New Year Resolutions...How are they going?

The beginning of the year has come and gone and the new year's resolutions are well into progression...Or are they? What did the start of 2016 mean for you?? New life plans? New goals that you dive into, like a bull at a gate, with every intention to reach the desired destination, which you have endeavoured to reach each new year?

We tell ourselves this time we will make it happen. With motivation and determination we commence our new process of reaching our goals, be they to lose weight, to exercise, to smell the roses more, to create balance in our lives and so on.

And initially we proceed really well, equipped with positive thoughts and serious yearning for our desires....Our intentions are pure and direct …...until our thought world quickly begins to throw in compromises, exceptions and finally excuses. Then we succumb to our old ways, either unintentionally or purposefully, thinking, 'What's the use?'

From there we experience an overwhelming feeling of guilt and failure, and often (what we perceive to be) the problematic behaviour, becomes more intensified than before. We continue to beat ourselves up. We are experts at this!

So then, more often that not, we continue to indulge more deeply into our unwanted behaviour. We now also have a detrimental state of mind, making us think and feel less of ourselves than before. Due to this negative energy we portray, every other relationship in our lives and all tasks we perform is expressed from the seed of our present negative belief, such as we are weak and unworthy. If we have previously attempted to change many times, this feeling of weakness continues to multiply.

 

This process is ridiculously soul harming on so many levels!!

 

Let's face it, life is short. Too short to live in such a negatively tainted way.

Contain your feelings. Yes, you may have not achieved yet what you had intended, but you will try again, and you will succeed when the 'time is right' for you. Avoid sinking into feelings of 'letting people down'. It's not their goal, it's yours. It's your life and your life is a play where you are the main actor. Don't indulge in a feeling of failure, creating a negative aura. Yesterday is gone and today is a new day. You cannot change the past, however you can work towards the future in a positive way with excitement and anticipation, expecting good things to come....and with that energy, I promise you, they will come!

So please, be kind to yourself. Keep trying your best to make the changes you are wanting, but with a little less pressure.... It's ok,...... really : )

 

 

Life Is Full Of Blessings (whether you notice them all or not)...

I've come to a realisation this week! I always feel extremely grateful for my life, as wonderful experiences come my way constantly. Sure, challenges have their place too, and while initially they can create angst, they always pass without too much damage.

I am reading another spiritual book presently (very slowly - when I allow myself the time), which offers tasks to undertake in each chapter, proving there is an invisible force or field of infinite possibilities and it's ours for the taking. Yes, everyone! Apparently I (we) can access this force at any time, simply by paying attention.

I have heard this spoken of before and I agree that yes, we do create our life experiences either consciously or subconsciously. I believe we attract what we fear or what we spend time thinking about, hence bringing these experiences to life, into the physical form. So if we focus on what we want, as opposed to what we don't want, we can attract these desires. BUT, I question this spiritual truth sometimes, as I certainly did not manifest my beautiful feline contracting FIV, and ultimately having to be euthanised due to secondary symptoms of Cat Aids. I had never heard of FIV, so how could I have manifested this, when I had never thought about it!? 

So, the first chapter of the book asked me to give this invisible force a particular time frame (I decided 48 hours) in which to send me a gift/blessing in some way, shape or form. I'm talking, asking without feeling selfish or guilty, which I admit can be an issue for me. I decided to humor myself and went ahead and asked anyway.

Reminding myself often to be mindful of blessings arriving during the next two days, I realised how fortunate I am because blessings or gifts came constantly and made me even more aware of how wonderful my life is! Each time a 'blessing' arrived, I asked myself, 'Is this the gift?'

During the two days, I was surprised by a visit from a young, beautiful woman, whom I had never met before, who is the daughter of a cousin of mine overseas. I knew she was working/travelling in Australia, however I didn't know when she would arrive in our little town. There she suddenly was and it was truly a gift for my husband and I. Was she the gift I had asked for?

I have recently been diligently working to bring assistance to our lovely, local wildlife carers/rescuers through various channels, and during those two days an article I had written to support them was published in three local papers, reaching two shires. I was so thankful, to say the least. Was this the gift? 

The above events that happened blew me away, however there were other blessings I was granted during that specific time. My beautiful brother gave me a gorgeous animal-rescue calendar he had bought especially for me, knowing how much I adore animals of any kind. Was that the gift? My horse's eye ulcer had healed through medication I had been adminstering daily. Was that the gift? My husband took me out for dinner, which time doesn't allow for very often. Was that the gift?

