Kim Michelle Hewitt
Transformation Life Coach, Counsellor & Intuitive Guide
+27 83 469 9883 (WhatsApp) kim@successandcolour.co.za • Facebook
Is Self-love Selfish?
So often when I mention the word or words self-love, a person may look at me with that quaint look in their eyes, as if to say, ‘so you want to be selfish?’ Let’s be clear, there is a big difference between egotistical love and self-love.
Self-love comes from a deeper knowing, a place from within where wisdom and understanding is cultivated and then implemented into a daily type lifestyle. Self-love seems like an old cliché, yet we need to focus on it anyway!
As the new ways begin to unfold, we are being asked to look at the world from the inside of ourselves first. We are being asked to put up those boundaries, to use the word ‘No’ more often when it comes to thinking of ourselves and our feelings. Become more assertive (which is not aggression). We are really very good at doing a lot for others all of the time but sometimes this is to our own detriment. We may finally get to a point where we are only running on empty. It’s a point of burnout.
We also need to look deeper at aspects such as, co-dependency and control when it comes to always ‘giving’. By continually giving or helping others are we in fact fulfilling the need to be needed? Are we perhaps towing others in the hopes of ‘fixing’ them? Are we carrying others burdens in order to prevent them from being hurt along the way? We need to consider that perhaps at times, this may not be helping them at all, as each of us must learn our own life lessons in order to be stronger, wiser and more of who we truly are.
We may even need to look at the idea that we use certain situations, to steer ourselves away from our own lives, in order to avoid facing our own fears. Don’t misunderstand the point of looking deeper into helping others, yes you definitely must help others, that’s a major part of our existence. But the idea is to be sure that you are doing so from a place of first being your true self, first loving yourself, working from the inside out, not from the outside in!
So often when I mention the word or words self-love, a person may look at me with that quaint look in their eyes, as if to say, ‘so you want to be selfish?’ Let’s be clear, there is a big difference between egotistical love and self-love.
Self-love comes from a deeper knowing, a place from within where wisdom and understanding is cultivated and then implemented into a daily type lifestyle. Self-love seems like an old cliché, yet we need to focus on it anyway!
As the new ways begin to unfold, we are being asked to look at the world from the inside of ourselves first. We are being asked to put up those boundaries, to use the word ‘No’ more often when it comes to thinking of ourselves and our feelings. Become more assertive (which is not aggression). We are really very good at doing a lot for others all of the time but sometimes this is to our own detriment. We may finally get to a point where we are only running on empty. It’s a point of burnout.
We also need to look deeper at aspects such as, co-dependency and control when it comes to always ‘giving’. By continually giving or helping others are we in fact fulfilling the need to be needed? Are we perhaps towing others in the hopes of ‘fixing’ them? Are we carrying others burdens in order to prevent them from being hurt along the way? We need to consider that perhaps at times, this may not be helping them at all, as each of us must learn our own life lessons in order to be stronger, wiser and more of who we truly are.
We may even need to look at the idea that we use certain situations, to steer ourselves away from our own lives, in order to avoid facing our own fears. Don’t misunderstand the point of looking deeper into helping others, yes you definitely must help others, that’s a major part of our existence. But the idea is to be sure that you are doing so from a place of first being your true self, first loving yourself, working from the inside out, not from the outside in!
The energy that is presently presented asks us to look at those fears and those situations that we need to deal with, and in doing so, self-love becomes a higher concern. When we look deeper at our individual lives and see how the patterns and puzzle pieces fall into place, we get the idea of how to break certain cycles and how to change our futures, into being more productive and more in line with our higher purpose.
But where to even begin, you may ask? Our beliefs and values play a major role when it comes to self-love and understanding. We may find at times we really just stand in our own way. How do we tell our story? plays a role in our manifested reality. And one of my favorites is; Who’s voice is it anyway? When faced with a situation or a sabotaging type belief or idea, we need to stop and ask ourselves these questions. Often you will find that what we believe to be our own voice is in fact a voice from the past, reminding us that we are not worthy or that we are not good enough or even that we will not succeed.
In order to change our beliefs and our story into a more positive uplifting type mindset, we can start with affirmations. These are ideas and statements that you may not believe at first but with time will come to change a limiting belief that you once thought impossible.
Learning to love yourself takes patience and it is in the endurance and running the long race that the benefits and the magic appear.
