Friendship, creativity and serenity.

On Sunday I got home at nearly midnight after a long day, a flight and a two hour car trip to find this gift waiting in my garage. It was interesting to notice how quickly my fatigue and grumpiness lifted when I tore through the packaging to find this pleasingly tactile creation!
A beautiful hand turned wooden bowl, lovingly made by my friend David Kuegler, accompanied by a spoon made by his friend and Greenwood Craftsman, Steve Tomlin.
I was truly moved by the thoughtfulness behind my gift from David.  The HM (headmind) BM (bodymind) lettering on the spoon is very apt indeed.  That flow between both parts of us is absolutely essential while we eat, but also while we make the food we want to eat, and how David, Steve and any craftsman or creative person should be in order to be in that wonderful aligned place where anything is possible.
We must be careful not to slag off the headmind too much, without it where would we be?!  What I love is knowing I can rely on my headmind to "come up with the goods" providing I keep my feet on the ground, feel what feels right and use my head to put those feelings into action.  When I write I choose carefully the music I want to listen to, based purely on the way I feel. There's minimal headmind involvement in the making of that decision. I sit for a moment and breathe deeply into my tummy, and then I pay attention to whatever comes up from my intuitive bodymind into my headmind and start putting those feelings and thoughts down into my blog, newsletter or other piece of writing.
So, whether you're eating your food, walking in nature, creating something wonderful or simply sitting chatting with your family - be present and be fully there. Being peacefully aware of this moment right now allows your headmind and bodymind to be in its most natural flow.  The beauty of being in that aligned place is that you permeate a serenity the like of which oozes from you and extends to all those you interact with.  What a win win for you and those you care about!
"Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy and serenity."  - Thich Nhat Hanh

Listen up! I want to hear your voice!

When you're silenced there is injustice.
The bodymind feels this injustice deeply and will not let you bite your tongue, or swallow your words without responding in some way.
For most, this response comes in the form of symptoms.

IBS.
Lower back pain.
Fatigue.
Brain fog.

Shut your mouth.
Hush now.
Be quiet.
Shut up.

It's not okay, and never will be for you to think that it's safer to keep quiet, or for you to think that what you have to say is irrelevant.
Who is making you believe that your voice, words and thoughts are not worth hearing?

Surround yourself by those you can share with, those who you enjoy listening to and who want to hear what you have to say.

Please don't give your power away to anyone who needs to keep you quiet in order for them to keep control of you.

No matter how many excuses your headmind comes up with - it's not okay.

Your bodymind doesn't want to use symptoms in order to encourage you to pay attention to what's happening, but it will if it sees you "making do" with a situation that isn't healthy for you.

Listen carefully to your symptoms.

How much louder do those symptoms have to get before you take action?

Loving you isn't difficult, and it starts with caring enough about yourself to remove yourself from loveless people.

"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself." - Harvey Fierstein