Imagination – what can it do for you?
October 18, 2011
“There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.” (G.K. Chesterton)
Remember looking up at the sky as a kid, your imagination running wild with the shapes of the clouds?
You saw a face .. a three-legged horse .. a frozen waterfall .. a mountain .. an angel’s fluffy wings .. a crazy cake overflowing with icing .. To a child’s eye there were endless possibilities. And it was really cool when one shape morphed into another! 
Few adults seem to cloud-gaze. It’s like there’s an unwritten law which judges ‘daydreaming’ as a waste of time, unproductive and simply child-ish.
But how can opening our minds to possibilities be wasteful?
Who’s to say it’s unproductive? It’s surely impossible to scientifically measure the seeds of imagination and what grows from them!
And when did we install a rule that says it’s not OK to just chill and see what happens?
Stretching the boundaries
What if we could stretch the rules and stretch our minds for even a few minutes? And what happens if we don’t?
Without a vivid imagination there would be no Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland or Harry Potter - characters created by adults and who appeal just as much to grown-up readers as to kids. These books and the films they have spawned help us expand outside of our familiar everyday reality and I believe we are all the better for that.
Nature and imagination
Nature also provides many opportunities to tap into our own creative imagination. As well as cloud-watching, I like to explore what I can ‘see’ in rock formations or to guess what birds might be ‘saying’ to each other (I often wonder when a pair of lorikeets flies past whether the squawking is the female nagging the male to help more with the nest-work!)
There’s a curiosity too about where I might be ‘transported’ when
- smelling freshly-mown grass
- biting into a juicy mango
- touching a silky smooth rose petal
- hearing a windchime in the breeze
and wherever I end up ‘going’, I inevitably return richer for the experience.
A client I worked with realised one reason she was drawn to wide panoramic views was because they represented the freedom of being able to go in any direction and the unlimited potential that offered.
If you are willing to expand your personal horizons even briefly, who knows how far the power of imagination can take YOU?
Nothing limits achievement like small thinking; nothing expands possibilities like unleashed imagination. (William Arthur Ward)
Posted in Autumn reflections
April 13, 2011
I recently took a wander at Curl Curl, along the boardwalk that runs from above the southern end of the beach and skirts around the headland. I love the quality of sunlight in autumn, the way it seems to soften even the hardest lines. The rocks here have also been worn away by the ocean into shelves with strange swirls and fascinating patterns. They are pitted with hollows containing little pools which get filled up as the waves break. When the tide retreats, some of the pools become stranded for a while and that afternoon they were smooth as glass reflecting the blue sky and puffy clouds above.
The contrast between the powerful waves pounding against the rock-platform edges in a flurry of spray and – just a few metres away – the tranquillity of the mirror pools really struck me. It got me thinking about the extremes of life: the times when I can feel ‘on the edge’ and caught up in the drama of it all and the times when I can pull back a bit and be at peace; occasions when I need strong energy and drive like the waves and others when I just need to be still and reflective like the pools.
A small heron-type bird caught my eye. It stalked very slowly and mindfully through the shallow pools, completely focused on its task of finding a juicy morsel or two. Now and then it would stop mid-pace mesmerised by something it had spotted below. Then with lightning speed the head would dive underwater to emerge with a prize in its beak. More contrasts: slow and fast, still and active.
That bird and its environment reminded me of many things. To celebrate life’s contrasts and the ebb and flow of life; the importance of focus and timing; the power of stillness and of speed and of knowing which is needed at any given moment. If it had rushed through the pools at breakneck speed (as many of us rush through life), the heron would probably have gone away hungry. Through focus, patience and appropriate pacing, however, it achieved its goal. I think we have a lot to learn from Nature, don’t you?
What could YOU learn today about yourself and your life from observing nearby Nature?
‘Happy ions’
August 20, 2010
Scientific research has shown that the negative ions produced in high concentrations by waterfalls, ocean surf, on mountain-tops and after storms (and to some extent by plants) are beneficial for our mental and physical health. These so-called ‘happy ions’ affect our mood, energy, libido and sense of well-being and have the ability to improve our sleep and recuperation (V. Laza, International Conference on Advancements in Medicine and Health Care through Technology, 2009).
Waterfalls have always been dear to my heart. As a child at our holiday cottage in a Scottish glen, I used to walk to the local “burn” (creek) and sit for ages on a rock beside the water as it tumbled down the hillside. I’d close my eyes to listen and let the sounds transport me away. In springtime when the burn was swollen with melting snow, I felt so alive in my body with the power of the cascading water thundering past and from the icy-cold spray on my face. In summer or autumn when the burn was lower, I’d find my mind soothed by its almost hypnotic lazy trickle.
Whatever the conditions, I felt better every single time after a visit to the waterfall, although I never questioned why.
