Mental Health Mantra 73/365 and Dog Mantra Mabel, the Bassett, what adorableness is she... featuring as Day 73 of 365. Jenny tells me "Mabel will be 3 next month and is the sweetest soul with the loudest bark. She loves to be with you, almost touching you at every opportunity. If we go for a walk the family pack must stay together, don’t let anyone dare pop into a shop, she will sit on the spot and wait for them to return! I think she is constantly saying to me ‘Are you ok?’ It got me thinking about that - how many times do we ask ourselves if we are ok? What do we need in that now moment? Connecting energetically with Dog energy is wonderful and I feel very honoured to do this. Mabel reminds me to check in with myself - asking if I'm ok and what do I need? Such a great honour to paint you Mabel, she has her own Instagram page @mabel.basset Thank you Jenny too. You can find Jenny at Jenny Dunlop Art, what an amazingly talented artist. Keep being ok folks. and keep shining. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
2 Comments
Mental Health Mantra 67/365 and Dog Mantra For Day 68 of 365, meet Bailey who is a Golden Retriever and nearly 2 years old living in America. I was captured by Bailey's photograph on his Mama, Alia's stories. I drew Alia's Muse in 2013 so it is lovely how full circle this comes round. She was one of the original 76 women who featured in Muse Mantra Colour Meditations / a colouring book I created from drawing the 76 women in an online self development group. This time, it's Bailey's turn. Bailey popped into Alia's life only a few weeks before her son was diagnosed with cancer. The first six months of Bailey’s life were pretty lonely, as they were navigating the treatment. Bailey became extremely close with Alia's son and helped him through his difficult times. Now they are both happy, healthy and vibrant! Bailey's Dog Mantra is definitely to Live the Most of Every Day. Live with Joy. Embrace the wisdom of nature. His favourite place is on a nature trail. Bailey reminds us to live each day as if it’s our first and our last, with fresh eyes and wisdom. Drawing Bailey I tapped into this essence and his knowingness, he really is a wise being and his spontaneity is clear to see. It is a reminder for me to find the joy around me and live that joy, even if small snapshots. The joy of turning up to a table full of paints and colours, brushes and paper, is a daily joy. Find the Joy Live the Joy. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 59/365 28 days later. 28 Flower Mantras. The variety of flowers and their mantras have got me through this month and all that it has delivered. I could carry on and paint more flowers - who knows I may very well return, there are another many more days here, but for now I will move on to March with a new feature. This gives me the opportunity to develop and to challenge my hand/eye/brain connection. The mantra that came forth this morning is Sat Nam. "Sat Nam is the mantra repeated at the end of a kundalini yoga practice to end the session, it also can be repeated during meditation. I find it very reassuring and soothing these days. Sat Nam, is one the most commonly used mantras in Kundalini Yoga, in the ancient Sikh language called Gurmukhi, Sat means truth. Nam means name. Together, Sat Nam essentially translates into something deeper: “I am truth,” or “Truth is my essence.” Sat Nam is like a seed that begins to germinate inside of you. The vibration of a mantra shifts us on an atomic level (ref Kundalini 101)." I am called to commit to this practice more and more, to translate the feelings I have and the healing I am doing as I move through this next phase of moving out and moving on. This morning, upon waking early, I sat with the colours and the water. This was such a hypnotic piece, first with the paint and once dried, I came back to spend snapshots of time to add elements with pen. It feels a good place to end for February. The flowers have been very different and although I continue on my Bach Flower course, I can always return to paint more flowers. Thank you for joining me here / I hope so far these Mental Health Mantras are supporting you as they are me. Day 60 tomorrow / Onwards to Month 3. Keep shining Star Seeds. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 57.365 As I sit down each morning, I don't have any clue what the flower is going to be like. Will it be a take on a flower, or a lookilikie? This month has revealed alot to me about going with the flow, trusting my intuition and enjoying the process. Today was no exception. I was awake at 5am, so much going through my mind. I got up, made some tea and dropped into my studio space. I am grateful for this space, I know I will look back on this time and see what I have achieved, despite all the trauma. I digress. I stepped in, I closed my eyes, I took a breath. Everyone was still asleep, even the woofers. Stillness. A magical time. Early, yes. Magical, Yes. The flower happened. I realise once again, that I trust me. I trust my own knowing, what I need, what I don't need. All that is happening around me, this is increasingly important to trust me. The stillness helps. (ps and it's ok to nap too). Keep trusting StarSeeds. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 55/365 Tomorrow I start Level 1 in Bach Flower Remedies - I have learnt so much about these remedies since the 90s when I was first introduced to them and began taking rescue remedy and others, whilst navigating and healing from M.E / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. As if by magic, this course dropped into my inbox, it is almost like I have magically drawn it in - 25 flowers later. For those who may not have heard of Bach Flower Remedies, they're named after Dr Edward Bach who discovered 28 remedies, each for a specific emotional and mental state plus a combination one of 5 remedies, which is designed for difficult and demanding situations, this he called Rescue Remedy. 