Items filtered by date: January 2019

My heart was filled with a passion for teaching.

     A passion for becoming an inspired and inspiring primary teacher that made a difference in the lives of children and their families. And whilst I was not entirely clear on how I would do that, (other than teaching in a classroom), I was crystal clear that children made my heart sing. That I had come to this life to touch the hearts of children and inspire them to be “the greatest version of themselves”, (Neale Donald Walsch coins this phrase often.)

     Although I was technically an adult at 19, and felt I knew much about a lot, (looking back I knew very little about anything), I was not able to articulate what lay in my heart, the way that I am able to now.

     At the grand age of 19, I knew in my heart that somehow children would be a big part of my life.  I was almost finished my teaching degree and I was filled with a burning desire to just “get out there” and change the world for children.

     My first few years of teaching were simply brilliant and joyous. Each day was so much fun. And yet after a while, I began to see the cracks in the system and the loop holes they did not tell us about at uni.  Gradually I became frustrated with the “system”. Teaching in a main-stream system where I no longer felt I could make the difference I longed for, made me feel sick.  Literally.

     My sense of fulfillment had diminished and my “cup of teaching” was no longer overflowing.

     Looking back, the simple answer to the way I felt, was that my time in schools was nearly over.  Looking back, that should have been okay. (With hindsight, it certainly was.) Looking back, I wish I had known what I know now. 

     If only I understood that all things grow and change, and that each part of our lives is a stepping stone to the next exciting chapter. I spent far too long being angry at “the system” and trying to change “the system”.

     Once I began to understand that I could make a greater impact honouring who I truly was and finding out the content of my next stepping stone, everything changed.

     With time, deeper learning about less and the benefit of experience, I now truly understand that “children really do create a brilliant world.” And I now know that my true purpose in the world for the remainder of my time on this wondrous planet is to make the world a better and safer place for children. My next stepping stone shines brightly, courageously and with love.

     Now I know a lot about a little, and not much about a lot. And that feels fantastic!!

     And now, my passion for children runs even deeper within the river of life. I know I will be a grandmother one day.  My heart sings and leaps with absolute joy and infinite love even thinking about the prospect of holding a precious baby that is my grandchild. To look deeply into his or her eyes and say, “I’m here for you.  The world is a wonderful place to be.”

     My determination and desire to make the world a better place for children to grow up and “be” is now even more urgent. Because I know that, one day, I will be a Grandmamma.  My work is even more important to me now.

     That is why I work with families who have experienced bullying.  It is the next stepping stone in my life.  The next exciting chapter.

     Through my work of service, I am making an even greater difference in the world.  And for the rest of my summers, winters, autumns and springs, I devote my life to making the world a better and safer place for kids. 

     I devote my life to building a movement of conscious parents who wish to bust their own bully. So that they can empower their child to bust theirs.

     I devote my life to bringing together a powerful group of parents who wish to “do parenting” differently. Conscious parents.

     I devote my life to helping keep kids safe. Full stop.

     I devote my life to empowering every miraculous child to stand up to their bully. From a place of love.

     I devote my life to empowering children to shine their light in the world brilliantly and unapologetically. So that they can each be who they truly are without fear, without judgement and with love.

     I devote my life to “holding the space” for children and their parents to heal their inner child.

     I devote my life to being “the gate keeper” to a new way of rising beyond bullying.

     I would love you to share this article with anyone you feel may benefit from reading these words. Thank you.

Here’s to healing many, many hearts. Together. One child at a time. ?

With infinite love and gratitude,

Christine

To my dear friend,

Thank you.

Thank you for being in this world.

Thank you for shining your light.  For shining your light for those around you, for showing us that there is hope, for showing us that there still is goodness and love in the world.

Amidst the fear, anger, doubt, hopelessness and overwhelm that is ever present, your heart-light serves as a beacon that helps us all to wake up each day and feel that there is a reason to continue. A reason to stand up for what is important to us, a reason to stand up for the voiceless, the down trodden and The Earth, on which our very survival depends.

