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Create Art, not excuses!

2/23/2018

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We all have creative endeavours that we would like to put more energy into. Ways of expressing ourselves that brings joy, fulfillment and perhaps a sense of liberation. Yet a myriad of things stop us and cause us to procrastinate. We find 101 other things to do rather than begin that project. There are dishes to be washed, facebook to be scrolled through and goodness knows what else to keep us distracted from that creative expression.

There are many reasons that cause us not to engage in those pursuits that we know will ultimately bring us delight and gratification. How awesome is the feeling of dancing, singing, creating whatever and giving ourselves into soulful expression. We usually have our own personal distortions and blockages around creative endeavours. One of my distortions is that I feel I need to be creating for a purpose, rather than for the sheer joy of expression. I need to be doing something that is productive and useful, rather than exploring or creating for it's own sake. It's an underlying belief that I'm working to let go of. There are undoubtably a myriad of other reasons that hinder us...

Finding our blockages

Many of us have blocks or negative self beliefs that inhibit our expression. It may be that we feel we're not good enough or fear we will make mistakes. Many of us as children will have unconsciously picked up messages about what is or is not okay and about our abilities and skills. A comment from a teacher, telling you your painting isn't right or a parent suggesting you need to do better next time can all impact on our willingness to express. It may be useful to acquaint yourself with your inner critic, find it's source and bring it out into the open.

I find that if I am feeling generally inspired and positive about life then it is easier to begin, so go for a nature walk or do some yoga or whatever it is that helps you to get in the space to begin (though be careful not to use this as another form of procrastination!). At other times you just need to begin something and five minutes later the creativity begins to flow. I find this with writing, I procrastinate big time and then once I start I don't want to stop. Mark Manson, author of The Subtle Art of not Giving a F*uck speaks of the "Do Something" Principle. There is a generally held notion that inspiration leads to motivation which leads to action. Manson suggests that action isn't just the effect of motivation; it's also the cause of it. By doing something we can initiate motivation within us.

Mistakes are learning opportunities, every one who succeeded first took a big risk and probably failed many times. Madeline L'Engle was an american writer of children's fiction. She received 30 rejections of her book "A Wrinkle in Time" before it was accepted for publishing. (She then went on to publish many more books and become quite successful.) Here is what she says about this:
"Over the years I have worked out a philosophy of failure, which I find extraordinarily liberating. If I am not free to fail, I'm not free to take risks and everything in life that is worth doing involves a willingness to risk failure. This is what's true in all human relationships, unless I am willing to open myself to risk and to being hurt, then I'm closing myself off to love and friendship."

Are you willing to dare and risk? Are you willing to let your light shine? What else is there to do? What is the purpose of life?

Marianne Williamson suggests in A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles that our greatest fear is related to our light and success rather than a fear of failure.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Some questions to support you in your creativity:

Here are some questions that may be helpful for you to contemplate in supporting your creative endeavours.
  • How important is it for you to express your creativity on a scale of 1-10?
  • Ask yourself if not now, then when?
  • Would it be helpful to have someone bear witness to your intention? I find that if I share my intention to create something with another person, that by saying it aloud and having someone else witness my commitment supports me in carrying it through.
  • Is there a time of day that works best for you? For me it's in the morning, when I'm fresh and most awake. For you it might be at night when the house is quiet.
  • How can you start now? If there is a way to do something related to your ideas - begin! It might not be exactly what you want to do, for example you might want to express your creativity through gardening, though don't have a garden, so work on a window box or another related project and see where that takes you...
  • I often ask myself if today were my last day on earth, how would l like to spend it? This helps me to prioritize what is important right now.
  • How do you feel when you write/paint/bake or whatever your creative thing is? What does it evoke in you? Would you like more of that in your life?
  • What is stopping you? Do you have creative blocks or inhibiting beliefs that you need to explore and work with? Perhaps write down these inner critics and find out where they come from usually a parent, teacher or other significant figure from your childhood. Ask yourselves are these voices true and relevant to my life now.
  • Find support - join a local or online artists group or create something that would work best for you with a friend or initiate a group. "The Artist's Way" is a book that has a 12 week step program. There are lots of other books and programs that offer advice on how to get those creative juices flowing.
Finally here is a TED talk Success, failure and the drive to keep creating with Elizabeth Gilbert author of Eat, Pray, Love. What is the task that love is calling forth from you next?
I wish you all the best in expressing your unique, authentic and wonderful you, Fiona
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Fiona is an Active Listening therapist, reflexologist, and experienced doula. She is passionate about living true to her heart and soul and empowering others to do the same. She runs various workshops related to the vibrancy of conscious plant based eating and women's issues including being childless/free and loves joining women in circle. Her website is www.fionareilly.co.uk or click here for her facebook page - True Living

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Find the love and care in your heart this Christmas

12/9/2017

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It's become somewhat of a tradition that I write an article for the Festive Season. This year I have been feeling a sense of "Bah humbug!" I feel overwhelmed by the crowds, business and general mayhem in the city as people rush, cram and spend in order to achieve that perfect Christmas. Many people's lives seem to resolve around Christmas for the entire month of December, as they funnel their energy and expectations into December 25th.

