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Nurturing Our Souls

NATURALLY!

P u b l i s h e d b y : N u r t u r i n g M e - N AT U R A L LY ! Welcome to our third issue of Nurturing Our Souls - NATURALLY!

As the warmer summer days begin to fade away and we prepare for the cooler days ahead, I must admit that there is something special about the turning of the season, as I find myself settling in quite comfortably to the golden hues and tones of Autumn. Although I love and look forward to the glorious golden sunshine and the energy each summer brings, I also find myself experiencing some relief towards it drawing to an end. Concerns over risky fire danger days and of course those slippery little fella’s slithering along our path are no longer a major threat or concern to our community, homes, family, and pets etc.- life for me, with mother nature, now begins to blend a little more harmoniously. Each time I sit, in preparation of a new edition of Nurturing Our Souls - NATURALLY, I sense a feeling just like the changing of the seasons. Each new issue provides new promise of life not totally experienced in the issue before, and just like Mother Nature, my earlier forecast and expectations are appearing to be ever changing. Just when I feel I have it all planned out another front seems to approach, altering the course to some degree, but all is good and as like nature, I allow it to take its own course which surprisingly seems to flow quite naturally. It's early days for our magazine, Nurturing Our Souls – NATURALLY, and I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given to find the courage to set out on such a creative, although challenging, but also personally rewarding path. As mentioned earlier, it has not necessarily been a predictable course, but I am happy to leave the unfolding of events to occur as they have been – NATURALLY! In this issue we celebrate and pay tribute to the mums and mother figures in our life, the special women who generally are the backbone of our family and the ones who love us unconditionally, the ones who are there endlessly to support us in challenging times with an open and loving heart. With May 9 just around the corner we have prepared some options and ideas on how to celebrate and show appreciation and gratitude towards the women who give us hope, love and support through out each year. If you are feeling short on ideas it’s hoped you 2

ISSUE NO.3

may find a little inspiration with what we’ve shared in this edition. Confidence and self-esteem issues are a frightening concern within our community, it is with strong awareness and recognition around these problems that our magazine will continue to provide support by way of sharing resources, information and stories that aim to ease the challenges many face constantly with these concerns. Be sure to check out Fill Your Cup with Confidence on page 16, Ways To Find Courage on page 20 and Loving Yourself on page 57 for a little inspiration and hope. In some inexplicable way I feel compelled and inspired to share with you, stories, tails and traditions of the Native American ways. Originally, the intention was only to enter a small quote from time to time within the pages of the magazine, but I feel a natural progression of something more meaningful taking place of which I am being called to share along this journey. I admire the ways in which the “Traditional” Native Americans have respected the relationships of their Elders and the fact they honoured their values, teachings, and life - through out all time. The fact that they traditionally lived courageously and showed respect towards nature and all living creatures and spiritual energies is something, I feel, to be acknowledged and continued on. I believe there is much to explore, learn and share of their wisdom and traditional ways, in the hope that many of us will be educated and enlightened on a much greater way to live: appreciating everything around us and being aware that we, and all else are energetically and spiritually connected. It is also my belief, through research and scientific findings that we ARE all connected, in ways many have yet to understand, and possibly, acknowledge. The Native American Indian can provide and prepare us with so much wisdom and knowledge on how to live our lives with much compassion, empathy, and of course greater spiritual awareness - for all life. I hope you enjoy exploring with me, Native American Wisdom and Traditions. Please enjoy this quarters issue, and until next time ~ May you learn from your experiences and awaken each day to your blessings and purpose.

Donna-Lynn Live NOW Love MORE Learn OFTEN

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About Our Publication Nurturing Our Souls - NATURALLY !

Nurturing Our Souls - NATURALLY, respectfully aims to support the emotional, psychological and physical health and wellbeing of all women - particularly aiming to enlighten and provide information to those just starting out on their self awareness and spiritual journey. We aim to delve deeper into specific, and what we feel, important and necessary topics as the magazine evolves and matures, with the emphasis on valuing the importance of self-worth and self-respect, self-esteem and courage as well as the overall value of health and wellbeing. The sharing of inspirational personal experiences of courage, overcoming adversity, trauma, challenges or purely sharing an uplifting story is highly encouraged by those willing to step forward and share their gifts. These can hold so much value and benefit, as there is always someone else who could gain a little hope, faith and enlightenment from someone else's courage, strength and/or wisdom. Consider that your contribution may just be the guiding light another soul is waiting for to gain the trust needed to carry them forward along on their journey. We welcome contributions from all women who own or run a nurturing business. Share your story, and how best you can support the wellbeing of another soul sister. For more details see pages 70 –71. Nurturing Our Souls - NATURALLY, respects the wisdom of our ancestors and that too of many other cultures and tribes so, mindfully and compassionately we may occasionally choose to support and share their wisdom and honorable ways that they once lived. Nurturing Our Soul - NATURALLY, also holds a special place for a special feature - Our Pets and Wildlife. Understanding the importance of just how much they can add to our own health and wellbeing - enhancing our daily experiences with fun and exercise, pleasure and joy, it was considered, why not honor and celebrate these special souls too? The magazine is a FREE online publication, currently offered for viewing through social media platforms and soon to be offered as a FREE subscription and delivered directly to the inbox of our email subscribers. 3

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Nurturing Our Souls PURPOSE & MISSION Support & Celebrate Women of all Cultures and Nations Inspire & Encourage Women to Value Their Worth & Believe in Themselves Create Opportunities For Women to Learn & Grow with Love Share Wisdom & Knowledge For Greater Self Awareness & Connection Naturally Nurture Women Who Desire to Live Life Experiencing Inner Peace, Harmony & Balance ~ Compassion, Love & Connection ~ Heart~n~Soul!

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A SPECIAL GIFT FOR OUR PERSONAL CONTRIBUTORS Receive This Lovely FREE Skincare Gift Pack when an inspirational item/story you have submitted is published.

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View pages 30 - 31 for individual product details

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 2-

Welcome

33 -

Poem ~ A Sure Way To A Happy Day

About Our Publication

34 -

Spirituality

Our Mission

35 -

Energy - Our Life Force

Our Manifesto

36 -

Chakras, Crystals and Essential Oils

A Special Gift For Your Inspirational Story

46 -

Special Ways to Celebrate Mum this Mother’s Day

What’s Your Story? Tell Us Your Inspirational Story

48 -

Native American Indian Wisdom

The Journey

50 -

Soulful Pets and Wildlife

12 -

Remembering Mother’s Day

54 -

13 -

Poem ~ A Mothers’ Love

Aloe Vera ~ What Makes Optimal Health Aloe Juice So Unique?

14 -

Animal Spiritual Symbolism - The Dove

57 -

Loving Yourself

15 -

Poem ~ Fill Your Heart with Thanks Giving

58 -

Nurturing Notes and Planner

16 -

Fill Your Cup with Confidence

66 -

Quiz Section

20 -

Ways to Find Courage Within Yourself

70 -

Advertising Details

21 -

Quote

72 -

News and Updates

22 -

For Those Who Hurt This Mothers’ Day

74 -

Advertisements

24 -

Create Healthy Daily Habits

26 -

How Diet and Exercise Effect Your Sleep

28 -

Book Launch - I Ruined My Life ... Or So They Said

32 -

Insightful Media & Resources – Reviews and Recommendations

DISCLAIMER: All submissions and claims made by contributors are the sole responsibility of that contributor. Neither Nurturing Me - NATURALLY nor Donna-Lynn will be responsible for any unfounded claims or practices. Any use or interpretation of a product or service is the sole responsibility of the consumer. Both NurturingMe-NATURALLY! and Donna-Lynn recommend caution and due diligence be undertaken before purchase, practice or referral. COPYRIGHT © All works through out the publication personally developed by Donna-Lynn ( images, quotes, all writings etc.) remain the sole property of NurturingMe-NATURALLY! And Donna-Lynn. Permission for use must be obtained. 6

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WHAT IS YOUR STORY? Have one to share?

If you have an inspirational story that you’d like to share with our community why not submit your story for approval? If printed in one of our issues you may receive a special gift* Anyone can submit their story *Gift available to Australian Residents only Submissions to be received by 15th May for the Winter Issue

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THE JOURNEY Experiences - Challenges and Life Lessons Life Story by Donna -Lynn~ Creator of Nurturing Our Souls -NATURALLY!

A brief disclaimer before you set out to learn of my journey. I am not sharing this with the intention of gaining sympathy, or for a sense of victimhood to be attached. I am sharing my story so others who are struggling from past trauma and challenges, may see that all experiences—be they good or otherwise, are the building blocks for who we are today. I hope my story — may provide hope, strength and courage to those in need.

Please note that some content may be of a sensitive nature. I have carefully considered those who have been involved in my journey, much care has been taken to ensure it is told with respect and love for all.

THE JOURNEY EXPERIENCING LIFE’S CHALLENGES Donna-Lynn's Personal Life Journey (continues in each issue)

Although some experiences of our loss can be shared, the deep-rooted psychological effects can never truly and deeply be understood and felt by anyone else, as our feelings are completely unique to us. ——————————————————— If we are attempting to understand another person’s deepest sorrow, consider that the most important thing to anyone is the gift of compassion. When we present with compassion it takes the focus off ourselves and places it where it needs to be in that moment. We may believe we understand someone’s sorrow, but how can we, honestly, when we have not lived their journey, one moment at a time?

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Continued ….. As dad had now passed, it was time to acknowledge and accept that he was definitely not going to be coming back home – ever again! Although there would have been a certain amount of discussion and understanding of this for some time beforehand, these things never appear to be real until such time they eventually are, and even then, we can still live in a fantasy world, living in the land of hope, and still wish for our special angels to appear in front of us - at will. It is fair to say that the sudden change in my regular routine left me feeling lost in a world that was so unrelatable to the bubble I had been all too familiar with over the years. My whole life had been dramatically altered in more ways than anyone could have ever imagined. Our little family was having to individually deal with this inconceivable void in our lives, as well as deal with it as best we could as a family of now only 3. How could we move through this together without further fearing the loss of our sanity, innocence, and soul? Would we ever gain back the blessing of experiencing life with true happiness and joy again?

Me—3rd row up, 2nd one in. I was clearly not happy at this time and unfortunately my favourite teacher got ripped for it. One of many early year photos I regrettably destroyed.

