Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The Power and Joy of Surrender


This afternoon I finished reading Paulo Coelho’s novel - The Zahir, and am taking time to reflect on some of the outstanding insights he has in his interesting, and at times almost rebellious reflection of his personal journey of love and life. This is one of my favorite passages from this book:

When I had nothing more to lose, I was given everything. When I ceased to be who I am, I found myself. When I experienced humiliation and yet kept on walking, I understood that I was free to choose my destiny.

In the book, Coelho’s main character, a famous author, discovers a major pathway that would enable him to live freely in the present by re-visiting and surrendering attachment to his past by telling old stories that he felt had not been fully told or understood. Eventually this would lead to him no longer having the need to tell his stories anymore.

This morning, long aware of the healing power of storytelling, I decided to take advantage of my mother visiting me, and once again told her a story of a time in the past that troubled me greatly, so I could hear it again myself and watch myself telling it. As I observed my mother’s reaction to my story, I soon realized that she and I shared the same ‘gullible’ and over-trusting, face-value nature that has got us both into trouble many times. It soon became apparent that I was carrying a pattern handed down to me by my mother and, without any need to change or judge it, I was able to accept that I had taken on this trait from a very young age, and that I could now choose to let it go at a deeper level. This has been quite a journey for me already as I have had to teach myself to look deeper into what presents itself to me in this world. I have learned to journey beyond apparent perceptions of reality. For example, while I respect statistics and am happy to be guided by them, I will look further into who created them and why they were researched (maybe to support a marketing campaign?) before I make a decision about them.

When I made this connection between my mother’s naïve nature and my own instantly felt an energy release, like a heavy, ancestral cloak had been taken off my shoulders. However, the real transformation came about from setting boundaries around my story telling. At the end of my sharing my story, I watched my mother as she began to take what I had said at face value, wrongly assuming that my honest sharing of my circumstance meant that I was asking for her help, and she slipped into her old habit of worry and taking responsibility for my circumstances; a pattern that I also carry around my three adult sons. Determined to change this destructive behavior that has prevented me from speaking my truth my whole life in case I burdened those I love, I was able to ask my mother to make me a promise. I asked her to assure me that when she left my company, every time she found herself reflecting on my story, she would stop herself from worrying. Lovingly, I reminded her of what a powerful manifestor she is and how easily she attracts her fears to her. I also reminded her that if she used this power in a positive way she could really help me to break some patterns in my life that seem to be out of my control. My mother agreed that she would map her negative thoughts over with a memory of me holding a meditation circle that she had attended the night before I shared my story. In that environment, she had seen me confident and in my power, and I wanted her to think of me in that way always. She agreed to replace her usual thoughts of concern with the following affirmation – I believe in my daughter, and trust in her journey, and know that all is well.

My part in this was to watch my old pattern of feeling guilty and fearful after speaking my truth, and to give myself permission to share my stories without shame, and from a place of power rather than as a victim. At the same time, I was fully aware that in the telling of my story in a really conscious, mindful way, with a witness who is aware of my history and who could completely understand and validated my experience, I found that I was no longer attached to it. It was a marvelous experience, and I can already feel great healing occurring, both for my mother and me. We are both feeling the energetic shift, and my mother is no longer feeling over burdened and responsible for my life. She has set me free, and yes, I have set myself free by asking for what I want. It is a wonderful break through for us both.

As I write this, I am more aware than ever how blessed I am to experience my healing face to face with my mother. Over the years, we have had many ‘difficult’ conversations, and it is in our joint courage and determination to heal and let go of past wounds that we have developed a powerful love between us; a love I have searched for all of my life. In this journey with my mother, I have healed and re-birthed the sacred feminine within me, and I have discovered, or re-discovered, that I am truly lovable after all.

While my mother is attempting to let go of worry for her family, I am also continuing to walk my talk in that department. Recently one of my sons moved interstate, (he had been living an hour away), and I have to say it was a difficult few days for me. We have a great relationship and I will really miss him. After his rather sudden and unexpected departure, I felt heaviness in my heart that lingered, and was aware that my son would feel my feelings too on an energetic level. I took my sorrow to the bush, as I have learned long ago that nature heals what ever I offer her so beautifully. The mountain had told me to let go of my sorrow to him, through a stone or tree, and he would transform the energy for me. As I walked around my mountain, I eventually found the perfect stone and kneeled down and placed my hands on it. As I placed my hands on the stone I felt my heart finally letting go, and I imagined my son happy in his new home with his partner. Stepping back from my own feelings, I began to feel the excitement of his journey and the wonderful opportunities he had ahead of him. It also became very clear that his older brother was going to be thrilled to have him nearby after twelve years of living apart; they have always been very close. As my heart began to fill with joy and my mind settled into a place of peace and acceptance, a butterfly flew toward me. Standing now, I stepped out on to the path feeling like a different person, and became aware of a small brown snake crossing the path in front of me. It was such confirmation to have a butterfly (transformation) and snake (letting go of fear of what may never happen, and transmutation of energy and form) supporting me in that moment.

