tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57747953140775775952023-11-16T22:21:59.745+11:00with grace & eveElisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-84674048243193937522019-02-04T14:28:00.002+11:002019-02-04T14:28:47.474+11:00Truth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It never feels like the new year begins til February for me. Maybe it's because then school returns and our family slots back into a little more routine than rhythm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe it's because Summer seems to be my season, when I can flow with the tide more effortlessly. Days drift into each other, but presence abounds and gratitude floats freely.<br /><br />Just like the past four years, this year I've chosen a word to guide my year. But this time I chose my word hesitantly. The word came at me in November, and I pushed against it, willing the universe to perhaps present something a little easier? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last year's word of light, revealed every bit of darkness I was holding onto. It felt murky, messy, complicated and hard for a long while before even a touch of freedom and light arrived. So this year, when "truth" came to the surface I happily declined. But it kept coming, so Truth it is. My one word, my guiding mantra, weaved into a manifesto of sorts in my mind and thoughts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And a month in, it's guided me well. It's leading me to seeking {and questioning} my truth - my heart's desire for living this next wondrous year. It's encouraging me to set goals, and take action on them. And it's reminded me to ask myself, "What is your truth here?" in every prickly situation where healing is required. My truth hasn't always been easy to hear, but acknowledging it has only fostered acceptance and growth.<br /><br />So here's to a year of living from our hearts, speaking our truth, acknowledging and embracing our truth and evolving in gratitude from here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And to writing more; from the heart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been a long while between posts... almost a year. But truth is, I've desperately wanted to write from my heart and share it here, but I've felt much too vulnerable and the raw words have been left in my journal instead. This year feels different already, and I'm hoping to carve out time to write freely and share a whole lot more. Have you chosen a guiding word for 2019? I'd love to know. Elisa x</span>Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-83314289373878768022018-03-14T12:15:00.000+11:002018-03-14T12:15:47.617+11:00Light // One word 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Light. I've been capturing it in photographs, tuning into my heart + light within, looking for the light in all situations of late and seeking a lighter load for this year ... Light resonates with how I want to feel, and what I want to share. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">It kind of feels like <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.com/2017/01/one-word-breathe.html">I breathed my way here</a> throughout 2017.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Light is also a reminder for me that out of heaviness, dark, mess and shade, light can be found. And felt. But also it's a promise to acknowledge the shadows, to work with them + love myself through them.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">I processed loads of emotion in 2017 and shifted so many <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.com/2018/02/clarity.html">limiting beliefs</a>. It felt messy and complicated like a burden at times and a lot like grief + heartache.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">With breathe as my guiding word last year, I continually <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.com/2017/08/interrupt-busy-with-slow.html">came back to my breath as the answer</a> to most situations - when life felt rushed, in moments I wanted to remember, in stillness and in quiet. <br /><br />I came back to my breath in the loud of life with three kids. <br />I took deeper yet lighter breaths while watching the sunset most nights. <br />I allowed myself to breathe with intention the minute I woke, during meditation, and before I journalled. <br />For solo minutes, I stopped to just to breathe. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">And this practice created a lightness, space and room for the old to release and the new to grow. I feel so much lighter for it. And full of heart, hope + peace. I want to share a little more of this, my light and my heart this year. It feels like with light as my guide, that I've begun with a breath of fresh air.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Finally sharing my one guiding word for 2018! Three months in, but better late than never! <b>Have you chosen a guiding word for this year?</b> Have you blogged about it? I'd love to know/read about it. Elisa xx </span><br />
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Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-59670503715862780752018-02-14T13:54:00.001+11:002018-02-14T13:54:50.256+11:00Clarity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last year felt murky, messy and ferocious. I struggled processing emotions, and I held on too long when I could have been letting go. At times it felt like I was submerged, other times fighting to stay afloat, all the while consumed by the necessary and emotion-processing, struggling to be free.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But I got there. Though all that muck. And I broke every rule I had created for myself along the way. And I began thinking that the reason I had arrived at this place of resentment and isolation, was perhaps because of all these "rules" I created in the first place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last week, with the kids back at school, I went to the sea solo with a plan to swim. The weather was warm but mild and the humidity high, the sky clouded over and the sea looked murky, messy and ferocious - just like my past year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My first thought on arriving was how beautiful the sea is, no matter what mood it shows up in on any given day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My second thought? I don't swim on cloud-cover, big-wave days. And then I caught myself touting rules again, and wondered when I made up that one. Time to break it, was my next thought.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And so I dived in. And swam solo for thirty minutes, letting the waves push me back into shore. Letting go of any thoughts I was holding on to. And I felt free. Clear, lighter, supported and free.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And that one swim, despite being a month into the year, felt a lot like me giving myself permission to begin again. <br /><br />To take charge and see ideas become actions. <br />To break more rules that, on second thoughts, didn't even serve me that well when they were created. <br />To write, and actually hit publish. <br />To freely be me, and to simply just be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Clarity. It took jumping into a cold and windy sea to get me there. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here's to writing and sharing here much much more! How are you? What are your plans for this year? And are you a rule-breaker? Elisa xx</span></b><br />
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Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-77171559904619538912017-11-27T14:57:00.001+11:002017-11-27T14:57:08.330+11:00Pause. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UjtMPbaVTSavwYa4FPCoHpNQYRq9jHlBkx24oV2-9D1kOXy9jZI5JPQBTo_QWKBUvdktHJNolR5EjnWOnrujnNx88gGzHsl48-pux1KJEOLAL4U_c_wJqYNmkVQoI3D4pCqIDEujlxbW/s1600/reallysee_wmk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UjtMPbaVTSavwYa4FPCoHpNQYRq9jHlBkx24oV2-9D1kOXy9jZI5JPQBTo_QWKBUvdktHJNolR5EjnWOnrujnNx88gGzHsl48-pux1KJEOLAL4U_c_wJqYNmkVQoI3D4pCqIDEujlxbW/s640/reallysee_wmk.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pause. That's the word that keeps coming to me as I think about this festive season. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There's so much busy. More than I wish to remember, more than I wish to have to do. And even as I pause, it feels as though our world is still buzzing around me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But still I pause. And in that moment I notice where I am. I take a big nourishing breath in, and take stock of where I am. I notice the little things that pull me back to the present, and steer my thoughts from tasks to moments, from rushing to gratitude, from routin</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: center;">e to rhythm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I notice where I am standing. My connection with the ground, with whatever is under foot. I visualise myself putting down roots and connecting as deep down as I need to go until I reach Mother Earth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I notice my body and how it's feeling as a whole. I allow myself to notice the parts of my body that may be struggling right now. And I give thanks for them. For the job they're doing, despite strain and perhaps despite my full attention. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I notice my breath, it's rhythm, it's depth, it's sound. I dwell here with the breath, choosing not to manipulate but to be witness to it's presence today. I notice how with my non-judgement and loving attention it naturally slows, becomes deeper, fuller. For my breath, I give thanks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I notice what's around me. I see mess, I see food that needs to be cooked, I see a lengthy to-do list and floors that need sweeping. I close my eyes, reminding myself to look deeper. When I open them I see with my heart. I see an abundance of wants met, I see healthy nourishing food ready and waiting, I see a beautiful life being lived fully and a home that while messy is one of peace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I place one hand on my heart, the other on my belly. I breathe, visualising my life breath travelling back and forth between the two. I give thanks for love and all that nourishes me in each day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I pause. And in that moment I notice where I am. I return to my day, with an adjusted rhythm. Remembering who I am, where I am, and all I have to be thankful for. Especially when the world may feels like it's buzzing around me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Pause and interrupt busy with slow, mindfulness and gratitude, and in doing so, nurture. It's my plan for the next month, and going by how it feels I think it's a good one for me. Will you join me? Elisa x</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>---------------->></b> My <b>free five-day mindfulness bundle</b> incorporating breath work, journaling + meditation {the tools + rituals I use to cultivate nurture + space for what matters most in my day} will launch in the New Year. <b>More info <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/withgraceandeve">here</a>,</b> if this sounds like you xx <b><<----------------</b></span><br />