I wonder where has the real meaning of Christmas gone and what the current scenario is costing us as a society? Many families struggle to make ends meet and Christmas puts huge financial pressure on already overburdened parents living in poverty. Many live alone or have lost loved ones and the happy family portrayals can heighten their sense of loneliness at this time of year. An increasing number of people are homeless and on the streets in the depths of midwinter, imagine how they must feel? Excessive consumerism endorsed at Christmas is having a huge impact on Mother Earth. There is an old saying that a picture says a thousand words and I think the one below does just that...

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Over the past couple of months, I've really been struck and saddened by the destruction we are causing to Mother Earth. David Attenborough is raising awareness of this on the current series of Blue Planet II, where he informs us that there is an island of plastic the size of France floating in the Ocean, he describes a heart-wrenching scene where a mother whale carries her dead baby probably poisoned by plastic related toxicity and shows us corals that have been growing for up to 4000 years that are being eradicated by deep sea fishing. The destruction and poisoning of the sea life (and indeed all natural life) as a direct result of human intervention is massive. The exorbitant consumption that happens at Christmas emphasizes for me the extent of the absurdity. Green Peace have created this alternative Christmas advert to highlight the plastic issue...

There is Hope and Inspiration

Yet like David Attenborough, there is unquenchable hope within me. I am inspired to see so many people acting from a place of love and care. Huge numbers are working tirelessly and having a positive impact. A week ago I was out walking with my friend and her eleven year old son Zain. When he saw some rubbish on the ground, he began to pick it up and asked us to help. It was really heartening to realize what a difference picking up some trash could make. Since then I have been picking up rubbish more frequently and enjoying the resultant clear space, as opposed to grumpily judging whoever may have disposed of it in such a thoughtless manner. Thanks to young Zain I am reminded of how a little change within ourselves can make a big difference.

There is a short and well written article by George Monbiot entitled "The Gift of Death" that alludes to the harm that excessive gift purchasing causes at this time of year. While many of the gifts we buy have loving intentions, yet he highlights that 99% of purchases will be in landfill within 6 months. He recommends alternative ways of giving to others and showing our love that doesn't harm the planet "Bake them a cake, write them a poem, give them a kiss, tell them a joke, but for god’s sake stop trashing the planet to tell someone you care. All it shows is that you don’t."

Millions of inspirational things are being done to enhance the lives of others and the planet. One of millions of examples include that tonight the coldest night of the year with temperatures well below freezing thousands of people are sleeping in central Parks in Edinburgh and London in solidarity with the homeless. Hearing of such acts of kindness bring hope and joy to my heart.

Each little thing that we do makes a difference. One authentic smile or genuine act of giving can change the life of another and inspire others. We need to question what is happening within society and what best serves our needs and that of our whole system. We each need to acknowledge what is occurring and how we might challenge any apathy. "Pathological consumption has become so normalised that we scarcely notice it." (George Mionbot). Let's pay attention and notice what is happening. Chris Bohjalian said “A single, ordinary person still can make a difference and single, ordinary people are doing precisely that every day.”
So my wish for Christmas is that we can all find the love and rightness inside ourselves, may we express that into the world and be a little kinder to ourselves, one another and to the planet. May we all find the light of hope and joy within our hearts, wherever we are and whatever our circumstances. May we act from this place of love and hope, so that the world is a better place because we are in it. Here is an advert that illustrates how a little act of kindness can enhance the life of another (disclaimer: I am not in anyway endorsing Glade as a product (that would be ironic, don't you think?) I simply resonate with the sentiment in the advert :) )
Remember that "No act of kindness, however small is ever wasted" (Aesop). What can you do to feel and spread a little love, hope and joy at this or any other time of year? May you find and feel the answer within your own blessed heart.

