Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Spiritual Growth and how to achieve it..

I know there are many of us who struggle with the day to day life of challenges, routines, chores, parenting, relationships, stress, deadlines etc.  Todays life is so fast paced.  With everything we have, all the modern technology to make our lives easier and get things dones faster, we find there is still not enough time left in a day.  How did our ancestors do it?  Why can't we seem to manage it?  Why are we all in such a hurry??



Sometimes I think we need to go back to the basics.  Back to reconnecting with ourselves.  Taking some time out for ourselves, etc.  Reconnecting with life..

Here are my 10 top tips I believe to get you reconnecting and expand your spiritual growth..

1)  Read spiritual and uplifting books and articles.  Think about what is written and think about how you can use it in your every day life.  A good book to start on is the Secret!!

2)  Meditate for at least 15 minutes everyday!  If you find meditating hard, sit in a quiet placed, undisturbed and be mindful of the noises around you, what your surroundings look like, what they smell like.  Go outside and just take in the scenery and take some deep breaths.  Works wonders.

3) Acknowledge the fact that your are a spirit with a physical body.  Not a physical body with a spirit.  Everything you have and possess gets left behind, be less materialistic.

4) Look inwards into yourself and your mind often.  What is it that makes you feel alive??

5) Only think Positive Thoughts.  This is so beneficial for your soul and well-being.

6) Develop the Happiness Habit.  Always look at the brighter side of life and endeavour to be happy.  Happiness is a way of life.  Happiness comes from within.  Don't let unforeseen circumstances decide your happiness for you.

7) Exercise.  Those endorphins are happy drugs..  This keeps your physical body healthy and functioning normal. 

8)  Thank the universe for everything you have!  Gratefulness is the religion for Spiritual Growth.

9)  Develop tolerance, tact, patience, kindness and consideration for others.  It really isn't that hard to be nice to others and give a gentle smile to strangers.

10)  Pray!  If you want something or need something Ask?  If you want to be thankful and show gratitude for all you have, Thank God or the Angels or whoever you want to pray to! I'm forever talking and thanking, usually it is to my mum or the angels, whoever is out there in spirit who wants to listen.


Spiritual Growth is the birthright to everyone.  It is the key to a life of happiness and peace of mind.  Don't let your spirituality be hidden by thoughts, beliefs, materialism and negative beliefs. xoxo



Monday, January 26, 2015

Australia Day - Proud to be an Aussie!!

Today marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British Ships at Port Jackson, NSW. 

In present-day Australia, celebrations reflect the diverse society and landscape of the nation, and are marked by community and family events, reflections on Australian history, official community awards, and citizenship ceremonies welcoming new immigrants into the Australian community.




Today is usually met with mixed emotions!  Some sad and angry for the invasion of their

land, some happy and cheerful to be privileged to live in this beautiful country we call our 

home. 


For me the meaning of Australia day means Lamingtons, Meat Pies, Family BBQ's,

Sausages on the Bar- B, The Australian Flag, Beaches, Pools, Music, Being with Friends 

and Family, Pavlova's, Thongs, Zinc, Drinks, Celebrations, Slip n Slides, People being 

sworn in for citizenship, outdoors, ....  The list is endless..


Its also means to me to be 

Patriotic, to be Proud to be an Australian, feeling grateful to be able to live in such a great

country full of warmth, sun, beaches, freedom and the vast opportunities that Australia has

to offer.


Today we stayed at home, my hubby and I enjoying a few drinks and a cheese platter, the tunes playing in the back ground then a quietly, but competitive game of who could throw the boomerang the best and have it actually come back!  Bahaha this was sooo funny!  Hot Dogs for dinner and reflection with our Boys on what is Australia Day.

Never take for granted for one minute – especially with the horrific events that has occurred of late that you were born into a country like Australia.  That you will be raised with love, opportunity & support. That we live in a wonderful amazing country where we are free and free from war.  Now that, right there, deserves to be celebrated.  Be Proud!  Aussie Aussie Aussie!  Oi!  Oi!  Oi!.


How did you celebrate Australia Day?  What does Australia Day and being Australia mean to you?

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Magical Experience - Being one with Nature

I've always loved nature and all its animals and creatures.  I've never been one to deny this. We are constantly seeking balance in our lives. We look to our homes, jobs, and the environment and contemplate ways to find a connection that will bring peace, happiness, and harmony. Striving to become one with nature and the elements is a wonderful way to move toward this serenity, and tapping into the forces of nature can help to bring new perspective to our quest.

All life has value and purpose, yet many of us do not even take the time to sit outside in nature and receive the healing qualities it offers our body, mind, and spirit. And Oh what a magical experience we had today being one with nature.


We took our boys to the Shark and Ray Centre at Port Stephens to be one with nature and experience what it is like being in the water and being one with our beautiful creatures.  We learnt about the different types of species there are of Stingrays and Sharks today.  We got to be in the water with some of these species and actually have them swimming around our legs and having the opportunity to touch them and pat them.  WOW!  We were all amazed.


