I keep coming back to here

I keep coming back to here. Every day if I can. At least five times a week of late. 

The sea reminds me to breathe full breaths. It brings me back to my breath. To one single breath. 

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.

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.

I'm sharing today a round up of images of the sea I've taken in recent weeks. 

Notice how each is so different? Notice how the colours of the sea change each day? As does it's rhythm. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

xx

Do you love the sea too? Is my lesson a lesson for you? 

What actions do you take to nurture your heart and soul? To love your whole self better?
I'd love to know. Elisa x

>>>>> See here for what's included in my free mindfulness bundle, 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 bundle of mindful ways + words + activities to encourage you to easily connect with your heart + the power of your amazing life breath. And next month it will launch! I'm just putting the pretty touches on it now :) Elisa x

Autumn reflections + seasonal reads

Oh Autumn! You've been intense. Refreshing so. 

You've taught me about bravery, vulnerability + authenticity. 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.

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.

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. 

xx

As the season changes to winter here I'll be turning to these reads:
- The Way of The Happy Woman* by Sara Avant Stover {inspiration, yoga + gentleness for the season's rhythm}
- Only Love Today* by Rachel Macy Stafford {seasonal reminders + inspiration as I parent with heart}
- And I'll be most likely playing with this Love Notes card deck* by Kris Carr + Lori Portka all year {bringing awareness to my body, self + situations with love}. 

xx

How has this season been for you? Does your rhythm change as the seasons do? Any recommended reads?
I'd love to know. Elisa xx


*affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase these recommendations, a tiny percentage of the price comes back to me.

With a single breath and a heart-focused intention

One week into Feb, 38 days into the new year... And it only now feels like my year is beginning.

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.

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.

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. 

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, to breathe, to just be. To reconnect with me.

And so, I've been dwelling on little rituals I can fold effortlessly into my day. 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.  

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.

xx

How was your January? Do you carve any mindful or nurturing rituals into your mornings/day? I'd love to know. Elisa xx


~ 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 here.

Oh, here I am. No longer on hold.

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!" 

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...

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."

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} 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."

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?" 

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..."

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. 

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. 

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.

xx

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

Dreaming and beginning

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. 

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...

Then, in the past few weeks, these three things have happened. 

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. 

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.

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 here. Turns out I've been back in that place, and almost two years to the date. 

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. 

xx

Do you have a dream? Or, like me, are you forever dreaming? And have you begun? Elisa x


~ A loving thank you to those who have added their email here 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

Hello heart

~ This piece was originally written for the free ebook Listen to the Voice of Your Heart but I just know these words are meant to be shared here too ~

Say inner compass and I get lingering with my heart. Always a good thing. This heart of mine has plenty to say. Only I spent a long while pushing it aside; ignoring its whispers and gentle tugs. I was too busy you see, listening to my head – it’s also never short of a word. 

Truth is {and I still get a little embarrassed admitting it} it took this body of mine falling apart – practically kicking and screaming at me from the inside – before I started listening. And when I did, when I first stopped to say hello heart, and listen for its answer – wow! My heart spoke words of wisdom, comfort and love – and it had the answers I’d been searching for, it knew how to heal, and it offered guidance as I navigated change. So much change.

The more I listen to my heart, the more wisdom it reveals. Here’s a little of what I’ve learnt, but of course the learning continues...

~ A heart practise makes me a better version of me.

Doing a little something that speaks to my heart each day is essential to my wellbeing. I used to think of this as indulgent. Not anymore. I know this makes me a better version of me. By tuning in to my heart, my core, my essence I not only give myself energy to simply be, but I create more energy to give.

Finding that little heart-centred something can be the tricky part, as well as finding the time. For me, a simple mindful exercise can be enough. Stepping outside, looking to the sky and giving thanks each morning (a two-minute ritual, perhaps less) can begin my day. Sometimes I’ll escape to the beach (often with my two daughters in tow) to sit and just be, to take photographs, to breathe. Some days it’s not until late at night when the house is quiet that I can find that heart time – and it’s often meditation, yoga or journaling that speak to my heart loudest. Sometimes stopping to check in with my breath can be enough, and less than a minute can be all it takes.

~ Just breathe.

At perhaps the most crucial, sometimes fear-driven, sometimes anxious and sometimes uncertain times of my life, I have turned to my heart and I’ve heard “just breathe”. Putting these two little words into action can be so powerful.

