The BIG question every New Year’s Eve – CAN PEOPLE CHANGE?
It’s one of the most common questions I’m asked. And of course it’s the biggest question on everyone’s mind at this time of year as the good ol’ New Year Resolutions are being thrown about.
Hubby and I were discussing this very question in the car just before Christmas and I had a revelation. A pretty simple one. I realised that it’s my own personal experience, and indeed those of my clients, that we don’t actually change, what we do is open up, unlock, and explore a part of ourselves we haven’t yet accessed, didn’t know existed, or even pushed down long ago and either forgot or ignored.
Imagine that. I sat there a bit stunned. So, all this time I’ve been willing myself to “change” – to get better, be better, create better habits, “change” my ways to better ways…putting that pressure on myself to change me. Now, what would it mean if I actually had all this capacity within me, I don’t need to “change” anything, I just need to explore inside and unlock a new, as yet undiscovered (or forgotten or ignored) part of me??
How awesome. How liberating. How bloody exciting.
I can have my own adventure of finding new ‘mes’ inside. I sat there in the car in a sort of daze as I imagined the hundreds, if not thousands of Serena’s or ways of being me, or possibilities of being me, that were opening up inside – WOW.
And then I had another realisation – why am I so shocked by this?? I see this everyday in the clients I coach and train, in fact it’s the basis of the coaching methodology I use – moving from a current way of being in the world in a given topic, to a new way of being in the world. I see others unlock those new ways of being that offer alternatives – you don’t just throw away the old way, you simply unlock healthier, new and different ways to give you more relevant and appropriate options.
So, what can I do with this potentially powerful piece of info? Use it. Offer it to others. I’m offering it to you as you think about your year ahead. What would you like to explore for 2016? What facet of you would you like to discover, what skill, passion, habit, dream, belief, way of thinking or being would you like to unlock and play with this year? Would you like to access a relaxed you? An action-oriented you? A more playful you? A less judgemental you? A patient you? A surfboard riding you? A listening parent you?
Any and all aspects of you are available and ready to explore, and I think one of the keys here is to understand that your ways of being are just that – YOURS – not mine, not your bestie’s, not Jennifer Lawrence’s – YOURS, they’re unique to you, they’re your own way-of-being fingerprints, so there’s no pressure to be like someone else, or to “change for the better”, it’s simply a journey of touching into and honouring you.
So, as you look to the year ahead, the great year of 2016, what you is ready to burst out? What you would you like to explore, play with, and put to good use? What possibility of you would you like to realise this year? Find her, be bold and brave, greet her, get to know her, be gentle and loving with her, and let her start to play and see what she opens up for you…see what you open up for yourself!
Have a fun and adventurous 2016!
Serena has recently joined forces with Jeannine Verriest to form an exciting new venture, Luminosity HQ, offering a fun and interactive Connection Workshop Program for 2016 on the Central Coast – the first workshop in the series, held in January, is “Creating 2016 – Visions, Dreams & Aspirations”. Check out www.luminosityhq.com for details.
Serena also LOVES her work as an Integral Coach where she works with clients to gently move from a current way of being in an area of “personal stuckness” to a new way of being. She’s also a facilitator and trainer specialising in the areas of boundary setting and assertiveness.
Serena’s favourite things in the world are travelling, baking, eating, laughing, and connecting.
Visit her website www.theyouspace.com.au to check out more.
We all love the concept of starting something new! The energy and excitement that goes along with starting a New Year is a great time to harness our ability to be creative with our thoughts and manifest our best year yet. If our thoughts create our reality, then how do we let go of old patterns in the hope of getting something new and exciting to appear in our lives?
It always helps to know what it is that you want. What would bring you more Joy? What would you love more of in your life? Write it down … it can be as simple or as detailed as you like. Spend some time in quiet reflection and make your list. Ask yourself: Will this empower me? Will it awaken me to my truth? Will it bring me closer to my divine purpose?
Identify what your fears are around receiving it. What is holding you back? Is there anyone you need to send love and forgiveness to who may be linked to these fears? This process can sometimes be tough, allow yourself the time to do it well. Letting go of fear is a vital step in manifesting … you cannot receive anything if you fear NOT getting it. Trust that all your needs are taken care of. If fear is an issue for you, try using tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT) to let go of specific fears. It is a magical self-help tool that is easily learned. Try www.eftuniverse.com to find some helpful videos when starting out.
