Final Newsletter, July 2014

oh what fun we had…………

I have been writing these newsletters each month since March 2013 and as the deadline rolled toward me each time, and sometimes passed me by, I gathered my notes together and shared my ideas - sometimes big, sometimes small, always heartfelt.  

It has been a privilege to bring together all my passions under one banner and many lovely people have shared their own creative and philosophical journeys with me.  I have learned so much too - that being authentic is both freeing and difficult; that being true to all our passions at once can bring great joy but can also cause pain when conflicting needs arise and balance is threatened; that there is an important difference between striving with the wind behind you and soldiering on when you have run out of supplies.

Most importantly I have learned:

• that you can hold onto a dream so hard that you won’t let go even when you need to.
• that letting go hurts at first but then leads to wonderful clarity.
• that all businesses adapt and change, adapt and change…and so will this one.
• that restocking your supplies and marking out your next adventure is lots of fun!

And so I am taking the lessons about writing, planning, sharing, simplicity and adaptability to new ventures.

My skills and commitment to counselling are going to be given their own place at Northbound Counselling in Fairfield Victoria.  Here I am offering the calm, dedicated space best suited to personal counselling work and focus on support for stress, depression, body images and eating disorder recovery for individuals and parents.  Relaxation and mindfulness techniques, creative counselling options and a gentle client-centred approach are available. 

www.northboundcounselling.com.au

My creative side will be free to play at Fiona Claire: Music, Songwriting and Creativity, for which I will soon modify my current website.  Here I can let go a little and give over to the whimsical artist.  However I will still take the lesson of simplicity into this playground and focus quite clearly on my own music and Songwriting and Creativity Coaching services.  I am excited to bring a new look and new focus to this side of my business and will be unveiling some new performances, songwriting tuition and creativity coaching via Skype as well upcoming Songwriting Courses in groups.

There may be a little more freedom for the artist within....

All this means that I will have two quite different hats, but I won’t be having to wear them both at once!  It will make things a little clearer for both myself and my clients.

I do love my “one big sombrero” that I introduced to you back in April 2013, it is an awesome big hat that includes my many passions, however it turns out it is best kept as a metaphor for my life and can be a bit cumbersome when worn at all times.

There is something to be said for simplicity...

Although this is the last monthly newsletter in this format for now, they will still be available to read in archives and I will be writing short weekly updates and inspirational spots on my new look website, commencing very soon.  Let’s see if I keep them short and sweet - because I sure have enjoyed having the room to be verbose!

See you soon in the re-designed space.

Yours in ever changing, musical and personal adventures,

Regards, 

Fiona Claire.

www.fionaclaire.net

www.northboundcounselling.com

June Newsletter 2014

when confusion reigns - Try a clarity list

I have recently been through a time of confusion.  This may account for me being a month behind in my newsletter writing.  Did you notice I skipped May?  There are changes ahead for Fiona Claire - Sing.Create.Live and as we have discussed before, change can be interesting - and difficult.  But it is necessary, and it is visiting my little corner of the world bringing fresh air, new ideas and chasing out the cobwebs, however much I am accustomed to them.  There will be more on these changes in future newsletters.

When we feel the push of change on our back but are not sure which way to leap, we can feel resistant, we can find ourselves stuck and procrastinating about taking action.  If we are frustrated with our lack of action, we can make judgments of ourselves, our inner critic can start up a familiar tirade:  “Come on, what are you waiting for?”  “ You’re just being lazy!” it may say.  Our feeling of empowerment can start to dwindle, our enthusiasm about new directions can wane under the weight of expectation.  Is it really laziness or fear - perhaps we just don’t know what to do?

As creative people living in a land of endless options, we sometimes have too many conflicting needs and desires and instead of having freedom of choice we can become confused and even paralysed.  In an effort to do the best thing and avoid mistakes we can react to emotions and thoughts of which we are not consciously aware - we are jumping at shadows.