37 of the 38 are based on single wild flowers and tree blossoms - the exception is Rock Water, which is made of the water from a natural spring with healing properties. I'll talk more about it but for now, this flower mantra is the Star of Bethlehem. As a remedy it can be used for after effects of shock, it can also be used for people who are numbed and withdrawn with a sense of loss or grief. Dr Bach described this remedy as 'the comforter and soother of pains and sorrows.' This helped me today with the mental health mantra - I feel comforted and soothed. It is like giving yourself a big hug - taking this remedy and repeating this mantra to yourself or writing it out 25 times. Keep shining starseeds. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 51/365 It knows. It always knows. It's just we drown it out. I knew something wasn't right and my gut instinct was trying to let me know. My gut tells me and I will trust that gut. I knew something wasn't quite right. She was trying to tell me something. I sensed it. But others don't hear what I say, and think that perhaps, I am being highly sensitive. Yes that's right. I knew she was communicating to me that something needed to be explored. Today I got confirmation that my gut instinct knows. Listen / and act on your gut instinct. Keep listening sunbeams. Your gut instinct knows. Let go of all that is clouding it out. Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 46/365 I have been sitting with this all mantra all day today. The sun shone, it was cold, but I sat on the bench immersed in a chink of sunlight, catching it just moving slowly behind the tree. In this sad situation I find myself in on this 46th day of the year, I sit down to let my tears flow into the water, colour and flower. I didn't know what would appear. Yet I knew I wanted PINK. Carmine is this watercolour ink by Winsor Newton - I am at the bottom of the bottle and had to add more water to the colour - it still held a beautiful pigment. This pink is where I can fall into. It is the contrast. Somehow I dig deep to find some more strength to see me through. The things that keep me going right now:-
Love x 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 39/365 Trust. One short word with 5 letters. With a very big meaning. The practice for me to Trust. Trust. Keep trusting and keep shining your wonderful light and connecting to your intuitive intelligence. 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 38/365 Crying is OK. This kept coming up for me this week, there have been lots of tears and letting go. My Dad has been tested positive for Covid and is now on his 6th day of isolation in his room - extremely hard for an elderly person who has vascular dementia and doesn't quite understand why they can't sit with their friends. Today he's very sleepy and lethargic. I hope his immune system is forming a response - he is a tough cookie. Crying is OK. It's okay to cry and sob for people who have passed. The wave hits, it's okay to let the sob move through you. I sat and watched a memorial service last night of a wonderful woman in our community who suddenly and devastatingly passed away aged 63 a week ago, leaving her husband, 7 children and 17 grandchildren. She was a humorous and kind hearted soul, her community meant the world to her, as did all her family. I knew her via one of my oldest school friends and the family connection. The service was incredibly moving, with speeches given by her children and brothers. I sobbed my way through it. Feeling the feelings of loss and letting it move through me. Loss and what that means to me, with losing my Mum and all that's happening in the country and the world. Crying is Ok. Crying is energy in motion - why it's called e-motion. Today's Mental Health Mantra is a reminder that it's ok to cry. What I know as a holistic counsellor and spiritual life coach, if it feels more support is needed, reaching out and seeking help is a strength, releasing and talking about what's behind the tears is crucial so that these tears and sadness don't remain in the body where it generates stagnated energy and can cause dis-ease and inflammation. We can cry and be strong all at the same time. 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 32/365 And so here we go, moving in to February with the first Mental Health Mantra. I wanted to let go this month for the next 28 days to step away from line drawing, to relax my hands and get into flow with the colour of water and the colour of paint. It is time to reconnect with Watercolours. I probably left it too late to sit down to this, as well as write a journal post here, but it felt lovely nonetheless. I used the inspiration of the roses my husband bought me at the weekend, they have opened up beautifully. I felt I wanted to keep loose and abstract and step into the feeling of what it would be like to immerse myself in the rose petals - dreamy~like. I picked up a white pen and very loosely went in. I am leaving this month open, I don't know what these are going to look like. I may focus on specific colours, flowers, leaves, abstract. I have no clear plan, I am going to be led by the movement of water, colour and the moment. Intuition is a subtle whisper. I saw this written quite a while ago, I can't recall where, I wrote it down in my journal of mantras. It felt beautiful for today because the whisper is there, yet often it is drowned out. We have to do our best to turn stuff off, so that we can hear the whisper of our soul quietly calling. I am going to feel my way through this month and stay in my truth. Keep shining starseeds and trust that intuitive intelligence. 'Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul.'
