wish...and as if by magic!

There have been a number of things I’ve been attending recently that have been telling me that I need to be more aware of the moments of synchronicity in my life, notice them and take advantage of those small opportunities to connect. 

I've been reminded that when I focus on what I want and get really clear about it, things begin slowly showing up when I need them. Things like opportunities, connections, people and objects.

The most simple example, is the example of the magic of the Swap Shop that I set up in my studio building. This is how it usually happens and how the story is told.

a) A wish is expressed for a specific thing, object, item or material

b) Soon after the wish is uttered, often not even verbalised, the thing that was wished for materialises in the Swap Shop- often the VERY next day.

c) The wish maker can't believe their luck and *skip* away happily

My favourite example of this is one that happened about a year or so ago.

I was round at my friend E's house, and we were chatting about her wood burning stove and her recent delivery of firewood and peat. She was keeping her firewood in a box next to the fire and she told me, she'd really love to get a nice woven basket instead, to complete the homely vibe.

We'd just been talking about the swap shop and it's wonders, and she asked,

'Do you ever get baskets in the swap shop?'

I paused, thinking back.
'Hmmm not that I can think of, rarely, but ask for it anyway and you never know!' I remember saying something like, ' Emily would like a log basket, please Swap Shop'.

Quite early the next morning I popped in to the Swap Shop to have a quick tidy up and a look for something that I'd been hoping to find. I'd mostly forgotten about the request for the basket... but what did I find? 

A BASKET! and not just any small bread basket either. A lovely rustic, high sided and sturdy basket that I reckoned was the perfect size to tuck in next to E's fireplace.

I couldn't believe my eyes. I'd never seen anything like it before in the Swap Shop. 

So I grabbed it, took a photo and quickly sent E a text message telling her about the gobsmackingly magical thing that had happened! Did she want it?

Silly question really!!

She was over the moon. I took it round to hers and it turned out it WAS perfect. With only a few areas needing a little TLC, it fitted wonderfully next to that cute little fire, filled with aromatic and warmth giving wood and peat.

I've lost count of how many times this has happened to me, and how many times I've heard similar stories told by others. I like to offer thanks each and every time it happens and recognise the magic of asking.

I look forward to hearing it again and again in my lives and in others.

Now it's your turn.

Pay attention to what you are asking for

Keep inviting those good things in. Clearly.

Be ready for the opportunities that it gives.

with warmth and wonder

Jaimie x

Hack your learning - Curiosity + courage = learning + change

“The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. Throw yourself.” 
― C. JoyBell C.

Recently I've reignited my intrigue for TED talks.

I'd heard about this video about hack schooling by Logan LaPlante and decided to look it up.

I loved the courage, curiosity and humour to his talk, the excitement for the choices he has been able to make by taking a different educational path.

I love that he starts with the question that annoys him the most...what do you want to be when you grow up?

I love his answer! Watch this video and find out how he 'Hacks' his education.

#hackschooling

Since watching this video I've been thinking about my own education as it was when I was a teenager. I've realised how lucky I was to be encouraged to follow topics that were close to my heart then, and as an adult too by being able to go to art school. All the while though, I was still in the system, and now - 10 years on- oh such freedom to choose my own unique path!

I have a deep urge to refresh and deepen own my learning around certain topics. I'm not in a position to go back to University, and I'm not sure I'd want to anyway. I'm too busy being out in the world, creating my life. However, I'm curious and I LOVE learning. I realise that when I'm a bit stuck, bored, or lacking in inspiration, that using the motivation to change my mindset and circumstances by learning something new gives me a new lease of life. It's a reminder of why I do what I do and of whether I'm on the right path for me in that moment.

I'm aware that I could fall in to the learning trap here, using learning as a way of procrastinating, so all the while I'm bearing in mind whether the things I'm choosing to learn are genuinely moving me towards a stronger place in my life and my business.

The Latin root of the word Educate is Educare which means 'to draw out'. Since I first heard this definition it has delighted me, further captivating my desire to uncover that inner potential in myself and in others.

So I'd like to ask you...

What aspects of yourself would you like to draw out? What kind of person do you want to become?

Let's sit down and figure out what lights your fire by asking even more questions... I LIKE to get you thinking - hee hee! :)

What long held dream or aspect of yourself is sitting in the shadows waiting for some attention. How do you imagine yourself to be?