Taking some time to explore our shadows - the sides of ourselves we keep hidden but that are powerful none the less - can be very useful.  Our greatest fears, the things we want but wish we didn’t want and the desires that we deny, need to be looked at as they can be undermining our plans.  Bring them to the surface and you may see the different sides more clearly.

But we will still be confused if we have conflicting dreams.  If you are creative, you may have a new idea every day about how to approach things and these may all be very precious.  But they may not all be possible at once, some of them may even seriously conflict with some core elements of your life that you hold dear, and trying to do everything can lead to confusion, paralysis and pain.  Some tough choices have to be made.

A clarity list contains simply the non-negotiable elements of your life.  It may be a very short list but it is what you are 100% sure of and your other choices will stem from this list.  Use very positive language to really test that these are non-negotiable things.  When you state them out loud they will feel strong and positive deep within your body.

Your list may include:

• Where you want to live right now.
• The basic things that you want from work.
• Who you want to be with.
• What your core values are.
• The thing you love to do that makes you happy right now.
• Your most important goals for the future.
• The thing you would regret doing as you lay on your death bed.

These may all change in the future - nothing is guaranteed - but you can be sure about them now.  This can help you decided what to do today and what is really not so important.

Ask your self: What do I know, for sure, right now?

Wishing you clarity, 

Regards, 

Fiona Claire.

www.fionaclaire.net

Work with me: Individual Counselling, Creativity and Therapeutic Singing Session by appointment.  Email: fionaclaire@optusnet.com.au or call 0437 985 132

April Newsletter 2014

Songwriting in therapy - how does that work?

When I tell people that I am a singer/songwriter and a counsellor and that I use these in my counselling work, there often seems to be some confusion.  Perhaps there is concern that the counselling session would involve me performing, or that the client would be required to perform or need singing and song writing skills.  For those unfamiliar with art therapy or expressive therapies, these are valid perceptions, but thankfully, none of them are true! So let’s have a look at what a songwriting session in counselling might be like for you. 

image from :http://lessonsgowhere.com.sg

Do I have to perform?

It would be very awkward and not helpful for me to perform a song in a counselling session, most importantly because these sessions are designed solely to support the client’s needs and give them the space they need for their own exploration.  Also, unless it is a specific goal of a client to write for performance, any songs that are written in therapy are not meant for a public hearing, but are a personal way for a client to explore their inner world.  Such a song may not even be kept after a session, it may simply exist to express the needs of the client at that moment.  If it is a goal of yours to write songs for performance I can help you to do this.  You may want to record some of your work during the session, this would only ever be done with your consent and never used for any purpose other than how you wish.

EXPRESSIVE THERAPy

My creative counselling techniques are based on the framework of Expressive Therapy as developed by Mark Pearson and Helen Wilson http://www.expressivetherapies.com.au/Scripts/openExtra.asp?extra=2 .  This means that sessions are designed to give clients time to engage in self-discovery and healing through creative activities whilst being emotionally supported by solid counselling skills.  The many benefits of creative and expressive activities in therapy include deep but gentle emotional exploration, development of emotional intelligence, increased likelihood of lasting change, new self-awareness, enhancing of self-esteem and the building of self-confidence.  Songwriting is a creative activity of which I have much experience, so adding it to the toolbox of expressive modalities available to my clients make lots of sense.

Image from: http://chandlerthinks.files.wordpress.com

In the session

A creative counselling session with me always starts with time for you to get comfortable and let me know what you need.  You decide if songwriting is something you wish to do and which element of the song you want to work on first.  For some people the music and tune is most important, for others the lyrics, themes, rhythm or style of the song is the place to begin.  Some people find that a lot of these elements may come at once.  It is bit like cooking - gathering the ingredients, mixing them together and tasting it along the way to see how it’s going. 

getting creative

After some time to get centred and relaxed, we would begin to work on the song using some techniques which I find really helpful.  These include brainstorming for lyrics and themes, exploring chord progressions that fit the mood of the song or playing around with notes and tunes.  There are so many fun and creative ways to find fresh ideas and to find what really matches your unique musical voice and what you want the song to express.  Like all creative processes, songwriting involves a balance between looking inward and expressing outward and it requires self-compassion, openness and space, it is a personal experience for the writer and I am only a facilitator.  You will be supported at all times with no judgment about your work - this is vital to allow your creativity to flow.  If at any times you experience strong emotions you will be supported while they pass and gently encouraged to use them in your work.