The next step is important … take the time to acknowledge your own giftedness, to see yourself as valuable, to know that you have specific qualities given to you for a Divine purpose. Write a list of your positive qualities and create a sense of awe for the being that you are. It helps to have positive people around you, valuing you, supporting you, inspiring you.
Keep your intent to be of service, rather than simply fulfilling your own wants and the Universe will be there to support you. Allow yourself to be guided to people, places and opportunities where you can serve others. When we use our gifts in service of others, life takes on the energy of ‘flow’ rather than struggle. Living with integrity is essential to the process. Intention is everything!
A great way to stay in gratitude is to ask yourself “How blessed am I?” and “How does it get any better than this?” Start noticing the small signs of grace and perfection in your life and allow them to magnify. Spend time in nature and be inspired by the beauty around you.
Sit in appreciation of the clean air, the colours, the reflections, the sounds. Become fully present to what nature has provided and be thankful. Allow the energy of gratitude to lift your spirits, to permeate your being and to allow your heart to sing. If you are vibrating at a high frequency, you will manifest your desire much faster. You need to be a ‘vibrational match’ to that which you hope to create in your life.
One of my favourite authors, Wayne Dyer said it so perfectly: Assume the energy of the wish fulfilled. Create the feelings as if you already have your desired outcome. Make it your practice to return to this ‘feeling’ as often as you can throughout your day. Continue to re-mind yourself what it looks like, what it feels like, how it begins to create change in your life when you already have your desired outcome.
When you feel yourself stuck, ask: What else is possible? Allow the Universe an opportunity to guide you to the next open door like an innocent and trusting child. Avoid getting into an energy of resistance. No self pity, no blame, no anger, no frustration … only gratitude and acceptance.
Say it calmly to yourself: This … or something better. Who knows what wonderful things may arrive to create your most beautiful and amazing life yet!!
Nici Verriest is a Registered Nurse and energy healer practicing NAET on the Central Coast, NSW. She specializes in the healing of allergies and other imbalances using acupressure and kinesiology, helping to improve both chronic and acute illness by supporting the immune system.
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful ~ Norman Vincent Peale
I’m sure you’ve already heard the Christmas carols chiming in the supermarkets and noticed the bustle begin, as we all change pace and start preparing for this wonderful time of the year! Everything begins to light up and sparkle as we immerse ourselves in the holiday cheer.
School concerts, final meetings and Christmas parties all remind us that the year is coming to a close and a new chapter is just around the corner. However, like most of us, I tend to get caught up in this bustle and forget to take time out and really reflect on the year that was.
Let’s do that right now!
Close your eyes, take 3 deep slow breaths all the way down into your belly and take a few minutes out to reflect on a couple of these points. You may even want to write some things down.
- What were the 3 defining moments of 2015 and why?
- Is there anything you are holding onto that you would like to leave behind before you step into 2016? If so, make a conscious decision in this moment to hand it over and let it go.
- Take a moment to feel a deep sense of gratitude for all the people who crossed your path this year.
- What was the funniest moment of the year or the moment when you remember laughing the most?
- If 2015 imparted 2 nuggets of wisdom on you, what would they be?
Allow this gratitude, laughter and wisdom to really settle within you. Let it to lead you through this festive season and remind you what a gift this year has been.
Take a moment to capture all the things 2015 has given to you, and that you are truly grateful for – a gratitude list. Breathe in 2015, and all it brought you and then read and offer this Christmas blessing to yourself.
A Christmas Blessing
“This year, may you feel the essence of Christmas softening your heart.
May you feel the spirit of Christmas bouncing gently between your family and friends.
May others see the sparkle of Christmas in your eyes, as you light up the table with joy.
May the food that Christmas brings, be deeply nourishing for you.
And may you dance with the energy of Christmas throughout the New Year”
Happy New Year!
