Thanksgiving in my life

01/12/2015 by Susanjane Morison Leave a Comment

Thanksgiving in my life

Thanksgiving is practiced in North America and Canada last month. I am not originating from this part of the world though I do like the sentiment of appreciation and gratitude that it celebrates. There may be no pumpkin pie and turkey on my diner table tonight. The spread I serve here is an Australians thankyou in pictures.

For the young and free

That are brave and inspire

We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil

For the food I grow and can purchase freely

Our land is girt by sea

That we enjoy

For friends and family

For Beauty rich and rare

Thanksgiving for the opportunities I have and the capacity to act to implement my dreams. To the dreamers and dream makers for bringing ideas to the light into reality.

It’s an Adventure!

18/11/2015 by Susanjane Morison Leave a Comment

It’s an Adventure !

“Its an adventure” thus the weekend race begins with the theme song of ” Staying alive” as the soundtrack to this media release. At the sight of sedimentary rock formations to run on, the Southern ocean at low tide to swim / paddle then a cycle twice up a hill nicknamed heartbreak the spirit of adventure begins. What if we could meet all aspects of our lives as an adventure? Work challenges, relationship rifts and financial crisis would they seem insurmountable with a comeraderie, can do, she be right attitude?

Rock Solid

Being rock solid standing with feet rooted into the earth takes determination when there are terrorist attacks, retrenchment and festive season impending. When running along the rocks at Augusta lighthouse taking life one step at a time became vital to prevent falling and staying on track. Multi skilling has been a habit and expectation I need to change. It scatters my focus and energy. The simplicity of giving one task my undivided attention, completing this then moving on has centred me and dropped the drama I create.

Recently I had an aha moment where I had to remind myself and others that “S” is for Susanjane not “Superwoman”. Congratulations and bless all the Superwomen (and their support crew) for doing it all with flair and success. I am handing on my cape and lycra body suite – working on staying grounded. Yes I will have adrenalin withdrawal, yearn for missions impossible and juggling it all. The irregularity of finding a foothold on boulders made me appreciate how a slip in judgement and distraction from other duties leads to fallout.

Rock on

On and on we travel one foot, one arm stroke, one breath at a time to reach our goals. Rocking on, persisting, maintaining the discipline and motivation takes perspiration. Why do it? a question everyone faces. The answer ” We give it a go” as we seek adventures. Participation is not about being the winner or an expert. Its celebrating that we are lucky enough to have opportunities and can “risk it for the biscuit” as it was chanted in the Australian movie: Oddball.

Rocking on in life is picking yourself up, dusting off the greasy, grime when falling and failing. Did not finish has not ever been put on a tombstone to my knowledge. Legends come from turning up and keeping on despite obstacles. Contrary to rebukes that “Your crazy” I know I am not alone in the “crazy” taking chances at falling in life. Fear of failure is the greatest obstacle to change. I can see my smilie kneecap scar and remember failing to see the skimmer lid off the pool while coaching swimming.

Two Rock

Two rock is knowing that somewhere in the world there is someone else facing a similar challenge as I am negotiating. I shared this concept with mothers in labour and witnessed how they drew strength in this community of birthing women, facing fears together. Even in competing participants warned each other of dangers, gave a helping hand to wounded and shouted out encouragement or taunting.

Shared humanity helps us feel not so alone in facing suffering for there is another out there meeting the same problem. Drawing ourselves beyond our lives to embrace someone’s situation, broadens our capacity for compassion. Thupten Jinpa (2015) describes how someone “just like me” has the need for compassion, in meditating on these sentiments listed below we grow our intention for compassion. I picture loved ones and recite these intentions when worried and it has been a blessing.

“May you be free from this suffering…

May you experience peace and joy…

May you be free from this suffering…

May you experience peace and joy…

The adventure of living

The adventurer David Silberkleit (2002) discusses how one of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to adventure is choosing between big adventures and everyday ones. We can be reenergised with a fresh perspective when we have an adventure a day extending beyond our comfort zones whether it be seeking a new way home or a different recipe. Razden, A (2006) writes how engaging in simple adventures allows us to form supportive bonds, hopeful attitudes and adjust to uncertainties. Judy Wolf states it brilliantly

“Each of us is the hero in our own life which is after all the real adventure.”

References

Jinpa, T (2015) A fearless Heart Why compassion is the key to greater wellbeing” Penguin Group , U.S.A.

Razden, A (2006) Everyday adventures, Experience life, June

Silberkleit, D (2002) A new adventure every day: 541 simple ways to live with Pizzazz,

Thankyou Mark, Michele, Jasmine, Mathew, & Sienna for an excellent adventure at Augusta Anaconda

Furred Healers

04/11/2015 by Susanjane Morison Leave a Comment

Furred healers

The rise and fall of breath, canine aroma therapy, a warm wet nose that nudges, a bark to protect – once a wild one you are now a healing hound. Your subtle care is appreciated. Animals such as dogs, guinea pigs, cats and horses support people to gain their optimum wellbeing.