Your own song

You may already have incomplete songs you want to work on, your own instrument to use or recordings to use as inspiration - it is up to you.  Some ideas you may want to use as a place to start are:

• dreams
• stories from your life
• hopes/fears/wishes
• songs for people you love
• ideas you want to share
• existing music that inspires you
• emotions that you just want to get out
• questions that you want answers to
• writing, poems or art that you are inspired by

The great thing is that there are no rules - your song may be an avant-garde never-to-be-heard-again piece of art or an important piece of family history to be passed on - most importantly it is yours.

Time to reflect

Sometimes creative work can be quite intense, especially when it touches deep emotions.  We will have time before the end of the session to reflect on what you have experienced, perhaps have a listen to how the song is sounding and decide if it is complete or will be something to work on further.  We may take some time to chat and relax or even write or draw in order to allow the feelings that you have processed during the session to settle.  This ensures that you are comfortable when you leave the counselling room and that your emotions are not raw.  At the end of the session we can talk about whether you want to continue to work on the song at home and how you might go about it.  

Creative counselling - a collaboration

At the start of counselling with me, we will look at the goals you have in mind, they might be to develop an artistic practice of your own, to find clarity in your life, to resolve emotional issues or just to get to know yourself better.  These goals may change as you progress so we will review them as we go.  The most important thing is that as the client and counsellor we collaborate in order to meet your goals and we do so with openness and without judgment.

For me, writing a song is a great way to bring my logical side and my dreamy side together in a way that creates new meanings and often reveals things I had not expected.  Some songs live just in one moment, to express the feelings of that time, others live on to be shared with others and are made to be performed over and over again.  

I am running a song writing course that will go deep into the processes of writing a song and encourage you to complete finished products.  The course will contain elements of creative unblocking and self-expression as well musical and lyrical techniques.  Details are below.

Have you got a song to share?

Kind regards, 

Fiona Claire.

www.fionaclaire.net

6 Week Songwriting Course with Fiona Claire.

Dates: April 19 - May 24, 

Time: Saturday 1- 3pm.

Venue: Jika Jika Community Centre, Union St Northcote.  

Price: $180, $150 concession.  

If you are interested please call Fiona directly on 0437 985 132 or email: fionaclaire@optusnet.com.au

Work with me: Individual Counselling, Creativity and Therapeutic Singing and Songwriting Sessions by appointment. 

March Newsletter 2014

Why songwriting?

This month two ideas have caught my attention.  The first is that art is a two-way communication between people that can heal feelings of isolation and loneliness as well celebrate beauty.  The second is that doing things just because we enjoy them is not only a nice way to pass the time but is essential for our self-esteem and well being.

When I attended a talk by Alain de Botton, the author of books about philosophy and its place in every day life, he was speaking about art as therapy.  He was not referring to art making as a therapeutic model, but appreciating and experiencing art in galleries and museums as a therapeutic activity not just an intellectual exercise.  ( See his book here: http://alaindebotton.com/art/ ).  He went on to explain that when he was young he had emotional reactions to art in galleries but was not sure if he was supposed to, as art seemed to be something you had to learn to appreciate and understand in an academic way.  I was most struck by his story of feeling strong emotions when seeing a Rothko as an adolescent and how he later understood that it had been soothing to realise that the feelings of sadness expressed in the abstract work mirrored his own, that he was not alone and that this provided comfort.  For all the academic and intellectual talk about art, it is the emotional connection that is made through the work from one human being to another that is most powerful.  Bridging the gap of existential loneliness is so important and mostly these feelings, whether felt by children, adolescents or elderly, are beyond mere words.  Art, whether it is music, painting or an other form, can bridge that gap and the solace it can bring when it does, can resolve emotional pain and be life affirming.

