evKPgtuaJ3PW7h4Un-K49Xu4QahPzhMpKM8G8Dk11J8cZIXeJZ0LiR_X89AayC25KxkM59nOj67DwgK35wdwxG4/s1600-h/IMG_9380.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380779667228537682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUR6StzP_uDi91MwZjqyblbaLDUrxSBI_Wsf6w-OVx4poabOTON09_evKPgtuaJ3PW7h4Un-K49Xu4QahPzhMpKM8G8Dk11J8cZIXeJZ0LiR_X89AayC25KxkM59nOj67DwgK35wdwxG4/s400/IMG_9380.JPG" /></a> For the past nine weeks now we have been leaving behind our busy lives, just for one blissful night in the week..... to join together in circle, celebrating our very nature, our sacred feminine, our lives, ....and each other.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTlw-gL1aNRsYglV904WLGTkco3xWNWjXHjBEuiY8SNBLxutELM4euKRCGvjnbZPJ9vYoh6TkH80aJT6qcVpyW3fUOXXBZtnQk3DXSONFDP7pqCkwFhZBHRk2tNlF-WpxcMd-DwIzSS4/s1600-h/IMG_9360.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380779664486060082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTlw-gL1aNRsYglV904WLGTkco3xWNWjXHjBEuiY8SNBLxutELM4euKRCGvjnbZPJ9vYoh6TkH80aJT6qcVpyW3fUOXXBZtnQk3DXSONFDP7pqCkwFhZBHRk2tNlF-WpxcMd-DwIzSS4/s400/IMG_9360.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6ah_uqMzrsT0K_WfJSLvph_hNgqNdl-R-AcVdI1ZzCVVZlVxq-HgRkTjYssDsF0hA28Su9zG45SclhuFEKjkpGwETj34ejbPJoCvEPCFAl_ZUUQy5m1JNVg_7G9ZjOYGC9idIzqKylw/s1600-h/IMG_9374.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380779654939089762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6ah_uqMzrsT0K_WfJSLvph_hNgqNdl-R-AcVdI1ZzCVVZlVxq-HgRkTjYssDsF0hA28Su9zG45SclhuFEKjkpGwETj34ejbPJoCvEPCFAl_ZUUQy5m1JNVg_7G9ZjOYGC9idIzqKylw/s400/IMG_9374.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div>Around our cermonial circle of muslin white and silky blue, adorned in blossoms, we have lit our candles and brought light to the sacred within ourselves and between ourselves. We arranged our yoga mats around the circle so that our energy balled like a sphere of feminine light and shade... and we have gently woven a scaffold together... working toward balance. We warmed, soothed and stretched our spirits and our bodies with the beautiful art of Yoga, enriched and nurtured our hearts and souls with creative expression through clay, pastels, charcoal, paint, movement, collage, body sculpture and more.... And we shared.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380776865952394546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkESgvXFWnL7bn7oK1tL6cr9jgz2twirsGi7vVtW1-d_d3S_XQyreTk0xGADhPzKQq8LZ-JIfpOneYUfa2C5RT0OhyphenhyphenrltmljCzajI4heP8LIchcg6JnhKbDQQ5-gO2giXM8XfzxkQUVQM/s400/IMG_9377.JPG" /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380776874292387330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTOHdVWuwnYelA0ZLh1pl2Ma7juJYK4yS58QSeIu7hbAmBkllTrygxVu6Q55e75F83UNHZD-akcPW-PyblH0euM3LOu0OJ3SkGDpmUV0_9XQfAq4rctdHnNkuDC_pTzONMlTbGKXUMsA/s400/IMG_9387.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380776858242894850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkXdfYV2b1EeePRR2JAumgaVsEJR-oVBik1VHlxMDgf47hANoCYo0sFjDkmly-dtfuFdeikWRXmnamuucSkJpL_GEi6Ds1t6Ps3wU0j4JeTlxgKutQaJ70NPbl1FjOaJRVZBMZhtHoTo/s400/IMG_9386.JPG" /> We have shared with eachother some of our deep feelings and sensings as we described our experience with the artful materials. We have dipped our toes into this multimodal world of creative possibilities and been invited to go deeper through our Inner Wisdom...</div><div> ....to flesh out and to make sense of our daily lives through the arts, while massaging our ability to be present to the emergent tellings from within and between ourselves.