Wednesday 22 June 2016

Healing, Processing and Dreaming Time

Hello dear blogging friends,

I've been absent from Blogland for a while (since April!), processing big emotions from past events, and working out how to move on and grow.

It's affected my health, but I am getting support from many directions, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. This hitting rock bottom has opened up the possibility of huge personal transformation, which takes time and inner work. 

The usual activities of my life have been shelved while emergency healing, reading, writing and talking have been the focus of the last few weeks. The warm cosy comfort of purring cats has helped me to come back to my feelings, which have been frozen for many years, taking much energy to remain incarcerated safely within.





Both of our cats are from the RSPCA, abandoned as kittens. The large grey cat is Willow, who was malnourished and terrified when we got her, a 4 week old bedraggled and skinny, shaking kitten. She didn't purr for a week, and I just held her in my jumper every day. She remains very traumatised - afraid to go outside, afraid to even go through a doorway to another room without pausing and fearfully running through.

http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html

They are family to each other now, and a special part of our family.

Both cats are a metaphor for me to learn from! Willow who carries her fear with her all the time, holding her back from life, and Gypsy who is well-adapted despite her early trauma. She was part of a litter dumped too young to be separated from their mother, and left in the rain to die.  

Like the cats, some people are more affected by their negative experiences, while others are more resilient. But unlike Willow, who might never learn to be brave and bold, people can make decisions and changes in their thinking patterns to grow more resilient. That's what I'm doing!

One of the best things that has come out of this experience is how books have come into my hand just at the right time. I have picked up many an interesting book at a garage sale, thinking, "I wonder if this book has something to say to me..." and brought them home to add to the pile of possibilities by my comfy chair for a spare moment. The pile at my chair ebbs and flows as I read them, put away or pass on those I've read, or decide it's not time yet for others, so into the cupboard they go for a while. 

And so I stumbled on these...




What a wonderful coincidence that my daughter's primary school is the first school in Australia to include a mindfulness course as part of its curriculum, and I attended a recent information night on it.

Subsequently I bought this book and CD which comes from rigorous research through the Oxford University. I'm into my third week of the course, and it's transformational. I'm feeling like the Ice Queen, melting into Spring (even though it's Winter here!).





The forest near our home has been a source of grounding, peace and inspiration to my process. Every day I spend some time there.

I'd like to take you on part of my walk and let you, too, hear and see the beauty of an Australian dry sclerophyll forest.

From our back gate I cross the bridge we made from fallen trees. There's rarely water here, only just after rain.


Forest walk by http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html

The tracks wind up to the ridge, some fire trails, some foot-worn paths.

Forest walk by http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html

The spotty gums are white after their old bark drops off. The ironbarks and spotty gums are over 30m tall...


Forest walk by http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html


Dry schlerophyll forest walk


Forest walk by http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html


Forest walk by http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html




dry schlerophyll forest


Forest walk by http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html


The bird calls are amazing here... have a listen to a recording done on my smartphone:





I have discovered a superb lyrebird here, and I've been following him to watch and listen. I'll have some videos of him soon for you in another blogpost.

So until then, enjoy each moment as much as you can...

Jesse






Babylove - Simply Neutrals #26

Hello my friends,

I've been absent from Blogland since April, processing big emotions from past events, and working out how to move on and grow.

I haven't produced much arty stuff lately, but here is something I've been working on. It's a small cutlery box for silver teaspoons. It's not glued down yet. I've just been playing. I found the dried flowers in one of my old books.


http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html

What is it about babies? I love them. I think it's because giving birth and breastfeeding have been healing experiences for me, a time when I felt I had no skin between me and the rest of the world. And butterfly wings represent freedom for me, as well as just being so beautiful...I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately.

This heart was for my mum for Mothers' Day way back in May. I made it from old doylies. The pocket was for holding something sweet and precious. She loved it. 

http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html

This owl was something I left on the beach after a morning walk.

http://lace-age-girl.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/babylove-simply-neutrals-26_22.html

Now, I have a special invitation for the dear friends I've made who have visited my blog and left friendly comments. I've done another blogpost here about my journey over the past months, and I invite you to take a walk with me into our dry schlerophyll forest, listening to the birdsong. It is a very green and leafy post.

On July 15th I will be participating in Karen Valentine's 8th Annual Blog Party, 'Where Bloggers Create 2016' . 

You can find out more about it here. There will be many drool-worthy craft spaces on display. The past years' links have been gorgeous. I've been working on a post about my craft space, and I'm looking forward to sharing that with you all.






I'm linking with Wen's Simply Neutrals Party # 26 here. Check out all the neutral toned loveliness on display via her linky party.




Have a wonderful Summer break - while I'll be celebrating our Winter Solstice here in Australia soon.

Hugs,
Jesse