The Merging Of Two Worlds ...

The covid-19 pandemic is horrendous on so many levels, however the creativity which is transpiring and rising from the ashes is commendably astounding. One of the innovate ideas presently emerging at full speed is Pages For Wisdom.

Chelsea Dynan, from Gembrook, is a psychologist and an experienced palliative care counsellor. Presently on maternity leave after giving birth to a gorgeous, second child, Chelsea has been reflecting and writing about her meaningful work. "I found myself pondering over the fragility of our aged care community and how one person can have such a substantial impact on another," she claims.

As we all know, aged care facilities have had it devastatingly tough due to the wretched virus. Residents are psychologically suffering, being isolated from family and friends and contained in their homes. Even communal reading material has been confiscated for fear of contagion, while libraries remain closed.

However Chelsea, herself an avid reader and writer, experienced a light bulb moment and came up with a brilliant, exciting plan, which will greatly benefit all involved!

Budding or seasoned writers are invited to submit stories each month (word count and genres of personal choice), to Chelsea, either through the 'Pages For Wisdom' face book page or direct email. The tales will then be collated and, according to preference, passed onto aged care facilities to enjoy and give unbiased feedback if authors desire.

Not only will residents take pleasure in reading fresh material, they will feel a sense of purpose playing an important role in the assessment process. Writers too will gain confidence by sending their stories in to be enjoyed and critiqued honestly and impartially. A purposeful win-win situation.

However, the magic will be the all-important, special connections organically establishing themselves as two worlds join forces.

The project is in the early stages, but Chelsea says, "The response so far to contribute has been phenomenal." She hopes Pages For Wisdom will grow and eventually become a valuable venture Australia wide, continuing on once we’re past this global pandemic.

If you are interested and wish to make contact or submit a story, please visit Pages For Wisdom Face book page or email Chelsea directly via:

pagesforwisdom@gmail.com

Well done, Chelsea. An extremely admirable project.

The Magic Of Yoga ...

 The Magic of Yoga.

At the commencement of term one this year, I had big plans to return to yoga to pursue the ancient spiritual science, incorporating mind, body and spirit. Corona then rudely got in the way.

'Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self' – The Bhagavad Gita.

Sounds deep and insightful and it is! It's an amazing process of stilling the natural upheaval of thoughts and restlessness of the body. Yoga is about going within.

When I initially began to pursue this practice many years ago, it was in a beautiful location close to the ocean. The atmosphere of the venue was serenely fitting, incorporating earth colors accentuated by dimmed lighting. Soft, but powerful repetitive music hummed in the background and the temperature of the room was just right.

Each week I would front up, ready to 'go within'. I executed the yoga postures role-modelled to the class as best I could. However, while I was balancing on one leg or pretzeling my body, my mind was busy planning my shopping list or guessing what time high tide was next morning, pondering over when would be a good time to turn the water pump on to fill the cattle troughs!

Nearing the end of the class, after I had productively planned the entire following day, it was time for Savasana (corpse pose), which is a restorative pose consisting of lying down on the floor and relaxing your muscles. While Savasana requires no physical effort, it can be one of the most difficult yoga poses to master.

'Students will find they either fall asleep, go into a dreamy state or otherwise find their mind thinking and planning for such mundane things as the grocery shopping, or worrying about work'.

I'd already mentally completed my shopping list, so I skipped that bit and fell straight to sleep, (and upon waking, hoped I hadn't embarrass myself by snoring).

This happened every single week, however I found it to be a wonderful (guilt-free) rest; one I immensely enjoyed. The most uncomfortable part of the whole yoga experience was having to peel myself off the floor at the end of each session to drag myself home, especially during the cold South Gippsland winters.

A few years on and after a fair break, I once again became a keen participant of a yoga class; a different one, with a different teacher, and a somewhat different me. I actually did go 'within', as opposed to planning my shopping list. I did feel a stillness as I focused on my poses and imagined how my body, as a whole, was working its magic to create the particular postures. I even found myself in a subtle meditative state during my practice and often experienced dizziness (in a good way), as I felt my body release pent up energies. By the time I walked (more like floated) out the door after a one and a half hour session, I typically felt I had just experienced a full-body massage, which was so nurturing and gratifying.

However,the most profound simple act, one which I had always taken for granted, was my breath! Conscious breathing, taught within the yoga framework is so powerful.

Before each yoga pose, and sometimes at the completion, we started with our hands in prayer position, resting on our sternum, and focussing on our heart (centre) area. Through the nose, we breathed a few deep breaths in and out ... and we were centred. In fact, 'we were centred immediately'. I found this astounding.

I now finally understand when, many times throughout my journey, I was encouraged to deep breathe during anxious times. It's our breath that transports us to the quiet place within (our centre), where time stands still and all is well. The ancient yogis taught that learning to control the breath can assist in regulating and calming the mind and that proper breathing enhances focus, concentration, relaxation, and energy.

