Oh sweet summer you have captured my heart this year and showed us all of your glory! I have been constantly reminded of natures beauty and just how perfect it is, nature adapts to climate change and evolves organically, unfolding at its own pace, to reveal its true beauty. Summer allows us to immerse ourselves in nature and connect back to our grounding force. Simple barefooted walks on the beach not only fires all our proprioceptive muscles but reconnects us to our earth element and the natural rhythm of life.
What I've learned so far this summer...
Walk on the beach more
We are spoilt for beaches in Auckland even a half hour walk frees the mind, stimulates the energy flow in the body and feeds the soul.
If you've ever wondered why we always sleep more soundly after spending the day on the beach, it's because of the sea air. Sea air is charged with healthy negative ions that accelerate our ability to absorb oxygen. Negative ions also balance levels of seratonin, a body chemical linked with mood and stress. Which is why after a holiday you feel more alert, relaxed and energised.
Create time and space to just BE
Switch off the phone, log off the computer and really be with yourself or the people around you. Social media can creep into our day at any given moment and suck us into it's vortex, completely pulling us away from the present moment. This leaves us more scattered and fragmented then ever, although we are 'connected' we can end up feeling more isolated, depleted and waste hours of time! I still do need to run a business so being realistic it's phone free Sundays and more healthy boundaries around my phone use for 2015.
Travel not just to go somewhere but to simply see what you see
Getting out of your normal environment not just for new inspiration and experiences but to return refreshed with renewed zest for what you love to do. After spending the last two years healing from the loss of my Father and setting up Urban Ashram this year is time to travel, to spread my message wider, but most importantly to return to the place I love with more to share.
“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”
Find your tribe
When we choose to live from our authentic truth we start to connect and find our tribe, those fellow journeyers that are on the same path. Being a single Mum I'm quite often "out on my own", spending time with members of my tribe has a feeling of ease, support and love- somethings that are not always present in our family relationships. I feel blessed to have such amazing people around me, I wouldn't be able to do what I do with out their love and backing.
Step out of your comfort zone
Challenging ourselves to uncover our potential involves enquiring into what makes us feel uncomfortable and vulnerable, it's often in acknowledging this, that we release the fear that is holding us back. Some days it's small and subtle challenges, other days it's more profound. When we are invested in our self growth, we start to realise that we, ourselves are the only ones holding us back.
People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy.
Maybe it takes summer to remind me of the the things that are always there, or maybe it's simply taking the time and space to see them. With Wanderlust festival just around the corner I'm so excited to spend more time with my tribe and the experiences we will share!