Image from:http://www.digitalartistdaily.com/blog/2012/01/top-5-free-art-programs/

Which brings me to the second idea that has been rolling around in my mind.  The idea that time spent doing something just because it is enjoyable, and not because it will lead to success or achievement or a high score in the game of life, is vital for our health.  This was point was made very clearly by psychologist Rebecca Tuqiri on SBS’s programme “Insight”

( you can see it here http://www.sbs.com.au/insight/ ).  Although we may all have been told to “Smell the roses” or take a holiday at some point,  the importance of doing pleasant things goes beyond enjoying ourselves and having a rest, and cuts to the heart of how we see ourselves.  Do accept ourselves when we are just “being”?  Or must we be working toward a certain goal to be considered good enough?  Rebecca told us that in her practice she has seen clients who have suffered terribly because of their internalisation of the need to success and achieve.  It had come at the cost of resilience when faced with failures and a loss of self-worth when they were not engaged in a competitive or high-achieving activity.  She set them the task to simply do something because it was enjoyable and stated how important it was to know that we are just as worthy on a day in which we do nothing as we are on a day in which achieve an amazing goal.

Art and songwriting - image from:http://moocnewsandreviews.com/review-songwriting-mooc-from-the-berklee-college-of-music/

That these two ideas have resonated with me right now probably have to do with the passion I have for the work I do.  Switching off our inner critic and being free to create is vital in order to connect with our authentic self and to tap in to the strength that lies within.  But sometimes we can be out of practice at “just being” and need someone to guide us to a place that is safe and has no judgment.  This is a corner stone of the singing, songwriting and therapeutic services I offer. 

I am also reminded of the importance of my own work-life balance and making art and music purely for enjoyment and not as a means to an end.  An acquaintance once asked me if I made much money from playing my own songs, and if not, why I did it?  At the time, I played mostly at open mic nights and expected no payment.  The only way I felt I could explain it to him was by asking him if had friends who had played golf or sailed boats and if he expected them to make money out of their equipment and weekends away.  His face showed understanding and he said “Oh I get it, you love doing it”.  “Yes, I do, yes I do”, I replied.

So for all these reasons I love songwriting, because it connects me to my inner self, it is a way to just “be” regardless of outcomes, finances and sales and because I can express my own feelings that are sometimes beyond words.  Most of all, because I have so loved listening to the songs of my favourite artists, marvelling that they could feel the same as me and feeling solace and companionship in their music.  And I am passing it on.

If you are interested in learning about songwriting you may wish to attend my six week Songwriting Course, commencing on April 19.  The details are below but feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

In the meantime, enjoy something for no reason........just because.

Kind regards, 

Fiona Claire.

www.fionaclaire.net

Work with me: Individual Counselling, Creativity and Therapeutic Singing and Songwriting Sessions by appointment. Email: fionaclaire@optusnet.com.au or call 0437 985 132

Dates: April 19 - May 24
Time: Saturday 1- 3pm
Venue:  Jika Jika Community Centre, Union St Northcote.Jika Jika Community Centre
Price: $180, $150 concession.
If you are interested please call Fiona directly on 0437 985 132 or email: fionaclaire@optusnet.com.au

February Newsletter 2014

Singing in counselling - how does that work?

You may have discovered my work at Fiona Claire: Sing.Create.Live and wondered, how does singing in a counselling session actually happen and how can that be useful for me?  Perhaps you like to sing in the shower but are afraid of singing with others, maybe you’ve been told you have a bad voice.  Perhaps you are curious about learning to sing but feel a bit blocked about it too.  Perhaps you have tried talking therapies and would like to try something different to shift your energy.  But how and why does it work?

Singing traditions

Singing in a therapeutic setting can be surprisingly powerful, but it is not such a surprise when we realise that singing together is what humans have been doing since the beginning of time.  In fact, it is possible that we sang before we learned to speak.  Our brains are hardwired to gather and share information via singing, this is how the news was, and still is, passed around in traditional societies and this is how humans have connected and bonded over millennia.  

