11. Welcome to another glorious day.

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I can’t help but feel for all the homeless people on Melbourne streets tonight. Today truly feels like winter and as I whinged and moaned about the cold I stopped. First world problems, walking a few 100 metres to get to a warm car, warm house, warm office. Outside right now is freezing. There is sadness for those who are spending tonight and many other countless nights on the streets not only in Melbourne but in so many parts of the world.

It would be easy to write about welcoming another glorious day. I wake up in a warm bed, switch my heater on, have a hot shower, fill my belly with nutritious food and start my day. How does someone who sleeps on the streets welcome another glorious day? The amount of resilience, strength and courage that is demonstrated for those “sleeping rough” is absolutely heroic.  I have heard myself whinge when my ears slightly ache in the cold if I have forgotten to wear a beanie. I have been so blessed in my life with shelter, food and ALWAYS having somewhere to live. For so many others it is not the same.

It is not about feeling guilty or not deserving of what we do have, it is more about awareness of social justice, equality and freedom for all. We live in a country where homelessness should not exist. I don’t generally listen to the news but I have been intrigued by people’s comments, viewpoints about the recently reported “homelessness” issue.  There is a notion that people who are “homeless” should take what they can get. When sleeping on the street is a safer option that a “rooming house” that is offered by the government, surely as a collective we can feel compassion.

There has been a lot of coverage of late in regards to the issue and of course the perception of solutions seems appropriate. I work in mental health and the housing system is in crisis overload. The housing that is offered is at times depressing and dangerous. I don’t feel it is fair to blame any one person or political party but perhaps more of an awareness of what responsibility I can have in creating change. I am involved in some local projects. The Period Project supports women with sanitary items and dignity. There are so many projects that can be supported, so many ways to create change.

I don’t have a definitive answer for homelessness in Melbourne yet alone the rest of the world. What I do know is awareness and personal responsibility that we have to each other. Over 6,000 young people are forced to either ‘couch surf’ or ‘sleep rough’ every night in Victoria. These figures only include young people, not to mention the countless others. So how do you welcome each and every day?

With a sprinkle of fairy dust and may magic follow your day.

 

HUGE LOVE

Sonia

xx

10. A mind at peace, a mind focused on not harming other, is stronger than any physical force in the universe.

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Funny or not that this affirmation is presented to me today. It has been a bit of a theme in the last couple of days. A dear friend actually reminded me yesterday about this very subject. As much as it may make an interesting read about who did what I am not really concerned in the drama of it.  What has come to fruition for me in the last few months has been a mixed bag of lessons that to say the least I haven’t enjoyed. To be perfectly honest I can’t wait to F&*k them right off! What I do know and am very much at peace with is that I also have the power to recreate any story that I choose.

So in true Mercury Retrograde style the area has been revisited and reviewed. I can’t help but have wanted sing a “in your face” song followed by a big fat “I told you so!” I did neither.  I just thank god for precious friends that remind me exactly how it is. The fact of the matter is that I am passionate about justice, truth, responsibility and equality. So when these areas of my life are personally affected there is a shadow that has wanted to lash out. Those close to me would have heard various profanities coming whilst wearing my angry pants and  I am sure I was a delight to be around.

What I love most about the beautiful souls I choose to share my life with is that they hold a space, but also give me the news pretty quickly. So when I read the affirmation about today I had a giggle and was reminded about the snippets of advice that have been gently offered throughout the course of the last few days. What was really profound was listening to the beloved Dr Wayne Dyer. I listen to him in the car especially when I am in traffic and rather than be frustrated, I choose it to be a time to listen to some words of wisdom. There is always something that I am meant to hear and yesterday was no exception. He quoted “when you seek revenge, you may as well dig two graves”.  It jolted me right out of my head and into my heart of forgiveness and compassion.

Whilst there is still some searching for peace, I can at least acknowledge that this is certainly the path that I strongly desire. It doesn’t make the actions of another justified or accepted it simply is acknowledging that you are not allowing them to take any more of your energy. Forgiveness for self is equally as important and is first and foremost. What I recognise are the lessons of boundaries that have been presented. So whilst this has been an area of my life that has required some much needed attention, the universe certainly delivered. So with grace and ease I give thanks. A mind at peace, a mind focused on not harming others, is stronger than any physical force in the universe. Blessed be and so it is, so it is done. Namaste

With a sprinkle of fairy dust and may magic follow your day.

