If you’ve had your annual break, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed mine.

Two weeks is not a long break, but it was enough to allow me to recharge my batteries and prepare for the year ahead.

It also allowed me to hang out with Peter, and friends and family, which is something I don’t always find the time to do because I’m really good at filling up my life with stuff to do.

Don’t get me wrong, that’s not a bad thing; so long as I allow for balance, the trouble is - I don’t always do that, in spite of my best intentions.

There are just so many things I want to do and so much I want to learn, and I get this sense of urgency going on, like I’m going to run out of time. This means I sometimes bite off more than I can actually chew at one time; putting myself and often those around me under unnecessary pressure. I know this about myself, and it’s something I’ve been working on over the last 8 years of having Inspire Me.

I guess you could say I’m a recovering NOW PERSON, learning to LIVE IN and ENJOY THE NOW, instead of packing so much into my life that I don’t actually get to stop and enjoy it.

Last year was a perfect example of packing too much in…

Early in the year I began creating a little booklet called Becoming Positive, in which I share techniques I use for becoming and staying positive, no matter what’s going on around me. I completely underestimated how much energy and time this little book would take up, but we got there, and I’m thrilled with it.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, I stumbled across Kickstarter (a crowd funding platform), and decided that that would be just the ticket to help me complete and launch some other tools for wellbeing that I’d been working on for a couple of years.

It was an awesome idea, but the timing wasn’t right, and with hindsight I can see that I would have benefited from waiting another year; that creating the ‘Becoming Positive’ booklet, not to mention running a small business, was enough for one year. However, at the time (which incidentally wasn’t far off Christmas - our busiest time of year), I got caught up in that old pattern of…

 NOW!                                                                                                                                                                                             IT HAS TO BE NOW!

And so, after a huge amount of work on my part and that of my team of amazing Earth Angels, we launched the Kickstarter Campaign that, if successful, would enable us to begin production of the Angelic Wheel of Guidance and the new Crystal Intention Kits.

And you know what?

Within days of launching, I had a big wobble that helped me discover two things about myself; one was a familiar trait and the other was a new one that came out of left field…

1. I still have work to do on that NOW aspect of my personality, as in learning to recognise when my Inner Being and Angels are guiding me to slow down.
2. That I have some real issues about promoting myself, which is basically a key element of running a Kickstarter Project. I can talk all day long about the work of others but when it comes to something I’ve created, I found that hard.

So, the Kickstarter Project didn’t meet its target, which meant we didn’t get funded, and I could have looked on that as a failure, but thankfully I didn’t. Instead I was able to see it for the awesome experience it was, resulting in…

1. The completion of the new Crystal Intention Kits, which have met with an enthusiastic response from our customers.
2. The almost completion of the Angelic Wheel of Guidance, which I will complete this year, at a manageable pace.
3. The knowledge that I still have work to do on that NOW THING, and on my CONFIDENCE and FAITH IN MYSELF.

The reality is, life is full of wobbles, and it’s what we do with those wobbles that’s important. That’s one of the things I love about New Years. It helps us look at…

1. Where we’re at
2. Changes we’d like to make
3. What goals we want to focus on for the year
4. A plan for implementing those goals

Have you taken time to do that yet?

If not, I recommend that you do.

And make it soon, because before you know it we’ll be half way through the year.

Namaste

Michelle

It’s so easy to be constantly caught up in the busyness of life that we forget to nurture our Creative Side. For me, creativity takes a variety of forms, such as changing a room around at home - something I’ve barely done since opening Inspire Me, because I have plenty of scope for that at the shop.

I love it when one of my fellow Earth Angels says to me (randomly) “What do you think about moving these over to there…” and we drop everything and start moving one thing, which often means changing a substantial chunk of the shop around. By the time you realise just how big this moving one thing is going to be… it’s too late and you’re committed. An hour or two into it I make noises of…

“Oh My God, why did we start this?”

“I really don’t have time for this, I have a gazillion things to do” 

But they know, and I know, that I REALLY LOVE IT!

A lot of my Creative ideas are ‘Tools for Life’ I’d like to develop, like the ‘Becoming Positive Booklet’ I’ve just written, which we’ll be launching in the next couple of weeks, ‘Smudging & Blessing Kits’, ‘Crystal Kits’ and ‘Shower Affirmation Kits’, all of which I’ve developed and launched over the last couple of years. 

Yesterday I picked up a Creative Project I’ve barely thought about, let alone touched, in over two years. In fact, I began that project before any of the ones I just mentioned, and I’m not sure why it got buried, but yesterday morning (Sunday), which is usually my lie in day, it floated its way up into my consciousness. 

So, I’m lying in bed, tossing and turning, trying not to think about the crystals and header cards I needed to order to make up kits that we’ve run out of, like the Shitty Day Kit, that we’ve been out of for a while. By 7.15am I decide to get up before I disturb Peter, and prepare a shopping list.

Then, somehow, I found myself sitting on the couch holding ‘The Angelic Wheel of Guidance’ and thinking “I’m ready to do this now”. I didn’t spend too much time thinking about the ‘why now?’ at that moment, I just got stuck in and let my creative juices flow, spending a very pleasant few hours ‘creating’ throughout the day, in between having lunch at ‘The Little White Rabbit’ in Foxton and wandering along Foxton Beach with Peter and Chico, and an Awesome ‘Moving Meditation’ with Anne Elliott and friends last night. 

This morning, upon reflection, I know that this tool is going to help me take my meditation to a whole new level, which is why I began developing it nearly three years ago. I also get that ‘I needed to know more’ before I’d be ready to finish it, hence it’s getting buried. 

I guess the moral of this particular story is, when you ‘get the nudge’ in relation to unfinished projects, don’t ignore it, just go with the flow, and let it take you where it will…

Namaste

Michelle

One of the things they really focused on was meditation, and while meditation has been a part of my life for several years now, I’ve never felt like I’m achieving what I could be with it. I know it makes a difference in my life, especially when I meditate regularly, and in fact, I can usually feel the difference between days I do, and days I don’t. But still, I’ve known that there is much more to it than I have so far experienced, and this was confirmed during Matthew’s time here.

With that in mind, and their gentle insistence that I learn to slow down my mind, so I can go deeper, I arranged for Peter and me to have a weekend at the beach, which we’ve just done. I packed a couple of books on meditation; one was Thich Nhat Hanh’s ‘The Miracle of Mindfulness’, which I read in a few hours.

Mindfulness is a huge topic of interest throughout the world today, and something I’ve been aware of the importance of, but hadn’t really practiced in any intentional way. Why? I couldn’t really tell you, other than that I haven’t chosen, until now, to make it a serious intention, because I guess I’ve been a slave to my busy mind.

Is that a bad thing? Yes and No. I have achieved much in my life, with intention, drive and passion, and the ability to juggle several things at one time. Could I have achieved more if I had been more mindful? Probably, but I’m not going to waste time on thinking about what might have been. I’ve spent enough of my life doing that, and from now on my intention is to learn to live much more in the moment, instead of constantly flitting from one thing to another, scattering my energy.

This is huge for me, as I’ve always prided myself on being able to focus on several things at one time, believing that this is a big part of why I achieve as much as I do. However, I love a challenge and living a much more mindful life will certainly be that.

So here goes - a new stage in my life is unfolding…

Namaste

Michelle

When Matthew Greenwood first contacted me in April of this year, I really had no idea how much of an impact he would have on my personal life, and the lives of several of my team of Earth Angels, not to mention those of our customers who were fortunate enough to either have a one-on-one session with him or to attend one or more of his workshops.

