Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Our host, Cecile is an amazing woman that is truly inspirational. Yesterday we celebrated her birthday with her husband and two of her three beautiful daughters. Aside from being a great mum, a gardener and a nurse she is currently training to become an accredited mountain guide. Now that is pretty exciting in itself especially when you consider the peaks that are in her back yard. Mont Blanc just to name one! Yet when you add into the mix, that for years, she has worked, with others, to give people with disabilities an opportunity to get into the mountains I am in awe.

Cecile is part of an organisation called 'Ensemble'. (Translates as 'Together') This association was formed in 2008 and its purpose is to gather people together to support the goal of making the mountain accessible to all. It is for people with disabilities - physical or mental, any persons in recovery from an illness or accident or any other people who are eager to discover the world of the mountains.

With her colleagues they literally push or pull the people around the mountains in a special 'Joelette' which requires at least two helpers to make it possible. When I looked at her photos of one of the expeditions I was in tears. The joy on peoples faces as they are carried to the top of the mountains is indescribable. I have walked some of these peaks and they are not a stroll in the park; they are seriously steep and demanding at times and yet, it is worth every step. For Cecile this is the same even with the extra load - she is happy and delighted to be of service. What a gift for herself and for those who would otherwise never get to have this alpine experience in this way.

These photos are from the Tour de Blanc - a trip around the alps!




In 2008 a group of European and Peruvian walkers and guides, including Cecile, took 4 people in the joelettes and one blind person around the mountains in Peru on a one month expedition! Cecile is in green in the first photo below.




I know it must be amazing for those being carried however I asked Cecile how the people were with receiving such a gift ... while knowing others are working really hard to carry them.

Cecile said that this can be a problem however before they start the expedition they let the people (who are being assisted) know that, as guides and the support team, they are very happy to be there and to be of service. If the people are feeling apologetic or a burden; or over grateful it can be quite difficult for everyone - so this is sorted out very early on. 

What a great reminder of how important it is to receive a gift or an act of kindness with an open heart and by doing so we are, in truth, giving back to the giver.

I am deeply grateful to have met Cecile!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

There are many ways to relate to each other - verbally and non verbally, both very powerful in their own right. I was deeply touched when I read about my dear friend, Margot's daughter, Emma and what she has achieved.

This information was sent to the local Rural Newspaper, Border Mail. Albury NSW (written by Margot Smith)

Local girl Emma Smith awarded Natural Horsemanship Scholarship.

 

Emma Smith, 18 years old, has been offered an opportunity to study with Pat Parelli, the World leader of Natural Horsemanship. There are currently 22,000 savvy club members World Wide, studying the Parelli methods as a foundation for natural horsemanship and Equine specialist goals.

 

Emma and her 8 year old Arab, cross Quarter horse, Banjo were one of 8 savvy members selected to represent the Savvy team for the first ever Share Parelli Event, held recently in Sydney. (May 8^th) with 1,700 spectators.

 

For Emma and Banjo, and most of the team, it was the first time in front of an audience or in an indoor arena.

 

That morning, Pat Parelli explained the format of the day, so there was no time for rehearsals or specific preparations. Pat and Linda Parelli had a vision to demonstrate how these young progressive students are currently managing individual horse behaviour under the Parelli Homestudy Program and the level of horsemanship that can be obtained through a relationship based on willingness instead of intimidation and harmony instead of coercion. Being prepared to “play with the horse that shows up on the day” was something the students had to be prepared for and to utilise their knowledge and leadership skills to put the relationship first.

 

Emma, Benn and Julie elected to do a solo demo with their horse. Each student was allowed  4 songs with which to play with their horse in any format - online, liberty or freestyle riding. They had the choice of including one, two or all three savvy’s. It was not a competition but a demonstration of a partnership between horse and human based on love, language and leadership.

Emma entered the arena with Banjo on a 45 foot line and took her time as he showed signs of being  a little right brain introverted. She used various on line patterns to increase his confidence in the new environment and establish a connection with relaxation as a priority. Gradually, Emma was able to further her distance from Banjo and guide from behind to move around obstacles at different gaits with the slightest suggestion and Banjo remained calm and responsive throughout.