But where to even begin, you may ask? Our beliefs and values play a major role when it comes to self-love and understanding. We may find at times we really just stand in our own way. How do we tell our story? plays a role in our manifested reality. And one of my favorites is; Who’s voice is it anyway? When faced with a situation or a sabotaging type belief or idea, we need to stop and ask ourselves these questions. Often you will find that what we believe to be our own voice is in fact a voice from the past, reminding us that we are not worthy or that we are not good enough or even that we will not succeed.
In order to change our beliefs and our story into a more positive uplifting type mindset, we can start with affirmations. These are ideas and statements that you may not believe at first but with time will come to change a limiting belief that you once thought impossible.
Learning to love yourself takes patience and it is in the endurance and running the long race that the benefits and the magic appear.
Hello Colour (Facebook @hellocolourpage) offer wonderful confidence, self-love and inspirational affirmations. I would like to share some of these with you in the hopes that they encourage you to delve deeper internally and seek the true essence of yourself that is waiting to be discovered and to unfold.
Self-love is not selfish; it is necessary in order for us to reach a more conscious level of being and then become more authentic. Right now, as things around us change, we are being asked to do the same, change. Truth will prevail and truth sets us free. Loving yourself first allows you to love others in an authentic and truthful way. Your time is now, be the love that you are.
- I open myself up to receiving all the love that surrounds me
- Loving myself from a soul perspective, helps me to attract more of the love that I am
- I breathe in love and see the support and love that surrounds me through each day
- As I believe that I am love, I see more of the world as loving
- I look for the good in myself, I look for the good in others, I feel all the love
- I feel confident, I hold my head up and walk with confidence
- I am worthy and deserving of receiving all the goodness on offer
- I am definitely good enough
Self-love is not selfish; it is necessary in order for us to reach a more conscious level of being and then become more authentic. Right now, as things around us change, we are being asked to do the same, change. Truth will prevail and truth sets us free. Loving yourself first allows you to love others in an authentic and truthful way. Your time is now, be the love that you are.
2021 – Open Yourself up to Receive
When I intuitively think about the year 2021 ahead, the word resilience comes to the fore. The word itself having meanings such as toughness, the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, springing back into shape.
This all sounds great, but when faced with the challenges and the real life situations, resilience can seems like light years away!
Be gentle with yourself, be kind to yourself, be proud of yourself, be forgiving, be understanding. You have come this far. As the world around us starts to unwrap and old structures and ‘normal’ falls away, we are ever encouraged to look for the new that is unfolding. The truth that lies within and the unfailing guarantee that there must be something more to what we see in the three dimensional reality that we encounter daily. Understanding that we ourselves play a major role in the co-creation of the world we see around us must then come forward. As the energy shifts and moves and the new normal emerges we are being asked to release that which no longer serves us individually and humanity as a whole. By raising our own energetic frequency, we in fact affect the world at large, therefore as individuals it is time to take responsibility for the energy we emanate into the world. After all, who doesn’t want a better future for themselves and their future generations?
When I intuitively think about the year 2021 ahead, the word resilience comes to the fore. The word itself having meanings such as toughness, the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, springing back into shape.
This all sounds great, but when faced with the challenges and the real life situations, resilience can seems like light years away!
Be gentle with yourself, be kind to yourself, be proud of yourself, be forgiving, be understanding. You have come this far. As the world around us starts to unwrap and old structures and ‘normal’ falls away, we are ever encouraged to look for the new that is unfolding. The truth that lies within and the unfailing guarantee that there must be something more to what we see in the three dimensional reality that we encounter daily. Understanding that we ourselves play a major role in the co-creation of the world we see around us must then come forward. As the energy shifts and moves and the new normal emerges we are being asked to release that which no longer serves us individually and humanity as a whole. By raising our own energetic frequency, we in fact affect the world at large, therefore as individuals it is time to take responsibility for the energy we emanate into the world. After all, who doesn’t want a better future for themselves and their future generations?
Gratitude, gets you in and gets you out. A perfect place to start. Look at your immediate surroundings and what is presented to you daily. Make lists of gratitude. Openly talk about the things you are grateful for. The universe is always in a giving state, and is always giving. It is always offering you the opportunity to grow and to expand and supports you all the way.
A meme I recently read went something along these lines “The universe doesn’t give you people you want, it gives you people you need. To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you the person you were meant to be.”
You are not here by accident, your life is right now. You are here to be part of the new future and the new way forward. You are so loved, so precious and definitely worthy of all the goodness on offer. You may choose to see your life as the adventure it is and enjoy your journey, knowing that all is always well in the bigger picture. Open yourself up to receive.