We all had major adjustments to make, our lives needed to keep moving, but how, and in which direction? It was not easy going forward, and in some ways still, I feel the only way I have grown is through the aging process. Of course, in reality this is not true, but it certainly can feel like it at times. If you do not learn to deal with trauma, you will no doubt find that life has a way of holding you back from many of it’s joyous moments and opportunities. The way in which we all grieve, mourn and deal with our losses is unique to us all, and what I’m about to soon mention as I express my way through this chapter, may seem strange and possibly crazy to those who have not been confronted with such experiences to date. Then again, to many others it may be so relatable and comforting to know that their feelings are acknowledged as completely natural and OK by those who totally get it.

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Continued ….. You see, when it comes time for our loved ones to leave our shore and we begin grieving the tremendous loss of their absence in our lives, often in cases where there has been long term circumstances we may also mourn the additional associations that came along with their ill-fated journey too. Understandably I can only speak for myself here, but in my family’s case, after having created such an ingrained habitual routine of experiences over the years; the visits back and forth to the hospital and all that had become so familiar in connection to those visits, for the likes of bonding with staff etc, which was inevitable under the circumstances, I personally felt an extended loss as the hospital had became a second home. Memorable experiences of compassion, empathy and understanding, along with that little extra special treatment that children in special cases tend to receive was what I was needing at that time in my life. Once it had all been taken away from me there was a sense of even less comfort and security. Once I no longer had the regular comfort and respite of the hospital bubble, life felt far less secure and kind. I was spending more time in a world that appeared to me to be less tolerable of quiet and shy children. I recall a time at school of the harsh and cruel treatment I was subjected to at one stage, all because I no longer had my dad. Kids will find anything to hit you with if you are an easy target for them to release their very own frustrations and insecurities. Life for an introverted shy child was not made any easier when mum made a decision to uproot us from our family home (for her health’s sake - that’s another story to be touched on later). This to me was not a choice I’d fall in love with, for a couple of reasons - one being, I was not only leaving comfortable and familiar surroundings, but I was also being forced to leave behind a home that had many memories of which my dad had been very much a huge part of, and I simply wasn’t ready for that huge step forward as I felt like I was being separated from him and his memory yet again. The second reason for not being over the moon to move was the thought of starting over in a new school, this did not excite me much at all, in fact, I was terrified. With now having moved from one place to another my fears began to set in as reality. I was now the new girl in school, and this was of some interest to the other students. Much focus was placed on me which obviously made me feel quite uncomfortable, as any introverted, shy child would feel. Of course, treatment towards me wouldn’t change if I didn’t make changes within myself, but how was I to do that if I didn’t know how, or at least have the courage and confidence to do so? I continued to be the same shy little girl who found it challenging to socialise generally, let alone comfortably fit in to a new environment where - as most of the students had grown up knowing each other from their very early years, had formed strong friendships. Now, imagine my surprise when I was chosen by my teacher as one of only two students from my school to be accepted to attend the annual Somers School Camp. Only a few children get the privilege to experience such an amazing opportunity, where schools from around the state merge each July holidays for what is truly a unique and special time.

When the teacher spoke of the decision to the class, it was obvious that a few of the pupils were not going to be so supportive of the decision, nor towards me - at all! One girl in particular who was - dare I say, strong in character, let me know quite clearly that I should not have been the chosen one - that another of her friends deserved the opportunity more than I did. This call-out was at a point when half the class, so it seemed, were gathered together at the back of the room (teacher was absent) ready to hit me with their ridicule and disapproval. The situation only concretised my fears and concerns of whether or not I’d been sincerely accepted into my new school, and of course only made me feel even smaller, as I had yet to learn how to stand up and speak up for myself. You see, in times where I would experience criticism and conflict in my life, I would often hear these compassionate words of advise …

….. “Hold the peace, love - just hold the peace!” 10

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Continued ….. That phrase was one my mum would often tell herself in her early years, as she too had a good reason to believe they could keep her safe from abuse in her own home if she adhered to them. I never asked, but I sense that they were words passed on to her from her mother too. That phrase was so ingrained within both our minds that it became a part of our instinctual response whenever we felt any connection to a rising conflict within our environment. Although those words where intended to keep us safe on the outside world, it had the opposing effect on our inside world.

Mum and I , appreciating a lovely night out together

Imagine if you will, the consequences of living a life always holding the peace ~ never speaking a word in your defence - when either feeling threatened physically, emotionally or psychologically, be it within the community or your own home environment.

Eventually those words can cause more harm than their nature intended - they imprison your true inner peace and happiness in a place that appears challenging to ever access. The inner torture endured can take it’s toll on your health and life in ways you would not generally wish on anyone. Feeling hopeless and helpless, or at the very least uncomfortable with conflict, can lead to the idea that isolation appears the safest and best option to preserve our sanity, but really - is it? OF COURSE NOT! But it’s only natural to seek what we each feel appropriate to keep us feeling safe - what ever that method may be. I’m sure, had we known better at the time and courageously treated ourselves with more respect and compassion, circumstances may have turned out much differently in those moments.

Fortunately, when blessed with the gift of time and understanding, it is possible to resolve the many demons and inner conflicts of perceived inadequacies and fears that have been haunting us for years. The first step - acknowledge them for what they were at their true essence - Lessons lessons that build our character ~ Secondly - that we are all worthy of happiness, regardless of what has been actioned towards us ~ and Thirdly - go on a journey to learn about self compassion and care. I’m not saying that it is an easy road, as it takes courage and much time to get and be vulnerable to reach our truths and inner peace but it will be worth it because “we are worth it!” If we all took the time to learn about, and practice the important aspects of self discovery, we’d realise that achieving inner peace is possible, and when we each experience inner peace, there will be a lot less disharmony within our communities and families and a lot more love shared with each other and the world. My past experiences are serving their purpose, as I acknowledge that good must come from them. They will not be wasted, nor forgotten, but they can and will be forgiven in the hope to help and support others too. Never Let Any Circumstance Go By Without Attempting To See The Lesson and Purpose Of It’s Existence, For There Is - Generally a Hidden Gift!

Let the journey continue ...... Follow The Journey thread @ nurturingme-naturally.com.au and in future editions of Nurturing Our Souls - Naturally.

May You Walk In Love, Light & Peace, Donna-Lynn 11

Mother's Day is a celebration honouring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. It complements similar celebrations honouring family members, such as Father's Day, Siblings Day, and Grandparents Day. The modern Mother's Day began in the United States, at the initiative of Anna Jarvis in the early 20th century. It is not directly related to the many traditional celebrations of mothers and motherhood that have existed throughout the world over thousands of years, such as the Greek cult to Cybele, the mother god Rhea, the Roman festival of Hilaria, or the Christian Laetare Sunday celebration (associated with the image of Mother Church). However, in some countries, Mother's Day is still synonymous with these older traditions. The American version of Mother's Day has been criticised for having become too commercialised. Founder Jarvis herself regretted this commercialism and expressed that this was never her intention. In response, Constance Adelaide Smith successfully advocated for Mothering Sunday as a commemoration of a broader definition of motherhood in many other parts of the Englishspeaking world. Credit - Wikipedia

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A Mother’s Love A Mother’s love is something That no one can explain, It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain, It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may For nothing can destroy it or take that love away ... It is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, And it never fails or falters even though the heart is breaking …

It believes beyond believing when the world around condemns, And it glows with all the beauty of the rarest, brightest gems … It is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation, And it still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation … A many splendoured miracle man cannot understand And another wondrous evidence Oo God’s tender guiding hand.

Helen Steiner Rice 13

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PEACE – THE SPIRITUAL SYMBOLISM OF A DOVE A perfect union - the Dove, and Nurturing Our Souls-NATURALLY! Once we realise the meaning or significance of something, it is fair to say that we can appreciate it’s value and purpose a little more than had we not understood it at all - just like being aware of the significant spiritual symbolic meaning of The Dove. Both the Dove and Nurturing Our Souls - NATURALLY represent values of, and for, higher good, and so it feels only natural to place them together. There are a number of websites and places of which provide great content and explanation on the subject of symbolic animal meanings, and Marilyn Tokach’s site is one. Marilyn specifically elaborates in great detail, the meaning of this beautiful bird as well as providing other useful and beneficial information and resources.

Briefly she writes The dove represents peace of the deepest kind. It soothes and quiets our worried or troubled thoughts, enabling us to find renewal in the silence of the mind. The dove’s roles as spirit messenger, maternal symbol and liaison impart an inner peace that helps us to go about our lives calmly and with purpose. Doves are commonly considered a symbol of motherhood. Historically, dove symbolism is associated with several mother figures:

•The Mother Mary in Christian legend (care, devotion, purity and peace) •Ishtar in Assyrian culture (promise of hope and salvation) •Aphrodite and Venus (viewing the soul or a sense of higher love) Doves teach us that, regardless of external circumstances, peace is always a touch a way – within us – and always available. It is said that if a dove flies into your life, you are being asked to go within and release your emotional disharmony. The dove helps us to rid the trauma stored deep within our cellular memory. Doves carry the energy of promise. When inner conflicts are banished from our thoughts, words and feelings, goodness awaits. Online sources: http://www.whats-your-sign.com/animal-totems.html http://www.shamanicjourney.com/ http://livingartsoriginals.com/animal-symbols.html http://www.lilytherese.com/POWER1.HTM#Dove%27s%20Message%20and%20Medicine

http://www.mysticfamiliar.com/library/shamanism/animal_totems.htm#Dove Throughout these pages a Dove will appear, and it is hoped that it will gift you a moment of opportunity to stop and reflect on it’s meaning and how it can support you with it’s grace. The intention in this instance is to remind ourselves to pause in the moment - and ask …. ‘Am I being kind, loving and caring towards myself? If not, why? Then ask …. what needs to either change or be implemented so I feel more at peace and loving towards myself for my greater good? It’s surprising what answers lay within us when we are ready to ask the necessary questions and are then, prepared to take the required time to be patient wait and then listen for the answer. 14

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Fill Your Heart with Thanksgiving Take nothing for granted, for whenever you do, The “joy of enjoying’ is lessened for you For we rob our own lives much more than we know When we fail to respond or in any way show Our thanks for the blessings that daily are ours … The warmth of the sun, the fragrance of flowers, The beauty of twilight, the freshness of dawn, The coolness of dew on a green velvet lawn, The kind little deeds

so thoughtfully done, The favours of friends and the love that someone Unselfishly gives us in a myriad of ways, Expecting no payment and no words, of praise Oh, great is our loss when we no longer find A thankful response to things of this kind, For the JOY of ENJOYING and the FULLNESS of LIVING Are found in the heart That is filled with THANKSGIVING.