<br />Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-77644557536195834832017-09-14T11:55:00.000+10:002017-09-14T13:35:00.046+10:00I keep coming back to here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I keep coming back to here. Every day if I can. At least five times a week of late. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sea reminds me to breathe full breaths. It brings me back to my breath. To one single breath. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It reminds me that each moment is precious. And to feel all of me in this very moment. Not to think of yesterday's moments or tomorrow's. This moment. And then the next. <br /><br />When I stand here with the sea, I feel all the more alive. Because here I am mindfulness. Sometimes only for a handful of minutes. Sometimes I'm afforded a whole lot more. But presence, regardless of the time limit, is what makes the difference.<br /><br />I'm sharing today a round up of images of the sea I've taken in recent weeks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Notice how each is so different? Notice how the colours of the sea change each day? As does it's rhythm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've tried to capture the beauty of the sea in my photos, yet none are similar and different aspects have stood out to me each day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Each time I pause to observe the sea, I find myself acknowledging how it presents on this day, connecting with its rhythm and giving thanks for it. I never judge the sea. I find beauty in the sea despite its actions, despite its rhythm, despite its appearance. There's a lesson in there. And it's so very applicable to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I breathed in the sea air this morning, I gave thanks for the me that simply showed up today. I gave thanks with gentleness, kindness and a loving heart. Without judgement. And realised this space feels new to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So here I stand, committing to loving me better. Unconditionally. Stepping into my own power. With big nourishing sea breaths as encouragement. And as a reminder that this moment, this breath, right now is always the perfect time to begin. Again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">xx</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Do you love the sea too? Is my lesson a lesson for you? </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What actions do you take to nurture your heart and soul? To love your whole self better? <br />I'd love to know. Elisa x</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">>>>>> See <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/withgraceandeve">here </a>for what's included in <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/withgraceandeve">my free mindfulness bundle</a>, which is quite a bit and is looking a bit more mini-ebook worthy than bundle right about now..! I can't wait to share it with you! It includes a </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">bundle of mindful ways + words + activities to encourage you to easily connect with your heart </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">+ </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the power of your amazing life breath. And n</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ext month it will launch! I'm just putting the pretty touches on it now :) </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Elisa x</span></div>
Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-85737541552728097952017-08-29T13:30:00.001+10:002017-08-29T13:30:22.572+10:00Interrupt busy with slow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />This year started off with the most wondrous of intentions. <b>Intentions to move slowly, be grace, live purposefully, breathe with intention. </b>And I'm not saying I haven't done all those things. To a wonderful extent I have. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>But then along came the chaos.</b> The busy. I'm dubbing it "the scheduled life". </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When there's so much to be done, and so many commitments that all the moments seem played out in routine. It kills spontaneity. And it turns a slow and mindful rhythm into a routine. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And to that mishaps and </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">mess + throw in a tonne of winter colds and coughs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I felt it approaching a month or so back. <b>I felt despair. And a whole lot alone and helpless in getting all the things done while carving out the slow, heart-centred rhythm that I need. </b>{I've come to understand that slow and heart-centred is quite simply how I thrive.} </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>To some extent, busy cannot be stopped.</b> Maybe, like me, you have three young children. Or maybe, like old me, you have a busy corporate job that works to strict deadlines. It's hard to stop the busy when you simply have so much necessary stuff to be done. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>I've researched this very topic on a personal level for the past 10 years.</b> Rushing and the stress that tagged along with it was <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.com/2012/05/one-day-it-all-changed-everything-in.html">making me sick</a>. I needed the antidote to busy and rushing. And I have a conclusion:<b> </b></span><b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">We need to be okay with some busy. Life simply demands it. But we don't need to become "busy". </b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><b>Busy doesn't need to be our state of being: our sense of self from the minute we open our eyes from sleep to the minute they close again at night. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>So, what to do?</b><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Interrupt busy with slow.</b> That there is my solution. And it's working. For me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It means slowing down, and taking a dose of mindfulness to heart. But it doesn't mean becoming a constant state of slow and mindful. <b>We can still be mindful and not practise mindfulness every single moment of our waking day.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I say, <b>begin with a handful of minutes.</b> Or add an extra handful of minutes to your already mindful routine. I'm honestly talking about just a few minutes. And this isn't about setting aside time to be mindful. It's about choosing slow + mindful when your amidst busy. <b>It's about noticing that busy pace, and choosing to interrupt it. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I fold these mindful rituals into the everyday effortlessly. Because as well as slow and mindful, simplicity {for me} is key. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>RESET YOUR RHYTHM +</b> When I'm running around in the mess that can be mornings with kids, I choose to step away from the chaos, step outside with my cup of tea. I savour those sips, I look to the sky, I breathe. I move slowly. Just for a minute, before joining the mess again. Albeit calmer and more mindful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>LOOK TO NATURE + </b>When I've had a busy morning or afternoon, I pull the car over by the sea* on my drive home. I step outside {or we step outside, as I almost always have children in tow} to watch the water, taking note of the rhythm the sea is moving to today, breathing deeply and fully, taking in that sea air. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">STEP OUTSIDE + </b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">I often </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">choose to eat my lunch outdoors, especially if the sun is shining. I notice the feel of the sun on my face, it's warmth. I pause before eating to just breathe, to give thanks for this moment, my food, the sun's shine. I notice the sky's colour, the patterns of the clouds. I tend to eat slower when I do this. Eat more mindfully. I'm present.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>JUST BREATHE + </b>And when I simply can't make make my slow minutes an escape, I just take a minute to tune into <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.com/2017/01/one-word-breathe.html">my breath</a>. I notice its pace. I listen to the inhalation / the exhalation. I invite myself to breathe deeper and slower than before, and to release that breath fully. I invite myself to move slower. To walk/speak/react at a slower pace. Just for a minute. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>To counteract life's busy, interrupt it. With slow. For me, it works.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Will you give it a go? What activities help you stay centred and mindful in the here and now? I'd love to know. Elisa x</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">*Of course, not everyone lives close to the sea! But the sky is just as wondrous! Look to the patterns playing out across the sky from home or work, notice how it changes, notice how it's changed an hour later, tune into the rhythms of the sky as you could the sea. Just as expansive, just as mesmerising, ever-changing with the rhythms of life - as are we. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>--------- >> Learn about what's in my free mindfulness activity bundle for embracing slow + mindful, and tuning into the power of your breath <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/withgraceandeve">here</a>. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>--------- >> I have a new instagram account: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/ohhelloheart">@ohhelloheart</a> xx</b></span>Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-32765620577685382612017-07-20T12:51:00.001+10:002017-07-21T08:13:54.262+10:00Taking a chance + starting before you're ready<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've realised {in the past couple months} that I find it easy to overlook myself in the day-to-day. And the problem with that - with not carving out minutes of your every day solely for you - is that soon those days become weeks, months and you look back and realise you've made loads of plans + let ideas swirl in your head... and that's where they've stayed. As floating ideas and hand-written plans. In a notepad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I pretty much woke up to this realisation. Just woke up and thought, that's enough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I realised I don't actually believe in myself as much as I think I do.<br />I realised that taking a chance on me is damn scary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I realised that I've been waiting for permission to give more of my heart's writing + soul's stirrings a real go. {Permission from who, I'm not quite sure.}<br />I realised that now's the time. {Actually, now is always the time.}<br />I realised that I'm very good at talking myself out of taking a chance.<br />I realised that even the thought of <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.com/2017/05/about-motherhood.html">vulnerability</a> cripples me {used to cripple me}.<br />I realised that living my truth - writing it, sharing it, speaking it - is where I want to be {always}.<br />I realised I was giving myself the opposite advice I'd give to my beautiful girls. <br />I realised if I didn't call myself out on this one. Say "that's enough" and actually mean it, I'd be moving in these circles for many years to come. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And so, I scribbled words down on paper - words + feelings standing in my way. I came up with "taking a chance on me", "trust", "authenticity" + "vulnerability". And I've accepted they're all really good friends, and I no longer want them to be a roadblock in my way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.com/2017/01/one-word-breathe.html">I've been breathing</a> my way forward. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This past month has been about pulling back, slowing down and breathing with intention. Focusing on what matters most. And that's meant little time for anything that's not mothering my three + nurturing my heart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm embracing my ideas little by little, and navigating them into existence slowly but surely. And I'm starting before I feel ready. And those little steps I'm taking, it turns out they feel like bounds once you make a few.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Have you taken a chance on yourself lately? Have you started a new project recently? Any lessons on vulnerability you'd like to share? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With big nourishing breaths + much much love, Elisa x</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~ >> <b>FREE PRINTS + MINDFULNESS BUNDLE:</b> Thank you to all the lovely people who have signed up early before my mindfulness bundle + breathe prints are ready! Thank you for taking a chance on me! I've added a couple simple meditations and the bundle is almost ready to send. You can check out what's included <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/withgraceandeve">here</a>. Elisa xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~ >> <b>NEW INSTAGRAM:</b> I've created a new instagram <a href="http://www.instagram.com/ohhelloheart">@ohhelloheart</a> that's solely for my writing, mindfulness + meditation. Love you to come say hi! Elisa X</span><br />
<br />Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-63865522176273151732017-05-31T14:03:00.003+10:002017-05-31T14:27:47.529+10:00Autumn reflections + seasonal reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oh Autumn! You've been intense. Refreshing so. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You've taught me about <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.com/2017/05/about-motherhood.html">bravery, vulnerability + authenticity</a>. And that's seen me take a chance + embrace change. Ever so gently. Slowly. Slow enough to feel the letting go that change beckons, yet not be swept up + overwhelmed by it's current.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But mostly, this season has reminded me to carve out more time in nature to breathe and be. And in those breaths, I've been reminded why I create. Why I write. Why my heart needs it. Why writing is the key to my balance.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And so, this winter I will take time to delve within. In stillness and in heart. I will take moments of time afforded between mothering and make them mine. From here, I will write. And with my autumn-found courage, I will share. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">xx</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">As the season changes to winter here I'll be turning to these reads:</span></span><br />
- <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Way-Happy-Woman-Sara-Avant-Stover/9781577319825/?a_aid=withgraceandeve" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The Way of The Happy Woman</a>*<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> by Sara Avant Stover {inspiration, yoga + gentleness for the season's rhythm}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">- <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Only-Love-Today-Rachel-Macy-Stafford/9780310349495/?a_aid=withgraceandeve">Only Love Today</a>* by Rachel Macy Stafford {seasonal reminders + inspiration as I parent with heart}</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">- And I'll be most likely playing with this <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Crazy-Sexy-Love-Notes-Kris-Carr/9781401948283/?a_aid=withgraceandeve">Love Notes card deck</a>* by Kris Carr + Lori Portka all year {bringing awareness to my body, self + situations with love}.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /><br />xx</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">How has this season been for you? Does your rhythm chang</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">e as the seasons do? Any recommended reads? <br />I'd love to know. Elisa xx</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase these recommendations, a tiny percentage of the price comes back to me.</span></span>Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-45776871891777845762017-05-12T18:25:00.000+10:002018-05-04T13:01:17.197+10:00About motherhood... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Today I spoke a reflection and celebration of motherhood, baring my heart and soul, allowing myself to be oh-so vulnerable in front of my children's school community. Trusting and hoping my words would resonate. They did, and for that I'm incredibly grateful. This post is the words I spoke. Elisa x</span></i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Motherhood is by far the best thing to happen to me. It’s also, by far, the most challenging. </span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">When I was asked to speak on motherhood here today, I started doing a stack of research. And by research I mean talking. So lots of talking. Talking about motherhood - what makes it amazing, what makes it tough. I’ve spoken to mums at school, friends and family, women here at weekend mass, a lot of random mums at the supermarket… I’ve chatted to whoever stops to comment on our spunky miss two and I get stopped often. And all that talking - sorry, research - has only backed up my observations and speculations after 7.5 years of on the job training as a mum. My conclusion is motherhood is amazing, breathtaking, heart-expanding, wondrous, joyous, funny and incredibly precious. It’s also challenging, exhausting, tough and an endless learning curve. In short, my research has found that motherhood is as beautiful as it is messy.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Motherhood is a beautiful mess.</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">A beautiful mess. I really do think this sums it up.<br />So much beauty, so much love, so many little moments that feel oh so big to your heart.<br />But the mess. Yes, there’s the physical mess, but it’s mostly the emotional mess that stands out over time.<br />The fierce protectiveness that comes with wanting the best and only good to come the way of your child.<br />That deep immobilising guilt that comes with wondering if you’ve done enough, given enough, shared enough. The guilt that comes with striving for balance, and feeling like you’re falling short.<br />Then there’s fear and worry - of what you don’t know, and of what you do.<br /><br />There’s always some sort of mess going on. But I’m putting it out there that underneath the mess, there’s beauty to be found. At the end of the messiest days, I think we can all sit back and find a little beauty, a little gratitude.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /><b>The beauty and the mess balance each other. And I think we need both to grow.</b></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">It’s the beauty that helps us see past the fear, to flip it.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">As mothers, we can choose to love harder when fear and protectiveness present.<br />We can choose self-kindness - to see what we are doing well, to praise our efforts in motherhood - when guilt rears it’s ugly head.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">And when worry, fear and uncertainty boil to the surface, we can calm them with faith. Faith in God. Faith in family. Faith in ourselves, our hearts. Faith in our kids, their hearts. And faith in the community here to which we all belong.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /><b>Motherhood is to love, and be loved.</b></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I woke up the other day to find my miss seven asleep tucked under one arm, miss five tucked under the other and my baby {now two years old} asleep on my chest. It was bliss, but I was reminded in this moment that people often say to me, say to mothers, “You have your hands full”. I certainly did at this time; I certainly do. But what I don’t say back, and often want to is, “Yes, my hands are full, but you should see my heart.” Love, I think, is the best gift of motherhood. I had no idea I could love so much or be so loved until I became a mother. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">One thing I know for sure is Motherhood means learning.</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">And the learning never stops.<br />Because motherhood isn’t for mastering. It’s for growing, learning and evolving with our kids.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I know I’m kinder to myself, because I’m a mother.<br />Healthier, because I’m a mother.