Who is that bright and vibrant person inside, however deeply buried?

What fascinated you when you were younger that you've since abandoned?

How would you like to express yourself now?

What topics would you like to talk knowledgeably about?

How do you identify with yourself right now?

How would you like to show up in the world?

What makes you happy?

How can you take care of your body, mind and spirit?

The answers to questions like these will begin to form the basis of what we want to learn and bring us untold excitement to get started, and ultimately stick to this path of educating, expressing and taking care of ourselves.

Thinking about identity and what you want to learn

Always move towards being the person you want to become... don't forget that this is an ever evolving process, so don't worry too much about there being vastly different ideas swirling around.

There will be a thread that weaves its way though it all. A 'why' that ties it all together. You might not be able to see the thread yet and that's ok.

Cultivate patience and trust.

I identify with myself as becoming a creative soul, an outdoor girl, a lover and protector of nature and our precious planet, an advocate of education and community, self development and self-awareness, an idealist and quiet action taker who wants peace and harmony in the world; a leader, a lover of quality and a creator of things.

The becoming of you

There might be gap between where you are now and where you want to be. Those gaps are probably where you think you're not 'enough' of those things already to really BE that person. Which is of course not true since we're all on this journey called life.

We can't possibly know everything there is to know all at once. Choosing to learn and change is how we build in more of the good stuff we want in life, move closer and closer to the type of person we want to be and how we impact the world. At each stage we are enough and worthy of giving ourselves that opportunity.

Resist the urge to stop yourself from growing and evolving, or from giving yourself the chance to show up as your most sparkling self. Take a step forward.

I LOVE learning!

I've said that already, right? It excites me so much and although it can be scary to step out of that comfort zone it usually always makes up for it in the mind blowing potential and sometimes downright confusion that it opens up in my life.

Yes even those funny head scratching moments can be a blessing in the end! Feel the stretch!

Do you have your list of possibilities?? Topics of curiosity? of happiness?

Look at that list and decide on a few of those topics to begin with that you would love to learn more about, either as a complete beginner, or as a way to deepen your knowledge on a subject.

Stuck? Feeling worried?

Please breathe and begin somewhere, follow your curiosity from there and see where you end up. It might be the best place that you have never even imagined!

Some of my own topics of curiosity are (in no particular order):

Conservation and promotion of green spaces

Urban nature

Biophilia/Nature connection

Wildlife and plant identification

Creative design of urban green spaces

Creating a sustainable future

Ecopsychology/Deep ecology

Personal development

Encouraging positive action in myself and others

Mindfulness/meditation/spirituality

Mental Health

Nature play and Outdoor education for all

Community

As well as exploring skills like:

Green woodworking

Basket weaving

Drawing and painting

Textile techniques

Bushcraft 

Growing my own food

Writing and poetry

Playing the fiddle

Language learning- Spanish in particular

Yoga practise

Creating art in nature

Exploring art and craft 

Experimenting with materials

...I could go on

As you can see it quite a long list and at the moment it's clearly focused around nature and the environment and my/our responses and relationship to it.

Remember, don't worry if your list has a broad range of topics...take this opportunity to explore and play with a few of the options. Whatever is pulling at your intuition and making you feel vibrant.

Right now some of the topics I'm immersing myself in are, learning about ecosystems with a FREE online course, attending local events around sustainability and the arts and reading, practising and developing courses around human- nature connection.

Also, I'm very excited to have been invited to attend and learn from the speakers at the 'Nature Connections 2015' conference at Derby University on the 26th March! I will be there representing Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Thank you RBGE!

And it just so happens to be on my birthday! It'll be lovely to be absorbing and discussing something so close to my heart on this day...and I might just treat myself to a nice meal the night before too :)

#NC2015 - please search for this # If you want to follow along with my updates from Nature Connections conference on Twitter on the 26th March.

Remember- It's not too late to learn! Go and become you! Go and grow your curious, creative, happy and healthy soul!

and...

Please share in the comments below... what have you been itching to learn but perhaps have been too scared? How would you love to show up in the world? What magic is sitting just under the surface waiting to be expressed?

Another wee reminder...

If you want to learn more about yourself, about your place and connection to nature, and about your own creativity, please check out my next online course Connect to Nature: Connect to Self. 4th April-2nd May 2015 

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