I like to remind myself that to breathe is to have life. And with each slow conscious inhalation and exhalation, I give myself an opportunity to tune into my heart and my body, to notice little moments, to reconnect, to simply be. Just breathing, placing one hand on my heart and one on my torso and feeling that breathe, being with that breath – that’s as good a meditation as any for me.

I think our hearts are full of lessons and love and a wondrous energy that thrives on connection. I think when we tune in to our hearts, when we really listen and express from there, that’s when anything is possible. I think that’s when we learn that something extra about ourselves that can be the change we need in our world.

xx

~ I wrote this piece for a free ebook by my inspiring friend Deb (jewelry designer, writer and author of the blog Inner Compass Designs). The nurturing ebook titled Listen to the Voice of Your Heart is filled with heart-centered words from 14 women sharing their journeys, their wisdom, their hearts, what they know to be true. You can download it for free here.

Living from here

This is your path. 
The path your heart chose.
Soar from where you stand.

Believe in who you are.

Bring love where it leads you.
Share what you know to be true.

xx

~ I have journalled every day for almost two months now. These words were my first entry in my current journal. Today I wrote on the last page, and was reminded how much stopping for a minute or two to say "hello heart" and write from my heart fills me; and how much I want to be always living from here. Elisa x

Do you journal? What practises fill your heart?

Why I write

I think maybe when we resonate with each other little sprinklings of love are made - they follow us, stay with us and ignite passion, purpose and growth. The more we connect, the more love we create in our worlds.

And that's kind of why I write. That's why I share words here from my heart. That's why I love this space - for all those sparks of connection that have been made and shared. 

I suppose I've always been a writer at heart. Scribbling notes in journals at every time of the day for as long as I can remember. And not writing, well that means I just wouldn't be me. 

xx

Do you feel like without writing {or photography, or creating or something else that speaks to your heart} you wouldn't be you? 

~ My friend Deb {read her beautiful writing here} asked me why I write a couple months ago, and the question has stayed with me and inspired me to share and to write a little more in my journal lately just for me too. Elisa x

Head & heart

I've been missing writing, and perplexed because perhaps for the first time in two and a half years I have felt unable to
write for here. For this space that's become an extension of my heart.

Despite my feet-on-the-ground and mindful intentions, my head went skyward - thinking, thinking, dreaming a little and unable to make a decision. Because, of course, the decision was not for my head at all, but for my heart. Funny that.

And when I checked in with my heart, it whispered find your joy. And that's where I've been. Finding my joy which
turns out is mostly just being, writing and creating from my heart (hello new prints, and an amazing new vision board), practicing yoga, talking and playing with my girls, time with family, reading fiction and neglecting my
facebook page.

And while the past two weeks my energy has returned, it does feel a lot like I had to step back a few paces in order
to move ahead.

xx 

What's bringing you joy today? 

Because now is good enough a time

I read this quote the other day...

 

"It's a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you're ready. I have this feeling that actually no one is ever ready to do anything. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. And you may as well do it now. Generally speaking, now is as good a time as any." ~ Hugh Laurie

And it resonated with me or perhaps dawned on me. Whatever it did I actually stopped what I was doing. Walked away. I stopped to just be. To journal. And let clarity arrive.

 

Here's what I realised.

1. I've put two big dreams (they're actually connected - can't have one without the other) on hold for the past year. Because, in my defence, other opportunities crept up. But also because... maybe I'm not ready, or maybe it's just not the right time, or what if I do all that work and then it's just not good enough, what if nobody likes what I've created ... you get the picture.

 

2. Worse than being on hold I haven't even started. Haven't even taken the first step. I've just let my dream sit up in my head in dreamland and swirl around with no destination, no timeline, no real agenda. No starting point.

 

3. I write more than 5000 words each month for publications. Other people's publications. Yes that's my job as a freelance writer, yes that's what I love doing, and yes that's my career... But I don't give my own writing the same time of day and space or credit. Yes those other words are paid work, yes I enjoy writing them, but the other writing - well if I'm honest that's where my heart lies... and that just has to deserve a little more attention.  Somewhere in my week. Somehow...

 

And so instead of wondering, instead of trying to create a plan, action list or timeline.. I just started. Just like that. No holding back. I just opened a new journal and I wrote. And then wrote some more... 

 

The words came easily, the ideas kept bouncing and I felt free. Finally, I was doing it. No matter about an ending point, no matter about being good enough. Just letting my heart take the lead.

 

Because there's no perfect time and now is good enough a time.

 

It feels wonderful to simply begin.