The stingrays were such majestic creatures.  So soft, so inquisitive and their little faces are so cute. We got the hand feed them and got big cuddles off the 350kg female.

We learnt alot of interesting facts today too.  
The normal everyday facts like how many species, what they eat, how long they grow and what their weight is, how many babies they have, etc.  But some really interesting facts were:

  • Why the female is larger than the male, as the male has to suction onto the females back and if he were larger he would damage her back.
  • Why they have barbs - for defense.  It takes 6 months for a barb to grow back.  The barb is venomous and can be dangerous to humans.  The ancient Greeks used to used the venom from the barbs as an anesthetic.
  • The reason why a stingray is so soft and slimy is that it is covered with an 80% alcoholic coating and that the coating is awesome if you have cuts, just rub on the stingray.  Back in the pirates day, if pirates ran out of booze, they would catch a stingray and lick it until they became intoxicated.  

Too funny.  But what an experience!  Highly recommend it!

Spiritual Sunday - Base Chakra

As I said last week, for the next 7 Weeks I will expand on each of the Chakras.  

Today we will start at the bottom of the Chakra's - The Base Chakra also know as the Root Chakra.



Base Chakra – Muladhara  (Mula=Root  adhara=Support)

1st Chakra
Located – Base of the Spine
Colour – RED
Instinctual need for survival
Deals with survival – Blocked by Fear                       

The Root Chakra is located at the base of your spine.  This is your foundation and is governed by the bones, legs, feet, ankles, knees, hips, adrenal glands, nails, colon, blood, lower digestive functions, excretory functions and spinal column.
 
It is the root of your being and establishes the deepest connections with your physical body, your environment and with the Earth.  This chakra is related to issues of physical security and is affected by your thoughts and feelings about Finances, Career, Home, Physical Safety, Needs and Possessions.  

The Root Chakra is your survival centre and assists on keeping us grounded to the earth, trust and safety. It is our sense of belonging.  Your fight and flight response is initiated from this chakra, and influences our immune system, our energy, basic impulses and instincts as well as endurance, ambition, patience and strength of character. This is your primal, animal nature.

Main Goal
The Main goal with your Root Chakra is to stand up for yourself, obtain physical health and fitness, be grounded, obtain stability and security. The basic issues associated with the root chakra are instinct, safety, survival, grounding, family, security, boundaries, and new beginnings.

Balanced
When this chakra is balanced we feel grounded, centred, secure, confident, healthy, alive, having energy, vitality and optimism, loves life and takes good care of their body.

Unbalance
If the chakra is unbalanced we may feel unbalanced, emotionally needy, rage and anger, have low self- esteem, afraid and fearful or over materialistic, you may worry about finances, you may gamble and become self-centred.  Unbalances within the chakra may cause illness or dis-ease.  As the Root Chakra is governed by the bones, legs, feet, ankles, knees, hips, adrenal glands, nails, colon, blood, lower digestive functions, excretory functions and spinal column, illnesses such as :-

Illnesses
Anaemia, Addictions, Fatigue, Obesity, Anorexia, Anal/ Rectum problems, Constipation, Haemorrhoids, Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Bladder Infections, Sciatica, Lower Back Pain, Cancer, Varicose Veins, Blood Disorders, Immune Related Disorders, Leukaemia, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Poor Sleep, feelings of spaciness and being incapable of inner stillness are just some of the physical/emotional dysfunctions of the Root Chakra.  The ultimate root chakra failure is suicide.

All of the seven chakras are important and interconnected with each other. It is important though to balance the Root Chakra first, before we proceed to others, as we cannot grow and change unless we feel safe and secure.

How to Clear, Balance And Nurture Your First Chakra

Here are some pleasant, practical, “real-world” things you can do to support first chakra health and radiance. Once you see the pattern, I’m sure you’ll be able to think of more.  Remember, intention is the “secret ingredient.”

Affirmations
- I am grounded
- I love life
- I know who I am and make choices based on what I know to be right for me.
- I am supported in life through all my choices to do good and share the light of love.
- I am safe and secure.
- My body supports me in living a creative and happy life.
- I feel deeply rooted.
- I am thankful for all the opportunities for growth and development that have come my way.
- I am grateful for the challenges that have taught me who I truly am.
- I am grounded and stable.

- I make healthy choices that are good or me.

Activities
• Take time every day, say five or ten minutes, to belly breathe. Belly breathing is deep, slow breathing all the way into the lower third of your lungs. Many people breathe quickly and shallowly. Make sure that your belly is rising when you breathe in, and falling when you breathe out. Slow your breathing down and enjoy the feeling of the air coming into and out of your lungs. 