Personally, I’m not a huge fan of setting goals and New Year’s resolutions. Not because I don’t think they are important, but because I prefer to live in the moment and keep myself open to all the miraculous possibilities that can emerge from the ‘unknown’. What I do like, is setting an intention at the beginning of each year. It is usually 2 or 3 lines that anchor my intention to live from my heart, to be a channel for peace and healing, to express the best version of myself or whatever the case may be.
In addition to that intention, I usually feel into the energy of the year ahead and see which words come to mind. At the beginning of this year, the following came up for me: 2015, the year of…
- Prosperity
- Passion
- Peace
- People
- Play
These 5 words set an underlying energy for me that colours my decisions, my time allocation and the way that I go about my business.
So what comes up for you when you tune into 2016?
What dreams would you like to fulfill? What kind of experiences would you like to open yourself to? What kind of energy would you like to hold as the clock ticks over to midnight? What needs to occur internally for this to be your best year yet and what would your New Year look like if you opened yourself to limitless potential?
On behalf of the Gratitude Team, I would like to wish you a very wholesome, joyful and fulfilling 2016. May you bring your most authentic and unburdened self into the world, to adventure, to play and to live a life of gratitude!
Jeannine is an energetic/quantum healer, holistic counsellor and author who practices on the Central Coast, NSW.
For questions, appointments or further information about The Beauty Evolution book, please feel free to browse my website or email me directly on essencepower@live.com.au
This Christmas we decided to put together some activities for you and your family to celebrate the season while moving your body, mind and spirit!
Here is a few things you may want to enjoy this year:
1. Christmas Tree Party
This is a tradition in my home, pick a day – normally its a Sunday, plan a special dinner (we do a baked dinner) and then, with Christmas tunes, we unravel the decorations, and put up the lights. You may even get into the Christmas spirit and break out into a few moves on the dance floor, what a wonderful way to move and also to start the season of joy and happiness.
2. Take a Christmas Light Tour
This could be either you decide to walk around your neighbourhood, or you get into your car and drive to a place where you know there will be a good Christmas light show. How about you make it a special date and invite everyone to join you, dress up or if you are in the car, put on some Christmas music and share some Christmas treats?
3. Christmas Movie Night
Pick a night and a selection of your favourite Christmas Movies, don your pyjamas and make the popcorn, this is a great night in, and certainly brings in the Christmas spirit. What is your favourite movie? Plan a date today, and enjoy immersing yourself into the spirit of Christmas.
4. Christmas, A Time to Think of Others
Decluttering is always a good thing to do, when we want to bring in new energy; and at Christmas you get a chance to give thanks for all we have, and also give to others. Some wonderful charities are popping up with you giving your pre-loved handbags (with much needed products) for homeless women, and the Salvation Army always do a great job with their Food Drive.
Moving your thoughts from what you are doing, to thinking of others, will always invite you into the spirit of Christmas.
5. Christmas Master Chef
This can start from the time you begin the research, picking the recipes and creating the shopping list can be fun, if you share the activity and engage the family.
Including the kids will take a little more time and preparation but it also creates a wonderful energy around the food and meals that get created. Their ages will influence what roles the kids can get involved in, from making their own dish to stirring the bowl, measuring the quantities to keeping count of the time in the oven, it can make for quality family time.
Extending this to setting the table, sharing your “gratitude” or special moment for the day, the week or the year is wonderful, and if you find you want to include more gratitude ideas, check out one of our previous articles, 9 Ways to Build your Gratitude Muscle.
6. Create a Christmas Treasure Hunt
Taking the familiar easter egg concept to spice up Christmas, make a game out of your present giving, and make it a treasure hunt. Be it in the home through the various rooms or going out into the garden. Connect the presents to the relevant spaces, or create a theme that makes sense to the gifts you are giving, it gives another level of thought to the gifts you are providing to ones you love, and can also make some loving memories.
7. Post Christmas Fun
There may be a tendency to sit back and take a snooze after a big Christmas lunch. Why not consider doing some movement, and aid your body’s digestion. Certain yogic positions, or even some gentle twisting would be great for warding off indigestion, a stroll around the block can give you a much needed space between lunch and dessert or even a family game of cricket.
There are many more ways we can move this Christmas, being our season is Summer – not the traditional season of winter cheer, we get to celebrate Christmas full of sunshine, trips to the beach, swim, surf, walking in the nature and summer fun!