Mental Health Mantra 29/365 This is where I am focusing right now. I trust my intuition and my intuitive intelligence. I know what feels wrong and what feels right. There is still so much more to do and my friend, in a text, sent me this. Be here and now as much as you can. It felt very apt for this to be the Mental Health Mantra for 29th of January. We have work to do, Lightworkers. Keep shining and connecting. "Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul."
Mental Health Mantra 26/365 There are days when this is the mantra keeps the mood a little more balanced. Today is one of those days. This time is all about staying centred, grounded and sovereign. Keep shining sunbeams. "Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul."
Mental Health Mantra 13/365 I need this today. Sleep, press pause. That's my mantra. Right here. What about you? Shine on sunbeams : > ) "Art with Heart - Calm your Mind, Soothe your Soul"
How can you tell if you're actively listening with your husband, wife, partner, girlfriend, boyfriend, family member, work colleague, customer or client? How can you tell if you're actively listening to YOURSELF? Are you actually hearing the meaning behind your own words and also the words that 'they' are speaking to you. If we are feeling that others are not listening to us, sometimes we are not listening to ourselves and that's the first place to start. Truly Listening. Listening to the music behind the words that you're using. Below there are 18 statements, for each statement, write down whether you consider it to be True (T) or False (F). _______ 1. Most people are brought up to be good listeners. _______ 2. People's thoughts can interfere with their listening. _______ 3. Listening is a natural activity. _______ 4. To be able to listen to others, people need to be able to listen to themselves. _______ 5. Being a good listener never requires self-discipline. _______ 6. People may resist listening to others who blame and get angry with them. _______ 7. People are more likely to talk to people with whom they feel safe and accepted than with those whom they do not. _______ 8. It is always up to other people to communicate precisely what they want. _______ 9. People who have something that they can't wait to say, listen well. _______ 10. Some people listen too much because they're afraid of revealing themselves. _______ 11. An important aspect in developing trust is listening and keeping confidences. _______ 12. Talking is more important than listening in interpersonal communication. _______ 13. The amount people reveal about themselves is likely to influence the amount others tell them about themselves. _______ 14. Fatigue never affects the quality of people's listening. _______ 15. People who feel very emotional about issues are good listeners. _______ 16. Listening to others does not involve paying attention to their voice quality and body language as well as what they say. _______ 17. People who are very angry are rarely good listeners. _______ 18. People sometimes send mixed messages which are difficult for the listener to understand. How did that feel? What did you discover about a) your own listening skills and b) how you listen to yourself? Why not take this to your Journal and explore s'more? This is something that is coming up in client sessions a great deal, there seems to be a theme running through here - are we listening to ourselves, to our bodies, to our spirit self. Are we hearing the nudges? From experience, listening to ourselves is just as important as listening to others, especially if you're working in the helping/healing professions. I'm a huge advocate of writing in a journal. I started doing it when I was in school. Back then, it was more like 'Dear Diary.' When I reached the age of 20, I felt inspired to buy plain journals and to write whenever I wanted to, with no agenda. I used to find the process so enlightening, I connected to a part of myself and I discovered hidden messages, about life, love, career, relationship, health. It's amazing what flows through from brain to pen. When you write regularly in a journal, you begin to notice patterns - in how you feel, what you're repeating and also emotional responses to certain situations. What I know for sure about keeping a journal is this:-
For me, the process always begins with creating a practice. If we turn to the page and expect that we're going to write something profound, then we are setting ourselves up for a fall. So what happens when you're feeling stuck and you just don't know how to get going again? Here are my 10 tips to get your ink flowing again. Pre-requisite: Maybe you need a new notebook (with lines or blank it doesn't matter.) Find something you'll really enjoy lushing over and go treat yourself to a lovely new pen! ps .... there is no right or wrong way of doing this