The 45 foot line and halter were removed so Banjo was at liberty which meant he could leave her if he chose. The truth of the strong bond was very moving and a relationship between human and horse without tools or force was evident. Banjo maintained a willingness to stay connected, especially cantering at liberty around Emma, with softness and lightness.

 
Emma then rode Banjo without a bridle or halter and he followed her strong focus. They were like ballroom dancers, in harmony as they cantered and the duo finished with Banjo's feet on a pedestal. Both were calm and relaxed and showed a true partnership based on each knowing their responsibilities.

The audience responded with a standing ovation. There are occasions when Pat Parelli can be so moved by the relationship between horse and human, especially when the horse’s needs and dignity are foremost. His vision is about making the world a better place for horses and humans.

 

After thanking Emma for “showing the Parelli way” he asked Emma if she would like to come to the USA on a 3 month scholarship and attend the university for the Professional Instructor and Mastery Program. The only location in the world you can become an endorsed Parelli Proffessional. The comments on Parelli facebook and web site were all testimony to the inspiration Emma and Banjo invoked and how being totally present for the horse is so important.
 

The audience did not know at the time what a challenging and dominant horse Banjo once was. He had the nickname as “the punk” and his dominant behaviour concerned many. He would charge at people and his striking and defensive behaviour was common when he first came to Emma 3 years ago. It was the only way Banjo knew how to behave in the world of humans and his behaviours were managed in ways that made him even more defensive and dominant.

He looked like an angel at the seminar and the bond between Emma and Banjo were what many horse owners dream of.

The chance to go to Colorado is Emma's dream come true, one that she has had since she was 12. The fairytale story is not just about dreams coming true but also about overcoming adversity. Emma has had her fair share of challenges since she was 8 years old, after being in an accident with her family and witnessing the traumatic death of her younger sister, Georgia. Her happy family life was in an instant, changed forever. Coming to terms with death at a young age has been gradual.  Parelli has offered a way for Emma to heal and create something positive in her life. Her passion is horses and Emma shares Pat’s vision about making the world a better place for horses and humans.

Emma has been fortunate to have her family also involved in the program and Kaye Thomas, Emma’s mentor and local Parelli Professional Instructor has helped her on the horsemanship journey. The support and Homestudy educational information have been the major keys for progress.



For more info about Parelli or Endorsed Parelli Professional Instructors visit www.parellinaturalhorsetraining.com

Wendy: Congratulations Emma!

 

 

 

Sunday, March 21, 2010

We are a quarter the way through our adventure and we have covered lots of ground both externally on our inner journey. We have fared well and managed to survive a few upsets which mostly revolved around driving and directions… what is it about freeways and exit junctions that can cause so much tension, panic and fights? We’ve had a fabulous time looking at the undercurrents that are behind the words and upset… after all, like we both acknowledged after the event, we will only get lost… and then found! So we have been lost and found a few times. We have both raged and we have made up and got on with it… We keep coming back to the principle that it is not a problem only a situation that we have to deal with. This, we find, makes it so much more manageable.

Our friend, Meg, wrote to me saying that she has circled a few roundabouts until they found the right exit... I laughed when i read that as we too, have done a few circling to find our way.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Many people have asked how Roger and I met and I thought, today being Valentine’s Day might be a good time to share about our unexpected meeting.

Roger and I met on an ocean adventure sailing the calm waters of Hervey Bay and the Sandy Straits.

I was onboard a beautiful yacht called Serene Spirit with five other friends and Roger was sailing with another group of friends on another boat.

I was not looking for a relationship - I even took my final university assignment to complete on this week long holiday while I had some peace and quiet from my busy schedule. But life and grace had other ideas. Roger and I got talking during a shared evening meal on his boat and we proceeded to court one another over the following days. We would paddle out in the evening in the little ‘tinny’ (dinghy) then float back down the still and quiet creeks snuggled up with lots of coats, gloves and hats as we kept warm sitting next to one another under the full moon. Reflections of the mangrove trees danced on the water and night sounds made us smile. There were idyllic days on the deck laughing and playing watching the sand hills of Fraser Island pass us by. A true romantic sailing holiday.