What I did know was that I liked the feel of his energy, even over the phone. We spoke regularly over the next wee while as we planned his trip, so that by the time he arrived in late July, I felt we’d known each other for a long time. I remember the buzz of energy we felt in the store, when he arrived, not actually realising what I’d felt until the end of the day, when Kellie and I were reflecting on what a buzzy (as in a feeling of momentum shifting) day it had been. And this pretty much sums up Matthew’s presence here for the last two weeks or so, BUZZY, BUSY and BLOODY AWESOME!

I was incredibly fortunate to attend almost every event he ran (perks of the job :)) and the effect on me has been profound. Matthew also stayed with us, which meant that there were many conversations had in the kitchen, the lounge and the car (including the drive down to Welly airport on Tuesday).

I tell you this not to boast, but because I’m filled with incredible gratitude for this life changing opportunity. I’ve been having epiphany’s left right and centre, with light bulbs going on all over the place, whether it was at events or during conversations at home. However, the most significant moments for me, were during my one-on-one Shamanic Consultation with him, where he channeled three of my Guides, in particular a Beautiful Angel (who would have guessed LOL), who not only affirmed the path I’m on with Inspire Me, but also the importance of stepping up my writing journey.

I came away from that session with crystal clear knowledge and intentions as to what my purpose/role is, for the foreseeable future, as well as that of Inspire Me, and those who choose to be part of this journey. Our job is to raise our own vibration, and to help others raise theirs, which when you strip it back to everyday life stuff, is really about becoming more and more positive, which means less time being negative, because you can’t be both at the same time.

If you didn’t manage to have a session with Matthew or attend one of his events, and wish you had, you’ll be pleased to know that we’ve already mapped out his next trip in March, so make sure you get in early. We’ll give you plenty of notice, so watch this space.

Namaste

Michelle

I’ve been on a journey for a few months now, writing a little book that will be available soon. I love writing, and I enjoyed writing a weekly column for one of our local papers for several years, until it felt like it had run its course, as things do. From there I began dabbling in blogging, but found myself to be an ‘on again-off again’ blogger, in reality more off than on.

I’ve known for years that I’ve got a book or two in me. I even attended a Hay House Writers Workshop a couple of years ago; and yet, there was still no book on the horizon, in fact I found even less time to blog, or rather, I didn’t make the time to blog.

Namaste

Michelle

I set myself a goal a few weeks ago, that I would write a Blog every Monday morning, in fact I set myself the intention that I would ‘write’ every Monday, and that I’d start out with a weekly blog.

This morning, after meditating, and then listening to a You Tube clip, which is how I like to start my day, I was reflecting on how I was feeling, and two words that came to mind were Happy and Content. That was my guide for today’s Blog, and once I was at my desk I googled definitions for Happiness and Contentment, and found these…

Namaste

Michelle

Are you milking the wonderful little things that make you smile each day, even if only for a moment?

I try to remember all the small things that made me smile that day so I can write them in my Appreciation Journal each night, and yesterday there were so many to record I filled a whole page.

Namaste

Michelle

Little rituals that we practice on a regular basis are important for creating and maintaining a happy, healthy life. They help improve our energy and vibration, no matter what’s going on around us, whether that’s in our personal lives, or globally. We’re bombarded daily with negative crap that, if we allow it, drains us, allowing negative thoughts and energy into our personal space.

So, what can we do about it?

I have several rituals that I consistently use on a daily basis, and others that I’d like to use daily and weekly, but don’t always get there, because my intention isn’t strong enough, which I must say - annoys me.

Ticking myself off about the stuff I don’t do as regularly as I’d like, is a waste of time and energy and does nothing to help me stay in a positive and healthy state of mind.  Celebrating and feeling good about what I do include in my daily or weekly life, on a regular basis, is far more productive and helps me achieve my intention of living a happy, healthy, financially free, extraordinary life, which is one of my daily affirmations.

What I do practice daily, is…

• Saying positive affirmations in the shower
• Keeping an appreciation (aka) gratitude journal
• Aspiring to complain less
• Choosing and wearing crystals that feel good, on or about my person

What I do regularly, but not always daily, is…

• Meditating for at least 15 minutes
• Spending time setting my intentions for the day
• Listening to or reading something inspirational for at least 15 minutes in the morning
• Deliberately connecting in with my Inner Being & Spirit Helpers
• Saying the Ho’oponopono Prayer just before sleep and upon waking
• Taking time to deliberately make everyone I meet feel like ‘somebody’
• Planning my day and filtering out distractions

Other rituals I like to do regularly, but get there less frequently, include…

• Getting up at 4.30am for an hour and a half of ‘ME TIME’, Monday to Friday
• Visualising my goals and dreams, daily
• Going for a walk, mindfully appreciating the sights and sounds around me, daily
• Talking to my son and grandchildren in Australia, weekly
• Spending time with one of my friends, at least weekly
• De-cluttering my environment and giving stuff away, monthly
• Smudging my home and myself, fortnightly
• Blog my thoughts and inspirations, weekly

My intention for the month of July is to…

• add as many of the rituals from the second list into the first list as I can
• add as many of the rituals in the third list into the second, or even more ambitiously, the first list

I’m going to check in with myself at the beginning of August to see how I’ve done and I’ll let you know.

You might like to take a look at your daily routine and think about…

• Do I actually have any healthy rituals to help me stay positive no matter what’s going on around me?
• How often do I do them?
• How do I feel when I use these rituals on a daily basis?
• What sort of rituals could I introduce into my daily life?
• How will I fit these rituals into my daily routine?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT, AND ACTION IF YOU DARE

Namaste

Michelle

 I love this quote.

I have spent a lot of my life waiting for things to be 'just perfect' before actually doing a lot of stuff I really want to do. Does that sound familiar to you?

There is no such thing as the 'perfect moment'. Hmmm, thats not quite right, perhaps it would be better to say that 'the perfect moment, just might be right now', not tomorrow, not next week, not next month or next year, and definitely not when someone else tells you it is. You'll know! That is, if you allow yourself to be guided by your intuition, and stop over-thinking it.

On a personal front, I can remember years ago, not wanting to join a gym until I'd lost weight so I wouldn't feel so bad around all those gorgeous, slim, fit people. Thankfully I got over myself and when I did join, I met a bunch of people who were just like me, overweight, unfit and self-conscious about being judged. I also met people who were slim and fit and self-conscious about being judged. But you know what, they didn't give a rat's ass about how slim or fit I was. They were there for their own reasons and we all gave each other encouragement. They were my Gym Buddies and I had several years of fun with them.

On a professional front, I can remember a more recent time when I had spent five years wanting to develop a particular product, and kept putting it off by telling myself that I didn't have enough time, that I needed to do more research, what if I didn't get it 'just right? when really, they were just excuses to avoid being judged by others.  I was judging myself, because I wasn't sure I 'knew enough' or was 'good enough',  I mean ... "who am I to think I can develop my own range of products?"

The products, a range of Crystal Kits, are so popular, and I have many 'personal development tools' I want to develop, that I know will benefit lots of people.  And you know what?  I KNOW I'LL DO IT! I also know that I'll probably produce the odd Dud, and thats okay too,  I'd rather take the risk and produce the odd Dud, than forever wonder what it might have been like if I'd 'given something a go'...

Personal development is learning to trust yourself and the decisions you make, and the 'perfect moment' is a crock ....

So... I no longer wait for the perfect moment. I take the moment and make it perfect!

Well, not always, I am a work in progress, after-all.

Namaste

Michelle

"Worrying is using your imagination to create something you don't want."

WOW! the knowledge of this can be LIFE CHANGING STUFF, and while it may take a life-time to not only learn it, but actually do something about it...