Dear, dear friend, please know that your kindness, compassion and constant nurturing of those around you is noticed, is valued and is so very important.  The world is a much greater place because you choose to make life more bearable and happier for those you support and hold the space for.

Once again gorgeous Goddess, I see you.  I see your light shining brilliantly for others. We are blessed by your presence in the world.

And yet, my friend, I have noticed recently that your light that shines within for you, has dimmed a little, and your energy and life force is not so strong, as strong as it usually is.

I am here, my dear.  I am here for you.

I see that so much of your time and energy is devoted to others, and that there is very little left to nurture your own soul. I see your willingness to serve and to give and to love at the expense of your own inner strength and well-being. I see you. I see you.

I hear your silent calls for someone to take your hand and sit with you.  Quietly, gently and without expectation.  Without expectation of receiving anything from you. And I see your continued willingness to listen to the plight of others, their pain and their suffering, although you too hold great pain within your heart.   I hear your pain, your suffering and your call. I hear you, and with your permission, “l sit” with you quietly, with no expectations, I am simply filled with gratitude for all that you are.

I feel the depth of your pain, although you hide it well. I hold the space for you my friend, for you to begin to heal your pain and to move beyond it to the greatness that is you.  I feel you.

I know there has been great suffering in your life and that you keep it safely locked away in the compartment you call “the too hard basket.” I know that with each passing day, the basket is overflowing with the pain of others, and that you hold their pain in a valiant attempt to help them heal. I know it is time. As you do.

I am touched by your willingness to be the Queen that many reach-out to when times are tough. I reach my hand out to you to offer the kindness, support and love that you so willingly bless others with.  Please take my hand.

I am so very grateful that the light and greatness within you reflects the light and greatness within me. You are a constant reminder that within each one of us is a beauty, a greatness and a love that heals all wounds.

And so, there is only so long one can do this self-sacrifice thing my dear, before the well within is completely dried up, with little or no replenishment of the liquid of life. Before you can no longer nurture those around you, or yourself.

It is time for you to place yourself on the top of your “to-do” list.

The rest of the list can now take its place once you have replenished your own well of wisdom.  Your own lantern of love and your own cup of compassion. For by loving yourself enough to “do you” first, the rest of the world shines more brightly.  When you take care of yourself first, physically, mentally, spiritually and lovingly, the rest of the world understands how important it is to nurture themselves fully, each day. And then they may shine their light brilliantly and with a grace.

This willingness to nurture yourself fully and unapologetically, allows you to bring your gifts, jewels and gems effortlessly to the world, to be of greatest service and to live from a place of love.

But you already know this.  Because it is what you suggest that others do for themselves. ?

Perhaps it is time to “do you”.

I’m here with you my gorgeous friend.

Let’s “do me”, together.  Without judgement, fear or blame.

Let’s “do me” - with creativity, compassion and co-creation.

Namaste.

With infinite love and gratitude,

Christine

 When it feels like someone is pushing you away… (or how to begin to bust the bully in your life with ease and grace.)

     One of the best pieces of advice I was given quite some years ago, didn’t make much sense for ages. Perhaps thirty years ago.

     I would muse its meaning, ponder the wisdom it held, and come up with not a lot of practical tools for implementation.

     And I knew there was wisdom in these words that I would one day understand.  I grew increasingly impatient with not knowing the true meaning and how to implement them in the world. I did what I “thought” the words meant, yet I saw limited results which my wise teacher intimated would occur. I would still experience times of deep sadness because of my inability to help loved ones and those around me.  I came to an understanding that I couldn’t fix their problems or make it better for them, no matter what I did, how I tried or how much I put their wellbeing before mine. No matter what sacrifices I made, it became increasingly clear that there was another way.

     It was not until many years passed that I even began to understand the potential of these simple, yet effective and mighty powerful words.

