8 September 2010
Do you remember that song? "Signs, Signs, Everywhere is Signs. Blocking out the scenery, shaping my mind. Do this don't do that can't you read the signs". Not sure who wrote or sang the song (perhaps someone can let me know). It was a great song. And how pertinent is that message! No wonder advertisers jumped onto signs - they can influence us so much. Just imagine if signs were used more usefully though. What about "Love yourself, You Deserve It" for a sign. Perhaps it could be displayed at roundabouts or something. But I am digressing. What I really wanted to say, is how our lives can change when we start taking notice of 'life' signs occurring around us all the time. For instance, I really notice birds these days - I am really noticing the Kookaburras right at the moment. And when I check out the spiritual significance of these birds in Scott Alexander King's book Animal Dreaming he says they are about Healing the Self and taking responsibility for your own healing. How's that. I absolutely love these birds and they come in for me a lot. Another one is crows (Law) that have a special significance for a lot of people, and also the magpies (Balance). Taking notice of incidents, and how and when they occur, and their possible significance is another one. Aside from anything, it is really FUN once you start observing how things happen. I think it also helps us to let go of attachments and expectations with each other. Once we relinquish control, life can take on a totally different and exciting dimension.
18 August 2010
I'm reading a book at the moment called Enlightenment To Go by David Michie, which is largely an interpretation by him of the Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life by Shantideva. Michie suggests, that by reading his book, you will glean a lot of what you need to know about the Buddhist way, without it being so daunting and confronting. I have only just finished reading Part 1 of the book at this stage, which discusses the compassionate mind of enlightenment from a Buddhist perspective, and felt compelled to share some of the Mindfulness exercises he suggests we do at the end of the chapter. (1) Stop yourself at intervals and consider the content of your thoughts and the way that you feel, and how one thing - the thought - leads to the other - the feeling. (2) Approach the exercise as though you were a researcher, trying to reach an objective assessment of your thoughts and feelings. Identify the predominant themes. Are they positive, negative or a balance of the two? Pay particular attention to the habitual thoughts that give rise to any negative feelings. (3) Observe how you talk to yourself during the day. What is the overall tine of your self-talk, and what messages you send yourself. (3) Through this exercise, try to become more aware of the assumptions, interpretations and beliefs you have about yourself and the world around you - especially any recurring patterns and the feelings that they create. I thought these points were excellent - I hope you do too.
20 July 2010
Yes, I know, it's a bit of a negative headline. But you know, I believe there is a place for everything - so that includes negative emotions such as complaining and complacency. It has been a real 'bug-bear' for me lately and it has been coming up a lot. We are all presented with situations all the time where we can choose to say something or do something about things that we are feel are not right or downright wrong - but how often do we actually do this? How often do we rather, choose to 'not create waves' or 'keep the status-quo' or simply, choose not to step into our conflict/confrontation mode. Well, I think the times-are-a-changin'. Now is the time for us to step up, to take responsibility, and to say loudly, strongly, and clearly - No, and to then give the reasons why. For example, I was talking with a friend the other day, who took a friend of hers to lunch to return some favours she had done for her. She said the place they went to was quite expensive, but that they had to wait and hour and a half before they were served, and the food was terrible. She did not say that she had complained about this though. But why not. I believe that by continuing to not say anything, we are breeding more of the same behaviour. When you start giving some thought to this, you will start to see the implications of our not saying anything. The vibe just ripples out, and before you know it we have communities acting the same way - and then governments. Why are we so happy to complain about our governments, but not actually do anything about it. Well we now have a perfect opportunity to complain 'diplomatically' coming up, with the federal election in Australia in August. It is going to be interesting to see how Julia Gillard goes. By the way, a good site to go to that is doing lots of really positive work to get people to become more active about issues that can affect us all is www.getup.org.au. I say, speak up, stand up, and support change.
