My Spiritual Life

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 my 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.

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.

So love truly felt (in all its lushness, surprise, excitement, fulfillment) and spiritual contentment 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.

Finding Sacred Essence this holiday

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 here.

Our first circle has taken us on the journey inward to reconnect with our Higher Selves.

We have done so through story, sharing/discussion, meditation, song, sacred ceremony and through creating our own crown - a lovely beaded wire head piece.

Our journey began with a wonderful story called Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady. Though our focus was on the theme of sovereignty - 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!

Over at Sacred Essence, I posted here and here about my experience after the circle of how I have learnt that it is through our relationships 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.

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.

So with that in mind, here are a few JOYOUS moments I have savoured these past few weeks...

I hope your Easter holidays has brought with it some Sacred Essence too!!

Nesting before the Spring

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!

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.

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 done! It's great! I'm one happy Mamma!

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!

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.

Now 4!

Our little one is now four!

I can hardly believe how much she has grown.

We spent part of our day celebrating with little friends in the back yard.... playing traditional games and enjoying the summer with a swim...

And we ate the (back up) cake after the icecream cake had a bit of a landslide the night before.

But all was a success.... along with the mushroom house.... her birthday gift from Mama.



complete with dolls of course...

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.

Now I can take a breather!.... and smile widely over the (many) photos and the memories.

Back in the land of the living!

Well we were hit by a terrible virus this past week.

Seems our trip to Sydney wasn't without souvenirs.... of the worst kind.

Shivers, chills, high fevers, aches and pains, all the usual horribles of winter flu.

Our little one took it hardest. For a whole week she has been doing little more than sleeping and being miserable. It has been a struggle for all of us.

It's so hard watching the light of your life suffering as she has been. For the first couple of days I handled it as her Mummy with such grace and patience.... Then I have to admit it wore me down. It was by far one of my worst experiences as a mother.

Today was the first day she has bounced around home again. I have to say the relief and the joy are so welcome. We celebrated with family cuddles and painting!

Oh that smile.....

Visiting Grandma

There’s a place we go in the Hills,
Where there’s room to run and fly
To stir and mould and bake
And watch the clouds go by

It’s filled with trees and flowers
Leaves the colour of sun
Lace on the windows
And so much time for fun!

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We feed the chooks that lay no eggs
We run with the dogs that don’t nip!
We pick citrus fruit from the orchard
And from rosy tea cups we sip.

There’s so much to love in this pretty place
And there’s one thing that’s best by far
It’s being close and having hugs
With ‘specially wonderful Grandma. xx

Garden of Vegan

The time has finally come
To forge our own little plot

To plug in to Mother Nature

And create our home grown tasty spot

We picked, purchased and pressed on for home
With trailor packed full in tow
Reversing, traversing over the lawn
And finally we're ready to go

I stand in awe of my man
His strength, sweat and toil
As he guided, wielded, swung and dug
In a tussle with sleepers and soil

And by time the sun had set
Our tools we had laid down
Proudly pondering potential
Of this new and fertile ground!

My Mothers Day

It's a beautiful thing to rise midmorning(!)

To the smell of freshly baked rye sour dough bread

It's what kept my little one busy

While I dreamily stayed in my cosy *Queen* bed.

With her most amazing Dad

She mixed, kneaded and baked

In the kitchen, and later the sandpit

Treats patted and moulded and raked.

And more treats for Mummy today

Given with love that's straight from the heart

Multilayered pages so carefully placed

A most colourful display of art

And especially treated was I

When my beautiful husband brought home

An easter/mothers day gift

Which now creates treasures home sewn...