Helen Steiner Rice 15

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FILL YOUR CUP

with

DO YOU HAVE EITHER A WORD, AFFIRMATION OR A THEME THAT IS THE FOCUS FOR EACH NEW YEAR? At the beginning of each year many focused driven people who wish to thrive in their growth – either personally or within their own business – choose to focus on a word, affirmation, or a theme for the year ahead. When I first heard of this practice I was intrigued and soon learnt to appreciate the concept. I had previously considered adapting this practice into my daily routine, but it wasn’t until recently that I decided to FIRMLY COMMIT to standing by my vision with a meaningful WORD. My word and theme for 2021? CONFIDENCE! It is such a worthy and I believe, necessary word to begin this journey with.

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Continued …..

Having confidence is not necessarily a simple case of either being born with it or not, it is a skill that needs to be, and CAN be, developed and nurtured over time. If you feel you have low levels of confidence and often hear those not-sosupportive and unkind words revolving around and messing inside your head, please do not despair, please do not lose heart, all can be remedied if you have a desire to develop your skills of which will then allow you to live a more meaningful, purpose filled and joyful life in the areas you long to live more comfortably, freely, and lovingly. Confidence can have an enormous effect and impact on our life – whether we have it or whether we feel we have a lack of it. The word confidence can often be confused with courage and self-esteem, so it is my mission in 2021 to focus on the true meaning of the word and build that necessary confidence muscle to create greater opportunities in the hope to help not only myself but others that need guidance and support in this area as well.

The practice of building our confidence muscle is something that requires regular and conscious observation so we can experience life with more purpose and meaning for our overall greater health, in particular, our mental health. We can often view another person in a particular situation, who “displays” a high level of confidence, as being “A Confident Person”. Our perception could then have us believe that this person is totally confident in every area of their life and business. We could also have a perceived belief that confidence comes easy to them. This is not necessarily the case. In fact, many who may appear to be confident in a particular field or area of life might deeply struggle in other areas but work extremely hard at overcoming any lack of confidence they may experience.

It really is all about being willing and prepared to practice any necessary steps in overcoming our challenges where we lack confidence, and this can be achieved through learning to work on building faith and belief in our own capabilities and abilities. Creating and working through the steps that encourage development of our confidence can be a daily focus and task, depending on the purpose and area of which we would like to gain greater confidence in.

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Continued …..

Personally, from early childhood my life has been a series of events where confidence has been greatly lacking, but from where I now stand I am truly grateful for those times and experiences (although, at the time I could never have been so appreciative with such gratitude as I am today – as in many cases all I felt were feelings of horror, trauma, anger, frustration, fear and overwhelm, amongst other less favourable emotions and sensations) as I now have a purpose and mission that brings forth such understanding, compassion and empathy that supports my efforts in helping other women stand up to experience life with more selfawareness and self-assurance. If I am totally honest, I am choosing to get vulnerable here and say that I have many areas that still require me to build up my levels of confidence, as I have made a conscious choice to no longer play small in my life. This is because I genuinely wish to support other women to be drawn out from their own shadows and shine their light too, sharing their personal stories of achievement and happiness – NOT regret! Playing small can leave you feeling regretful when it comes time to looking back at your life, when there’s so little time left. It is through my own trials and discoveries that I will choose to share my journey in the hope to support others. I share my experiences, discussions, and discoveries in my Quarterly Magazine, “Nurturing Our Souls – NATURALLY”, as well as in blog and social posts. So, be sure to check out our seasonal editions of “Nurturing Our Souls – NATURALLY” when it arrives online soon. If you do not wish to miss an issue, make sure you subscribe through our website @nurturingme-naturally.com.au IS THERE A PARTICULAR AREA OF YOUR LIFE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE MUSCLE? Feel free to comment below. WHAT WORD, PHRASE or THEME DO YOU CHOOSE TO FOCUS ON IN 2021? Care to share? Comment below. If you see value in these pages please share with someone who may be in need of filling their CONFIDENCE CUP today. Live NOW – Love MORE – Learn OFTEN Donna-Lynn (Nurturing Me – NATURALLY!) 18

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SEVEN WAYS TO APPEAR CONFIDENT Nobody Need Know That You are Not. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 19

Stand Tall (take up space by standing tall). Make Eye Contact. Don't Fidget. Speak Slowly and Clearly. Allow silences. Keep Your Hands Visible. Take Big Steps. www.nurturingme-naturally.com.au

WAYS TO FIND COURAGE WITHIN YOURSELF

Courage is more than just having confidence or getting rid of fear. It's about doing what is needed despite the fear. Courage is an essential quality to develop if you want to build a successful career, business, and have a fabulous relationship with friends and family. Ready to get started? Here are ways you can begin finding the courage within yourself. Identify What Is Holding You Back

Ask yourself bold and honest questions to discover what is holding you back. Why do you feel like you need to find more courage? Are there people or situations causing you to be fearful? Is it your lack of skills or knowledge? What are your fears and why do you fear these things? When you can identify the exact cause, you can create a solution. Experience More Expand your comfort zone. What this means is you need to experience more life outside of things that you know. It’s normal to keep doing things that bring you joy or comfort. But the more you experience, the more you will understand other perspectives. Even if something seems scary on the surface, it's often only due to a lack of experience. When you challenge yourself, it will allow you to experience your strength and courage. Learn Forgiveness You must expect that you will fail or make a mistake at some point in your life. No one can get through life without it. Mistakes provide you with a chance to improve or discover new passions or hobbies. When you make a mistake, forgive yourself. Identify where you can improve but don’t harp or dwell on it without using the information to improve yourself. What Advice Would You Give A Friend? Take a moment to put yourself in your friend's shoes. If they were to come to you about this concern, what advice would you give them? It is likely because you care for your friend so much you won’t see them as anything but courageous, so why be harsh on yourself? Try to keep this in mind anytime you don’t believe in yourself. Play It Out and Practice If certain events or situations prevent you from truly being yourself, a great way to get over this is to practice or play it out. For example, if you want more courage to ask your boss for a raise, act out the conversation you plan to have with your boss. Look at yourself in the mirror and practice assertive communication. In the end, if you want to find more courage within yourself, you must act. Courage is no different than any other skill. If you ignore it or choose not to work on it, it will be harder to find and maintain. 20

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“I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be “happy”.

“I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be honourable, to be compassionate. It is, above all, to matter: to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all.” Leo C. Rosten 21

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For Those Who Hurt on Mother’s Day MOTHER’S DAY

– For many people that means flowers and handmade cards and Sunday brunches and waves of laughter. It means celebration and gratitude and warm embraces and great rejoicing. It means resting fully in all that is good about loving and being loved. But not for some people. For some it only means tears.

For some it just hurts. In the hearts of many, this day is a bitter, unsolicited reminder of what was but no longer is—or a heavy holiday of mourning what never was at all. Maybe it is such a day for you. It might bring with it the scalding sting of grief for the empty chair around a table. It might come with choking regret for a relationship that has been severed. It might be a day of looking around at other mothers and other children, and feeling the unwelcome intrusion of jealousy that comes with comparison. It might be yet another occasion to lament the mistakes you made or the words you didn’t say or the kindness you never knew. It might be an annual injury you sustain. Consider this a personal love letter to you who are struggling today; you whose Mother’s Day experience might be rather bittersweet — or perhaps only bitter. This is consent to feel fully the contents of your own heart without censorship or guilt or alteration. If you are hurting, then hurt. 22

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Continued …..

May you feel permission to cry, to grieve, to be not alright. May you relieve yourself of the burden of pretending everything is fine or faking stability or concealing the damage. May you feel not a trace of guilt for any twinge of pain or anger that seizes you today, because it is your right to feel. Above all though, may you find encouragement even in your profound anguish. May you find in your very sadness, the proof that your heart though badly broken, still works. Let the pain you are enduring reassure you that you still have the capacity to care deeply, despite how difficult it has been. See your grief as the terrible tax on loving people well, and see your unquenched longing for something better as a reminder of the goodness within you that desires a soft place to land. If on this Mother’s Day you are struggling, know that you are not alone. May these words be the flowers that you wait for or the call that won’t come or the conversation that you can’t have or the reunion that has not yet arrived. Let them be hope packaged and personally delivered to the front door of your heart, and may they sustain you. In this time of great pain, know that you are seen and heard, and that you are more loved than you realize. Be greatly encouraged today

Words provided by John Pavlovitz @ johnpavlovitz.com 23

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IF YOU CAN BUILD A BAD HABIT -

CAN BUILD A GOOD HABIT! YOU

Bad habits are activities that you do repeatedly that prevent you from reaching your goals and true protentional. Which means good habits help you achieve them. Good habits overall are subjective to the individual and are all related to your personal goals or interests. If you feel you could do more in life, then developing good habits is what you need to do. Here are six ways to build good habits: Start Small and Easy – Find habits you want to change and develop a strategy that makes it so easy you would laugh if you said no to it. For example, if you want to exercise more, then start with just one minute a day. Anyone can add one minute a day, and even if it might sound silly at first, the act of doing and repeating is what will make it a happy. Eventually, you can add more time as you make it a part of your daily life.

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Continued …..

Dive Deeper into Understanding Yourself – Honestly figure out what is holding you back and keeping you from doing it. Don’t just keep trying over and over and not pay attention to the very reason you keep having to start over. Accept Failure – You are human, and you will fail! Just because you fail once or make a small mistake does not necessarily mean it sets you back further. Learn to accept that you will fail at some point and make an action plan to follow. Schedule It – Whatever habit you are trying to build, include it in your schedule. Physically write it down or put it in your google calendar or anywhere that will provide you a daily reminder that you must get it done. Don’t expect yourself to remember just because you decided one day to challenge yourself. Give yourself that extra motivation and reminder to get going. Make Rewards – Make it fun and give yourself more of a sense of accomplishment by rewarding yourself each time you are successful. Be sure the rewards make sense and are ultimately healthy. You don’t want to encourage a bad habit on top of a good one by rewarding yourself with a chocolate smoothie every time you do a mile run, for example. Have Fun – Most notably, try to make it fun in any way possible. Even if the task itself is miserable, find ways you think will make it fun. Maybe you feel miserable waking up early each morning, but you know having the extra time ultimately helps your mental health. Find an early morning actively that you know you won’t say no to, or simply start your day with dancing to make it fun and easier to wake up to. Research shows that it takes just twenty-one days of repeating a certain task to develop a good habit. Incorporate these methods, and within a few weeks, you will see just how easy it can be.