<br />Have felt more love than I knew existed in this world, because I’m a mother.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">And I’m a better version of me, because I’m a mother.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><b style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And about mothering... </span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">I wanted to share something important to me. I believe some of us are born to be mothers, but having children isn't the only way to mother. We can mother our sisters, our friends, our own mothers, someone else's children. Mothering isn't defined by gender or our ability to bear a child. It's something we can all do. For each other. It's nurture, it's kindness, it's love. I believe that sometimes all we really need is to be a mother to ourselves. But what I know is when you hold this space as a mother - for your children, for someone else's children, for your sister, your friend, for your partner ... when you mother, you are someone's whole world. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Wishing the happiest day to all mums, to everyone who mothers and to those who support us in mothering. With love, Elisa x </span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">{In Australia, this Sunday marks our celebration of Mother's Day.}</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">***I have a new Instagram account! Find me at @ohhelloheart + I will be launching free breathe prints + meditation/mindfulness resources at the end of the month via <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/withgraceandeve">here</a> xx</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">***Photo by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Sam-Natoli-Photography-115448611868215/" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sam Natoli Photography</a></span></div>
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Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-92102499129674556162017-02-28T12:29:00.001+11:002017-03-18T16:08:41.850+11:00Deciding on less and more<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I can easily write a lengthy list of what I want more of. For some reason, more seems to strike a chord... and it makes me focus on what I don't have. But when I bring less into the equation, the opposite presents. I find myself dwelling on what I don't need, what I can discard, what I truly need to be happy {and it turns out that's not many things at all}. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In learning the art of balance and in a bid for clarity, I write my more or less list each year. It begins with a fair bit of thought, but eventually the words just roll onto the page, unfolding into a manifesto of sorts that resonates with my heart. Here it is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Less screens, more books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Less sugar, more protein</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Less procrastination, more meditation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Less talking, more listening<br />Less worry, more gratitude</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Less criticism, more praise<br />Less fear, more love <br />Less rushing, more moments<br />Less doing, more just being</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Will you give the less and more list a go? Do you do a similar exercise, and has it helped you? Love to know your thoughts. Leave me a message or link below or even shoot me an email if you create your own list. I'd love to have a read. Elisa xx </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">~~~~~~~~ Love some free prints and affirmations to inspire your everyday? You can leave your email <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/withgraceandeve">here</a>! Can not wait to send this bundle of mindfulness prints + affirmations to you next month. Elisa xx ~~~~~~~~ </span><br />
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Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-1864633386899008372017-02-07T12:42:00.001+11:002017-04-09T11:26:58.811+10:00With a single breath and a heart-focused intention<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One week into Feb, 38 days into the new year... And it only now feels like my year is beginning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We've sent a little one off to prep, a confident and eager miss seven into grade two and my little miss Ruby {now 21 months} is at home navigating our world with me by her side.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I haven't set a pace so far this year. And that's been unsettling for me. I've wanted a rhythm. But instead strived for a heart-centred hum to our days. We've done beautifully in carving out memories and moments this summer. And when all sense of balance has been thrown out, we've paused, breathed, banded together and started again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our first few weeks of January were slow and long in the best way. I found myself nourishing and nurturing my three together, but carving out time with each of my girls alone too. There's something about giving all your attention to them individually that sets my heart alight, as though I'm seeing them with new eyes, giving all my love to just one for a few moments. It's really quite hard to explain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But today it feels like only now my year is truly beginning, now that school is back, and I can schedule in some time for writing, some time for nurture, time to create and time to be alone. And it turns out that's what I've craved most so far this year. Time alone to write, <a href="http://withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/one-word-breathe.html">to breathe</a>, to just be. To reconnect with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And so, I've been dwelling on little rituals I can fold effortlessly into my day. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Three rounds of salute to the sun in the morning. Ducking out the door for a short morning walk as the sun rises while the rest of the house sleeps. Stepping outside to look at the sky {looking up and giving thanks}. Writing down my blessings. Just writing, anything at all, but mostly for my heart. Reading a few pages of a new book before bed. Reminding myself to breathe, and then breathing and doing absolutely nothing else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And it seems this is where my rituals begin, with a single breath and a heart-focused intention. So here's to the start of a new year, and gratitude with each breath.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">How was your January? Do you carve any mindful or nurturing rituals into your mornings/day? I'd love to know. Elisa xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">~ Sending out three digital prints via my newsletter next month! Finally, they are ready! Plus, some breath-centered mantras and affirmations for you. If you'd like me to send them your way, you can add your email <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/withgraceandeve">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-18324263737657533602017-01-05T13:54:00.002+11:002017-01-14T16:21:23.691+11:00One word // breathe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Breathe. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's my word for the year. I think it's been calling me for years now. <a href="http://withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/the-day-i-learnt-to-breathe.html">Nine actually.</a> It's sat there humming in the background, drawing me in to learn a little, then letting me adventure elsewhere. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But now it seems breathe is in my every moment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To me, breathe is about <a href="http://withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2016/10/oh-here-i-am-no-longer-on-hold.html">creating space</a>. </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That's space within me. And space in my days for more of what matters most.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Breathe is a reminder to pause in stillness {to breathe and just be}. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And to be mindful {of my words, thoughts, actions}.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's about creating space within {and for} myself {so I have more to give}.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's pausing to give thanks {breathing in grace, breathing out gratitude}.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's about letting go of fear, and replacing the gaps with love {so much love}. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A breath is just a moment, but {to me} a breath savoured feels like so much more than that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Breathe is a naturally extension of <a href="http://withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/a-year-of-learning-surrender.html">my last year's word, surrender</a>, and it seems that's the way this word caper pans out for me. One leads into the other effortlessly, with stirrings of it mentioned here and there {in writing and conversation} until it's impossible to ignore or call a coincidence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, "breathe" will be my guide. A focus word to set the rhythm for my heart's year; to steer me as I live, learn, grow, thrive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">xx </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Do you choose a guiding word each year? Do you set intentions? I'd love to know. Elisa x</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 13.2px;">~ I have a bundle of free mindfulness prints ready to send out at the end of the month, and a meditation mini-ebook coming out mid year. If this interests you, please do sign up for them <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/withgraceandeve" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">here</a> xx</span></span><br />