THAT'S OKAY, cos I believe that's all part of the plan I made at a Soul Level, which in essence was to LIVE A JOYFUL LIFE.

So learning that I have better things to do with my imagination than create 'stuff i don't want in my life' by worrying, gives me a great focus.

At 57 years of age, I am very much a work in progress, and while I 'know a lot of stuff', actualising it is sometimes challenging. I recently experienced a brilliant example of that, as I found myself worrying so much about a situation that by the end of the day (that had started so beautifully) my Energy was at such a low level that I got Erin to smudge me.

That doesn't happen to me very often and it wasn't until after I meditated the next morning that I realised what I had allowed to happen and was able to bring myself back to the level of alignment I usually inhabit.

Namaste

Michelle

I was talking with a chap yesterday who I've known professionally for about two and a half years. A man who has always been bright and cheerful, and very reliable. I discovered another side to him, or more accurately, I learned more about him, what motivates him, and how he deals with one of the shittiest times anyone can face, and I found it a very inspiring and moving experience.

I had tried contacting him back in November about some work that I needed doing, and after he hadn't returned a couple of calls, I started asking some questions because it was so unlike him. I discovered that his wife was very unwell, and so I backed off, not wanting to add to what was obviously a very challenging time.

Yesterday, I walked into the shop and looked at the 'thing' that needed attention, and decided that I'd give him a call and see if he was answering his phone. I had no idea where things were at with his wife, so when he answered the phone I felt a little uncomfortable, firstly for intruding, and secondly because calling someone about a job you need doing when they're going through really tough stuff... is not easy.

I should have known better, having been through some pretty tough times myself, because he made it really easy for me and we scheduled in a visit for later in the day. Before I hung up I asked the hard question and he let me know that his wife had indeed passed away. He then proceeded to apologise for not getting to me sooner about the job and I tried to admonish him for even thinking about apologising, which was rather difficult because talking around a big lump in your throat is not easy.

True to his word he arrived later in the day and we discussed and scheduled in the job. Before he left I did of course ask how he was doing. There was no way I wasn't going to, because thats who I am, its what Inspire Me is about, and I know he would have known that and prepared himself for it.

What followed was one of the most inspiring conversations I've ever had with a Good 'ol Kiwi Bloke. He talked about the cancer journey he went through with his wife over a seven year period, how courageous and inspiring she was, the amazing things they did together, things that were on her bucket list.

He talked about the final trip she made overseas to a Treatment Centre that they hoped would give her even more time with her family (they have five children), about the initial excitement of feeling a big improvement, to the phone call saying that she wasn't feeling good and wanted him there. He talked about hopping on a plane and flying across the world to be at her side; about being with her at the end 'of this particular journey' (those are my words); about organising the cremation of her body so he could carry her home to NZ so she wouldn't be on her own; about the wonderful and respectful treatment he received from everyone throughout that long journey home.

He talked about the amazing support he'd had and the importance of being there for their kids, making this huge transition as easy as possible for them; about building a new life with them, and so importantly, about having no regrets.

As our conversation came to a close I gave him a card, an Apache Tear crystal and a Hug. He could see that I was doing my best to control my emotions and he said "Don't you cry" and I said "I'm really trying". He wasn't to know that I'd been using every ounce of strength throughout the conversation to hold back the tears, because I'm an emotional person and crying just happens when I'm really happy, really inspired and really sad. But somehow I knew he wouldn't be comfortable with that, so I did my best to honour him by holding it back.

Then he left, and Erin was on hand to give me a Big Hug.

Namaste

Michelle

I've just completed Day 2 of the Complaint Free World Challenge (again). I was on Day 18 Saturday until mid afternoon on a trip North to visit my friend Bear at Waikato Hospital. I criticised a driver who was hogging the passing lane. I didn't rave or anything, I just said "He's decided not to let us pass. How rude." By the time How rude was coming out of my mouth I knew I'd blown it...

Ah well, its only mid February and I've already made it to 17 1/2 days and I did an 8 or 9 day stretch before that, so I'm feeling really good about it.

Sunday morning we were in a cafe at Te Kuiti with Freya for breakfast and Peter and Freya's breakfasts arrived. I waited a few more minutes and mine still hadn't arrived so i went up to the counter. I suspected that the young woman who served me had misheard my request for 3 lots of pancakes and she confirmed this. She was so sorry and looked surprised and grateful for my "no problem, shit happens" response. They had my pancakes at the table within five minutes, which was great and what was even greater was that I had felt no inclination to criticise the staff member.

This Challenge is doing me so much good, just as it could do you lots of good too, if you were brave enough to give it go and fail, and give it a go and fail, and give it a go and fail, and just keep giving it a go...

So, in the words of one of my favourite actors - Clint Eastwood, in the movie 'Sudden Impact'...

"Go Ahead, Make My Day!"

and join me in...

'The Complaint Free World Challenge'

Go forth and have a Terrific Tuesday!

Namaste

Michelle

For the last 15 years Peter has been my Valentine and in the early years we would choose cards and gifts for each other and go out for dinner to celebrate this special day. The gifts we've chosen for each other have been very interesting at times, including 'Tattoos of Angelic Symbols'. We did this twice, although there was a year in between the two, while I got over the memory of the pain.

In later years we haven't gone out for dinner so much and sometimes we simply get a card for each other, and perhaps a little heart. Peter isn't on facebook so I won't be spoiling any surprises when I say that this year I'm making his Valentine's card. I'll be digging out my old scrapbooking stuff and... OMG! that just reminded me... I think the best Valentine's gift I ever gave Peter, was to scrapbook our wedding photos, 3 years after we got married, which would be 8 years ago. They'd been sitting in a plastic bag all that time LOL.

I'm working from home today cos I've got a bung foot and I need to keep it up for a bit, so I just dug out the album and what a 'wonderful trip down memory lane it was'. I'm going to give it to him all over again this Valentine's, so please don't mention it if you see him before then. I might even post some pics of it on Valentine's Day.

Now Peter hasn't always been in my life and there have been plenty of Valentine's Days when I didn't have a 'significant other' in my life. I can remember getting Valentine's cards from my kids, ones that they'd made themselves, and they were some of the best ever.

I guess what I really want to say to you is...

Yes I'm a retailer, and yes we have some beautiful hearts and things that we'd love you to buy for your sweetheart, whether its your lover, your partner, your mother, your father or your bestie, but you know what? A card you've made yourself, a special meal you've cooked yourself, a romantic picnic dinner somewhere nice... what wonderful gifts they would be.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope its a wonderful experience.

Namaste

Michelle

It was one evening a few years ago, when Peter and I were driving to the wedding of good friends Mark and Pauline. It was the night before the wedding and we'd stopped in Dannevirke for dinner which meant it was dark and we were on unfamiliar winding roads.

We were listening to Luther Vandross and when the song 'I'll Never Dance With My Father Again' came on, the impact on me was swift and profound. The next day was the anniversary of my fathers death, I don't remember which anniversary and thats not important, what was important was that it was the first one that I wouldn't be sharing with my Mum. Not only that, there was no one else there to be with her, which was a big deal for me. We shared all those special dates, doing something, whether it was going out for coffee or a meal, we were always together for them and I was already feeling the absence of that.

So here we were driving along, this beautiful song playing, me sobbing along to it and Peter driving, knowing what I was going through.

A little while later we came round a bend, slowly, because we were in unfamiliar territory, and there right in front of us was the most beautiful stag, just stood there staring at us. It was one of those moments in time where you hold your breath, perhaps because you don't want it to end. That stag seemed to be staring straight at me and we held eye contact for what felt like ages and I knew I was experiencing something incredible. Then he gracefully wandered off the road and up a bank out of sight.