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HOW DIET & EXERCISE AFFECT YOUR SLEEP It’s 3 A.M. again, and that marks the third restless night. Unfortunately, if this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Approximately one-third of people struggle with sleep problems, and about twenty-five percent of the American population experience insomnia. The culprit? Research has many ideas, but two common factors always play some role or responsibility: diet and exercise. Alters Metabolism Diet and exercise and your metabolism go hand in hand. If you adopt a proper exercise routine and diet, your metabolism will stabilise, leading to a balanced weight and better sleep. However, if you don’t, you can negatively alter it which then leads to increased weight. Increased weight can restrict airways, cause inflammation and stress on the body, affecting the way you sleep. Heavy on the Digestive System Big meals right before bed that are heavy in sugar, fats, and protein will affect your sleep and lead to poor digestion. This can lead to increased blood sugar, inflammation, blood pressure, and other ailments, making it difficult to fall asleep. A well-balanced diet will support healthier blood sugar levels and allow oxygen to flow throughout the body much more easily. Stress and Depression Diet can reduce or worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety that can, in turn, worsen symptoms of insomnia. Avoid foods high in sugar or fats to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is the primary factor for adverse health effects. Shifts Your Circadian Rhythm Research shows that changing your diet can reprogram your body’s clock or circadian rhythm. Poor sleep is often linked to obesity or metabolic diseases resulting from improper diet and exercise. Sleep deprivation also increases hormones, telling you that you are hungry when you are not, keeping the ugly cycle

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Continued …..

going and increasing or worsening obesity. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt a healthy diet first when adjusting your sleep schedules. Reducing obesity is the first step towards proper sleep. Dehydration A common yet easily overlooked culprit to lack of sleep is dehydration. When our diet consists mostly of foods which contain high levels of sugar and salt our body will loose much of it’s hydration, which then in turn can lead to symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, or insomnia. Dehydration dries out our mouth and nasal passages, making it difficult to get to sleep, or at least, generally to feel comfortable throughout the night. Dehydration can also lead to cramps, inflammation, and lack of oxygen. Ask your nutritionist or doctor what exercise routine and diet plan are best for you if you suffer from sleep problems. Diet and exercise or lack thereof are likely to blame.

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I RUINED MY LIFE ............. OR SO THEY SAID

“I Ruined My Life… Or So They Said” is the book title of a book written by Dr Anne Butcher. It is her memoir and reflects the heady, hippie, cultural revolution times of the 1970 when she was growing up in the 1970s in Mackay, North Queensland. It shares funny and tragic stories in equal mix while shedding light on the social acceptability’s of the time and provides an inspiring and wonderful example to others, particularly women, about how to overcome adversity to succeed in life. It is a deeply personal account of her life where she experienced significant physical disability in her early childhood and a traumatic experience during her adolescence, both of which have had lifelong implications for her. Yet despite these early life adversities and the potentially destructive bullying and negative messaging from significant people in her life she has gone on to excel, both personally and professionally. Hers is a story of guts, grit and determination of never giving up or giving in until her life goals were achieved and she proved all of her detractors wrong. It provides a wonderful example to other women, particularly young women, of how to draw on their inner resilience to move forward in life and achieve goals which they may think impossible. Dr Anne Butcher’s story is one to inspire and motivate others and is a read that is a real page turner. It is her gift to her family and to all other women who seek to improve their life, no matter their starting point. It can be obtained from her FaceBook Page which is Dr Anne Butcher.

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Dr Anne Butcher is a professional social worker with over 30 years of experience working in the social welfare fields of Community Development, Youth Development, Youth Justice, Child Protection, Disability Services, Women’s Services - including domestic violence and sexual assault counselling services, and women’s health and wellbeing programs. She has also held positions as a social researcher and university lecturer, and is the author of academic journal articles, book chapters and books. She is regularly asked to speak at conferences or significant community events such as International Women’s Day, Domestic Violence Prevention Month Events and at a range of other women’s groups, service clubs, school, public events and many other community groups. During her illustrious career Anne has worked as a CEO, a Regional Director, Manager and Leader - in both Government departments and in not-forprofit organisations. She also has held positions as President, Director and Board member of National, State and regional boards in Queensland and Australia. Such as Families Australia, Australian Women Against Violence Association, Australian Association of Social Workers, and Ending Violence Against Women Queensland. She is passionate about seeing people, particularly girls and women, succeed in their lives and reach their fullest potential, whatever that may be for them and has often appeared in the print media, The Daily Mercury and on ABC Radio. Anne is a very warm, engaging, humorous, and personable speaker who seeks to inspire others to achieve their life’s dreams and goals through sharing her own life stories about work, study, and family. She is a warm, engaging humourous, and authentic public speaker whose speaking events are not to be missed. She will leave her audience inspired to take action to achieve their life goals and dreams. She is a speaker not to be missed.

Anne can be contacted on: P:

1300 0DrAnne

or at E: anne@drannebutcher.com W: drannebutcher.com 29

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& RESOURCES (Reviews & recommendations)

As you become familiar with my inner self and my work, you will learn that I have chosen to be an avid student of life. One who with a passion, is prepared to take hold of, and bring forth, my inner courage and vulnerabilities in order to understand why I have been given this life and all of the experiences (good or otherwise), in the attempt to not only acknowledge and live my fullest potential, but also to support and help others going forward and to realise theirs too.

NEXT ISSUE This section has been created for the benefit of sharing recommendations on educational resources; books, courses, tools and material etc, that I believe to be of value and support for our greater health, wellbeing and enlightenment - further more, much of which has had an impact on me on some level along my own journey. It’s hoped that the information shared here will inspire and/or guide you too, further along your path as you go forth seeking greater awareness.

I look forward to sharing reviews, recommendations and discussions on the works and teachings of influential thought leaders and spiritual teachers, like Louise Hay, Brene` Brown, Marianne Williamson, Eckhart Tolle, to name just a few of the more familiar identities who have been instrumental in guiding me along my spiritual path. What is to be shared, I believe to be typical of having the potential to speak to us all who wish to live our lives with greater meaning and greater purpose.

Donna-Lynn Inspired by the Wise and Enlightened Ones.

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A SURE WAY TO A HAPPY DAY

Happiness is something we create in our mind, It’s not something you search for and so seldom find— It’s just waking up and beginning the day By counting our blessings and kneeling to pray— It’s giving up thoughts that breed discontent And accepting what comes as a gift heaven—sent— It’s giving up wishing for things we have not And making the best of whatever we’ve gotIt’s knowing that life is determined for us, And pursuing our tasks without fret, fume or fuss— For it’s by completing what GOD gives us to do That we find real contentment And happiness, too. Helen Steiner Rice 33

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NURTURING THE SPIRITUAL & SOULSIDE OF OUR BEING

Spirituality How familiar are you with its true meaning? When we become curious about Spirituality, we begin to uncover and understand greater aspects of life, and that we have far more potential within and around us yet to experience, allowing for a much more meaningful and fulfilling time here on this planet.

they seek in life. Call it what you will as we all have a preference for what we choose to call the “GOD” within - ie. higher self, intuition, soul etc., - our guiding light - what ever it is that sits most comfortably with you.

More often than not, in the land of “normal consciousness” we are pressured to conform to manmade laws, regulations and structured routine where many exist to only inhabit our greatness and potential.

Sadly many people misinterpret or have been misinformed of the true essence of Spirituality, believing that it is at large, aligned with religion and religious practices. Where as put quite simply, it is primarily the practice of becoming more in tune and aligned with nature and our own pure essence.

Once we begin to peer outside the boxes, and peel off the labels we’ve been given as “mere mortals”, we can feel a sense of optimism approaching that can lead to a future greatly preferred and desired. The Universe beings to open us up to a more appealing way of existing - NO, let’s reframe that, to a more appealing way of “LIVING!” We begin to become even more intrigued and so set out to explore beyond our perceived limitations. We begin to see the bigger picture, a Universe that has us understand that we have unlimited potential awaiting all of us yet to experience. The greatest gift that we could ever give ourselves goes far beyond anything money could buy, as there are so many people out there that have all the material possessions that they could ever want to or desire, but sadly, they are still emotionally and psychologically unfulfilled. WHY? Because for the most part they are not truly aligned to their greater values and potential, but above all, not in touch with the greater essences within themselves that can provide the many solutions 34

To me the difference between Religion and Spirituality is …… With religion, people look to the outside for solace and answers, where as Spirituality, we go within to seek resolve and inner peace. I’m not saying it’s an easy path to take as it can be challenging to trust our own judgments on life and its meaning, but when we go on a journey of self-discovery, we can learn out, and become familiar with, our truest self. We discover so much more about ourselves, our potential and our journey and appreciate the rewards that come from the wisdom gained. There is so much to understand and learn - will we ever truly understand and know it all? I think not! But is it worth attempting? YES — I BELIEVE SO!

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ENERGY HEALING FROM THE GROUND UP

ENERGY - OUR LIFE FORCE Going forward we being to explore in greater detail the force of energy that resides within and around each and every one of us, as without it we would not exist. We look into how, when understanding the power of our own energy, we can support the greater health and wellbeing of not only ourselves but of those around us too. We will have the opportunity to realise that we DO have the power to break free of perceived limitations and illnesses that have held us back for many years. Understanding the term “Grounding” and the powerful healing benefits it can provide us (when we are in the practice of utilising it daily) is something that modern society at large is sadly either not aware of or simply not fully understanding - therefore forfeiting any benefit that could be gained for the sake of our health - naturally. Today we mostly live and work isolated from the source that has great capacity to support the healing of our ailments and put life back into our body. We cover our feet with nonconductive shoes which are synthetically sole based, our homes are full of synthetics so even when 35

we do walk bare foot at home we do not have the benefit of placing our feet on anything that could possibly connect us to a natural energetic source. The bed we sleep on can also starve us of the necessary energy our body could greatly benefit from, as it’s elevation takes us further away from the earths floor. Given all that has been noted, we need not totally feel disadvantaged, as when inside either at home or in the office we can still improve our chances of being connected in some way. Being connected is only a matter of being aware and open to learning more about the practices and resources available to us, there really is no reason we all can not benefit from earths greatest health source.