I had already received so many wonderful blessings and that's just in two days! However one more special gift was granted and I just 'knew' this was the intended gift from Spirit. My gut feeling told me so. I was casually scrolling through Face Book when I came across a beautiful, spiritual reading a friend had shared, of which the words spoke straight to my heart.

The piece was about how we are never alone, not to be sad when a loved one passes, as their essence is still present, and how continuously loved we all are. Those messages always warm my heart and confirm my beliefs.

So, it was brought to my attention that every day there are a number of special gifts that arrive. Some are more subtle than others, however all are significant in their own way.

Why don't you try this exercise too? Ask this invisible force to grant you a gift within a particular time span. Don't specify the gift. Let yourself be surprised, for you will know when it arrives. Ask, let go.....and see what eventuates. I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised :)

Dear Friend....

Dear Friend,

You are strong, knowledgeable, patient and kind.

Your inner strength shines through your persona,

your integrity is inspiring and your loyalty is unquestionable.

Stand tall, hold your head high and walk forward fearlessly,

knowing you are an honorable, decent person. You can trust in life because

karma will reward you, even though troubling personal lessons are

thrown your way to remind you of what you do not want within your existence.

Rise above 'now insignificant' past issues and manifest wonderful

opportunities into your life through a positive attitude.

Do not allow yourself to dwell on the past.

The past is gone forever...

It is now your time to shine. Listen to and follow your heart,

then everything you endeavour to pursue will create happiness.

You deserve all this and more, for you have given unconditionally

so much and for so long. It's time to place 'you' in the limelight.

Follow your dreams, one step at a time, with love and trust in

your heart that all is well at each moment....and it will be.

You are such a beautiful person.

Don't ever doubt yourself, your worth.

This year is your year!

It's ok to allow your heart to sing

Go and make your personal mark in this world....       :)

 

 

The New Year....

Well, Christmas is over once again for another year.

Three whole days of eating, socialising and playing nice with certain family members who push your buttons, no matter how much you energetically protect yourself. I speak for myself!

I often think about the spiritual law of treating people well and unconditionally offering assistance, love and whatever else, without judgement etc. I find this really easy to do, except within the family. I can still become hurt, frustrated or annoyed at relative's words or actions. Yet, doesn't this spiritual law start with family? Treating well and accepting your loved ones as they are and practicing to be the best person you can be in their company, then letting go and not taking things personally? Isn't it within the family unit where we learn our lessons first and foremost?

I often ask myself why close family (or close relationships) can bring out the worst in me at times? I guess, I am most vulnerable with my husband, my relatives. Their words and actions do have an impact. I let them have an impact due to the emotional connection. Once I have mastered non reaction to 'my buttons being pushed', I will be happily satisfied I have ascended to a higher level – I imagine that will be when I pass over and not before!

However, it's always wonderful to catch up with family members, especially those who live interstate or overseas, whom you don't get to see often. Christmas is a time of loving, sharing, validating and appreciating who is in your life and how lucky you really are. Although it's not just at Christmas time, it's every day that we are fortunate....

So with New Year's Eve coming up this week, celebrations being planned along with new year's resolutions, another fresh year begins. Another year older and another year full of opportunity to put into practice that which you have been wanting to pursue for a long time. You have pushed your 'want' to the back of the line, while too many more important tasks (in your eyes) have taken priority. Maybe this year is your year!

Happy New Year to you. May 2016 bring heaps of love, luck, success and happiness, along with insightful wisdom, growth, good health and positive self manifestations.

We'll talk again next year : )

 

 

Crazy Christmas Time....

It's Christmas week and there seems to be a lot of hectic and stressful households trying their best to bring Christmas, and all that goes with it, together. I guess mine is included in this! Each year my husband and I are the lucky ones (or not) to have Christmas Day at our place, and each year I proceed to put so much pressure on myself to have everything looking beautiful, that there's enough (delicious) food on the table, that everyone is happy and well looked after while here. I'm sure you all know what I mean. It's the same thing every year! Then quick as a flash, Christmas is over, the new year begins and life returns to the norm.

However, let's remember the true enjoyment of Christmas, that is spending quality time with loved ones. Make the most of your time together and (if you are fortunate enough) your time off from work over the festive season, as you never know what tomorrow brings. Let your family and friends know you love them through your words and actions....

So on that note, I want to wish you all a beautiful and safe Christmas time, filled with love and laughter. May 2016 bring you good health, success, happiness and growth and may it be extra good to you in general.

Thank you to those who have been regularly reading my blog this year. I truly appreciate it and I hope my writing positively touches you in some way, even if it's as simple as putting a smile on your face.

I look forward to sharing more with you next year.....