A meme I recently read went something along these lines “The universe doesn’t give you people you want, it gives you people you need. To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you the person you were meant to be.”
You are not here by accident, your life is right now. You are here to be part of the new future and the new way forward. You are so loved, so precious and definitely worthy of all the goodness on offer. You may choose to see your life as the adventure it is and enjoy your journey, knowing that all is always well in the bigger picture. Open yourself up to receive.
Facing Fear Itself
A dear beloved friend shared this picture as his profile picture today. Scary, yes, as is fear itself.
The energies that surround us right now ask us to look beyond that comfortable place, in fact we are already way beyond that comfortable place or anything that each of us has known in this lifetime before. We are being asked to put on our armour of courage and fact our fears head on. Unbelievable? Yes, that may seem so too.
When I wrote my second children’s book it was about this very thing, facing our fears head on in order to reach our crown, our true selves, our underlying goals, dreams, desires and ultimately the authenticity that is found within each of us.
Suffering generally occurs when we decline the offer to step out of that comfort zone, or over that mark and try something new, something that we would not usually do or even try a new way of thinking about a certain situation or opportunity. In my readings and discovery over years of research and life understandings, in search of the truth, or rather my truth, I came across a book that I lovingly refer to as “my yellow book”.
The author is clear about the fact that if we do not want to take certain ‘leaps of faith’, be sure that the universe will offer you the cosmic boot, kicking you lovingly out of that comfort zone making sure you step out in faith. We often wonder why certain things happen to us at certain times in our lives, but on closer inspection we have hindsight to fall back on. The year we have just travelled through and the one we are presently encountering, are no usual years, I am sure you will agree. This is no usual time.
It’s a time for us to take those steps gracefully with letting go of what is no longer working or serving us with grace and gratitude. A lovely lady, I recently met, reminded me, that you can be grateful from a distance!
A dear beloved friend shared this picture as his profile picture today. Scary, yes, as is fear itself.
The energies that surround us right now ask us to look beyond that comfortable place, in fact we are already way beyond that comfortable place or anything that each of us has known in this lifetime before. We are being asked to put on our armour of courage and fact our fears head on. Unbelievable? Yes, that may seem so too.
When I wrote my second children’s book it was about this very thing, facing our fears head on in order to reach our crown, our true selves, our underlying goals, dreams, desires and ultimately the authenticity that is found within each of us.
Suffering generally occurs when we decline the offer to step out of that comfort zone, or over that mark and try something new, something that we would not usually do or even try a new way of thinking about a certain situation or opportunity. In my readings and discovery over years of research and life understandings, in search of the truth, or rather my truth, I came across a book that I lovingly refer to as “my yellow book”.
The author is clear about the fact that if we do not want to take certain ‘leaps of faith’, be sure that the universe will offer you the cosmic boot, kicking you lovingly out of that comfort zone making sure you step out in faith. We often wonder why certain things happen to us at certain times in our lives, but on closer inspection we have hindsight to fall back on. The year we have just travelled through and the one we are presently encountering, are no usual years, I am sure you will agree. This is no usual time.
It’s a time for us to take those steps gracefully with letting go of what is no longer working or serving us with grace and gratitude. A lovely lady, I recently met, reminded me, that you can be grateful from a distance!
Suffering also generally occurs when we choose to remain rigid and stuck in our old patterns refusing to shift with change. It occurs when we keep putting everything under the rug and expecting it to miraculously disappear. But, guess what, we are having this human experience and part of it is to deal with our fears and deal with what no longer serves us or the greater good of humanity, so expansion can occur. The universal structure is always offering us new perspectives and opportunities that form part of the experience and expansion. Nothing stands still, ever.
Fear has its’ place, as do all our emotions. It is okay to feel fearful at times, it is human to feel fearful at times. Fear is even beneficial at times. Fear stopped you crossing the road in front of an oncoming car, didn’t it? It is okay to feel uncomfortable with the unknown at times, let’s face it, we live in the unknown daily, hourly, per minute. But at times the only way to combat fear itself is to face it, to work through it in a gentle loving way towards ourselves.
To forgive ourselves, understanding that we did not know then, what we know now. To accept that you may have outgrown or moved beyond certain energies, certain ideas or certain ways. To understand that sometimes it’s you who has changed and no longer want or need what was. Sometimes you may even find yourself in the same room, so to speak, yet you have changed completely. You may not even recognize yourself at times, when fear knocks, because you really do have all that it takes to succeed. You have the magic, you have the courage deep inside of you all along.
