by Leonie | Aug 12, 2016 | Blog
I’ve been pondering – is there a dark side to positive thinking?
I witnessed a glimpse on facebook recently – a woman questioned how she felt about how some use positive thinking as a blanket approach and cure-all for life’s every challenge. Within minutes of her comment there was a gaggle of replies from positive thinkers who’d jumped in to rescue her from the peril of her ‘negative’ thinking.
They sounded well intentioned, helpful and supportive – but it felt bossy, reactive and rigid – more like the ‘thought police’ in full flight.
So here’s my ponderings . . .
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by Leonie | Mar 7, 2016 | Blog
Integrity is a hot commodity right now. Far and wide I’m hearing tales of misunderstanding, entanglement, disloyalty and betrayal that have integrity (or the lack of) sitting at their core. Many more of us are standing up and speaking up in the face of this, even those who would normally stay silent or turn away from the threat of conflict. Here’s the influence I see from the ‘bigger picture’
Pluto with his magnetic and powerful pull on global trends for change is now half way through his journey through Capricorn, with the effects becoming increasingly obvious.
Pluto (ruler of Scorpio) – The deep, dark, delicious . He’s the Master of transformation, ruling the infinite cycle of birth, death and rebirth. His energy is felt in deep urges, undercurrents, rumbles and volcanic like eruptions.
The keeper of the unconscious realms, obsessions and compulsions, desire for control and power. He invites us to go deeper, let go of the superficial and surrender to fear and faith. Magnetic, powerful and unstoppable – we often feel trapped in his world – the irony being that our sojourn through darkness is set by our pace not his. His life makeovers happen with or without our cooperation – but, its far more fun if we get with the program, earn our wings and fly with that phoenix out of the ashes.
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by Leonie | Aug 1, 2015 | Blog
It’s a long wait. Maybe terminal?
As a recovering perfectionist I know the price we pay for ‘waiting for perfect’. It looks all pretty, neat and organised and sounds completely plausible on the outside, but in reality its a dirty little street fight. And our creativity, dreams and joy in life are the prizes that get trampled in the tug-of-war.
Recently, some tendrils of ‘waiting for perfect’ have been rising stealthily from my shadow. Claiming space in my now, stealing little pieces of me, gnawing at my future and consuming greedy gulps of my creative energy.
Enough already. If now isn’t perfect, tomorrow won’t be either.
Every so often, we need a blunt reminder of that. Sitting with it brings a liberating change in perception. Space opens up, time is again our friend and the sun rises again on the horizon of our potential.
No matter what level of chaos, disruption or change our lives are going through, the habit of waiting until ‘it’ is sorted is a big fat illusion. ‘It’ may get sorted, but a new ‘it’ will immediately commence. The drama continues and so does the delay in getting on with what really matters to us.
Well . . . Fffft to that!
My vision, my goals, my core passion, my fun and joy in life are going back to the top of the list. Highest priority!
I like a generous quota of chaos to keep life spicy. Rather, than try to change that, I think its about continuing to feed the flames of what’s important, in the middle of any storm that brews or rages around us. Whatever arises, deal with it, but don’t give it more than it needs or turn away from what you really want in the process. No more habitual ‘making do’ until the changing is done (it never is). Lots more ‘making by doing’ while change flows anyway!
A thought bubbles up . . . can you commit to yourself, to your dreams, to your now and your future? Can you persist . . . gently or fiercely – whatever it takes . . . commit and persist . . . no matter the weather? This is the alchemy of the perfection of now.
Yes! I believe I can!
by Leonie | Mar 15, 2015 | Blog
Consistency . . . or die?
We hear – consistently – that consistency is key to realising our goals and dreams. Life has proven the truth in this. Even so, I find consistency to be quite a challenge.
I think we need to blend it with our deeper, natural rhythm. Know our authentic needs and allow for them – build them into our consistency rather than try to forcibly delete them. Otherwise we’re aiming for something that feels like perfection and behaves like inner struggle. Which elevates doubt and gnaws at our confidence – both of which gobble up our joy and eat our dreams for breakfast.
Consistent needs to include room for your natural balance, not fight against it. For me that includes regular time out – from everything (including social media). So, should I worry about the health of my ‘page’? FB tells me to post ‘consistently’ – daily, or I’ll no longer show on my liker’s newsfeed. Many advocate multiple posts per day. Blogging began with a recommended weekly dose in the social media diet. Then bi-weekly, now most experts say do it daily or you’ll be irrelevant and obsolete in our information overloaded world! One recipe fits all? Communicate our way, stay in everyone’s loop all the time . . . or die!
Only a wee example, that mirrors so well the many other streams of advice on how to live life ‘successfully’?
Does this ‘one recipe fits all’ approach resonate with you as consistency? It feels more like an unsophisticated version of mainstream conformity to me (shudder!)
We’re blessed with access to more information than we can ever digest. And I believe that makes it even more important that we consciously filter and think for ourselves in applying all this juicy advice. That we go within and find resonance with our way. To develop and use discernment in finding our own recipe for consistency and every other concept we choose to integrate into our lives.
Anything else is ‘blind obedience’ with roots in fear and lack, isn’t it?
So here’s my addition to the bountiful advice on consistency. Stretch yourself, widen your boundaries, regularly adventure past your fears and limitations, experiment with new concepts and habits. And look beneath the surface to assess their fit in your life before committing your soul to them. When we want to create a new, beneficial and sustainable element in life – its ok to do it gradually and authentically and its ok not to do it by blind adherence to someone else’s mantra (or dogma).
There is much to learn from other’s experience and wisdom. And much to gain by adapting it and making it our own.
Consistency is most powerful – when we are consistently authentic.
by Leonie | Dec 21, 2014 | Blog
New Moon in earthy, super organised Capricorn (Dec 22: 12:06pm ACST)
There is a serious, practical, careful, cool calm and collected aura to all things Capricorn. Ruled by wise old Saturn, the patient, masterful, thorough teacher and builder of substance and form. Witnessing the Capricorn energy do its organising, manifesting thing is an alchemic experience. Arising from the essence of personal leadership & responsibility, integrity, honesty and commitment. They are the masters of holding the vision and working the process.
The New Moon occurs at the darkest point in her cycle to fullness, and is the time for planting seeds, making wishes and setting intentions. The most powerful way to do this is by focussing on the aspects of life that are most influenced by the sign – Capricorn this month, therefore Aquarius next month etc.
In the here and now, if you’ve left all you’re silly season jobs til the last minute Ms Capricorn Moon will be your saviour! Taking a longer range view into the new year, she is the Queen of clarity, focus and putting plans into action – make your wishes for personal goals, career, business, happiness and success on your terms. Write them down, by hand. Over the coming months you’ll be boosted in that direction, trust that whatever arises on the way is exactly what is needed to manifest your desires.
Relationships & love This is a potent time, outbursts of all types may erupt within and around. Try not to ‘make it’ or ‘take it’ personally – we must express and clear the old stuff. Let love (real unconditional, honest, tough, forgiving) love show you the way.
Happy New Moon to all!
But wait there’s more . . . the blood and guts version . . .
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