Walk. Get some good shoes, make a commitment to walk most days and then do it. If you have a chance, slip off your shoes and walk barefoot in the grass. Dig your toes into the dirt or walk on the beach.

Dance. Whether you’re on a dance floor, playing with your children or all alone in your living room it doesn’t matter. Turn on some music and let yourself go, particularly exercising your feet, legs and pelvis.

• Get out in your garden and dig around in the dirt.

Compost your kitchen scraps and garden trimmings.

• Resolve to keep your thoughts more in the present.

• Learn to ground and center yourself.

Colors
Red is the color of the first chakra. This can be any shade of red, from deepest crimson to a gentle pink. Wear or bring into your home a shade of red that especially appeals to you. A scarf or vase of flowers is an easy way to incorporate color into your life. Extra points for red shoes, red underwear or red socks! Bringing shades of red into the family room is also especially beneficial.

Scents
Surround yourself with pleasing, earthy smells, such as cedar, clove or patchouli. Essential oils are a wonderful way to bring these aromas into your life.  Burn candles, melts or reeds in your space that have the Essential Oils needed for the Base Chakra.  See my Heaven Scent Healing Candles on Facebook.  Perfect!

Hope this helps you to understand more on the base Chakra.  

Next Week.. The Sacral Chakra.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

TV Series, the more Seasons the better - I am addicted...

Its a super hot day here in the Hunter of NSW Australia.  What better way than to beat the heat by staying indoors, air conditioner on and having a marathon of the TV series I am currently addicted to.


I get so involved and lost into a show when I become obsessed, I feel like I am part of their lives and they are my friends.  Sad I know.  I am sure we all have over 5 TV Shows that we have absolutely enjoyed..

So today I am having a marathon of The Vikings.  OMG Ragnar Lothbrok is so sexy!  Not sure I could of lived in the Viking era but damn, if the Vikings looked and were built like Ragnar, well Hell Yes!  I just finished watching Season 1 and my lovely hubby picked up Season 2 for me today!

Season 3 comes out in February so I have some catching up to do, but it wont take me long, especially since the weather is meant to be hot today and hotter tomorrow.  Bonus!


Over time I have watched quite a few TV Series.  I love it when my friends and family are into the same ones as me and you can discuss the show to great lengths.  My fav ones are Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, True Blood, Dexter, Sons of Anarchy and United States of Tara.  These I could watch over and over again.  I also enjoy some of the Reality TV Shows like My Kitchen Rules, but TV Series are way better than RealityTV!

So Chow for now while I drool and watch Ragnar in the Vikings.

Do you have any favourites?  Do you agree with mine?  Or do you have recommendations of other TV Series I should watch?

Friday, January 23, 2015

4 Fun Facts Friday about me..

Nicknames, we all have them, had them and more than likely yet to get them.  Some of them stick for a lifetime, some for only a short time.  Some we love and some we hate.


Most nicknames are a form of endearment or affection.  I know over the years I have had quite a few for all different reasons off all different people.  Family had a nickname for me, my mum had a nickname for me, my dad had a nickname for me, Friends had nicknames for me and I am sure you all have nicknames too? 

How or where did you get your nickname?

Seeing that it is 4 Fun Facts Friday about me, I will share 4 Nicknames given to me from a young child by 4 different people.

1)  Sneddo - My friend of 35years gave me this nickname 35 years ago, seeing that Sneddon was my Maiden name.  Heaps of people have called my this over the years.

2) Sugar - My mum gave me this nickname again when I was young.  She still called me that up to before she passed away.

3)  Cherry Blossom - This was my nickname given to me off my dad when I was a little girl.   I always felt special whenever he called me that.

4) Grub - My Uncle gave me this nickname again when I was young.  You know I am just about to turn 40 and every now and then he still calls me that.  

Please share how you got your Nickname!  I find it quite interesting...

Its not always Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows

My days aren't always sunshine, lollipops and rainbows.   I put alot of time & energy into my emotional and mental wellbeing.


Today I have woken flat.  As did my mum, I too suffer from depression and anxiety.  It is a daily battle to stay on top.  This is the reason why I am so avid for positivity, affirmations and all things spiritual to keep me where I need to be.

Depending whats going on in my life, I can easily slips through the cracks and wake up feeling flat and in the land of the "I can't be bothereds", "I have no interest", "I dont care" and hiding away, etc. 

Do you do this?

I try very hard to be happy on the outside, practice my positivity and gratitude everyday because believe me it works.  Though when the time comes and the yoyo of the ups and downs starts to slide to the downs, I make sure I work extra hard to get back up.  I don't beat myself up, I acknowledge how Im feeling, look for the cause as to why, try to deal with them and tell myself that tomorrow is a brand new day.


So just for today I am going to be a little kinder to myself, take some time out for myself to be mindful and relax, and of course keep practicing my positivity and gratefulness, because even in the lowest of days, you can still find things to be grateful for.

xoxo