We will delve further into this topic in the next and proceeding issues, but in the mean time, why not attempt to spend as much time out in nature where ever possible (no shoes). If you have a laptop and work from home, consider on a lovely day taking what’s practical, and go to work out doors. Even taking regular breaks from the computer for a few minutes to spend in the fresh air will get the oxygen flowing and clear the mind, allowing for a more impactful return where focus is advantaged.

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CHAKRAS, CRYSTALS & OILS COMPLIMENTING OUR EN ERGY SYSTEM

introduction As suggested in our previous issue, we will commence exploring and discovering Crystals and Essential Oils, but more specifically, how they work best to compliment and harmonise with each of the 7 major energy centres (Chakras) connected to our body. In this issue we focus primarily on the Root Chakra, but let’s first begin with a little basic understanding of the Chakra system for greater clarity before we move on and delve deeper going forward. Without getting too technical in this moment, here is a brief explanation of where the term Chakra appears to have originated. The precise knowledge of these energy centres seems to have been lost in time although, generally it is accepted that these stem from Ancient Hindu teachings. The word Chakra was first seen written within the Vedas (ancient Indian texts which are the basis of Hinduism). Vedic texts are some of the oldest written scriptures spanning 1500 to 500 BCE. Many believe though, that the information noted within the texts goes back even further, as it was passed down via verbal communication then later communicated in written form. Chakra translates to Wheel, in Sanskrit (a language regarded as the ancient language of Hinduism). It’s noted that there are as many as 114 chakra energy centres that relate to the human body, but only few of those in modern times do we commonly speak of and relate to. *NOTE: • Caution must be exercised when purchasing and using ESSENTIAL OILS as not all oils on the market are of pure grade and authentic - although possibly promoted as such. • Authentic Pure Essentials Oils have a high level of potency that requires caution when using in cooking. • Care must be taken when using Essential Oils around pets, as some oils are specifically toxic and harmful to particular animals. Disclaimer: Using Essential Oils always comes with a level of risk. Nurturing Our Souls - NATURALLY! and it’s creator do not assume responsibility for any persons interpretation or choice of use. It is always recommended to research diligently. 36

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CHAKRAS, CRYSTALS & OILS COMPLIMENTING OUR EN ERGY SYSTEM

Chakras If learning about the body’s energy is new to you, you may soon come to understand, or at least begin to realise how much your chakra energy is connected to every aspect of your life, and that it provides access to the divine and genius that resides within you. Our body has an entire system that is designated to unseen energy (subtle energy). Subtle energy is a force that is sensed in the form of intuition, emotion, and thought etc. and at the heart of our unseen energy are our chakras. Our traditional educational systems tend to focus on only a few of the many unseen energetic forces that work within and around us, for example, gravity, sound, and magnetism etc., and although we can not see them we just know that they do exist as very real energies. This too is true of our Chakras, just because we may not see them, does not mean we should discount their existence. Now let’s attempt to form a mental picture to better grasp the concept of how the system can support our greater health, healing and life experiences. As mentioned earlier, there are 7 major chakras, each of which we relate a particular colour—the Root Chakra that you will read about later is Red.

vortex - constantly spinning, with the purpose to move and transform energy within our body. Five of these 7 Chakras occur in a vertical line along our spine, the sixth one is located midway of our brow and the seventh, the crown, as would rightly be assumed, is located at the top of our head. Each of these Chakras interact with each other with the intensity depending entirely on how balanced our energy is in relation to each chakra. When we feel lethargic or run down it means that something is not running as efficiently as it could be, somewhere within our body the energy is blocked and needs attention before it has the opportunity to effect us more dramatically. Choosing to seek greater knowledge on how energy works, really is quite an interesting and beneficial study as, it can help us better understand what areas of our life and body requires emotional, physical and psychological attention. When we look deeper into this field and work with it, we can begin to notice many aspects of our life improve. We’ll learn more as we move through each issue of Nurturing Our Souls - NATURALLY!

Chakras can best be described as being a wheel or disk form that functions like a 37

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CHAKRAS, CRYSTALS & OILS COMPLIMENTING OUR EN ERGY SYSTEM

CRYSTALS Crystals are not only beautiful and fascinating, but they also have a much deeper, and influential meaning and function too. For thousands of years crystals have been worked with by Medicine people and Sharman's around the world. They have been used to promote luck, restore health and are used as tools for protection and prosperity.

Although crystals can be found all around the world, there are particular crystals that can only be found in certain countries and regions of our planet. The growing intrigue within our general population, and rise in alternative medicine, has understandably caused concern that some crystals are becoming quite rare to find and mine, adding to their high value.

attached to it by others who have handled it. There are a couple of practices that I would advise you become familiar with, should you wish for your crystal/s to work at their optimum best. Of course we will explain these as we move through each edition. So keep an eye out for our Winter edition, issue #4 come June.

Cluster/Geode

Tumble stone

When in search of a crystal for a specific purpose take note of the one that speaks to you the most. It may not be the prettiest but it might just be the one you need at that particular time for your particular purpose. It may be the shape, that in amongst all the others that seem so similar, has you drawn to it. Don’t over think it, if it feels right generally it will be. Word of warning though - it is always wise to do your research and sort a reputable dealer, as not all dealers work with the highest of integrity. Once you have chosen your crystal, or crystals (be careful, as it can become addictive) be sure to ask for it be cleansed. This practice will allow you to place your own personal energy on to it and rid of any other energy that may be 38

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Point/Tower AMETHYST

CHAKRAS, CRYSTALS & OILS COMPLIMENTING OUR EN ERGY SYSTEM

Essential oils Essential Oils have been around and used for thousands of years, with the first records believed to have originated from ancient India, Persia, and Egypt.

It’s no wonder that with the welcomed resurgence of aromatherapy and essential oils we are seeing people begin to live far happier and healthier lives.

Back then, it is thought that the production of essential oils was by way of placing the valuable and effective part of the plant, ie either the flowers, roots or leaves into fatty oils as a way of extraction, although, in most ancient cultures, the resin from any beneficial plant was used directly.

Should we not have the time to produce quality products for ourselves, we can be grateful to those who believe in a mission to produce gifts from nature for us, as not only are we providing ourselves in many ways a healthier lifestyle, but we are also respecting and saving our animals and the environment too.

Distilling was first developed in the Golden Age by Arab culture, then during the Middle Ages it’s believed that the distilling process had reached Europe, becoming popular within the European medieval pharmacies and then further developing from there. Unfortunately, more modern times welcomed the introduction of chemical and synthetic based products which were promoted to have us believe they would be far more convenient, and that we’d be better off for their manufacture. Commercialism has a lot to answer for, as in time we would begin to learn just how harmful many of these products would be to our health and wellbeing, and that we had set ourselves up for chronic conditions to develop.

Just like any other product that can be manipulated, we must take care and research reputable producers and suppliers because, sadly, there are people who will take advantage of situations where products are keenly in demand, and go forth to produce inferior quality products seeking profit over and above premium quality and integrity. In the Winter issue of Nurturing Our Souls - NATURALLY, we begin to become more familiar with the properties benefits of essential oils.

Fortunately now though, many people are getting wise and choosing to go back to basics as they are consciously acknowledging that what Mother Nature offers is often the best option by far.

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The root chakra basics

The three lower chakras govern our instinctive and emotional behaviours, including sexuality and sensuality. They are what are known as the “body” chakras and of which attend to our basic needs in life in order to stay happy and healthy. The Root Chakra is symbolised by the lotus with four petals and the colour red. It’s location is at the base of the spine and is our direct link to Mother Earth. This chakra is our place of focus when we choose to ground ourselves and feel safe, as it forms the foundation of our survival instincts and it connects us to all our basic needs such as food, shelter, self preservation etc. A balanced Root Chakra creates a solid foundation for the Six chakras that are situated above it - the Sacral, the Solar Plexus, the Heart, the Throat, the Third Eye and the Crown Chakras. When our Root Chakra is balanced we feel more compassionate ~ focused ~ self confident ~ secure within ourself ~ comfortable and strong. When our Root Chakra is too open (over stimulated) we can be prone to bullying ~ recklessness ~ being self-centred ~ overly confident ~ dissatisfied ~ domineering ~ cynical, and behave crudely. When our Root Chakra is blocked (underactive) we can feel fearful ~ insecure ~ vulnerable ~ overly cautious ~ needy ~ and have difficulty in achieving our goals. Each of our Chakras relates to a specific body part, organ function and gland within the endocrine system. The specifics that relate to the Root Chakra are, but also not necessarily limited to ……… •

GLANDULAR FUNCTION: Suprarenal Glands (cortisone, adrenalin, noradrenalin)

•

BODY FUNCTION: Pelvis ~ Bones ~ Nails ~ Teeth ~ Muscle Tissue ~ Immune System

•

ORGAN FUNCTION: Kidneys ~ Larges Intestine

When our Root Chakra is blocked (not in flow with the other Chakras) we can physically experience Sluggishness ~ colon issues ~ bladder issues ~ lower back problems ~ left arm, leg or foot issues ~ inflammation ~ cramping and prostate issues. To bring our Root Chakra energy back into balance we can work with the many associations linked to our chakras as mentioned on the following page (those noted are specific to our Root Chakra). Should you feel that any of the points noted above are of concern to you, maybe ask yourself the following questions, and then address further where applicable, how best to resolve anything that needs to be investigated. •

The foods that I eat - Are they nutritious? Do I plan balanced meals with a good measure of fresh fruit and vegetable? Suggestions for the Root Chakra would be to include root and red nutritious food ie. burdock root, carrots, cherries, dandelion root, garlic, ginger, ginseng, onion, parsnip, potato, radish, strawberries, beets, turmeric.

Continue …. 40

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ROOT CHAKRA BASICS

…. Continued •

Am I getting enough undisturbed sleep?