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Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-74741158853863166292016-12-21T13:32:00.001+11:002017-04-09T11:27:20.013+10:00A year of {learning} surrender<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Two whole months and a handful of days into this year and I couldn't keep up. That's after thriving my way through last year. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The change in emotion and pace left me unsettled for a long while. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/here-and-now.html">Change entered here in an abundance</a>, add to that a decent dose of overwhelm, the perfectionist in me coming out to play, cue feelings of failure and then replay that overwhelm... and that pretty much summed up the first six months. Each month felt big, then the next month simply followed suit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Among all this I wondered just how and when <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/one-word-surrender.html">surrender</a> {my guiding word this year} would surface and what it would teach me, because it was feeling far off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Each month I seemed to relearn surrender, reset my rhythm, and reprioritise. I felt oh-so-tested. Continually tested. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And when I look back, I can see I let this feeling keep me away from this space. I'd come back and share, then tell myself that once I got on top of things I'd come back again. But I never really got on top of it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I saw surrender as calm, a slower pace and quite frankly me at the top of my game, just like the previous year. I didn't see surrender as "giving up". But, it was only once I threw the towel in on my "big plans" and preconceived ideas on how surrender would pan out this year, that surrender arrived. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I found new ways of making space and time for breathing; I spent a lot of this year researching, studying and reading all I could on mindfulness; and I rekindled my meditation practices {finding myself meditating in five minute bursts, and amazed at what a few minutes of heart-centred awareness can create}. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And so this year I've accepted that I'm not as good at surrender as I first thought... I've accepted that it's more than okay to schedule slow {and all that will create slow within my day}... I found myself adding meditate, write and walk to the top of my to-do list. Before all the shoulds and musts. <a href="http://withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2016/10/oh-here-i-am-no-longer-on-hold.html">And it turns out prioritising surrender moments</a> is not just about mindfulness and creating a gentle kinder rhythm, but about nurturing my soul. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>How are you? Did you choose a guiding word this year? What did it teach you, and will you choose one for next year too? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">~ I have a bundle of free mindfulness prints ready to send out, and a meditation mini-ebook coming out mid year. You can sign up for them <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/withgraceandeve">here</a> xx</span><br />
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Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-33277485686767867382016-10-01T15:35:00.000+10:002016-10-01T15:35:59.225+10:00Oh, here I am. No longer on hold. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ever sit back and think how'd I get here? When doing what simply needs to be done becomes your everyday, and then months later you find yourself doing that something you love and think "Here I am! This is me. I'm doing what I love, where time feels limitless, and my heart just knows how to soar!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Has this happened to you? The putting yourself on hold? And then you notice that limitless feeling when you're doing what you love? When you're doing whatever it is that puts you in your flow, where time is lost, where seconds join into one big heart moment and you realise that being you is enough. Always was. And then you wonder why you spent so long striving to do more of the everyday, but less of what you love...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I suppose what I'm trying to say is that at some point in the past year I put that part of me {my self nourishment, my creativity, my heart work} on the shelf. I could see it sitting there, but thought, "No, not today, not tomorrow, not now. I'm too busy with everything. No, you can sit right there and look pretty. I know you're there, but no, not right now. You can wait."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And the more that part of me that is my creativity, my soul, my heart {the part of me that I give best to the world}</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> called out, the more I said, "Oh thanks for the reminder, but you'll just have to be a memory right now. A lovely memory, yes. But a memory because I'm too busy keeping a clean house, a happy home and nurturing my three little ones - best things to ever happen to me! And no you just don't make the cut right now."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And then people were asking me about my writing - Was I still writing? Why wasn't I still writing? And the whole while I was thinking but not saying, "Can't they see how busy I am?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And then somehow, by some trick of nature I ended up opening this part of me again by mistake. I said yes to a friend, "Oh, of course I can help out, share my words, share my wisdom..." when I meant to say, "No, I'm far too busy, and I've put that part of me on the shelf for a while..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And so I reluctantly opened me up, and long behold the creativity hadn't dried up! Not one bit. It came pouring out, flooding actually. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And here I am taking every moment I can to type or scribble away {letting my heart's words be free} ignoring my thoughts that suggest I should be doing something "useful", because it turns out this is the part of me that is meant to be free all.the.time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last month {after weeks of consciously choosing to let myself write again} I woke up {that should read was woken up every early by three very-awake little girls demanding breakfast} and I noticed I felt renewed, so very alive. I knew instantly what had changed. I'd started writing again, writing for me, writing from my heart. As I walked into the kitchen, my miss six took one look at me, and her big brown eyes grew bigger, "You look different. Good different. I like it." And that's reason enough for me to continue giving space to this part of me. I like it too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Do you feel limitless when you create? What makes you feel alive? And have you done this before - put a part of you on hold? I do think at times other events take priority and we need to, but perhaps just not for too long... or perhaps this long was just enough? Elisa x</span>Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-30314797991024239672016-06-19T21:57:00.000+10:002016-06-20T12:03:50.812+10:00Here and now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have been so very aware of the here and now this past month. My here and now. Their here and now. Our here and now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aware and in tune with the three little hearts that have a forever hold on mine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I feel myself watching them grow from a distance. Stepping back a little so I can really see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And then, because that distance can never last more than a minute, all at once I'm up close... taking in their every word and emotion... holding little hands, stroking chubby cheeks, reading make-believe adventure books aloud, listening attentively to jumbled so-much-to-tell-you stories, brushing long brown unruly hair... all the while looking into big deep brown eyes that sparkle with a wonder, curiosity, joy and love that I desperately want to know more about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Change has been thrust upon us. So much change. New patterns, new people, new places. I felt lost, overwhelmed, unsure. And so I took a deep breath, and consciously slowed my pace. And they've slowed to join my rhythm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In this new-found presence, it feels like we've fallen in love all over again. It feels like despite the daily rush, we have a little hold on time. We've fallen into our rhythm, one that ebbs and flows in a way that feels much much better than okay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And so, discarded autumn leaves have been transformed into fairy crowns // drawing has become a family affair // the smallest of outings now stand strong as bright big love-filled heart-thumping memories and our snuggled-in-bed chatter has lingered too late for a school night {but how I secretly love that they both always have more to say}. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />And I've found myself the collector of heart moments, trying desperately to tuck all these memories deep within me in a place where I won't forget the words, emotions and expressions... From here is where I begin to write, and from here is where I end my day {in thanks}. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's been quite a while between posts. I've been so consumed with my here and now, making what's felt like such big decisions, and trying so desperately to stay present for my three girls that I've pulled away from this creative space I love. I'm so happy to be back. How have you been? How is your here and now? Much love, Elisa x </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">~ Still working away at the free prints & meditation resources I'll be sending out soon! I'll be sure to post when they're ready, but you can sign up for them early <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/withgraceandeve">here</a> too. </span>Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-40502342500441097242016-04-11T10:53:00.001+10:002016-06-19T21:16:03.915+10:00Dreaming and beginning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, and then again last night, I found myself scrolling through job advertisements, pondering roles that looked amazing and that I ticked all the boxes for in terms of experience/skill... but roles I don't actually want and couldn't possibly do right now as a mum to my three girls. So why waste my times reading all those position descriptions? Because dreams. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've been dreaming vividly about various roles I could hold, books I could write, websites that could inspire, visions I could create. Dreaming and waiting. And wondering when the time to begin will begin... All the while finding myself so very much in the here and now, consumed with where we are at. Savouring these moments, but unable to stop the dreaming...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then, in the past few weeks, these three things have happened. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. I text a friend the job roles I couldn't apply for but she could; and was reminded that where I am is pretty damn amazing. Mum to three beautiful girls; an abundance of love and beautifully messy days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. While clearing old papers, I found a single scroll tied with pink ribbon. I knew what it was immediately. A wish. One of three wishes. I'd created them seven years and two houses ago, before becoming a mum and after reading a novel about a year of wish making. I opened the scroll and read: "I wish my three beautiful babies into existence." I don't think it's a coincidence that just one scroll and that particular one {my wish come true} was there waiting to be found. And I have no idea what has happened to the other two, or what I wished for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. A random memory popped into my thoughts this morning. Fifteen-year-old me hearing about dreams that stayed dreams; and being urged to try all that I wished for. I was sure I'd blogged about it, so looked it up and yes it's <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/dreams-and-standing-in-way.html">here</a>. Turns out I've been back in that place, and almost two years to the date. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, this past fortnight I've given myself time to write, when the baby sleeps, at night before bed... whenever the smallest window of time appears. I've let ideas fly, words flow and my heart soar. And I realised there's never a perfect time to begin, there's just now. And so I began once more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you have a dream? Or, like me, are you forever dreaming? And have you begun? Elisa </b>x</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">~ A loving thank you to those who have added their email <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/withgraceandeve">here</a> for the free prints and meditation/mindfulness resources I'll be sending out this year! I'm working on them in between mothering my three beautiful girls and while it's taking much longer than I hoped and promised, I'm choosing to trust time and so excited to soon send you a bundle of love and mindfulness {prints, words and meditation/mindfulness resources} from my heart and inspired by my meditation training and home practices. Elisa xx</span>Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-36405366625509022272016-01-15T16:10:00.000+11:002016-01-15T16:12:57.067+11:00One word // Surrender<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjuN_xNdWwLNa517bGqSDwWXSl8Run7-aa3NlTSv8QDJ3L6oiKtfy6v19Dskdhfpb6VjMZgzBI9QqRJ31I7k99gltiYLYTBB_7Tg9Ys3r9qFq76OihUEpz9VbFdzjdWPitA7uUAYj4Etf/s1600/small+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjuN_xNdWwLNa517bGqSDwWXSl8Run7-aa3NlTSv8QDJ3L6oiKtfy6v19Dskdhfpb6VjMZgzBI9QqRJ31I7k99gltiYLYTBB_7Tg9Ys3r9qFq76OihUEpz9VbFdzjdWPitA7uUAYj4Etf/s640/small+for+blog.jpg" width="456" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Towards the end of last year it felt like I was given no choice but to surrender. And still I resisted it.<br /><br />I had big plans for 2015. Bigger than big plans - a return to study, new work commitments and a few personal projects up my sleeve too, and daily blog writing (ha!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The universe, of course, had other ideas but did promptly offer me my asked-for serving of big - in the form of <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/ruby-sixteen-weeks-later.html">our darling Ruby</a>. <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/big-joy-something-new.html">2015 was BIG in the best way</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It pushed me to rediscover myself, but mostly reminded me who I am and who I am striving to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I got better at letting go of the big {end} picture, instead focusing on doing what I could with what I had. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I came to believe that would be enough. That my best is as much as I can do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I discovered so much more about trust. And that my intuition is always spot on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I learnt to ask. And how to let my heart answer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I improved at listening. And finally accepted that it's hard for me not to talk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I realised that people like to help. And I realised that I'm pretty good at helping and supporting myself.<br /><br />I discovered that in doing less, I am able to give more. And in surrendering to this, I have felt more alive than I ever have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Almost two weeks ago I caught myself holding my breath. As I exhaled, the word surrender rolled off my tongue. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />I knew immediately it was my one word for this year. My reminder to go slowly, to be present, to be kinder to myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you chosen one word to guide your year? Do you set intentions? I'd love to know. Elisa x</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~ Sharing my one word with Bron at Maxabella Loves <a href="http://www.maxabellaloves.com.au/2016/01/hello-2016-one-word.html">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>~ I'm excited to be finally putting my meditation training to good use this year. I'll be creating and soon sending out {monthly is the plan!} some free mindful word/photography prints, plus affirmations and journalling/meditation practices and prompts to go with them. If that sounds like your thing, feel free to add your email address via the form <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/withgraceandeve">here</a>. </i></span><br />
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Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-83337422776447349982015-12-31T14:27:00.000+11:002016-01-01T10:39:53.552+11:00Big // Joy // & something new<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2015 has been BIG! So much learning, so much joy, so much love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/ruby-sixteen-weeks-later.html">Ruby came into our world</a> mid year, and wow - the joy {<a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/whats-missing-one-word.html">my one word </a>for this year} she brought with her! She is the most chilled out, happy baby. I suppose being No.3 she had no choice but to slot into the rhythm we had already created. Her energy has filled us up on love and gratitude. Ruby has redefined our family, completed it and shown us what we knew to be true - that joy is infectious and that with a new little person in our family our love grows, heightens, expands, evolves in the most wondrous way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This year has thrown </span><a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/big-breaths-no-tears.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a whole lot of change</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> our way, and there's been much transition for all of us - hello new jobs, starting school and kinder for the girls, and of course adjusting to our family of four becoming five. There's been times when I've laughed because the alternative was crying {think everyone with gastro except the eight-week-old baby!} and I've struggled with accepting that I just can't do everything I want to right now. But ultimately we've survived change, and </span><a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/eight-years-to-calm.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">with a whole lot of calm</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> - more than I knew I had in me. I've constantly reminded myself that I've got this and I can support myself and do it well - and those affirmations have made a world of difference to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've twice declared {perhaps demanded} at the end of a year that the following year be slow and gentle, no big changes. Both times the universe has promptly served up bigger than big years. I'm not falling for that lovely little trap again... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But this past month has seen me declare quite a few times that "Today is cancelled"... meaning all plans I had for this day are now thrown out the window... it might sound dramatic, but the minute I've discarded those plans {the to-do list, and what I felt I should be getting done} I've noticed a shift within me - surrender, acceptance... and I've become kinder to myself. It's reminded me that I have time, and to savour this time despite the day not panning out how I'd hoped. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So on that note I'm not going to berate myself about the fact that I wanted to make wishes for the New Year before December 31st, that I wanted to cement my one word for next year, to meditate on my goals and dreams and to recreate my vision board... Instead I'm surrendering - perhaps my biggest lesson this year {one I'm still learning}, trusting that time will present, and choosing to savour now - including </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">it's messiness and incomplete plans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wishing you a wonder-filled end to 2015, and some time to slow, reflect and set your intentions for 2016! May your year be marvellous and happy! <br /><br />Biggest thanks too for the comments and messages here and on instagram during my blog hiatus - I am so grateful for the support. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Oh and here's the SOMETHING NEW!