Peter and I both seemed to release our breath at the same time and we looked at each other, almost like we were seeking confirmation that we'd both witnessed this magical thing, that it wasn't a figment of our imagination.

I can't remember everything I said to Peter, though I do remember saying "Oh My God!" several times over and "There has to be a reason for this encounter, I don't know what it is but there has to be a reason." For the remainder of our journey, which was only a few minutes to the B&B we were staying at, I kept racking my brain trying to think why we had been blessed with this. I just knew that there was more to it than the gift of seeing a stag a couple of metres from us. I think it was the way he stared at me...

We arrived at the B&B and after mentioning our encounter to the hosts who had never heard of anyone else having an experience like that so close by, we got caught up with settling in and catching up with people and before I knew it, the whole thing was pushed to the back of my mind.

Next day, before the wedding we went for a little drive around and as we drove our encounter with the deer came to mind.  I remember saying to Peter "I wonder if we'll see out deer today". In an instant I knew. The emotions were overwhelming and I didn't have to say anything because somehow Peter got it too...

I knew it was my Dad, popping in to let me know he was okay, that everything was okay. Dad was a real animal lover, and I grew up around animals. People would bring sick critters to Dad to look after and nurse back to health if he could. Whats more, deer are one of my favourite animals and he knew that.

I tried to call Mum to tell her what had happened, however I wasn't able to get coverage on my mobile, so we went back to the B&B and asked if I could use the phone. Now Mum didn't believe in any of this stuff and she would often roll her eyes at me when I talked about it. So picture me in the kitchen of this B&B, where staff were doing stuff (there was no-where private) telling Mum what had happened, balling my eyes out and barely making sense I should think... God knows what the people must have been thinking.

Mum didn't say much, however she didn't rubbish it and I felt better for having shared it with her. I know that a good deal of the emotion I was experiencing was around guilt at not being there with her, our bond was very close, as was the bond I had with my Dad.

I got off the phone with Mum and tried to call my sister Ness to tell her, as I knew she would get it. I couldn't get through and I found out later that Mum had rung Ness straight after getting off the phone from me and that Ness could barely understand a word she was saying because she was crying so hard. Mum and I didn't really talk about it much but I knew she believed, even if just for a few moments, and that it felt good.

Namaste

Michelle

Hannah and I were the Earth Angels on-duty at Inspire Me yesterday, and I knew as soon as I walked through the door that it was going to be an awesome day.

The 'energy' felt so lovely as I walked through the shop, bidding the seen and 'unseen' good morning, a practice I began a long time ago.

It had such an effect on me that I texted the Earth Angels who had been on-duty the day before thanking them for leaving such a lovely 'feeling'.

The 'feeling' delivered on its promise and Hannah and I had a wonderful and productive day, completing the processing of our new Himalayan Salt Lamps, with the help of my daughter Ferne, who popped in to give us a hand, as well as chatting with people who wandered through the door.

One such series of conversations was with a family from out of town who regularly visit us and I really enjoyed showing them our Dinosaur Poo specimens.

Quinn a young member of this family has developed an interest in crystals and was excited to show me the Treasure Cabinet that houses his growing collection of crystals, as well as lots of other 'treasures'. I'm attaching some photos he emailed me and you can see quite a few tell-tale organza bags in his beautiful cabinet.

I love it how parents, such as Quinn's are so patient with their kids who just love to wander around Inspire Me, discovering all sorts of treasure. This can take quite a bit of time and their support and encouragement is lovely to watch.

Thanks Quinn (and Quinn's Mum and Dad) for allowing me to share your Treasure Cabinet here, and I look forward to catching up with you next time.

Namaste

Michelle

* a passionate conversation with my Soul Sisters last night about the treatment of Native Peoples in many countries around the world by their fellow countrymen. To say I can be very 'opinionated' (although I prefer the word Passionate) is probably an understatement, so toning that down and taking the judgement out of those conversations is something of a challenge.

* and earlier in the day, discovering that someone had stolen the 'donation tin' from the counter, which was a real blow, particularly as Kellie had seen someone take it in December and we'd chased him down the street and got it back. That discovery had come hot on the heels of finding that some beautiful crystals were also missing.

So I probably could have been excused for doing some complaining. However I didn't, I just asked my Angels "WTF is that about?" in a non-judgmental way:) 

I'm serious here, I am really trying to figure out what that is about. How/why am I attracting this stuff? As I was typing that it came to me that I need to meditate on it, which I will do, because I know there is some important learning to be gained from this.

For now, I'm on DAY 3, working from home, so I should be safe, although Peter's still on holiday so I'll still need to have my wits about me LOL.

Go forth and have a FANTASTIC FRIDAY...

Namaste

Michelle

I have just put a new brew of Kombucha in the bathroom cupboard (cos I think its probably the warmest place in our house) to begin the 2nd stage of fermentation that will give me yummy fizzy lemon Kombucha to drink.

And then just cos I'm on fire this morning, I began my next new brew of Kombucha that'll sit on the kitchen bench for 7 days (which is what I have found works for me).

I posted a couple of months ago about beginning my Kombucha journery and since then I've made maybe 4 or 5 brews. My intention is to make a new brew every week, however I haven't quite got there yet. I also intend creating lots of different flavours and while I've tried a few I keep coming back to lemon.

If you haven't heard of Kombucha before, its a fermented tea that you can either have still or fizzy (by adding a 2nd stage of fermentation). I choose fizzy because I love that fizzy sensation in my throat. I don't drink alcohol and I very rarely ever drink soft drinks, which means that I mostly drink sparkling water in the evenings and coffee and water during the day. Now I can have lovely fizzy Kombucha as a change and thats great.

My first batch was gorgeous! I actually didn't get to drink that much of it myself, because I was so proud of it I took it to the shop and shared it with my fellow Earth Angels there, and the odd nervous customer/friend. Really I was showing off, because anyone who knows me knows that the kitchen is not one of my 'happy places' normally, and so this fabulous outcome was a real celebration.

Subsequent brews have been mostly good, although not always as fizzy as I'd like because I hadn't screwed the lids on the bottles tight enough.

I forgot to mention that Kombucha is a Pro-biotic Powerhouse, so not only does it taste great, its good for you... How cool is that.

If you'd like to try creating your own lovely Kombucha you can pick up a copy of DIY KOMBUCHA from Inspire Me, and if I'm around I'm very happy to talk to you about my experiences to date.

You will need a scoby to get started and I got mine from the lovely ladies at Organic Living in Terrace End, where they give them away.

Go forth and have an AWESOME DAY.

Namaste

Michelle

It's interesting how much energy we expend complaining about the weather, perhaps partially because it’s a soft ice-breaker, especially if you work in retail, which means talking to lots of people every day. So finding positive ways of talking about it is going to be fun.

I haven't been complaining about the weather because it mostly doesn’t bother me and also because I'm wearing my 'Complaint Free World' bracelet again, and have been since January 2nd. Yup, I'm giving the Complaint Free World Challenge’ another crack and I'm doing very well. So far I'm on my 4th consecutive day of not complaining, which is the furthest I've got this year (all 20 days of it), and when I have transgressed it has only been once or twice in a day. Last year I think I got to about 12 or 13 days in a row, and then I started back at work and it all turned to shit really. It’s a lot easier when you’re working from home and not seeing anyone LOL.

 I carried on with the Challenge for a while, however (not but) my heart wasn’t really in it. I was going through a rough period and I guess I found it more attractive to feel sorry for myself and complain. By the time I’d worked my way through my rough patch (as you do) I’d forgotten about the Challenge, which is a shame as it really does help raise your vibration and keep those self-doubts and fears at bay, as does reading, watching or listening to inspirational stuff, meditation and surrounding yourself with people who uplift you.