Hope this has got your journal writing pulsing again. A wonderful resource to turn to is Julia Cameron's Morning Pages, which you can find within her 12 step creative recovery programme The Artist's Way. You can find out and watch her 2 minute video here. When we make decisions and take responsibility for our own wellbeing, we try to create systems that support us, whether that's eating a different diet, moving much more, bathing more, taking time off. Over the past six months, clients have been coming forward to discover more about getting clear and listening to their inner compass. Meditation and quiet time practice has become part of the journey for them. For me, having a consistent 'quiet time, be still kinda practice' (call it meditation, call it relaxation, call it being still) is just as important and is a vital system to support, nurture and ground me, especially as I'm working with clients. However meditation seems to conjure up all sorts of feelings for people. They try it and it doesn't 'work'. People have a go at trying to empty their mind of all thoughts, which is actually a reeeealllly difficult thing to do, and so when it doesn't happen, (**hello thoughts**), they believe they 'can't meditate', they give up and don't bother. Here's the thing, meditation means setting aside some quiet time every day to sit still Really? Yes. What you do during the 'sitting still' can be up to you. * Some people just focus on being mindful of their breathing. * Some people count their breath, hold it and then exhale. * Some people use a prayer or an affirmation and say it in their mind. * Some people use a Sanskrit mantra to help the mind to stop whirring. * Some people will look at a candle flame. * Some people will listen to music and lie down/sit in a chair/on the floor. Meditation is code for 'Stopping.' It will be different for everyone however the gem of meditation is finding the time and setting this aside as part of your daily practice. One of the ways that works well to soothe the mind is to choose a particular mantra or phrase. Saying this over and over to yourself, you'll find that you may suddenly remember an item for your shopping list! if you do, say 'thank you' and return to your mantra/phrase. If you remember that you need to call a family member, say thank you and return to your mantra/phrase. Sitting still is an accumulative practice, it builds up within your body, mind and spirit and you suddenly find, after a month of doing it, that if you miss one day, you'll miss it. Plus add in a Mantra, your unconscious will thank you. For example: I am feeling Calm I am feeling Confident I am feeling Courageous So Hum (Sanskrit for I am ) Time out in your day, every day, is taking responsibility for your own well being. Whether you choose to meditate every morning before your day begins, or whether you meditate early morning, find somewhere in the morning space to sit still for 3 minutes. You will find your own way. But you have to practice. Make the space every day to sit and invite quiet time in. Try this ... Find a chair that feels comfortable for you, somewhere you won't be disturbed, wrap yourself in a blanket, feel warm and cosy. Turn off your phone sound and set the clock timer for your desired time. Choose a gentle reminder tone. I love 'slow rise'. Start with 3 minutes and build up every week until you get to 13 minutes. Growing up, I always felt like my body was split in two halves. The top, which I liked and the bottom, which I didn't - in fact, I would go so far as to say I disliked my lower body. I was a skinny lizzy up to the age of 11 in junior school, due to incessant bouts of tonsillitis and being a gymnastic wannabee, I would often be legs akimbo doing handstands and cartwheels in the school playground. Something happened around the age of 12, after having my tonsils out, I suddenly said hello to 'puppy fat'. I still loved gymnastics and dancing but as I was becoming healthier, my puppy fat got the upper hand. I stopped being picked for netball and it took a lot of encouragement to get me into a swimming costume. I hated not being picked for netball because I loved it. I even felt low when the Ballet Rambert Dance Company visited our school and a group of students were chosen to attend their magical dance workshops. All afternoon dancing in school. I was not one of them. Even though I went to dance classes. I believed that it was because I was not the 'perfect 10'. Looking back, at this young age I feel I anchored all the 'failure' to the lower half of my body. Of course it wasn't failure but in my young developing mind, that's what I thought. Of course it wasn't my lower half of my body's fault - I didn't think this through. A woman in all her glory. Hands up if you categorise your body and launch into a tirade of bitchiness? (I hear you) 'my upper arms are horrendously flabby, I can't possibly show them' 'my calves are so thick and manly, I can't wear anything short' 'my knees are so bulbous and they have a kink in them, I have to cover them' 'my stomach is just one huge hangover mess, I have to wear something big over it' 'my bottom jiggles when I walk, so I'll just stop walking' 'my hips are like tree trunks, I'll have to wear bigger clothes to hide them' The list really could go on and on. These are just some of the things I have heard over the years in counselling sessions. When can we start to see the beautiful vessel we are in? All that luscious skin that houses all the cosmic atoms to make up our gorgeous self. When does that happen? It's time to fuse the two halves into one gorgeous whole. Here are 3 gentle ways to begin. 