Singing and well-being

The evidence just keeps piling up that singing, alone and with others, has serious health benefits.  These included improved posture, circulation, lung function, abdominal muscles and core strength, increased positive brain hormones and better mood, relaxation and better sleep.  All of this adds up to a stronger immunity, less anxiety and better over wellbeing.

There is also a simple and profound benefit in making noise and being heard.  Raising our voice is an act of confidence and a statement of “Here I am”.  Using music enables access to places that are not limited by language, this lets us express what may often feel too complicated or overwhelming to put in to words.

The neuroscience

When we sing and make music our brain is activated in both the left and right hemispheres - this means that we are more able to remember, integrate and make new connections as our creative, emotional right brain and our fact-liking, rational left brain are working together.  Recent studies by Gottfried Schlaug, a neurology professor at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, have found that “singing has the ability to activate many other parts of the brain, including cognitive, emotional, and physical functions and abilities” and that “Music engages huge swathes of the brain”.   ( http://inventorspot.com/articles/observing_brain_music_helps_stroke_victims_regain_their_speech_38122 )  

This has great implications for enabling us to make changes in our thinking and emotions, as singing fires up the possibilities for neuroplasiticty - the process of brain growth and adaptation.  So using singing whilst we are exploring our inner world, psychology and the positive changes we would like to make, means that any new thoughts and habits will be more likely to be stored and integrated into our every day life.

in the session - releasing your unique natural voice

When I approach singing in counselling I follow the format of an expressive therapy session as developed by Mark Pearson and Helen Wilson of the Expressive Therapies Institute of Australia.  This format ensures the session includes time for becoming settled and in tune with ourselves, time to connect to emotions and working through them via expression and release and, importantly, time to process these experiences, reflect and integrate any new knowledge.

Warm up

A session will start with some time to chat about what you expect and any questions you may have.  You will be given some time to be still and listen to your body, to get in touch with your voice and yourself.  We will then progress to some fun warm up activities including breathing activities, funny noises and vocal health techniques.  You will be supported by me at all times and encouraged to speak up if we go out of your comfort zone.

let’s sing

When we get singing there are a few different options including singing songs that are chosen for their personal meaning to you,  singing some fun, short and easy songs that get the blood pumping and the body humming, preparing songs for a special occasion, improvising and exploring different types of singing for emotional release and perhaps even composing and singing songs that are custom made for your own singing goals.  All these options can be explored over subsequent sessions if you wish.  Most importantly the songs we choose are within your own range and no experience is necessary - the session is about releasing your unique, natural voice and not about judging whether your voice is good or bad or comparing your voice to that of others.  All voices are are worthy of being heard.

During the session, you may feel some emotions or have difficult thoughts pop up, and I will give you time to express and process these.  Singing is both a physical and emotional act and it can connect us to previous feelings and experiences, especially if you have had blocks and fear about singing or speaking up in the past.  You will be supported in this space.

relax and reflect

After singing we will do some vocal cool down work and you will have a moment to relax.  As we are integrating counselling, there will be time to reflect on your session, perhaps using a short drawing activity to explore this further.  We will also look over your counselling and singing goals and talk about some vocal exercises you can do at home and what your next session may be like.  This is a good time to think about what other songs you would like to explore.

A natural process

Singing is something us humans have been doing for ever, but somewhere along the line in Western society it became something you gave up as a child and handed over to the professionals.  But really, it’s a beautiful way to express emotions and a great tool for personal growth.  To me, empowering others to explore their unique voice and discover the well-being that comes from that, is a natural step to take in creative counselling.

The things to remember are:

• Your voice is unique and worthy of being heard.
• No experience is necessary.
• You will not be judged on your singing ability.
• You can go at your own pace and will be challenged gently.
• If you feel nervous or uncomfortable you will be supported.
• You will step out with a new perspective and a song in your heart! 