26 June 2010
I am finding there is no better way to observe your emotions, than when you are in a confrontational situation. When I say confrontational here, I don't mean when you are within a full-blown argument, but before this, as you feel the heat and the anger arising. I have been, and still am (like many of us I think) prepared to do anything to avoid confrontation. But I am really starting to see how much of a cop-out this is, and how complacency is really ruining the world. We have to start stepping up and realising that it is OK to say 'that it is not OK' and to even take it further and do something about it. I have been in a situation I don't like for the last ten years because I have purchased a town house in a strata titled development. Initially, I spent a few years on the committee, and then I stepped down because I was just finding it too stressful and that I was unable to separate my emotions from my decision-making, which I felt wasn't very helpful. But now I am watching my neighbour go through the same thing, and I really want to do something about it. It is not something that is going to be easy to solve, and it will require going through a mediation process which will require me to nominate the person/body I want to dispute. So it does make you feel as though you are finger-pointing - which I don't like, but I just feel really strongly that the communication and decision-making process can be greatly improved. It was amazing to watch myself discussing the reasons why with my neighbour though. I got so heated, and exasperated as I didn't think she really understood what I was trying to do. It did make me think of all the other things in this world that we talk to each other about that we are not happy with ie. additivies in food, big pharma, banks, oil companies etc. and how easy it is for us to just sit back and complain and do nothing about it - aside from being aware and trying not to support them. I think, the time is really coming where we all have to step up. Scary but very empowering. I am not there, but I think I am on the way ...
15 June 2010
I've just got back from my annual pilgrimmage to The Dreaming indigenous festival held at Woodford on the Sunshine Coast in Australia each year in June. I'll give you a few of my highlights here, but also look out for more coverage on Aboriginal people, movies, music and art in future issues of The Art of Healing. The Ruby Hunter tribute (singer/songwriter Archie Roach's life partner who passed very recently) of course was very special, and very moving, and must have been extremely difficult for him. I think every single person in the audience was very grateful to him for what he did for us that night. Thank you Archie. (We are planning to do a story on Ruby in our next issue.) The movie Our Generation we feel is also going to be very important - and its due for national launch and release in September this year, so look out for this one. Producers Damien and Sinem have done an excellent job with their research and showcase the Yolngu nation as an example of an Aboriginal community - past and present. There is a lot of learning to do be done through this film and it is hoped it will also stimulate more yarning and dialogue. Performances in the Blak Dramatics tent were also up to their usual high standard with the theatre work My Name is Sud (Soo-d) being the most outstanding for me. The story was just so compelling - and contemporary, being about how a Sudanese family and how they were integrating (or not) into Australian life. Even more so, because actors in the play were all from the emerging new Sudanese communities that live in the outer Western Sydney suburbs. Musically, I just felt Leah Flanagan is moving ahead in leaps and bounds, and Busby Marou I would have liked to have seen more often. And then of course, there was OKA (Music Profile in our next issue). So the message is, if you haven't been to The Dreaming before, mark it in your Calendar for 2011. It is something - at least once in your lifetime - not to be missed.
2 June 2010
I have now been on this elimination diet - no dairy, no gluten, for going on 3 months. And boy, am I still learning! Last week for instance, I really wanted something sweet for breakfast and as my cupboards were bare (this is the first hint ...always keep stock) and I had no honey, I decided to have some strawberry jam on toast. Now I did read the label first, and noticed it said containing glucose syrup from wheat. I also noticed that this was one of the first items listed, so I did register that this was probably a reasonably high percentage of the ingredients, but I decided to eat it for 2 reasons. As mentioned, I wanted something sweet, but I also thought after 10 weeks on the elimination diet, it wouldn't be a bad idea to see if and how I reacted to it. So, having been deprived for so long, I rather lavishly spread the jam on my 2 slices of gluten-free toast. This was on the Thursday morning. Well ...(I reckon you know what's coming), starting on the Friday, I was REALLY SICK for 3 DAYS. I had restless leg at night and couldn't sleep. I had head pain, low back pain, and stomach pain. I had bloating, cramping and diarrhoea - for 3 days. You know, I am still reeling from that, and I don't think I will ever forget it. I am also quite frankly, still finding it really hard to believe that so little could make such a difference. Interestingly, I am just editing an article by Sue Dengate (author and operator of the Food Intolerances Network) about food intolerances and particularly additives in food, which we will publishing in our Sep/Nov issue of The Art of Healing. One thing Sue talks about is an additive called annatto, a natural substance and additive which has been found to cause quite severe reactions in some people, and also salicylates which she says are increasing in our food supply. Foods high in salicylates include most fruit, but especially berries and citrus, fruit juices, sultanas, dried fruits, some vegetables, and especially tomato-based sauces. She also said that problems often occur when people eat "a very large does over a very short time". So I certainly had a couple of 'aha' moments when reading this article ie. berries and quantity. I hope this information also serves you well, and look out for the article. It is very good.