So, each time, as we go about our daily lives and feel off balance, anxious, upset, confused, nervous or even craving an unwanted addiction we have let go of, we can instantly become centred and brought back into 'the now', where there is no turbulence, no upheaval. All we need do is take some deep breathes, especially if we close our eyes and focus on our heart centre, and we immediately find peace, bringing ourselves back to the starting line, before the overwhelm. It's that simple!

I plan to continue my enjoyable and inspiring yoga quest. It's a little challenging practising at home presently with two, cheeky, playful fluff balls darting around my heels, but it's worth it for the many benefits it grants me. I also remind myself to consciously breathe often as I go about my day, reducing mental noise of agitation, distractions and self-doubt.

As for the Savasana pose, I still to this day find myself falling into a beautiful, deep, short slumber during the end phase of my yoga sessions. This I imagine, may take some time to perfect, as I'm not sure I want to let my guilt-free nap go just yet!

Slippery Suckers High Season

As we welcome warmer temperatures to defrost our bones, it's also time to keep our wits about us to avoid undesirable experiences. Swooping magpies injuring our scones or being stung by angry bees isn't much fun ... nor is wrestling snakes.

Australian snakes don't hibernate, although they do find shelter in the cooler climate and their mobility is slowed if and when they are active. Now that the ground is warming up, snakes are beginning to move around more. The next 7 months we may typically come across them in our travels.

Numerous venomous snake species are found in Victoria, including the tiger, brown, black, copperhead and red-bellied black snake. The reptiles now appear basking in the sun not far from their winter shelter. Once they've soaked in enough sunshine and warmth, they are keen to feed, searching generally for frogs, rodents, or skinks.

Many of us are fearful of snakes, yet they are mostly shy creatures not seeking confrontation with humans. They're interested in food and have no desire to eat us. Thankfully not in Australia anyway!

Snakes will strike if they feel threatened. If we attempt to catch, kill, provoke or corner them, chances are we'll be bitten. If we startle or step on them by accident, the same outcome may occur. So please keep your eyes peeled when you and/or your pets are outdoors. 

If you see a snake during a walk, just calmly move away and warn other people you happen to come across. If you are bitten, ring an ambulance and remain as still as possible to slow down the flow of venom. Apply an improvised pressure bandage over the bite and up the limb, while attempting your best to keep composed.

If you discover a snake on your property, ring a snake catcher (best to have the number of your local service close at hand), and if possible, from a safe distance, keep the snake in your sight until help arrives. 

The risk of being bitten by a snake or dying from a snakebite is extremely low. Use commonsense and be mindful of our native creatures and simultaneously we can all enjoy our stunning environment.

A tiger snake

Well, Spring is here!

 The saturated earth is waking up and preparing to come alive with all the colors of the rainbow. The sun is finally radiating welcoming warmth and the grass is beginning to accelerate it's growth. The birds are busily, vocally fluffing around, focussing on expanding their families, as are most creatures at this weather-pleasing time. It's definitely nice to see and feels uplifting.

However, while spring is a blessing in itself, it's now been over six months since our lives became 'contained' ... and, from what I can sense across the board, it's beginning to wear a little thin.

On the whole, from my perspective, people have been amazing, upholding a positive, realistic attitude. They've kept focussed on priorities to beat this loathsome, harmful virus, all the while making the most of their abnormal lives. It's not been easy by any stretch of the imagination, especially for families and the elderly living alone. But it's not been a piece of cake for anyone.

I've noticed our local smiling eyes, peering from behind camouflauging masks, aren't so smiley anymore. There's a sense of general frustration and fatigue when people are asked how they're travelling.

I can relate to this too. 

Yes, I'm clinging to 'the glass half full', but I definitely have my moments! I'm starting to not only miss, but yearn for dear friends, especially those living overseas. Social media just isn't cutting it anymore.

As much as I usually like my own company, I'm becoming a little fed up with myself and my repetitive positive self talk. My alter ego tells me frequently to put a sock in it, stopping me in my tracks. I defeatedly comply.

My poor husband is also suffering my restlessness. I tend to talk his ear off when he comes in at night, being the only person I see most of the day. I'm sure his selective hearing skills have perfected themselves beautifully this year.

... and my legs could do with a shave, but what's the point in that?! Doesn't look like I'm going anywhere anytime soon to bare my all. My cats aren't phased by my woolly legs, and I'm sure my hubby doesn't notice.

... and there's the root of the widespread frustration. If only we knew an end date to life's present restraint. This situation would be so much easier to deal with having something to look forward to. We could happily make plans for the future and strive towards them among life's norm, excited about anticipated events, holidays, celebrations, what have you.

But no, at least not yet. For now it's best we continue our focus, preferably with a smile on our face, although a little forced. We're doing well, people. Let's pat ourselves on the back, bid 2020 winter farewell, wipe the slate clean and start a new, refreshing chapter by welcoming spring with a newfound spring in our step. It's challenging, no doubt, but we can do this. I know we can ...