Kindness works

When was the last time you performed a random act of kindness? Give it a go, the rewards are amazing!
 
Doing acts of kindness is not something reserved for the select few. We can all do our part to make this world, community and environment a better place to live. It starts with us making the change.
 
Receiving a smile or kind gesture has the power to lift the foggiest of days. To know someone cares is the best feeling. It restores our faith in humanity and confirms we are not turning into emotionless robots. As human beings we are programmed to love, care and show kindness. We all have an immense capacity to love so lets set the wheels in everyday motion.
 
A kind gesture doesn’t need to be a big one, sometimes it can be the smallest ones that mean the most. One that stands out for me happened a few months ago. Being rendered helpless from having no change for the parking meter, and with internet not working on my phone I couldn’t buy it via an app. Time was of the essence and I needed to park my car. At that precise moment a person was returning to their car, and kindly offered me their ticket which had plenty time left on it. They had been quicker than anticipated and even smiled at me while giving me their ticket. I couldn’t thank them enough and learned lots from that situation. Apart from carrying extra change for tickets, I now offer my ticket to others when there is extra time left on it. I remembered my helpless feeling and how someone had helped me out, so I give back.
 
Kindness is contagious. When we experience it we automatically want to share it. It takes just one person to offer a gesture, which has a knock on effect for everyone else. When we give we receive, it comes back to us in a karmic full circle. So the more we offer kindness the more we will receive it from others. Imagine if we all did this…? It would transform the energy all around us and make life so much lighter.
 

When we want to see change in the world, we first need to become that change.

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For a Reason, Season or Life

Friends, we all need them. As human beings having community, companionship and sharing is essential for our wellbeing. Friendships offer us important lessons throughout our life, by being with us for a reason, season or for life. Each relationship serves a purpose, which can teach us compassion, love, forgiveness and wisdom. Even the most bitter relationships can turn sweet, all it takes is understanding and letting go. 

There is a saying ‘if you love something set it free, if it comes back to you it is meant to be.’ How many of us cling onto friendships that no longer serve their purpose, then wonder why they turn toxic and conflict develops? 

Each friendship we establish serves a purpose, it happens for a reason. We learn so much through them because we mirror each other. This can be viewed as good or bad, but it is how we react to each situation that brings awareness of our growth. Our ‘reason’ friends are like teachers. They will come into our lives briefly, teach us a lesson about ourselves beit painful, joyful or simple, and through that experience, we grow and learn who we are. The key to handling our ‘reason’ friendships, is to let go and let love prevail. Loosing a brief friendship can feel unsettling, however when we see the deeper meaning and understand the purpose, we realise the importance. Just because any friendship was short lived, does not mean it was of less importance - some people can have a huge impact on our life, in such a short period of time. 

Our ‘season’ friendships stay with us longer. Embarking on a journey through life that lasts longer than our ‘reason’ friendships, bringing us ongoing awareness and learning. If we have missed the point of the ‘reason’ friendship, sometimes it can be extended into a season one. Season friends can be with us for a few months or a few years, teaching us about ourselves and helping us to form some healthy boundaries. We can help each other grow and flourish, until it is time to move on. Separating from our season friends can feel hard however, it is more of a celebration of what has been learned from each other, rather than a dooms day situation. If we don’t like change, then this process can feel painful - the key is to keep it in perspective. If any friendship is being forced to exist past it’s sell by date, then it can become toxic. Many of us may have experienced a feeling of obligation, or even duty to see a friend and it is not a healthy experience.

Being lucky enough to form ‘life’ friendships is a beautiful thing. These are the friends that will continually be with us throughout our life and growth. It is the unconditional acceptance of each other, that fuels this relationship. We can call them our soul mates, or best friends and we know that the friendship will last the test of time. No matter the distance or time between the last meeting, catching up where it left off without judgement is the foundations of this relationship. Lifetime friendships teach us our true essence. When we are able to commit to an open, honest and healthy friendship, it is because we are being open, honest  and healthy with ourselves. 

Friends will come and go, that’s life, however it is worth while remembering the best friendship we can form, is an amazingly healthy relationship with ourselves - all love begins with self love. 

 

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The Art of Breathing

One of the simplest forms of relaxation is breathing. It is free, holds great power that leads us to wellbeing and can change our life instantly. Yoga is based on it, chanting and meditation requires it, singing needs it and without breath there is no life. So why is it so under valued? 

Is it because breathing is taken for granted? Our lungs automatically do the work for us, so is awareness really needed? The answer is a big YES! 

When we tune into the art of breathing, it lifts us into a state of happiness, openness, with a beautiful feeling of freedom. Taking slow, deep breaths oxygenates the blood, uses the full capacity of the lungs, lowers our heart beat, lowers blood pressure and brings about a feeling of relaxation. How fantastic is that!? We gain more clarity when we are relaxed, we can handle situations and people in a more positive manner and being a nicer person is a result of it. With this new found knowledge, lets bring about awareness of our breathing.

Right now as you read this blog, be aware of your breathing. Is it shallow or deep? Fast or slow? Are you breathing through your mouth or nose? Do not change it or control it, just be aware of it. How do you breathe? 

Now is the fun part - lets add some mindfulness into our breathing, how? By owning the gift of being present. 