Two weeks passed and my son flew home to attend a course, staying with me for three wonderful days. We had a chance to say goodbye properly, and to celebrate his success and journey ahead. Early one morning I invited him to take a bush walk with me to the ‘wishing well’ in a creek bed in a nearby mountain. As we walked on the high path toward the creek, his phone rang. It was his older brother, and he had a cheery conversation with him while I looked on, feeling so happy as I listened to my sons talking affectionately together. All of a sudden, my son stopped talking and took my hand and pointed at a brown snake, exactly like the one I had seen two weeks earlier, two feet away on our path. He said goodbye quickly to his brother, and told me to be careful. Smiling, I shared my story of the earlier encounter with a snake with him. I also told him about the messages that snake energy brings, and he thought they were wonderful, vowing to rethink his attitude around fearing what may never happen.

Letting go of worry and trusting your loved ones will find their own way is the greatest gift you can give anyone. Not only will their journey be lighter and easier without the burden of your fear, they will feel your love rather than your pain and this will energize rather than drain them. When you suffer, others close to you suffer with you. When you create love and light, they will be illuminated by your gift of trust in them and their path ahead. When it boils down to it, suffering is a choice – you can choose to suffer through your experience, or you can choose to observe and validate your experience from a place of self-understanding and love, before releasing any heavy energy created around your experience from a place of trust and serenity. It is up to each one of us which path we choose - the path of powerlessness, or the path of self-empowerment.

Thank you for joining me here, and I would love to hear your feedback any time you feel to share it. Blessings to you on your path of ‘waking up’ to your true nature. May your journey ahead be filled with magic, beauty and light.




                                                                      





Thursday, November 17, 2011

Layered Cabbage & Vegetable Pie - Food from the Earth, for the Soul


Serves 8 people
Vegen/Vegetarian/Gluten Free

12 cabbage leaves – soaked or steamed in boiling water until soft
4 medium tomatoes sliced in thick slices
2  tablespoons chopped basil or tasty herb sprinkled over tomato
4 cups of mashed pumpkin and orange sweet potato mash + salt/pepper
4 cups grated zucchini cooked with one chopped onion until soft
1 teaspoon garlic added to onions.
2 tablespoons oil to cook onion and zucchini
1/2 cup almond meal
Large baking dish.

Method:
Lay tomatoes on bottom of dish and sprinkle with herbs
Put one layer of cabbage leaves on top.
Top with a layer of cooked zucchini and onion and garlic.
Spread half the potato mash spiced with salt and pepper on top of zucchini.
Put another layer of cabbage on top, followed by zucchini and potato.
Sprinkle with almond meal or warm in a frypan lightly oiled and have on side to be sprinkled on top.
If you have an oven – have it on 200C and place dish in for 10 minutes to brown the almond meal. Watch it doesn’t burn.
Bless and enjoy.



Serve with chunks of corn cob and yellow squash and green salad.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

CREATE MAGIC IN YOUR LIFE



There is Magic created the minute you tune in to 
where you are right now and be mindful of all that you are - a magnificent, powerful creation of life and creator of light and energy. Think about the thoughts you have and the words you speak - and the visions you create. Live in awareness and be mindful of the powerful creator you are. 

There is Magic in accepting all that is in your life right now, all that has passed,
and all that is to come. When you learn to accept and validate that there have been confronting events in your past, or old limiting beliefs that have held you back, and stop condemning yourself for your shortcomings or decisions that have caused roadblocks, you will keep the energy you need to create Magic through being optimistic about your present and future circumstance, and kind and generous with your thoughts and actions. Remember these steps: 
enquire -> understand-> validate -> accept-> let go-> transform-> restore-> move on;

There is Magic right in front of you, and when you consciously seek it out,
with acknowledgement and a grateful heart, it expands beyond your imagination. Every time you pay attention to what you have rather than what you don't, you are consciously putting in an order to the Universe for more of the same - not the same event necessarily - but the same energy that you have paid attention to. Take time to bless all you have, all that has passed, and all that is coming your way - and bless what is being manifested for others around you - be delighted rather than spited; 

Magic appears with ease and grace when you set out to create it and be open to its possibility,
with a joyful spirt, and you focus on the beauty of life and creation. Take time each morning to imagine, or vision, how you want your day to unfold, and before you get out of bed, ask yourself - "How much joy can I bring to the world today? What am I prepared to do today to create magic in my own, and other people's lives?" Be prepared to make a difference through your clear intention.

