vision – Butterfly Spirit!

Feel – Robbie Williams

Come and hold my hand
I wanna contact the living
Not sure I understand
This role I’ve been given

I sit and talk to God
And He just laughs at my plans
My head speaks a language
I don’t understand

I just wanna feel
Real love feel the home that I live in
‘Cause I got too much life
Running through my veins
Going to waste

I don’t wanna die
But I ain’t keen on living either
Before I fall in love
I’m preparing to leave her

Scare myself to death
That’s why I keep on running
Before I’ve arrived
I can see myself coming

I just wanna feel
Real love feel the home that I live in
‘Cause I got too much life
Running through my veins

Going to waste
And I need to feel real love
And a life ever after
I cannot give it up

I just wanna feel real love
Feel the home that I live in
I got too much love
Running through my veins
To go to waste

I just wanna feel real love
In a life ever after
There’s a hole in my soul
You can see it in my face
It’s a real big place

Come and hold my hand
I wanna contact the living
Not sure I understand
This role I’ve been given
Not sure I understand

The song “Feel” was composed by Robbie Williams, in 2002. The lyrics evoke love, clarity, and nostalgia. To this day, this beautiful song causes my heart to flutter – as the lyrics are soulful. Robbie Williams reminds me of George Michael, who had a voice of an angel. Stay happy and keep your heart shining. xoxo

Creativity

To be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it. Osho

In Grade 1, I was first introduced to the children’s literature author – Robert Munsch. Every afternoon, my teacher had designated story time for the classroom. With enthusiasm, I would run to the reading circle, and wait patiently for a story to be read. The narratives of Robert Munsch always evoked such delight at a young age. There was one particular story called “The Paper Bag Princess” that had hidden messages of self-love and empowerment.

At the tender age of 6, I felt my imagination was being expanded. Everyday we heard tales to enhance our vision. Although I was still learning how to read, I was drawn to literature. Hearing something daily elevated my spirit. My mind would visualize all characters and was swept away. As an adult, I reflect on the importance of “story time”. It was tapping into that creative genius, we all have within us.

The Story:

The Paper Bag Princess is about an unconventional Princess named Elizabeth. She is to be married to Prince Ronald. Prior to the nuptials, this feisty lass ends up being held captive by a dragon. While in the castle, she patiently awaits her Prince Charming to come and rescue her. Twist to the plotline – the protagonist ends up misleading the dragon and saving herself. She encourages the dragon to fly and use up all its energy. A little heroine in the making. The Prince see’s Elizabeth, wrapped up in a paper bag, unlike the usual Princess attire. Upon seeing this, Ronald criticizes Elizabeth and chooses not to marry her. Her reaction – she calls Ronald a “bum”. Lo and behold, life takes a new direction for Elizabeth.

Celebrate who you are in your deepest heart. Love yourself and the world will love you. Amy Leigh Mercree

Why am I sharing the story of The Paper Bag Princess? I recently read it again, and it sparked something inside me. There was a message I needed to receive. First and foremost, it was a nudge from the universe to remember how much I love to write. To keep writing, honour that creative genius even if my articles are not published. Secondly, the reminder of self-love and empowerment. You are in charge of our life. Similar to Elizabeth, you empower yourself daily by the choices you make and the company you surround yourself with.

In children’s books, there is always insight for adults. It was a blessing to acknowledge the importance of self-love. This was not your usual Fairy Tale ending but perhaps one many can relate to. Elizabeth creates her own happiness, and dances towards the sunset – the light.

What sparks your creative flow? Is it travelling, journaling, cooking, singing or writing? There are multiple avenues that will continually speak to your spirit. Perhaps its numbers or gardening that make you tap into your higher self. Whatever it may be, I ask you to keep discovering more about yourself. You could be the next Picasso, Einstein or Vivaldi!

The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. Albert Einstein

The more you are in tune with your creativity, you allow parts of yourself to expand. Your brain creates new pathways when you are in this flow of energy. When you are in that space of creativity, you are receiving wisdom beyond yourself. Channel that inspiration into what makes you feel euphoric. The hobbies you have are here for a greater purpose. These are you innate gifts. Your task is to do this daily. Allot time to do what makes you feel empowered.