Here’s to you having a wonderful Christmas, and if you feel inclined – post us a Christmas snap on our Facebook page and join our 12 days of Christmas experience, check out more on Christmas Blessings, Gratitude and the Childlike Wonder of Life.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a timeless classic, not just in the sense of a work of literature, but also in how it applies to our human spirit. A Christmas Carol is based around the central values associated with Christmas, which are love, compassion and mercy.
The transformation of the mean-spirited, miserly old man Ebenezer Scrooge is an important reminder that even the coldest heart can be warmed by kindness and humanity. Through the help of the three Christmas Ghosts, Scrooge witnesses the suffering of the poor and the courage of Tiny Tim, he then restores his empathy and compassion.
Perhaps it is worth while to remind ourselves the storyline of A Christmas Carol here:
Ebenezer Scrooge is a greedy businessman who thinks only of making money. For him, Christmas is, in his own words, a humbug. It has been seven years since his friend and partner, Jacob Marley (who was also consumed by greed) died and on Christmas Eve Marley’s ghost tells him he is to be visited during the night by three spirits.
The Ghost of Christmas Past revisits some of the main events in Scrooge’s life to date, including his unhappy, lonely childhood, his happy apprenticeship to Mr. Fezziwig who cared for his employees, and the end of his engagement to a pretty young woman due to his growing love of money.
The Ghost of Christmas Present shows him how joyously is nephew Fred and his clerk, Bob Cratchit, celebrate Christmas with those they love. The Ghost also informs Scrooge that Bob’s youngest son, Tiny Tim who is serious ill will soon die unless current events change.
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows him Bob’s family mourning for Tiny Tim’s passing while there is no love for him after he is gone. Scrooge then awakens on Christmas morning with joy and love in his heart. He spends the day with Fred’s family and anonymously sends a prize turkey to the Bob’s home for Christmas dinner. The following day, he gives Bob a raise and becomes like “a second father” to Tiny Tim. A changed man, Scrooge now treats everyone with kindness, generosity, and compassion; he now embodies the spirit of Christmas.
This story dramatizes the increasing isolation of those who selfishly guard their prosperity. Through the characterisation of Scrooge who becomes greedy and merciless, he is emotionally and spiritually impoverished. This is a time-less reflection on how the lack of a social conscience contributes to isolation and regrets on lovelessness in life. Yet, all these can change over night.
Don’t we all need such a reminder on every Christmas? It is so easy to get caught up in our modern commercialized Christmas where the focus is on Christmas shopping and entertaining. Certainly there is a place for celebration but wouldn’t it be even more meaningful if we spend just little more time on expressing our gratitude towards those who are kind and loving to us, and to give to those who may need a hand in hardship?
This story perhaps can be served as an invitation for you to reflect, and ask yourself, “What can I do differently this year to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas?”
To end, I would like to use Tiny Tim’s famous words that closes the story: “God bless us, everyone!”
May Love, Compassion and Mercy be with you this Christmas.
The Newcastle Embrace Life festival was so inviting, collaborative and such a beautiful community!
All the wonderful people that came to connect with us on the day, thank you!
Our workshops were brimming all day with people seeking more knowledge, and the diversity from yoga, sound healing, intuitive development, numerology, mindfulness and natural health and wellbeing, was a testament on the quality of businesses that joined us.
A wonderful music program flowed throughout the day and showcased our Newcastle talent.
We also had an amazing area with an indoor labyrinth, exotic Balinese daybeds ( supported by Exotic Interiors) and our Embrace Families with activities for the kids ( and kids at heart) to get involved in.
We are so looking forward to coming back in 2016, and invite you to join us soon, www.embracelifelivelife.com.au
Life is a gift! A close friend shared this little gem the other day, and she was so right. How often do we stop and just remember, what a true blessing it is to be here, right now and enjoying what life has to offer.
What a magical time, that we get to live! Life is full of wonder and joy, and all we need to do is allow ourselves to be open and to be present.
The ability to be aware of this doesn’t just happen at Christmas; it happens every day and we get to make choices on what reality we want to live in every moment.