•

Do I perform any basic gentle exercise as part of my daily routine? Walking is ideal, particularly for our Root Chakra as it supports our intrinsic need to connect with nature and ground ourselves to Mother Earth.

•

How do I feel about my finances - secure?

If you are not happy with any of your answers, consider researching some solutions that will work best for you. These days there are so many options available, you’re sure to find something that will work for you - Spiritually, traditionally or possibly blending both! To lose connection to our Root Chakra would mean that we would also lose our ability to care for ourselves on the most basic level - individually and as a species.

Future issues of Nurturing Our Souls - NATURALLY will feature associations to our chakras in greater detail.

ASSOCIATIONS As we are only providing basic detail in this section some associations may be limited in their detail.

COSMIC INSIGHT INTUITION

CRYSTALS: (Red & Black) Agate, Hematite, Blood Stone, Black Tourmaline, Smoky Quartz, Jasper OILS: Angelica Root, Cinnamon, Frankincense, Ginger, Linden Blossom, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Spikenhard, Vertiver.

CREATIVITY

LOVE

ZODIAC: Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo MOON PHASE: Dark Moon

VITALITY

PLANTS: Cypress, Fir, Clove PLANET: Earth, Saturn

EMOTIONS

SENSE : Touch, Smell MUSICAL NOTE: C

SURVIVAL

ELEMENT: Earth COLOURS: Red NUMBER: 8 PETAL: 4 41

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The root chakra basics

CRYSTALS

ESSENTIAL oils

It is believed that crystals have specific vibrational energetic properties that correspond to a particular Chakra. In the case of the Root Chakra, crystals are an ideal tool to support the balancing of our energy as they come from the earth and greatly assist in us becoming grounded to Mother Earth.

Once we begin to gain greater knowledge of our chakra system, and the specific body areas of which each chakra relates to, we also begin to associate which tools support the flow and balance of each of those chakras.

As the colour red is the typical influence for the Root Chakra, any such stone of red persuasion generally is too, as well as stones that support our survival and safety. Such stones support the Root Chakra but are not limited to only it. They also have qualities other than those noted. Bloodstone - Balance Red Jasper - Grounding Brecciated Jasper - Grounding Garnet - Energy Ruby - Energy

As for like crystals, essential oils are extremely complimentary to our system as they are known to have properties that not only connect on a cellular level, but associate also, to specific chakra energy. Listed below are the oils that align with the Root Chakra, although not singularly targeting the Root Chakra and not just limited to health conditions mentioned. Angelica (seed) Menstrual concerns, nervousness, stress (root) Arthritis, physical fatigue, strengthening, stress related conditions Cinnamon

Black Tourmaline - Protection

(Leaf) Intestinal infection, arthritis, general physical debility, fatigue, exhaustion, muscular injury

Smoky Quartz - Balance

Frankincense

Snowflake Obsidian - Balance

Urinary tract infection, coughs, cold, nervousness,

Hematite - Grounding

Ginger Fractures, arthritis, muscular weakness and fatigue, menstrual cramps, gastrointestinal spasm, IBS Linden blossom - Nervous tension, muscular spasm, stress and anxiety related conditions

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ROOT CHAKRA BASICS

ESSENTIAL oils Myrrh - Coughs, infection, gum disease, fungal nail infection

Nutmeg - Arthritis, muscular aches and pains, muscular injuries, menstrual cramps, restlessness Spikenard - Menstrual problems, muscular spasms, neuralgia, sciatica, physical tension, stress related conditions, anxiety Vetiver - Stress-induced conditions, nervous tension, muscular spasm, menstrual issues, restlessness, restless legs, workaholism, physical exhaustion It may become more apparent as to how the oils suitably align with our chakras once we familiarise ourselves with the benefits of each particular oil, and how they generally support our overall health and wellbeing.

If you often feel lonely or disconnected …. If you have long and frequent periods of low energy ….

COSMIC INSIGHT

If your legs, feet and knees often hurt ....

INTUITION

If you frequently feel insecure …. If you suffer from eating disorders ….

CREATIVITY

and should you be excessively negative - consider connecting to your root chakra as, you may well VITALITY benefit from a little balancing. Seek out a trusting professional to support healing your currently concern. Our body, mind and external experiences are all SURVIVAL connected, so often, when we work on, and resolve one area of concern in our life, it can often lead to other areas finding a resolve too. (Recommendation: Always seek professional help before conditions become critical) 43

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LOVE

EMOTIONS

The beginning of FREEDOM is the realisation that you are not “ the thinker.” The moment you start watching the thinker, a higher level of consciousness becomes activated. You then begin to realise that there is a vast

realm of intelligence beyond thought, that thought is only a tiny aspect of that intelligence.

You also realise that all the things that truly matter — beauty, love, creativity, joy, inner peace — arise from beyond the mind.

YOU BEGIN TO AWAKEN

Ekhart Tolle The Power of Now 44

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LISTEN TO YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS The conscious mind is where we believe our reality is constructed. But our subconscious mind is where the deep solutions to lives are resolved.

Learn to trust and sit with this deeper part of your being through peaceful and quiet moments. Allow the weariness of conscious thought to simply float away for a while. 45

Words: Alan Hewitt

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Image: Colin Woodgate

SPECIAL WAYS TO CELEBRATE MUM THIS MOTHER’S DAY A mother is a first friend, a best friend and a forever friend. Our mothers can be hard ones to buy for, but hopefully these ideas will help you treat her this coming Mother’s Day. Make a Memory Book There is nothing like receiving photos of the ones you love. Sending photos via text is always well received, so why not take it up a notch? Print off photos of you and her from over the years and create a permanent display. Maybe add in your kids, other family members or photos from special holidays. A simple photo album will become the coffee table centrepiece and the topic of all her conversations.

“To the world, you are a mother, but to our family, you are the world.” -Unknown 46

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Continued …..

Write Her a Letter Now this is a given, but often we take the power of words for granted. This Mother’s Day dive into the depths of your heart and put pen to paper about why you adore her and try not to write a card out of obligation and normality. We all have unique and beautiful reasons why we are grateful to our mothers. Nothing says I love you better, than actually writing the words! After all, a mother is the one who filled our hearts in the first place. Here is a quote to get the creative writing going… Make Her a Meal Your mother deserves a break from cooking! Food always tastes better when it’s made by someone else, so treat her with your culinary skills. Although you may not be a five star chef, a simple breakfast in bed or a picnic in the garden will be sure to make her day. If you do want to take it up a notch cook dinner for the whole family and make one of her famous dishes. This will flatter her because she will feel like she’s passed on the family recipe. The family lasagna is a legacy! Give Her Flowers

Not only do flowers look beautiful and light up a room, but they also convey a special meaning. Giving a bunch of flowers is in itself showing your mum that she was on your mind. Helpful Tip: Find a bunch of flowers that highlight her favourite colour. Thoughtful and significant. Or Maybe? Consider Gifting Mum a Special Natural Pampering Treatment from our Online Store @ nurturingmenaturally.gracecosmetics.global There is always something special on offer in store, so, why not treat and pamper one of the hardest working women you know with a little Natural GRACE this Mother’s Day, because really, don't we all deserve and love the experience of a little Natural Pampering?

Mother’s Day Sunday May 9th www.facebook.com/DonnaLynn.NaturallyGrace view website @ nurturingmenaturally.gracecosmetics.global 47

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NATIVE AMERICAN WISDOM LOVES ALL THINGS Mother, show me how to love Beyond my human fear, Teach me all the joys of life Behind the veil of tears. Let me find the pleasure of A lover’s gentle hands, Let me know the wisdom of Respect without demands. Oh, Keeper of Forgiveness, Teach me how to see Beyond the petty judgments, Supporting human dignity. I will learn your Medicine Oh Mother, lover, friend, Teaching others how to love And broken hearts to mend. Jamie Sams The 13 Original Clan Mothers 48

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Our quest, our earth walk, is to look within, to know who we are, to see that we are connected to all things, that there is no separation only in the mind.

Lakota Seer

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SOULFUL PETS & WILDLIFE Can Pets Help Us From Beyond the Grave?

Special Story Credit goes to Author Krystine Batcho, Ph.D., & Psychology Today Magazine.

Pet stories are a rich resource for bonding and self-insight. However, substantial research has attributed numerous benefits to human-pet interactions. Pet owners enjoy better health and greater psychological well-being. Physical health can benefit from increased exercise involved in walking, grooming, and training a pet. Stroking a furry pet has been shown to lower blood pressure and decrease stress. Pets can engage people in positive social interactions and help alleviate loneliness and isolation. We can tell our most serious worries and fears, our most private secrets, and our most unlikely hopes and dreams to our pet, knowing our secrets are safe with them. Voicing our innermost feelings, concerns and failures can be an important step in confronting them. 50

The bond between a person and a valued pet can be so meaningful that it extends beyond the individual to unite others during the most critical stages of life. Dying of cancer, Sheila Marsh expressed her final wish of seeing her favorite horse, despite the logistical improbability of such a visit at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary where she was a patient. Against the odds, family and staff coordinated to bring two of the patient’s horses to the hospital for the final farewell. Deputy director of nursing, Pauline Law, justified pulling out all the stops to ensure that the patient received “personalized, compassionate and dignified care at the end of life.” More often, however, inherent in the commitment to a pet is the acknowledgment that we are likely to outlive them. We will witness the passing of their youth, the pains of their old age, and the grief of their death. Grieving the death of a pet can be a lonely process. Other people are far less likely to understand the depth of sorrow that can accompany the loss of a pet than the loss of a loved one. Is loving a pet inevitably a shortlived joy? Or is it possible that pets can continue to help us from beyond the grave? Will the memories they gave us help see us through the grief and enrich us with lasting value after they have gone? Memories of loved pets serve a number of valuable psychological functions. They can remind us of happy times, of times of youth and energy, innocence, playfulness and fewer responsibilities. But do they have any special value beyond those provided by memories of our human loved ones? Such a question involves an understanding of the different ways people relate to their pets. While most people enjoy uncomplicated pleasant relationships with their pets, some people experience mixed emotions in relating to their pet. Some relationships entail substantial stress and negative emotions including anxiety, fear and resentment.