 

xx

Anything you've been putting on hold? Any new dreams or plans you've recently begun? x

A question {for my heart}

With Grace & Eve was born out of one question: What makes your heart sing? 

A question I asked myself. And then waited for my heart to answer.

Writing was my profession, and my passion too. But even so it was a long while before I grew the courage to write the way I love to, sharing words and inspiration from my heart.

It's been quiet here lately. Because I've been asking myself this question again. And again.

And I'm noticing that my heart is singing with life as it is right now, with the moments that present, with the blessings that life brings each day. But I also know that question asks more than that. That question is about surrendering and allowing all that my heart believes I can have now and in the future to unfold. It's about letting my heart tell me the truth.

And for the past few weeks I've asked that question, then turned away before the answer is revealed. I see glimpses of the answer, and steer my focus elsewhere. I make excuses for not listening for the answer. Excuses that are so very valid to my mind. Excuses that are nothing but fear.

Oh fear. Again. The same little emotion that stood in the way of me hitting publish on With Grace & Eve for so long. Of course, fear served its purpose. And everything evolved in perfect timing... but here fear is again. It's similar but different.

And I know it's time to look fear in the eyes, to push past that sickly feeling it brings. To promise to really listen to my heart the next time I have the courage to ask my one question.

xx

Do you face your fears? And do you stop to ask yourself: What makes my heart sing?

Dreams. And standing in the way.

Just don't go waiting for your dreams.

I was 15 when I heard those words. I was babysitting, keeping an eye on the toddler playing at my  feet while reading my english school book. Her mum was running around grabbing bits and pieces before she rushed out the door to an important dinner.

It was while rattling off the list of before-bedtime things to do, pointing to where this and that was, that she paused to ask... "What is it you want to do?"

"What do I want to do?"

"Yes. When you grow up..."

"Oh right. I'm going to be a writer. Study journalism. Write a book. And travel the world."

Said just like that. Because nothing was going to get in my way, and my priorities would never change, and time would never been an issue. Or so I thought.

She smiled. "Do that. Do it all. You will. I had dreams once."
 
"Once? What did you dream of?"

"Oh it's nothing. Too late now. Just don't go waiting for your dreams, or it might get too late..."

She returned to her list. "And the nappies are here, but she should be fine now. And we'll be back at 10.30, and help yourself to coffee/tea. The biscuits are here..."

"But why is it too late? If it's your dream, it can't be too late..."

"Oh other people are doing it now. Not when I dreamt it up. But now other people have shops like I was going to have... "

"But it can't be too late... Are you sure?" I persisted. If it was her dream. It could never be too late...

She smiled, a knowing smile. As if one day I too would understand.

"I have a child now. Things have changed. It was just a silly little dream..."

Later that night I sat down in the quiet of the house, a little girl sound asleep. I stirred my coffee gently, I looked out into the dark of the night and I wondered.

I wondered if it really was too late for her dream. I never wanted it to be too late for mine.

And so I made a promise to myself that I would never cut my time short. Never put a limit on my dreams, give them a schedule or believe in their failure. I made a promise to keep on dreaming with my whole heart no matter what. At fifteen.

I see now what her look meant. How easy it is to throw dreams away, to cut them down, to scrap them because time and life and my to-do list and sense of responsibility just got too full.

And I see that in a sense I've been doing that. A little. Going against my promise in part. You see there's a little book I've been dreaming up and writing in my head. But excuses {and fear} have seen me stop when it comes to putting pen to paper... and truly beginning.

After writing my last post, this memory bubbled it's way to the surface. And it has set me on my proper path again. A path that's not limited by time. One that allows dreams to manifest. The path my heart chooses.

xx
 
~ You can read last week's post Can't help but dream here.

Do you let your dreams manifest? And do you believe in can ever be too late for your dreams? x

One year {thank you}

This week marked one year since I hesitantly pressed publish on this blog. 

I'd been working up to it for a long while. Spoken about it for three years. My blog sat ready and waiting for a month before my first post.

I told a good friend when my blog was ready and that I'd written plenty but I hadn't let my writing be seen yet.

Her response: "What are you waiting for?"

I was waiting. And I had no idea.

Fear was holding me back. I wondered if anyone would read. I wondered what I would write. I wondered if I really could share words from my heart. I questioned my ability to write {despite writing being my profession}. I wondered if I could start and then stop and it could go unnoticed. I wondered if it really would give me the creative outlet I hoped for.

All I knew for sure was I wanted to write. Six months into maternity leave and I really missed writing.

