I am in a state of reflection at the moment. With my third poetry book called Heart & Soul about to be published by Deep Read Press I have formulated my writing aspirations for this year. I have written little, other than poetry for a while, but now can see the completion of some other projects coming to fruition this year.  Unlike some writers I find I cannot sit and write daily, rather I wait until inspiration hits. It can be months before something more comes to mind and indeed I have been in somewhat of a writing drought for over a year. At different times over the past year I wondered if my next spiritual book would ever get written at all but ideas have started to flow so this year I have dedicated myself to finishing it and other things. Reflection is a deep part of my life, I often contemplate rather than meditate, it seems to work better for me that way. In a sense I am a loner, needing much time to myself to work out what life is all about and what it means for ...

 I want to say Happy New Year and I do wish it for you all but I am mindful of the deep unrest in parts of our world where thousands won't have food, shelter or safety. These are three basic needs that we all share. I cannot imagine living in such a nightmare situation. While I acknowledge this I am deeply grateful for all the good fortune that I have where those basic needs are met and others besides.  For me this New Year symbolises a new beginning, one where I intend to be the best version of myself. My intentions are to be more open hearted, loving and kind. To value my gifts that can be used to serve others, whatever they may be. I am still unpacking what I have to offer and instead of falling into the imposter syndrome, I intend to value and honour myself more and take more risks even if it means failing.  I hope to be brave enough to take opportunities as they arise rather than fall into the ego narrative that I am not "good enough" or dont measure up to the task. ...

 The law of attraction brings us always what we focus on, so rather than being at the mercy of old belief systems and programming remember that as Spiritual beings we are all Creators. You can either create wonderful things or chaos. Whatever you focus on becomes your reality, so focus on positive and empowering things and create an amazing reality for yourself.  I know it is hard to change how we think but if we don't how can we expect anything different to come into our lives. It is challenging to question what has been burned into our minds about who and what we are but the true power of the mind is that it can be changed with practice and dedication to wanting to have  better outcomes. Life will always bring us challenges but with a creator mind we can get through them with strength and resilience. Most of what we believe about ourselves comes from what we have been told by other people and what we have told ourselves about who we are based on past experiences. Don't ...

 Does comparing yourself to others make you feel better or worse? The answer most probably is both better and worse, depending on the day and how you feel. If you compare yourself to someone you think is more clever, more beautiful/handsome, more financially secure or simply more, more more.....then the answer will be that you feel worse. If you feel superior to others then the answer is that you will feel better. The question is though, how long do you feel better or worse for? Either way your ego will need to reinforce the belief that you have imbedded into your consciousness in order to keep it in place. You will also seek out people who reinforce what you believe about yourself albeit subconsciously. Your worth does not rely on what others think about you, though you and I both know that basically we all seek validation from others to make us feel worthwhile in some way. That is of course unless you/we have understood that whatever anyone else says, thinks or believes about you...

 As we are in the midst of Winter here in the southern hemisphere I find myself in the states of introspection and reflection. It is a time to take stock of what is important and what may lay in the depths of my Being ready to hatch in Spring.  I have read inspiring books and started the workbook of A Course In miracles. There are so many amazing books and other material to help us on our journey. One favourite author for me at the moment is Alan Cohen, who writes in such way that you can't help but "get" what he writes about.  I have also recently come across another wonderful spiritual teacher called Rupert Spira and have binge watched most of his free youtube retreats and other discussions with some other awakened people. It gives me direction and focus on my own awakening and how it isn't something that happens "out there" but rather a recognition of what is already present. Wow. How many of us seek enlightenment as something to be gained rather than som...

 Having had the flu for over a week I am reminded about the need to slow down and take stock of life. It is so easy to get caught up in our daily activites and commitments that sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves in other ways. It is important from time to time to aks ourselves what it is that is really important to us and how we can detach from the constant thoughts of catastrophe that cross our minds every day.  The news on our electronic devices are usually only about negative things that are going on in our world. We are constantly fed ideas of lack, of war and pandemics and consumerism. It is hard to step  out of this mindframe when it is all around us, but for our mental and physical health it is essential to take time to defrag and focus on the good things in life.  I have much to be grateful for and I am sure you do to, especially if you live in a democracy. So instead of getting caught up in the hectic bombardments of fear and disaster, remember th...

 I have never felt more proud of being Britsh than at this time of mourning for the passing of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd. The respect and grace that the state funeral gave her is fitting of such an amazing woman whose pledge to serve all her people for however long she lived was surely fulfilled.  I have never known a time without the Queen and I remember like many people, standing by the roadside waving my flag in the town  in which I was born in the North of England. She toured much of England just after the coronation and it is a memory that I have never forgotten. All children were given a memento of a spoon and a beaker. I don't have mine anymore but I remember them well. My cultural history of royalty goes way back and is etched in the cells and bones in my body. It is part of my cultural identity and I have loved the monarchy all my life. Though I have lived in Australia for the past fifty years and love it , my heart of hearts belongs to England.