So, it’s DAY 4 and I’m rock’n this Complaint Free Challenge!
Go forth and have a WONDERFUL day.

Namaste

Michelle

Woke up 20 minutes late, which meant my 'me time' in the spa was going to be cut short. Grabbed my phone with the last instalment of the You Tube interview between Oprah Winfrey and Esther Hicks, opened the back door and it was hosing down. SHIT, I thought. Actually I think it might have been the F word.

Now rain in itself isn't a problem because we keep a nice big umbrella by the back door for these occasions, and I don't mind sitting in the spa under an umbrella, which I prop up at just the right angle to allow me to, read or listen or even watch my laptop. However this morning it was also blowing, and as we know umbrellas don't like wind and technology doesn’t like water.

So, it was time for Plan B. I thought briefly about Plan C, which was heading back to bed to meditate', which really would have been a euphemism for 'going back to sleep'. So I headed to the couch ignoring the little voice in my head that was telling me that I now only had about 30 minutes left before I needed to be in the shower… so really, it was hardly worth the effort…

Once on the couch I turned on the You Tube recording and surrendered myself to the enjoyment of listening to Oprah & Esther and it was everything I hoped it would be.

 Esther reminded me that we have the choice to 'paddle furiously upstream or push against stuff' or to just 'let the current take us downstream or go with the flow'. I'm so glad I chose to 'go with the flow' because I know that the result of that will be an AWESOME DAY!

Already, here I am writing my first BLOG for 2017 and shortly I'll be spending the day hang'n out with lovely people (including Vivacious Viv our lovely Admin Earth Angel) in my beautiful Inspire Me Store and Wellness Centre.

Some might say I'm very lucky. I say luck's got nothing to do with it.

I am one hell of a powerful manifester, AS ARE YOU, if you just give yourself half a chance and don't give up, no matter what!

YOU CAN CREATE FOR YOURSELF AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE!!!

Have an AWESOME day, week, year…

Namaste

Michelle

Our Biggest Selling Diary every year…

The 2017 Gratitude Diary by Melanie Spears has arrived. It looks beautiful, it feels beautiful and it’s packed with everything you want in a Diary and Daily Planner.

 You’ve got…

• Moon Phases
• The Year at a Glance
• The Month at a Glance
• Gratitude Spaces
• Inspirational Quotes
• Pondering Spaces
• Reflection Spaces
• And it makes an AWESOME CHRISTMAS GIFT!

Every year we SELL OUT and I anticipate the same happening this year.  Each year I bring in more, and we still run out, so don’t wait too long before getting your copy.  

Melanie’s describes her focus for this year’s Gratitude Diary as being… Inspiration and I certainly find it inspiring.

I found the following on her website and thought you might enjoy it…

TO BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT IS A PERSONAL PATH TO FREEDOM

It is with a deep sense of satisfaction that we welcome you to your next year with the latest edition of the  “Gratitude Diary and Daily Planner”.

To be Grateful for “what is” has been a personal path to freedom.  When we stop to allow and fully accept the reality of this current moment – NOW – a calmness and centeredness is revealed and available to us.  With this diary, we are hoping for you also, to find the inspiration to stop, smell the roses, and take stock of what is truly important, in a world that appears to be turning in an ever increasing pace.

Take a moment each day to breathe and ask yourself the following questions…  What is it that you are currently grateful for? What is good? What is working and what is valuable?

In your daily planner you will notice a space at the beginning of each day to journal these thoughts.  You will be amazed at how this very simple practice and commitment will expand for you what is good and what is true!

There is an old saying “where your attention goes, Energy flows”.  It takes just 5 minutes and the positive effects will last a lifetime…Your lifetime.

We wish you an abundant and evolutionary year and would love to hear about your experiences and miracles you will inevitably encounter.

With Gratitude,

Melanie Spears, Creator and Justine Page, Your New Zealand connection

Namaste

Michelle

I couldn’t believe it when I came across these exquisitely presented perfumes in hand-blown glass bottles from the Song of India range.

It was such a ‘blast from the past’ as I remember seeing them as a young woman (some 30 + years ago) and wanting them just for the bottles. I was a young Mum with a big mortgage at that time and perfumes were a luxury I didn’t often allow myself then, and I've never come across them again until now.

Well, I’m obviously going to get a bottle or two or three myself this time round, and thankfully the perfumes are lovely and MOST IMPORTANTLY – THEY ARE CRUELTY FREE.

We’re starting with just three fragrances at the moment…

• Opium (everybody’s favourite)
• Night Queen
• Violet

and we’ll grow the range over time.

Feel free to pop in and try out our testers, and if you’re a perfume bottle collector, these bottles will delight you.

Namaste

Michelle

I've been listening to this beautiful CD for about four years now and I never tire of it. I must admit that I love to turn up the volume when no one's around and lose myself in its beauty.

Wychazel through his music has the gift of being able to transport you to another place...

The slow, hypnotic heartbeat of the Shamans drum evokes the deep sound of thunder, opening the way between the physical world and the world of vision Quest. The Shamans flute is the song of the wind as it calls and guides you into the domain of the White Wolf Spirit.

Continuous music with no silent breaks between tracks. Featuring Shamanic Drums & rattles, Native American flutes, spacious synthesizers, atmospheric effects and sounds of nature.

When asked "What attracted you to the wolf?" Chris Green (Wychazel) responded...

"It’s mostly about their high-standing in Native American mythology. The white wolf is especially enigmatic because of its legendary ability to roam freely between the physical world and the spiritual planes of existence. It is said to walk with us during times of need in the role of protective spirit, teacher and friend.

Aside from such cultural traditions, the wolf is a creature who understands the need for mutual support in order to survive and never takes more from the environment than it needs. There are clear lessons for humankind here – at least for anyone who wants to listen.

From a recording standpoint, the sound of the wolf is a true gift; one of those rare sounds that can add the kind of primal atmosphere to a track that can’t be achieved any other way. The howl of the wolf, either solitary or in a pack is immediately recognisable and so beautifully expressive when you hear it. All kinds of environmental images and atmospheres are conjured up in the imagination that you simply don’t find in musical genres other than New Age."

ABOUT CHRIS GREEN & WYCHAZEL...

Chris Green’s career spans two decades, first appearing on the new age music scene as part of Runestone, since establishing himself as an award winning solo artist.
His music is highly atmospheric, transporting the listener through vivid soundscapes inspired by the power of ancient sites, ancient cultures and natural landscapes. His unique sound incorporates unusual, authentic and sacred instruments. With a catalogue of 36 published albums, Chris is a popular artist of the New Age genre and a regular presence in the MG Music top ten listings.

Namaste

Michelle

Do you like wearing (or the thought of wearing) beautiful symbols on a daily basis, to inspire and influence you in a wonderfully positive way as you go about your daily life?

I do, and mostly I wear it in the form of Crystal Jewellery, however after playing with these new beautiful pendants, earrings and rings I can see I’ll be adding to my collection…

Even after seven years, I still love unpacking ‘new stuff’ and I get to do it on a regular basis, because I just keep finding lots of gorgeous ‘new stuff’.

This week it was some beautiful inspirational jewellery fashioned in Sterling Silver, some of which have aspects plated with Rose Gold and some complemented with Clear Cubic Zirconia and others with brass balls containing tiny Balinese Xylophones.

If you’re a regular at Inspire Me you’ll know that I like to introduce a variety of styles, which generally means that there are only small quantities, so please don’t be disappointed if we’ve run out before you have a chance to check them out.