With love and gratitude,

Fiona
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Fiona is an Active Listening therapist, reflexologist and experienced doula. She is passionate about living true to her heart and soul and empowering others to do the same. She runs various workshops related to women's issues including being childless/free and loves joining women in circle. Her website is www.fionareilly.co.uk or click here for her facebook page - True Living

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Finding Home in the midst of the Storm

11/4/2017

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It's late as I walk homeward by the light of the full moon. My own moontime is nigh and so my sensitivity and vulnerability is prominent. It's been an intense day, with immense sadness and grief. Sadness for what we are doing to Mother Earth, ourselves and all of nature. It began when out for a morning walk and "Farewell to Pripchat", a song by Christy Moore began to play on my ipod shuffle. This song beautifully and poetically tells of the impact of the Chernobyl disaster on the city of Pripyat. This is one of the thousands if not millions of stories relating to the insanity we are creating in the name of power, greed, a sense of safety, convenience and comfort... etc. It feels to me like we have entered a phase of mass extention, including that of our own human species.

Yet death was always inevitable. It begs the question, why are we here? What is our purpose? And I ask you the question "If you knew the world was going to end tomorrow, would you still plant an apple tree?". These chaotic and troubled times offer us great opportunities for growth, understanding and personal development. Rather than deny or avoid the probable unstainability of our current ways of living on the earth, let's embrace and acknowledge it. Work through the feelings we may have around it and find our purpose and heart song on the other side. As the quote here illustrates, maybe we have created the storm for a reason...

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Back to the womb of Mother Earth

For me one of the things that has been really supporting me through this grief is feeling the support of the Earth and her energies beneath me. I know that I am always supported and never truly alone. I know that deep inside myself there is a place where all is in harmony. The world is full of distraction, yet we can always find peace within our own being. “Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm”. There is a place of pure presence where nothing needs to change. Through exploring, feeling and expressing within the challenges of this life, we locate our strength, we discover the depth of compassion and find love through all things.
The words below speak to me of finding my inner home within...
"Listen
It's dusk and the moorcock cries:
Go back - go back - go back
go back to what?
go back to where?

The first place you ever knew
was warm and wild and wet
And in that dark womb you grew"
Karine Polwart from Wind Resistance

There are times when I need refuge, I need to focus internally and refuel my reserves. I leave the outer physical world behind and find the sanctuary of the womb again. While the babe is in the womb, it is supported by the energies surrounding it, the warmness and walls of the belly, nourishment through the placenta and underlying universal love. The symbology of the womb is always available to us whatever age and whatever is going on for us. When we pause and reconnect to our inner strength and truth we can re-emerge into the world energised, stronger and wiser. We can find support in one another and in the Universe around us too, as we are all connected.

In her show Wind Resistance, Karine Polwarth expresses many varied themes, one of the underlying themes is that of the symbology of goose skein. A goose skein refers to the way in which geese take it in turns to fly into the wind, reducing the wind impact for those who fly behind by as much as 65%, thus enabling the conservation of energy for those who fly at the rear. In the same way we can find support in one another and the Universe, when the methaphorical winds blow and the wild weather comes.
May we each find our own way home...
With love and blessings from my heart and womb space,

Fiona
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Fiona is an Active Listening therapist, reflexologist, Openhand Facilitator and experienced doula. She is passionate about living true to her heart and soul and empowering others to do the same. She runs various workshops related to the vibrancy of conscious plant based eathing and women's issues including being childless/free and loves joining women in circle. Her website is www.fionareilly.co.uk or click here for her facebook page - True Living

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What is a doula and how to find the one that is right for you.

10/26/2017

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A doula refers to someone who supports women and their families on an emotional, practical, physical, informational and/or spiritual level before, during and after childbirth. Birth and becoming a parent is a momentus experience. For various reasons many women and families choose to have doulas as an extra support to work alongside the maternity services. With a doula you opt into a relationship with someone who will be there throughout your whole birthing process, so that you can feel safe and supported as you encounter new people and situations that are unfamiliar.

We all have different lives and unique needs. Doulas aim to provide open, non-judgemental support for you and your family. Knowing that there is someone you can trust, who is available and present can reduce stress and can help the family to relax, be with the whole birth experience and enjoy it more fully. Doulas can also support a family postnatally as they adjust to having a new family member.


A doula can be many things; a space holder, nurturer, negotiator, constant presence, massager, information giver, encourager, faith keeper, movement facilitator, water bringer or whatever other role you might need filled. She may offer suggestions and resources for further information but does not give advice, undertake any clinical tasks or make any medical decisions. She is chosen by the mother/parents and acts to support their choices and birth experience, and to assist in their transition to parenthood.

Is a doula right for me?

