My troublesome Shakespeare puzzle helper.

Hello wise friend,

When piecing ourselves back together – after any challenging life situation, there is much to be gained in the liminal journey a jigsaw puzzle takes us on.

In reality, I’m contently in on-going therapy with my puzzles.

I have been rescued and repaired (many times over) by the ritual of a Meditative Puzzle Practice. I have come to embrace puzzles as a restorer of my patience, trust, resilience and courage to be with what is.

I hear the words of Glennon Doyle (over and over), from her book Untamed. “We can do hard things”.

Imagine this. As I breathe into the 1,000 pieces in front of me, I’m totally overwhelmed. Can not see any way forward. Think defeating thoughts (nothing new there). I yearn to avoid these uncomfortable feelings. Run away. Hide. Stay under the doona. Give up.

But I don’t give up.

I’ve made a small promise to myself. A tiny little choice (that’s how healing rituals are birthed). I choose to show up every day – for 20 minutes, although its usually an hour. Give my gentle attention to the confusing mess of 1,000 puzzles pieces in front of me.

Again I hear the words of Glennon Doyle “We can do hard things”

So I show up. One willing breath at a time. One puzzle piece at a time. No matter how loud my self defeating thoughts are.

In essence I am rewiring my brain. Planting seeds to bolster my resilience. Mend my courage. Dim the fear. Slow my patience. Bring kindness to the turbulent waves within me. Trust more deeply in the plot twists, turns and bends of life. The cycles, rhythms and seasons. For life is not a linear journey.

Each time I finish a puzzle, whether its taken me 4 weeks or 8 weeks I always, always, always feel a little stronger and a little wiser on the inside. It fuels me with the good stuff. My heart fills with joy. I smile.

Puzzles are a worthy ritual for self healing or as a meditative practice. I happen to think they are a bit of both.

My daily Meditative Puzzle Practice is staying. At least for now. I’m onto my fourth puzzle right now. So far I’ve finished one Jane Austen puzzle (think all the characters from her books), one Shakespeare (above). One vintage Arboretum and one vintage wild flowers both from Cavallini. I happen to think the beautiful vintage puzzles from Cavallini are frame worthy. The next puzzle I’m buying is vintage bees and honey.

Following is an apothecary ritual I’ve been benefiting greatly from of late. It may resonate with you as well. Have a read and see what you think. Anointing the spine is a simple yet potent therapeutic ritual. Perfect for when you are facing big changes in life.

Much love xox Carole

Apothecary Support – Anoint The Spine

One drop of black pepper essential oil anointed to the base and top of the spine will ignite your spinal courage. Give you the energetic push to take the next step (small or big) forward.

Anointing the spine with black pepper essential oil gets things moving again. It brings warmth, heat and a fiery boost of Qi to the potent energy channels that run up and down the spinal column.

When feeling defeated by life our posture collapses, shoulders round. Heart chakra becomes deficient. We contract. Breath is restricted. Organs become depleted in Qi and blood flow. There is a withering lethargy to our essence.

Black pepper essential oil cheers us on to stand up straight, breathe quiet strength up and down the spine.

After anointing the base and top of your spine – inhale the vibration of black pepper up the spine to the base of the skull and then exhale down the spine to the sacrum.

With each breath cycle and each current of energy you encourage up and down the spine, you find yourself organically wanting to stand taller, shoulders roll back and heart lifts. The mood and atmosphere within you shifts. You have ignited the flow of your own precious spinal courage.

You have what it takes. You know what you need to do next.

::

Weekly ritual 

Guided Rituals and Meditations

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