The whales of Hervey Bay entertained and delighted us during the day making us laugh and sit in awe as they leapt out of the water. We snorkeled down Awinya Creek exploring the clear water stream that led back down to the ocean. We took long walks along Fraser Island once both boats were moored for the night and sure enough, we became very fond of one another. On the way back, as we motored up the Sandy Straits, my boat went a bit faster than Roger’s boat and apparently he became quite agitated as my boat moved out of sight so when we paused for a lunch break Roger’s boat caught up and all I saw was Roger dive over the side of his boat and swim to mine… he stayed on board until we got back to the marina! Everyone clapped and cheered… I was pretty happy too.

The week was over and neither of us knew what would unfold once we got back to our busy lives. The classic holiday meeting… would it develop and survive the realities of day to day life?

It has definitely grown from those early days and we have shared many great stories. We ventured back to Hervey Bay many times over the years and just recently celebrated our anniversary on board a chartered catamaran that we shared with a small group of close friends.

We have had our fair share of challenges and discovered more about ourselves and each other in that time. There were times when I wondered whether we would make it… and Grace would pick us up and show us the way. About four years ago we attended a ‘couple’s relationship education’ weekend that revealed to us an important life skill that transformed the way we were communicating - giving us the idea for the gratitude exercise that we now share daily with our prayer.

We are both very compatible and love many of the same things while living very independently at many levels. We don’t know what life will bring us but we do know that we share something very beautiful each day

.

Sunday, February 07, 2010

I met this little old couple who worked in a haberdashery shop in Chesterfield. The shop was musty and small but packed high to the rafters with every conceivable bit of lace, cotton, buttons and thread you could every need. Zippers were hanging from hooks by the till and padding was stuffed into plastic bags that looked like they would pop.

I asked the old gentleman, who had the kindest face, if he had any wool, to which he replied he hadn’t however if I were to go… and he gave me the directions to a craft shop nearby. One of his directions, he said, would take me past the fish and chip shop, at which point he paused, rubbed his tummy with both hands and with the biggest smile and broadest English accent, told me it used to be the best fish and chip shop in the area when he was younger.

For an instant I was transfixed on this beautiful gentleman and didn’t want his storytelling to end. There were other customers and he came back from his reverie so I moved out but I was deeply touched by the time standing still as we was taken back to that obviously most pleasant memory of days gone by.

Friday, February 05, 2010

Friday, January 08, 2010
Staying here at Ginnie and Willie's home in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, Canada, has given us the opportunity to meet with their three children. This family has such big open hearts and their daughter, Leah, is no exception. She is bright, vivacious and a gorgeous smile.

Leah literally jumped at the opportunity to share some yoga with me one night and even enthusiastically got up early the next morning to share some more before they made the big 10 hour drive home to Edmonton.

Watching Leah's enthusiasm and willingness to try something new and enjoying it was infectious. Dru Yoga has been such a great gift in my life bringing physical benefits but also emotional balance and inspirational insights.

I offered to mentor Leah as she hinted at needing support to make yoga a regular practice in her life. She was excited by this.

Mentoring our young people is so uplifting and so needed. I can only encourage you to do the same. To reach out and let a young person know they are loved and cared for. To offer support with a project, to share a walk with them or lunch. To take an interest in their work or hobby.

I have already had an email from Leah this morning, now that she has arrived safely home and our journey together has begun. 

Some tips to get started:

Ask the person wishing to be supported to consider their goals (big and little) that they would like to be supported with. Encourage them to write from their heart. (ensure them that all discussions and emails will be confidential and honour that) and also ask them to let you know how you can best support you. (a regular email contact, offer more direction, set time frames, comment on goals...etc).

Also recommend that they consider doing a vision board... get some old magazines and cut out pictures that reflect their vision/dream or draw or paint pictures if they are really creative, write down key words and put the goals out there on the vision board. Encourage them to be bold, be courageous, be inspired.... and I always suggest that some of the focus is on their inner world of contentment, peace, etc as this will sustain them at a deeper level.

And since we had shared some yoga together I reminded Leah and I am happy to remind you... to put on some good dance music every day and wiggle your hips, shake your body, stretch tall, and do the spinal twist. Give thanks for this moment and for all the joys in your life. You may wish to start a gratitude book - write down everyday five things you are grateful in your life... watch your list grow and your gratitude grow, and the peace that comes... invite peace in often.

