You CAN be change!!!

PERSPECTIVE

Everything is about 'perspective.'

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So...
You look at the world, and see all the bad things that are happening.

• You feel you wish to change people's attitudes so they will not do these things.
• You feel you need to change the world
• You want to change things BIG
• You've been trying...
• But when that fails or does not progress in the way you expect,
• You're feeling guilty because the problems are still occurring...
• You feel people are living such awful lives when you are not.
• So you feel guilty.
• Because they are unhappy, but you are not. 

• However, YOU are not the one causing the negativity.
• YOU are not the one harming others.
• You are NOT responsible!!!

But you feel powerless and still want change.

So what do you do?

You don't have to ignore it. You can accept what is occurring without holding on to the guilt as it isn't your fault. That guilt, will be grinding you down and making you ill. However, that is not to say you should ignore what's happening. But, start thinking and not putting guilt, which isn't yours, on yourself. When you've done that, THEN you can start to consider the problem in a more positive way :-)

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Now just stop for a second.






Breathe deeply...






Relax...






And let's look at things from a different perspective.

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Let's think things through.

Let's try a different strategy.

Rather than trying to change things quickly and then feeling guilty when it's not working, try and change things longer term.

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Let me explain.

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People who do negative things are usually unhappy and living through fear rather than love.

It's not your job to change every single person as it would be an impossible task. Every individual is different and at a different level of development. Some will take notice, some will not. But you can't change that.

However, that is not to say you are powerless. You have to stop thinking negatively because you can't achieve these huge tasks.

• Accept your limitations.
• Build on the things you do have.

If you try to overstretch yourself, you just put on more pressure.

Think, what can I 'realistically' do to change things?

You can try and put people on the path to learning to love themselves, not in a vain way. I've learnt that happy people, truly happy people who are happy with themselves and love themselves, will also love others and want to see them happy as well.

• Do 'you' feel HAPPY in yourself?
• Do you LOVE yourself? (not in a vain way).
• Do you look AFTER yourself?

If you're uncertain about any of these, then here's where you need to start. For you cannot begin to help others until you've learnt how to help yourself. THEN you can move onto others and help them.

But, if they appear not to listen, don't worry. You've probably triggered SOMETHING in them that they will remember when the time is right. That is a good thing. Be happy with yourself when you do a small good thing for you've had a positive effect on someone

My own strategy, if you can call it that, is to put a smile on people's faces. If that's all I can do then so be it. But I've had a positive effect on them and maybe they will do the same for someone else.

Pebble in the Water Effect

You drop a small pebble in the water. And although that pebble seems to do nothing but float to the bottom, in fact it has done much.

• It has created disturbance and ripples in the water.It has had an effect on its new environment.
• It has churned up everything where it drops through.

But those ripples will go onto affect something else. May only be small. May have moved a twig or something. And maybe that twig will now float downstream to new growth. Or maybe a bird will take note of it to use it as a last twig to complete its nest.


It's all about PERSPECTIVE.


You don't need to be a massive meteor that completely changes everything. You only have to be that small pebble, because that small pebble has created waves that has affected others.

So in life, you may 'feel' you've only affected one or two people, but in fact you have affected many. For those people will go on to affect others You've started a chain reaction that is never ending.

Congratulations!

• You've made change for the better
• Be happy and smile!

And you can be that pebble many times over, so imagine how much effect you would have

Know your limits, but also know even small things can have big impact. It may take time, but it's still positive change :-)

Most importantly:

You ARE change!!!

Peace & Happiness x

Connecting with Nature - Part 1

Tree Communication - The Love that is a Tree

 

This is not just about tree communication but also my own experiences with nature which I wish to share...

 

I feel very close to the natural world and my experience with trees came after reading a spiritual book about tree connection.  For me, a tree, like everything else, is life as; and individual.  No two trees are alike and not every tree will be the right connection.

It was during the summer of 2011 that I got my first experience with trees.  It continued in 2012 more strongly and now feels so natural.

For one to connect with a tree, you can’t just stand there and talk at it or have a day to day conversation with it. 

Standing in close proximity to one may help but actually touching the tree will be better.  Usually you will spot one that appears to stand out amongst the others; or more likely it is getting your attention.

If you see a tree you feel more draw to than others, go to that tree and do whatever feels natural.  But don’t just rush towards the tree.  Would you like it if someone simply rushed towards you?  Take your time.  Enjoy every moment.  Be aware of your surroundings.  For example: listen to the swaying branches, the light breeze, the birds singing and feel them not as background noises but let them flow through you; let them become part of you.  Feel the ground underfoot, the odd twig snapping, the crunching leaves and listen to the sounds.  ‘Feel’ those leaves underfoot.  Let their sound pierce your every being.

When you reach the tree, what happens next is up to you.  Stand with it, look at it, explore it, and touch it.  I personally would touch the tree and feel the bark. If it looks mossy or something else, don't be afraid; it's not there to lure you to hurt you.  Touch it and see what happens :-)

Sometimes just touching and standing with the tree will be enough for beginners, but you can go further and actually hold or embrace the tree like you would as a dear friend; for that is what it is; a dear loving friend who wants only to connect and share with you.