What you’ll find (in the jewellery cabinet) or online are…

• Tree of Life (pendants & earrings)
• Triquetra (pendants, earrings & rings)
• Pentacle/Pentagram (pendants, earrings & rings)
• Seed of Life (pendants)
• Ankh (pendants, earrings & rings)
• Angel Wings (pendants & earrings)
• Harmony Ball (pendants)

If you’d like to know something about the different symbols, feel free to go to the Jewellery Section of our Online Store at www.inspiremeonline.co.nz

Namaste

Michelle

Local Author, Patti MacIntyre, who lives on the Kapiti Coast, has written an 'allegorical fable' in verse.

Now that was a new term for me so I googled it and found this from the Miriam-Webster Dictionary…

‘a story in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life or for a political or historical situation'

To be honest we’ve had Patti’s book in store for some time and I hadn’t read it. She contacted me last week to see how it was going and we talked about making it the 'book of the week'.

Now I haven’t read every book I make book of the week (I wish), however this book is small and perfectly formed and once I started reading the description on the back, it drew me in.

For me, Patti’s fable is about…
• overcoming fear
• adjusting our thinking
• quieting the mind
• taming the ego
• learning not to wallow
• being impeccable with your word
• finding your power
• asking for guidance
• learning to ‘trust before you see’
• learning how to make wishes come true
• healing the earth one mind at a time

This is an AWESOME little book that for me 'packed a big punch', and would make an excellent ‘gentle and non-threatening' introduction to learning how to change your thinking and therefore your life.

Patti called in today and signed all the copies we have in-store.  She's working on her next book at the moment and that should be published in the next few months.  

Namaste

Michelle

Have you discovered KOMBUCHA yet?

To be honest, I hadn’t even heard about it before, and I was just drawn by the words on the cover of a book while ordering for the shop. ‘60 tonics for health & happiness’.

We all want better health and more happiness… right?

DIY KOMBUCHA
60 Nourishing Tonics for Health & Happiness

• A flavourful probiotic powerhouse
• Everything you need to know to brew your own 
• 60 recipes

This book has been a hit from the first day we got it in.
And then my good friend and Massage Therapist Rach and I were talking about getting back into smoothies now the weather is warming up again and it prompted me to finally take a good look at this book.

I have to say I’m rather excited about setting up my own little brewing operation in the kitchen at home, and perhaps I’ll be more successful at that than I am at cooking, who knows...

While out walking Chico, our dog, I mentioned to Peter that I’m going to set up a little brewing operation in the kitchen.

“What, like beer?” he asked; looking rather shocked because I don’t drink alcohol.

“Sort of” I replied, “You start with this SKOBY thingy…” at which point he interrupted with a rather irreverent... 

“Hmmm, that sounds… really delicious” and I knew I’d lost him.

Anyway, this excellent book will take you steep-by-steep (and step-by-step) through the process of creating your own flavourful probiotic powerhouse.

It gives clear information on how much kombucha to drink a day, the alcohol content in kombucha, why home-brewing isn't dangerous, what to look for in your brewing equipment, and lots more.

You also get all the fermented tea recipes you could ever want, including master teas, quick mixes, infusions, juices, smoothies, and even healthy mocktails.

I’ll let you know how I get on with my little brewing operation…

Namaste

Michelle

What an awesome stone Snowflake Obsidian is.  Part of the Obsidian family of stones, which is molten lava that cooled very quickly, it is known as a stone without boundaries or limitations. Obsidian may help with…

• encouraging us to grow personally
• forming a shield against negativity
• grounding
• relieving tension and stress
• blocking geopathic stress

And in addition to the generic properties of Obsidian, Snowflake Obsidian may help with…

• balancing mind, body and spirit
• soothing and calming
• learning to value mistakes
• recognising and releasing wrong thinking
• meditation

We currently carry Snowflake Obsidian in pendants, pendulums and tumbled stones.  We also often carry it in bracelets, flat stones, rough rock and generators.

Namaste

Michelle

Can you see yourself or someone you care about, spending a delightfully tranquil hour or two at the table with a gorgeous colouring in book, watching amazing images come to life at your hands?

What a beautiful way to relax and unwind of an evening or at the end of a busy week, and while it sounds like fun, its actually a great form of meditation that really can help you to empty your mind and be in the moment.

Jasmine Becket-Griffith has created an amazing colouring book full of 55 of her favourite characters that will delight many.

It’s not just a colouring book; it’s a FANTASY ART ADVENTURE to be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Some of the designs are more intricate and promote a more meditative adventure, while others are less detailed, promoting a simpler adventure.

Jasmine has included an enlightening description about the original art work that the design is based upon and its individual character.

Truly a wonderful gift for yourself or someone you care about.

Namaste

Michelle

Rhyolite - believed to ignite the potential and creativity of the soul, while also helping to anchor you in the present moment, this beautiful stone seemed like the perfect companion to this week's Book of The Week, Jasmine Becket-Griffith's Colouring Book.  

For some reason I think of little dinosaur eggs when I see these stones and they always make me smile. Recommended for use in meditation, I haven’t tried them yet, but will do so now.

Rhyolite is also believed to help with…
• past life healing
• enhancing self-esteem and self-worth
• dealing calmly with life’s challenges

Rhyolite is not a crystal that I come across in many forms and currently we carry it in tumbled stones and rough rock only.

Namaste

Michelle

This book is a stunning collection of some of the amazingly haunting art work of Jasmine Beckett-Griffith.

Combining elements of realism with fantasy and the surreal, to create her beautiful art, Jasmine also weaves fairy tales and the beauty of nature into her art.

Her trademark liquid-eyed maidens and their gorgeous companions evoke a wide range of emotions and responses to the surrounding imagery.

However this book is not just art work, it includes wonderful stories about each character. It is indeed a Fantasy Art Adventure and will make a great gift for yourself or someone you care about.

Jasmine has also created Oracle Card Decks and illustrated decks for others such as Lucy Cavendish. She lives in Celebration, Florida with her husband Matt and their cats, and also divides her time between her secondary studios in Kansas and London. Her work hangs in collections worldwide and is regularly featured in various merchandise lines (including her work with Disney), books, galleries and other publishing projects. When she's not painting, Jasmine’s time is spent on traveling, vegetarian cooking, reading, and spending time in nature.

Namaste

Michelle

Challenges around FAITH and TRUST are common for most of us and I know from my own experience that when I have Faith and Trust ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

I also know that I regularly challenge myself in this area and so I have a variety of practises that I use to keep my vibration raised. These include...

• Reading something inspirational for at least 15 minutes each day
• Listening to my favourite inspirational teachers for some of each day (even if its just while I'm in the car)
• Saying affirmations in the shower each morning
• Meditating for at least 20 minutes daily
• Carrying or wearing whatever crystals I'm drawn to that day.  

Because these little rituals/practises work so well for me I created a variety of Crystal Kits and the FAITH & TRUST KIT is one of my favourites. The INTENTION I have placed into this kit is that it will help you to...

HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF AND THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE, WHILE TRUSTING THAT THE UNIVERSE REALLY DOES HAVE YOUR BACK, EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT SOMETIMES.

And while I have placed my intentions for you into this kit, you need to do your part and place your own intentions into it. You might also like to cleanse or clear the crystals regularly to keep them fresh and free from negativity.

Some of the ways you can do this is with sage, incense, salt water (sea or rock) and you can place them outside under the full moon. Be aware however, that some crystals prefer not to be immersed in water and some don’t like salt. It can be a good idea to consult a crystal book or google for cleansing information for specific crystals.

