The “Church” of Green

It had been a rough night.

My heart felt bruised and battered.

In the morning, it was only amplified.

I put on my exercise gear, ready for my 8:30 a.m. class. Driving there, I was not feeling inspired to push myself in any way. I could barely hold my head up, let alone my body weight. Hell, I was feeling raw and vulnerable. Pulling at the steering wheel, I headed to the gym.

“Not Today…”

I listened—my inner voice told me not what I should do, but to what I needed to do.

The messenger was speaking.

I created a 60-Day Self-Directed Workout Challenge which consists of doing some form of movement for 45 minutes a day, including a twice-weekly workout with another friend or colleague and one activity for pure fun each week.

I, plus other friends who have joined me in this challenge, are now in week three (day 17).

Whilst I see the benefit of a gym workout, it does not “light my fire.” It is mainly arduous and somewhat boring to me. 12 years as a yoga instructor has ruined me for the gym. Yoga has always taken the disheveled pieces and put them back in place for me, better each time than the last and bought my joy to the forefront of my life.

Today I listened and discovered what I truly needed for my own well being.

Originally posted and published on Elephant Journal. Read more —> https://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/05/the-church-of-green/

Light, Lighter, In-Lightened

by Lulu | Inspiration, Spirituality

Bringing full focus, attention and action to my mind, body and soul.

So, I harness the word light.

Thoughts that are light, lighter mood, physical lightness, freedom of movement and an inner light glowing, the radiant light within.

All these areas are important they make the great triangle = BALANCE. (mind, body, soul)

I am stimulating my mind always and all ways.

I am no longer making excuses to not move my body, in particularly out the door and into nature with exercise shoes and attire on.

I am bringing a deep soul full connection to all that is, all ways and always.

And even though I wrote this quickly late at night, I feel the resolve within me to live this way.

Blessings to all. So be it.

Celebrating myself in numerous ways

by Lulu | Creativity, Feminism, Inspiration, Mindset, Relationships, Spirituality, Women's Health

Just 9 days ago I did not even have a blog,now I do. (patting myself on the back) I did however have a website with information that had not been updated for a while and was not shining bright or creating anything at all. So I have created a blog, using WordPress, it is basic and has no pictures on it. (how the hell do I add them?) In the process of doing this I changed my host company. I also live in a different company from where I lived when I set up my website many years ago. And well, I lost all my information. Challenge One. I lack technological now-how that’s for sure. I bumble my way along, but celebrate myself that I have kept up with the writing side. And my personal writing also. I have briefly looked at a few other participant posts, but would love to read many more. In todays session, I plan to create a list of all things to check out, both from Natalie and others. This is a fabulous resource, of those that have gone before me, and paved the way. I salute ye all, and humbly thank you. I will implement lastpass. I recently signed up with Square a payment/credit card system which I used for markets with the creative goods I make, I assume I can link to my website somehow, when I get it back up and running. So I will look in to that also. Then Google Drive and Google Calendar, will be possibilities. But more so, a team, to do those things I would rather not spend my time on. Bring on Day 10, because Natalie said that’s whats coming next.

The Pathway

by Lulu | Mindset, Spirituality

I have started this year with a commitment in Christine Hasslers Secret Sauce Group, uncovering, celebrating, owning, honoring and stepping forward with passionate action, living and sharing my inner gifts. Gulp scary stuff.

We have accountability partners and accountability dates to keep us focused.

What I am seeing the most of at the moment, is the celebration of each other and the willingness to embrace our gifts. It is all flowing along quite easily. Having Cheerleaders on the sidelines of your own life, is a blessing indeed. It really helps.

My first commitment is to this 6 month course, being in action, using regular self-care and recommitting if I have breakdowns. January – June

My second commitment that is in my calendar is holidaying for one month back home in Australia, to visit family, friends and even do some sight seeing – July

My third commitment is being a parent who celebrates her child and the activities she is involved in and who offers support by volunteering when school events need extra support. Pentathlon Leadership Team – April

These are my early part of the year focuses. And my main ONE focus is publishing my first book, the later part of the year I have penciled in Book Launch, with many small stars holding it in place on my 2015 calendar (and much of my commitment number one, has that as my main action steps)

Second thoughts, I am going over it in pen right now to bold it and lock it in!

Waking Up to Myself

by Lulu | Creativity, Feminism, Inspiration, Mindset, Relationships, Spirituality

Too many years have gone by when I prioritised everyone else way above myself, living by the unwritten ‘Mothers Code’ – they need you 24/7, and putting myself last on the very long list of things to do and people to please. Ugh!

Each day wake up to yourself

Well, it is logical enough to understand that that does not work. More recently the practicing and prioritise my personal self-care and aligning my day to what makes my heart sing has played a leading role. And it is simply that – a practice.

A gentle, loving, honouring practice, which eases up any attachment to an outcome. Because I am simply practicing.

And when I miss a day or slip back into old ways, I gentle guide myself back and tame the raging Gestapo voice that has no honour for my divine glorious expression and ways of being in the world. The taming of that voice gives me a space in my life to live more in the place of delight. And that journey is worth sharing another time.

With a long background in yoga and meditation this has normally been my first choice, but now days, 20 years on, I find simply rising before the rest of the household in silence is deeply comforting. I spend 5 minutes focusing on my breath. I use my mantra following this, and then the practice of allowing my eyes to gently ‘land’ on things around me, noticing colour, shape, dimension and any feelings that arise in me. I call this practice “Seeing with The Eyes of Love”

Each day has never been before; view it with the eyes of wonder

Then some practically moves through our household, with my husband and child rising, and all that that entails each morning.

Soon after they leave I resume my self-time, I do a Gratitude in Motion practice and drink a Kickstart mixture, which evokes something that speaks to that inner part that says, “Ready”.

I share this small snapshot of a practice that is evolving with my own loving attention.

From Gentle to Kickstart in 90 minutes, companioned by delight