There is Magic within you at all times, and you allow it every time you 
step out and up to meet it. It takes courage to create the life you deserve, and it takes courage to accept the fact that you can do this if you put your heart into, with an open mind, and a great spirit. You can do this - this is what you are here to do. Allow yourself to shine today - allow the Magic.

Have a Magical Day - and please share your magic freely 
with others as there is more than enough to go around ✰☼✬☉☯♡♥✱✼♪♫❀

TO LISTEN TO HEATHER TALKING TO DR ROBYN MILLS ON CREATING MAGIC GO TO 

Heather’s Pasta Stack and Chakra Salad from the Bush Kitchen






Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten Free Serve with Salad I have created this recipe so it can be multi-plied for large numbers and easily used at outdoor gatherings to be made in a bush kitchen. It is delicious, easy to make, and nutritious.


You will have 9 medium servings (or 6 very large serves) – Simply multiply ingredients for the number you need. I usually divide pan into three layers of three for good size portions.

INGREDIENTS
One Pack Gluten Free Noodles (Vege noodles good)
Good vege oil (grapeseed)
1 large onion or cup of spring onions chopped finely
1 tsp crushed garlic
2 tins tomatoes or even better – tomato pasta vegan sauce.
Spices and fresh herbs
Bunch spinach chopped finely
2 large zucchinis chopped finely or grated
1 large table spoon Rice Flour
Rice Milk
Sea salt and pepper
Cup crushed nuts or sesame seeds.
A blessing of gratitude.

PROCESS
Boil Water in Large Saucepan with dash of oil and pinch of salt. Cook noodles til just soft – drain and put lid on to finish.

Tomato Sauce: Heat tomatoes until gentle boil, add herbs and spices to taste.

Rice Sauce – Soften flour in 2 tablespoons of oil in a warm saucepan. Using wooden spool to stir, very gradually add half litre of rice milk to make a sauce (safer way is to do all of this cold first and heat gently – if lumps – put through a sieve). Bring to boil gently and allow to thicken slightly until sauce consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Stir fry onion and zucchinis in couple tablespoons of oil until softly cooked. Add garlic. Put into rice sauce.

Steam or quickly boil spinach until soft and, with little of the water cooked in – about quarter cup, put into rice sauce.

Warm nuts in frypan – and keep separate to add as a sprinkle over the top.

Have large baking dish ready and if you were at home you would have your oven on to heat up. In this case sprinkle nuts over top and would not need to warm them in the pan – however, it is still yummy without baking.

LAYERS:
Put layer (half quantity) on bottom, followed by a layer of noodles (one half) on bottom of dish. Top with green vege and rice sauce layer (half). Repeat layer.  Have nuts for topping in a bowl with a spoon to be added over the top of pasta.

CHAKRA SALAD – Vegan:
Small punnet red tomatoes or 4 quartered tomatoes (Base Chakra).
One mango, or fresh orange wedges chopped (Sacral).
One ripe yellow corn cob (Solar Plexus).
One cos lettuce, or any other lettuce ok (Heart Chakra)
One punnet blueberries (Throat Chakra – or sing a song or say a prayer if none).
One eighth wedge of small red-purple cabbage – very finally chopped (3rd Eye).
Quarter cup finally chopped white end of spring onions (Crown).

Toss Lightly, bless, and have dressing on the side.

DRESSING – Vegan:
Fresh orange juice.

DRESSING – Other:
2 tablespoons vege oil.
I tablespoon white wine vinegar.
I tablespoon honey.
I teaspoon crushed or bottled garlic.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Eagle Grace





Falling stars caught on eagle wings,
Star dust now personified
By the gentle touch of this graceful
Bird in flight.

Magic light in circles of love,
Bright golden light,
Falling below on hearts from above,
Now open in beauty and with gratitude.

Wonder at such magnificence,
This golden bird caught in Wind’s breath,
Amongst faultless sparkling beams of light,
Like early morning sun across vast waters.

Grace, oh grace, bird of love and light,
Take me to Great Spirit on your elegant wings
And I will sing for you, and together
We shall shine brighter than is possible alone.

Heather Price 07.11.11