</b> >> While the loose plan for my next few days is some journalling and family time, I'm excited to get back to the blog and to this year send out some FREE mindfulness-inspired word/photography prints I am creating {each with individual affirmations, and instructions on how to best print them} - if that sounds like your thing, there's a sign-up on the sidebar, with the first print to be sent out before the end of January. Elisa xx </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-3497863509256253202015-10-06T13:43:00.001+11:002015-10-06T13:43:21.615+11:00Eight years to calm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKHLCKumENFZqmFnIJ3jSWA2IL1hnc0p54d9s4tah2vIad44a3X5XQ4EYGFU9pI5X4HEIgmirxnhVRIWBBk829NnihjQOIPSsjvMO5K8rxWObkg0mjbrH6JNfYDi_2APxr52PgIk9BH1-/s1600/Calm_wge_wmk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKHLCKumENFZqmFnIJ3jSWA2IL1hnc0p54d9s4tah2vIad44a3X5XQ4EYGFU9pI5X4HEIgmirxnhVRIWBBk829NnihjQOIPSsjvMO5K8rxWObkg0mjbrH6JNfYDi_2APxr52PgIk9BH1-/s640/Calm_wge_wmk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Almost eight years ago I was told that part of my destiny was to learn calm. To be calm. Might not sound like such a feat but at the time I had just emerged from severe exhaustion and ever-slowly out of what felt like <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/one-day-it-all-changed-everything-in.html">an all-consuming frantic auto-immune disease</a> and back into health. I was still recovering, and learning so much about my body and what worked and didn't work for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I knew the opposite of calm had got me to that state. I knew I was learning calm. Very slowly. I was better at creating calm. But to be calm? That seemed impossible to me. And being told my destiny involved this invoked tears. Because what was calm anyway? And how? Staying healthy seemed so hard. Tell me how to be calm, I begged. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just the thought of having to somehow find calm as a natural state made me much less than calm. But of course, that was the whole point. Calm can't be controlled or manipulated. Calm just is. It can be invited though. And created, and embraced. And the instant this dawned on me, I surrendered - and all at once gave up on pushing myself to be the me I needed to be to remain healthy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instead I focused on what felt happy to me, instead of doing and moving all the time I <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/the-day-i-learnt-to-breathe.html">stayed still and breathed</a> (and it was hard at first), I pulled away from anything that might equal busy which meant learning to say no (and that was especially hard for me). I read a lot, I spoke to a lot of people, I researched, I tried new ways of being/eating/moving and learnt so so much. And most definitely the eight years to this point right now (insert three babies, three house moves and various job changes) have seen me fine-tune my calm-for-me skills. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yesterday I cancelled plans (because rushing doesn't agree with me), a fortnight ago I booked into yoga classes again for this term (because I know my body, heart and mind will thrive in that one hour) and last week after setting up various creative pursuits for the kids I decided it was what I needed too and spent an hour drawing and painting. For the past three months I've been reading books and more books (on to my fifth) and for the past five days I have turned my meditating-whenever-I get-a-free-chance-habit into a nightly rhythm for as long as my mind, heart and body choose (sometimes five minutes, sometimes twenty). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And today while I walked in the sunshine I wondered how my energy could feel so good when I'm on broken nightly sleep thanks to my beautiful teething almost-five month old baby. My answer to myself is this sense of nurture and self that's come from my investment in calm pursuits. Suddenly all the little things I've taught myself over eight years have come together. And I'm sure it's not one of them, but all of them. And I suddenly realised I'm doing more than okay. And I think I'm coming close to working out this calm caper. Well, for me anyway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How do you do calm? And any book recommendations?</span><br />
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<br />Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-63702563771713776792015-09-04T13:57:00.001+10:002015-09-04T13:57:35.294+10:00No coincidence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnMPt-pAGnlc1ASjyNu-GFNXbFbn-Q-gqE5QD-acMWDYjF8eI7SIQa-48JMCwMXMM6WWH4GUoDHsPDy5wDgzc5caVnZyJbdMm19Xf_radU2pSFUp_DHDZLDo0kBgPWLKX2gOhjYEDlpZl/s1600/nocoincidence_wge_wmk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnMPt-pAGnlc1ASjyNu-GFNXbFbn-Q-gqE5QD-acMWDYjF8eI7SIQa-48JMCwMXMM6WWH4GUoDHsPDy5wDgzc5caVnZyJbdMm19Xf_radU2pSFUp_DHDZLDo0kBgPWLKX2gOhjYEDlpZl/s640/nocoincidence_wge_wmk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Before I gave birth to Ruby, I noticed my body calling me to slow. And <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/ruby-sixteen-weeks-later.html">the week before her birth</a>, slow was just about all I could do. And I chose {what I felt at the time was a conscious decision} to stay present with my baby and maintain as much of that slow for her first few weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But that slow has lasted so much longer. Almost four months in, and I'm just emerging. In slow, I found myself meditating before sleep, waking to practise yoga before the baby fed and reading so so many books. And I found that when rushing presented itself {hello school mornings} I could deal with it much more effortlessly than before. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have found myself so full on love, and with so much love to give. And that boundless love has surprised me so much. Not that it wasn't there before, but because it seems here more often, and love is my first response so often right now. And because it's shown me a second time<a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/growing-through-motherhood.html"> what I know to be true</a> - that when another baby comes into your world, that love we share as a family evolves - expands, <span style="color: #222222; line-height: 24px;">increases, heightens, grows stronger with every experience we share. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today I picked up Sara Avant Stover's <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/one-word-honour.html">The Way of The Happy Woman</a>, which I find myself doing as the season's change. And I realised that my desire and need these past few months to retreat from the world, nurture my nest, and write just for me were in line with winter's calling. And my readiness to write for here again, to venture our with friends and be outdoors has arrived just as spring emerges. And I'd say it's no coincidence at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">xx </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you read The Way of The Happy Woman? And do you find yourself moving with nature's rhythms too? xx</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-85902495314046881142015-09-01T11:20:00.002+10:002015-09-01T11:20:22.821+10:00Ruby // sixteen weeks later<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeLUvlznwhRRfzgKJ_gfplf1kUiesAivUmZD8sXLj-4bYI-BLloRqSvQOsDkUoMPndHe7Lj_F1ZLkM9ulYSW5P2-m7aGoZfA7CcvWTAgVwEOrnF8XHU6JWUO-D2zNUHVSvt52eydtaIDZ/s1600/withgraceandeve_ruby_wmk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeLUvlznwhRRfzgKJ_gfplf1kUiesAivUmZD8sXLj-4bYI-BLloRqSvQOsDkUoMPndHe7Lj_F1ZLkM9ulYSW5P2-m7aGoZfA7CcvWTAgVwEOrnF8XHU6JWUO-D2zNUHVSvt52eydtaIDZ/s400/withgraceandeve_ruby_wmk.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Our darling baby girl arrived in a whirlwind 16 weeks ago now. It felt as though <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/almost.html">the wait to this point</a> in the pregnancy had been so very long; the last weeks drawn out with a mixture of exhaustion, stress, soreness and anticipation. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">On Ruby's day I spent the morning and then later in the afternoon with a new feeling, a shift within me - a knowing that our time was soon; and as though cradling me in support the universe saw that five friends sent messages of love and support in those 24 hours before labour began. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The two days prior I spent in quiet anticipation - making time for reading, yoga, meditation; turning away from social media, walking solo and slowly, and finding myself in conversations that spoke of beauty, wonder, divine timing and support. I felt grateful and ridiculously tired. I thanked and praised my body for growing my baby and supporting us both. I slept a lot. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">That night I went to bed before our two girls. My exhaustion had reached a higher level and it felt like I had no choice but to stop, rest and sleep. In bed I placed a hand on my heart and one on my belly and I tried so hard to hold onto the feeling of my baby girl within me and send her my love. I meditated and drifted into sleep. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">A few hours later our journey to each other began. And after just three hours of intense labour she was safe in my arms. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I birthed our baby girl surrounded by my husband and four amazing, strong, calm, confident and loving women. I felt supported and loved. For this, and to them, I am forever grateful. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">In those three hours of labour I heard "You've got this!" from four different people - said with confidence in me, my baby and my body. It became my mantra. And it's stayed with me these past four months. It's stirred a quiet confidence within me. A trust I've never felt before. A trust in the part of me that is home: heart & soul.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">And so for the past four months I've lived in a little cocoon with our Ruby - doing what needs to be done, and little extra. I've thought about writing sooner, tried twice but then retreated back to the busyness of loving my three babes. It's a beautiful space, right here right now... and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I haven't wanted to venture further til now.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I didn't give myself this time or space or allow myself to feel this joy in the early days with the other two girls. And I'm oh so grateful I have this time round. Part of me wants to stay here, and another part of me is ready to emerge, calling me to write again. Slowly, slowly. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">xxxx </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #222222;">~ A big thank you so so much too for the beautiful messages of congratulations, love and support I have received on the arrival of our baby girl when I shared the news on </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/withgraceandeve">facebook</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/withgraceandeve/">instagram</a></span>,</span><span style="color: #222222;"> So very grateful. Elisa xx </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span>Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-4017308403919800782015-04-26T13:58:00.001+10:002015-04-26T13:58:20.596+10:00Almost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZKKLV_ZuGx8TaLCfCunsD8ThRqBz7MCgH2aOjKKFJUsUNQAN6Zdx5r1QmKCNsRQjyoRqWN4OLtlcOOnkGMvITcbJDQBix2mdlH8PV2Sd9U7Dzm3Ss50z410juogolYpKAmTLBEtli7US/s1600/almost_withgraceandevewmk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZKKLV_ZuGx8TaLCfCunsD8ThRqBz7MCgH2aOjKKFJUsUNQAN6Zdx5r1QmKCNsRQjyoRqWN4OLtlcOOnkGMvITcbJDQBix2mdlH8PV2Sd9U7Dzm3Ss50z410juogolYpKAmTLBEtli7US/s1600/almost_withgraceandevewmk.