Here’s a short little video I put together to remind you of what could be the most important thing missing from your life — that one thing that could boost your health and well-being today…
This ‘motion quote’ took roughly 40 individual frames (i.e. I had to draw 40 pictures!) and it was all done in that simple little Word programme ‘Paint’. I hope you enjoy it:
“Trees are amazing life forms as they are grounded and rooted to the earth yet their branches are always caressing the sky — the ultimate metaphor for balance (as above so below, as within so without).”
At the beginning of last week, I found myself in a bit of a funk.
Not only did I have a bout of the despair demons but I also found myself lost in doubt — I just couldn’t see the forest for the trees.
What am I doing?
Why am I doing it?
Is any of this actually helping me or anyone else?
How am I going to make my rent this month?
Yup, the usual stuff that throws you a curve ball when you least expect it.
That night, I went to bed feeling rather low. I woke up the next morning feeling the same. I sat on my sofa staring at the wall, unwillingly thinking I should just pack it all in and go get a ‘proper’ job. Oh, woe is me!
How can I carry on offering ‘self help’ and creative advice when I am in a quagmire? My mind was tripping out on this dichotomous conundrum.
Of course, this just made me feel worse and less worthy to carry on with the site.
Who’s Only a 100% Organic Human Then?
Life isn’t all about the ups (although they’re great), it’s how to hoist yourself up by the bootstraps when you stumble into a deep hole too.
We’re all human at the end of the day (note to self and any others out there who think they need the ‘stiff upper lip’ approach allthe time!).
Swallowing My Own Pills
Looking back on some of my articles, I decided to take my own advice and go be in nature. After all, I had to prove to myself that I wasn’t talking out of my own ass with the advice I dish out.
So off I went to take a walk on the beach.
Sea Breeze and Water Underfoot
“Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher.” — William Wordsworth
Holy Carumba! Within 30 minutes I had not only got some decent walking in and some good time to think but I had also done breathing exercises and a bit of gratitude meditation too — I was feeling a lot better.
After all of this, I sat on the sand looking out at the ocean and the beautiful blue sky. What a paradise! I started to chuckle to myself. This was definitely working.
I could feel that depression had completely left me and I was sitting in appreciation.
Get Your Kit Out!
I rushed back to my studio to begin work on some paintings that I saw in a vision whilst I was meditating.
I stuck to Pthalo blues and Emerald greens which are very holistically calming and balancing colours.
I was listening to classical music whilst painting this which I think comes through in the sweeping motion of the cosmic sky.
I beg you to listen to ‘The Aquarium’ by Saint-Saens (below) to truly get the gist of this picture (I have compiled an audio-visual video so you can listen and view the picture at the same time).
This song cropped up on my playlist when I was busy at work and it just fitted so much with the overall feel of this piece.
Branch Codes and Cosmic Undertones
With all that in mind, ‘The Forest Time Forgot’ has a feel of whimsical calmness and universal wonder to it. The trees seem to have taken on a life of their own with ‘facial expressions’ that were not intentional.
Trees are amazing life forms as they are grounded and rooted to the earth yet their branches are always caressing the sky — the ultimate metaphor for balance (as above so below, as within so without).
What do you get/feel/see when you look at this picture?
I was feeling really ‘child-like’ when I painted it. Very adventurous, playful and serene. Does that come across?
Naturally Tried and Tested
So, seriously now, when you find yourself in a funk/void/chasm of doom — get yourself out into nature. I did such a quick turnaround when I decided to take some time out at the seaside — the transformation was just so quick!
The creative surges came through thick, fast and furious. So much so that I managed to pop out 3 paintings this week in 2 days. All the pictures in this blog are the after effects of the beach outing.
Proof that a bit of Gaia therapy works.
Try a bit of the great outdoors next time you feel the demons of despair pounding away at your door.
“The mountains are calling and I must go.” — John Muir
To download as your facebook timeline, click on picture then right-click and ‘save image as’ to your computer. You can upload it onto your facebook timeline from your computer.
So, 2012 is here and we are about to enter one of the most anticipated years in history!
Are you feeling it? This year has a certain air of mystery, intrigue, excitement, anxiety, angst and nervous anticipation. What do we do? What can we do? Is there anything TO do?
The answer is an emphatic YES! You can take time out this year for yourself.
The Search to Reconnect with Your Inner Being
Inner reflection is the key to unlocking the authentic you. The you that is your core essence, buried deep down inside — past all the various layers you have accumulated over time and experience.
“If you make yourself a top priority, you will be strong enough to help others on their path.”
Take time out to meditate, get in touch with the silence. Learn to be comfortable in silence.
Take a fresh look at your diet and make sure to add lots of pure water, fruit and vegetables to it. Remember that you are what you eat. Do you feel heavy? Are you eating heavy starchy foods? Or too much meat? Get real about what you are putting into your unique temple.
Treat your body to regular exercise. Do something that you enjoy. It is useless to commit to an exercise regime when you hate it. Play to your strengths. Do you like to take a walk in a forest or along a beach? Do you enjoy dancing? Find out what you like to do and fit it into a fitness routine. Cater to your needs and preferences.
Take time out to be in nature — go to the beach, climb mountains, hike in fields or simply sit under a tree. Reconnect with the Earth — this is your home. Find the beauty that is on your doorstep.
Get creative. Take time out to muck about. Get a hobby, rekindle your interest for photography or art. Give yourself time to explore a creative avenue.
Play. Connect with the inner child every once in a while (preferably as much as you can). Play in sand, dance in the rain, laugh your head off — let your hair down and stop caring about what anyone thinks. What do you think? That’s all that matters.
Eat lots of dark chocolate. I don’t know how important this step is but I thought it might round this list off nicely. However, it has been proven to release happy endorphins in your body, so a little shouldn’t hurt! Click here for an article on the positive effects of eating chocolate.
New Years Resolutions…
So, this new year make your resolutions about you and reconnecting to your divine self. Explore your inner depths and uncover your I AM presence. If you make yourself a top priority, you will be strong enough to help others on their path.
Be kind and compassionate towards yourself and you will then be able to find it easier to relate to others and to see the connection we all have with each other.
Separation is the Illusion, unity is our reality.
Butterflies and Hurricanes
This year may feel chaotic and turbulent but you can always transmute any energy to your advantage.
You can choose to be the butterfly, free and beautiful or you can get stuck in the hurricane of chaos and drama.
Choices map out our future. Make sure you choose from your heart. It is easy to get caught up in drama if you don’t remain grounded and coherent in your thinking patterns.
Detach from drama and be the still presence. Be compassionate and loving whilst remaining firm and grounded.
Cherie Roe Dirksen 