Paw – st

Mother duck with duckilngs — University of Western Australia, Reid library café ducks who have a Facebook following

Heel our black dogs

13/10/2015 by Susanjane Morison Leave a Comment

Heel our black dogs

The black dog has become a symbol for mental health – depression and bipolar disorders. Dr Samuel Johnson in 1782 first coined this term when he wrote in a letter to his colleague:

“The black dog I hope always to resist and in time to drive.” (Chapman, 1952, p. 41)

Our mental health is a treasure to be appreciated and preserved daily in our own individual ways.

Awesome Festival 2015 - Perth — Awesome Festival 2015 – Perth

Ta da transcending …

25/09/2015 by Susanjane Morison Leave a Comment

Ta da transcending…

Ta da… with a swoosh of a magic wand — situations changed. We have this magic in our capacity to transcend moments by connecting to the larger universe and finding meaning. Appreciation, gratitude, hope, humour and spirituality are the character strengths that help us to transcend.

Appreciation

Appreciation is the Wow! OHH present moment awareness of the qualities of people or objects. It can be for the simple blessing of being able to breath independently in the morning to see the sunrise, feel the breeze, smell the salty air and be. One Easter I was stranded with my dog standing in a bikini on a beach as my keys, car, phone, dress and wallet were stolen. The next morning at work I gained appreciation for all I had and lost when caring for a mother with a critically ill baby.

Gratitude

Gratitude is the base from which appreciation grows. Melody Beatty describes how:

” Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more”.

Mick Jagger sang “You can’t always get what you want” these lyrics highlight the subtle difference between gratitude and appreciation. Gratitude is felt after you get what you want. Appreciation comes when you appreciate what you are given – even when it is not what you want.

Hope

Hope is :

“expecting the best in the future and working to achieve it; believing that a good future is something that can be brought about”. Peterson and Seligman (2004 p. 570)

It is observed in: optimism, future mindness, future goal orientation – a cognitive, emotional and motivational stance towards the future. There is a link with hope and imagination for it is the ability to see what is not in the here and now. Living in hope is not holding to illusions but allowing for possibilities which takes courage and conviction. When swimming in the ocean my hope is not to be my nickname ” shark biscuit” so I swim with other more tasty morsels.

Humour

Humour our capacity to take life lightly, laugh at ourselves seeing the funny side of dire circumstances. The benefits of laughing include:

Physical health reducing blood pressure, increasing circulation and reducing pain;
Coping mechanism as we release emotional tension;
Psychological wellbeing as in laughing we create bonds with others, combat stress, alleviate tension, improve communication and boost morale.

Spirituality

Light a candle with a prayer to the Gods

Spirituality, religiousness, faith describe the acceptance of the existence of a greater power that provides a larger scheme for the universe. It is expressed in a myriad of ways in which one surrenders to a belief system. Spirituality can provide a community where there is social support and a sense of belonging. Spiritual practices that honor the interconnectedness of life help buffer pain and promote self compassion as researched by Neff, K. (2011). Steve Southwick (2012) wrote:

“spiritual people find ways to meet the challenges and continue with purposeful lives….. they bounce back and carry on.”

The rainbow is my reminder that I am not alone and that getting through the storm is rewarded with this colourful arch.

Ta da…

Transcending the circumstances challenging me is not always magical as I may complain, lament, do tragic and meltdown. Appreciation, gratitude, faith, humour and hope shift me beyond limitations to transcend. These are the strengths within us our magic.

Special thanks to Laraine and Grant Rayner of Loose Goose Chalets, Nannup W.A. for rehabilitating injured wild life like the Wallaby: Rosie seen above.

References

Beatty, M in http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/yourdailyspirit

Neff, K (2011) Self Compassion, New York, Harper Collins

Peterson, C & Segilman, MEP (2004) Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Washington, D.C American Psychology Association

Selvam, S. (2010) Faith, Hope and Love as expressions of human transcendence: Insights from Positive Psychology: A paper presentation at the postgraduate interdisciplinary conference on Faith, Hope and Love, London: Heuthrop College

Southwick, S (2012) The science of meeting life’s greatest challenges, New York, Cambridge University press.ng injured

Meaning filled life

02/09/2015 by Susanjane Morison 2 Comments

Meaning filled life

Who am I?

Why am I here?

Where am I going?

What do I want?

What is real?

What is true?

These questions form our search for meaning. The internal quest to find meaning takes courage to look within and trust. We may not have all the answers but as Socrates said: “The unexamined life is not worth living”.

The Hoods of Women

12/08/2015 by Susanjane Morison Leave a Comment

The Hoods of Women

The Hoods of women relates to the life transitions of: maiden hood, motherhood and wise womanhood. These periods of adjustment had rites of passage, honoring the challenges and changes experienced in each Hood. I write this blog in celebration of women’s dynamic capacity to create their wellbeing at any age or stage.

Maidenhood Motherhood Wise Womanhood — Maidenhood
Motherhood
Wise Womanhood

2 Ears, 1 Mouth

25/07/2015 by Susanjane Morison Leave a Comment

2 Ears, 1 Mouth

Communication connecting with: words, gestures, silence, tone, volume, accent, facial expression, eye contact to carry meaning. It is a skill to be nurtured and practiced. Our first utterances are the beginning of a lifelong quest in connecting verbally and non verbally.

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