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's a funny feeling being here. So hard to describe. Yet when you mention it to someone who's been here too they just know the feeling, and without a description. It's being in a space of waiting yet a space of readiness. A space in-between. An almost.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's a wanting to force time to move faster.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's knowing surrender is the only answer.<br />It's understanding this is so much bigger than me.<br />It's wondering. Wondering about time, how events will unravel, about you, about the four of us becoming five. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And it's craving. Craving that sweet explosion of love I will feel when you first enter my arms. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">38 weeks. So close. So very close. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For now I breathe and send love to you, little one. And I embrace this moment; this feeling, us here and now. Knowing that despite living this almost feeling three times now, this will be my last.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<br />Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-38894270256147559952015-02-02T18:41:00.000+11:002015-02-02T18:41:22.680+11:00Big breaths, no tears<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1tI8jKGfpjQIfaJagDp6uI_UW7Xl8jo6nr25JvKQ8Toe05H9utYS-QkkpjZXFzTyL7AUeY6nk2cr8yW6DdmFh0F1tVa9R-CbiWw1fG80Kgjj82dJcmqn2M7EpVPC7tj4NTxLMVcZhCPY/s1600/bigbreathsnotears_withgraceandeve_wmk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1tI8jKGfpjQIfaJagDp6uI_UW7Xl8jo6nr25JvKQ8Toe05H9utYS-QkkpjZXFzTyL7AUeY6nk2cr8yW6DdmFh0F1tVa9R-CbiWw1fG80Kgjj82dJcmqn2M7EpVPC7tj4NTxLMVcZhCPY/s1600/bigbreathsnotears_withgraceandeve_wmk.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Big breaths have been taken this past week.<br /><br />Because I'm trying my very best to get in some full nurturing breaths and create some extra comfort for me and room in <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/catching-my-breath-happiest-news.html">this fast growing belly</a> for baby.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Because focusing on my breath reminds me to slow.<br /><br />Because I can't seem to schedule a yoga class this pregnancy, despite plenty of trying. And breathing is my favourite part of yoga.<br /><br />Because we let go of our little girl that little bit extra this week and watched her dance on into her prep classroom, eager as ever for school to begin. There were no tears from her, and no tears from me but the letting go certainly stung a little.<br /><br />Big breaths too because seeing her off to school saw me consumed by anxiety at the very last minute. Because what if I hadn't given her enough, shown her enough, taught her enough, been there enough... so many what ifs filled my head one sleepless night. And then early in the morning sleep finally arrived, as I comforted myself in the thought that I probably wasn't alone in feeling this way and remembered I've loved her as much as my whole heart can love, and isn't love always enough? <br /><br />More big breaths to come this next week as miss three sets off for kindergarten. And with both my babes busy learning and having fun for five hours one day a week I plan on carving out a little time each morning before I get stuck into work that involves breathing, and pretty much nothing else. A few minutes where it's just me, the sound of the waves, time to just be and time to connect with baby. Creating space to slow, to tune in, to love. <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/whats-missing-one-word.html">Creating space and joy</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wishing you nurturing breaths this week, and the next. Has this week been filled with starting something new for you too? x</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">~ Love that my hubby captured this image of me and my big girl on her first school morning. We had plenty of smiling photos. And then when I thought he had stopped snapping, she turned to me with a big hug: "Today is soooo exciting Mummy." </span>Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-31590502455984347262015-01-03T10:52:00.001+11:002015-01-03T12:05:17.295+11:00What's missing // one word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I navigated my way through last year with <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/one-word-honour.html">honour</a> as my guiding word, I was so very aware of all that was missing in my days. As well as the rituals, choices and <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/solitude-here-again.html">activities I was consciously choosing</a> that honoured my heart, body and mind, of course. But the missing things, they just really stood out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ever so slowly I started adding these back into my life. I wondered how they disappeared in the first place, and saw that it was so easy to bench the things that lifted me up in order to get the day-to-day done. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But, and this is the best part, when I added those missing things in (hello five minutes solo time sitting at the beach before heading to work; reading and getting immersed in fiction once again; more playing with my girls and scrapping our so-called agenda for a while and letting spontaneity take hold a little more often) I felt so much more alive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I felt like I was honouring the true me. And doing this brought me more energy, more time for what I wanted to do and what needed to be done. <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/hello-heart.html">It bought me closer to my heart.</a> And I found more energy to give.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's also lead me to this year's word: joy. In fact by late last year, I knew joy was the one. Because all those missing bits equated to adding little sprinklings of more joy back into my days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So there it is - a wish, an intention, for joy to be my guide. And with <a href="http://www.withgraceandeve.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/catching-my-breath-happiest-news.html">a new little one to join our family </a>mid this year, joy + love are so much in my heart and on my mind right now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~ Sharing my one word with Maxabella Loves <a href="http://www.maxabellaloves.com.au/2015/01/hello-2015-one-word.html">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you chosen a guiding word this year? Any wishes, hopes or plans for 2015? xx</span></b><br />
<br />Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5774795314077577595.post-28376340102802076752014-12-26T17:44:00.000+11:002014-12-26T17:44:03.597+11:00Catching my breath + the happiest news<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WUdM811ZH83w-UAjy4vnGjRyXTeuypqT2G8vP1EjP643KS_7A9ZE-xzEFtQ-TJtu_LT2s6WgokeXOwZOxnnuw84gykZeSWAjVvOomR2G3pOAq6aYSMa_kxy-oFVDZ2zAFKMa0LXV17rs/s1600/wge_thehappiestnews_jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WUdM811ZH83w-UAjy4vnGjRyXTeuypqT2G8vP1EjP643KS_7A9ZE-xzEFtQ-TJtu_LT2s6WgokeXOwZOxnnuw84gykZeSWAjVvOomR2G3pOAq6aYSMa_kxy-oFVDZ2zAFKMa0LXV17rs/s1600/wge_thehappiestnews_jpg.jpg" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've spent the past two months catching my breath (courtesy of a whirlwind of work, nausea, preparations for end of kinder / start of school for miss five, and exhaustion). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And searching for more breath. (When breathwork is at the core of your meditation practise, a family of four taking turns at gastro then two weeks of a lingering cough/cold certainly gets in the way). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And then finally making time to just breathe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And this time around just breathing meant abandoning a few of things I wanted to be doing, mainly being here writing about new-found joy, excitement, anticipation and all the growth these past five months have entailed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instead I found myself sitting a lot, witnessing, reflecting. And watching my girls (now five and three) ever so closely. All of sudden they seem so big, so grown up. I want to bottle their energy as it is now, to savour and remember these moments. I've felt scared I'll forget the little things they say, their laughter as it is now, us as we are now. Each day they are growing, changing, learning, and it felt like I couldn't keep up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A fortnight ago miss three and I sat in the grass. She picked daisies. I sat down to breathe, to stretch and soak up the sunshine, my camera by my side; and all the while admiring her abundance of energy - energy I was lacking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After beheading more daisies then her little hands could hold, she decided to slow down, join my pace and copy my pose - that's her in the image above.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And it was then I felt myself taking a deeper breath and only then noticing the breath cycle I'd be living in, despite stopping to breathe being a focus in my days.<br /><br />It was then I realised I don't need to keep up with my girls, I just need to show up. To be there in the moment with them as much as I can; to love them; to be a witness to (and encourage) their curiousity, creativity, kindness, wonder and love; to share my heart with them and to sit back and soak up our days and our rhythms (even the messy ones) with a big breath. And to know and accept that there will be times I'll wish I'd done things differently. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And as I step into week 21 of growing our newest baby girl - hopefully that explains my nausea, exhaustion and absence from the blog :) - I'm breathing easier than before; and making wishes for a new year with joy and love as our guides.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>How are you? Are you breathing freely? Any happy news to share? xx </b></span><br />
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Elisa {With Grace and Eve}http://www.blogger.com/profile/11416451148055700239noreply@blogger.com14