Whether he did or not, maybe we will never know, but from that potential event came the quote "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

What small step could you take in the coming month, that would be a stepping stone towards a goal, a dream or something you are wanting to change?

Even by just making the smallest of steps it can start something, it can start a ball rolling, it can give us a sense of achievement or hope, it could start a conversation, or give us some new info or insights.

Can you take that step straight away?  What would you need to make it happen?  If it seems like you are needing a lot for that step to happen, can it be broken down any further?

"I can't talk to my family about this Liz, they all tell me I'm the strong one, and that I've got my shit together."

But even the strong ones need that hug sometimes, that reassurance, that space, that support, that encouragement.  The strong ones also need the faith and belief, the compassion, the buddy to walk the path with them

If you are a strong one who is propping so many up, who is supporting and encouraging, but then goes home and sobs, or can feel that pent up stuff building in your body, please send us a message.  You can simply say I can't be strong anymore and we can start the conversation from there.

You do not have to walk this journey on your own.  We see you, we hear you.  We get it.

Get in touch, either for you or for someone else.  ​https://www.taranakiretreat.org.nz/contactus.html

Right now.

What is the kindest thing you could do for yourself?

Could it be to take 5 outside?
Could it be to change the bed sheets?
Could it be do to make that Doctor's appointment?
Could it be to say no to something?
Could it be to have ten minutes playing the guitar?

​What could it be for you?

World Gratitude Day this month - 21st September.

More and more I am hearing about the healing powers of gratitude.  I am a firm believer, but recently saw that it was being spoken about at a trauma event.  I feel the evidence has become so much that a regular sustained gratitude practice can really have such a positive impact.  It has been shown many times to change the neural pathways in our brain.

When we think of something enough, or often, it starts to form a pathway in our brain, just like when we take a path through some grass.  If we were to regularly walk that exact path, or repeat those beliefs in our mind then we will create a pathway, and this pathway will continue to deepen and be carved out.

However with a regular practice, we can start diverging off that original path, and creating another one.  One that, thanks to the gratitude, helps us create more positive outlooks, beliefs, patterns, habits.

And then the positive ripple starts spreading out, and after a while we know no other way, we are spotting things left, right and centre, that we are grateful for, and the best bit?  Gratitude is about keeping it small.  What are the small things right now that you are grateful for?  Here's ten of mine right away....

My heater
Cosy couch
My dinner (mine always involves food)
Great conversation this afternoon
Dried washing
Time to relax today
Family time
Someone remembering how I like my tea
Kind words
A change to blog.

Look around, what are you grateful for?

Road trip time.

Car is packed and you are on your way, destination may be known, it may not be.  

You've been driving for a bit, and there's a sign that says scenic lookout.  Do you stop?

Bit further along there is a lovely looking cafe and you are feeling a bit peckish or maybe in need of coffee.  Do you stop?

A while in to the journey you see a sign for some waterfalls that you've always wanted to visit, but alway driven past.  Do you go and explore?

You see cars parked in the streets and there seems to be a market on.  Do you stop?

I remember while road tripping about a year ago my heart and soul would be wanting to stop and explore/investigate, but my head would be determined to get to wherever we were going, even if we didn't know.  That time my heart and soul won and I was so grateful, had a beautiful curious experience.

This can also be applied in life.  When are you going to stop along the way, rather than constantly striving and driving to get somewhere.  Where are the places, you can take in how far you have come, when can you recharge, or explore or have fun?

​It's not about the destination, it is so about the journey...