Yes, I know that may sound a little too simple and “far-fetched” and it could also be hard to take on board if you want to stay in an energy of lack, frustration or anger. This is the beauty – you can decide which way you want to see your life, and for how long…..you are the master of your own destiny.
That is truly where the miracle starts.
Abundance is a choice, and is not a reflection of what we have or have not; it is how we decide to view what we do have and the joy we allow ourselves, for the gift of life.
So what does Christmas give us? It gives us many things: time with people we love, time to reflect and immerse ourselves in the special energy that builds when we all decide to take a day (or two) to celebrate Christmas and it gives you another opportunity to create the life you want to live.
Do you believe in miracles?
Have you ever believed in something, before you saw it in reality?
Are you living from the belief that you deserve all your heart desires?
Gratitude is a vibration, and like all other vibrations it resonates and attracts like minded frequencies. When you hold a state of appreciation for all you have, no matter how small that is (the miracle of breath always my first place, if I am in a really dark place) then your vibration will shift to a state of appreciation as you continue to maintain this state, and more of what you are appreciating will be attracted.
This is the miracle of Gratitude and the power of love, love of oneself and all that surrounds you.
Recognising all the little miracles you have: the ability to hear the night sounds, the sight of a rainbow, the ability to get out of bed and walk into the kitchen to get a glass of water, even the fact that your water is running from a tap and more than likely drinkable and you have sight to read this article, there is so much to be thankful for!
Celebrate these little miracles, bring yourself into the spirit of the season of Christmas.
And as this month and year comes to an end, choose to spend the month of December bringing this into our awareness; and if you would like to join us, be active in our December experience which starts on 13th December on our Facebook page, here is the link to the online event.
What thoughts come to mind when you think about Christmas? Thoughts of gratitude and mindful reflection or thoughts relating to over commitment, stress and exhaustion? For many, the latter is true.
Well we have a fun experience this December that you will love and it will give you an opportunity to win one of three Gratitude Passes for our 2016 Embrace Life festivals. By tagging your images with #GOgratitude in our online event.
Take a few moments, do you remember how you felt as a child, when Christmas time drew near?
Can you remember counting down the days until Santa arrived and imagining the gifts under the tree that he had made especially for you? As adults, the child like wonderment and excitement is gradually lost to must do’s, have to’s and shoulds.
Somewhere along the way we moved out of our heart space, the place of feeling and being into the head space of thinking and doing. As adults it is very easy to be lured into the daily stressors of life. We fall into the trap of fulfilling the expectations others place on us and those we place on ourselves. It is easy to forget about the simple things in life that bring us joy and happiness. It is easy to forget the simplicity and wonder of life.
What if I told you that this year simplicity and wonder could be accessed through one tiny yet powerful practise? A practise that reminds us what is most important in life. A practise that increases our levels of empathy, heightens self esteem, improves physical health and more. A practise of gratitude. Gratitude brings us back to our heart centred place. It allows us to be mindful and celebrate the little things in life. Little things that hold the biggest rewards.
This Christmas, the Gratitude Online Team invite you to join in accessing an attitude of gratitude through the creation of a Christmas Gratitude Space. And invite you to participate in our 12 day online and interactive experience on Facebook from Sunday 13 December, as we count down the 12 days of Christmas.
We have created an 12 Days of Christmas – Online Event, which you can post your images and share your gratitude over the period leading up to Christmas Day, remember to #GOgratitude.
The Christmas Gratitude Space ( see image below as an example) can be set up before and then will house gifts that have been placed in your path to celebrate all that is wonderful in your life. It will allow you to access the childlike excitement and joy within you.
Creating a space of gratitude is a simple process that will bring Santa sleighs full of blessings.
Here’s how:
* Choose a space that is accessible to you daily and allows for quiet contemplation. It could be a favourite place by a window, a corner in your room, a table, a shelf or a space in your garden.
* Decorate the area using items that make it warm and inviting. You may like to use a favourite scarf to lay over the table, a candle to light, an inspirational quote, crystals, a favourite photo or image. Whatever brings you calm, warmth and peace.
* Now comes the good bit! Each day over a 12 day period, hold a daily intention of what you would like to bring into your life. You may want more calm, increased self love or opportunities for growth in a particular area of your life.