19 May 2010 I was listening to an interview with Alanis Morisette yesterday by an American organisation, Feminine Power, which is doing some great work in bringing women together and giving them a global sense of community. The women agreed there were two types of empowerment - individual and global. When discussing the former, Alanis spoke about authentic power which she said for her, was more about personal power, "the degree of correction and attunement to self one has and a highly evolved version of care and ability to soothe oneself as we evolve toward that which we are called to do." She then went on to talk about service, and holding power in service to something that is greater than oneself, as opposed to using power over, or accomplishing simply for the sake of it. She said that during her early rise to fame, she was swept up in the seductive and egoic aspect of the music industry, and if she hadn't been able to return to the service side of it, she would not have continued. The answer she said was service, for people to be able to use her for her own evolution. I really related to this - and hope you do too. I have been getting back into my own music over the last couple of years, and everytime I am called to get up and play and sing on my own, I just can't really get into it. But as soon as I hear voices singing with me, or other instruments joining in - aaaaaah, I can relax. This what it is about. I think of it as a communion. Similarly with The Art of Healing, it is only as good as the collective involved and associated with it, and I never forget that this is how I am able to serve.
12 May 2010
I've recently returned from a fabulous conference in Sydney called the Health, Happiness & Its Causes Conference, which is put on by the Vajrayana Institute annually. The Art of Healing has been involved with the Institute and their events for about 5 years now, and this is about the 3rd one I have personally attended. It is always very well organised, the speakers are well-chosen, and it is always well-attended. However, being an alternative girl, I tend to gravitate a bit to the left of mainstream thinking, pondering on why we are focussing so much on what happiness is, the pursuit of happiness etc. Shouldn't we just be living it rather than analysing it so much? I guess, we do have societies in the Western world that are increasingly plagued by 'depression', so this is one reason that looking at what makes people happy makes sense. Even so, I felt immensely self-satisfied this year, when a few speakers also questioned the role of happiness. Hugh Mackay, Australia's learned social commentator, suggested that perhaps happiness is out of our control, and that without sadness, we would never know what happiness is. "To be fully human", he said, "to be 'normal', is to be occasionally engulfed by waves of grief or sadness, and stymied by feelings of despair, doubt or disappointment." James O'Loughlin, best known as host of Australia's The New Innovators series on ABC TV, walked on stage saying what a beautiful day it was outside and asked why were we all sitting inside listening to people talk about what happiness was? One could not argue. In my opinion, it is relishing those moments, and constantly paying attention to bringing ourselves out of our heads and into what is happening - here and now, that really counts. I was at our beautiful beach this morning, and saw a koala in the tree (this is quite rare) and dolphins swimming - the first time for more than 12 months and it certainly occurred to me how much I am in my head as I walk. Life is such a teacher.
27 April 2010
I feel since I last wrote a blog that I have been to another world and back. It is one thing to research health and healing, but then to experience it - through the passing of a much-loved friend and highly-valued member of our community ... well, it has been a journey. The last few weeks have really brought home how much is beyond our control - be it fate or destiny, and why it is so important to have some solid supports in place. My friends have been absolutely amazing. But I am not out of the woods yet. The incident was quite traumatic, and as with stress, it is sometimes quite difficult to tell what impact it is really having on you. You feel OK, but you find yourself saying things and receiving looks from others that make you feel that you are not OK. You wonder if you have sufficiently grieved, or if you have just buried the pain. Images keep coming up for you. As I go through this experience I keep remembering an article we published about bereavement in Issue 28 - particularly the section on distress where it says "loss involves sadness and often anger as well. These feelings need to be experienced fully and usually repeatedly over time. There is no shame attached to being upset." I have certainly felt the need to blame someone, and asked why. What I think has helped mostly though, is feeling that this was the time for this person to go. It has nothing to do with me or anyone else. So I guess I am trying not to get too bogged down in emotions around it, although it is funny, because externally people seem to expect it. This is what I find the hardest. Meeting the expectations of other people! Grrrrrr....yes, I have anger too. Oh, I do want to say this too, because it is important. Please leave your mobile phones at night time so if there is an emergency, your friends or family can get hold of you. Love and light.
