Category Archives: Values

Africa, Birth Place, Creativity, Extraordinary Voices, Human Wildlife Coexistence, Nature, Storytelling, Values, Wildlife Conservation

Odyssey of my Wild Heart: A Journey of Trust, Light and Magic

A couple of years ago, I made a promise to the Universe: I would learn to trust my intuition. This commitment set me on a transformative journey, one that has allowed me to reconnect with the calm, clear voice of my authentic self, separate from ego. My Year of Trust in 2022 was filled with dreams fulfilled and crucial lessons in balancing what I can create and what I allow to unfold.

As I moved into 2023, I embraced the themes of Light and Love, further deepening my soul journey. This year was about finding balance in how I love and embracing my true self—what I like to call my Sunshine Reflected. I chose love over fear, which has led to an incredible synergy and abundance in my life, allowing me to live my Dream Life fully.

In this space of Love and Light, the Universe introduced me to an unexpected muse, a soul connection rich with love, radical authenticity, wisdom and insight. This relationship, along with those of my Soul Tribe, has illuminated my path, revealing that my creativity is my Soul Gift and Great Purpose. I’ve come to appreciate the significance of my identity as a Conservation Storyteller.

My belief in the energy that connects all things is strong. Tapping into this cosmic energy fuels my intuition and instinct, guiding me to seek wisdom from both Nature (Mother Earth) and the Universe (Sky Father). This reflection inspired my thoughts for 2024—an exploration of the concept of Reclaiming Wild. Drawing inspiration from Ian McCallum’s poetry, I aim to embrace the ideas of Wildness and Wilderness as integral to my soul’s vocabulary, reflecting my connection to Nature and the seasons of my life.

Wilderness
Have we forgotten that wilderness is not a place,
but a pattern of soul where every tree, every bird and beast is a soul maker?
Have we forgotten that wilderness is not a place
but a moving feast of stars, footprints, scales and beginnings?
Since when did we become afraid of the night and that only the bright stars count?
or that our moon is not a moon unless it is full?
By whose command were the animals
through groping fingers, one for each hand, reduced to the big and little five?
Have we forgotten that every creature is within us
carried by tides of earthly blood and that we named them?
Have we forgotten that wilderness is not a place,
but a season and that we are in its final hour?
Ian McCallum

With Trust and Light as my foundation, I embarked on a reclaiming of my Wild and Untamed self. This journey has been about embracing my Wild Heart and empowering the sacred feminine and divine masculine within me. By reconnecting with my authentic self, I can live wholeheartedly and fulfil my Great Purpose.

As I reclaim my internal Wild, I hope to be more in tune with Nature, allowing this spiritual rewilding to enhance my contribution to the Conservation Collective I’m part of. This group is dedicated to physical rewilding as a Nature-based solution for the environmental and social challenges we face.

Rewilding is a messy, real, and imperfect process—much like Nature itself. It teaches us to embrace the beauty in imperfection and understand what it means to be human. In this journey, I am excited to embrace my magic and the happy wanderer within me, which I have dubbed the Odyssey of My Wild Heart.

The next phase of this journey is a physical one, focused on my purpose as a Conservation Storyteller. It’s about collecting stories that convey the Geography of Soul—capturing what it means to be profoundly connected to the spirit of place. This narrative intertwines community with ecosystems, aiming for human-wildlife coexistence.

The term Geography of Soul, a phrase that continues to whisper to me as my Odyssey takes shape, encapsulates the essence of my exploration. As best as I can define it right now, it combines the study of the earth with the spiritual and emotional aspects of our existence. This odyssey is both a physical and internal journey, studying the stories written into the earth’s surface, shaped by Nature and human actions.

Much of this journey leads me back home to Mzansi, where I feel a deep spiritual connection to the land, its wild places, and its people. I have long envisioned articulating the extraordinary voices of ordinary individuals in this land, capturing the wildness, beauty, struggles, and paradoxes of life here.

Practically, this means spending weeks and months immersed in the communities of my Soul Tribe to gather their tales. I’ll begin sharing snippets on my platforms and gradually build these stories into a book format. The chapters I’ve already drafted consist of love letters inspired by my journey towards Love Lightly—a commitment to choose love over fear.