* Throughout the day discover what comes to you. Whatever presents itself will be a reminder in gratitude. Think treasure hunts and all things hide and seek. It may be a feather, an experience, a movie ticket, a flower, a comment someone made that touched you in some way, a memory….the sky’s the limit.
* Add your daily gift to your gratitude space.
* Spend 5-10 minutes to capture the essence of that gift, invite it into your life and express heartfelt gratitude.
* Post each daily treasure on Face Book. Share with the Gratitude Online community how your special find ignited a feeling of gratitude within you.
* Celebrate each gift and the blessings they bring with a grateful heart.
At the completion of this experience, you will have accessed insight into the wonder that surrounds you every day and in each moment. This wonder and excitement is available to you beyond childhood and in simplistic form. It is a true gift. A gift of gratitude.
Remember to join us throughout the 12 Days of Christmas on Facebook, post your gifts and blessings so we can all enjoy the Christmas Gratitude together.
Make sure you also #GOgratitude to your posts, as we will be giving away a few Gratitude Passes to our 2016 Embrace Life festivals, at the end of the experience.
And a BIG THANK YOU to our team member, Michelle from Love, Crush, Joy, Bliss who wrote and created this wonderful Gratitude experience for us all to enjoy!
As a practicing vegan/vegetarian for the the past 11 years, I forget sometimes that not everyone eats the way I do!
However, at Christmas time, I often get asked the question – so what do you eat on Christmas day? And the answer is, plenty – like everyone, I enjoy connecting with my family, having a laugh, a lovely glass of champagne and beautiful food, so I have been asked to give you a taste of what will be on the menu at my house.
As you can see, the menu is quick and easy, as I want to enjoy the day and a lot of things can be prepared the day before with a little planning – the day will sail through.
Once the morning arrives, I love to celebrate the whole day, so music is put on and the kitchen opens, for all the fun to begin.
Breakfast, which normally is my berry and banana smoothie that I have shared, or we can pull together homemade baked beans, mushrooms, hash browns, spinach and roasted tomato, always lovely with toasted sourdough bread.
Once breakfast is finished, presents are unwrapped and we all have our morning showers, its time to get ready for our guests or to pack up the car to be with my parents. To kick off the festivities:
Nibbles, start with a beautiful home made hummus (although you can get some great ones in delis or places like Thomas Dux, I treat myself to something a little special on Christmas), this with fresh pita bread, nuts, olives, fresh celery/carrots/cucumber sticks, and marinated mushrooms – is a great platter to share on the table.
I also am known for my Bruschetta. The key is great ingredients, so a beautiful olive oil, fresh vine-
ripen tomatoes, chopped with spanish onions and a lovely sourdough bread. Fresh basil and a hint of garlic, and drizzle them once assembled with a balsamic glaze.
Then, for Lunch we have our version of a baked dinner (yes, I am traditional even in my times living in the outback we had a traditional Christmas lunch):
Baked Vegetables of roast potatoes with rosemary, sweet potato sprinkled with cinnamon, fresh beans with garlic oil, roasted shallot onions and wonderful home-made gravy.
With our Stuffed Mushroom, recipe below:
- Pick some good sized Portbello or flat mushrooms, normally it is one mushroom per person
- Take out the stalk, and chop up with some onion, herbs, garlic , breadcrumbs and a Yummi’s Eggplant Dip. Put into fridge if you are not using straight away, on the tray you will be baking them on.
- Once you are ready, place into oven at 180 degrees (Celsius) for approximately 20 minutes. Ready to serve.
If you wanted a Salad, and we have several from roasted vegetables/cous cous, greek salad, coleslaw, potato salad, here is a special one
Sweet Potato with Rocket Salad.
- Peel and cut up the Sweet Potato into sizeable chunks, and bake in the oven 180 degree (Celcius) until roasted, approximately 1/2 hour.
- Once cooked, put in a dish with fresh rocket, pine nuts, shallots and balsamic glaze. For the non-Vegans, you can may want to add some feta cheese.
Once you are ready for a Dessert , grab a pot of So Good Vanilla Ice-cream from the freezer which is perfect with an apple pie or if you are non-vegan, you may have your own ice-cream.