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Deciding to have a doula present at your birth is not right for everyone, though it is a choice that many people are now making for diverse reasons. If the idea of having a doula to support you before, during and/or after childbirth resonates, feel free to get in touch with a local doula for a friendly chat. Don't let cost get in the way of contacting someone to explore possibilities, most doulas offer reductions or exchanges and are open to negotiating something that works for you both.

When looking for a doula, it's not usually their expertise or how many courses they have done or the "package" that they are offering that is important. Primarily it's about connection, trust and relationship. It's about who you feel comfortable to invite to be present with you at a very sacred and intimate time. A time when you transiton from the woman you are to the mother you will be when you birth your baby. Feeling safe and secure is an important contributing factor to a smooth birth and so you want someone with whom you feel positive and secure, someone who helps to raise your oxytocin levels :)

Questions to contemplate...

Here are some questions to contemplate when choosing the doula that is right for you and your family:
  • How do I feel in the presence of this person?
  • Is this someone I can imagine hanging out with for a couple of days? Do we "click"?
  • Do I feel strong and empowered with the support of this doula?
  • Do I trust this doula? They will be sharing quite intimate moments with you.
  • What is particularly important for me in a doula? Which doulas meet those needs?
  • What does my gut instinct say about working with this doula or which one is the right one for me?
  • If you have a partner how do they feel about each doula you meet? Do they feel supported and included?
As a member of the Scottish Doula Network and Conscious Birthing I encourage you to meet lots of doulas so that you find the doula that is right for you and your family. Each doula is unique and has various qualities and skills to offer. Sometimes we may suggest another doula that we feel would be a good match for you. We encourage you to trust your instincts and gut feelings. Pregnancy and birth is a time when we are particularly connected to our own truth and have a heightened sense of knowing.
You can read some testimonials about the benefits of doulas here.

I wish you all the best for your birth journey and beyond, if you have any questions or comments feel free to get in touch.

Fiona
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Fiona is an experienced doula, Active Listening therapist, reflexologist and Women's retreat host. She is passionate about living true to her heart and soul and empowering others to do the same. She runs various workshops related to women's issues including being childless/free and loves joining women in circle. Her website is www.fionareilly.co.uk or click here for her facebook page - True Living

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Plant based Frittata Recipe

8/21/2017

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I've been enjoying creating this delicious frittata and sharing it with friends. People have been enjoying it so much, they've asked for the recipe and so here it is for you to enjoy! It can be served hot or cold, I like is cold as a great packed lunch or snack for a "bring food to share" event - enjoy!

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Ingredients

300 mls of water
240 gms of gram flour
2 medium sized potatoes
small amount of oil for frying
I red onion
4/5 large chard or spinach leaves or equivalent of baby spinach
Half a courgette
Small handful of basil
Teaspoon of salt (use half a teaspoon of salt and an additional half spoon of kala namak or himalyan black salt to give an eggy flavour)
Black pepper to taste
Optional: sunflower and/or pumpkin seeds to add some extra nutrition and crunch.

Method

  1. Wash and chop potatoes into cubes approximately 1-1.5cm. Boil or steam the potatoes until cooked
  2. Slice and quarter courgette. Chop chard or spinach reasonably small.
  3. Heat oil in a pan and then saute finely chopped onion for 3 minutes, add courgette and chard.
  4. Seize gram flour into a bowl. Slowly add water, mixing as you go to prevent big lumps from forming (a few small lumps is fine).
  5. Finely chop basil and add to mixture along with salt and pepper.
  6. Add potatoes to the vegetables, then add most of the mixture (keep about quarter of the gram and water mix back). Stir until well mixed.
  7. Pour into a grease proof paper (preferably the environmentally friendly kind) lined oven dish (approximately 35x20 cm in size).
  8. Pour remaining mixture to fill any gaps and/or make a smooth top layer.
  9. Sprinkle with the seeds if you choose to use them.k
  10. Put in the oven (180-190 degrees celcius) for 20-25 minutes until begins to turn golden.
  11. After it has cooled slightly remove from dish and allow to cool on a wire tray.
  12. It can be served hot or cold, I prefer it cold and it makes a great lunch.

Learn more...

There are a number of plantbased events happening in Edinburgh early in 2018 - a Burn's event, vegan potluck and conscious cuisine workshop. Click here for more info.
This is the first recipe I've developed and I'd love to hear your feedback if you try it <3

With gratitude,

Fiona

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Fiona is an Active Listening therapist, reflexologist, enthusiastic plantbased cuisine explorer and experienced doula. She is passionate about living true to her heart and soul and empowering others to do the same. She runs various events workshops related to conscious cuisine and women's gatherings. Her website is www.fionareilly.co.uk or click here for her facebook page - True Living

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