My Wildhearted Odyssey has already begun. A soft launch of sorts during last year and some magical time spent in Eshowe, Zululand as well as a whole month on the road in November – Kruger to Hoedspruit to Dullstroom. The next chapter began this month settling into a new home in the bush in my new Hluhluwe Happy Place.

As we move into 2025, I’m drawn to the concept of Magic—an enchanting tapestry that invites connection with the mystical. As a Lightworker and Wayfinder, I celebrate the power of authenticity, and this journey into Magic encourages us to stay present and revel in our Wildness. The playful spirits of fairies, the wisdom of witches, and the teachings of druids all guide us toward healing and reconnection with our wild spirits.

This Odyssey of My Wild Heart is not just a recent development; it traces back to my childhood, echoing an ancient belief in the immortal journey of the soul. I’ve learned that my purpose is to shine light into the world, embracing both the sweetness and the bitterness of life.

Dear Heart, remember that your love story began before you were born. You were called to bring light into the world, to witness and speak truth. Embrace the light that shines in shadow, and let your journey be one of love—lightly, freely, embracing the wild and untamed. Love to infinity… Me xx

As I venture forth, I remain values-grounded, committed to kindness, courage, creativity, and authenticity. In the wild and untamed places, I find purity and a sense of belonging, learning how to be in harmony with the world around me. Deep within me, a Wild Heart resonates with Mother Earth, pulsating to the primal rhythms of Nature. This dance of divine masculine and sacred feminine harmonises strength with sensitivity, inviting me to embrace my imperfections. Each step I take is a celebration of authenticity, reminding me that growth flows naturally with the changing seasons.

Join me as I embark on this adventure, exploring the Geography of Soul and the profound connection we share with the land, its people, and its Wildness. Together, let’s celebrate the essence of Storytelling and the Magic that binds us all.

Dreaming, Extraordinary Voices, Grace, Gratitude, Human Wildlife Coexistence, Joy, Nature, Reflection, Storytelling, Travel, Values, Wildlife Conservation

Reclaiming Wild

Wilderness

Have we forgotten
that wilderness is not a place,
but a pattern of soul
where every tree, every bird and beast
is a soul maker?

Have we forgotten
that wilderness is not a place
but a moving feast of stars,
footprints, scales and beginnings?

Since when
did we become afraid of the night
and that only the bright stars count?
or that our moon is not a moon
unless it is full?

By whose command
were the animals
Through groping fingers,
One for each hand,
Reduced to the big and little five?

Have we forgotten
That every creature is within us
carried by tides
of earthly blood
and that we named them?

Have we forgotten
that wilderness is not a place,
but a season
and that we are in its
final hour?

Ian McCallum

It was a very cold August morning as we set off before sunup on our routine morning drive around the reserve. I grabbed my favourite merino wool blanket scarf at the last minute before the vehicle left base. It was only when we got back to camp I realised the scarf was gone. As the sun rose and the morning warmed up, we all slowly delayered. I had folded up the scarf and tucked in behind me on the seat but it must have slipped out as we negotiated the bumpy dirt tracks of the reserve. It had been a risk to take the scarf along, I knew it at the time.

Two days later, on another morning drive, this time in the middle of my wildlife track and sign test, we rounded a corner and there on the side of the road was my scarf! Not all in one piece though. I had a little help gathering up all the damp scraps of wool, dirt and vegetation encrusted and smelling distinctly wild. Back at base I laid them all out trying to put the wool scarf puzzle back together. Turned out only one small section was missing!

Hyena tracks were all around the scene of the scarf wreckage so the conclusion was that younger members of the reserve’s clan had found my scarf and had a good old play. Some of the holes in bits of scarf look very much like bite marks and the centre of the scarf was ripped by claws.

The pieces of my favourite scarf were carefully packed away as my year of adventure and wandering continued.

As I have settled into my homecoming these past months, I have found time to stitch the hyena-mauled scarf back together. It as been a soulful experience and given me pause to reflect and meditate on Wild, Wildness and Wilderness.