How can you expand on your creativity:

Visualize, see how you want your day to unfold
Journal – appreciate where you are in life today
Create, this could be drawing, doing a DIY project or anything that puts you in a state of equilibrium
Have fun, play, be in joy as much as possible
Ask yourself how can you be service with your creative talents

The Paper Bag Princess, reflected on the theme of self-love. The relationship you have with yourself is connected to your heart. As you love yourself, this energy is felt outwardly. Knowing your creativity is endless. You may be the most effective communicator, designer, builder or entrepreneur. There are ceaseless possibilities being birthed by you. Remember to trust, you have known all along what ignites that inner flame. Make time for the life you have always imagined. Your creativity is asking you to reach beyond yourself. Never stop learning, at any point in time your life can change.

Innsaei – The Sea Within

Image result for deep intuition quotes images

Intuition is seeing with the soul. –Dean Koontz

It was a few years ago, when I watched a documentary called Innsaei on Netflix. It is no coincidence that I recently found this article on an old laptop. It was a frigid winter’s day in 2018, and I was feeling under the weather. A cold was brewing and my soul needed tending on every level. During times when a cold emerges – it’s time to go inwards and be still. On this particular day, I stumbled upon a Netflix documentary that spoke to the soul. Innsaei, written by Hrund Gunnstiensdottir and Kristin Olafsdottir from Iceland. At that precise moment, everything made sense – intuition is always working on your behalf.

Innsaei is an Icelandic term – translates to seeing from the inside out. The sea within – to perceive yourself. The documentary was about soul-searching and tuning into your intuition. The narrator was sharing her own personal legend. The questions I pose to you – how would life unfold if you let go of distractions, inner dialogue and most importantly stress? This is exactly what inspired her to write this documentary.

The film begins with Hrund, leaving a career indefinitely with the United Nations. She felt the UN was keeping her back from the life path she was intended for. Hrund wanted to connect with people. Share their stories, visions and perception on living a holistic life. This brave soul was choosing to go against the grain, leaving the conventional. The documentary intertwines the arts, spirituality, psychology, and education.

The filmmaker’s compelling narrative was a masterpiece. Something that I needed to hear on that particular day. Her burnout, disconnect from her workplace created space for opportunities. One could sense, she lost purpose with serving a system of bureaucracy and financial rewards. Her heart was interested in serving humanity – Mother Earth.

The Narrator left her lucrative job and dove into the unfamiliar. I know for many of us, the unknown can be daunting or even terrifying. You are in the uncomfortable and the only thing to do is surrender to divine grace. The void of the unknown is where transformation begins. There was a vision the filmmaker had which propelled her life forward. At the age of 60, she would travel the entire globe. Her desire was to meet people and inspire humanity. She was going to be the writer she dreamt of being, collecting stories and uniting hearts. The realization was the United Nations career no longer kept her motivated. It was time to move onto something new.

Practice listening to your intuition, your inner voice; ask questions; be curious; see what you see; hear what you hear; and then act upon what you know to be true. These intuitive powers were given to your soul at birth. —Clarissa Pinkola Estés

What is Intuition:

Intuition is your inner source of guidance. When you are in a state of equanimity and flow your intuition begins to whisper. It is that gut feeling you have about a particular situation, person or circumstance. The quiet voice within, that you may disregard is spirit talking to you. There are times when I have not listened to my intuition, however experiences became blessings in disguise.

The narrator traveled around the world to find the true meaning of intuition, and why we should use this inner intelligence to govern our lives. Here are three enlightening stories you may connect to with regards to intuition.

Interview with Malidoma Patrice, West African Leader/Elder

Malidoma Patrice, believed that Mother Earth is a symbol of the wound that all which live in it. Nature is a silent witness of intuition. Nature speaks in all kinds of languages. Our eyes, and ears are to hear and see, something that we often disregard. The sense of the internal. What is blocking us is the world noise of distractions. Nature is how we ignite our intuition. “Intuition binds us together” every human being.