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Continued ….. The nature of the relationship influences the cognitive and emotional dimensions of the memories of the times spent together. Both positive and negative aspects of memories can enhance our well-being. With the passage of time, emotions can become more intense, with happy events remembered as happier and sad ones as sadder. Details can change with some forgotten and new ones added. Accuracy is not essential. The meaning of the past is clarified as we come to appreciate what we once had and understand more fully the significance of how we interacted with our pet. While memories of human interactions can involve ambivalent emotions and unresolved conflicts or engender regrets that cannot be erased, memories of pets can yield simpler joys and purer sorrows. Our pet didn’t argue or hold our mistakes and failings against us. Forgiveness is easier when a relationship is more important than casting blame and being right. We don’t blame our pet for the troubles that had accompanied our interactions. Pets retain their innocence and authenticity. They reveal what it must be like to be who you are without the masks of convention and anxieties of public censure or critique. We covet such freedom as an ideal, and such memories can inspire us to examine who we really are and would like to be. Memories of a pet’s willingness to face danger in self-preservation or to protect us reminds us that bravery at its best serves life. At its best, heroism is fostered by trust, love, and the distinction between the essential and the peripheral. Memories of a pet’s aging, suffering, and death can remind us of simple acceptance of what is and of unquestioning trust in the one we love. Asked to endure frightening or painful veterinarian exams or treatments, a pet looks to its owner, not accusingly, but with trust and hope. Having recovered, our pet adapts to new circumstances without harboring resentment. Remembering how a pet coped with injury, illness, and old age can encourage us to live in the present and to distinguish between what can be changed and what cannot. 51

Remembering how our pet participated fully in our joys and stood by us in our sadness without coercion or incentive sharpens our understanding of loyalty and unconditional love. While private memories can promote our personal growth, sharing stories can extend the process beyond ourselves and yield social benefits. Stories of the happy times can help to enrich, maintain, or even restore relationships. In families, sharing stories can be integral to uniting members despite differences, disagreements, conflicts or even separation. The pet stories we choose to tell are not encumbered by the negative emotions of the past. They don’t house past anger, guilt, blame or disappointment. They can remind us of good times and family members’ positive qualities we might have forgotten. The pleasant affect fostered by the memories can help to heal old wounds and initiate forgiveness. Pet stories can be a rich source of bonding and insight into a family identity. How members interact with the pet reveal distinctive aspects of personalities and demonstrate how differences work together to construct a sense of family unity and character. Identity as a family is enhanced by the sense of being the people who were lucky enough, wise enough, and caring enough to choose such a special pet and to help it become a unique member of a special family.

Source: Photo by Krystine I. Batcho

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Continued ….. In telling stories of the pet’s passing, we risk our vulnerability in revealing the depth of our attachment. Reactions of those with whom we share such meaningful memories reveal important aspects of who they are, what they mean to us, and what we mean to them. Stories of our grief remind us that we measured up to the challenge, carried our burden, and loved with no expectation of anything in return. Stories of the good times let us relive the happiness. Remembering the good and the bad helps us discover personal qualities that will enhance our sense of self and our relationships. In death, our pets can continue to help us—if we let them. Further Reading Archer, J. (1997). Why do people love their pets? Evolution and Human Behavior, 18, 237-259. Batcho, K. I. (2013). In memory of . . . Psychology Today. Smolkovic, I., Fajfar, M., & Mlinaric, V. (2012). Attachment to pets and interpersonal relationships. Journal of European Psychology Students, 3, 15-23. BBC News Manchester. (7 November, 2014). Woman dies after farewell to horse at Wigan hospital. http://www.bbc.com/news/ukengland-manchester-29951094 Tovares, A. V. (2010). All in the family: Small stories and narrative construction of a shared family identity that includes pets. Narrative Inquiry, 20, 1-19. Zilcha-Mano, S., Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2011). An attachment perspective on human-pet relationships: Conceptualization and assessment of pet attachment orientations. Journal of Research in Personality, 45, 345-357. Zilcha-Mano, S., Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2012). Pets as safe havens and secure bases: The moderating role of pet attachment orientations. Journal of Research in Personality, 46, 571-580.

If you have a story of a pet or an animal that’s uniquely touched your soul in some special way, why not share your experience with our readers. It’s always uplifting and often inspiring to hear about how our pets and nature are making a welcomed difference to someone’s life. Whether it be a magical one time experience, or a much needed life changing blessing, these special souls and the gifts they bring to us, I feel, deserve little celebrating.

Contact: admin@sewnreapwithheartnsoul.com facebook.com/NurturingMeNaturally

Author: Krystine Batcho, Ph.D., is a professor at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York.

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WE BELIEVE IN BEING A BEAUTY BRAND THAT GIVES Grace Cosmetics is more than just skincare. It’s a revolution to empower people all across the globe and part of this revolution is our charity arm, Light of Hope. Light of Hope has been a part of the fabric of Grace Cosmetics since the very beginning. As an organisation we know life is more than just ourselves, so we have created a platform to outwork this generosity. HOW IT ALL BEGAN Grace Cosmetics Co-Founder and Founder of Light of Hope, Sandra Fittler, saw a need and started a movement. Our charity began with one woman who had a heart big enough for the whole world. As a company we are able to follow in her footsteps. She has paved the way for thousands of individuals across the globe to get relief from the grip of poverty. “Don't be afraid to give, be a blessing to others and give of yourself. Every small gift or effort changes lives.” Sandra Fittler

OUR MISSON Light of Hope’s mission is to bring hope to desperate, disadvantaged communities by providing them with what they need the most. Whether it’s nutritious meals and clean water for orphans, medical supplies for families or schooling facilities in countries that need it most. We partner with some pretty incredible organisations that have the same vision as us: to help people break the cycle of poverty.

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PROMA’S OPTIMUM HEALTH ALOE VERA JUICE WHAT MAKES OPTIMUM HEALTH INNER LEAF ALOE JUICE SO UNIQUE? You’ve heard it before, Aloe Juice has astounding health benefits for you and your family - But what’s the difference between Optimum Health’s Inner Leaf Aloe Juice and the Aloe juice you see on the shelf at your local grocery store? Yes, it might be easier to pick up a bottle while you are doing the rest of your grocery shopping, but what exactly are you compromising? Many other brands claiming to be ‘Aloe Juice’ use a powdered form of Aloe Vera and water down their Aloe content to fill more bottles. A study by nutritional journal ‘Agro Food Industry Hi-Tech’ analysed nine Aloe products and found only three had satisfactory amounts of Aloe Vera. Optimum Health’s Aloe Inner Leaf Aloe Juice micro pulp is 99% pure organically grown inner leaf Aloe, meaning you get a highly concentrated dose of Aloe Vera goodness. The key to quality Inner Leaf Aloe Vera Juice is the careful cultivation of the Aloe Vera plants using only the best organic farming techniques. The process by which Aloe Vera is made into a juice is also very important in preserving those beneficial, active constituents. Other brands may damage or eliminate these healthy constituents by heating, filtering and over processing their Aloe Vera. Every bottle of Optimum Health’s Inner Leaf Aloe Juice is created using our own proprietary formula. We carefully fillet the Aloe gel, removing the unwanted aloin before cold processing the pure inner Aloe gel. This unique treatment preserves the bioactive constituents including the natural vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and unique Aloe polysaccharides, maintaining the high quality and potency for your benefit. THE OPTIMUM HEALTH DIFFERENCE Over 30 years experience, extensive research, knowledge and expertise using the latest technology delivering high quality Aloe Vera Drinking Juice. •

A unique, proprietary formula developed by leading experts to provide the maximum health giving benefits.

•

Our Aloe Barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera) is grown using 100% organic farming without the use of chemicals, fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides or fungicides.

•

Our formula is the direct result of consultation with Dr Ivan Danhof, an internationally renowned medical scientist whose life work has been the study of the healing properties of Aloe Vera.

Every bottle of Inner Leaf Aloe Vera Juice is bottled under strict TGA, (Therapeutic Goods Administration), requirements, in our TGA licensed facility. So the next time you are faced with an Aloe Juice choice, don’t settle for watered down imitations, choose Optimum Health’s pure Inner Leaf Aloe Juice and enjoy the full benefits of Aloe Vera.

Aloe Vera - How It Can Support Your Health & Wellbeing 54

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CONTACT Mob: DonnaLynn 0407 070 616 FB: @ DonnaLynn.NaturallyGrace

Australian

Natural

Cruelty

Recyclable

Organically

No Sulphates

Made

Botanicals

Free

Packaging

Grown Aloe

or Parabens

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NO ORDINARY HAND WASH LIGHT OF HOPE CAMPAIGN MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE

.... It’s A Fundraiser Where Everyone Benefits ALL OF THE PROFITS GO TOWARDS FEEDING AND EDUCATING 100’S OF NEEDY CHILDREN AND BUILDING A SAFE HOME FOR ORPHANS.

YOUR SMALL PART GOES A LONG WAY

TO CHANGE A LIFE. $5.00

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CAUSE by SHOPPING ONLINE

or Contact Donna-Lynn for some personal shopping when in Ballarat 0407 070 616

Follow the links @ linktr.ee/nurturingme_naturally THANK YOU 56

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LOVING YOURSELF The mention of someone suggesting to us that we should “Love Ourselves” can conquer up uneasy images and disapproving thoughts for some of us. Our thoughts may bring up visions of someone who is very much on an ego trip and who generally comes across extremely self-centred - these are not necessarily traits that we would want to be perceived as being part of our character. These immediate thoughts could possibly be perceptions we adopted from our adolescent years in high school, or quite possibly at an other time. If someone appeared to be overly confident, and dare I say, “cocky” it was/is not uncommon for the words - “Ahhh - don’t they just love themselves” to be thrown out there. Unfortunately, still today the true meaning of those words can be largely misinterpreted and unfairly misused. Loving yourself is purely having a healthy attitude towards yourself - put simply ~ accepting and embracing all of who you are from a healthy and caring perspective - unconditionally! But firstly, we really do need to feel a sense of worth to consider that we can truly be lovable at all. If we do not feel lovable it’s challenging to accept that we deserve to put in the time and effort to nurture our body and our mind for our great good. Those who tend to have higher levels of self-esteem are more likely to appreciate how important “Loving Ourselves” really is.

as Louise L. Hay has realised …...