But this time was different. I wanted to write my journey from sickness to health {still only part written}, my reflections on life, meditation, gratitude, motherhood and living mindfully... And the many lessons I am learning {and relearning} along the way. I wanted to write by my heart. To style-guide me.

And so I have. For a year. 115 posts later.

I adore writing from my heart, and this little space and the words I have created, but I also really love for the sense of community that exists here. I never knew this was a part of blogging. But slowly and quickly at the same time a village of understanding, support, inspiration and encouragement grew.

For that {and the amazing sense of connection it brings} I am forever grateful.

xx

{To those who blog and have allowed me to be part of their community, thank you. To Maxabella and her awesome grateful community, thank you. I am inspired by your moments of gratitude every week. To those who read my posts, thank you. To those who have commented, emailed or spoken words of support and understanding, thank you. Your words have lifted me. Elisa xx}

~ Linking with the 52 Weeks of Grateful over here.

To have knowledge

The past two months have been filled with doctors appointments. Nothing major {but six of them}. And that's not like us.

Each visit I've listened so hard {it's hurt my head}. I've asked questions {and been drawn pictures}. I've come home with handouts.

I feel ignorant. I know so very little {about the workings of these bodies of ours}. I now know a little more. But still little.

And I hate that I don't have any real medical knowledge {and training} to help my babies {when they're in need}.

I'm all full of guesses and worries, wanting to listen to my intuition but ringing that nurse-on-call instead {who reminds me she can't see my baby so she's guessing too}.

I am so utterly grateful though that I've created a little {wonderful and amazing} support network of traditional and alternative therapy practitioners close by.

I trust them {their intuition, and their real medical knowledge and skill}. I breathe easier knowing they are here.

But lately I can't help but think I should have chosen a different career {something medical}?

Elisa xx


{In reality I'd probably suck in the medical profession, but to hold that knowledge! Writing, editing and meditation are most definitely more my thing. In fact, I'm sure I was destined to write, in one way or another.}

{image by me via instagram}  

Do you have medical knowledge? Do you wish you did?

What makes your heart sing?

They say you should start at the beginning... So here goes...

{One month ago}

My little miss five months didn't want to sleep today. Typical. When all I could think of was curling up in bed and drifting off to sleep. Blissful sleep, sleep, sleep. Sleep.

I tried all the quick-fix, direct routes to sleep for my little baby bug but no, it didn't happen. She looked up at me with an expression that said, "No thank you mama. I'd rather giggle and squirm and kick and put the wrap over my sweet baby face and play peek-a-boo and STAY AWAKE." No amount of cradling, rubbing of the forehead, even boob-sucking, was going to do the trick...

So I did what 100 people have told me not to do. I put my beautiful babe into my bed and snuggled in beside her. She smiled her graceful, angelic smile. And I let go, forgot about the 100 things I wanted to do, and relaxed into a smile. She rolled her little body close to mine and put her tiny cherub hand gently on my face, as if to say: "Thank you, mum. This was all I wanted, to be closer to you, to be embraced by you, to look into your eyes, to smell you, to breathe you in." I followed her cue... looked deep into her big bronzed eyes, and got lost in her love and joy. I breathed her in and it felt blissful. I closed my eyes and smelled her delicate baby smell. Pure, sweet, delicious, happy.

Then I opened my eyes, and moved gently closer to kiss her soft cheek. That's when I noticed those big beautiful eyes were almost closed. Her eyelids done fighting sleep. My baby girl felt safe, snug, loved. And with a half-smile flashing one dimple, she drifted into dream land. And so did I, gently and gracefully.

I dreamt of my baby girl at 17, just finished secondary school and lying in my bed cuddling me - feeling safe, feeling loved. She said: "Mum, what do I do now? Where do I go from here? So many possibilities, and I don't know what to choose." Her big bronzed eyes searching into mine. I held her hand, and I breathed my baby-no-more in, and I said: "You choose what makes your heart sing, sweetheart. You do what you love."

And when I woke, my little baby still curled up to me asleep, it dawned on me that these were the questions I had been asking myself over and over for weeks now. And this was my answer. Time to choose what makes my heart sing. Time to do what I love.

So what makes my heart sing? Writing, sharing, love, meditating, laughter, sunshine - all of that with my little family. And more writing. At heart, I'm a writer. Always have been. And so, I cast aside a few fears (if I'm honest, I have a few more still to face), and I begin my blog. Sharing life as I know it... with grace & eve.

I'd love you to join me.

Elisa xx


Tell me, what makes your heart sing?