Recently, my mom reminded me about the incredibly inspiring words of Ian McCallum. I started this post with his poem, Wilderness. I can’t express just how much his words resonate with me. I have such a Wild Heart and consider myself a bit of Wildhearted Revolutionary.

In the world of biodiversity conservation, Rewilding has become the latest in a long line of buzz words. We associate this concept as a good thing – a nature-based solution for tackling the environmental and social ills of our time.

But Wild, Wildness and Wilderness are terms very often having negative connotations such inhospitable, lack of discipline or restraint, lack of sound reasoning, neglected or abandoned or a position of disfavour, badlands or wastes.

Today I reclaim Wild, Wildness and Wilderness as part of my Soul’s vocabulary – a way of expressing true nature-connectedness, a pattern of my Soul, my Soul Maker and the season I now find myself in living my Dream Life. I claim my Wildheartedness. I claim my Wildness. I claim back Wilderness for me and all my Soul Tribe.

Stitching my hyena-ripped scarf back together has become a symbol for me of my connection to Wild and Wilderness. My own metaphor for the journey I am on, connecting me to where I have been and where I am now.

A little bit of encouragement today to reclaim your Wildness 🖤

Find your peace in true Wilderness 🖤

Creativity, Current Events, Education, Extraordinary Voices, Nature, Storytelling, Values

A Future For Us All

Take 15 minutes of your life to watch the video – A Future For Us All. Then reflect on how you can add to this all-important conversation in your sphere of influence.

Sir Ken Robinson’s work continues to shape and inspire my teaching practice as well as my personal journey to Finding My Element.

For a bit more about this giant whose shoulders we stand on, you can read my blog post from a couple of years ago at the sad time of his passing.

It is so great to see Sir Ken’s daughter, Kate, taking care of his legacy and continuing this great work.

I hope you find as much encouragement as I do from hearing Sir Ken articulate his inspired thinking around personal growth as well as his call for humanity to Unite and make the world a better place.

Continue to rest in peace, Sir Ken…. thank you for giving those left behind direction in this journey towards a future for All 🖤

Beginnings, Blessings, Current Events, Dreaming, Grace, Gratitude, Health and Wellness, Holidays, Mindfulness, New Year, Quiet, Reflection, Storytelling, Values

Finding Gratitude in Loss

Everyone I know seems to be grieving some form of loss from the year just been. And for some, this new year has ushered in yet more loss.

I have been writing and rewriting this post since the 1st of January, coming to a sad, hopeless end each time. It was the 7th of January that I came across this from my Instagram…. a post from a year ago when Australia was on fire…

I wasn’t sure for a moment that I believed the last few lines any more, given the year just been. I decided to put this post aside and come back to it after applying some resilience practices.

At times like this when I feel particularly despondent, I turn to the words of others. Anyone who knows me, knows I love a good quote!

My first stop was Susan David’s work, Emotional Agility. I have written about this a number of times now. And I constantly share her insightful and uplifting social media posts on My Story 😊

These words struck a chord with me this re-read:

Life’s beauty is inseparable from its fragility.

Susan David PhD

I read and re-read these words. There is grief and loss there but there is also hope and beauty.  Can I find some gratitude in loss, I mused?

Well, yes I can.

I lost my job late last year. I grieved this loss deeply, especially all I perceived I was losing in terms of the tribe I found in my colleagues and the hopes I had built around my career projection.

In reality, I was given the gift of time to focus on making one of my dreams come true – getting Pure Spaces Education off the ground. What I’ve achieved in the last couple of months would simply never have happened if it was still business as usual. I am now working towards my true purpose.

And in reality, that tribe of colleagues I mentioned isn’t tied to geography. This tribe will outlast that workplace. We will continue to love and support each other no matter where each of us lands up 💛

I lost my freedom to travel. I still grieve this loss, but I am daily reminded of how blessed I am to be riding out the pandemic storm here in New Zealand! Deeply, deeply grateful I got to spend Christmas with my family and see in the New Year on the beach in the summer sunshine.