• Blow your nose, yes you are reading this right - there is method in the madness. 
• Once your nose is blown, sit down and continue reading. 
• Now start breathing through the nose only - how does it feel?
• Slow down your breathing, by taking deep breathes in and out of the nose. 
• Slow your breathing down even more, so it sounds like the sea crashing against rocks. 
• Get some rhythm going, feel it. 
• Keep it slow.
• Close your eyes and feel your lungs expand with air.
• Breathe even more deeply, until your lungs are so full of air there is no more room left. 
• How do you feel? 
• Keep it going.
• Now lets go deeper....breathe in for the count of 3.
• Hold your breath for the count of 3.
• Breathe out for the count of 3.
• Hold for the count of 3. 
• Keep this 3x3 breathing going for 3 minutes or there about. 
• Now open your eyes and gauge how you feel. 

We have just been mindful of our breathing, or meditated on our breathing, or performed a short pranayama (yogic breathing). The most important thing is that we were present and aware of our breathing. It is so simple. 

Doing this regularly throughout our day will change us, taking us into a blissful state of relaxation and peacefulness. It can be done anywhere, anytime and no one need know we are doing it. Do it in work when there is a feeling of stress, in the car when the kids are being noisy kids, in a massive queue where tolerance is being tested, or when an argument is brewing. Whatever the situation, we can choose this breathing technique to add relaxation into our lives. 

If you feel connected to this topic and would like to explore it further, I can offer my guided chakra meditation and chanting available to download here.

We cannot forget to breathe but we can be conscious of how we breathe! 

Perception

‘ A belief or opinion based on how things seem.’

How many of us have had an argument, defending our opinion, thinking a person-situation-action was right or wrong? It is a hilarious concept that causes so much dysfunction and many arguments. How can any of us be right or wrong? After all it’s all in how we perceive it. 

 

Is the answer perspective? Having perspective opens us to the possibility that everyone has a valid opinion depending on their own personal experience. We all experience life and situations differently. There can be no wrong! 

Having individual needs and mixing them with our life conditioning allows a lifestyle pattern to emerge. What works for one of us may not work for the other. If our conditioning tells us something is good or bad, then we react to the situation. If our reaction comes from having a ‘crappy day’ more arguments can arise. So where does our conditioning come from? It mostly comes from our parents, life experience and our social cultural exposure. Some of us will see a glass as half full, others as half empty. At any given time, we can change our empty glass to one that is overflowing. 

Adding acceptance into any lifestyle pattern offers us yet another perspective. Accepting each other for who we are, our quirky ways and all, is a beautiful thing. When we fully let go of limitations like judgement, ego and control we can then embrace authenticity. 

We are human beings full of thoughts, contradictions and emotions. We can all live with each other, as long as we understand that a different perception exists in any given situation. When we remember that each one of us is a bundle of needs, conditions and experiences, we can openly accept all rants and raves without any dysfunction and hostility.

If our needs in life are similar to another persons, relating to them becomes easy and friendships form. How long any friendship lasts can depend on what we have in common, what we learn, or what we teach each other. If we offer love and acceptance, then that friendship can be for life. If we offer conditions and judgement, it can lead to separation. 

We attract what we are. 

Acknowledging how we relate to ourselves, determines how we relate to others. If there is a healthy relationship within ourselves based on love and respect, then that is what we will offer to others. If we have an unhealthy relationship based on self judgement and control, that is what our friends will offer. 

Having awareness of ourselves and how we react is fantastically healthy. Our life is a reflection of our choices. Lets celebrate that concept and live with collective consciousness. 

On the other hand, your perception of me could be very different to my own. So, whether you get me or not depends on your relationship with yourself. It’s all in our perception. 

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Guest appearance

Coming from a line of healers and psychics, expecting the unexpected is a big part of my everyday lifestyle however, nothing prepared me for my recent happening. 

A few months ago I visited a recording studio. I wanted to record my Thursday evening chakra balancing meditation and chanting class. Having never visited a recording studio before, it was what I would call a sweaty palm experience that pushed me way beyond my comfort zones. I was introduced to the set up and shown what to do. Once I was over the initial shock of hearing my Scottish accent, the producer Al and I started recording. We managed to record nearly everything in the first take, which delighted me. As Al was working through the recordings, he noticed random and strange wave lengths showing up in the recordings. Intrigued we listened to the the wave lengths, which exposed a few amazing surprises....

After a few swear words, followed by a silent open mouth experience we continued to listen. Guest voices were on the recording, yes really! The clearest voice was right at the beginning of the heart chakra recording. Just before you hear my voice, a mans voice said “ Hi Natalie, love....” Al and I listened to the voice over and over, wow! It was incredible. 

As we continued to listen to the other wave lengths, we found more noises as well as another guest appearance at the end of the chakra chanting recording. This time it was a rather posh woman’s voice saying “ It’s done, fantastic...” Wow! 

Al and I were blown away by these guest appearances. There was after all, only my voice being recorded or so we thought. Keeping the original recording full of spiritual delights, I feel blessed to now offer it on my website. It was an experience that will never be forgotten, and one that defies all logic. 

For me, it emphasizes the fact that love is eternal. No matter where we are in this universe, the only energy that stands the test of time is LOVE. 

When I returned home, I let my husband and son listen to it. My teenage angst manboy son shouted ‘Oh my god, what was that?!’ and my husband developed a pale expression and found it very spooky. I am trusting their reaction came from hearing the guest appearances, and not from hearing my voice?! 

You can download my chakra balancing meditation and chanting here

Have an amazing 2014! 

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