I have just finished reading a great novel about the intricacies of marriage (something I do rarely, as I read a lot of non-fiction for the magazine). It is called Love in Mid Air and is by Kim Wright, who (in real life) divorced her husband 12 years ago and, living in a small town, watched how her divorce impacted on the community around her. The flip-side however was that she became the person that women confided in about their bad marriages, and the notes she kept became the basis for the book. The book itself is about forty-something Elyse, who has a seemingly perfect marriage – a daughter, a cat, a job she likes, a nice house and group of friends, and a husband Phil who is a Dentist. However flying back from a work trip she meets a married man she is attracted to, and …eventually … she says yes.Love in Mid Air is witty, intelligent, intense, and sexy, and gives a provocative take on marriage and adultery. Kim also explores the notion of how women often ‘settle’ for what is normal or ‘acceptable’, and how the central character Elyse's affair challenges her relationship with her husband – but also her close circle of friends who feel threatened by her behaviour. Definitely in the ‘can’t put it down’ category, Love in Mid Air is sharp and seductive, and offers up some great tips – within the bedroom and without! http://theartofhealing.com.au/bookreview1.htm
9 March 2010
I was thinking this morning (as I meandered back from my board room on the beach) about being a woman - being International Women's Week. I was thinking about my own growth over the years, and where I am now in relation to other women and my perception of where women are at in the world today. And you know, we have come a long way, but gee, I think we have so far to go. And that is exciting. If we look at how we are raising our kids for example, are we happy with that? Is how we are raising our kids being reflected back to us through what is going on in the world? How responsible are we really being? Do you think there is something not quite right about us blaming the world we are in, saying that we are having to exist in a patriotic society and that it is men who are at fault? Do you think, that perhaps it is time for women to reclaim their feminity, and to think about existing in this patriotic world as women - rather than pseudo men? As Trudy Johnston wrote in her article entitled 'Man Woman' for Wellbeing magazine, "Most men ...are unclear of what their purpose for being on the planet is because, normally, they would be assisting women, but the moment that women go into being a man, then who do they assist?". Bullseye. And you know, I think a lot of us know it too. Not an easy thing to do though. I know that I definitely present as more masculine than feminine, and in fact, I'm not really into wearing frilly frocks etc. But I have a feeling there is more to getting in touch with my feminine side than this, and it is real fun finding out... although, I can't help thinking there are men out there who are more feminine (naturally), and women who are more masculine (naturally)....where would be without our ruminating minds!
4 March 2010
You know, we forget how little we need of something to make a difference. With respect to food particularly, or whatever we put in our mouths, just think of how much is in a tablet. Yes, I know, this is concentrated, and there are lots of factors to take into consideration here...but, when you start thinking about how a tablet, just one, can change things in our bio-chemistry, it really makes you think. I am currently on an elimination diet, and so have to cut out dairy and gluten. I was out for lunch yesterday, and I was eyeing off a gluten-free chocolate brownie - with walnuts. I actually had a beautiful salad for lunch, after chatting with the chef about what I could eat that didn't have dairy or gluten in them (and dairy does include goats milk so therefore goats cheese). Basically I am finding that there are so many foods that contain milk! But, I did go back for the brownie. However, I have been told that I should not eat chocolate. So, I am in a bit of dilemna...and feeling a bit bad, because I really want to do this diet thing right. When I left the natural health clinic last week, I went away with some documents that informed me about what foods I can include, and what foods I should avoid. At the bottom are the words "Remember!A small amount of an offending food does matter! The diet in the initial 2 weeks must be strict". So I felt compelled to share that with you here, because my mind keeps saying - oh, a little bit won't hurt. But, it does. And if you are a person who knows, or thinks, you might react to things, perhaps, like me, you might also like to pay attention to this. I also bought some rice crackers last week, which I eat fairly regularly - usually the seaweed, but I bought some plain rice crackers and some tomato salsa crackers, which I thought would be a change. But of course it has flavourings. I mean, I knew that...but I forgot. Similarly, I was eating a homemade basil pesto last week and suddenly realised it contains parmesan cheese. And check out the sauces! I really love to use Oyster Sauce in my stir frys, or chinese sauces - which I thought I was being quite careful about. They all contain wheat. Couldn't believe it. By the way, I still not minding the diet - it is just that I am quite astounded, on a daily basis, on what I am finding I am eating that has stuff in it, when I thought I was eating quite organically.
