Hiii lovely First name / friend,

 

 

I wrote this years ago. It was one of my first pieces after opening my Butterflies and Pebbles page on Facebook and the sentiment behind it was a real game-changer in my life. I remember the conversation that led me to these words and the feelings they evoke. I was in the midst of a heart-opening. Opening to the truth that a lot of my sorrow at the time was because I was still trying to cater for everything and everyone. And because of that, whatever it was that I wanted or intuited, I hardly had time for and I felt stifled, unseen, trapped.  It's an imbalance that we can easily fall into, in and around the holiday season too. The pressure to please and fit in never feels as intense as it does around this time of year, I think. But what a joy is found when we decide to share in these collective moments of festive celebration around the world in a way that makes sense to our hearts and indeed our special people and offer that out to the world in love. 

 

It's hard to find the magic in the air any other way. If the magic in the air makes you feel invisible, then it's impossible to extract the magic. And often we imagine that something outside of us must change so that we can get to the magic, but really it's about the poem words above. It's about refusing to hide in the shadows. It about digging your heels into the soil you are planted in and you honouring your way and your life and pulling yourself away from the habit of neglecting whatever is in your heart. It's about us seeing ourselves to the point that we stop wearing those masks that hide us away from ourselves, even. In all my years of feeling invisible, what I really wanted was to see myself enough so that I would value myself to the point of not hiding my heart away in all the people-pleasing I often felt drowned in. 

 

If we all do that until the end of this year…

 

*refuse to hide ourselves away because we don't want to disappoint anyone (and I know how hard that can be)

*dig our heels into the soil we are planted in and acknowledge our way, our differences, what is meaningful to us

*choose to not pretend we are other than what we are

 

And to do it in a spirit of love (and include some rest and downtime too), despite the madness in our world right now, imagine how well--fed our souls will feel at the entry point of 2022. There is nothing more nurturing in all the world than saying Yes to who we are in a season where in the past we have often said No.  Imagine the sparkle in your eyes. Imagine the horizon before you, with these next three weeks of saying Yes to you. There is no greater magic that enveloping yourself in the spirit of the poem above, whatever the time of year. It reminds me of the song ‘This is Me’ in The Greatest Showman (that's a great Christmassy movie to watch, if you haven't seen it already). It's the best gift you could give to your heart, your life and to those that truly love you.

 

It's just so easy to get caught up in the things of life that don't matter so much. We have so much noise coming at us out from our screens nowadays to evoke a sense of fear and distrust in each other. It can really distract us from the magic. It's so normal to feel drained by the negativity in the global climate right now, but today, I just want to remind you that your energy, hope and inspiration are precious. Protect them. By no longer trying to cater for everyone and everything like I was all those year ago and also by getting out of the habit of forgetting whatever is in your precious heart. Remembering what is inside is the way into the magic all around us. Remember that, lovely.  

On this second Sunday of December, play some Christmas songs loud. (I am playing so much Silk Sonic right now too. Honestly, Bruno Mars and Paak Anderson have recently got me through some days that have felt impossible work-wise!!) Sing in the shower. Dance in the kitchen. Get some tinsel and twinkle on in your home. Remember the things that make you sparkle. Remember the things that remind you that life is so much more than the stories you hear on the news. Be aware of the things that mean something to you.  And take it slow today. Don't let the rush at this time of year get to you.  In fact, in rebellion of the rush, give yourself a few moments of calm today. Tell yourself everything is right on time. And all will be well. And then kick back with a warm brew in hand.

 

That's what I am going with today and all this month actually. It's my focus in my Sparkle group on Facebook. It's the premise behind my 2022 The Goddess Inside Calendar and Diary. Have you got your one yet? They are a wonderful source of inspiration to protect and nurture your hope through 2022. That's really my vibe for 2022. More hope. More joy. Here's the beginning of the twelve month poem taken from them.

 

 

A life of joy is well overdue…May 2022 be full of saying Yes to more joy, to more hope, Yes to our hearts…Anyway, lovely one, that is me for now. I hope you feel encouraged to do you this Christmas time. I hope these next couple weeks are full of more calm than angst. I will try and write to you again next weekend, but this week looks to be crazy-busy as my diaries finally arrive and I need to get them traveling around the world. You can come visit me on my Etsy shop on the icons below.  There's still time to get your calendar and diary. Again, you can just tap on the images below. And remember the magic! Remember that checking in with your heart is a way into the magic.

 

I was actually going to write to you about The Struggle Versus The Sparkle today, but this came out instead. Maybe that will be the next email…

 

Happy Sunday!

 

Much love, 

 

Samantha xoxo