Marina Abramovic – Grandmother of Performing Arts

Marina Abramovic, known as a Visual Arts Medium. She is a performance artist, writer and filmmaker. She uses her body to connect to emotions and the audience. Her message is to confront pain by observation and focus. Abramovic, teaches that ‘in order to create something new, human beings need to go into the unknown”. Intuition is something not to be afraid of. We all have inner gifts inside waiting to be expressed. Whether you are an artist, chef, poet or composer, your talents impact the world. Release your fears, honour your talents, you give others the courage to pursue their calling.

British School – Mindfulness

The narrator went to a school in the United Kingdom. Here she was shown how moments of mindfulness impact the behaviour and attitude of students. It was a new way of learning, as facilitators incorporated breathing practices, meditation and yoga into education. Children, even adults need time to breathe, connect with their hearts and have moments of stillness. The element of mindfulness allows one to be fully present in a state of peace.

What this documentary gave me was clarity. That everyone has their own unique timeline. Life unfolds the way it is supposed to. Focus on your daily objectives, wins and things which touch your spirit. It is never about anyone else but you. Suffering brings you closer to the higher-power for a reason. You need to create space for faith and your vision. Intuition is connecting to your higher self, it will never lead you astray. If you are at a crossroads in your life, may the next step elevate you towards your dream Allow the forces of nature to guide you, remember to seek within.

Come from the heart, the true heart, not the head. When in doubt, choose the heart. This does not mean to deny your own experiences and that which you have empirically learned through the years. It means to trust yourself to integrate intuition and experience. There is a balance, a harmony to be nurtured, between the head and the heart. When the intuition rings clear and true, loving impulses are favored. –Brian Weiss

Journeying Through – The Wizard of Oz

You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself. – Glinda the Good Witch

“There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home”. How many times have you heard this famous phrase from The Wizard of Oz? A novel written by Lyman Frank Baum in the 1930’s. I recall watching this classic movie as a young child numerous times. It invoked such magic and mystery. All I ever wanted was a pair of ruby shoes and to time travel! Wouldn’t be delightful to have those shoes, and manifest anything you desire? Maybe we could go back to the past, or see into the future? There is distinct symbolism behind The Wizard of Oz. The storyline and characters have a deeper spiritual connotation. Themes of love, friendship and trust are incorporated into this tale. I invite you to dive into the journey of Oz.

Dorothy Gayle, from Kansas is the main character of the story. A young spirit who is drawn to adventure and mysticism. Her life changes in an instant, during a dramatic storm. Everything is flipped upside down, as her home is lifted by a cyclone. Dorothy, along with her pet dog Toto arrive in a city called Oz. An enchanted place, full of illumination and wonder. Her home lands on the Wicked Witch of the East. The protagonist, feels abandoned and reluctant to trust others in Oz. Although the cyclone breaks Dorothy’s foundation, at this moment is when her spiritual quest begins. While she feels alone, there are pivotal characters that guide her towards self-discovery and “home”.

Glinda -The Good Witch

One of the first individuals Dorothy encounters is Glinda -The Good Witch. This character represents one of Dorothy’s spirit guides or can be depicted as distant family. Glinda, reiterates that Dorothy is always safe and guided by light. Glinda, almost seems like a guardian angel watching over Dorothy. The Good Witch gives Dorothy ruby slippers as a gift, to protect her from negativity. On Dorothy’s sacred quest she also encounters the Munchkins, who represent innocence, positivity and happiness. Glinda, reminds Dorothy to reflect inwards and pursue The Yellow Brick Road. This will lead her to the Emerald City and eventually back home.

The Yellow Brick Road signifies a spiritual pilgrimage. An emphasis, on what is ahead of you. Take time to visualize on your dreams, and the future you desire. Pursue your path to enlightenment, however daunting it may be. Self-discovery can be challenging at times, however you are ready. There are critical experiences that connect everything in your life.

The Yellow Brick road is yours to uncover and is uniquely woven. You have the answers, and are all knowing. Whatever path you take, you will end up exactly where you need to be. In Buddhist teachings, the Golden path is referred to as the path to your soul. The soul takes this journey in order to achieve enlightenment and return to the Higher Power. Perhaps, collectively individuals like Dorothy are on this inner search to really understand themselves?