 

HUGE LOVE

Sonia

xxxoxo

9. What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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A dandelion would have to be one of the prettiest weeds I know. I particularly love the analogy of the weed because just like the dandelion there are so many discoveries. We often look at weeds as something that we have to dig and get rid of. In life it is the same, without the weeds there are no discoveries. I particularly love the dandelion because for me it reminds me of fairies and all things magical, a chance to make a wish and start afresh.

For the last few months there have been quite a few weeds that I have been digging at and they have felt like crap. They have been murky, heavy and emotionally draining. I was yet to discover the virtues of the lessons presented. I don’t want to get into the story as that would simply be adding drama. We all might like a bit of drama at times but does that really ever get us anywhere? We may have self-satisfaction for a short time but it does nothing for our growth and soul. Sometimes it takes a while to process. I’ve been sitting in this story for a few months now and it’s far from being fun or conducive to anything. My creativity has been blocked in the process, life has not been in flow and there have been times of anxiousness and a rise in feeling overwhelmed.

The gifts of these “weeds” are the absolute beauty of finding the lessons that have allowed me to feel into what is actually going on. Sure it is easy to sit and feel sorry for myself and for a day or two that feels pretty cool. Combined with trashy TV and chocolate, it is a successful recipe for a downward spiral. Our light can become dim and we begin to wonder where the flicker has gone. The flicker never disappears it is always there, we may just have to dig a little deeper to switch it back on and discover a new awesome way to shine once again.

Having worked in Mental Health now for the last 6 months I tend to see so much of how easy it is to “not deal” with our stuff. It is easy to be consumed by the “story” and there are so many layers of self-discovery. What I do know is that I am no better than any other. We are all simply a mirror of what we are to learn. Possibly one of the hardest lessons to digest but one with so many treasures if we are willing to have the courage to feel vulnerable and exposed. There is a beautiful chant meditation that I did whilst in Cambodia that presented as “Humee Hum, Tumee Tum, Wahe Guru; I am Thine, in Mine, Myelf, Wahe Guru” – translating that we are own guru. [i]We are our own teacher and our infinite self knows all the answers.  Blessed be and so it is. So it is done. Namaste.

With a sprinkle of fairy dust and may magic follow your day.

HUGE LOVE

Sonia

xoxox

 

 

[i] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWdXplY87LA

8. When you judge others, you do not define them, you define yourself.

11891009_741451075966461_8994629356509500673_n   Last night my family and I celebrated our cousin Cathy who took her own life over 12 months ago. It was a bitter sweet evening that saw over 100 people attend a fundraising event to support suicide awareness. Suicide prevention and awareness is something that I am very passionate about. It is not only because of my cousin, nonno and the countless others that have taken their lives, but also because I know all too well about my own struggle with suicidal ideation in the past. I was afraid of judgement and there was so much shame and stigma attached. The harsh reality is that judgement has existed in one way or another. For me I am proud of this part of my journey it has truly allowed me to know and understand life to a level that I never knew. I have heard so many comments about suicide and as the affirmation presents it is not about judgment on any part. Nobody will ever know what it feels to live in another person’s mind or body and therefore we do not have the right to judge. Yes the effects are devastating but for me personally what I find more excruciating is that another human has had to suffer so much that they feel that this is the only way to end their pain. I can understand this feeling as I know how very close I came to it. The thought of dying felt so much more peaceful than living.  So although it may be easy to “judge” another because they have left their family and friends with so much heartbreak and sadness, it is also important to remember that by judgement we are only defining who we are. To an extent there is free will in suicide but there is also a mind that is distorted beyond a realm of comprehension. I could write about this topic endlessly, there is so much to say and so much to do. The statistics are ridiculously high and in a world where we live with so much technological connection our connectedness to humanity and each other seems to be diminishing. There is so much judgement that is associated around the topic of suicide and this is something that needs to change. The stigma needs to be removed and the topic of how we feel should be open for discussion. Why is it that we find it so easy to celebrate and discuss our perceived successes yet there is difficulty to find strength in our vulnerability? We certainly can’t change about what could have been and this is possibly one of the toughest lessons to endure. Judgement for self creeps in but has no avail. Our past can only teach us the beauty of lessons that take us into the present moment of life and all that it has to offer.  As much as the lessons are painful and filled with so many unanswered questions what we do know is that we can create the path and peace if we choose. We can connect to create change. When you judge others, you do not define them, you define yourself. Namaste. With a sprinkle of fairy dust and may magic follow your day, HUGE LOVE Sonia xoxoxoxo