Namaste

Michelle

We’ve just got a new shipment of Himalayan Salt Lamps in, which I’m very grateful for as I’ve been apologising to so many people this last week because we ran out completely.

Anyway they’ve arrived, we’ve processed them and they’re all ready to take home.

I feel like we’ve supplied most of Palmy with at least one Himalayan Salt Lamp, which is obviously a slight exaggeration, but I thought that for those of you who haven’t experienced living with a Salt Lamp yet, I’d tell you a little about them and what they do.

A wonderful addition to any home, office or treatment room Himalayan Salt Lamps are believed to be beneficial in a number of ways, including…

• improving the quality of the air in your environment
• acting as a natural dehumidifier
• generating negative ions
• alleviating symptoms of asthma, allergies, insomnia and headaches
• reducing the effects of electromagnetic smog, offsetting some of the nasties that come off our computers, microwaves, cell-phones and TV’s etc…

So what are Negative Ions and what do they do for us?

Negative ions are created when a molecule gains a negatively charged electron which is attracted to airborne 'nasties' like dust, mould and other pollutants and potential allergens. By attaching to these 'nasties' they give them a negative charge and, rather than drifting in the air, they fall to the floor or nearest surface. It is said that even bacteria and viruses circling in a room may be heavily reduced by negative ions attaching to them and removing them from the air.

After selling Himalayan Salt Lamps for nearly seven years, I can tell you that I receive so much positive feedback from customers who love their lamps. Some of the feedback I get includes…

• “I sleep much better now I have a salt lamp in my room”
• “My asthma is not so bad now”
• “My allergies are a lot better”
• “Having a salt lamp in my room has sorted out the condensation problem I had”
• “My son is a lot happier having a salt lamp going in his room at night”

And you know what? As well as all the wonderfully healthy attributes that Salt Lamps have, they also create a lovely ambience in any room. 

Namaste

Michelle

Study and sitting exams can be a real challenge and I am often asked if there are crystals that could be useful.

We have lovingly put together a little Crystal Kit that you can have on or about you while you study or sit exams, or even when you need help with focussing on work or creative projects.

The kit contains…
• Amethyst
• Variscite
• Calcite
• Fluorite

Some people find study easier than others, I for one am easily distracted and I need help with maintaining focus, especially if it’s a topic that doesn’t really grab me. Then I start to procrastinate.

Exams are another thing I found a real challenge. I could be doing well in assignments and then only just scrape by in the exams, which was really frustrating and disappointing. I know I’m not alone in this as we have people regularly asking for help with study, or even just focus and concentration. Hence the creation of this particular kit, which I hope will help with concentration, focus, nervousness and other aspects of study.

While I have placed my intentions for you into each of these kits, you need to do your part and place your own intentions into them. You might also like to cleanse or clear them regularly to keep them fresh and free from negativity.

Namaste

Michelle

I read 'The Four Agreements' (by Don Miguel Ruiz) several years ago and I truly believe that it should be compulsory reading in schools, it is so powerful and yet so simple.

I created little cards of the actual agreements and stuck them to my bathroom mirror to help me learn to live by this wonderfully practical Toltec Wisdom.

THE FOUR AGREEMENTS ARE…
• Be impeccable with your word
• Don’t take things personally
• Don’t make assumptions
• Always do your best

BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD…
• Speak with integrity
• Say only what you mean
• Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others
• Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love

DON’T TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY…
• Nothing others do is because of you
• What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream
• When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering

DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS…
• Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want
• Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama
• With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life

ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST…
• Your best is going to change from moment to moment
• It will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick

To be honest, I’m still ‘a work in progress’, but I’ve never forgotten the four agreements and they have certainly influenced my life.

No one has ever abused you more than you have abused yourself and the limit of your self-abuse is the limit that you will tolerate from someone else.

I remember reading that and thinking OMG THAT IS POWERFUL STUFF! and I‘ve never forgotten it.

In The Four Agreements, don Miguel reveals the source of self-limiting agreements that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. When we are ready to change these agreements, there are four deceptively simple, yet powerful agreements that we can adopt as guiding principles. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.

How does it get any better than that?

We currently carry The Four Agreements in the following forms
• Book
• Audio
• Card Deck

Namaste

Michelle

A Sleep Better Crystal Kit to pop under your pillow or hold while you sleep.

• Amethyst
• Howlite
• Moonstone
• Lepidolite

How’s your sleep?

Feeling tired and frustrated due to lack of good sleep is something we hear a lot about at the shop and there are all sorts of reasons why we become sleep challenged, but two of the most common I hear about are…

• an overactive mind, often due to pressures at work or finances
• fear and anxiety, about big and small things

The good news is that there are all sorts of ways we can help ourselves to get a better night’s sleep, and here a few you might like to try…

• Place one of our crystal kits under your pillow or hold it in your hand while you sleep
• Get to bed at a regular time each night
• Don’t eat too close to bed-time
• Put some lavender oil drops on your pillow slip
• Play relaxing music while lying in bed
• Meditate before going to bed
• Have a cup of ‘real’ chamomile tea before bed-time (which you’ll find locally at The Cottage Apothecary in George Street or Organic Living in Terrace End)
• If you wake up and can’t get back to sleep you might like to try meditating and you might even try getting up and meditating in another space, then go back to bed.
• And if bad dreams are an issue, try hanging a dreamcatcher above your bed (not against the wall)

The important thing is to ‘DO SOMETHING!’

Don’t allow yourself to be a victim of sleepless nights.

Remember to cleanse your crystals regularly to keep them fresh and free from negativity.
Some of the ways you can do this is with sage, incense, salt water (sea or rock) and you can place them outside under the full moon. Be aware however, that some crystals prefer not to be immersed in water and some don’t like salt. It can be a good idea to consult a crystal book or google for cleansing information for specific crystals.

Namaste

Michelle

Smudging with Black Sage (aka Mugwort) 
to create a life less ordinary

Smudging with Black Sage is said to…
• stimulate dreaming and visions
• enhance intuition
• aid introspection and inner-healing

We’ve just launched a range of Smudging Tools that we’ve imported from the U.S. and branded under our own label (which, I might add, is pretty gorgeous), and if you live locally come and check out the awesome stand we’ve built (from driftwood, wire and flax) to display them.

When people think of smudging, most think of White Sage, but there are many other herbs and plants that are used in smudging rituals and ceremonies and this week I want to share with you a little of what I’m learning about BLACK SAGE (aka MUGWORT).

BLACK SAGE is found in the mountains of the West Coast of the U.S. from California right through to British Columbia in Canada. Renowned for its subtle, sweet scent and properties, it is believed to…
• purify and clear negative energies and emotions
• be good for introspection and inner-healing
• stimulate creativity
• enhance intuition and stimulate dreaming and visions
• help with astral travel and shamanic journeying (and protect during)

There is lots of great information online about SMUDGING and we include a basic information sheet in our smudge packs, to get you started on your smudging journey. So give it a go…

Bearing in mind that simple Smudging Ceremonies/Rituals, call upon the Spirits of sacred plants to restore balance, they can easily be added to your self-care routine regularly, to CREATE AND MAINTAIN WELL-BEING IN YOUR HOME OR WORK ENVIRONMENT.

And while we’re speaking about the Spirit of Plants my friend Anne Elliott gave an Amazing Presentation on ‘The Music of Plants’ last Sunday, which I really enjoyed.

Anne is offering a 30-40 minute ‘Plant Music Healing Meditation’ at Zing Studio on the 28th of August, which I am really looking forward to attending. If you’d like to attend or know more about that very special event, check out the WHAT’s ON page on our website.