1. Give your body-half, the positive attention she deserves. Can I have a 'yeah baby to that?!' Get dressed s-l-o-w-l-y. Actually LOOK at your body-half in the mirror as you take off/put on your clothes. I know how you're feeling, usually you want to do this as quick as near damn possible, in the dark, back turned to the mirror, but when you take the time to look, notice how your body is .... and we are seriously all different shapes ... do you really want to ignore you? All those curves and maps of life on your body? THE JD PRESCRIPTION: Say: "I see you and all of you is lovely." Repeat 20 times x three times a day. 2. Write positive words on your body. Write it on there. Declare your love to your hips, thighs, knees, upper arms and breasts and revel in knowing that when you're out, the word is marked there to work its magic. This is not new - people have been tattooing words onto their skins for many thousands of years. Have you read about the research of Dr Masaru Emoto - the water man - go check this out as he shows how molecules of water can change pattern and shape when hearing loving words and when hearing hateful words. Considering the human body is approximately 70% water, that means this change can impact our hearts and minds too. THE JD PRESCRIPTION Grab an eyeliner/lip liner, heck, even a Sharpie and write Words of Love, think of the word that your thighs need to hear, or a word that would soothe your upper arms. Tattooing is an option but if you're thinking of trying something temporary, visit conscious ink, there are some gorgeous temporary ones there. 3. Photograph your body We all know the power of the selfie - what began as a fun way of using our smart phones has taken on the world. What really is the selfie about? It's a reminder to look in our own eyes and say 'I like you, very much, just exactly as you" as Mark Darcy said to Bridget Jones so eloquently. Whether you publish them or keep them private, the purpose is to acknowledge who you are and begin to like yourself. We begin to view ourselves in a different way. Selfies are where it begins. You don't have to declare your photos like I did to a bunch of cool wonderful women on Facebook, but in just beginning to do this practice, you will begin to fuse your split-halved-self. THE JD PRESCRIPTION Don't rush it, find some time where you're on your own and won't be disturbed. Start with parts that you love - your finger nails, your neck, ears, hair, feet, and then move gently on to the half that you feel you're ignoring. This takes time - you will often taken 20+ before you can look and LIKE. Delight in your reflection - enjoy it. Timer Cam is a great App so you can just enjoy the process of bringing both halves together. * * * September is a wonderful time to create new daily rituals. Rituals that make you feel shine from the inside out. Let's plant the seed and just look at 4 nurturing rituals for a smooth September start. Hopefully they may inspire you, and I am sure you can think of more for yourself but maybe these resonate with you. 1. Create space It is true that all things have a place and picking things up does make us feel better and creates a good feeling around our environment. Is there somewhere in your home that you feel needs a daily habit to create space? Perhaps a plate for your keys where you know you'll always find them because this is where you will put them. Hoovering every day may not be something that makes you dance a jig but clearing the space can be a great habit to form, as is putting clothes away every day after the washing has dried, or emptying the dishwasher, or setting a breakfast tray for the morning. Creating space means different things to all of us. Having a Counselling and Therapy Practice within my home nudges me to vacuum throughout the space to clear the air and prepare the welcome for my clients. 2. Play 'The Glad Game.' 'Gratitude' is a buzz word and a very popular one at that, but seriously if you look into the meaning of gratitude, or The Glad Game, as Pollyanna called it, you find that it can change your perspective quite quickly. If you're feeling out of sorts whether that be something that has happened, an interaction with a friend, colleague, or family member, one thing that can help is to sit down and make a list of everything that you 'gladdens' you about that person. It doesn't solve the situation per se, but it helps you to 'shift the focus'. You can then revisit that list whenever you need to. At the end of every day, write down 5 things that you make you feel Glad. This can be that the sun was shining, or the baby smiled at you in the supermarket, or your dog curled up close, or your cat purring on your heart, or your partner cooked dinner. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Find yourself a little notebook and keep it by your bedside. 3. Feed the water within. We know the benefits of drinking water, and approx 70% of your body system is made up of water. Therefore your body needs to drink it, but it also loves to bathe in it or feel it in the shower. The best habits are to shower daily, or bathe, create a practice around this and you will reap the benefits. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day is a great way to fuel your body, as when we're dehydrated we can feel hungry, tired, and very irritable. Always drink water before making a decision. Have you ever tried adding epsom salts into a bath, or a tub of water to soak your feet, (if you don't have time for a bath), it can be revitalising and soothing. 4. Plan Your 'Me Time'. You may think only people who are successful plan their days - well, it's a great ritual to begin and it's available for everyone. Scheduling 'Me Time' into your diary, or your smart phone, will help you spend your factor in self care, which is HUGE for those of you who are in the helping/healing/customer service professions. We often forget to do this for ourselves, often we need a little reminder, so take this from me as your reminder! Scheduling and getting into a habit of looking at calendars and writing a to do list before bed so that you know what you need to do the following day will give you permission to sleep without it going over and over in your mind. In Joy Jules xx |