If you wish to hold the tree like a loving friend, do so.  Hugging a tree can be very loving and heart-warming.  You're getting quite a connection there and from my own personal experiences, some trees are really warm and you really 'feel' the life that is the tree.

I can’t say that everyone will feel the same sensations, but I sort of get a rush of energy; a connection and a feeling of being one with the tree.  It's a beautiful feeling and I can happily just stay there with the tree.

The tree will look after you so no need to feel intimidated by others passing by.  However, don’t rush it if you don’t feel comfortable.  It may not be familiar at first but will come in time.  If you feel you just want to stand by it then do so and try placing your hand on it.  Don’t lean on it!  You’re connecting with it as you would a loving friend.  Would you ‘lean’ on a loving friend?

But go out there, try it, and see what happens.  There are many beautiful things worth experiencing in the natural world.  So go forth, and experience them :-)

Peace & Happiness x

A Garden of Healing

 Although there has been little progress on the creation of a healing garden, have a look at what to expect from a garden of healing.  This actually relates to my own garden as it is transformed into a place of peace and tranquillity.  I'm doing this through the use of mosaics applied to various surfaces and features.

Perhaps this could only represent part of a healing garden, but you can see the possibilities :)

A Place of Peace & Tranquillity

Path to Peace Part 1

What Is Peace?

Before one begins on their path to peace, one must know what peace is.  What is peace to you?

How does one obtain peace?

In fact, what do people define as peace?

Some define it by symbolic means in that we should stop wars and not fight and thereby have peace.  But is this the peace you seek?

The peace I describe here, is not a peace that can be rolled out like a political policy, however, it is still one all are capable of achieving.

It is an individual peace.  That is, you are finding that peace within yourselves.  And once you've achieved that peace, you can begin a path to greater peace and happiness :)

It sounds very hard to believe doesn't it.  But please read on.  I am not going to tell you how to achieve a miracle.  I am am simply going to suggest a few steps that may allow you to discover your own inner peace :)

To me peace cannot be symbolised, it cannot be drawn.  Peace is just peace.  It can be experienced and felt, but that is enough.  Why go to so much trouble creating a visual image around it when you can simply experience it for yourselves?

But then again, it depends what one defines of peace.  If one defines it as curing all the worlds ills, making everyone be nice to be each other and thoroughly exhausting yourself in the process then peace is not what you're going to obtain.

For some it is about achieving World Peace.  Is world peace an ideal world where people all get along?  An ideal situation that many strive for.  For that I have nothing against worldwide happiness.  But, how can you have world peace if you yourself 'the individual' is not at peace within yourself?  How can you strive for peace if you yourself are in conflict?

You may think you are not in conflict, but how does life feel to you?  Does it stress you out?  Does everything seem depressing and hopeless?  Maybe it is not how the world is but how you are seeing it and experiencing it.

For this I will give you a beginning to what I define as 'Inner Peace'

The 'Inner' Peace

I define it as 'inner' peace for it is a peace which is personal to you.  It is inside, within your mind if you like, your soul even.  Peace of mind for example can be a good thing to relate to for it is the ability to not have that conflict within yourself.  No worries, no stresses, taking life as it comes rather than worrying about what may or may not happen.

Throughout this blog I will be giving you a few tips and ideas of how to may achieve this.  Not I say 'may' as everyone is unique and individual. Not every activity will work for everyone. But that is not what's being attempted to achieve.  Making just one or two people happy is better than not at all. Plus, those who find their peace and happiness may pass it on to others in ways only 'they' are able :)

But back to peace.  In the next section I will give you a selection of things to try out to allow you to look at things in a different way.  I am choosing the natural world in which to do things for it is one of the few places on this world still in complete harmony with itself.

The Path To Peace - Through The Natural World

Total peace, may seem hard to imagine, but it can be achieved, even if just for a few seconds, that can be enough.  For this, I will give you a beginning.  Something for you to try out and work on for yourself.

Is there somewhere green or quiet you can go where you are?  If there is then, go there

Sit down maybe, or walk slowly.  Sometimes the latter is more helpful.  Movement can help when observing :)

Now, important bit: Instead of thinking and running through your mind the clutter and stresses of the day and trying to make sense of it all

STOP

That is, don't stop moving or whatever

Stop thinking.

It may be difficult at first but will get easier.  The thing is, people often get the idea of making your mind go blank as something that blocks everything out.  I do not know how this is achieved as I certainly cannot do it, nor do I recommend it for this exercise as you'll only be blocking out what you are to experience.

Next, you will no longer be thinking, but experiencing.

Listen to the world around you: the birds, the trees in the wind, the leaves rustling, the ground crunching under foot (depending on what you're walking on).  Really listen and feel those natural sounds flowing through you.  Feel them as life running through your every inch and feel them filling you with life and energising you.