Your birthright is to thrive.
Fear has its’ place, as do all our emotions. It is okay to feel fearful at times, it is human to feel fearful at times. Fear is even beneficial at times. Fear stopped you crossing the road in front of an oncoming car, didn’t it? It is okay to feel uncomfortable with the unknown at times, let’s face it, we live in the unknown daily, hourly, per minute. But at times the only way to combat fear itself is to face it, to work through it in a gentle loving way towards ourselves.
To forgive ourselves, understanding that we did not know then, what we know now. To accept that you may have outgrown or moved beyond certain energies, certain ideas or certain ways. To understand that sometimes it’s you who has changed and no longer want or need what was. Sometimes you may even find yourself in the same room, so to speak, yet you have changed completely. You may not even recognize yourself at times, when fear knocks, because you really do have all that it takes to succeed. You have the magic, you have the courage deep inside of you all along.
Your birthright is to thrive.
It's time to open our understanding and our minds to the ideas that all is working together for the good. That the light always prevails over the darkness. That you already have all the answers. That you are always guided and never left alone. It is up to you to make the time and space to allow the energy of healing and wisdom to draw into you deeply in order to nourish your soul. It is up to you to be still and listen for the guidance. It is up to you to live from the inside out and shine as you watch your life magically transform before your eyes. You will feel your soul enjoying the bliss and joy on offer. It is up to you to take that first step in the direction of your ‘happy ever after’, no-one can do it for you.
In my practice I find a lot of people really stay mostly in the ‘ask mode’ not even realizing it. Courage to take the step in faith is needed. Yes, distinguishing between our intuition and our fear, definitely plays a major role. However, you will be amazed at how the whole universe comes rushing in, once you have made the agreement to try, once you have opened your mind and heart up to discovering that true authentic you, inside of you. Yes, there is work to be done and yes, it is not easy, but it’s the way forward into the ‘thrive mode’ for each of us, as we venture on our own pathways, together as one.
You have the magic, and you see it, when you believe it !
In my practice I find a lot of people really stay mostly in the ‘ask mode’ not even realizing it. Courage to take the step in faith is needed. Yes, distinguishing between our intuition and our fear, definitely plays a major role. However, you will be amazed at how the whole universe comes rushing in, once you have made the agreement to try, once you have opened your mind and heart up to discovering that true authentic you, inside of you. Yes, there is work to be done and yes, it is not easy, but it’s the way forward into the ‘thrive mode’ for each of us, as we venture on our own pathways, together as one.
You have the magic, and you see it, when you believe it !
Your Line in the Sand
We often feel that by pleasing others we will win favour or even feel better about ourselves. Sure this may work from time to time and for a time. But ultimately, working from the outside in, always has some form of ending or leaves us feeling unfulfilled and searching for more.
Our personal boundaries are important and probably one of the most difficult aspects to face. Although we may impose or offer these boundaries to others, keeping them ourselves, becomes the ultimate challenge.
In a world where we are constantly bombarded with outside influences, it is difficult to come to the realization that self-worth and self-love starts with self. It may even feel selfish at times, until practice and understanding evolves into a pattern and a knowing, that self-worth and self-love is not based on an egotistical idea.
We often find ourselves in unhealthy or unfamiliar circumstances and begin questioning: Why? What for? Why me?
Our year has been a different one indeed. 2020 has asked us to look deeper, it has brought the truth to the surface at times. The situations we find ourselves in, have made us appreciate more. We may have even come to the realisation that being more of who we truly are, matters !
We often feel that by pleasing others we will win favour or even feel better about ourselves. Sure this may work from time to time and for a time. But ultimately, working from the outside in, always has some form of ending or leaves us feeling unfulfilled and searching for more.
Our personal boundaries are important and probably one of the most difficult aspects to face. Although we may impose or offer these boundaries to others, keeping them ourselves, becomes the ultimate challenge.
In a world where we are constantly bombarded with outside influences, it is difficult to come to the realization that self-worth and self-love starts with self. It may even feel selfish at times, until practice and understanding evolves into a pattern and a knowing, that self-worth and self-love is not based on an egotistical idea.
We often find ourselves in unhealthy or unfamiliar circumstances and begin questioning: Why? What for? Why me?
Our year has been a different one indeed. 2020 has asked us to look deeper, it has brought the truth to the surface at times. The situations we find ourselves in, have made us appreciate more. We may have even come to the realisation that being more of who we truly are, matters !