I hope this answered any questions you may have about how singing works in counselling, please feel free to contact me if you would like further information.

In the mean time, try humming a little tune. 

Kind regards, 

Fiona Claire.

www.fionaclaire.net

Work with me: Individual Counselling, Creativity and Therapeutic Singing and Songwriting Sessions by appointment. Email: fionaclaire@optusnet.com.au or call 0437 985 132

January Newsletter 2014

Change  - PART 3

Let’s do it!

My desktop calendar says January 31st, so officially this is still a January newsletter!  Melbourne has put on a beautiful midsummer day, not scorching and not grey, and my feet are hitting the ground again after giving myself some real time off these holidays.  It is with pleasure that I sit at my desk, with a new pack of glitter pens and fresh vision, to write to you for the first time this year.

I am lucky that my work allows me to spend the holidays with my family, but sometimes, even with time off work we don’t really relax, do we?  This year, on the eve of departing for the beach, I reminded myself that paying for a holiday and then using the time to stress about the to-do-list or complete a big task, is false economy.  Holidays for your mind are so important and beginning the year after a real brain rest will, in the long run, be more efficient.

But now the year is under way and this is the time for action.  In Change Part 1 and 2 I asked if you wanted to change and what change may really look like for you.  After you have committed to change and developed a strong vision of what that will be like, you are ready for Part 3 - taking real steps to make change happen.  This may be where the fear comes up!  If this happens for you,  recall the things we spoke about previously, focussing on your meaning and purpose and staying in the moment.  Don’t let fear stop you, instead see it is an indicator that this is important and new.  Stepping straight into any fear, a little at a time, is actually liberating as we begin to receive some rewards from our actions and can see that that the changes are not scary but useful.

Breaking down your task in to small steps that are easy to achieve, will stop action from seeming overwhelming and let you change at a pace that suits you.  There is no need to worry about it being too slow, because change will be happening to you and around you as long as you are taking small steps each time.  Congratulate yourself at each action step and take a moment of reflection.  If these changes are really important to you then you will probably be learning a lot at this point, it’s ok to take some time to soak this learning up before you plan your next move.  This might be a good way to see it:

Note the upward spiral ( it’s meant to be going upward, forgive my drawing skills ) in the middle.  This means that every time you take an action and learn from it you have taken a step up.  Even if it has been difficult, you have learned something you didn’t like or you need adjust your path a bit - it is still a step up.  Self care and compassion is important here as you gather your courage and continue on.  Some of the main ingredients of resilience are self care, confidence and action - seeing the outcomes of our work builds a picture of ourselves as powerful agents.  The relapses, disappointments or setbacks are all necessary as we learn more and become stronger.  If you get stuck, sometimes any small positive action will be enough to get you back on the path.

So the main things to remember as you take action are:

• Make each action step small and do-able.
• Step into fear - it will diminish as you face it.
• Know that slow is ok at first, change will be happening all around you.
• Practice self-care while you are learning new things.
• Take time to reflect on what you have learned and adjust course any time you like.
• If you get stuck, reconnect to your purpose and inspiration.
• If in doubt - do one small thing.
• Celebrate each step.
• Keep going - and look back to see how far you have come.
• There is no change without action - vision and inspiration will only get you so far.
• Sometimes you just have to take a big breath and do it.

Over the year I will be looking at different techniques in more detail to create positive changes, especially those that unblock and release us from old habits.  I also look forward to sharing the changes that happen for me over the next 12 months - after all change is always happening so we may as well embrace it!

Enjoy your actions, 

Kind regards, 

Fiona Claire.

www.fionaclaire.net

Work with me: Individual Counselling, Creativity and Therapeutic Singing and Songwriting Sessions by appointment. Email: fionaclaire@optusnet.com.au or call 0437 985 132

December Newsletter 2013

Change  - PART 2

What does change look like? 

It is Christmas Eve.  For many of us it is a night laden with expectations, pressure and busy-ness as we put the finishing touches to wrapping or dash out for something we forgot.  For the lucky ones it means fun, family and laughter.  For most of us who celebrate Christmas, it is a stressful combination of all of these.

