39 Weeks of Gratitude (Spring at Wild Mountains)

52 Weeks of More gratitude. More hope. More love. 

"I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery - air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, "This is what it is to be happy." Sylvia Plath

I arrived at Wild Mountains, near Rathdowney, QLD late Friday night just as the sun was setting behind the mountains, got out of the car and took a deep breathe in and exhaled slowly. I felt the magic of the place instantly. 

I was on a volunteer weekend joining a crew of about 20 others working on a range of tasks that contribute to this amazing environmental education and conservation centre. 

The weekend was one of the best weekends I've had all years, and was the first time since moving to Qld I felt like I'd found a place and people I connected with. 

So much to be grateful for...

communal living and a kitchen with everything you could want

the joy of the simple and meditative task of weeding to prepare for planting

shared laughter, inspiring folk and good conversation 

fresh, simple, vegetarian fare

plucking edible flowers from the garden for a green lunchtime salad

curry pumpkin soup with pepita and sunflower seeds

noticing the abundance of life and beauty in a tiny space when you are really present in the moment

the crisp night air

spotting a tiny red breasted bird (a Robin perhaps) fluttering from branch to branch

the smell of earth on my hands

the star filled night and a shooting star

that sleepy feeling you get when you spend a day outdoors, getting your hands dirty 

waking up to the breathtaking view, fresh air and the song of birds

going to bed in the the complete darkness of the countryside

feeling the calm of nature seeping into my soul.

I can't wait to return.

52 Weeks of Grateful linking up with Octavia and Vicky.

twenty thirteen: new beginnings and good intentions

Happy New Year all! We've sure hit the new year with soaring temperatures! I've been cooling down with homemade yoghurt and raspberry ice blocks and juicy summer fruits (if you're in the Northern hemisphere you're going to have to get your imagination on!).

I love the end of one year and the beginning of another.  Time to step away from our regular routines and 'work suits' (maybe yours is of the traditional 9 to 5 starched collar variety or it may simply be a state of mind..) and step into long, splendid days with friends and family, nature, good reads and good food. Time to breathe again and see clearly.

How did you spend the festive season? I tripped down to Byron Bay and surrounds for 3 days and it was perfect... morning and evening ocean swims, nature walks, and a night camping with goannas near a spectacular waterfall. Byron really does have powerful healing energies. Within a day I could feel my lungs expanding, heart opening and mind clearing. The trip gave me the necessary space to feel what it is that I need  to sustain myself in 2013.

I'm excited for all the possibilities that 2013 brings and have a few little project ideas brewing for this space which I will share with you over the next few months.  Imagine...I can do anything, be anything...oohhh the possibilities are endless! With this in mind, and without getting too carried away I wanted to start the new year off with a few good intentions. Olivia of Courageous Yogi wrote some beautiful words that really made sense to me, on starting a new year with purpose, dreams and good intentions, and the difference between intentions and a goal.

"An intention is a way of being and becoming. Having an intention makes your goals more attainable because you're commited to becoming the person you need to be in order to have what you want FIRST, then going after the externals".

In 2013 my intentions are:

to be courageous
to trust and be open to new experiences
to be grateful
to surround myself in nature

these are the foundations leading to health and happiness me thinks!

With these intentions in mind,  and with intentions you may have made for 2013 (do share your intentions for 2013 below... I know I'll be inspired) I'm looking forward to the year ahead sharing more healthy recipes, daily inspiration and thoughts on nourishing both body and soul.

More gratitude. More hope. More love. #21 (gathered natural objects)

I've been a little distracted this morning, avoiding mostly mundane tasks, and went a wandering through Pia Jane Bijkerk's My Heart Wanders  project. That lead to this, and I stopped my wandering, happy and grateful to have found a peaceful spot to rest for a while. I think you'll agree it's very easy to get lost in the shapes, forms, textures, colours and details of these beautifully crafted gathered objects of nature.

Mary Jo Hoffman posts one image, daily of gathered natural objects found near her home in Minnesota for her project STILL, one I've added to my growing treasure chest of daily inspiration.

All images by Mary Jo Hoffman.

Simplicity: Wise words on Healthy living.

The wise words of Aulus Cornelius Celsus (circa 25BC - circa AD 50). Roman Historian. His encyclopaedia De Medicina, is one of the best sources on medical knowledge in the Roman world.

        

"Live in rooms full of light

Avoid heavy foods

Be moderate in the drinking of wine

Take massage, baths, exercise and gymnastics

Fight insomnia with gentle rocking or the sounds of running water

Change surroundings and take long journeys

Strictly avoid frightening ideas

Indulge in cheerful conversation and amusements

Listen to music."

Found in: Good Gut Bugs by Kathryn Marsden, pg 35

More gratitude. More hope. More love. #18 (you have to be brave)

More love. Yes please! 

Today's Literary Jukebox on Brain Pickings is a playful passage on falling in love by Jeannette Winterson, matched with 'Falling' by Nitin Sawhney. If you haven't checked out Literary Jukebox yet, you must! It's the brainchild of Maria Popova, combining her love of literature and music. Each day she matches a favourite book passage with a thematically related song. It's definitely an add to your day with changing insightful and inspiring musings from brilliant authors and musicians.  

Along with gratitude for all the creativity and inspiration flowing through the world I'm also super grateful that my camera is still under warranty and I don't have to fork out cash that is not in abundance right now to get it repaired. I am very happy indeed!

What awe-inspiring online spaces do you visit for your fix? Share away in comments below x