Don’t wait for the right answer and the golden path to present themselves. This is precisely why you’re stuck. Starting without seeing the end is difficult, so we often wait until we see the end, scanning relentlessly for the right way, the best way and the perfect way – Seth Godin

Cowardly Lion

Each character Dorothy encounters is critical in her journey. The characters reflect emotions or parts of herself that she needs to acknowledge. The Cowardly Lion, signifies courage – to take changes, be brave SPEAK YOUR VOICE! We all have that lion energy within us. Do you honour yourself & boundaries? Take those risks and leaps of faith, you can accomplish anything you put your mind too! It is rewarding to know you are capable of changing your life at any given moment. Courage is something Dorothy needed while in Oz. She had to trust in the unfamiliar, surrender attachments and old versions of herself. Have you ever felt this way? In order to evolve, you may have to relinquish parts of yourself and give birth to a grander version.

Tin Man

The Tin Man, is the sacred heart. Are you tuning into your heart and inner wisdom? For years we have focused on the mind which governs many of us at times. The tendency is to get caught in ego mind, and disregard that essential energy we hold in our heart centre. The heart is a separate intuitive centre full of knowledge. When you allow your heart to expand, you elevate as a human being. That loving force is sensed by others instantly. The Tin Man was afraid to listen to his heart. When you are in unison with the mind and heart, harmony is created within. Dorothy had to open herself up while being in Oz, as she did, healing began. Do you feel like you need to connect with your heart centre? The Tin Man is a reminder to soften, and gently allow your heart to guide the way.

“Believe in Your Heart” Believe in your heart that you’re meant to live a life full of passion, purpose, magic and miracles.
― Roy T. Bennett

Scarecrow

In essence, the Wizard of Oz offers the spiritual gateway to the divine mind. Dorothy encounters the Scarecrow at a fork in the road. It is here, the decision to remain the same or evolve. The scarecrow is the reminder to connect to your consciousness. One can see how each character in the Wizard of Oz has a deeper significance. A phrase I am reminded of is: ”your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers or you can grow weeds”. Fill your mind with seeds of knowledge and it will expand like a garden. Being positive is the first step. However, add an emotional frequency of elevated states of such as; joy, peace, love, gratitude can truly bridge the heart/mind connection. Dorothy had to comprehend her higher mind, this is connected to a deeper energy.

True courage is in facing danger when you are afraid. – Wizard of Oz

The Wicked Witch of the West

This witch represents a part of ourselves we want to neglect. Our shadow self and the ego. The Wicked Witch of the West, was related to Dorothy’s inner fear and darkness. The witch wanted revenge on Dorothy has her home landed on her sister. The ego is a part of us, this is unquestionable. When we understand the ego, is here to teach us we break free from fear and attachment. Your thoughts are just thoughts, and can be changed instantly.

Dorothy was accompanied by all characters on pathway towards the Yellow Brick Road. In essence, she was collecting fragments of herself together to reconcile. The heart, mind and courage are elements we need to connect to daily. All characters assisted one another to grow in a distinctive way. They were sharing there story and elevated one another. However, it was Dorothy who was in search of the Golden Path.

The path to our destination is not always a straight one. We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back. Maybe it doesn’t matter which road we embark on. Maybe what matters is that we embark.”
― Barbara Hall

One can assume that The Wizard of Oz was a dream sequence. All Dorothy had to do was click her Ruby shoes together and be home. Perhaps, she needed to encounter all the various characters, obstacles and epiphanies in order to truly find herself? Life is never a straight and narrow path, sometimes there will be detours and roadblocks overcome.

The Wizard in the Emerald City was unable to assist Dorothy for a specific reason. Dorothy’s revelation was to tune into her own heart, energy and soul in order to return home. She didn’t have to wish upon the rainbow, the rainbow was within her. The Golden Path was always within her reach.

You have plenty of courage, I am sure. All you need is confidence in yourself. There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty. – The Wizard of Oz