Putting the pieces together.

The Meditation Society of Australia ( meditation.org.au )suggest these tips for making the most of Christmas:

1. Stop and listen and really engage with the elderly and play with the children. The best gift you can give is always love, followed closely by time.

2. Walk somewhere quiet and love yourself. Find 10 minutes even amongst the hustle and bustle of everything to walk alone, listen to music, repeat an affirmation - be in silent love with yourself. Be the example of the way you want others to love you by loving yourself that way.

3. Laugh. Let yourself enjoy the moment. Try for one day to leave all the things you have to do or are waiting to do and just be there in the moment, in the present moment and fill it with your engaged heart.

Whilst they seem like lovely ideas, they may be easier said than done, especially if it is our habit to worry about special occasions.  If you are not familiar with meditation practice some of this might be a tricky - how do you leave all the things you have to do behind you for a day when they are uppermost in your mind?

In some ways this conundrum illustrates my main point today, if we are not enjoying some aspects of the way we currently live but don’t know what else to do, where do we start with making a change? The answer lies within the three tips above, each of them includes a moment of “stopping”.  Time to step away from the chatter in our minds about our difficulties, an interval in the ongoing movie of our lives to look around and connect with who is here right now, a deliberate gap in activities to just be alone and check in with “now”.

This is the essence of mindfulness, it is no complicated process, but simply described as deliberately paying attention to the present moment without judgment.  But its challenge lies in being persistent about practice.  The benefits are that we can step off the merry-go-round of our worries, relax a little, become resilient to difficulties and so much more.

Taking a moment to appreciate the mint in the garden.

If things are not working for you right now, be it the Christmas rush or that you feel you have had enough of the status quo - your first step might be just to stop.  Perhaps for 1 minute only at first, try this:

• Find a comfortable spot.
• Stop and breath. 
• Stop and listen.  
• Stop and just look at what is front of you.  
• Let thoughts come and go as you focus on your breath and other senses.
• Notice what is here right now, good or bad, as it is, use curiosity to guide you rather than judgement.

There is nothing else to do in this moment, no goal to set, no standard to reach, no right or wrong, this is just a moment to be.  This moment can be the first thing you do as you begin to change things you would like to be different.

The gift of clarity that comes when we take time to stop and be, can allow us to connect with what we really desire.  After we have become used to being mindful and being in touch with our selves, we can use our creativity to build up a picture or vision of how change looks for us.  Perhaps it is simpler than we think - a  space to sit quietly each day, a small garden, a new friend. Or perhaps it is huge - a new job, a different home, a new outlook on everything.  What ever it is that your heart really desires, no matter how big or small, it will have a feeling, a set of senses, a look, an essence and a vision.  Creativity comes to the fore as you develop a full sense of what this change will be like.  Sometimes pictures, words, symbols, sculptures or songs can help to flesh out this picture.  Being in touch with this vision is a powerful tool as you build up the meaning and purpose that gives you the fuel to be an agent of change in your life.

In the last newsletter I gave you a Micheal Rennie inspired activity to ask yourself if you really want to change and what it might mean to meddle with the status quo.  If you are ready to take the plunge but need some help with the details, mindfulness and it’s gift of clarity and de-stressing can enable us to connect with what we really want.  In feeling and envisioning the elements of the change we wish you to live, we gather the strength and the direction that is so important as take steps forward.

So if you are ready, ask yourself, what does change look like for you?  Take some time to foster clarity and mindfulness and use this to get in touch with what you really want.  Fill out your vision with the creative modes that work for you.

I changed my front door this year, after a 7 year wait.  Here it is, dressed for Christmas and framing the silhouettes of gum trees.

Wishing you a peaceful holiday season, 

Kind regards, 

Fiona Claire.

www.fionaclaire.net

Work with me: Individual Counselling, Creativity and Therapeutic Singing and Songwriting Sessions by appointment. Email: fionaclaire@optusnet.com.au or call 0437 985 132