Sometimes in our practical world, leaving before trouble begins, is the answer to setting more healthy boundaries. I enclose an extract from an article by Mark Grobbelaar who is the Founder of INpowered, incorporating WIP (woman INpowered) and GRIP (Guy Responsibly INpowered).
“Where is your line in the sand?
When do you say this far and no further?
When do you make a decision?
Or do you wait for someone to make that decision for you?
So … you are out and about and you find yourself in a situation where something feels wrong, something is out of place, but you don’t quite know what it is.
You’ve arrived at that line in the sand, so what do you do?
What you should do is leave, because when something feels wrong, it normally is wrong.
Then you say, “No I’m being silly, I’m imagining things. I’m being oversensitive. I don’t want to cause a scene.”
So you step over that “line” and make another one, saying to yourself: “Let me see what happens, I’ll make
a decision then.”
So the situation escalates and you arrive at the second line in the sand.
And even then you say: “It’s not as bad as it looks.”
“Where is your line in the sand?
When do you say this far and no further?
When do you make a decision?
Or do you wait for someone to make that decision for you?
So … you are out and about and you find yourself in a situation where something feels wrong, something is out of place, but you don’t quite know what it is.
You’ve arrived at that line in the sand, so what do you do?
What you should do is leave, because when something feels wrong, it normally is wrong.
Then you say, “No I’m being silly, I’m imagining things. I’m being oversensitive. I don’t want to cause a scene.”
So you step over that “line” and make another one, saying to yourself: “Let me see what happens, I’ll make
a decision then.”
So the situation escalates and you arrive at the second line in the sand.
And even then you say: “It’s not as bad as it looks.”
So you step over that line and make another … do you see what is happening?
You are changing the Rules.
When something feels wrong, it is wrong … leave! “
I am sure that many of you can hear your own voices saying some of the above statements to yourselves. I know I can.
Learning about ourselves comes with embracing change and with the acceptance that we have many imperfections and that is alright. In order to find more self-worth, ourselves within, we have to be more responsible for our futures and the idea that we have what it takes to be part of moulding a future that we want to be in.
Boundaries, of course, go much deeper and further. We can also look into so many other aspects, for example: How are we speaking about ourselves? How are we thinking about ourselves? How do we project ourselves? What are my thought patterns? What do I need to look at in order to change my current situation?
The best way is just to begin somewhere. My favourite is journaling, starting with writing your thoughts down.
As we move towards the end of 2020 and into 2021, let’s take a closer look at our boundaries, our personal futures. Let’s take a look at how we view ourselves, how we would like to view ourselves and what kind of lives we would like to lead going forward. Perhaps become more conscious and aware of our surroundings, our dreams, our true self.
Change does take one step at a time.
However, Your life is right now, its best to begin…
One step, two step, one step, two step …and so it is.
You are changing the Rules.
When something feels wrong, it is wrong … leave! “
I am sure that many of you can hear your own voices saying some of the above statements to yourselves. I know I can.
Learning about ourselves comes with embracing change and with the acceptance that we have many imperfections and that is alright. In order to find more self-worth, ourselves within, we have to be more responsible for our futures and the idea that we have what it takes to be part of moulding a future that we want to be in.
Boundaries, of course, go much deeper and further. We can also look into so many other aspects, for example: How are we speaking about ourselves? How are we thinking about ourselves? How do we project ourselves? What are my thought patterns? What do I need to look at in order to change my current situation?
The best way is just to begin somewhere. My favourite is journaling, starting with writing your thoughts down.
As we move towards the end of 2020 and into 2021, let’s take a closer look at our boundaries, our personal futures. Let’s take a look at how we view ourselves, how we would like to view ourselves and what kind of lives we would like to lead going forward. Perhaps become more conscious and aware of our surroundings, our dreams, our true self.
Change does take one step at a time.
However, Your life is right now, its best to begin…
One step, two step, one step, two step …and so it is.
Inner Child
Connect with your inner child and the wise adult soul self …
Your soul mission is no longer just to go through the motions of surviving from one day to the next.
This wonderful journey of soul self, is a necessary path we all seek. Tap into your soul’s blueprint and use it in re-discovering your soul aspect.
In this section experienced consultants assist in unravelling deep seated issues. They help you to utilise your gifts, talents, abilities and skills. They guide you, to live your potential and life to the fullest.
They smile as you T H R I V E.
Joy is your destiny !
Connect with your inner child and the wise adult soul self …
Your soul mission is no longer just to go through the motions of surviving from one day to the next.