“After years of individual counselling with clients, and conducting hundreds of workshops and intensive training programs across the country and around the world, I found that there is only one thing that heals every problem, and that is: to love yourself. When people start to love themselves more each day, it’s amazing how their lives get better. They feel better. They get the jobs they want. They have the money they need. Their relationships either improve, or the negative ones dissolve and new ones begin. It’s a very simple premise - loving yourself. I’ve been criticised for being too simplistic, and I have found that the simple things are usually the most profound.” Should you believe that loving yourself is a challenging concept for you in this moment, consider delving in to maybe why you feel this way. Maybe you are already aware this, or maybe not? Either way, what really is holding you back from feeling that you deserve more out of life? Life has so much to offer US ALL, no one should be exempt, nor cast aside from love and happiness. There are many options for help and support out there. Maybe you feel that your home and family environment are not as supportive as you would like? If you find a supportive group to help you through this - YOU CAN learn to feel worthy and love yourself, and when you d0 - you’ll find that you will then be of greater support and inspiration to those around you and those who you love. Go Googling, research recommendable FB groups etc. who can put you on the path. Keep an eye out on my social page for resources too. Why not subscribe to this magazine, and my blog, as I’m very passionate about making this my mission to help women who feel this way, as, I certainly know how it feels too. See the back of this magazine for ways to connect with me. I wish you well on your journey to happiness, self love and self discovery ~ Donna-Lynn 57

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I AM MOST GRATEFUL FOR —————

MY FAVOURITE QUOTE IS —————

MY AFFIRMATION FOR THE MONTH IS —————

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DAILY CHECK LIST —————  

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SELF-CARE REMINDERS -Daily Practices; ie. Affirmations ,Vision Board etc.  

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

TOPICS OF PERSONAL INTEREST —————

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MY HAPPY PLACE IS ——————

THE THINGS THAT MATTER THE MOST TO ME ARE ——————

THE FEARS AND CHALLENGES I CHOOSE TO OVERCOME ARE —————

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PLANS/GOALS           STRATEGIES / ACTION STEPS

          I’VE DONE WELL, I DESERVE A REWARD MY REWARDS ARE ...........

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MARCH Mon

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APRIL Mon

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MAY Mon

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SPECIAL ENTRIES — ADDITIONAL NOTES

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SPECIAL DATES AND EVENTS

LINKS AND RESOURCES

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QUIZESSENTIAL 1/ Which body cells participate in metabolism? (a) Bone cells (b) Skin cells (c) Fat cells (d) All of the above 2/ Fibre is a type of …. (a) Protein (b) Carbohydrate (c) Cholesterol (d) Fat

5/ Why is dietary fibre important for a healthy body? Answer _______________ ______________________ ______________________ 6/ What are the compounds called which prevent oil and water mixtures from separating? Answer ______________________ ______________________

3/ Which of the following contains the most caffeine per cup? (a) Instant coffee (b) Percolated coffee (c) Coca-cola (d) Tea 6/ Emulsifiers 5/ Because it helps with the movement of food through the digestive system

4/ What weighs more? (a) 6 Kilograms of apples (b) 13 Pounds of pumpkin

4/ a - 6 kilograms of apples 3/ b - Percolated coffee 2/ b - Carbohydrate 1/ d - All of the above

Quiz answers 66

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To me, love is a deep appreciation. When I talk about loving ourselves,

I mean having a deep appreciation for who we are. We accept all the different parts of ourselves our little peculiarities, the embarrassments, the things we may not do so well, and all the wonderful qualities, too. Louise L. Hay The Power Is Within You! 67

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HEALTHY MINDFUL EXERCISE - MADE EASY!

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DID YOU KNOW THAT … The average body has about

DID YOU KNOW THAT … The lungs contain about 2,000km (1.490 miles) of airways?

5 litres of blood?

and ….. that each lung has a total surface area of 180m² (646 ft²)?

DID YOU KNOW THAT … The heart beats more than 30 million times a year? And In the average lifetime of 70 years, the heart will be at rest for 40years?

Did you know girls that …. at birth, our ovaries contain around 2-4 million eggs and then no more are produced after that?

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ADVERTISMENTS ADVERTISING SPACES AVAILABLE FROM JUNE 2021 (SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFERS)

Throughout 2021 our magazine will be published seasonally/quarterly, with a supplement newsletter soon to be offered on a monthly basis which will support our magazine - Nurturing Our Souls - NATURALLY! If you feel that your business is aligned with our purpose and mission, why not consider investing in some advertising space to market your product or service?

Special introductory advertising offers available for the first 12 months, June 2021 - May 2022. June to November 2021 FREE We offer to display your advertisement in both publications (Magazine and Newsletter) as well as, where appropriate and possible, support you and your business on our social sites and blog pages for an agreed time as well. Space will be limited so it is advised to act sooner rather than later. Sizes available for standard regular advertising are as follows; June Issue Sept Issue Dec Issue 2021 2021 2021 COMPLIMENTARY COMPLIMENTARY TBA • Business card • A4 Quarter page COMPLIMENTARY COMPLIMENTARY TBA COMPLIMENTARY COMPLIMENTARY TBA • A4 Half page 70

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ADVERTISMENTS ADVERTISING SPACES AVAILABLE FROM JUNE 2021 (SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFERS)

In addition to regular advertising space, each seasonal publication of the magazine will offer a One or a Two page Advertorial / Native Advertising Opportunity for businesses. These will be limited to a maximum of two businesses per edition. If you would like to display your business in greater detail, sharing how best you can offer support, and benefit our readers, maybe this option could be a perfect opportunity for you to consider. ( CONDITIONS WILL APPLY)

To be kept up to date, please keep an eye on our pages Facebook

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To enquire further please email admin@sewnreapwithheartnsoul.com 71

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NEWS & UPDATES NATURALLY GRACE Natural Skincare by Donna-Lynn Remember - Mother’s Day is Just Around The Corner

PERSONAL SHOPPING BALLARAT, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA. Our Certified Aloe Vera Natural Skincare and Therapeutic Product orders can be placed by contacting 0407 070 616 during business hours or messaging us on FB 24/7. PLEASE NOTE: Orders to our Head office in Queensland are placed on the 15th and 30th of each month. You can arrange for a regular reoccurring order in advance so you will always have your favourite items on hand (conditions apply).

Or If an item is required urgently it’s suggested to please place orders online so you can receive your product/s directly to your door.

Online shopping available 24/7 and generally processed within 24 business hours.

nurturingmenaturally.gracecosmetics.global

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NEWS & UPDATES Nurturing Me - NATURALLY! NURTURING Body, Mind & Spirit SUPPORTING & ENCOURAGING Self Development, Confidence & Self-Esteem

Publication – Issued Quarterly /Seasonally Next issue - June / Winter

RECENT UPDATES AND NEWS COMING SOON •

A private FB group will be operating soon for those who purchase our Planner and Journal Companions. The purpose is to provide updates specific to the P+J, also ….. … it aims to support women who dare to dream. The group will be a safe haven for members to feel supported when discussing their goals, dreams and aspirations — a place to go to to dream BIG. So many women feel they have no-one to share their dreams or personal journey with for many reasons. A common one is that they don't feel safe to do so due to fear of judgement from non-believers and unfortunately, all too often it can be those who are closest to us. The group will also be an opportunity for those who choose to communicate their journaling experiences and journey etc. if they wish.

•

A REGULAR NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION OFFER As from July this year we will be releasing a monthly newsletter to compliment and supplement the Seasonal Publication of Nurturing Our Souls - NATURALLY! This will allow us to provide tips, details and news that require to be featured and updated more frequently.

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MAGAZINE OFFERED FOR SUBSCRIPTION Also soon to be offered for subscription will be our seasonal magazine, Nurturing Our Souls NATURALLY! Instead of coming across our publication by chance or having to scroll for it you will be offered the opportunity to have it delivered directly to your email address so you don’t miss a publication.

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OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVERTISE IN BOTH PUBLICATIONS; MAGAZINE AND NEWSLETTER (PRICES TO BE PUBLISHED SOON WITH SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFERS) . More details can be found on pages 70 and 71.

For expressions of interest in submissions, message us @ facebook.com/NurturingMeNaturally For all news and updates between publications you can stay in the loop by viewing our social media sites and blog page. All links can be found @ linktr.ee/nurturingme_naturally

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ADVERTISMENTS Do You Own or Run a Business that •Encourages,

Empowers and Inspires Women to Awaken to Their Greater Purpose and Powers? •Provides

Natural Products & Services that Support Our Greater Health & Wellbeing? (Limitations apply) •Has

an AMAZING Story to Tell That Will Benefit Others? (Why not consider a 1—2 page editorial spread. •Is

Aligned with Nurturing Our Souls—NATURALLY’S Mission, Purpose and Vision? (See page ……...

CONSIDER PROMOTING YOUR BUSINESS HERE June - August 2021—FREE!

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ADVERTISMENTS For details on how you could place your ad here head to page 70

Your Business Could Be seen Here Compliments of Nurturing Our Souls NATURALLY! 3 MONTHS FREE!

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UNTIL NEXT TIME A THOUGHT TO CONTEMPLATE ......

JUDGEMENTS THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW OR UNDERSTAND US - WILL JUDGE US BUT IT IS THE JUDGEMENTS THAT WE PLACE ONTO OURSELVES THAT CAN DO THE MOST HARM Donna-Lynn Nurturing Me—NATURALLY!

TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION ON ANY TOPIC HEAD ON OVER TO OUR BLOG:- www.nurturingme-naturally.com.au FB:- www.facebook.com/NurturingMeNaturally INSTAGRAM:- nurturingme_naturally

—————————— Nurturing Me — NATURALLY! Body Mind & Spirit

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IN FUTURE ISSUES WE’LL CONTINUE •

The Journey

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Energy Healing

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Crystals

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Essential Oils

ALSO REGULARLY EXPLORE AND DISCUSS •

Self-esteem

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Confidence Building

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Latest Brain Research

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Healing with Colours

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Vitamins and Minerals

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Dreams and Interpretations

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Personality/Character Types

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Inspirational Women in History & Today

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Balancing the pH in Our Body For Greater Health .............. and much more

If you have any topic that you’d like to explore why not message us on FaceBook 77

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GRATITUDE & BLESSINGS

Donna-Lynn Nurturing Me—NATURALLY!

www.nurturingme-naturally.com.au www.facebook.com/NurturingMeNaturally

Nurturing Our Souls - NATURALLY! Issue #3