27 February 2010
Well I just have to say, I am not minding this blogging at all. I always have way more information coming in than I can get out through The Art of Healing magazine, so blogging, Facebook, and Twitter are perfect tools to keep the information moving. I would also like to make a stand against all the disparagers of computers out there. I think they are a fantastic way to bring people together, and to feel connected. It must also improve writing skills? So here is the latest...I was reading in the local newsletter put out by the Maple Street Co-Op in Maleny (Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia), that accordingly to trendsspotting.com, 96 percent of Generation Ys (who apparently now outnumber the baby boomers) have joined an online social network. Further, mashable.com reports that it took radio 38 years to reach 50 million people, it took TV 13 years, the Internet four years, and the iPod three years. However it has taken Facebook only 9, that's NINE months, to reach 100 million users. Outrageous isn't it. As I said, I am currently enjoying it. I do agree with the anti-computer advocates however, that you do have to watch how much time it all takes, and I find my energy really becomes sapped. One remedy for this by the way, is to have a himalayan salt lamp placed in close proximity to your computer, and an afternoon siesta or meditation session also works.
26 February 2010
Well I just made it back from the beach in time this morning - it's pouring here! But just love the rain. We are so lucky where we live on the north coast of NSW in Australia, as we receive some of the highest rainfall in Australia. I am also just eating a 'new' breakfast, since being told earlier this week that I have to cut all dairy and gluten completely out of my diet. I had thought that I was already cutting out gluten, but found out that in fact, eating spelt and kamut breads, and soaking muesli overnight was not enough. So I am currently eating brown rice with coconut milk, pecans and honey. Quite nice, needs a bit more modification for my palate though - I really like sweet things in the morning, so I am going to try Maple syrup next time. I reckon that will clinch it. I'm also just going through the latest media releases I have received over the last couple of days, and the most important one is 'Osteoporosis drugs may be risking lives'. This advice has been received from the University of Sydney and is the result of research conducted by Professor Gustav Duque who has concluded that a drug called alendronate, a drug commonly used in Australia to treat osteoporosis, can lead to blood clots and strokes. Please help us to spread this information to others.
23 February 2010
I went to see a new practitioner this morning. A GP - with a holistic approach, who had come highly recommended. In fact I recalled I had been told about him a few times over the years, but today was the day. And all I can say is, thank goodness. After many years of suffering with irritable bowell, I think I have finally found someone who has a good understanding of this area. In fact, turns out this is his specialty. But you know, life is so much about timing. I really did get quite sick over the Christmas period, which for the first time, frightened me a bit. So that pushed me to look more closely at my health and further changes I needed to make. Consequently, there were three new things I decided to do. The first was to keep a daily food diary, and to include on it how many hours sleep I get, what exercise I do, and what may have been stressing me. This has also helped me to see how consistent my hours of eating, sleeping, getting up are. Secondly, I decided I needed to look for help again. I have done this a few times over the years of course, but have just never really found the right person. So everytime I have had to 'put myself out there' I have not found it easy, simply because of a lack of trust. But this time I realised that I am not getting any younger and so really need a professional to understand my health issues, and I had to acknowledge, that as well as I do know my body, I really wanted to work 'with' someone on healing it, rather than think I could solve everything on my own. I figured the combination of my knowing, and a practitioner's knowledge - if I could find someone I trusted, would have to be the best option. But this time I decided I would go and see a health practitioner when I was feeling good, instead of when I was not well. So it actually felt good, when I was asked "so how can I help you today" to answer "well, I've come to see you because I am healthy". At least, I got a laugh! But now...I have to embark on an elimination diet - for the next 4 weeks. I can't even eat chocolate! Aaaaah. Not that I am a chocoholic, but I just find for energy it is great. I also have to cut out all milk products which includes butter - that will also be missed...(I'm a Kiwi girl). The rest ie. going on a gluten-free diet, I think I can cope with. Have doing that pretty much anyway...but, we'll see how I go.
17 February 2010
I just received my first issue of Tricycle magazine yesterday - the Buddhist Review from Canada. If you haven't heard of it, check it out. I have only just begun to read it, and it is very good. (I was interested to note that Philip Glass is on the Board of Directors). In the Editor's View written by James Shaheen, he spoke about a book he came across called The Underachiever's Manifesto: The guide to Accomplishing Little and Feeling Great by Ray Bennett, M.D. Now some of you maybe thinking, yeah right, like we now need to read books on how to do nothing. But, in discussing the value of meditation, he quoted a piece from this book which I felt compelled to share here; "If we have ambitions - even if our aim is enlightenment - then there is no meditation...This is why an important characteristic of shamatha [calm abiding] meditation is to let go of any goal and simply sit for the sake of sitting. We breathe in and out, and we just watch that. Nothing else. It doesn't matter if we get enlightenment or not. It doesen't matter if our friends get enlightened faster. Who cares? We are just breathing...Nothing else. We let go of our ambitions. This includes trying to do a perfect shamatha mediation." This excerpt from the book was written by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. James then goes on to talk about the Type A personality who are basically over-achievers, and who find it very, very difficult to sit around doing nothing for long periods of time (I hope some of you are relating to this as much as I am!). Also mentioned is multi-skilling, which is something I also find I need to observe. (In my opinion, us females really need to pay attention to this, because it really is not good for our health.) According to Pablo Picasso: "You must always work not just within, but below your means. If you can handle three elements, handle only two. If you can handle ten, then handle only five. In that way, the ones you do handle, you handle with more ease, more mastery, and you create a feelig of strength in reserve".