And if you want to do something special, here is a mixture which is great to layer with the ice-cream, i.e. a spoonful of the mixture and a spoon of ice-cream, and then repeat until your glass is full.
Strawberry and Cointreau mixture
(Hint: Best to create the night before, so the sugar has time to do its magic)
Chop up the strawberries into halves or thirds, depending on size. Soak with a good dose of Cointreau and sugar (enough to coat the strawberries).
If left to marinate, what happens is you get a wonderful liquid forming, that you can use the strawberries and liquid as a mixture as above, and create a decadent sundae.
So there it is, a Merry Vegan Christmas!
Colouring books have been immensely popular this past year, bringing much calm to people who immerse themselves in mindful colouring. Bringing colour and creativity to your life can certainly help you unwind and relax. So, would you considering sharing the gift of creativity with your family this Christmas?
We seem to naturally involve children in colouring in and play. But let’s not forget the elderly!
Being able to spend time with elderly family members is a true gift, and showing your love while making something together is priceless! Creativity can be such a bonding experience when the whole family gets involved.
It is important to remember that creative expression is about focussing on the person’s ability (rather than disability). There is no such thing as right or wrong. Creativity is more than colouring inside the lines; it’s also about going outside the lines!
The benefits of creativity
Creativity offers many benefits for the elderly, including:
- Increased self-confidence
- Feeling empowered
- Feeling happier and calmer
- Exercising fine-motor skills
- Awakening the imagination
- Exercising cognitive functioning
- Helping with focus
- Fun and enjoyment
What activities are suitable?
Activities that your elderly loved one enjoys and finds meaningful! What are they interested in? What are they good at? What was their occupation? For example, if your grandfather loves horses, but dislikes cars, it would be much more appropriate to offer him an art activity involving horses rather than cars.
Let them explore a range of media like watercolour and acrylic paints, crayons, clay, collage and wool, but don’t introduce them all at once. Keep things simple and break things down into manageable steps.
It is a good idea to give the elderly a template or an outline, as a blank piece of paper can seem daunting. Inviting an elderly person to add colour to a mandala design can do wonders, as it helps with focus and structure. Templates that are simple, and have dark and thick outlines work best.
Activity: “Stained glass window” Mandala
I recently invited an aged care group to participate in this activity, and everyone was left beaming! All people, including those with poor vision, can take part in this activity. It’s a fantastic activity to do with the whole family too.
Materials:
- Wax paper cut to A4 size
- Pencil
- Acrylic paints (several colours)
- Paintbrush
- Bottle lid (from plastic water bottle)
- Blu-Tack
- Tissue
- Black A4 paper (to frame your artwork)
- Glue stick
Steps:
- Draw an outline of a circle onto the wax paper with a pencil.
- Add large thick dots of paint inside the circle with the paintbrush (the circle outline is just a guide, don’t worry if you go over the line).
Tip: The more colours there are, and the closer the dots of paint are, the better the colours will blend in the next step.
- Push down a bottle lid to blend the dots of paint and create a pattern.
Tip: Stick some Blu-Tack inside the bottle lid, so that the elderly can hold the Blu-Tack and manoeuvre the bottle lid more easily. Also, occasionally wipe the lid with a tissue so the colours don’t become murky.
- Allow the artwork to dry.
- Cut a circle out of the Black A4 paper to make a frame. Glue the frame to the artwork.
- Display the “stained glass window” on your window, and admire the radiating colours and patterns as the sun shines through the wax paper!
Sound like fun? Why not give it a go with your family this Christmas?
Grace Randall (nee Ho) is a Transpersonal Art Therapist who is passionate about empowering the elderly to awaken self-confidence, express themselves, and nourish their lives through creativity in a supportive group environment.
Grace currently facilitates art therapy groups with people with dementia, physical disabilities and/or mental illness. She is also keen to support women to de-stress, find their voice and nurture their sense of self through art therapy. Grace has obtained an Advanced Diploma of Transpersonal Art Therapy, a Diploma of Energetic Healing, a Meditation Facilitators Certificate, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree (Psychology Honours Class I). Grace believes that showing compassion, and giving people the freedom to express themselves, allows them to flourish and live in harmony.