Saturday, August 01, 2009
Muriel is a bright and engaging woman who loves her home and I was very lucky to have met her. I made all of my accommodation bookings in Australia before I left so you can imagine my surprise when I turned up on the doorstep of the Glengarry B and B in Scotland late in the afternoon to be told that no, I didn't have a booking with them. I was taken aback and said, 'but I emailed you two days ago to confirm'. Nope, no booking. He did offer me a double room for 30 pounds but that it was a double room and he could get 50 pounds for it. He wasn't that enthusiastic to have me there. So, in good old Aussie fasion, 'no worries' I said and headed out to look for a place to spend the night. The ladies at the visitor centre were amazing. It truly is the people you meet in life that make it something special. They were friendly and enthusiastic. Calling the Brambles B and B I heard Muriel's bright and chirpy voice answer the phone. Yes, she had a room and would be happy to welcome me for the four nights.

It was beautiful. A double room fitted out in rich colours, with a view overlooking the leafy gardens in the street. It was quiet and very comfortable. Home away from home. Perfect. What a blessing that the other gentleman had turned me away.

I chatted with Muriel over our breakfasts and in one of our many discussions she shared that when she got married she had some elderly relatives come to their home and give them some 'marriage advice'. This couple were in their seventies and they said to Muriel and her husband that there were many things that make a good marriage but they felt the best piece of advice they could give them was to never wear a nightgown to bed! Muriel said that at the time they were quite amused to think of these two wrinkly relatives naked in bed, but that it made them laugh many times since.

I thought it was a great piece of advice relating to the importance of keeping intimacy alive and well with your beloved. Affirming the beauty of each other and holding each other often. Giving and receiving love. Even if you sleep in separate beds because one of you snores... taking the time to hug each other is important.

I am missing my beloved Roger, having now been apart for six weeks as I travel, but his love letters that he has posted to me during this time, have meant that we have connected in a lovely way during this time.  The joy of receiving hand written letters when you come home from a day out is uplifting. I would take them to my room and climb into bed and savour them. I have reread them at different times over the holiday and they always make me smile. Sometimes they are descriptive of his morning walks or events that have unfolded at work but without fail they always include words of appreciation and love.

In his last letter, he mentioned that he saw a tee shirt that had on it: Remember not to take life too seriously. It is impermanent.

A reminder that the time and the love we share is sacred and precious.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009
One of the many things that I love about my beloved Roger, is his letter writing to me. Whenever either one of us is away from home I receive postcards and/or long descriptive letters.

Having just arrived back from France to the beautiful (exchange) home here in the Midlands, where I am staying, I was delighted to find four letters from Roger!  I waited until I was tucked up in my bed and savoured each one slowly hearing of his tales back home.

It has been nearly four weeks since I left and I do miss him although I always feel his presence with me. 

Roger's letters were rich with detail of his morning walks, meeting with kangaroos on the headland, connections with our friends and other ordinary occasions in his day to day life, but there amongst the lines were his messages of care, of interest, of taking time to share with me... and of course, words of appreciation and love. We both know the depth of our love, but to have it written and expressed feels wonderful and heart opening. I reread them at different times and still enjoy every word.

Emails are a great way to keep in touch but there is something very special about receiving a hand written note or card. Is there someone you would like to write to today and send a message of love their way?



Rog and Wendy - Easter weekend 2009

Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mothers Day to mums everywhere. What an amazing journey being a parent is!

My three beautiful children are now grown and flown the coop. My eldest daughter lives in Sydney (I am going to visit her tomorrow evening after a day's OPD in Dubbo), my next daughter lives in Brisbane and my son is studying at uni in Melbourne. Scattered from one of the country to the other. We were blessed with a long weekend together in April and we always have such fun together. I feel truly blessed as a mum having such great kids. The love we share is so present and very precious.

My son just called and read out a poem that he had written for me. It is becoming a tradition that he writes me 'Oh Mother Dear' ditties. They are very funny and heartfelt and make the best gift!

My children have certainly been my greatest teachers and inspired me to learn how to relax, to play, to work hard, to laugh, cook ... have fun, take time out...

We all love getting into the kitchen cooking up a feast and chilling out together. May all mothers be as blessed as I feel today.