14 February 2010
I am so, so happy. I have just eaten a piece of certified organic watermelon with black pips! I am just so grateful in the knowing that finally, I am know I am eating real food. And it was just delicious! Do you remember when you got down to the core, or inner skin, how juicy it used to be, so that when you eat it you actually have to suck at the same to time to stop it all from dribbling down the side of your mouth? How easily we forget these things. Like onions, do you remember when you would never volunteer to help with chopping the onions because they would sting your eyes so much? When is the last time that happened to you with the onions you currently buy. It's so good that we all starting to pay attention to what we eat, and are reading labels to find out what additives, preservatives, food colourings are in some foods, but I wonder how often we actually stop and really look at our fruit and veges. Do you think they are really grown so perfectly - naturally? And then OK, so you do need some tomoatoes for lunch and you haven't got time to go elsewhere, so you buy them...begrudgingly. Then you get the home, make a sandwhich and - no taste....and then you notice after a couple of days that they are already soft. So how can we say that we don't want to pay extra to buy certified organic, when the extra cost would probably be what we are losing with the currrently 'pesticide-laden, fertiliser-fed' supermarket variety. Food for thought...
10 February 2010
I have been thinking about the significance of the Copenhagen talks and their inability to fulfil everybody’s expectations. This fact alone is so big, in so many ways. The way I have been looking at it, is once again it has showed us that we have to stop thinking that others can do the work for us. In whatever guise that might be, from macro to micro eg. governments, to doctors/practitioners, to us. For me, it’s showing us that we, each and everyone of us, has to stand up and be counted. We all have to contribute, in our own ways and stop relying and expecting for others to do the job. This is how change will come about. From grass roots ie. from us, as individuals, to our communities, and so on spiralling out. I so needed to put this in writing as I need to keep reminding myself of this. We have to stop looking outward, when so many of the answers are within, and we also need reach out to others, connect with others, work with others. It is so important in these times. I am currently really enjoying arranging more exchanges with people where no cash is involved, and the more this happens, the more I wonder if in fact we are heading towards a cashless society. Wouldn’t that would be great. Just have a think about that and how that would affect and change the way we live.
10 February 2010
I am so happy to be here. Finally, my first blog. Another door opens, exciting. I have just got back from a walk down the beach – in the (sometimes pouring) rain! Absolutely gorgeous. I live in a coastal tourist town called Byron Bay, which is located on the northern coast of the state of New South Wales in Australia. It is a beautiful place to live (for lots of different reasons which I will divulge to you over time) but firstly because of the weather and the beautiful surroundings. On one side we have beach, and on the other we have the hills area- and we have lots of flora and fauna which we all just love and really care about. This morning I was taking careful note of the critters I saw as I wandered, which included; bush or scrub turkeys, standing like sentinels guarding their territory; a wallaby (small kangaroo), very busy eating; a bush hen, poking around in the marshes surrounding a fresh water pond; ducks swimming amongst the lotus flowers, a very dishevelled and wet-looking butcher bird (a pretty ordinary looking black and white bird that has a beautiful singing voice); and I heard the Kookaburras laughing from the trees (Australias version of the Kingfisher). And that was a fairly quiet morning for critters as I think, like us, they are still all in-hiding, protecting themselves from the deluge of rain we have been having here over the last week or so. Byron Bay is sub-tropical and we are very lucky (in such a dry country) to get some of the highest rainfall in Australia – particularly between these Summer months between Jan-Mar. So our gardens just bloom and blossom during this time – lots of native grevillea here (similar to bottlebrush plants), frangipani and hibiscus. Yes, I love it here. I also use the beach as my boardroom really. It is a place where I can yes, get lots of fresh air into my lungs and a bit of exercise - or a swim in Mother Earths beautiful womb – but also breathe in all those negative ions. I always find I get lots of ideas flowing when I am walking along the beach.