We are giving ourselves the optimum conditions to feel better both mentally and physically when we go to the seashore or forest, hang out by a waterfall, stand on a mountain-top or go outside after a storm.
It’s true that mountains are difficult to find in most cities and some places are far from the ocean so let’s use what’s available! In Sydney, for instance, there is plenty of coastline and it’s possible to find small waterfalls in national parks and reserves. Wherever we live, we can go outside after a storm to get a dose of ‘happy ions’ and if not, we can open up our windows and let them in!
Stopping briefly by a fountain in the park or a water feature in your home/workplace/garden centre at the very least will quieten your mind and you may pick up some extra negative ions along the way. In between times, try looking at pictures and videos of waterfalls or ocean surf as they can help engender positive feelings.
Below are a few suggested video links and websites. You can always mute the videos if you don’t want the music.
Waterfalls:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVR5CvekD7s&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PL0vpNg1yA&feature=more_related
http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/australia-new-south-wales.html
Ocean:
Boost your energy, naturally
June 30, 2010
In winter I find my energy levels dip sometimes and then I’m in need of a boost. “Vitamins!”, I hear you say. But what can we do to tap into our reserves and lift our hearts at the same time?
Well, yesterday Nature put on a show which soon had me buzzing! I was sitting on a headland overlooking the ocean when half a dozen swallows took charge of the airspace, swooping close to the ground then zooming upwards and around. I found myself filled with wonder at their manoeuvrability, how they changed direction so suddenly yet gracefully – they really put the Red Arrows aerial display team to shame!
Then it was a challenge for me to try and follow a single swallow as they each broke away to follow their own flightpath at high speed. It took all my focus but I didn’t feel tired at all, in fact quite the opposite.
The swallows zigzagged all over place, up down and around, holding my full attention.
I watched them for a full ten minutes while I revelled in their infectious energy.
Finally I left with a spring in my step, grateful for the exuberance those energetic little birds shared with me and which I now carried into my afternoon.
It’s amazing how Nature can both relax us and energise us at the same time.
Find things in Nature that make your heart soar and allow them to connect you to your own inner energy source.
Green velvet
June 2, 2010
With all the heavy rain we’ve been experiencing recently in SE Australia, this time round I am feeling called to write about moss (yes, moss!) which is of course a plant that thrives in moist conditions.
Moss tends to get overlooked because it’s non-flowering and is often at ground level or hiding somewhere in a shady spot. It’s a primitive plant with no real roots and so, attached by only slender filaments, it sits lightly on a rock or tree trunk or “covers the ground like green skin” (Helena Attlee, Gardens of Japan).
Moss feels velvety to touch and has its own simple beauty, coming in many shades of green. In fact there are over 120 different kinds at Saiho-ji (also known as Kokedera or The Moss Temple) in Japan and the mosses have now covered many of the garden’s structures like bridges and small buildings. Such is the reverence for the moss garden that it has become a World Heritage Site and can only be visited by applying in writing and, if successful, going through a ritual.
Several years ago, I had the pleasure of visiting a small temple in Kyoto with a viewing platform expressly for contemplating the small courtyard garden comprised entirely of moss. Every time I am close to some moss, I get a strong sense of the ancient, which is not surprising given that moss fossils discovered in Antarctica in 2008 were dated at 14 million years old. It felt both humbling and deeply reassuring to sit on the old wooden temple floor gazing out onto a carpet of soft green velvet, to experience such a palpable serenity and power of stillness. It brought me back to earth and left me feeling very grounded.
If you find yourself frenzied, up in the head or just generally “not here”, here are a few ‘moss’ reflections and suggestions to help you feel more grounded:
- Nature can be a wise teacher. Moss grows horizontally rather than vertically, and usually in the shade. Consider how this principle might apply for you. In our society, we are used to growth being upwards towards the limelight. Might there be other creative ways to expand your knowledge, career, success, relationships and so on, ones where you could reach out sideways and actually cover more ground?
- Nature can give us clues about ourselves. Next time you are out for a walk, look for some moss. It may take some exploring in nooks and crannies where you wouldn’t normally look, so just notice how that experience feels for you and how that may mimic the way you operate in different areas of your life.
- If you find some moss (even if it’s on your garden wall!), take note of its colour, shape, density. Look up close – can you see the individual leaves? You might even like to touch it (please be very gentle with it and wash your hands afterwards!). Then close your eyes, how does it feel to be near the moss? Simply stay open without judgment to whatever may come. If nothing else, you will have had a few moments of stillness.
- Moss Agate can be useful for keeping us grounded and connected with the earth. It can even support us to bring ideas into the physical world. Wear as jewellery, place a crystal on your desk, under your pillow or in a pocket.
