The Time for Change

2012 is the year of change and transition, so friends and strangers repeatedly tell me. The message is announced loud and clear and received with such abundance and joy from many, however often sniggered or scorned upon by critics and non believers of our 'developing' world.

I must say that in my personal experience, as an every day human being, carrying out every day tasks I can not agree more that the world as we see it is certainly in a whirlwind of change. During the past three years my world has changed remarkably, but his year is certainly in full swing of a massive overhaul and shake up. What this means, I don't know exactly, but what I have learnt is to just trust my inner most instincts and go with them. No matter how tough, silly, scary, frightening, scowled and sniggered upon, I must keep true to my beliefs and myself.

Numbers in particular have been playing a focal part in this rapid change, constantly reminding me of this personal wake up call almost like a kiss from heaven of reassurance. The numbers in particular are 11:11. I have come across many people now experiencing the same. Yes it could be put down to coincidence, but when the numbers 11:11 appear repeatedly throughout the day, week and months it does make me wonder! I have been assured that I am quite 'normal' to be experiencing such 'taps on the shoulder' from the universe which is a nice relief and so comforting to experience a connection with our spiritual selves, but can also be quite confusing and confronting.

These numbers also speak of alignment and awakening. The Universe aligning us back to a plan and purpose and intention for our life. We are entering a new season of spiritual awakening. A new time of heightened awareness and hunger for spiritual meaning and purpose and a new urgent hunger to know we are loved and to accept this love in ourselves. There is an invitation implied to trust in ourselves more deeply these days.

I have observed close family and friends experience such 'wake up calls' in a variety of forms; technology breaking down, friends and family dilemmas, business's breaking down, financial strains, health concerns, relationship struggles, sadness and loss. All of which are devastating in the moment, however when time passes they look back to see the gains they made, lessons learnt, new relationships built and rewards which gleam. With each struggle we face, disaster we rise above and heartache endured, with it all comes a period of change and transition. We wouldn't be human if we didn't experience the emotions, but imagine how wonderful it would be that through the experience we recognise that this is just a moment, that this isn't our life forever, that change will happen and we will transition to a richer path along our journey.

The term 'personal growth', 'change' and 'transition' can be considered and perceived as a selfish act by some who are not in a state of change themselves. Those people are stuck in their ways, have been that way for years and can make it very difficult for others, who are ready to take a peek around the corner to see what is on offer to them. It can be an extremely gut wrenching decision to 'think of yourself' and do what 'you want' despite what others may think and vocalise, as guilt can set in. From the words of Buddha, 'You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection'. Once and only once you have discovered love and affection for yourself and are on the pathway of fulfilling your own inner passion and vision will you then be truly content. As we are reminded more and more often life here is all about the journey, with twists and turns and change, do not get caught up in what your destination may be. Just trust and have faith in your inner self to guide you.

A wonderful example of trusting our inner selves and the journey we are on is to watch small children. Watch how they speak their minds, accept people for who they are and ask questions without judgement. They do not judge people by their accent, colour, size or ability. The way they learn to be judgmental is by watching others who judge. I recently had the delight to watch my four year old daughter describe, with such enthusiasm, how her class at 'pre-school' communicate with one of their class mates. She made me stop what I was doing and pay full attention to her, she then proceeded to communicate to me in sign language. My darling then went on to say how they play games together, what makes him laugh and feel better. I could not have been more overjoyed. It reassures me that I am playing such an important role in her life as she is in mine. This four year old certainly has come here as a 'crystal child' in order to reflect harmony, peace, and oneness into the Universe and I am honoured to be part of her journey.

Regardless of whether you believe and take comfort in this year being 'the' year of change and transition, take the time to think about how you embrace your life. Allow yourself to receive and appreciate that 'tap on the shoulder' in whatever form it may be. Rather than reach to the depths of despair and anger, try to rise a little, have faith and see that glimmer of hope along your journey, for it's just a moment. Don't lose sight of your soul, vision and purpose, as this is a time of personal awakening, and can be so very exciting!

Flavour of the month: FEAR!

"I watch her swim away from fear
toward a sea free from restraint

she does not look up or around
only within
breathing in and out, immersing and emerging

criticism crawls out of her body
as she glides into a confident sheath
peace ignites her core

for the first time she understands awareness
by being seemingly unaware

standing now she rises
her flesh propelled by bone muscle tendon
blood is rushing her heart awake

all love begins with self love
once you know you are the root of your own suffering
choose to disengage from the periphery
harness and recognise the strength inside
to magnetize

breath is the private mantra
guiding prayer
follow your feet knees hips
belly heart hands
be willing to lose your balance
surrender to what matters most
and dive into the unknown"

These are the words of Nancy Levin, poet, from the book 'Writing for my life...Reclaiming the Lost Pieces of Me, A Poetic Journey'

I have recently returned from an absolutely spine tingling soul filling heart restoring weekend in Sydney with a very close friend and soul sister of mine. Both of us searching for that little piece of us which has been hurting, sad, lonely, unanswered, angry, confused etc. From the moment we walked into the room of three thousand like minded people searching for the same,  great relief showered us.

This was a weekend of personal growth, grounding, possibilities, awakening and above all hope and faith.

I have come across so many people this month writing and talking about fear. Fear of the evil unthinkable illnesses which are placed in our childrens bodies, fear that we can't control it, fear we can't take away their pain, fear they will never get the opportunities and experiences that any other child would get, fear of lonliness, confusion, sadness and inevitable fear of the unknown.

A dear dear close friend of mine has repeatedly asked 'what are you fearing?' 'why fear it, when it hasn't happened?' it's so so true, but us as humans seem to just plumet into the dark hole of fear. Why? Human conditioning...we are born with only one fear...that of being dropped. We then get conditioned to fear everything and anything! One quote that particuarly resonated with me during the Sydney weekend was that alot of people like to be 'Masterful Problemsolvers' they are good at solving problems, at work, at home, with friends and family. People will go to those people for advice and help with their problems. The problem with this is that you will lead your whole life creating problems in order to solve!!!! If I am talking to you...perhaps you could try to manage this skill with clear boundaries, so you don't live your life full of issues to resolve. I know I am an expert problem solver!

I am so utterly fed up of people living their day to day lives in fear...BECAUSE OF WHAT SOMEONE ELSE SAID TO THEM. What gives them the right to have that power over anyone? I am talking, in particuarly, to the medical profession who admit they have no answers, or suggestions, or guarantees but still....'in their opinion...' NO NO NO. I come across so many families expecriencing the same over and over. I was one of them. Waking up each day dreading what MAY be, what MAY happen and guess what....it never did. Who knows if it happens in the future, but that's not for us to live in dread each day.

I have learnt to dissolve the fear, anger and hate and instead embrace the challenges, journey and lessons which are on offer to me. I feel blessed and at peace with this perspective and hope to encourage others to do the same. I thank my two girls, in particuarly Ruby for choosing me as their mum and bringing these challenges to me now as I have such an amazing life to look ahead at. We all do, just let go of the fear xxx