This wonderful journey of soul self, is a necessary path we all seek. Tap into your soul’s blueprint and use it in re-discovering your soul aspect.
In this section experienced consultants assist in unravelling deep seated issues. They help you to utilise your gifts, talents, abilities and skills. They guide you, to live your potential and life to the fullest.
They smile as you T H R I V E.
Joy is your destiny !
Fear not my Child…
Lemon cake was Patunia’s favourite and Proteas certainly always made her smile. The way that each individual part of the flower is formed to perfection and how it fits in and yet seems too advanced for this world somehow.
She greeted her friend with glee. Lia was handing out small gifts to all her friends, all of which chatted and giggled amongst themselves. A delightful air of enthusiasm filled the sunny back porch where snacks and enjoyment continued to flow.
In this celebration time there had been much to say and on leaving Patunia felt a warm happiness and overall general excitement for the week ahead. She glanced down at the little wooden umbrella; Lia had given her, as her personal gift. She remembered the words her friend had used, “Because you can weather every storm”. This was so applicable to Patunia’s life, which in fact had felt like many storms amongst many happy times.
Patutia day dreamed back over a specific period in her life where storms were all she really had encountered. Thinking back to times she would sit on the beach watching the waves roll in and out absorbed by the magnitude and expansion of water, by the greatness that was presented before her, ever reminding her, that all is really well, always. Her mind drifted to elightened times when all her dreams came true and smiled at how this too is possible with the right dose of imagination, a scoop of intention, a pinch of attention, and of course, a measure of faith. The little wooden umbrella was in fact triggering many a thought for Patunia and she smiled as she lay on the green freshly cut grass looking up at the sky through the branches of palm trees.
In the days that followed she found herself being interviewed by a large organisation, of which she was delighted. She found that love in all forms came knocking and she found that remaining grateful was a key to unlock any potential obstacle and conquer it.
Finding the peace in aloneness had been a great challenge at this time for most, yet Patunia was no stranger to aloneness and isolation. It seemed to always take her back in memory to happier times. Playing ball on the crooked pathway leading to the squeaky garden gate at her Grandma’s house, the smell of flapjacks coming from the kitchen and boiled sugar sweets kept high up out of reach in the wooden safe cupboard. She would think of Everleen and Jane, chatting together, in their own language, on their grass mats, smoking long beaded pipes in the afternoon sunshine. To eating sweet and sour grapes from the grape vine, climbing the mulberry tree escaping to her wooden hide away, where dolls and teddies had kept her company. Of her ‘stage’, which in fact was the old cement slab in the back garden amongst the lanky pawpaw trees. To all her make believe audience, who cheered and clapped after each of her performances. Her thoughts would amble to fresh fruit salad, the smell of garden roses, to the safety of her Grandma’s story time and the harmonious sound of garden birds. Drifting through these childhood memories and adventures, Patunia would often stop and ask herself the questions. “What had covered me through it all?” “What had been my overall protection?” “What had pushed me to venture, what had encouraged me to leap?” Now, as she looked at the little wooden umbrella, she knew the answer.
Lemon cake was Patunia’s favourite and Proteas certainly always made her smile. The way that each individual part of the flower is formed to perfection and how it fits in and yet seems too advanced for this world somehow.
She greeted her friend with glee. Lia was handing out small gifts to all her friends, all of which chatted and giggled amongst themselves. A delightful air of enthusiasm filled the sunny back porch where snacks and enjoyment continued to flow.
In this celebration time there had been much to say and on leaving Patunia felt a warm happiness and overall general excitement for the week ahead. She glanced down at the little wooden umbrella; Lia had given her, as her personal gift. She remembered the words her friend had used, “Because you can weather every storm”. This was so applicable to Patunia’s life, which in fact had felt like many storms amongst many happy times.
Patutia day dreamed back over a specific period in her life where storms were all she really had encountered. Thinking back to times she would sit on the beach watching the waves roll in and out absorbed by the magnitude and expansion of water, by the greatness that was presented before her, ever reminding her, that all is really well, always. Her mind drifted to elightened times when all her dreams came true and smiled at how this too is possible with the right dose of imagination, a scoop of intention, a pinch of attention, and of course, a measure of faith. The little wooden umbrella was in fact triggering many a thought for Patunia and she smiled as she lay on the green freshly cut grass looking up at the sky through the branches of palm trees.
In the days that followed she found herself being interviewed by a large organisation, of which she was delighted. She found that love in all forms came knocking and she found that remaining grateful was a key to unlock any potential obstacle and conquer it.