6. The essence of greatness is the ability to choose personal fulfilment in circumstances where others choose madness.

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I caught the train into the city this morning for a work meeting. I had a book in my back pack and was looking forward to a change of scenery. As I got comfortable I realised that the guy sitting next to me was talking on his telephone. At this point it was the occasional yes\no and before long I knew that he played soccer, what he had done on the weekend and his mum had also been to Tasmania. I was only half way through my trip when another guy stood next to me. His phone rang and before long I knew he had the flu, was in bed all weekend and would love to catch up with whoever he was talking to on the phone. My head was screaming “Faaaaaaaaark! Really do you have to talk on the train and so loud?” I was tired grumpy. Instead of being in the moment of personal fulfilment I choose madness and I easily could have told either of them to just shut up!

I am generally pretty in touch with where I am at and personal fulfilment is pretty much the most logical and peaceful choice. Yet time and time again we tend to get involved in the story and drama of situations. This is something that I especially notice when there has been an injustice served. Yes it is appalling, yes it isn’t fair but what intrigues me about humans is the amount of energy that is consumed in creating more harm. I often scroll right down at people’s comments about the way that they see the world. Only if there was a deeper understanding that the world we see is simply a reflection.  The amount of effort that it takes to write a status\word, whatever it may be about how crappy the world is just adding to the rest of the disservice that is already there.  Once upon a time I would challenge these notions now I have a much more solid understanding that it is not my job to do so. If another chooses to learn then the teacher will appear.

It is far easier to choose madness and jump on the drama train rather than to actually do something about it.  It doesn’t mean that the act that had been served is one that is justified but adding to the madness does not heal nor does it create a better universe for us to live in. It only exacerbates and more shitty energy is transmitted. It doesn’t mean we have to be happy clappy and walk around with a daisy chain. Be mindful of your thoughts, take note of your actions and notice if they are coming from  a place of love?

I am not here to preach to let you know that this is what I do ALL the time, instead far from it. What I do know is that there is an awareness of where I am at and I make a decision to show up and be me every single day. Some days you will get a shinier version than others but it will always be authentic. I choose personal fulfilment. Blessed be and so it is. Namaste.

With a sprinkle of fairy dust and may magic follow your day

HUGE love

 

Sonia xoxox

78. We are all doing the best we can with the understanding, knowledge and awareness we have.

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The affirmation for today is one that comes to me at the perfect time. It is a reminder to be patient, kind and compassionate. A lesson that we can easily let slip by at the best of times. I have done a lot of work on self and the most freedom is that of personal responsibility especially when “stuff” is presented. Don’t get me wrong I am not claiming to be an enlightened guru that knows better than the next person, in fact I am learning more every single day. Quite frankly I would rather be learning than to be stale and righteous. What I am aware of and accept as part of my role as being human is personal responsibility and knowing that each situation that is presented is an opportunity to learn.

The last few weeks have been filled with growth. They have not been fun to say the least. What I have found is that there are times and situations where I just wish that individuals would take personal responsibility for their own “crap and insecurities”.  When I am in “grumpy pants” mode my patience wears thin and I retreat into my head which in no fun at all. What my head is saying perhaps should not be translated to words that are actually delivered. Pretty sure it is better that way. As I continue to write I am stirred by the events. As much as I am willing to accept that we are all doing the best we can it also comes at a cost to humanity when people are simply mean and rude. It is not cool and my patience for those who don’t have awareness about personal responsibility really stirs my pot!

Now one could say that I am calling the kettle black and in some ways I certainly am. What I do know is that instead of blaming I am prepared to look within and facilitate for myself what my triggers are and where they have come from.  What I do know is the crap that I was receiving and feeling were still parts of me that needed to heal from my past. It showed up in the most unexpected way and I am grateful to the person that delivered the lesson but it still doesn’t make it OK to be disrespectful.

So for me the affirmation reminds me about a couple of things. It is a reminder that the only person that has responsibility for the way we feel is self. Ultimately when we are triggered by another it is an opportunity to heal and grow from that experience. It is a timely reminder to be patient to those who act in ways that are not in alignment with love for they are still finding ways to love themselves. For me it also means that I now love myself enough to not take it personally and to know that my purpose it to live with a compassionate heart and to be of service. We are all doing the best we can with the understanding, knowledge and awareness we have. Blessed be and so it is. So it is done. Namaste.

With a sprinkle of fairy dust and may magic follow your day.

 

HUGE LOVE

 

Sonia

xxx