A huge hello to you glorious ones
Hello from Forest Lodge,
It’s early in the morning, the first Thursday of August, and I wake at 5.05 am, decide to doze, decide not to doze, make a strong coffee, and sit down to contemplate the day…
A day that could include writing my ever-evolving book, engaging in restorative yoga and meditation, playing with my youngest grandchild, drawing, reading, gardening, walking… Certainly, a day to be cherished before I head north to Brisbane for a couple of weeks. I can hear the birds and the hum of traffic. The air is still, cool, and the sky is clear. It’s as though the potential of the day has a buzzing sound, inviting me to show up. To show up is one of my most important values, to show up for myself and for others: for my work, creative practice, family, and home. It’s so simple, isn’t it? Once it’s said, it cannot be unsaid. But it is often difficult to show up in ways that people want and expect. One step at a time…
Several things have shown up for me this morning… Podcasts that I have been listening to. A friend recommended The Way Out Is In, a Zen and The Art of Living podcast. It focuses on Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings and it is rather wonderful. Highly recommend.
You might like to check out the podcast Hidden Brain, and one in particular 27th June, The Best Years of Your Life, (also recommended by a friend). Positive Ageing/Creative Ageing is my research focus at present, and I found this episode very encouraging (and just a little reminder, it is a privilege to age and celebrate it one step at a time).
My research is expanding: I have just enrolled in a three-year course with Nalanda Institute, NYC, called Contemplative Psychology, where we spend time focusing on Meditation, Compassion, and Embodiment. The course will provide inspiring ways of weaving new meditative practices and socially engaged ethics into my working framework. I hope to be able to share some of these powerful learnings with you at appropriate times. I am more than excited because it is now over 20 years since I officially trained as a collaborative and creative therapist.
I thought a deep dive into contemplative practice would be a perfect antidote to our troubled world. I am, therefore, temporarily taking a break from offering creative workshops, giving myself the space to absorb and weave these new learnings into the fabric of my creative arts practice, in writing/ performing, and counseling/supervising.
I am, however, still counseling and supervising on a regular basis, and I warmly invite you to contact me if you feel the need for a rousing conversation. Send me a text at +61 (0) 410515637. I am a great believer in one-off sessions or brief therapy as it is officially known. Often, it only takes a creative conversation or two, and an art directive to help shift blocked energy and get you back on track. Most of my artists continue to return for top-up sessions throughout the years when they feel it necessary. It’s always a joy to have them back in the Zoom room.
Also on offer: a personal half-hour meditative session (pro bono) to our community. I have been engaging in this practice with some of my artists and friends for several months now and have found it enriching and deeply moving. We meet for about half an hour in the morning, one-on-one, usually around 7.30 am. We ‘bridge in’ (check-in) followed by a 20-minute sit. Contact me if you are interested. We can do one, two or three sessions together, and then you can continue on your own, always able to come back if your practice hits a roadblock.
May today be one of joyful moments for you, even when things are tough…one of the meditations I engaged with last night talked about focusing on the space between the branches of a tree, rather than the branches themselves. That made sense to me, so today I will practice seeing the space between.
Thank you for being part of my world,
Margi
PS The lake view above is actually from The Dandenongs, Victoria, where I was last week. A glorious place. G-d’s country.