Finding the peace in aloneness had been a great challenge at this time for most, yet Patunia was no stranger to aloneness and isolation. It seemed to always take her back in memory to happier times. Playing ball on the crooked pathway leading to the squeaky garden gate at her Grandma’s house, the smell of flapjacks coming from the kitchen and boiled sugar sweets kept high up out of reach in the wooden safe cupboard. She would think of Everleen and Jane, chatting together, in their own language, on their grass mats, smoking long beaded pipes in the afternoon sunshine. To eating sweet and sour grapes from the grape vine, climbing the mulberry tree escaping to her wooden hide away, where dolls and teddies had kept her company. Of her ‘stage’, which in fact was the old cement slab in the back garden amongst the lanky pawpaw trees. To all her make believe audience, who cheered and clapped after each of her performances. Her thoughts would amble to fresh fruit salad, the smell of garden roses, to the safety of her Grandma’s story time and the harmonious sound of garden birds. Drifting through these childhood memories and adventures, Patunia would often stop and ask herself the questions. “What had covered me through it all?” “What had been my overall protection?” “What had pushed me to venture, what had encouraged me to leap?” Now, as she looked at the little wooden umbrella, she knew the answer.
It was in fact Grace, Grace that had been there all along. Grace that had held her hand when there was no-one else, Grace that had her covered even when she did not think so and Grace that had pulled her through each trying situation. The Grace of all that is, the Grace of all that was and all that ever will be. That Grace that held her close and that Grace that kept her going. That Grace that cheered in celebration with each small step, ever gently forcing her to try and try again, to expand, experience, to unfold, to grow.
Lia’s gift was much more than just the little wooden umbrella. She had given Patunia the graceful opportunity of adventure into a more conscious approach to past experiences, with more understanding in the overall umbrella of life. Grace, the umbrella of her life, through every storm through every cloud, through every rainbow and every sunshine. Ever held, ever being encouraged, ever supported, ever loved. As it is, as it was and as it is to come.
Written with Thanks to my dear friend TvR
Kim Michelle Hewitt
Lia’s gift was much more than just the little wooden umbrella. She had given Patunia the graceful opportunity of adventure into a more conscious approach to past experiences, with more understanding in the overall umbrella of life. Grace, the umbrella of her life, through every storm through every cloud, through every rainbow and every sunshine. Ever held, ever being encouraged, ever supported, ever loved. As it is, as it was and as it is to come.
Written with Thanks to my dear friend TvR
Kim Michelle Hewitt
Perspective…
“What a beautiful kitten” I said to my daughter, “but we really can’t take in another cat. We already have two and with our family going separate ways in the future, how will another cat fit in?”
This kitten brought not only joy and understanding but guidance with much bigger lessons of courage that I could ever imagine.
It was a Monday like any other, my business prospects were slim, I was really so tired of trying, looking for clients, hoping and wishing, and in my heart of hearts, I felt the bitter odd idea of death. ‘What was the point’, I said to myself. I had left a corporate world with a large income, to forge ahead on what I believed was my life path. Journeying ultimately, to a place of peace and some understanding, in what seemed to be a mixed up and unconscious mind of people. Yet, here I was feeling as low as anything I could imagine and unable to even earn a small amount of money, to pay the bills.
I started the Monday like any other, moving about the usual chores and mundane tasks. Luna ran in and rubbed herself up against my leg, her early morning ‘hello’ ‘I am still here’ greeting. I must have ignored her to some degree, being caught up in my mind with thoughts racing backwards and forwards, feeling totally overwhelmed.
“What a beautiful kitten” I said to my daughter, “but we really can’t take in another cat. We already have two and with our family going separate ways in the future, how will another cat fit in?”
This kitten brought not only joy and understanding but guidance with much bigger lessons of courage that I could ever imagine.
It was a Monday like any other, my business prospects were slim, I was really so tired of trying, looking for clients, hoping and wishing, and in my heart of hearts, I felt the bitter odd idea of death. ‘What was the point’, I said to myself. I had left a corporate world with a large income, to forge ahead on what I believed was my life path. Journeying ultimately, to a place of peace and some understanding, in what seemed to be a mixed up and unconscious mind of people. Yet, here I was feeling as low as anything I could imagine and unable to even earn a small amount of money, to pay the bills.
I started the Monday like any other, moving about the usual chores and mundane tasks. Luna ran in and rubbed herself up against my leg, her early morning ‘hello’ ‘I am still here’ greeting. I must have ignored her to some degree, being caught up in my mind with thoughts racing backwards and forwards, feeling totally overwhelmed.
