A Blessing for Depression

Bless those souls who are deeply depressed.

Let them know 

their inner light is more resilient

 than the clumsiness of humanity 

and the ups and downs of daily life. 

Let them know

 that their presence is needed in our world,

that in the small everyday moments of life

they make a difference.

Let them know

 that in the depths of their despair

they only need to hold on so they can

evolve beyond the pain. 

Let them know

that whilst much of their pain is very personal, 

there is also a collective pain
and deep sorrow running through our world
 as we try to reconnect to each other 

and to our mother earth. 

Their soul is needed for this evolutionary journey and 

others share their pain.

Help them to float free 

of their addictions and self-harming habits 

so they can truly love themselves and others unconditionally.  

Warm their heart with sunshine, 

grace their eyes with your beauty and 

set them free from their pain.

By Julie O'Neill 27/8/2014

Wilderness Warrior

I wrote this blessing some time ago for a friend who gave her life to campaigning for the preservation of nature.  She is no longer with us but her presence lives on in the thriving Ecosystems that she helped to protect and the people she inspired.

Bless our friend Di.

Let her know how much she is loved.

Let her know that her presence has changed the world.

That in the small everyday moments of life,

her passion, 

runs like a river from one person to another,

continually flowing for all time.

Let her know that if her life passes from her physical body,

 her presence will still live.

That we will hear her voice in the cry of a parrot,

we will see her beauty

 in the brilliant colours of the flowering rainforest trees,

hear her anger in the tropical summer storms,

and feel her love in the warm sand.

For Wilderness Always xxx

Do you have time to stroll?

No I don’t mean a 6am power walk.  Do you have time to meander?  To shoot the breeze with neighbours?  To watch a bird building its nest? Or are you filled with a nagging feeling, no matter what you are doing, that there is something else that needs your attention?  Is your mind constantly racing trying to keep all the balls in air? Are you hanging out for a holiday so you can just catch your breath? I was reminded recently of the power of walking.  My nine year old son had begged to come running with me.  I reluctantly said ‘yes’.  My morning run is my time and I didn’t want to give it up.  We started out well, running but soon we slowed to a walk and the talking started.  Every time we would get into a good rhythm my son would stop and fire another question at me.  When I asked him why he kept walking, his answer was quick, “I can’t run and talk”. Sometimes talk is cheap but not when it is with your 9 year old son.  So we walked and talked all the way home – it was delightful.  But my story doesn’t end there.  Walking really became important to me when I had my first baby.  When I couldn’t get him to sleep, the 9 year old talker, I would put him in the pram and off we would go.  Apart from a sleeping baby, which is better than winning the lotto, were the people I met.  There was Gwen who lived in the old workers cottage who had a terrible cough from years of smoking. Lenny, who had a head injury from World War ll, which still gave him terrible headaches but didn’t stop him from weeding the grass the length of the street.  Glenda, who has the most beautiful flower garden.  Ross, who lived alone in the same small house for 50 years and collected model trains.  Last but not least, I have to mention the bus driver whom I have been waving to for 9 years.  At first it started as a polite, ‘thank you,’ wave when he would stop to let us cross safely at the roundabout, to a genuine wave of friendship even though we have never spoken a word.  I could keep writing about the many beautiful characters that live in my community but I would be here all day.  They all enrich my life and create that precious sense of belonging to a community.  My point – the walking allowed the space for the talking but more importantly, my lifestyle choices and living by my values allowed the space for the walking. I hope you find the space for stroll soon.

To Dye or Not to Dye

In 2005 when I made a simple New Year’s resolution to be more environmentally accountable little did I know that in 2012 it would result in lots of grey hair.  I am sure many of them had been around long before 2012 but I couldn’t see them, or if I did, I quickly pulled them out or covered them up. 

When I made the decision last year to stop colouring my hair I announced it on Facebook.  Why is the fact that I decided to stop colouring my hair at 40 news worthy?  Is it my ego driving me to explain to the world why my hair is grey?  Was it my ego 8 years ago when I was sitting in a salon, just before I gave birth with my scalp burning, urging me to perservere so I looked good for my birth photos? 

So why did I stop dying my hair? Was it because it wasn’t safe for me and my baby? Is it safe for you and your baby?  Are the new organic dyes safe? I am sorry but I can’t tell you.  There is so much conflicting information out there and so little research.  In the end we only have our own wisdom.    

My little voice had been gnawing at me for some time.  Logically I knew it was my vanity driving me to dye my hair.  I know that true beauty comes from within, that the people who truly love me don’t care what I look like.  When I made my 2005 resolution I realised how tough being accountable is.  I expect my government to be accountable for how it spends my taxes but being accountable myself is another matter. It is so easy to be seduced by the trappings of our society because ‘I'm worth it’.   I knew that when I was choosing to spend $90 every eight weeks to have my hair cut and dyed that it was money I was choosing not to spend on feeding a starving child, or sponsoring an endangered animal, or working less so I could spend more time with my children.

So do I want you to join me in the grey hair club… yes I do.