2011: The Year Of Wholehearted Living

So unbelieveably, here we are on the last day of 2011. I can't believe how this year has flown, January was only yesterday, right? Apparently not. 2011 has been... interesting, challenging, and many other things - as a certain dear friend would say - 'whack'. There's been many a moment when I just wanted to scream, "Can't this year be over already?!" But challenging as times have been at several points, I didn't run, I didn't numb, I didn't collapse in a heap; somehow this year has been one of finding a calm within the storm, and allowing the good, the bad, and the inbetween to take their course, without fear, and with faith that "It will all find its way in time." 'Let go' has been my mantra, allowing life and all within it to flow, believing that what is meant to be present will return.

And you know what? It did. It always does, and it's having those experiences and coming through the other side of day that has allowed me to embrace such situations trusting the universe will carry me to where I'm meant to be - eventually. This is the wholehearted living that Brene Brown speaks of, and the personal philosophy I've adopted in the last few years. This year was the year of not just talking, but walking, breathing, and living it. That means the good, the bad, the joyous, the scary, the unexpected, the challenging - all of it. And as the year got older, I've found gratitude for the challenges, because they showed me that I wasn't just talking - I was walking this wholehearted, vulnerable, all-embracing, life path - fearlessly. And, not alone. Allowing other people in on the times I was feeling overwhelmed or struggling was a challenge in itself for me - a new one - but my gratitude for the people who've been on my side this year is unending. You know who you are, but you may not know just how much of an impact you've had on my life this year - thank you. All of you.

The last week or so, as I've reflected on the year and the people who've come into my life, and those who've moved on; as changes have continued to light my life, I've realised that 2011 has actually been one of the best years of my existence. It may have been a rough ride, but I'm so grateful for where it's taken me, and so excited for the road ahead, into 2012 and beyond.

So as the sun sets on this year, and a new one dawns, wishing you all a wonderful New Years, and look forward to sharing 2012 with love, light, sunshine, and peace.

"I'm glad you're on my side, still."

Imaginspiration: Coming Home Again

Coming Home Again by Aimee Stewart

Neptune's Blue Angel by Karin Taylor

Perfume by Archan Nair

Imaginarium by Angi & Silas

Quotation: Faith Is A Place Of Mystery

"When a cupboard is full to overflowing and the doors are opened up, that which is within comes tumbling out and nothing can stop it. When floodgates are opened, the water rushes forth with tremendous power and force, carrying all before it. So with the spiritual power within you; once it has been recognised and released, nothing can stop the flow. It pours forth, sweeping aside all negativity and disharmony, bringing with it peace, love, harmony and understanding. It is love that will overcome the world; it is love which will unite all humanity. Therefore the sooner you release that tremendous power of love within you and allow it to flow freely, the sooner will you behold world peace and harmony and the oneness of all humanity. When you have love in your heart, you draw the very best out of everyone, for love sees only the best and therefore draws forth the best. Be not afraid; open up, hold nothing back, and let it all flow freely."

- Eileen Caddy -

“Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty.” 

- Brene Brown - 

“I’ve been racing my boat lately. It’s really small—fourteen feet. I’m trying to learn the skill of taking waves and weaving in and out of the water. I just love being out on the water and having all of these massive boats pass by and get me all wet. I did something a couple of days ago that was totally humbling. I went out into the big ocean in my tiny little boat because it was very calm. And it was such a good feeling. I’m a bit cynical about religious deities right now, but sometimes you go out to the ocean and it’s really simple, “Ocean... big.” In a sense, your faith gets restored because if a storm kicks up, then a storm kicks up. It’s not personal. With religions, I was taught if you do x, y, and z and you confess and you pray and you ask to be absolved and you do all these things, then God will respond. And that’s a lie. There’s no guarantee that God will do anything. I’m really learning it’s a free will planet and certain things are going to happen to certain people. No matter how loving you are or giving you are, you might face loss-tragically. And there’s no “get out of loss free” card, just because you go to church.” 

- Tori Amos -

Imaginspiration: You CAN Blossom Anywhere

Good Traveller by Aimee Stewart

Little Love Bird by Karin Taylor

You CAN Blossom Anywhere

Botanical Dimensions by Archan Nair

Message From the Muse by Angi and Silas

Quotation: No Pre-requisites, Just As Is.

"A mountain is composed of tiny grains of earth. The ocean is made up of tiny drops of water. Even so, life is but an endless series of little details, actions, speeches, and thoughts. And the consequences whether good or bad of even the least of them are far-reaching."

- Sivananda -

“There’s the inner world which is a reflection of the outer world, and when you think of all the billions of worlds that are going on out there - we are connected with that, we’re not encouraged to think of our connection as why we are on this planet. Is our life just functional; is that all that is? Getting up, going to work, having kids, to just populate the planet? I mean there have to be reasons we do things...”

- Tori Amos -

"Men and women who carry a deep sense of love and belonging, believe that they're worthy of love and belonging. The trick is no pre-requisites. Just as is, right now, worthy of long belonging. Not when I make partner, not when I lose 20 pounds, not if I get pregnant, not when my husband comes back, not if my daughter gets into Yale, not if I make the fortune 500. No pre-requisites. Just as is, right now, worthy of love and belonging. And the last thing is a resilient spirit. That is an absolute outcome of being able to live in your story. We get to re-write the endings of our stories if we're willing to walk into them and open them. It's a powerful thing."

- Brene Brown -