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>I only wish I had taken more photos of the beautiful and inspiring work of these beautiful MYSHA women!<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSI9xTbFFM9P98Q06Z-LyUpOp-mBIQXxxJs5zfD774jduT-sJON-aSc2KOawjYxXKKlt2Mg9qqmTbftpcr6jdfdcUgiwcAC8UDKM63KP10l7nbF-PVnU7UmW5mm72n0bCIXb_8fTGepA/s1600-h/IMG_9385.JPG"></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380776878161599346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6h0O0lWFboz3igU6n0aM8G0NalSdKBcZtDWIeTkNTtqPlQtHqIS4R67k3CO-Z-DQZm4R3OX4N_wkekhT7wUwdubyXj22AvmD1bdIi4-xsHJs1InBd5lpzX4RyNgeIBiSrx2TM3jkpCi0/s400/IMG_9385.JPG" /><br />And soon it will be time to close our circle and put out invitation to those who will form the next.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Om Shanti</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258186449976265238.post-12604148766474112532009-08-01T17:20:00.004+10:002009-08-01T21:54:56.156+10:00Birdlife PresenceIn my quest to be more present in my everyday life, I have been noticing more. One of the blessings about living where we do is that we are descended upon each day with a colourful spectrum of birds in the dozens... or more. I scarely know their names nor can I match them to all the songful calls that fill our skies here. I have taken to pointing them out to our little one and while we're admiring, I've been photographing them....<br />Look at these noisy crazies...<br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364956625278024546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHORnrZKHAOvS_lsWus-n_C0dmAQ2ICSriPIttPsg3SAguwHba6LgLhCe_TC0jsX7j5srczTWo9WzO7EuTEMxzaOrMvW0UnKlcoZkVE1tTyO37fkKWJr5P45AlSL3en3yFcxJXOnyn6U/s400/IMG_9306.JPG" />and this little cutie made itself quite at home....<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364956618302284450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSN3QK-4RE99QrpwMIvQG663ToqLgvXSgAu1YUBP4alqrPDBAFYJIKL9x5Y3_rNnZ-Mgah8oB5nj-nH-vd8VCp8KYogJzfMhrc8dZaG2jS5rjL6tzgBafHe9q-KBULNAiJ73eqa5ZcMHI/s400/IMG_9305.JPG" /><br />on the edge of my yoga mat...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364956612908652130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuhkaKIfGbMvOHw7ZO_ZyRXGkOjn9AMhZVHJTYxomF_9QAWB4nT4G9Lr4-AL4qMjEnX2bEoVr9fsRVYE9uWfIj5Y5dZWAl0o0P-575hzEJ_8uIdZKamjkzmFrbN5TxDNQ-mzsxf2nGTM/s400/IMG_9299.JPG" /> </p><p align="center">This is one of many kookaburras that fill the area with cheer each day...</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364956607171912114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEMpnMcYkGbN_YwFjCV4tPlmkGaBrXk7PeD5MrxT6gJ_MjBDFK9odCgWscl-9sMzQ5tr4fHq9lXkk40wd6s89B5L1NNZnfolDJiKn-6wkxs9HRRvViyIOFkS8Pz7f5CFfztizNgKq5gU/s400/IMG_9289.JPG" /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br />and this little cutie is one of a pair who have been dancing together and </div><div align="center">drinking sweet nectar from the pom pom flowers...<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364956606646753874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTgr8HF7wq-mboS3I3hCHhnErkFLl2CsCkLh3wjS2yibk8STNKCrLUB0vJd4-1yuvvqfRohEZrwhyoWRiW34nl0rVZ3FGVHqm-QE_0z1N1Gk20VYA4Go2fegGuRmeiHFcssGNDZkQjks/s400/IMG_9279.JPG" /> </div><p>There are so many more.... lorikeets, magpies, doves, pee wees (is that really what they're called?) </p><p>I am really enjoying connecting with nature in this way. Such lovely visitors.<br /></p>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826080619431025149noreply@blogger.com5