Next, start looking.  Look at your surroundings.  Look at the detail of the bark on the trees, look at the textures around you, look at the birds and the animals and watch what they do and smile :)  In time you'll see their beauty as life itself.

Thirdly. Feel.  Touch your surroundings, feel that bark on the trees, feel the breeze against your skin.

There are many more and these will come to you the more you experience.  Combine all three and you will experience wonders :)

You may even find yourself applying this to your daily life :)

That is all I will give you for now, for it is all you need as a beginning.

Take care of yourselves now.


Peace & Happiness x

The Peace Garden

The Peace Garden


Set within the delightful healing gardens.  (Although theoretically this could be a stand alone project with many around the country)

A place to sit, relax, contemplate, meditate and be at peace with the world, yourself and all living things.

Consisting of:

Visual - mosaics (colour, striking images, images to make you think), greenery (evergreen), words, pictures, garden art, chamomile seating/lawns, water feature(s).

Smell - sensory plants (herbs etc).

Sound - water feature(s) (running water naturally (or to appear natural)), wind chimes, natural sounds (birdsong, animals, insects).

Touch - certain plants (soft surfaces to sit/lie/lounge/meditate on), water, textured surfaces (shells perhaps)

Summary

A large chamomile lawn which in summer one can relax, meditate, perform activities such as yoga and/or Tai Chi or any other mind and body activities for health and well-being.

The lawn surrounded by gardens, walkways and secluded sitting and meditation areas;  to allow for isolation amongst the natural world or simply somewhere pleasant to sit and relax.  It is a place of peace and happiness where one can be at peace, or find that peace within oneself.


Peace and Happiness  x

Taking things for granted?

Do we take things for granted?

How much do we see through our eyes and instantly dismiss them because they are considered just things in the background?

Everything is labelled in some way.  Words are assigned to everything so we know what things are; but do we?

Take, for example, the humble dandelion.  A small yellow flower in many a field are found.  A weed and a nuisance to many.  But do really know what a dandelion is?

Next time you come across one, look at it, really look at it.  No, don't just hold it in your hand we the thought in your mind as 'this is a dandelion, a weed..so what?'  You need to look at it as if you have never seen the like before.  Think as if you were a child, looking at a new object but with no label attached to identify it.

Now look at it again, you don't have to pick it, unless you're weeding.

Look at it.  Don't think about it.  Don't think about anything.  Just look and observe.

Now.  Ask yourself this.

What is it?

What does it do?

Who designed it?

Is it alive?

But don't run through every thought in your mind.  Just observe, take note of its detail and learn.

Don't see it as an object that can be dismissed at random.  See it as something new.

Look around, there may be others like it.  Are they the same?  Are they exactly the same?  Are any two objects the same?  All are give the same label but are any two completely alike?

This may seem like a meaningless exercise, but just look at everything around you and ask yourself:

How much do I take for granted?  How much is really as is said to be?

If you look at everything as new every day you may learn something new and inspiring every day :)

The lesson here is to go out and learn.  Look at what you have always looked at, then look again and again.  Is it always the same?

Just something to think about.  It doesn't have to be applied to nature.  I can be anything you wish.  You may be surprised by the results :)


Peace and Happiness x

Healing Gardens of Heysham

Hi

We're currently looking for people who would like to be involved with this project.  The Healing Gardens is at a very early stage and we really need others involved in order to get things going.

We are also really keen to hear what others think as this is intended as a project to help people.

The idea of a healing gardens came about because we felt there was no such other therapeutic garden for people to go to relax, to de-stress themselves or simply to find new meaning in their lives through nature.  The hope here that it should benefit the whole community in which it is situated.  It should also be available for anyone who needs it.

The main focus for this project is the Heysham area in North Lancashire.

The hope is to set up a therapeutic garden which provides holistic healing, places to relax, food gardening.  Some of the ideas are as follows:

Garden Sitting Area - Relaxing therapeutic garden with sensory plants, colour, artwork, chimes to sit and simply relax.

Kitchen Garden - where people can grow fruit and veg.  Can be a therapeutic exercise in itself.  Watching what you're planted grow over the months and then harvesting the results afterwards :)

Woodland area(s) - Simply somewhere to wander and find oneself within the natural landscape of nature itself.

Water Gardens

Therapeutic Activities

Natural Healing activities like Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation and relaxation.  Can be done inside or out on the grass or a camomile lawn in nice weather.

Craft Making Activities like card making, fabric creations (sewing, fabric painting, making things etc...), woodworking, mosaic creations, baking,

Tea Gardens - A place for the public and visitors to access to see and experience what we're doing here.

Peace Garden - For meditation and relaxation.

Funding - The idea here is that eventually it could be as easy to maintain as possible and to be able to be self funding wherever possible.  This could be done by sale of plants, produce and crafts to the public as well as the possibility of applying for grants and any other funding we can access.

If you're interested in helping or becoming involved in this project do get in contact so we can move this project onto the next stage and hopefully get something up and running as soon as is practical :)


Peace and Happiness  x