A new take on self-sufficiency

On this day I want to talk about self-sufficiency - something which has such a strong mainstream meaning (I think) and conjures images of kitchen benches laden with homegrown produce and busy farmlets or backyards full of animals, fruit trees and vegetable gardens.

This has been my basic concept of self-sufficiency for many years, and one that I still aspire to, however a couple of days ago I was flipping through a magazine at my part-time job and read a sentence which was along the lines of 'what is sufficient for me?' and really did one of those double-takes you see in cheesy movies. It completely opened up a whole new meaning for me - does it do that for you too?

Here's my take on sufficiency, based on some serious heartstorming and discussion with my bakery co-workers after reading said quote:

Are we truly self-sufficient, no matter what we've put in place in our lives, if we're wanting more than we authentically need?

You see, the way I understand this, sufficiency is not about thinking small, playing conservative or keeping yourself in the same place in order to 'save yourself for something better'. These actions serve only your ego, and as such do not provide enough for your whole being - they are not sufficient.

When you aim as high as you can imagine there's no room for ego - its only you - your heart and soul. When you play small, its your ego that speaks up, telling you you're not enough.

Sufficiency is about clarifying and honing down on those things that are most important - your soul's callings, your purpose in this life, your highest passions.

These are the structures within which all other decisions can be made. Taking action upon these needs leads to a life of self-sufficiency - nothing more, nothing less. And in this way sufficiency can feel both big and small. But its authentically yours - your voice, your angle, your experiences, your dreams, your successes.

And that's all we can be right? Authentically ourselves creating our own self-sufficiency.

Wishing you a beautiful day filled with opportunities to feel that this life is sufficient for you.

The power of vintage arts for raising your vibrations

Here's what my evenings have been looking like lately, once our girls are safely tucked up in bed.

A bit of chocolate, some peppermint tea, a good number of stitches on my needles and I'm a happy mama.

There's something so comforting about knitting, particularly in our colder months - the warmth of the wool, the brightness of the colours in our sometimes drab weather and the sheer meditative simplicity of one stitch after another. Something we can all benefit from, am I right?

This is the Milo vest, which I first discovered through Soulemama and have knitted several times before. This time for a fast growing Bethany in orange, claret and turquoise stripes.

As I write I'm sitting here enjoying the quiet of late eveningtime with the welcome company of my unencumbered thoughts and the rhythm of my knitting. 

It's blissful and creative. A joyful vintage meditation. And I think it's something we all aspire to. Handmade fun. Sleek simplicity. Transformed goodness.

You don't need expensive self-help books or years of lengthy self-analysis or even time to formally meditate each day to feel calm and grounded - sometimes you just need to get back to basics, like they did in the past naturally. A bit of knitting each day, some hand stitching, a homemade birthday card or tightening up the waistband on those too-big pants for your daughter - all are grounding, creative and simple in their intent. 

This is what we need. This is what transforms us organically. One stitch at a time.

So get into it Mamas, and manifest that simplicity you desire through good, old-fashioned handcrafts. My best wishes for simple days to you with love. Xx

Empowering Geometry

I write. I teach. I Mother. I adventure.

These are the four pillars upon which I build and create. My foundations. My strengths. My whole.

There's comfort in that clear structure for me. I like that it's four pillars - somehow it feels like a stronger structure - with four sides, four corners - a diamond or a rectangle.

For me, it's not to much and not too little - it's juuuuusssst right.

And, you know, many structures come in fours:

- our seasons

- phases of the moon

- points of the compass

- eastern elements (water, fire, earth, metal)

There's am elements of strong simplicity in a group of four - it feels sleek and sure to me.

If I we're to draw a picture of my structure it would look like this:

Every element connects to the others. There are relationships between them all. Interconnectedness is highlighted.

For me, this structure, this image, provides direction, focus and clarity.

What shape would your structure be? - is there a shape that resonates with you? That stands out in pictures or diagrams? Do you choose fabrics or clothing with particular geometric patterns (e.g. A-line skirts, square cut necklines etc...)?

How many corners does your shape have? How many pillars support your life?

How does this foundation structure support your life?