Namaste

Michelle

Feeling Anxious? 
Turn down the Anxiety Volume with a Kit of Crystals to hold and play with when you’re feeling Anxious

• Amethyst
• Sodalite
• Pyrite
• Blue Calcite

Feelings of anxiety and depression are experienced by many people, for different reasons and for different lengths of time. Sometimes the feelings are quite mild and intermittent and sometimes they can be overwhelming and for long periods of time. If that’s the case it’s a good idea to seek professional advice from a Health Practitioner.

For some, Winter can be a time of feeling low and anxious about things that don’t normally bother them. The short days (not enough sunlight) and long nights; damp, cold and moody weather can be reflected in our moods and vibration and the vibrations of our home and workplace and the people around us.

So we can talk about it, blog about it, get a pity party going, or just allow it to quietly overwhelm us, generally making our lives miserable...

OR WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Here are a few things you might like to try…

• Carry a Crystal Kit on or about your person and play with the crystals when you feel the need
• Smudge your home (or bedroom if others you live with aren't keen) regularly, and even your workplace if you’re able to
• De-clutter your home and work environment
• Meditate and if you find that a challenge listen to guided meditations (and don’t worry about those random thoughts)
• Get regular exercise (walking is great) and just get outside more
• Eat and drink well (make little improvements at a time if that works best for you)
• Read or listen to books on personal development (just a few minutes each day really can make a difference)
• Don’t eat too close to bed-time
• Don’t work too close to bed-time or you’ll just take it to bed with you
• Play relaxing music during the day and/or at night as you go to sleep
• Have a cup of ‘real’ chamomile tea before bed-time to help you sleep and in the morning to help create feelings of calm (if you live in Palmy you’ll find them at The Cottage Apothecary on George Street and Organic Living in Terrace End)
• Place your crystal kit under your pillow or hold it in your hand during the night
• Get plenty of sleep

DON'T TRY AND DO ALL OF THESE THINGS AT ONCE!

Introduce the steps one or two at a time...

BUT DO SOMETHING! or nothing will change.

Remember if you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting the results you've always got...

While I have placed my intentions for you into our Crystal Kits, you need to do your part and place your own intentions into it. You might also like to cleanse or clear the crystals regularly to keep them fresh and free from negativity.

Some of the ways you can do this is with sage, incense, salt water (sea or rock) and you can place them outside under the full moon. Be aware however, that some crystals prefer not to be immersed in water and some don’t like salt. It can be a good idea to consult a crystal book or google for cleansing information for specific crystals.

Namaste

Michelle

I AM SO EXCITED!!!

We’re in the process of launching our own range of SMUDGING TOOLS, which we’re importing from the U.S. and presenting to you under our own label.

Smudging has been around for thousands of years and has attracted a lot of interest in recent times because so many people are finding that it really does make a difference. Hence my decision to create our own range of smudging products.

The first Smudge Products to be rolled out include…

• White Sage Smudge Sticks
• White Sage & Cedar Smudge Sticks
• White Sage & Juniper Smudge Sticks
• White Sage Loose Leaf
• Black Sage Smudge Sticks
• Sagebrush (aka Mountain Sage) Smudge Sticks
• Shasta Blue Sage Smudge Sticks
• Shasta Blue Sage Loose Leaf
• Cedar Smudge Sticks
• Cedar Loose Leaf
• Juniper Smudge Sticks
• Yerba Santa Smudge Stick
• Yerba Santa Loose Leaf
• Palo Santo Holy Wood

And that’s just the beginning...

We’ll be adding to the range in the next few weeks, including Smudging Feathers that we’ll be creating ourselves from pheasant, peacock and pukeko feathers (all cruelty free).

Read on if you’d like to know more about Smudging…

SAGE and other HERBS and WOODS are used in a variety of ways by many cultures. While it is commonly associated with Native North American Traditions it is not exclusive to their culture and has been used by others.

Smudging calls on the spirits of sacred plants (the most common of which is White Sage, but also a variety of others) to restore balance. It is the art of cleansing yourself and your environment by using simple ritual and ceremony and it is recommended that you do it regularly to CREATE AND MAINTAIN WELL-BEING IN YOUR HOME OR WORK ENVIRONMENT.

As a Law of Attraction Nut, I prefer to focus on what I am wanting to bring into my environment, whereas others may focus on what they wish to remove from their environment, such as negative energies or entities.

Some of the ways Sage and other Herbs have been and continue to be used include…

• as a cleansing herb, to purify the mind, body and spirit of negativity
• cleansing a new home, in readiness for moving in
• cleansing a space after an argument or ‘event’
• as a means of purifying environments and personal and sacred items
• carrying it in a bag or the pocket for personal and spiritual safety
• to promote healing and spirituality
• clearing spaces of unwanted entities
• in manifestation work to attract abundance
• clearing properties in readiness to sell
• and much more…

Smudging has a relaxing and calming effect on people, pets and spirits that can be felt immediately.

WE ARE NOT EXPERTS ON SMUDGING or HERBS, however to help you get started we have put together an information sheet that comes with your Smudge Stick or Leaf. There is a great deal of information on ‘The History of Smudging’, ‘How To’, and ‘Rituals’ available online.

Namaste

Michelle

Well, WE DID IT…

WE HAVE LAUNCHED!!!

The Website/Online Store, that is…

I knew three years ago that we’d do it, although we didn’t actually start it until about 18 months ago. And here we are, up and running.

I had no idea it would take so long and it’s by no means finished, as we only have about 10% of our product (if that) on there right now, but that’s okay as we are UP AND RUNNING and we’ll just keep adding product .

The images, many of which I have been taking with my samsung galaxy phone (which actually takes awesome pics), leave a lot to be desired because I really don't know what I'm doing with the resizing, but thats okay because we’ll change them over time for better ones. 

My friend Susan is going to show me how to resize properly, once I manage to catch up with her, and I'm sure she'll pass on lots of other tips as well. Some of the pics are also from our suppliers, hence the different backgrounds.

So… What can you expect from our Website?

• An Online Store obviously, with lots of interesting and inspirational stuff

• An introduction to the Awesome Practitioners who operate out of our Wellness Centre

• A What’s On Page that connects people to Regular Groups and Events and One-Off Events around the region and sometimes further afield.

• My BLOG, which is really just me, rambling on about Things that have captured my attention or about life in general, or about Stuff that’s happening at Inspire Me…

I hope you’ll be patient with us as we learn how to operate our website and online store. Yes we’ll make some mistakes, but we’ll also do our best to put them right as quickly as possible. It’s how you learn – after all.

One of the biggest challenges we face is that our warehouse is our shop, and because we stock a huge range of products we only carry small amounts and lots of one offs. We have invested in an integrated system that tells the website when something has sold, which it then removes from view. However what it can’t tell the website is when someone has ‘nicked it’, which is going to be a bit of a Challenge for us, because, believe it or not, it happens quite a bit.

To be honest, while I knew this was going to be a BIG JOB, I really didn’t have a clue as to HOW BIG! I also had no idea that we would be doing so much of it ourselves. It’s really quite amazing what Viv and I have learned over the last few months. We now know about stuff like SEO, integration, optimisation, drilling, cache (as opposed to cash) management, CMS, payment gateways, shipping, static blocks, sliders and attributes to name just a few…

I’m so proud of us and I’m so grateful that I’ve had Viv walking this journey with me. I think she’s probably feeling more exhausted than grateful right now… YOU ROCK VIV!!!

And I’m also grateful to the rest of the Earth Angels that work with us for contributing to the site in various ways and for holding the fort on different occasions and stepping up to extra hours to enable me to work on this project.

So please, tell your friends and family about us, especially those who are out of town…

Namaste

Michelle