'Merry Christmas Everyone'

Love,

The Stumbling Spiritualist

Camilla xoxo

 

 

A Great New Year's Eve Idea!

With Christmas on our door step, another year edges to a close. How can this be? It feels like we only celebrated the festive season not long ago, and why is it the older I turn, each year seems to pass more quickly? I do know the busier I am, the quicker time flies by. However, the more occupied I am, the more eventful my life is through meeting people in the right place at the right time, or experiences coming forth from left field to challenge, inspire or to fill my life with joy. Something's always bubbling under the surface, even if I can't yet see it. So much diverseness seems to continuously present itself that, after the initial delight (or challenge), I usually place it to the back of my mind as a new experience takes the limelight, and validated events fade into the past.

During my travels this week, I met an inspiring woman who shared with me a brilliant idea!

Every time something wonderful happens to her throughout the year, she documents the experience on a small piece of paper and places it into a jar. These little notes accumulate throughout the months and on every New Year's Eve, she tips the contents of the jar out onto a table and spends the evening with good friends, delicious food and beverages, while reading each little, randomly picked note.

It's not until she reads all the wonderful blessings life showered her with during the year, that she truly reflects, ponders over, is grateful for and can appreciate how fortunate she is. This way the year also ends on a positive, content and happy note, and leaves her readily motivated to commence the new year with a spring in her step, excited about what the future holds.

I love this idea! Not only does it give you the satisfaction of celebrating the goals you have achieved, but it also reminds you of how blessed your life is and how far you have come, how much you have grown. So, instead of feeling like another year has flown by in a blink of an eye, you are reminded of how productive the amazing year has been, as it's there right in front of you in black and white. With anticipation, I'm definitely going to put this into practice in 2016.

 

 

　

An Amazing Voluntary Commitment

My thoughtful husband brought home a tiny baby ring tailed possum late one afternoon last week that he had spotted in the middle of a main country road. I immediately rang one of our wildlife carers in the local area, who was more than happy to take on this helpless, sweet, little animal, stating she already had seven others in her care and this precious possum would fit right in.

I was so relieved, as I do not know the first thing about caring for a possum, or any other native animal for that matter, however I adore animals and want nothing more than to see orphaned, sick or injured creatures survive and return to good health. So I decided to find out more about these, (obviously wonderful) people, who voluntarily choose to give their time and energy to save, heal and return our beautiful native wildlife back to the environment.

Kylie Laing from Venus Bay and Sue Moore from Tarwin Lower are two such wild life rescuers. Both ladies are married, Kylie with two young children and Sue is a proud grandmother of three grandchildren, who visit and stay with her often.

At Sue's shelter there are birds, reptiles and animals everywhere, of all sizes, all types, inside and outside the home in confined areas. Some are sleeping, some are calling for their feed, some sitting quietly, recuperating, relaxed and enjoying their safe, peaceful temporary home. The most surprising and gorgeous animal was a tiny baby koala that Sue suddenly pulled out from under her jumper! I hadn't even noticed she was carrying this precious, little furry ball! She was found sitting at the bottom of a tree in the Sandy Point area wearing a bloody nose. Sadly, it is still unknown whether she will survive, however Sue is giving her all to see that she does.　

Sue began caring for and rescuing wildlife nine years ago, when she found a baby koala.Kylie began caring for and rescuing wildlife nineteen years ago, after she found a baby wombat in Venus Bay.
After initially exploring and researching shelters and what was involved, both women completed their training and gained their 'Wildlife and Rescue' licences.

Each year, the number of animals, birds and reptiles needing assistance increases. This year on average three creatures per week have been taken in and cared for.The amount of work, time, energy and money (no funding for these girls!), that's involved in running a wildlife and rescue shelter on a daily basis is enormous.

There are four hourly feeds around the clock to orphans, daily sanitisation of cages, food shopping, food preparation, night grass picking, extensive washing and transportation to vet appointments or other more appropriately set up shelters. Wildlife carers are typically on call 24 hours a day, having to answer police calls and give advice to the public, as well as driving to reported locations to pick up creatures.

I absolutely admire these beautiful women, who go above and beyond to help our unique wildlife. When tasks seem tough and time or money is lacking, their commitment remains strong. Sue and Kylie both say their love for the animals is their guiding light, and they just do what they can with the resources they have and they get on with it. How inspiring.....

There are many ways you can assist these wonderful carers. They always need help with washing loads of laundry, picking appropriate eucalyptus leaves and sewing simple pouches in various sizes. If you are a retired (or not) tradesman/handyman, you can help by building or maintaining enclosures. Please talk to your local wildlife shelter carers for more ideas. I'm sure they will appreciate your assistance!