Then I heard it, a shrill that filled the morning air. At first I had no idea what it was, but as I ran out of our front gate and into the street, the neighbour was coming towards me, “the cat’s leg” she cried! Her voice piercing my soul.
I looked across at their house. Panic and sadness rose in my chest. Luna was in fact hanging from the grey steal barred fence spike. She was writhing and squirming in absolute agony and her eyes were wide with fear. I felt the blood drain from my face. The spike had pierced through her groin area and out through her small body. It was in those moments that I made a decision between life or death, a decision between her life or death, and my life or death.
As I made the choice of life, I looked to the heavens screaming for help. It was a strange feeling that came over me, almost as if encased in a bubble of protection. I tried once, then a second time managing to lift the kitten off of the barbed spike. I felt the life slowly drifting from her.
A month came and went. She was still in lockdown at the vet. The kindest place she could be in her condition, all the while healing and recovering. Due to her skin being weak and the position of her wound, healing had to occur from the empty cavity, the nothingness. It had to occur from the inside, out.
I looked across at their house. Panic and sadness rose in my chest. Luna was in fact hanging from the grey steal barred fence spike. She was writhing and squirming in absolute agony and her eyes were wide with fear. I felt the blood drain from my face. The spike had pierced through her groin area and out through her small body. It was in those moments that I made a decision between life or death, a decision between her life or death, and my life or death.
As I made the choice of life, I looked to the heavens screaming for help. It was a strange feeling that came over me, almost as if encased in a bubble of protection. I tried once, then a second time managing to lift the kitten off of the barbed spike. I felt the life slowly drifting from her.
A month came and went. She was still in lockdown at the vet. The kindest place she could be in her condition, all the while healing and recovering. Due to her skin being weak and the position of her wound, healing had to occur from the empty cavity, the nothingness. It had to occur from the inside, out.
As I watched this miracle, at the way nature was bringing back new from where there seemed to be emptiness. I felt the same conscious happenings within me. I felt life and true life begin to grow deep within my being. Each day as I watched this miraculous healing, I too felt the change, the realization that new life can spring from devastation, that new opportunities can arise from a seemingly traumatic occurrence, and that hope and faith remain eternal everlasting necessities.
Over the 8 month healing process, love and attention were paramount in Luna’s life. Today, I watch in awe and amazement at how she jumps, climbs and plays with ease, this from a kitten expected never to walk again, never to climb and certainly never to jump. My heart always does an extra leap of excitement when I come home and see her waiting for me. Not only did she give me hope, she taught me trust and above all courage. Sometimes not to just leap without looking deeper for more understanding, sometimes to take that extra leap of faith in spite of the fear. In our world where feeling overwhelmed may tear us down, making us feel small, remembering that we are part of, and one with, the greater consciousness that forms mountains, seas, organizes worlds and controls galaxies. We are those beings that have conscious attachment to all that is, we are not limited. In essence we are awareness and choice and we can choose life and life abundant.
As our world around us seems to be falling apart, we can take a new perspective. Seeing it as a breakthrough to new life, newness, a more conscious way forward, where we are asked to leave behind that which no longer serves our soul, that which no longer serves our greater good and that which no longer serves mankind. In fact, we are asked to ‘become’ the beings we were always meant to be, as the new unfolds, starting from the inside out.
Over the 8 month healing process, love and attention were paramount in Luna’s life. Today, I watch in awe and amazement at how she jumps, climbs and plays with ease, this from a kitten expected never to walk again, never to climb and certainly never to jump. My heart always does an extra leap of excitement when I come home and see her waiting for me. Not only did she give me hope, she taught me trust and above all courage. Sometimes not to just leap without looking deeper for more understanding, sometimes to take that extra leap of faith in spite of the fear. In our world where feeling overwhelmed may tear us down, making us feel small, remembering that we are part of, and one with, the greater consciousness that forms mountains, seas, organizes worlds and controls galaxies. We are those beings that have conscious attachment to all that is, we are not limited. In essence we are awareness and choice and we can choose life and life abundant.
As our world around us seems to be falling apart, we can take a new perspective. Seeing it as a breakthrough to new life, newness, a more conscious way forward, where we are asked to leave behind that which no longer serves our soul, that which no longer serves our greater good and that which no longer serves mankind. In fact, we are asked to ‘become’ the beings we were always meant to be, as the new unfolds, starting from the inside out.