I lost “control” over my what and when and how…. Only to realise I never had control over any of that in the first place. I found comfort in stillness. Something I have always struggled with is stopping, letting go and just Being. This past year forced me into giving myself permission to Just Be… and it has been a game changer. It is okay to be still and wait…. In the Waiting there are often unexpected dreams come true.

Here’s a couple of quotes that helped through this time:

I said to my soul, be still and wait… so the darkness shall be the light and the stillness the dancing.

T. S. Eliot

To see the World in a Grain of Sand, and Heaven in a Wild Flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand, and Eternity in an hour.

William Blake

Now you might read this and think I haven’t really lost anything. It isn’t real loss I’m talking about. In answer, I’ll go back to the beginning of this post. We have all suffered loss as a result of Covid-19. All of humanity has lost something. We are all changed by this loss of “normal”. I have simply articulated a couple of examples of the loss I have felt. Each of us will have our own examples of how we are changed. I believe it is important for each of us to acknowledge this loss to ourselves, grieve it, and then we can move forward. In the moving forward my hope is that we lean into the changes and see in them opportunity. Opportunity to forge a brave, new world!

I heard a great quote the other day:

We will not go back to normal, normal never was. Our pre-Corona existence was not normal, other than we normalized greed, inequity, exhaustion, depletion, extraction, disconnection, confusion, rage, hoarding, hate, and lack. We should not long to return, my friends, we are being given the opportunity to stitch a new garment, one that fits all of humanity and nature

Sonya Renee Taylor

That is what I am hoping for this coming year. I want to be part of stitching this new garment.

So I go back to what I wrote in that post of 7 Jan 2020…Many of my dreams are about a continued journey of treading lightly, living sustainably with Mother Earth in mind. Times like this bring motivation to act on these dreams with a sense of urgency.
Hope is not lost if we all do whatever we can, no matter how small it may seem. This growing earthly-conscious collective can turn the tide. I believe this! I do believe what I wrote then. I believe it just as applicable now as it was then.

I found gratitude and growth in loss.

Advent, Dreaming, Grace, Mindfulness, Reflection, Ritual, Traditions, Values

Kindness

I have been learning a lot about kindness recently. I like to think I am kind. However, what I am beginning to realise is that I am kind usually when its easy or convenient. I find it easy to be kind to Nature as this is my strongest Value. I am mostly kind to those I know and love. Although I do think there are times when I am not as kind to those closest to me as I should be. Also, I feel like I can show kindness to individuals easier than to groups of people.

At present I’m in the middle of huge project, a steep learning curve. This is a chance to reinvent myself and truly change my career direction. If I get this right, a dream from my dream tin will come true. The personal stakes are high. Kindness towards myself has been essential.  But it turns out this is where I really fall apart in the kindness department.

My inner voice has been so critical, so judgemental. I wouldn’t talk to anyone like I’ve been talking to myself.

So I have had to stop and take a pause. Then get really introspective. I needed something visual to help me put kindness in some sort of perspective. This is what I came up with:

My take on kindness – a set of concentric circles with Me at the centre

It seems to me that kindness to myself establishes a strong core. If this kindness is sincere then kindness outward to kin, community, humanity and nature will be more authentic. Well, it is worth a try… but it certainly is a journey.

Getting prepared for Advent has been an appropriate time to spend on this sort of reflection. And funnily enough coincides with the arrival of #DoGoodDecember and a Kindness Calendar for the month of December from Action for Happiness.

I know I have mentioned this before, but I really have found the resources from Action for Happiness invaluable this year!

So we wind down this strange year and I set time aside from my project to focus on my Christmas rituals and traditions. One of my rituals is reflecting on the year just been and dreaming of the one to come.

I want to encourage anyone reading this of just how fallible we are when it comes to it. Fallible, and that is okay. Kindness, just like any other growth path, is something we have to choose anew every day. Thankfully, it is a grace-full universe.

The words of John O’Donohue continue to be a great comfort to me. This blessing in particular.

This is what kindness to myself looks like at the moment.

Whatever your beliefs or circumstances, I wish you space to reflect with gratitude and dream with hope. Happy Advent 🕯