Interesting links:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2005/08/11/2043166.htm
Butterflies are free … and what about me? Nature as a teacher
April 14, 2010
I love butterflies (I even have one on my business card) and have recently been reflecting on what it is about them that I find so appealing. They are beautiful, most of them having stunning markings and colours. There’s a delicate, fragile and ephemeral quality about them too – did you know that the average butterfly lives two to four weeks? For me, there’s also a sense of freedom and exploration as they flit from one bush or flower to another.
Have you ever tried to follow butterflies? I’ve found it quite an adventure because they don’t stay in one place for more than a few seconds. Also, when I’ve watched from behind, their flight seems quite erratic. At first I put this down to buffeting by the wind but on observation I actually think there’s more to it. It’s almost as if butterflies flap their wings in staccato-like bursts to follow a join-the-dots flightpath.
Where am I leading to with all this? Well, watching these beautiful insects has given me a lot of insight about myself. For example, I’ve come to admire their apparently ‘erratic’ flight because I see it as different and a bit quirky. I’ve realised that this is a quality I’ve often admired in others but I have not recognised it in myself. Like many people, I have spent a lot of my earlier life trying to fit in, toe the line and stay conventional in order to feel accepted, and I now believe I hadn’t been appreciating the full extent to which I have been moving away from those limitations and becoming more free to be myself.
Butterflies have helped me to see that in recent years the more creative part of me has slowly been emerging – just as a butterfly only leaves the chrysalis when it’s ready - and it has been following a rather non-conventional flightpath. Rather than visiting the ‘flowers’ that convention dictates, I’ve mostly been flying to the ones which instinctively attract me (such as natural therapies and counselling with Nature) and which are usually the ones that provide the nectar which sustains me. Even more importantly, with this realisation I am able to acknowledge and celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of my own flight path even though it may vary somewhat from the ’normal’ direct route.
Butterflies have given me some powerful insights and now every time one flutters by, I am reminded of the valuable lessons they have taught me.
Maybe there’s something in Nature waiting to teach YOU about yourself. Stay alert over the next few days and you may well gain some insights!
Noticing flowers
March 16, 2010
Having just completed a course on Australian Bushflower Essences to offer my Calm by Nature clients, I am noticing much more whilst walking along my local bush track these days. Two flowers now in blossom in Sydney really caught my eye yesterday: Sunshine Wattle and Peach-flowered Ti-tree. Most of us in Australia are familiar with the Sunshine Wattle, which has a bright burst of round yellow flowers like tiny suns, and it’s probably not difficult to guess what its essence is about. Yes, hope, joy and optimism. Who wouldn’t want to bring more of that into their life?
The second plant is the Peach-flowered Tea-tree with its branches crowded along with small flowers which start off as pink and then turn white. Its essence centres around changeability, consistency and sweetness and it can therefore help with things like mood swings, trouble following through and completing projects, cravings for sweet food, and poor digestion.
I am fascinated by the link between how/where a plant grows, its colours, shape etc and the healing properties of its essence. I encourage you to stop and observe a flower and to sense or discern what qualities it might have. Even if it’s just a flower in someone’s garden we are passing when walking the dog or on the way to the bus stop, it’s a worthwhile exercise as it gives us a few moments of stillness whilst connecting with the beauty and wonder of Nature.
You can see a picture of Sunshine Wattle on the following link, as well as nice poem about it and poetry on other Nature themes http://rustacryst.net/poetryfromtheheartnature.html.
More info about how flower essences can help YOU on www.calmbynature.com.au/essences.
Successful Launch and Open Day
March 9, 2010
What a blessing that Saturday dawned dry and mostly sunny for the Open Day. And what better way to officially launch my new counselling business Calm by Nature than through ‘walking my talk’ by spending most of the day outside in a beautiful garden - under a tree with a cup of tea – and in the company of such wonderful supportive people?! I enjoyed catching up with some familiar faces and meeting new ones too and I look forward to a growing co-operation and collaboration.
I’m very grateful to Elaine Kennis for ‘holding the space’ for the Open Day and providing the opportunity for people to experience the lovely healing energy in her studio room where I do some of my work, and also to her and Lesley McPherson for sharing their particular passions when it comes to counselling. Thank you so much to all who attended and to those who couldn’t make it but sent their good wishes.
We hope to follow up with another Open Day later this year – subscribe to my Blog and you will automatically receive details, as well as regular updates, tips, musings, comments on articles and books, nature diary and more. Cheers for now. Angela
Open Day Info
February 1, 2010
ATTENTION FELLOW COUNSELLORS, COLLEAGUES AND THE BROADER THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY.
OPEN DAY - SATURDAY 6TH MARCH 2010
We would like to take this opportunity to come together and promote our businesses:
- You are invited to an OPEN Day on Saturday 6th March, 11am – 6pm
- To be held in Chatswood
- To meet counsellors Elaine Kennis, Angela Brown and Lesley McPherson, all graduates of the Hammond Institute, Sydney
This is a great opportunity for PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING, SHARING and ….. Read the rest of this entry »