     These seven words have changed everything for me.  Changed the way I think, feel and “be” in the world and how I interact with those around me. (Although, just like you, I am still learning.)

     Sometimes I feel like I know everything there is to know, and that all in the world is as it should be.  Even when things are not as I wish them to be, or “think” they should be.

     At other times, I feel as if I know very little about anything, and that there is so much unnecessary suffering, anger, fear and overwhelm in the world that these same words have very little meaning in this crazy world in which we live. That these words mean diddly squat.

     As I write these words, from one of my favourite places in the world, I feel in this moment, that these words make a whole lot of sense and need to be shared.

     I trust I portray their true meaning and that in some way they help you navigate those times when it feels like someone is pushing you away.

“When things get tough, bring them closer.”

   Initially, I thought these words meant to hold my loved ones and those around me even tighter, grasp their worries and fears with force and fear, and do anything and everything I could “to make it better for them.”  Worry was my biggest tool for making it better, as was giving advice.  This gripping and grasping for answers made things even worse, for all involved and rarely produced the changes I envisioned.

     All because I was coming from a place of fear, worry and controlling the outcome. 

“When things get tough, bring them closer.”

Something else I have realised, is that each of us is our own worst bully.  And when we portray the expression of being our own worst bully, we show the exact opposite of how we would wish our children and loved ones to treat themselves. With anger, fear and scarcity, rather than love, compassion and understanding.

My three steps when you feel like someone is pushing you away looks like this: (and/or if you need to bust your own inner bully, or to hold the space for your child to bust theirs):

1.  Get really clear about what you perceive to be the challenge – is there a bully in your life and/or your child’s life? Gain a picture in your mind of the problem and take an imaginary photo of the scene.

2. Place your hand on your heart and breathe. Five deep breaths in through your nose and five exhales through your mouth.

3. Complete “The Golden Circle” activity, as described below.

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE ACTIVITY.

This activity is suitable for adults and children.  It is particularly powerful when practiced routinely as a challenge presents itself in your life, particularly if you are busting a bully in your life. (Either your own inner bully, a bully in your life or the bully in your child’s life.)  You can either complete this activity using paints, paper, crayons and/or pencils, or you can simply complete it in your imagination.  Children particularly enjoy the hands-on components of this activity.

1.  Dip your long, beautiful paintbrush into the golden paint. Paint a large golden circle by placing a dot in the centre of the top of the paper. Paint a smooth, round circle starting at the dot at the top of your paper and move around to the left side of the paper, down the left side, along the bottom, around to the right side of the paper and back to the top of the circle.  Ensure that the circle is completely closed. 

2.  Now, using colors appropriate for your challenge, paint the scene of your challenge. (Remember the scene you envisioned back in step one above.)  Do this with as much or as little detail as you wish.  It is not about how well you can or cannot paint, rather the feelings you infuse your scene with. You are reminding yourself of a situation you wish to change in your life. If feelings of sadness, aloneness, fear, anger or the like come to the surface, simply notice them, paint them in the scene and allow them to be seen.

3.  When you feel the scene is complete, put down your brush, place your hand on your heart and inhale and exhale five times.

4.  Visualise golden light pouring down on the golden circle, filling the whole of the circle with golden white light. Imagine infusing the golden circle with golden white light for as long as if feels ok to do so.

5.  When you feel you have finished, if you have physically painted the golden circle, tear it gently into tiny pieces while feeling gratitude that the solutions to this challenge have revealed themselves to you. Place these tiny pieces of golden circle in your compost bin, or simply bury them in the garden.  Release them to Mother Nature to heal.

6.  If you complete the activity in your imagination, imagine cradling “The Golden Circle” in the palm of your hands gently and blow it out into the universe.  Allow “The Golden Circle” and its contents to be released into the ethers to blessed and healed by whatever it is you believe to be the infinite power of the universe.

7.  Place your hand on your heart and say out loud, “Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you.”  And so it is.

Namaste. The light within me sees the light within you.

Christine